TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 56/13 21/3/13
C
O N T E N T S
1.
Ertug on the financial crisis in Cyprus
2.
Hurriyet: “Natural gas will be ‘Trojan Horse’”
3.
The Turkish Cypriot press continues covering the economic situation in the
government-controlled area of the island
4. How the Turkish press
covers the current developments in the Republic of Cyprus after Eurogroup’s
decision
5.
Havadis: “EP’s way to the Turkish Cypriots is being opened”
6.
Erdogan’s contacts in Denmark
7.
Erdogan’s interview to Danish daily Politiken on the EU bid
8. Ocalan calls for cease-fire,
withdrawal of PKK from Turkey
9. Eroglu met with students
from Bursa; statements on the Cyprus problem
10.
An oncology hospital will be built in the occupied area of Cyprus
11.
An opinion poll shows DP candidate as the winner in the so-called by-elections
12.
DHKP/C undertook responsibility for Ankara attacks
13.
Kucuk in Istanbul
14. The illegal AKU
university to establish a Research Centre in the occupied area of Cyprus
15.
The 5th International F3J Model Aircraft Championship to take place
in the occupied area of Cyprus
1.
Ertug on the financial crisis in Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak television
(20.03.13), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu’s special representative and
spokesman Osman Ertug, speaking on Bayrak news on Tuesday night, said that “the
financial crisis in South Cyprus [Tr.note: government controlled area of the
Republic of Cyprus] could be turned into an opportunity to find a solution to
the Cyprus problem”. He however said that the Turkish Cypriot side will not
allow any opportunist attempts by the Greek Cypriot side.
Evaluating the latest developments on
the Cyprus problem as well as the financial crisis in Cyprus, Ertug said that
“the Turkish Cypriot side was following developments in South Cyprus with
concern”. He added: “We do not want a weakened and worn out Greek Cypriot
leader at the negotiating table. If our collocutor falls weak, then this could
make him more uncompromising.”
Ertug said that there might be a need to
renegotiate the chapter on economy as and when, the negotiations restart.
Pointing out that the Cyprus government
had an alternative B-Plan against the EU’s bailout package, Ertug said: “They
are saying that they will issue bonds in exchange for revenues from the
extraction of natural gas.”
Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots too
had rights over any hydrocarbons off the coast of Cyprus, Ertug said: “We want
to benefit from our share now, not after a settlement. No one should even
consider usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriots”.
He also expressed his view that
nationalist sentiments tend to rise at times of economic crisis, adding that
“anger and reaction against the EU was growing in the South Cyprus”.
“All crises lead to opportunities. We
can transform these crises into opportunities. We can launch a dialogue but we
must determine a road map” he concluded.
2. Hurriyet: “Natural gas will be ‘Trojan
Horse’”
Under the above
title Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (21.03.13) reports, inter alia, the
following on the economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus and the efforts of
the Cypriot government to overcome the crisis:
“Confusion has
been caused by the allegation that the Russian energy giant Gasprom has
proposed a special rescue plan, which includes giving credit to the Greek
Cypriots in return for the rights on the natural gas in the surrounding area of
the island of Cyprus. Turkey, which argues that the entire island has rights on
the Cypriot gas, thinks that such an agreement cannot be materialized. Experts
noted that the Russians would want to use the Cypriot gas as ‘Trojan Horse’
against the Europeans.
During the
difficult days it experiences, the South Cyprus Greek Administration (GKRY) is
trying to use the natural gas resources around the island as trump card. It has
been alleged that the GKRY, which tries to make unilateral agreements in the
waters in which the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has also rights, is
holding negotiations with Russia for agreeing on the issue of natural gas in
order to be rescued from the economic crisis which it experiences. While there
was an allegation that the Russian natural gas giant Gasprom has submitted a
proposal in the direction of giving credit to the Greek Cypriots in return of
the rights on the natural gas in the Mediterranean, it is noted that Gasprom
denied these allegations. In the past, Turkey had sent a hard warning letter to
the companies which participated in the tenders invited by the GKRY. It is
noted that the signing by the Russians and the Greek Cypriots of an agreement
in which the TRNC will not be participating, will cause political consequences.
