Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-05

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: We discussed in depth the substance of some issues

[02] The Turkish Cypriots want more help from the EU "in order for not being seriously shocked" in case of an agreement in Cyprus

[03] Statement by Eroglu on the 50th anniversary of the UN Security Council

[04] The US Ambassador to Cyprus met with Eroglu and Nami

[05] CTP steps out on DP efforts to form "local elections alliance" with UBP

[06] Turkish Cypriot left parties may form a "Union of forces"

[07] Hizmet-Sen trade union called Atalay to be removed from his post

[08] Turkey's EU Minister calls for a 'constructive' report

[09] Gul orders auditors to assess capacity to fight corruption

[10] Erdogan tells Putin: Crisis must be solved by the Ukrainians

[11] Pro-Erdogan newspaper argues that AKP will win comfortably in local elections

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: We discussed in depth the substance of some issues

Ozersay noted that the sides must be aware of the fact that they could not get a hundred per cent of what they want at the negotiating table and added: "The sides are coming to the table knowing this. If our approach is in this direction, it is possible to find a solution".

Pointing out that differences on principles exist on some issues between the sides, he argued that on some issues, however, there are no differences either on principle or from the point of view of the understanding, but "different models exist regarding the solution of the problem". "If the aim here is to establish a viable, functional new federal partnership, I think that there is no reason for not finding a way out", he added.

Ozersay said that the issues of property, the administration and the power sharing were discussed during the meeting yesterday. He expressed the view that the process will not be easy, but "the picture as to what kind of solution the sides are generally anticipating has started to become evident". Especially the position of the Greek Cypriot side "has been understood better", he argued.

Ozersay said that three core issues were discussed in detail. He added: "The first is the issue of the election of the executive power. We listened to the views of the Greek Cypriot side on issues such as how the federal executive power will be elected, what its composition will be and how it will be taking decisions and we once again recalled our position. We discussed the issue of the federal powers. You know that on this issue there is a convergences paper already. However, disagreement existed between the sides regarding some powers. Today, the Greek Cypriot side brought a statement with a little bit different point of view [on these powers]. We will evaluate this and in the next meeting we will evaluate whether or not it could be matched up with the list of powers and convergence paper which we have. The third issue we discussed is the property. We had the opportunity as Turkish Cypriot side to explain our expectations on the property and our proposal which is on the table, but we will continue doing this in a next meeting. The Greek Cypriot side conveyed to us some general views on the property. When the Greek Cypriot side explains its stance regarding the property, it shares also its view regarding the territory in relation with this. We as Turkish Cypriot side are not essentially against the discussion of the territory. It is also one of the six chapters, but because it is out of the question to negotiate it at this stage, as Turkish Cypriot side we shared our criteria in general on the territory issue. In a next meeting we will explain it in a little bit more detail".

Ozersay went on and said that the sides should behave according to the UN parameters. He argued that this is valid for issues such as the political equality, bi-zonality and bi-communality and added that these "criteria", which are included in the joint statement, could not be ignored and could not be temporary. He noted that their meeting yesterday was extremely useful from the point of view of clarifying all these and clarifying the sides' proposals which are on the table.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The Turkish Cypriots want more help from the EU "in order for not being seriously shocked" in case of an agreement in Cyprus

In statements to Kibris TV, Ercin noted that both sides confirmed that this structure will be established according to the EU principles. He argued that the joint statement and the developments within this framework signalled that "a process without return has started".

Ercin claimed that starting from this point, the EU has a duty to help in order for the Turkish Cypriots not to experience a serious shock in case of a possible agreement. Alleging that due to Greek Cypriot pressures, the EU has not helped the Turkish Cypriots to the desirable extent, he claimed that the aid towards the "TRNC" should be increased rapidly in a manner which will form the status that is included in the joint statement because of the common goal.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Statement by Eroglu on the 50th anniversary of the UN Security Council

Noting that the UN resolution had stated that the UN decision was designed to prevent the recurrence of fighting and contribute to the normalization of the situation in Cyprus, Eroglu said that in the past 50 years the mission of UNFICYP has changed.

Eroglu claimed that the UN Security Council since the decision it has taken in 1964 continues to make one mistake and that is referring to the Cyprus Government, alleging that the bi-communal 1960 Republic was diminished as a result of the Turkish Cypriots being forced out of the Republic by force of arms in 1963. He also claimed that as a result of this there is no government or state that represents the two "peoples" on the island or the whole of Cyprus, alleging: "Therefore the Cyprus Government which the UN Security Council is referring to is only an institution that is established by the Greek Cypriot Administration and this institution does not represent the Turkish Cypriots or the whole of the island".

He also claimed that the reason why the Cyprus issue has not been solved for 50 years is due to the Greek Cypriot Administration being treated as the Cyprus Government.

Eroglu also expressed the hope that the 50 year old mission of UNFICYP will be completed as a result of a speedy comprehensive solution to be found to the Cyprus problem and that the Peacekeeping forces will direct its operations to a more needy area of the world.

[04] The US Ambassador to Cyprus met with Eroglu and Nami

No statement was made prior to the meeting. Eroglu's undersecretary Hasan Gungor and spokesman Osman Ertug were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami had also a separate meeting yesterday with Koenig.

During the meeting which took place at Nami's office, Koenig and Nami evaluated the recent developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

[05] CTP steps out on DP efforts to form "local elections alliance" with UBP

The assembly also expressed its uneasiness for the behaviour of DP as regards the Cyprus problem and its reluctance for the reforms that the "government" wants to persuade and gave to CTP's leader, Ozkan Yorgancioglu permission to hold talks with DP on these issues. The party also expressed discomfort over the political behaviour of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu on the issue.

