Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-02

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Another example of the Turkish occupation in Cyprus: ?hree Cypriot policemen arrested and taken to military "court"; Eroglu: "There is a separate state here"

[02] Eroglu met with Ban in New York; he submitted a proposal to Ban demanding UN role in island explorations

[03] Eroglu on his contacts in New York

[05] Kucuk participated to AKP's congress in Turkey

[06] Kucuk will reportedly meet Erdogan again tomorrow

[07] The fishermen who were arrested by the breakaway regime last week were set free

[08] Freedom of Thought Movement applied to Amnesty International, reporting the breakaway regime for tortures taking place in "police stations"

[09] CTP to participate in British Labor Party's congress in Manchester

[10] occupancy rate of the hotels in the occupied area has been increased to 22% compared to the same period last year

[11] The occupation regime was represented to "Anatolia Festival" opening ceremony in Paris

[12] Turkey's ruling AKP party re-elects Erdogan as chairman

[13] AK Party's 2023 list indicates Turkey's diverting from its EU path; Erdogan speech cause discussions

[14] Turkish Parliament to discuss the extension of Iraq motion

[15] Exhumation of late Turkish president Ozal's body begun today

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Another example of the Turkish occupation in Cyprus: Three Cypriot policemen arrested and taken to military "court"; Eroglu: "There is a separate state here"

According to the paper, Alaslan did not understand why the policemen wanted to arrest him. Alaslan's hand was reportedly broken during a fight that followed the persecution. The "police" of the occupation regime arrested the three policemen of the Republic of Cyprus and confiscated their car and motorcycle. It is noted that the policemen will be accused of violating a "forbidden military zone" and the "border", as the Turks call the buffer zone which divides the government-controlled area from the Turkish occupied part of the island.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (01.10.12) reported that the three Greek Cypriot policemen were defused by the Turkish occupation army.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (02.10.12) reports that Ayse Alaslan, the mother of Coskun Alaslan, said that she and her neighbors could have lynched the three policemen, if Turkish soldiers had not prevented them.

The paper writes that the three policemen were taken yesterday to occupied Lefkosia's so-called district court and were accused of "illegally importing and possessing a firearm", "violating a forbidden military zone of first degree", "entering into the TRNC without securing permission by the competent authorities" and "seriously beating up" a person. The "court" decided that they should remain under custody for one day. Today they will be taken to "court" once more. The paper writes that the firearms, the ammunition and the vehicles of the policemen were seized as exhibits. The three "suspects" have reportedly accepted the accusations.

Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.10.12) wonders whether we should not stop when the police want to stop us. Under the title "Escape to the north and save yourself", Afrika wonders also who is to blame, the police or the person who did not follow their orders and did not stop. The paper writes, inter alia, the following: "Does the Turkish side want privileges in the laws in the south? Are the Turkish Cypriots, who cross over to the south, not obliged to abide by the laws to which the Greek Cypriot citizens are also subject to? With the incident in Louroudjina another tension has been added to the incidents at the border".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.10.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu responded yesterday to a question on this issue and alleged that the Greek Cypriot policemen had violated a military zone and the land of his "country". Referring to the protest of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu reiterated the Turkish allegation that the "TRNC", as they call the breakaway regime, is a "separate state".

Eroglu argued: "On the one hand they violated a military zone and entered into the Turkish area carrying a gun and on the other they tried to beat up our own people on our land. Under these conditions, this place is of course a state of law and a separate state from the south, a separate territory. Therefore, there is nothing more natural, of course, than taking to our justice whoever enters into our territory and violates a military zone, even if this is the police of the south".

Asked whether they discussed the issue with the Greek Cypriot side, Eroglu said that the Greek Cypriot side knows the incident and that it is informed that the policemen were arrested and taken to "court".

Responding to another question, Eroglu argued that this incident will not influence the Cyprus talks and described it as "normal police case".

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (02.10.12) reports that the "mayor" and head of the local council of Louroudjina, Hasan Barbaros and Sultan Barbaros told the paper that illegal activities have been taking place for years in their area because of the lack of a crossing point to the government-controlled area of the island. Both of them said that the breakaway regime ignore this situation in spite of their continuous appeals. They noted that the inhabitants of Louroudjina continuously visit Dhali village in the government-controlled area of the island, for reasons related either with their health or to work.

Finally, illegal Bayrak television (02:10.12) broadcast today that the three Greek Cypriot policemen were taken to military "court" this morning.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu met with Ban in New York; he submitted a proposal to Ban demanding UN role in island explorations

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Eroglu said that the Cyprus negotiations were in a gridlock after the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, assumed the rotating helm of the European Union, adding that resumption of the settlement talks is not in sight until a new Greek Cypriot leader is elected in a voting scheduled for next February to replace Demetris Christofias who announced that he would not seek re-election.