Subtitle: The hope is natural gas
Cyprus, which
has rejected the European Union’s (EU) rescue package that imposed additional
tax on the deposits, is looking for a solution in the natural gas. The GKRY’s
Finance Minister Michalis Sarris, who has turned his attention to Russia on
this issue, went hurriedly to Moscow. It is said that the Greek Cypriots are on
the one hand looking for various ways with the Russians in the financing sector
and on the other they are bargaining with Gasprom on the issue of the rights on
the natural gas around the island. While newspapers such as New York Times note
that Gasprom has submitted a special rescue package to the Greek Cypriots in
return of the exploration rights for natural gas in the Mediterranean, it has
been reported that Turkey will oppose to this. However, Gasprom officials, with
whom we have spoken, said that Gasprom denied the allegations.
Subtitle: Russia’s Trojan horse
Energy analysts
stress that Gasprom, which had a problem last year with Europe on the issue of
the price, will want to use the Cypriot natural gas as ‘Trojan horse’ against
the Europeans and aims at preventing an independent gas industry in Cyprus.
Europe has for years been looking alternative ways to the dependency on Gasprom
for natural gas. It is stressed that getting hold of possible Cypriot gas would
secure a strategic advantage against Russia to Europe, which keeps on the
agenda projects such as the Nabucco and ITGI in order to create alternatives to
the Russian gas.
Subtitle: TRNC has equal right
Stressing that
the GKRY should sign an agreement with the TRNC on the issue of the rights on
the natural gas, Turkish officials say the following: ‘An issue which everybody
should take notice is that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on the gas in
the Mediterranean. A comprehensive agreement should be made on the issue of the
resources of natural gas and oil in the sea. The TRNC says that we have equal
rights son the offshore energy resources around the island. For this reason,
the Turkish Cypriots determined parcels and gave licenses to the Turkish
Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). There are also some parcels which coincide. This
is not a simple issue. It has political, economic and strategic dimension.
Which rights could Gasprom take? It is not reasonable’. (…)
Subtitle: The only way is Turkey
Noting that it
would be possible for the natural gas resources in Eastern Mediterranean to
reach the European markets through Turkey, sources from the Energy Ministry
stress that there is no other way to marketing other than Turkey. An official
of the Ministry said: ‘The Greek Cypriots do not have so much gas. Israel has
gas. The Russians want to be active, to be in the field in all gas reserves
except their own. However, such a thing will have a negative influence on the
relations between Turkey and Russia’”.
(I/Ts.)
3. The Turkish Cypriot press continues covering the
economic situation in the government-controlled area of the island
The Turkish
Cypriot daily newspapers continue giving extensive coverage today (21.03.13) to
the economic situation in the government-controlled area of the island.
Under the title
“At the door of hell”, Havadis
reports that the EU was confused after the rejection of the Eurogroup’s “rescue
package” proposal by the House of Representative of the Republic of Cyprus.
Noting that “there is a rejection and no proposal”, the paper writes that the
European Commission waits a proposal from the Greek Cypriot politicians for
overcoming the crisis. According to the paper, the “rescue package” caused
concern to the whole world. Havadis refers to the statement of the President of
the Eurogroup that their proposal is still on the table. It also writes that
Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson of the US Department of State said that the USA
was closely following the economic developments in Cyprus. Havadis writes that
“everybody is after his money” and that the Russian capital holders are
panicked, as they own a big share in the Cyprus banks.
Under the title
“The rescue package of the Greek Cypriot economy was rejected in the
Parliament, but the EU insists”, Vatan
reports that while the rejection of the package shook the EU, the Eurogorup
recalled that it insists on the haircut of the deposits. The paper writes also
that the German Chancellor Merkel stated that they have in front of them
difficult discussions with Cyprus in order to overcome the crisis. Moreover,
referring to the contacts of Finance Minister Sarris in Moscow, Vatan writes
that “the contacts of the Greek Cypriots in Russia did not start well”. The paper reports also that in statements on
the issue, Osman Ertug, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that
the crisis might be turned into opportunity, but they would not allow any
opportunism. He alleged that they could not accept the distribution of bonds by
the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the government of the Republic of
Cyprus, as a return to the natural gas, on which the Turkish Cypriots have also
rights.
Under the title
“The world’s eye in south Cyprus”, Ortam
reports that according to sources from the European Central Bank there will be
a problem in the continuation of liquidity without the rescue package. The
paper writes that sources from the Eurogroup do not exclude the renegotiation
of the package and that the “domino effect in Europe made depositors lose their
sleep”.
Yeni Duzen reports that “the south looks for 5.8 billion Euros”
and that “the contacts of the Greek Cypriots in Russia did not start well” as
there was a “negative reply from Moscow”. The paper refers to the visit of
Troika to the presidential palace yesterday, the meeting of President
Anastasiades with Archbishop Chrysostomos II and his telephone conversation
with the French President.
