ΚΥΠΡΟΣ - ΔΗΜΟΙ - KATEXOMENA

2012-02-10T18:02:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 10/02/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Eroglu: “There is no meaning to continue the negotiations after 1 July”
2. Columnist says Eroglu did not submit any serious and new proposals
3. Ozgurgun replies to Omirou’s statements
4. Ozersay criticized the Republic of Cyprus for putting into practice “discriminatory implementations” at the crossing points
5. Rasmussen said that there will be no progress in the cooperation between EU and NATO until there is a solution to the Cyprus problem
6. The Turkish Minister of Sports to sign cooperation Protocol with the occupation regime
7. Yiorkadjis and Bulutoglulari vow to cooperate
8. Columnist says that Erdogan asked for land in occupied Mia Milia to be given to a religious foundation
9. Turkish Cypriot firms participated at the Fruit Logistica 2012 Fair in Berlin; FTI German tourist operator company announced the launching of charter flights to the occupied area, as of May
10. Davutoglu Begins his contacts in US-he will discuss regional issues
11. Turkey's EU Energy Chapter was discussed during a quartet meeting with Fule, Ottinger, Bagis and Yildiz
12. The Turkish Government to change a penal code to prevent MIT from testifying before a prosecutor
13. Turkey's imports total $240 billion in 2011
14. Columnist writes about the obstacles faced by Turkey in the path of democratization

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Statements by Eroglu to NTV television on the Cyprus problem, allegations by Huseyin Ozgurgun that the Turkish occupation army is the guarantee of peace and stability on the island, complains by Ozersay regarding a new practice implemented by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the driving licenses issued by the breakaway regime, the illegal visit of the Turkish Minister of Sports to the occupied area of Cyprus, a report that the leasing of land in occupied Mia Milia area to an Islamic foundation was realized after a phone call by Prime Minister Erdogan to Dervis Eroglu and Irsen Kucuk, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the participation of the breakaway regime in a fair in Berlin and a tourism fair in Istanbul.

Statements by the Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Turkey’s role in NATO and on the Cyprus problem, Sarkozy’s new call to Turkey to face its history on the issue of the Armenian genocide, more statements by Davutoglu on the developments in Syria and other internal issues are some of the main topics highlighted by the Turkish press today. About Cyprus, the Turkish press covers the meeting between the Ìayor of Lefkosia Constantinos Yiorkadjis and the “mayor” of occupied Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari and also reports that the two leaders in Cyprus will resume talks on February 14.

1. Eroglu: “There is no meaning to continue the negotiations after 1 July”
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (10.02.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has argued that there is no meaning to continue the negotiations after 1 July 2012, when the Republic of Cyprus will assume the EU term presidency. In an interview yesterday with Turkish journalist Selim Sayari, NTV’s correspondent to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Eroglu said he is losing his hope as regards reaching an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side, which has allegedly the mentality of “always taking and not giving”.

The interview was in simultaneously broadcast by NTV and illegal Bayrak television.

Eroglu alleged that President Christofias is delaying the negotiations with the aim of being able to secure the support of two opposition parties in the presidential elections which will be held in 2013. Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot “people” are getting tired of following the negotiations with no result.

Asked what will be their plan in case no solution is reached by 1 July, Eroglu said: “The Turkish Cypriots cannot remain out in the cold. We are not out in the cold. We have a state. We have to protect this state”.

Eroglu argued that if there is no result in the negotiations with this last effort, this for the Turkish side would mean that there is no point in continuing the negotiations.

Asked whether the federal formula will be on the table after 1 July, Eroglu alleged that the time has come for the UN Secretary-General and the UN to see the realities, that federations in the world are dissolved, that insistently pursuing a federation in such a time, in spite of the fact that the Greek Cypriots oppose to federation, gave no result until today and it should be seen that this possibility decreased, and in the light of all these, the UN should determine its strategy.

Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side continues the negotiations with the intention of finding an agreement but it is clear and obvious that the other side does not exhibit the same will. Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriot side was saying “no” to everything at the second tripartite summit held recently at the Greentree in New York. He said that they suggested to the UN Secretary-General to take a decision from now on “because it is not possible to reach an agreement in these conditions”.

Eroglu said that on Tuesday the meetings of the leaders will resume, that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor Alexander Downer will prepare a report and that Ban Ki-moon will decide whether a multilateral conference will be held and whether it is possible to have a result from the negotiations. “In our view, if no result is taken with a last effort in the ongoing negotiations, it would be tantamount to that there is absolutely no meaning to continue these negotiations”, he added.

Eroglu said that the issue of guarantees should be decided at the multilateral conference and that the map and the figures on the territory issue could be discussed after the date of this conference is determined.

Asked about the stance of the Greek Cypriot side in the negotiations, Eroglu alleged that President Christofias is delaying the talks because he is considering of becoming a candidate in the presidential elections to be held in 2013 and wants to secure the support of at least two opposition parties. He claimed: “It is not possible to agree with a person having this mentality. You can be as flexible as you want. You remain with your flexibility. You do not see a step from the Greek Cypriot side”.

Responding to a question as regards what will happen if the negotiations continue in the same manner, Eroglu said that the federation in Cyprus is discussed since 1968 and alleged that it is not possible to reach an agreement with a mentality which says “no” and could not even make use of the Annan Plan that would distress the Turkish Cypriots.

Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriot side exerts efforts to take advantage of its “no” vote to the Annan Plan and that President Christofias has the mentality of wanting more than the Annan Plan in order for being able to persuade his people. He alleged: “The Annan Plan ceased to exist. As long as Christofias thinks of having a better plan than the Annan Plan, he will always be asking from me. Mr Christofias only knows the word ‘take’. He does not know the word ‘give’. This is an issue which will be solved with mutual give and take. The Greek Cypriot side has no intention of entering into a give and take process. I should take but give nothing; [it says]…As a person who wants agreement at the negotiating table, I am losing hope. I see the stance of the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiating table and that they have no intention to agree…I think that if an agreement will be reached, it will be reached by 1 July. If we could not, the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and the world must see this reality…The reality is that the Turkish Cypriot side is tired of pursuing, following these negotiations. I think that alternatives must come onto the agenda.”

Responding to a question, Eroglu argued that he is the most patient politician in the “country”, but added that “the negotiations have become boring”. He alleged that he takes steps in the negotiations, but the other side does not respond and tries to gain time.
(I/Ts.)

2. Columnist says Eroglu did not submit any serious and new proposals
Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.02.12), columnist Unal Findik reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu did not submit any serious and new proposals on the Cyprus problem during the second summit at Greentree. Under the title: “The proposals which the Turkish side submitted at Greentree”, Findik writes, inter alia, the following:

“…What are the proposals put onto the table by the Turkish side at the second Greentree summit? As far as I have been able to find out with my own efforts, in parallel to the fact that there is no serious proposal, the proposals were not new. The Turkish side submitted proposals on three issues: the citizenship, the property and the election of the executive. Now let us have a look at what these proposals include.

1. Citizenship: The proposal of the Turkish side regarding the citizenship says in brief the following: ‘Accept all citizens of the TRNC. In any case, there are not as much as you fear. They are totally 210 thousand persons’.

This proposal is not new. A similar proposal had been submitted at the table during Talat’s period and then the total number given for the citizens was 225 thousands. Since everybody knows that citizenship is granted to more people every day, how come and the citizens of the TRNC are not increasing and on the contrary they are decreasing? For this reason, the Greek Cypriot side has not taken the proposal seriously into consideration. As far as I understood, this number includes only the citizens living in the TRNC. It does not include the Turkish Cypriots who live in London, Australia, Turkey or elsewhere and are citizens of the TRNC.

2. Property: The Turkish side, in the proposal it submitted on the issue of property, exerted an effort to legalize all the procedures as regards the [property] of equivalent [value] that were conducted in the TRNC until today. That is, everything which has been taken will be accepted, even if some took less or more, and these [persons], if they want, can apply to an independent property committee which will be established after the solution. The methods of exchange, return and compensation of property will encompass the properties which remained outside this…If those who took more will not be able to apply [to the committee], how will the balance be established? It is known who became rich with the property they took through their tricks with the points. Moreover, with this proposal, effort is exerted to silence the refugees of the south, who have been deceived with the trick of the points and expect that they will be able to bring some ones to account for this one day.

3. The election of the executive: You know that this issue had been overcome to a great extent with the package of 4 January 2010 put onto the table by the Turkish side during Talat’s period. However, Eroglu, by allegedly making an opening, watered down the issue with stretching exercises regarding the cross voting in the package whose substance was that ‘cross voting will meet the rotating presidency’, and brought it to a point which the Greek Cypriot side cannot accept. As for the new proposal at Greentree allegedly showing flexibility on the issue, this was: ‘The first elections will be held separately, afterwards the issue will be asked to the members of the senate which will be established and mix voting will be implemented in the next elections if 50% plus one of the Turkish senators and 50% plus one of the Greek senators do not say no’.

The counter proposal of the Greek Cypriot side to this was for the same thing to be valid for the rotating presidency. The debate on this issue continues in this way since the day Eroglu was elected. Even the slightest progress was not achieved…

Eroglu, who tries to present these proposals as flexible and new, did not refrain yesterday from saying his real intentions replying to questions ïn NTV. As to whether the federal formula will remain on the table after 1 July, Eroglu said that ‘federations in the world are dissolving, the chance for a federation in Cyprus during such a time decreased, and he thinks that the UN should develop a strategy in the light of this’.

I want to ask him: ‘Since the federations in the world are dissolving and you do not believe that a federation in Cyprus will happen, then why do you discuss federation at the table?’

The reason for this is one. In any case, you also know that there will not be a solution and you try to persuade the world for this and prove this to them. Actually you sit at the table not for finding a solution, but to present the other side as the guilty one. There is no other explanation than this”.
(I/Ts.)

3. Ozgurgun replies to Omirou’s statements
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (10.02.12) reports on statements by self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun who has alleged that the “Greek Cypriot Administration”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, is following an aggressive attitude during the last stage of the negotiations and called on the world to see the insincere attitude of the Greek Cypriot leadership.

Ozgurgun made the above statements while meeting yesterday a delegation in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Evaluating the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, Ozgurgun characterized as unacceptable the latest statements made by the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, Yiannakis Omirou, who has called on Turkey to withdraw its troops from the island and to fulfil its responsibilities related to the Republic of Cyprus.

Commenting on Omirou’s statements, Ozgurgun said that those statements were directed to Turkey and added that they indicate that the “Greek Cypriot administration” is not sincere towards the issue of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He then added that it is out of the question for the Turkish army to leave the island since as he said, its presence in Cyprus is the guarantee for peace and stability in the island.

Ozgurgun stated also that “motherland Turkey” has no responsibilities related to the so-called Republic of Cyprus and reiterated that Turkey will not accept as its interlocutor this illegal structure [he means the Republic of Cyprus]. Ozgurgun added also the following: “No unilateral steps should be expected to be taken by motherland Turkey before the solution. Motherland Turkey will accept as its interlocutor the new partnership to be formed when a comprehensive solution will be found”.

Referring to the conflicts in the Greek Cypriot side which came up after the Greentree Summit, Ozgurgun said that those conflicts aim to abolish the timetable that is to find a solution by the 1st of July and to extend the finding of the solution of the Cyprus problem after the 2013 presidential elections.

Ozgurgun referred also to the issue concerning the recent decision of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus regarding Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor and said that this, is also a part of the same scenarios. He further alleged that the criticism expressed by the Greek Cypriot side to Downer, is a part of an effort to affect him towards the preparing of his report on May.

Ozgurgun reiterated also that the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side is to exert efforts for finding a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem by the time being determined. However, he said, if this is not possible to happen, everyone should have no doubt that they will continue on their own way, in order to protect the rights and interest of their “people”.
(AK)

4. Ozersay criticized the Republic of Cyprus for putting into practice “discriminatory implementations” at the crossing points
Under the title: “Relationships are poisoned”, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (10.02.12) reports on statements by Kudret Ozersay, special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, who in statements yesterday expressed criticism to the “Greek Cypriot Administration” as he called the Republic of Cyprus, condemning the fact that during the past two days, officials of the Republic of Cyprus implemented new proceedings at the crossing points.

According to Ozersay, those proceedings, which are discriminatory as he said, are related not only to the entrance to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, but also to persons who took their driving licences from the occupied area of Cyprus and visit the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus with their vehicles.

Ozersay went on saying that they have undertaken yesterday an initiative to the UN as well as to Brussels towards this issue.

Ozersay stated further that it is not the first time that the “Greek Cypriot Administration”, as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus, tries to put into practice new implementations at the crossing points, and recalled that in the past the Republic of Cyprus has decided to implement the decision to allow only individuals holding Republic of Cyprus identity cards to cross.

Ozersay went on saying that putting into practice and imposing these kind of implementations which are based on the ethnical origin of the persons, especially by “an administration” which is an EU member, is both unacceptable and inconceivable. He added also that these kind of approaches cause only damage to the ties of the two communities.

Ozersay continue and said also the following: “In case that a comprehensive solution will be found to the island, those persons will be citizens of the United Cyprus; The Greek Cypriot side should be aware of this. For this reason, if there is no end to those approaches, the conditions for living together and for peace in this island would be in a risk. We call on the Greek Cypriot Administration to behave with responsibility and to contribute to the normalization of the ties between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, instead of protecting their rights of its own people only”.
(AK)

5. Rasmussen said that there will be no progress in the cooperation between EU and NATO until there is a solution to the Cyprus problem
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (10.02.12) reports that NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, stated that there will be no progress in the cooperation between EU and NATO until there is a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Rasmussen was speaking ahead of a visit to Turkey next week to mark the 60th anniversary of Turkish membership in NATO.

The NATO Secretary-General, who according to Today’s Zaman “worked intensively in the past for an arrangement to clear the way for closer NATO-EU military cooperation”, said he will not be taking any new initiatives to Ankara during his visit next week on this or other issues.

“I won’t bring new initiatives to Ankara during my visit. I will repeat what I said previously, that irrespective of the Cyprus problem, I think we can find pragmatic solutions that could improve the relationship,” he said, and added that a past proposal he put forward for an arrangement between Turkey and the EU to pave the way for closer NATO-EU cooperation remains a “valid package,” a “pragmatic proposal.”

“But let’s face it. The fundamental problem here is the continued dispute in Cyprus. Realistically speaking, I don’t think we will see real progress in the cooperation between EU and NATO until there is a solution to the conflict in Cyprus,” he stated.

In other statements, Rasmussen praised Turkey’s commitment to the alliance and its “crucial role,” saying NATO needs "the voice of Turkey."

“I know that Turkey is strongly committed to our alliance. I appreciate very much the significant Turkish contributions to our operations in the Balkans, in Kosovo. Turkey contributes to Afghanistan, contributed to Libya and recently it announced it would host a missile defence facility,” Rasmussen said. “Across the board, Turkey contributes significantly and plays an important role within our alliance. It is my clear assessment that Turkey will continue to play such an important role,” not only in its region but also in the Euro-Atlantic region. “In this respect, we need the voice of Turkey,” he said.

6. The Turkish Minister of Sports to sign cooperation protocol with the occupation regime
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.12) reported that the Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports, Suat Kilic, is visiting the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in order to sign a cooperation Protocol.

Kilic arrived in the breakaway regime upon an invitation of the self-styled minister of national education, youth and sports Kemal Durust.

In statements at the illegal Tymbou airport, Kilic said that his Ministry and the self-styled ministry of national education, youth and sports will sign a cooperation protocol on Friday. “We are here to strengthen the bridges of feelings between the Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot youth,” Kilic stated. He also said that their aim is to increase the opportunities for cooperation and plan the future mutually.

The self-styled minister said that they were highly pleased to see Kilic in the occupied area. “It is the first country Kilic visited after assuming his post as a Minister”, Durust said and added: “With Kilic's visit, we feel the support of our motherland again”.

Kilic will attend a "Youth Workshop" at the Acapulco hotel in occupied Keryneia on Friday. After a meeting with Durust, Kilic will hold a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and with the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

7. Yiorkadjis and Bulutoglulari vow to cooperate
Ankara Anatolia news agency (9.02.12) reported that the new Mayor of Lekosia Constantinos Yiorkadjis hold a meeting with the self-styled mayor of occupied Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari at the Solidarity House at the buffer zone in Lefkosia.

Yiorkadjis and Bulutoglulari issued a joint press statement following their meeting. In their press statement, they stressed that they were determined to deepen cooperation and boost relations. “We are open to new ideas for projects that will facilitate cooperation between the two peoples in Lefkosia,” they stated.

8. Columnist says that Erdogan asked for land in occupied Mia Milia to be given to a religious foundation
Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.02.12), columnist Cenk Mutluyakali reports that a “deputy” with the National Unity Party (UBP) called him yesterday and told him that the “well-known” land in occupied Mia Milia [Translator’s note: 200 donums of land leased to a religious foundation from Turkey for constructing theology school, mosque, etc] was given to a Turkish religious foundation after a call by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself.

The “deputy”, who did not want his name to be disclosed, said that Erdogan called to the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and the self-styled prime minister Kucuk and asked them for the land to be given to the above-mentioned foundation for the construction of a mosque, a theology school and other schools and sports installations. He noted that the same circles will also undertake the building of a shopping mall in occupied Lefkosia and argued that everyone would have accepted this proposal as the “state” will gain money from this. The issue is as clear as that, he said.

“Yes, the issue is as clear as that! …The one who pays the piper calls the tune. We understood this…”, points out the columnist.
(I/Ts.)

9. Turkish Cypriot firms participated at the Fruit Logistica 2012 Fair in Berlin; FTI German tourist operator company announced the launching of charter flights to the occupied area, as of May
Under the front page title: “14 firms from the TRNC participated at Berlin’s Trade Fair for Fruit and Vegetable”, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (10.02.12) reports that 14 firms from the occupied area of Cyprus participated at the International Trade Fair for Fruit and Vegetable Marketing, called Fruit Logistica 2012 which took place in Berlin, Germany between February 8-10.

According to a statement made by the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry”, the so-called minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun has participated to the inauguration ceremony of the fair.

As the paper writes, it is the fifth time that the occupation regime is participating in the fair and adds that the occupation regime participated with its own stand under the name “North Cyprus” and under the umbrella of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry.

In statements, the Turkish Cypriot producers who participated at the fair pointed the importance of the fair from the point of view of the marketing of their products, of meeting their competitors and of increasing their customer’s potential.

The paper reports also that the so-called minister Sunat Atun who participated at the fair, visited the occupation regime’s stand and was informed about the fair. Among the visitors of the occupation regime’s stand were also Turkey’s Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and the Ambassador of Turkey to Berlin Avni Karslioglu.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Hurriyet (10.02.12), the Meeting Point International, brand of the German travel enterprise FTI Group, (Translator’s note: FTI is a German tourism group which is among the top three German tour operators operating in Turkey) has entered to the Turkish market after signing a cooperation protocol with IQ Travel, Tourism Operators in Turkey.

In statements, FTI’s CEO, Dietmar Guntz has said, inter alia, that their goal is the winter tourism and added that their goal until 2015 is to bring to Turkey 1.5 million tourists from Germany.

Guntz further said that they are planning to start charter flights to “North Cyprus” as of May and added that they are the only tourist operators that include the “TRNC” in their tourist catalogues.
(ÁK)

10. Davutoglu begins his contacts in US-He will discuss regional issues
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (09.02.12) reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is visiting US and adds that bilateral and regional issues will be on the agenda.

Davutoglu will meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta and US President Barack Obama’s National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon on Monday.

Amid speculation that a foreign intervention will be staged in Syria, Davutoglu said in televised remarks that the Syrian situation will not be discussed at the meetings.

Meanwhile, he is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and attend a lunch with members of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) on the second day of his visit as well as attend a reception of the Turkic American Alliance (TAA) and visit the Washington office of the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA).

In addition Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.12) reported that Davutoglu begun his talks at the U.S. Congress by meeting the House of Representatives Majority Leader Republican from Virginia Eric Cantor and his assistant Republican from California Kevin McCarthy.

Davutoglu will meet with the Chairperson of the House Foreign Relations Committee Republican from Florida Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Chairman of the House Republican Party Campaign Committee from Texas Pete Sessions, the Senate Armed Services Committee member Republican from Arizona Senator John McCain, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Democrat from Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrat Senator from Massachusetts John Kerry, the Chairperson of the Senate Sub-committee on Europe Democrat from New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen and other dignitaries.

11. Turkey's EU Energy Chapter was discussed during a quartet meeting with Fule, Ottinger, Bagis and Yildiz
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.12) reported that Turkey's EU Energy Chapter was discussed during a quartet meeting In Istanbul.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule, Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and EU Commissioner for Energy Guenter Ottinger participated in the quartet meeting.
Fule stated that they were focusing on the deepening and increasing cooperation between the EU and Turkey in various issues. He also said that they discussed visa, commerce and customs issues, adding that they were also focusing on the energy issue. “We have very important targets in the energy area,” said Fule, adding that a dialogue was initiated on this issue.

Meanwhile, Ottinger said that there is a sound and deep cooperation mechanism especially in the energy sector between Turkey and the EU for many years. Ottinger noted that Turkey attaches very much importance in opening the energy chapter to negotiations in its EU membership process, adding that Turkey stated that it fulfilled its responsibilities on a large scale on this area.

On his part, Yildiz said that the justification for not opening the energy chapter to negotiations “based on political reasons”, saddened them.

Yildiz alleged the following: "Turkey did everything it had to do. The fact that Shah Deniz 2 project was signed implies opening up the path to carry natural gas to EU member countries. Up until now, Turkey has assumed a positive mode and will continue its positive approach". “Reaching energy is a human right. We do not foresee the opening up of the energy chapter to negotiations as a precondition as we meet EU's energy needs,” Yildiz stated and added: “With this fact, the justification of not opening the energy chapter to negotiations based on political reasons saddens us. The talks to be held here will be related to solving this problem. Turkey fulfils its duties as much as it can”, he stated.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.12) reported that Egemen Bagis stated the following: "Our guests also want the energy chapter to be opened, as we do. But there are some political obstacles. However we are resolute to conduct our works on the matter,"

12. The Turkish Government to change a penal code to prevent MIT from testifying before a prosecutor
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.12) reports that the Turkish Government moves to change a penal code to prevent the intelligence team which held talks with PKK from testifying before a prosecutor in an alleged terror case.

The National Intelligence Organization (MÝT) rejected an Istanbul prosecutor’s invitation for its head to answer questions in an ongoing judicial process as the Government lent its full support to the chief in an effort to avert the deepening crisis.

MÝT head Hakan Fidan, as well as two former MÝT officials, Afet Gunes and Emre Taner, did not appear in court to provide testimony. In an urgent move to avert the prosecution of the MÝT officials, the Justice Ministry launched an initiative to amend both the MÝT Act and the Penal Code in order to make probing intelligence members’ more difficult. The details of the amendment were specially crafted by Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, who met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan twice yesterday.

In the first phase, Article 250 of the Penal Code, which gives broad autonomy for specially authorized prosecutors to prosecute whomever they want, could be changed. Second, the amendment will also include Article 26 of the MÝT Act, which essentially says that a MÝT member could be prosecuted only with the Prime Minister’s consent. This article could be rewritten to increase its scope to exempt MÝT brass from being prosecuted.

Specially authorized Sadettin Sarikaya’s unprecedented move to summon Fidan and the two former MÝT officials has shaken Ankara, with some speculating on the existence of a simmering power struggle within the state.

13. Turkey's imports total $240 billion in 2011
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.12) reported that Turkey's imports amounted 240.8 billion USD in 2011 as the country broke an all-time record in exports last year, according to data from the Economy Ministry and TurkStat, Turkey's statistics authority.

Turkey's main commercial and financial hub Istanbul claimed more than half of overall imports with 123.9 billion USD followed by Kocaeli with 12.7 billion USD, Ankara and Bursa with 11.9 billion USD each, and by Izmir with 10.6 billion USD.

Energy claimed the biggest share in imported items with 54.1 billion USD as machinery came second with 27.1 billion USD, and steel and iron products with 20.4 billion USD.

Russia was the major trade partner for Turkey's imports last year with a share of 24 billion USD, which was followed by Germany with 23 billion USD, China with 21.7 billion USD and by the United States with 16 billion USD.

14. Columnist writes about the obstacles faced by Turkey in the path of democratization
Turkish daily Today's Zaman (08.02.12) publishes an article by columnist Dogu Ergil, under the title: "Difficulties":

“The biggest challenge recently faced by Turkey has been the redrafting of its outdated constitution. Although the present constitution has undergone many organ transplantations since its birth in 1982, as the child of a military father and a subdued mother -- a society taken ransom by the 1980 military coup -- its authoritarian and tutelary spirit is still very much intact.

This is one of the four major obstacles to further democratization and the establishment of civilian rule in Turkey. From the beginning of the republic in 1923, the state was sanctified because it was presented as the last vestige of Turkish existence under the relentless threat of external enemies and internal traitors acting in unison. Only the state and its glorious army could protect the nation, which possessed neither the power nor the wisdom to run itself. This dictum became the core of the state philosophy called Ataturkism, or Kemalism, named after the founder of the republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Mustafa Kemal was awarded the title -- not family name, because other members of his family were not allowed to use it -- of Ataturk in 1934. The word is generally translated as "father of Turks," but more so it means "ancestor of Turks." The title virtually marks the beginning of the history of Turks under his leadership and mentorship.

Republican generations were raised with this ideological baggage. Law, education and statecraft were all fashioned accordingly. That is why approximately one out of four Turks adheres to this indoctrination and votes for the Republican People's Party (CHP), the political heir of Kemalism.

Military coups are not illegal for them; they are merely adjustments to bring the regime back to Kemalism's original principles. The army is not only a professional defence organization; it is also the guardian of the regime. Authoritarianism is not a threat to democracy, provided the Kemalist bureaucracy rules. A union between political and military power is only bad if other political actors benefit from it. This hypocrisy has created a fertile ground for authoritarian politics that can be exploited by all political actors in positions of power. After all, authoritarian politics was one of the founding principles of the revered republic.

The second obstacle is the definition of the nation and citizenship. Constitutionally the nation comprises of Turks. All others are either nonexistent or non-entities; hence, they are ephemeral. A sundry of ethnic and religious minorities were subdued and deterred from opposing this legal and factual inequality. Being too populous, autochthonous and ready to pay the price of their opposition, only the Kurds effectively objected to the system that afforded them neither equality nor the opportunity to participate in it as what they are. The conflict drives the wedge further between the Turk and the Kurd. The continuation of the conflict requires animosity and antagonism, which are unfortunately still perpetuated by the leaderships of both sides.

Reconciliation and due reforms are blocked by the opposition, the military and a considerable part of the general public -- that vote for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) as well -- because it is believed that cultural concessions will eventually lead to Kurdish secession. Caught between a deep-rooted suspicion of minorities, especially of the Kurds, and predominance of the Turkish identity as the sole persona of the nation and the state, Turkish governments have not been able to find a way out.

There are two more obstacles to a mature democracy in Turkey. The first is the "dominant leader" cult. Everything, including the constitution, party and election laws, reinforces obedience to the leader or those who are in power. Their authority is not questioned until they fail.

Finally, the cultural trait based on the superiority of men over women, that is reinforced by law, juridical practices, the belief system and folk culture depletes much civic energy, undermines the contribution of women to social life and inhibits synergy between the genders. Cultivating democratic values and institutions in this masculine and antagonistic culture will take time, to say the least.”

---------------------------

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

2012-02-10T17:58:00.002+02:00

Εργασίες για πλύσιμο ανακλαστήρων στους αυτοκινητοδρόμους της επαρχίας Λευκωσίας

10/02/2012

Το Υπουργείο Συγκοινωνιών και ΄Εργων, Τμήμα Δημοσίων ΄Εργων, Γραφείο Επαρχιακού Μηχανικού Φεβρουαρίου Λευκωσίας ανακοινώνει ότι, από τη Δευτέρα, 13 Φεβρουαρίου μέχρι το Σάββατο, 18 Φεβρουαρίου μεταξύ των ωρών 6.30 π.μ. – 2.30 μ.μ. καθημερινά, θα εκτελούνται εργασίες για πλύσιμο ανακλαστήρων στους αυτοκινητοδρόμους της επαρχίας Λευκωσίας ως ακολούθως:

· Από τη Δευτέρα, 13 Φεβρουαρίου μέχρι την Τετάρτη, 15 Φεβρουαρίου στον αυτοκινητόδρομο Λευκωσίας – Λεμεσού, από τα φώτα τροχαίας «Καλησπέρα» μέχρι τη γέφυρα Σκαρίνου, διαδοχικά και στις δύο κατευθύνσεις.

· Από την Πέμπτη, 16 Φεβρουαρίου μέχρι το Σάββατο, 18 Φεβρουαρίου στον αυτοκινητόδρομο Λευκωσίας – Κοκκινοτριμιθάς, από τη Λεωφόρο Αρχαγγέλου (φώτα CINEPLEX) μέχρι τον κυκλικό κόμβο Ακακίου, διαδοχικά και στις δύο κατευθύνσεις.

Κατά τη διάρκεια εκτέλεσης των εργασιών θα κλείνει τμηματικά η δεξιά λωρίδα κυκλοφορίας σε μήκος 200μ. περίπου και η τροχαία κίνηση θα διοχετεύεται στην αριστερή λωρίδα (λωρίδα βραδείας κυκλοφορίας).

Το Τμήμα Δημοσίων ΄Εργων απολογείται για την αναπόφευκτη ταλαιπωρία που θα προκληθεί και καλεί το κοινό όπως επιδείξει την απαραίτητη κατανόηση και συμμορφώνεται με την προσωρινή οδική σήμανση και τις υποδείξεις της Αστυνομίας.

2012-02-09T17:10:00.003+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 09/02/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Eroglu agrees with Ozgurgun that the breakaway regime should be recognized before an agreement on the Cyprus problem
2. Akansoy says a change of axis in the policy of the Turkish Cypriot side on the Cyprus problem is sensed
3. Davutoglu due to USA; Developments in Syria and the Cyprus problem among the agenda
4. Bagis calls on the EU to be sincere towards the issue of the freedom of expression; He reiterated that Turkey will not accept the Republic of Cyprus as its interlocutor
5. New data about the applications to the “IPC”
6. Reactions are intensified against leasing a plot of land in occupied Mia Milia to an Islamic foundation
7. Five ships will carry 100 containers full of equipment for TPAO’s land drilling for oil in occupied Cyprus
8. The “council of ministers” decided to built a mausoleum for Rauf Denktas
9. Davutoglu on Syria developments
10. Former, current intelligence chiefs to testify in an ongoing probe into a PKK’s affiliated organization
11. “Meeting the Geopolitical Challenges of the Arab Spring: A call for a joint EU-Turkish Agenda”

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Statements by Eroglu after briefing the so-called council of ministers on the Cyprus problem, Asim Akansoy’s assessment that the Turkish Cypriot side changed the axis of its policy on the Cyprus problem, protests against the leasing of land in occupied Mia Milia area to an Islamic foundation, data on the Greek Cypriot applications to the “Property Compensation Commission”, an illegal visit by the Turkish Minister of Sports to the occupied area of Cyprus today, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the improvement of the health situation of Sheikh Nazim Kibrisi and to a visit by the Representative of the European Commission in Cyprus Androulla Kaminara to the United Cyprus Party (BKP).

Davutoglu’s contacts in USA, reports about Turkey’s initiative on Syria, Bagis’ statements on the Cyprus problem, Erdogan’s telephone conversation with the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev on the developments in Syria, reports that former current intelligence chiefs (MIT) had been called to testify in the KCK probe, Bagis’ calling to Germany to open its archives on the Armenian genocide and reports that Turkey’s Minister for Youth and Sports is to pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus are some of the main stories covered by today’s Turkish press. About Cyprus, Turkish dailies report on statements by Eroglu and Kucuk after the meeting of the “council of ministers” in the occupied area of Cyprus.

1. Eroglu agrees with Ozgurgun that the breakaway regime should be recognized before an agreement on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (09.02.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu briefed yesterday the self-styled council of ministers of the breakaway regime on the Cyprus problem and exchanged views with it for about 2.5 hours. In statements during his departure from the meeting, Eroglu said they had a very satisfactory exchange of views. He noted that he briefed the “government” on the developments during the recent tripartite meeting at Greentree and shared with it the proposals which the Turkish Cypriot side had submitted there.

Asked to comment on a statement made the day before yesterday to Star Kibris newspaper by the self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun who argued that their “state” should be recognized first and afterwards to have an agreement on the Cyprus problem, Eroglu said that the “foreign minister” could of course express his views on the Cyprus problem and described as “a correct action” the expression of views by the “minister” on this issue. He said that he is satisfied with this, that he shares the same views with the “minister” and that he carries out the negotiations having the same views. Given that the aim is to reach a viable and lasting agreement, he added, the expression of views by the “foreign minister” on these issues is positive.

In statements published in Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (07.02.12.) self-styled foreign minister Ozgurgun had argued that reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem is not possible because of the stance of the Greek Cypriots and said, inter alia, the following:

“…You will agree by giving everything away. You will agree by giving Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots, that is, to Greece. It is obvious that there will not be an agreement outside this, that is, there will not be an agreement based on the UN parameters and two states of equal status and the political equality of the two peoples. And the one who prevents this is the South. The one who even prevents us from speaking is the South... A State of the Turkish Cypriot people exists here. Even in the [Organization for] Islamic Cooperation it is accepted with the name Turkish Cypriot State. There are even countries which recognize it with this name. The Turkish Cypriot people should now demand this in unity, as a whole. That is, given that it is obvious that there will be no agreement first and then a state, there will be a state first and then an agreement… In a way we have to see that first the state could come onto the agenda and only afterwards the partnership of this state with another state. And the name of the state is not important. It should be at the point of being recognized as a state…If we really want an agreement, what we should do now is to undertake the necessary effort to let the whole world know that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus exists and the Turkish Cypriot people exist as a state...The Turkish Cypriot state is member of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation at the moment with its status in the Annan Plan and it is a member of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation with a decision taken during the term of the previous government, that is the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)-Democratic Party (DP) government. When we go now to the Organization for Islamic Cooperation it is written Turkish Cypriot State. We are recognized with this name. It is accepted that this is a state. It is not important what the name is right now. The Turkish Cypriot people will decide this again. The Turkish Cypriot people will sit and the political parties and non-governmental organizations will decide...A referendum should be held, if this is necessary”.
(I/Ts.)

2. Akansoy says a change of axis in the policy of the Turkish Cypriot side on the Cyprus problem is sensed
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (09.02.12) reports that Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has said that the Turkish Cypriot side is exerting efforts to use the deadlock in which the Greek Cypriot side allegedly is right now. In statements yesterday to Ada TV, Akansoy noted that an approach by the Turkish Cypriot leadership to change axis on the Cyprus problem is sensed.

Akansoy added: “However, the solution which will be in the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey is the federal solution. The other side is also in an attitude which does not permit the discussion of another form of solution except federation. And UN resolutions also exist. Unilaterally trying to go outside this is an adventurist approach”.

Akansoy argued that the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government created “lack of control” in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that this course, which causes unhappiness, should be stopped. He claimed that because of the “lack of control” created by the “government”, uncertainty and despair is created in all sectors regarding the future.
(I/Ts.)

3. Davutoglu due to USA; Developments in Syria and the Cyprus problem among the agenda
Under the title: “Davutoglu went to Washington with 5 matters in his bag”, Turkish daily Sabah (09.02.12) reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu departed for Washington in order to pay a 6-day official visit there.

According to the paper, Davutoglu is expected to carry out contacts with the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden as well as with Republicans and Democrats Senators.

As the paper writes, the developments in Syria is to be the top issue on Davutoglu’s agenda. Other issues that Davutoglu is expected to discuss with USA officials are the issue of Iraq, Iran, the Israeli-Armenian issue, and the issue of the EU and the Cyprus problem.

Concerning the Cyprus problem, the paper underlines that Turkey will convey the position that even if the Cyprus negotiation talks will continue, Turkey does not expect for a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem by July 1st, when the Republic of Cyprus will take over the EU Term Presidency.
(AK)

4. Bagis calls on the EU to be sincere towards the issue of the freedom of expression; He reiterated that Turkey will not accept the Republic of Cyprus as its interlocutor
Turkish daily Zaman (09.02.12-online version) reports on statements by Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, who has called on the EU to be sincere towards the issue of the freedom of expression.

In statements to Turkish media reporters after his contacts in Brussels, Bagis referred to the issue of the freedom of expression and the continuing criticism that Ankara receives during the last days and asked the EU why it has not opened the chapters related to the basic freedoms. He said that the 23rd chapter, that is the Judiciary Chapter as well as the 24th Chapter that is the basic freedoms were not possible to open because of the Greek Cypriot’s veto.

Bagis reiterated further the Turkey will not accept the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, as its interlocutor, when the Republic of Cyprus will take over the EU Term Presidency on July 1st, and added that the Greek Cypriot Ministers could go to Turkey during that period for the EU meetings, only as tourists.
(AK)

5. New data about the applications to the “IPC”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (09.02.12), under the title: “2,908 applications”, reports that the number of the applications which were submitted until now from the Greek Cypriots to the “Immovable Property Commission” (IPC) for their properties they left in the occupied area of Cyprus, has reached to 2,908.

