Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-22

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

[01] Talat argues that Eroglu wants peace in Cyprus, but is favour of two separate states

[02] Eroglu said that it is impossible to sign an agreement which will force them to abandon their "statehood"

[03] Yildiz says Turkey could cooperate with Cyprus on natural gas project

[04] Turkey to give 500 million dollar loan to the breakaway regime

[05] The occupation's regime budget was approved yesterday

[06] Data about the activities of the "IPC"

[07] Gulin Kucuk to participate in a conference about the role of women in the Muslim world

[08] Last warnings to France over the Armenian genocide denial bill

[09] Erdogan and Davutoglu's reaction to the Armenia resolution at the French Parliament

[10] Turkish Parliament approves 2012 budget

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The Turkish press reports today about the tension between Turkey and France over a denial bill on the Armenian genocide which will be voted today by the French Parliament The press also publishes statements by Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz, who made comments on Turkey's stance if Cyprus decides to share its natural wealth with European countries. The papers further report that the former chairman of the Republican People Party Deniz Baykal visited the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan who undertook a severe operation recently and had not returned to his duties yes.

[01] Talat argues that Eroglu wants peace in Cyprus, but is favour of two separate states

According to a statement issued by his office, Talat participated in a program of ART television yesterday morning and said that he respects views such as the above, but he criticizes them because this target is unattainable.

Noting that a short period ago he met with Eroglu, Talat said that yesterday he received the first note from the meeting and now he will be more relaxed as regards the issue of being informed (on the developments).

Referring to the negotiating process which is being held today, Talat said he is more interested in the issue of where the negotiations should reach. Talat expressed the view that the intensified negotiations on the Cyprus problem must last all day long and the sides must negotiate even when they eat.

Talat said that the internal aspects of the problem should be concluded in order for being able to go to an international conference. Noting that the UN Secretary-General also said so, Talat added that such situation does not seem to exist at the moment.

Referring to the Annan Plan, Talat argued that it had been prepared with the contributions of the Greek Cypriot side and that the contribution of the Turkish side was very limited during the plan's preparation stage. Talat rejected the allegations that it had been known beforehand that the Greek Cypriot side would say "no" to this plan and claimed that left-wing AKEL party changed its mind at the last minute and if that party said "yes" at least 50% plus of the Greek Cypriots would have voted positively for the plan.

Talat evaluated also the so-called 21 December martyrs' week during which the Turkish Cypriots commemorate the incidents started in December 1963 after their revolt and withdrawal from their posts in the Republic of Cyprus. Talat argued that 21 December and the period afterwards is commemorated as a date since which peaceful life did not return back. He said the problems which started then could not be solved yet and the negotiations continue.

Talat alleged that the "demolished state" could not be re-established and wished for these past days not to be experienced again.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu said that it is impossible to sign an agreement which will force them to abandon their "statehood"

Eroglu argued that their aim was to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem, one which will ensure that future generations will not face the bitter experiences of the past.

"Despite all accusations, we are still seeking ways of reaching a comprehensive solution. There are conditions and principles to such an agreement and the Turkish Cypriots have expectations regarding a solution. We are taking all these into consideration when working towards reaching an agreement", Eroglu said.

Reminding that the negotiations could continue until June next year when Cyprus takes over the EU term-presidency, Eroglu said that making good use of this period to reach a mutually acceptable solution will be the Turkish Cypriots' success.

For his part, Ertan Ersan - "president of the society" - said that it was not possible to forget the years of struggle adding that they will not allow the younger generations to forget the pain and suffering allegedly caused against Turkish Cypriots by Greek Cypriots during that period.

[03] Yildiz says Turkey could cooperate with Cyprus on natural gas project

He said that the statement reportedly made by President Christofias that natural resources belong to the whole island of Cyprus, is already one of the conditions that Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan has placed forward. Yildiz added that in such a case there is a chance to develop projects [between Turkey and Cyprus] and argued that this is connected with the ongoing negotiations.

[04] Turkey to give 500 million dollar loan to the breakaway regime

[05] The occupation's regime budget was approved yesterday

The budget will be put into effect on January 1, 2012.

Speaking after the approval of the "budget", the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk expressed satisfaction over the approval of the occupation's regime budget.

(AK)

[06] Data about the activities of the "IPC"

Gunkan gave also information about the activities of the "Immovable Property Commission".

