Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-06

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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] Nami hopes that the negotiations will resume after 19 April

[02] Y?ld?z: "Cyprus seismic research activities around the island of Cyprus have ceased"

[03] Turkey and the occupation regime reacted over the approval of a bill by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus on the Armenian genocide

[04] Yorgancioglu: "The Greek Cypriot side's excuse for abandoning the talks has been lifted"

[05] Eroglu: "The most important property of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC"

[06] The CEO of Russian Sberbank has secretly carried out an illegal visit to the occupation regime to carry out contacts

[07] Metropoll's survey presents Eroglu first and Siber second in the first round of the "presidential elections"

[08] The so-called municipality of Komi Kepir applied to become member of Cittaslow

[09] Information about the 1,875 organizations that are activated in the breakaway regime

[10] Erdogan approved the controversial Domestic Security bill into law

[11] Erdogan due to Iran for contacts

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami hopes that the negotiations will resume after 19 April

In statements to Anatolia, Nami alleged: "The Greek Cypriot administration has seen the international community's reaction when they left the negotiation table. We expect the Greek leader to return to the table after reevaluating developments on the ground".

Referring to the hydrocarbons issue, Nami claimed: "We will not allow the issue of hydrocarbons to be used as a trump card against the Turkish people. I think the Greek leader has understood this point clearly".

Nami accused President Anastasiades of not abiding by the agreement reached between the two community leaders on Feb. 11, 2014, and alleged that the main reason for the halt of the progress in the talks is that President Anastasiades did allegedly not respect the convergences reached so far.

Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (06.04.15), Nami said that since he has come on duty he exerted intensive efforts to increase their contacts abroad and added that during these contacts they discussed the issue of how they could further develop their economic, social and cultural relations with foreign countries.

Responding to a question, Nami noted that the foreign countries want to hear from the Turkish Cypriots how the so-called isolation could be overcome and whether the UN Security Council Resolutions constitute an obstacle to this. He said that the foreigners ask them how the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with other third countries are so that to take similar steps. Nami argued that there is a lack of information in the world about the Cyprus problem.

Asked about the Turkish Cypriot football "federation's" ("KTFF") application to become a member of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), Nami said that if the agreement reached between the "KTFF" and the CFA is implemented as a whole, the issue will continue, but if the Greek Cypriot side says that it accepts only some elements of the agreement and do not accept others, it would be more appropriate to hold back the agreement.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Y?ld?z: "Cyprus seismic research activities around the island of Cyprus have ceased"

Speaking to the Anatolian News Agency, Y?ld?z said that the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic research ship is currently undergoing repairs at the port of Mersin and would set out for new seismic research off the coast of Iskenderun on the 6th of April.

Y?ld?z said that Turkey was opposed to the idea of conducting unilateral exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean because of the fact that there was ambiguity regarding EEZ's of countries in the region.

"The situation involving Greece, the south Cyprus and the north Cyprus was not sustainable. I am convinced that all sides will be showing the necessary care and sensitivity on this issue. The Barbaros is currently in Mersin undergoing repairs. We are extremely pleased with the work it has carried out. It will be embarking for Iskenderun on April 6 where it will conduct new seismic research there", Yildiz added

Asked whether or not Israel's natural gas could be transported via Turkey, Y?ld?z said: "It's obvious that this is the most feasible way. This is known by us and it is known by them. As it seems, Turkey's geography is the most suited for the purpose of transporting this natural gas, it will pass over Turkey and we will have to oversee our relations accordingly".

[03] Turkey and the occupation regime reacted over the approval of a bill by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus on the Armenian genocide

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic in a written statement on Thursday said: "Greek Cyprus' decision is null and void for Turkey and not worthy of comment. It is without doubt that those who try to exploit the 1915 incidents at every opportunity by using simple political ambitions cannot get any result," Bilgic said.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (04.04.15) the "TRNC presidency" issuing a written statement on the issue condemned the "Greek Cypriot Administration" as it called the Republic of Cyprus for passing a law that criminalizes the denial of allegations over the so-called Armenian genocide involving the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

"It is obvious that the ones committing mass murder and ethnic cleansing against the Turkish Cypriots, the architects of the Akritas Plan, have no right to say anything on this issue," the statement said.

