Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-02

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reactions to "KTFF's" decision to apply for becoming a member of the Cyprus Football Association continue

[02] The "election campaign" is described as "faint"; Candidates continue their tours

[03] More public opinion polls for the 19 April "elections"

[04] Eroglu calls on Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table; he criticizes Greek President's statements on the Cyprus problem

[05] Ertug's statement on British Foreign Secretary's cancellation trip to Cyprus

[06] Ozyigit welcomes steps on the Cyprus problem

[07] The "Turkish Cypriot municipalities union" was granted a membership by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the CoE

[08] "Deputy" Celer attended the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU

[09] Dincyurek: An electric power connection with a cable from Turkey is a condition

[10] Unemployment rate in the occupied area of Cyprus is 9.6%

[11] Questions linger after massive power outage

[12] Turkey vows to hunt down 'dark forces' behind Istanbul hostage-taking

[13] An attack against Istanbul's police HQ

[14] Turkey's military welcomes 'Sledgehammer' coup verdict

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reactions to "KTFF's" decision to apply for becoming a member of the Cyprus Football Association continue

Noting that his party supports the "federation's" initiative, Erk said that this initiative derives from the Turkish Cypriots' rights in the Republic of Cyprus and argued that it is not sincere and consistent to differentiate the policy followed in the name of the rights deriving from this partnership on the issue of the natural gas and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) when the issue is football. He noted that the same situation was experienced on the issue of the international recognition of the Nicosia Turkish municipality and the acquisition of Republic of Cyprus' passports by the Turkish Cypriots, but the threats made then failed.

The general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Suphi Hudaoglu said that he thinks that the step taken by the "KTFF" is positive and expressed the full support of his party. He noted that "KTFF's" step is in the direction of taking back their rights in the CFA, which will recognize all the powers of the "KTFF". He argued that the statement that concessions are given from the Turkish Cypriots' political equality is not correct. Hudaoglu described as unacceptable and disrespectful to the clubs self-styled minister of sports, Serdar Denktas' statement that he will freeze his "ministry's" relations with the "federation".

Abdullah Korkmazhan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) saluted "KTFF's" initiative and added that BKP will continue to support "the courageous steps" taken in the direction of the reunification of the Cyprus football.

Tozun Tunali, chairman of the Social Democrat Party (SDP) called on all the "federations" in the occupied area of Cyprus to support the "KTFF". Expressing the belief that if the door opens for the "KTFF", the same development will happen for all the other "federations", Tunali said that the "ministry" did not find any solution to the issue in spite of the fact that the problem was known for months. Tunali argued that the "ministry" committed another big mistake by stating that it will freeze its relations with the "KTFF" and accused Denktas of making a "gaffe".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (01.04.15) reported that the Turkish Cypriot referees' and observers' "association" and the sport editors' "association" expressed their support to "KTFF's" initiative.

After these reactions, Denktas returned his "powers" on the issue of sports to the self-styled prime minister, Ozkan Yorgancioglu. He argued that in spite of his "good intended efforts", the football clubs' administrators, the referees, the football players and the sports editors do not understand him. "I will not further wear out myself for people and issues that do not worth it", he noted.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (01.04.15) reported that Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of the "KTFF" said that he laughs with the statements made by Serdar Denktas and the National Unity Party and added that when the agreement with the CFA enters into effect, the Turkish Cypriot football teams will be able to play international matches. "Our target is to establish a common league in Cyprus after 5-6 years", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The "election campaign" is described as "faint"; Candidates continue their tours

[01] The "election" race started too early, almost a year ago, something that resulted in the decrease of the "public's" interest.

[02] The "citizens" keep distance from politics, because they have either lost faith in them or they are tired of having "elections" or for other reasons.

[03] The candidates could not meet all together and express their views in order for showing their difference.

[04] The candidates and the political parties are experiencing organizational weaknesses. They are experiencing difficulties in reaching the voters, they cannot go outside in the streets and hold face to face meetings with them or they are doing this in a limited manner.

[05] The stagnancy and pessimism experienced in the Cyprus problem prevent voters from being enthusiastic. That is why, a significant part of the "voters" do not attach importance to who the negotiator will be.

(I/Ts.)

[03] More public opinion polls for the 19 April "elections"

63.7% of the participants in the poll said that the "elections" will have two rounds. 49.6% expressed the view that Mustafa Akinci and Dervis Eroglu will participate in the second round and Akinci will win with 60.5% against 39.5% of Eroglu.

In case Eroglu and Sibel Siber remain in the second round Eroglu is winning with 51.1% of the votes against 48.9% of Siber.