"Talks are stalled because Christofias turned down our proposal to work out a time table for settlement and hold a multilateral meeting. We hope that the one who will be elected will be in a position to take a step towards a viable and lasting settlement," Eroglu said.

Diplomatic sources close to the Eroglu-Ban meeting, said that the Turkish Cypriot leader had briefed the UN chief about relations between the two Cypriot communities as well as on the Greek Cypriot effort for off-shore drilling for oil and gas around the island.

Sources said Eroglu presented Ban a proposal on how to explore and transport hydro-carbon resources of the island. "The proposals put forward by the Cyprus Turkish side to the UN Secretary General has received praise by the international community", Eroglu said.

The proposal includes the appointment by the UN head a mediator to chair a technical committee of Turkish and Greek Cypriot envoys as well as transporting oil and gas to Europe by pipelines over Turkey.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (30.09.12) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in an interview with The Associated Press said that "his government" intends to conduct offshore oil and gas drilling, in a move that could reignite tensions with rival Greek Cypriots over the island's potential mineral riches and stoke more instability in the conflict-ridden region.

He stated that they were likely to begin offshore drilling for oil and gas "within six months," having signed agreements with a Turkish petroleum company to do so. "We'll do our own exploration and our own drilling activities," Eroglu said.

Eroglu said also that his "government" felt compelled to conduct the independent offshore drilling to counter the "Cypriot administration's" own offshore hydrocarbon search. "We told them from the beginning that if they didn't stop this activity, then we would start our own activity," said Eroglu.

Eroglu stated also that his "government" signed an agreement with Turkish petroleum company TPAO last September to conduct their own explorations and drilling. He said on-land exploratory drilling that began in April had not produced any evidence of oil or gas, but said the company was hopeful that offshore tests would be more positive. He said they expected drilling to begin in six months, after initial environmental tests were conducted.

"If we start discovering gas, this may be instrumental in forcing the other side to cooperate with us on this issue. And it may lead to a settlement," he said.

Referring to the negotiations talks between the two sides, he said that they have been going on for decades with no result. "They (Greek Cypriots) are not prepared for a settlement and they have not prepared their people for a settlement," Eroglu said.

[03] Eroglu on his contacts in New York

Eroglu was in New York for a series of contacts within the framework of the UN General Assembly.

As part of his contacts, he met with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. He also came together with the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the General Secretary of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Prime Ministers of Kuwait and Somalia and the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Ecuadorian Guinea.

Eroglu found the opportunity to meet and exchange views with foreign government officials and dignitaries who are in New York to attend the meetings of the UN General Assembly.

Eroglu also met with the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt at the reception hosted at the OIC's Permanent Representation office.

"During my contacts I put forward the Cyprus Turkish peoples' desire for a solution. I also put forward our views regarding the deadlock at the talks and our solution to this problem' also and explained the Turkish Cypriot side's sensitivity towards a time limit being placed at the talks", he said.

[04] Davutoglu addressed the UN General Assembly; Reference to the Cyprus problem

"On many matters, we speak as one, yet we often fail to act in unity ... And if not now, when are we supposed to act in unity- ... And if it is not the United Nations, who is to lead-" Davutoglu told the General Assembly, saying that expectations from the United Nations have failed over issues such as Palestine, Azerbaijan, Syria, Cyprus and Myanmar.

Referring in details on the Cyprus issue at the General Assembly, Davutoglu said that a new round of talks started in 2008 were stuck with no end in sight, due to Greek Cypriots' "intransigence and lack of political will."

"And today, despite half a century's experience and body of UN work, there is still not a clear perspective for solution. The Turkish Cypriots have so far proven their firm commitment to a negotiated solution, but yet remain subject to inhumane and unlawful embargo. This is simply unfair. They should not be forced to play this game for an indefinite period without a clear perspective and timeline for a solution. The international community must not remain indifferent to what is happening in Cyprus either. After all, the continuation of the problem creates additional risks for the stability of the region. Moreover, the unilateral exploration of oil and natural gas by the Greek Cypriots around the island, further intensifies the risks. Under these circumstances, the UN must do more than what it currently does. The Security Council in particular, has to facilitate a solution rather than merely sustaining the status quo," Davutoglu said.

(?).

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (29.09.12) broadcast that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that Greek Cypriots did not make good use of the opportunity for peace in Cyprus in 2004.

Speaking at a press in New York, Davutoglu touched upon the Cyprus issue and stated that that it is no longer acceptable to consider the pacifists as equal with those who do not want peace.

