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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-11-12
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 214/13
12.11.13
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[01] Eroglu's respond to Anastasiades
[02] Talat sees no light of hope in the Cyprus problem; He argues that
membership to the CFA is not good, but cannot be rejected
[03] Discussions of breakaway regime's budget begin today
[04] KTOS says that the lack of teachers due to Turkey's refusal to send
money to the breakaway regime
[05] Ozyigit the only candidate for the Social Democracy Party leadership
[06] Panic due to pseudo fowl pest disease in the occupied area of Cyprus
[07] Swedish Ambassador: Achieving progress in Cyprus talks will boost
the Turkish-EU accession process.
[08] Davutoglu to visit Washington on November 18
[09] Energy still an obstacle in Turkish-Iraqi normalization
[10] Turkish court lifts headscarf ban for attorneys
[11] Record visits to Ataturk Mausoleum on November 10
[01] Eroglu's respond to Anastasiades
According to illegal Bayrak television (11.11.13), Turkish Cypriot
leader Dervis Eroglu, in a written statement, responding to criticisms by
the Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades against him, said that as "the
president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [Editor's note:
the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus]
he is aware of his constitutional duty and he is doing what is necessary
to defend the rights and interests of his people".
Eroglu added: "I do not ascribe Anastasiades to call me as arrogant. I
was considering Anastasiades as a gentleman politician".
Claiming that he always paid attention to be respectful to the Greek
Cypriots' sensitivities and personalities, Eroglu said it is interesting
that the Greek Cypriot leader made these accusations against him following
his visit to the EOKA House.
"It seems that Mr Anastasiades is not pleased with my insistence on
our sovereignty and the continuation of Turkey's active and effective
guarantee. It is obvious that Anastasiades is continuing to evaluate
the EOKA ideology even today, and also he dreams about taking us back
to the pre 1974 conditions", Eroglu argued.
Eroglu also called on Anastasiades to assume an attitude after correctly
understanding the reportedly realities in Cyprus and warned him that
he will be deceived if he thinks he would convince the Turkish Cypriots
and bring them under the Greek Cypriot sovereignty.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to sit at the negotiations
table without preconditions and finalize the Cyprus problem with a
federation which will be based on bi-zonality and political equality,
Eroglu said: "We will never sacrifice our political equality and equal
status of the founding states".
Moreover, "BRT" (online, 11.11.13) broadcast that Eroglu, in an exclusive
statement to "BRT", complained that the Greek Cypriot leadership
reportedly resorts to various tricks to delay the process, the latest
example being the joint statement.
Pointing out that all chapters will be negotiated once the talks
re-commence, Eroglu said that the Greek Cypriot leader rejected all
convergences reached to this day.
Responding to a question as to whether or not Anastasiades' stance towards
the Cyprus problem will toughen, Eroglu reminded that DISI's extreme
right wing coalition partner DIKO will be holding its general congress
in December, adding: "Anastasiades wants current DIKO President Karoyan
to win the elections. He doesn't want to be accused of being flexible
at the negotiating table. This is the kind of games they are playing".
Claiming that Anastasiades had lost his popularity because of the economy,
Eroglu argued that Anastasiades was trying to regain his public's support
by using the issue of Varosha or the joint statement.
"We have been waiting for him for the past 9 months. He set up his
government, introduced austerity measures. But his continuing delaying
tactics are leading us to question his sincerity", Eroglu noted.
Responding to a question regarding the mutual cross visits of the Special
Representatives which have not been realized yet, Eroglu said that the
proposal came originally from Greece and the Greek Cypriot side.
"It seems that the Greek Prime Minister is not looking too warmly on
this issue and is delaying the visits. It seems that the Greek Cypriot
side has changed its mind regarding these visits. They fear my special
representative's visit could set an example for other countries",
Eroglu claimed.
[02] Talat sees no light of hope in the Cyprus problem; He argues that
membership to the CFA is not good, but cannot be rejected
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (12.11.13) reports that
former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has said that he sees no
light of hope in the Cyprus problem. In statements yesterday to Ada TV,
Talat noted that the Cyprus problem is the most important fact that
influences everyday economic life, social position and psychological
situation of the people. Pointing out that a deadlock exists today,
he added: "I could not know how long it will last. What kind of hope
is there? I cannot see such hope. My biggest hope is to see hope in the
Cyprus problem, but there is not any?"
Referring to the issue of the joint statement, he said that he had
agreed on 3-4 texts with former President Christofias and added: "The
parameters of the solution are known. The text they call joint text
will be actually something in which the parameters of the solution of
the problem will be expressed?"
