Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-11-09

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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] "'Army opening' from USA in Cyprus"

[02] Talat: If the Turkish Cypriots do not approve the agreement to be reached, they will lose the sympathy they gained with the Annan Plan

[03] Eroglu: "The realities discussed at the negotiating table should be announced to the people"

[04] Ozersay announces that he will establish a political party

[05] Ozgurgun is re-elected in the leadership of UBP

[06] Colak met with TUKSIAD delegation

[07] "KTIAK"'s delegation carries out contacts in Berlin

[08] Maltese Ministry of Culture invited illegal GAU to a conference

[09] The occupied Lefka municipality became officially member of the Cittaslow organization

[10] "Security forces" constructed the "city hall" of occupied Yialoussa

[11] Former CHP provincial heads call for CHP' extraordinary assembly

[12] Police officer suspended from duty for allegedly insulting Erdogan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] "'Army opening' from USA in Cyprus"

"High ranking military officials of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) serving in the island participated in the reception hosted at the Merit Lefkosia Hotel in the TRNC by the new Ambassador of the USA to Cyprus, Kathleen Ann Doherty.

Lieutenant General Ilyas Bozkurt, the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, Major General Erhan Uzun, Commander of the Security Forces along with other military officials participated in the reception, which was filmed only by Milliyet. The fact that the Turkish Army, which Greek Cypriots allege that is an "occupation army", participated in the USA reception in full complement, drew attention. According to information obtained by Milliyet, USA generally invites to its receptions high ranking military officials. However, this is the first time that the military authorities participated in full complement and in uniform in the reception. The foreign military officials, who also participated in the reception, were closely interested to both Lieutenant General Ilyas Bozkurt and Major General Erhan Uzun.

USA was pleased

In the speech she made at the reception, Doherty stated: "I feel very happy for taking office in Cyprus".

A diplomat serving on the island, noted: "It is a very important event that the Turkish army participated in a reception hosted by the USA in Cyprus". The same diplomat stated: "This is an indication of trust by the USA to the Turkish army".

It was learned that the USA expressed its satisfaction over the fact that the TAF gave permission for searching for missing persons in 30 military zones.

The USA Foreign Minister John Kerry cancelled the visit he would pay to Cyprus on November 14 over the Syria crisis".

[02] Talat: If the Turkish Cypriots do not approve the agreement to be reached, they will lose the sympathy they gained with the Annan Plan

In statements during a television program, Talat claimed that not only they will lose the sympathy they have gained, but they will also face sanctions. "This is a disaster scenario for us", he noted adding: "This is what I am trying to explain. The aim is not to cause fear. Let us behave by knowing this. We cannot say that 'nothing will happen to us'. We saw what happened. They do not allow us to breath. Do we want states and governments to put obstacles to the students, who are their citizens and come to study in our universities? Such a risk exists".

Referring to the negotiating process, Talat said that "we are at a good point in governance and power sharing". He noted: "It had been almost closed during my period. During the new period some deficiencies were completed, but a new situation came up. And this is the issue of the presidency now".

He said that the issue of the rotating presidency was included both in the Annan Plan and in the Ghali Set of Ideas and alleged that "at the same time it has been widely accepted both in the world and in Cyprus". He described rotating presidency as "the only indication of the Turkish Cypriot mark in the new federal structure". He said that the Turkish Cypriots submitted a proposal for 3 Greek Cypriots and 2 Turkish Cypriots [in the presidential council], while the Greek Cypriots said the proportion should be 4:2. He noted the issue of the rotating presidency will be influenced by these things and by other things such as for example whether the Foreign Minister will be a Turk or not.

Talat expressed the view that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci will not sign a "negative agreement" and that he will say "yes" in case the majority approves the solution.

He further argued that in case they do not approve the possible solution to the Cyprus problem not only will they not be able to export halloumi-hellim cheese to the EU and hold direct trade with EU member countries, but "it is not known if we will have any relations [with the EU]".

Talat clarified that he does not imply reaching "any solution", but "an agreement that our side can accept", adding that Akinci will ask for the views of the "assembly" of the regime and the political parties about this possible solution.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: "The realities discussed at the negotiating table should be announced to the people"

In a written statement, Eroglu alleged that until an agreement is reached in Cyprus, they should defend the "TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He also argued that the treaties of guarantee and alliance should continue for the sake of the future of the Turkish Cypriots.

Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots only demand at the negotiating table and they pretend that they negotiate for a solution, but they play with the world and waste the Turkish Cypriots' time.

Referring to the confidence building measures, Eroglu alleged that no matter how many crossing points are opened, the Turkish Cypriots will have absolutely no benefit and there will be no contribution to their economy.

He also said that the property issue "disturbs" the Turkish Cypriots. "If return [of property] is still being discussed today at the negotiating table and if the original property owner is said to have the right to choose first, the Turkish Cypriot people will be concerned of course", he added and expressed the view that the property issue should be discussed "in a global way" and not at a personal level. He argued that if the "Property Compensation Commission" established in the occupied area of Cyprus starts now to examine the property cases one by one, it will need 50-60 years.

Referring to the forthcoming visits of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of four countries to Cyprus, Eroglu argued that this is an important development, but they will only tell the sides to discuss, agree and solve the problem.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozersay announces that he will establish a political party

In statements during a visit to one of the occupied villages yesterday, Ozersay argued that being badly administrated is not the destiny of the Turkish Cypriots. He added:

"It is possible to change this by carrying out politics with a new understanding and achieving the administration we deserve. Therefore, we will establish a new political party based on principles, keeping its promises and following a reliable policy. What we should do for this is not to repeat the mistakes of the past".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozgurgun is re-elected in the leadership of UBP

Ozgurgun received 3,540 votes while Tatar received 2, 716 of the 6, 256 valid votes.