Davutoglu said he discussed the issue with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during their meeting in New York.

[05] Kucuk participated to AKP's congress in Turkey

Kucuk flew to Ankara and attended the Justice and Development Party's congress.

In his speech there, he pointed to the importance of the Turkish Cypriot "people" being able to stand on their own two feet.

He said the "TRNC" was on its way to becoming a "country" that supports Turkey in every way, an ally not a "country" that causes external problems for Turkey. "We are on our way to becoming a powerful country that is able to cooperate fully in every way", he said and explained the "TRNC" government's future plans.

"We aim to become a country that is self sufficient, has a sustainable economy, transparent administration with a clean political understanding. A brother state of the Republic of Turkey forever", said Kucuk.

During his stay in Ankara Kucuk also met with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay.

[06] Kucuk will reportedly meet Erdogan again tomorrow

The paper writes that the meeting, which will be held in Ankara, was finalized last night. Erdogan and Kucuk will reportedly meet at 13.30 hours and discuss the economic program of the breakaway regime and other issues.

The paper reports also that Irsen Kucuk has signed and sent to Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu a "decree" regarding relieving of duty Emir Emirkan, so-called exams director of the "Public Service Commission" of the regime, who had been involved in a scandal of forging Kucuk's signature.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The fishermen who were arrested by the breakaway regime last week were set free

According to the paper, the four fishermen, two Greek Cypriots and two Egyptians who were put under arrest last Thursday at the Rizokarpasso and the Apostolos Andreas Cape, were brought in front of a "court" in occupied Famagusta and were set free after they paid 250 Turkish Lira (=?100) each.

[08] Freedom of Thought Movement applied to Amnesty International, reporting the breakaway regime for tortures taking place in "police stations"

The paper, which publishes statements by the Movement's Chairman Baris Mamali, writes that the Organizations is accusing the breakaway regime of the tortures and the inhumane treatment that are taking place in the police stations of the breakaway regime, which became very often in the recent years.

[09] CTP to participate in British Labor Party's congress in Manchester

Ilker Kilic, CTP's Branch London chairman will also participate in the congress which will last three days. CTP members will hold meetings with members of the British Labor Party and will inform them about the Cyprus problem, writes the paper.

[10] Occupancy rate of the hotels in the occupied area has been increased to 22% compared to the same period last year

According to a statement made by the "Turkish Cypriot Hotels Owners Union", this applies mostly for the five-star hotels in the breakaway regime. According to the Union, this numbers show that the number of tourists who visited the occupied area in autumn has increased.

[11] The occupation regime was represented to "Anatolia Festival" opening ceremony in Paris

Organized by the Union of European Turkish Democrats at the renowned exhibition center, "Parc des Expositions Villepinte", the 3-day festival was inaugurated by Turkey's Ambassador to France Tahsin Burcuoglu along with the chairman of the department of Turks and overseas relative communities Kemal Yurtnac.

Burcuoglu said he was hoping that the festival would be traditional in the long run.

Janissary band performed at the opening ceremony where the "TRNC" was also represented via the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture.

Festival aims to promote Turkish culture, history and arts in France and provide environment for French and Turkish peoples to get acquainted as well as raising awareness on involving politics among Turks living in France.

[12] Turkey's ruling AKP party re-elects Erdogan as chairman

Erdogan was the sole candidate for the party helm, and he got 1421 votes out of 1424 votes cast. Three votes were invalid.

The AK Party also chose its new Central Executive and Steering Committee (MKYK) on Sunday.

The newcomers included former Voice of the People (HAS Party) Party Chairman Numan Kurtulmus, who joined the AK Party last month; Osman Can, the former reporter of the Constitutional Court and former Democrat Party (DP) Chairman Suleyman Soylu.

All of the party's deputy chairmen and some Ministers found their way to the MKY, including Abdulkadir Aksu. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Deputy Chairman Ali Babacan, Deputy Prime Ministers Bekir Bozdag and Bulent Ar?nc, Deputy Chairman Bulent Gedikli, Deputy Chairwoman Edibe Sozen, Deputy chairman Ekrem Erdem, Emine Ciftci, Nukhet Hotar, Social Policy Minister Fatma Sahin, Customs Minister Hayati Yaz?c?, Deputy Chairman Huseyin Celik, another deputy chairman, and Lale Ersoy, Lokman Ayva, Mashar Bagl?, former Antalya Mayor Menderes Turel, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and PACE Chairman Mevlut Cavusoglu, who were also previously in the MKYK, got reelected.

