Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-04

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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] Mortar bomb attack from Syria killed five family members in Turkey; Turkey hit targets in Syria as a response; Turkish National Assembly to decide on the next steps; "Prime Ministry Motion" to be discussed in closed-door session

[02] Kucuk and Erdogan discussed breakaway regime's economic program and the transfer of water and electricity to occupied Cyprus

[03] "Turkish Cypriot Day" has been celebrated at the US Congress for the first time

[04] Reactions to the arrest of the three policemen of the Republic of Cyprus by the breakaway regime

[05] Ozgurgun on the arrest of the three Greek Cypriot policemen; He called on President Christofias and the Greek Cypriots to remember that the "TRNC" is a "state" with "institutions" and "rules"

[06] Talat on the Cyprus problem and the arrest of the three Greek Cypriot policemen by the occupation regime

[07] The occupation regime sent 35 Syrian immigrants to a Turkish refugee camp

[08] "State hospitals" in occupied Cyprus became market places for the occupation regime's citizenship

[09] Gul met with the British Deputy Premier; he reiterated that the EU membership is Turkey's strategic choice

[10] Germany to ease visas for Turkish businessmen

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Mortar bomb attack from Syria killed five family members in Turkey; Turkey hit targets in Syria as a response; Turkish National Assembly to decide on the next steps; "Prime Ministry Motion" to be discussed in closed-door session

A cloud of dust and smoke rose up over low-rise buildings as residents ran to help the wounded. Others, infuriated by the increasing spill over of violence from Syria's civil war, took to the streets shouting protests against the local authorities.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.10.12), Turkish Prime Ministry, in a statement released on Wednesday following the death of the five Turkish citizens and the injury of nine others after Syrian artillery shells landed in the south-eastern town of Akcakale, said that, "Turkey, within rules of engagement and international laws, will never leave unanswered the provocations of the Syrian regime targeting Turkey's national security." "We have responded to the attack and bombed targets in Syria", the Prime Ministry said.

"All necessary diplomatic initiatives began immediately under the directives of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Phone conversations were held with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Foreign Ministers of some countries who are members of the UN Council," the statement underlined.

"Within this frame, a phone conversation was also held with the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and a decision was taken to immediately convene the NATO Council," the statement said.

The response, as the Prime Ministry stated, came from officials of the Turkish Armed Forces at the border and was described as "self-defense." "We wish God's mercy to those citizens of ours who lost their lives, offer condolences to their loved ones and wish speedy recovery to our wounded citizens," the statement also said.

United Nations General Secretariat Ban Ki-moon and Security Council Members were notified of both the attack and of Turkey's response.

A cross-border move is expected to be brought before Parliament later tonight.

The bombing came after an emergency meeting between the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Necdet Ozel, Deputy Prime Minsiter Besir Atalay and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergun.

Main opposition leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu cancelled all his planned meetings to attend the general assembly in the morning.

Main opposition party members will meet tomorrow morning to decide on the party's attitude toward the possible cross border move.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (04.10.12) broadcast that the Turkish parliamentary general assembly convenes today under the chairmanship of Deputy Parliament Speaker Mehmet Saglam. Parliamentary General Assembly will discuss a Prime Ministry motion which authorizes the government for a year to send Turkish troops abroad regarding Syria issue.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's group Deputy chairman Nurettin Canikli has said that the "Prime Ministry Motion" would not be discussed in an open session at the Turkish Parliament.

Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag and other officials, Canikli said that the motion would be discussed in a closed session.

Also, according to Turkish media, the Syria attack against Turkey's south-eastern town of Akcakale has been condemned by the USA, NATO, Foreign Ministers of several countries, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Syria's Minister of Information, Umran Ahid al-Za'bi, who all offered condolences to Turkey.

[02] Kucuk and Erdogan discussed breakaway regime's economic program and the transfer of water and electricity to occupied Cyprus

In statements to illegal Bayrak television after the closed-door meeting, Kucuk said that he had the opportunity to discuss with Erdogan the problems in the "country", the so-called economic package that includes the period 2013-15, the transfer of electricity and water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with pipelines, and the problems of the so-called Turkish municipality in the occupied part of Lefkosia.

Kucuk noted that at the meeting they discussed the figures of the "economic package" prepared by the technical committees. "We agreed on the issue of finalizing these topics, determining the numbers and turning them into a protocol at the meeting to be held on Ankara on 12 October", he added pointing out that a delegation headed by himself will visit Ankara again on 12 October, in order to finalize the "economic program".

