Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-03-12

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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

CONTENTS

[01] Smuggling of cigarettes from occupied Famagusta to Europe

[02] Turkish Cypriot columnist: We should be ashamed for the situation in Varosha

[03] Eroglu has renewed his call for a meeting with Anastasiades

[04] Nami said that both sides should respect the agreements of 23 May and 1 July

[05] A Turkish Cypriot bank decided of expanding to Kosovo and Georgia

[06] Doctors Union Chairman: Population in occupied Cyprus is increased without control

[07] Information about the "Turkish Islamic Culture Community"

[08] "Swine flu" suspicions again in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Aerial navigation controllers in occupied Tymvou airport to go on a 24-hour warning strike

[10] The final list of candidates to run for the "municipal elections"

[11] Foreign capital firms in Turkey exceed 32,000

[12] "Something is being plotted over Cyprus"

[13] Erdogan cancels programme due to health issue

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Smuggling of cigarettes from occupied Famagusta to Europe

The paper writes that 15 persons have been arrested during the recent operation and that eleven containers with cigarettes, the worth of which is estimated to be many hundred thousand Euros, have left occupied Famagusta port, but their destination is unknown.

"Many companies, which use the TRNC that remained outside the international law, send illegal cigarettes to Spain, Greece and Italy. Through these countries, the illegal cigarettes are distributed to other EU countries", reports the paper.

According to Havadis, the ships which leave the occupied port of Famagusta loaded with cigarettes stop by the ports of many Mediterranean countries. The paper writes also that the recent incident disclosed that the ships which leave the occupied port of Famagusta give false information to the "authorities" of the breakaway regime and conceal their destination.

"It has been noted that the ship detected during the recent incident is close to Basharal Assad's family. While nothing is said about the other firms which do the same job in the same area, the raid into the ship named Sirena was perceived as 'blow to the money resources of Assad'", argues the paper noting that around 20 firms use the occupied Famagusta port sending cigarettes to many countries.

The cigarettes, which "legally" come to occupied Famagusta, are reportedly produced in Poland and China and have no brand.

According to the paper, the smuggling of cigarettes had been carried out through the government-controlled area of Cyprus, but after the accession to the European Union and often controls exerted by the Interpol, the smugglers were directed to the occupied area of the island, which became an attractive place for this issue, because it is outside the international law. For this reason, many Greek, Romanian and Spanish businessmen have allegedly established offices at occupied Famagusta port during the past few years and direct their smuggling from there.

Havadis writes that cigarettes of various brands are imported to the "free trade area" of occupied Famagusta port in order to be re-exported. They are stored up in the occupied port and when a buyer is found they are loaded in freight ships in order to be re-exported. In this manner, notes the paper, the breakaway regime secures an income from these procedures. The smugglers transfer the cigarettes into boats which wait for them outside the control area of the so-called coast guard and illegally carry them to Arab countries which are in war, writes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot columnist: We should be ashamed for the situation in Varosha

Referring to the territory issue and the way by which the various sides see this issue, which he describes as one of the "most fundamental problems" in the negotiations, Kismir says that people with various views have carried out the negotiations and adds that some of them argued that "we will not give a single span of territory" and some others said "these lands belong to all of us".

Kismir says afterwards that the situation that actual should be assessed is the way America, Britain, Turkey and Greece see the issue and notes that actually Britain will continue protecting the territory of the sovereign bases either a solution is found or not.

"Turkey is approaching this issue with a totally ottoman mentality", argues Kismir and writes, inter alia, the following:

"It demands rights which it does not have on these lands thinking that 'I have shed blood and took them'. Actually, it does not demand rights; it keeps these lands under occupation. As for the Turkish Cypriots in general, they see this as right of a 'guarantor'. Or they think that they are obliged to accept this situation somehow.

If we return to what those who represent us at the negotiating table support, we can see that Varosha is the common point of all of them. While the most 'leftist' of them argue that Varosha is the most important 'issue of bargaining' in the negotiations, the most "rightist" of them claim that this area is 'a Turkish territory'. However, both of them cannot even enter into this area, on which they think that they have rights.

They especially say with one voice that 'if Varosha will open, it should open under the control of the Turkish sector'. This is definitely a political 'ugliness'. Whose land you are bargaining to whom? On the one hand you keep the properties of the people under your occupation for years and on the other you turn and say 'if you want you can return back to your properties under our control'. Do you seek a bigger injustice than this? Especially Varosha is a situation for which we should feel 'ashamed'? This is not valid only for Varosha, it is a situation valid for all the other areas. And the statement by Egemen Bagis that 'we have changed our image in the world with one 'yes', without giving a span of territory and without withdrawing a single soldier' should add shame on our shame. We should not allow our own property or the property of the Greek speaking Cypriots to become issue of bargaining by others. A healthy solution passes through a Cypriot solution".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu has renewed his call for a meeting with Anastasiades

Commenting on media reports that said he received a letter from Anastasiades at the weekend, Eroglu said: "I haven't received such a letter yet. I will make an evaluation to the public when I get the letter".