Asked who they want to see as "president" of the Turkish Cypriot "people", the participants replied: Dervis Eroglu 37.2%, Mustafa Akinci 30.3%, Sibel Siber 21.1%, Kudret Ozersay 11.4%.

Asked who they think is the most appropriate candidate to solve the Cyprus problem, the participants replied: Mustafa Akinci 38.2%, Dervis Eroglu 26.8%, Sibel Siber 21.6%, Kudret Ozersay 13.4%.

Asked whether the "election' will end in the first round 36.3% replied that "it will definitely end in the first round" and 63.7% said that "it will end in the second round".

The distribution of votes in relation to which candidates will remain in the second round is the following:

Eroglu - Akinci: 39.5% - 60.5%

Eroglu - Siber: 51.1% - 48.9%

Eroglu ? Ozersay: 46.6% - 53.4%

Ozersay ? Siber: 60.4% - 39.6%

Ozersay ? Akinci: 67.5% - 32.5%

Siber ? Akinci: 39.4% - 60.6%

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (02.04.15) refers to the results of a public opinion poll it has conducted over its website with the participation of 4.465 persons within the period 7 March 2015-1 April 2015. The paper notes that 6.517 persons participated in the survey, but 2.052 were regarded as invalid, because they voted twice or more than two times. Asked who they will vote in the "elections", the participants in the survey replied: Mustafa Akinci 38.95%, Dervis Eroglu 20.89%, Sibel Siber 20.75%, Kudret Ozersay 15.23%, Arif Salih Kirdag 1.62%, Mustafa Onurer 1.35%, Mustafa Ulas 0.81%. According to the paper, 56% of the participants in the survey participated through their smart phones, 39% through their desktop or laptop computer, 4% through their tablet and 1% through other devices.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu calls on Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table; he criticizes Greek President's statements on the Cyprus problem

Commenting on the withdrawal of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa seismic research vessel from Cyprus' EEZ, Eroglu said that with the withdrawal of the Barbaros seismic vessel, he expects the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table without any preconditions and to resume the Cyprus talks from the point they were left off.

Eroglu noted that if the Greek Cypriot side does not renew their own NAVTEX or do any other research activities then the Turkish Cypriot side will not do it either. He claimed that Anastasiades in reality avoids the give-and-take process.

Asked to comment on self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami's statement that no progress has been achieved over the last five years, Eroglu preferred not to respond to Nami's accusation. He added that they had held intensive talks during his "tenure in office" and this is open to the public to see.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (online, 01.04.15) broadcast that Eroglu expressed disappointment and dismay over remarks made by the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos during his latest visit to Cyprus.

Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will never give in to the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo's ambitions or games and will continue their struggle to live freely and independently.

In a written statement issued by his office, Eroglu claimed that it is disappointing to see that the Greek Cypriot leader still insists that the new partnership to be created in Cyprus will evolve out of the current Cyprus Republic which has been under the occupation of the Greek Cypriots for half a century. "This discourse not only contravenes existing UN parameters established through the years but is also against the spirit of the partnership we aim to achieve", Eroglu alleged.

He claimed that such statements made at a time when efforts are being made to restart the stalled Cyprus negotiations process raise serious questions and cast doubts regarding the Greek Cypriot side's sincerity and seriousness regarding a settlement.

Eroglu claimed that Greece despite being one of the guarantor countries of the 1960 partnership Republic had aided both physically and politically to destroy the partnership state in 1963 through the force of arms. "I wonder whether Mr Pavlopulos is aware that the late Greek Cypriot leader Archbishop Makarios addressed the UN Security Council a few days after the Greek coup?" asked Eroglu.

(DPs)

[05] Ertug's statement on British Foreign Secretary's cancellation trip to Cyprus

Ertug stressed that Eroglu's office is extremely pleased to see the sensitivity shown towards the Turkish Cypriot side. "It goes without consideration that such steps which respect the political equality of the two sides in Cyprus contribute to efforts aimed at restarting the stalled Cyprus negotiations process which have reached a critical phase. Even though Mr. Hammond's visit has not taken place, the sensitivity shown by the UK which supports the talks has greatly pleased us", Ertug said.

(DPs)

[06] Ozyigit welcomes steps on the Cyprus problem

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ozyigit said that TDP greeted the decisions taken by the Turkish Cypriot side to withdraw the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa seismic research vessel as well as the decision taken by the Greek Cypriot side to cease exploration activities.

Noting that all obstacles in the way of the resumption of the talks had been removed with the departure of the Saipem 10000 platform and the Barbaros from the region, Ozyigit said that it is now time for Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table and resume the talks from where they were left off.

