Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-05-28

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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] Nami says that they will soon launch the process regarding the mines

[02] "There is progress in the negotiations"

[03] Akinci met with foreign Ambassadors

[04] New postponement for the trial of the couple who displayed the Republic of Cyprus' flag

[05] Denktas proposed Mentes Gunduz to replace him for the "deputy prime minister" post

[06] The "universities" contribute to the economy of the breakaway regime 1.3 billion dollars

[07] "North Cyprus Turkcell" includes the calls towards Turkey to domestic calls

[08] Significant amount of copper and gold were discovered in mine researchers in an army controlled area in occupied Lefka

[09] Cavusoglu held contacts in Kuwait; The resumption of the Cyprus negotiation talks among the matters of discussion

[10] Main opposition party CHP expresses concerns over the security of the June elections; EP's Rapporteur carries out contacts in Turkey

[11] Survey in Turkey indicates Turkey's isolation to the world and presents Israel and the US as biggest threats for Turkey

[12] "Lone wolf syndrome in Turkish foreign policy"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami says that they will soon launch the process regarding the mines

"At this stage I cannot say that there are [mines] in this area and there are not in that. This work will be carried out in a sound manner, but at least when we look at the areas generally ? and the military authorities have made a presentation to us about this- we see that it is not possible to have a minefield in many of them. For example, huge buildings exist at places where a minefield appears on the map or the fields have been ploughed for years etc. A detailed issue is the following: For example many types of mines are made of metal and those made of metal are most probably not functional after 40 years. On the other hand, those made of plastic have a longer life. There are also anti-personnel [mines] which are closer to the surface. It is not possible for them not to have exploded after a so long period of time. However, there are also antitank [mines] which might remain deep in the ground as long as a load is not put on them. All these are now being examined together with the necessary authorities and the procedures will be launched soon".

Nami said that they conveyed to the military authorities the information submitted by President Anastasiades during the first meeting between the leaders. The military reportedly saw that this information was insufficient for carrying out demining activities and briefed them in writing about the standards of the information they wanted. He said that they conveyed this information to the Greek Cypriot side, which searched its archives and gave them the information they wanted in the format they wanted.

Referring to the negotiating process, Nami said that they are hopeful about the future and that both leaders speak about a common vision, without any pressure to be exerted on any of them by anyone. He expressed the wish that this positive climate continues and recalled of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's statement that the most important thing is to reach a good result. "With this understanding we are going [to the negotiations] cautiously optimistic", he said adding that hoping is a good thing but "we do not want to draw a rosy picture". "We do not want to be disappointed if something goes wrong. It is a difficult process", he noted and added:

"The positive reaction to the leaders the other day when they went to the south [Translator's note this is how he described the government-controlled area of the island] through Lokmaci area, the positive energy shows to us that a change started in the Greek Cypriot side and the public opinion polls also indicate this. These are good developments, but we have before us issues which are not touched yet. You will hear both good news and tension from the meetings. Everyone should be psychologically prepared for these".

Replying to a question, Nami said that both sides took steps forward in a constructive manner showing respect to the convergences and the gains achieved until today. He noted that everything has not started from scratch.

(I/Ts.)

[02] "There is progress in the negotiations"

Eide participated in this meeting and tweeted the following: "With Cyprus negotiators @ozdilnami and @AMavroyiannis at their 5th meeting since 15 May. Good progress. Leaders to meet again tomorrow".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Akinci met with foreign Ambassadors

In statements to Kibris after the meeting, Ambassador Cerboni said that they are optimistic about the new negotiating process, noting that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be for the benefit of not only the two communities in Cyprus, but also of the entire Europe. He pointed out that they had a positive meeting with Akinci and wished him success in the difficult duty that awaits him. The Italian Ambassador further said that his country is ready to support the activities of the UN on the Cyprus problem and the efforts of Espen Barth Eide, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[04] New postponement for the trial of the couple who displayed the Republic of Cyprus' flag

The paper writes that the "trial" was postponed for June 4 and adds that some small noisy quarrels took place again out of the court upon the couples' arrival. Basdogrultmaci arrived at the court with his car in which the Republic of Cyprus' flag was hanged, the paper writes.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (28.05.15) reports that the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan condemned the attacks that took place against the couple during the "trial" of the case by "Grey wolfs". Korkmazhan stated that the flag displayed by the couple is not a "Greek Cypriot flag", but the flag of the Republic of Cyprus which is the common state of both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.

