5/11/13



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S


No. 209/13                                                                                        05.11.13
1. Eroglu describes as unacceptable the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a federation
2. Taurus military exercise was called off
3. Talat: it will be difficult to solve the issue of occupied closed city of Varosha if the status quo continues 
4. Eroglu says students in their illegal universities exceed 60 thousands
5. Caglar and Ertugruloglu will attend PACE meetings
6. Turkey exports to the breakaway regime total 817,011,000 dollars
7. Increase in the hotels capacity for October in occupied Cyprus
8. Turkish Tourism minister visited the pavilion of the breakaway regime in the World Travel Market tourism Fair in London
9. President Gul signals candidacy for Turkish presidency
10. Main opposition CHP deputy chairman set to visit US
11. Erdogan: Female, male students living together is against our character
12. Facebook lifts ban on BDP's page

1. Eroglu describes as unacceptable the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a federation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.11.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has alleged that a solution which provides for the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a federation is unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot “people”. Addressing an “Academic Youth Forum” organized by the so-called association of friendship between Azerbaijan and Cyprus, Eroglu claimed that the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into federation is “contrary to the experiences and the existing realities on the island”. He argued that something like this is unacceptable because it could allegedly cause the victimization of the Turkish Cypriots once more.

Eroglu said that the time for an agreement in Cyprus has come and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for “a new partnership”, which will have a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal structure based on political equality. Eroglu said that the “partnership state” which will be established, will be formed by two “founding states” of equal status and will have one seat at the United Nations, one identity in the international arenaand a single citizenship. At the same time, he argued, the founding states will be able to “act sovereignly” and will have the right of granting “internal citizenship”.  
“We say ‘yes, let us reach an agreement, it is enough, let us turn Cyprus into an island of tranquility and peace’, but we cannot act carelessly and endanger the future of our people”, he claimed alleging that Turkey’s “active and effective guarantees” are an indispensable condition for the Turkish Cypriots.
“The agreement to be reached will become primary law of the European Union so that tomorrow no problem is experienced on issues such as bi-zonality, political equality, economic sustainability, territory and property”, he alleged.
(I/Ts.)   

2. Taurus military exercise was called off
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen(05.11.13), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu’s special representative Osman Ertug announced that the annual military exercise Taurus, which was carried out jointly between the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus and the so-called securities forces of the breakaway regime, has been cancelled.

In a statement, Ertug said that they made the necessary contacts and consultations with the authorities of the motherland and guarantor Turkey on the issue. He added that this decision was deemed that it will aid the efforts for the resumption of the negotiations from the point which were left off for a comprehensive solution with the meeting of the leaders, which is expected to be held in a short time. 

3. Talat: it will be difficult to solve the issue of occupied closed city of Varosha if the status quo continues 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.11.13) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has said that it will be very difficult to solve the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha, if the existing status quo continues. In statements yesterday, Talat noted that in case of non-solution, it will be necessary to address issues such as the administration, the security and the economic course of Varosha. He said that under these circumstances, it seems very difficult and impossible for Varosha to secure benefits in case of non-solution. In spite of this, he added, even a little economic benefit could be secured in case of a possible arrangement on Varosha. He argued that discussing Varosha under conditions of non-solution is more difficult than looking for a solution.

Responding to a question on the project of bringing water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Talat said that the reserves in the dams in the government-controlled area of Cyprus are 325 million cubic meters and are much more than the 75 million cubic meters that will come from Turkey. In spite of this, he claimed, the water from Turkey will be of better quality and this water could be used as drinking water.
Talat argued that during his so-called presidency the Greek Cypriots had a positive approach to the water project and added that the powers regarding the water distribution are included within the authorities of the federal government in a possible solution of the Cyprus problem.
Referring to Turkey’s policy on Cyprus, Talat argued that the Turkish policy after 2002 is different than the policy before 2002. He expressed the view that because of her old policy on Cyprus, Turkey has been forced to wait at the doorstep of the European Union.
Meanwhile, responding to questions of Kibris TV, Talat said that he supports the Cyprus policy of the AK Party government and recalled that the AKP supported a solution in Cyprus based on federation and the Annan Plan. “If supporting the policy of this party which coincides with our policy makes me representative of the AKP in Cyprus, this does not sadden me”, he noted commenting on press reports which described him as “agent of the AKP in Cyprus”.
(I/Ts.)

4. Eroglu says students in their illegal universities exceed 60 thousands
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.11.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that the number of students in the illegal universities in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus exceeds 60 thousand and added that within a certain period of time this number will reach 100 thousand.
Addressing an “Academic Youth Forum” organized by the so-called association of friendship between Azerbaijan and Cyprus, Eroglu noted that 32 thousand students from Turkey and 11 thousand students from third countries study in the illegal universities and alleged: “This fact ensures a serious contribution for us making our existence felt in the international field and de facto imposing the fact that a state exists here”.
Eroglu alleged that the “universities” are the most evident proof of the “very useful services offered by the state of the TRNC as a sovereign entity” to “all the nations and peoples regardless of language, religion and race”.
“We attach great importance to the opening of our universities to the world together with our students”, he said.
(I/Ts.)

5. Caglar and Ertugruloglu will attend PACE meetings
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (05.11.13), the so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) Mehmet Caglar and the so-called deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) Tahsin Ertugruloglu will participate tomorrow in meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Prague and Lisbon.

Caglar will take part in the meeting the Committee on Media and Information Society that will be held between 5-8 November, 2013, in Belgrade (Serbia). Ertugruloglu will also take part in the meeting of the Committee Political Affairs and Democracy, which will be held in Lisbon, between 5-9 November.

