Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-07-27

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

[01] Ozersay visits Moscow

[02] The "citizenship" of the breakaway regime has reportedly been given to 781 persons within the last six months

[03] Religious men from Turkey want the "citizenship" of the regime

[04] Atalay said that no one should be surprised from their decisions in case there is no solution in Cyprus

[05] Akansoy: "Early elections is a must"

[06] Tatar assesses the increase of the exchange rates

[07] "Cypriots left jobless due to Greek turmoil"

[08] A forum on religion is organized in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Turkish Human Rights Investigation Committee to closely monitor racism across Europe

[10] Turkey undertook contracting projects worth 202.6 billion USD in foreign countries

[11] Tomb of St. Philip the Apostle has been discovered in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Meanwhile, a "terrorism" summit held yesterday between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, General Staff Chief Gen. Isik Kosaner and three ministers responsible for security, a proposal by the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu regarding the necessity for the establishment at the Turkish Parliament of a "committee of wise men" on the issue of counter-terrorism, reference by Turkish State Minister Atalay to the Cyprus problem, an announcement by Turkey's General Staff on the results of the investigation regarding the recent attack at the town of Silvan, the return of Hattusa Sphinx from Germany to Turkey, and other domestic issues are the main topics in today's Turkish press.

[01] Ozersay visits Moscow

Ozersay argued, inter alia, the following:

"For many years the Russian Federation has been considered as a big player who was supporting the positions of the Greek Cypriot side and helped the Greek Cypriot side. This assessment might be correct, but this does not mean that we should ignore Russia, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. On the contrary, we have to courageously and in detail convey our grievance, what we are trying to do, our positions and their justifications to the high ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, which is a very important player in the international politics. If by saying, 'this country is against us, it is not possible to understand us', we close the doors which we anyway could open very difficultly, this will be harmful for the Turkish Cypriot people. If we remain passive, if we do not undertake initiative, we will become victims of the wry impressions which have wrongfully been created about us?The Turkish Cypriot side has representation offices only in some places of the world. Therefore, the Turkish Cypriot side exerts efforts to explain itself to its interlocutors by undertaking initiatives through this kind of meetings?We want from the Russian Federation to support a solution mutually accepted on which both sides will agree. In spite of the wrong image created by the Greek Cypriot side, the solution we are searching for is not an imposed solution. It is a solution upon which agreement is achieved".

The paper writes that the timing of this initiative of the Russian Federation is worthy of attention. Kibris points out that at the same time President Christofias is holding contacts in France.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The "citizenship" of the breakaway regime has reportedly been given to 781 persons within the last six months

Citing information obtained from reliable sources, Yeni Duzen reports that the average number of the persons who take the "citizenship" of the regime every month is 150. In March, the "citizenship" was given to 201 persons (which is the highest number of the last months) and in June, 156 "new citizens" were registered in the "general register office".

The paper writes that the fact that every month 150-200 persons gain the right to take the "citizenship" of regime supports the doubts that "bogus marriages" exist.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Religious men from Turkey want the "citizenship" of the regime

The chairman of the union, Mehmet Dere said that some "citizens" face problems when trying to take "identity card" and give a photograph in which they wear headscarf. He noted that there is no prohibitive "law" for people having a photograph with a headscarf on their "identity card".

He noted that religious men from Turkey were transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus to overcome the deficit which existed here between 2001 and 2003. He said that the "citizenship" of the breakaway regime was initially granted to these persons in 2003, but afterwards it was taken away from them. Dere asked the help of Cavusoglu on this matter.

Cavusoglu responded that it is not possible to oppress people because of their clothes. He said that pictures in which the persons could be recognized are required for issuing "identity card" and added that no one should be annoyed by this practice. He pointed out that everyone should carry photographs that will not cause any disputes when applying for "identity card".

Referring to the issue of the "citizenship", Cavusoglu said that they could make no exceptions and added that the religious men from Turkey are living in the occupied area of Cyprus having a work "permit" and they could be benefited only from the rights that could derive from this "permit".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Atalay said that no one should be surprised from their decisions in case there is no solution in Cyprus

Speaking to reporters during the meeting, Atalay commented also on the Cyprus problem. He said: "Cyprus file is a swollen and complicated file. We aim to solve the Cyprus problem by the end of this year according to the resolutions of the United Nations. We will solve the Cyprus problem through diplomatic ways. If this does not happen, then we may take different decisions and opinions for the Greek Cypriot Administration [Tr. Not.: as it refers to the Republic of Cyprus]. No one should be surprised after we take these decisions."

