Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-02-18

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Statements by Eroglu after yesterday's meeting

[02] Turkish Cypriot press coverage of Kucuk's contacts in Ankara

[03] Kamu-Sen asks not to use placards against Turkey in the upcoming rally

[04] National Resistance Council: "Our only guarantor is the Turkish Army"

[05] Demonstrations continue in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[06] Internet campaign in Turkey to support Turkish Cypriots

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Erdogan met with Kucuk in Ankara

[08] Kucuk: "Turkey is indispensable for TRNC"

[09] Cicek reiterated Turkey's regret over recent protests in the occupied areas

[10] Erdogan to visit Brussels next month amid stalemate in its EU bid

[11] New statements by the US envoy to Ankara; reaction to statement over press freedom continues

[12] Turkey, Afghanistan sign MoU on energy cooperation

[13] Israel temporarily closes embassies in Turkey over terror threat

[14] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Statements by Eroglu after yesterday's meeting

Answering reporters' questions, Eroglu confirmed media reports that UN property experts arrived in Cyprus and are holding separate meetings with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot officials to provide technical assistance on the Property issue.

Referring to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Cyprus report to be presented to the UN Security Council at the end of this month, Eroglu reiterated that the Turkish side presented a practical plan towards a settlement during the Geneva meeting while the Greek Cypriot side maintained its intransigent stance.

He said Greek Cypriot officials are holding contacts in order to prevent the inclusion of any criticizing remarks against them in Ban's upcoming report.

[02] Turkish Cypriot press coverage of Kucuk's contacts in Ankara

Kibris covers the issue under the title "The only message from Ankara: Support the measures". The paper writes that the Turkish State Minister Cemil Cicek called on all politicians who have signed the "protocol" with Ankara to support the economic measures.

Halkin Sesi reports that the crisis, created after the of 28 January rally, was discussed yesterday in Ankara. Under the title "We expect understanding from Turkey", the paper writes that "prime minister" Kucuk asked Turkey to understand the Turkish Cypriots.

Havadis, under the title "It will continue in exactly the same way", writes that the implementation of the "protocol" of economic and financial cooperation between Turkey and the breakaway regime will continue and that Turkey asked the self-styled government to be "more active". The paper reports that Cicek's anger regarding the banners against Turkey has not ceased. Havadis publishes a picture of Cicek together with the newly appointed Turkish so-called ambassador to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Halil Ibrahim Akca and a picture of the Turkish Cypriot delegation, and writes that "the tension created by Cicek's words is reflected on the faces of the TRNC delegation as well".

Gunes, mouthpiece of the National Unity Party (UBP), covers the issue under the title "We will keep the TRNC alive". The paper gives more emphasis on the statements made by Irsen Kucuk.

Under the title "Obeisance to Ankara", Star Kibris reports that "prime minister" Kucuk and his delegation expressed their commitment to Ankara during their contacts in the Turkish capital.

Yeni Duzen covers the issue under the title "Kucuk asked for 'understanding'". The paper reports that Cicek criticized the rally and the slogans on the banners against Turkey. Moreover, Mert Ozdag, columnist of Yeni Duzen, writes that at the airport Kucuk was received by the deputy of the provincial governor of Ankara. Under the title "The deputy of the provincial governor received the 'prime minister'", Ozdag says he was hurt by this fact and that this insult was against all Turkish Cypriots.

Haberdar reports that the new rally to be held on 2 March in the occupied areas of Cyprus was discussed during Kucuk's contacts in Ankara. The Ankara government asked the Turkish Cypriot "government" to take measures so that the rally is not turned into a demonstration against Turkey. Kucuk promised that there will be no banners against Turkey during that rally.

Kibrisli covers the issue under the title "The trade unions became the target of Cemil Cicek". The paper describes the contacts of Kucuk as "the first step" and writes that "efforts were exerted to smooth relations" between Turkey and the breakaway regime.

Yeni Volkan covers the issue under the title "Motherland is by our side".

Under the title "There is Soyer's signature as well", Afrika emphasizes Cicek's statement that the former "governments" of the breakaway regime have also signed the "protocol" of economic measures with Turkey. The paper writes that Cicek "slammed" Kucuk because of the rally and the banners against Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Kamu-Sen asks not to use placards against Turkey in the upcoming rally

Ozkardas said that placards with slogans insulting Turkey should not be used in the rally as this will cause tension in the community. He also said that those who aim at causing tension should be removed from the rally.

Ozkardas said that "if the Greek Cypriot administration and the NGOs, which are doing politics using the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots for work and dignity, truly want a solution, they should be as bold and eager as we are".