As the paper reports, the “IPC” has announced that after the extension of the mandate of the “commission”, Greek Cypriots continue to submit applications and the amount that the “IPC” has paid as a compensation until today, has reached to 68 million pounds sterling.

According to information from the website of the “IPC”, 205 of the cases have been settled reciprocally, while seven of the cases were settled in the “court”.
(AK)

6. Reactions are intensified against leasing a plot of land in occupied Mia Milia to an Islamic foundation
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.02.12) reports that reactions are intensified against leasing land, which allegedly belongs to Evkaf religious foundation in occupied Mia Milia area, to an Islamic foundation [from Turkey]. The paper argues that these reactions are turning into a riot.

The illegal Cyprus International University (UKU) and civilian organizations of the area marched yesterday towards the “prime minister’s” office. The protesters held banners writing slogans such as “A country is not sold for 100 Turkish liras”, “You sold it for 50 qurush per donum [Translator’s note: A land measure of around 1000 square meters]”, “Education or religious complex, Decide”. The protesters demanded from the “government” to immediately change its decision.

However, writes Afrika, in statements yesterday on this issue, the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk showed that they have no intention to step back. Kucuk said that the theological college, which will be built on land allegedly belonging to Evkaf religious foundation, will be transferred to the “state”. The schools which are located behind the Turkish so-called embassy in the occupied part of Lefkosia will also be carried to the complex to be built in Mia Milia.
(I/Ts.)

7. Five ships will carry 100 containers full of equipment for TPAO’s land drilling for oil in occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (09.02.12) reports that while the infrastructure works regarding the land drilling for oil and natural gas, which will be illegally launched by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) in the occupied area of Cyprus, have entered into their final stage, the necessary equipment for the drilling was dismantled from Thrace area, where TPAO was also carrying out drilling, and departed for occupied Cyprus.

The paper writes that the equipment has been put in 100 containers, which will be loaded on five ships tomorrow, and it is expected to arrive at occupied Famagusta port after a few days.

Citing information from reliable sources, the paper reports that the necessary permits have been acquired from the “TRNC road department” for using a route from occupied Famagusta port to the Sygrasi village area, where the drilling will be carried out.

The paper writes that it seems certain that the objective for starting the drilling on 28 February will be achieved. It reiterates that the Turkish Minister of Energy Taner Yildiz and perhaps Prime Minister Erdogan himself will attend the start of the drilling.
(I/Ts.)

8. The “council of ministers” decided to built a mausoleum for Rauf Denktas
Under the title: “A mausoleum for Denktas”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (09.02.12) reports that the so-called council of ministers has decided in its yesterday meeting which took place under the chairmanship of the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk, for a mausoleum to be built in the “Park of the Republic”, alongside the tomb of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas.

The above decision was announced yesterday by the so-called minister of interior and local administrations Nazim Cavusoglu.

Speaking after the meeting of the so-called council of ministers, Cavusoglu said that the works for the construction of the mausoleum will be carried out by the “ministry of interior and local administrations” and the “ministry of communication and transportation”.

Cavusoglu added that there will be a competition for the construction of the mausoleum. (AK)

9. Davutoglu on Syria developments
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.02.12) reports that the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu stated that Turkey plans to hold an international conference on Syria with regional players and world powers to increase pressure on Syria.

“Countries that are concerned with the situation in Syria have to find a solution. We are determined to establish a broad-based forum,” Davutoglu said in a televised interview.

Davutoglu said Turkey’s attempt came after a series of international efforts such as the United Nations Security Council resolution draft on Syria that failed by vetoes from Russia and China.

Davutoglu further stated that Syria could not use the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) card against Turkey. “We can’t allow a country [Syria] that cannot control the Zabadani region to play the terror card against us. We won’t remain silent if it happens,” the Minister said.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.02.12) reported that Davutoglu said that Turkey, together with Arab League, would launch a new international initiative regarding the Syria issue.

“We are determined in this matter”, added Davutoglu who held a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport before leaving for the United States.

“We want to shape a joint understanding basis and find a solution to the tragedy in Syria on a platform apart from the United Nations”, said Davutoglu, adding that initiatives would continue within the coming days.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.02.12) also reported that Davutoglu held phone conversations with world leaders on the Middle East and Syria in the past two days. On Monday, Davutoglu spoke with Qatar's Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani. On Tuesday, Davutoglu spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. And, on Wednesday, Davutoglu spoke with Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata. During his phone conversations, Davutoglu exchanged views on the Middle East and the recent developments in Syria.

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.02.12), Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said that Syria should end the violence against its own people as soon as possible. He stated that the international community should reach a consensus.

"Unfortunately the right to veto in the UN Security Council is used in a very unjust and baseless way," Arinc stated.

The Deputy Premier said that it was so wrong for Russia and China to veto a resolution regarding Syria at the UN Security Council, and noted that it was also wrong for pro-al-Assad groups to welcome the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as a hero in Syria on Tuesday.

Arinc said the UN should review the rights and authorities and find a remedy, otherwise all efforts would be in vain when few countries vetoed resolutions in case of such incidents that resembled massacre.

10. Former, current intelligence chiefs to testify in an ongoing probe into a PKK’s affiliated organization
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (09.02.12) reports that Istanbul Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Fikret Seen said that MÝT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan, his predecessor Emre Taner and MÝT Deputy Undersecretary Afet Gunes were summoned to testify in the ongoing investigation into the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), which Turkish prosecutors say is a group that controls the PKK and other affiliated groups. Reports said the three became suspects following recently disclosed talks they had with members of the PKK in Oslo.

Most commentators didn't know what to make of the recent twist in the KCK investigation as Fidan was hand-picked by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his position. Observers recalled that the Prime Minister said late last year, after his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was accused of cracking down the Kurdish opposition when Bursa Resale, an academic at Marmara University, was arrested as part of the KCK investigation, that those who "look out for the KCK should reconsider their stance." Erdogan had not made a comment on the recent developments.

Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Tanju Ozcan said he had filed charges against Fidan and Gunes, speaking at a press conference at Parliament. He didn't say when the charges were filed. He also said Prime Minister Erdogan should be included in the investigation.

However, sources Today's Zaman talked to say that new evidence, including testimonies from suspects and witnesses as well as letters exchanged between senior KCK members and PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, which prosecutors say were used for relaying orders for attacks to the PKK, obtained in the most recent operations into the KCK has played a role in the three men being summoned.

Also the fact that some people arrested in KCK operations recently were MÝT agents and information provided by these individuals was also considered. Some of these agents, the prosecution suspects, might have crossed the line and collaborated in KCK crimes.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu threw his support behind MÝT chief Fidan and his team saying: “Mr. Fidan, the former undersecretary who was in charge at the time [of the Oslo talks], and his team have done the right thing.”

It is clear in the recording of the talks that these talks were held at a time when Fidan was still serving as a deputy undersecretary at the Prime Ministry. Fidan was appointed as head of the MÝT in May 2010.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc commented on the prosecutor’s move saying he does not think that it would be legally possible to summon an active duty MÝT undersecretary to testify as a suspect without notifying his superiors. Noting that it is not still certain whether Fidan will testify as a suspect or witness, Arinc said: “But in order for him to be included in the investigation [as a suspect], I think there should be some permission”.

Adem Yavuz Arslan, a journalist who has written extensively on Turkish intelligence, said: “The KCK investigation has been underway in various parts of Turkey since 2009. The fact that both Fidan and Gunes have been summoned along with Taner indicates that this [investigation] is not limited to the Oslo talks. This indicates that the prosecution now has access to evidence from the period predating the start of the investigation in 2009. What they have, we do not know. It is most certainly an extraordinary situation.”

Deputy Chairman of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) Parliamentary Group Hasip Kaplan said all lawyers or journalists who have visited Ýmralý -- the prison island where PKK’s jailed leader Ocalan is being held since 1997 -- have been called to testify by the prosecutors. “But if the [intelligence chiefs] say, ‘we were ordered by other people, and this is why we went [for talks in Oslo],’ then that would be a new story,” Kaplan said.

In yet another unexpected twist, the head of the Istanbul Police Department’s Counterterrorism Unit Yurt Atayun and the Intelligence chief Erol Demirhan were removed from office. Both police chiefs were in charge of directing the investigation into the KCK.

The KCK investigation, in which Fidan and two others will testify, started in December 2009, and a large number of Kurdish politicians, including several mayors from the BDP, have been detained. The suspects are accused of various crimes, including membership in a terrorist organization, aiding and abetting a terrorist organization and attempting to destroy the country’s unity and integrity. BDP officials have said the investigation is the government’s way of suppressing BDP politicians, denying any links between the suspects and any terrorist organizations.

Turkey first heard about the KCK in 2009 but prosecutors say the KCK was established in 2005 upon the order of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. A 7,578-page indictment accepted by Diyarbakir’s 6th Criminal Court on June 18, 2010, explains the general structure of the KCK, as has been revealed from documents obtained by authorities.

The indictment says the organization has its own parliament, constitution and judicial branches. The structure was defined as a “confederate system.” The KCK allegedly possesses both a lateral and a pyramid-shaped organizational structure, and is active not only in Turkey but also in Syria, Iran and Iraq.

11. “Meeting the Geopolitical Challenges of the Arab Spring: A call for a joint EU-Turkish Agenda”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (08.02.12) published the following article by former EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen:

“As close neighbours of the EU and Turkey, the Arab countries possess political, economic and social importance. Since Turkey and the EU have a vested interest in seeing stability and strong economic development in their shared neighbourhood, they need to cooperate with these countries during the challenging transition phase in order to ensure peace in this volatile region of the world.

Given the overlapping interests, they need to develop a common strategy to combine their strengths and advantages while offsetting weaknesses. The transition countries are clearly looking for an example that can inspire their own development. Turkey is the only country capable of playing this role and has many opportunities to do so.

Turkey has successfully demonstrated that a country with a predominantly Muslim population can fully implement the core values driving the Arab Spring: democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and protection of minorities. In developing relations with the Arab world, Turkey’s strongest advantage is its religion and culture, a factor whose importance should not be underestimated. Indeed, because of its cultural background, religion and geographic proximity, Turkey benefits from easier access to these countries than do the countries of Western Europe or elsewhere. While playing a leading role, Turkey must avoid behaving as a regional superpower that seeks to dominate others. This would be a terrible mistake and could lead to new tensions. Turkey can play a leadership role only by setting an example, offering help, sharing best practices and giving guidance if wanted.

Turkey would need to be strongly supported in these efforts, and the EU is a potential partner. In order for the EU not only to play its own role but also to support Turkey’s part in facilitating this transformation process, it must develop a comprehensive foreign policy, which for the moment is lacking. Nonetheless, the sway of the Union in the Arab world is sufficient to justify its role in this transformation, especially if member states and EU institutions manage to coordinate their policies and harness the traditional influence of certain member states.

Turkey and the EU should combine their efforts, define their shared political and economic interests, and develop a common strategy specifying relevant policy tools to jointly address the geopolitical challenges. A candid look at the situation in the Arab world shows that there is a strong need for the EU and Turkey to build a much closer relationship in this shared neighbourhood. If developments take a negative turn, thereby endangering peace, there will obviously be a need to cooperate; if events proceed in the right direction, meaning toward democratic transformation, it is in our mutual interest to make it succeed.

Although Turkey has adopted a pro-democracy position, it lacks an explicit democratization agenda, and it has not developed tools similar to the EU’s conditionality policy to promote transformation in a third country. The EU, in contrast, has accumulated experience on how to achieve such change and is equipped with the instruments to do so. Given their respective advantages, the EU and Turkey could combine their strengths: Turkey’s better access to the region on the one hand and the EU’s instruments and experience in inducing positive change on the other hand. This is an obvious case for far-reaching cooperation and calls for closer policy coordination between the two sides.

If the EU and Turkey managed to cooperate on such a geopolitically important project, it would have an enormous additional benefit: revitalizing the stalled accession process and lending it a sense of urgency and importance. We can use the new geopolitical situation in the Middle East and Africa to create new momentum for Turkey-EU relations. Working together towards inducing a positive transformation in transition countries offers the best opportunity to revitalize the partnership.

Europeans must be patient and uphold their decision that Turkey shall become a member of the EU, while Turks should acknowledge that the political circumstances inside the EU can change relatively quickly. In less than two years, a completely different political picture might emerge in key European countries, creating more favourable conditions to further the membership process.”

2012-02-08T18:39:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 08/02/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Eroglu’s stance at the negotiations satisfies those who want separate states in Cyprus
2. Durduran says the negotiating process should advance
3. So-called minister Cavusoglu gives data on the number of persons benefited from the migration “amnesty”
4. The Evkaf Foundation intends to build a mosque in the building where the TDP offices are located
5. The breakaway regime will participate in tourism fairs in Turkey, Norway, Denmark and Russia
6. Data on unemployment in the occupied area of Cyprus
7. One hundred thirty-shop mall plan unveiled
8. Bagis held contacts in Brussels
9. EU Turkey Rapporteur criticizes Swiss probe against Minister Bagis who stated that he would deny the Armenian genocide all over again
10. Davutoglu comments on Swiss probe against Bagis
11. Erdogan’s hard message to Syria’s al-Assad

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem, comments by Durduran on the negotiations process for finding a solution in Cyprus, Cavusoglu’s announcement that 9,543 illegal workers applied for “amnesty”, statements by Ustel on the breakaway regime’s plans in the field of tourism, reactions to the construction of a complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque in occupied Mia Milia, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the construction of a shopping mall on Lefkosia-Keryneia road and to figures regarding unemployment in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Bagis’ contacts in Brussels, Erdogan’ call to the Syrian President to end violence in Syria, reports that Turkey is to undertake a new initiative on Syria, Bagis’s reaffirming his latest statement that the Armenian incidents in 1915 was not a genocide, reports that the EP’s Rapporteur for Turkey, Ria Oomen Ruijten has expressed support to Bagis and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today’s Turkish press. About Cyprus, Turkish dailies report on the health condition of Seyh Nazim Kibrisi of Lefka and on Eroglu’s statements on the Cyprus problem.

1. Eroglu’s stance at the negotiations satisfies those who want two separate states in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.02.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has alleged that having a “state” strengthens him at the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Eroglu met yesterday with the association for protecting the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

In statements during the meeting, he said the sides should show mutual respect to each other’s rights and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side should understand that a solution will be reached if the negotiations are held within this framework.

Referring to President Christofias, he argued: “There is no meaning to show an effort to postpone the negotiations by saying ‘I am a state, I am member of the EU’. If you have no intention to agree, you could come out like a man and say ‘I do not feel the need for any agreement under these conditions’”.

Eroglu alleged that President Christofias himself forced the National Council to decide “no” on four issues and argued: “If you are going to say no to everything, then why you delay us? It is not possible to accept further continuation of the negotiations which are going on for 48 years”.

Eroglu thanked the association for its visit and support at this stage of the negotiations. He said he is aware of the fact that having a “state” strengthens him at the negotiations and added that the negotiations are held under equal conditions at the table. Eroglu noted that it is natural to have different views within a state, but if the objectives are the same in the national cause, the negotiations could be carried out in a more successful manner and you have more chances to achieve an agreement which satisfies your people. Eroglu expressed the belief that they persuaded the world that the Turkish Cypriots are the side which negotiates having the will of reaching an agreement.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the association for protecting the “TRNC”, Nejat Kocaismail said they feel that Eroglu is on the right path in the ongoing negotiations and that he stands upright. “Therefore, we held this visit in order to once more express our support to you in front of the press”, Kocaismail added pointing out that they are in favour of the continuation of the “TRNC” and they will not accept its abolition. He also said that his association is against giving “territorial concessions”.
(I/Ts.)

2. Durduran says the negotiating process should advance
Under the title: “The process should advance”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.02.12) reports that Alpay Durduran, member of New Cyprus Party’s (YKP) executive committee, has said that their patience was exhausted in the Cyprus problem. In a written statement issued yesterday, Durduran noted that there is a process for the solution of the Cyprus problem, which is accepted by the world and approved by the sides and added that there is a series of international decisions in order for not entering into another path except for this process.

Durduran argued that attacking the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor and asking for his removal from his duty shows that the Greek Cypriot side is not satisfied with these options. “However, it should be known that it has not the power to secure a solution without the UN”, he added noting that the European Union also supports the policy of the UN in Cyprus.

Durduran alleged that the EU is against the policy followed by the Republic of Cyprus on the Cyprus problem. He claimed that a significant part of political parties represented in the National Council are against the federal solution, which exists within the UN parameters, and entered into the climate of the presidential elections. Therefore, he alleged, the Government will need the support of the parties which are against the federal solution and “it is not possible to expect a serious contribution” [by the Government] to the solution from now on.
(I/Ts.)

3. So-called minister Cavusoglu gives data on the number of persons benefited from the migration “amnesty”
Under the title: “What will happen with the 30.000?” Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (08.02.12) reports on statements by the so-called minister of interior and local administrations, Nazim Cavusoglu, who gave yesterday data on the number of the illegal foreigners who applied to be benefited from the migration “amnesty” in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Speaking at a press conference organized yesterday in the so-called ministry of interior, Cavusoglu, inter alia, said that the total number of the illegal foreigners who were applied to be benefited from the migration “amnesty” until the night before yesterday when the deadline for applications was expired, was 9,543 persons, something that shows that the migration “amnesty” is very successful, as he said.

Giving more data, Cavusoglu said that 9,156 persons were benefited from the “amnesty” and departed from the “country”, 299 persons entered the “country” and 88 persons applied to continue working in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Referring to data concerning the “amnesty” given the previous years, Cavusoglu pointed out that during 2007, 1,613 were benefited from the “amnesty”, 2,122 person in 2008 and 2,122 in 2009. He then said that the total number of the persons benefited from the “amnesty” during the previous years was 5,857, while the total of those benefited from the last “amnesty” was 9,543, a number that was doubled.

Cavusoglu continued saying that from now on they will launch a struggle against the illegal and added that the controls will be stricter.

He reiterated that those who did not applied to be benefited from the “amnesty” and they insist to remain illegal, as soon as they are detected by the so-called police, they will be deported.

Cavusoglu stated further that the so-called ministry has set to function a new telephone line where anybody can call to give information about the illegal. He further added that in a period of one month, the “ministry” will set a new website address where all citizens will be able to give information about the illegals and file their complains.

Cavusoglu recalled also that according to the figures given by the so-called department of state and planning organization, the number of the illegal persons in the occupied area is 10,000.
(AK)

4. The Evkaf Foundation intends to build a mosque in the building where the TDP offices are located
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.02.12) reports that as it was made known, the Evkaf Foundation in the occupied area of Cyprus gave a deadline of one year to the Social Democracy Party (TDP) to evacuate the building where its headquarters are located and which belongs to Evkaf, so that the Evkaf Foundation to use the building for “religious purposes”.

According to the paper, a mosque is to be constructed in the place where the TDP headquarters are located.

In statements on the issue, the director of the Evkaf Foundation, Mustafa Kemal Kaymakamzade stated, inter alia, that they have not decided yet what they will do with the building.

Speaking also on the issue, Esat Varoglu, General Secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that they rent the above-mentioned building since 1999 and that during 2011 they paid the amount of 860 TL for the rent per month. He also said that the new administration of the Evkaf Foundation has informed them that they intent to demolish the building and built a mosque in its place.

Meanwhile, according to another report published in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.02.12), members of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOEOS) paid a visit yesterday to the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and asked for the party’s support to the actions and the protests which are taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus against the opening of a religious seminary at the Mia Milia Vocational High School.

Also, Kibris newspaper reports that the illegal International Cyprus University (UKU) is to organize today together with some NGO’s, a protest in front of the building of the so-called prime ministry in order to protest about the leasing of land in occupied Mia Milia for building religious complex.
(AK)

5. The breakaway regime will participate in tourism fairs in Turkey, Norway, Denmark and Russia
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (08.02.12) reports that the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will participate in tourism fairs in Istanbul, Norway and Denmark in February and in a fair in Russia in March. The paper argues that in all the fairs which the regime participates, a “war” is experienced with the Greek Cypriot lobby.

The self-styled minister of tourism, Unal Ustel told Halkin Sesi that this year they turned their interest towards the Scandinavian countries, that 10-12 thousand Dutch tourists visited the occupied area of Cyprus in 2011 and that their target is to increase this number to 20 thousand.

Ustel said their aim is to have tourists all year long and added that in February they will participate in fairs which will be organized in Norway and Denmark and in March they will go to a fair in Russia.

Ustel argued that they faced many difficulties during a recent fair in Finland and they could not have a stand under the name “TRNC”. He said that they participated in the fair in Turkey’s stand and added that they fight with the Republic of Cyprus in all fairs they participate. He noted that this was the first time they participated in the fair in Finland and expressed the belief that next year they will take a stand under the name “TRNC”. He said that they filed their application to participate in next year’s fair in Finland right after the completion of this year’s fair and added that they will apply to court regarding the problems they faced.

Ustel said that in spite the difficulties, they organized a reception during the Finnish fair and had the opportunity to meet with around 60 tour agents.

Ustel noted that for the first time they expect tourists from Finland to come to the occupied area of Cyprus this year and that they were not able to take permission for charter flights from Finland but they plan to solve the problem with the Turkish Airlines (THY).

Ustel said that they will put into circulation around 25-30 double-deck buses in London and that the promotion of the “TRNC” continues also through the social media, newspapers, magazines and the internet. He noted that they are preparing a webpage regarding the “TRNC” in London and this webpage is in seven languages.

Meanwhile, Halkin Sesi (08.02.12) reports that the breakaway regime will participate in the Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition which will be held in Istanbul between 9 and 12 February. More than 60 countries will participate in this fair.
(I/Ts.)

6. Data on unemployment in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (08.02.12) reports that according to recent researches and the acquired figures of the so-called ministry of labour, it seems that the unemployment in the occupied area of Cyprus is taking frightening dimensions.

As the paper writes, according to statistical figures of the “ministry of labour”, the number of the registered unemployed persons was only 1,094 while the number of persons applied to the so called ministry of labour for finding a job has reached 4,568 persons during the current year.

According to the figures, among the 4,568 applications to the “ministry” for finding job, 2,723 were made from women and 1,845 from men, and 1608 of them were from the Famagusta district.

Meanwhile, according to data given by the so-called employment centre in occupied Lefkosia, a total of 10,859 persons had visited the centre during the past two months looking for a job.
(AK)

7. One hundred thirty-shop mall plan unveiled
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot midweek Cyprus Today (08.02.12) reports the following:
“A multimillion euro shopping complex is being planned on agricultural land off the Lefkosa [occupied Lefkosia] to Girne [occupied Keryneia] road.

Turkish firm Turkmall is behind the 130- shop, five-cinema complex, which will also boast a bowling centre, amusement park, children's playground and fitness centre.

It says it is waiting for planning permission for the 150 million euro scheme, but the official gazette published on February 1 showed the government had earmarked land for development at Bogaz [Bogazi].

The land had been protected by a decree, introduced in 2006, but this was one of several scrapped by the government in 2010.

Mehmet Altmham, a member of the steering committee of Turkmall, which was behind an abortive attempt to build a shopping centre in Gonyeli, said they would start construction as soon as they get permission.

The shopping mall could open as soon as April next year if all goes to plan.

He told Cyprus Today: ‘We bought 80 donums of private land to construct the shopping mall, which will be called Forum Akdeniz.

It would create employment opportunities as we will seek to employ some 1,500 persons. It is going to be an eco-friendly project as it involves the service industry and we will be creating green areas in the mall.

What we are aiming for is not only to set up a shopping mall, but a living space for the people there.’

He said Turkmall had conducted research in the area and 90% of people questioned agreed there was a need for a shopping centre.

What is more, the TRNC will be a more attractive tourist destination with the construction of such a giant shopping mall, as there is huge demand, particularly from Iran and other Arab countries.’

Mr Altmham said that ‘many companies’ had already applied to be part of the development, snapping up some of the 130 shops and other facilities already.

Turkmall is behind developments in Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, China and the Middle East, as well as in Izmir, Istanbul, Ankara and Mersin, and other Turkish cities.

Forum Akdeniz would also include a small lake and fitness centre.

The land had been protected against business development by the decree, but not housing.

However, the decision of the TRNC government has opened it up for business purposes.

However, there is currently no road access and infrastructure will also have to be constructed.

Ahmet Omer Yagnan, of the Chamber of Architects and Engineers, said the government had acted alone, without consulting any group.

‘These kinds of big investments have to be regulated very well, as there is no turning back [once they have been approved]. There is a need for a master plan.’

Mr Yagnan, a regular critic of the government, added: ‘No-one is asking for our views. We have not been given any chance to put forward our ideas on the issue.’

Ertan Oztek, a member of the state planning department said it had not been informed on the latest move. He said an environmental and shopping assessment was necessary before any decision is given to allow the construction of the shopping mall.

Turkmall was founded in 1992 and plans clothing, food, furniture and other shops as part of the Bogaz development.”

8. Bagis held contacts in Brussels
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.0212) reported on the contacts of Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis in Brussels and wrote that socialist lawmakers of the European Parliament on Tuesday called for opening of more policy chapters in Turkey's membership talks.

"Negotiations with Turkey demand a new beginning in the chapters of energy and justice. We need to strengthen our alliance with Turkey, which is an important country in a very hard region," EP's second largest political group said in a statement released after a meeting between Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis and Hannes Swoboda, head of the Socialist Group.

The statement said Swoboda conveyed socialist lawmakers' expectations from Turkey to strengthen the rule of law and their support for the opening of policy chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as justice, freedoms and security.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.0212) also reported that Bagis met with the Union's Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, in Brussels.

The meeting between Bagis and Fule focused on efforts to create "a positive agenda" in Turkish-EU relations to take "concrete results" in 2012, said a statement from Fule's office.

"We are working together to take concrete results this year in bringing Turkey closer to EU standards and practices as well as in commerce and customs union, the visa issue and migration," the statement said.

The statement also said that the Union welcomed a recent reform package in Turkey's judicial system, adding that more reforms are needed to remove "problems in freedom of expression and long police detention periods."

In a separate meeting with the EU Deputy Commissioner on Competition, Joaquin Almunia, Bagis discussed conditions on the opening of the policy chapter on competition in Turkey's accession talks.

Ankara Anatolia (07.02.12) also reported about the meeting of Bagis with the European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who released a statement after his meeting with the Turkish Minister, saying that Turkey played a vital role in resolving the crisis in Syria.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (08.02.12) writes that Schulz, tweeted after the meeting he held with Bagis the following: “EU countries should stick to their commitment on Turkey’s future membership to the Union. It will be a long way but the EU has to work on it.”

9. EU Turkey Rapporteur criticizes Swiss probe against Minister Bagis who stated that he would deny the Armenian genocide all over again
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (08.02.12) reports that Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the European Parliament's Rapporteur on Turkey said that everybody should be able to express their opinion freely regardless of the country they speak in. Oomen-Ruijten was speaking about a Swiss investigation launched against Turkish EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis, who said he does not recognize the Armenian genocide.

While criticizing the efforts of Switzerland and France to put a limit on freedom of expression through the courts, Oomen-Ruijten emphasized that it does not matter where, in Switzerland, France, any other European country or Turkey, people should have freedom of expression and called on Turkey to be more sensitive on the issue, in her address to the press members following her meeting with Bagis in Brussels. She also supported Turkey's offer to establish a Turkish-Armenian joint history commission to investigate the genocide.

Last week, in response to a question from a French journalist on what he thought of a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide adopted by the French Senate in January, Bagis said: “Here I am in Switzerland today, and I’m saying that the 1915 incidents did not amount to genocide. Let them come arrest me.” A Swiss prosecutor launched an investigation on Monday in Zurich.

Oomen-Ruijten said she disapproved the efforts of various members of the European Parliament to include the Armenian genocide in a draft report concerning Turkey. The report calls on Turkey and Armenia to take initiatives to normalize their relations and open the border between the two nations.

Earlier at a press conference he held at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport before leaving the country for an official visit to Brussels, Bagis said he is confident regarding the Swiss investigation into his statements regarding the issue, as he does not know of any power that can arrest a Minister of Turkey. “No genocide took place in 1915. I will say this again and again. Such initiatives [investigations] are null and void for us. I do not know of any power that can arrest a Minister of the Republic of Turkey,” he said. “I am very confident on this issue,” he noted. “We will go to Davos and say the same thing again.”

Commenting on foreign parliaments' stance toward the Armenian genocide, Bagis said that politicians and parliaments should focus on the future instead of dealing with the past and making historical research.

10. Davutoglu comments on Swiss probe against Bagis
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.02.12) reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Switzerland and France were two different cases.

Davutoglu's comments came after Switzerland launched an investigation Monday on recent remarks made in Switzerland by Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis on the Armenian Genocide.

Switzerland and France are two cases that do not resemble each other. On one hand, there is a law supported by the political will in France and a completed process with penalties. On the other hand, there is an incomplete legal process in Switzerland, Davutoglu noted.

We have summoned the Swiss Ambassador in Ankara to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday after Switzerland launched an investigation against Egemen Bagis, Davutoglu underlined.

11. Erdogan’s hard message to Syria’s al-Assad
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.02.12) reported that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by saying "your path is a dead-end street".

Speaking at a group meeting of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Erdogan said that he advised al-Assad to turn back before more bloodshed takes place in Syria and more innocent civilians get killed.

“We are making efforts to facilitate peace and stability in Syria. We will begin cooperating with countries that will opt to be on the side of the Syrian people and not the Syrian administration and we will begin a new initiative on the matter. We will continue to support the initiatives of the Arab League”, Erdogan said.

He also added that those responsible for the incidents in Homs, Syria would pay the price sooner or later.

Touching on the process at the United Nations on Syria, Erdogan said that the process at the UN was a total failure on the part of the civilized world.

Meanwhile, asked after the group meeting about the initiatives to be taken on the side of the Syrian people, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey would primarily work with the Arab League and then with the West.

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2012-02-06T15:23:00.002+02:00

Ανακοίνωση του Τμήματος Δασών σχετικά με τα κρούσματα παράνομης υλοτομίας

06/02/2012

Με αφορμή τα παρατηρούμενα κρούσματα παράνομης υλοτομίας δασικών δέντρων, τόσο σε ιδιωτικά όσο και στα κρατικά δάση, το Τμήμα Δασών του Υπουργείου Γεωργίας, Φυσικών Πόρων και Περιβάλλοντος διευκρινίζει τα ακόλουθα:

Η εκκοπή, εκρίζωση, αποκοπή, μετατροπή σε ξυλεία και μεταφορά δασικών δέντρων χωρίς την άδεια του Διευθυντή του Τμήματος Δασών ή αντιπροσώπου του, σύμφωνα με τη δασική Νομοθεσία, απαγορεύεται.

Παράλειψη συμμόρφωσης με τη δασική Νομοθεσία αποτελεί αδίκημα. Οι παραβάτες είναι ένοχοι αδικήματος και σε περίπτωση καταδίκης τους, υπόκεινται σε φυλάκιση για διάστημα που δεν υπερβαίνει το ένα έτος ή σε χρηματική ποινή που δεν υπερβαίνει τις δύο χιλιάδες ευρώ (€2000) ή και στις δύο αυτές ποινές.

Το Τμήμα Δασών λαμβάνει όλα τα απαραίτητα μέτρα για την καταπολέμηση αυτής της παρανομίας, τόσο κατά τις απογευματινές ώρες όσο και κατά τις αργίες. Ήδη έχει καταγγελθεί αριθμός παρανομούντων.

Προτρέπονται οι ιδιοκτήτες δασικών δέντρων όπως, προτού προχωρήσουν στην υλοτομία τους, εξασφαλίζουν τη σχετική άδεια από το Διευθυντή του Τμήματος Δασών. Τονίζεται ότι και το κλάδεμα δασικών δέντρων υπό προϋποθέσεις, απαιτεί εξασφάλιση της σχετικής άδειας. Σχετικό έντυπο αίτησης μπορεί να εξασφαλίσουν από τα κατά τόπους γραφεία καθώς και την ιστοσελίδα του Τμήματος Δασών ( www.moa.gov.cy/forest).

Για σκοπούς ενημέρωσης παρατίθεται κατάλογος δέντρων τα οποία χαρακτηρίζονται ως δασικά.

Αόρατος Δρυς Έλατο, Ευκάλυπτος Καζουαρίνα
Κέδρο Κονναρκά Κυπαρίσσι Λεύκη Μοσφιλιά
Πεύκο Πλάτανος Σκλήδρος Συκαμιά Σφένδαμνος
Τουμπεζιά Τρέμιθος Χαρουπιά Ελιά
Τέλος, απευθύνεται έκκληση για συμβολή του κοινού στις προσπάθειες των αρμοδίων αρχών για προστασία του φυσικού μας πλούτου, καταγγέλλοντας την όποια παράνομη υλοτομία στον πλησιέστερο δασικό ή αστυνομικό σταθμό, ή στο τηλέφωνο 1407.

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2012-02-04T14:10:00.002+02:00

Η επιστροφή του λεβέντη της Κυθρέας Τα οστά του Χρίστου Χριστίδη και άλλων 23 αγνοούμενων εντοπίστηκαν στο Μπέι Κιόι

ΤΟΥΛΟΥΚΑ ΠΑΡΠΑ

Οτραγικός επίλογος μιας ακόμη ανθρώπινης ιστορίας που άρχισε το καλοκαίρι του 1974, θα γραφτεί στην προσφυγιά με δάκρυα θλίψης, στην κηδεία του Χρίστου Χριστίδη στην εκκλησία των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης στο νέο κοιμητήριο Λευκωσίας, το ερχόμενο Σάββατο, στις 11.00 το πρωί. Τα [ λείψανα του λεβέντη της Κυθρέας με ρίζες από το Δίκωμο εντοπίστηκαν πρόσφατα και ταυτοποιήθηκαν με τη μέθοδο DΝΑ.
Όπως αναφέρει ο εκ των ανιψιών του Λέανδρος Χριστίδης, ο θείος του συνελήφθη το πρωινό της 15ης Αυγούστου 1974 στη Βώνη, μαζί με άλλους εννέα πολίτες και 35 στρατιώτες. Όλοι τους είχαν εγκλωβιστεί από την προηγουμένη ημέρα στη Βώνη και είχαν φιλοξενηθεί σε δύο σπίτια. Σύμφωνα με τις μαρτυρίες των γυναικών που τους είχαν φιλοξενήσει, η ομάδα αυτή των 45 συλληφθέντων διετάχθηκε από τρεις γνωστούς ενόπλους Τουρκοκυπρίους από τα γειτονικά χωριά Επηχώ και Μπέι Κιόι, να περπατήσει σε πορεία προς το χωριό Επηχώ. Από τότε χάθηκαν τα ίχνη τους και ήσαν όλοι τους καταγεγραμμένοι στον μακρύ κατάλογο των αγνοουμένων.

Σύμφωνα με τις πληροφορίες που έλαβε η ΔΕΑ (Διερευνητική Επιτροπή Αγνοουμένων) από την τουρκοκυπριακή πλευρά, το 2005 Τουρκοκύπριοι αρχαιολόγοι βρήκαν σε αρχαίο τάφο - σπηλιά κοντά στο τουρκικό χωριό Μπέι Κιόι τα λείψανα 24 ανθρώπων.

Το 2006 παρέδωσαν σε σωρό τα λείψανα στη ΔΕΑ. Η ταυτοποίηση των οστών με την μέθοδο του DΝΑ που ακολούθησε, κατέδειξε ότι αυτά ανήκαν σε ανθρώπους της ομάδας των 45 που συνελήφθησαν και αγνοούντο. Ένας από αυτούς και ο Χρίστος Χριστίδης. Με μια ανατριχιαστική λεπτομέρεια. Όλα τα κρανία έφεραν δύο τρύπες, γεγονός που αποκαλύπτει ότι όλοι τους δολοφονήθηκαν με δύο σφαίρες στο κεφάλι και ακολούθως τα σώματά τους πετάχτηκαν στη σπηλιά.

Σύμφωνα πάντα με την έρευνα που διενήργησε ο Λέανδρος Χριστίδης, ο μέχρι πρόσφατα αγνοούμενος θείος του γεννήθηκε το 1906 στην Κυθρέα. Ήταν ο μεγαλύτερος από τα έξι παιδιά του Παύλου Χατζηχρίστου από την ενορία Συρκανιά της Κυθρέας και της Μαρίτσας, το γένος Σαββίδη, από το Δίκωμο. Όταν αποφοίτησε από το Παγκύπριο Γυμνάσιο, μετέβη στη Μασσαλία της Γαλλίας, όπου παρακολούθησε μαθήματα Ηλεκτρολογίας. Όταν επέστρεψε στην Κύπρο, ανέλαβε την οικογενειακή επιχείρηση εμπορίου και του νερόμυλου στη Συρκανιά της Κυθρέας, αφού ο πατέρας του είχε πεθάνει νέος. Σε κατοπινό στάδιο αγόρασε και τον μεγάλο νερόμυλο που βρισκόταν πλησίον της πηγής του Κεφαλόβρυσου.