Stressing the upcoming visits of UN Secretary General's Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide's to Cyprus, Ankara and Athens, Ozyigit said that the visits show that the UN is in serious preparation for the negotiations.

Ozyigit also proposed the establishment of two technical committees, once the talks resumed, to focus on the issues of hydrocarbons and the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha in exchange for the opening up of the occupied ports to direct trade.

(DPs)

[07] The "Turkish Cypriot municipalities union" was granted a membership by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the CoE

The self-styled chairman of the "union" and "mayor" of the occupied village Geunyeli Ahmet Benli said that the "union" has been accepted as member from the "guest" status that used to be in the previous general assembly.

The delegation of the "union" headed by Benli had an official meeting with Jean-Claude Frecon, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. During the meeting, Jean-Philippe Bozouls, Executive Secretary of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe was also present.

Benli said: "The Turkish Cypriots have been reinstated their status. Our local administrators now have a permanent seat at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Strasbourg". Thanking the Council of Europe for reinstating the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, Benli said that the local administrators will now be able to take part more actively in the Congress' meetings.

Benli also said that a delegation of observers will be visiting the island in May 2016 to prepare a report. "This report is a chance for the Turkish Cypriots. We hope that this report will produce a balanced result that includes unification and solution of the Cyprus problem instead of division", added Benli.

(DPs)

[08] "Deputy" Celer attended the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU

According to a press release by TDP, Celer represented the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) at the Forum of Young Parliamentarians within the framework of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

(DPs)

[09] Dincyurek: An electric power connection with a cable from Turkey is a condition

Addressing the Intercontinental Wind Power Congress organized by the Turkish Wind Energy Association and the European Wind Energy Association at the WOW congress centre in Istanbul, said that switching to renewable energy sources has become inevitable in face of the reality that fossil fuels are slowly running out on the planet.

Pointing out that the variety of energy sources in the "TRNC" are not at a desired level, Dincyurek informed the participants about the measures taken to curb emissions emitted from the two diesel run power plants currently operating in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Dincyurek also pointed out that a series of steps are needed to be taken so as to bring the "TRNC" to the desired levels in the field of renewable energy. "The current infrastructure does not allow us to produce the energy we desire through wind or solar power. We need to develop our infrastructure first, we need to bring power to the island from Turkey via a cable, he added.

Dincyurek explained that although there are incentives for investments in renewable energy in the "TRNC", only a handful of individuals have invested in the renewable energy technologies mainly for personal use. "Wind energy will never run out as long as there is life on this planet. It is possible to combine the 'TRNC's' vast potential for solar energy and wind energy to introduce more environmental friendly and efficient systems of producing energy in the island" he said.

(DPs)

[10] Unemployment rate in the occupied area of Cyprus is 9.6%

(I/Ts.)

[11] Questions linger after massive power outage

On Tuesday morning, Turkey was rocked by a massive power outage in almost all provinces across the country, leaving millions without electricity for hours. The metro and trams in Istanbul and Ankara came to a halt, traffic lights stopped working and people were trapped in elevators, while some factories lacking backup power stopped production. Mobile phone networks suffered disruptions as well.

The government set up a crisis desk and officials rushed to investigate the source of the mysterious outage that was initially tied to a technical failure.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz, whose Ministry is in charge of the country's power supply, promised a meticulous probe into the outage that paralyzed daily life. Yildiz was in Slovakia on an official visit and informed reporters throughout the day about the issue before wrapping up the day by announcing that the entire country was "energized" again.

Cutting short his trip, Yildiz returned to Turkey and met with directors of energy. Officials have not made any comments on the power outage since then.

The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS), the state-run agency in charge of electricity transmission in the country where electricity delivery authority is privatized, announced there was a sudden loss of 3,000 megawatts of power that cut off Turkey from the European grid and backup supplies failed to meet the high demand and this eventually led to the outages.

The Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) gave several explanations regarding the cause of the blackout. One of them is shortcomings in maintenance of transmission lines. Another explanation is that private-run natural gas power plants stopped production in less profitable hours when the prices are low. "This led to a shortage in supplies and mismanagement of the crisis led to a greater failure in power transmission," a statement by EMO said, noting that a similar blackout occurred in 2006 in 13 cities when private-run plants stopped operating.

The public, impatient for an explanation, has already taken to social media to churn out conspiracy theories one after another. A cyber-attack is the likeliest reason according to many. Some believe it had something to do with the hostage crisis in the Caglayan Courthouse in Istanbul, claiming the power outage was meant to disable security cameras and shut down electronic security systems to allow a covert operation by terrorists. Even Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party, questioned whether the blackout had any connection to the hostage drama. This allegation was dismissed by officials. Other opposition members questioned whether the blackout aimed to show Turkey's need for nuclear energy.

