Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-01-11

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu has reportedly revealed Turkeys Plan B for two independent states in Cyprus

[02] Ankara eyes Burgenstock model for Cyprus talks

[03] Famagusta Initiative organization expresses support to the EPs proposal; it asks for mutual steps to be taken and the opening of illegal Tymbou airport under the EUs control

[04] Izcan accused the AKP and the breakaway regime of trying to make the occupation regime a province of Turkey

[05] Turkish Cypriot daily says Israeli companies purchase Greek Cypriot land in the occupied part of Cyprus

[06] Population raising policies in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[07] Various TC organisations reacted against a draft resolution aiming to ask Britain to put pressure on Turkey regarding the negotiations

[08] CTPs Akansoy: Abolish the Aid Delegation

[09] The occupied Keryneia municipality became a member of the Turkish World Municipality Union

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Reports that the 12th High Criminal Court of Ankara accepted yesterday an indictment which seeks life imprisonment for the leaders of the 1980 military coup, ECHRs verdict for Turkey to pay 20 million Euro as compensation to the Greek Cypriot Lordos and 12 other Greek Cypriots for their occupied properties, more statements by Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay on the water to be transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey, Bagis statements on the Cyprus problem, reports broadcast by NTV that Turkey has prepared a plan B on the Cyprus problem, in case the UN declare, the end of the Cyprus negotiation talks, and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by todays Turkish press.

[01] Davutoglu has reportedly revealed Turkeys Plan B for two independent states in Cyprus

Addressing a meeting of Turkish Ambassadors held in Ankara, Davutoglu has reportedly noted that if this happens, a solution model based on two independent states will be adopted by the Turkish side instead of a bi-zonal bi-communal solution. He argued that the negotiations, which will be launched in the future, will be based on two independent states.

It is reported that Ankara has acquired the support of the international community on this issue and mainly the support of its allies. The sources said that Turkeys accession process to the EU has already come to a deadlock because of the stance of the Republic of Cyprus and added that the Turkish side could not be cornered further.

Meanwhile, under the banner front-page title Two separate states, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (11.01.12) cites information published by Turkish NTV television and ABhaber website, which argued that Turkeys Plan B is ready in case the Cyprus talks collapse. Both sources argued that if no solution is reached by July when the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term presidency, Ankara will change the basic parameters [of the negotiations].

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ankara eyes Burgenstock model for Cyprus talks

() Turkey aims to hold a conference modelled after the Burgenstock talks by March to discuss the Cyprus issue, a Turkish diplomatic source said, after the Cypriot leaders gather Jan. 22 to 24 in New York under the auspices of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The Jan. 22 to 24 meeting and the follow-up process should be perceived as a turning point [on the Cyprus issue]. Its a good opportunity if a constructive role is played and if aimed toward resolution, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, who is responsible for Cyprus affairs, told a group of journalists yesterday.

If the January meeting of Cyprus leaders paved the way for a higher level meeting such as an international conference with the participation of guarantor states, then there could be relief in the talks, Atalay said. ()

We cannot go on this way. Considering Cyprus is going to take the presidency of the European Union from July 1, then there is not much time left, Ban said Jan. 7.

From now on our aim is to schedule a high-level meeting in March the latest. The U.N. secretary-general also admits the need for a gathering as we did in Burgenstock, a diplomatic source said. The model could be with participation of four parties or five, including Cyprus leaders and Turkey, Greece and Britain as guarantor countries.

Ankara prefers the EUs role in the conference to be limited as it was in the Burgenstock talks in 2004, with a representation of an EU commissioner for consultations, the source said.

On the same issue, Yusuf Kanli, under the title Is a Cyprus settlement discernible?, writes, inter alia, the following:

() Even though it might require the optimism of the ignorant to expect a quick fix on the island, no one can ignore the ground covered in these talks during which, for the first time in the almost half-century history of the Cyprus problem, the two sides have put their viewpoints and demands on paper pertaining to every aspect of the Cyprus problem and recorded their convergences.