Talat described as "very risky" President Anastasiades' stance and
alleged that he is trying to exert pressure on the Turkish Cypriots by
using the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognized.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot press, Talat alleged: "Do not follow
the Greek Cypriot press, you will be deceived? The Greek Cypriot press
generally prevents the solution of the Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cypriot
press is not like this. The Turkish Cypriot press supports the solution?"
Commenting on the stance of the Turkish Cypriots towards the developments
in Turkey, Talat said: "I am tired of the mimicry. Whatever happens in
Turkey, the same thing is discussed here. An issue regarding the student
residences came up, which even I have not understood from where, and it
is discussed in the press all day. The trade unions issue statements? Do I
come from Turkey? I am sorry, but do I come from Turkey? Something happens
in Germany, in Greece, in Iran, something happens in America and they do
not shout. When something happens in Turkey, everyone plays the role of
a person coming from Turkey. Then we say that we are independent. Then
why do you interfere in his (Turkish) affairs? ?"
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.11.13),
on his Twitter account Talat referred to the agreement signed recently
between the Turkish Cypriot so-called football federation, the Cyprus
Football Association (CFA or KOP), FIFA and UEFA in Zurich as regards
the future of football in Cyprus. Talat argued that the membership of
their so-called federation to the CFA is not a good development, but it
could not be rejected after this stage. He said that they should try to
minimize the negative points of the agreement and work for a better one
without being viewed as rejectionists.
(I/Ts.)
[03] Discussions of breakaway regime's budget begin today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.11.13) reports that the
discussions of the breakaway regime's "budget" for 2014 are beginning
today at the so-called parliamentary committee on economy, finance,
budget and planning. The meetings of the "committee" on the "budget",
which reaches three billion 774 million and 945 thousand Turkish liras,
are expected to continue until 29 November. The "committee" will
complete these discussions in ten meetings. Afterwards the "budget"
will be discussed at the "general assembly" of the "parliament". If it
is approved, it will be valid as of 1 January 2014.
(I/Ts.)
[04] KTOS says that the lack of teachers due to Turkey's refusal to send
money to the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.11.13) reports that Turkish
Cypriot Primary Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) stated that the lack of
teachers in primary schools in the occupied area of Cyprus continues
two months after the launching of the new school year.
The general secretary of KTOS Sener Elcil stated that the "ministry of
economy" which is on the Republican Turkish Party's hands, continues
to refuse the demands for more teachers following instructions by the
"Turkish embassy to Lefkosia" which says that there is no money.
[05] Ozyigit the only candidate for the Social Democracy Party leadership
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.11.13) reports that Cemal
Ozyigit will be the only candidate for the leadership position of the
Social Democracy Party (TDP). This development came after the current
TDP leader Mehmet Cakici announced that he will not run for the position.
The 4th election congress of TDP will take place on November 18th.
[06] Panic due to pseudo fowl pest disease in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the title "Panic for pseudo fowl pest disease", Turkish Cypriot
daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (12.11.13) reports that "pseudo fowl"
pest disease has occurred on poultry and started to spread all over the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. When collective deaths of poultry
happened in many areas, people started to worry, writes Halkin Sesi.
In spite of the fact that no specific numbers are given, adds the paper,
it is said that hundreds of hens have been destroyed.
Experts have conducted the necessary tests as soon as they were informed
and advised the producers to separate the infected poultries from the
healthy ones.
The director of the so-called veterinary department, Ramadan Goksan
said that this epidemic disease is temporary and added that there is
no risk for infecting the people. He noted that they contacted all the
integrated installations and found no sick animals from the disease.
In statements to Halkin Sesi, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot
physicians' union, Filiz Besim said that the disease will not cause any
serious problem on the people, but in case of contact with the infected
poultry, inflammation in the eyes and around the eyes and erythema in
the area (of the body) that came in contact with these animals might
be occurred.
(I/Ts.)
[07] Swedish Ambassador: Achieving progress in Cyprus talks will boost
the Turkish-EU accession process.
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.11.13), Turkey's Minister
for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis has blamed the Christian Democrats (EPP),
the largest political group in the EU, for breaking its promise to
upgrade Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party's observer
status to full membership.
The AKP has left the EPP and joined the Alliance of European Conservatives
and Reformists (AECR) following a long period as an "observer" within
the EPP.
Receiving Swedish Ambassador Lars Wahlund in Ankara on Monday, Bagis
told the press that the EPP did not even ask member parties for their
approval to grant the AKP full membership.
Meanwhile the Swedish Ambassador expressed support for Turkey's EU
accession bid. "We are very happy, we have opened Chapter 22 on regional
polices in Turkey's EU negotiations. We hope that we can open chapters 23
and 24," he said, referring to the chapters on "judiciary and fundamental
rights" and "justice, freedom and security," respectively.
