Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-27

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] Incidents during Talat's speech in Limassol; Talat: We must create culture of peace

[02] Nami: Federal solution is not far ahead

[03] Eroglu: "A new appointment for the position of Downer can cause time loss"

[04] Serdar: It seems that Morphou will be one of the areas that will be given

[05] Toros: Backstage efforts on the "Direct Trade Regulation" will continue; Varosha could open under Turkish Cypriot adminisrtation before the comprehensive solution

[06] KTOS: "If the solution is near, postpone local elections"

[07] Kasif continues his contacts in the Netherlands

[08] Ozgurgun: UBP-DP may be merged under another name

[09] Foreigners in the occupied area of Cyprus can possess up to three properties

[10] The 6th international model airplanes F3J Championship will take place in the breakaway regime

[11] Erdogan: Local elections are a pointer towards the general election.

[12] Turkish court orders lifting of Twitter ban

[13] Report: 1 in 5 live below poverty line in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Incidents during Talat's speech in Limassol; Talat: We must create culture of peace

In his statements afterwards, Talat said that the culture of peace must be constructed on the island in order for the solution in Cyprus to be lasting and for such "extreme elements" to be isolated. Talat described ELAM's reaction as "a little extremist" and added that the police behaved very tolerantly to the protestors. Talat recalled that he had recently given a similar conference in Pafos, where there had also been protests, but the Pafos Police had taken more effective measures compared to the police in Limassol.

Talat said that we must face the extreme activities and help in isolating these extremists in order for the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots to have sustainable peace in a united Cyprus. He noted that if we do not achieve this, no solution could be reached.

The paper writes that President Anastasiades called Talat by the end of the conference, apologized and promised that the necessary measures will be taken. Moreover, some Greek Cypriots who spoke at the conference also apologized to the Turkish Cypriots.

After the conference, the 35-member Turkish Cypriot group, which participated in the conference, returned to Nicosia escorted by police.

According to Kibris, the attack was condemned by the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay, who said that "with this mentality we could reach nowhere in the 21st century". In a statement through the social media, Ozersay noted that "a very serious struggle should be given against this" mentality.

The attack was condemned also by the general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Harmanci, who in a statement though the social media, called on the officials of the Republic of Cyprus to declare ELAM as an illegal organization, as a confidence building measure.

Meanwhile, Kibris' columnist, Hasan Hasturer, who was participating in the conference, reports in his column today that it is not possible to underestimate the incident, but it would be wrong to overestimate it. He says that ELAM is a threat to both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots and points out that the behaviour of the Greek Cypriots who were in the conference room was very positive. He goes on and notes: "No one left the room. The Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots who were there exhibited a silent resistance. The conference was not left half-finished. This would be tantamount to surrendering to the fascists? After the conference, when the preparation for the departure was continuing, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Anastasiades called and expressed his sorrow to Mehmet Ali Talat for what had happened. The important thing was that Anastasiades said that the insufficient police measures and the passive behaviour of the police would be investigated and that what was necessary would be done?"

Furthermore, according to daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (27.03.14, online), the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu issued a written statement condemning ELAM's behaviour and arguing that "the animosity, which some parts of the Greek Cypriot community still feel towards the Turkish Cypriots and reaches the point of violence, is regrettable and unacceptable".

Eroglu described as "saddening and thought provoking" the fact that the police did not take the necessary measures. He went on and described as "worrying" the fact that "such violent incidents happen especially in a period during which the negotiations reached a critical point and measures which will overcome the lack of confidence between the two sides are on the agenda". He said that he was expecting from the Greek Cypriot side to take the necessary measures so that such incidents are not repeated in the future.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami: Federal solution is not far ahead

Nami who is continuing his contacts in Germany met with businessmen at the Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Berlin and spoke about the latest developments regarding the negotiations. Speaking about Turkey-EU relations Nami argued that the situation has changed dramatically in the last ten years. The economic crisis which hit the "Greek Cypriot" and Greek economies were also on Nami's agenda who claimed that Turkey became `the shining star` of the region and "TRNC" stood strong with its banking and other sectors and continued to be a functioning "democracy". In his speech Nami also praised the "Turkey-North Cyprus" water project and added there would also be a chance to bring electricity from Turkey.

"Greek Cypriot expectations from EU were not met and their attempts to use EU as a trump against Turkey have been completely defeated", said Nami.

Emphasizing the importance of the hydrocarbon reserves found in the region Nami proposed that the most practical way of transferring the gas in Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and Cyprus to the EU is through Turkey. "For this to happen, a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem is necessary" said Nami.

In his speech Nami said the future of NATO-EU relations were also affected by the Cyprus problem. "Turkey would not accept Cyprus Republic if its solely under the control of Greek Cypriots and the fact that Turkey is a NATO member and Cyprus is an EU member brings complications regarding NATO-EU relations. Therefore a settlement is also necessary in this regard too" Nami alleged.

Nami also said that the EU should take further steps to support the solution. ''Greek Cypriots entered the EU after a 10 year preparation period but these preparations excluded the TRNC. Considering this gap, EU's responsibility to get Turkish Cypriots prepared and be ready to be part of the EU. These steps will contribute to the solution" said Nami.

