Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-07-13

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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] Atalay argues that the Republic of Cyprus cannot carry out the EU term presidency; He will illegally visit Cyprus on 20 July

[02] Kucuk describes as a mistake the Cypriot EU term presidency

[03] The biggest mosque in the occupied area to be built within the campus of the illegal Near East University

[04] BES chairman admits that the "country" is administrated by the Turkish embassy while the "Lefkosia municipality" by the so-called government

[05] Ahmet Zaim has been appointed to the post of the new "police chief" of the occupation regime

[06] The occupation regime granted the "TRNC citizenship" to 13 more persons

[07] KADEM research shows that National Unity Party is the biggest party in occupied area with 34%

[08] Gul approved the "Continental Shelf Delineation Agreement"; the "law" is to be published to the official gazette of Turkey

[09] The Malaysian Queen who is visiting the occupied area invited the Kucuks to visit Malaysia

[10] PM Erdogan offers merger of HAS Party with his ruling AKP party

[11] Poll shows that Erdogan is the most favoured leader in the Middle East

[12] Prosecutor rules out prosecution of Gul and Erdogan over Uludere incident

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Atalay argues that the Republic of Cyprus cannot carry out the EU term presidency; He will illegally visit Cyprus on 20 July

Atalay said that the economy of the breakaway regime is growing a lot, it is stable and added: "20 July is the anniversary of the Cyprus Peace operation [Translator's note: This is how he described the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974]. I will participate in the ceremonies this year representing the state, the government on 20 July. You know the foreign policy regarding the TRNC. No progress could be made there. We are creating a planned economy. We have an aid delegation. There is a great development in the infrastructure investments. Double highways are built. Tenders have been invited for the three parts of the water project. It is a project which will meet all the water needs of the island in the future. We are creating a programmed economy together with the TRNC government. Similar laws have been prepared regarding privatizations. Economy there is gradually relieved. The state has a weight. The trade unions have very different arrangements. A great relaxation is achieved with these privatizations. The standard of living in the TRNC has been increased a lot. The academic life is very advanced. It is a centre of attraction of universities. Cyprus with a population of around 290 thousands has 47 thousand students. There are new incentives for tourism. New hotels are built".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (13.07.12) refers to Atalay's statements under the front page title "We are strengthening the TRNC" and reports that Atalay described the occupied area of Cyprus as "a trade unions' republic" and referring to its economic development noted that the per capita income is around 15 thousand dollars. Atalay argued that the Cyprus negotiations will end one way or the other and that Turkey is supporting the breakaway regime regardless of the course of the negotiations. He reiterated that Turkey is in favour of a "structure with two sides wirh equal rights" in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Kucuk describes as a mistake the Cypriot EU term presidency

He claimed that the "unilateral accession of the Greek Cypriot sector", as he described the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, was a big mistake which "makes the solution more difficult". He argued that even EU officials say that the accession of Cyprus to the EU was a mistake.

Kucuk reiterated the Turkish position that the EU has not kept its promises for lifting the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots and that the regulations prepared by the Union on this issue came to a deadlock.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The biggest mosque in the occupied area to be built within the campus of the illegal Near East University

The foundation stone ceremony for the new mosque will take place on July 20, in the framework of the celebrations for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus.

According to a written statement of the illegal university, the foundation stone ceremony for the mosque which will be "the biggest and the tallest in Cyprus", will be held together with the ceremony for the building of the first "School of Theology" at "YDU". In statements the Dean of "YDU", Suat Gunsel said that the "School of Theology" will start operating this year with 140 students. As regards the new mosque he said that it will cover an area of 4.200 square meters, including its inner yard. The mosque will have four minarets. In addition, the "School of Theology" will cover an area of 8.000 square meters.

In addition, Vatan (13.07.12) also reports that a delegation of the "Cyprus TMT Fighters Associations" met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Republic of Turkey, Necdet Ozel. The delegation, which is holding contacts in Turkey, invited General Ozel on July 20 to the occupied area for the celebrations of the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus.

[04] BES chairman admits that the "country" is administrated by the Turkish embassy while the "Lefkosia municipality" by the so-called government

Bozat continued and argued that like in the "state", in the "municipality" as well, those who give the money are those who administrate. He added that the latest payments at the "Lefkosia municipality" were made by the "government" and said that they succeeded to collect those money by taking 500 thousand TL from each of the 10 "ministries". Bozat added that those who have the control are those who have economic power on their hands. "Under these conditions, the country is administrated by the embassy and the municipality by the government" he said.

Bozat stressed also the need for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, in order for all those problems they experience, to be solved, as he said.

