Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-05-11

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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 claims that the UN Secretary-General wants intensified talks and a give and take process

[02] Eroglu alleges that the so-called isolation shakes the trust of the Turkish Cypriots to the EU

[03] Eroglu due to Turkey

[04] Eroglu said that he will discuss with President Christofias the issue of commercial vehicles' crossing from the check-points

[05] Efforts by Turkey for the recognition of the breakaway regime through Allgau Orient Rally

[06] Ozgurgun at IDEF 2011

[07] Sonya said that "plan A for the DP is the existence of TRNC"

[08] Rauf Denktas reacts on the establishment of a religious vocational school; repeats his intransigence on the Cyprus problem

[09] New roads were inaugurated in the occupied area of Cyprus

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] "Turkey could be a mentor for least developed countries"

[11] Turkey to organize a regional conference on Afghanistan

[12] UNFPA opens regional office in Istanbul

[13] Turkish expats begin casting votes at border crossings

[14] MHP executives resign in wake of video clip scandal

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

The papers refer also to a reaction by Rauf Denktas on the recent statement by the head of the self-styled religious affairs department for establishing a religious vocational school and a theological faculty in the occupied part of Cyprus, a strike by four trade unions in the field of tourism and to statements by the general secretary of the Democratic Party on the Cyprus problem and the internal situation in the occupied area of the island.

[01] Eroglu claims that the UN Secretary-General wants intensified talks and a give and take process

Asked yesterday after one of his meetings to comment on news broadcasted by a television channel regarding the Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that after the meeting in June, intensified negotiations and a give and take process will start, alleging that this was a demand of the UN Secretary-General.

Eroglu said the UN Secretary-General will have to evaluate the situation and take a decision on the future of the negotiations if no progress is achieved in a give and take process after the intensified talks or if the Greek Cypriots are not positive to a four-party meeting or a five-party meeting or even if they are positive to such a meeting and no result comes out of this meeting. Eroglu argued that the UN Secretary-General will say either that "we think that the continuation of the talks is useful" or "from the continuation and the course of the talks until today we understand that no agreement will be achieved".

Eroglu noted that Ban Ki-moon could take the issue to the UN Security Council or choose another formula and decide that no result could be achieved under the UN's good offices mission in Cyprus.

Eroglu said: "What was asked from us was to meet in New York in the end of June or in the beginning of July. And after the UN Secretary-General makes the necessary proposals during this meeting, we think that he will take his decision regarding our entering into a give and take process and the future of the negotiations after that".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu alleges that the so-called isolation shakes the trust of the Turkish Cypriots to the EU

Eroglu addressed yesterday an activity organized by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of Europe Day.

Eroglu reiterated the allegation that if the Greek Cypriot side shows the same will and determination as the Turkish side, no obstacle will remain in front of building a permanent peace on the island by the end of the year.

Referring to the financial aid of the EU to the Turkish Cypriots, Eroglu said that, additional ? 28 million will be given this year and ? 25 million in 2012. Eroglu expressed his satisfaction about this fact, noting though that the delay in some big and permanent infrastructure projects constitutes an important problem for them. He claimed that the financial aid of the EU does not eliminate the "reality" that the "TRNC" is still under "isolations". He alleged that the most important reason for the EU not being able to keep its promises to the Turkish Cypriots is the accession of the "Greek Cypriots", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, in 2004. He claimed that the accession in the EU is the reason for the Greek Cypriots not exhibiting the necessary sacrifices in the negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu due to Turkey

[04] Eroglu said that he will discuss with President Christofias the issue of commercial vehicles' crossing from the check-points

Eroglu also said that the given rights to the Greek Cypriot taxi drivers should be applied also to the Turkish Cypriot taxi drivers. He added that "we give all the appropriate conveniences both to the taxi drivers, who come from the south, and to the buses, which carry tourists", however, he said, that they do not see any reciprocal behaviour. Eroglu said that he will discuss this issue again on Thursday with the Greek Cypriot leader.

Fuat Topaloglu, chairman KAR-IS, said that they face two important problems, which are the access of their commercial vehicles to the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus and the issue of the "illegal transportation".

Topaloglu said that there is a huge uneasiness among the members of KAR-IS regarding crossing into the "south", adding that they expect support and aid on this issue by the so-called presidency.

