Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-11-16

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu refers again to the realities on the island

[02] Cicek said they have always been looking for a solution within the framework of two separate states and two equal peoples

[03] Guls message to Eroglu

[04] Trade unions protest against Cicek; Cicek said the protesters looked alike with those who shout in the other side of the Green Line

[05] Turkey and the breakaway regime signed a new protocol of cooperation

[06] Albayrak says Eroglu does not want peace

[07] Kucuk leads the upcoming UBP elections

[08] Wonderlands groundbreaking ceremony has been cancelled

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Bagis stated from Athens that Turkey is ready for everything in the Cyprus problem

[10] Syria Ambassador to Turkey and Syrian FM deny news about economic agreement with Cyprus

[11] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu refers again to the realities on the island

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot struggle for existence was crowned with the establishment of the TRNC, Eroglu said the solution of the Cyprus problem is possible if the realities of the island and the political equality of the two sides are guarded. Those perceiving the TRNC as an obstacle in the way towards peace in Cyprus are mistaken, Eroglu said and complained of the ongoing international isolation on the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot Sides intransigent stance at negotiations.

Referring to the upcoming tripartite Cyprus meeting in New York, Eroglu expressed the belief that the meeting will be beneficial for the negotiations process.

In his remarks regarding the deadlock over the Property Chapter in the negotiations, Eroglu stated that he is concerned with the Greek Cypriot approach on property proposals- which he claimed can destroy the principle of bi-zonality.

In his speech he also reiterated the loyalty of the Turkish Cypriots towards motherland Turkey and national values.

[02] Cicek said they have always been looking for a solution within the framework of two separate states and two equal peoples

Cicek alleged that the Turkish Cypriots made a great sacrifice in 2004 by accepting the Annan Plan and proved once more their pro-solution policy and their desire to be united with the world. He alleged that the Greek Cypriots are those who are against the solution in Cyprus and should be punished.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriots proved 27 years ago that they will not make concessions from their right of determining their own future and continuing their difficult but honourable struggle, Cicek said that the Turkish Cypriots crowned their historic struggle on 15 November 1983 by declaring the TRNC.

Cicek described the TRNC as the most important product of the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots and the guarantee of their indispensible rights over the island.

Cicek alleged, inter alia, the following regarding the breakaway regime: From the very first year of its establishment it became a fundamental element of peace and stability both on the island and in the Mediterranean Sea and constituted the foundation of a just and lasting peace on the island.

Cicek referred also to the economy of the breakaway regime and said that with the water and electricity which will be carried from Turkey, the economy of the TRNC will change. He said that in order for the foundation of the economic infrastructure in occupied Cyprus to become sounder, they should implement economic reforms in all fields the soonest without taking into consideration the negative reactions.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Guls message to Eroglu

Gul argued that the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle for freedom and political equality for more than half a century is a source of honour and excitement for him and the Turkish nation.

He also expressed the belief that a just and lasting solution in Cyprus can only be reached with the mutual agreement of the two sides.

Reaffirming Turkeys support to the negotiations process which has been carried out within the consciousness of Turkeys historic and legitimate rights, and within the framework of the United Nations good offices mission, he said it is possible to reach a solution by the end of 2010 if there is mutual willpower.

Gul went on to say that Turkey and the TRNC will reach to a brighter future after overcoming all kinds of obstacles and injustice by acting in a joint vision aimed at achieving peace, security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[04] Trade unions protest against Cicek; Cicek said the protesters looked alike with those who shout in the other side of the Green Line

KTOS, KTAMS, KTOEOS, Guc-Sen, BES, El-Sen, Cag-Sen, DAU-SEN, DAU-Bir-Sen, Koop-Sen and Hava-Sen participated in the protest which took place at 07.30 in the morning near the illegal Tymvou airport with the support of some political parties and NGOs. When Cicek came out of the illegal airport, the protesters opened placards with the following slogans: Mr Cemil, how much is your salary?, This country is ours, Our country is not for sale and Mr Cemil, go home with your package.

In statements to the press, the chairman of KTAMS, Ahmet Kaptan said that democracy in the occupied areas is only for the show and criticized the ambassador of Turkey to Lefkosia Kaya Turkmen. Let them take the package they brought and return back home, he added. Kaptan said that the Turkish Cypriots have the knowledge to solve their problems, if those who we supposedly elect cooperate with us.

