Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-21

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

[01] Eroglu says their biggest duty is to keep the "TRNC" alive

[02] Ozersay said that the first step for the restoration of Apostolos Andreas' Monastery is taken

[03] The "Draft bill on the intergovernmental framework agreement between Turkey and the TRNC on meeting the water requirement of the TRNC" has been approved; Statement by Yorgancioglu

[04] Trade Unions see efforts to impose Sunni Islam on the Turkish Cypriots

[05] "UBP government" assigned as the "Central Bank's deputy head" a person from Turkey

[06] Volkan continues reporting on the activities of Israelis in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] TDP to file a lawsuit to the "constitutional court" against the decision of the regime for the fuel storage facilities to be built at Eptakomi-Komi Kepir villages

[08] Recent survey in Turkey shows AKP rising to 53.15%

[09] Davutoglu met several leaders in Mexico; The Cyprus problem was on the agenda

[10] The Greek Orthodox Patriarch submitted an 18-page report for the new Turkish Constitution

[11] "CHP to seek annulment of MIT Act"

[12] 2012 declared as Chinese Year in Turkey

[13] Fethullah movement's influence on its followers TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS Statements by Eroglu at a panel organized in occupied Lefka about the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, reference by Ozersay to the restoration of Apostolos Andreas Monastery in occupied Karpassia Peninsula, reactions to the establishment of an oil storage facility in Karpassia, continuation of reactions against the opening of a theology department in a lyceum in occupied Mia Milia village, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the endorsement of a "draft-bill" by the self-styled assembly of the regime regarding the transfer of water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus. A statement by CHP that it will challenge an amendment to MIT law in the Constitutional Court, Davutoglu's participation to an international conference in London for the future of Somalia, a speech at a Parliamentary Committee of the TGNA by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos about the minority rights in Turkey, the contacts of the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Turkey and the results of a public survey conducted in Turkey by SONAR Research Company showing that AKP has increased its percentage to 3.32% and thus reached to 53.15% today compared with the June 2011 elections in Turkey and other internal issues, are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish press. About Cyprus, some Turkish papers cover statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during an event organized at illegal YDU University.

[01] Eroglu says their biggest duty is to keep the "TRNC" alive

Eroglu visited occupied Lefka village yesterday and participated in a photograph exhibition under the title: "The last Turk who established a state: Denktas" and in a panel organized by illegal Lefka European University (LAU) on "Denktas' path and spiritual legacy in the national cause of Cyprus".

Addressing the panel, Eroglu alleged that the breakaway regime should take its place in the Turkish and the Islamic community.

Referring to Rauf Denktas, Eroglu said that only one panel is not enough to talk about Denktas' life, which included "a 60-65 years of hard struggle". He noted that in parallel to being a "great fighter for the cause", Denktas was also a "strategy expert with a high percentage of correct decisions". He added: "I believe that the decisions he made after 21 December 1963 and the path he drew as regards the struggle needed to be carried out by the Turkish Cypriot people against the Greek-Greek Cypriot attacks and the usurpation of the Republic of Cyprus by armed force were correct. If on that day he had made steps backwards and believed Makarios' false promises instead of fighting, we could not refer today to a Turkish Cypriot people, owner of a state in Cyprus. I also think that our late founding president's decisive contacts in motherland Turkey are of historic importance for the definite realization of the blessed peace operation on 20 July 1974".

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktas' son and chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas also addressed the panel. He said that a part of his father's life was how to keep the "TRNC" alive and described him as a "great fighter".

Former Turkish Foreign Ministers Mumtaz Soysal and Sukru Sina Gurel, retired Turkish Ambassador Onur Oymen, breakaway regime's former self-styled minister of foreign affairs Taner Etkin, the Turkish self-styled ambassador to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca and major general Omer Pac, commander of the 39th division of the occupation army were also among the participants in the panel.

(I.Ts.)

[02] Ozersay said that the first step for the restoration of Apostolos Andreas' Monastery is taken

Ozersay, in a statement on this issue, argued that the so-called TRNC supreme monuments council had approved plans to restorate the Monastery, which were prepared by academicians of the Greek University of Patra, a long time ago. However, Ozersay argued that no positive step was taken due to "debates" in the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Ozersay also said that the restoration of the Monastery, which is one of the most important monuments of the cultural heritage, should go ahead as soon as possible without turning it into a domestic issue, adding that the restoration will also please the Turkish Cypriot side.

Claiming that the cultural heritage committee has completed successfully until today all its work, Ozersay noted that aid is expected now from international actors like the UNDP to help everyone to cooperate on the financial aspect.

[03] The "draft bill on the intergovernmental framework agreement between Turkey and the TRNC on meeting the water requirements of the TRNC" has been approved; Statement by Yorgancioglu

As the paper writes, during the discussion of the "bill", several "deputies" from the CTP and TDP rejected the approval of the "draft bill" supporting that the "agreement" is full of uncertainties.

Speaking to Yeni Duzen paper, the chairman of CTP Ozkan Yorgancioglu accused the "UBP government" of being incapable to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots during the signing of the "agreement".

