Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-07-29

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eroglu and Bagis comment on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Turkish Cypriot politicians comment on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Eroglu alleges that it is very difficult to reach an agreement with President Christofias

[04] Atalay rephrases his statements in line with Erdogan

[05] Tens of thousands of illegal settlers will be granted white and green "identity cards" by the breakaway regime

[06] Reaction by Turkish Cypriot politicians on the issue of white and green "identity cards"

[07] CTP evaluates the intensified negotiation process

[08] Sonya describes Erdogan's illegal visit to Cyprus as "showdown"

[09] "Cyprus: the 3rd certain thing in life"

[10] Columnist argues that Erdogan and AKP has always been nationalistic

[11] Turkey's tourism revenues increase TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS Comments by Dervis Eroglu, Egemen Bagis and Turkish Cypriot politicians on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus, statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem, reactions to the decision of the breakaway regime to grant white and green "identity cards" to the settlers who live illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus, statements by DP's Sonya on Erdogan's illegal visit to the occupied part of Cyprus, a call by the CTP on the community leaders to avoid statements that harm the negotiations, new statements by the Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay on Cyprus, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The resignation of the cabinet of the Republic of Cyprus, statements by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan on the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Military Council (YAS) and on many other issues during his flight back to Turkey from Baku, and other domestic matters are extensively covered today in the Turkish press.

[01] Eroglu and Bagis comment on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus

Responding to a question during a meeting with a delegation from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Bagis recalled that after the incidents during a basketball game between the teams of Greek Cypriot APOEL and Turkish Karsiyaka he had said that those who could not stop "2000 fanatics who attacked five players could not be a state" and added that they could not even be a tribe. He reminded that during his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus last week the Turkish Prime Minister had alleged that the state of the Republic of Cyprus does not exist and that only "the Greek Cypriot Administration and the TRNC exist".

Bagis alleged that Turkey hopes the negotiations to end successfully with the establishment of a single administration created by two founding states based on the political equality of the two communities. "If this happens, fine, if it does not happen, Cyprus will lose. Turkey will continue going forward", he argued.

Meanwhile, in statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Eroglu said that the resignation of the cabinet of the Republic of Cyprus should not influence the negotiations process, but after these developments President Christofias "will not be a very relaxed negotiator". Eroglu argued that President Christofias' "headache" will continue and wondered how concentrated President Christofias could be on the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot politicians comment on the resignation of the cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus

Irsen Kucuk, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, said that they expect this resignation not to negatively influence the intensified negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and not to cause "a waste of time". He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side continues to search for an agreement by the end of the year and expects from the Greek Cypriot side to exhibit a "realistic will for a solution" and referendum in the first half of 2012.

Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that his impression is that President Christofias asked the resignation of his Ministers in order to create a new balance between the coalition partners. Yorgancioglu expressed the view that this development will not influence the Turkish Cypriot community, but said he worries that it could influence the Cyprus negotiations, because President Christofias could become more hesitant. "I worry that he will remain more passive under the pressures exerted on him", he noted.

Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), said that the resignations were a normal development after the incidents that happened recently and argued that the Greek Cypriot side could overcome its problems by cooperating with Turkey. Arguing that the Greek Cypriots should use this opportunity, Denktas expressed the view that the resignations will not influence the occupied area of Cyprus.

Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that so many scandals happened in the occupied area of Cyprus and no "government" resigned. He noted that the stance of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus was "honourable", because "a state exists there". He said that the Turkish Cypriots should take this stance as example. "There is a government which does not resign here?As if dictatorship exists", he added.

Turgay Avci, chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), said that the recent developments in the government-controlled area of Cyprus might speed up the solution on the island. "That is, the recent developments will either cause the definite non-solution or the solution will be produced in the next year", he argued. He alleged that if President Christofias' stance prevents the developments, no solution will be reached and it will be inevitable for the "Turkish Cypriot state" to continue its own way. He expressed the belief that "a serious step" will be taken in this direction as of the middle of 2012.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu alleges that it is very difficult to reach an agreement with President Christofias

"?The issue of sports has not been put on the table at all. Actually it will be difficult to reach an agreement with the Greek Cypriot leader. He has a very hard and persistent stance. The man has in his mind to take Morfou and Karpass. He always asks. We were not able to reach reconciliation even on the important issues. He has an intransigent stance even on the important and vital issues. How could I discuss the issue of sports with a person that has such mentality?...".