According to Gunkan, from the establishment of the "commission" in 2006 until today, a total of 2693 applications were submitted, and the "commission" has paid the amount of 63 million 727 thousand 940 pounds sterling as compensation. He said that 193 of the applications were settled in a friendly manner, and 7 in "courts". Return of property was decided in 1 case, exchange and compensation in 2 cases and return and compensation in 5 cases.

Gunkan added that they decided to settle 1 application through return of property but only after the solution. In another case they decided partial return of property, he said.

(AK)

[07] Gulin Kucuk to participate in a conference about the role of women in the Muslim world

The delegation will participate in a conference about "The role of women in a changing Muslim society", which is organized between 22-24 December by the Islamic Cooperation Organization and the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference Organization (IKOPAB) under the auspices of the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

According to the paper, government officials, MPs, NGOs and academicians from more than 60 countries will participate in the conference.

[08] Last warnings to France over the Armenian genocide denial bill

"Turkey's EU minister said Turkish people would react to France's Armenian genocide denial bill without any push from the Turkish government.

'We saw in the past for the case of Italy, those who emptied wine onto [the streets] and burned coats and cravats were this country's people. There is no need for suggestion, this nation's people decide on their own,' EU Minister Egemen Bagis told reporters yesterday.

Bagis said Turks would react by not consuming French goods in response to the controversial bill.

Meanwhile, Turkish Science, Industry and Technology Minister Nihat Ergun said Turkey would probably not assume an embargo policy against France nor violate international agreements. However, France should take into consideration the uneasiness that would emerge in Turkish society, Ergun said.

Bulent Eczacibasi, president of the board of directors of Eczacibasi Holding, said any boycott against the French firms in Turkey would harm the Turkish economy. 'It would not be wise to punish those companies working in Turkey; by doing that we will hurt ourselves. We should be calm and our steps should be outcome-oriented. We should avoid taking steps with anger that could be detrimental to ourselves,' he said. (?)

In a last warning to France over the Armenian genocide denial bill, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said bilateral ties were under threat of 'irreparable damage' and urged French lawmakers to use 'common sense'. The planned bill has united Turkey's ruling and opposition parties in Parliament, which in a joint declaration denounced it as a 'grave, unacceptable and historic mistake'.

'We strongly condemn the proposal which denigrates Turkish history', the parties said, urging France to consider its own past, including its involvement in bloodshed in Algeria and Rwanda. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli urged the government to stand firm against France, stressing that the crisis provided ground to abandon reconciliation efforts with Armenia.

'A great honour struggle awaits the [ruling Justice and Development Party] AKP. This is a precious opportunity for them to end their lethargy and step back from the concessions given as part of the opening to Armenia', said Bahceli.

Speaking outside the French Embassy, Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Tanju Ozcan said that he would personally travel to France if the bill was passed and declare that the 'Armenian genocide claims, are the biggest lie of the century'. CHP deputies Ali Ozgunduz and Atilla Kart resigned in protest from the Turkey-France Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Activists from the People's Voice Party (HSP) and members of Hak-Is, a trade union known to be politically close to the government, laid black wreaths outside the French Embassy in peaceful demonstrations."

[09] Erdogan and Davutoglu's reaction to the Armenia resolution at the French Parliament

Sarkozy's initiative for political gain will hurt Turkish-French relations, Erdogan underlined.

Asked about what he thought on French President Sarkozy's refusal to speak with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul on the phone, Erdogan said that Sarkozy's act was a diplomatic disaster. Sarkozy has shown who he is by not speaking with President Gul on the phone, Erdogan added.

Moreover, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking to reporters after signing a special note-book at the Czech Embassy in Ankara in honour of the late Czech President Vaclav Havel, said Wednesday that they could not be silent when deep friendship between Turkey and France is disregarded for minor political gains.

Davutoglu said that he held a phone conversation with his French counterpart Alain Juppe regarding an Armenian resolution that will be on the agenda of the French Parliament on Thursday.

"I have told Juppe that the adoption of such a resolution would have serious consequences. A great mistake would be made if the resolution gets adopted at the French Parliament on Thursday. Turkey will not remain silent if the resolution gets adopted," Davutoglu said.

[10] Turkish Parliament approves 2012 budget

Accordingly, Turkey's budgetary expenses would be 350.9 billion Turkish liras (approx. 185.6 billion USD) while budgetary income would be 329.8 billion TL (approx. 174.4 billion USD) in 2012.

Turkey's budget deficit in 2012 would be 21.1 billion TL (approx. 11.1 billion USD) and primary surplus 29.1 billion TL (approx. 15.4 billion USD). TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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