"It is also remarkable that the House of Representatives passed the law during a time when efforts for a more just and permanent agreement on the island is intensifying", the statement added.

The move by the "Greek Cypriot Administration" comes as Armenia is planning to hold a mass commemoration ceremony on April 24 in Yerevan to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1915 incidents.

The new law imposes a five-year prison sentence and a ?10,000 fine on anyone who denies allegations about the 1915 events.

"We strongly condemn the law that does not take notice of the sensitivities of the region and our island when it comes to historical facts," the statement also added.

[04] Yorgancioglu: "The Greek Cypriot side's excuse for abandoning the talks has been lifted"

"The announcement by the Turkish Cypriot side of the ending of NAVTEX and the withdrawal of Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel would create a new opportunity for peace in the island", Yorgancioglu said and added that it is necessary for this opportunity to be evaluated appropriately. "I hope that the Greek Cypriot side leader Nikos Anastasiades will evaluate appropriately this opportunity in order for the negotiations talks to be resumed", he added.

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot side and the so-called government are the sides which want the solution of the Cyprus problem, Yorgancioglu stressed the need for the resumption of the talks and stressed that the solution is possible to be found only at the table.

Referring to the chapters being discussed at the negotiating table, Yorgancioglu said that a remarkable progress has been achieved on the chapters of "governance and power share" and the "EU". He however, added, that the territory issue should be discussed first at the talks in order to reach to a result that will satisfy both "peoples" in the island.

Pointing out that he had never lost his hopes towards the issue of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Yorgancioglu stated that the solution of the Cyprus problem will contribute to the peace in the region and will also constitute an example for the solution of other problems in the Middle East, like for example the Palestine-Israel problem.

Referring to the hydrocarbons in the island, Yorgancioglu recalled that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on the natural resources in the Mediterranean.

Commenting on the forthcoming "presidential elections" that are scheduled to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus on April 19, Yorgancioglu said that there is no possibility for the "elections" to affect negatively the talks.

(AK)

[05] Eroglu: "The most important property of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC"

Eroglu who made these statements in the framework of his election campaign, stated that along with the efforts for finding a solution of the Cyprus problem the advocate of the "TRNC" must continue as well and added that he continuously says that the factor that strengthens his hands at the negotiation table is the "TRNC". "The federal solution will also originate from the two founding states", he alleged.

Eroglu also claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side does not want a plan like the Anan Plan "for which US dollars and euro were poured", as he alleged. "We are looking for a plan that will be approved at a referendum with ease and trust", he argued.

(CS)

[06] The CEO of Russian Sberbank has secretly carried out an illegal visit to the occupation regime to carry out contacts

The meeting took place at the Kaya Artemis Hotel in the occupied area of Cyprus and lasted for three days.

Gref who attended the last day of the meeting, postponed several times the scheduled time and date of his arrival in the island in order to avoid possible tension and reactions by the Greek Cypriot side because of possible business ventures.

Gref has finally arrived in the island with his private jet landing in Larnaca and then proceeded secretly to the occupied area of Cyprus where he was welcomed by the "general director" of DenizBank and the "director" and other members of the "administration board" of Kaya Artemis Hotel .

The paper adds that Gref, who delivered a speech at the "Captain's meeting", has sent very important messages about the future.

According to the "director" of Kaya Artemis Hotel, Nihat Berkan, Gref has reportedly told him that he considered that "north Cyprus" would become one of the most important tourist destinations in the near future.

(AK)

[07] Metropoll's survey presents Eroglu first and Siber second in the first round of the "presidential elections"

According to Metropoll's poll results, Eroglu is in the first place followed by the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG's) candidate Sibel Siber.

The survey's results has shown further that the "presidential elections" will not end in the first round as none of the candidates are likely to get more than 50% of the votes.