(DPs)

[12] Turkey vows to hunt down 'dark forces' behind Istanbul hostage-taking

Safak Yayla and Bahtiyar Dogruyol of the outlawed far-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP/C) took prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz, 46, hostage in his office in Istanbul on March 31. All three were killed in a shootout with police that began at around 8:30 p.m.

Kiraz was laid to rest on April 1 after a ceremony in the courthouse where he was taken hostage, followed by funeral prayers in Istanbul's Eyup district.

"We don't see this as an attack on our deceased prosecutor, but on the whole justice system. It is a gun directed at our nation," Justice Minister Kenan Ipek told mourners at a ceremony attended by hundreds of lawyers and judges.

"Our state is powerful enough to track down those behind these lowlifes. The fact that these assassins are dead shouldn't put those nefarious and dark forces at ease," he said, as Kiraz's coffin, draped with the Turkish flag, was on display in the courthouse foyer.

The Caglayan Courthouse where the attack took place will be renamed the Mehmet Selim Kiraz Courthouse in memory of the prosecutor, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced in a press conference on April 1 in Ankara.

Davutoglu warned late on March 31 of the risk of increased violence ahead of the June 7 general election, urging all parties to "form a united front against terrorism."

On the same issue, HDN (online, 01.04.15) reports that Davutoglu has vowed that the government will not tolerate demonstrations in the street "whoever they are and whatever their intent is", while slamming elements of the media and the opposition over the March 31 killing of a prosecutor.

"There will be no toleration, not even for a minute, of those who go out [to protest] on the street without permission, threatening the country's security, whoever they are and whatever their intent is," Davutoglu said on April 1 at the massive funeral for slain prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz, who was taken hostage by two assailants before being killed during their confrontation with the police in Istanbul.

According to Article 34 of the Turkish Constitution, "Everyone has the right to hold unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission."

"We have decided to take certain precautions after provocative acts in some Istanbul streets following what these terrorists, these murderers, and these cowards did yesterday," Davutoglu added.

The Prime Minister also slammed several media outlets on the grounds that they printed pictures of two assailants holding a gun to the prosecutor's head.

Meanwhile, Davutoglu also criticized two opposition leaders, Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Devlet Bahceli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), for not turning up to the funeral.

"I call on politicians to review [their choices]. Bahceli and Kilicdaroglu were not here. Those who do not stand with the people in their painful days cannot play a role in their future," he said.

(DPs)

[13] An attack against Istanbul's police HQ

The assailant opened fire on policemen stationed at the entrance of the building in Istanbul's Fatih district with a long-barrelled weapon.

The female assailant, who was shot dead on the spot, has been identified as Elif Sultan Kalsen, a member of the illegal far-left group the Revolutionary People's Liberation/Party Front (DHKP/C).

Kalsen was previously announced as a terror attack suspect and a suicide bomber on several occasions.

The attack came a day after two suspected members of the outlawed far-left group, the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), took a prosecutor hostage in an Istanbul courthouse, before all three were killed during a late night confrontation with the police.

The DHKP-C has recently threatened to attack police stations in Turkey.

[13] An attack against Istanbul's police HQ

The assailant opened fire on policemen stationed at the entrance of the building in Istanbul's Fatih district with a long-barrelled weapon.

The female assailant, who was shot dead on the spot, has been identified as Elif Sultan Kalsen, a member of the illegal far-left group the Revolutionary People's Liberation/Party Front (DHKP/C).

Kalsen was previously announced as a terror attack suspect and a suicide bomber on several occasions.

The attack came a day after two suspected members of the outlawed far-left group, the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), took a prosecutor hostage in an Istanbul courthouse, before all three were killed during a late night confrontation with the police.

The DHKP-C has recently threatened to attack police stations in Turkey.

[14] Turkey's military welcomes 'Sledgehammer' coup verdict

A criminal court in Istanbul had cancelled convictions of 236 accused in the high-profile case on Tuesday.

Sledgehammer, or Balyoz in Turkish, is the name of an alleged plot cooked up by a junta in the Turkish Armed Forces to overthrow the government in 2003.

"The case? hurt members of Turkish Armed Forces deeply and revealed the variety of fake evidences given in the case, which has resulted in the acquittal, as we expected," the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said in an official statement on their website.

The statement added that the TSK expected a fair trial of those responsible for hurting the loved ones of the accused and the Turkish Armed Forces.

(DPs) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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