Εκτός από το άλεσμα σιταριού στο νερόμυλο του Κεφαλόβρυσου, είχε διαμορφώσει και χώρο εκεί όπου εμφιάλωνε γκαζόζες, τις οποίες πωλούσε.

Το 1956 μαζί με τους αδελφούς του Γιώργο και Σάββα Χριστίδη (μετέπειτα δήμαρχο Κυθρέας) απεφάσισαν τη μετατροπή του νερόμυλου σε σύγχρονο ηλεκτροκίνητο εργοστάσιο αλευροποιίας και έτσι δημιουργήθηκε η πολύ γνωστή, μέχρι το 1974, επιχείρηση αλευροποιίας των Αδελφών Χριστίδη στον Κεφαλόβρυσο Κυθρέας.

Αναφέρει ο Λέανδρος Χριστίδης για τον θείο του: «Σε όλη τη ζωή του υπήρξε ένας φιλήσυχος και πολύ εργατικός άνθρωπος. Διετέλεσε για πολλά χρόνια επίτροπος στην εκκλησία της Αγίας Μαρίνας της Κυθρέας. Παντρεύτηκε τη θεία Άννα, το γένος Πετράκη από τη Θετόκου της Κυθρέας. Δεν απέκτησαν παιδιά. Παιδιά τους όμως ήσαν όλοι εμείς, τα 13 τους ανίψια, στα οποία είχαν μεγάλη αγάπη. Η θεία Άννα πέθανε από ασθένεια λίγα χρόνια πριν το 1974».

τις τραγικες εκεινες μερες
Για το τι έγινε εκείνες τις μαύρες μέρες του 1974 που οδήγησαν στον χαμό του λεβέντη της Κυθρέας, αναφέρει ο Λέανδρος Χριστίδης: «Χαράματα της 14ης Αυγούστου 1974, η Κυθρέα συγκλονιζόταν από τις εκρήξεις των βομβών των τουρκικών αεροπλάνων που σφυρoκοπούσαν την αμυντική γραμμή της Εθνικής Φρουράς στη γειτονική Μια Μηλιά. Οι δύο αδελφοί, Χρίστος και Σάββας, έκλεισαν προσωρινά, όπως πίστευαν, τον αλευρόμυλο που τότε εργαζόταν νυχθημερόν για να καλύψει τις έκτακτες ανάγκες που είχαν προκύψει από το κλείσιμο των αλευρομύλων της Λευκωσίας που ευρίσκοντο κοντά στην πράσινη γραμμή. Αποφάσισαν να φύγουν μαζί προς την Αγκαστίνα μέχρι να ομαλοποιηθεί η κατάσταση, όπως νόμιζαν. Όταν όμως περάσαμε από το σπίτι του, ο θείος Χρίστος είχε ήδη αναχωρήσει. Στην Αγκαστίνα δεν τον βρήκαμε. Όπως μάθαμε αργότερα, μετέφερε κάποιους γείτονες στη Βώνη, καθυστέρησαν εκεί και εγκλωβίστηκαν από τον προελαύνοντα τουρκικό στρατό.

Αν υπάρχει κάτι που θα μπορούσε να αναπαύσει την ψυχή του θείου Χρίστου και όλων των άλλων που δολοφονήθησαν βάναυσα από τους Τούρκους, είναι η υπόσχεση όλων εμάς ότι θα επιμείνουμε μέχρι τέλους για την επιστροφή μας στην γενέθλια γη της Κυθρέας. Για να ανεγείρουμε εκεί στην πλατεία Κεφαλόβρυσου ένα μνημείο στη μνήμη όλων αυτών των ανθρώπων, που τόσο άδικα και βάρβαρα έχασαν τη ζωή τους το μαύρο εκείνο καλοκαίρι του 1974».
http://www.philenews.com/

2012-02-03T14:01:00.003+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 03/02/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. The breakaway regime expropriates Greek and Turkish Cypriot land in occupied Tymbou and Mora area for restructuring its illegal airport
2. Reactions to the disposal of land in occupied Mia Milia area for building a “religious complex”
3. Serdar Denktas reiterates that the Turkish Cypriots must decide over a referendum whether they want the negotiations to be continued or not
4. Cakici met with the Ambassadors of Denmark, Finland and Sweden
5. The number of the illegal workers in the occupied areas is around 10 thousand
6. The chairman of the “Casino Union” of the breakaway regime said that the opening of casinos in the free areas will be a disaster for them
7. The President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation due to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to make inspection
8. French company participates in a tender for “e-passports” in the occupied area of Cyprus
9. Columnist wonders if Turkey and Israel are getting closer
10. Former Army chief faces life in prison
11. French Army Forces change route after Turkey ban; Turkish Prime Ministry rules out Renault as service cars
12. Bagis claims that FYROM to become NATO, EU member
13. “Arab Spring nations eye bigger Turkey role”

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
The briefing of the political parties by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem, the expropriation of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot land by the breakaway regime in the area of occupied Tymbou village, the continuation of reactions to the leasing of land in occupied Mia Milia to a Turkish foundation for building a “religious complex, statements by Serdar Denktas on the Cyprus problem, estimations by Unverdi that only around 10,000 illegal workers exist in the occupied area of Cyprus, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the concern expressed by the casino owners because of the decision of the Republic of Cyprus to open casinos in the government-controlled area, and to the forthcoming illegal visit of the Turkish Minister of Sports to the occupied area of the island.

The criminal charges prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against former chief of general staff General Ilker Basbug, the bad weather conditions in Turkey, reports that the Turkish Prime Ministry has ruled out the French automobile maker Renault’s Latitude for its civil servants following the deposit of the Armenian Genocide Bill in the French Senate and other internal issues are the main topics in today’s’ Turkish newspapers.

1. The breakaway regime expropriates Greek and Turkish Cypriot land in occupied Tymbou and Mora area for restructuring its illegal airport
Under the title “Federal expropriation”, Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Kibris (03.02.12) reports that the so-called council of ministers of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has decided to expropriate many Greek and Turkish Cypriot properties in the occupied villages of Tymbou and Mora, which are close to the illegal Tymbou airport in order for restructuring its illegal airport. The paper writes that the property of around 40 persons will be expropriated with this decision, but the owners of the above-mentioned plots of land have not been notified. The decision was published in the “official gazette” of the breakaway regime on 23 January 2012.

The inhabitants of occupied Mora village met yesterday with the self-styled minister of public works and transport Ersan Saner, who told them that the immovable properties in their village have been included in the above-mentioned list by mistake and that they will be taken out of the list. The reason for this mistake, he argued, was that they were considering of carrying out other two-three projects in the area, but they changed their mind. The inhabitants said that if the “council of ministers” does not decide during its meeting on Wednesday to remove their properties from the list, they will file an application to the “court” and secure an order.

Saner stated that they work on three alternatives as regards the way by which the project at illegal Tymbou airport will be developed and that the above-mentioned plots of land have been expropriated as a requirement of one of these alternatives. He said they will not need all the properties which are located in the north of the road between occupied Tymbou and Afania villages, that is, the properties at Mora.

According to the paper, the decision published in the “official gazette” says that any person, who objects to the expropriation and demands any rights or benefits from the above-mentioned properties, should apply to the “ministry of public works and transport” within 15 days from the publication of the decision in the “official gazette”, giving details of these rights or benefits and presenting evidence and reasons supporting his/her objection.

The paper writes that the majority of these properties in Tymbou and Mora are mentioned [in the decision] as fields, buildings, vacant land, road, and threshing fields. For some properties, in the part of the decision where the names of their owner are mentioned, it is noted that “there is not registration, TRNC”. The paper writes that these are Greek Cypriot properties.
(I/Ts.)

2. Reactions to the disposal of land in occupied Mia Milia area for building a “religious complex”
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Yeni Duzen (03.02.12) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has described as “unacceptable behaviour” the leasing of 200 donums of land [Translator’s note: A land measure of around 1000 square meters] in the area of occupied Mia Milia village to the “Cyprus Science, Ethics and Social Assistance Foundation” (KISAV) for the sum of 100 Turkish liras annually in order to establish an imam preachers college.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Yorgancioglu asked for the immediate resignation of the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government. He said no application was made to the “ministry” of education for such a school, and wondered whether such a foundation exists, whether it is registered in the occupied area of Cyprus or whether it had any activity in the past.

The issue was discussed yesterday at the “assembly” of the breakaway regime. The self-styled minister of education, youth and culture Kemal Durust said that he found out yesterday about the leasing of the land in occupied Mia Milia area when a journalist called him. He noted that the decision was taken by the Evkaf religious foundation and that the “council of ministers” supports this decision. Durust said that they have received no application until today for the establishment of a religious seminary and added that they will hold the necessary contacts with the Evkaf foundation and find out the details for the complex.

Moreover, Mehmet Caglar, self-styled deputy with the CTP, said that for the establishment of this complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque and for such an “educational project”, the “ministry of education” should have been informed first, but the “minister” says he had no idea about the project and the leasing. Referring to the differences between the religious education and the scientific education and to the drawbacks of brining the religious education down to the level of lyceum, Caglar said that efforts are exerted for “some things to be imposed by force on the Turkish Cypriot people”.

Sonay Adem, another “deputy” with the CTP, said that the assets of the “country” are given away “for peanuts”.

Replying to the criticism, the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said that he received no application from the illegal Cyprus International University for leasing the above-mentioned area during the two years he is at the “office”.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (03.02.12), reference to the issue was also made by Mustafa Emiroglulari, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP). Addressing the “assembly”, Emiroglulari said that supporters of the religious law “gadabout” in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that “our people will not be surrendered to the religious law and the religion”. “Black sheets, religious exploitation and religious law mentality are implemented in the country. This mentality will one day judge even Ataturk”, he argued.
(I/Ts.)

3. Serdar Denktas reiterates that the Turkish Cypriots must decide over a referendum whether they want the negotiations to be continued or not
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Bakis (03.02.12) reports that the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas stated that if the negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem will not end up successfully until June, then the Turkish Cypriots must decide over a referendum whether they want the negotiations to be continued or not.

Denktas, who made these statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency, evaluating the Greentree Cyprus summit, stated that a referendum must be conducted in the occupied areas and the Turkish Cypriots should reply to the following question: “Do you want the negotiations to be continued or not”.

According to Denktas, the persons living in the occupied area must take this decision, because if the “president” or the “assembly” decides the end of the negotiations, it would be a political decision. However, he alleged, if it is the persons living in the occupied area who will take this decision, it will be a loud answer to the world which in return will have to respect it.

4. Cakici met with the Ambassadors of Denmark, Finland and Sweden
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Ortam (03.02.12) reports that Mehmet Cakici, the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) met yesterday with the Ambassador of Denmark Kirsten Geelan, the Ambassador of Finland Ritta Resch and the Ambassador of Sweden Klas Gireou.

During the meeting, which took place at TDP’s headquarters and lasted about an hour, Cakici exchanged views with the Ambassadors about the Cyprus problem and other current issues. No statements were made after the meeting.

5. The number of the illegal workers in the occupied areas is around 10 thousand
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Gunes (03.02.12) reports that Serife Unverdi, the self-styled minister of labour and social security, during a press conference stated that the number of the illegal workers in the occupied area is around 10 thousand.

She also said that their number is increased if the members of their families are calculated as well.

6. The chairman of the “Casino Union” of the breakaway regime said that the opening of casinos in the free areas will be a disaster for them
Under the title “It will be a disaster”, Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Kibrisli (03.02.12) reports that Unsal Ecesoy, the chairman of the “Casino Union” of the breakaway regime stated that the opening of casinos in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus will be a disaster for them.

Ecesoy, who was commenting on the news that five casinos will be opened in the free areas, said that the casino owners will lose a big part of their income. He went on and said that if casinos open in the free areas, they will host famous artists and this will result not only the Greek Cypriots who visit the casinos in the occupied area to stop visiting, but also the Turkish Cypriots to attend the casinos in the free areas.

7. The President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation due to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to make inspection
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Bakis (03.02.12) reports that Gre Leenders, President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation, who will illegally visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus tonight for 3 days as a guest of the “North Cyprus billiard federation”, will carry out inspections at the Cratos Premium hotel as well as at the Salamis Bay Conti Resort hotel.

Leenders will inspect the above mentioned hotels and their halls if these are suitable to illegally host the international tournaments of the European Pocket Billiard Federation for the next four years.

8. French company participates in a tender for “e-passports” in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish daily Zaman (03.02.12, online) reports that that the French Gemalto company participates in a tender for “e-passports” and “e-identity cards” in the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The paper writes that the company has caused reactions in Turkey by winning the tender for e-passports there. While the French company was about to win the tender in the occupied area of Cyprus as well, the breakaway regime asked from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBÝTAK), which had not participated in the tender, to make a bid. After a secret meeting between “officials” of the two sides, TÜBÝTAK made a bid outside the scope of the tender.

According to Zaman, the self-styled minister of internal affairs and local administrations Nazim Cavuoglu is visiting Turkey today in order to hold a special meeting on the issue with the Turkish Minister of Transport Binali Yildirim. Zaman reports that during a conference in the US it had been said that the system produced by Gemalto for the chips of the e-passports was not secure.

The French company made the lowest bid for the “e-passports” and “e-identity” cards of the breakaway regime with 2.298.000 Turkish liras. It is reported that TÜBÝTAK’s bid will be lower than the bids of the other companies.
(I/Ts.)

9. Columnist wonders if Turkey and Israel are getting closer
Columnist Asli Aydintasbas, writing in Turkish daily Milliyet (online, 30.01.12), under the title “Are Turkey and Israel Getting Closer?”, publishes the following commentary:

“There is no normalization or secret agreement between Turkey and Israel. At the most, there is a ‘pact of non-aggression’ and a policy of detente. As for an agreement, it still seems to be too far.

Successive reports caused speculations in the public that a new process had started between Turkey and Israel.

In fact, one cannot say that there have been gigantic steps. Turkey chose a young musician of Jewish origin from Izmir, Can Bonomo, to represent it at the Eurovision song contest. He is a sympathetic youngster, and the decision is right, but, neither the decision on Bonomo nor the broadcasting of the film on the Jewish genocide during World War II, Shoah, on the documentary channel of the TRT [Turkish Radio and Television] means that Turkey and Israel are secretly getting closer.

It is obvious, however, that the relations are not as tense as they were.

For instance, the fact that among those who objected to the Armenian bill in France there were people of Jewish origin did not slip Ankara's notice.

A few weeks ago, the Israeli Foreign Ministry immediately intervened and stopped an attempt to recognize the Armenian genocide at the Israeli Parliament, Knesset. In Washington also there is an interesting situation. The Jewish lobby that has a significant weight on US Congress no longer works like Turkey's lobby as in the past, but it does not work against it either. The Jewish lobby seems to have suspended its critical approach against Turkey that it had adopted following the Mavi Marmara incident.

More importantly, we no longer see the ‘crossfire’ style harsh statements that we had witnessed last year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet ‘not to respond to Turkey no matter what’. As for the Turkish Prime Minister, he has not made a single statement against Israel since his address at the UN in September. If you do not count the standard Mavi Marmara statements that justify Turkey's stand, Ankara seems to have abandoned its policy of swinging its fist at Israel at every possible opportunity.

What is happening then? Have Ankara and Tel Aviv started a secret negotiation process, or signed a secret peace agreement in a flash?

No, not exactly. In fact, the state of affairs between Turkey and Israel has not changed within the last six months. We are still far away from the point of shaking hands or reconciliation.

If there is an ‘agreement’ that needs to be mentioned, then it is not about ‘normalization’ but only an unofficial and tentative ‘mutual non-aggression’ agreement between the two countries.

US President Barack Obama had made a special request in a 90 minute-meeting in New York with Tayyip Erdogan, to prevent the bilateral relations from ‘worsening further’. In summary he had said: ‘My job here will get more difficult, and it will be hard for us to defend you’. He repeated the same request to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu who was very eager to mend the relations.

The two countries are refraining from steps that would create the speculation or possibility of a ‘military clash’ in the eastern Mediterranean. More importantly, the leaders in both countries refrain from making provocative or aggressive statements against each other.

The secret and indirect contacts held in New York in order to ‘mend’ the bilateral relations that reached a breaking point with the release of the Palmer Report at the end of the summer, did not yield any results. Ankara is insistent on its demands for an apology and reparations; moreover it is in a comfortable position due to the honeymoon phase in its relations with Washington because of the Arab spring. It has no intentions of making concessions. Israel agrees, albeit unwillingly, to apologize and to pay reparations, but it has certain demands in return. In return for an apology and reparations, Israel wants guarantees that the bilateral relations will really normalize, in other words, that they will go back to their state in 1990 in all senses, military and political.

This is where things break off. Israel's demand is not something Ankara is willing to meet particularly when it is feeling so much at ease. At a time when there is no peace between Israel and Palestine, when there is a possibility that Israel may attack Iran, and when Turkey's image in the Arab street has reached a peak, Ankara does not want to bring the relations to their former state and lose the moral weight it has gained in the Arab world.

Those, who try to mediate between the two, keep walking back and forth in this vicious circle.”

10. Former Army chief faces life in prison
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 03.02.12) reports that prosecutors yesterday demanded lifetime imprisonment for former Chief of Staff Ilker Basbug, who is currently under arrest.

The indictment against the retired General asks for lifetime sentence on accusations of “attempting to overthrow or hamper the Government of the Turkish Republic through the use of force and violence” and “leading an armed terrorist organization.”

The indictment was sent to the 13th Court of Serious Crimes in Istanbul, which now has two weeks to either accept or reject the indictment.

Basbug is a suspect in the Internet Memorandum case, which refers to an alleged document by the General Staff about setting up 42 Internet sites to distribute propaganda against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The former Chief of Staff allegedly signed the document which ordered the establishment of the websites.

Meanwhile, a special-authority prosecutor has launched an investigation into the military’s so-called “e-memorandum” of 2007 and is expected to question then-Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanýt and his aides, daily Hurriyet reported.

The “e-memorandum,” posted on the military’s website around midnight on April 27, 2007, was the first episode in a chain of events that plunged Turkey into political turmoil and forced early elections.

In the statement, the Army threatened to step in to protect Turkey’s secular system, hours after Parliament held an inconclusive, first-round vote to elect a new President, with the Islamist-rooted Abdullah Gul standing as the sole candidate.

Several days later, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Parliament needed a super-majority quorum of 367 lawmakers to vote for a President. Parliament failed to reach the quorum in subsequent sessions as opposition Deputies shunned the vote, effectively blocking the election.

The AKP responded by calling early elections, which it won comfortably. The new Parliament elected Gul in August that year.

11. French army change route after Turkey ban; Turkish Prime Ministry rules out Renault as service cars
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 03.02.12) publishes, inter alia, the two following articles showing Turkey’s reaction over a French law penalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide:

“French state aircrafts and warships are no longer using Turkish airspace and territorial waters after permission requests in three different cases were rejected by the Turkish Government, France’s top diplomat in Ankara said, amid the ongoing spat over a French law penalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide.

‘Our requests [for an aircraft and two warships] have been rejected, so we are no longer issuing such requests. We are using alternative routes,’ France’s Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili told the private news channel CNN Turk in an interview.

Bili said the first rejection was to a request for a French military aircraft that wanted to use Turkish airspace on its way to France from Afghanistan. Similarly, two French warships were not allowed to enter Turkish territorial waters recently. Turkey’s move against the French military was part of sanctions imposed against France after the initial adoption of the law at the French Parliament late December last year.

Though enough numbers of lawmakers and Senators were collected to take the law to the Constitutional Council for possible annulment, Bili’s words revealed the process was not an easy one. (…)”

“The Turkish Prime Ministry has ruled out the French automobile maker Renault’s Latitude for its civil servants following the deposition of the Armenian Genocide Bill in the French senate, according to the daily HaberTurk.

Akmercan, a firm which had won the tender of the renewal of the rental cars in service for the public servants who work for the Prime Ministry, was planning to purchase 130 Latitude cars. But the firm opted for the Ford Mondeo after the Prime Ministry asked Akmercan not to buy Renault.

The fleet will be renewed gradually and 20 Mondeo cars were purchased in the first phase, the HaberTurk said.

Also a Renault Fluence Z.E. electric car, a gift to be presented to the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is on hold as the Prime Ministry has not issued an approval. The Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology has also suspended an order of 10 Renault electric cars.

All these decisions were taken before a sufficient number of Senators challenged the bill in the Constitutional Council, the paper reported. The Turkish Government declared to announce sanctions against France once the judgment is delivered. (…)”

12. Bagis claims that FYROM to become NATO, EU member
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (02.02.12), Egemen Bagis, Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator alleged on Thursday that “Macedonia [Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] would be a member of NATO and EU sooner or later”.

Bagis said: “Turkey was proud to recognize Macedonia with its constitutional name, i.e. Republic of Macedonia.”

“If the EU is the most comprehensive peace project of the history of humanity and if it is a Union in which Brits, French, Dutch, Italian and Germans who have battled with each other for centuries can live in peace, it cannot let black holes in the heart of Europe, and therefore, Macedonia will become a member of NATO and EU sooner or later,” Bagis said during the Turkey-Macedonia Trade and Investment Forum in the northwestern province of Bursa.

13. “Arab Spring nations eye bigger Turkey role”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 03.02.12), with the above title, reports, inter alia, the following:

“More than 70% of people in the Middle East think Turkey should play a greater role in the region, according to a recent survey conducted by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV).

‘Turkey is the most favourably regarded country in the Middle East. Some 70% think Turkey has become more influential in recent years and 75% believe Turkey should play a mediatory role in the Israel-Palestine conflict,’ Professor Mensur Akgun, the head of the TESEV Foreign Policy Program, told a press conference in Istanbul yesterday while presenting ‘The Perception of Turkey in the Middle East 2011’ survey.

The survey of 2,323 people was conducted between Oct. 19 and Dec. 15, 2011, across 16 countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Libya.

According to the survey, 61% of the people in Middle Eastern countries think of Turkey as a model in the region.

Some 78% of the correspondents said they viewed Turkey favourably. Turkey was followed in the same category by the UAE, at 70%, Palestine at 66%, China at 65%, Saudi Arabia at 64%, Lebanon at 64% and Egypt at 62%.

According to the survey, Turkey is widely expected to become the region’s strongest economy in 10 years’ time (25%); Saudi Arabia, at 16%, was the next most common response.

The country which has the least favourable view of Turkey is Syria. Just 44% of Syrian respondents reported a favourable view when asked about Turkey; only 30 of Syrians thought Turkey’s response to the developments of last year was positive while only 31% thought Turkey could be a model. (…)

Israel was seen as the Middle East’s biggest threat at 47%, followed by the United States at 24% and Iran at 11%. A regional average of 75% of respondents supported the holding of peaceful protests to effect change, while 20% supported violent protests.”
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

2012-02-02T17:07:00.002+02:00

Δημοσιεύματα τ/κού και τουρκικού τύπου στις 2.2.2012

Φεβρουαριος 2, 2012

1. Συνέντευξη Οζερσάι στον Χασάν Χαστουρέρ (ΣΤΑΡ ΚΙΠΡΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα δημοσιεύει συνέντευξη που παραχώρησε ο σύμβουλος του Τ/κου ηγέτη, Ντερβίς Έρογλου, Κουντρέτ Οζερσάι, στον δημοσιογράφο Χασάν Χαστουρέρ στα πλαίσια εκπομπής που προβάλλεται στον τηλεοπτικό «σταθμό» Ada TV των κατεχομένων. Ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε μεταξύ άλλων ότι κατά την τελευταία τριμερή σύνοδο που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Greentree, τέθηκε με τον πιο ξεκάθαρο τρόπο το χρονοδιάγραμμα για την επίλυση του Κυπριακού, τονίζοντας παράλληλα ότι πλέον ο Γ.Γ. των Η.Ε. δεν αναμένει πρόοδο από τους δύο ηγέτες, αλλά τελικό αποτέλεσμα. Ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε στη συνέχεια ότι πλέον δεν έχει σημασία πόση πρόοδος υπήρξε στις συνομιλίες στο κεφάλαιο του Περιουσιακού, αλλά κατά πόσο θα κλείσει ή όχι το κεφάλαιο αυτό, υποστηρίζοντας ότι πρέπει πια να επιδειχθεί πολιτική βούληση και αποφασιστικότητα. Αναφερόμενος στην τελευταία ανακοίνωση του ρωσικού ΥΠΕΞ για το Κυπριακό, ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε ότι όλοι πρέπει να γνωρίζουν ότι πίσω από την ανακοίνωση αυτή, κρύβεται και η επιθυμία του Χριστόφια. Χαρακτήρισε ακόμη λανθασμένα τα σχόλια που γίνονται κατά καιρούς στην ε/κή πλευρά, τα οποία αναφέρουν ότι θα οδηγηθούμε σε διεθνή διάσκεψη, αφού πρώτα δώσει τη συγκατάθεσή του το Συμβούλιο Ασφαλείας (ΣΑ). Το ΣΑ και η Γραμματεία του Γ.Γ. είναι δύο διαφορετικά σώματα των Η.Ε., η όλη διαδικασία των συνομιλιών διεξάγεται από τον Γ.Γ. και ως εκ τούτου, δεν υπάρχει ανάγκη συναίνεσης του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας για σύγκλιση διεθνούς διάσκεψης, υποστήριξε ο Οζερσάι. Στη συνέχεια ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε ότι η τριμερής συνάντηση στο Greentree ήταν η τελευταία τριμερής μεταξύ των δύο ηγετών και ότι αυτό που θα ακολουθήσει θα είναι μια διεθνής διάσκεψη. Ερωτηθείς γιατί η ε/κή πλευρά δεν θέλει τον Alexander Downer, ο Οζερσάι απάντησε ότι σύμφωνα με προηγούμενες εκθέσεις του Γ.Γ. των Η.Ε., η ε/κή πλευρά σε κρίσιμες περιόδους επιτίθεται στους εκάστοτε απεσταλμένους του Γ.Γ. για το Κυπριακό, ενώ πρόσθεσε ότι ίσως να το κάνουν αυτό τώρα σκεπτόμενοι ότι θα δυσκολευτούν πολύ να φέρουν με το μέρος τους τον συγκεκριμένο απεσταλμένο του Γ.Γ..

2. Κυπριακό – Δηλώσεις Οζερσάι (ΧΑΒΑΝΤΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι σε δηλώσεις του στην εκπομπή «Πρωινή Είδηση» του ΜΠΑΪΡΑΚ, ο ειδικός σύμβουλος του κατοχικού ηγέτη, Ντερβίς Έρογλου, Κουντρέτ Οζερσάι, αξιολόγησε τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις στο Κυπριακό. Ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε μεταξύ άλλων ότι εάν η ε/κή πλευρά επιδείξει πολιτική βούληση και ηγετικό χαρακτήρα, τότε το περιουσιακό, η εκλογική διαδικασία στην εκτελεστική εξουσία και η ιθαγένεια θα μπορέσουν να επιλυθούν μέχρι τον ερχόμενο Μάρτιο. Αφού είπε ότι η αλλαγή των δεδομένων στο θέμα του περιουσιακού και της ιθαγένειας άρχισε πριν από την πρόσφατη τριμερή στο Greentree, o Οζερσάι τόνισε πως η τ/κή πλευρά στην τελευταία τριμερή συνάντηση είχε προτείνει να συμφωνηθεί το πλαίσιο το οποίο θα περιλαμβάνει τα κριτήρια και τις βασικές αρχές στο περιουσιακό, κάτι το οποίο απέρριψε η ε/κή πλευρά. Ανέφερε ότι πλέον είναι ξεκάθαρο και κατανοητό και από τα Η.Ε. ότι η μέθοδος των τριμερών συναντήσεων έχει εξαντληθεί, επισημαίνοντας πως στην τελευταία τριμερή τα Η.Ε. δεν καθόρισαν νέα τριμερή συνάντηση, αλλά επέδειξαν την πρόθεσή τους για πραγματοποίηση πολυμερούς διάσκεψης. Τα Η.Ε. πρόσθεσε, έχουν είδη διαμορφώσει το πρόγραμμα των διαπραγματεύσεων και αυτό φαίνεται και από το ξεκάθαρο χρονοδιάγραμμα που θέτει ο Γ.Γ. των Η.Ε. μέσα από την επιστολή του Ιανουαρίου, καθώς και την απαρίθμηση των αναγκαίων διεργασιών που έχει κάνει σχετικά με τις συνομιλίες.

Ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε ότι το τελευταίο διάστημα δημιουργείται η λανθασμένη εντύπωση ότι η τ/κή πλευρά θέλει τον καθένα που διαμένει στην «Τ.Δ.Β.Κ.», όπως για παράδειγμα εργάτες και φοιτητές, να είναι και πολίτες της Ενωμένης Κύπρου, ξεκαθαρίζοντας ότι η πρόταση της τ/κής πλευράς είναι όλοι όσοι κατέχουν την «υπηκοότητα» της «Τ.Δ.Β.Κ.» κατά τη μέρα της διεξαγωγής του δημοψηφίσματος, να γίνουν και πολίτες της Ενωμένης Κύπρου. Όσον αφορά την υπηκοότητα του ομόσπονδου κράτους, αυτό είναι ένα ζήτημα το οποίο θα ρυθμιστεί μέσα από κανονισμούς, είπε ο Οζερσάι.

Σχολιάζοντας την ανακοίνωση του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών της Ρωσίας σχετικά με την έκβαση των συνομιλιών μετά την τριμερή συνάντηση στο Greentree, ο Οζερσάι επέκρινε το ρωσικό ΥΠΕΞ επειδή προέβηκε σε τέτοια ανακοίνωση χωρίς προηγουμένως να υπάρχει οποιαδήποτε επαφή με την τ/κή πλευρά. Η ανακοίνωση του αυτή τόνισε, επηρεάζει αρνητικά τη διαδικασία των διαπραγματεύσεων. «Ο Ε/κος ηγέτης στην τριμερή συνάντηση έπαιζε το καλό παιδί απέναντι στον Γ.Γ.. Και όταν βγήκε έξω προσπάθησε να δημιουργήσει την εντύπωση ότι ασκούνται πιέσεις εναντίον του χρησιμοποιώντας κάποιες χώρες, όπως είναι η Γαλλία και η Ρωσία», είπε ο Οζερσάι. Τέλος, ο Οζερσάι ανέφερε ότι το πρόγραμμα των απευθείας συνομιλιών μέχρι τον Μάρτιο θα το καθορίσουν οι δύο ηγέτες στη μεταξύ τους συνάντηση που θα έχουν την ερχόμενη εβδομάδα. Επεσήμανε δε ότι οι συναντήσεις θα συνεχιστούν, τόσο σε επίπεδο ηγετών, όσο και σε επίπεδο συμβούλων και ότι το πρόγραμμα των συνομιλιών θα περιλαμβάνει και τη διπλωματία του πήγαινε-έλα. Το μήνυμα που θέλησε να δώσει στον Πρόεδρο της Κ.Δ., Δημήτρη Χριστόφια, είναι το εξής: «Η τ/κή πλευρά θέλει απέναντί της στο τραπέζι των συνομιλιών να δει τον Ε/κο ηγέτη και την πολιτική του βούληση. Ο συνομιλητής του προέδρου (Έρογλου) δεν είναι το ε/κό εθνικό συμβούλιο. Ο Χριστόφιας πρέπει να επιδείξει ηγετικό χαρακτήρα».

3. Κυπριακό – Δηλώσεις Τσιητσιέκ (ΒΑΤΑΝ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι σε δηλώσεις του στο τουρκικό πρακτορείο ειδήσεων ΑΝΑΤΟΛΗ, ο πρόεδρος της Τουρκικής Εθνοσυνέλευσης, Τζιεμίλ Τσιητσιέκ, αξιολόγησε τις αποφάσεις της Κοινοβουλευτικής Συνέλευσης της Οργάνωσης Ισλαμικής Συνεργασίας (IKÖPAB), η οποία ολοκλήρωσε τις εργασίες του 7ου συνεδρίου της, στην πόλη Palembang της Ινδονησίας και εξέφρασε τις απόψεις του για την πορεία των διαπραγματεύσεων για την εξεύρεση λύσης στο κυπριακό πρόβλημα. Ο Τσιητσιέκ, αφού εξήρε τη σημασία που έχει να κατέχει τη θέση του γ.γ. της ΟΙΣ ένας Τούρκος (ο Εκμελεντίν Ιχσάνογλου), πρόσθεσε ότι με τη συμμετοχή της σε διάφορους διεθνείς οργανισμούς, η χώρα του διαδραματίζει πλέον ενεργό και σημαντικό ρόλο. Ο Τσιητσιέκ πρόσθεσε ότι επ’ ευκαιρία της συμμετοχής του στο συνέδριο της IKÖPAB, είχε επαφές με προέδρους κοινοβουλίων άλλων χωρών, στους οποίους μετέφερε τις προσδοκίες τις Τουρκίας σε διεθνές επίπεδο. Στη συνέχεια των δηλώσεών του, ο Τσιητσιέκ αναφέρθηκε στο ψήφισμα της ΟΙΣ σχετικά με το κυπριακό πρόβλημα και την επικύρωση του νομοσχεδίου ποινικοποίησης της άρνησης της Γενοκτονίας των Αρμενίων από τη γαλλική Γερουσία. Αναφορικά με το κυπριακό πρόβλημα, ο Τσιητσιέκ, δήλωσε ότι θα πρέπει μέχρι το τέλος του 1ου εξαμήνου του 2012 να δοθεί ένα τέλος σ’ αυτό, προσθέτοντας ότι η πλευρά που επιθυμεί την λύση είναι η τ/κή, η οποία όμως αντιμετωπίζει σωρεία δυσκολιών και γίνονται συνεχείς προσπάθειες «απομόνωσής» της από τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο.

4. Δηλώσεις Ομέρ Φαρούκ Οζ για τα κατεχόμενα – Συζήτηση για πιθανή αλλαγή του «συντάγματος» και του «εσωτερικού κανονισμού της βουλής» (ΒΑΤΑΝ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι ο πρόεδρος της Ομάδας Φιλίας της Κύπρου στην Τουρκική Εθνοσυνέλευση και βουλευτής του Κόμματος Δικαιοσύνης και Ανάπτυξης, Ομέρ Φαρούκ Οζ, σε δηλώσεις του στο τουρκικό ειδησεογραφικό πρακτορείο ΑΝΑΤΟΛΗ, αναφέρθηκε στην πολιτική που ακολουθεί η τουρκική κυβέρνηση για τα κατεχόμενα. Ο Οζ ανέφερε μεταξύ άλλων ότι οι νέοι της «βόρειας Κύπρου», όπως απεκάλεσε τα κατεχόμενα, δεν πρέπει να μιμούνται την Αγγλία ή τον «ε/κό τομέα» και για αυτό το λόγο η τουρκική κυβέρνηση επιθυμεί να βελτιώσει το επίπεδο ζωής στο ψευδοκράτος, μέσω της βελτίωσης της ποιότητας της ζωής, των ατομικών δικαιωμάτων και της υποδομής. Ο Οζ ανέφερε ακόμη ότι το ψευδοκράτος έχει στρατηγική σημασία για την Τουρκία, αλλά τόσο η σημασία αυτή, όσο και το γεγονός ότι στο νησί ζουν Τούρκοι, δεν σημαίνει ότι η Κύπρος πρέπει να αποτελεί οικονομικό βάρος στην πλάτη της Τουρκίας.

Σύμφωνα με τον Οζ, η Ομάδα Φιλίας της Κύπρου στην Τουρκική Εθνοσυνέλευση θα επισκεφθεί τις προσεχείς μέρες τα κατεχόμενα, όπου αναμένεται να αρχίσουν εργασίες μεταξύ των «δύο χωρών» που θα αφορούν την αλλαγή του «συντάγματος» και του «εσωτερικού κανονισμού της βουλής», τονίζοντας παράλληλα ότι οι όποιες αλλαγές γίνουν στο «σύνταγμα» θα τεθούν σε δημοψήφισμα. Είπε ακόμη ότι τους λέχθηκε από τα κατεχόμενα ότι χρειάζονται χρηματοδότηση για τη διενέργεια δημοψηφίσματος για τις αλλαγές αυτές και κατέληξε λέγοντας ότι είναι δυνατό η Τουρκία να συμβάλει στη διενέργεια του εν λόγω δημοψηφίσματος.

5. Δηλώσεις Ερντογάν για το νόμο περί ποινικοποίησης της άρνησης της γενοκτονίας των Αρμενίων στην Γαλλία (ΣΑΜΠΑΧ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι ο Τούρκος Πρωθυπουργός, κατά τη διάρκεια ομιλίας του στη διευρυμένη σύνοδο προέδρων των επαρχιακών οργανώσεων του Κόμματος Δικαιοσύνης και Ανάπτυξης (Κ.Δ.Α.), αναφέρθηκε μεταξύ άλλων στο νόμο περί ποινικοποίησης της άρνησης της γενοκτονίας των Αρμενίων που παραπέμφθηκε από την Γαλλική Γερουσία για συζήτηση στο Συνταγματικό Συμβούλιο της χώρας. Ο Ερντογάν είπε ότι πιστεύει και ελπίζει ότι στο Συνταγματικό Συμβούλιο θα συμπεριφερθούν με σωφροσύνη. Στη συνέχεια ο Τούρκος Πρωθυπουργός χαρακτήρισε το νόμο αυτό ρατσιστικό και εχθρικό προς την Τουρκία. Επίσης σημείωσε ότι παρατηρείται στην Ε.Ε. αυξανόμενος ρατσισμός, εχθρότητα προς τους ξένους και ισλαμοφοβία και ότι αυτό είναι ένα εσωτερικό θέμα της Ε.Ε. το οποίο πρέπει να το αντιμετωπίσει.