Referring also to their fight against "terrorism", as he described the long lasting Kurdish issue, Atalay said that the Turkish nation always stands strong in fight with "terrorism" and its determined stance on this issue will continue.

Atalay also said: "We say it clearly and openly those who want 'self-determination' and a separate state are dreaming. Even they themselves do not believe in this dream, but they do whatever they can in order to cause tension. The self-determination has no value for us, because we do not believe in it. We know very well that those who embrace the self-determination don't know believe to it as well."

[05] Akansoy: "Early elections is a must"

Akansoy also argued that in an early "election" scenario there is a big possibility that CTP will win and added that his party will take off the table the economic "protocol" that the current "government" signed with Turkey. Instead, he said, they will start a new consultation with all sectors and draft a new economic program. He expressed their opposition to the privatization of the telecommunications "departments" or the electricity, which have "strategic importance".

Commenting on the Cyprus negotiations, he said that the latest statements by the UN Secretary-General show his determination to solve the problem. He said that there is a high possibility for this process to go to a referendum and expressed his opinion that if the result of the referendum is "yes" in the one community and "no" in the other, this will not be useful. He argued that this process should be planned in order to be turned in favour of the Turkish Cypriots, because at the end of the day the Republic of Cyprus will be an internationally recognized state, whereas "TRNC's" non-recognition will continue.

[06] Tatar assesses the increase of the exchange rates

Meanwhile, Kibris reports also that the self-styled minister of finance Ersin Tatar has said that the increase of the exchange rates should not be exaggerated and that no one should be panicked. In statements to illegal TAK news agency regarding the increase of the exchange rates, Tatar noted that the purchase power of those who are paid their salary in Turkish liras (TL) will be decreased, but "the country will become cheaper". He noted that he expects positive results in the economy in the long run with the establishment of some balances in trade.

Tatar said that the situation should not be exaggerated because ten years ago, pound sterling reached 2.8 TL, but afterwards fell to 2.3 TL and its normal rate should be around 2.6TL.

Responding to a question, Tatar argued that the use of Turkish lira is the most reasonable thing to do in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that instability could be observed in all monetary units of the world from time to time. He admitted that the purchasing power of the salary of the people will decrease and those who have debts in foreign currency will face difficulties, but added that this situation will make the "country" cheaper.

(I/Ts.)

[07] "Cypriots left jobless due to Greek turmoil"

Reportedly, the debt crisis that has been ravaging Greece is also having an impact on the economy of "Greek Cyprus", as it described the Republic of Cyprus, which many Turkish Cypriots have typically relied on for jobs. These days, though, the number of Turkish Cypriots crossing the Green Line daily for work has reportedly plummeted due to the worsening economic outlook in the government-controlled southern part of the island, writes the paper.

"The number of Turkish workers passing through the Lokmaci [Ledra] gate in Nicosia has decreased sharply from 8,000 per day to 2,000," Cafer Gurcafer, the chairman of the so-called Civil Engineering Contractors Association, told the Hurriyet Daily News over the phone.

According to Gurcafer, due to the crisis in Greece, many firms in the government-controlled area of Cyprus have had to fire Turkish Cypriot workers, who had sought higher wages and started to hire Polish and Sri Lankan immigrants. "Most Turks crossing the border were employed in construction, which has been heavily hit by the Greek crisis," he said, adding that the real-estate market on both sides of the divided island was suffering.

According to Gurcafer, another reason for the decline in crossings is the rising nationalism in the government-controlled are of the island.

[08] A forum on religion is organized in the occupied area of Cyprus

Yesterday, the group leaders met with Talip Atalay, the director of the "Religious Affairs directorate." Atalay noted that such an activity was realized for the first time in the occupied area of Cyprus and thanked the Swedish Embassy. He said that among these three religions there are basic common principles and that we must ask ourselves why religious representatives who accept these principles act differently. He added that the people of religion should be conciliatory and learn not to be pleased with other people's grief.