[04] National Resistance Council: "Our only guarantor is the Turkish Army"

Representatives and members of the "Council", who also observed a moment's silence and read a press release, were holding placards with slogans like: "Turkey is our mother, the soldiers our soul," "Turkey's active guarantees are our red lines," "Soldiers in Cyprus are the assurance for peace," "Turkey-TRNC hand by hand, separatists should be ashamed."

The press release said, inter alia: "Our sovereignty, protection of our borders and safety exists thanks to the existence of the Turkish Armed Forces.... We do not trust any guarantor other than the Turkish Army... We strongly reject one people and single sovereignty; no power can separate us from the TRNC state, our motherland Turkey and the guarantees of the Turkish Army."

[05] Demonstrations continue in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Protesters first passed outside the so-called parliament and then headed to the ministry of agriculture and national resources, criticizing Zorlu Tore and the UBP "government." Mustafa Naimogullari, chairman of the producers association, accused Tore that he has never, since he came into office, supported animal producers and called on him to resign, because he has been unsuccessful. Alican Kabakci, chairman of the Farmers association added that this demonstration is only the beginning of their protests and said that the survival of farmers and producers in this country must be considered [be the "government"].

Commenting on the protests, Tore said that the attitude of animal producers, to ask for the 100% fulfilment of their demands, has narrowed the possibilities for dialogue. He added that nevertheless, efforts to tackle their problems will continue. On the other hand, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (18.02.10) reports that Huseyin Angolemli, so-called MP with the Communal Democracy Party, expressed his support to the producers and accused the "UBP government" of remaining indifferent to the livestock producers' just demands.

The paper also reports that strikes are continuing in the occupied Lefkosia, Kerynia and Famagusta "district courts", in the "land and population registry departments" and that employees in "Customs" still refuse to work overtime. Employees in the Kerynia and Famagusta ports do not work overtime, according to their trade unions' decisions. Also KTOS and KTOEOS continue their strikes in Ataturk and Arabahmet primary schools and the Democracy high school.

[06] Internet campaign in Turkey to support Turkish Cypriots

The statement reads: "We the undersigned, citizens of the Turkish Republic, are ashamed of the degrading statements by state representatives. Despite the economic situation in north Cyprus, we say that the damage to the dignity of those living in north Cyprus is enough... we believe that state representatives who see themselves as the IMF of TRNC is shameful."

The statement, inter alia, supports Turkish Cypriot's request for self-administration, reminds the Turkish Prime Minister that "north Cyprus" is not an overseas province, calls for the establishment of a common peaceful future, and for the de-militarization of the island.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Erdogan met with Kucuk in Ankara

The meeting took place at the Residence and lasted for about 45 minutes and was closed to the press. Turkish Deputy Premier Cemil Cicek and "finance minister" Ersin Tatar also attended the meeting.

[08] Kucuk: "Turkey is indispensable for TRNC"

Kucuk said that the majority of the Turkish Cypriots are bound to their motherland, Turkey. Referring to the demonstrations of January 28, Kucuk said that some unfavourable incidents occurred in the "TRNC" recently.

Pointing out that they [the Turkish Cypriots] know that the "TRNC" cannot survive and stand on its feet without motherland Turkey, as he described Turkey, Kucuk said that Turkey is indispensable for the "TRNC" adding that they will exert great efforts to maintain high-level relations with Turkey.

Expressing his regret over some incidents which Turkey did not deserve, he stated that the "TRNC" has always been supported financially and politically by Turkey, adding that they would not allow relations with Turkey to be harmed.

[09] Cicek reiterated Turkey's regret over recent protests in the occupied areas

Cicek expressed Turkey's regret over the recent demonstrations in occupied Lefkosia and said relations between Turkey and the "TRNC" are not based on benefits or interests, but on ties of brotherhood. "We were really sad about the (anti-Turkey) protests staged in Lefkosia on January 28. Protesters carried banners accusing, defaming and insulting Turkey. There is no excuse for such a behaviour," he added.

Noting that Turkish Cypriot officials' delayed statements on the matter gave rise to tension between Turkey and "TRNC", Cicek said that Turkey replied to statements against "TRNC" in every platform, adding that such a stance is indicative of brotherhood.

He also said that the latest tension had made Greek Cypriots happy as the Greek Cypriot party has always desired to harm relations between Turkey and "TRNC".

Pointing to Turkey's political, diplomatic and economic support to the breakaway regime, Cicek said economic relations between the two countries are conducted within the framework of the protocols signed by "Turkish Cypriot premiers" and Turkish ministers.

[10] Erdogan to visit Brussels next month amid stalemate in its EU bid

Erdogan will have talks with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the EU Council. His visit on March 1, at the invitation of Barroso, is the first since June 2009.

Erdogan will travel to Brussels from Germany, where he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open an international computer and electronics fair. While in Brussels, he is also expected to have talks with the prime minister of Belgium.

