Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-01-11

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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] Yildirim: "The rehearsal of Turkey becoming an EU member starts from Cyprus"

[02] Burcu briefed the Turkish Cypriot delegation on the second day of Geneva summit

[03] Maps to be presented by the two sides at the second day of the Geneva meeting

[04] Sources argue that part of the 10 billion dollars financing of the solution may be met throygh domestic sources

[05] Erel stated that the Geneva talks will not yield a positive outcome due to the insistence of the Turkish side on the issue of guarantees

[06] Cavusoglu discussed with Jagland the Cyprus negotiation talks in Geneva

[07] Denktas: No one in Geneva expects the Cyprus problem to be finalized there

[08] Turkish Cypriot political party leaders evaluated the Geneva talks

[09] Arikli argued that the Turkish citizens in the occupied area of Cyprus will reject a possible agreement

[10] Four more "TRNC citizenships"

[11] Yildirim: European security starts with Turkey

[12] Turkish MPs adopt first two articles of constitution change

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Yildirim: "The rehearsal of Turkey becoming an EU member starts from Cyprus"

Referring to the Geneva talks, Yildirim said: "The security and trust between the two communities is not enough. Already a great distance has been covered on a lot of issues but still, Turkey is interested on this issue. A system of fair and equal governance in the island should be guaranteed. In the light of the painful events of the past, everything should be guaranteed. And for the Turkish Cypriot side the guarantee is Turkey. For the Greek Cypriot side it is Greece. Our biggest wish is the continuation of the negotiations talks which together with a fair and lasting peace in the island, will bring a solution based on the existence of two founding states with rotational presidency. We have contributed towards this direction and we will continue to do so", Yildirim alleged.

Referring to Turkey's EU bid, Yildirim stressed the need for the EU not to be on the edge of the cliff as it did during 2004. "In 2004, we were deceived. Most correctly, the Turkish Cypriots were deceived. This time we said that the same thing should not happen. If a solution is reached, then the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side will simultaneously become EU members and no concessions should be made on the issue of the four fundamental freedoms. No injustice should be implemented. The freedom of movement and of course, the free movement of people, services and capitals should be provided to Turkey as well. That means, that the rehearsal of Turkey becoming a member of the EU could start from Cyprus. All these issues should be examined and be discussed and we hope that a good outcome will come up", Yildirim also stated.

[02] Burcu briefed the Turkish Cypriot delegation on the second day of Geneva summit

He said that during the second day of the summit prominence was given to governance and power sharing.

"In the future united Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot side's effective contribution in the decision making process and what rules will be followed to make changes to the constitution when needed, were the topics of main discussion", said Burcu.

He said that the meetings did not only take place at the leaders level but from time to time took place at a technical level and experts level adding that there was a need for such meetings to take place.

Noting that experts on property had come together and carried out a very long and fruitful meeting Burcu said that the World Bank has also carried out a meeting at an expert level to discuss the financing of the property issue.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot side was represented by Professor Dr Omer Gokcekus and Lay?k Topcan at the meeting.

Burcu said that if need be, experts from the International Monetary Fund will also be invited to take part in these meetings.

Explaining that experts on property had come together during a second meeting, Burcu said that Turkish Cypriot experts Sulen Karabacak and Lay?k Topcan represented the Turkish Cypriots during that meeting.

He also said that he informed the Turkish Cypriot political party representatives that are in Geneva regarding the developments that have taken place.

Upon being asked a question regarding whether or not on the third day of the summit the leaders will discuss the issue of territory and exchange maps he said: "Everything is going as planned and we hope that it will continue in this way. We as the Turkish Cypriot side support this position".

[03] Maps to be presented by the two sides at the second day of the Geneva meeting

According to information given by the Anatolian Agency's diplomatic sources, the maps to be presented by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? and President Nicos Anastasiades will only be seen by 5 people.

Today's negotiations process will take place at the UN's Geneva office and the territory issue which is a critical part of the talks, will be discussed.

Following discussions the negotiating teams will leave the room.

Only the two leaders, two map experts and the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide will remain in the room.