6. Σερντάρ Ντενκτάς - Κυπριακό (ΝΤΕΜΟΚΡΑΤ ΜΠΑΚΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Πρωτοσέλιδα η εφημερίδα στεγάζει δημοσίευμα για τη χθεσινή επίσκεψη της επιτροπής του «συνδέσμου οικογενειών πεσόντων και αναπήρων πολέμου» με επικεφαλής τον πρόεδρο του συνδέσμου, Ερτάν Ερσάν, στον αρχηγό του Δημοκρατικού Κόμματος, Σερντάρ Ντενκτάς. Κατά τη συνάντηση ο Ντενκτάς είπε ότι εύχονται να μην βιώσουν ξανά εκείνες τις μέρες του πολέμου, τονίζοντας ότι σε αυτό συνέβαλε ο αποβιώσαντας πρώην Τ/κος ηγέτης, Ραούφ Ντενκτάς. Ο Σερντάρ Ντενκτάς τόνισε επίσης ότι είναι καθήκον τους να διεκδικήσουν το «κράτος» τους και να το διοικήσουν σωστά, γι’ αυτό το λόγο θα κάνουν ότι είναι αναγκαίο για να προχωρήσουν μπροστά. Αναφερόμενος στις συνεχιζόμενες διαπραγματεύσεις για την εξεύρεση λύσης στο Κυπριακό, ο Ντενκτάς είπε ότι εάν και οι τελευταίες συνομιλίες καταλήξουν σε αποτυχία, τότε θα πρέπει να γίνει ακόμα ένα δημοψήφισμα στην τ/κή πλευρά, με το οποίο ο τ/κός «λαός» θα αποφασίσει «κατά πόσο να συνεχιστούν ή όχι οι συνομιλίες». Αναφερόμενος δε στην ανακοίνωση της Ρωσίας σχετικά με τη διαπραγματευτική διαδικασία, ο Ντενκτάς είπε τα εξής: «Είναι φανερό ότι οι συνομιλίες έφτασαν στο τελικό τους στάδιο. Αλλά πάνω από όλα, αυτό δεν είναι ένα θέμα στο οποίο θα αναμιχθεί η Ρωσία. Διότι η Ρωσία, δεν είναι η χώρα που θα αποφασίζει τι θα γίνει σε ολόκληρο το νησί». Ο Ντενκτάς πρόσθεσε τα εξής: «Θα κάτσουμε να περιμένουμε πότε θα γίνει το κέφι των Ε/κων για να μας δουν ως ίσους; Παίζεται ένα παιχνίδι ενώπιον του υπόλοιπου κόσμου και σε αυτό το παιχνίδι, εμείς είμαστε αυτοί που χάνουν. Έφτασε ο καιρός να δώσουμε ένα τέλος σε αυτό». Ο Ερσάν με τη σειρά του είπε ότι θα ακολουθήσουν το δρόμο που χάραξε ο «ιδρυτικός ηγέτης» του ψευδοκράτους, Ραούφ Ντενκτάς.

7. Πραγματοποίηση 3ου διεθνούς συμποσίου Κύπρου στην Μερσίνα (ΓΚΙΟΥΝΕΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι σε δημοσιογραφική διάσκεψη που παρέθεσαν χθες, ο πρύτανης του Πανεπιστημίου Μερσίνας στην Τουρκία, Σουχά Αϊντίν, ο πρόεδρος του «τ/κού πολιτιστικού συνδέσμου», Αχμέτ Γκιοκσάν και ο πρύτανης του Πανεπιστημίου Çağ της Τουρκίας, Τσιετίν Μπεντεστεντζιή, ανέφεραν ότι το Πανεπιστήμιο Μερσίνας, μεταξύ 18-20 Οκτωβρίου θα φιλοξενήσει το 3ο διεθνές συμπόσιο Κύπρου. Στο εν λόγω συμπόσιο αναμένεται να συζητηθεί το Κυπριακό και να τεθούν επί τάπητος προτάσεις για επίλυσή του.

8. Συνάντηση Έρογλου-Guellil (BATAN, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι η Πρέσβειρα της Γερμανίας στην Κύπρο, Gabriela Guellilm, έγινε χθες δεκτή από τον Ντερβίς Έρογλου στο λεγόμενο προεδρικό. Σε δηλώσεις της μετά το πέρας της συνάντησης, η Guellilm, αφού δήλωσε ότι οι διαπραγματεύσεις για την εξεύρεση λύσης στο κυπριακό πρόβλημα κινούνται με αργούς ρυθμούς, είπε ότι συναντήθηκε με τον Έρογλου για να ενημερωθεί σχετικά με τις απόψεις του για το θέμα αυτό.

9. Δημοσιογραφική διάσκεψη «τ/κού εθνικού συμβουλίου» (ΚΙΠΡΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι σε δημοσιογραφική διάσκεψη που πραγματοποίησε χθες το «τ/κό εθνικό συμβούλιο», γνωστοποιήθηκαν οι λόγοι ίδρυσής του, οι στόχοι και οι θέσεις του. Στη δημοσιογραφική διάσκεψη παρευρέθηκαν εκ μέρους της κεντρικής εκτελεστικής επιτροπής του «συμβουλίου» οι Καμίλ Οζκάλογλου, Αχμέτ Οτουκέν και Βεντάτ Τσιελίκ. Κατά τη διάρκεια της δημοσιογραφικής διάσκεψης ανεγνώσθηκε κείμενο που αφορά τους στόχους του συμβουλίου. Το «τ/κό εθνικό συμβούλιο», αναφέρει ότι πρέπει πλέον να δοθεί ένα τέλος στις συνομιλίες και σημειώνει ότι άρχισαν διαβήματα για αναγνώριση της «Τ.Δ.Β.Κ.». Το «συμβούλιο» καλεί την «κυβέρνηση», τα κόμματα της αντιπολίτευσης και όλα τα θεσμικά όργανα του ψευδοκράτους, όπως δράσουν με υπευθυνότητα, προς το σκοπό αυτό. Το συμβούλιο επέκρινε τις εκδηλώσεις διαμαρτυρίας που πραγματοποιεί το «κίνημα κοινοτικής ύπαρξης» λέγοντας ότι οι ενέργειές τους στρέφονται κατά του τ/κού «λαού» και της «Τ.Δ.Β.Κ.».

10. Κυπριακό – Δηλώσεις Ταλάτ (ΒΑΤΑΝ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι σε δηλώσεις του στον παράνομο ραδιοσταθμό ΜΠΑΪΡΑΚ, ο τέως κατοχικός ηγέτης, Μεχμέτ Αλί Ταλάτ, προέβη σε αξιολόγηση της τριμερούς του Greentree και της πορείας των διαπραγματεύσεων για την εξεύρεση λύσης στο κυπριακό πρόβλημα. Ο Ταλάτ, αφού ανέφερε ότι για να εξευρεθεί λύση στο κυπριακό πρόβλημα, πρέπει να καταβληθούν πιο έντονες προσπάθειες, είπε ότι ο κυριότερος λόγος για τη μη επιτυχή έκβαση της συνάντησης στο Greentree, ήταν η απροθυμία των δύο πλευρών. Επαναλαμβάνοντας την άποψη του ότι η μη λύση του Κυπριακού δεν είναι λύση, ο Ταλάτ είπε ότι με διάφορες ανακοινώσεις και δηλώσεις της, η τουρκική πλευρά έδωσε το μήνυμα ότι η επιθυμία της ήταν όπως η συνάντηση στο Greentree να είναι η τελευταία, όμως αυτό που θα έπρεπε να επιθυμεί είναι η επίτευξη μιας συμφωνίας. Στη συνέχεια των δηλώσεών του ο Ταλάτ, αξιολόγησε την «υπεροπτική» όπως χαρακτήρισε στάση που τηρεί η ε/κή πλευρά και είπε ότι εκτός από την επίτευξη λύσης δεν έχει άλλη επιλογή, προσθέτοντας ότι η διεθνής κοινότητα επιδεικνύει για διάφορους λόγους μια συμπάθεια προς την ε/κή πλευρά και παρόλο που έκανε αρκετές «αμαρτίες», κατά την έκφρασή του, η συμπάθεια αυτή δεν μειώθηκε. Συνεχίζοντας τις δηλώσεις του, ο Ταλάτ ισχυρίστηκε ότι ο τ/κός «λαός» βρίσκεται σε μεγάλο κίνδυνο και σε στάδιο διάβρωσης, ενώ λόγω του γεγονότος ότι από τη μια να έχουν την ε/κή πλευρά να τους υποβαθμίζει και από την άλλη τη ροή πληθυσμού από την Τουρκία, αισθάνονται ότι βρίσκονται στη μέση σαν σάντουιτς. Πρόσθεσε ότι λόγω διαφόρων προβλημάτων που υφίσταται η Τουρκία, το Κυπριακό δεν αποτελεί το πρώτο θέμα στην ατζέντα της. Τέλος, απαντώντας σε ερώτηση κατά πόσο νιώθει πικρία για τον Πρόεδρο Χριστόφια, ο Ταλάτ είπε ότι το γεγονός ότι, είχαν πλησιάσει σε μεγάλο βαθμό την επίλυση του Κυπριακού και ο Χριστόφιας είπε ΟΧΙ στο Σχέδιο Ανάν, αυτό του δημιούργησε πικρίες.

11. Τουρισμός – Δηλώσεις Ουστέλ και Αμπιντίν (ΚΙΠΡΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι σε δηλώσεις τους στην Βαρσοβία όπου πραγματοποιείται η τουριστική έκθεση ITM, ο «υπουργός τουρισμού και περιβάλλοντος», Ουνάλ Ουστέλ και ο πρόεδρος του διοικητικού συμβουλίου του τουριστικού γραφείου των κατεχομένων Akmina Travel Club, Ισμαΐλ Αμπιντίν, αναφέρθηκαν στον τουρισμό. Ο Ουστέλ είπε ότι το 2011 πραγματοποιήθηκαν ναυλωμένες πτήσεις από 14 προορισμούς προς το ψευδοκράτος και σημείωσε ότι το 2012 θα πραγματοποιηθούν ναυλωμένες πτήσεις από 19 προορισμούς. Ανέφερε ακόμη ότι προγραμματίζουν την έναρξη ναυλωμένων πτήσεων από Σκανδιναβικές χώρες και διεξάγουν εργασίες για την πραγματοποίηση ναυλωμένων πτήσεων από την Μόσχα. Ανέφερε ακολούθως ότι το 2011 ο αριθμός των τουριστών που επισκέφθηκαν το ψευδοκράτος, ανήλθε στις 570,000, σημειώνοντας ότι στόχος τους είναι όπως το 2012 ο αριθμός αυτός ανέλθει γύρω στις 800,000. Τέλος, ο Ουστέλ ανέφερε ότι η Πολωνία είναι ένας καλός τουριστικός προορισμός, προσθέτοντας ότι σε αντίθεση με την περσινή χρονιά όπου πραγματοποιείτο μία ναυλωμένη πτήση την εβδομάδα από την Βαρσοβία, φέτος το τουριστικό γραφείο Citron Travel της Πολωνίας θα μεταφέρει τουρίστες στα κατεχόμενα, 4 φορές την εβδομάδα από 4 πόλεις της Πολωνίας. Σημείωσε επίσης ότι ο αριθμός των τουριστών από την Πολωνία φέτος θα διπλασιασθεί. Σε δηλώσεις του ο Ισμαΐλ Αμπιντίν, ανέφερε ότι στόχος τους είναι όπως το 2012 το τουριστικό γραφείο Akmina Travel Club, μεταφέρει στο ψευδοκράτος 40,000 τουρίστες με τις 15,000 εξ’ αυτών να προέρχονται από την Πολωνία και σημείωσε ότι το 2012 θα πραγματοποιήσουν ναυλωμένες πτήσεις από την Δανία, Ιταλία, Πολωνία, Γερμανία, Βέλγιο και Γερμανία.

12. Μερσίνα - Απαγόρευση εισαγωγής εσπεριδοειδών από τα κατεχόμενα - Αντιδράσεις (ΚΙΠΡΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
H εφημερίδα στεγάζει σε δημοσίευμά της, τις αντιδράσεις της ένωσης Τ/κων εξαγωγέων εσπεριδοειδών και της ένωσης εξαγωγέων εσπεριδοειδών της Μεσογείου το περιστατικό σχετικά με την επιστροφή των γκρέιπφρουτ και των ξηρών καρπών με προέλευση τα κατεχόμενα και προορισμό την Τουρκία, από τις αρχές του λιμανιού της Μερσίνας. Αιτία ήταν η ύπαρξη ιχνών χημικής ουσίας neoron σε ποσότητα γκρέιπφρουτ, ενώ και τα δύο προϊόντα (γκρέιπφρουτ και ξηροί καρποί) κρίθηκαν ακατάλληλα για εισαγωγή και χρήση και επιστράφηκαν στα κατεχόμενα. Σε γραπτή ανακοίνωσή τους και οι δύο ενώσεις εξαγωγέων σημείωσαν ότι όπως και σε κάθε άλλο μέρος του κόσμου όσον αφορά την εξαγωγή εσπεριδοειδών, έτσι και στην Τουρκία λαμβάνονται διάφορα μέτρα υγείας και εφαρμόζεται γεωργική καραντίνα. Στην ανακοίνωση, τονίζεται ότι το συντομότερο δυνατό θα πρέπει το «υπουργείο γεωργίας» και η «κυβέρνηση» να λάβουν τα αναγκαία μέτρα και να δημιουργήσουν εργαστήρια για γεωργικό έλεγχο των προϊόντων.

13. Εκδήλωση διαμαρτυρίας από 23 οργανώσεις έξω από την «πρωθυπουργία» (ΧΑΒΑΝΤΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι μέλη της ένωσης Τ/κων εργολάβων, του επιμελητηρίου μικροβιοτεχνών και μικροκαταστηματαρχών και άλλων 21 οργανώσεων των κατεχομένων, συγκεντρώθηκαν χθες έξω από τη λεγόμενη πρωθυπουργία διαμαρτυρόμενοι για διάφορες αποφάσεις που έλαβε πρόσφατα η «κυβέρνηση». Μεγάλος αριθμός φορτηγών, μπουλντόζων και άλλων μηχανημάτων στάθμευσαν έξω από την «πρωθυπουργία» με αποτέλεσμα να προκληθούν προβλήματα στην τροχαία κυκλοφορία. Εκπρόσωποι της ένωσης Τ/κων εργολάβων μαζί με εκπροσώπους άλλων οργανώσεων, είχαν συνάντηση με τον λεγόμενο πρωθυπουργό Ιρσέν Κουτσιούκ, τον «υπουργό εσωτερικών και τοπικής αυτοδιοίκησης», Ναζίμ Τσιαβούσογλου και τον «υπουργό δημοσίων έργων και μεταφορών», Ερσάν Σανέρ. Οι συναντήσεις διήρκησαν τρεις περίπου ώρες και οι εκπρόσωποι των οργανώσεων παρέδωσαν στην «κυβέρνηση» υπόμνημα με 29 συνολικά αιτήματα. Αυτά αφορούν μεταξύ άλλων, το θέμα της παραχώρησης «υπηκοοτήτων» με αφορμή την παραχώρηση «υπηκοότητας» στο γνωστό Τούρκο επιχειρηματία Τεμέλ Μπουλούτ, το «νόμο για το πόθεν έσχες» και τη φορολόγηση αδήλωτων εσόδων, την παραοικονομία και την ετοιμασία προγράμματος σταδιακής οικονομικής ανάπτυξης, την αναθεώρηση των πιστώσεων και την αναγνώριση σε Τ/κους φοιτητές που φοιτούν στην Αγγλική Σχολή, του δικαιώματος για εισδοχή τους σε πανεπιστήμια της Τουρκίας. Τελικά η διαμαρτυρία έληξε με τους εκπροσώπους των οργανώσεων να δηλώνουν ικανοποιημένοι από τη συνάντηση με τους εκπροσώπους της «κυβέρνησης» και αποφασισμένους να συνεχίσουν την υπεράσπιση των καλώς νοουμένων συμφερόντων τους.

14. Θεολογική σχολή στην Μια Μηλιά - Δηλώσεις Κουτσιούκ (ΚΙΠΡΙΣ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα, σε άρθρο του Σερχάτ Ιντζιηρλί, επανέρχεται στο χθεσινό δημοσίευμά της αναφορικά με την ενοικίαση γης στο «κυπριακό βακούφιο επιστήμης, ηθικής και κοινωνικής αλληλοβοήθειας (KISAV)» για την ανέγερση θεολογικής σχολής και άλλων εκπαιδευτικών εγκαταστάσεων. Υπενθυμίζεται ότι πρόκειται για έκταση γης 200 στρεμμάτων, παρά τον κυκλικό κόμβο των κατεχόμενων χωριών Μια Μηλιά-Βουνό και ανατολικά του διεθνούς πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου, η οποία ανήκει στη «διοίκηση βακουφίων» στα κατεχόμενα και η οποία ενοικιάστηκε με απόφαση του «υπουργικού συμβουλίου» και χωρίς την προκήρυξη προσφορών. Σύμφωνα πάντα με το δημοσίευμα, η όλη υπόθεση προκάλεσε αντιδράσεις και γι’ αυτό γνωστοποιήθηκε ότι το «ελεγκτικό συμβούλιο» θα αρχίσει τη διερεύνηση της υπόθεσης, ενώ μέχρι στιγμής καμία ανακοίνωση δεν έγινε από οποιοδήποτε στέλεχος του KISAV. Ο δημοσιογράφος της εφημερίδας γράφει επίσης ότι δεν κατέστη δυνατή οποιαδήποτε επικοινωνία με το KISAV. Σημειώνει ακόμη ότι το «υπουργικό συμβούλιο» ενέκρινε την πρόταση της διοίκησης βακουφίων χωρίς προηγουμένως το KISAV να υποβάλει οποιοδήποτε σχέδιο αναφορικά με την επένδυση στην οποία θα προβεί στο εν λόγω τεμάχιο γης. Επιπρόσθετα στο δημοσίευμα, στεγάζονται δηλώσεις του «πρωθυπουργού» του ψευδοκράτους, Ιρσέν Κουτσιούκ, επί του θέματος, ο οποίος είπε ότι σε αυτό το τεμάχιο γης θα ανεγερθούν πανεπιστημιακές εγκαταστάσεις και ιδιωτικό κολέγιο. Είπε επίσης ότι, τόσο η «διοίκηση βακουφίων» όσο και το «κράτος», μπορούν να προβαίνουν σε παραχωρήσεις οικοπέδων για επενδύσεις ή ακόμα και σε μακροπρόθεσμες ενοικιάσεις οικοπέδων με την καταβολή συμβολικού αντίτιμου. Ο Κουτσιούκ πρόσθεσε ότι η υπό αναφορά επένδυση θα γίνει προς όφελος της κοινότητας, ενώ μετά την ολοκλήρωση του έργου, αυτή η επένδυση θα παραδοθεί εξ’ ολοκλήρου στα «βακούφια» και στο «υπουργείο παιδείας». Κάλεσε δε το κοινό να μην βλέπει όλα τα θέματα από εμπορικής σκοπιάς. Υπάρχει η σκέψη, πρόσθεσε, μέσα σε αυτό το έργο, να συστεγαστούν και τα σχολεία που βρίσκονται πίσω από την «πρεσβεία» της Τουρκίας.

15. Το ψευδοκράτος σε έκθεση στο Ιράν (ΒΑΤΑΝ, 2.2.2012)
Η εφημερίδα γράφει ότι ομάδα Τ/κων επιχειρηματιών, ένας εκ των οποίων δραστηριοποιείται στον τουριστικό τομέα του ψευδοκράτος, συμμετέχουν στην έκθεση «Mashhad Expo International» που άνοιξε χθες τις πύλες της στο Ιράν.

2012-02-02T16:51:00.002+02:00

Εργασίες στις λεωφόρους Σπύρου Κυπριανού και Γρίβα Διγενή

02/02/2012

Το Υπουργείο Συγκοινωνιών και ΄Εργων, Τμήμα Δημοσίων ΄Εργων, Γραφείο Επαρχιακού Μηχανικού Λευκωσίας ανακοινώνει ότι την Κυριακή, 5 Φεβρουαρίου από τις 6:30 π.μ. μέχρι τις 2:30 μ.μ. θα εκτελούνται εργασίες για πλύσιμο ανακλαστήρων στο τμήμα της Λεωφόρου Σπύρου Κυπριανού στο Στρόβολο από τα φώτα τροχαίας Ορφανίδη μέχρι τον κυκλικό κόμβο METRO και στο τμήμα της Λεωφόρου Γρίβα Διγενή από τα φώτα τροχαίας Γαβριηλίδη μέχρι τον κυκλικό κόμβο Κολοκασίδη.

Κατά τη διάρκεια εκτέλεσης των εργασιών θα κλείνει τμηματικά σε μήκος 200μ. περίπου η δεξιά λωρίδα κυκλοφορίας διαδοχικά και στις δύο κατευθύνσεις και η τροχαία κίνηση θα διοχετεύεται στην αριστερή λωρίδα (λωρίδα βραδείας κυκλοφορίας).

Το Τμήμα Δημοσίων ΄Εργων απολογείται για την αναπόφευκτη ταλαιπωρία που θα προκληθεί και καλεί το κοινό να επιδείξει την απαραίτητη κατανόηση και να συμμορφώνεται με την προσωρινή οδική σήμανση και τις υποδείξεις της Αστυνομίας.

2012-02-01T17:07:00.002+02:00

C O N T E N T S

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

1. Downer said that the important thing was the two sides to bring constructive proposals to the negotiation table
2. ICO’s Parliamentary Union decided “active cooperation” with the “Turkish Cypriot State”
3. Ozgurgun described Russian’s statement on the Cyprus talks as “unfortunate”
4. The illegal regime disposed 200 donums of land to a religious foundation close to the AKP for 100 TL annually
5. “Ergenekon was established for Cyprus”
6. Turkey to transport electricity to the breakaway regime
7. “Turkey hails as genocide bill in France put on hold”
8. Turkey and GCC discussed opportunities for new cooperation; Cyprus was on the agenda
9. Turkey and Turkmenistan signed an economic committee protocol
10. “Trade deficit at historic highs”

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
A meeting between Alexander Downer and Dervis Eroglu within the framework of the Cyprus talks, the resolution on Cyprus adopted by the 7th meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Cooperation Organization, reaction by Ozgurgun to the recent statement made by the Russian Foreign Ministry on the Cyprus problem, the disposal of land in occupied Mia Milia area to a foundation close to the AKP for building a “religious complex”, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to information that the Ergenekon organization was established in the 1950’s for the “protection of the Turks in Cyprus”.

Statements by Turkish officials about the appeal of French Senators to the country's Supreme Constitutional Council to overturn a bill that penalizes the denial of the Armenian genocide, contacts by President Abdullah Gul in the United Arab Emirates, reports about the bad weather conditions in Turkey, the decision of the head of the Turkish Football Federation to resign as a result of a crisis regarding a match-fixing investigation that began in July and other domestic issues are the main topics in today’s Turkish newspapers.

1. Downer said that the important thing was the two sides to bring constructive proposals to the negotiation table
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 31.01.12), Alexander Downer, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser had yesterday morning a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Downer said that the meeting had focused on the way forward in the negotiations process.

Reminding that limited progress had been reached at the Greentree summit, Downer underlined the need to move forward and to work towards making the process more successful.

Asked when the talks were set to continue, Downer said that this would be determined following his meeting with President Demetris Christofias on Wednesday.

“I think they need to continue soon, that is my view, my judgment and of course they need a work plan”, he added.

Responding to a question on the format of the talks, the UN Special Adviser said that the important thing was not the intensity of the talks but for the two sides to bring constructive proposals to the table.

2. ICO’s Parliamentary Union decided “active cooperation” with the “Turkish Cypriot State”
Under the title “Decision for active cooperation with the ‘Turkish Cypriot State’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (01.02.12) reports that a decision on Cyprus was adopted yesterday at the 7th meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Cooperation Organization’s member states (IKTPAB), which was held in Indonesia with the participation of a delegation from the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus headed by Hasan Bozer, self-styled speaker of the “assembly” of the breakaway regime.

According to information provided by the self-styled assembly of the breakaway regime, in the decision, IKTPAB called on its member states to actively cooperate with the “Turkish Cypriot State”, as the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus is described, and strengthen their relations in every field in order for helping in the overcoming of the “inhuman isolations” allegedly implemented on this “state”. IKTPAB asked from its member states to continue their active support for meeting the “legitimate demands” of the “Turkish Cypriot State” regarding making the voice of the Turkish Cypriots heard in the international arena on the basis of the equality of the “two peoples in Cyprus” until a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem is reached.

Arguing that the Cyprus problem is on the agenda of the UN Security Council for approximately half a century, the decision recalled the previous decisions taken by IKTPAB and said it reiterates the necessity and the urgency of finding a just, viable and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem that is based on the UN parameters, which are the political equality of two bi-zonal, bi-communal founding states, equal status and a structure of a new partnership state, and on the support of the UN Secretary-General’s good offices mission.

The decision condemned the agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel regarding the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone of the two countries, because it allegedly ignores the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and endangers the negotiations between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots [for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem]. It recalled the “constructive” proposal made on 24 September 2011 in New York by the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, whom it described as “Turkish Cypriot President”, regarding the mutual and simultaneous postponement of all actions as regards the hydrocarbon reserves in the shore of Cyprus, and the establishment of a special committee with the participation of the “two sides” on the island. It said it welcomes this proposal and called on the Greek Cypriots to accept it.

The decision expressed satisfaction with the so-called willingness of Turkey and the “Turkish Cypriot State” for reaching a political and viable agreement in Cyprus and added that it shares the view of the UN Secretary-General that the negotiating process could not be open-ended and that this opportunity should be utilized.

The decision said also that, in case the process fails once more, the Turkish Cypriot community should not be isolated. IKTPAB expressed its satisfaction with the call made by the UN Secretary-General (S/2007/699) on the international community for securing economic, social and cultural relations with the Turkish Cypriot “people” and argued that there is no contradiction between the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the lifting of the “isolations” allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)

3. Ozgurgun described Russian’s statement on the Cyprus talks as “unfortunate”
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (31.01.12), Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled minister of foreign affairs has criticized a statement from Russia rejecting a possible international conference to find a settlement to the division of Cyprus.

“A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday on a tri-partite summit meeting in Greentree on January 22-24 encourages the Greek Cypriot administration’s [Republic of Cyprus] uncompromising attitude and it is unhelpful to efforts exerted for a lasting and fair solution in the island,” Ozgurgun said in a press release on Tuesday.

Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed opposition to “a premature international conference” and “outside attempts to speed up the settlement process” as well as to any arbitration effort.

Ozgurgun described the Russian statement as “unfortunate”, calling Russia to act “more responsibly” as a Permanent Member of the Security Council.

4. The illegal regime disposed 200 donums of land to a religious foundation close to the AKP for 100 TL annually
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (01.02.12) reports that the Evkaf religious foundation has decided to dispose a land of 200 donums [Translator’s note: A land measure of around 1,000 square meters] in the area of occupied Mia Milia village-near the illegal International University of Cyprus- to the “Cyprus Science, Ethics and Social Assistance Foundation”. The foundation plans to build mosques, a seminary/religious vocational lyceum, and sports installations. It will use the land for a period of 30 years and pay 100 Turkish liras (TL) annually.

The paper reports that the Evkaf foundation rejected another profitable proposal by a company, which offered 417 thousand pound sterling in advance and a monthly rent. The Evkaf foundation submitted its proposal for giving the above-mentioned land to the “Cyprus Science, Ethics and Social Assistance Foundation” on 20 January 2012. The proposal was approved and published in the “official gazette” of the breakaway regime within a very short period of five days.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (01.02.12) refers to the same issue under the banner front-page title: “200 donums for 100 TL annually” and reports that the “Cyprus Science, Ethics and Social Assistance Foundation” is known for its close relations with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey. “The spiritual leader of Islamist AKP, Fethullah Gulen started spreading over the northern part of Cyprus for good”, writes the paper.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (01.02.12) also refers to the issue on its front page under the title: “Seminary Complex in Mia Milia, 200 donums, 30 years, 100 TL”.
(I/Ts.)

5. “Ergenekon was established for Cyprus”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (01.02.12) reports that Erol Mutercimler, who is on trial without being in pre-trial confinement for the Ergenekon case, stated that Ergenekon was established for Cyprus.

Mutercimler, who was testifying for the Ergenekon case in the 13th Criminal Court of Istanbul, stated that he first heard about the organization by retired Major General Memduh Unluturk, who told him that Ergenekon was established in the 1950s for the protection of the Turkish Cypriots.

According to Mutercimler, Unluturk told him that including him, Alparslan Turkes, Turgut Sunalp and many other members of the military established Ergenekon. Unluturk further reportedly said that in 1960 the organization was transferred to Turkey and in 1983 was closed down.

6. Turkey to transport electricity to the breakaway regime
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.02.12), Turkey is planning to transport electricity to the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, a Turkish lawmaker said on Wednesday. Omer Faruk Oz, the head of the Turkish Parliament’s “TRNC Friendship Group”, said that there was still potable water problem in “TRNC”.

“Turkey and TRNC signed protocols in 2010 to transport water to TRNC from Mersin's Anamur town via 70km pipeline to be constructed beneath the Mediterranean Sea,” Oz told AA correspondent.
Oz said a pond would be constructed in “TRNC”, and water would be pumped there, thus “TRNC’s” potable water problem would be solved.

“Moreover, we will transport electricity to North Cyprus with another pipeline to be attached to the water pipeline,” Oz said, adding that Turkey was planning to complete the projects by 2013 or 2014.

Oz also said that Cyprus would take over the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) in July 2012. “We do not accept their presidency, and we do not think that the Greek Cypriot administration represents the entire Cyprus,” Oz said.

He concluded by saying that “Turkey would not contribute to any solution that regarded the Turkish side and TRNC non-existent”.

7. “Turkey hails as genocide bill in France put on hold”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 01.02.12), with the above title, reports, inter alia, the following:

“Turkey has hailed a motion by French legislators to halt a bill criminalizing denials of Armenian genocide claims after they produced the 60 signatures required to stop the draft from becoming law.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended ‘wholehearted thanks’ to the French Senators who appealed the law and voiced hope France’s Constitutional Council would quash the legislation.

‘I have no doubt the Constitutional Council will eventually make an appropriate decision’, President Abdullah Gul said, adding that he was ‘not expecting the French from the very beginning to let their country be overshadowed’ by the resolution. (…)

On Jan. 24 President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office brushed off angry threats of retaliation by Turkey and vowed to sign the bill into law within a fortnight.

But a left-wing group of Senators said yesterday that they had gathered 76 signatures from colleagues opposed to the law. A group from the Lower House of Parliament had also gathered 65 signatures yesterday and had formally requested that the Constitutional Council examine the law.

The move raises the possibility that the law will be dismissed as unconstitutional. The appeal was spearheaded by Jacques Mezard at the Senate and Michel Diefenbacher, the head of the Turkish-French Parliamentary Friendship Group. The groups said they each had gathered more than the minimum 60 signatures required to ask the Council to test the law’s constitutionality. If the court finds the law unconstitutional, the legislation will be rejected.

‘This is an atomic bomb for the Elysee [Sarkozy’s office], which didn’t see it coming’, said Deputy Lionel Tardy, who said most of the 65 signatories from the Lower House were, like him, from Sarkozy’s Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party. The Council is obliged to deliver its judgment within a month, but the period could be reduced to eight days if the government deems the matter urgent.

Turkish officials were universal in welcoming the development. ‘The fact that the application was made with over 60 signatures from both houses [of the French Parliament] is a significant development. I extend my wholehearted thanks to those French parliamentarians on behalf of myself and my nation. They did what they were supposed to do. I hope that the Constitutional Council will rectify this unjust process and bring it in line with the values of France,’ Erdogan said.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also hailed the French Senators’ move, saying that with this step France embraced its own values.

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis, meanwhile, said yesterday that ‘freedom of expression is one of the most important features in the EU acquis’. Bagis also noted European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule’s remarks about the French resolution in which Fule said illuminating history was the business of historians, not politicians. (…)”

8. Turkey and GCC discussed opportunities for new cooperation; Cyprus was on the agenda
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (31.01.12), in a High Level Strategic Dialogue Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkey and the GCC, Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman) discussed opportunities for new cooperation and went over areas in which cooperation took place in the past.

A Turkish diplomat told the AA that during Saturday’s meeting, the participants decided on what to do at the next meeting (to take place in Bahrain) and facilitated the strengthening of mechanisms to take place between Turkey and the GCC.

The participants of Saturday's meeting discussed the “Arab Spring”, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Iran’s nuclear program.

The participants decided to continue to support the efforts of the Arab League and expressed that the Hormuz Strait should not be closed to maritime traffic.

The issues of Palestine as well as Cyprus were also discussed during the meeting in Istanbul.

9. Turkey and Turkmenistan signed an economic committee protocol
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (31.01.12), Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan attended a ceremony to sign a protocol of Turkish-Turkmen Intergovernmental Economic Committee in Turkmenistan, on Tuesday.
Caglayan said that the Turkish-Turkmen Intergovernmental Economic Committee meeting was important for development of commercial and economic relations.

Caglayan thanked Turkmenistan for the support it extended to Turkish contractors, and he invited Turkmen businessmen to invest in Turkey. He noted that they discussed cooperation in energy, agriculture, education, health, culture and standardization areas during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Caglayan invited Turkmen officials in Turkey’s southern Antalya province for the fifth term meeting of the Turkish-Turkmen Intergovernmental Economic Committee.

10. “Trade deficit at historic highs”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 01.02.12) publishes the following:
“Turkey’s 2011 trade deficit exceeded $105.8 billion, an all-time high, with a 47.7% jump from a year earlier, mainly due to increasing energy consumption.

The trade deficit in December stood at $8.11 billion with a tiny recovery from $8.7 billion in December 2010. The gap was $7.5 billion in November last year.

Exports rose an annual 5.6% to $12.5 billion in December while imports gained 0.2% to $20.6 billion, the office said.

Turkey’s energy imports jumped by 23% in December compared to the same month a year earlier, reaching $5 billion, Akbank Economic Research, headed by Fatma Melek, said in a note to investors yesterday. The sum of energy imports in 2011 was $54 billion, which constitutes some 45% of the country’s total imports.

‘We forecast that non-energy imports will keep a slow pace in accordance with the cool down in domestic demand, but energy imports will remain high due to the increasing oil prices,’ the Istanbul-based group said. Akbank’s projection on 2012 trade deficit stands at $102 billion.

Highest gap ever
Turkey’s 2011 exports were $134.9 billion while imports reached $240.8 billion, Turkey’s statistics authority TUIK said on its website. The gap was the highest in the 89th anniversary of the modern republic.

Accordingly, Turkey’s exports were up 18.5% year-on-year in 2011 as imports jumped 29.8%.

The figures also revealed the share of European Union members in Turkey’s exports declined to 41.7% in December to 45.2% the same month in 2010, thanks to the fall in demand on the crisis-hit continent. The volume of Turkish exports to EU countries in December also declined by 2.5% to $5.2 million.

‘The figures expose the slowdown in foreign trade,’ said Vakifbank Economic Research, headed by Serkan Ozcan, in yesterday’s note to investors.

However, strong exports supported by the Turkish Lira’s depreciation in 2011 also played a role in December recovery, Vakifbank said.

Russia appeared to be the biggest exporter to Turkey with a volume of $240.8 billion. Turkish sales to Russia stood at only $23.9 billion.

Germany and China were the second and third biggest importers to Turkey by $23 billion and $21.7 billion relatively. Imports from India reached $6.5 billion with more than a 90% rise from 2010.

Germany remained Turkey’s top exports market with an annual volume of $13.96 billion. Iraq and Britain followed with $8.3 billion and $8.15 billion respectively.”