[11] New statements by the US envoy to Ankara; reaction to statement over press freedom continues

In his statements after a meeting with members of Turkish-American Business Council in Istanbul on Thursday, Ricciardone was asked about his controversial remarks that drew criticism from the Turkish government. Ricciardone said Turkey was a state of law and there were no question marks about it.

Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay reacted to Ricciardone's comments, saying there was more freedom of press in Turkey than the United States. "Turkey has a distinguished Press Law, and there is much more freedom of press in Turkey than other democratic countries in the world," Atalay said.

Also, commenting on Ricciardone's comments, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, told reporters in Kathmandu, Nepal that it is not correct for an ambassador to pass judgment over an ongoing criminal investigation. He said that the fact that Turkey is governed by the rule of law cannot be questioned adding that no government can be criticized for the independent functioning of the judiciary. And as in all democratic countries, the judiciary will pass the final judgment in the end. The issue is not about freedom of press".

[12] Turkey, Afghanistan sign MoU on energy cooperation

The MoU was signed in Ankara by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and Afghanistan's Minister of Mines Wanidullah Shahrani.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Taner Yildiz said that the MoU aimed at training of Afghan officials on energy legislation. It also envisages the establishment of a working group on energy to seek cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

[13] Israel temporarily closes embassies in Turkey over terror threat

Israel's National Security Council warned Israeli and Jewish travellers on Friday that they could be targets in Turkey, Egypt, Georgia, Venezuela, Armenia, the Ivory Coast, Mali and Mauritania. It advised travellers to stay away from any areas where Israelis might congregate.

[14] Highlights

Turkish-Iranian relations; Gul's visit to Iran:

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review under the title "Ankara waits for gesture from Iran", columnist Mehmet Ali Birand says that there is growing dissatisfaction among Turkish people with Iran's attitude toward Turkey. Citing complaints voiced by Turkish businessmen about difficulties they face in trade with Iran.

Radikal columnist Cengiz Candar quotes Gul as saying that Iran seems to be more desirous than ever to find a solution to the dispute over its nuclear programme. He says: "What Gul shared with us in Tebriz without going into details indicated that Turkey will inform the western countries, especially the United States that there is a slight change in Iran's stance on its nuclear program and that Turkey will continue to play a role between the West and Iran."

Unrest in Middle East

Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review carries an article entitled "Arab revolt makes Turkey a regional power" by Soner Cagaptay who says that "the Arab Winter of 2011" has created a new Middle East landscape in whichTurkey has positioned itself as the defender of the Muslim Brotherhood and popular uprisings and a regional power to be reckoned with. He comments: "Now, the AKP can at least eat its cake. The party will not only continue to break rank with the West on issues such as Sudan and Hamas, but it will also have the benefit of a receptive audience and powers to support such policies in Cairo and elsewhere."

Yeni Akit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak draws parallels between the authoritarian policies of the defunct Mubarak regime in Egypt and what he describes as the Republican People's Party's Hitler-inspired practices during the early years of the Turkish republic. He claims that Mubarak must have used not only the CHP experience but also the Turkish deep state and the Ergenekon network as a model, adding that since Mubarak was "guided by the United States and Israel," the "masterminds" behind Ergenekon, the Muslim Brotherhood would be well advised to make the best use of Turkey's experience by subjecting the Ergenekon and Sledgehammer trials to careful scrutiny

Yeni Akit columnist Serdar Demirel argues that the West's representation of Turkey as a viable "model" for the Arab world in response to the events in Tunisia and Egypt is the result of changes in the US strategy vis-?-vis the Middle East and Washington's realization that it cannot maintain control over the region with the help of post-cold war dictators. Drawing attention to expediencies in this change of policy, Demirel recalls how the West used to be "annoyed" until quite recently by what is referred to as the Erdogan government's "Neo-Ottoman" policies.

Reactions to US ambassador's remarks

Hurriyet columnist Yalcin Dogan says that US ambassador Frank Ricciardone, noting that he was criticized for being pro-Mubarak during his term in Egypt, voiced his concerns about the freedom of the press probably in order to show that he is impartial and does not approach issues from the ruling party's angle.

Milliyet columnist Asli Aydintasbas lauds the US ambassador for keeping the promise to advocate the freedom of expression and the rights of secular opponents which he had made at a hearing of the US Congress. She says: "Ricciardone taught a fundamental lesson about democracy by siding with Oda TV which is nationalist and occasionally posts anti-American reports rather than keeping silent because democracy is not an art of loudly expressing your opinions and talking about people you like in spite of the fact that some colleagues of ours refuse to admit it."