Yet, can we say after following almost a half-century of deliberations that left no stone unturned on the island and, most recently, almost four-year intense direct talks for a settlement for Cypriots by Cypriots, that a resolution to the Cyprus quagmire has become discernible?

Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay was together at breakfast with diplomacy reporters. As he is currently also the minister in charge of Cyprus, I asked him, Are you optimistic about the success of the process? Atalay said he wanted to be optimistic and still believed a surprise might emerge from the scheduled Jan. 22 to 24 trilateral Greentree, New York, summit between the two communal leaders and the U.N. secretary-general.

What a surprise? A decision to carry the direct talks process to a higher-level international meeting or conference, very much like the Burgenstock stage of the failed Annan Plan process of 2004. That is, a meeting drawing the active participation of Turkey and Greece and if it wants a third guarantor country, Britain as well with the EU and some other countries making contributions while sitting in the back as observers.

To do what? To sort out the remaining differences of the sides, particularly on property, territory, refugees (or settlers), the last touches to the power-sharing scheme and, naturally, the guarantee system.

Does Turkey think a settlement is within reach? Why not? But irrespective of the outcome, Turkey will continue standing firm politically and economically supporting the Turkish Cypriot people and consolidate the Turkish Cypriot state, which reached a per capita income of $15,000 in 2010 and around a 4.5% growth rate last year. ()

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (11.01.12) reports that during the breakfast with diplomacy reporters, Atalay was also asked to comment what it would happen in case of failure of the Cyprus talks. Noting that in any case Cyprus will be strong, Atalay said: We always have a plan B in our foreign policy regarding Cyprus.

Replying to the question how many countries are ready to recognize TRNC (translators note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), Atalay said that they dont carry out any work towards this direction; however, he added that the interest to the TRNC has been increased.

Referring to the issue of breakaway regimes strengthening and financial development, Atalay said that a very good process is carried out. He argued that the political stability in the TRNC also has contributed to this.

Atalay said that Turkey does not have any difficulty to obtain financial support to TRNC, however, he added that it (the financial support) is preferred to be used only as a part of their fiscal programme.

Atalay noted that their efforts for strengthening the private sector of the breakaway regime have attained charter flights from 14 countries.

[03] Famagusta Initiative organization expresses support to the EPs proposal; It asks for mutual steps to be taken and the opening of illegal Tymbou airport under the EUs control

According to the paper, the initiative, expressed also the view that the opening of Varosha-Famagusta port, constitutes a crucial move from the point of the most fundamental steps that could provide a confidence atmosphere among the two communities, which is necessary for the solution of the Cyprus problem and also a move that will set of the negotiation process for finding a comprehensive solution.

The initiative supported also in the written statement, that similarly with the Famagusta port, it could be possible for the illegal Tymbou airport to open for direct flights under the control of the EU and added: Taking mutual steps, in exchange of this, will contribute to the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem, to overpass the diplomatic crisis among Turkey, the Republic of Cyprus and the EU, to the discomfort of Turkey at the ECHR, and to the speeding up of Turkeys EU negotiation process.

Regarding the Greentree summit, the Famagusta Initiative stated that it would be a miracle to reach to an agreement on the Cyprus problem if the current pessimism and the serious disagreement on core issues continue to exist.

The Famagusta Initiative also called the two sides to be very well prepared and to repeat referendums in both sides of the island after they first achieve the yes vote from their sides respectively.

(AK)

[04] Izcan accused the AKP and the breakaway regime of trying to make the occupation regime a province of Turkey

Izcan went on stating that the Turkish Cypriot side and the AKP government are not sincere towards the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the decision of the Turkish Garanti Bank (Garanti Bankasi), which operates in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, to accept for mortgage [Greek Cypriot] properties granted to Turkish Cypriots by the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the island, as property of equivalent value for property they abandoned in the government-controlled area of the island, and to the regulation giving exemption to illegal settlers to buy property in the occupied area of Cyprus without a background security check, constitutes a part of the policy being followed aiming to turn the occupation regime, into a province of Turkey.

