Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-04-04

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgrurgun admits Turkish threats against oil companies cooperating with Cyprus; His comment on the economic crisis: "Greek Cypriots were hoisted by their own petard"

[02] Gul said Cyprus crisis is chance to end division; Grybauskaite wants to open one or two chapters for negotiations in Turkey's EU process

[03] Davutoglu: 'The new situation in Cyprus presents a new window of opportunity'; Russia MFA due to Turkey

[04] New smuggling case in occupied Famagusta port: nine arrests, port workers protest saying the ground for privatization is prepared

[05] Maritime transportation decreases in occupied Cyprus, while the use of occupied Tymvou airport increases

[06] Inflation increased by 4.32% in occupied Cyprus since last March

[07] Energy Allied Company will reportedly make a huge investment in Turkey in the area of petrochemicals

[08] A dinner for victims' families of Mavi Marmara; A victim will donate his compensation to Hamas

[09] Bagis: Turkey expects Lithuania's support to EU bid; Cyprus problem in the agenda

[10] Irish MFA due to Turkey; Cyprus problem also in the agenda

[11] AKP wants commission on solution process for Kurdish problem

[12] A list of "wise men" to help on peace process

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgrurgun admits Turkish threats against oil companies cooperating with Cyprus; His comment on the economic crisis: "Greek Cypriots were hoisted by their own petard"

Addressing a conference yesterday at Turkey's Karabuk University on the Cyprus problem, Ozgurgun said that Turkey and the breakaway regime are also conducting explorations around the island and alleged that the explorations of Turkey, the breakaway regime and the Republic of Cyprus in parcel 12 of Cyprus's EEZ, coincide.

Arguing that "extensive trouble" exists in parcel 12, Ozgurgun alleged: "We say that the Turks have also rights on the resources there. Even if these resources are found, they could be transferred to Europe only through Turkey. There is no other way. We explain this to our interlocutors. Even if they find [resources], they have no chance of extracting them by themselves. We have written a letter to the firms which they are cooperating with. We said: 'We do hope you do not attempt to extract. Turkey and we have also rights here. If you try to extract, we will interfere'. We have submitted a four-article proposal to the Greek Cypriot side saying 'if you want, we could extract together'. We gave this letter to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The Secretary-General informed us that they tore this letter without opening it".

Ozgurgun recalled also that they had started explorations in the area with Piri Reis vessel. He said that Israeli and American firms had participated in the tenders invited by the Republic of Cyprus and that Israel, whose relations with Turkey improved last week, withdrew from these tenders.

Referring to the economic crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Ozgurgun alleged that this crisis made the Greek Cypriots more fanatics and the enmity towards the Turks escalated. He claimed that a Turkish flag was burned last week in the government-controlled area of the island and that the economic crisis was shown as pretext for this action. He also alleged that attacks have recently started against Turkish Moslem monuments in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and argued that these attacks continue.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.04.13) reports that Ozgurgun argued that it would not be possible for the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he described Republic of Cyprus, to be rescued from the crisis. Referring to a statement issued by Ozgurgun's so-called ministry, the paper writes that he alleged that what he described as "intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot administration" during the negotiating process, which has been going on for years, caused harm to both and Greek and the Turkish Cypriots.

He argued that the Greek Cypriots saw that the "unilateral", as he described it, accession of Cyprus into the EU could bring bankruptcy instead of any benefit. "The Greek Cypriot side has paid a very heavy price for its unilateral accession to the EU", he claimed alleging that the breakaway regime stands on its feet with Turkey's support in spite of the so-called embargoes.

Ozgurgun expressed the view that the Greek Cypriot people are experiencing very difficult days because of the wrong and clumsy policies of their administration and alleged that "the Greek Cypriot administration was hoisted by its own petard".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Gul said Cyprus crisis is chance to end division; Grybauskaite wants to open one or two chapters for negotiations in Turkey's EU process

"Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday the financial crisis in Greek Cyprus [Trans. Note: the Republic of Cyprus] presented an 'important opportunity' to end the division of the island. (?)

