TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 46/13 6/3/13
1. Turkish Energy Minister reiterated Turkey’s
allegations that oil exploration in the Republic of Cyprus Exclusive Economic
Zone can create tension in the area
2. TPAO's licenses for offshore oil exploration in
Mediterranean Sea have been extended for three years
3. Izcan: “Concrete steps is a condition for the
solution of the Cyprus problem”
4. Cerkez: “The time for a solution of the Cyprus
problem has come”
5. Turkish Cypriot academician assesses possible moves
by President Anastasiades
6. A 5-star hotel for health tourism will be built in
occupied Keryneia
7. Bagis: Chapter 22 expected to be opened in June
8. Imralı leak fuels political fight over press
freedom- Erdogan: Media freedom not limitless
9. Israeli envoy cancels event with Turkish Deputy PM
over the row on Zionism
10.
The illegal YDU hospital participates at the ITB Berlin fair
11. “KKTCELL wheelchair basketball team” due to
Germany
12. “Turkey’s shale gas reserves ‘enough for 40
years’”
13. Turkish Armed Forces personnel down by 33,000 over
last year
14. Koca Piri Reis exploration
vessel was modernized
1. Turkish Energy Minister
reiterated Turkey’s allegations that oil exploration in the Republic of Cyprus
Exclusive Economic Zone can create tension in the area
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.03.13) reports
that the Turkish Minister of Energy, Taner Yildiz alleged that making explorations
in areas that are open to discussion would create concerns not only with Turkey
but with other countries as well. He was referring to the oil exploration in
the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Yildiz made these statements commenting on energy
issues after the visit of the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to Turkey.
“We say there are two ways: You strengthen the legal
basis, you withdraw from disputed areas, or, if you find something there, this
should belong to the whole of Cyprus. This is only natural. The Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus said when we jointly started [explorations], that
whatever found would be shared based on reasonable shares. Why should energy
issues become the subject of tension when all of our relations with Greece are
going well?” he alleged.
When asked about the fact that the Republic of Cyprus
and international companies had gone ahead with exploration work in the eastern
Mediterranean despite warnings from Ankara, Yıldız said: “They are continuing
their work. There are some companies that took into consideration our warnings
and a small number of others who did not. They will make their choices and we
will make our choices. I believe it will be beneficial for all, for work to be
done through consensus”, he alleged.
When asked whether there was potential for the desired
consensus, Yıldız said, “We saw a little bit more optimistic statements on this
issue from the new leader of the Cypriot administration,” in reference to the
election of Nicos Anastasiades who was elected President of the Republic of
Cyprus.
Yildiz said that while economies are becoming global,
policies are becoming more national, and added that projects needed to be
politically feasible.
Energy issues will not become a subject of tension
between Turkey and Greece, Yıldız has said, adding that Ankara has told Athens
it has no current intention of conducting exploration in the countries’ shared
sea.
“There is no problem in energy issues,” he told the Hurriyet
Daily News despite a divergence of views on exploration rights in the eastern
Mediterranean that recently drove Greece to complain to the United Nations about
Turkey’s exploration efforts.
“We have the intention of using energy issues not as a
reason to create tension but as a reason for growth and opening. We will see
whether other countries will follow this principle,” Yıldız told the Daily News
when asked about the recent initiative of Greece, which said on Feb. 22 that it
had notified the U.N. of Turkey’s granting of exploration permits for areas “on
the Greek continental shelf.”
Greece’s move came just days ahead of Greek Prime
Minister Antonis Samaras’ visit to Turkey, which resulted in the signing of
nearly two dozen agreements on March 4.
“We can have
results only if we can decide together in these sorts of joint areas. The
countries need to meet at that politically feasible point,” said Yıldız.
“We never took a negative move. We always said we are
ready to take a positive step all the time,” he said.
When asked if there had been a positive development as
far as reaching a point of consensus on the issue of exploration in the eastern
Mediterranean, Yıldız said interested parties needed to take into account the
advantages provided by Turkey’s geography.
“These types of projects are not projects that you can
pursue stubbornly. These are not projects that you can say, let’s do it
whatever the cost, even if the price of gas reaches 500 dollars. I believe the
technical side of the project will bring politics to a certain level,” he said.
The relevant sides know that these projects are not
feasible without the participation of Cyprus, said Yıldız.
2. TPAO's licenses for
offshore oil exploration in Mediterranean Sea have been extended for three
years
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.03.13) reports that
Turkish Petroleum Corporation's (TPAO) licenses for offshore oil exploration in
the Mediterranean Sea, have been extended for three years.