Izcan asked then from the Turkish Cypriots, to protect their country and support the communal existence struggle and the struggle for an early solution in Cyprus.

(AK)

[05] Turkish Cypriot daily says Israeli companies purchase Greek Cypriot land in the occupied part of Cyprus

According to the paper, Israeli businessmen cooperate with lawyers in the occupied area, establish bubble companies and purchase land located in the areas of occupied villages of Komi Kepir, Kalogrea, Akanthou, Karpass, Risokarpaso, Yialousa and Livera.

The paper notes that Israeli businessmen have built a big marina in occupied Rizokarpaso area and held contacts with officials of the breakaway regime trying to turn this marina into a free zone, but there is no result until now as regards this demand.

It is reported that when Israeli businessmen purchase occupied Greek Cypriot properties, they find the legal Greek Cypriot owners of the properties and pay them in order for not having any problems in the future.

Moreover, the Israeli state has reportedly appointed a rabbi named Hayim Azimov in occupied Lapithos village, where Israelis established a place of worship in a luxury villa on which they hung a sign saying in Jewish that this is the correct address of the Jews.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Population raising policies in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Speaking to the newspaper, Sonay Adem, a so-called MP with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), noted that this is one of the results of the implementations and the economic policies and described it as a very dangerous and big game. He said that they must stand against this and not accept a government that allows such a thing to happen.

Communal Democracy Partys MP Huseyin Angolemli pointed out that this is a population raising policy and said that developments on this subject continue to accumulate with a very clear result. Mustafa Arabacioglu, also a MP with the Democratic Party said that this seems like a flow of capital, however the main issue is to inquire about its purpose.

The organising secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Physicians' Trade Union (Tip-Is) Omer Gur said that Turkish Cypriots nowadays, like in the past, fight for their lives and stand against their extinction. He added, inter alia: Giving a house to three-children-families with 33% discount is treason against the country, a discrimination [against Turkish Cypriots] in our own country.

Tahir Gokcebel, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOEOS) argued that UBP and AKPs cooperation on the one hand, tries to limit rights with legislation and on the other tries to implement initiatives for cultural, religious or human models. Moreover, he said that they try to transform population, cultural and political policies, adding that this has been the biggest attack since 1950 against Turkish Cypriots.

[07] Various TC organisations reacted against a draft resolution aiming to ask Britain to put pressure on Turkey regarding the negotiations

The MPs are asking the British government to put pressure on Turkey in order to behave in good faith in the negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

According to the paper, some Turkish Cypriot CSO are reacting against the resolution, alleging that the obstacle for the Cyprus negotiations is not Turkey but the Greek Cypriot side which is dragging its feet at the negotiations. Among the Turkish Cypriot CSO who reacted against this initiative, are the Besparmak (Pentadaktylos) Group, the Embargoed Organization and ATCCA (Association of Turkish Cypriots living abroad). In statements, Ergun Olgun, the coordinator of the Besparmak (Pentadaktylos) Group, said that various British MPs and some member of the House of the Lords are against this draft resolution.

[08] CTPs Akansoy: Abolish the Aid Delegation

Moreover, Akansoy said that if they want to become owners of this country, they must abolish the mother- daughter relation. If we dont change this perception, people have the right to ask for money coming from Turkey. We are saying abolish the Aid Delegation. We have stated this clearly during our contacts in Ankara. The Aid Delegation must not be a parallel government, stated Akansoy, adding that voters and not Turkey must be responsible in areas of political authority.

[09] The occupied Keryneia municipality became a member of the Turkish World Municipality Union

According to the statement, the works of this organization (where a total of 16 other cities are members), will be an important contribution to the promotion and the activities of occupied Keryneia and the occupation regime, in general.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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