He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side desires the re-launch of negotiations as soon as possible, adding: "Anastasiades gives positive messages to the international community now, but his real stance will come out on the negotiations table. South Cyprus is now busy dealing with the economic crisis but the early launch of negotiations will come as a response to hopes towards the solution of the Cyprus problem".

Eroglu reiterated the "Turkish Cypriot side's willingness for a settlement which allows the two peoples of the island to coexist in peace and security".

Commenting on the UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer's scheduled meeting with him on Tuesday (today), Eroglu said that certain issues related to the solution process might become clearer following Downer's contacts in Cyprus.

[04] Nami said that both sides should respect the agreements of 23 May and 1 July

Nami said that he told Downer that both sides should respect the convergences being obtained between the two sides as well as the agreements of 23 May and 1 July. Noting that this is a good opportunity for a new process, Nami added that he is ready to give any kind of support to the negotiation process.

[05] A Turkish Cypriot bank decided of expanding to Kosovo and Georgia

The chairman of the administrative council of the bank, Mete Ozmeter said that they have decided to expand to European countries, in parallel to their activities in the field of financing and insurance in the occupied area of Cyprus. He noted that after establishing a factoring company in Turkey, they think of launching activities in the banking sector in Kosovo and Georgia.

The general director of Kibris Iktisat Bankasi and vice president of Kibris Iktisat Faktoring Co. Inc., Ahmet Melih Karavelioglu said that they will be the first address and help desk for those in Turkey who want to trade with the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Doctors Union Chairman: Population in occupied Cyprus is increased without control

He said that due to the number of patients, very often there is luck of medical supplies adding that there are not enough doctors to meet the needs of the persons going to the hospitals. Therefore he said, they are trying to bring doctors from abroad to the occupied regime.

[07] Information about the "Turkish Islamic Culture Community"

According to the paper, the organization has the name "Turkish Islamic Culture Community" and has been established in 1983. Its president is named isilay Arkan and was born in Lefkosia. He is special advisor of Dr Suat Gunsel, who is the rector and founder of the illegal Near East University and is the director of the Near East college which is related to the illegal university.

The "Turkish Islamic Culture Community" is organizing conference, meetings and seminars about Islam.

[08] "Swine flu" suspicions again in the occupied area of Cyprus

The patients a girl and a boy, stayed in the hospital while blood samples were sent to Turkey for further exams.

The paper citing information by the "ministry of health" writes that eight more persons were put in quarantine last week with swine flu symptoms and their blood samples were sent to Turkey for further exams.

[09] Aerial navigation controllers in occupied Tymvou airport to go on a 24-hour warning strike

The controllers' trade union, which support that the "government" is under footing the honor of their profession, said that they are protesting against what they call "disregardful" behavior towards them by the "government".

[10] The final list of candidates to run for the "municipal elections"

Nine candidates will be running for the "Lefkosia Turkish municipality mayor position" during the so-called by-elections which will be held on the 7th of April.

The candidates are the following:

"The National Unity Party's (UBP) candidate Hasan Sertoglu, the Republican Turkish Party's (CTP) candidate Kadri Fellahoglu, the Democrat Party's (DP) candidate Mustafa Arabacioglu, the Social Democratic Party's (TDP) candidate Suphi Hudaoglu, the New Cyprus Party's (YKP) candidate Murat Kanatli, the Cyprus Socialist Party's (KSP) candidate Zehra Cengiz as well as independent candidates Arif Salih Kirdag, Nurhayat Aytok and Yahya Eran are running for the mayoral elections."

[11] Foreign capital firms in Turkey exceed 32,000

There are 32,604 foreign capitalized companies and branches in Turkey, 5,494 of which are associates of Turkish companies with domestic capital.

The top sector among foreign companies operating in Turkey is wholesale and retail trade, comprising 32% of foreign companies. The real estate sector, at 16%, comes in second.

German companies top the list

Manufacturing is another sector attracting internationally capitalized companies. After the real estate sector, manufacturing comes in third place with 4,980 companies operating in the industry.

Of those foreign companies within the manufacturing sector, 553 produce chemicals, 520 produce food products and 483 produce beverages and tobacco.

The data suggests nearly half ? 50.3% ? of these companies are EU-based. Among them, Germany ranks first with 5,158 companies in Turkey, England follows with 2,446 and the Netherlands come in third with 2,105 companies.

