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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-07-28
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 142/11
28.07.11
C O N T E N T S
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[01] The Turkish Cypriot side continues making statements that harm the
Cyprus negotiations
[02] The Plan B of the Turkish side in Cyprus is discussed
[03] Turkish and Turkish Cypriot trade unions condemned Turkey's policies
on the Cyprus problem
[04] New investments in Morfou after Erdogan's promises that Morfou is
not to be returned to Greek Cypriots
[05] The regime decides to grant white and green "identity card" to
illegal settlers
[06] Yorgancioglu wants measures regarding the increase of the foreign
exchange rates
[07] AIESEC delegation meets with Bozer and Kucuk
[08] Erdogan says Turkey prepared for a financial crisis in Europe;
Reference to Cyprus by Aliyev
TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Accusations by Dervis Eroglu and Kudret Ozersay against the Greek
Cypriot side for allegedly leaking the content of the Cyprus talks to
the press, comments on the Plan B of the Turkish side and the statements
made yesterday by the Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay on Cyprus,
the decision of the regime to implement the practice of granting white
and green "identity card" to the settlers who live illegally in the
occupied area of Cyprus, the start of a project for building 120 houses
in occupied Morfou after Erdogan's statement that this area will not
be returned to the Greek Cypriots, the political and economic situation
in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, reactions to the increase
of the foreign exchange rates, and other internal issues are the main
topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Azerbaijan, his statement
that the economic crisis in Europe would not have an impact on Turkey,
Erdogan's call to the Armenian President Serzh Sargsian to "apologize"
on the issue of Nagorno Karabah, and other domestic issues are the main
topics covered in the Turkish press today.
[01] The Turkish Cypriot side continues making statements that harm the
Cyprus negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (28.07.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
leader Dervis Eroglu has accused the Greek Cypriot side of not complying
with the principle of confidentiality in the intensified negotiations
for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. In statements yesterday
during one of his meetings, Eroglu argued that in spite of the agreement
on the issue of carrying out the intensified negotiations in secrecy,
the Greek Cypriot side did not comply with this decision after the very
first meeting.
Eroglu alleged the following: "Our proposals, our discussions were
immediately published in the Greek Cypriot press. There could be no
confidentiality in this manner. Either they will comply with the secrecy
or after every meeting the need of having an interview with the press
will be arising... We complied with the principle of confidentiality and
we will continue to do so. In any case, with the enthusiasm of the first
day, the Greek Cypriots could not protect this confidentiality ?I wish
that they will comply with the rule of confidentiality [in the future]?"
Meanwhile, Gunes (28.07.11) reports that Kudret Ozersay, special
representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has also condemned the
leak of the content of the intensified negotiations to the Greek Cypriot
press. In statements to illegal TAK news agency, Ozersay alleged that
the target of the "leak operation" is the success of the talks. Ozersay
argued that the "deliberately distorted manipulative news in the Greek
Cypriot press" maintain the existing lack of trust "with which we are
struggling". Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side has undertaken
an initiative on this issue at the United Nations (UN). He claimed that
this situation is an indication of irresponsibility and lack of good will.
He argued: "I think that it will be seen more clearly why the map and
the numbers under the chapter of the territory could not be negotiated
now and in this environment, that is in an environment where everything
is leaked to the Greek Cypriot press, and that this negotiation should
be carried out at the last stage in another format?"
Ozersay alleged that this "insincerity" aims at supporting the "wrong
perception" on the positions put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side and
at sending the message that the Turkish Cypriots put excessive demands
on the table.
Ozersay claimed that "those who make these manipulations are
probably aiming at changing the agenda" which annoy them in the
government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus. "It is understood
that they want the Greek Cypriot people to be wrongfully informed about
us, but the developments during the past few weeks show that the Greek
Cypriot people started seeing the realities", he alleged.
(I/Ts.)