Following the announcement of the results, Ozgurgun and Tatar took a picture together sending a message on unity for the party, writes the paper

Turkish Cypriot Kibris newspaper (09.11.15) writes that Tatar issued a statement thanking his supporters and noting that "despite the anti-democratic methods" used against him during the election race, he managed to pass to the second round and receive a significant number of votes.

(CS)

[06] Colak met with TUKSIAD delegation

Speaking during the meeting, the chairman of TUKSIAD Nurettin Aslanturk said that the aim of their visit to the "TRNC" was to look into various investment prospects.

He said that they were in the country as guests of the "Young Businessmen's Association" ("GIAD").

Stating that their association was made up of important and leading businessmen or industrialists in Turkey, Aslanturk said that their observations in the "TRNC" were quite important.

Pointing out that Turkey is a developing country despite the problems it faces, Aslanturk said that they are visiting the "TRNC" in order to make investments.

For her part, the Colak stated that the "TRNC" offers various opportunities for investment.

She also added that they were always ready to support any investment initiative in the "TRNC".

[07] "KTIAK"'s delegation carries out contacts in Berlin

According to the paper, the delegation will be visiting Berlin on November 8-12.

During its stay in Berlin, the delegation will visit on Monday the "representative" of the "TRNC" and afterwards will hold a meeting at the German Parliament with the Deputy of the Social Democrats Party, Dr. Karl Heinz Brunner. During the same day, the delegation will also meet with the general secretary of the German European Movement and with officials of BAREX Association.

Speaking about their visit in Berlin, Zugurt said that they will evaluate with German officials the recent political and economic situation in the "TRNC" also exchange views on the recent developments on the Cyprus problem.

Underling the importance of their visit to Germany, Zugurt stressed the need for such visits to become more frequent in order for the voice of the "TRNC" to be heard abroad.

(AK)

[08] Maltese Ministry of Culture invited illegal GAU to a conference

The conference is about the 450th anniversary of Malta's siege by the Ottomans. Twenty-five academics from various countries will participate in the conference, according to the paper.

(CS)

[09] The occupied Lefka municipality became officially member of the Cittaslow organization

The occupied Lefka "municipality" has been presented with its Cittaslow membership certificate and flag.

After the occupied Agios Sergios "municipality", occupied Lefka is the second village in the "TRNC" to become a Cittaslow member.

Cittaslow is a movement founded in Italy and inspired by the Slow Food organization.

Cittaslow's goals include improving the quality of life in towns by slowing down its overall pace, especially in a city's use of spaces and the flow of life and traffic through them.

Cittaslow is part of a cultural trend known as the Slow Movement and their motto is "international network of cities where living is good".

[10] "Security forces" constructed the "city hall" of occupied Yialoussa

The "mayor" of Yialoussa, Vahibe Ozkasirga stated that she had used her residence as a "city hall" for the last 30 years and thanked the so-called security forces for their help.

(CS)

[11] Former CHP provincial heads call for CHP' extraordinary assembly

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, the 42 former provincial heads, who oversee the day to day running of the party organization in Turkey's 81 provinces, criticized the results obtained by the CHP in the election of November 1.

Speaking in the name of the group, Zeki Alc?n, the former provincial head for Ankara, said: "The Nov. 1 election ended in failure for CHP. The first thing that needs to be done is for the CHP to accept the failure, without hiding behind any excuses and to provide solutions."

Alc?n said, "What needs to be done is to go straight to an extraordinary assembly."

"The chairman [K?l?cdaroglu], should not waste the party's time any longer and should not hide behind excuses by saying: 'We [CHP] have an ordinary assembly ahead of us,'" Alc?n said. "The interests of the Republican People's Party are above everyone and everything", he added.

The CHP is expected to hold its annual congress in either December or early 2016 and K?l?cdaroglu may see his chairmanship challenged, as the party's percentage of the vote hovered around 25% mark in both of this year's general elections.

K?l?cdaroglu said in a press statement late on election night that the result had placed further responsibility on the party's shoulders. Underlining that his party respects the election results, K?l?cdaroglu said decisive steps toward change in his party would be made.

According to the unofficial results of the election, the main opposition CHP only slightly increased its votes on November 1. The CHP won 25.3% of the vote, up only 0.4% from the 24.9% it won in the June election. The party will now be represented by 134 Deputies in Parliament; it won 132 seats in the previous election. The CHP did not manage to win any Deputies in 35 provinces.

[12] Police officer suspended from duty for allegedly insulting Erdogan

According to the Dogan news agency, Erzurum Deputy Public Prosecutor Volkan Kavukcu launched an investigation against O.K., who was working as Deputy Chief of the Erzurum Police Department's Public Security Unit, over a complaint that he insulted Erdogan in an anonymous Twitter account.

Authorities found that the account is managed by the police officer and detained him upon an order from the deputy prosecutor. Following his testimony, he was sent to court with a demand for arrest.

The Erzurum 2nd Criminal Court of Peace ruled for the release of the police officer pending trial, saying the collection of evidence was complete and that there was no possibility of tampering. The court also prohibited him from travelling abroad.

The police officer was subsequently suspended from duty.

A large number of people, including high school students, activists and even a former Miss Turkey, have been prosecuted for allegedly insulting Erdogan on social media ever since he was elected head of state in August 2014.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AA)

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