Kucuk went on and said that they agreed also on the issue of planning and preparing the conditions of the tender for transferring electricity to the occupied area of Cyprus with cables. "We are planning this simultaneously with the water", he noted.

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.10.12), Kucuk argued that the program has been prepared in the occupied area of Cyprus for the first time and added that the final discussions and the completion of the program will take place in Ankara, because "Ankara is the financing place".

Kucuk returned last night to the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[03] "Turkish Cypriot Day" has been celebrated at the US Congress for the first time

Around 230 Congress members and staff had a chance to meet with Turkish Cypriot-Americans and enjoyed the rich history and culture of the "TRNC".

Hosted by the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA), the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), Turkish American Community Centers (TACC), American Turkish Association of Washington DC (ATADC), Maryland American Turkish Association (MATA), Mobile Turkish Coffee House and the "Northern Cyprus Cultural Society" (NCCS), Turkish Cypriot coffee, Hellim cheese and sample dishes from the country's distinguished cuisine were served at the event held at the Rayburn building of the Congress.

Guests said that they were impressed by the music and the delicious cuisine.

"TRNC's ambassador" to the US, Ahmet Erdengiz told AA correspondent that they enjoyed a very successful "Turkish Cypriot Day" and thanked the Turkish-American associations for their support.

He said that they had a chance to talk about the "TRNC" with the Congress members and staff. Erdengiz stated that it was very important that "most guests got information directly about the TRNC for the first time" and added that he was happy to make new friends at the Congress that they could visit and tell the story of Turkish Cypriots.

ATAA board member Gunay Evinch told AA correspondent that the members of the "Congressional Caucus on US-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans" as one of the biggest caucuses in the Congress with 157 members, helped them organize the event.

Reminding the influence of the congressional staff on the congress members, Evinch cited staff saying that "congressmen say 'yes' to everything, we say 'no' to everything, but we started saying 'yes' to Turkish people because we get to know Turks and Turkey better".

He added that there had been a big interest towards Turkey.

[04] Reactions to the arrest of the three policemen of the Republic of Cyprus by the breakaway regime

According to Cakici, this kind of incidents suits the purposes only of the chauvinists and of those who are fed by the non-solution in Cyprus. He argued that "provocateurs" have once more appeared and "chauvinists" tried to close down the barricades and prevent people from crossing to the other side.

Cakici expressed the view that "the police of the two sides should cooperate within the framework of the confidence building measures in this kind of incidents" and drew attention to the importance of solving such problems before getting bigger and harming the "peoples". "If there was a solution, such incidents would not happen", he argued.

Meanwhile, a delegation by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) visited yesterday occupied Louroudjina village and met with its inhabitants, in order to be briefed on their problems and the incidents during the arrest of the three policemen of the Republic of Cyprus. After meeting with the inhabitants, the head of the delegation, CTP's chairman Ozkan Yorgancioglu, argued that the developments were manipulated by those who want to increase tension on the island and added that the necessary attention had not been paid until today to Louroudjina village, which has a different status. He said that the regime should make the necessary arrangements, which will secure that the inhabitants of Louroudjina will legally be crossing over to the government-controlled area of Cyprus.

Yorgancioglu said that "people" are concerned because of what has happened and the inhabitants of the village, who are employed in the government-controlled area of the island, could not go to their work because of problems in the crossings. He argued that problems are experienced at the crossing points after the latest incident and that this kind of incidents should not be exaggerated.

Meanwhile, Kibris (04.10.12) reports also that a group of Greek Cypriots, including former member of the European parliament, Marios Matsakis protested again yesterday at Agios Dometios barricade for the arrest of the three policemen. According to the paper, the police did not allow the Turkish Cypriot journalists to cross over to the government-controlled area and take pictures of the protesters. The paper argues that very strict controls were carried out all day long yesterday by the police to vehicles with Turkish Cypriot registration numbers.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (04.10.12) refers to the same issue and reports that the Turkish Cypriots, who were crossing over to the government-controlled area with their vehicles yesterday, came face to face with a "different behavior". According to the paper, the police imposed an 85 Euro fine to many of them for various reasons. According to the paper, many Turkish Cypriot vehicles were damaged yesterday in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and many Turkish Cypriots postponed their visit here because of the so-called tension.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozgurgun on the arrest of the three Greek Cypriot policemen; He called on President Christofias and the Greek Cypriots to remember that the "TRNC" is a "state" with "institutions" and "rules"

Commenting on the issue, Ozgurgun stressed the need for the "leader" of the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the President of the Republic of Cyprus, and also Greek Cypriots, to understand that the "TRNC" is a "state" with its own "institutions" and "rules". "Either they will respect these institutions, or they will deal with the consequences", Ozgurgun said.