(CS)

[05] Denktas proposed Mentes Gunduz to replace him for the "deputy prime minister" post

According to information from DP's office, Denktas has conveyed to the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu his proposal.

(DPs)

[06] The "universities" contribute to the economy of the breakaway regime 1.3 billion dollars

Vehbi also said that there are also 75 thousand students in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus from 120 different countries.

(DPs)

[07] "North Cyprus Turkcell" includes the calls towards Turkey to domestic calls

(DPs)

[08] Significant amount of copper and gold were discovered in mine researchers in an army controlled area in occupied Lefka

According to the paper, it is estimated that 1,485,000 tons of copper were found on the one spot and 2,970,000 tons on the other spot. In addition, significant amount of gold was discovered at the area as well. The director of the "Manning operator ltd" Oral Sonmez, alleged that the investment of this project can bring 200 million dollars. However, Sonmez said that a big portion of the reservations is located in an "army controlled areas" and therefore the company must make the necessary negotiations with the breakaway regime and Turkey.

(CS)

[09] Cavusoglu held contacts in Kuwait; The resumption of the Cyprus negotiation talks among the matters of discussion

(?).

Turkish diplomatic sources said that during his contacts in Kuwait, Cavusoglu met among others with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah with whom he discussed bilateral and regional cooperation as well as the start of peace negotiations in Cyprus.

[10] Main opposition party CHP expresses concerns over the security of the June elections; EP's Rapporteur carries out contacts in Turkey

Penning down a draft of a critical report on Turkey, which is expected to be voted at EP after the Turkish elections, Piri took a crucial visit to discuss with main opposition party leader the conduct of free campaigning of the parliamentary candidates and security at the polls ahead of parliamentary elections, that many view could decide over the future shape of Turkey's political system.

Speaking to Today's Zaman on Wednesday, CHP parliamentary group Deputy Chairman Levent Gok, who was also present at the meeting, said that the CHP shared its concerns over the conduct of fair elections in Turkey with Piri.

"Piri told us that the EU will closely monitor the elections in Turkey and make effort to ensure ballot security," said Gok.

CHP Deputy chairman Murat Ozcelik told reporters that during the meeting, K?l?cdaroglu complained to Piri about President Erdogan's holding of rallies to demand votes for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), in clear violation of a constitutional provision that requires a president to be impartial.

In the guise of attending inauguration ceremonies of facilities across Turkey, Erdogan, according to his critics, uses such events as rallies to woo voters to support the ruling AK Party without naming it.

Ozcelik added that during the meeting, the CHP conveyed to Piri the concerns of the party about unethical election practices by the AK Party, as the recent surveys indicate a dramatic fall of electoral support for the ruling party.

(?)

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Piri highlighted among other, the importance of the ability of every parliamentary candidate to organize rallies and hold election campaigns freely.

"On election day, every voter should go to polls without fear of security at polls," said Piri.

The EU Rapporteur also said she has concerns that negative developments might occur in the case that the HDP does not get enough votes to pass the electoral threshold of 10%, which is required for parties to obtain seats in Parliament.

Previously, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announced that "observers would be assigned to 33 provinces across Turkey to observe the elections. Around 50 Deputies from 20 OSCE member states will monitor the forthcoming June elections in Turkey".

(?)

[11] Survey in Turkey indicates Turkey's isolation to the world and presents Israel and the US as biggest threats for Turkey

The rector of the university, Professor Mustafa Ayd?n, hosted a group of columnists on Wednesday to reveal the results of the survey, which was conducted in April among urban populations across Turkey, totaling 1,000 people.