In an article entitled in Cumhuriyet "'Delusion,' Nonsense!", columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek says that the US Ambassador has made it clear that he does not lend credence to the ruling party's statements which, he asserts, are aimed at concealing its attempts to intimidate a part of society. He says: "Mr ambassador, you have arrived in our country a short time ago. You will witness many other tricks conflicting with your understanding of democracy which will be performed by your strategic partner which has been indoctrinated with Islam."

Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin says that the US ambassador received the first rebuke from the AKP after talking about the freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary. Citing passages from Ricciardone's remarks, Yetkin comments: "Each sentence that you have read was a response to a specific question. Furthermore, the US ambassador told as that he did not specifically intend to criticize the government, emphasizing that his purpose was to foster democracy which is a common goal and made every comment very carefully."

Vatan columnist Ruhat Mengi asserts that US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turn a blind eye to problems in Turkey and continue to draw a rosy picture in spite of messages sent by US ambassadors which, she says, have been revealed by WikiLeaks. Pointing out that Ricciardone's impartial comments about the Turkish media and judiciary revealed important facts being overlooked by the US Government, Mengi criticizes Turkish intellectuals and jurists for keeping silent about the detention of some journalists.

Turkish Minister urges military to adapt to post-cold war era

Hurriyet publishes an interview "Entitled TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] Should Remove Rotten Apples" with State Minister Faruk Celik who said that the military and other establishments in Turkey should rapidly adapt themselves to the post-cold war era. He also urges the military to "remove rotten apples" in a transparent manner. Celik also denied allegations that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan intends to build an "empire of fear." Celik predicts that the ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, will poll 48.2% as against maximum 25% by the Republican People's Party, CHP, and maximum 11% by the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, in the upcoming general election.

Milliyet columnist Nuray Mert criticizes some columnists who describe themselves as democrats for being hypocritical and turning a deaf ear to Erdogan's accusatory remarks about Turkish Cypriots and the detention of Soner Yalcin and three other journalists which, she argues, was a part of a campaign aimed at intimidating the government's critics. Pointing out that those columnists also keep silent about the curtailment of freedoms and the election threshold.

Taraf columnist Nabi Yagci urges the government to inform the public about reasons behind the detention of Yalcin and other journalists in order to prevent further polarization and to put an end to speculation aimed at manipulating people.

Illegal wiretaps

Hurriyet highlights comments by CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu about reports which revealed that his telephone conversations with Soner Yalcin had been wiretapped. Kilicdaroglu says: "My and my children's telephone conversations are wiretapped. They call it advanced democracy."

Hurriyet quotes Oktay Vural, deputy whip of the MHP, one of the politicians whose telephone conversations were allegedly wiretapped, as saying that the Turkish Prime Minister wants to make sure that he is not criticized by anybody in Turkey. Accusing Erdogan of acting like former Egyptian leader Husni Mubarak, Vural said: "We are the members of a movement which stood out against Evren's dictatorship. We are also capable of standing out against the Tayiban."

Hurriyet highlights comments made by AKP deputy leader and Cabinet spokesman Huseyin Celik in response to Kilicdaroglu's accusations. Stressing that they condemn illegal wiretaps, Celik criticizes the CHP leader for implying that the AKP was behind the recent operations conducted by judicial authorities.

Sledgehammer arrests

Zaman columnist Mumtazer Turkone criticizes Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli for asserting that som e of the latest military arrests in the Sledgehammer trial suggest an effort to "get even" with members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) who have conducted an effective fight against PKK terrorism. Turkone claims that the court trying the Sledgehammer suspects is prosecuting an organization accused of making murder plans against the people in order to set the scene for a military takeover. He also urges "everyone" to "shut up" and "respectfully" allow the judiciary to "do its job."

KCK plans to create "chaos"

Under the headline "Pre-election action timetable of terrorism," Zaman carries a front-page report which asserts that the KCK [Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan] is planning provocations in the run-up to the general election in June intended to create chaos in the southeast and turn Diyarbakir into a "battlefield." According to "terrorism experts," the planned provocations are aimed at persuading Kurdish voters not to support the AKP in the elections, the report says. In the same report Zaman correspondents Mustafa Gurlek and Tanju Ozkaya, assert that the KCK is looking into organizing mass demonstrations in Diyarbakir expected to be similar to the protests in Egypt's Tahrir Square as well as preventing political parties other than the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) from staging rallies in the southeast.

Today's Zaman columnist Lale Kemal comments on "expectations within the government that Ocalan will act in a rational manner" and refrain from ordering his supporters to resume violence ahead of the general election in June, "bearing in mind" that he will be hard-pressed to have the ruling AKP approve his "request" for an improvement in his imprisonment conditions if the AKP wins the election despite riots in the southeast. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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