Other newcomers included Mustafa Sentop, a member of the Parliament's Constitutional Reconciliation Commission; former Denizli Mayor Nihat Zeybekci; Omer Celik, who is a Deputy chairman of the party; Oznur Cal?k; Reha Denemec, who is another deputy chairman; Sadullah Ergin, the Justice Minister; Salih Kapusuz, another Deputy chairman and Zeynep Armagan Uslu.

[13] AK Party's 2023 list indicates Turkey's diverting from its EU path; Erdogan speech cause discussions

Erdogan's two-and-a-half-hour speech touched upon a large number of issues, although the acronym EU wasn't uttered once. Journalist Mehmet Ali Birand, in comments on the speech, said the congress served as an announcement that Turkey's EU episode has effectively ended. Journalist-writer Hadi Uluengin commented that the speech was a result of the AK Party's increasing authoritarianism. The Taraf daily in its cover story slammed the speech, saying it was a manifesto of Turkish Islamism, an indication that Turkey was turning its face eastward.

However, a booklet listing 63 goals that are part of the AK Party's 2023 vision was distributed to press members in envelopes during the congress. The booklet included a large array of issues from promising jobs to the disabled to new legislation making it impossible to shut down political parties and democratizing the country's law on political parties. Other promises included raising the percentage of women in the workforce to at least 38 percent; making the military more transparent; judicial reforms, access to public services in Kurdish; passing laws against hate crimes; setting up a national anti-discrimination commission; eradicating poverty and others. Many say they find the list very progressive.

Columnist Y?ld?ray Ogur said he didn't agree with the negative commentary, shared by his newspaper Taraf, that followed the congress. "I think this is a very progressive plan, in terms of issues such as democratization and the Kurdish question, and a commission to fight discrimination." He said the points about Kurdish in the public sector were particularly important in terms of showing the party's vision.

Ogur said, "This is practically a new party program. This is more than a roadmap. What he said in the speech will be forgotten two or three days later, but these are promises and will be there for the party to fulfill in the coming years."

Can Paker, a prominent figure in Turkish business and civil society as head of the Turkish Economic and Social Research Foundation (TESEV), offered a sociological perspective: "I find it highly progressive. Because politicians announce such goals to attract more votes. Since these targets were included to increase votes, that means that society, the voter base, is very mature and progressive. This means we are a highly advanced society."

Paker said: "Erdogan wants to be elected president, and with a good portion of the vote. He wants to increase his votes. If these appeal to society, that is a very positive indicator. It is never the leader of the political party that counts, it is the people."

The 63-item list also includes promises to pluralize participation in politics by removing possible obstacles in the way of those who would like to be involved; taking measures to ensure fairness in representation; restructuring parliamentary immunities in accordance with international norms; renewing the curriculum set for military schools and turning the gendarmerie force into a civilian security force.

The AK Party, as per the 63-point roadmap, plans to restructure the Supreme Board of Election (YSK); open to public discussion of switching to a presidential or a semi-presidential system; adopting a new and more democratic constitution; increasing the number of specialized courts; installing audio and visual systems in courtrooms to ensure efficiency and transparency in court processes; making jail time an exception for minor offenses; removal of any barriers in the way of a suspect making their defense in their mother tongue and reducing regional income disparity to a reasonable level.

But will the AK Party follow through? Ogur asserted that the voters will have to follow this up, while Paker reiterated his earlier position: "Journalists always want to inspect politicians, but I am looking at this as a sociologist. It won't hurt to check, but as these are seen as vote-catching points, that it is good for politicians to bring them to reality."

[14] Turkish Parliament to discuss the extension of Iraq motion

The Turkish parliament reconvenes today from summer recess, and it is scheduled to discuss next Thursday the motion that seeks a one-year extension of the mandate, which expires on October 17.

"PKK terrorists nestled in Iraq's northern region, continue their attacks and they still pose an open threat against our country's national unity, security and territorial integrity," the motion said.

PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, and it has recently stepped up attacks on Turkish security forces.

The militant group has been fighting an armed separatist movement for the past three decades which has claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people. It uses northern Iraq as a springboard for hit-and-run attacks inside Turkey.

Turkish military has launched more than two dozens of major offensives into northern Iraq so far, most recently in 2008.

[15] Exhumation of late Turkish president Ozal's body begun today

The operation started early in the morning when Deputy Public Prosecutor Oktay Erdogan arrived at the mausoleum. Security teams and a bomb squad were also present at the scene.

Ozal, who was Turkey's eighth president, died of a heart attack on April 17, 1993 in his office in Ankara.

Turkey's State Audit Board (DDK) ruled Ozal's death "suspicious" and said it should be investigated, in a report released on June 13. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article