(I/Ts.)
4.
How the Turkish press covers the current developments in the Republic of
Cyprus after Eurogroup’s decision
All Turkish dailies continue to cover
extensively in their front and inside pages the current developments in the
Republic of Cyprus after Eurogroup’s decision.
Following are the title of the Turkish
dailies today:
Hurriyet:
“Immoral proposal”. The paper’s correspondent in Athens, Yorgo Kirbaki writes
that the Russians, after the “no” of the Greek Cypriots to the EU for the
economic support, submitted to the Greek Cypriots a proposal which closely
interests Turkey. The proposal is to give to Russia naval and air force bases
in Cyprus, so that to take money. According to information by the State run
channel RIK, the paper writes that Moscow has demanded to have rights to the
Pafos airport in Cyprus and the naval bases in Mari, as an alternative to the
military bases in the town of Tartus in Syria. However, the paper writes that
Russia has announced that only issues related to the economy were discussed.
Kirbaki goes on and writes that the natural gas reserves to be found in the
Eastern Mediterranean, an issue which interest Turkey as well, has being
bargained in Moscow, since, the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as the Republic
of Cyprus is called, has put to the table the right of the use of the energy
resources, in exchange for the credit to be given. Yorgo Kirbaki underlines
that Turkey has sent in the past a letter of warning to the companies which
were to participate to the tender of the “Greek Cypriot administration”.
Sabah:
“The only support to the Greek Cypriots from the church”. “No agreement has
been reached with Russia”.
Milliyet:
“Condition for the Greek Cypriots to find a solution the earlier”. “Four
scenarios under discussion”. “Tour to Moscow with ‘hope’”.
Cumhuriyet:
“The Greek Cypriot administration hopes to Russia”.
Taraf(online):
“Take the money and give the Mediterranean”. The paper writes that Gazprom submitted
proposal to the Greek Cypriots to give them rights on the natural gas in the
Eastern Mediterranean in exchange for economic support.
Radikal(online):
“Banks to remain close until the plan B of south Cyprus”.
Aksam
(online): “Let’s Turkey give the 5.8 billion euro and
let the Greek Cypriots to give up from the ‘north’”. The paper writes that the
online magazine “Slate” in the USA, has made a speculative proposal...The
magazine writes that the “country’s salvation” can pass from Turkey. According
to the proposal, Turkey shall pay to the Greek Cypriots money for the natural
losses from the Turkish invasion in 1974, and, in return, the Greek Cypriots to
give up from their right in the “north” and give the control of the “north” to
“TRNC”.
(AK)
5. Havadis: “EP’s way to the Turkish Cypriots is
being opened”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (21.03.13) reports that the Liberals in the European
Parliament (EP) have asked for the invitation of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan
to the EU Summit in December. EP’s Foreign Relations Commission discussed
yesterday the report on Turkey prepared by the Dutch Christian Democrat MEP,
Ria Oomen-Ruijten.
In statements on
behalf of the Liberals’ group, British MEP, Andrew Duff emphasized the
importance of Turkey following a policy that coincides with the one of NATO and
the EU while international crises are experienced in the Middle East, the
Mediterranean and the Sahel zone. He argued that Prime Minister Erdogan should
be invited to the EU Summit in December where the security and defense policies
will be discussed.
According to the
paper, today the voting on 415 amendments to the draft-report will take place.
Regarding
Cyprus, the report calls on Turkey to start withdrawing troops from the island,
return the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to the UN and in parallel to
that to open the occupied Famagusta port under EU control and direct
trade.
According to the
paper, it is said that the groups of the Liberals, Greens, and European
Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) are exerting pressures in the direction of
granting to the Turkish Cypriots the observer status in the EP. Turkey’s
supporters object to the inclusion of the word “in parallel” and the
correlation of what they call EU’s obligations against the Turkish Cypriots
with the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army from the island and the
return of occupied closed city of Varosha.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Erdogan’s contacts in Denmark
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(20.03.13), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressing a gathering
of Turkish and Danish business representatives during an executive forum he
attended on his official visit to Denmark, said his meeting with his Danish
counterpart, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, as well as meetings between Turkish and
Danish delegations had been “full of substance and very fruitful,” stressing
the countries’ mutual interest in enhancing economic relations.