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Μπορεί να μη συμφωνώ ούτε στο ελάχιστο με αυτά που λες,αλλά θα έδινα μέχρι και την τελευταία ρανίδα του αίματός μου για το δικαίωμά σου να συνεχίσεις να τα λες -ΒΟΛΤΑΙΡΟΣ

2012-01-31T20:42:00.005+02:00

* Συνεχίζουμε σταθερά, με νέα ρεκόρ δημοσιεύσεων και αναπαραγωγή των ρεπορτάζ μας στα ΜΜΕ *"Η δημοσίευση είναι η ψυχή της δικαιοσύνης" Ι.Ι. Μάγερ

2012-01-31T20:42:00.003+02:00

Ακούστε Ζωντανά / www.euro- Vouli.net

2012-01-31T20:42:00.001+02:00

2012-01-31T17:04:00.003+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 31/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. US State Department strongly encourages the sides in Cyprus to remain at the negotiating table and evaluate the UN proposals
2. Ozgurgun argues that Downer has psychologically been worn out during the Cyprus talks
3. Yorgancioglu: “The reason for the rejection of the international conference is Eroglu”
4. ICO’s Parliamentary Union will reportedly express support to the “Turkish Cypriot State” in its resolution
5. Cicek views the Turkish stance on the Cyprus problem at PUOIC
6. Infrastructure works for oil drilling in occupied Cyprus have started yesterday
7. The Communal Existence Movement begun a campaign for the solution of the Cyprus problem and for protecting the assets of the Turkish Cypriots
8. US energy official met with Turkish energy firms in Istanbul
9. Tourism revenue grew by one-tenth to $23 billion last year in Turkey

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
A statement to illegal Bayrak by the Spokeswoman of the US State Department, an evaluation of the Greentree summit by the self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and the leader of the CTP Ozkan Yorgancioglu, information regarding a resolution on Cyprus to be adopted today by the 7th meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Cooperation Organization, statements by the above-mentioned Organization’s General Secretary and by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on the Cyprus problem, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the beginning of protests by the “Communal Existence Platform” against the policies of the UBP “government” and information that Turkey’s Minister of Energy and probably Prime Minister Erdogan himself will attend the beginning of the land drilling for oil and natural gas in the occupied area of Cyprus, where the infrastructure works begun yesterday.

Reports about the continuing reactions by Turkish politicians on France's genocide bill, appeals by Turkey's human rights groups to the Turkish government to exercise political will in order to shed light on forced disappearances in the country, reports about the growth of the tourism revenue in Turkey and other internal issues are some of the main topics in today’s Turkish newspapers.

1. US State Department strongly encourages the sides in Cyprus to remain at the negotiating table and evaluate the UN proposals
Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak (BRT) television (31.01.12) broadcast on its webpage that Victoria Nuland, US State Department Spokeswoman, has replied over the internet to a question by BRT journalist Ibrahim Akkorlu on the Cyprus problem.

Asked about the stance of the United States, if the process for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem come to a deadlock and an international conference cannot take place, Spokeswoman Nuland said that the Cypriot-led process continues within the framework of the UN good offices mission for creating an environment for the reunification of the island under a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. “Last week the sides met under the auspices of the UN”, she recalled adding that the US strongly encourages both sides to stay at the negotiating table and evaluate in the best manner the UN proposals for reaching a “strong, bi-zonal, bi-communal federation”, which will secure a stable, successful and sound Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)

2. Ozgurgun argues that Downer has psychologically been worn out during the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (31.01.12) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime, has argued that Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Cyprus, has been psychologically worn out during the Cyprus negotiations, noting that Downer is an observer rather than an arbitrator in this process.

In statements to illegal Bayrak television, Ozgurgun evaluated yesterday the tripartite summit held recently at Greentree and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has no will to reach an agreement.

“It is not easy to carry out this process”, said Ozgurgun alleging that the pressure and the problems of the Greek Cypriot side are great and that the positive steps are always taken by the Turkish side. Ozgurgun noted that Downer knows the approach of the Greek Cypriot side and argued that he is “squeezed” with the pressure exerted by the Greek Cypriots.

Ozgurgun claimed that the USA could see the so-called positive steps taken by the Turkish side and added that the fact that the USA is a leading country in the world is positive for the Turkish side.

Ozgurgun argued that the Turkish side will continue to take positive steps at the negotiating table and exert efforts for a final solution in Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)

3. Yorgancioglu: “The reason for the rejection of the international conference is Eroglu”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (31.01.12) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that the reason for the rejection of an international conference on the Cyprus problem is the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

In statements to a television channel yesterday, Yorgancioglu evaluated the tripartite summit held recently at the Greentree and the developments in the Cyprus problem.

Yorgancioglu argued that the two community leaders paid no attention to the warnings of the UN Secretary-General, made no preparation and left all issues to be solved in front of Ban Ki-moon.

Yorgancioglu described as “not correct attitude” the proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side according to which the issue of the cross voting should first be transferred to the senate and afterwards to be submitted to referendum. He wondered: “Why this process is being prolonged? What is the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot people from this? This is not a correct approach, because even though [our] interlocutor is not right, he will say that in this case the same thing should happen with the rotating presidency as well”.

Yorgancioglu added: “Actually, every community should criticize its own leader, but not like the Greek Cypriots who say ‘you sold us out’. It should be said ‘why have you not exerted efforts for a solution’. It is not correct to reject the international conference, the timetable etc, but the reason for the rejection of the international conference also is Eroglu… The Republic of Turkey is not so rigid especially on the issue of the cross voting. I know this very well. Mr Eroglu is not the only one who meets with Turkey. Lack of will by Mr Eroglu exists here. In any case, Mr Ozersay speaks about the majority of the issues. Mr Eroglu stands like a figurant…”
(I/Ts.)

4. ICO’s Parliamentary Union will reportedly express support to the “Turkish Cypriot State” in its resolution
Under the title: “’Let the way of the ‘Turkish Cypriot State’ be opened’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (31.01.12) reports that a decision on Cyprus has been adopted at the 7th meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Cooperation Organization’s member states, which is being held in Indonesia with the participation of a delegation from the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus headed by Hasan Bozer, self-styled speaker of the “assembly” of the breakaway regime. According to the paper, the decision is expected to be announced today.

The decision will reportedly fully support the negotiations under the auspices of the UN and call on the Islamic countries to show solidarity with the “Turkish Cypriot State” and develop their relations in order for the international “embargoes” to be lifted.

The resolution will allege that the explorations of the Republic of Cyprus for oil and natural gas threaten peace and stability in Eastern Mediterranean and condemn these initiatives. It will also argue that the drilling for oil and natural gas negatively influences the peace talks in Cyprus and express its support for the establishment of a joint committee on the issue under the surveillance of the UN.

Moreover, the decision will express support to a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, an agreement in which the treaties of guarantees will continue on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. It will also welcome the so-called constructive proposals of the Turkish side.

The Islamic Cooperation Organization will oppose to an open ended negotiations process in Cyprus and support UN’s good offices mission.

The resolution will call on the Islamic countries to be in solidarity with the “Muslim Turkish Cypriots”, in case no solution to the Cyprus problem is reached.
(I/Ts.)

5. Cicek views the Turkish stance on the Cyprus problem at PUOIC
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.01.12), Cemil Cicek, Turkish Parliament Speaker, delivering a speech at the 7th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (PUOIC) in Palembang, Indonesia, said that the transformation process in the Middle East showed once again that the people is the only source that could legitimize administrations.

Turkey supported and kept supporting legitimate demands by the people in the region, he said.

In regard to the Cyprus problem, alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have been exerting great efforts for a comprehensive solution to the problem by the first half of 2012 in accordance with the target set by UN Secretary General.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (31.01.12) reports that Mahmut Erol Kilic, General Secretary of PUOIC said that the Greek Cypriot side went to Indonesia to regulate activities of lobbying, adding that they [Greek Cypriots] even had specialists, who know the Arabic language and had discussions with the Indonesian Foreign Minister. However, he said, the Turkish delegation did not have any specialist speaking Arabic.

6. Infrastructure works for oil drilling in occupied Cyprus have started yesterday
Under the title: “The works have started”, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (31.01.12) reports that the infrastructure works for oil drilling in occupied Cyprus started yesterday.

During the first stage of the works, which are taking place in the area of occupied Syngrasi village, a team of forty persons will build a road, put wires and open a well in the area. The works are conducted by the Turkish Dadasoglu Harfiyat firm and the Turkish Cypriot Arpalikli Ltd.

According to the paper, the area will be handed over to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) the latest by 28 February when the infrastructure works will be completed. A ceremony will take place for the first oil drilling hit in which the Turkish Minister of Energy Taner Yildiz will definitely participate. The paper writes that the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan may also participate in the ceremony.

7. The Communal Existence Movement begun a campaign for the solution of the Cyprus problem and for protecting the assets of the Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (31.01.12) reports that the Communal Existence Movement begun a campaign aiming to help towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and to protect the assets of the Turkish Cypriots.

The campaign of the Movement, which consists of trade union organizations, producers’ organizations and political parties, is taking place at the Kugulu Park in occupied Lefkosia in which the members of the Movement set up tents and lit a solidarity fire. The members of the Movement opened banners at the Park in which the following slogans are written: “Let us defend our country, our labour and our honour. Say no to privatization”, “Who are you? Do not lay a finger upon my country and my labour”, “Solution=United Cyprus”.

The self-styled police put barricades in front of the “parliament” and the “Turkish embassy” because of the campaign.

Speaking to the press, Irfan Calik, Chairman of the Olive Producers Union, stated that the Movement has a list of 12 aims, the most important of which is to help towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He stated that the Communal Existence Movement was established in order to say “stop” to those who applied the wrong policy in the “country” for years. He also said that the Movement was established in order the Turkish Cypriots to have the right to rule themselves with social and cultural values which will help them to re-build the economy and to stand on their own feet.

8. US energy official met with Turkish energy firms in Istanbul
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.01.12), U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy David Sandalow met representatives of 18 Turkish energy companies in Istanbul on Monday.

Sandalow was briefed on the Turkish energy sector's structure and the condition of the energy market.

Sandalow told AA that his target in meeting Turkish officials was to exchange information about energy markets in Turkey and the U.S. as well as to develop and sustain cooperation in this sector.

Noting that Turkey and the U.S. were two strong allies, Sandalow said that the two countries were already working together in energy and other sectors.

There are facilities for us to work together in the energy sector, said Sandalow, adding that the two countries could also cooperate in renewable energies and energy productivity.

9. Tourism revenue grew by one-tenth to $23 billion last year in Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 30.01.12) reports that Turkey earned 10.6% more revenue from tourists visiting the country last year compared to a year earlier, its official statistics bureau said on Monday. According to the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat), the country's tourism revenue was at $23 billion in 2011, up from $20.8 billion two years ago. It also said more than 36 million foreign nationals visited Turkey last year. The same figure was 33 million in 2010. The official data suggest that each foreign visitor spent $637 on average in the country in 2011. This is slightly up from 2010's $630.

Tourism revenue is highly important for Turkey since its economy produces a wide current account deficit (CAD) because of its heavy dependence on foreign energy and intermediate goods as it embarks on a swift growth, particularly in the past decade. Its CAD is currently some 9% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and the fiscal and monetary measures prove only partially effective in countering the rise of this gap, as a result of which its international reserves continue to bleed out.

With the country’s prospect of finding rich oil and natural gas reserves unknown and advancing its industry requiring extensive R&D investments, the sum it earns each year from foreign visitors, therefore, is actually one of the few ways Turkey can effectively use in its fight against the CAD. The amount of money Turkish nationals spent overseas also increased last year, albeit at a much slower pace, to nearly $5 billion from $4.8 billion in 2010. The number of Turks who travelled abroad decreased from 6.6 million in 2010 to 6.3 million in 2011. These numbers suggest that the average Turkish visitor spent some $790 overseas last year, up from $735 a year earlier. A total of $23 billion in tourism revenue minus $5 billion in Turkish spending overseas is the sum written on the plus side of the country’s current account. Given Turkey’s constantly growing reputation as a globally cherished holiday destination, it is not unlikely that over the next few years inbound tourism figures may well reach beyond the 40 and even the 50 million mark, but the question is whether such a high number will be sustainable both from an environmental and a business administration perspective. Diversification could well be the answer, directing future visitors, not only to the well-established sunshine belt, but much further inland, too. City tourism attracting visitors to Istanbul and other metropolitan cities as well as mid-sized destinations, eco-tourism, health tourism, winter tourism and religious tourism are only but few such possibilities at this point.

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

2012-01-30T18:22:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 28 - 30/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Cakici is re-elected as chairman of TDP; The party suggests a “third policy” on the Cyprus problem
2. Eroglu evaluates the results of the Greentree summit
3. Bagis and Davutoglu criticize the European Union over its policy towards the Republic of Cyprus
4. Talat says the “end” of the Cyprus problem is the solution
5. General strikes and demonstrations in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
6. The breakaway regime participated in the ITM Fair in Poland
7. Data on the economy of the illegal regime for the third quarter of 2011
8. Davutoglu thanks Clinton for French genocide bill remarks; He will visit Washington next month
9. Number of imprisoned journalists increases in Turkey
10. Turkey's population increased to almost 75 million in 2011
11. The South Korean President to visit Turkey for a possible nuclear accord
12. Columnist views the impact of new US military strategy on Turkey
13. Turkish President leaves door open for a Hamas office in Turkey

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Statements by Eroglu in Istanbul and at illegal Tymbou airport after his return from New York, reference by Ahmet Davutoglu and Egemen Bagis on Cyprus, new statements by Mehmet Ali Talat on the Cyprus problem, the re-election of Mehmet Cakici to the presidency of the TDP, the beginning of protests today by trade unions and political parties against the policies of the UBP “government”, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press over the weekend. The papers refer also to the participation of the breakaway regime in a tourism fair in Poland and of data on its economy announced by the “central bank” and the “labour department”.

The main issue in today’s Turkish daily newspapers is the statement by President Abdullah Gul on reports that Hamas plans to open an office in Turkey. A draft law presented by a Turkish lawmaker on a former military coup leader, remarks by Turkey head of Azeri state-run oil company on plans to manufacture Turkey’s first indigenous car and other domestic issues are also covered in today’s Turkish press.

1. Cakici is re-elected as chairman of TDP; The party suggests a “third policy” on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (30.01.12) reports that Mehmet Cakici was re-elected yesterday as chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) during the 3rd Regular Congress of the party held in the occupied part of Lefkosia. Representatives from Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties as well as from Turkey attended the Congress.

Addressing the Congress, Cakici said that TDP’s objective is to come to “power” and described TDP as “the last hope”. He argued that they are heading towards coming to “power”.

He noted that the current “government” is the founder of the existing system in the occupied area of Cyprus and argued that it is not possible to expect from those who established this system to create a “state” standing on its own feet. He recalled that the “police” in the occupied area of Cyprus are bound to the army and that the Turkish Cypriots do not administrate even the “fire brigade”. He said that the Turkish Cypriots should also be able to administrate their “security forces” and “central bank”.

The Congress adopted unanimously five resolutions. The resolution on the Cyprus problem refers to the recent developments and argues that the sides negotiate by force and not for reaching reconciliation. Noting that first the policy [of the Turkish side] on the Cyprus problem was that the “non-solution is the solution”, the resolution pointed out that now the policy changed into “appearing that you are solving [the problem] is the solution”. The party expressed the view that a third policy is needed today for the Cyprus problem and this policy should be that “an early democratic and just solution is the solution”.

The resolution under the titles “Opening” and “Equal Citizenship”, expressed the view that the people, who came from Turkey after 1974 with the “agreement for agricultural working power” [Translator’s note: as the illegal Turkish settlers sent to Cyprus within the framework of the colonization of the island are described] and became “citizens” of the regime, are accepted as being equal “citizens”. “Every kind of discrimination as regards language, religion and race and every discrimination against all the disadvantaged segments of the society is wrong and contrary to human rights. TDP is against making discriminations among the citizens because of their place of birth”, says the resolution.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (30.01.12), mouthpiece of TDP, refers to the Congress under the banner front-page title: “Now it is the time for a third policy’ and reports that in his statements Cakici said that the proposal on the cross voting is a proposal made by the TDP, that Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu made a step backwards on this issue and that this is one of the reasons for the negotiations entering into a deadlock. He noted that a wise reconciliation policy is needed in the Cyprus negotiations and not a policy of conflict.

The paper writes that Androulla Kaminara, Representative of the EU Commission in Cyprus, Anna Tourenikova, Ambassador of Slovakia to Lefkosia, and Ozan Ceyhun, representative of the German Social Democrat Party were among the guests in the Congress.
(I/Ts.)

2. Eroglu evaluates the results of the Greentree summit
Illegal Bayrak television (27.01.12) broadcasted that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu evaluated the results of the Greentree summit upon his return to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Istanbul, Eroglu criticized the Greek Cypriot side for using “its delaying tactics during the Greentree summit”, as he alleged: “We put forward proposals on 3 main challenges, but the Greek Cypriot side preferred to postpone its response”, Eroglu stated. He also alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side came to the Greentree summit with proposals related to governance and power-sharing, property and citizenship which were received positively by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “From the first day, the Greek Cypriot side postponed its response and wanted to evaluate our proposals in Cyprus”, Eroglu claimed. According to Eroglu, Ban is determined to call for a multilateral conference although the Greek Cypriot side had opposed the idea.

“Another Greentree summit will not take place. Ban will either invite us for a multilateral conference or he will announce the end of the process in his report to the UN Security Council”, Eroglu alleged.

In addition, illegal Bayrak (28.01.12) also broadcasted statements of Eroglu upon his arrival to illegal Tymbou airport. Eroglu alleged that President Christofias attended the Greentree summit in New York “to re-convey the Greek Cypriot National Council’s rejectionist stance”. Eroglu also claimed that the tripartite meeting would have been successful had the Greek Cypriot side adopted the same positive stance displayed by the Cyprus Turkish side at the summit.

Alleging that the Cyprus Turkish side had adopted a stance in accord with the UN Secretary General’s 6th of January letter addressed to the two sides; Eroglu said that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had made it openly clear that the process had reached an end.

“He gave the message that we have reached the end of the road and the issue has to be settled one way or the other”, he added.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot leader had done everything in his capacity at the Greentree meeting to play for time, Eroglu alleged that he did not think that Christofias will be taking positive initiatives until March this year. Eroglu also repeated that little progress was made at the Greentree summit, a development, he added, he was not happy with.

3. Bagis and Davutoglu criticize the European Union over its policy towards the Republic of Cyprus
Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.01.12) reported that Turkey's European Union Minister Egemen Bagis, criticized the European Union over its policy towards the Republic of Cyprus.

"What did you do to hear good news from Cyprus? You have never been able to find the carrot-and-stick balance against the Greek Cypriots," Bagis told a panel discussion, "Remodelling Europe," as part of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Bagis also urged the Union to continue with enlargement to find a way out the crisis, saying: "Keeping the enlargement policy alive is a sine quo non for the EU."

In addition, illegal Bayrak television (28.01.12) broadcasted that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that it was clear what Turkey will do should the Republic of Cyprus take over the EU term Presidency later this year before the Cyprus problem is solved. He added that Ankara had no doubts on what course of action it will take.

Speaking on a TV program in Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that the international community, should current UN and international efforts to reach a comprehensive solution fail to accept the fact that the current status quo on the island was unacceptable.

“The international community should acknowledge and see the realities on the island should the UN’s current efforts to achieve a settlement in Cyprus, fails” he said.
Also touching upon the oil exploration conducted by the Republic of Cyprus, Davutoglu said that Turkish warships had for the first time since the 1974 Turkish peace operation, travelled to the South of the island.

4. Talat says the “end” of the Cyprus problem is the solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (30.01.12) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, former Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that the “end” of the Cyprus problem is the solution of the problem. In statements on a television program, Talat argued that there was no development during the recent tripartite meeting at the Greentree in New York and added that he does not see a solution in the near future, because he does not feel that there is such a will.

Talat claimed that the UN Secretary-General had expressed some optimistic views and added that this should not create “vain hopes”. Talat said that the possibility of the UN accusing both sides equally is high, in case of failure in the talks, and alleged that even if the Greek Cypriot side was wrong, the possibility of being openly accused is low because of the latter’s international relations.

Talat argued that most probably the UN Secretary-General will say that the sides have not exerted enough effort and continue the process after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus or say that he cannot solve the problem and leave the sides alone telling them to invite him when they are ready.
(I/Ts.)

5. General strikes and demonstrations in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (30.01.12), it is announced that some demonstrations start today with setting up tents at the “Kugulu park” (Swan’s Park) with the support of the Unions’ Platform (Sendikal Platform) and some political parties.

Tahir Gokcebel, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOEOS), speaking on behalf of the Unions’ Platform, said that “the demonstrations will be continued until the government, which uses in a wrong way the people’s willpower, departs”.

Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) said that a rally will be organized on February as a reaction to the privatizations.

6. The breakaway regime participated in the ITM Fair in Poland
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (29.01.12) reported that the illegal regime of the occupied area of Cyprus participated in the ITM Warsaw International Tourism Fair, which took place at the Warsaw International Expocentre Expo XXI on January 27-29, 2012.

Unsal Ustel, self-styled minister of tourism, environment and culture, participated also in the ITM fair. According to the paper, it was the first time that a self-styled minister from “TRNC” participated in the tourism fair in Poland.

Meanwhile, during his visit in Poland, Ustel had a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador in Warsaw Resit Uman. He also met with the Tourism and Promotion Attaché of Turkey’s A. Kasim Sonkaya, where they exchanged views regarding the joint works that they could do related to the tourism market of Poland.

7. Data on the economy of the illegal regime for the third quarter of 2011
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (30.01.12) reports that the so-called central bank of the breakaway regime published yesterday its report for the period June-September 2011. According to the report, the deposits in the banks increased by 460 million Turkish liras (TL) comparing to the previous three months and reached eight billion and 118 million TL. The paper writes that 75.90% of the deposits are saving accounts, 11.15% commercial deposits, and 6.5% “government” deposits.

Annual inflation rate was 7.28% in March 2011 and increased to 9.08% in June 2011 and to 11.13% in September 2011. The total exports of the regime in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 19.52 % in comparison with the same period of the previous year and reached 30 million TL from 25.1 million it had been in 2010. Exports in US dollars, which had been 16.7 million in 2010, rose to 17.3 million increasing by 3.59%. The total imports for the period January – June 2011 increased by 16% comparing to the imports of the same period last year, reaching 823 million US dollars from 711 million it had been in 2010.

The branches of the banks in the occupied area of Cyprus increased by two and their number reached 189 during the period June-September 2011, notes the paper adding that 2,403 persons are employed in the sector.

Meanwhile, Halkin Sesi (30.01.12) reports also that according to data announced by the “labour department”, the number of the registered unemployed persons in the occupied area of Cyprus during the third quarter of 2011 was 1,484. This number was by 9.51% higher in the same period of 2010. According to the paper, 511 of the unemployed persons now are men and 973 women.
(I/Ts.)

8. Davutoglu thanks Clinton for French genocide bill remarks- he will visit Washington next month
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (29.01.12) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu thanked his American counterpart Hillary Clinton, on Saturday for her remarks on France's genocide bill.

Clinton was asked on Thursday why the United States has not matched a move by French lawmakers to criminalize denial that the killing of Armenians during World War I was genocide. Clinton said the administration was wary of compromising free speech. She said the issue was best left to scholars.

“To try to use government power to resolve historical issues, I think, opens a door that is a very dangerous one to go through,” Clinton said at an event with US State Department employees.

Davutoglu also discussed recent developments in the Middle East with Clinton and agreed to meet at the Munich Security Conference that both officials are scheduled to attend on February 3. Clinton and Davutoglu also discussed the Turkish Foreign Minister's upcoming visit to Washington next month.

9. Number of imprisoned journalists increases in Turkey
Under the above title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.01.12) reports that the number of imprisoned journalists in Turkey rose to 105, according to a written statement issued by the Platform of Solidarity with Imprisoned Journalists.

Most lately, Aziz Tekin, the Kurdish-language newspaper Azadiya Welat’s eastern province of Mardin representative, was arrested in Kiziltepe, Mardin in an operation against the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on January 28.

“Turkey has the highest number of arrested journalists in the world. With this last detention, Turkey strengthened its position on the top of the list. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) is abusing the anti-terror law,” the Platform said in the written statement.

The group also reminded Turkey’s step backwards in press freedom rankings losing 10 places to rank 148th out of 178 countries in the Reporters without Borders’ (RSF) World Press Freedom Index for 2011.

10. Turkey's population increased to almost 75 million in 2011
Turkish daily Today's Zaman (27.01.12) writes that Turkey’s population increased in 2011, by more than one million since the previous year.

According to a report released by the official Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat), Turkey's population was 74,724,269 at the end of 2011. The study was conducted through the Address-Based Central Population Registration System (MERNIS), which uses the National Address Database to track the number of people living at a specific address.

Turkey's population increased by 1.35%, when compared to the previous year, to 74.7 million by the end of 2011. The figure was 73.7 million at the end of 2010. Males made up 50.2% of Turkey's total population while 49.8% was female. There are 37,532,954 men and 37,191,315 women in Turkey's population.

According to the results, 76.8% of the population lives in urban areas, provincial capitals and districts. While 57,385,706 people live in urban areas, 17,338,563 live in the country's rural areas.

Istanbul has Turkey's largest population, with 13,624,240 people. Istanbul also takes the lead in terms of urbanization, as 99% of the province's population lives in city centres. The city of Istanbul also provides a home for 18.2% of the total population. The northern province of Bayburt has the smallest population, at 76,724. In addition, Istanbul also takes the lead with 2,622 people per square kilometre in terms of population density.

There are 50,346,979 people in Turkey between the ages of 15 and 64, or 67.4% of the total population. There are 18,886,575 people between the ages of 0 and 14. People of age 60 and older make up 7.3%, or 5,490,715 people, of the total population.

11. The South Korean President to visit Turkey for a possible nuclear accord
Under the above title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.01.12) reports that South Korean President Lee, set to visit Turkey by the end of this week, will seek a nuclear power plant contract, according to a Turkish official. Korean businesses have repeatedly expressed their interest in Turkey’s nuclear power bid.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will visit Turkey between Feb. 4 and 7 to potentially sign a nuclear deal, officials from both sides said over the weekend.

Lee, who will be the guest of both President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will be accompanied by dozens of South Korean businessmen.

“He could sign a framework agreement on nuclear cooperation or ink a deal on our second or third nuclear power plant,” said one Turkish official.

Two years ago, Turkey and South Korea came close to signing a deal on Turkey’s second nuclear power plant in northern Turkey but could not finalize a deal because of complications.

12. Columnist views the impact of new US military strategy on Turkey
Under the title: “New US military strategy and Turkey”, columnist Murat Yetkin writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online 28.01.12) published, inter alia, the following commentary:

“As the details of the new U.S. defence budget for 2013 become clear, the outline of the new American military strategy becomes clear, too.

The fact that the number of active soldiers of the Army is planned to be reduced to 490,000 from 570,000, mostly from armoured and heavy infantry troops, and despite the fact that President Barack Obama -- who wants to keep his promises to American voters -- is planning a gradual withdrawal from Afghanistan following withdrawal from Iraq, it is hard to call this shift a scaling down operation.

U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has already underlined that not showing GI Joe presence in remote lands shouldn't be misunderstood as leaving the stage available to other actors. U.S. aircraft carrier fleets would continue to patrol all over the world seas with their sea and air space capabilities, and an increased capacity of Special Forces and unmanned weaponry would turn them into floating gendarmerie garrisons. A 10% increase in the Special Forces units from 63,650 to 70,000 planned for the next four years and a 30% increase in the armed unmanned aerial vehicles are indications of that policy.

A Wall Street Journal (WSJ) story on Friday (‘More Drones, Fewer Troops’) quoted a U.S. official who summarized this new strategy as smaller but smarter. It seems that the White House does not want to send GI Joes to foreign lands in mass and receive them in coffins any more but instead prepare hit-and-run type combined warfare units from their sea bases and leave the troop intensive fight to the GI Joes of those foreign lands.

But the WSJ story also said that in some critical parts of the world -- critical to the U.S. interests -- the Pentagon considers establishing land bases for special units.

The Darwin base in Australia was named among the bases to be used in the Pacific area control. The expansion of the Philippines base was another consideration. And the WSJ reported that the Pentagon was looking into ways to establish bases near the Iraqi border area of Jordan and Turkey.

It is not clear from the WSJ story whether the U.S. official meant an additional use of the Incirlik Air Force Base of Turkey which is in NATO use, also hosting U.S. troops, or an additional base in the country that is not very likely considering the huge dimension of the Incirlik Base and the already high anti-American social climate in the country.

The Hurriyet Daily News contacted Turkish and American sources on Friday to get more details. One Turkish Foreign Ministry official said there was no contact between Turkey and the U.S. on such an issue, and an official of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said they were not aware of such a project.

Later on Pentagon officials denied there were plans to escalate presence in Turkey. Yet there are still a number of issues around Turkey, from energy routes to the consequences of the Arab Spring, including Iran-Israel tension, the sectarian civil war risk in Iraq and the Kurdish problem in a lesser scale.

The Turkish proverb goes, ‘There is no smoke without fire’, and Turks are likely to assess the developments through a different lens from now on.”

13. Turkish President leaves door open for a Hamas office in Turkey
According to Cihan news agency (29.01.12), officials from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry denied allegations that Turkey is offering millions of dollars to Hamas, saying that news featuring these allegations was made up and do not reflect the truth.

As Hamas officials in Damascus pack up to leave for good in search of a new home, the Turkish President left the door open to the possibility of a Hamas office opening up in Turkey.

“Turkey has been one of the strongest advocates of the Palestinian case,” President Abdullah Gul was quoted as saying speaking to reporters at Ankara’s Esenboga International Airport prior to his departure for the UAE.

“Hamas is a political body that entered into elections in the Palestinian region of Gaza and came to power through the votes of the people,” Gul said.

“Our contact [with Hamas] has been constant, but we will have to wait and see what has come out of the frequent visits,” he added, without overlooking the possibility that Hamas might be more engaged with Turkey in the future.

---------------------------

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Συνεδρίαση των δικαιούχων ιδιοκτητών της περιοχής αναδασμού Κάτω Κουτραφά

2012-01-30T18:03:00.003+02:00

30/01/2012

Το Τμήμα Αναδασμού ανακοινώνει ότι, σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 8 των περί Ενοποίησης και Αναδιανομής Αγροτικών Κτημάτων Νόμων 24/1969 έως 112(I)/2003, συγκαλείται από τον Έπαρχο Λευκωσίας η πρώτη συνεδρίαση των δικαιούχων ιδιοκτητών της περιοχής αναδασμού Κάτω Κουτραφά η οποία θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Πέμπτη, 9 Φεβρουαρίου στις 6 μ.μ. στην αίθουσα του Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου Κακοπετριάς.

Σκοπός της συνεδρίασης είναι η έναρξη της διαδικασίας λήψης απόφασης από τους δικαιούχους ιδιοκτήτες για την εφαρμογή ή όχι μέτρων αναδασμού στα κτήματά τους που περιλαμβάνονται στην εν λόγω περιοχή αναδασμού.

Προτρέπονται όλοι οι ενδιαφερόμενοι ιδιοκτήτες να προσέλθουν στη συνεδρίαση και να ασκήσουν τα δικαιώματα που τους παρέχει η σχετική νομοθεσία.

2012-01-30T14:57:00.003+02:00

Γαλλική πολεμική φρεγάτα θα καταπλεύσει στη Λεμεσό

Η φρεγάτα του γαλλικού πολεμικού ναυτικού “Chevalier Paul” θα καταπλεύσει στη Λεμεσό στις 28 και 29 Ιανουαρίου.

Σύμφωνα με ανακοίνωση της γαλλικής πρεσβείας στη Λευκωσία, αυτό είναι το τελευταίο πλοίο του γαλλικού Ναυτικού που έχει τεθεί σε ενεργό υπηρεσία, είναι υπερσύγχρονο και έχει ήδη δείξει την αξία του, λαμβάνοντας μέρος στην αποστολή “Harmattan”, που αφορά στη γαλλική στρατιωτική επιχείρηση στη Λιβύη.

Με ειδίκευση στην άμυνα κατά των αεροσκαφών, η φρεγάτα “Chevalier Paul” στοχεύει πρωταρχικά στην προστασία μιας ναυτικής ή αμφίβιας δύναμης, ή ακόμη μιας αστικής περιοχής από τις αεροπορικές απειλές, ενώ μπορεί να δίνει εντολές και να συντονίζει αεροπορικές επιχειρήσεις από τη θάλασσα. Προς εκπλήρωση αυτής της αποστολής, η φρεγάτα χρησιμοποιεί ένα ολοκληρωμένο σύστημα μάχης, το PAAMS, που συνδυάζει αισθητήρες, αντιαεροπορικούς πυραύλους και ένα σύστημα παρακολούθησης και ελέγχου.

Η φρεγάτα, στην οποία υπηρετεί πλήρωμα 200 ατόμων, έχει επίσης σημαντικό εξοπλισμό που καθιστά δυνατή τη διεξαγωγή διαφόρων αποστολών όπως για την ασφάλεια μια ναυτικής περιοχής, έλεγχο των εμπορικών πλοίων, εκκένωση ατόμων κ.ά.

Η “Chevalier Paul’ συμμετείχε στις επιχειρήσεις στη Λιβύη για αρκετούς μήνες το καλοκαίρι του 2011 και όπως αναφέρεται στην ανακοίνωση μπόρεσε να δείξει τη μεγάλη της ευελιξία μέσω π.χ. της διαχείρισης των αεροπορικών επιχειρήσεων και της συνοδείας αεροπλανοφόρων.

«Παραμένοντας πιστό στη μνήμη του ομώνυμου σκάφους, του οποίου οι λαμπρές ενέργειες κατά το Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο επιβραβεύτηκαν με πολλαπλές αναφορές, το πλήρωμα του ‘Chevalier Paul’ επιδιώκει όπως έπραξε κατά την κρίση στη Λιβύη, να είναι αντάξιο του δοξασμένου του παρελθόντος», καταλήγει η ανακοίνωση.

http://www.onlycy.com

2012-01-29T18:15:00.002+02:00

Ανεξέλεγκτη εξέγερση = Ανεργία (903.525 άνεργοι, 18,2% άνεργοι στο σύνολο, Οκτώβριος 2011 ) + Παράνομη μετανάστευση (επίσημα 470.000, ανεπίσημα μόνος ο Θεός ξέρει πόσοι!!!)

Δημήτρης Κ. Τσίτος
Συγγραφέας – Σύμβουλος ΔιαπραγματεύσεωνCopyright: www.rieas.gr
Κάθε πιθανολογούμενη κατάσταση, ως σενάριο, έχει κάποια γενεσιουργά αίτια.
Μετά –και την κατ ουσία και πραγματικότητα- ανεξέλεγκτη χρεοκοπία της Ελλάδος- (που μέχρι τώρα έχει εξωραϊσθεί από τους πολιτικούς που δεν επιθυμούν να γνωρίζει ο λαός την αλήθεια)- ίσως βρεθούμε αντιμέτωποι με μία «ανεξέλεγκτη εξέγερση».

Ως αιτίες για ένα τέτοιο γεγονός θα μπορούσαν να θεωρηθούν οι εξής δύο:
Η μία –εσωτερική- είναι η τρομερά απειλητική ανεργία, η οποία όχι μόνο δεν περιορίζεται αλλά επεκτείνεται με πρωτοφανή καλπασμό και αφορά στην ποιότητα της ζωής των Ελλήνων τόσο ποσοτικά όσο και ποιοτικά και την δεύτερη ας την ονομάσουμε «εξωτερική – εισαγόμενη» και είναι η παράνομη μετανάστευση.

Και οι δύο αυτές αιτίες –ως γενεσιουργά χαρακτηριστικά της πιθανολογούμενης «εξέγερσης» οφείλονται στην κατά συρροή και κατ εξακολούθηση ανικανότητα των υπευθύνων λειτουργών στο να χειρίζονται αποτελεσματικά διάφορες καταστάσεις που επηρεάζουν αμέσως ή εμμέσως το αποτέλεσμα.

Χωρίς να υπάρχει πρόθεση να κρίνουμε τις διαδικασίες και τις διεργασίες στον χειρισμό των υποθέσεων έχουμε την υποχρέωση σαν άτομα μεμονωμένα αλλά και σαν πολίτες ενός κράτους πολιτείας να ασχοληθούμε με το αποτέλεσμα –ήδη σε δυσμενή εξέλιξη-το οποίο θα προκύψει.
Για λόγους καλύτερης απεικόνισης της κατάστασης θα αρχίσουμε από τη δεύτερη αιτία.

Οι θλιβεροί και δύστυχοι παράνομοι μετανάστες –και δεν φταίνε αυτοί για το χάλι τους, αλλά οι άλλοι –όσοι- υπεύθυνοι λειτουργοί που τους άφησαν και τους ανέχτηκαν να βρίσκονται στη χώρα, έχουν μια ιδιάζουσα ψυχοπάθεια και ανάλογες συμπεριφορές. Βρίσκονται σε μια χώρα με «δημοκρατικούς θεσμούς, σεβασμό στα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, αποκήρυξη της ξενοφοβίας που γι αυτούς δεν σημαίνει απολύτως τίποτε ή που τους βολεύει να κάνουν τα όσα θέλουν χωρίς κανένα ουσιαστικό κολασμό.

Έχουν μάθει από εμπειρία ότι έχουν δικαιώματα χωρίς να έχουν υποχρεώσεις. Δεν πρόκειται να σεβαστούν αυτά που τους παρέχονται ιδίως όταν βρίσκονται σε κατάσταση απόγνωσης και δυστυχίας.
Αυτοί οι άνθρωποι όταν πεινάσουν ακόμη περισσότερο θα εγκληματήσουν με άνεση και χωρίς δισταγμό. Στην καλύτερη περίπτωση αν θελήσουν και μπορέσουν να τους πιάσουν θα τους φυλακίσουν. Έτσι θα έχουν εξασφαλίσει αυτόματα τροφή, στέγη, ιατρική περίθαλψη και συνθήκες που είναι ονειρικές σε σχέση με τις χώρες απ όπου προέρχονται.