Under Eide's supervision Ak?nc? and Anastasiades will simultaneously reveal their maps. After the two side's map experts study the maps, they will be handed over to the UN envoy. Once Eide receives the maps he will place them in the UN's secure box.

[04] Sources argue that part of the 10 billion dollars financing of the solution may be met throygh domestic sources

Citing information by sources close to foreign participants in the meeting with the IMF and the World Bank, in case the leaders reach an agreement, then according to the World Bank's estimations, 10 billion dollars are needed. Officials from the IMF and the World Bank confirmed that part of the compensation issue on the properties may be met through domestic sources, clarifying that after the solution they should be prepared to maintain the balance in order not to be the cause for negativities like the overloading of the public finance, inflation and fiscal deficit.

(DPs)

[05] Erel stated that the Geneva talks will not yield a positive outcome due to the insistence of the Turkish side on the issue of guarantees

Erel said that the Geneva summit will collapse due to the insistence of the Turkish side on the issue of the agreement of guarantee. "It seems so far that the Turkish side will not step back from the agreement of guarantees. If it continues its insistence on this, there is a great possibility for tomorrow's international conference not to take place", Erel argued.

Commenting on the much debated issue of the recent days that if no solution in Cyprus is reached, the "TRNC" will be annexed to Turkey, Erel stated the following: "If we look over the ongoing situation during the last 40-50 years, it is possible to say that the TRNC has been annexed to Turkey. However, the annexation will deepen", Erel argued.

(?)

(AK)

[06] Cavusoglu discussed with Jagland the Cyprus negotiation talks in Geneva

According to diplomatic sources, Cavusoglu and Jagland discussed Turkey's ties with the Council of Europe and the Cyprus negotiation talks in Geneva.

(AK

[07] Denktas: No one in Geneva expects the Cyprus problem to be finalized there

Speaking to BRT in Geneva, Denktas claimed that "the Greek Cypriot side with its usual stance is continuing to approach the Turkish Cypriot side with extreme demands".

He also claimed that if the Greek Cypriot side was sincere in its efforts towards finding a solution, "it wouldn't continue to make excessive demands that are making the other side feel uncomfortable".

"Yesterday property was discussed. Generally the negotiations are continuing to take place the way it was in Cyprus. No one expects the Cyprus problem to be finalized here" said Denktas.

[08] Turkish Cypriot political party leaders evaluated the Geneva talks

Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and self-styled deputy prime minister and finance minister, alleged that this meeting in Geneva as well as the five-party meeting are exaggerated, adding that this is not the final point. He said that a good agreement is necessary for everyone, adding that there is a progress, which is progressing well.

Tufan Erhurman, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that they had the opportunity to discuss with the representatives of the Greek Cypriot political parties. He noted that their approaches and views are very positive and that they also support a permanent solution in the island. He further said: "Of course, we briefed them on our views. For example, we told them that the issues like the political equality should be overcome and that there is no other alternative apart from a solution that the Turkish Cypriots will have a voice in the administration".

Cemal Ozyigit, leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP), said: "There is beautiful positive atmosphere here. (?) The rotating presidency is very important in order to be able to be active and effective in the administration. We are very clear in this issue as Turkish Cypriots. They should empathize with us as we do on issues like guarantees and security. (?) The rotating presidency and the political equality cannot be issues for bargaining".

(DPs)

[09] Arikli argued that the Turkish citizens in the occupied area of Cyprus will reject a possible agreement

During a visit to the paper's office, Arikli claimed that there is not an issue that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim are open, so everyone expects that "the opposing side will dissolve the negotiating table". But, he continues, if an agreement is reached, then they have to work for the "yes" vote in the referenda and the people will say the final word. He further claimed that the so-called mayor of occupied Morphou told them that 80% of the inhabitants there will vote "no", alleging that President Anastasiades takes whatever he wants and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci gives everything.

Stating that they will vote "no", Arikli argued that the name of the Turkish origin citizens is not in the plan, adding that the Turkish citizens are around to 35%.