(AK)

[05] Ahmet Zaim has been appointed to the post of the new "police chief" of the occupation regime

According to the structure of the so-called police, the next "police chief" to be appointed should be Pervin Gurler and then Erdal Emanet. The paper writes that after this development, the two are expected to resign.

Also, as the paper writes, the "appointment" of Ozan will be valid as of today, according to the triple "decree". The handover ceremony will take place today.

Ahmet Zaim was born in 1953 in Paphos. He is married with two children and he also speaks English. He was appointed to the post of the "police chief" on July 13, 2012. During the years, 1994-2012, he served as "police director" of occupied Famagusta, as "director of the immigration department", at the post of the "police director of occupied Trikomo", e.t.c.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (13.07.12) reports on the appointment of Ahmet Zaim under the front page title: "Ankara wanted Zaim". The paper writes that Zaim has been appointed under the orders of the so-called Turkish Cypriot security forces command ("GKK") and adds that Zaim's appointment has been confronted as a "surprise" by several circles in occupied Cyprus.

The paper writes also in its daily column: "Letter from Afrika", that it is Ankara which ordered the appointment of Zaif and adds that whatever Ankara wants, this happens. "If our government is a puppet, then our police chief is a puppet also", writes characteristically the paper.

(AK )

[06] The occupation regime granted the "TRNC citizenship" to 13 more persons

The persons are the following, as their names published at the official gazette of the breakaway regime:

Ismail Aksoy, born in Samsun in 1954

Tunc Sirintuna, born in Malkara in 1978

Yeter Gumdes, born in Morfou in 1993

Bulent Cetinkaya born in Inebeyi 1966

Okkes Yildirim, born in Hassa in 1973

Saeed Saade born in Israel in 1962

Celalettin Hancy born in Ankara in 1964

Mustafa Ugurlu born in 1961 in Sinop

Sebahattin Kurt, born in 1972 in Kozan

Ercan Kayiskanat born in 1976 in Kirikhan

Dogukan Ayberk Pac, born in Begoglu in 1989

Ipek Buyukdogan born in Karpaz in 1987

Serdar inci, born in Nusaybin in 1981.

[07] KADEM research shows that National Unity Party is the biggest party in occupied area with 34%

According to the paper, replying to the question "what party would you vote if elections were held tomorrow", 34% replied National Unity Party (UBP), 31.7% replied Republican Turkish Party (CTP),12.7% Democratic Party (DP), 12.2% Social Democracy Party (TDP), 5.2% Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), 3.1% United Cyprus Party (BKP) and 1.3% Democracy and Trust Party (DGP).

According to the poll's results, the UBP's power is reduced the most since the 2009 "elections" when the party received 43.97% in these "elections". CTP increases its power since it received 29% in the 2009 "elections". The biggest increase is seen at the TDP which almost doubles its power since it received 6.87% in the 2009 "elections". As regards DP, its power it reduced by 2% compared to the 2009 "elections" results.

The survey was conducted with a sample of 3,148 persons, with person to person interviews. The persons participated in the survey were over the age of 18.

(CS)

[08] Gul approved the "Continental Shelf Delineation Agreement"; The "law" is to be published to the official gazette of Turkey

Turkey and the "TRNC" signed a "Continental Shelf Delineation Agreement" in September 2011 in line with international law.

The agreement allowed for Turkish vessels to start exploring for natural gas and hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean.

According to a written statement released by the Turkish Presidency's Press Bureau, after the Turkish President approved the "law", it sent it to the Turkish Prime Ministry for publication in the official gazette.

[09] The Malaysian Queen who is visiting the occupied area invited the Kucuks to visit Malaysia

The Malaysian Queen is staying at the Cratos Premium Hotel, which according to the paper, made special preparations for her arrival.

[10] PM Erdogan offers merger of HAS Party with his ruling AKP party

Erdogan received Kurtulmus at his office in the Prime Ministry building in Ankara amidst claims that the HAS Party was planning to join the AK Party. The claims had emerged first in late June, but Kurtulmus had denied them. Thursday's meeting lasted for over an hour.

"The Prime Minister said he will take his proposal [for a merger] to his party's central executive board [for a discussion]. He said a union of forces and a joint struggle [by the AK Party and HAS Party] for the construction of a new Turkey would be more favourable. Kurtulmus told reporters that Erdogan said: "I will take the proposal to my party's central executive board. I will share my party's opinion and decision [about the merger] after an intraparty discussion".

Kurtulmus added that neither his meeting with the Prime Minister nor plans for a merging of the two parties is aimed at ensuring a "stronger political seat" for himself. "None of us [HAS Party members] have expectations for a seat or a title. All of Turkey knows this. We will discuss whether a merger is possible in line with our party's principles for the construction of a stronger Turkey. Then we will share our decision with our people in a transparent manner" Kurtulmus added.