Φυσικά όλες αυτές οι «παροχές» έχουν κάποιο κόστος το οποίο, βέβαια, είναι σε βάρος των Ελλήνων που φορολογούνται βαρύτατα και με τρόπο ληστρικό και χωρίς καμία ανταπόδοση.

Ο εξαιρετικά μεγάλος αριθμός των παρανόμων μεταναστών αυξάνει γεωμετρικά, προς τον αριθμό τους, τις εγκληματικές πράξεις που θα διαπράττουν. Οι μηχανισμοί πρόληψης και καταστολής εγκλημάτων υπολειτουργούν εξ αιτίας μη ύπαρξης ικανών πόρων (χρήματα, άνθρωποι, μέσα) και εξαιτίας της ψυχολογικής κατάστασης των λειτουργών αυτών των υπηρεσιών.

Επιπρόσθετα το πολιτικό σύστημα χρησιμοποιεί και διαθέτει τους πλέον ικανούς αυτών των υπηρεσιών στην πρόληψη και καταστολή εγκληματικών διαθέσεων σε βάρος των πολιτικών και «άλλων σημαινόντων προσωπικοτήτων» όπως και στον εντοπισμό και αποκάλυψη «σκανδάλων» τα οποία εξυπηρετούν αφάνταστα πολύ στον αποπροσανατολισμό των πολιτών από τα πραγματικά προβλήματα που τους ταλανίζουν και τις καταστάσεις που τους απειλούν.

Η συνεισφορά των παρανόμων μεταναστών στα του κράτους είναι μηδενική ενώ η απορρόφηση από τους πόρους του κράτους εξαιρετικά σημαντική. Η παραμονή τους στη χώρα αποτελεί μια «εν δυνάμει εθνική απειλή» και έχουν συνειδητοποιήσει τον τρόπο με τους οποίους θα τους χειριστεί το πολιτικό σύστημα: δηλαδή με «χάϊδεμα» για όσα κακουργήματα επιτελέσουν.

Μακάρι η χώρα να είχε τη δυνατότητα να προσφέρει καλύτερη ζωή σ’ αυτούς τους ανθρώπους που διαπράττουν πράξεις που δεν θα διανοούνταν καν να διαπράξουν στην Ιταλία, τη Γαλλία, τη Γερμανία, τις ΗΠΑ και αλλού. Δεν υπάρχει όμως αυτή η δυνατότητα τη στιγμή που το πολιτικό σύστημα ακρωτηριάζει βάρβαρα τις συντάξεις φτωχών ανθρώπων. Άρα κάτι πρέπει να γίνει εφαρμόζοντας το περιλάλητο «εδώ και τώρα».

Οι απλοί αγρότες λένε κάτι που είναι σοφό: αν υπάρχει στο χωράφι σου φίδι το διώχνεις ή το σκοτώνεις πριν σε δαγκάσει, αν σε δαγκάσει ό,τι και να κάνεις μετά είναι αργά.

Αυτή τη σοφή ρήση φαίνεται ότι δεν μπορούν να την κατανοήσουν οι πολιτικοί –που κύριο μέλημα τους είναι να κρατηθούν με νύχια και δόντια στην εξουσία προκειμένου να πλουτίζουν, και προτιμούν να κόπτονται υπέρ των δημοκρατικών θεσμών και να μας ενοχλούν αδιάντροπα με φανταιζί φληναφήματα.

Αναρωτιέται όμως κάποιος: ποια είναι αυτή η δημοκρατία που προστατεύει τον κακοποιό που κακοποιεί τον νομοταγή Έλληνα πολίτη;

Μπορούμε να πούμε ότι σήμερα μεγάλο μέρος του Ελληνικού πληθυσμού τελεί υπό την κατοχή παρανόμων αλλοδαπών μεταναστών οι οποίοι διαμορφώνουν το δικό τους κώδικα συμπεριφοράς –με την ανοχή των αρχών- και κατέχουν περιοχές. Αν κάποιος εντρυφήσει στο γεγονός αυτός είναι πιθανό να βρεθεί σε κατάσταση παράκρουσης, εκτός και αν είναι Έλληνας πολιτικός. Τι θα έκαναν όμως αυτοί που ενώ έχουν τη δύναμη να πάρουν μέτρα, αν βίαζαν την γυναίκα τους, την κόρη τους, αν κακοποιούσαν τη μητέρα τους; Θα άλλαζαν άραγε την αντίληψή και τη στάση τους;

Πάντως όσο κι αν τους φυλάει το σύστημα που «έκτισαν» ποτέ δεν θα είναι πλήρως ασφαλείς!
Η δεύτερη αιτία μια πιθανολογούμενης και ανεξέλεγκτης εξέγερσης είναι η κατάσταση –καζάνι που βράζει- στην οποία βρίσκεται μεγάλο μέρος του Ελληνικού λαού και ην οποία διατηρείται και πρόκειται να γίνει χειρότερη.

Η κατάσταση στην οποία βρισκόμαστε σήμερα οριοθετείται από τα ακόλουθα:
 Καλπάζουσα και μη ελεγχόμενη ανεργία
 Έλλειψη ελπίδας, οράματος και προοπτικής
 Ένα σύστημα δημοσιονομικής διακυβέρνησης τελείως αναποτελεσματικό και διεφθαρμένο που δημιουργεί απίθανες διελκυστίνδες που απαγορεύουν την πρόοδο
 Ληστρικές φορολογικές επιδρομές που εστιάζονται και στοχεύουν στις αδύναμες τάξεις οι οποίες δεν μπορούν να αποφύγουν το «πλιάτσικο» και τις απάνθρωπες αφαιμάξεις
 Ανίκανοι και αδίστακτοι πολιτικοί με νοοτροπία «κοτζαμπάσηδων»

Όλα αυτά –και πολλά άλλα- ‘έχουν θέσει το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του λαού σε μια κατάσταση προσωρινής αδράνειας. Είναι πλέον θέμα χρόνου πότε θα αναδυθεί το ζωώδες και πανίσχυρο αίσθημα της επιβίωσης. Ταυτόχρονα θα προκύψουν και άλλες «στάσεις», «διαθέσεις» και «συμπεριφορές» οι οποίες ίσως θα είναι πρωτόγνωρες για έναν λαό που για πολλά χρόνια έζησε σε μια κατάσταση πλασματικής ευδαιμονίας σπαταλώντας δάνεια που τώρα έγιναν απαιτητά. Ο λαός αυτός –με απόλυτη ευθύνη των πολιτικών- έγινε ένας λαός νωθρός και καθόλου ανταγωνιστικός στις διεθνείς αγορές παρά τα κελεύσματα των καιρών που ήταν εμφανή.

Το ξεβόλεμα των Ελλήνων –στο μεγαλύτερό τους ποσοστό- θα λειτουργήσει, μάλλον, σαν ένας σπινθήρας για μια φωτιά.

Επειδή όσο τα πράγματα χειροτερεύουν και η αλαζονεία των πολιτικών κορυφώνεται και επειδή όσο τα πράγματα χειροτερεύουν τόσο περισσότερο η σύγκριση της ποιότητας ζωής μα το παρελθόν θα είναι ενοχλητική μέχρι βασανιστική και προτρεπτική σε κινήσεις. Βέβαια συνεχίζουν ακόμη τα «σκυλάδικα», τα «αθλητικά», και τα «κοσμικά» να μην απειλούνται από τη δυστυχία που διακατέχει τον κόσμο αλλά και αυτά αρχίζουν να παίρνουν την κατιούσα και προς το «περαιούσθαι» για μεγάλη λύπη των ανθρώπων του «σκότους».

Για τους «πολιτικούς» κάθε αντίδραση είναι ένα «θαύμα» που κρατάει τρείς μέρες. Μετά έρχεται κούραση και δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει μια συνέχεια και συνέπεια από μη σωστά και συνετά καθοδηγούμενες μάζες. Τα αστικά κέντρα είναι αυτά που έχουν πληγεί από την κατάσταση που επικρατεί. Στα μικρά μέρη και τα χωριά η κατάσταση δεν είναι τόσο αισθητή. Άρα τα αστικά κέντρα θα αποτελέσουν τον πυρήνα της αντίδρασης.

Το πολιτικό σύστημα –ως εξουσία- δεν πιστεύει ότι απειλείται . Ίσως έχει δίκιο και κανείς δεν μπορεί να προβλέψει πολλά και σωστά. Όμως ποιος περίμενε στον κόσμο την πτώση της ΕΣΣΔ, την πτώση του Καντάφι στην Λιβύη, τα γεγονότα στην Αίγυπτο, την πτώση του πανίσχυρου Σάχη στο Ιράν, την αλλαγή στην Ρουμανία, την Βουλγαρία και τόσα άλλα που συνέβησαν, ακόμη και όταν απολάμβαναν την προστασία μεγάλων δυνάμεων, ή θα συμβούν τις επόμενες μέρες;

Βεβαίως υπάρχουν σκοπιμότητες και εξαιρετικά σκοτεινές διαδρομές αλλά ποιος μπορεί να αποκλείσει το απρόσμενο γεγονός και ότι κάτι παρόμοιο θα μπορούσε να συμβεί και στην Ελλάδα;

Δυστυχώς, θέσεις σαν κι αυτές που παρουσιάζονται δεν δικαιώνονται παρά μόνον «κατόπιν εορτής». Και μια τέτοια «εορτή» καλύτερα είναι να την προλάβουμε για να την αποφύγουμε παρά να τη ζήσουμε.

Το μέλλον –δυσοίωνο- και η τύχη –απρόβλεπτη- της Ελλάδας είναι στα χέρια ανίκανων, αντιπαθών και αναξιόπιστων, υποκριτών, πολιτικών. Οι Έλληνες έχουν, πλέον, πολύ λίγα να ελπίζουν και πολλά να φοβούνται.

Ο συνδυασμός των παραπάνω χαρακτηριστικών που σχολιάσαμε για μια πιθανή εξέγερση είναι εξαιρετικά πανίσχυρος αν λειτουργήσει από κοινού. Τότε είναι που θα επέλθει το χάος με τους δικούς του νόμους που δεν έχουν σχέση με τους νόμους που εμείς θεσπίσαμε.

Κάτι πρέπει να γίνει ΤΩΡΑ. Όσο το πολιτικό σύστημα αισθάνεται ασφαλές τόσο η ασφάλεια της χώρας κινδυνεύει. Έχει αποδειχτεί πλέον ότι τα άτομα που κυβερνούν ή έχουν βλέψεις στη διακυβέρνηση της χώρας μόνον και δεν σκοπούν στη σωτηρία της χώρας είτε, και, επιδιώκουν μόνον το δικό τους συμφέρον – ατομικό και κομματικό.

Το ερώτημα καθίσταται πλέον επιβεβλημένο: «Ποιος θα μας σώσει απ αυτούς που μας κυβερνούν;»

2012-01-29T18:11:00.002+02:00

Νταβούτογλου: Αλλαγή status quo στην Κύπρο

«Η διεθνής κοινότητα και ο ΟΗΕ θα πρέπει να αντιληφθούν ότι σε περίπτωση που δεν βρεθεί λύση, δεν μπορεί να συνεχιστεί το υπάρχον στάτους κβο» δήλωσε ο υπουργός Εξωτερικών της Τουρκίας Αχμέτ Νταβούτογλου αναφερόμενος στο Κυπριακό.Μιλώντας στο τουρκικό τηλεοπτικό δίκτυο CNN Turk, ο Α. Νταβούτογλου αναφέρθηκε στην τριμερή συνάντηση στη Νέα Υόρκη λέγοντας ότι « υπήρξε λίγη πρόοδος».

Ερωτηθείς για το αν η Τουρκία θα περιμένει να ολοκληρωθεί η Κυπριακή προεδρία στην ΕΕ για να επανέλθει στο θέμα της Κύπρου, σε περίπτωση που στη φάση αυτή δεν βρεθεί λύση, ο Τούρκος υπουργός Εξωτερικών σημείωσε: «Είναι γνωστό το τι θα κάνουμε αν τεθεί θέμα προεδρίας στην ΕΕ χωρίς να έχει βρεθεί λύση».

«Γνωρίζουμε την κρίση που υπήρξε κατά τις έρευνες της Ελληνοκυπριακής πλευράς για φυσικό αέριο στη Μεσόγειο» είπε ο Α. Νταβούτογλου και συνέχισε: « Για πρώτη φορά ο τουρκικός στόλος αναγκάστηκε να κατευθυνθεί νότια της Κύπρου, όπου έκανε αισθητή την παρουσία του και θα συνεχίσει να το κάνει. Αυτό εμπεριέχει πολλούς κινδύνους ασφάλειας».

«Η περιοχή ήδη είναι ήδη αντιμέτωπη με πολλές κρίσεις. Αυτό που πρέπει να γίνει πρώτα από όλα είναι η καταβολή όλων των προσπαθειών για την εξεύρεση λύσης και σε περίπτωση που αυτό δεν καταστεί δυνατό, να διατυπωθεί ξεκάθαρα από όλες τις πλευρές, με ποιο τρόπο θα αλλάξει το υπάρχον στάτους κβο. Κι αυτό, μπορείτε να υποθέσετε ποιο είναι», πρόσθεσε.

http://www.nooz.gr

2012-01-29T18:07:00.002+02:00

Guardian: Russian expat invasion of Cyprus also has sinister overtones

Luke Harding in Limassol

Many Russians have made their home on the holiday island, but the Putin regime seems to be reaching deep into the tiny nation

Tourists pass by a menu written in Russian outside a restaurant in Limassol, where thousands of Russians have made their home. Photograph: Laura Boushnak/AFP/Getty Images

A mysterious Russian cargo ship limped into the Cypriot port of Limassol, this month, forced to seek shelter from a violent storm.

Hidden on board the MS Chariot were four containers packed with 60 tonnes of ammunition for AK-47s and for rocket launchers. The shipment had come from Moscow's state arms company, Rosoboronexport; its shadowy purchaser was none other than the Syrian government.

Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, was supposed to seize the cargo. The weapons flagrantly breached the EU's strict embargo on military supplies to the Syrian regime, which since last year has been violently engaged in shooting and killing its own citizens and anti-regime protesters.

Περισσότερα Guardian

2012-01-29T17:53:00.003+02:00

Πρέπει Να Το Ζήσεις Για Να Το Αισθανθείς-Η τουρκική βαρβαρότητα στο Κατεχόμενο Κουρδιστάν

Μία σελίδα στο Facebook με τίτλο Anlatılmaz Yaşanır (πρέπει να το ζήσεις για να το αισθανθείς) περιέχει φωτογραφίες Τούρκων στρατιωτών να ποζάρουν χαμογελαστοί δίπλα στους νεκρούς Κούρδους Μαχητές του PKK και έχουν σηκωμένους τους αντίχειρες του.

Στις φωτογραφίες- οι οποίες καταδεικνύουν απόλυτα την τουρκική βαρβαρότητα - απεικονίζονται νεκρές Κούρδισσες μέλη του PKK γυμνές.Υπήρξε κινητοποίηση των Κούρδων για να αφαιρεθεί ή σελίδα απο το facebook πράγμα και το οποίο έγινε.Άγνωστος παραμένει ο χρόνος λήψης πολλών απο τις φωτογραφίες

μερικές απο αυτές τοποθετούνται χρονολογικά πίσω απο το 2006.Η ταυτότητα των νεκρών πιστοποιείται από τον ρουχισμό τους δεν είναι δυνατόν όμως να πιστοποιηθεί και η ταυτότητα των νεκρών .Ορισμένες φωτογραφίες απεικονίζουν θαμμένα σώματα Κούρδων, γεγονός το οποίο δεν έχει γνωστοποιηθεί.Ακολουθούν φωτογραφίες και όπως αναφέρει ο Κουρδικός Ιστότοπος ekurd.net

καλό ειναι καθώς απεικονίζουν την τουρκική βαρβαρότητα να μην τις δούν ανήλικα παιδιά

Kurdish woman stripped naked, can you identify her

Turkish soldiers smiling over dead body of Kurdish person, can you identify any of these soldiers

One of the bodies of Kurds killed, buried without familial knowledge

One of the bodies dragged by Turkish soldiers. Not identified

Kurdish victim complete naked, picture distributed on Facebook for mockery.

Can you identify the victim or soldier? If you can, please get in touch with us.

Can you identify anyone in this picture? Please get in touch if you can.

Turkish soldiers smiling over dead body of Kurdish person, can you identify any of these soldiers?

Can you identify anyone in this picture?

One of the bodies of Kurds killed, buried without familial knowledge.

One of the bodies dragged by soldiers. Not identified.

Can you identify this person? If you can, please get in touch with us.

Unable to identify.

Kurdish woman stripped naked, can you identify her?

Can you identify this person? If you can, please get in touch with us.

2012-01-29T17:48:00.002+02:00

Ρωσικό χαστούκι στην Τουρκία και τα κατεχόμενα

Άντρη Δανιήλ-Sigmalive.com

Ηχηρό Ρωσικό χαστούκι έδωσε το Ρωσικό ΥΠΕΞ προς την Τουρκία και τα κατεχόμενα με σημερινή επιστολή του.

Σε επίσημη ενημέρωση του εκπροσώπου τύπου του Ρωσικού υπουργείου Εξωτερικών Αλεξάντερ Λουκασέβιτς, για τα αποτελέσματα της τριμερούς, διαμηνύεται ξεκάθαρα, ότι την κύρια ευθύνη για εξεύρεση λύσης του Κυπριακού, φέρουν οι δύο πλευρές στην Κύπρο, γεγονός που ερμηνεύεται ότι η λύση θα είναι κυπριακής ιδιοκτησίας.

Ο Ρώσος εκπρόσωπος ανέφερε εμφαντικά ότι οι δυνατότητες διαπραγματευτικής διαδικασίας, δεν έχουν εξαντληθεί ακόμη, παρά την έλλειψη εμφανούς σύγκλισης σε μια σειρά πτυχών, που υπάρχουν σοβαρές διαφωνίες.

Απάντηση δίδεται και στις προκλητικές δηλώσεις της Τουρκικής πλευράς για τις καλές υπηρεσίες του ΓΓ του ΟΗΕ. Τονίζεται λοιπόν, ότι αυτές δεν έχουν εξαντληθεί και χωρίς αμφιβολία πρέπει να συνεχιστούν, ανεξάρτητα από το βάθος των αντιφάσεων που εμφανίζονται στο παρόν στάδιο.

Όσο αφορά τη σύγκληση της διεθνούς διάσκεψης, το Ρωσικό υπουργείο Εξωτερικών χαρακτηρίζει ενοχλητικές τις τεχνητές προσπάθειες επιτάχυνσης των διαπραγματεύσεων, για να ταιριάξουν χρονικά, τα χρονοδιαγράμματα των διεθνών γεγονότων με την Ευρωπαϊκή αττζέντα.

Κάτι τέτοιο τονίζεται δύσκολα θα συμβάλει στη διατήρηση της εποικοδομητικής ατμόσφαιρας, εισάγει περιττή νευρικότητα στο διάλογο των δύο ηγετών, καθώς προκαλεί συζητήσεις περί διαιτησίας και δεν θα ήταν σωστό, με ταχείς ρυθμούς να φθάσουν οι δύο πλευρές στο χρόνο διεθνούς διάσκεψης , χωρίς να επιτευχθεί συμφωνία, στις εσωτερικές πτυχές

2012-01-29T17:43:00.002+02:00

Mεναχέμ Nαβόθ: Ισραήλ και Κύπρος συμβάλλουν στη σταθερότητα της περιοχής

Ο Μεναχέμ Ναβόθ, δεύτερος από αριστερά σε στιγμιότυπο από τις ομιλίες στο Ινστιτούτο Διεθνών Σχέσεων

Ο Μεναχέμ Ναβόθ, πρώην αναπληρωτής διευθυντής της Μοσάντ και σήμερα μέλος του Συμβουλίου για την Ειρήνη και την Ασφάλεια, βρέθηκε στην Ελλάδα προσκεκλημένος του Ινστιτούτου Διεθνών Σχέσεων του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου σε ημερίδα με θέμα: "Συνεργασία Ελλάδας, Κύπρου, Ισραήλ, και η νέα γεωπολιτική στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο" και με την αφορμή αυτή, μίλησε στην"Αυγή" της Κυριακής.

* Στην τοποθέτηση σας κάνετε λόγο για μία "νέα Τάξη πραγμάτων", καθώς και για την εγκαθίδρυση "σοσιαλιστικού καπιταλισμού". Ως ένα βαθμό όμως η παρουσίαση σας έμοιαζε να είναι υπέρ ενός κινεζικού τύπου κρατικού καπιταλισμού ή ακόμη και μιας δικτατορίας. Θέλετε να εξηγήσετε, τι ρόλο παίζει η δημοκρατία σε όλο αυτό μιας και την αναφέρατε πολλές φορές στην τοποθέτηση σας;
Αν διαβάσετε Σωκράτη θα δείτε πως όταν αναπτυσσόταν η ιδέα της δημοκρατίας γίνονταν κι εκτενείς αναφορές στους περιορισμούς της. Επέστρεψα στα συγκεκριμένα κείμενα πέρυσι στο πλαίσιο της προετοιμασίας μου για μία διάλεξη. Είναι θέμα εκπαίδευσης το να καταλάβουν οι άνθρωποι την έννοια, το νόημα της δημοκρατίας ώστε να είναι σε θέση να καταλάβουν πως τα πράγματα μπορούν να αλλάξουν. Για να καταλάβετε, όταν ήμουν στο Βιετνάμ και στην Καμπότζη, είδα το πόσο υπέφεραν οι άνθρωποι και δεν το άντεχα. Το κράτος μας σε ένα δημοκρατικό κόσμο θα έπρεπε να φροντίζει τους πολίτες, γιατί άλλο να υπάρχει κυβέρνηση; Βέβαια κάποιες κυβερνήσεις μπορεί πράγματι να φροντίζουν τον λαό αλλά οι περισσότερες θέλουν απλά να επιβιώσουν. Όταν ήμουν στην Ουάσιγκτον μία καθηγήτρια μου, μου εξήγησε τη θεωρία της διεκπεραίωσης, πως δηλαδή οι κυβερνήσεις απλά διεκπεραιώνουν το έργο τους με ορίζοντα μόνο τεσσάρων χρόνων. Γι' αυτό και κατέληξα στην ιδέα των ΜΚΟ - δεν μπορείτε να φανταστείτε πόσο ισχυροί είναι κάποιες οργανώσεις, μάλιστα αν ο τοπικός κυβερνήτης υποστηρίζεται από μια ΜΚΟ θα πάει καλά. Αντιλαμβάνεστε λοιπόν, πως σήμερα δεν αρκούν οι κυβερνήσεις από μόνες τους. Εγώ προσφέρθηκα εθελοντικά να βοηθήσω το Ισραήλ να επικοινωνήσει με τον κόσμο, πιστεύω πως με την εμπειρία μου μπορώ να τους βοηθήσω και νομίζω πως το κάνω.

* Μιλήσατε για "την επιστροφή του Ισλάμ" και για ένα άρθρο του Μπέρναρντ Λιούις από τη δεκαετία του '70 που επαληθεύεται. Πιστεύετε πραγματικά πως τίθεται ζήτημα Μουσουλμανικής απειλής για την Ευρώπη;
Πρέπει να είμαστε πολύ προσεκτικοί διότι η αίσθηση των μουσουλμάνων πως έχουν γίνει αντικείμενο κακομεταχείρισης, πως είναι πολίτες δεύτερης κατηγορίας, πολλώ δεν μάλλον όταν στην Αίγυπτο ενισχύονται οι Αδελφοί Μουσουλμάνοι, είναι επικίνδυνες. Από την άλλη, στη χώρα μου πιστεύουν πως οι μουσουλμάνοι είναι οι σημαντικότεροι από τους πολίτες. Πρόκειται μάλλον για περιπλεγμένα συναισθήματα, έχουν στρεβλή άποψη πως δεν είναι αποδεκτοί και λόγω αυτού γίνονται αυταρχικοί. Ωστόσο, τα πράγματα γι' αυτούς πάνε μία χαρά, δείτε για παράδειγμα την Αίγυπτο που πια κυβερνάται από τους Αδελφούς Μουσουλμάνους, δεν έχουν λόγο να μην είναι ικανοποιημένοι.

* Τόσο στην Ελλάδα όσο και στην Κύπρο υπάρχει η ανησυχία πως αν οι δύο χώρες συνεργάζονται με το Ισραήλ τότε γίνονται αυτόματα μέρος του Μεσανατολικού προβλήματος. Σε τι βαθμό πιστεύετε πως μία συμμαχία με το Ισραήλ ενέχει κίνδυνους αλλά και οφέλη;
Πρώτον η συμμαχία είναι πολύ θετική διότι είναι θετικός και ο σκοπός και όποια και να είναι η συνεισφορά μας στη Μέση Ανατολή είναι σαφές πως αν το κάνουμε μαζί θα το κάνουμε καλύτερα από ό,τι θα το έκανε ο καθένας μόνος του. Και, δεύτερον, θέλουμε να τραβήξουμε και την Ελλάδα σε αυτό διότι οι σχέσεις της Ελλάδας, οι ικανότητες και η ελληνική εμπειρία στην περιοχή την καθιστούν κατάλληλη να μπει μπροστά, διότι το Ισραήλ δεν μπορεί να βρεθεί στο επίκεντρο όμως η Ελλάδα μπορεί και θα επωφεληθεί σημαντικά.

* Μετά από μία περίοδο κατά την οποία το Ισραήλ και η Τουρκία είχαν στενές σχέσεις τώρα παρατηρείται ένα πάγωμα των σχέσεων των δύο χωρών. Πώς βλέπει το Ισραήλ τον στρατηγικό ρόλο της Τουρκίας στην περιοχή;
Στην εκδήλωση συνάντησα έναν Τούρκο διπλωμάτη και τον ρώτησα πώς βλέπει τα πράγματα και μου απάντησε πως η Τουρκία θα γίνει πιο εξτρεμιστικά μουσουλμανική από όσο κοσμικό αναμένεται να γίνει ποτέ το Ιράν. Και ο διπλωμάτης μου είπε και κάτι ακόμη "Δεν σας έχουμε πια ανάγκη, σας χρειαζόμασταν το 1958 όταν είχαμε να αντιμετωπίσουμε προβλήματα, τώρα είμαστε τα αφεντικά είμαστε οι ισχυροί και μπορούμε να κάνουμε ο,τι επιθυμούμε χωρίς να έχουμε κανέναν ανάγκη".

* Στην Αίγυπτο, η εξουσία μοιράζεται ανάμεσα στον στρατό και στους Αδελφούς Μουσουλμάνους. Νιώθετε ασφαλέστεροι από ό,τι νιώθατε όταν ήταν ο Μουμπάρακ στην εξουσία;
Πιστεύω πως ο Μουμπάρακ ήταν διατεθειμένος να τηρήσει τη Συμφωνία και θεωρώ πως για το οικονομικό συμφέρον της Αιγύπτου καλό θα ήταν να συνεχίσει να τηρείται. Ωστόσο ο θρησκευτικός φανατισμός δεν είναι πάντα καλός σύμμαχος αφού δεν ακολουθεί τους κανόνες, και μπορεί δυνητικά να οδηγήσει σε ολοκληρωτικές καταστάσεις.

* Πώς επηρεάζεται η γεωπολιτική της περιοχής από την συνεργασία Ισραήλ - Κύπρου;
Νομίζω πως με δεδομένο πως δεν υπάρχουν υπερδυνάμεις στην περιοχή και οι Ευρωπαίοι δεν μπαίνουν στη διαδικασία να δράσουν, πρόκειται για μοναδικά φαινόμενα στα οποία γινόμαστε αυτόπτες μάρτυρες. Όμως, αυτές οι δύο χώρες είναι έτοιμες να συνεργαστούν ώστε να συνεισφέρουν στην σταθερότητα της περιοχής στρατιωτικά και οικονομικά.
http://www.avgi.gr/

2012-01-27T22:25:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 27/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Ozersay argues that the timetable of the negotiations became clear after the Greentree summit
2. CTP: The last warning was made at the Greentree summit; TDP: It is early for an international conference
3. KTOS: Turkey has created the problems of population, territory and property in Cyprus
4. Reactions to the latest statement of Akca
5. The rally “Big Action” has been postponed
6. Kucuk denied information that the PKK has a training base in occupied Pentadaktylos Mountains
7. Turkey is reportedly champion in human rights violations
8. “AKP silently discusses amendment to statute”

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Statements by Kudret Ozersay on the Greentree summit, comments by Turkish Cypriot politicians on the results of the summit, reactions to Halil Ibrahim Akca’s statements on the agreement achieved between the self-styled government of the regime and the trade union of the employees in the “electricity authority” (KIB-TEK), reports saying that the big rally planned for 30 January by five political parties and many organizations is annulled, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to information published in the Turkish press regarding existence of PKK camps on occupied Pentadakltylos Mountains and reaction to this information by the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

The visit of the head of Iraq's Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim to Turkey, a statement by EU Minister Egemen Bagis’ in Davos that “Europe needs a new vision; New Europe can be possible with only Turkey”, and other domestic issues are covered today in the Turkish press.

1. Ozersay argues that the timetable of the negotiations became clear after the Greentree summit
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (27.01.12) reports that Kudret Ozersay, special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has argued that the timetable of the negotiations became clear after the tripartite summit on the Cyprus problem which was held at the Greentree with the participation of the UN Secretary-General.

In statements to Havadis, Ozersay said that Ban Ki-moon is not joking anymore. Ozersay claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side “will not invest on the failure of the process, but if we do not receive the necessary answers from our interlocutor, failure and the end of the process is one of the possibilities and everyone should know this”.

Asked how he sees the issue of the multilateral conference, Ozersay said this was a means and a platform where all the unsolved issues will be put onto the table and a great bargaining will be held by all actors coming together.

He added, inter alia, the following: “Everyone should know very well that the Cyprus problem is not a problem only between two communities. It is a problem which concerns various aspects of the international politics and directly concerns other regional and international actors. Therefore, as the Secretary – General said in his statement, if the Cyprus problem is to be solved, this conference will be held. Actually, I do not think that there is a reason for the Greek Cypriot side to refrain from this conference, because there is a principle on which agreement exists in Cyprus for approximately ten years now. According to this, before the text of the solution comes into effect, first it should definitely be submitted to the approval of both communities in a referendum. Therefore, it is very meaningless and harmful to continuously inject into the Greek Cypriot community the imposed solution paranoia. This approach and using delaying tactics might cause the imposition of another solution on us by time. The multilateral conference is not the objective of the Turkish Cypriot side, the Turkish Cypriot side will not give concessions which will find no response and are not balanced only for the sake of this conference to be held because it is a means for finding a solution, or for example for the sake of esteemed Downer to make a positive evaluation in March…”

Asked what the outcome of the Greentree summit was, Ozersay argued that a clear timetable came out “with the influence of the positive steps of the Turkish Cypriot side”. Noting that the Greek Cypriot side wants the UN Security-Council to have a role in the next steps in the process and expressing the view that all internal issues should be solved before going to an international conference, Ozersay claimed that from the statement made by the UN Secretary-General it is understood that what is necessary is not the solution of all the internal problems, but a positive evaluation [by Alexander Downer]. “And for this, progress should be achieved of course”, he said.

Responding to a question on the stance of the UN Secretary-General at the Greentree, Ozersay said they saw that Ban Ki-moon’s approach to the issues and his evaluation of the process was “extremely serious and determined”. “When he said that an open-ended process is not possible, he did not said it merely for the sake of saying it”, he added noting that the Secretary-General has emphasized that this is a Cypriot-led process and the sides should undertake their responsibility in case of a failure. “These are extremely serious messages and show that the Secretary-General is not joking”, he noted adding that the Secretary-General described what and how will be done in order for the process to end before the Republic of Cyprus’ EU term presidency.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (27.01.12) reports that in statements to illegal TAK, Ozersay commented on Ban Ki-moon’s statement after the Greentree summit. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side made many proposals on the three core issues and claimed that if a positive response or at least a response was given to the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side, these issues would have been solved at the Greentree summit. “An important opportunity was lost or postponed from this point of view”, he argued.
(I/Ts.)

2. CTP: The last warning was made at the Greentree summit; TDP: It is early for an international conference
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (27.01.12) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that the recent Greentree summit aiming at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem was a last warning both to the two leaders in Cyprus and to the people. In statements yesterday at the presence of the general secretary and “MPs” of his party, Yorgancioglu argued that the UN Secretary-General has clearly shown that he is not satisfied with the leaders. He expressed the view that the United Nations’ interest for the Cyprus problem is downgraded due to the fact that the process will be formed according to a report to be prepared by Ban Ki-moon’s special envoy to Cyprus.

Yorgancioglu said that the Secretary-General assigned some duties to the leaders at the summit and that the outcome was related with the conditions under which an international conference will be held. Yorgancioglu accused Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu of remaining silent and of causing the inclusion in the UN documents of President Christofias’ demand that an international conference will be convened in case agreement is reached on all issues. This is very unfortunate, he alleged.

According to Yorgancioglu, in his letter of invitation for the 2nd Greentree summit, Ban Ki-moon stated that he was not satisfied with both leaders, because they have generally not carried out the four-stage duty he had given them, that the Turkish Cypriot side “behaves very hesitantly” on the exchange of documents on the population and other issues, and that if the problem remains unsolved because of the issue of the cross voting, the Turkish side is the one to be blamed.

Yorgancioglu said that the result of the Greentree summit was the expected one because the sides went there unprepared and left to the Greentree summit the solution of all the problems.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (27.01.12) reports that Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), evaluated the results of the Greentree summit and said that if a wish and will exists, the problem could be solved within three or four months, but it is still early for an international conference. He argued that most probably the leaders did not submit proposals in the summit and the UN Secretary-General is not satisfied with this.

Noting that in March UN Secretary-General’s special envoy to Cyprus will prepare a report which will be submitted to the UN Security Council, Cakici said that it is early for expecting an international conference. The Greek Cypriots will not accept this proposal, because they believe that all issues should be completed before going to an international conference, he said and added: “Therefore, I think that the Greek Cypriots will not accept it and it is early for an international conference”.

Star Kibris (27.01.12) reports also that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat evaluated the statements made after the Greentree summit. Speaking to Ada television, Talat said that the picture created after the summit was not positive. Talat sent messages both to the Turkish Cypriot leader and President Christofias. He argued: “I have many times told Eroglu that we have to solve this problem, the non-solution is not an alternative for us”. He said that his message to President Christofias is the following: “Leave aside your fears, show leadership and let us solve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible”.
(I/Ts.)

3. KTOS: Turkey has created the problems of population, territory and property in Cyprus
Under the title: “’Those who created the problem cannot solve it’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (27.01.12) reports that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) has said that Cypriots have no more time to waste and noted that those who have created the [Cyprus] problem cannot solve it.

Elcil evaluated the Greentree summit in a written statement and said that the expected result was announced by the UN Secretary-General after the summit.

“The fundamental issues that prevent the solution of the Cyprus problem are all actions ignoring the international law put forward by Turkey, which intervened militarily within the framework of its responsibility as guarantor power to restore the territorial integrity and the constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus”, he pointed out.

Elcil said that in the statement made after the Greentree summit, the UN Secretary-General declared the population, the territory and the property as unsolved issues. He actually confirmed once more that these problems were created by Turkey, noted Elcil adding: “While we are struggling with the colonization strategy imposed by the AKP government in the north of our island, we must see that the centre which imposes the non-solution is the same”. Accusing Turkey of implementing the policy of “assimilation and colonization” in Cyprus, he said that the target of Ankara is to keep the Turkish Cypriots under blockade and take the entire Cyprus as its hostage. “These policies of Turkey, which continue with the support of Britain, are unacceptable”, said Elcil.
(I/Ts.)

4. Reactions to the latest statement of Akca
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (27.01.12) reports that the latest statement of Halil Ibrahim Akca - Turkey’s so-called ambassador in the occupied part of Lefkosia – saying that the “governments” of the breakaway regime “are not very strong on the issue of solving problems”, has created a reaction in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Esat Varoglu, General Secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that Akca’s statement regarding the agreement achieved between the “government” and the El-Sen, trade union of the employees in the so-called electricity authority (KIB-TEK), is interference to the domestic affairs of the country”, adding that it is not possible to accept this.

Varoglu also said that “the ambassador has no right to make comments on an achieved agreement with a governor’s manner, it is besides his duties and he has no authority on the issue”.

Mustafa Emirogullari, “deputy” of TDP, said that “an ambassador of one country cannot interfere to the domestic affairs of another country”.

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG) Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that Akca’s statement “upsets the apple-cart”.

On the same issue, the Platform of Producers’ Union evaluated Akca’s statement as wrong and groundless, adding that the “Turkish ambassador disregards the willpower of the Turkish Cypriots, interferes to their domestic affairs and this is against the relations of two sovereign states”.