The Mediterranean island concluded a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout deal with the euro zone and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday in order to stave off bankruptcy. (?)

'There is at the moment significant economic crisis on the island. This should be seen as important opportunity ... Because if the island was to unite, there would be a greater economic potential,' Gul said during an official visit to Lithuania.

'There are some restrictions, embargoes on the island. Our suggestion is to lift any and all kinds of restriction or embargo simultaneously so that we can create a new climate for moving forward,' he said.

'I hope that this message will be well understood'."

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.04.13) reports that Turkish President Abdullah Gul, speaking at a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaite in Vilnius on Wednesday, said that the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should restart negotiations.

Noting that there was a new government in the Republic of Cyprus, President Gul said: "Here is our proposal: With a fresh breath of air and good will, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should restart negotiations. Let us all be helpful over this matter."

Commenting on Turkey's entry negotiations with the EU, Gul said that they knew the negotiation process was always difficult for countries with a large population and a big economy.

"Certain countries in the past experienced such difficulties in their negotiation process. However, we attach high importance to keep our EU process alive and to complete our EU process successfully," Gul stated.

Reminding that Turkey and Lithuania shared deep historic relations, Gul underlined that Turkey and Lithuania had signed a friendship agreement back in 1930. "We always supported the NATO membership of Baltic countries," Gul emphasized.

"Lithuania will soon assume the EU term presidency. Knowing President Grybauskaite's experiences in the EU, I am sure that she will be very successful during Lithuania's term presidency," Gul said.

"We thank President Grybauskaite for the support of the Lithuanian government and people to Turkey's EU bid," Gul noted.

President Grybauskaite, in her part, said that Turkey was one of the leaders of the region and an important country in NATO.

"Ties between Turkey and Lithuania are not merely limited to bilateral relations. As part of President Gul's visit, the Transportation Ministries and national television companies of our two countries would sign agreements. Our businessmen will sign agreements with their Turkish counterparts as part of the business forum," Grybauskaite said.

Reminding that Lithuania would assume the EU term presidency in the second half of 2013, President Grybauskaite underlined that Turkey's EU membership was a crucial topic.

"Lithuania will support Turkey's EU process. We will make efforts to speed up Turkey's EU process," Grybauskaite said.

"During our EU term presidency, we would like to open up at least one or two chapters for negotiations in Turkey's EU process. What is important is that Turkey is a must for Europe. Likewise, Europe is important for Turkey. Therefore, Turkey's EU negotiations should not be delayed," Grybauskaite said.

[03] Davutoglu: 'The new situation in Cyprus presents a new window of opportunity'; Russia MFA due to Turkey

"We had a chance to evaluate the talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the US. As a member of the Customs Union, Turkey follows very closely the negotiations between the EU and the US and believes it deserves to be a part of the new system to be established. We will hold talks on the FTA with both sides. The region to be formed as a result of the FTA will carry the interests of all sides to the maximum level," Davutoglu said.

"During our talks today, the new situation in Cyprus following the elections in the Greek Cypriot administration [Trans. Note: Republic of Cyprus] came up. Turkey and the EU believe that the new situation in the island presents a new 'window of opportunity'," Davutoglu emphasized. He also said that Turkey was ready to contribute for steps to be taken on the Cyprus problem.

Davutoglu said that he shared Turkey's stance on a decision of the Greek Cypriot Assembly on natural resources of the island with Catherine Ashton. "Turkey's stance is clear. Impositions made cannot bring any changes in the island," Davutoglu stressed.

"Consultations on Cyprus will continue", Davutoglu noted.

Moreover, A.A. (03.04.13) reports that Davutoglu, answering a question on the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Turkey, said that he invited Kerry to Turkey upon latest developments in the Middle East. "Mr Kerry and I will discuss the steps to be taken in the Middle East peace process. We will hold talks on Syria, Iraq and Cyprus on Sunday," Davutoglu said.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 04.04.13) reports that US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that US top diplomat John Kerry would stage successive visits to Istanbul and Jerusalem this weekend.