Kurtulmus founded the HAS Party in late 2010 after resigning from the Felicity Party (SP) due to a long-standing intraparty rift. The party received approximately 0.80 % of the votes in the general elections in 2011.

Erdogan's AK Party appeals to the same constituent base as the HAS Party as it emerged from the predecessor of the SP, the Virtue Party (FP).

Mehmet Bekaroglu, Istanbul provincial head of HAS Party, expressed his displeasure over Kurtulmus's meeting with the Prime Minister, saying in a Twitter post that he had "previously told Kurtulmus that he would be making a mistake by holding talks with the Prime Minister." Bekaroglu also wrote: "And I have personally bid good bye to him." The provincial head is expected to announce his resignation from his position at a press conference scheduled for today.

The Prime Minister's proposal to the HAS Party leader for a merger was met with appreciation by several academics and politicians. Professor Vedat Bilgin, a lecturer at Gazi University in Ankara, said he finds the proposal a "very positive development for Turkey."

"Kurtulmus is a very significant politician in Turkey with his experience [in politics]. His important academic research and interpretation of Turkey's problems mean he should not be sidelined in politics," the professor stated. Bilgin also said the HAS Party leader would make an important contribute to the ruling party with his political experience.

According to former Education Minister Vehbi Dincerler, the HAS Party leader answer affirmatively to the Prime Minister's offer for a merger. "The offer was made to a political party that does not serve in Parliament. For this reason, I believe the offer will be accepted. It [a merger] will contribute to Turkey's stability," he said. Dincerler also said Erdogan may have offered to merge the two parties in order to prevent opposition parties from nominating a "joint candidate for president" in the elections slated for 2014.

Professor Mumtaz Turkone, a lecturer at Istanbul's Fatih University, agreed, and added that the AK Party is hoping to expand its "circle of sympathizers" ahead of the local polls in 2013 and the Presidential elections in 2014 by adding the HAS Party and its leader to its ranks. "Kurtulmus is one of the brilliant and respected figures amongst Turkey's politicians. He impresses many with his stance and career," the professor said, believing that the AK Party is poised to be stronger against its rivals with Kurtulmus and his party on its side.

In addition, Turkone suggested that the Prime Minister may be seeking to fill a possible gap in strong candidates for deputies in the future elections as an AK Party bylaw does not allow deputies to serve more than three terms in office. The AK Party, which came to power in 2002 as a single-party government, is currently enjoying its third term in power. Due to the party's bylaw, AK Party deputies who are in their third term will not be able to run for Parliament in the next general election.

[11] Poll shows that Erdogan is the most favoured leader in the Middle East

Erdogan received a 65% approval rating, followed by Saudi King Abdullah, with a 58% approval rating, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in recent months in Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Pakistan.

Most of those surveyed, 64 % on average, believe Turkey favors democracy in the Middle East, including roughly three out of every four people in the newly democratic nations of Egypt and Tunisia. Relatively few believe the U.S. wants democracy in the Middle East. In Turkey, about a third (34%) believes the Arab Spring will result in the spread of democracy in the region, while a similar percentage (37%) is doubtful. The first two Muslim-majority nations to overthrow a dictator still "desire" democracy, with some 67 % of Egyptians and 63% of Tunisians saying "democracy is preferable," the poll says. In the rest of the region, 84% of Lebanese and 71 % of Turks say "democracy is preferable," but Jordanians and Pakistanis are less enthusiastic, at 61% and 42 % respectively.

[Translator's note: The Pew Research Centre is an American think tank organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States and the world].

[12] Prosecutor rules out prosecution of Gul and Erdogan over Uludere incident

Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Deputy Mahmut Tanal, also a member of the parliamentary Human Rights Commission, filed a criminal complaint on May 18 against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and Chief of General Staff General Necdet Ozel, accusing them of bearing responsibility for an incident in which 34 civilians mistaken for terrorists were killed on the Turkish-Iraqi border near Uludere last December. Tanal claimed they had committed a crime against humanity.

"The US officials who provided intelligence ahead of the airstrike, and Turkish military and civilian officials who supplied intelligence and issued the order for the strike should also be prosecuted", Tanal said.

The prosecutor's office said in its ruling that it does not have the authority to prosecute Gul and Erdogan. In a written statement released following the ruling, Tanal said the Ankara Prosecutor's Office had requested all documents concerning the involvement of the Turkish military and civilian officials who supplied the intelligence, Ozel and the US officials who provided intelligence in the Uludere incident. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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