Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-06-15

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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] Eroglu alleges that the EU is continuing its mistakes with the Cypriot term presidency

[02] Kucuk describes as "very positive" his contacts in Strasbourg

[03] Downer on the Cyprus problem

[04] Atalay stated that a bi-communal state with equal rights should be established in Cyprus; He reiterated that Turkey's EU ties will freeze after July 1st

[05] The occupation regime condemned the incident in Pyla; Statements by Ozgurgun

[06] The efforts of the regime to politically exploit a recent incident in Pyla area are criticized

[07] Atun announced that the occupation regime aims to start land drillings in occupied Morfou as well

[08] Caner Gonyeli search and rescue exercises in occupied Cyprus ended yesterday

[09] Danish Prime Minister held contacts in Turkey prior to the Republic of Cyprus EU term Presidency; He met with Gul and Erdogan

[10] Leyla Zana on the Kurdish issue; She expressed the belief that Erdogan will solve the Kurdish issue

[11] Davutoglu: "Turkey to stand by Afghanistan"

[12] Survey reveals that 56.2% of Turks oppose military intervention to Syria

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu alleges that the EU is continuing its mistakes with the Cypriot term presidency

Addressing the Turkish Cypriot community in London through the London Turkish Radio, Eroglu said that only few days remained until 1 July, when the Greek Cypriot administration", as he described the Republic of Cyprus", will overtake the EU term presidency and claimed that the EU, which has committed a mistake by accepting a divided island, is continuing its mistakes.

Erolgu argued that the Greek Cypriots force the Turkish Cypriot side towards the two states and claimed: "We want an agreement based on the UN parameters, but the lack of will of the Greek Cypriots is a big obstacle for the solution". He said that they proposed to the UN Secretary-General the discussion of confidence building measures by technical committees until the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and after the elections "new negotiations" to start under new conditions. He said that they want a time limit in the new process and added: "Either there will be an agreement or everybody will go their one way. We will continue the negotiations with patience. If there is no result, we will take the necessary steps".

Eroglu accused the EU of preventing the solution by accepting Cyprus as its member and alleged that Russia, China and France are not helpful for the solution by "being guardian of the Greek Cypriots".

Eroglu said that during his recent visit to Turkey, they discussed how they could conclude the current process in the best manner and what the alternatives could be in case this does not happen. He reiterated that Turkey's active and effective guarantees are their red lines.

Asked what kind of agreement they want, he replied that the two "peoples" in Cyprus want an agreement by which they will live side by side and that this is what the public opinion polls show. "We want to establish a partnership state where will live side by side not together", he said.

Asked whether the "TRNC" could be recognized if there is no agreement, Eroglu argued that this cannot happen as long as the negotiations continue. He added: "But if the negotiations completely end and UN Secretary-General reaches the conclusion that his good offices mission came to an end, I could of course say that there are states which could recognize us. With Turkey's strength some countries which will recognize us might come up".

Eroglu argued that they did not use well the "no" vote of the Greek Cypriots to the Annan Plan and claimed that this did not happen because Mehmet Ali Talat participated in the negotiations. Finally he reiterated the allegation that the lifting of the "embargoes" supposedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots will encourage the Greek Cypriots for a solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Kucuk describes as "very positive" his contacts in Strasbourg

"We emphasized on the representation of northern Cyprus in Europe, the promises given but not kept, the continuation of the efforts on this issue and especially that we face difficulties in explaining the embargoes implemented on sports", he added.

Kucuk noted that they conveyed their views regarding EP's "High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriots" and added that an official from the Liberals and Democrats' Alliance told them that they too are not satisfied with the current structure of this High Level Contact group, which, he said, should be reformed and many of its members should change.

Furthermore, Kucuk said that they raised the issue of the two seats at the EP which allegedly belong to the Turkish Cypriots and asked for these seats to be given to them. He noted that they agreed with the Liberals that by giving these seats to the Turkish Cypriots, improvement could be achieved in their relations with the EU. He said that he stressed the issue of National Unity Party's (UBP) membership to the Liberal Group and that he saw understanding on this issue.

Kucuk noted that with the Socialist and Democrats' Alliance Group they discussed facilitating the Turkish Cypriots on issues regarding trade until a final solution [to the Cyprus problem] is reached. He said that they held very positive discussions and they invited all the groups to visit the occupied area of Cyprus.

Kucuk reiterated the Turkish view that nine months will be lost in the Cyprus talks because of the Republic of Cyprus's EU term presidency and the presidential elections in February 2013 and alleged: "We emphasized upon the Turkish Cypriots' economic relief both with the trade regulation and the loosening and lifting of the isolations and some embargoes", he said adding that they secured "great support on this issue by the Socialist Group.

Kucuk said that the contacts of the "MPs" with the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Hasan Tacoy and Teberruken Ulucay in Strasbourg were very useful.

Referring to the lobbying activities of the breakaway regime in the EU, Kucuk said: "We are exerting efforts regarding 1 July on which the Greek Cypriot side will overtake the EU term presidency. Our NGOs are also working on this issue".