Topaloglu said that "all the tourist flow from north to south and from south to north is conducted by the Greek Cypriot busses", adding that they demand when they [Greek Cypriot commercial vehicles] cross into the occupied area, the "TRNC laws" should be also applied to them.

[05] Efforts by Turkey for the recognition of the breakaway regime through Allgau Orient Rally

The paper writes that the rally had started from Germany's southern city of Oberstaufen on 30 April and it would end on 12 May in Amman, Jordan, after passing through 13 countries. Three hundred vintage vehicles (20-year old and above) participate in the rally. According to Kibris, the route of the rally in the occupied area of Cyprus was realized after intensive efforts by Egemen Bagis, Turkish Chief Negotiator with the EU. Erhan Ercin, head of the so-called EU coordination centre in the occupied part of Cyprus, said they witnessed the extraordinary efforts of Bagis for the realization of this event in the occupied area of the island.

The rally is scheduled to pass from Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and finish in the Jordanian capital, Amman. Because of the incidents in Syria, the route of the rally that would take place there was postponed and the rally committee decided to add the route in the occupied area of Cyprus.

In statements during the starting ceremony of the rally, Irsen Kucuk claimed that the European civil society did not forget the "TRNC", which is forgotten by the EU institutions. He thanked Bagis, State Minister Cicek and Foreign Minister Davutoglu for the their efforts for this rally to include the occupied part of Cyprus and in the direction of the lifting of the "unjust embargoes". Noting that teams from 18 countries, 600 persons and 320 vehicles participate in the Allgau Orient Rally, he alleged that the fact that such an important activity is organized in the occupied area of Cyprus during a period when "Europe Day" is celebrated, shows that the "unjust isolation and embargoes" on the breakaway regime are meaningless.

In his statements, Wilfried Gher, president of the Organizational Committee of Allgau Orient Rally, said this was the first time they visited the occupied part of Cyprus and thanked the people for their hospitality. He noted that they did not know how to continue the rally after its route in Syria was postponed and added that "northern Cyprus" offered them help on this point. He said they decided to include "northern Cyprus" as a "country" in the routes of the rally next year and to accept its "representation" with a team.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (11.05.11) refers to the issue under the title "Sovereignty Rally" and reports that Egemen Bagis convinced the participants in the "2011 Friendship and Peace Rally", who visited Turkey within the framework of the activities on the occasion of 9 May Europe Day, to include the occupied part of Cyprus.

"The European civil society did not forget the TRNC, which has been forgotten and isolated by the EU institutions", claimed Bagis. In a message read after the arrival of the rally in the occupied part of Cyprus, Bagis said the European friends who believe that Turkey is a natural part of the European Union could give good gifts to the Turkish people and added that a "meaningful gift" of the participants in the rally was their visit to the occupied area of Cyprus. He argued that "we are witnessing the breaking down of the unjust, groundless and irrational embargoes implemented on the TRNC". He alleged that the route of the rally in the occupied area of Cyprus would contribute to the solution process on the island.

Referring to the development of the events, Haberdar writes that on 2 May, Bagis informed the breakaway regime regarding this activity and asked them whether they could be ready to host such an activity within ten days. The preparations were held in great secrecy so that the Greek Cypriots not to be able to prevent the event, writes the paper adding that Germany undertook an initiative for the rally to pass through the government-controlled area of Cyprus, but it was forced to make a step backwards after pressure exerted by Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ozgurgun at IDEF 2011

According to the paper, last night, Ozgurgun attended a reception given in honour of the guest Ministers at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace.

[07] Sonya said that "plan A for the DP is the existence of TRNC"

Referring to the ongoing negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, Sonya said that plan A for the DP is the existence of the "TRNC" and plan B is the negotiations.

Commenting on the latest statements by Halil Ibrahim Akca, self-styled ambassador of Turkey to the occupied area and Talip Atalay, head of the self-styled religious affairs department of the breakaway regime, Sonya said that "the Turkish Government and some other bureaucrats have not digested yet that TRNC is a separate state. These kinds of statements are a reason for a conflict, and should be avoided".

Sonya also said that after the general elections in Turkey in June, the early elections in the occupied area are unavoidable, because "the legitimacy of today's government, its reliability and its acceptance by the people has been lost".

