Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-02

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

[01] Ozersay says their proposal is for all "citizens" of the breakaway regime to become citizens of United Cyprus

[02] German Ambassador to Lefkosia says that Cyprus talks move slowly

[03] Serdar Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriots must conduct a referendum to decide whether they want the negotiations to be continued

[04] Talat evaluated the Cyprus negotiations and said that the end of the Cyprus problem is the solution of the Cyprus problem

[05] Kucuk said that it was out of the question to give occupied Morphou away in the event of a settlement

[06] AKP MP says that the breakaway regime in Cyprus is strategically important for Turkey, but it should not be financial burden

[07] Kucuk defends the regime's decision to dispose 200 donums of land in occupied Mia Milia to a religious foundation associated to the AKP

[08] "Karpaz marina" will be opened for vessels

[09] Demonstration in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus

[10] The occupation regime aims to increase the number of charter flights to occupied Cyprus

[11] The occupation regime participated at the "Mashhad Expo International exhibition" in Iran

[12] "The National Council" launched an initiative for recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus

[13] EU welcomes Turkey's new judicial reform package

[14] "Debate on religion takes over politics in Ankara" TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS Statements by Kudret Ozersay and Mehmet Ali Talat on the Cyprus problem, Serdar Denktas' proposal for holding a referendum among the Turkish Cypriots asking them whether they want the continuation of the Cyprus talks in case the ongoing process fails, reference to the strategic importance of Cyprus and the breakaway regime's economic burden on Turkey by an MP of the AKP, reactions to the disposal of land in occupied Mia Milia area to a foundation associated to the AKP for building a "religious complex", and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the decision of the regime to open a marina in occupied Karpass Peninsula, to the participation of Turkish Cypriot companies at a fair in Iran and to the launching of an initiative by the so-called "National Council" for the recognition of the "TRNC". The speech by the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan at the meeting of the Justice and Development Party in which he said that Turkey would not remain silent towards racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia, the heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey's export figures which increased 10% to 10.5 billion USD in January 2012, reports that the European Commission welcomes Turkey's third judicial reform package and other internal issues are some of the main topics in today's Turkish newspapers.

[01] Ozersay says their proposal is for all "citizens" of the breakaway regime to become citizens of United Cyprus

"Our proposal is for everybody, who are citizens of the TRNC [Translator's note: Breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] on the day of the referendum, to become citizens of United Cyprus", Ozersay said in statements yesterday to a television channel. "The citizenship of the federal state will be arranged by the laws", he added.

Ozersay reiterated the allegation that in case the Greek Cypriot side shows good will, the chapters of citizenship, property and the executive could be solved by March. He said that the program of the negotiations until March will be determined at the meeting of the leaders next week. He noted that the exchange of data on the citizenship and property had started before the recent summit at the Greentree and that the process continues.

Ozersay argued that at the summit, the Turkish Cypriot side suggested a framework agreement to include the main principles and criteria on the property issue, but the Greek Cypriot side rejected this proposal. "Substantial negotiations were held at the recent summit, but the desirable result could not be reached", he said alleging that the reason for this was the stance of President Christofias.

Meanwhile, referring to the same statements, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (02.02.12) reports that Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side is consulting with Turkey on a Plan B on the issue of what should be done if the negotiations process fails. He alleged, though, that their main objective now is the solution of the Cyprus problem and because they are focused on this, the discussion of "what will happen if this is not achieved" would be perceived wrongly by the international community.

Ozersay criticized also Russian Foreign Ministry's recent statement on the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[02] German Ambassador to Lefkosia says that Cyprus talks move slowly

In statements at the beginning of the meeting, the German Ambassador said that the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem move slowly and added that she visited Eroglu in order to find out his view regarding this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Serdar Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriots must conduct a referendum to decide whether they want the negotiations to be continued

Denktas who made these statements during a meeting he held with a delegation of Martyrs Families and Disabled Veterans Association, was evaluating the process of the negotiations. He said that if the negotiations fail , the Turkish Cypriots site must unilaterally conduct a referendum and give a decisive reply whether the negotiations must be continued or not.

Denktas who said that this was the first time he made this statement, added that this opinion will be up for discussion in the coming days. He went on and added that if these negotiations fail as well, the Turkish Cypriots must wonder whether the Greek Cypriots have any intention to reach a solution with them and then to conduct a referendum regarding the negotiations.