[02] The Plan B of the Turkish side in Cyprus is discussed
Under the title "Besir's Plan', Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (28.07.11)
refers to the statements made yesterday by the Turkish State Minister
responsible for Cyprus Besir Ataly and reports that after Prime Minister
Erdogan and Foreign Minister Davutoglu, Atalay as well underlined the
"Plan B" of the Turkish side for Cyprus. The paper recalls that Atalay
said that the Turkish side's aim is reaching a solution to the Cyprus
problem by the end of the year in a diplomatic way, but if this does
not happen no one should be surprised by their decisions.
The paper reports that Turkish Cypriot politicians stated that they are
curious to find out what this Plan B is. Some politicians said it is
normal for the states to have a "subsidiary plan" and some others noted
that they have the right to know what this plan is, if such a plan exists.
The general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), Ertugrul
Hasipoglu told Haberdar that no one revealed this "Plan B", but it is
said that such plan exists. Noting that it would not be right for him
to predict what Besir Atalay meant when saying that they could take
surprising decisions, Hasipoglu said: "I think that it will be announced
after the negotiations. This is the correct thing to do. We cannot
wait. The negotiations continue since 1968. They could not last forever".
The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozkan Yorgancioglu
told Haberdar that his party prefers reaching a solution to the
Cyprus problem by the end of this year or in the beginning of the next
year. Referring to Atalay's statements, he noted that "both as Turkish
Cypriot people and as party we want to know what the other alternatives
are". Yorgancioglu noted that any decision should be approved by the
Turkish Cypriot "people", who should take the decisions which concern
their own future. He added that the Turkish Cypriots will have something
to say if decisions are taken without them being informed.
The chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas said that Atalay
repeated what Prime Minister Erdogan had said on 20 July. He noted that
the important thing is for the Turkish Cypriots to know what decisions
will be taken if a solution to the Cyprus problem is not reached by the
end of the year.
Huseyin Angolemli, "MP" of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) in occupied
Famagusta, said that Atalay could be referring to the "Turkish Cypriot
state" which was described in the Annan Plan or to a model similar to
Taiwan. Angolemli noted that the Turkish officials are annoyed from the
fact that the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the term presidency of
the EU in July 2012, because they see that a difficult process will
start then. He said that if Turkey freezes its accession talks with
the EU, it knows that it will take time to resume these talks and that
is why Ankara tries to use all its possibilities in order to force
the Greek Cypriots to go to a referendum on the Cyprus problem before
July 2012. Angolemli argued that the "political disorder" created in
the government-controlled area of Cyprus after the explosion of 11 July
2011 might bring a solution to the Cyprus problem. He said that Russia
realized this and wants to have a say in the peace process, like the
US has. That is why, he noted, Russia invited Turkish Cypriot leader
Eroglu's representative, Kudret Ozersay to Moscow. Angolemli argued that
the economic situation in Greece and the government-controlled area of
Cyprus might bring a solution to the Cyprus problem. Angolemli alleged
that the Greek Cypriots want the Republic of Cyprus to overtake the EU
term presidency in July 2012 without a solution to the Cyprus problem. He
argued that the developments after the explosion of 11 July help this
"tactics".
The chairman of the Democracy and Trust Party (DGP) Tahsin Ertugruloglu
said that the statements of Besir Atalay are not something new because
Prime Minister Erdogan had said the same things before Atalay. He
noted that all countries have such alternative plans but do not reveal
them. "Therefore, no one should be offended or search for an ulterior
motive", he added.
Meanwhile, writing in his daily column in Haberdar (28.07.11),
Rasih Resat, the paper's editor-in-chief, refers to the existing
alternatives for the Turkish side if a solution to the Cyprus problem
is not reached. According to Resat, the first alternative is exerting
efforts in the direction of the recognition of the "TRNC", breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. "It is a very
weak alternative, but it exists", says Resat.
He notes that the second alternative is similar to the first one, but
the name of the "state" could be changed to "Cyprus Turkish State" as it
was described in the Annan Plan and accepted by the Islamic Conference
Organization. He argues that this is an alternative by which the Turkish
side will on the one hand "be freed in a sense" from the resolutions
of the UN Security Council regarding Cyprus and on the other it will
unilaterally implement one part of the Annan Plan which had been submitted
by the UN.