Yorgancioglu stated further that the "agreement" is full of uncertainties and gave an example saying that even though Turkey will be the owner of the facilities to be built to the Panagra Dam, the expropriations will be paid out by the "TRNC".

(AK)

[04] Trade Unions see efforts to impose Sunni Islam on the Turkish Cypriots

In a statement yesterday on behalf of the Trade Unions' Platform outside the vocational high school in occupied Mia Milia village where the Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) continues its protest against the establishment of a "department of theology" (in the above-mentioned school), Elcil noted that they live in a place where Dervish fraternities swarm and the "government" of the regime tries to perform these activities. He argued that the aim is to impose Sunni Islam on the Turkish Cypriot community, because "the Turkish Cypriot community is a people who believe in secular science".

Meanwhile, in a commentary under the title: "Towards the Islamic Republic of Northern Cyprus", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (21.02.12) writes the following: "Let us suppose that the first graduated imams from the vocational school were given duties at mosques and the need for imams was met. Afterwards [what will happen]? [What will happen] afterwards is certain. Just like it happened in Turkey, those who graduated from the lyceum as imams will study medicine, politics and law. And we will have Islamist doctors, Islamist lawyers, Islamist politicians. Afterwards, if God wishes, we will have an Islamic party as well and if God further wishes, we will change the name of the TRNC into Islamic Republic of Northern Cyprus".

(I/Ts.)

[05] "UBP government" assigned as the "Central Bank's deputy head" a person from Turkey

As the paper writes, Hayrettin Genel has been assigned as of yesterday by the "UBP government" to the post of the "deputy head" of the so-called Central Bank.

The paper condemned this action by the so-called government supporting that on the one hand the "government" states that it aims to be self-administrated and on the other hand it does exactly the opposite.

(AK)

[06] Volkan continues reporting on the activities of Israelis in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper reports that a Rabbi named Chaim Hillel Azimov has leased a house at occupied Agios Georgios village in Keryneia and gathers Israeli businessmen and persons belonging to the Jewish community living in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The Rabbi preaches in that house where collective prayers are also carried out.

Azimov is said to be the leader of the Jewish Chabad Lubavitch sect in the occupied area of Cyprus and he is assisted in these activities by his spouse Devora Azimov. The aim is to gather the Israeli citizens living in the occupied area of Cyprus under the same roof, argues Volkan noting that an application has been filed to the self-styled ministry of interior for the establishment of a Synagogue and an association. The construction of a Synagogue will start after the approval of the application, writes Volkan alleging that Azimov has close relations with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the US Embassy to Lefkosia. Azimov's expenses are allegedly covered by the Chabad Lubavitch organization and from time to time he travels to Israel through the government-controlled area of Cyprus.

According to the paper, Israeli businessmen have leased three houses in Balm Bay site in occupied Agios Amvrosios village where they educate Israeli youth.

(I/Ts.)

[07] TDP to file a lawsuit to the "constitutional court" against the decision of the regime for the fuel storage facilities to be built at Eptakomi-Komi Kepir villages

Presenting statistical figures, Cakici stated that these figures indicated to the world that in every fuel storage places, accidents happen in every six years. He then accused the so-called government of acting without complying with the "constitution, the rules and the law" and wondered why the "government" wants to build these fuel storages to an area which is considered an eco-tourism area.

Cakici went on wondering who will pay the penalty in case an accident occurs in the Karpassia area and stated that in such a case, it will be the end of the tourism in Cyprus.

(AK)

[08] Recent survey in Turkey shows AKP rising to 53.15%

The survey indicated that if an election were held today in Turkey, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) would win 53.15%, of the votes, followed by Republican's People Party (CHP) with 19.82%, MHP (National Movement Party) with 16.01%, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) with 7.13% and other parties with 3.89%.

The survey indicated that AKP has increased its share by 3.32% compared to the June elections and to 0.35% in a period of five months - compared to a survey conducted by the same research company in September 2011, when its percentage was 52.80%.

On the other hand, CHP's share were dropped by 2.58% compared to the results of the survey conducted on September while MHP's share increased by 1.99%.

According to Sonar's research, asked to express their expectation as regards the economic situation in Turkey over the next six months, 50.4% of the participants said the economy will be worse than it is today while 16.4% said it will be better.

Also, according to 71% of the survey participants, the biggest problem in Turkey is the rising cost of life while 58.4% said that unemployment is the second biggest problem in the country. Those who stated that terrorism is the third in rank important problem in Turkey were 52.4%.

The survey also acted as a sort of a report card of the AKP Government's success, writes the paper and adds that a total of 51.40% of the participants declared the Government as being successful in general, while 30.60% found the Government unsuccessful.

(AK)

[09] Davutoglu met several leaders in Mexico; The Cyprus problem was on the agenda

Davutoglu met German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Argentine's Foreign Minister Hector Marcos Timerman and the EU High Representative for External Affairs Catherine Ashton.

Iran, Syria, Turkey-EU relations, the Cyprus issue and Iran's nuclear program were high on the agenda of his meetings.