[08] Rauf Denktas reacts on the establishment of a religious vocational school; repeats his intransigence on the Cyprus problem

Denktas also commented on the decision to open an Imam Hatip school (Religious Vocational School) and said that in the "country" time is spent on unnecessary tasks instead of necessary. "Such schools exist in Turkey, we bring from there [graduates]. You can provide scholarships, to deal with this issue, and send young people and educate them according to demand," supported Denktas. Moreover, he asked the competent "authorities" what young people will become after graduating from a religious school in "TRNC" and said that religion can be taught in schools as a subject, but there is no need to open a separate religious school.

Furthermore, referring to the issue of real estate frauds in the occupied area, he said that the "government and the attorney-general" should turn their attention to the matter, because the assistance of English people is big, but now they sell their properties and start to leave. "It is a shame and a sin. A pensioner comes to sunny Cyprus and invests all his savings and then he is not able to receive a title deed. If the public prosecutor is not interested about this, then who does," asked Denktas.

Evaluating the general elections scheduled to take place on the 22nd of May in the Republic of Cyprus, Denktas said that unless Greek Cypriots "bow down," the Cyprus problem will not be resolved. He said that the approaches of the two sides are totally opposite, and if it could be resolved then it would happened during Talat's time. He also said that he personally cannot see a chance towards a unitary state and said that a solution could occur only if the Greek Cypriot side accepts the wishes of the Turkish Cypriots.

[09] New roads were inaugurated in the occupied area of Cyprus

Meanwhile, the paper reports that the inauguration ceremony for the completion of the first stage of the occupied Yialousa-Rizokarpasso road was held yesterday. As the paper reports, the road is of 7.700 metres long, 10 metres wide and its cost reached 8 million 924 thousand 189 TL (around ? 4,5 million). The inauguration ceremony was attended by Irsen Kucuk, Ibrahim Akca, Hamza Ersan Saner, the so-called minister of interior and local administrations Nazim Cavusoglu, some so-called MPs and other  officials .

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] "Turkey could be a mentor for least developed countries"

Assessing the role of Turkey, that will monitor the next action plan of the UN for the least developed countries, Ali said "Turkey is hosting this conference. It does a great job and we appreciate it all."

Asked to comment President Abdullah G?l's remarks on the opening speech of the conference on Monday, who said "Istanbul will then be the place where the first heartbeats of a new and fair world order are heard" the Somali official said Turkey was already deserving that role. "Hopefully Turkey is playing a role that it appropriately deserved to take and it is taking that," he added.

Stressing both the geo-strategic role of and historical assets of Turkey, he said also the following: "I am a great admirer of Turkey and admirer of the Ottoman civilization. Turkey is strategically located between south and the north, between Asia and Europe. We think Turkey offers a service to fill that gap," he said.

Zacarias Albano da Costa, Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, said they see Turkey's role as host to be indicative of its generous culture and role as a bridge between continents, cultures, and peoples of the world. "We welcome Turkey's initiative for the midterm review of the plan for monitoring the implementation in areas where the Brussels Program of Action (IPOA) contains gaps. Hopefully, with Turkey at the helm of monitoring the IPOA, those gaps can be fulfilled," he told the Hurriyet Daily News on Tuesday.

"As a member of the G-20, we look to Turkey as the bridge and a strong partner in delivering the goals which will chart the development path for the next decade," he said.

Turkey could contribute to the goals of the new action plan by continuing to support the poor countries, the Minister said. "There are great opportunities for Turkey and its people to invest in these countries, both economically and in building capacity. Turkey is built upon the foundation of a great history and people and we hope that Turkey will be an example for other partners to follow," da Costa noted.

Our countries have high expectations on the outcome of this conference and the implementation of what would be the Istanbul Program of Action, the Minister said. "We expect this program to improve the lives of our people in every aspect, including economic opportunities, food security, peace and security, healthcare, and education," he added.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a group of journalists on Tuesday that he proposed to the UN Secretary-General that there should be a change in the name of the Least Developed Countries Conference. "I proposed to the Secretary-General of the UN that we change this terminology as soon as possible, since this expression is disturbing".

Davutoglu cited Nepal saying it was an economically less developed, but the country was a stunning centre of religious tradition and culture. "I told them they should not take offence because we call them least developed, since that is a UN description," he added.

Davutoglu recalled that Turkey was remembered with its role as the region faced security problems. "However, from now on Turkey also enters to the problematic areas such as climate change, poverty and least developed countries," he added.

