Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-03-06

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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] Turkish Energy Minister reiterated Turkey's allegations that oil exploration in the Republic of Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone can create tension in the area

[02] TPAO's licenses for offshore oil exploration in Mediterranean Sea have been extended for three years

[03] Izcan: "Concrete steps is a condition for the solution of the Cyprus problem"

[04] Cerkez: "The time for a solution of the Cyprus problem has come"

[05] Turkish Cypriot academician assesses possible moves by President Anastasiades

[06] A 5-star hotel for health tourism will be built in occupied Keryneia

[07] Bagis: Chapter 22 expected to be opened in June

[08] Imral? leak fuels political fight over press freedom- Erdogan: Media freedom not limitless

[09] Israeli envoy cancels event with Turkish Deputy PM over the row on Zionism

[10] The illegal YDU hospital participates at the ITB Berlin fair

[11] "KKTCELL wheelchair basketball team" due to Germany

[12] "Turkey's shale gas reserves 'enough for 40 years'"

[13] Turkish Armed Forces personnel down by 33,000 over last year

[14] Koca Piri Reis exploration vessel was modernized

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish Energy Minister reiterated Turkey's allegations that oil exploration in the Republic of Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone can create tension in the area

Yildiz made these statements commenting on energy issues after the visit of the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to Turkey.

"We say there are two ways: You strengthen the legal basis, you withdraw from disputed areas, or, if you find something there, this should belong to the whole of Cyprus. This is only natural. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said when we jointly started [explorations], that whatever found would be shared based on reasonable shares. Why should energy issues become the subject of tension when all of our relations with Greece are going well?" he alleged.

When asked about the fact that the Republic of Cyprus and international companies had gone ahead with exploration work in the eastern Mediterranean despite warnings from Ankara, Y?ld?z said: "They are continuing their work. There are some companies that took into consideration our warnings and a small number of others who did not. They will make their choices and we will make our choices. I believe it will be beneficial for all, for work to be done through consensus", he alleged.

When asked whether there was potential for the desired consensus, Y?ld?z said, "We saw a little bit more optimistic statements on this issue from the new leader of the Cypriot administration," in reference to the election of Nicos Anastasiades who was elected President of the Republic of Cyprus.

Yildiz said that while economies are becoming global, policies are becoming more national, and added that projects needed to be politically feasible.

Energy issues will not become a subject of tension between Turkey and Greece, Y?ld?z has said, adding that Ankara has told Athens it has no current intention of conducting exploration in the countries' shared sea.

"There is no problem in energy issues," he told the Hurriyet Daily News despite a divergence of views on exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean that recently drove Greece to complain to the United Nations about Turkey's exploration efforts.

"We have the intention of using energy issues not as a reason to create tension but as a reason for growth and opening. We will see whether other countries will follow this principle," Y?ld?z told the Daily News when asked about the recent initiative of Greece, which said on Feb. 22 that it had notified the U.N. of Turkey's granting of exploration permits for areas "on the Greek continental shelf."

Greece's move came just days ahead of Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' visit to Turkey, which resulted in the signing of nearly two dozen agreements on March 4.

"We can have results only if we can decide together in these sorts of joint areas. The countries need to meet at that politically feasible point," said Y?ld?z.

"We never took a negative move. We always said we are ready to take a positive step all the time," he said.

When asked if there had been a positive development as far as reaching a point of consensus on the issue of exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, Y?ld?z said interested parties needed to take into account the advantages provided by Turkey's geography.

"These types of projects are not projects that you can pursue stubbornly. These are not projects that you can say, let's do it whatever the cost, even if the price of gas reaches 500 dollars. I believe the technical side of the project will bring politics to a certain level," he said.

The relevant sides know that these projects are not feasible without the participation of Cyprus, said Y?ld?z.

[02] TPAO's licenses for offshore oil exploration in Mediterranean Sea have been extended for three years

TPAO had applied to the General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs for the extension. According to the petroleum laws and regulations, TPO/XVI/A licenses that TPAO has for Antalya Petroleum Region outside of Turkish territorial waters in the Mediterranean Sea will be extended until March 26, 2016.

TPAO's TPO/XVI/B license has also been extended until April 29, 2016.

TPAO has also applied to General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs to extend the licenses for 3 years for Diyarbakir Petroleum Region and Marmara Petroleum Region with the license numbers being AR/TPO/3863 and AR/TPO/3859 respectively.

[03] Izcan: "Concrete steps is a condition for the solution of the Cyprus problem"

Izcan also said that it is obligation for both Turkish and Greek Prime Ministers to take concrete steps aiming at the solution of the Cyprus problem, reminding that Erdogan said: "We, as a guarantor country, are responsible for a solution. Let's bury Cyprus problem in history".