“As you see, despite a history of
cooperation spanning more than 250 years, 65,000 Turkish citizens living in
Denmark, and our shared vision within the European Union, our bilateral trade
volume with Denmark remains at 1,7 billion dollar mark in 2012. Now is the time
we surpass this figure,” Erdogan said, adding that officials from both
countries had set the target at 5 billion dollars by the end of 2015.
Regarding Turkey’s EU membership bid,
the Prime Minister thanked Denmark for its support, while saying that Turkey’s
serious potential, manifest in its geopolitical advantage, investment
opportunities, young and qualified workforce, would make significant
contributions to Europe’s economy.
Moreover, A.A. reports that Turkish and
Danish delegations met under the leadership of Erdogan and Danish Prime
Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Erdogan said that
currently, 550 Danish companies were operating in Turkey, expressing belief
that Turkish-Danish economic relations would be developed further by the end of
2015.
Erdogan also thanked Denmark as it sent
military experts while Patriot defence systems were being installed in Turkey
as well as for its support to Turkey’s EU membership process.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister said
that there were very sound relations between Turkey and Denmark, adding that
the commerce and investments between the two countries were increasing each
day. Schmidt also said that they envisaged to increase Denmark’s exports to
Turkey by 50% till 2016.
7.
Erdogan’s interview to Danish daily Politiken on the EU bid
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(20.03.13), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an exclusive
interview to the daily Politiken in a March 19, said joining the EU was “a
strategic goal because we believe that there will be new opportunities for both
sides with our membership to the EU. In this framework, we consider our
relations with the EU as a win-win situation and aim to develop this
relationship further”, when he was asked if European Union membership was still
a priority for Turkey.
“The fact that France has recently
lifted its block on Chapter 22 is a positive step. However, I should also say
that this is not sufficient; we expect the accession talks, stalled for the
last 2 years, to be revitalized and believe that complementary steps should be
taken in order to achieve progress towards our EU membership which shall be to
the benefit of both sides. If there is political will in the EU, then our
country is in a position to rapidly open chapters on economy, monetary policy,
education, culture and energy as well as all others for negotiation. In our
estimate, it is possible to technically open 10 chapters in 12 months and 15
chapters in 18 months,” Erdogan said.
8.
Ocalan calls for cease-fire, withdrawal of PKK from Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
21.03.13) reports that Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan
called on the armed PKK forces to cease fire and withdraw from Turkey in a
long-awaited historic announcement on Thursday, the Kurdish new year festival
of Nevruz.
“Our fight has been against all kinds of
pressure, violence and oppression... A door is now opening on a democratic
process after a period of armed struggle. Guns should fall silent and politics
should come to the foreground. The stage has been reached where our armed
forces should withdraw beyond the borders... It is not the end, it is the start
of a new era,” Ocalan said in a statement read by Kurdish politicians at Nevruz
celebrations attended by a quarter of a million people.
The PKK leader's announcement follows
months of talks with Turkish intelligence officers and Kurdish politicians on
the island prison in the Marmara Sea where he has been held since his capture
by Turkish Special Forces in Kenya in 1999.
Ocalan's statement is expected to cement
peace talks with Turkey that have been edging forward since October, possibly
commanding PKK members to withdraw to northern Iraq where most of its several
thousand PKK militants are based.
Such moves would lift a huge burden off
European Union candidate Turkey, which has been fighting the PKK since 1984 in
a war which has drained state coffers, stunted development of the mainly
Kurdish Southeast and scarred Ankara's human rights record.
A settlement would bolster the NATO
member's credibility as it seeks to grow its influence across the Middle East
and remove a stumbling block in its ailing EU accession process.
9.
Eroglu met with students from Bursa; statements on the Cyprus problem
According to Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes (21.03.13), the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has
met yesterday with students and teachers from a school in Bursa who are
currently visiting the occupation regime.
In statements during
the meeting, Eroglu alleged that the “TRNC” is a small Turkish state and said:
“Our ancestors came from Turkey and settled to these lands. We had established
a separate state by protecting until today both, our religion and our
Turkishness. Motherland Turkey has contributed a lot o the establishment of the
TRNC”.
Referring to the
Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Eroglu said that with the “operation”, as he called
the Turkish invasion, the “borders” of their “state” were designated. “There
are the Greek Cypriot people in the south and the Turkish Cypriot people in the
north and they live in two separate states; we are exerting efforts so that to
live in good neighbourhood terms”, Eroglu said.