6. Turkey exports to the breakaway regime total 817,011,000 dollars
Under the title “Turkey gives one and takes two”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (05.11.13) reports that Turkey, which contributes yearly 1 billion TL to the budget of the breakaway regime, takes back double this grant through its exports to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to the paper, Turkey got 817 million 11 thousand dollars from its exports to the breakaway regime during the period January-October 2013. The exports increased by 2.7% compared to the same period last year.

7. Increase in the hotels capacity for October in occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.11.13) reports that there was increase in the hotel capacity in the breakaway regime for October. As  the paper notes the celebration of the  Feast of Sacrifice in October was a factor for this development.

According to data given by the Turkish Cypriot Hotel Union (KITOB) five stars hotels capacity was 78%, increased by 2.6% compared to the same period last year. In addition small hotels capacity was increased as well and was 62%, increased by 10% compared to last year.

8. Turkish Tourism minister visited the pavilion of the breakaway regime in the World Travel Market tourism Fair in London
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.11.13) reports that the breakaway regime is participating in the World Travel Market tourism Fair which is taking place in London under the name “North Cyprus”. The market is the second biggest tourism fair in the world.

The 162-square- meter pavilion of the breakaway regime is placed next to the Turkish pavilion, writes the paper. It also reports that yesterday the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik visited the pavilion of the breakaway regime.

Kibris also writes that the advertisement campaign started last year in black taxis and buses for promoting tourism, will continue this year as well.

9. President Gul signals candidacy for Turkish presidency
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.13)  reports that TurkishPresident Abdullah Gul has hinted he is prepared to challenge Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in presidential elections next summer, according to the Guardian.

Asked during an exclusive weekend interview with the Guardian whether he would seek a second term, Gul said it was too early to make a decision. When pressed, he declined to rule out his candidacy, saying he was keeping "all options open".

After the article was published, Presidency Press Consultant Ahmet Sever said Gul had said nothing different from his previous statements about his candidacy for the 2014 presidency elections. Sever said the article's headline hinting at a battle for presidency between Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the writer's own observation.

Gul insisted Erdogan was a friend, not a rival, and dismissed talk of policy rifts over his more inclusive stance on issues such as alcohol use and when Muslim women may wear the headscarf.



"Erdogan is a friend and we have worked shoulder to shoulder with him in the course of all these years," Gul said.
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Syria could become a "Mediterranean Afghanistan" if the international community does not act to end its civil war, Gul warned. Gul, who was speaking to the British newspaper during a visit to the Scottish capital Edinburgh, called the world's response "very disappointing" and said the UN Security Council's reaction had been a "disgrace".

He argued that many of the war's casualties could have been avoided if the outside world had reacted strongly to President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown against rebel forces, which he warned were now in danger of becoming radicalized.

10. Main opposition CHP deputy chairman set to visit US
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.13)  reports thatRepublican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Erdogan Toprak will pay a visit to the U.S. from Nov. 6 to 8, ahead of a visit by the party's leader.

Toprak will meet with Chairman of the American-Turkish Council James Holmes, Director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Soner Cagaptay, Director of Research and Information at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Rafi Danziger, Steven A. Cook from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Alan Makovsky from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Kemal Kirisci from the Brookings Institute.

Toprak will participate in the preparations for the establishment of the U.S. bureau of the CHP and have talks ahead of the upcoming visit of CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu to Washington, a written statement from the party said yesterday.

"CHP considers relations with the U.S. within a historical framework and importance, not tactically or strategically," Toprak said in the statement.

11. Erdogan: Female, male students living together is against our character
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.13)  reports thatTurkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned female and male students' living under one roof, vowing to take measures against such instances.

"This is against our conservative, democratic character," Erdogan said during a closed-door meeting Nov. 3 with his Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies at a key party meeting in Ankara's Kizilcahamam district.

"We witnessed this in the province of Denizli. The insufficiency of dormitories causes problems. Male and female university students are living in the same accommodation. This is not being checked," he said.The Turkish Prime Minister added that his government had instructed the Denizli governor to "investigate" the matter, but did not clarify whether he meant to inspect private houses or collective student dormitories.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc has said the government does not have any plans in place for students currently sharing mixed houses.

"The Credit and Dormitories Institution has built perfect dormitories throughout our government's 10 years in power. But the number of dormitories is not sufficient. The Prime Minister has instructed [the institution] to increase the number of these dormitories. He said it would disturb the students if the protests in the streets entered the dormitories. We have not had any conversations about raiding private houses where students are residing. Private houses are not the area of our interest," Arinc told reporters, according to daily Hurriyet.

Last August, a provincial education director in Trabzon had caused public outrage after lamenting that female and male students were using the same sets of stairs on the way to their rooms.


12. Facebook lifts ban on BDP's page
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.13)  reports thatFacebook has reopened the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) headquarters page less than a week after closing it down due to the use of the word "Kurdistan."

"As a result of the meetings we conducted, the ban has been lifted. Thus, it has been accepted the ban was wrong," BDP headquarters announced yesterday, without elaborating about the content of their meetings with the Facebook company.

"Nonetheless, opening our page has not removed the need to adopt Facebook rules to both universal media norms and Turkey's geography and realities. Solely reopening our page is not sufficient," BDP said.

In a statement announcing the closure Oct. 29, the party accused Facebook of increasing censorship, which it said is a result of the company's constant cooperation with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

As of Oct. 24, Facebook closed down the BDP's provincial Istanbul branch's page. The statement yesterday did not contain information regarding the provincial branch's page.






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