U.S. President Barack Obama has requested his Secretary of State, John Kerry, to pursue mediation between Turkey and Israel "until the thaw leads to a complete normalization," the U.S. State Department said April 3.

Nuland also said the peace process in the Middle East and a recent letter from Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu regarding Cyprus would be on the agenda during the April 7 meeting.

Meanwhile, HDN also reports that Davutoglu also said at the joint press conference with Ashton that his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey on April 17. Lavrov and Davutoglu will have talks for joint working group meeting, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. Turkish-Russian dialogue over Syria intensified following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey on Dec. 3.

[04] New smuggling case in occupied Famagusta port: nine arrests, port workers protest saying the ground for privatization is prepared

Under the title "Big smuggling that cannot be prevented", the paper reported yesterday that "a new case of smuggling of cigarettes was revealed yesterday [Translator's note: the day before yesterday] in Famagusta" and noted that Levent Lama, director of Bosmar Shipping Ltd, and Ali Gorcam, employee of the same company were arrested being accused of forging documents at occupied Famagusta port. Levent Lama was the agent of a ship named Queen Elisabeth under Ukrainian flag, noted Afrika adding that Sergey Kaliman, captain of the ship, and four members of the crew were also detained. The ship sailed from occupied Famagusta for Karabagh after loading cigarettes, some of which it sold with forged documents to another ship named Tianmjin in the open sea.

Under the title "Anger against the police and the army for the control", the paper reports today that the employees in the so-called "Free Port" of occupied Famagusta were annoyed by the news published in the press as regards the smuggling of cigarettes and protested yesterday by leaving their jobs for some time. They said that the "Free Port" employee was kept in distance [during the operation] and that the "police", the army and "custom's officers" evacuated the ship and took the cigarettes into the "customhouse's" warehouse. They argued that with such incidents the "free port" is denigrated and the ground for its privatization is prepared.

Under the title "The number of the arrested rose to nine", the paper notes also that two more persons were arrested yesterday regarding the incident. The two persons arrested yesterday were Aytac Gullu and Alex Kaliman.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Maritime transportation decreases in occupied Cyprus, while the use of occupied Tymvou airport increases

According to the paper, one million 171 thousand and 199 passengers preferred to enter into the occupied area of the island in 2011 using illegal Tymvou. This number increased to one million 340 thousand 370 persons in 2012.

Citing information given by the "central bank" of the breakaway regime, the paper reports that one million 413 thousand passengers visited the occupied area through the sea ports and illegal Tymvou airport in 2012. This number is by 12% higher than the number of visitors in 2011 which was one million 252 thousands.

According to the data, 67.642 persons entered through the occupied port of Keryneia in 2011 and 13.423 through the occupied port of Famagusta. These numbers were 58.325 and 14.326 respectively in 2012.

According to the paper, 904.505 visitors from Turkey, 261.681 foreigners and 246.835 "TRNC citizens" entered into the occupied area of Cyprus in 2012.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Inflation increased by 4.32% in occupied Cyprus since last March

(I/Ts.)

[07] Energy Allied Company will reportedly make a huge investment in Turkey in the area of petrochemicals

Caglayan stated that they have reached the final stage with Energy Allied, an energy company willing to invest in Turkey in the area of petrochemicals.

Noting that Energy Allied was planning to establish facilities to produce coal, ammonium and sulphuric acid, Caglayan said they were also ambitious about producing an alternative fuel for diesel which would highly benefit Turkey as it is 70 percent foreign dependent.

Caglayan stated that this investment would decrease Turkey's imports by 1.5 billion dollars, increase its exports and create jobs for 4,000 people in the country.

Referring to the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement between the EU and US, Caglayan argued that "the quotas imposed on our products have taken our right of freedom of movement".

He also claimed that the Customs Union Agreement between EU and Turkey created unfair competition and added that a free trade agreement between the EU and US would mean a disaster for Turkey.

Caglayan said that once the Kurdish issue was solved, huge investments would be made in Turkey's eastern and southeastern regions.