Denktas, who also alleged that the negotiations came to the final stage, referred to the statements made by Russia that "Cyprus negotiations must go on" and said: "First of all, this is an issue in which Russia cannot interfere. And this is because Russia is not the one which will decide what will take place in the whole island", Denktas said.

[04] Talat evaluated the Cyprus negotiations and said that the end of the Cyprus problem is the solution of the Cyprus problem

According to a statement issued by the office of the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Talat made these statements participating in a TV program where he evaluated the Cyprus negotiations.

Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted the Greentree Summit to be the last summit. However, he said, the aim should not have been this, but reaching a solution as regards the Cyprus problem. He went on and added that this is not the end of the negotiations and repeated that the end of the Cyprus problem is the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the statement from Russia, Talat said that this statement shows that the Cyprus negotiations will be continued until the problem is solved.

Talat stated that the Turkish Cypriots are under a great danger and alleged that they are like a sandwich between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side, due to the dangers they face by them. He went on and added that the Cyprus problem is not the number one problem of Turkey.

Asked whether he is angry or not with President Demetris Christofias, Talat stated that he got angry with him when he said "no" to the Annan Plan. Talat alleged that the Cyprus problem came very close to the solution at the time but the solution was not reached because of AKEL.

[05] Kucuk said that it was out of the question to give occupied Morphou away in the event of a settlement

Referring to the priority given to occupied Morphou area, Kucuk said that among the investment projects was the construction of a dual-carriage way between the occupied areas of Morphou and Lefka and the lighting project on the Lefkosia-Morphou motorway. He also added that there was a project to channel some of the water to be brought from Turkey via a pipeline to areas where underwater reserves are experiencing salinity.

Underlining the importance of investing in occupied Morphou, Kucuk said that it is out of the question to give Morphou away in the event of a settlement.

[06] AKP MP says that the breakaway regime in Cyprus is strategically important for Turkey, but it should not be financial burden

In statements to Anatolia news agency, Faruk Oz noted yesterday that until the AKP came to power, the Turkish governments had been annually granting a certain amount of financial aid to the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, and added: "This is a sum of around one billion TL. However, until 2003-2004 no change happened in Cyprus as regards the infrastructure services; the money was going and everyday life continued".

Oz argued that no radical changes happened in the fields of infrastructure, energy, water and health services. He said that the occupied area of Cyprus was perceived only as a summer resort.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Kucuk defends the regime's decision to dispose 200 donums of land in occupied Mia Milia to a religious foundation associated to the AKP

Kucuk said that a complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque and a "private college" will be constructed in the above-mentioned area. He noted that some investments will be made in the area, which will be leased at a symbolic price, and in the end of the process it will be transferred to the Evkaf religious foundation and the "ministry of education". Kucuk added that a college of 8.5 million Turkish liras will be built as a grant on this area by a "charity foundation". He said that at the same time the issue of constructing a complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque will be solved. He recalled that a debate was created some time ago as regards the place where this complex would be built, after the signing of an agreement between the "Lefkosia Turkish Municipality" and Turkey's Religious Affairs Department.

Kibris writes that this decision caused reactions by the "civil servants" trade union (Kamu - Sen) and the "Cyprus International University (UKU), which issued statements expressing their discomfort.

In a written statement issued yesterday, the chairman of Kamu-Sen, Mehmet Ozkardas said that the Evkaf religious foundation on the one hand argues that it has no money to pay the imams and the muezzins and on the other it gives away for free land which is worth hundreds of thousands Turkish liras.

Moreover, UKU criticized the fact that a theological school will be built on a land which itself had been demanding to lease for 20 years now. The "university" expressed its surprise, disappointment and sorrow for the decision of the regime.

(I/Ts.)

[08] "Karpaz marina" will be opened for vessels

Cavusoglu also said that the "TRNC" will join the world through the new port in the occupied area of Yiallousa.

[09] Demonstration in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus

The protesters called the "government" to take immediately measures in order to find solution to their problems.

They also asked from the "government" to remove the "citizenship" granted to the Turk Temel Bulut, owner of the construction company "Bulut".

Cafer Gurcafer, chairman of the Constructors' Union, said that "the government" cannot grant "citizenships" to any company that comes to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus so easily.

[10] The occupation regime aims to increase the number of charter flights to occupied Cyprus

Ustel who made statements to Kibris daily from Warsaw, Poland, where the occupation regime participated in a Tourism Fair, said that charter flights to occupied Cyprus started in 2010 and in 2011 charter flights from 14 destinations were conducted to the occupied area. He went on and added that their aim is the conducting of charter flights from the Scandinavian countries.