Turkey would be more visible on world economics as it had been doing for politics, he said. "On one hand Turkey gathers least developed countries; on the other hand it holds the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. This displays Turkey's potential. This attitude has nothing to do with allegations of a change of axis. Turkey presides organizations that could address to entire world," Davutoglu noted.

[11] Turkey to organize a regional conference on Afghanistan

Ministers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the United Nations (UN) Special Representative for Afghanistan Staffan De Mistura attended the working breakfast that took place on the sidelines of the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

The participants released a joint statement in which they expressed their agreement to organize a conference on Afghanistan in Istanbul on November 2.

In their statement, the participants reaffirmed their respect to Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The participants expressed their support to transfer all responsibilities to the Afghans by 2014, and said a secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was vital for everybody's peace and stability but such an atmosphere could only be ensured within a wide framework reflecting friendship and cooperation.

In the statement, the participants expressed their commitment to long-term dialogue and cooperation with Afghanistan, and supported peace, compromise and the re-integration process.

The statement said an enforced synergy would be the key for a lasting peace and stability, and expressed the compromise of the participants to launch preparations for an "Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan" to take place on November 2, 2011.

Earlier on Tuesday, diplomats said Turkey, which was attaching importance to settlement leading to lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, was therefore trying to create a synergy among countries neighboring and surrounding Afghanistan.

In this context, Ankara thinks that further development of common principles and vision stated in the Istanbul Declaration following the "Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan" on January 26, 2010, will constitute the basis for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, the diplomatic sources said.

[12] UNFPA opens regional office in Istanbul

UNPF for the first time is opening a regional office in Turkey, and Istanbul will for the first time be hosting a U.N. office as well. Also, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia regional office, or EECARO, will operate in Istanbul.

In his statements to Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review on Tuesday, Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA's executive director stated: "We are very happy that we are opening the doors to the U.N. in Istanbul,", adding that he hoped a hub of U.N. agencies would be created in the future in Istanbul.

Istanbul was chosen to host EECARO on June 2010, eliminating three other bidders ? Geneva, Copenhagen and Vienna ? as the offer presented by Turkey bared the best terms. The agreement was signed in New York on July 1 by Turkey's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan and UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid.

The UNFPA will carry out its activities in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern European countries from its Istanbul office, which will serve the Fund to work more efficiently, as well as focus more and establish more partnerships in the region. UNFPA Turkey's authorities confirmed for the Daily News that some 17 people would be working in the EECARO office.

[13] Turkish expats begin casting votes at border crossings

Citizens began casting their votes for the upcoming parliamentary elections at 8 a.m. on Tuesday at the Kapikule, Ipsala, Hamzabeyli and Derekoy border crossings. The vote casting at border crossings will end at 5 p.m. on June 12. The list of political parties according to their places on ballot papers is as follows:

1- Justice & Development Party

2- Democrat Party

3- Republican People's Party

4- Labor Party

5- Nation Party

6- Liberal Democrat Party

7- Felicity Party

8- Rights & Equality Party

9- People's Voice Party

10- Nationalist Movement Party

11- True Path Party

12- Turkish Communist Party

13- Nationalist Conservative Party

14- Grand Unity Party

15- Democratic Left Party

[14] MHP executives resign in wake of video clip scandal

The video shows Didinmez, responsible for local party branches, and Barutcu, a candidate for the post of Parliamentary Deputy, having an affair with two young women in a hotel room.

The two men submitted their resignations on Tuesday to the MHP administration. This move also means Barutcu has pulled out of the election race.

The MHP was rocked by two other video clips in the very recent past. The first video clip showed two former deputy chairmen --Recm and Metin ?obano
lu-- kissing women in a room and insulting right-wing and conservative voters, as well as Turkey's Alevi population. Both men resigned from their posts as deputy chairmen after the video clip was circulated by a number of news websites in late April.

The clip was later followed by a second one, which showed Y1
ld1
r1
m and Cobano
lu engaging in sexual relations with other women. The clip was posted online in early May.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the scandals that shook the MHP late on Monday on a television program and criticized MHP leader Devlet Bahceli for accusing those  beyond the [Atlantic] ocean of having a role in the emergence of the video clip scandals.  Who is beyond the ocean? Say it. It is ugly to say that someone beyond the ocean is behind these, Erdogan said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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