[08] A dinner for victims' families of Mavi Marmara; A victim will donate his compensation to Hamas

"One of the victims of the Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara aid flotilla has announced that he will donate the compensation to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (?)

Activist Mehmet Tunc said he would donate the compensation to Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine himself, adding that he would not touch even 'one Turkish Lira' of it at a press conference today.

Tunc had been a volunteer on the Mavi Marmara ship traveling to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He told reporters that nine of his friends had been martyred by the Israeli forces in a raid he called 'against international law'.

(?)

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu hosted the families of the Mavi Marmara victims late April 2. The Ministers informed the families at a dinner about the recent reconciliation process between Turkey and Israel, which was started by an Israeli apology for the losses in the Mavi Marmara incident. The lawyers of the families were also present at the meeting.

The families have not yet made their final decision as to whether accept the compensation that will eventually be offered by Israel and withdraw from cases against Israeli soldiers, according to sources.

Arinc said that the families had said that 'any words about compensation would sadden them. The core of the issue is the apology and lifting of the embargo [on the Gaza Strip]. The government's work on compensation would be right for them as well.'

According to Arinc, Israel's acceptance of paying compensation would lead to the withdrawal of the lawsuits over the case -- in particular the high-profile trial in absentia of four Israeli ex-military chiefs by an Istanbul court. 'Two things cannot happen at the same time: They [the families] will either accept the compensation or they will wait for the conclusion of the lawsuits,' he said in a televised interview.

He also went further, saying that all 10 families of the victims should accept Israeli compensation; otherwise it would not be possible for Turkey and Israel to reach a deal."

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 03.04.13), under the title "Families of Mavi Marmara victims meet Davutoglu ahead of compensation talks", reports that the dinner at Davutoglu's official residence came as Turkey and Israel prepare for talks on compensation to be paid to the bereaved and those who were injured in the 2010 raid on the aid ship Mavi Marmara. Speaking in a televised interview on Monday night, Arinc said an Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Turkey on April 11 for talks aimed at working out the compensation issue.

Compensation is one of the three conditions Turkey has put forward for normalization of ties with Israel, along with an official apology and the lifting of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

[09] Bagis: Turkey expects Lithuania's support to EU bid; Cyprus problem in the agenda

According to diplomatic sources, Bagis was accompanying Turkish President Abdullah Gul and told Linkevicius that Turkey expected Lithuania's support to Turkey's EU bid to continue during Lithuania's EU term presidency which would begin on July 1, 2013.

Bagis also told Linkevicius that Turkey hoped Lithuania would encourage the EU to open new chapters in Turkey's accession talks.

Linas Linkevicius, in his part, said that Lithuania would continue to support Turkey's EU membership.

Linkevicius indicated that they would work with EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fule on new chapters to be opened in Turkey's accession talks.

Egemen Bagis and Linkevicius also discussed the latest situation in Turkey-EU negotiations, readmission agreement, and the Cyprus problem.

[10] Irish MFA due to Turkey; Cyprus problem also in the agenda

Gilmore will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul on April 7 and the two Ministers would discuss Turkey-Ireland relations, Turkey-EU relations, Cyprus problem and current regional and international issues, the MFA said.

On April 8, Gilmore will visit Syrians staying in Gaziantep. On April 9, Minister Gilmore will meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis in Ankara. Gilmore will meet with Turkish business circles in Istanbul on April 10.

[11] AKP wants commission on solution process for Kurdish problem

Nurettin Canikli, AK Party group deputy chairman, said on Wednesday that they would present the motion for formation of a parliamentary inquiry commission regarding the solution process for Kurdish issue.

Canikli also called on other political parties to participate in setting up such a commission.

Moreover, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 04.04.13), under the title "AKP offers assembly panel for Kurdish bid", reports that the government floats the idea of establishing a legislative commission to contribute to the ongoing peace process, but members of the BDP and main opposition CHP remain coy on the issue.