Izcan called out Erdogan the following: "Erdogan should take the concrete steps. In order to fulfil the duty of being a guarantor power, he should as soon as possible start to withdraw the troops within a timetable, stop the population transfer, the systematic assimilation policies, the separatist policies and contribute in a sincere way to an early solution.

Commenting on the process of the Cyprus talks, Izcan said that the talks should be launched as soon as possible. He added that it is a condition that the negotiations are launched from the point that they have stopped and to show respect to the topics upon which agreement have already been reached.

[04] Cerkez: "The time for a solution of the Cyprus problem has come"

Cerkez also said that both their interests and the regional balance entails a solution of this problem, adding that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce will continue its intense activities to reach a just, permanent and viable solution of the Cyprus problem.

[05] Turkish Cypriot academician assesses possible moves by President Anastasiades

According to Ozkaleli, President Anastasiades might make two important moves: the one is to appoint a negotiator who will be carrying out the Cyprus talks in his place and the other might be to by-pass the National Council.

Ozkaleli argued that President Anastasiades might make some moves towards Turkey and try forcing ways of establishing relations with Turkey by using new rhetoric and moves, contrary to what he described as unsuccessful initiatives by former President Christofias, who had allegedly tried to "take aim at Turkey by using the EU".

According to Ozkaleli, contrary to what former President Christofias had allegedly done, President Anastasiades might bring to the negotiating table a package of proposals that cannot be rejected and try forcing the process of joining NATO as a move against Turkey. He argued that over NATO President Anastasiades will turn the National Guard into a professional army, reduce the military expenses to the minimum level in order to get rid of the existence of the Turkish occupation army and force the Turkish side to reduce its military existence on the island.

(I/Ts.)

[06] A 5-star hotel for health tourism will be built in occupied Keryneia

Akpinar said that they will build a 5-star hotel in the occupied village Agios Georgios in Keryneia, adding that this hotel will serve the health tourism. He explained that this investment will be used both as a hotel and as a hospital. He also said that they will construct a shopping mall too.

The construction of this investment will start on June, 2013 and will be completed within 2-3 years. Akpinar said that this hotel, which will be as a health centre, will be focus more on children and elder people. It will include a policlinic, as a rehabilitation centre, and wards for internal diseases as for ear, nose and throat.

Akpinar stressed that their aim is to have patients from all over the world.

[07] Bagis: Chapter 22 expected to be opened in June

The draft of Chapter 22 on "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments" was sent unofficially to the European Union Commission. "We are now waiting for the member countries to evaluate it," said Bagis and added: "After we get the opinions of the member countries, we will deliver the draft officially to the commission on Friday and the procedure will take start."

Bagis made these statements while accepting the courtesy visit of Ombudsman Mehmet Nihat Omeroglu and they talked about the new Ombudsman's Office. Bagis expressed his pleasure with meeting the first Ombudsman of Republic of Turkey.

The office is important for two reasons, said Bagis. "The first reason is that we would not be a member of EU without establishing this institution. The second one is that this office is a follow-up to the system of 'bas kadilik' (chief public judge) in the Ottoman Empire."

Bagis added the new office is totally neutral and has some rights guaranteed by law.

The office will begin receiving complaints from people and other institutions about public administrations on March 29, 2013.

[08] Imral? leak fuels political fight over press freedom- Erdogan: Media freedom not limitless

Over the last three decades, neither the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) nor the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), nor the media, has displayed a "national stance" on the issue of "terrorism", Erdogan said on March 5, addressing his party's parliamentary group.

Erdogan was, referring to the publication of an alleged transcript of a meeting between the leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and deputies of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which took place on Feb. 23. Erdogan accused some parts of the media of providing "oxygen" to the terrorist organization, while also reiterating that the CHP and the MHP were destructive to the process.

The transcript was published by daily Milliyet on Feb. 28, prompting Erdogan to deliver a "heated speech" on March 2 in which he said: "If this is the way you conduct your journalism, damn your journalism." Referring to criticism of his expressions, Erdogan said columnists could not lecture him on the freedom of press.

"There cannot be limitless freedom," he said. "If the media is arbitrarily declaring an area of freedom, and if it is so free that it can report by violating national interests and exploiting freedom, then as a Prime Minister, ministers and lawmakers - as people who assume responsibility ? we are as free as them to voice our feelings," Erdogan said. He also added, however, that his government was against "censorship."