Expressing the view that their contacts at the EP should continue, Kucuk said that he started seeing the issue differently after his visit to Strasbourg, that Europe should not be neglected and that the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish delegations should act together.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (15.06.12) refers to Kucuk's contacts and reports that he met with Elmar Brok, member of the European People's Party Group and Hannes Swoboda, the chairman of the Socialists and Democrats Alliance. He also met with Libor Roucek, former chairman of EP's high Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriots, member of EP's Foreign Relations Committee and vice president of the Socialist and Democrats' Alliance.

Kucuk met also with British MEP and vice president of the European Conservative and Reformist Group, Geofrey Van Orden and the member of the European People Party's group and former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Alojz Peter.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Downer on the Cyprus problem

The issue of Cyprus was discussed in the 69th meeting of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee hosted by the European Parliament, which took place with the participation of Downer.

"The new Greek Cypriot leader to be elected in February 2013 and who will replace Demetris Christofias must remain loyal and attached to the current progress in Cyprus", Downer underlined.

"As the UN, we do not want to see the process being left and to put everything achieved in the trash box. Surely, the new leaders have the right to make changes but it would be a grave mistake to put aside the progress made in 3.5 years and start from scratch", Downer stressed.

"If a solution is really wanted, everyone must focus on the existing methods", he noted adding: "If you really want a solution, you just cannot put aside the works of the past 3.5 years".

"We have made important progress in comprehensive talks. However, we could not go over the critical edge due to the problem of confidence among sides in Cyprus", Downer also said.

[04] Atalay stated that a bi-communal state with equal rights should be established in Cyprus; He reiterated that Turkey's EU ties will freeze after July 1st

"Turkey has been continuing its efforts for economic improvement in the TRNC", Besir Atalay said during his visit to Anadolu Agency (AA) Editorial Desk.

"The Greek Cypriot administration has never assumed a compromising attitude. The Greek Cypriot administration will assume EU rotating presidency on July 1. It is an opportunity for them. They will use it," he said.

Atalay said that there would be no progress in Turkey-EU relations during its rotating presidency for six months.

"There was a great recovery in TRNC economy", he said, adding that Turkey had been doing its best for several areas such as tourism, education and agriculture in the "TRNC".

[05] The occupation regime condemned the incident in Pyla; Statements by Ozgurgun

"TRNC's condemnation" was filed at the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

The "TRNC government" called on the "Greek Cypriot administration", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, to refrain from such provocative incidents that may end in unexpected results.

Commenting on the incident, so called foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun said that they would not just watch such incidents. "The TRNC is determined to take every step to facilitate the tranquillity and security of its citizens in Pile," Ozgurgun stressed.

Greek Cypriot police officers on late Wednesday opened fire on two Turkish Cypriots, Sahin Kocero and Suleyman Kocero, in the village of Pile.

The Turkish Cypriot Village Headman of Pile, Necdet Ermetal, said that the Koceros were fired at by the Greek Cypriot police officers while they were cruising in a car with a Greek Cypriot license plate.

While the Koceros were not injured, their car was badly damaged by bullets of the Greek Cypriot police officers.

"Turkish Cypriot Police Department" and UN officials began an investigation following the incident in Pile.

[06] The efforts of the regime to politically exploit a recent incident in Pyla area are criticized

Meanwhile, referring to the same incident, columnist Mert Ozdag writes in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.06.12), inter alia, the following under the title "Because the Greeks were the enemy(!):

"'The Greek Cypriot police shot at two Turkish Cypriots in Pyla', announced the news. BRT [Translator's note: Illegal Bayral television] broadcast this for hours. It stressed upon it with emphasis as 'Greek Cypriot attack'... Some media willingly or unwillingly exaggerated the incident, they made it bigger than necessary. As of last night, certain circles (especially BRT) 'cry for war', showing as pretext the incident happened in Pyla...The methods that remained from the 1950's have become old my friends! ...In order to see the real indignation, look at the third pages of the newspapers. The rapes, the murders, the robberies, the shootings etc...

Moreover, examine the answers to the following questions:

- Why have the Greek Cypriot police opened fire against these persons?

- Why they there was no compliance with the 'stop' warning of the police?

- Why they insistently escaped to Pyla?

- If a citizen does not comply with a warning by the TRNC police to stop, will the TRNC police not shoot as well?

- Given that the vehicle used by the Kocero brothers had south Cypriot registration numbers, how the Greek Cypriot police knew the nationality of those who were in the car?

- Let us say that the Greek Cypriot police opened fire against the Turkish Cypriots on purpose aiming to provoke. Who benefits from exaggerating this? ..."

(I/Ts.)

[07] Atun announced that the occupation regime aims to start land drillings in occupied Morfou as well

Atun went on saying that he wants for a second well to open for land drillings in the area of occupied Morfou and added that they are ready to provide licence to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to start drilling on occupied Morfou.

[08] Caner Gonyeli search and rescue exercises in occupied Cyprus ended yesterday

The exercises ended today (yesterday) with a closing briefing.