The chairman of KTOS, Guven Varoglu stated that they do not accept the mentality of doing things by taking orders and that they react against this mentality.

Sener Elcil, general secretary of KTOS, said that the policies followed by the Turkish governments lead to the division of the island and the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriot community. Noting that the negotiating process in Cyprus continues, Elcil expressed the view that those who say that they want a solution are deceiving the community. Elcil recalled that Rauf Denktas was saying that he did not want a solution and followed a policy in accordance with this statement. Now they are saying we want a solution, but the government of Turkey contributes in every way it can to the division of the island, he noted.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (16.11.10), Cicek referred to the protests yesterday during the signing of a protocol between Turkey and the breakaway regime. Cicek said: I looked at those who were shouting there. How much they are alike with those who shout at the other side of the Green Line. Have they come to participate in the celebrations from the other side, I wondered.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (16.11.10) reports that the trade unions reacted against these statements of Cemil Cicek with a joint statement they issued yesterday afternoon. The statement said that Cicek showed his intolerance and disrespect towards all Cypriots who want a solution and to administrate their own country. The trade unions described Ciceks statements as insult for them and added that they showed the real face of the AKP government.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkey and the breakaway regime signed a new protocol of cooperation

In statements during the signing ceremony, Cicek said the private sector in the occupied areas of Cyprus should be further supported and given more opportunities. He noted that whatever the result of the Cyprus negotiations is, Turkey will continue to support the TRNC and pointed out to the importance of the projects for the future generations.

In his statements, Irsen Kucuk said that they are continuously taking measures together with Turkey in order to pave the way for the private sector and for the development of the real sector of the economy. He noted that with the protocol, Turkey will pay the cost of projects, which will give the opportunity to the private sector to modernize its equipment and increase its productivity.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Albayrak says Eroglu does not want peace

Ozdil Nami, self-styled deputy of Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that they expect the UN to give concrete proposals to both sides in order to overcome the current deadlock at the negotiations.

The self-styled deputy of Social Democracy Party (TDP) Huseyin Angolemli said that he predicts that the meeting in NY will be held for two reasons: The first is that Ban Ki-moon will involve so that the deadlock on the property issue to be overcome and the second is that Ban Ki-moon will benefit from this meeting for the report he will submit to the Security Council.

Angolemli said that the President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso held a secret meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Cyprus problem.

Finally, Angolemli said that the time runs against the Greek Cypriots regarding the property issue, adding that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has already begun to give rights the users of these properties.

Noting that he does not believe that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu wants peace, the self-styled deputy of CTP Arif Albayrak said: A leader that I dont believe that he believes in peace, acts with the mentality of if there is a solution, let me sign it.

Noting that more dark days await the occupation regime, Albayrak said that he does have any hopes from the meeting that will be held in NY. He added: Eroglu and his delegation will return from NY by ruining this job. The reality is that they do not want to be the side that will ruin this job. In fact, even if they want it, its not easy at this stage... It is not so easy, because they delayed it for 30-40 years. In the south, they have corned Christofias. His job is very difficult. The elections are close. I am very sorry to say this, but at the end of the day the negotiations come more close to a dead-end.

[07] Kucuk leads the upcoming UBP elections

[08] Wonderlands groundbreaking ceremony has been cancelled

As it is reported, even officials from the interested companies expressed their ignorance about the cancellation. According to the papers information, the decision of the cancellation came from the so-called presidency. However, no statement was made.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Bagis stated from Athens that Turkey is ready for everything in the Cyprus problem

Evaluating the Cyprus problem, Egemen Bagis, inter alia, said that it is not reasonable for the EU to expect Turkey to take steps on the Cyprus problem. Bagis said also the following: I have sent messages to several politicians in Cyprus. The world does not consist of the 59 seats of the South Cyprus Parliament. There is a biggest World. This world gets bored from the rejection and the refusal of all proposals. In which place of the world a leader feels the need to promise that he would not make more sacrifices upon the oppositions calling while going to New York for UN negotiations? Is solution possible without sacrifices? The solution is possible only with mutual sacrifices. Otherwise, if everyone stays in his positions, then there is no solution.

