Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-09-10

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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: They have threatened Christofias with a knife because we had a coffee together"

[02] Eroglu alleged that all of the people living in the "TRNC" are Turks; He stated that they are proud for the establishment of another "Turkish state" in Cyprus

[03] Kucuk dismissed two "ministers" from his cabinet who were informed about his decision from the press

[04] "District" party elections for UBP granted Kucuk's supporters as winners- Kucuk said that Morfou will never be returned to its legal owners

[05] Ihsanoglu stated that he will rise against the "unjust" and "cruel embargoes" imposed against the Turkish Cypriots

[06] Statements by Kudret Ozersay regarding Presidential Commissioner Iacovou

[07] Bank deposits in occupied Cyprus exceeded 8 billion Turkish liras 8 The "chairman" of the "Turkish Cypriot press council" has been elected to the post of the vice chairman of the WAPC

[09] Statements to Cyprus Today newspaper by one of the most wanted criminals in the UK

[10] US fast food chains heading to the breakaway regime

[11] Erdogan states to pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party: It is either Mount Qandil or the Turkish Parliament

[12] Turkey to hold local elections on 27 October 2013 ? Presidential elections' date may also change

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] "Eroglu: They have threatened Christofias with a knife because we had a coffee together"

Eroglu argued that President Christofias denied his request to permit some settlers from Turkey (members of the Black Sea Cultural Association) to cross over to the government-controlled area of Cyprus and pray at Hala Sultan Mosque. He also alleged that there is a young generation which is growing up with feelings of enmity against the Turks in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and referred to ELAM party, which, he said, does not even accept having a coffee together with Turks.

Referring to the accession of the Republic of Cyprus into the EU, Eroglu noted that EU officials have told him that Turkey said nothing in 1995 when the decision for Turkey's Customs Union with the EU and the commencement of accessions negotiations with Cyprus was taken. Noting that the current Cypriot EU term presidency was a result of that decision, Eroglu reiterated the allegation that the EU had committed a big mistake. Eroglu said that during a meeting he had a few months ago in London with the British former Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, the latter told him that they had committed two mistakes: the one was the accession of Cyprus into the EU and the second the recommencement of the Cyprus talks after the rejection of the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriot community. Eroglu alleged that the accession of a divided Cyprus into the EU "zeroed the hopes for an agreement", because "the Greek Cypriots do not need to agree with us after they are members of both the UN and the EU". Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots had been deceived both by the EU and the UN Secretary-General and reiterated that they are in full harmony with the AKP government in Ankara.

Noting that seven technical committees exist now in the Cyprus negotiations, Eroglu referred to the forthcoming presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and noted that they will wait and see the policy of the new Cyprus President. Reiterating that the open-ended negotiations could not continue and that a time limit should be put in the negotiations, Eroglu added: "We have a Plan B and a Plan C. We have an established state now. Having a state strengthens me at the negotiating table. In spite of this, Turkey and we are in favour of an agreement. However, we are not pursuing any kind of agreement?"

Eroglu said that filing an application to the UN for the recognition of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, is out of the question at the moment and as long as the Cyprus talks continue. He said that there are two ways of solving the Cyprus problem: the one is by reaching an agreement and the other by securing the world to see that there will be no agreement. He added: "Applying to the UN for recognition takes time. First, states which will recognize us should come to surface. It is a reality that as long as you sit at the negotiating table absolutely no state will recognize you. Even if they intent to recognize you, they will not do it thinking that they would constitute an obstacle for the negotiations. After it is definitely decided that no result could be taken any more from the negotiations, you could request from some states to recognize you. No one will recognize you as long as the negotiations continue?"

Referring to the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and commenting on the candidacy of DISY President Nikos Anastasiades, who is described by the paper as the "strongest candidate", Eroglu argued that they would see the "real face" of Nikos Anastasiades after the latter wins the elections. "In order to please his partners he is saying now that 'we will take back all concessions given by Christofias to the Turks'. But Christofias gave no concessions", he alleged claiming that President Christofias has put some proposals onto the table only to present himself a supporter of reconciliation in Cyprus.

Referring to the relations between Turkey and Israel, Eroglu said that had these relations not been deteriorated, ferry lines would have started between Israel and the occupied area of Cyprus. Eroglu noted that they had started discussing the issue with Israel before the Mavi Marmara incident.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu alleged that all of the people living in the "TRNC" are Turks; He stated that they are proud for the establishment of another "Turkish state" in Cyprus

Saying that the "TRNC" is a "state" where people from different areas of Cyprus and Turkey came to settle before and after 1974, Eroglu stated the following: "All of us are Turks, it is an honour to be a Turk and we are proud for the establishment of another Turkish state, we are continuing our existence in the TRNC. We are proud of the fact that we, in 1983, established a state after the peace operation in 1974", Eroglu said.

