20/2/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
                                                     
                                                        20/2/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

1. Eroglu evaluates the elections in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus; Eroglu calls Anastasiades to clarify the context of his statement on loose federation
2. Kucuk describes Eroglu’s statements as “disloyalty” to Turkey 
3. Reactions to Atalay’s statements continue 
4. CTP leader on the presidential elections and the Cyprus problem
5. More about the arrestment of a cargo ship with illegal guns
6. The “Faculty of Medicine” of illegal YDU is included in Avicenna list of the WHO
7. “Karpasia Gate Marina” has been promoted
8. Kerry to visit nine countries including Turkey
9. Turkish opposition involved in protests against Kurdish deputies, according to Erdogan
10. Turkish police launch major operation against Revolutionary People's Liberation Party


1. Eroglu evaluates the elections in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus; Eroglu calls Anastasiades to clarify the context of his statement on loose federation
Turkish Cypriot website Kibris postasi (20.02.13) reports on statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu during the press conference he gave today at the so-called presidential palace where he evaluated issues into the agenda of the occupation regime as well as the elections in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the elections in “south Cyprus”, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said that Anastasiades’ statements are quit strange and pointed out that if Anastasiades says what he says in order to be elected, then it is obvious as he said that there is an important problem. Eroglu added that Anastasiades opposed to a timetable as well as to what is consider as a sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriots.

Stating that he had recently had the opportunity to have a discussion with “south Cyprus’ Anastasiades” to whom he convey his feelings and also that his spouse was recently hosted by him, Eroglu said that is one thing to discuss with Anastasiades during social meetings and different to discuss with him at the negotiation table.

Eroglu said it would not be right to comment on Anastasiades`s statement  regarding loose federation since he did not clarify it in his statement. He went on calling Anastasiades to clarify that.

Stating that Christofias has said to him that “we are ten steps ahead”, Eroglu was asked to reply to the question why Turkey is mediating to the elections in the “TRNC” while on the contrary Greece is not mediating to the elections in the “south”, and said: “In my opinion, Christofias’ words do not reflect the realities. The Turkish Cypriot side’ stand is obvious in front of the eyes of the international community. There are two elections, here, it is the UBP congress which is important. The elections in the south are also important for the Greek Cypriots. It is important of course in the south which from the two candidates will be the winner of the ballot box; still for us it makes no difference who will win. When Christofias won the elections, there was happiness in the north because there was a hope that a solution was to be found. However, his term was finished and he left. It makes no difference who will win(...)” Eroglu said.
AK

2. Kucuk describes Eroglu’s statements as “disloyalty” to Turkey 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.02.13) reports that the self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Irsen Kucuk argued yesterday that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has denied statements made by Turkey’s government officials, who had visited the occupied area of the island, and described this situation as “example of disloyalty”.

In a written statement, Kucuk referred to the words of Eroglu regarding the allegations by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot affairs, Besir Atalay during the latter’s recent illegal visit to the occupied area of the island. Kucuk described Eroglu’s statements as “meaningful and saddening from the point of view of bearing a great example of disloyalty”. He recalled that the Turkish Ministers laid the foundations of many projects which, he argued, they “gave as present” to the regime.

“Such statements could harm our state, our people and the relations with motherland Turkey and at the same time they will bring benefit to no one”, he argued.

Meanwhile, in statements during a visit to occupied Keryneia area, Kucuk said that the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government continues to offer services to the “people” being in harmony with Ankara.
(I/Ts.)

3. Reactions to Atalay’s statements continue 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.02.13) reports that Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) has said that the statements made the day before yesterday by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot affairs, Besir Atalay were a sign of disrespect to the Turkish Cypriot “people” and meddling in their internal affairs. In a written statement issued yesterday, Cakici criticized Atalay’s statements that “important progress was achieved in the economy”, that “economy will be negatively influenced if a chairman of a party is changed when he is prime minster” and that “the private sector has been developed”.

Cakici argued that Atalay’s statements on the economy do not reflect realities and that the messages he had given regarding the National Unity Party’s congress were “disrespect to the will” of the “people”. “Trying to secure the continuation of the today’s awry and corrupt system by interfering with the political will of the Turkish Cypriots is unacceptable”, he added.

Moreover, Abdullah Korkmazhan, organizational secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) issued a statement on the same allegations by Atalay describing them as “open interference with UBP’s congress”. He noted that it is clear that Atalay and his accompanying delegation visited the occupied area with the aim of meddling in the above-mentioned congress. Protesting against the interference of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Korkmazhan noted that AKP should “take its hands off our country’ and accused all Dervis Eroglu, Irsen Kucuk and Ahmet Kasif of being responsible for the situation. 

