9/1/14

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW





TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW


C O N T E N T S


No. 05/14                                                                                           09.01.14

1. European General Consultation Meeting to be held in the occupied area of Cyprus 
2. Ozgurgun: “The UN and Mr Downer are behaving as double faced; let him not come to the island again”   
3. Eroglu met with the Belgian Ambassador
4. Traces of the environmental disaster in the sea of occupied Gastria are still visible
5. FuatTurkozCiner will also be a candidate for the Democratic Party presidency
6. Turkey continues to control all sectors of life in the occupied area of Cyprus
7. Road between occupied Morfou and AyiosDhometios has been completed
8. Busy schedule for illegal Tymvou airport during New Year’s holidays
9. Ankara “adds” uranium clause in nuclear deal with Tokyo
10. Japanese company delivers new satellite to Turkey
11. Europe criticizes Turkish government’s efforts to curb Judge and Prosecutors power
12. Prosecutor Oz: I was threatened by Erdogan
13. Iraqi Kurdistan’s first oil exports via Turkey pipeline seen by end of January
14. Babacan: Halkbank to keep processing energy payments to Iran
15. Singapore and Turkey will launch free-trade talks

1. European General Consultation Meeting to be held in the occupied area of Cyprus 
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (09.01.14) reports that the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association of Turkey (MUSIAD) will organize its “European General Consultation Meeting” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus between 28 February and 1 March 2014. In statements made yesterday during a meeting with the “speaker” of the so-called assembly, SibelSiber, the chairman of MUSIAD in the occupied area of Cyprus and Okay Sadikoglu said that around one thousand businessmen are expected to participate in the meeting during which the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, will be promoted.

Sadikoglu noted that they support the “ethical trade” principle. He argued that the “TRNC” does not need the “gambling tourism” and added that the night clubs do not contribute to the “country”. He noted thatthe “TRNC” has a “bad image” because of the gambling and the night clubs and added that they are trying to abolish this image.

In her statements, Siber emphasized on the importance of the “moral values”, noting that trade which is carried out without being committed to these values causes harm to people and nature. She drew attention to the importance of the promotion for the “TRNC” and to the organization of the European General Consultation Meeting in the occupied area of Cyprus.

“We must work for these visits having the maximum contribution”, she argued alleging that “a small island is living under embargoes” and they should work to lift these “embargoes”.  
(I/Ts.)

2. Ozgurgun: “The UN and Mr Downer are behaving as double faced; let him not come to the island again”   
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (09.01.14) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), has alleged that the United Nations and the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser Alexander Downer behave “double-facedly” in the process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. In statements on a television program yesterday, Ozgurgun claimed: “Mr Downer completed his duty. Let him not come in vain to the island anymore, because he behaves double-facedly”.

Ozgurgun argued that after the “election” of DervisEroglu to the post of the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, the UN decided that he should continue the negotiations with former President Christofias from the point they had left by the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat. However, he alleged, the UN has not said to President Anastasiades that he should continue from the point former President Christofias had left the negotiations.

Ozgurgun argued that “some circles” in the occupied area of Cyprus “search for pretexts to inflict on” Eroglu the non-solution. He alleged: “What kind of understanding is this. Anastasiades will be the one rejecting and you will try to inflict non-solution on DervisEroglu. This mentality is wrong”.
Referring to the internal politics in the occupied area of Cyprus, Ozgurgun claimed that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) is trying to “govern” with “anger and hatred”, while the Democratic party (DP) is more “reasonable”. He argued that since the CTP-DP “coalition government” came to power crises are increasingly experienced in the occupied area of Cyprus due to the many problems.

Ozgurgun said that three different “scenarios” for forming a “government” had come out from the “ballot box” during the last “elections” and added that they could not hold other   elections now and therefore they should try all alternatives. He noted that the “most natural method” for solving the “governmental crisis” experienced now is the one “coalition partner” to discuss [cooperation] with the UBP. He said that such calls are being made by the members of the parties but they have not yet discussed the issue with the leadership.   
Turkish Cypriot Kibrsili newspaper (09.01.14) publishes Ozgurgun’s statements under the title “He winked at the DP”, noting that the members of their parties call on them to unite and establish a “government”.
(I/Ts.)