5. The rally “Big Action” has been postponed
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (27.01.12), the rally “Big Action”, which was going to be held on 30 January 2012, has been postponed. However, the Communal Existence Movement announced that they are planning some demonstrations and general strikes.

6. Kucuk denied information that the PKK has a training base in occupied Pentadaktylos Mountains
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (27.01.12) reports that the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, denied reports of the Turkish press that the PKK has a training base for its members at the Pentadaktylos Mountains in occupied Cyprus.

Kucuk stated that the reports are fiction and groundless and added that the allegations created shock waves in the occupied area. He went on and added that the breakaway regime is under the strong protection of the Turkish armed forces.

In addition, Istanbul Star Online daily (26.01.12) reported that the PKK chose the occupied area to be a training base and added that the PKK has moved into Pentadaktylos where members of the organization are giving lesson to students.

The paper, which alleged that the PKK is already using the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus as a money laundering centre, writes that PKK is reportedly active in some universities in occupied Cyprus and alleged that when this structure of the PKK became apparent, the self-styled government in the occupied area moved into action and deported 16 students on grounds that they were engaged in terrorist activities.

7. Turkey is reportedly champion in human rights violations
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (27.01.12) reports that a total of 1,901 unsolved murders were committed between 1990 and 2011 and thousands suffered from human rights violations, said Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TÝHV) administrative board member Coskun Usterci.

Speaking before the Turkish parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission on Wednesday, Usterci presented a report to the press and Commission members. The report indicates that unsolved murders were at their peak between 1990 and 1994. Usterci stated that unsolved murders should not be closed due to a statute of limitations. With the current judicial regulations, if the unsolved murder cases between 1992 and 1993 are not investigated soon, these will be closed due to a statute of limitations.

Usterci said the Susurluk affair -- which exposed links between the Turkish state, the criminal underworld and Turkish security forces -- signified high tensions in the 1990s and added: “If we look at those years to see why there are so many unsolved murders, we are inevitably led to the Kurdish problem.

The abuse of individual rights started when the state implemented counter-guerilla techniques and outright war.”

In addition, Today’s Zaman also reports that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has again found Turkey to be the most convicted country in 2011, third year in a row.

The head of the ECtHR Nicolas Bratza told a press briefing on Thursday that Turkey topped the list of countries violating the European Convention on Human Rights in 159 cases. Russia follows Turkey with 121 cases and Ukraine with 105. According to Bratza, Greece (69), Romania (58) and Poland (54) violated at least one article of the Convention. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, recently said during a meeting that about 16,000 cases are currently open against Turkey, making it the country against which the second-highest number of charges has been filed.

8. “AKP silently discusses amendment to statute”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.01.12) publishes the following commentary by Mehmet Ali Birand:
“There is a special relationship between Erdogan and Gul that is unprecedented in Turkish politics, one that is based on solidarity.

Until a short while ago, the events of the year 2014 and beyond were not really talking points. Especially during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s surgery and during his recovery, nobody dared mention it. Nowadays, it is turning into a widespread topic of debate. Political calculations are being made. In the next couple of years, it will be debated even more.

The first movement started with the setting of President Abdullah Gul’s presidential term at seven years. When the law confirmed that the President was elected once and for seven years, it gave the impression that the Prime Minister wanted Cankaya (the presidential mansion) vacated by 2014.

Then, with the Prime Minister’s recovery, the situation became much clearer. Erdogan has never discussed the subject of the presidency. He has never even shared it with Gul, or any of his closest friends. However, be it in his body language or in his general attitude, when the topic is brought up, he has given the impression that he wants Cankaya and he has quite settled on the idea. At least, this is the impression his entourage has picked up.

Nowadays, the question that Justice and Development (AKP) party officials in Ankara ask is not: ‘Will the Prime Minister ascend to Cankaya?’ All speculation on that subject is now off. Erdogan is expected to move to Cankaya in 2014. The questions focus on other areas:

- Who will lead the party after Erdogan? Will Abdullah Gul return to his old position?
- If Gul doesn’t return, who can replace him?

- Can the AKP win the election without Erdogan?
- To what extent will Erdogan continue to control the party?
- Because of the fourth-term ban in the party statute, the party’s big guns will not be elected again. Is it necessary to change the party statute so that this only applies to leaders, and not other party members?

Everybody is talking about everything nowadays. But in a short while it is obvious that all debate will focus on these questions. Everyone is waiting. Nobody wants to say anything openly. It is as if they are waiting for a signal from the prime minister. Their concern and uncertainty can be felt openly. Even though they are saying that the party will stand firm and continue its way after Erdogan, the situation has not been completely digested. Nobody knows precisely what will happen to the party.

The questions in people’s minds remain unanswered for the moment. Gul is resentful to his party. If you meet Abdullah Gul these days and ask him: ‘Your honor, M. Ali Birand has written that you are resentful at the AKP because it was not able to decide on the length of your term for a long time, is that correct?’ it is highly probable that he will answer: ‘No, where do these stories come from?’

But the President really is resentful. I am writing this because I know it.

This resentfulness is because the decision on whether the President’s term in office was five years or seven years was delayed for a long time. As a matter of fact, this is a just attitude. If the party had focused, they could have decided right away. You may remember, first they said it was the Supreme Election Board (YSK) that should decide. After that, they said it was not time yet. In fact, it was delayed and delayed. Rumors started and an unnecessary period of debate was experienced. Wherever the President went, whichever TV program he attended, he was addressed with the same question: ‘When does your term end?’

He never raised his voice, he swallowed the question. But this situation annoyed him very much. Even though the law on his presidential term has since been approved, the President is angry at his party for delaying it for so long.

Of course, nobody says this very openly, but fingers are pointing at the Prime Minister. The AKP officials to whom you ask this question say: ‘If the boss had given any signal, we would have done it right away.’ The same circles say that the Prime Minister kept the subject suspended because he had not yet made a decision on whether to ascend to Cankaya, or its timing.

Another important question is whether Gul would want to lead the AKP. This question is never asked. Gul does not imply anything, either positive or negative. My guess is that after serving as President, Gul will not want to enter day-to-day politics. I don’t think he would like a life of shovelling, pushing, shouting and fighting. Party officials, for sure, will insist that he takes over.

Also there is a special relationship between Erdogan and Gul that is unprecedented in Turkish politics. It is one that is based on solidarity. The Prime Minister has managed the AKP for 10 years and has based his rule on strict discipline. People say it would be hard for him to let go of that habit. If Gul accepts the party leadership, one of the most important issues he needs to tackle will be this one, they say.

As you see, the upcoming years are full of questions…”

---------------------------

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

2012-01-26T21:09:00.002+02:00

Παρατηρητήριο Τιμών Συνοικιακών Κρεοπωλείων

26/01/2012

Στο πλαίσιο της παρακολούθησης της λειτουργίας της αγοράς του λιανικού εμπορίου και της πληροφόρησης των καταναλωτών, η Υπηρεσία Ανταγωνισμού και Προστασίας Καταναλωτών του Υπουργείου Εμπορίου, Βιομηχανίας και Τουρισμού έχει ολοκληρώσει νέα έρευνα για συλλογή στοιχείων αναφορικά με τα επίπεδα τιμών λιανικής πώλησης νωπών κρεάτων σε συνοικιακά κρεοπωλεία στις 25.1.2012.

Η έρευνα αφορά εξήντα επτά (67) συνοικιακά κρεοπωλεία που δραστηριοποιούνται σε τοπική κλίμακα στις επαρχίες της Λευκωσίας, Λεμεσού, Λάρνακας, Πάφου και ελεύθερης Αμμοχώστου και καλύπτει συνολικά δέκα (10) βασικά είδη νωπών κρεάτων.

Οι αναλυτικοί κατάλογοι των τιμών ανά επαρχία δημοσιεύονται σε ξεχωριστούς πίνακες ως Παράρτημα Ι.

Τονίζεται ότι οι τιμές που παρουσιάζονται σε κάθε δημοσίευση του παρατηρητηρίου τιμών αφορούν τις τιμές στις συγκεκριμένες ημερομηνίες που έχουν διεξαχθεί οι έλεγχοι για τη λήψη τιμών.

Οι καταναλωτές μπορούν να ενημερωθούν λεπτομερώς για το Παρατηρητήριο Τιμών Συνοικιακών Κρεοπωλείων ημερομηνίας 25.01.2012 στην ιστοσελίδα του Υπουργείου Εμπορίου, Βιομηχανίας και Τουρισμού στην ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση www.mcit.gov.cy (ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΑ ΝΕΑ) ή στην δωρεάν Τηλεφωνική Γραμμή Καταναλωτή 1429.

Συνάντηση με Δήμαρχο Κάτω Πολεμιδιών

2012-01-26T20:41:00.003+02:00

Η Γενική Γραμματέας του Κινήματος Οικολόγων Περιβαλλοντιστών κα Ιωάννα Παναγιώτου, συνοδευόμενη από μέλη της Επαρχιακής Επιτροπής Λεμεσού θα έχουν συνάντηση με τον Δήμαρχο Κάτω Πολεμιδιών, κον Γιώργο Γεωργίου, αύριο Παρασκευή 27/1/2012, η ώρα 9:30 π.μ. στο Δημαρχείο Κάτω Πολεμιδιών.

Κατά την διάρκεια της συνάντησης θα συζητηθούν θέματα προώθησης της Πράσινης Ατζέντας για την Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση καθώς και η πρόταση του Κινήματος Οικολόγων Περιβαλλοντιστών για δημιουργία πάρκων μνήμης των 13 θυμάτων της τραγωδίας του Μαρί.

ΚΙΝΗΜΑ ΟΙΚΟΛΟΓΩΝ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΙΣΤΩΝ

2012-01-26T16:31:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 26/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Statements by Eroglu after the Greentree summit: “We are closer to the multilateral conference than yesterday”
2. Statements by UBP, CTP and Talat on the Greentree summit
3. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the results of the Greentree summit
4. Bagis: “We don’t sit at the negotiation table with a half-state”
5. Akca argues that the “governments” in occupied Cyprus are not strong in solving problems
6. Durust held contacts in Ankara
7. “Court to decide the Julio Iglesias case”
8. Turkey and Russia issued a joint declaration; Cyprus problem was in the agenda
9. The Turkish parliament speaker received the “parliament speaker of Gagauz region”
10. “Towards a more cautious Turkish foreign policy”
11. Turkish President approved the new election law

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
The developments in the Greentree summit, statements made by the UN Secretary-General, the Turkish Cypriot leader and President Christofias after the Greentree summit, comments on the summit by UBP, CTP and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, new provocative statements by Egemen Bagis who said that Turkey will not sit at the same table with a “half-state” during the EU term presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to statements by the Turkish so-called ambassador in the occupied part of Lefkosia who argued that the agreement achieved between the self-styled government of the regime and the trade union of the employees in the “electricity authority” (KIB-TEK) for making KIB-TEK autonomous will not solve the problem that exists in the field.

The campaign of collecting 60 Senators’ signature to take the French bill, which criminalizes the denial of Armenian genocide in 1915 to the Constitution Council, the construction of the 3rd bridge in Bosporus, the investigation of the judge and the prosecutor in the recently concluded Hrant Dink murder case after they publicly clashed over the verdict, Foreign Minister Davutoglu’s contacts in Moscow and other domestic issues are covered today in the Turkish press. Hurriyet daily refers to the Greentree summit under the title: “A last chance for one month for Cyprus from UN”.

1. Statements by Eroglu after the Greentree summit: “We are closer to the multilateral conference than yesterday”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (26.01.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu evaluated yesterday the tripartite summit on the Cyprus problem which was held at Greentree, New York with the participation of the UN Secretary-General. Speaking at a press conference at Turk Evi [Tr. Note: Turkish House] in New York after the statement made by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Eroglu reiterated the allegation that President Christofias’ hands were tied up because of the decision taken by the National Council prior to the President’s departure for New York.

Eroglu alleged that President Christofias showed that he did not want a result at Greentree by saying, right after sitting at the negotiating table, that “we have taken these numbers, we have to evaluate them, we will evaluate them in Cyprus”.

Eroglu claimed that the side which showed flexibility and submitted “constructive proposals” at Greentree was the Turkish Cypriot side. “The Greek Cypriot side has only rejected every proposal we submitted”, he alleged.

Arguing that in spite of the “lack of will of the Greek Cypriot side”, a more concrete timetable came out at the Greentree meeting as regards the final stage [of the talks], Eroglu added: “An important matter for us is the timetable in the statement (made by the UN Secretary-General) as regards the multilateral conference. I could say that today we are closer to a multilateral conference than yesterday…”

Eroglu said that according to the letter which the Secretary-General sent to the leaders earlier, they should have discussed and take decisions on the issues of property, the election of the executive and the citizenship. “These matters mentioned in the statement of the Secretary-General are in harmony with the demands and the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side and a result of the intensive diplomacy carried out by the Turkish Cypriot side”, he argued.

Responding to a question, Eroglu said that more progress could have been achieved at the Greentree summit, but alleged that this was not possible because of the lack of will on the Greek Cypriot side.

Eroglu alleged that President Christofias exhibited a “hard and intransigent stance” as regards the text of the statement which the UN Secretary-General would make and indirectly showed that he did not trust the Secretary-General.
(I/Ts.)

2. Statements by UBP, CTP and Talat on the Greentree summit
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (26.01.12) reports that Irsen Kucuk, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, commented yesterday on the developments at the Greentree summit after the statement made by the UN Secretary-General.

Speaking at his party’s headquarters in the occupied part of Lefkosia, Kucuk alleged that the process did not end in the desirable manner, in spite of the “steps taken by the Turkish side”, because the Greek Cypriot side did not give the expected response to these steps.

Noting that they will continue to support every initiative taken by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Kucuk said: “Our wish is the end of the existing uncertainty by reaching a comprehensive solution on the island with a multilateral international conference before 1 July”.

Meanwhile, Kibris (26.01.12) reports also that Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that the picture that came out after the Greentree summit is not very encouraging. In statements during a television program, Akansoy evaluated the Greentree summit where the UN Secretary-General, President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu met for the fifth time. Akansoy alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are the side which is harmed the most by the existing uncertainty and argued that saying that “we are a sovereign state and life will continue even without a solution” is tantamount to ignoring the Turkish Cypriot “people”.

Akansoy said that there are things to be done before going to an international conference and added: “The UN Secretary-General is putting this forward and says that ‘we want convergences on the internal matters’. Everyone knows that if this does not happen, it will not be possible to go to an international conference. Therefore both leaders should show a flexible stance and secure going to an international conference”.

Akansoy noted that deadlock exist on two issues and that one of these concerns the cross voting under the chapter of Governance and Power Sharing. Recalling that one Turkish Cypriot vote will be equal to four Greek Cypriot votes, Akansoy pointed out that actually the cross voting is in favour of the Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, the same paper publishes statements by former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who said that he did not expect a multilateral conference without convergences to be achieved in the Cyprus negotiations. Speaking yesterday on a television program, Talat argued that the Turkish Cypriots have the leading role in the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that the Turkish Cypriots, who are oppressed, should defend more the solution. Talat claimed that the Turkish Cypriot leader who carries out the Cyprus talks could influence Turkey.

Referring to the benefits of the cross voting, Talat said that it would be difficult for politicians with fanatic and chauvinistic views to be elected with this system. He described as “totally wrong” the view that this system will benefit only AKEL and the CTP.

Responding to a question, Talat said that the Greentree summit will not be the last one and added that it should not be forgotten that both Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and President Christofias had worked for the rejection [of the Annan Plan].
(I/Ts.)

3. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the results of the Greentree summit
The Turkish Cypriot press today (26.01.12) gives extensive coverage to the results of the tripartite summit on the Cyprus problem held in New York with the participation of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. The papers refer to the issue under the following titles:

Kibris: “No result came out of the summit again; the negotiations were out of their element”

Haberdar: “Either [international conference] or parting of the ways”. In its subtitle the paper writes that the summit ended with the result that there will be no other tripartite summit, that the leaders were given a deadline, that the decision as to whether an international conference to be held will be taken according to a report to be prepared by Alexander Downer in March and that a clear timetable came out.

Havadis: “End game in March”

Gunes: “March is very critical”

Star Kibris: “The hopes for spring”

Vatan: “One more month negotiations for the citizenship, property and the governance!”

Volkan: “The Greek Cypriots do not want an agreement”

Halkin Sesi: “The summit was also of no use”

Yeni Duzen: “Last chance for Eroglu-Christofias”. The paper publishes the full text of Ban Ki-moon’s statement in the Turkish language.
(I/Ts.)

4. Bagis: “We don’t sit at the negotiation table with a half-state”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (26.01.12) reports that Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis reiterated once more that in case the “Greek Cypriot Administration of South Cyprus”, as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus, takes over the EU rotating presidency on 1 July then “they will not sit at the negotiation table with a half state”.

Bagis argued that if there is a Cyprus settlement until 1 July, then they will get together with pleasure with the United Republic of Cyprus and they will open chapters for negotiations.

Bagis said that “they will continue to have relations with the European Commission, however, they will not take seriously the allegation that a half state represents 500 million Europeans”. He added that when Cyprus takes over the EU rotating presidency, they will consider it like when the children take the seats of the adults in 23 April (Children’s Day in Turkey).

5. Akca argues that the “governments” in occupied Cyprus are not strong in solving problems
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (26.01.12) reports that Halil Ibrahim Akca, Turkey’s so-called ambassador in the occupied part of Lefkosia, has argued that the developments in the field of electricity in the occupied area of Cyprus showed that the “governments” of the breakaway regime “are not very strong on the issue of solving problems”.

In statements made yesterday replying to a question during a visit to Gonyeli “municipality”, Akca expressed the view that the agreement achieved in the sector of electricity [Tr. Note: The agreement achieved between the “government” and El-Sen, trade union of the employees in the so-called electricity authority (KIB-TEK) and provides for KIB-TEK to become “autonomous”] will not solve the existing problem.

Akca said that privatizations are on the agenda in all parts of the world and added that there is a need for a “law” in the occupied area of Cyprus in order for the rights of the employees to be protected and the privatization process to be transparent. Referring to the view that this [privatization] is imposed by Turkey, Akca noted that Turkey “makes suggestions” for the “TRNC’s” further development, but it is the “governments” [of the regime] that are responsible to determine the shaping and the timing of these [actions].

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (26.01.12) refers to Akca’s statements under the banner front-page title: “Who administrates?”. The paper notes that the trade unions which are members of the Communal Existence Movement commented on the above statements and said Akca was “like a governor of a colony”.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (26.01.12) covers the developments under the title: “Like a governor”.
(I/Ts.)

6. Durust held contacts in Ankara
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 25.01.12), self-styled minister of national education, youth and sports Kemal Durust flew to the Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday morning to meet with the Turkish Minister for National Education Omer Dincer.

Durust is holding various contacts while on his visit to Ankara today. He embarked on his contacts with a meeting with the TURKSOY General Secretary Dusen Kaseyinov.

7. “Court to decide the Julio Iglesias case”
Turkish daily Hrriyet Daily News (online, 26.01.12), with the above title, reports the following:

“Iglesias’ management company, which has a Turkish partner, demanded $10 million in damages, saying they had been ‘deceived’ and that they did not know about the Turkish Cyprus’ [editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] ill-defined diplomatic situation or that the territory’s structure lacked ‘governmental characteristics’.

The U.S. based management company, Creative Talent Agency (ICTA) and the Voyager Cyprus Company’s hotel, Merit Crystal, signed an agreement in October 2010 for an Iglesias concert. However, after pressure by Greek Cyprus [editor’s note: Republic of Cyprus], the concert was cancelled, while the retainer fee taken was not returned to Voyager.

Voyager sued ICTA in Florida, requesting the money back, but was unsuccessful. On Aug. 12, 2011, ICTA sued Voyager in Washington and also sued Turkish Cyprus. According to a written statement in the case, ICTA said Turkish Cyprus was an illegal organization.

Athan T. Tsimpedes, an attorney who has taken part in many Greek cases, took over the case and said the areas under Turkish Cyprus’ control belonged to Greek Cyprus and that Turkish Cyprus was an illegal organization in the international arena.

The court will decide on the case in the coming weeks. It is expected that the case will be evaluated as a financial case rather than a political one.”

8. Turkey and Russia issued a joint declaration; Cyprus problem was in the agenda
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.01.12), Turkey and Russia expressed commitment on Wednesday to continue political dialogue and cooperation to boost bilateral relations as well as contribute to global stability.

In a joint declaration after a meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group in Moscow co-chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, the two countries underlined the importance on cooperation in nuclear energy as well as in oil and natural gas pipeline projects.

The two countries also reiterated their commitment in strengthening the principle of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, expressing support for the NPT RevCon.

The joint declaration also pledged cooperation to fight against terrorism, underlining a need to speed up efforts to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

Meawhile, Turkish daily Milliyet (25.01.12) published an interview with Turkey's Foreign Minister Davutoglu by Fikret Bila. It is also reported that Davutoglu’s top of the agenda in Moscow was Syria. In addition, Iran and Cyprus held also important places during Davutoglu's trip to Moscow, the paper wrote.

9. The Turkish Parliament Speaker received the “parliament speaker of Gagauz region”
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.01.12), Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek received Anna Harlamenko, “President of the Popular Assembly in the autonomous Gagauz region of Moldova”, in Ankara on Wednesday.

Cicek said that there were close and sound relations between Turkey and the Gagauz region, stating that relations between parliaments should be boosted.

Cicek said that there were some projects that Turkey wanted to implement in the Gagauz region, but peace, tranquillity and stability must be secured in the region first as as to attract investments.

Harlamenko said that they were eager to boost their cooperation and relations with Turkey.

10. “Towards a more cautious Turkish foreign policy”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 26.01.12), with the above title, publishes the following commentary by Murat Yetkin:

“The tension with France over the Armenian issue has been a stress test for Turkish foreign policy. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan managed to tone down his reaction against the French Senate approval of criminalizing speech that claims the killings of Armenians in the last years of the Ottoman Empire was not genocide. The expectations were much higher than strong condemnation of France; Turkish politicians and the majority of media were in favour of imposing ‘sanctions’ against France in order to deter French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the French system as a whole.

Erdogan was right to say the Sarkozy move was a violation of freedom of expression. There were French Senators, even those who claim that the 1915 massacres were the result of a genocide campaign, who said that to vote for it would not only be a violation of the French Constitution, but freedom of expression as well. Yesterday, Amnesty International took a similar position.

But trying to use the trade links as leverage in politics could perhaps bring additional points in domestic politics, but could harm both sides’ interests. After all, the Turkish share in French foreign trade was nearly 1.4% and the French share in Turkish foreign trade nearly 4.7% in 2010. Plus, there are thousands of Turkish workers employed in French investment projects in Turkey.

Yet, there were cautious voices. For example, Umit Boyner of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), Rifat Hisarciklioglu of the Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce (TOBB) and Yilmaz Arguden of the Turkish-French Business Council were saying that to boycott French goods and threaten exclusion of French companies from public procurement projects and tenders in Turkey, would not serve the purpose; on the contrary those moves might be counterproductive.

It appears that Erdogan decided to listen to their advice, solve the problems in a less aggressive manner and took the opportunity of the legal procedure to annul the Senate vote in the Constitutional Court.

Volkan Bozkir, a former diplomat specialized in European politics and now the head of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said yesterday that in the current political climate it could be hard to find at least 60 French legislators to sign up for such an application, but the time in between would help the crisis to cool down.
But it seems that the French stress test could be a fine tuning opportunity for Turkish foreign policy for 2012 and the near future. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow yesterday that both countries’ policies regarding Syria, Iran and Iraq have similarities, which is a move towards balanced politics.

This fine tuning may have links with the European economic crisis which impacts the Turkish economy. The Central Bank and the Treasury are trying to cool down the Turkish economy and make an effort to maintain a lesser and more controlled growth rate; which means less Turkish exports would be under pressure for new markets.

One might observe the reflections of this line in the near future.”

11. Turkish President approved the new election law
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.01.12), Turkish President Abdullah Gul has approved a new law which will see his term expire in 2014, his office said on Wednesday, and ending months of speculation over the length of his presidency.

Gul was elected President, a largely ceremonial role, with the support of the ruling AK Party in 2007 but it has been unclear whether his term would last five or seven years.

The change could be significant for the ambitions of Prime Minister Erdogan, the most powerful politician in Turkey.

Erdogan plans to draft a new Constitution to replace one framed after a military coup three decades ago, with reports suggesting that he favours creating a more presidential style of government.

There has been speculation in Turkey that Erdogan wants to become president before his third, and final, term as Prime Minister ends in 2015.

Under the new law, the seven-year term applies only to the current presidency. All subsequent terms would be five years.

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

2012-01-25T18:29:00.004+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 25/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the developments at the New York summit
2. Yorgancioglu says the statements made in the end of the first day of the Greentree summit were not encouraging
3. Bahceli claimed that “the only solution in Cyprus is a unified structure that represents both states and nations”
4. Breakaway regime’s “electricity authority” is becoming “autonomous”
5. Despite the allegations that the regime is under “embargoes” its “assembly” continues contacts abroad
6. “French Senate’s approval of bill puts ties on razor’s edge”

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
The developments at the Greentree summit and the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, statements by Eroglu’s spokesman Osman Ertug and Alexander Downer in the end of the first day of the Greentree summit, comments on the Cyprus problem by CTP’s chairman Ozkan Yogancioglu and Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Action Party (MHP), and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to an agreement achieved between the self-styled government of the regime and the trade union of the employees in the “electricity authority” (KIB-TEK) for making KIB-TEK autonomous. Moreover, under the title “According to Keti Clerides, the south feels uncomfortable with the federation”, Yeni Duzen publishes statements made to Kanal Sim television by Keti Clerides, daughter of former President Glafkos Clerides and Democratic Rally Party’s responsible for bi-communal relations.

Statement by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Armenian bill adopted at the French Senate describing it as “null and void”, announcement by Erdogan that Turkish government will pay compensation for Uludere incident, and other domestic issues are covered in today’s Turkish dailies. Sabah and Hurriyet dailies, the only one received by our Office today, have no report on the 2nd Greentree summit held in New York between the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and President Demetris Christofias, at the presence of the UN Secretary-General.

1. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the developments at the New York summit
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (25.01.12) reports that the second meeting of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu was held yesterday at the Greentree in New York with the aim of overcoming the differences in the ongoing negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Statements regarding the long-lasting meeting which ended last night (01.00 a.m. Cyprus time) are expected today. Eroglu is expected to make statements around 17.30 (Cyprus time) at the Turk Evi, which is located opposite the UN headquarters in New York.

Responding to questions yesterday in the end of the first day of the tripartite summit, Eroglu’s spokesman, Osman Ertug denied the allegations that the second meeting at the Greetree was held in a “colder” climate comparing to the first one. “We consider the climate as normal, it is how it should be”, he said. Ertug reiterated the Turkish view that “this issue should be led somewhere within this process until the Greek Cypriot side [as he described the Republic of Cyprus] overtakes the EU term presidency on 1 July”. Ertug noted that both during the first tripartite meeting held at the Greentree between 30 and 31 October 2011 and during the second one, efforts are exerted for achieving convergences on the core issues.

Asked whether the statement made by the USA prior to the Greentree meeting was a pressure in the direction of a solution, Ertug recalled that this is a UN process within the framework of the UN Secretary-General’s good offices mission and added that the USA said it supports this process. “Similar statements were also made by the EU”, he pointed out.

The paper publishes also statements made yesterday by Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s special advisor in Cyprus, who said that the target should be to achieve a solution in Cyprus before “south Cyprus” [as the Republic of Cyprus is described] overtakes the EU term presidency. He noted that the meeting yesterday lasted six hours and added that the leaders discussed the presidency in the federal state, the property and the citizenship. He said the meetings were intensive and that many new ideas were put onto the table.

Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (25.01.12) publishes Ertug’s statements under the title “We are in favour of a multilateral meeting in which the guarantors will participate”. Responding to a question, Ertug argued that the Greek Cypriot side puts some preconditions for going to a multilateral conference and said that the position of the Turkish Cypriot side is that it would not be beneficial to put preconditions in the process. Responding to another question, he alleged that the rotating presidency is one of the UN parameters for the solution in Cyprus and it is not a new element. He said that the issue of the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots comes onto the agenda from time to time and added that the uncertainty and the isolation in which the Turkish Cypriots live show the necessity of solving the problem as soon as possible. Asked whether he is hopeful, he noted that they would not go to the negotiations if there were not hopeful.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (25.01.12) covers the developments under the front-page title “Proposals’ crisis in New York” and reports that a crisis marked the second day of the Greentree summit. Journalist Mete Tumerkan, who covers the summit in New York on behalf of Havadis, argues that the Greek Cypriot side refrained from putting proposals onto the table and there was no reaction to the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side. As a result of this tension the meeting of the UN Secretary-General with the leaders lasted longer, claims the paper adding that the Greek Cypriot side asked from Eroglu assurance that at least 100 thousand Greek Cypriot refugees will return to their homes. According to the paper, Eroglu said that concrete steps could be taken only on the principle of reciprocity.

Citing sources close to the UN, Tumerkan reports that in the statement, which Ban Ki-moon will make later today, he is not expected to say that the process failed. Even though such a possibility exists, the bad scenario is not on the agenda right now, the sources underlined, adding that after thanking the sides for their fruitful efforts, the UN Secretary-General might announce the date of a multilateral conference which is one of the elements of the last stage of the process. The same sources said that another possibility is the UN Secretary-General to assign new targets for the sides and send them to Cyprus to continue their comprehensive negotiations for a little longer. In such a situation, the sources added, an invitation for a sixth summit as well as a call for a multilateral conference might be made.

Tumerkan writes that tension was created from time to time in the summit and the UN officials exerted intensive efforts to take the process forward. Sources close to the UN told Havadis that there was no possibility for the process to be interrupted at this stage and that the sides are not in the position of being able to say “no” to a proposal by the UN for a multilateral conference.

Other newspapers cover the issue under the following titles:
Star Kibris: New York focused on 1 July!
Vatan: The results of the summit will be announced today
Halkin Sesi: Intensive tempo in the summit
(I/Ts.)

2. Yorgancioglu says the statements made in the end of the first day of the Greentree summit were not encouraging
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (25.01.12) reports Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that the statements made in the end of the first day of the summit held yesterday at the Greentree in New York with the aim of overcoming the differences in the ongoing negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem were not encouraging.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Yorgancioglu argued that the main reason for this is that the sides had not really held intensive negotiations before going to the Greentree and left [all] the issues for the summit. He further claimed that the sides’ not carrying out the necessary exchange of information and data as demanded by the UN Secretary-General had an important role in the lack of convergences.

Yorgancioglu said, inter alia, the following: “The current process on the Cyprus problem should end successfully by July and the summit should produce results which will ensure passing into the final stage”. He noted the leaders will find in front of them the pro-peace forces of both communities in case they return without achieving this.

Yorgancioglu said that in case convergence is not achieved, it will not be possible to pass into the next stages after the Greentree summit and to a multilateral conference, that is, to end the Cyprus problem, as it is provided for by the UN Secretary-General.
(I/Ts.)

3. Bahceli claimed that “the only solution in Cyprus is a unified structure that represents both states and nations”
Under the title “‘Turkey should focus on Cyprus issue,’ MHP says”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 24.01.12) reports the following:

“An opposition party leader has called on the prime minister to focus on the Cyprus issue more carefully instead of dealing with Syria and taking sides in the Iraq situation, saying that they are not going to support government suggestions that would weaken Turkey’s power in the region.

Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli started his speech by saying that former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas was bade farewell with prayers and by his loved ones. Bahceli added that Denktas will never be forgotten thanks to the three big successes he achieved: ‘The first one is his putting the Cyprus issue on the international agenda and stimulating awareness on the issue. The second is to show that the Turkish Cypriots have certain inalienable rights with regard to their existence and sovereignty; and finally the third one is to render a true state by creating a national identity,’ said Bahceli, adding, ‘However, the Justice and Development Party [AKP] has proved to be inconsistent, unprincipled and irresponsible towards the issues and problems of the state that Denktas has left’. Bahceli stated that any policy or method that does not ensure both sides’ peace and safety will not solve Cyprus’ decades-old problems. ‘The only solution that is applicable in Cyprus is a unified structure that represents and includes both of the states and nations,’ noted Bahceli.”

4. Breakaway regime’s “electricity authority” is becoming “autonomous”
Under the title “…And they agreed!” Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (25.01.12) reports that the self-styled council of ministers decided yesterday to launch preparations for the restructuring of the so-called electricity authority (KIB-TEK) “on the basis of administrative and financial autonomy”. Self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk announced yesterday that they agreed on this issue with El-Sen, trade union of KIB-TEK’s employees. Kucuk said that the employees of KIB-TEK will work overtime without being paid to determine the losses [from the strikes and the blackouts that lasted for six days] and thanked El-Sen for their understanding.

Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (25.01.12) reports that the decision taken yesterday by the “council of ministers” was already published in the “official gazette” of the regime last night. The paper writes that El-Sen trade union ended its strike last night considering that the decision was positive. According to the paper, Irsen Kucuk stated that they do not think it is appropriate to withdraw or amend the “Privatization draft-law”, because in case they do this, employing the people who have been working in the bankrupted “Turkish Cypriot airlines” and are unemployed for one year will be delayed.
(I/Ts.)

5. Despite the allegations that the regime is under “embargoes” its “assembly” continues its contacts abroad
Illegal Bayrak television (online, 24.01.12) broadcast the following:

“Two TRNC [editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] parliamentary delegations are holding separate contacts in France and Indonesia.

The TRNC delegation in Strasbourg, France is attending the winter session of the General Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly-PACE while the TRNC delegation in Indonesia is attending the 7th Session of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member states.

The National Unity Party deputy Ahmet Eti and the Republican Turkish Party deputy Mehmet Caglar are representing the TRNC at the Winter General Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly-PACE in the city of Strasbourg.

A second delegation from the Republic’s Assembly is in the Indonesian city of Palembang to attend the 7th Session of the Parliamentary Union of Organization for Islamic Cooperation Member states.

The TRNC delegation headed by the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Hasan Bozer is attending the meetings upon the invitation of the OIC Parliamentary Union President Marzuki Alie.

The delegation includes UBP deputies Ertugrul Hasipoglu and Mutlu Atasayan as well as CTP deputy Omer Kalyoncu.”

6. “French Senate’s approval of bill puts ties on razor’s edge”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.01.12), with the above title, reports the following:
“The rising tension between France and Turkey, a result of the approval of a bill by the French Senate on Jan. 23 imposing a fine and possible jail sentence upon denial of the Armenian genocide, is increasingly threatening business between the two countries.

In the run-up to the vote, Turkish officials have suggested repeatedly France might be excluded from Turkey’s massive energy tenders, privatizations and defence purchases should the law go through.

Nearly 100,000 Turkish people currently work in 350 French firms across Turkey, according to recent data provided by Turkish-French Trade Association (CCIFT). These companies include worldwide industrial and financial companies such as Schneider, Areva, Lafarge, Danone, L’Oreal, Carrefour, Total, BNP Paribas, AXA, Groupama and Dexia.

Total investments of the French firms in Turkey currently stand at nearly $8.6 billion today, according to a recent report on broadcaster CNNTurk’s website.

France ranks the 5th biggest European direct investor in Turkey with $10.3 billion worth of investments between 2000 and 2010, following the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg, respectively, according to data from Turkey’s Central Bank.

Turkey ranks 11th in France’s export markets with 6.26 billion euros, according to official figures for 2010. Turkey’s exports to France rose to $6.26 billion in 2011 from $6.05 billion the previous year. Turkish imports from France also hit nearly $8.55 billion last year compared to $8.17 billion in 2010.

Turkey’s defence industry ties with France will also be badly affected by the approval of the bill, according to Turkish procurement officials who spoke to the Daily News earlier this month.

Turkey’s short-range defence plans, for example, include a long-range missile and air defence systems project worth nearly $4 billion. The pan-European Eurosam, owned by the Italian-French MBDA and Thales Group from France, is competing with United States, Russia and China companies. The contract is expected to be finalized by this summer, according to an official.

In the area of commercial aviation, Turkish Airlines, the state-owned company, adopted a balanced policy in purchases from the U.S. Boeing and the French Airbus. ‘If the bill passes, the business of France here will come to an unofficial end. You can be sure of that,’ said a procurement official.

The number of French tourists visiting Turkey rose to 1.25 million in the first nine months of last year, up from 930,000 in 2010, according to official data. Any further disputes may also jeopardize this sector.

Turkey’s Central Bank has a chance to shift nearly 30 billion Turkish Liras ($16.4 billion) of investments in French bonds to other European powerhouses as part of its recent row with France, according to Erol Katircioglu, professor of the economic department of Istanbul Bilgi University. However, such a move could also risk Turkey’s already semi-paralyzed bid to become a full member of the European Union, Katircioglu told the Daily News in a recent interview.”