Furthermore, Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOS), noted that those who govern Turkey have forgotten why they are in Cyprus and act having the mentality of a conqueror violating the international agreements. Elcil accused the AKP officials of continuing the “puppet regime” which they have established by interfering with the will of the Turkish Cypriots. He said that the AKP officials have even organized meetings in occupied Famagusta in order to influence the delegates in the UBP congress.

Finally, Tahir Gokcebel, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOEOS), reacted to Atalay’s statements asking him whether he was ready to take the responsibility for the “freak you have created”. He accused Turkey of “making the Greek Cypriots the owners of the Republic of Cyprus”, of transferring population to the island contrary to the Geneva Convention and of making disputable the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus. 
(I/Ts.)  

4. CTP leader on the presidential elections and the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.02.13) reports that the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Ozkan Yorgancioglu commenting on the presidential elections of the Republic of Cyprus, stated, that it is not cleared yet who will be elected president, adding that economic issues were the most important topics of the election campaign.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Yorgancioglu stated that the new president will focus on the first months after his election, to internal issues and the negotiations may start on May-June. He said that EU, UN and USA are expected to play a more active role on the procedure. He went on and said what is important is not what is said, but what is done.  He expressed the opinion that the negotiations should continue from the point they were left.
Yorgancioglu finally said that the solution of the Cyprus problem will facilitate Turkey’s EU road

5. More about the arrestment of a cargo ship with illegal guns
Under the front page title: “From where the guns and bullets came from and to what destination?”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (20.02.13) reports on a statement issued by Unal Caginer, the Turkish Cypriot businessman and owner of Akguler Maritime Company, owner also of the cargo ship which was arrested yesterday by the occupation regime’s authorities carrying illegal Kalashnikov guns and bullets.

In his statement Caginer said that responsibility for the custom and tax control of cargo and the TIR vehicles which were transferred by the cargo ship belonging to his company, belongs to the port authorities. Caginer said that his company has no responsibility for the context of the container and denied the allegations that the cargo ship of his companied was seized.

Caginer added also that from time to time his aviation and maritime firms except from passengers carries also cargo into which sometimes guns as well as different other illegal materials where found out. Still, he pointed out that the responsibility for these illegal materials does not belong to the owner of the cargo company.

However, the paper underlines that no statement was issued yet by the so-called authorities on the issue.
(AK)

6. The “Faculty of Medicine” of illegal YDU is included in Avicenna list of the WHO
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (20.02.13) reports in its front page that the Faculty of Medicine of the illegal Near East University (YDU) has been included in the list of Avicenna of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Avicenna list includes Faculties of Medicine from 157 countries which are consider to be fulfilling the criteria of WHO, writes the paper.

The appearance of the “Faculty of medicine” of the illegal YDU at the Avicenna list is fair writes the paper because of the high quality training the faculty provides, its qualified personnel, its infrastructure and administration, its modern and high technology laboratories.

[Translator’s note: Avicenna: http://avicenna.ku.dk/History]:The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a World Directory of Medical Schools since 1953. The last printed edition (7th ed., 2000) lists institutions of basic medical education in 157 countries.

Avicenna - ibn-Sina - was a physician and philosopher active 1000 years ago, noted for his syntheses of knowledge from both East and West. He had a lasting influence worldwide in the development of medicine in its widest sense: what is now known as health sciences. The use of Avicenna's name symbolises the worldwide partnership that is needed for the care and promotion of the health for all].
(AK)

7. “Karpasia Gate Marina” has been promoted
Under the title: “Hotels and residences are coming at the Karpasia Gate Marina”, Turkish daily Milliyet (20.02.13) reports on statements by the representative of Karpasia Gate Marina, Liza Singer who has said that the “Karpasia Gate Marina” (KGM) which was put into service as of last summer, constitutes the widest marinas in the Easter Mediterranean, since it has a capacity of 300 vessels.

Singer made the above statements in a promotion meeting of the marina to Atilla Aksoy Turkish consultant of the project as well as to the “administrators” of the “Karpasia Gate Marina. 

Singer, said, inter alia, that hotels and residences are planned to be constructed at the “Karpasia Gate Marina” and added that with the construction of those hotels and residence, the investment at the KGM will reached to 300 million euro.

Singer recalled that the investment of KGM was made by the British Lewis Trust Company and pointed out that this investment has the characteristic that it is the first direct foreign investment which was made in the “TRNC”. Singer stated further that the luxury restaurant which opened there constitutes one of the most luxury restaurants in the Mediterranean and added that marina will be the new face of the “TRNC”.
(AK)

8. Kerry to visit nine countries including Turkey
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.02.13) reports that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will visit nine countries in Europe and the Middle East, including Turkey, starting Feb. 24 as he undertakes his first foreign trip as the country’s top diplomat, the State Department announced Feb. 19.