(DPs)

[10] Four more "TRNC citizenships"

? Rulla Saade, born in Israel, 1993

? Secil Ozer, born in Izmir, 1983

? Ozan Kasapoglu, born in Uskudar, 1986

? Edip Askaroglu, born in Antakya, 1985

(DPs)

[11] Yildirim: European security starts with Turkey

During the luncheon, the Prime Minister addressed activities regarding "perception management" being directed against Turkey saying that "Despite overcoming the 'cowardly' terror organization [referring to the Gulenist Terror Group [FETO]], worldwide campaigns in managing the perception other countries have of Turkey continue. Not only at the hands of this terror group [FETO] but also by the PKK terrorist organization; especially in Europe." Continuing his remarks by strongly criticizing EU member states and various institutions for their support of the terrorist PKK, Yildirim said, "Choosing a terror group over another is the biggest form of betrayal against world peace."

Underlining that "terror groups are all monitored from a single center," the Prime Minister further touched on the necessity of Turkey's presence in the "multi-dimensional" combat against terror. "Turkey has to conduct a multi-dimensional combat against terror as it is under an asymmetric attack. ... Turkey makes significant efforts toward the establishment of stability in the region," Yildirim added.

Continuing his remarks by urging European states to contribute to hosting refugees and combatting terror, Yildirim said, "European countries speak freely but they must stop the talk and join us [on the ground], taking some weight off of our shoulders. Terrorist threats should not be shouldered solely by Turkey. Europe's security starts with Turkey. If Turkey is not secure, then Europe would not be safe at all." Addressing combat against FETO, the Turkish prime minister said that combat against FETO is the primary issue for Turkey as he urged the ambassadors to remain fearless in the fight against FETO. Analogous to Yildirim's remarks, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said prior to the opening of the luncheon that the conference will address the government's counterterrorism efforts foremost against FETO. "Our friends [ambassadors] from various countries will share with us the necessary strategies to be taken against FETO. We have global aims and have domestic policies toward reaching those goals," Cavusoglu said.

[12] Turkish MPs adopt first two articles of constitution change

The items concern the exercise of judicial power and an increase in Parliament seats, respectively. Sixteen more amendments proposed by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party will be voted in parliament.

In Tuesday's first secret ballot, 347 of the assembly's 550 lawmakers voted in favor while 132 rejected the motion, 66 were absent, two papers were blank, two lawmakers abstained and one vote was invalid.

It changes the ninth article of the Constitution ? "the judicial power shall be exercised by independent courts on behalf of the Turkish Nation" ? to read "independent and impartial courts".

The second item of the package increases the number of lawmakers from 550 to 600 in accordance with the rising population.

A total of 480 lawmakers took part in the second ballot. It passed with 343 votes in favor, 133 against, one abstention, two blank ballots and one invalid vote. The general assembly session ended after the voting.

The parliamentary process will likely be followed with a referendum in which the option of replacing Turkey's parliamentary system with a presidential model will be put to the electorate.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his supporters have argued that Turkey needs a strong presidency to avoid weak governance and allow the country to successfully tackle a number of challenges, including terror attacks from Daesh, the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization. Opponents claim it will weaken democratic checks and lead to increased authoritarianism.

To reach a referendum, the proposed changes must first be passed by 330 Deputies. If it gets the support of 367 lawmakers it could pass into law without a referendum, although the ruling AK Party has said it will hold a popular vote regardless.

A simple majority must agree to the changes in a referendum.

The AK Party has 316 seats and Erdogan hopes the support of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has 39 seats and which last month agreed to back the package, will be enough to secure a referendum.

Parliament's other parties -- the Republican People's Party (CHP), which has 133 seats, and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), with 59 Deputies -- remain opposed to a presidential system. Two independent deputies are split over support for the amendments.

Among the changes are plans for an elected President to form a government independently of Parliament and for the role of Prime Minister -- typically the person leading the largest parliamentary party -- to be abandoned.

Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held on the same day every five years, instead of the current four for the parliamentary vote.

The president would be limited to two terms of office but will not be required to leave his or her political party. When elected to the presidency in August 2014, Erdogan had to resign as AK Party leader due to the supposedly apolitical nature of the post.

In the judiciary, the Constitutional Court, Turkey's highest court for constitutional affairs, would be reduced to 15 members while the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors, which deals with judicial and prosecution appointments, would add the Justice Minister to its number. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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