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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Ασθενής σεισμική δόνηση στην περιοχή Λεμεσού

2012-01-25T18:13:00.002+02:00

Το Τμήμα Γεωλογικής Επισκόπησης του Υπουργείου Γεωργίας, Φυσικών Πόρων και Περιβάλλοντος ανακοινώνει ότι σήμερα μεταξύ των ωρών 6.00 π.μ. και 8.31 π.μ. καταγράφηκε από τους σεισμογράφους του Τμήματος ασθενής σεισμική ακολουθία τύπου σμηνοσειράς (σεισμική ακολουθία με έξι σεισμούς παρομοίων μεγεθών) με μεγέθη από 2.7 μέχρι 3.0 βαθμών στην κλίμακα Ρίχτερ.

Τα επίκεντρα των σεισμών ήταν στην περιοχή της Γερμασόγειας Λεμεσού και τα εστιακά βάθη κυμαίνονται μεταξύ 7 και 8 χιλιόμετρα. Οι σεισμοί έγιναν αισθητοί από κατοίκους της επαρχίας Λεμεσού. Η σεισμική αυτή ακολουθία εντάσσεται στα πλαίσια της φυσιολογικής σεισμικής δραστηριότητας της περιοχής. Η εξέλιξη του φαινομένου παρακολουθείται από το Σεισμολογικό Κέντρο του Τμήματος Γεωλογικής Επισκόπησης. -25.01.2012

2012-01-24T21:59:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 24/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. The tripartite meeting in New York started; Eroglu: “Continuation of the negotiations after 1 July would be meaningless”

2. Ozersay argues that the Turkish Cypriot side does not want an imposed solution in Cyprus

3. The strike in the “telecommunication authority” is prohibited with decision by the “council of ministers”

4. A delegation of the “assembly” to participate in the 7th OIC Parliamentary Union conference in Indonesia

5. Turkey’s reactions to French decision to pass Armenian genocide bill

6. Turkey talks with Saudi Arabia over Iran oil

7. First Turkish unmanned plane likely to be ready this summer

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
The beginning of the tripartite summit on the Cyprus problem in New York with the participation of the UN Secretary- General, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, statements by Eroglu and Ozersay before the meeting, continuation of the strike at the “electricity authority” in the occupied area, self-styled government’s decision to prohibit the strike at the “telecommunication authority”, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the beginning of the trial of Asil Nadir in London and the decision of the French Senate regarding the Armenian genocide.

The adoption of the bill that criminalizes the denial of Armenian genocide in 1915, as well as the reaction to the bill, are the main issues in today’s Turkish dailies. There are almost no reports on the 2nd Greentree summit between Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and President Demetris Christofias.

1. The tripartite meeting in New York started; Eroglu: “Continuation of the negotiations after 1 July would be meaningless”
Under the title “They are trying to overcome the existing differences”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.01.12) reports that the fifth tripartite meeting on the Cyprus problem started yesterday in New York with the participation of the UN Secretary-General, President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu.
In statements to illegal TAK news agency before the meeting, Eroglu described the summit as “turning point” and argued: “If nothing comes out from this summit, I could not say that there will be something in the negotiations which we will hold afterwards”.

Eroglu said he estimated that the UN Secretary-General would try “to step in more” during this meeting and would insist on the Greek Cypriot side showing some flexibility on the suggestions that have been put forward.

Noting that in his letter of 6 January 2012, the UN Secretary-General asked from the Turkish Cypriot side to give detailed information on the property and the citizenship, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot side has conveyed numbers on the property and the citizenship to the UN.

Eroglu added that except for the guarantees all the issues would be discussed during the summit in New York and especially the property and the election of the president. Eroglu reiterated that the map and the numbers on the territory issue will be discussed at the very end, that the UN Secretary-General has been committed on this in a report he submitted to the Security Council and that they will discuss this issue only after a date for a multilateral conference is determined. Eroglu said that they would ask from the UN Secretary-General to determine a date for a multilateral conference.

Referring to the issue of the cross-voting, Eroglu said that they had told the Greek Cypriot side during the first summit at Green Tree that the cross-voting could have no relation with the rotating presidency.

Eroglu noted that from the very beginning President Christofias has been coming to the negotiations putting some conditions and asking for the return of Morfou or Karpass in order to negotiate.

Eroglu reiterated his view that the interlocutor of President Christofias is not Ankara and argued that they will be understanding each other more easily when President Christofias realizes that his interlocutor are the Turkish Cypriots.

Recalling that the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term presidency on 1 July 2012, Eroglu alleged: “Continuation of the negotiations after 1 July would be meaningless. On this date the Greek Cypriots will become term president [of the EU] and afterwards the preparations for the 2013 presidential elections will start. Therefore, continuation of the negotiations in such environment has no meaning”.

Eroglu noted that if no solution is reached by 1 July, the UN Secretary-General will announce to the Security Council whether a solution could be found to the Cyprus problem with his good offices mission. He claimed: “The sides are obliged now to put all their capital on the table and end this issue at this summit. The process will work until 1 July, but the UN Secretary-General had said that negotiations after 1 July would be meaningless. The Secretary-General could give another chance to the Greek Cypriots until 1 July, but if nothing comes out from the summit, I cannot say that something will happen in the meetings which we will have afterwards. We can say that this summit has the character of a turning point… The negotiations continue for 43 years. There is no meaning in extending negotiations that lasted so long. No aspect of the Cyprus problem remained without being discussed. What is left is only the will. If in this summit Christofias exhibits the same stance as in the past, the patience of the UN Secretary-General will be exhausted and I think he might say that this is not a problem which will be solved within the framework of his good offices mission”.
(I/Ts.)

2. Ozersay argues that the Turkish Cypriot side does not want an imposed solution in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (24.01.12) reports that Kudret Ozersay, special advisor of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has argued that the Turkish Cypriot side does not want a solution to be imposed in Cyprus. In statements yesterday in New York to Turkish Ankara Anatolia news agency before the tripartite summit with the participation of the UN Secretary-General, President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ozersay claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side emphasizes the necessity of holding a multilateral conference on the Cyprus problem not because it wants an imposed solution.

He added: “…The Turkish Cypriot side as well does not want an imposed solution. This should be clearly known, but the following should also be known: if we do not complete all the elements of this last stage and we delay the solution of the Cyprus problem, the long time which passes will impose another solution on us. When you run away from what you call imposed solution, you impose on yourself another solution, because of the time. Because life does not stop, life goes on, life goes on from the point of view of the property, economy, immovable property, the citizenship. Generations change. The Greek Cypriot side must understand this…”

Responding to a question on the reason of his arrival one day earlier in New York, Ozersay said that he had meetings with the UN Secretary-General’s deputy for political affairs and his advisors, and with permanent representatives of the countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council. He noted that these were preparatory meetings aiming at sounding the ground before the tripartite summit, understanding what the intention of the UN was, putting forward the “determination of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem” and sharing some views.

“We saw that the UN is determined. I hope that these will turn into some concrete steps, that real negotiations will be held at the Green Tree and that these will give concrete results”, he added.
(I/Ts.)

3. The strike in the “telecommunication authority” is prohibited with decision by the “council of ministers”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (24.01.12) reports, on its front page, that a group of 130 persons from AKSA energy company, in Turkey, arrived yesterday in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in order to repair the high voltage lines at the Teknecik Electricity Power Plant in the occupied area of Trapeza.

Meanwhile, the members of El-Sen, trade union of the employees of the so-called electricity authority (KIB-TEK), continue their strike despite the decision of the “council of ministers” to prohibit strikes. “KIB-TEK”, in an effort to put an end to the problems that started with El-Sen’s strike, at the first stage gave a “service contract” to a crew of 12 persons from AKSA Energy Company who started working at Teknecik Electricity power plant.

Moreover, the paper reports that the “council of ministers” decided yesterday to prohibit the strike for an indefinite period of time in the “telecommunication authority”, which had started last Thursday. Tamay Soysan - chairperson of Tel-Sen, the trade union of the employees of the so-called “telecommunication authority” – announced that they postponed their strike.

4. A delegation of the “assembly” to participate in the 7th OIC Parliamentary Union conference in Indonesia
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (24.01.12) reports that a delegation of the self-styled assembly of the breakaway regime, headed by its “speaker” Hasan Bozer, is going to Palembang, a city in Indonesia, in order to participate in the 7th meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (PUIC) conference, which is being held there between 24 January and 2 February.

The delegation consists of “MP” with the National Unity Party (UBP) Ertugrul Hasipoglu, “MP” with UBP Mutlu Atasayan and “MP” with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Omer Kalyoncu.

According to the paper, the occupation regime is participating in the meeting upon an invitation by the PUIC chairman Marzuki Alie.

5. Turkey’s reactions to French decision to pass Armenian genocide bill
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (24.01.12) reports about Turkey’s reactions to the decision of the French Senate to vote yesterday a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide in 1915. Turkey issued warnings that adoption of the legislation would lead to new sanctions.

The bill seeks punishment for anyone who refuses to term the killings of Armenians in 1915 by Ottoman Empire as genocide, on the grounds that such a rejection is equal to making racist and xenophobic remarks and can spark hatred in French society.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned hours before the French Senate debate on the denial bill that runs a high risk of wrecking Turkish-French ties that the bill could provoke reactions from “hundreds of thousands” if it passes through the senate, pledging Turkey would reciprocate a senate approval in its own determined fashion.

“We see tens of thousands of our brothers, our kin, gathered in Paris, which proves how strong a reaction the bill will receive [in the event it passes as law],” Erdogan told reporters earlier on Monday, referencing demonstrations in France over the weekend against the bill.

“This decision is very wrong,” Tahsin Burcuoglu, Turkey’s ambassador to France, said minutes after the vote. “We are not responsible for this. We did what we could,” he added, referring to impending damage to Turkish-French ties.

Turkey already suspended military, economic and political ties when the lower house of French parliament passed the bill last month.

Erdogan announced on Monday that Turkey had “decisions to make in response to the decision the French Senate is going to make today,” signalling Turkey is readying to counter the French move with unspecified measures.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also had warned France that Turkey is ready to take new measures against Paris, in a last-ditch push to fend off the bill.

Turkey briefly recalled its ambassador to Paris and suspended military, economic and political ties when the bill was passed in France's lower house last month. Forty-thousand Turks from all over Europe gathered in Paris on Saturday to raise their voice against the Senate debate, hoping the Senate might drop the bill off the agenda or vote against it.

“The steps we will take in case the bill passes as law have already been determined,” Davutoglu was quoted as saying by Anatolia, but he did not elaborate on what those steps might include.

"Turkey will continue to implement sanctions as long as this bill remains on the table," Davutoglu stated. "We hope, however, this won't be necessary, and common sense will reign in the French Senate."

"European values are under threat," Davutoglu said. "If each parliament takes decisions containing its own views of history and implements them, a new era of Inquisition will be opened in Europe."

"Those who voice views that exclude this view of history will be jailed," he said. "It would, unfortunately, be a great shame for France to revive this."

Similarly, AK Party Deputy Chairman Omer Celik said on Monday measures against France would be permanent, not temporary, if the bill passes. Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag also stated, "It is clear relations between Turkey and France will not be the same," Anatolia reported.

The measure now needs to be signed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose party proposed it, to become a law, something seen by many a mere formality.

Contrary to the French argument, Turkey has been fighting the bill, saying that such a move would mean blocking freedom of expression in France and take away Turks' right to defend their ancestors against the alleged crime of genocide, a claim Turkey takes as an insult to its identity.

“The issue they [the French Senate] are debating now is foremost in denial of freedoms France has laid a claim on up until today,” Erdogan was quoted by the Anatolia news agency as telling reporters, as he suggested the bill would also be contradictory to human rights and could spark demonstrations from “hundreds of thousands of people,” who would react to the French move.

In response to reporters' questions, Erdogan raised the possibility on Monday that his future visits to France might fall under question due to the approval of the bill. A day prior to Erdogan's remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc speculated the French bill could jeopardize visits from senior Turkish officials to France. Arinc rhetorically asked what French officials would do if Erdogan said, “1915 is not genocide,” during a visit to France. French President Nicolas Sarkozy noted in a recent letter he sent to Erdogan that the law would only affect French citizens and be applicable in France, to dismiss speculations senior Turkish officials might fall victim to the controversial bill during their visits to France.

6. Turkey talks with Saudi Arabia over Iran oil
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.01.12) reports that Turkey has already started looking at Saudi Arabian oil to ensure its economic stability and compensate imports from Iran due to United States pressure to cut its links with its eastern neighbour, said Turkey's top energy experts on Sunday.
"Turkey could not resist the pressure from U.S. for a long time," Necdet Pamir, board member at World Energy Council Turkish National Committee, told the Hurriyet Daily News in a phone interview.

Pamir's statements followed the European Union's decision to slap an oil embargo against Iran's oil exports. Turkish officials are currently in talk with the Saudi Arabia to compensate Turkey's 30 percent crude oil import from Iran, Pamir said. "Saudi Arabia remains the only country that could increase its oil production capacity by 3.5 million barrels per day," said Pamir, adding that currently total crude oil export of Iran remains nearly 2.4 million barrels.

Turkey imports nearly 30.6 percent of its crude oil from Iran which rose to 217,000 barrels per day in last year. However, if all the countries rush for Saudi oil at the same time, Turkey might face some sourcing problems, he said. "A one dollar jump in price-per-barrel adds $170 million to Turkey's bill," said Pamir. "If Iran closes Strait of Hormuz as it threatens, the prices per barrel might reach $180," said Hasan Selim Ozerden, Eurasian expert from International Strategic Research Organization (USAK). He said Turkey, which recently accepted an early warning radar system deployed at a military base near Malatya in eastern Turkey, might be exempted from joining western alliance sanctions on Iran.

7. First Turkish unmanned plane likely to be ready this summer
Under the above title, Turkish daily Hurriyet daily news (24.01.12) reports the following:
“’Five unmanned Anka aircraft will be in use by this summer, says Murad Bayar, the undersecretary of the Turkish Defence Ministry. The share of domestic production in arms will boost’, he also says Turkey’s first unmanned ANKA aircraft, which is currently under the testing phase, will be ready for deployment by summer, according to Murat Bayar, undersecretary of the Defence Ministry.

‘Five ANKA planes will be in use by this summer,’ he told the Anatolia news agency during a recent interview.
‘The United States and Israel are the only other countries capable of making unmanned aerial vehicles’, he said.

Turkey has increased its share of domestic production in its defence industry to more than 50 percent over the last five years, ‘The share of domestic production in Turkey’s defence industry has risen from 20 percent to 52 percent in the last five years,’ adding that the country aimed to reach 70-80 percent in the next few years.

The industry used to meet national demand by manufacturing foreign licensed products, but this has recently changed. ‘Now we are concentrating on developing our own designs,’ said Bayar, adding that Turkey’s total export target was now close to $1 billion. ‘We reached a total volume of $800 million in defence industry exports last year and I believe we could reach $1 billion this year […] 2012 will be a year of mass production in national defence sector projects.’

Turkey will start to use national warships, national tanks, national infantry rifles, national helicopters and unmanned aircraft in 2012.

Bayar also said a national low-altitude and high-altitude defence system would go into mass production in 2012 and emphasized the importance of sustainability in national defence projects. ‘We aim to develop the infrastructure base of national tanks, aircraft and weapons.’

Referring to the national rifle, Bayar said the testing phase was still continuing but added that the rifle was expected to go into mass production this year. ‘It is not an easy task to develop a rifle. We are working with all the contributors to the projects and are hopeful that we will decide on mass production […] We want the rifles in the hands of our soldiers to be made locally,’ he said.

He also said the country’s first national tank, the ‘Altay, was in the testing phase. The prototype production of Altay is expected to start this year and be used later in the testing process. ‘We are currently making simulations on the computer and know what type of tank it will be.’

As for the national helicopter project, the ‘Atak,’ Bayar said licenses originally belonging to Italy had been bought by Turkey in order to become the sole producer of the helicopter globally.

‘We have made some modifications in line with our desires,’ he said, adding that all the electronics to be used in the helicopter would be produced in Turkey. ‘We aim to deliver one helicopter this year and 51 more next year.’”

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

-ΚΎΠΡΟΣ, ΙΣΡΑΗΛ, ΕΛΛΑΔΑ:ΕΝΩΝΟΝΤΑΙ-

2012-01-23T19:15:00.004+02:00

Σάρκα και όστα θα πάρει το πιο δύσκολο ενεργειακό έργο του 21ου αιώνα. Η Κύπρος αλλάζει την ενεργειακή της μορφή. Το έργο αυτό ονομάζεται «EuroAsia Interconnector».Ανακοινώθηκε στην Πρωτεύουσα της Κύπρου, την Λευκωσία από τον Πρόεδρο της ΔΕΗ - Quantum Energy, Νάσο Κτωρίδη.

-Σε τι στοχεύει το ενεργειακό έργο όμως;
Στόχος είναι η σύνδεση Ισραήλ, Κύπρου και Ελλάδας μέσω υποθαλάσσιου ηλεκτρικού καλωδίου. Πρακτικά αυτό σημαίνει και σύνδεση με το Πανευρωπαϊκό Ηλεκτρικό Δίκτυο. Πρόκειται για το πιο σύνθετο έργο που έχει πραγματωθεί σε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο σε σχέση με το μήκος και το βάθος του καλωδίου που θα ενώσει τις τρεις χώρες.
-1,5 δις ευρώ κοστίζει το ενεργειακό έργο-
Η ένωση Ισραήλ, Κύπρου και Ελλάδας θα κοστίσει 1,5 δις ευρώ και η εκτέλεση του έργου θα ολοκληρωθεί μέσα σε τρία χρόνια και θα λειτουργήσει κανονικά μέσα στο 2016. Η «ένωση» Ισραήλ, Κύπρου και Ελλάδας θα μπορεί να μεταφέρει έως και 2.000ΜW και αυτοί που θα το φέρουν σε πέρας είναι οι ΔΕΗ-Quantum Energy από την πλευρά της Κύπρου, η ΔΕΗ Ελλάδας και διάφορα μέτωπα από το Ισραήλ, δηλαδή θα το πραγματώσουν οι άμεσα ενδιαφερόμενες χώρες- φορείς χωρίς την εμπλοκή ξένων χωρών, ενώ η απόσβεση θα πάρει τέσσερα χρόνια. Ο Πρόεδρος ΔΕΗ-Quantum Energy κύριος Κτωρίδης κρίνει ότι το έργο θα αποδώσει 17,5 δις ευρώ με συντηρητικούς όμως υπολογισμούς. Την χρηματοδότηση του έργου θα αναλάβει αποκλειστικά η ΔΕΗ-Quantum Energy.
Πολύ ωραία πρωτοβουλία της Κύπρου αναμφισβήτητα, σε ημέρες που λείπουν οι πόροι για φιλόδοξες κινήσεις και σχέδια. Η ένωση Ισραήλ, Κύπρου και Ελλάδας με υποθαλάσσια θα αλλάξει τα δεδομένα ριζικά.

Ραούφ Ντενκτάς: O Τουρκοκύπριος ηγέτης

2012-01-22T15:39:00.002+02:00

Ραούφ Ντενκτάς: O Τουρκοκύπριος ηγέτης

Σαν ήρωα θρήνησαν οι Τουρκοκύπριοι τον Ραούφ Ντενκτάς που απεβίωσε στις 13/1/2012. Ο Πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας Δ. Χριστόφιας χαρακτήρισε τον Ντενκτάς ως «μεγάλη προσωπικότητα» .

Συνεπή στο όραμά του για διχοτόμηση υπογραμμίζει ο Δ. Χριστόφιας, αν και αυτό το όραμα δεν είναι αποδεκτό. «Ώρα θρήνου για τους Τουρκοκυπρίους, αλλά και τους Τούρκους» λέει ο Πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας. Ο Δ. Χριστόφιας όπως είπε επικοινώνησε με τον Τουρκοκύπριο ηγέτη Ντερβίς Έρογλου και του διαβίβασε συλληπητήρια προσθέτοντας ότι θα επικοινωνήσει ακόμη με το γιο του Ντενκτάς.

2012-01-20T17:59:00.002+02:00

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 20/01/2012

C O N T E N T S

1. Eroglu says he is aware of his duty in New York
2. Ozersay departed one day earlier for New York
3. Atalay: “If there is no solution the TRNC will continue its way”
4. Ozgurgun: “Ban Ki-moon has no hopes”
5. Turkey and the breakaway regime will purchase a seismic vessel
6. Unverdi’s contacts in Ankara; Statement by Unverdi and Atalay after meeting
7. Yorgancioglu asked for the representation of the Turkish Cypriot at the EP
8. The general strike of Tel-Sen and El-Sen trade Unions caused “chaos” in occupied Cyprus
9. The breakaway regime participates in 2012 FITUR fair in Madrid
10. Davutoglu calls for nuclear talks with Iran to be resumed; Statements on the developments in Syria
11. Turkey-Iran joint economic committee signs MoU
12. Tens of thousands in Turkey protested against Dink’s verdict

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
Statements by Eroglu before his departure for New York, Ozersay’s diplomatic contacts in New York prior to the summit at the Greentree, Besir Atalay’s statement that the breakaway regime will continue its way as “independent state” if there is no result at the meeting in New York, contacts of self-styled minister Atun in Ankara on Turkey’s and breakaway regime’s explorations for oil and natural gas in the occupied area of Famagusta, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the participation of the breakaway regime in a tourism fair in Madrid and to a strike against the privatization of the so-called electricity authority.

Today’s Turkish dailies report on the gathering to commemorate Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, remarks on the health of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a meeting in Ankara regarding PKK and other domestic issues. Sabah reports on statements by deputy Prime Minister and responsible for Cyprus affairs Besir Atalay on the upcoming Greentree meeting and Cumhuriyet daily publishes an interview with self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun.

1. Eroglu says he is aware of his duty in New York
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.01.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu and his spouse Meral departed last night for New York where a meeting on the Cyprus problem will be held between 22 and 24 January with the participation of the UN Secretary-General, President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader.

Under the title “I am aware of my duty”, Kibris writes that Eroglu stated before his departure that the Turkish side was going to Greentree summit with the aim of reaching an agreement. “I am aware of the duty assigned to me by my people”, he noted and added: “We are looking for an agreement where the two peoples will have equal status and it will be under Turkey’s active and effective guarantees”.

Eroglu argued that in contrary to him, President Christofias is going to the meeting with a decision taken by the National Council, which said “no” to arbitration, “no” to a timetable and “no” to holding a multilateral conference without an agreement on all issues. He alleged that if the Greek Cypriot side has a will for an agreement, these three “no’s” could be turned into “yes”.
(I/Ts.)

2. Ozersay departed one day earlier for New York
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.01.12) reports that Kudret Ozersay, Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu’s special representative, has departed for New York in order to hold some contacts before the summit at the Greentree, which will be held between 22 and 24 January. Ozersay is expected to arrive one day earlier than Eroglu with the aim of holding “diplomatic initiatives”.

In statements to illegal TAK news agency before departing from the island, Ozersay argued yesterday that the Turkish Cypriot side was going to New York having completed all its preparations. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side will allow no one to extend the process for his own purposes, even though it has been disappointed by the fact that the documents submitted by the two sides to the United Nations have not been exchanged between the sides as well.

Ozersay will reportedly meet with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe and some diplomats from the five permanent member countries of the UN Security Council. It is reported that he will express the Turkish Cypriot side’s expectations from the Greentree summit during his contacts. Ozersay is accompanied by the member of Eroglu’s negotiating delegation, Gunes Onar.
(I/Ts.)

3. Atalay: “If there is no solution the TRNC will continue its way”
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (20.01.12) reports that Besir Atalay, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus, has said that if the negotiating process for finding a solution in Cyprus ends with no success, the “TRNC”, as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the island, will continue its own way and its economy will be strengthened every day.

In statements to Anatolia news agency, Atalay noted that the meeting which will be held in New York between 22 and 24 January is important and that it will be a turning point. He argued that a multilateral conference with the participation of the guarantor powers and the sides in Cyprus will be considered as a successful result for the meeting at the Greentree. In case the process is unsuccessful, the “TRNC”, the economy of which is strengthened every day, will continue its own way, he argued.

Alleging that the problems will become bigger with the Republic of Cyprus’s EU term presidency without a solution to the Cyprus problem, Atalay claimed that Cyprus’s EU term presidency could be postponed until the Cyprus problem is solved.

Atalay gave the following “advice” to the Turkish Cypriots: “…That is, my advice to the Turks of Northern Cyprus is let us do whatever we can for the negotiations, but let us not be sadden because this or that result came out of them. Let us continue our way. Let us do well our job here, let us exert effort for making more easily viable the life here and let us have faith in the future. Northern Cyprus will always remain standing. Turkey will always be behind Northern Cyprus, it will always be by its side. Either a solution comes out of the negotiations, or northern Cyprus continues its way as independent state, nothing will change in life here. Nothing will change in the life of the citizens. The important thing is for them to make more investments, to work more, we are trying together to make this place a stronger state, God willing”.

Referring to the drilling for oil which Turkey and the regime plan to start on shore in the occupied area of Famagusta, Atalay said that the issue passed from the “assemblies” of both “countries”, as he described Turkey and the breakaway regime, and that there was no obstacle. “The work will start in full course. It will start on shore first, if necessary it will start at the sea area and it will continue”. Asked whether there was an area determined in the sea for explorations, Atalay said “it will be around Famagusta”. “However, it is a technical issue, it could move to other areas”, he added.
(I/Ts.)

4. Ozgurgun: “Ban Ki-moon has no hopes”
Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (20.01.12) publishes in its front page an interview with self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun.

Replying to a question by paper’s reporter Bahadir Selim Dilek on whether he has hopes for the summit in New York, Ozgurgun argued that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has given up hopes for the Cyprus talks, adding: “Esteemed Ban Ki-moon understood that this work will go nowhere. He understood that this game has ended a long time ago, but perhaps it should be played.

Ozgurgun said that as he understood from the UNSG’s letter, Ban Ki-moon has no hopes. “There is something like a slam there”, he argued, noting that UNSG wanted to try once more.

Asked to commend whether they will follow their own way in case of a failure of the Cyprus talks, Ozgurgun argued that they cannot do it, because Turkey is not ready for this. Ozgurgun also said that although Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said “I recognize the Turkish Cyprus state in OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation)”, they cannot have discussions with Saudi Arabia or Egypt. Ozgurgun argued that it is clear that they won’t be recognized, because the continuation of the current situation suits everyone’s interests.

5. Turkey and the breakaway regime will purchase a seismic vessel
Under the title “A seismic vessel will be purchased”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.01.12) reports that breakaway regime’s explorations for oil in the Mediterranean will start after 18 February, 2012. The paper writes that the self-styled minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun met yesterday in Ankara with the general director of Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Mehmet Uysal. TPAO’s explorations in the so-called oil basins of the breakaway regime in the Mediterranean and its drilling for oil were taken up during the meeting.

In statements in the beginning of the meeting, Uysal expressed his condolences for the death of former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas. On his part, Atun argued that the Turkish Cypriots have an independent “state” as a result of the great struggle given by Rauf Denktas and alleged that thanks to this so-called state they can put forward their rights on every issue in their territorial waters and therefore their ownership on the issue of the natural resources.

Uysal noted that they will launch explorations for oil and natural gas with the so-called authority given to them by the “council of ministers” of the breakaway regime and added that the decision taken by their administrative board has been sent to the Council of Ministers.

Uysal said that they expect all the necessary permits for starting to work in Cyprus to be ready until 18 February and added that immediately afterwards they will launch seismic explorations. Following these explorations, he noted, they will start the procedure of drilling for oil and natural gas.

Pointing out to the importance of establishing a “national oil company” in the occupied area of Cyprus, Uysal said that the Egyptian Oil Law could be adapted to the conditions of the breakaway regime and a “national oil company” could be established within this framework. Uysal said that such a company could jointly work with TPAO not only in Eastern Mediterranean, but in many other places of the world and could open the door for the recognition of the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)

6. Unverdi’s contacts in Ankara; Statement by Unverdi and Atalay after meeting
According to illegal Bayrak Television (19.01.12), the so-called minister of labor and social insurances Serife Unverdi is on an “official” visit to Ankara.

Bilateral cooperation on issues relating to labor and social security was emphasized during her meeting with her Turkish counterpart.

Unverdi embarked on her contacts in Ankara with a meeting with the Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Security Faruk Celik.

During the visit, Unverdi ensured that bilateral cooperation continues with the aim of building a social security system in the “TRNC”, occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, on stronger grounds. “The Turks of Cyprus will always cooperate with their motherland”, she said.

The Turkish Minister Celik also gave messages of cooperation and offered his condolences over the death of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas.

Unverdi held also a meeting with the Turkish Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Sahin.

Meanwhile, According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.01.12), the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay received Serife Unverdi on Thursday in Ankara.

Speaking during the meeting, Atalay said that every Turkish dignitary attended the funeral ceremony of the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas on Tuesday. He then added that by attending Denktas's funeral ceremony, they have shown to the whole world how much importance Turkey attached to the “TRNC", as he describe occupation regime.

“We will always continue to attach high importance to the TRNC”, Atalay said.

Referring to the occupation regime’s economy, he said that the regime has achieved good results in the economy by making reforms in the field of social security. He continued and said: “The TRNC is reaping the fruits of economic programs implemented in 2011. Turkish Cypriots expect a growth figure of 5 percent in 2011. A reform package on social security was adopted at the TRNC Parliament. The reform package was necessary for the economy of the TRNC”.

So-called minister Unverdi, in her part, said that they were grateful to Turkey for the support extended to the “TRNC”.

7. Yorgancioglu asked for the representation of the Turkish Cypriot at the EP
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (20.01.12) reports that the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozkan Yorgancioglu has sent congratulatory messages to Martin Schulz, who was recently elected president of the European Parliament as well as to Hannes Swoboda who succeeded Martin Schulz as leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament.

As the paper writes, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, in his congratulatory message to Martin Schulz expressed the view that Schulz’s presidency of the EP is encouraging for the Turkish Cypriots and the future relations of the EP with the Turkish Cypriots.

The chairman of CTP, whose party is a member of the European Socialist Party (PES) and the Socialist International, stated that CTP will continue exerting efforts for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the political equality.

Yorgancioglu, in his messages to Schulz and to Hannes Swoboda expressed also the belief that without a United Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots, the EU will not be fully integrated.

Yorgancioglu asked also for their cooperation in order for the voice of the Turkish Cypriots and of CTP to be heard abroad and in order for the Turkish Cypriots, to be able to benefit from their representation right at the European Parliament.
(AK)

8. The general strike of Tel-Sen and El-Sen trade Unions caused “chaos” in occupied Cyprus
Under the front page title “Responsible is the UBP”, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis (20.01.12) reported that the fact the “Telecommunication Workers’ Trade Union” (Tel-Sen) as well as the Trade Union of the self-styled electricity authority (El-Sen) went on strike yesterday morning, has caused several problems and reactions in the occupied area of Cyprus.

According to the paper, as a result of the indefinite strike of the above trade unions, which are protesting against the “law for privatization” which the so-called National Unity Party (UBP) government is trying to impose, organized yesterday a joint press conference in front of the Teknecik Power Plant in Trapeza area in occupied Kerynia.
Speaking during the press conference, the trade unionist stated that they will continue the strike against the “privatization”, until the “draft bill to be withdrawn”.

Meanwhile, as the paper writes, as a result of the strikes, there was a general power blackout in the occupied Cyprus which caused several problems.

Moreover, according to the paper, the so-called council of ministers held an extraordinary meeting yesterday, in order to examine the situation. After the meeting, it was announced that the “council of ministers” decided to prohibit the ongoing strike of Tel-Sen and El-Sen for 60 days.

Commenting on the above prohibition, the members of the Tel-Sen and El-Sen trade unions, stated that they will not recognize the decision of the so-called council of ministers and that they will use their “legal right” not to proceed to their jobs.
(AK)

9. The breakaway regime participates in 2012 FITUR fair in Madrid
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (20.01.12), the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus has participated for the 2nd time in the FITUR 2012 (International Tourism Trade Fair) in Madrid, Spain, between 18-22 January, 2012.

The paper reports that the “TRNC” participates in the international fairs through “TRNC culture centre”, which has been established in Germany and Britain.

Dervis Gezer, self-styled director for tourism promotion and marketing, said that they would try to participate in all the tourism fairs despite the obstacles. He also said that currently he is at another tourism fair in Finland, adding that their aim is to be in all tourism destinations in the world. Gezer noted that they will participate in all tourism fairs in 2012, as they did in 2011.

Evaluating their participation in tourism fairs in 2011, Gezer said that there was an increase of 40% in foreign tourists apart from Turkish tourists. He explained that in 2011 500,000 tourists visited the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, 350,000 from Turkey and 150,000 from foreign countries.

10. Davutoglu calls for nuclear talks with Iran to be resumed; Statements on the developments in Syria
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.01.12) reported from Ankara that Turkey's foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu has called on Iran and the Western countries to resume talks over Tehran's nuclear program.

Speaking to reporters in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi in the Turkish capital, Ankara, Davutoglu said: "The important thing is to start negotiations and ease tensions at once. And Turkey is ready to extend any help, make any contribution. Because it is high time for talks and a settlement”.

Davutoglu said that Catherine Ashton, the European Union's top foreign and security policy official had conveyed the Union's readiness for the resumption of the talks, adding that a similar willingness was present on the Iranian side as well.

Salehi said on his part that he encouraged Ashton during a gathering few weeks ago to schedule a meeting with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. "My wish is that these negotiations are held in Istanbul. It is time for the talks to start already if the other side is to act sincerely. If there were any excuses on their part then this would mean that they are against and do not endorse negotiations," Salehi said.

Also, commenting on the developments in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey was following the incidents in Syria with a great uneasiness, adding that the developments in Syria are on a very critical level.

“We want bloodshed and attacks on civilians to end rapidly in Syria”, said Davutoglu.

He noted that the report and decisions which would be made by Arab League about Syria would have an important role.

Davutoglu added that as regional countries, Turkey and Iran, would pursue consultations about Syrian issue.

He further said Turkey was at an equal distance to all groups in the Middle East. “We will not just watch the negative developments around us although we approach every group in the Middle East with an equal distance”, he added.

Asked by an Iranian journalist if Turkey made assurances to Iran on the (NATO) missile shield and what he thought about rumors that Turkey interfered in Iraq's internal issues, Minister Davutoglu said that the most crucial assurance Turkey could give to Iran was "friendship and brotherly relations".

“Whatever the issue may be, we hold face to face talks with Iranian authorities. We have openly talked about the missile defense system radar in Turkey”, Davutoglu stressed.

11. Turkey-Iran joint economic committee signs MoU
Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.01.12) reported from Ankara that Turkey-Iran Joint Economic Committee (JEC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a ceremony in Ankara on Thursday. During the ceremony, Turkey’s Environment and Urbanization Minister Erdogan Bayraktar and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi were present.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Bayraktar said they aimed to make good use of advantages with regional countries and turn their relations into a lasting economic partnership. Bayraktar said trade, transportation, industry, customs and investments were discussed in the meeting of Turkey-Iran Joint Economic Committee. “Turkey attached great importance to the improvement of its relations with Iran”, he said.

On his part, Salehi said that the two countries, which had great geopolitical and strategic importance, should boost their relations in all fields.
“The number of border gates between Turkey and Iran has been increased to 5 from 2
2”, he said.

Salehi said the establishment of a joint industrial zone on Turkish-Iranian border was one of the projects that would play an important role in the development of economic and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Salehi also said Turkey and Iran aimed to boost trade volume to 30 billion USD by 2015.

12. Tens of thousands in Turkey protested against Dink’s verdict
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.01.12), tens of thousands of people gathered in Ýstanbul's Taksim Square on Thursday to mark the fifth anniversary of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink's murder as outrage grows over a trial that failed to shed light on alleged official negligence or even collusion.

Dink's family, friends and human rights organizations placed red carnations on the spot where Dink was shot dead in Ýstanbul, outside the office of the Armenian newspaper he was editor-in-chief of, Agos.

Protesters, estimated to number 40,000, marched from Taksim Square to Agos' office in Halaskargazi Street “for justice,” a call shared by Turkish leaders and leading businessmen who expressed unease with this week's sentencing of one man to life in prison for masterminding the killing, while another 18 were acquitted of charges of acting on a terrorist organization's orders.

Many people carried black banners that read: "We are all Hrant, we are all Armenian."

Journalist and writer Karin Karakaslý, who is from Turkey's Armenian community, read a press statement on behalf of the group from the window of Agos, and slammed Tuesday's ruling. “We want an end to this shame,” she said, referring to the five-year-long trial which has failed to shed light on the masterminds behind the murder. “They are telling us that the [case] file has been closed. The Dink case is not a file that can be closed. The Dink case is a wound,” she continued.

Protesters marching past the site of the killing carried banners that read: "This case cannot finish like this." A black marble plaque marking the spot bore the solemn words in Turkish and Armenian: "Hrant Dink was killed here."

Dink was shot dead on Jan. 19, 2007 by the ultranationalist youth Ogün Samast outside the offices of his newspaper in Ýstanbul in broad daylight. Even though five years have passed since his assassination, Dink family lawyers and civil society organizations have long remained concerned that evidence relating to the real perpetrators of the crime is still being covered up and that even if the court's ruling punishes the hit men, the public's sense of justice will not be satisfied.

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2012-01-20T02:22:00.001+02:00