He said that the Turkish Cypriots should continue their efforts on the issue of the so-called sports embargo implemented on them. He noted that they discussed the issue with a well-known lawyer from Istanbul, who is working on it.

Eroglu said that these things need time and money, but expressed the belief that these "embargoes" will be lifted one day.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (29.07.11) reports that in statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation under major general Mehmet Daysal, commander of the so-called security forces, Eroglu claimed that they wish an agreement to be reached in the negotiations with which the two "peoples will live side by side". Eroglu alleged that the "TRNC state" exists today with its army, "government", "parliament" and "democratic institutions", and added that they continue the negotiations with the belief that an agreement on the basis of the "realities" on the island will be viable.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Atalay rephrases his statements in line with Erdogan

He noted that in case there was a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year, it would be possible for the new "partnership state", which will represent the "United Cyprus" based on a comprehensive agreement, to undertake the EU term presidency in July 2012. "If the Greek Cypriot administration [as he described the Republic of Cyprus], which is not a legitimate representative of Cyprus, undertakes the term Presidency, Turkey- EU relations will freeze as our Prime Minister stated clearly," added Atalay.

[05] Tens of thousands of illegal settlers will be granted white and green "identity cards" by the breakaway regime

Kibris reports that according to the "regulation" adopted the day before yesterday by the "council of ministers", the white "identity cart" will be granted to persons who live in the occupied area of Cyprus for a continuous period of eight years with a "work permit", or for a discontinuous period of twelve years with a "work permit" or for a period of fifteen years with or without a "work permit". These persons could be granted the white "identity card", if there is no problem in their personal record and they have not been convicted by any court.

The green "identity card" will be granted to persons who settle in the occupied area of Cyprus after they retire or persons who make big investments. According to the self-styled minister of finance Ersin Tatar, any businessman who invests more than 500 thousand US dollars will be granted green "identity card".

Bertan Zaroglu, chairman of the "association" of the settlers from Alexandretta, told Kibris that the most illegal workers in the occupied area of Cyprus come from Alexandretta. He noted that many persons will benefit from the amnesty which will be given by the "government".

Mehmet Ali Bebek, chairman of the "association" of the "Antakya Civilizations", said that the number of the illegal persons from Alexandretta who will benefit from this amnesty is around five thousands.

Mehmet Ayar, chairman of the "culture and solidarity association" of the settlers from Gaziantep said that 90% of their members have become "citizens" of the regime and argued that the number of the illegal persons from Gaziantep in the occupied area of Cyprus does not exceed 100.

Turan Buyukyilmaz, chairman of the "cultural association" of the settlers from the Black Sea area, said that two thousand persons from the Black Sea area will benefit from this amnesty.

Ismet Ilkan, chairman of the "cultural association" of the settlers from eastern and southeastern Turkey, said he does not know the number of the illegal workers from their area, but only in occupied Karpass peninsula 300 persons could benefit from this amnesty.

Meanwhile, under the title "Way for the return of 52 thousand illegal persons", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (29.07.11) reports that with the above-mentioned decision of the National Unity Party (UBP) "government", 52 thousand illegal workers who had been sent away during the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) self-styled "government" will be able to return to the occupied area of Cyprus. The paper writes that all the illegal workers will be granted "identity card" and the problem of the illegal workers will be solved.

Finally, under the title "Citizenship step by step", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (29.07.11) reports that the process of granting the "citizenship" of the regime to all the settlers living in the occupied area of the island started after Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's illegal visit to Cyprus. Those who are granted white and green "identity card" will not be able to become "citizens" of the regime for the time being, but they will have the right of permanently living in the occupied part of Cyrus, writes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Reaction by Turkish Cypriot politicians on the issue of white and green "identity cards"

Yorgancioglu stated that they will not remain spectators of this development and added that they will proceed by "legal means".