In response to a question concerning which country they see as the biggest threat to Turkey, 42.6% of respondents said Israel, while 35.3% said the United States. The same survey held in 2013 found 37.1 and 41.7 disapproval rates, respectively, for these two countries. These results indicate a decrease in animosity toward the US and an increase toward Israel.

While 8.7% of respondents said that no country poses a threat to Turkey, a significant portion of the population -- 38.9% -- said that "Turkey has no friends." This belief, however, is almost unchanged from the 2013 result, when the figure stood at 38.6%.

Among countries that are considered friendly, Azerbaijan at 37.5% ranks first, followed by the "TRNC" at 8.9% and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 6%.

Although Turkey is officially a candidate country for European Union membership, 10.2% of respondents said that the EU countries constitute a threat to Turkey, though that is a slight decrease from 12.8% in 2013. Following Israel and the US, Syria at 22.1% and Armenia at 20.3% rank as the top threats for Turkey.

When respondents were asked whether they want Turkey to become an EU member, 42.4% said yes, with over 20% undecided. This is in comparison to the 2013 results, when 47.5% supported the EU membership. According to Associate Professor Sinem Akgul Ac?kmese, such a decline has been in place over the last decade. Furthermore, seven out of every 10 people in Turkey believes that Turkey's EU membership has been blocked. When asked about the reason why Turkey's membership bid has been blocked, 46.2% of the people cite a "difference in religion and identity" between Turkey and the EU, a slight increase from the 2013 results.

Only 9.8% believe that there is no alternative to the EU for Turkey, while 27.7% of respondents favored the establishment of a "Turkic union."

Although a significant majority of society, 85.1% says that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a terrorist organization, 24.1% say that it does not pose a threat to Turkey. A total of 65.4% believe that ISIL is a threat, while 10.5% are undecided.

(?)

When it comes to the President's role in foreign policy formation, the study also had striking findings. Compared to the 2013 results, when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was Prime Minister, the people's perception that the President has a role in influencing in foreign policy has risen. Only 7.7% of respondents said that the President influences foreign policy in Turkey in 2013, while the figure now stands at 28.4%

[12] "Lone wolf syndrome in Turkish foreign policy"

Following is the commentary:

"Do you know why Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has continued to slam the New York Times ever since its recent editorial, accusing it of 'interfering' in Turkish politics and using language like 'Who do you think you are?' and 'Know your place'?

Because, as the country heads to critical parliamentary elections on June 7, this kind of rhetoric works in domestic politics.

It is the same reason why Erdogan finds a reason to hit out at 'Western imperialists' and their plans in the region, even while Turkey is an effective member of the Western military alliance NATO. It is the same reason why he denounces the U.S. and the European Union over "double standards" when it comes to Turkey, making this an everyday issue in his rallies.

This helps to consolidate votes and it makes foreign issues a factor in domestic politics, along with the main issue of the economy. It appeals to the nationalistic pride of Turkish voters.

A recent survey conducted by Istanbul's Kadir Has University about public perceptions of Turkish foreign policy revealed that nearly 39% of Turks think the country has no friends. (?)

That 'surrounded by enemies and conspired against' mood is also clear in Turks' alliance perception.

(?)When Dr Ibrahim Kal?n - the Foreign policy Advisor of President Erdogan, and now also Deputy Secretary General of the Presidency - came up with the concept of 'precious loneliness' as the government was being criticized domestically and internationally for losing friends in the neighborhood, many people interpreted it as an unconvincing justification of foreign policy failure. But it may be much more than that. It is turning out to be a domestic political leverage, which not only reflects the foreign policy perceptions of the average Turk but also manipulates them toward the ballot box.

Erdogan's recent 'The World is Bigger than Five' campaign is an example of this. He actually had a point when he raised the issue of unfair representation in the five-member U.N. Security Council. The campaign had no international effect, but it did appeal to the national pride of ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) supporters, working as a consolidating agent.

Given the perceptions profile of Turkish voters, it is not realistic to expect dramatic shifts in the AK Party's foreign policy if it stays in power after June 7. In fact, perhaps, according to survey, we should start calling it Erdogan's foreign policy" TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(AK/ AM)

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