Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-09-11

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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] Eroglu: "Our aim at the negotiation table IS to lay claim to our state, flag and country"

[02] Yorgancioglu and Serdar Denktas on the European Rally Championship and Middle East Rally Championship to be co-organized by the two sides

[03] Akinci started explaining his "vision" prior to the "elections"

[04] CHP assembly discuss the issue of the party's candidacy; a decision was taken that prevents Talat to run for the position

[05] Veteran CTP member criticized the Turkish Cypriot trade unions which are against Turkey: "We cannot live without Turkey"

[06] Atalay is participating in a conference in Sweden

[07] The issue of the military service in the occupied area of Cyprus is at the table again

[08] President Erdogan to visit Qatar

[09] Davutoglu convened a security summit amid efforts to combat ISIL; Columnist views Turkey's possible choices on its engagement to the fight against ISIL

[10] The US and the EU warned Turkey about the tightening control over Internet

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: "Our aim at the negotiation table IS to lay claim to our state, flag and country"

Stating that by "claiming your own culture and art means that one lays claim to their homeland", Eroglu added: "Our aim at the negotiation table is to lay claim to our state, flag and country". He also alleged that the Greek Cypriots do not recognize the right of the Turkish Cypriots to live on these lands.

Eroglu stated further that the Greek Cypriot's stance about the rights of the Turkish Cypriots is to "restrict the Turkish Cypriots as much as possible and by doing so; we will distance them from these lands."

Eroglu also claimed that the Greek Cypriot's hope is to go back to pre-1974 and distance the Turkish Cypriots from Turkey. "However their hopes will not come true" Eroglu said.

[02] Yorgancioglu and Serdar Denktas on the European Rally Championship and Middle East Rally Championship to be co-organized by the two sides

Speaking about the European Rally Championship and Middle-East Rally Championship, Yorgancioglu said that the event which will be broadcast live by the world's leading sports channels was extremely important in promoting the "country".

Stating that the event will be held with the cooperation of the automobile and racing associations of the two sides, Yorgancioglu added that the "government has been supporting the initiative launched by the "Cyprus Turkish automobile association" from the very first day they had been holding contacts for the rally to take place in the TRNC".

"It's extremely important that the TRNC leg of the rally is being promoted by one of the world's leading sports channel Eurosport. A large number of international journalists and news networks will be covering the event. Some of the schools or departments on this important route may close for the occasion", Yorgancioglu added.

Meanwhile, the so-called deputy prime minister and "minister of economy, tourism, culture and sports" Serdar Denktas inspected yesterday the ongoing preparations in occupied Lefkosia for the "TRNC stage of the rally which will take place next Friday.

Speaking to reporters following his inspection tour, Denktas congratulated both the "Cyprus Turkish touring and automobile association" and the so-called "department of road works" for their excellent planning for the "TRNC stage" and stressed the importance of hosting such an important international event.

Denktas also pointed out that some areas of occupied Lefkosia could experience traffic problems on Friday due to the rally and added: "Hosting such an international event here is extremely important. Our citizens may experience difficulties that day for the benefit of the state. We apologize in advance for any inconveniences which might emerge".

Also, providing information about the occupied Lefkosia stage of the rally, the "chairman" of the "Cyprus Turkish touring and automobile association", Tigin Kismir said that the track will be 5.8km long, half of which will be in "south Lefkosia" and the other half in the "north".

He said that they were expecting around 50 thousand people to watch the event and that all security measures had been taken in cooperation with the "police" and the occupied Lefkosia municipality.

Kismir also provided information regarding the route of the "TRNC stage". "The racing cars will cross over to the TRNC through the moat area near the Ledra Palace crossing point , passing in front of the presidential palace, turning out of the walled city from Kyrenia Gate and continuing through Osman Pasa Avenue and back to Ledra Palace. The stage will end in south Lefkosia", he said.

[03] Akinci started explaining his "vision" prior to the "elections"

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (11.09.14) reports that in statements to Ada television Akinci said that he decided to run in the "elections" upon "dense demands" by the "people" and added that he feels a great responsibility on this issue. Akinci said that, with his vision, he will "go beyond the ordinary". He also noted it is a vision of a policy which is focused on the solution and on a process parallel to this which will gain acceleration to the negotiating process with a formula for the fenced off Varosha, will overcome the difficulties of the Turkish Cypriots in the fields of trade through sea and air, open new fields of business and create jobs for the unemployed.

(I/Ts.)

[04] CHP assembly discuss the issue of the party's candidacy; a decision was taken that prevents Talat to run for the position

The paper writes that despite the fact that no statement was made on the issue by the party, the issue of the candidacy of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat came into the agenda. Noting that Talat announced some time ago that he is not interested to be a candidate, the paper writes that the CTP's assembly took a decision that will make it impossible for Talat to be a candidate anyway, since after "long and tensioned discussions", it was announced that everyone who is interested on the position, shall make a "candidacy application", as provided by CHP's constitution.

This is the first time that such a decision is taken by CHP. The paper notes that the discussion during the assembly was so tensed that some party members left the meeting.

[05] Veteran CTP member criticized the Turkish Cypriot trade unions which are against Turkey: "We cannot live without Turkey"

Uzun stated that it is not possible for everything negative in the breakaway regime Turkey to be blamed and added that the occupied area of Cyprus is depended on Turkey financially: "We cannot live without Turkey", he stated.

[06] Atalay is participating in a conference in Sweden

According to the paper, Atalay is participating in a conference which is taking place between 10-14 of September, and he will give a speech under the title "Communication between religious leaders in Cyprus-Assistance to the peace process in Cyprus". The paper also writes that in the framework of his visit, Atalay will hold contacts with various civil society organizations and some Swedish officials.