On the same issue, Izzet Izcan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) stated yesterday that this decision will annihilate the Turkish Cypriots. Supporting that the "regulation" which was approved by the "council of ministers" is a result of Erdogan's illegal visit to Cyprus, Izcan said, in a written statement, that the decision of the "council of ministers" to grant white and green "identity cards" and provide amnesty to the illegal population on the island, lacks international legal basis, it is contrary to the Geneva Convention and aims at annihilating the Turkish Cypriots. Izcan also added that this decision is a part of the integration policy which is followed by Turkey. He noted that they will transfer this issue to the international platform.

Commenting of the same issue, Mehmet Seyis, chairman of Dev-Is trade union, stated that giving amnesty to the illegal workers and granting white and green "identity cards" will not solve the most important problem of the "country" that is the "excessive population and the illegal workers".

Furthermore, under the front-page title "It is an initiative to spoil the demographic structure", Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (29.07.11) reports on statements made on the same issue by Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP). Mehmet Cakici stated that the implementation of the white "identity card" is a strategy to transfer more population to the island and aims at changing the population and the demographic structure.

Cakici warned that according to the first estimations, with the implementation of white "identity card" 30.000 persons will obtain the right to file application for taking the "citizenship" of the regime, and if the families of the above-mentioned 30.000 persons are taken into consideration this number increases to 100.000 persons. Cakici said that they will transfer the issue to the international courts in case this decision is implemented.

(AK)

[07] CTP evaluates the intensified negotiation process

The party stated that they watch carefully the process and underlined the need of submitting new constructive proposals to the table so that progress is achieved in the talks until the New York summit which is to take place in October.

(AK)

[08] Sonya describes Erdogan's illegal visit to Cyprus as "showdown"

Asked to evaluate Erdogan's latest illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus and his statements, Sonya said that the visit marks a new page in the "TRNC-Turkey relations," since the latest exchange of hard words in March, however he argues that at the same time his visit was a show of force from Erdogan's side. Commenting on the honesty of Erdogan's statements Sonya used the English proverb "talk is cheap," and gave an example saying that Erdogan can say that he does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, but the Republic of Cyprus participated in Youth Games in Trabzon.

Sonya also said that the force used against the protesters was something that Turkish Cypriots are not used to and it looked like a trial of practices used by the police in Turkey. He said that in case of integration with Turkey, this will be the end of the Turkish Cypriots. He also accused the "government" of the breakaway regime that it does not care for its own "people," and argued that the conditions for early "elections" exist.

[09] "Cyprus: the 3rd certain thing in life"

Munir notes that Cyprus reunification talks have been going on for 40 years now and that the United Nations is trying to reach an agreement by the middle of next year before Cyprus assumes the EU's rotating presidency. As a result, the meetings between the two leaders have been intensified.

Munir continues: "If you want to laugh, keep reading. The root of the problem is the following: more than 80% of the territory of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus [Tr. Note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] is Greek Cypriot property. The Greek Cypriots want their property back. If we give it back, there will no longer be a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, so, we are jumping through hoops not to give it back. If the Greek Cypriots don't take it back, they won't move toward an agreement. There are more than a million reasons. However, this key reason stands out and is enough to explain that a united Cyprus is a romantic dream.

If there was a possibility for a united Cyprus and for the two peoples to live all together, then neither would the inter-communal clashes have broken out in 1963, nor would Turkey have come to the island in 1974 and nor there would be a non-solution until now.

Erdogan sees the imbalance between the two communities as the reason of the deadlock in the negotiations. The Greek Cypriots are five times more in terms of population and at least twice as rich as Turkish Cypriots. The Prime Minister wants those who come to the island as workers to be granted the citizenship and increase the population through other means. For this reason, there is a need for territory. This is the reason of the statement that we would not give Morphou and Varosha.

In order to raise income, there are some projects planned including re-invigorating agriculture by conveying water to the island."

Munir wonders until when the Turkish Prime Minister would stop cooperation between Turkey and the EU, adding that "TRNC" - the breakaway regime- cannot be recognized and no country will accept the change of Cyprus' status, because no country has any benefit from this.

According to Munir, the only way out is confederation or a very weak federation. He also writes: "This passes through the return of a huge portion of their territory to the Greek Cypriots and the minimization of the TRNC. (?) If the Israelis want to live in peace, sooner or later, they should return to the Palestinians their land. In the same way we should also return the land of the Greek Cypriots?"