Eroglu who is listed as the leading candidate for the first round in almost all of the surveys, will be getting 39%, Siber will be the second with 27.6%, Ak?nc? 22.6% and Kudret Ozersay 9%.

These results were given after the "undecided" votes were distributed.

[08] The so-called municipality of Komi Kepir applied to become member of Cittaslow

A press statement released yesterday said that "mayor" of Komi Kepir Ahmet Sennaroglu and members of the "eco-tourism association" handed over the letter to occupied Agios Sergios municipality which is the town heading the Cittaslow.

(?)

[09] Information about the 1,875 organizations that are activated in the breakaway regime

According to information obtained by the "ministry of interior", there are organizations on health, culture, women, occupations, sports, religion, "martyrs", environment and pensioned persons. Most of these organizations are related to sports and have their headquarters in the occupied part of Lefkosia.

(CS)

[10] Erdogan approved the controversial Domestic Security bill into law

The bill that regulates the authority of the police, was renamed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as "Legal Package To Protect Freedoms," as it triggered fist-fights in parliament during its debate in February.

Erdogan approved the bill on April 3, after it passed the parliament floor with votes from the AKP, despite vows from all opposition parties to prevent it from becoming law.

Published in the official gazette on April 4, the domestic security law consists of 69 articles.

The government says that the police need more powers to preserve public order and the safety of citizens, particularly on the eve of elections scheduled for June. They claim that more peaceful protests turn violent with the increasing use of Molotov cocktails and are also concerned about the recent spread of bonzai, a synthetic drug.

All opposition parties, on the other hand, had argued that the bill would give draconian powers to the police. Their criticism is focused on the claim that the government designed the bill to suppress free speech rights by justifying future crackdowns on secondary threats.

President Erdogan himself was involved in the debate, taking a staunch line on February 20, vowing that the bill "will pass one way or another," after some ruling party Deputies signaled that the bill might be "moderated."

One of the most controversial articles of the bill that Erdogan has signed into law gives the police the right to detain a person if it deems the situation as in flagrante delicto. Officers are now able to keep him or her in custody for 24 hours without seeing a judge. This period will be extended to 48 hours, if the police deem that there is a "collective crime."

Previously in Turkey, only the judiciary could detain a person to take him or her into custody.

With the new law, a police chief will also be able to order a strip search or a car search. From 2007 until today, Turkish police have not had the legal authority to conduct strip searches or searches on a car's trunk and interior without the approval of a judge or prosecutor.

The new law also gives the police the authority to use firearms against those who "use or attempt to use Molotov cocktails, as well explosives, inflammables, incendiaries, suffocating devices, or injurious or similar arms," revoking previous limits.

With the new law, slingshots, iron pellets and fireworks are classified as arms, making their use during demonstrations as a crime that would be punished with up to four years in prison.

Another change stipulates a prison sentence of up to three years for those who participate in a demonstration with the emblem, sign or uniform of an "illegal organization."

Covering the face partly or fully during a demonstration, on the other hand, could bring a prison sentence up to five years.

The new law also grants the police to engage in wiretapping for intelligence purposes initially without a court order and also transfers some powers of prosecutors to administrative chiefs who are appointed by the government, such as governors.

A far less controversial article of the law classifies synthetic cannabinoid drugs, such as bonzai, as illegal, bringing heavier legal sanctions against their use and sale.

[11] Erdogan due to Iran for contacts

Erdogan was given an official invitation by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to visit the country. The two leaders are expected to discuss in their meeting bilateral ties apart from regional and international issues.

During his visit to capital Tehran, which will be the first presidential visit to Iran from Turkey in the last four years, Erdogan will also attend the second Turkey-Iran High Level Cooperation Council, the sources added.

The first meeting of the Council was held on June 9, 2014, in capital Ankara, and was co-chaired by Erdogan -- then Prime Minister -- and Rouhani.

Erdogan is also expected to hold in Tehran separate meetings with the Iranian President and the country's highest religious authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AC/ AM)

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