TPAO had applied to the General Directorate of Petroleum
Affairs for the extension. According to the petroleum laws and regulations,
TPO/XVI/A licenses that TPAO has for Antalya Petroleum Region outside of
Turkish territorial waters in the Mediterranean Sea will be extended until
March 26, 2016.
TPAO's TPO/XVI/B license has also been extended until
April 29, 2016.
TPAO has also applied to General Directorate of
Petroleum Affairs to extend the licenses for 3 years for Diyarbakir Petroleum
Region and Marmara Petroleum Region with the license numbers being AR/TPO/3863
and AR/TPO/3859 respectively.
3. Izcan: “Concrete steps is a condition for the
solution of the Cyprus problem”
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (06.03.13) reports that the General Secretary of United
Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan, in a written statement, evaluated the talks on
the Cyprus problem during the meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras. Izcan said that it is not enough for both leaders
to say that they want solution to the Cyprus problem, but there is a need for
concrete steps.
Izcan
also said that it is obligation for both Turkish and Greek Prime Ministers to
take concrete steps aiming at the solution of the Cyprus problem, reminding
that Erdogan said: “We, as a guarantor country, are responsible for a solution.
Let’s bury Cyprus problem in history”.
Izcan
called out Erdogan the following: “Erdogan should take the concrete steps. In
order to fulfil the duty of being a guarantor power, he should as soon as
possible start to withdraw the troops within a timetable, stop the population
transfer, the systematic assimilation policies, the separatist policies and
contribute in a sincere way to an early solution.
Commenting
on the process of the Cyprus talks, Izcan said that the talks should be
launched as soon as possible. He added that it is a condition that the
negotiations are launched from the point that they have stopped and to show
respect to the topics upon which agreement have already been reached.
4. Cerkez: “The time for a solution of the Cyprus
problem has come”
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (06.03.13) reports that the Chairman of the Turkish
Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) Gunay Cerkez, addressing the 50th
general assembly of KTTO, said that if we look how the undersea bed of
hydrocarbon influences the politics, then it is the time to solve the Cyprus
problem.
Cerkez
also said that both their interests and the regional balance entails a solution
of this problem, adding that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce will
continue its intense activities to reach a just, permanent and viable solution of the Cyprus problem.
5. Turkish Cypriot academician
assesses possible moves by President Anastasiades
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (06.03.13)
reports that Murat Ozkaleli, Turkish Cypriot academician and specialist on
international relations, has shared his views with Haberdar on the issue of
possible moves that could be made by the newly elected President of the
Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades.
According to Ozkaleli, President Anastasiades might
make two important moves: the one is to appoint a negotiator who will be
carrying out the Cyprus talks in his place and the other might be to by-pass
the National Council.
Ozkaleli argued that President Anastasiades might make
some moves towards Turkey and try forcing ways of establishing relations with
Turkey by using new rhetoric and moves, contrary to what he described as
unsuccessful initiatives by former President Christofias, who had allegedly
tried to “take aim at Turkey by using the EU”.
According to Ozkaleli, contrary to what former
President Christofias had allegedly done, President Anastasiades might bring to
the negotiating table a package of proposals that cannot be rejected and try
forcing the process of joining NATO as a move against Turkey. He argued that
over NATO President Anastasiades will turn the National Guard into a
professional army, reduce the military expenses to the minimum level in order
to get rid of the existence of the Turkish occupation army and force the
Turkish side to reduce its military existence on the island.
(I/Ts.)
6. A 5-star hotel for health tourism will be built in
occupied Keryneia
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli (06.03.13), under the title “A huge investment in
Keryneia from Akpinar”, publishes an interview with the founding dean of
illegal Keryneia American University (GAU) Serhat Akpinar.
Akpinar
said that they will build a 5-star hotel in the occupied village Agios Georgios
in Keryneia, adding that this hotel will serve the health tourism. He explained
that this investment will be used both as a hotel and as a hospital. He also
said that they will construct a shopping mall too.
The
construction of this investment will start on June, 2013 and will be completed
within 2-3 years. Akpinar said that this hotel, which will be as a health
centre, will be focus more on children and elder people. It will include a policlinic,
as a rehabilitation centre, and wards for internal diseases as for ear, nose
and throat.
Akpinar
stressed that their aim is to have patients from all over the world.