Bagis went on and said that AK Party has showed during the passed eight years how much determined Turkey is for the solution,

Bagis referred also to the incident which took place last week during a Peace Concert in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus when an artist was stabbed and said that this incident indicates how distorted can the demand of opposition in the free areas of Cyprus be when it asks from President Christofias not to make sacrifices.

Bagis reiterated that Turkey is ready for the solution, that it is ready for tension and that is ready for everything. He then said that he finds it comic for the biggest countries in the EU to be hiding behind a beautiful island like Cyprus. We as Turkey are ready for the solution. We are also ready for tension and for everything. However, we focused our policy until today on the solution, he said.

He stated that they have a new demand from the EU, to implement the decision it took and to lift the isolation imposed to North Cyprus. He also stated that Turkey is ready to open its ports adding that Turkey do its best, however he said the opposite side should also assume responsibilities.

Bagis listed also some gains of the Turkish side as an exchange for steps it took on the Cyprus problem and said: For example, if Eroglu is visiting today countries in the world with the title of the President, this is a success for Turkish diplomacy. And if the representations of Cyprus were 4 and increased to 24, then we could not say that we did not gain anything.

[10] Syrian Ambassador to Turkey and Syrian FM deny news about economic agreement with Cyprus

Kabalan told AA correspondent that such an agreement had not been signed, and even it was not discussed during al-Asad's visit. The ambassador said Turkey and Syria had a special relationship based on confidence, and the claims that Syria would behave in a way to harm those relations were nonsense.

Kabalan also said he was sure that al-Asad was aware of special relations with Turkey during his visit to the Republic of Cyprus, and would not harm the relations with Turkey. Syria was aware of Turkey's sensitivity about Cyprus, Kabalan said.

Kabalan said he had not received detailed information about ferry services to be launched between Syria and Cyprus, and transportation of passengers for tourism and business purposes and signing an agreement were two different things.

Moreover according to diplomatic sources the Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid al Muallem, called Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday on the phone and denied news reports that Syria signed an agreement with the Republic of Cyprus.

[11] Highlights

a) Missile Shield; NATO Summit; G20

According to a report entitled "Turkey's two preconditions" in Cumhuriyet, Turkey demands that Patriot missiles be deployed in Turkey free of charge and the Allied Air Component Command in Izmir which has been slated for closure continue to function as a key unit in return for accepting the deployment of NATO's missile shield system in Turkey. The Turkish government also insists on sharing responsibility for the command mechanism of the project.

Milli Gazete columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan suggests holding a referendum on the issue of the NATO missile shield project which he believes aims at guaranteeing Israel's security. In his article, Ozkan argues that many issues should be submitted to a referendum instead of the indecision of politicians, adding that, however, issues concerning human rights cannot be resolved through referenda since one cannot submit such issues to a vote. Noting that the headdress is one such issue, Ozkan assets the need for a new constitution that will guarantee the human rights of all citizens. Ozkan maintains that resorting to a referendum on issues such as the US bases, the missile shield project, and even NATO membership might be necessary.

Speculating on the decision Turkey will be making on the NATO missile shield project in an article in Yeni Akit, Ersoy Dede maintains that despite the remarks made by Prime Minister Erdogan in Seoul that no decision has yet been made, Turkey on 20 November will be declaring that it will be establishing a missile system independent from NATO to safeguard its national interests and will be trying to convince the public that it will be our own nation system. Questioning where this system will be manufactured, Dede warns Davutoglu that his "strategic depth" concept is being destroyed by our compliance to NATO.

In an article entitled "The new century's NATO," Cumhuriyet columnist Ergin Yildizoglu says that the upcoming NATO summit in Lisbon will be intended to adopt a new strategic concept which, he notes, will also comprise a new threat perception consistent with changing conditions in the world and a new concept of alliance. Arguing that the recent G-20 meeting showed the weaknesses of the economic and political system led by the United States as well as risks that it is facing while demonstrating the PRC's rising influence, he comments: "The new NATO concept seems to be aimed at extending the chain of alliances to comprise Russia and to form a new Western axis along America, Europe, and Eurasia with a view to protecting the Western-based world economy in the face of China's seemingly unpreventable rise and the shift of the global economy toward East."