The paper also reports that it is not clear whether the formula will satisfy the main opposition party, which resolutely demands Parliament lead the process, or the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which both maintain that the planned retreat of the group's militants is not possible without legal guarantees. BDP deputy parliamentary group chair Idris Baluken expressed caution on the motion yesterday. Baluken said the content of the proposal seemed problematic and that they would prefer that a commission be formed through the adoption of a law.

Both the BDP and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) have in the past introduced proposals to form "a truth and reconciliation commission".

Although not having the same characteristic, the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) proposal and the past proposals by the BDP and the CHP are likely to be assessed together by the Parliamentary Speaker's Office.

Still, a leading deputy of the BDP already welcomed the initiative. "The establishment of the commission is important. It will make a contribution to this process. As the BDP, we will take part in it," BDP Diyarbak1
r deputy Altan Tan said.

[12] A list of "wise men" to help on peace process

"Journalists dominated a government list of 'wise people' who will meet with PM Erdogan to discuss the further efforts to solve the Kurdish issue.

Artists, a musician, a large group of journalists, academics, intellectuals and representatives from non-governmental organizations, were included on a long-awaited list of 'wise people', a government initiative that will take an active role in the country's recent efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue.

The 63 prominent names on the list were carefully picked by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said after a press meeting today.

The seven groups of wise people, each of which will represent one of the seven geographical regions in Turkey, are set to meet with Erdogan in Istanbul on April 4.

Several Turkish celebrities, including actors Kadir Inan1
r, Lale Mansur, Yilmaz Erdogan, Hulya Kocyigit and musician Orhan Gencebay, were named in a government list published on daily Hurriyet's website.

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Dogan TV Holding Chairwoman Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag and prominent academic Murat Belge are some of the other figures on the list.

Each group has a president, a vice president and a secretary and consists of nine people. Meeting with opinion leaders; holding symposiums, panels and conferences; making one-on-one contacts; and getting in touch with local, national and international media are among the things the commission members are expected to do, according to Erdogan. (?)

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy leader Haluk Koc mocked the group, saying it would act like companies or agencies that were running the government's electoral campaigns. 'The group looks like a cadre of public servants, to act like a bridge to carry the Prime Minister's views to the public,' he said.

CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has appointed Akif Hamzacebi, the party's deputy parliamentary group chair, to refocus attention on the party's previous suggestions on the Kurdish issue, sources said. Speaking during his party's central executive board meeting in Ankara, Kilicdaroglu called for several issues, including a proposal to lower the election threshold and demine areas in the southeast, to be brought to Parliament, they also said.

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Gultan Kisanak also criticized the formation of the list, saying that it did not have a sufficient number of females, academics and people who could help the Kurdish people express themselves directly.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy parliamentary group chair Oktay Vural likened the group to the body that was formed by the Armistice of Mudros after World War I, which aimed at preventing an Anatolian uprising against the invaders.

(?)

Heads of wise people groups

The head of the Mediterranean Region Committee, M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu is the President of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), which is the largest non-profit business organization in Turkey, covering 365 Chambers and Commodity Exchanges.

The head of the Eastern Anatolia Region Committee, Can Paker, is the chairman of the board of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV). Until last year he was also the chairman of the board of the Open Society Institute's Istanbul branch from 2002.

The head of the Aegean Region Committee, Tarhan Erdem, is a columnist for daily Radikal and founded the KONDA Research and Consultancy organization in 1987. Erdem was a Member of Parliament for the Republican People's Party (CHP) in 1977.

The head of the Southeastern Anatolia Region Committee, Yilmaz Ensaroglu, is currently working as the Director of Law and Human Rights Department of SETA (Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research).

The head of the Central Anatolia Region Committee, Ahmet Tasgetiren, is a columnist for daily Bugun and an author. He also has several programs on radios and TV channels.

The head of the Marmara Region Committee, Deniz Ulke Aribogan, is a member of the Board of Trustees at Istanbul Bilgi University and is currently continuing her academic works in the fields of international relations and political science. She is also a columnist for the daily Aksam.

The head of the Black Sea Region Committee, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sevki Hakyemez, is the Deputy Rector of the Black Sea Technical University, and a professor of public law." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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