The sea phase of the "Martyr Lieutenant Caner Goneyli Search and Rescue Exercises" was conducted in two stages yesterday with the participation of civilian and military units from Turkey and the "TRNC".

The exercise was watched by the so-called Turkish ambassador to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca, the "commander" of the "Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces" Lieutenant General Adem Huduti, "commander" of the "Cyprus Turkish Security Forces" Major General Mehmet Daysal and other senior military "officials".

The exercise was also watched by observers from UN, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and Turkey.

The land phase of the exercises was conducted at the St. Hilarion area yesterday.

[09] Danish Prime Minister held contacts in Turkey prior to the Republic of Cyprus EU term Presidency; He met with Gul and Erdogan

According to the web site of the Turkish Presidency, President Gul told Schmidt that the EU had to remain loyal to promises made to Turkey.

Prime Minister Schmidt, in her part, said that she was pleased for her visit to Turkey and for meeting with President Gul.

Schmidt said that Turkey and Denmark were two friends and allies. Schmidt extended Queen Margareth's invitation to President Gul to visit Denmark.

Gul and Schmidt discussed bilateral relations and regional matters.

Earlier in the day, Schmidt met with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (15.06.12), under the title: "First visit after seven years" reports on the visit of the Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt in Ankara, seven years after Erdogan's visit to Turkey when the Roj TV crisis occurred, and writes that the Danish Prime Minister met with the Turkish Premier Erdogan.

The paper points out that the visit of the Danish Prime Minister in Turkey is taking place right before "south Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, will overtake the EU term Presidency.

(AK)

[10] Leyla Zana on the Kurdish issue; She expressed the belief that Erdogan will solve the Kurdish issue

Zana reportedly said she does not think the Kurdish issue will be solved by appointing the military, police or judiciary with certain tasks, stating: "There is a solid fact here. Let's say this openly and accept this fact. If he wanted, the strongest can solve this [Kurdish] issue. Who is that strongest one? It's the government and its head Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The person who is the head of the strongest government in history is able to show the willpower and have the power to sort out this issue. I believe that he will be able to solve this issue. I have never lost my faith in him solving this issue. And I don't want to lose my faith in him. If I had lost [my faith], I wouldn't be here."

Zana added that everyone should make clear that they support the Prime Minister in solving the Kurdish issue.

She further said she would like to meet with Erdogan and that the issue is not her talking with the Prime Minister, but rather Erdogan inviting Kurdish intellectuals to meet with him to discuss the Kurdish issue.

She added that previous meetings between Kurdish opinion leaders and the government have taken place, but there was no progress made. According to Zana, the government should avoid political terminology like the "Kurdish initiative" and should instead do something to stop the bloodshed in the country.

Last month a Diyarbakir court sentenced Zana to 10 years in prison on charges of being a member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and spreading its propaganda in speeches she made over four years ago.

[11] Davutoglu: "Turkey to stand by Afghanistan"

Delivering a speech at the opening session of the Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference in Kabul on Thursday, Davutoglu said: "Turkey's commitment to Afghanistan is for the long term and we will always stand by our Afghan brothers and sisters".

Davutoglu said whatever happened in Afghanistan affected Turkey due to its geographical, political and cultural proximity and shared destiny with this country. "Therefore, contributing to peace and stability in Afghanistan is also in our interest as well as our responsibility," he said.

Davutoglu said that it is now time to speed-up collective endeavours aimed at finding creative, comprehensive and practical solutions to regional issues, with Afghanistan at its core. "In fact, the Istanbul Process, which aims to enhance regional cooperation in a result-oriented and practical framework, has already become an important milestone in this respect," he said.

Davutoglu listed the three main aspects of the process as enhancing political dialogue among the region, implementation of confidence building measures and building synergy among regional organizations. (?)

[12] Survey reveals that 56.2% of Turks oppose military intervention to Syria

Some 56.2% of the respondents oppose an intervention, versus only 11.3 % who would like to see an invasion, the survey revealed.

Support for "arming Syrian rebels" is less than the support for a military intervention, amounting to only 7.9%, while 40% of respondents said they did not support any diplomatic or military intervention. Those in favour of Turkey's political and diplomatic initiatives on Syria amounted to just 15.9%.

A security zone should be established for the safety of Turkish soldiers, according to 15.4 % of the survey's respondents.

The survey also asked respondents' political stances and their opinions on the Syrian crisis. A majority of respondents who voted for the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) were against military intervention in Syria with a rate of 62.6%. This rate was lower among the rest of the voters, with 42.1 % of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) voters, 41.7% of Republican People's Party (CHP) voters and 39.9 % of Justice and Development Party (AKP) all opposing a military intervention.

Among the respondents, 20.2 % of CHP voters support a direct intervention against Syria, but this rate was lower among the voters of other political parties, with only 14.3 and 8.1 % of MHP and AKP voters respectively supporting such a move.

Some 13.3 % of CHP voters favour a security zone while 14.7% of AKP voters support such a buffer zone. Only 6.7% of AKP voters were in support of arming rebels, 1.3 points higher than the figure for CHP voters.

The survey was conducted in 19 provinces with 1,500 respondents. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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