In an article in Zaman, Ibrahim Ozturk focuses on the G-20 summit held in Seoul, describing the G-20 as a community of unidentified flying objects, UFO's. Questioning the legality of the group, Ozturk argues that the decisions adopted at the summit are not binding, asserting that there are wide chasms between their disclosures and actions. Summing up the message of the summit, Ozturk argues that it was tolerance toward the actions of the United States, concluding that it was a typical advice that said "do what the imam asks, not what he does."

b) Kurdish Issue

A report entitled "This is not your business" in Milliyet says that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan tacitly criticized Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir for saying that armed struggle should no longer be regarded as an option to resolve the Kurdish question. Pointing out that he is the only person to make the decision to withdraw armed PKK members from Turkey, Ocalan is quoted as saying: "We are devising a mature language with the State. We understand each other based on mutual respect. Had that not happened, horrible massacres could have taken place."

c) Turkish-EU Relations; Cyprus

Analyzing the conclusions of the EU's progress report on Turkey in an article entitled "Turkey's record," Milliyet columnist Riza Turmen points out that the report finds the diminishing role of the military in politics sufficient for democratization, but ignores the fact that the ruling Justice and Development Party is gradually becoming authoritarian while curtailing freedoms. Pointing out that the EU Commission might have decided not to issue a negative report which would have played into the hands of the EU's opponents in Turkey, Turmen adds: "Another possibility is that it may be appropriate for the EU if Turkey becomes a quasi-democratic Muslim country because it would make it easier to deny its accession to the EU."

In an article in Today's Zaman, Sahin Alpay views the conference held in Istanbul by the Green group, which he describes as the strongest supporter of Turkey's accession to the EU in the European Parliament, EP. Noting that the Turkish-EU accession negotiations are about to be blocked, the writer concludes: "But if EU accession remains to be the main goal of Turkey's foreign policy, to help unlock the accession talks and strengthen the positions of the pro-Turkey camp in the EU, Ankara can surely take some steps, such as opening of a few of its ports (which were until 1998 not closed) to Greek Cypriot vessels and withdrawing part of its (according to UN sources) 24,000 troops on the island."

Drawing attention to speculation that Cyprus may be headed for a permanent division in his article entitled "We Are Nearing the End of the Game in Cyprus," Milliyet columnist Semih Idiz says that such an eventuality would be bigger problem for the Cypriot government than it would be for the Turkish government. He comments: "From the Greek Cypriot perspective, a division would absolutely be a tragedy. First and foremost, they would fail to get what they were hoping to get from the EU which they highly rely on. Furthermore, they would have to stomach the fact that Ankara is not totally unable to command international support contrary to their belief."

d) Iraq

In an article entitled "Talabani's call," Hurriyet columnist Ferai Tinc draws attention to allegations that Iran has been influential in a compromise reached between different political groups in Iraq to overcome a stalemate blocking the formation of a new government. Pointing out that Jalal Talabani has been reelected as Iraq's President while Shiite leader Nuri al-Maliki has been named as the Prime Minister as part of the compromise in spite of US support for Al-Iraqiyah leader Iyad Allawi, Tinc comments: "Sunnite groups in Iraq alleged that the United States which backed Allawi did not oppose to this formula and Iran stopped its efforts to block the formation of a new government as part of a compromise worked out between Iran and the United States in order to eliminate hitches stemming from Iraq ahead of the meeting about the nuclear crisis which is due to begin next week."

In an article entitled "Turkey's accomplishment in Iraq," Star columnist Ardan Zenturk lauds Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for playing a crucial role in preventing a great tragedy in Iraq by pursuing a neutral policy toward all groups in Iraq. Emphasizing that Talabani's reelection as Iraq's president is a victory for Turkey because Davutoglu had been telling Sunni and Shiite groups in the country that Kurds should occupy a key position in Baghdad, Zenturk says that keeping Sunnite Arabs within the system was Turkey's second accomplishment in Iraq. He notes: "Interestingly, Turkey which is accused by the Western press (and the supporters of the lobbies concerned in Turkey) of 'shifting its axis' as a result of its diplomatic crisis with Israel is the only country counterbalancing Iranian presence in Turkey and it dispelled US concerns by means of the political solution in Baghdad." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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