[06] Turkish Cypriot left parties may form a "Union of forces"

Izcan also said: "As BKP we always wanted union of the left front. We always said 'the ones who call themselves 'left', if they are truly are: if they are democrats; they should meet on least common denominators'. But they did not listen. I truly find Cemal Ozyigit a lot more genuine and willing than before. We hope for a wider union with YKP, Baraka etc..."

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (online, 04.03.14) broadcast that the leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit has announced that the TDP Party Assembly authorized the party's central executive board to search for common ground with left parties and civil society organizations prior to the local elections. "We are planning meetings towards this direction. I mean these meetings will be realized in the coming days to see whether or not it is possible to create a common ground" Ozyigit said.

[07] Hizmet-Sen trade union called Atalay to be removed from his post

Kurumanastirli went on and said that a commission should be established in order to investigate Atalay's actions during his three years term in post.

Kurumanastirli wondered with what sources has Atalay bought as soon as he undertook duties, two Mercedes valuing 110.000 TL each and three BMW's.

Kurumanastirli said: "Certainly, we do not want the appointment of an imported mufti. An imported mufti will set our people quarreling; an imported mufti will be an insult for the TRNC and our people".

Meanwhile, replying to Kurumanastirli' statements, the "head of religious affairs department" Talip Atalay, in a written statement yesterday, disclaimed the allegations of Hizmet- Sen.

Atalay, inter alia, described as coordinated attacks the efforts exerted to end the unity and harmony in the "country" and the coordination efforts between the "presidency, the prime ministry, the foreign ministry and the religious affairs department" to support peace in Cyprus.

As regards the sources used for buying luxury cars, Atalay clarified that the money were obtained by official organs of the Republic of Turkey on December 2010 when he undertook his duties.

(AK)

[08] Turkey's EU Minister calls for a 'constructive' report

In a resolution passed on March 3, MEPs expressed deep concern at recent developments in Turkey concerning allegations of high-level corruption and stressed that constitutional reform must remain the top priority for modernization and democratization.

In response, Cavusoglu told reporters on March 4 that the European Parliament's assessments on Turkey "should be balanced and constructive," but welcomed the resolution's call for negotiation talks to be accelerated.

"Certainly there are points [in the resolution] that we don't agree on, but in general we find it positive that the report stresses the opening of new negotiation chapters and calls for talks to be accelerated. We always take notice of constructive criticism," he said.

The MEPs said in the resolution that the Council should make efforts toward opening negotiation chapters 23 and 24, on the judiciary and fundamental rights and on justice and home affairs.

They also stated their deep concern at the new Internet restriction laws, "which introduce excessive controls and monitoring of Internet access, and the new judiciary laws, which could lead Turkey away from meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU accession."

[09] Gul orders auditors to assess capacity to fight corruption

According to a statement on his website, Gul said he had instructed the State Audit Institution (DDK) to examine regulations governing the wiretapping of communications. "The President has given instructions ... to assess the institutional and regulatory capacity regarding wiretapping in our nation and to determine what measures need to be taken to comply with the law ... [and to] research and inquire about the capacity to fight corruption," the statement said. In one of the biggest challenges of his 11-year rule, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is battling a series of allegations that he, members of his family and senior government officials took bribes and engaged in other improprieties.

As head of state, Gul has to tread a delicate line between remaining politically neutral while supporting the rule of law and institutional stability in Turkey. According to the statement, Gul's order also requires auditors to look at the process by which judges and prosecutors are chosen and to assess rules surrounding "state secrets."

[10] Erdogan tells Putin: Crisis must be solved by the Ukrainians

The leaders spoke over the telephone about the situation in Ukraine and its southerly Crimea region, which lie across the Black Sea from Turkey. Crimea has a large Turkic speaking minority and is now under Moscow's control.

Erdogan told Putin "that it is foremost the responsibility of Ukrainians to resolve the country's crisis" and emphasised that "instability in (Ukraine) would negatively affect the entire region," a statement from Erdogan's office said.

Tension still exists in Crimea between Christian Slavs, including ethnic Russians, and Crimean Tatars - Turkic speaking Muslims, who were exiled en masse by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and now make up about 12% of Crimea's population.

[11] Pro-Erdogan newspaper argues that AKP will win comfortably in local elections

Numerous public opinion polls have been conducted about the March 30 local elections by Turkish research institutions such as the Objective Research Centre (ORC), GENAR, Andy-Ar, and ANAR. Although the predictions vary by a small margin, there are consistent trends in major cities and districts, according to Sabah.

One of the most recent polls was conducted by ORC in 12 major cities over a period of 22 days. Istanbul, considered the most important metropolis for parties, is expected to be led by AK Party candidate Kadir Topbas with 45.3 %, whereas CHP's Mustafa Sar?gul is set to receive 38 %. Polls indicate that the AK Party and CHP will be neck and neck in Izmir with 38.1 % and 42.3 %, respectively. While the main districts of Izmir will experience a tight race between the two parties, Kars?yaka is predicted to be led by CHP with 47.3 %. In Ankara, Mayor Melih Gokcek is expected to be re-elected with 47.6 %, whereas CHP's Mansur Yavas is expected to receive about 34.1 % of the vote.

GENAR's recent polls suggest a similar trend where the AK Party is expected to receive 48.8 % of the vote, followed by 28 % for CHP.

ANAR's results also present a similar outlook on the upcoming election with the AK Party predicted to receive over 48 % of votes, followed by CHP with 30 %. The surveys present an overall view of public opinion on the upcoming local elections in Turkey and were conducted based on face-to face and telephone interviews. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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