As regards the Cyprus
negotiation talks, Eroglu stated that he cannot say that there were successful
until now. He however, went on and said that this is due to the “intransigent”
attitude of the Greek Cypriot side which is as he alleged the side which is not
willing the solution.
(...)
(AK)
10.
An oncology hospital will be built in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar
(21.03.13) reports that the so-called minister of health Dr Ertugrul Hasipoglu,
who is currently in Ankara, had a meeting with Turkey’s Minister of Health Dr
Mehmet Muezzinoglu and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister for Cyprus affairs Besir
Atalay.
Hasipoglu, in statements after the
meeting, said that they will take important steps in the coming months on the
field of health, adding that Turkey’s support is very important on health as in
every sector. He also said that working groups will be established from
Turkey’s Ministry of health and the so-called ministry of the breakaway regime
and they will work for a new protocol until May.
Hasipoglu said that on May 2013 they
plan to lay the foundations for the oncology hospital in the occupied area of
Cyprus, adding that Atalay and Muezzinoglu are also invited at the ceremony.
11.
An opinion poll shows DP candidate as the winner in the so-called
by-elections
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.03.13)
publishes in its front page an opinion poll conducted by Public Opinion
Research Consulting Centre (KADEM) on the coming “by-elections” at the
municipality of the occupied part of Lefkosia.
According to the paper, the opinion poll
was carried out with face-to-face interviews as well as with telephone’s
interviews using a sample group of 813 persons, who are living inside the
boundaries of the “municipality” of the occupied part of Lefkosia.
According to the results of the opinion
poll, the candidate of the Democracy Party (DP) Mustafa Arabacioglu will be the
winner from the first round of the “by-elections” on the 7th of
April with 30.9 %. Kadri Fellahoglu, candidate of the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP), will be second with 27.2%, Hasan Sertoglu – candidate of the National
Unity Party (UBP) – will be third with 18.8% and Dr Suphi Hudaoglu – candidate
of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) – forth with 16.5%. Murat Kanatli,
candidate of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), will take 3.06%, Zehra Cengiz,
candidate of the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP), 1.0% and an independent
candidate 2.0%.
The paper also reports that 16.9% of the
voters are undecided and 10.4% will not even vote.
According to the opinion poll, 52.1% of
the voters believe that the integrity of the candidate is very important.
12.
DHKP/C undertook responsibility for Ankara attacks
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (21.03.13)
with the above title reports, inter alia, the following:
“The Revolutionary People's Liberation
Party/Front (DHKP/C) on Wednesday claimed responsibility for two recent attacks
on the Ministry of Justice and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)
headquarters in Ankara.
…
The group said in a statement that its
‘fighters’ had attacked the Ministry of Justice, which is the symbol of
‘injustice’ in Ankara, and the AKP headquarters. The statement said the two
buildings were the most well-guarded buildings in Turkey and said that the
group had chosen after-work hours to minimize injury to ministry and AKP
headquarters staff. It also said that it had not aimed to injure the one person
who was hurt in the attack and even offered sympathy to him and his family.
The group's statement came as no
surprise, as it was already believed to be behind the attacks. Deputy Prime
Minister Bulent Arinc said early on Wednesday that evidence points to the
DHKP/C being behind the explosions, although there was no immediate claim of
responsibility.”
On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news
agency (20.03.13) reported that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on
the attacks to the headquarters of Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on
Wednesday during his visit to Denmark that Turkey will neither step back nor
delay the peace process.
13.
Kucuk in Istanbul
According to illegal Bayrak television
(20.03.13), so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk, accompanied by his wife
Gulin, is in Istanbul to attend the opening ceremony of the 36th
International Istanbul Jewellery, Watch and Equipment Fair.
During the visit, Kucuk will also meet
with representatives of various societies and institutions.
14.
The illegal AKU university to
establish a Research Centre in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the title: “Research Centre from
AKU”, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (21.03.13) reports that the “Mediterranean
Karpassia University” (AKU) has announced that it will establish in the
occupied area of a Cyprus Strategic and Economic Research Centre.
(AK)
15.
The 5th International F3J Model Aircraft Championship to take
place in the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes
(21.03.13) the occupation regimes’ air sport federation is organizing the 5th
International F3J Model Aircraft Championship.
According to a statement issued by the
federation, the championship will take place between March 23-24, at the
occupied Lefkoniko airport.
According to the federation, a total of
45 model aircraft pilots from several countries besides Turkey and the “TRNC”
are expected to participate. The countries are: “TRNC”, Turkey, the UK,
Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, Norway and Russia.
(AK)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