Kerry will visit Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar through March 6, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters. Kerry’s first visit will be to London, from which he will move on to Germany and France.

Diplomatic sources had told Hürriyet Daily News that the date of Kerry’s visit Turkey was set as March 1. 

However, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is likely to meet his American counterpart on Feb. 27 on the sidelines of the core group meeting of the “Friends of Syria,” which will take place in Italy.

Kerry will discuss “strategic priorities” in Ankara, such as the Syrian conflict and regional matters, according to a statement from the State Department. The visit will also aim “to deepen U.S.-Turkey bilateral cooperation, including counterterrorism cooperation,” the statement read.

Kerry’s next stop after Turkey will be Egypt, where mass protests were triggered last September over an anti-Islam film produced in the United States. Kerry will also meet with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby in the Egyptian capital. He will end his first foreign trip in the Arabian Peninsula with visits to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Kerry will not be visiting Israel or the Palestinian territories as previously suggested. Nuland said during a press briefing that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was still forming a government and said Kerry would join President Barack Obama on an upcoming visit to country. Obama is expected to arrive in Israel on March 20.
9. Turkish opposition involved in protests against Kurdish deputies, according to Erdogan
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.02.13) reports that the Groups linked to Turkey’s opposition parties were involved in the Feb. 18 protests against the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies while they were visiting Black Sea province of Sinop, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday during a party meeting.

“Groups made up of the CHP [Republican People’s Party] and the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party] are involved there in the provocation,” Erdogan said. “Now they speak of good wishes and ask the people not to let such things happen. Whether you like them or not, they are deputies of the people. You have to respect a deputy of this country,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan accused both the BDP and the MHP of following racist rhetoric, and the CHP of being unclear in its messages. He then targeted the opposition for previous criticism against his government regarding the recent İmralı meetings with the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan.

“We do not sit at the table with terrorism,” Erdogan said. “We do not negotiate with terrorism. For state officials to meet with the terrorist head is not negotiation, it’s not sitting down with him. It’s taking an opportunity that is present in the solution process. Why would anyone be bothered by this?”

Erdogan challenged opposition members to voice their criticisms directly, especially on accusations of compromises made by the state in the process, saying he “would never compromise with terrorism.”

“We will take all legal and legitimate steps to stop the bleeding,” Erdogan said.

In addition, Hurriyet Daily news (20.02.13) also reports that violent protests staged in the Black Sea provinces of Sinop and Samsun on Feb. 18 and 19 against a delegation compromising of pro-Kurdish politicians, has led to the cancelation of the remainder of the trip.

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) lawmakers Sırrı Sureyya Onder, Sebahat Tuncel, Ertugrul Kurkcu, as well as independent lawmaker Levent Tuzel, planned to go on to the provinces of Corum, Ordu, Giresun and Trabzon to explain to people the recently launched “peace process.” However, the plan resulted in a right-wing backlash in keeping with the image of the Black Sea region as a hotbed of nationalism.

The BDP delegation began its trip on Feb. 17 in Çorum and no significant protests were staged. However, in Sinop on Feb. 18, an ultranationalist group attempted to attack the lawmakers at the city’s teacher’s lodge, where they were holding meetings. Police struggled to disperse the angry group, which threw stones and broke some of the windows of the building.

10. Turkish police launch major operation against Revolutionary People's Liberation Party
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (20.02.13) reports that the Turkish Police had warrants for the detention of 167 people and launched simultaneous operations in 28 provinces across Turkey early on Tuesday, targeting the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), a left-wing group that was allegedly behind a recent suicide bomb attack on the US Embassy. 

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the US Embassy in Ankara on Feb. 1, killing himself and a Turkish security guard and critically wounding a journalist on her way to visit the ambassador. Soon after the bombing, the far-left terrorist DHKP/C posted a statement on a website, claiming responsibility for the suicide attack, after which the group became the subject of intense scrutiny.

Turkish police conducted simultaneous operations across the country, after taking out detention warrants for 167 people, most of whom are public servants working at various state agencies and institutions.

İstanbul police raided several addresses in the city early on Tuesday morning, as part of the major operation and detained at least 50 people on charges of being members of the terrorist organization and disseminating the leftist group's propaganda. The number of detainees may increase.

An additional 33 people were taken into custody on the suspicion of being members of the DHKP/C in Ankara, on Tuesday. The Ankara Police Department counterterrorism units raided the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) headquarters, and KESK lawyers told the Anatolian news agency that the investigation was being conducted with the justification of "being a member of the terrorist organization DHKP/C." Detention warrants were issued for several members in Ankara, Istanbul, Malatya and Balıkesir, and KESK Organizing Secretary Akman Simsek was detained in his house in Antalya province.


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