Ustel also said that they aim to increase the number of tourists who visit the occupation regime to 800 thousand for the year 2012 and added that last year 570 thousand persons visited occupied Cyprus.

[11] The occupation regime participated at the "Mashhad Expo International exhibition" in Iran

Around 20 million persons visit the fair every year, writes the paper. The fair opened yesterday and will last for three days.

[12] "The National Council" launched an initiative for recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus

Kamil Ozkaloglu, speaking on behalf of the executive council of the "National Council", said that they have launched an initiative of recognizing the "TRNC". He also accused the Communal Existence Platform of continuing their activities and protests against the "TRNC".

[13] EU welcomes Turkey's new judicial reform package

"The European Union has hailed a judicial reform package recently introduced by the Turkish Government to address long-standing shortcomings in the Turkish judiciary.

Peter Stano, Spokesperson for EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, told Today's Zaman on Wednesday that the European Commission welcomes the intentions of the Government to address a number of important obstacles to the enhancement of democratic standards. 'The proposed package is a first and appreciated step in the right direction,' he said. Noting that the Commission notably welcomes the proposal to abolish the possibility to preventively suspend publications pending investigations, and the obligation for judges to more clearly justify the decision to detain suspects on remand, he said however, more is needed.

'The Commission calls on all stakeholders to seize the occasion of this reform package to address the root problems which undermine freedom of expression, the right to liberty and security and the right to a fair trial. Most importantly, there needs to be a change in the definition in the Turkish Penal Code [TCK], the Counterterrorism Law [TMK] and the Code of Criminal Procedure [CMK] of some offences concerning terrorism and membership of a criminal organization, in order to make a clear distinction between the freedom to express opinions and the incitement to violence,' he said.

'Only a comprehensive reform will permit adequately executing judgments of the European Court of Human Rights [ECHR] regarding freedom of expression, the right to liberty and security and the right to a fair trial, and avoid further condemnations by this court,' he added.

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin last month announced a new judicial reform package that, among other things, aims to make it difficult for courts to issue detention orders for suspects before trial.

The package, which introduces nearly 100 amendments to the TCK, the CMK, the TMK and the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law, was designed to increase democratization in line with the standards of the ECHR and ease the judiciary's burden by accelerating trials."

[14] "Debate on religion takes over politics in Ankara"

"Political squabbles over religion simmered in Ankara yesterday as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted that raising devout generations was part of his Justice and Development Party's (AKP) mission.

'Do you expect the conservative democrat AK Party to raise atheist generations? This may be your business and objective but not ours. We will raise a generation that is conservative and democratic and embraces the values and historical principles of its nation,' Erdogan said at an AKP gathering.

His remarks came in response to criticism by Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who had called the Premier a 'religion-monger' and accused him of fomenting divisions among people along religious lines. The row was triggered by the application of a CHP Deputy to the Council of State seeking the cancelation of a regulation that put graduates of imam-hatip religious high-schools on equal par with others at university entrance exams.

Brushing aside CHP accusations that the judiciary had become a government puppet, Erdogan said that constitutional amendments approved at a referendum in 2010 had marked a 'turning point' in reforming the judiciary. 'The judiciary is not under government command. It is being purified from your militant mentality,' he said.

In a bizarre remark to Kilicdaroglu, he added: 'You are now under the magnifying glass. Every step you make and even every breath you take is monitored by the nation.'

Erdogan's comments triggered an angry response from the CHP, with the party's Deputy Group Chair Emine Ulker Tarhan suggesting Erdogan's 'anger fits' could be the side effect of his health problems. 'Those are fascist views. He is talking total nonsense and should change his advisers,' Tarhan told the Hurriyet Daily News.

'He has a society pattern on his mind. They are trying to design society according to their despotic mentality. Designing the judiciary, the military and now designing family life ? that's too much, too much even for the Prime Minister,' she said.

Tarhan insisted that the judiciary had become 'an army with a chain of command' under government control. 'But this army will one day hit them as well. They will lose control of the monster they created.' A former judge, Tarhan said she was proud to be 'a militant of democracy and judicial independence.'

In further comments yesterday, Erdogan hailed a move by French parliamentarians to appeal a law that would outlaw the denial of Armenian genocide but raised alarm over 'the sly rise of racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia' in Europe.

He argued that the bill was the product of this phenomenon and called on the European Union to act. 'The European Union must take measures as a top priority on its agenda,' he said." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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