"There are no remaining issues which are not already negotiated on and the joint declaration signed by the two leaders clearly outlines the main features of the solution. As the Turkish Cypriot side we are ready and we are intensely working towards a solution. We are also very grateful for Turkey's support in this process."

Nami ended his speech by urging Turkish and German businessmen to invest in the occupied area of Cyprus and spoke about the investment opportunities for foreign investors.

According to the paper, German Ambassador to Lefkosia, Gabriela Guellil speaking at the event said that the dynamism of the negotiations would create many opportunities and that everyone should support the process.

[03] Eroglu: "A new appointment for the position of Downer can cause time loss"

In statements after his meeting with Alexander Downer, the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, who is on the island for a farewell visit, Eroglu stated: "If give and take does not start, negotiations can continue 40 more years. Exchange of papers goes on. We can only move forward to a solution only by give and take".

[04] Serdar: It seems that Morphou will be one of the areas that will be given

Speaking during a meeting in occupied Morphou yesterday, Serdar Denktas expressed his view that the more investment is made in the area, the harder it will be to give it away in the event of a settlement.

[05] Toros: Backstage efforts on the "Direct Trade Regulation" will continue; Varosha could open under Turkish Cypriot adminisrtation before the comprehensive solution

Toros described the situation of the businessmen in the occupied area of Cyprus as "an athlete who tries to run 100 meters with his hands tight on his back".

Toros said that they will continue their backstage activities regarding the "Direct Trade Regulation" with the EU. He noted that these backstage efforts will be accelerated now due to the on-going solution process and wished for a result to be reached. He noted also that they will exert efforts to make the "Green Line Regulation" more functional.

Toros expressed also his view on the issue of the return of the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners. He argued: "If Varosha will be opened before the comprehensive solution, it must definitely be opened under Turkish Cypriot administration. Opening should be tantamount to returning it to its legal owners. Otherwise, I think that it must be a part of the exchange of land in the comprehensive solution. If Varosha will be opened under our administration and it will be perceived as a confidence building measure that will contribute to the solution as it is said, together with this, our seaports and airports need definitely to be opened simultaneously..."

Toros said that they will try to protect the interest of their members, the number of which reaches 3.500.

(I/Ts.)

[06] KTOS: "If the solution is near, postpone local elections"

In the statement signed by the General Secretary of KTOS Sener Elcil it is stated that anti-peace groups were handing maps designed to provoke people against the solution. "Our leadership gives the impression that we are so close to the solution and it claims that any delay would be due to the Greek Cypriots' attitude, then we invite you to prove your sincerity by postponing the local elections, as they will not mean anything according to the maps you are distributing", it is noted in the statement.

[07] Kasif continues his contacts in the Netherlands

During the visit, Kasif carried out inspections and received information about traffic security. As part of his contacts, Kasif will visit the Traffic Technologies Fair which opened on Tuesday and will also attend a conference on traffic.

[08] Ozgurgun: UBP-DP may be merged under another name

Noting that for the first time there is ground for cooperation with the Democrat Party ? National Forces (DP-UG), Ozgurgun said that the alliance can form the basis for the unification with DP.

Ozgurgun also said that Eroglu has been for years the leader of UBP and has been elected Turkish Cypriot leader as the candidate of the UBP. For this reason, in case he is candidate again, they will support him.

[09] Foreigners in the occupied area of Cyprus can possess up to three properties

[10] The 6th international model airplanes F3J Championship will take place in the breakaway regime

The paper writes that persons from the following countries will participate in the championship: Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, UK, New Zealand, Slovakia, Norway, Czech Republic.

[11] Erdogan: Local elections is a pointer towards the general election

Erdogan argued that the elections were like the independence struggle of the nation, because they were struggling against an alliance against his party - including that of the opposition parties, self-interest lobbyists, media groups, businessmen, the US-based scholar Fethulah Gulen's movement and some terrorist organizations plotting against the government.

[12] Turkish court orders lifting of Twitter ban

Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Arinc said the government would obey the order. "We may or may not like a court decision, but we certainly abide by it," Arinc said.

Turkey blocked access to the social networking site late Thursday after a court issued an order demanding that the website remove tweets containing certain links. On Tuesday, Turkey's leading legal association appealed to the courts to have the blockage lifted. On Wednesday, the 15th Administrative Court in Ankara decided by a majority vote to issue a temporary injunction ordering Turkey's official internet body to lift the block.

[13] Report: 1 in 5 live below poverty line in Turkey

An editorial analysis published on the blogging site Econoscale.com this week argues that nearly 20% of the Turkish population lives at or below the poverty line as defined by official household income statistics. Citing the Turkish Statistics Institute's (TurkStat) figures and definition of the poverty line, the analysis claims that more than 70% of Turkish households live on less than $1,000 a month. It also claims that over 30% live on less than $500 a month, emphasizing that this means an entire household surviving on less than $16 per day. The monthly minimum wage in Turkey currently stands at $383.5.

The analysis says that only 10% of households earn above $34,000 per year. Describing this reality as "the middle class illusion," the analysis says: "A majority of the population have seen only modest gains in incomes -- around 40% over a period of 10 years. That's about 4% each year. This is nothing to celebrate, given where Turkey stands today and not enough to create a middle class." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

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