Stating that the unity and solidarity are necessary so that the "TRNC" to be able to stay alive, Eroglu pointed out that this is everyone's duty in order to support their national cause.

(AK)

[03] Kucuk dismissed two "ministers" from his cabinet who were informed about his decision from the press

Until the appointments of new "ministers" take place, Kucuk will represent the post of the "minister of national education, youth and sports" while self-styled interior minister Naz?m Cavusoglu will be acting in the place of the "health minister".

Issuing a written statement on the developments, Kucuk justified his decision by stating that this move was necessary to pave the way for a more effective "council of ministers", at a time when there is mutual distrust.

He alleged that Durust and Kasif had failed to fulfil their responsibilities as "ministers" as they chose to focus their attention and energy on the upcoming party congress of the National Unity Party (UBP) instead.

"Their actions of distrust didn't match up with political ethics. I was forced to take the necessary measures as the prime minister. No one can present the UBP as weak or ineffective. I had to dismiss them in order to allow the council of ministers to work more effectively by eliminating mutual distrust", Kucuk said.

In addition, Illegal Bayrak television (08.09.12) also broadcast that Durust and Kasif held a press conference and stated that they will leave the UBP people and the UBP delegates to evaluate Kucuk's decision.

Reminding that he had been appointed as the "minister of health" in May 2009 and had served in the post since, Kasif said that he had learnt of the decision from the press.

"It is up to the prime minister to decide who will stay and who will go. If he deems it necessary, then he can do so. I leave it to the people and the UBP delegates to evaluate his decision. The UBP's general congress will be held in 43 days. I shall be handing over my duties to my replacement on Monday" he added.

Also commenting on the decision, Durust said that he will continue to serve the "people".

Addressing a crowd of supporters who gathered in front of his home in occupied Morfou, Durust said that he had learnt of his removal from "office" via the press.

In addition, reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (10.09.12) reports that Kucuk will appoint Ahmet Caluda as "minister of labour". He will also appoint the former "minister of labour" Serife Unverdi as "minister of health" and will appoint Mutlu Atasayan as "minister of education".

[04] "District" party elections for UBP granted Kucuk's supporters as winners- Kucuk said that Morfou will never be returned to its legal owners

According to the paper, the first round of the UBP congress was held in the "Trikomo district" elections where Ali Riza Usluer, who supports "prime minister" Kucuk's candidacy for UBP leadership, was elected as "district chairman" of the UBP occupied Trikomo branch.

In addition, as Haberdar newspaper (09.09.12) reports, Ahmet Caluda who supports Kucuk was also elected as "district chairman" of the UBP occupied Morfou branch. Haberdar writes that the score is now "Kucuk: 2 ? Kasif: 0".

Moreover, Haberdar also reports that in statements after the "district Morfou" elections, Kucuk said that occupied Morfou is theirs and will never be returned back.

"There is not such an issue as giving Morfou back", he alleged and added that last year the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan took this issue out of the agenda. "Morfou is ours and will remain ours", he claimed and added that investments continue to take place in the region.

[05] Ihsanoglu stated that he will rise against the "unjust" and "cruel embargoes" imposed against the Turkish Cypriots

Ihsanoglu stated to the paper that the OIC is making openings for the "TRNC" and described those openings as "a movement of uprising against the unjustness which is taking place against the Turkish Cypriots".

Ihsanoglu stated that the "Greek Cypriot sector" as he called the Republic of Cyprus, which walks away from the negotiation talks, misleads the international community as he said.

Alleging that the Turkish Cypriot "people" are constantly aggrieved, he said that the "TRNC" is a developed "country" with a high standard of education. "There are a lot of universities there. The problem of the recognition of the diplomas granted from the TRNC universities has been overcome in our members. The OIC's University Union has solved this problem. There are efforts by our member countries so that the TRNC's tourism potential to be utilized. Efforts are exerted in order to find ways so that the TRNC be able to be benefited in the most effective way from the opportunities of the Islamic Development Bank. The TRNC has a lot of opportunities in the agriculture and the organic foods and organic agriculture. We are determined to put into practice all these", Ihsanoglu said.

Referring to the so-called embargoes, Ihsanoglu supported that "unfair" and "tyrannical embargoes" are imposed to the Turkish Cypriots and alleged also the following: "They want to deprive from them their nation, the history, their geography and their human rights. Because of the unilateral propaganda of the Greek Cypriots and of the embargoes, the Turkish Cypriots do not have the right to be accepted to the international system. One of the main duties I have as secretary-general of the OIC, and also as a Turk, is to oppose to this. Yes, it is an action of revolution against this unjustness", Ihsanoglu said.

[06] Statements by Kudret Ozersay regarding Presidential Commissioner Iacovou

Ozersay described Iacovou as "one of the most classical representatives of the Greek Cypriot political elite which does not see positively the sharing of power and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots". Noting that they have different visions with Commissioner Iacovou, he said that Iacovou was continuously giving examples from the 1970's in the negotiations and alleged that he has a "vision which looks in the past".