According to Resat, the third alternative is the immediate or step by
step annexation of the occupied northern area of Cyprus to Turkey. This
will be tantamount to turning the occupied part of Cyprus to the 82nd
Turkish province, he says. "This is one of the alternatives to which no
one mentions but everybody worries about", he notes.
(I/Ts.)
[03] Turkish and Turkish Cypriot trade unions condemned Turkey's policies
on the Cyprus problem
Under the title "KTOS and KTOEOS participated in the Education
International World Congress", Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (28.07.11)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Union (KTOS) and the Secondary
School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) participated in the 6th Education
International World Congress, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa,
between 22 and 26 of July.
As the paper writes, the congress adopted a motion on the Cyprus problem
which was submitted by KTOS, KTOEOS and the Trade Union of Turkey's
Education and Science Employees (EGITIM-SEN).
In a joint statement issued by KTOS and KTOEOS, it is reported that the
policies of Turkey in Cyprus were condemned in the decision which was
approved by more than 400 organizations from 177 different countries
which were represented at the congress.
Moreover, the motion called on Turkey to respect the cultural diversity of
the Turkish Cypriot community and its political will and democracy. Also
the trade unions condemned the "anti-democratic behaviours" and the
"unjust use of power" by the "police" of the regime against KTOS, KTOEOS
and DAU-SEN trade unions during demonstrations that were recently held
in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (28.07.11) refers to the issue
under the front-page title "Cape Town betrayal". The paper writes that the
"trade union patrons" prepared the resolution with the aim of complaining
against Turkey's policies on the Cyprus problem. The paper adds that
the resolution was adopted with the help of the representatives of Greek
and Greek Cypriot organizations which were participating in the congress.
(AK)
[04] New investments in Morfou after Erdogan's promises that Morfou is
not to be returned to Greek Cypriots
Under the title "120 residences to be built", Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris (28.07.11) reports that after the promises given by the Turkish
Premier Erdogan that "Morfou is not to be returned to Greek Cypriots",
construction investments were launched in the occupied Morfou area.
As the paper writes, Yalcin Kocyigit and Hikmet Kaynarca, directors of
the YAKA Groups are preparing to build 120 dwelling houses in Morfou.
According to the paper, self-styled prime minister, Irsen Kucuk will lay
the foundation stone for the project on July 29. The first part of the
project is to be concluded in 18 months.
(AK)
[05] The regime decides to grant white and green "identity card" to
illegal settlers
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (28.07.11) reports that the "council of
ministers" of breakaway regime has approved a "regulation" that provides
for granting "white identity card" and "green identity card" to those
illegally living in the occupied part of Cyprus. According to statements
made yesterday after the meeting of the "body" by the self-styled minister
of interior and local administrations Nazim Cavuoglu, the aim of this
practice will be preventing people from living illegally in the occupied
area of Cyprus.
With the "regulation", which will be implemented after taking the view
of the "attorney general", amnesty will be given for the last time
to those living illegally in the occupied part of Cyprus, writes the
paper adding that "white identity card" or "green identity card" will
be granted to those who will file an application within a period that
will be announced later. After the completion of this period, controls
will be carried out and those who illegally live in the occupied area
of Cyprus will be sent away.
Cavusoglu said that the aim with the "white identity card regulation"
is to create a card the holder of which will have all the rights of the
"TRNC citizens", except voting, being elected and being employed in the
"state". Cavusoglu noted that the aim and target groups of the "white
identity card" and the "green identity card" are different and added
that this will be explained after the "regulation" is published.
(I/Ts.)
[06] Yorgancioglu wants measures regarding the increase of the foreign
exchange rates
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (28.07.11) reports that Ozkan
Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has called on
the "government" of the breakaway regime to take measures on the issue of
the increase of the foreign exchange rates. Commenting on statements made
recently by the self-styled minister of finance Ersin Tatar, Yorgancioglu
argued that Tatar did not say what measures the "government" was taking,
but preferred to give advises to the "people".
In his written statement, Yorgancioglu said that the increase of the
exchange rates will cause new troubles to the "citizens", those who
borrowed money in foreign exchange will face difficulties in paying their
dept and the investors who undertook tenders by the "state" will suffer
losses because the prices of the materials will increase.
Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue, the Trade Unions' Platform has
asked for the immediate implementation of the system of sliding scale
salaries. In a written statement issued on behalf of the Platform by
Mehmet Tasker, general secretary of the secondary school teachers' trade
union, it is noted that in the period January ? July 2011 the salaries
of the employees decreased by 17% on the basis of the pound sterling,
19.5% on the basis of Euro and 11.5% on the basis of the US dollar.
(I/Ts.)
[07] AIESEC delegation meets with Bozer and Kucuk
Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak television (27.07.11, online) reports that
a delegation from the International Association of Students in Economics
and Management (AIESEC) met yesterday with Hasan Bozer, so-called speaker
of the breakaway regime's assembly.
Speaking during the visit Bozer noted that AIESEC is continuing with
its operation in 110 countries around the world and is the largest and
most powerful youth organization around the world. He said he was very
pleased to see the group in the occupied area of Cyprus and added:
"Now you are able to understand our point of view during the Cyprus
peace negotiations".
Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (28.07.11) reports that the
delegation met also with self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk. Kucuk
said that having students from 24 different countries in "TRNC"
is important in terms of its recognition and thanked AIESEC for its
efforts. He alleged that although they are not recognized they are more
democratic and developed than some countries.
[08] Erdogan says Turkey prepared for a financial crisis in Europe;
Reference to Cyprus by Aliyev
Turkish Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.07.11) reports that the
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a working visit to
Azerbaijan. Erdogan was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and Economy Minister
Zafer Caglayan.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure from Ankara's Esenboga
International Airport, Erdogan said that Turkey was fully prepared
against a financial crisis in Europe. "There could be a crisis in the
West. However, we are prepared against an economic crisis," said Erdogan
and stressed: "In the past, I had stated that the economic crisis in
Europe would touch Turkey slightly. This time it seems like the crisis
won't even touch slightly. We are in a better position and are stronger
compared to the past. You need not be concerned about Turkey's economy."
During his one-day visit, Erdogan held a two-hour tete-a-tete meeting
with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku. The two discussed
bilateral relations, particularly military, commercial, economic, social
and cultural issues, as well as regional problems. "We had the opportunity
to discuss what kind of steps we can take in the future," Erdogan said. He
also underlined the importance of high-level strategic council, and said
he was looking forward to holding the first meeting of the council.
Moreover, during the joint news conference with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev in Baku, when asked to comment on the remarks by Armenian
President Serzh Sargsian on Upper Karabakh and Agri, Erdogan said:
"The statements by the Armenian President are not an expression or an
approach that suits to a president. Equipping next generations with
hatred and enmity does not suit to statesmanship."
Erdogan said: "What Sargsian does here is provocation. It is efforts
to equip his own youth with hatred and enmity. How will be the future
of Armenian youth? Possibly dark in this course. They will look at
the incidents with these dark glasses. They should definitely know
that there is an occupation in Upper Karabakh and the occupiers are
evident. Not only we say this, United Nations also says this. This
should be solved. Armenian party is not affirmative for the solution
so far. Azerbaijani party continuously displayed an affirmative
stance. Sargsian made a very serious mistake here. He should apologize."
Additionally, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (27.07.11) reports, inter alia,
the following: "Aliyev also deplored Sarksyan's remarks and said Armenians
should wake up 'from a dream into real life.' He said Nagorno-Karabakh is
an Azerbaijani territory and that Sarksyan's words that they will occupy,
what he called, 'historical Turkish lands' only show their occupation
mentality, adding that it seems as if Armenia thinks they have already
settled the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. 'Azerbaijan will get back their
territories, either through peace or military means,' Aliyev said. [?]
When journalists asked the Azerbaijani president if Azerbaijan has already
figured out its roadmap, such as recognizing the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (KKTC) in case of a failure in peace talks to reunify
the island, Aliyev said this is not an easy task. 'There is also a
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. I hope this conflict will be solved one day,'
Aliyev said, referring to vulnerability of his country in recognizing
Turkish Cyprus due to pressure from the European Union."
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