Following the EU, countries with the most companies or branches in Turkey are Near and Middle Eastern countries, with 7,460. In this category, Iran ranks first with 2,872 companies, Azerbaijan follows with 1,190 and Iraq comes in third with 1,009.

Istanbul tops the list as the city foreign investors establish their companies in most often, hosting 18,968 among 32,604 internationally capitalized companies. Other provinces that follow Istanbul include Antalya, Ankara, Izmir, Mugla, Bursa, Mersin, Aydin, Kocaeli and Hatay.

[12] "Something is being plotted over Cyprus"

the above title, argues in his following commentary that the new game on the Cyprus problem is playable for Turkey:

"Nowadays Turkey is concentrating all its attention and energy on the 'peace process'. As in other newspapers, the majority of writers at Today's Zaman are reserving their columns for the Kurdish issue, and they are right to do so. I have nothing new to add to this debate of utmost importance, except maybe to say that I strongly support the courageous initiative taken by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. So I would like to bring to your attention today another crucial issue, namely the Cyprus issue and its implications regarding membership negotiations with the European Union.

It seems that something is being plotting behind the scenes in the half-century-old Cypriot conflict. What led me to this thought was the publication in Zaman of an article by H?l?ne Flautre, the co-chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, on Feb. 28 [See Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review No. 42/13, 28.02.13],, and an exclusive interview given by former UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to Today's Zaman on March 9 [See Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review No. 49/13, 09-11.03.13].

We have witnessed in the last few weeks an important sequence of events. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a surprising sortie into the possibility of Turkey joining the Shanghai Five if the EU refuses Turkey membership. I do not know if this was a bluff or not, but the facts remain that it certainly contributed to getting things moving on the negotiations front. French President Fran?ois Hollande abandoned the repulsive approach of his predecessor while German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared in Ankara that she strongly supports the continuation of negotiations even though she is still not clear on Turkey's membership. Last but not least, Nicos Anastasiades, the right-wing Greek Cypriot politician who had the courage to support the Annan plan in 2004, has been elected president of the Greek side of the Island.

Admittedly, Turkey and the EU have great interest in continuing the accession negotiations in the coming years. Turkey, with its low domestic savings, absolutely needs European investment in order to pursue its economic development. Let me remind readers that 80% of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkey is European. A great jump in FDI occurred after 2004 when Turkey started membership negotiations with the EU, and I do not see in the foreseeable future a serious alternative to European capital for the Turkish economy. On the other hand, the EU cannot risk pushing Turkey out of Europe, primarily for political reasons. The EU is in serious turmoil and cannot be thoughtless enough to add to its issues a destabilized Turkey. I strongly believe that the EU perspective continues to be a solid economic and political anchor for Turkey.

Both sides are in crucial need of time before making a final decision regarding membership. The only way to get this time is the smooth continuation of negotiations. And the way to continue them lies in the solution to the Cyprus problem. Certainly, this can take time, but a serious move in the Cyprus issue can also bring progress to membership negotiations.

The views expressed by Madame Flautre and Mr. Straw suggest that leaders in Europe and in Brussels may have decided to take a carrot-and-stick approach, particularly in regards to the Greek Cypriots, to get them moving toward a solution. Flautre thinks that the parameters have changed in Cyprus. Blocking Turkey's progress in EU negotiations can no longer be used to pressure Turkey. The election of Anastasiades is an opportunity to be seized, but the economic crisis the Greek Cypriots are facing is preventing them from moving first, as they have lost self-confidence. Ankara should therefore make the first move by opening its ports to Cyprus. According to Madame Flautre, 'Cyprus will be unable to resist a new opening initiated by Ankara'. All the more so after facing a serious economic crisis and taking into consideration that Germany is unwilling to save failed Cypriot banks whose deposit accounts are full of Russian billionaires' money. The Greek Cypriots must think twice before refusing Ankara's helping hand, Flautre thinks.

Straw is less diplomatic than the co-chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, since he no longer has political responsibilities. According to his view, 'It may still be that if the Greek Cypriots continue to block the accession approach of Turkey, then my view is certainly that we have to move towards recognizing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [Transl.note: breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus]."

The former UK foreign secretary does not hesitate, like Madame Flautre, to remind us of the new context produced by the economic crisis: 'Now that people have been exposed to the true nature of the financial shambles Greek Cyprus is in, as well as its huge debt to Russia along with many other problems, which is worrying Germany and others, I think it's time to get tough with the Cypriots.'

I think the new game is playable for Turkey."

[13] Erdogan cancels programme due to health issue

Anatolia news agency said Erdogan caught a cold and would rest at home.

The Prime Minister will have a rather light program for a few days more and rest, the agency said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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