Reminding of the fact that there are crossing points in the "TRNC", just like in any other "state", Ozgurgun pointed out that those who are entering "illegally" to the "TRNC", should also deal with the consequences.

Stating that it is not right for this incident to be used for political purposes, Ozgurgun reminded that there will be elections in the "south" and said that Chirstofias acts and behaves in this way prior to the elections.

Ozgurgun went on and said that this incident originates from the stance" I do not recognize the north". He reiterated that Christofias and the 80% of the Greek Cypriots should respect and obey all the "rules" of the "TRNC". "They should understand this reality. Otherwise, they will be tried and be fined", he concluded.

(AK)

[06] Talat on the Cyprus problem and the arrest of the three Greek Cypriot policemen by the occupation regime

Talat, who made these statements speaking during a television program, also stated that there is nothing to be expected regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem with the current "government" of the breakaway regime. He also stated that the "government" follows every demand of Turkey as regards the occupied area of Cyprus and accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu of accepting everything Turkey demands without question.

Commenting on the arrest of the three Greek Cypriot policemen by the occupation regime, Talat stated that Louroutzina is not an area that everyone is allowed to trespass and added that even if there was a federal Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot police would not have been allowed to enter Louroutzina the way they did.

[07] The occupation regime sent 35 Syrian immigrants to a Turkish refugee camp

The immigrants arrived in the occupied area of Cyprus via Turkey on September 21; were accused of illegally entering the breakaway regime and were held for five days in jail. The occupation regime was criticized for sending them back to Syria; however, it was announced that were not sent back there, but back to Turkey.

[08] "State hospitals" in occupied Cyprus became market places for the occupation regime's citizenship

According to the paper, since the "health report" by a "state hospital" is consider to be one of the most important criteria for the "people" who want to gain the occupation regime's citizenship, a remarkable increase has been observed recently to those who are visiting the "state hospitals" with this purpose, exercising, at the same time, pressure to the "doctors" to sign their "health report".

Commenting on the issue, the organization secretary of the "Cyprus Turkish Physicians' Trade Union" (TIP-IS), Omer Gur, expressed the uneasiness of the doctors towards this issue and said that if it is necessary they are ready to meet with the "Trade Union Platform" and go on with protests.

Gur stated further that they came to the position to provide health care not to normal patients but to those who allege that they are sick in order to gain the "health report" for the "TRNC's citizenship".

Meanwhile, the paper writes that a team of journalist of Yeni Duzen, attempted to visit the previous week a department of the of "Occupied Lefkosia Polyclinic", they however, prevented to get inside as soon as the "chief administrator" of the "clinic" got informed about the issue the journalist wanted to be informed.

(AK)

[09] Gul met with the British Deputy Premier; he reiterated that the EU membership is Turkey's strategic choice

Gul said during the meeting that Turkey's efforts continued to align its laws with the EU acquis, thanking Britain for its support to the Turkish accession bid.

The statement quoted Clegg as telling Gul that an EU without Turkey would be "a lesser union."

[10] Germany to ease visas for Turkish businessmen

The chairman of Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marc Landau, said: "Members of our chamber are able to apply for business visas without going to consulates. They do not need for booking a visa session nor being at the consulate, more visa officials require less documents."

Replying the questions of AA, Landau said: "It does not matter in what region our members of the chamber are, they apply for visas without going to the consulate. All they need to do is to apply to our chamber. A couple of days after the application, they receive their passport back."

Landau pointed out the rapidly growing economic and commercial relations of Turkey and Germany, and said that there are 5 thousand settled Turkish firms in Germany as of 2012.

Landau also said that he finds Turkey's economic growing in the past few years successful and added: "Turkey's economic performance for the past decade is impressive. We can see it from Turkey's direct investment figures. Before 2006, direct investment was under 10 billion USD and now it goes over 20 billion USD."

In the first eight months of 2012, Turkey's exportation to Germany was 8.7 billion USD and importation from Germany was 13.8 billion USD. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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