Ozersay argued that President Christofias and George Iacovou were playing the game of "good policeman and bad policeman" at the negotiating table. He alleged that Iacovou was usually playing the "bad policeman" and President Christofias was getting angry at him even in front of the UN and the Turkish Cypriot delegations.

Ozersay alleged that Commissioner Iacovou "has absolutely no enthusiasm" for finding a solution in Cyprus and argued that many foreign diplomats have also felt this. He also alleged that during a meeting they had in Brussels, Commissioner Iacovou had said that "our aim is to continue the negotiations". "I can never forget the words he had said as if continuing the negotiations only for negotiating is a skill", he said.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Bank deposits in occupied Cyprus exceeded 8 billion Turkish liras

The paper writes that exports of 70.8 million US dollars were held from the occupied area of Cyprus in the first six months of 2012.

Unemployment has reportedly decreased by 12.7% and the number of registered unemployed persons fell to 940. According to the report, the decrease in unemployment that started in the last quarter of 2011 is continuing.

The number of foreign visitors to the occupied area increased by 19% reaching 312 thousand 712 persons from 262 thousand 859 person in the same period last year.

The paper writes that 22 banks operate in the occupied area of Cyprus. Two of them are "public" banks, 13 private and seven branches of other banks.

(I/Ts.

8 The "chairman" of the "Turkish Cypriot press council" has been elected to the post of the vice chairman of the WAPC

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (10.09.12) reports that Sule. L. Aker, "chairman" of the "Turkish Cypriot press council" has been elected to the post of the vice chairman of the "World Association of Press Councils" (WAPC).

According to information acquire by the Council, Sule. L. Aker has been elected to the post of the vice chairman of the WAPC during the ordinary general assembly of the Council which took place in Tanzania between September 3-7.

The "Turkish Cypriot press council" became a member of the WAPC in 1999. A total of 18 countries from Asia, Africa and the USA are members of the Council, writes the paper.

(AK)

[09] Statements to Cyprus Today newspaper by one of the most wanted criminals in the UK

The paper writes that the British High Commission had a secret meeting with top "police officers" from the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, to discuss bringing runaways before justice.

Moreover, the paper reports that drug smuggler and suspected ostrich farm fraudster Martin Evans, 50, who is also wanted in the UK, may also be living in occupied Lapithos.

(I/Ts.)

[10] US fast food chains heading to the breakaway regime

"It comes as part of an embargoes' smashing increase in popular brands available in the country", the paper alleges and writes that Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen and New York pizza chain Sbarro will be opened by Levent Food firm across the occupation regime. The paper publishes statements by the general director of Levent Food, Ekrem Ergil who stated that these two chains along with Burger city will be opened at the 11.000 square meters Lemar entertainment complex which will be built in occupied Famagusta.

[11] Erdogan states to pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party: It is either Mount Qandil or the Turkish Parliament

Speaking at a meeting of the provincial leaders of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, Erdogan said that it is the duty of Turkish security forces to fight against PKK:

"The terrorist organization PKK and its offset will have to make a decision. It is either Mount Qandil or the Turkish Parliament. If they do think about remaining in the Turkish Parliament, they would receive respect. However, if they say 'no' to the parliament, there is only one place left for them and that is Qandil. They may go ahead and move to Qandil," Erdogan said.

According to AA, Erdogan's comments came after several Deputies of the opposition Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) were recently seen and photographed hugging several PKK members in south-eastern Turkey.

[12] Turkey to hold local elections on 27 October 2013 ? Presidential elections' date may also change

AK Party group deputy chairman Nurettin Canikli said that AK Party and MHP reached consensus on a constitutional amendment on holding local elections on October 27, 2013.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) offered that local elections are to be held on November 3, 2013.

In addition, reporting on the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman newspaper (09.09.12) reported that the decision of the Turkish Parliament to hold municipal elections six months earlier than planned is remarkably important for Turkish politics. The presidential elections in 2014 that will follow the municipal elections, and the general elections to be held in June of 2015, are critical elections in terms of political stability and may be held earlier as well. The timing of the elections is critically important for political stability, said Zaman.

According to the paper, until 10 years ago, holding early elections was one of the top agenda items in Turkish politics. The opposition parties used to voice their demands for early elections and the ruling parties used to have to accept early elections. In the past, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) maintained a determined stance over holding the elections on time in order to maintain political stability; however, it now wants to hold the general elections and presidential elections concurrently for the sake of political stability.

It has been claimed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will reshape the AK Party in line with the party's 2023 vision at a party congress that will be held on Sept. 30, will shuffle the positions of Deputies and the Cabinet before his anticipated run for president in 2014. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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