He also expressed optimism over visa-free travel for Turkish citizens
to European countries by saying "We are hopeful that we can open up
visa liberalization."
Wahlund said achieving progress in Cyprus talks will boost the Turkish-EU
accession process.
He also called on Turkish business people to invest in Sweden by saying
that the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a
delegation of 200 businessmen on November 7 accelerated the economic
ties between Turkey and Sweden.
[08] Davutoglu to visit Washington on November 18
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (12.10.13) reports that Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will visit Washington on November 18.
According to the paper, Davutoglu who is currently visiting Iraq will
make an effort to repair Turkish-American relations which have started
to get colder recently due to the Middle East developments.
[09] Energy still an obstacle in Turkish-Iraqi normalization
Serkan Demirtas, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
11.11.13), reported that although Turkey and Iraq have agreed to push
for a fresh start after nearly two-and-half years of stalemate in ties
and to begin technical talks for cooperation on trade, economy and
transportation; the energy issue will likely stand as one of the most
important hurdles before full normalization of bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoflu held two important meetings on Nov. 10,
one with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the other with Foreign
Minister Hoshyar Zebari which produced some concrete results in the
rapprochement process.
Firstly, the two countries have decided to reactivate the political
dialogue mechanism at the level of foreign ministry undersecretaries
but this time, with the participation of high-level officials from
other key ministries. The first of this kind of enlarged mechanism will
take place in Ankara on Dec. 6 and 7. This meeting is considered to be
preparatory for the planned high-level strategic partnership meeting in
Turkey which will be held in either late December or in early 2014 under
the co-leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and al-Maliki.
In the meantime, the two countries' ministers for transport, trade and
economy are expected to conduct visits to each other's country to discuss
ways to deepen cooperation in these said fields. Establishing new railways
between the two countries, opening new border gates and increasing a
$12 billion trade volume are among the common goals of the two countries.
Al-Maliki's visit is expected to be a milestone in ties between the two
countries after nearly two-and-half years of coldness. Erdogan and Maliki
harshly criticized each other during this period but it seems conditions
necessitated both sides to take steps towards each other.
While al-Maliki is trying to enter a pre-election campaign in a much
more comfortable position after mending ties with Turkey, he is also
having tough times at home due to growing terror waves that kill nearly
1,000 each month. Erdogan on the other hand is trying to revisit his
old alliance with Maliki in the face of his troubled foreign policy in
the Middle East especially in the Syrian theatre.
Whatever the reasons are for rapprochement, an improved relation between
Turkey and Iraq is always necessary for a stable Middle East, according
to many diplomats.
But there is a major stake before full normalized relations between the
two countries. This is Turkey's efforts to sign broad agreements with
the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) although the autonomous
region's government and central government could not yet agree on how
they will share the revenues of the oil and natural gas resources.
Iraq is against third countries' signing contracts with northern
Iraq but for Ankara these agreements are not in violation of the Iraqi
Constitution. Ankara underlines that this was an issue between central and
regional government and assures that it will abide by 83-17% deal between
Baghdad and Arbil. Iraqi jurisdiction stipulates that oil revenues will
be divided between the north and central government on percentages of
17 and 83.
Iraq continues to express its uneasiness with regard to Turkey's
unilateral deals with the north but it did not loudly express this
criticism during Davutoglu's trip. Both sides will talk on the matter
at both technical and political level and will try to resolve the
long-standing issue before al-Maliki's upcoming trip.
[10] Turkish court lifts headscarf ban for attorneys
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.11.13) reported that
the Council of State has approved the removal of the headscarf ban for
lawyers, allowing them to register at the Bar Association with a picture
showing them wearing a headscarf.
Upon a lawyer's complaint, the Council of State's 8th Department halted
the execution of the Turkey Bar Association's (TBB) legal profession act,
which stated that lawyers had to provide a picture of themselves without
a headscarf in order to register at the Bar Association.
The 8th Department said in its justification that the rights granted by
the Constitution and international conventions should not be limited in
a way that contradicts the spirit of the Constitution.
[11] Record visits to Ataturk Mausoleum on Novevember 10
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (12.11.13) reports that the number
of visitors at the Anitkabir mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk hit a
record. According to a statement issued at the website of the Turkish
General Staff 1,089,615 persons visited the mausoleum on Novemeber 10
which is the anniversary of Ataturk's death.
In the previous years, the An?tkabir was open until 5:00 p.m. during the
Nov. 10 commemorations. However, this year the ceremonies were prolonged
until 9:00 p.m. as it was the 60th anniversary of bringing Ataturk's
body from the Ethnography Museum to the Anitkabir.
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