[09] Turkish Human Rights Investigation Committee to closely monitor racism across Europe

Committee president and a deputy of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Ayhan Sefer Ustun said it has launched a program to monitor the course of the investigation into the Oslo massacre. Ustun further stated that they were in contact with Dutch authorities regarding an investigation of police officers thought to be responsible for the death of Turkish immigrant Ihsan Gurz in a Dutch prison on July 2.

Speaking to Today's Zaman, Ustun said European politicians should start questioning themselves and their immigration policies in the aftermath of the Oslo massacre, and also in light of a sharp increase in the number of reports of Turks and other nationals of Muslim background being killed in prison due to alleged police brutally.

According to Ustun, the committee was planning to send a delegation to various European countries. "As the Turkish Parliament's Human Rights Committee, we are drafting a report on the reasons for increasing hostility toward Turks in Europe and on the possible measures that can be taken to combat it. We will meet with European parliamentary officials and get involved in the efforts to curb increasing racism in Europe."

Ustun believes that European politicians, in a simple bid for votes, had fanned the flame of xenophobia in Europe by staying silent in the face of developments that have turned innocent foreigners into outsiders in European societies, failing to see that far right and racist movements had turned monstrous. The committee president went on to explain that European bureaucrats and administrators were no more rational in assessing the right-wing threat than the politicians.

Ustun said he had no doubt that the obstacles Turkey has faced in its application for EU membership are due to this racist subconscious. He noted: "Particularly the French and German politicians have a huge responsibility in this. They came up with double-standards and unimaginably irrational obstacles to block Turkey's membership in order to maintain the dual-hegemony they enjoy [over the EU]. These irrational efforts and attitudes of politicians secretly feed racist violence and hostility against Turks. The increasing number of attacks targeting Muslims, particularly Turks, including setting homes on fire and murdering innocent people, are all happening because of these damaging policies."

He said the Human Rights Investigation Committee was profoundly saddened by the massacre in Oslo, recalling that one among the dead is a Turkish youth. He also recalled the case of Gurz, an alleged torture victim who died in a Dutch prison earlier in July, saying: "Wherever there is a violation of human rights, we will use the authority vested in us by the law to conduct an investigation. As the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Committee, we have asked the Foreign Ministry to inform us on the Ihsan Gurz case. We will present a comprehensive report after examining the case on site when we visit the Netherlands."

Ustun said terrorism and racism do not come in "international" and "domestic" forms. Regarding Norway, he stated: "They should do the same thing they would do if an attack of this kind had happened in a Muslim country. They should question themselves as rigorously as they question Muslim countries. There is now consideration of 21 years in jail (for the Norway gunman). This would further injure society's conscience. This would be a punishment that violates the logic of criminal law."

[10] Turkey undertook contracting projects worth 202.6 billion USD in foreign countries

Speaking during a meeting with members of the Turkish construction employers' union in Ankara, Caglayan said that "251 projects are under way in 35 countries," adding that the Russian Federation topped the countries where Turkish contractors were making the highest business with 2.3 billion USD. Iraq came second with 2.2 billion USD, and Turkmenistan third with 1.8 billion USD, Caglayan noted. He said Turkey had recently undertaken a project worth 980 million USD to construct 13,067 dwellings in Venezuela.

The economy minister referred to developments in Libya, and said Turkish contractors would visit Benghazi soon. Caglayan said Turkey was also working on new markets, and said contractors were fulfilling 37 billion USD of projects in North Africa. The minister said Turkish contractors would continue to undertake projects in India, Saudi Arabia and Turkic Republics; adding that they would visit South Korea, the United States and Japan in August, and Venezuela, China, Indonesia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia in September.

[11] Tomb of St. Philip the Apostle has been discovered in Turkey

Italian professor Francesco D'Andria, the head of the excavation team at the Hierapolis ancient city in Denizli, told reporters on Tuesday that experts had reached the tomb of St. Philip whose name is mentioned in the Bible as one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. Professor D'Andria said archaeologists had been working for years to find the tomb of the Biblical figure, and finally, they had managed to reach the monument while working on the ruins of a newly-unearthed church in Hierapolis.

D'Andria said the structure of the tomb and the writings on it proved that it belonged to St. Philip the Apostle, who is recognized as a martyr in the history of Christianity. Describing the discovery as a major development both for archaeology and the Christian world, D'Andria said the tomb, which had not been opened yet, was expected to become an important Christian pilgrimage destination. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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