7. Bagis: Chapter 22 expected
to be opened in June
Under the above title Ankara Anatolia news agency
(05.03.13) reports that Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis said that he is
hopeful about opening of chapter 22.
The draft of Chapter 22 on "Regional Policy and
Coordination of Structural Instruments" was sent unofficially to the
European Union Commission. "We are now waiting for the member countries to
evaluate it," said Bagis and added: "After we get the opinions of the
member countries, we will deliver the draft officially to the commission on
Friday and the procedure will take start."
Bagis made these statements while accepting the
courtesy visit of Ombudsman Mehmet Nihat Omeroglu and they talked about the new
Ombudsman's Office. Bagis expressed his pleasure with meeting the first Ombudsman
of Republic of Turkey.
The office is important for two reasons, said Bagis.
"The first reason is that we would not be a member of EU without
establishing this institution. The second one is that this office is a
follow-up to the system of 'bas kadilik' (chief public judge) in the Ottoman Empire."
Bagis added the new office is totally neutral and has
some rights guaranteed by law.
The office will begin receiving complaints from people
and other institutions about public administrations on March 29, 2013.
8. Imralı leak fuels political
fight over press freedom- Erdogan: Media freedom not limitless
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.03.13) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the principle of freedom of the press does not give media the right to “act against the national interest of a country”. He also said that “the last word” on the ongoing resolution process belongs to the government. He said that the government would in the end spell out that word on behalf of the nation.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.03.13) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the principle of freedom of the press does not give media the right to “act against the national interest of a country”. He also said that “the last word” on the ongoing resolution process belongs to the government. He said that the government would in the end spell out that word on behalf of the nation.
Over the last three decades, neither the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) nor the Nationalist Movement Party
(MHP), nor the media, has displayed a “national stance” on the issue of “terrorism”,
Erdogan said on March 5, addressing his party’s parliamentary group.
Erdogan was, referring to the publication of an
alleged transcript of a meeting between the leader of the outlawed Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) and deputies of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which
took place on Feb. 23. Erdogan accused
some parts of the media of providing “oxygen” to the terrorist organization,
while also reiterating that the CHP and the MHP were destructive to the
process.
The transcript was published by daily Milliyet on Feb.
28, prompting Erdogan to deliver a “heated speech” on March 2 in which he said:
“If this is the way you conduct your journalism, damn your journalism.”
Referring to criticism of his expressions, Erdogan said columnists could not
lecture him on the freedom of press.
“There cannot
be limitless freedom,” he said. “If the media is arbitrarily declaring an area
of freedom, and if it is so free that it can report by violating national
interests and exploiting freedom, then as a Prime Minister, ministers and
lawmakers - as people who assume responsibility – we are as free as them to
voice our feelings,” Erdogan said. He also added, however, that his government
was against “censorship.”
In addition, the paper also reports that main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kılıcdaroglu calls on media
to ‘resist against the government’s coup,’ as the PM slams press.
Main opposition leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu called on
scribes to resist the government’s “coup.”
Elsewhere, the Nationalist Movement Party declared Ocalan
and Erdogan to be “Siamese twins,” while the Peace and Democracy Party said it
was open to other parties aiding in the release of the PKK’s captives.
9. Israeli envoy cancels event
with Turkish Deputy PM over the row on Zionism
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.03.13) reports that
Israel’s ambassador to Germany has canceled his participation in a high-level
event that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc is scheduled to attend,
citing Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments on Zionism.
Israeli Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman was to take
part in the event, entitled “Muslims, Jews, Christians: Peace is possible!” at
a Berlin hotel, according to the Times of Israel website.
“Because of the importance of this event I expected
that the Turkish prime minister would retract his recent horrible statements
and lies about Zionism. But since that did not happen I am forced to cancel my
participation in the event. Erdogan’s statements contradict the purpose of
dialogue,” the statement said.
Last week, the Turkish Prime Minister likened Zionism
to crimes against humanity in a Vienna conference.
10. The illegal YDU hospital participates at the ITB
Berlin fair
Under
the title: “The YDU Hospital participates at the ITB Berlin”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (06.03.2013) reports that the Hospital of the illegal
“Near East University” (YDU), participates at the ITB Berlin fair (World’s
leading Travel Trade Show) in Germany.
The
occupation regime is represented at the fair by Ahmet Savasan, member of the
“administration board” of the illegal YDU Hospital and “general director” of
tourism affairs of the illegal university.