[10] Columnist argues that Erdogan and AKP has always been nationalistic

"The joke features two train passengers, with one constantly eating fish heads in the cabin, while the other is puzzled. Curious, the man asks, 'Why do you eat fish heads?' The other replies, 'Special fish heads. They make you smart. If you want I can sell you some. Success guaranteed.' Curiosity overcomes hesitation, and the man buys fish heads from his cabin-mate, eats them, waits for half an hour and protests, 'Hey, you've cheated me!' The other replies, 'No I haven't. You see, they are making you smart.'

I smiled and recalled the famous joke after having read Greek Defence Minister Panagiotis Beglitis's response to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's threats that Ankara would freeze ties with the EU (Commission) in the absence of a solution to the Cyprus dispute by 2012 ? when Cyprus takes over the presidency. Minister Beglitis's pessimism on Mr. Erdogan contained callous wording including 'empty words,' 'unacceptable,' 'illegal visit (to Turkish Cyprus),' 'insincerity' and 'Turkish threats.' I felt somebody must have told Minister Beglitis the Turkish (Pontion) joke about the fish heads.

Visiting Turkish Cyprus, Erdogan said 'there is no state of Cyprus, there is only north and south.' His other remarks on the Cyprus problem won much praise from old hawks like Rauf Denktas and Mumtaz Soysal, whom the always-staunchly pro-Erdogan liberals have invariably identified as the real culprits for the Cyprus deadlock. Now all of them see eye to eye.

Members of the Greek government must have eaten a lot of fish heads over the past few years, since they have now transformed from dreamland to the real world of deception politics, as evinced by Mr Beglitis's remark which reminds of the train passenger's 'Hey, you've cheated me!' Speaking of Erdogan's 'communications tricks, recent and past,' the Greek defence minister has found out that 'Turkey does not want to solve the Cyprus problem,' and that 'the Turkish threat is not theoretical, it is real.'

I am not sure where in Athens they sell such top-quality fish heads, but apparently these days they are easily accessible ? and probably not too expensive, given the quantity the Greek cabinet members must recently have consumed and the dire economic situation Greece is in.

I began by recalling a joke, and I shall finish by recalling something real ? a few lines from this column at the beginning of this year: 'In the early years of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's governance, there were basically two schools of thought in western capitals, including rival ones in Turkey's vicinity, regarding the prime minister's ideology on nationalism. One group, mentally aged between 12 and 16 and featuring an average IQ below 40, argued that Mr Erdogan would finally ruin Turkey's persistent and proud nationalism, which often caused headaches in foreign capitals. The other group maintained that Mr Erdogan's ideology was no less nationalistic than the 'deep state's,' but was not equally visible.

'The AKP has never been at war with the 'dangerous Turkish nationalism.' It has been at war with the ultra-secularist establishment which often supported the 'dangerous Turkish nationalism.' In rhetoric ? and seldom in practice ? the AKP stood up against the kind of nationalism the ultra-secularist establishment favoured. But in fact it stood up against the establishment. That, understandably but wrongly, was perceived by some westerners as the AKP's fight against Turkish nationalism. No, it was the AKP's fight against the secularist establishment.

'With the war against the secularist establishment over now, the AKP has no reason to mask the nationalist ethos which its genes harboured. (Erdogan et al rediscover Turkish nationalism, Daily News, Feb. 8, 2011)"

[11] Turkey's tourism revenues increase

Turkey earned 83.5 percent of 5.4 billion USD of tourism revenues from foreign visitors, and 16.5 percent from Turkish citizens residing abroad. Expenditures per capita were 575 USD in the mentioned period. Foreigners spent 528 USD, whereas Turkish citizens living abroad spent 1,061 USD. The number of visitors was up 11.5 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2011.

The number of visitors leaving Turkey was 9.3 million, including 8.5 million foreigners and 834,239 Turkish citizens residing abroad. Tourism expenditures of Turkish citizens who visited other countries were up 13.4 percent year-on-year in the same period, and reached 1.3 billion USD. Around 1,885,979 Turkish citizens visited abroad in the mentioned period, and spent approximately 703 USD per person. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article