In addition, the paper also reports that main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader K?l?cdaroglu calls on media to 'resist against the government's coup,' as the PM slams press.

Main opposition leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu called on scribes to resist the government's "coup."

Elsewhere, the Nationalist Movement Party declared Ocalan and Erdogan to be "Siamese twins," while the Peace and Democracy Party said it was open to other parties aiding in the release of the PKK's captives.

[09] Israeli envoy cancels event with Turkish Deputy PM over the row on Zionism

Israeli Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman was to take part in the event, entitled "Muslims, Jews, Christians: Peace is possible!" at a Berlin hotel, according to the Times of Israel website.

"Because of the importance of this event I expected that the Turkish prime minister would retract his recent horrible statements and lies about Zionism. But since that did not happen I am forced to cancel my participation in the event. Erdogan's statements contradict the purpose of dialogue," the statement said.

Last week, the Turkish Prime Minister likened Zionism to crimes against humanity in a Vienna conference.

[10] The illegal YDU hospital participates at the ITB Berlin fair

The occupation regime is represented at the fair by Ahmet Savasan, member of the "administration board" of the illegal YDU Hospital and "general director" of tourism affairs of the illegal university.

In his statements about the fair, Ahmet Savasan said that they participate at the fair with the aim for more health tourism from Europe, to come to the "TRNC". He further said that they will carry out contacts with several tourist operators in order to explain to them as well as to the international platform that "north Cyprus" except from its historic, cultural wealth, provides also health and medical tourism opportunities and is considered as a safe tourist destination.

According to the paper, a total of 187 countries will participate to the fair, while 10644 visitors are expected to visit it.

(AK)

[11] "KKTCELL wheelchair basketball team" due to Germany

The occupation's regime team will play with teams from Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands, between March 7-10.

The occupation regime's delegation includes 11 athletes, 3 coaches, members of the "administration board" of the team and representatives of "KKTCELL".

(AK)

[12] "Turkey's shale gas reserves 'enough for 40 years'"

"Turkey has considerable shale gas potential, particularly in the regions of Thrace and the Southeast," said TPJD President Ismail Bahtiyar. Turkey's natural gas consumption is around 45 billion cubic meters a year, he said, noting that the estimated shale gas reserve, which is 1.8 billion cubic meters, would satisfy Turkey's natural gas consumption for the next four decades. "These figures are for only the Thrace and Southeast Regions. We think there are also shale gas reserves in East Anatolia, Ankara, the Toros Mountains [in the south] and the Black Sea region," he said.

[13] Turkish Armed Forces personnel down by 33,000 over last year

Over the past several years, the TSK has been shaken by several coup and espionage investigations that led to the imprisonment of many active duty as well as retired military officers. Also included in the numbers are officers who have retired or were expelled from the TSK by the Supreme Military Board (YAS) on various grounds.

The total personnel number of the institution stands at 678,617, according to statistics posted on the TSK's website on Tuesday.

The numbers reported 347 generals and admirals serving in the TSK, of which 313 are assigned to the land, naval and air forces while 33 serve in the gendarmerie. One admiral has duties in the Coast Guard Command.

The information released by the TSK indicates there are 33,167 officers and 72,061 noncommissioned officers serving in the land, naval and air forces, 5,561 officers and 22,812 noncommissioned officers in the gendarmerie and 575 officers and 1,320 noncommissioned officers in the Coast Guard Command.

According to the same numbers, 24,380 specialized sergeants serve in the gendarmerie and 36,496 in the land, naval and air forces.

With regards to the civilian personnel at the TSK, there are 48,077 civilian employees working for the land, naval and air forces while 3,587 civilians work for the gendarmerie. In addition, 860 civilian employees work for the Coast Guard Command.

In total the land, naval and air forces is made up of 481,603 civilian and non-civilian personnel, while the total number of personnel at the Gendarmerie Command is 191,684. There are also 5,330 personnel working at the Coast Guard Command.

[14] Koca Piri Reis exploration vessel was modernized

In statements to Ankara Anatolia on the issue, Prof. Dr. Erdeniz Ozel, Director of the Institute of Marine Science of the 19th of July University, said that the Koca Piri Reis vessel has been renewed at the shipyard of Tuzla.

In statements on the issue, Dr. Cem Gunay, "coordinator of the technical services" of the vessel, has said that in the framework of the modernization works on the vessel, they renewed the energy system of the vessel.

Gunay added that the modernization works which cost 1.5 million T.L, were undertaken with the support of the Development Bank. Gunay went on and said that after the modernization works at Piri Reis, the vessel will be able to be provide services for the next 20 years.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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