In
his statements about the fair, Ahmet Savasan said that they participate at the
fair with the aim for more health tourism from Europe, to come to the “TRNC”.
He further said that they will carry out contacts with several tourist
operators in order to explain to them as well as to the international platform
that “north Cyprus” except from its historic, cultural wealth, provides also
health and medical tourism opportunities and is considered as a safe tourist
destination.
According
to the paper, a total of 187 countries will participate to the fair, while 10644
visitors are expected to visit it.
(AK)
11. “KKTCELL wheelchair basketball team” due to
Germany
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (06.03.2013) reports in its sport pages, that the
wheelchair basketball team of “KKTCELL” (north Cyprus Turkcell), a mobile telephone
firm, will go today to Germany in order to participate to basketball matches,
which are organized by the European Wheelchair Basketball Federation, in the
framework of Euroleague.
The
occupation’s regime team will play with teams from Germany, the UK, France and
the Netherlands, between March 7-10.
The
occupation regime’s delegation includes 11 athletes, 3 coaches, members of the
“administration board” of the team and representatives of “KKTCELL”.
(AK)
12. “Turkey’s shale gas
reserves ‘enough for 40 years’”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.03.13) reports
that Turkey’s estimated shale gas reserve is 1.8 trillion cubic meters and
could satisfy 40 years of natural gas consumption with an annual production of
45 billion cubic meters, according to the Turkish Association of Petroleum
Geologists (TPJD).
“Turkey has considerable shale gas potential,
particularly in the regions of Thrace and the Southeast,” said TPJD President
İsmail Bahtiyar. Turkey’s natural gas consumption is around 45 billion cubic
meters a year, he said, noting that the estimated shale gas reserve, which is
1.8 billion cubic meters, would satisfy Turkey’s natural gas consumption for
the next four decades. “These figures are for only the Thrace and Southeast
Regions. We think there are also shale gas reserves in East Anatolia, Ankara,
the Toros Mountains [in the south] and the Black Sea region,” he said.
13. Turkish Armed Forces
personnel down by 33,000 over last year
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (06.03.13)
reports that the Turkish General Staff has announced statistics showing that
the number of personnel in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has dropped by 33,000
since last year.
Over the past several years, the TSK has been shaken
by several coup and espionage investigations that led to the imprisonment of
many active duty as well as retired military officers. Also included in the
numbers are officers who have retired or were expelled from the TSK by the
Supreme Military Board (YAS) on various grounds.
The total personnel number of the institution stands
at 678,617, according to statistics posted on the TSK's website on Tuesday.
The numbers reported 347 generals and admirals serving
in the TSK, of which 313 are assigned to the land, naval and air forces while
33 serve in the gendarmerie. One admiral has duties in the Coast Guard Command.
The information released by the TSK indicates there
are 33,167 officers and 72,061 noncommissioned officers serving in the land,
naval and air forces, 5,561 officers and 22,812 noncommissioned officers in the
gendarmerie and 575 officers and 1,320 noncommissioned officers in the Coast
Guard Command.
According to the same numbers, 24,380 specialized
sergeants serve in the gendarmerie and 36,496 in the land, naval and air
forces.
With regards to the civilian personnel at the TSK,
there are 48,077 civilian employees working for the land, naval and air forces
while 3,587 civilians work for the gendarmerie. In addition, 860 civilian
employees work for the Coast Guard Command.
In total the land, naval and air forces is made up of
481,603 civilian and non-civilian personnel, while the total number of
personnel at the Gendarmerie Command is 191,684. There are also 5,330 personnel
working at the Coast Guard Command.
14. Koca Piri Reis exploration vessel was modernized
Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberdar (06.03.13) reports that the 35-years old Turkish oil
exploration vessel, Koca Piri Reis has been sent to Turkey and being modernized
with an investment of 1.5 million lira.
In
statements to Ankara Anatolia on the issue, Prof. Dr. Erdeniz Ozel, Director of
the Institute of Marine Science of the 19th of July University, said
that the Koca Piri Reis vessel has been renewed at the shipyard of Tuzla.
In
statements on the issue, Dr. Cem Gunay, “coordinator of the technical services”
of the vessel, has said that in the framework of the modernization works on the
vessel, they renewed the energy system of the vessel.
Gunay
added that the modernization works which cost 1.5 million T.L, were undertaken
with the support of the Development Bank. Gunay went on and said that after the
modernization works at Piri Reis, the vessel will be able to be provide
services for the next 20 years.
(AK)
---------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