[10] The Greek Orthodox Patriarch submitted an 18-page report for the new Turkish Constitution

"For the first time in the Republican history minorities in Turkey received such a formal invitation to express their mind for the drafting of a new Constitution. Unfortunately, injustices have been made to minorities in Turkey but these are being fixed now and a new Turkey is being born," Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew told reporters after his meeting with Turkish lawmakers in capital Ankara.

Bartholomew said also that he presented to the sub-committee an 18-page report, which included the requests of the religious minorities in Turkey from a new Constitution.

"We are confident that our views will be taken into account. We want a new Constitution which would be the Constitution of all. We want nothing more than our rights as citizens who were born in this country, do military service, pay taxes and vote in elections," Bartholomew said.

The Patriarch said he requested the re-opening of the Halki Seminary and financial assistance from the state in education and religious services of the minorities.

"Our hopes are high this time and we are very much grateful," Bartholomew said.

[11] "CHP to seek annulment of MIT Act"

"We'll speedily take the law to the Constitutional Court. And no matter what the Constitutional Court decides, this law will be rejected by public conscience," CHP deputy group chair Akif Hamzacebi told reporters yesterday, adding that the party had already begun writing the application. He slammed President Abdullah Gul's speedy approval of the bill and insisted that the legislation would allow Prime Ministers to assign MIT to tasks "in dark realms" and make use of the agency "outside the boundaries of its duties".

Under the amendment, passed hastily last week, the prime minister's permission is required for any investigation into MIT members and "public officials assigned to specific duties by the Prime Minister" for crimes they commit while on duty or for offenses that fall within the jurisdiction of special-authority courts.

In further criticism of the government yesterday, the CHP slammed the Prime Minister for insisting that his Justice and Development Party (AKP) aims to rise devout youth. "I advise the Prime Minister to end this debate," Hamzacebi said.

[12] 2012 declared as Chinese Year in Turkey

Xi told reporters that he was the guest of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, and added that Turkey and China, since their diplomatic ties were established in 1971, recorded great progress in political, economic and cultural areas.

China wishes to pursue the development of strategic cooperation with Turkey, he added.

Xi will meet Gul and Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek in Ankara and then proceed to Istanbul to meet Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday. He will also address a Turkish-Chinese Business Forum on Wednesday.

2012 was declared as Chinese Year in Turkey. Next year will be proclaimed as Turkish Year in China.

China is Turkey's third biggest trade partner in the world. Trade volume between the two countries exceeded 24 billion USD in 2011.

[13] Fethullah movement's influence on its followers

'Over the course of the past year I had several opportunities to go to Brussels for different occasions. Each time I made sure to make a stopover in NATO headquarters to speak with Alliance officials.

In one such visit I was walking in NATO corridors accompanied by a member of the Turkish delegation. As the Turkish diplomat kept greeting his colleagues with 'hi' and 'bonjour', at one stage he said 'hello' in Turkish. They were from the Albanian delegation. 'When did the Albanians start speaking Turkish?' I asked. 'They are the F-type' was the reply I got.

It took me a few seconds to understand they were graduates of Fethullah Gulen schools. 'Look at how time passes quickly,' I told myself.

The first time I ever came across the phenomenon of Gulen schools was in the first half of the 1990s when they had started mushrooming in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. There was a sense of mystery to those schools. I spoke several times with many Turkish diplomats who served in Central Asian republics, for instance, and asked for their views about these schools. 'There is nothing that seems to be against the interests of Turkey. But it is a bit too good to be true,' was usually the answer I got.

So children that started going to such schools those years are now in the early stages of their professional careers.

Just as I was recalling the anecdote in the NATO headquarters, I thought for a minute whether writing it would create unease with the Turkish and Albanian delegations in Brussels. Then I recalled the fact that there are many Turkish diplomats who have graduated from American, British or French schools. They never hide it. By the same token, I should not have felt any concern talking about F-type non-Turkish diplomats.

Still my sense of hesitation is not without any basis. I for instance have studied in the French school in Ankara. I never hide it. Yet you won't hear those graduates of Gulen schools saying they are from Gulen schools, because technically there are no Gulen schools. But we know these schools exist.

That seems to be the gist of the issue about the Gulen movement. There is always this sense of mystery surrounding it. There has been difficulty in defining what the Gulen movement is exactly. Some say it is a brotherhood; some others have defined it as a religious movement. At any rate, looking to the analysis of experts that have been scrutinizing the latest developments that are taking place between the government, judiciary, police and National Intelligence Agency (MIT), the Gulen movement has become a force to reckon with, so much so that it can even challenge an elected government, according to analysts.

Lack of transparency will always make it susceptible to suspicion. 'What are they after? What are they hiding from?'

The best thing that happened with the latest events that are described as the clash between Gulenists and the ruling party is the fact that it might start a process whereby the Gulen movement will come out of the shadows. As citizens we can hold the elected government accountable. But we are powerless against a shadowy organization that apparently is asking for a share in ruling the country." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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