[07] The issue of the military service in the occupied area of Cyprus is at the table again

According to Yeni Duzen, it seems that a "consensus" exists in the proposals submitted by the "prime minister's office" and the so-called security forces command. Next week the proposals will be discussed article by article.

Referring to the content of the proposals, the paper writes that the military service for the vocational high school graduates will be decreased from 15 months to 12. Moreover, there will be arrangement so that the Turkish Cypriots living abroad to be able to benefit from the "scheme paid-for military service". The examination evaders and the deserters prior to 1 January 2009 will be given amnesty and they will be able to benefit from the scheme paid-for military service.

(I/Ts.)

[08] President Erdogan to visit Qatar

Cavusoglu underlined that Erdogan's visit to Qatar reveals a 'sibling relationship' between the two countries, with both having common regional issues and a similar goal in working for peace and justice in the region.

The stopover will be Erdogan's third visit as President after the "TRNC" and Azerbaijan visits.

"We want Turkish companies to be included in Qatar's 2030 vision," Cavusoglu said, adding that "Qatar is preparing itself to be home to many important organizations."

According to its government website, by 2030, ''Qatar aims to be an advanced society capable of sustaining its development and providing a high standard of living for all of its people.''

[09] Davutoglu convened a security summit amid efforts to combat ISIL; Columnist views Turkey's possible choices on its engagement to the fight against ISIL

News agencies reported on Wednesday that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu chaired the security summit, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, the Chief of General Staff General Necdet Ozel, the Land Forces Commander Hulusi Akar, the Gendarmerie General Command General Abdullah Atay, the Deputy Chief of General Staff Yasar Guler, Defense Minister Ismet Y?lmaz, Interior Minister Efkan Ala, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu and Prime Ministry Undersecretary Fahri Kas?rga.

(?)According to reports in the Turkish media, some of the items discussed at the meeting were Turkey's possible participation in the battle against ISIL, security problems in border cities due to an influx of refugees, particularly from Iraq, and the settlement process between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Meanwhile, in a commentary in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News under the title: "Ankara faces difficult choices on ISIL", columnist Semiz Idiz views Turkey's choices related with its participation to an international coalition that will fight ISIL and writes, inter alia, the following:

"(?) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been arguing that Ankara has to tread cautiously because of the 49 Turkish hostages, including Turkey's Mosul Consul General, that are still being held by ISIL militants.

Past experience indicates, however, that Ankara would still be reluctant if there were no hostages involved.

There are a number of reasons for this, including a desire not to appear to be a key member of any Western led military coalition that does not have the approval of the United Nations Security Council against an Islamic nation.

But in this case it has to consider more than just this or the possibility of endangering the lives of the Turks being held by ISIL. Turkish involvement could have undesirable spill-over effects, not the least of which is that ISIL carries its terror campaign to Turkey itself given Turkey's proximity to the region and its porous long border with Syria.

There is also the prospect that Turkey may find itself fighting alongside the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) against ISIL, an idea that is abhorrent to the Turkish armed forces and most Turks. The PKK, which in the eyes of Turkey is a deadly terrorist organization, has nevertheless proved its worth against ISIL in Northern Iraq.

(?)

Turkey is already wary that some of the weapons that the West has started to supply to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, as well as the Iraqi security forces, will find their way into PKK hands and be used against the Turkish security forces.

Given this overall picture the easiest thing for Ankara is to avoid the open involvement against ISIL, while waiting for others to take care of it, and maintain its guard against the PKK. It could also give behind-the-scenes support against ISIL in order to appease its western allies, while appearing not to be doing so in order not to incur the wrath of this group.

It is clear, however, that opting to go in one of these directions will have severe consequences for Turkey, losing credibility in the West, as well as its influence in the region, especially if the U.S. convinces Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and even Qatar to fight actively against ISIL.

If the fight against ISIL turns out to be successful without Turkey's active support this will also be used by the opposition at home against President Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu.

There are many "ifs" involved in all this, but none of the options appear to be that great for Erdogan and Davutoglu, who have said many lofty things in the past about Turkey's role and influence in the Middle East, but who now face difficult choices. (?)".

[10] The US and the EU warned Turkey about the tightening control over Internet

Commenting on the latest amendments in an e-mail on Wednesday, Ryan Heath, spokesperson for European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, told Today's Zaman that it is "bad news for freedom."

The most recent amendment to Turkey's Internet law grants the Telecommunications Directorate (TIB) extensive powers over Internet use, such as blocking access to websites without a court order.

In his message, Heath said that the issue raises concern since Turkish Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Lutfi Elvan did not mention such a law when he met with Kroes last week in Istanbul.

According to the latest amendments that were approved in Parliament on Monday evening, within four hours of a request from TIB, Internet service providers are required to block a designated website.

As per the amendments, TIB will be able to block access to websites for "national security," the "maintenance of public order" and "preventing a crime from being committed" without needing a court order.

The US criticized the amendments which also allow TIB to collect Internet traffic data without a court order.

"We've regularly raised our concerns about media freedom with Turkish officials, and have continued to urge the Turkish Government to ensure open access to all social media. And that's a conversation we will continue having," Marie Harf, Deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, said in response to a question during a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

(?)

Many believe the amendments are against the Constitution as the head of TIB has been granted powers that are not in accordance with the Constitution.

During a press meeting in Izmir on Wednesday Erdal Aksunger, a Deputy from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said that freedoms were not violated in such an arbitrary way even at the time of the military coup in 1980.

Aksunger believes the amendments are against the Constitution. "TIB's authorization to block access to websites does away with the separation of powers," he said.

(?)According to the latest amendment, TIB will also be able to obtain Internet traffic data from Internet service providers without a court order. The data will be given to the relevant authorities if a court order mandates it do so.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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