3. Eroglu met with the Belgian Ambassador
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.01.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu met with the Belgian Ambassador to Lefkosia,  AlphonseCreusen.

No statements were made after the meeting.

4. Traces of the environmental disaster in the sea of occupied Gastria are still visible
Under the title “The trace of the disaster remained”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (09.01.14) reports that the traces of the environmental disaster experienced last year in the sea of occupied Gastria village are still visible. The disaster had been caused as a result of a leak of around 100 tons of oil from a ship which was unloading its cargo at AKSA company’s electric power station in the area.

The paper writes that a research conducted in the area showed the influence of the fuel oil to the environment. The values of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), which reportedly pollute the structure of living organisms, were found to be higher than it should have been.

Experts said that the researcher showed that the traces of the disaster were not abolished. The amounts of heavy metals found in the tissues of fish in the area vary between <0 349="" all="" be="" cleansed="" completely="" could="" efforts="" evaluating="" fisheries="" from="" fuel="" havadis="" in="" kesbic="" kg.="" mechanic="" mg="" not="" of="" oil="" osman="" research="" results="" said="" sea.="" span="" spite="" that="" the="" to="">
(I/Ts.)

5. FuatTurkozCiner will also be a candidate for the Democratic Party presidency
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (09.01.14) reports that following Bengu Sonya, FuatTurkozCiner will also be a candidate for Democratic Party (DP) presidency. Current chairman SerdarDenktas will also be a candidate for the position.

Speaking on the reasons behind his decision, Ciner stated that DP went astray and added that if he is not elected as DP chairman he is not planning to leave the party. Sonya on the other hand said that he will leave DP if not elected. In addition, Ciner accused Denktas of not following the “election program” between DP and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and said that this is the main reason behind crisis experienced by the “government”.

The DP’s election congress will be held on February 2.

6. Turkey continues to control all sectors of life in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (09.01.14) reports that the first step for the co-operation between the occupied Lefkosia municipality and the Istanbul municipality was taken following a meeting held last month between “mayor” KadriFellahoglu and Istanbul mayor KadirTopbas. In this framework, a delegation consisting of specialists from Istanbul municipality is visiting the occupied part of Lefkosia to offer advice and assistance to various problems faced by the “municipality”.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (09.01.14) reports that a delegation of the Turkish Ministry of Health arrived yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus in order to help for the improvement and offer assistance in problems faced by the emergency units in the hospitals.


7. Road between occupied Morfou and AyiosDhometios has been completed
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.01.14) reports that the road between occupied Morfou and AyiosDhometios has been completed; adding that this development will ease the heavy traffic in occupied Lefkosia.

The road is expected to be given for use by the end of February 2014.

8. Busy schedule for illegal Tymvou airport during New Year’s holidays
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.01.14) reports onair traffic at illegal Tymvou airport during the New Year’s holidays.

According to the paper, 76 thousand persons used the illegal airport between 26.12.13- 05.01.14, for entering and departing from the breakaway regime.  In addition, the paper notes that 653 flights were conducted in eleven days during this period. 

9. Ankara “adds” uranium clause in nuclear deal with Tokyo
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.01.14) with the above title reported that Ankara demanded allowance for uranium enrichment and plutonium extraction in a nuclear export deal inked with Tokyo, a Japanese daily quoted a Japanese Foreign Ministry official as saying. A clause, which was added in the nuclear agreement signed by the two nations, upon Turkey’s demand prompted concerns over a possible proliferation of nuclear weapons.

A joint venture involving Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has won an order to construct Turkey’s second nuclear plant in the Black Sea province of Sinop.

Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan, who was in Japan since Jan. 5, and his Japanese counterpart, ShinzoAbe, had signed a $22 billion deal on the nuclear plant project.

Japanese experts and anti-nuclear opposition members voice their concerns over Japan’s first nuclear export after the Fukushima disaster, claiming that by allowing Turkey’s enrichment and extraction activities, would contradict Japan’s stance against nuclear weapons.

Moreover, Turkey’s earthquake-prone geographical position stirs safety debates in the country that became over-sensitive about the issue after experiencing the tsunami disaster in Japan of 2011 that killed around 20,000 people.

10. Japanese company delivers new satellite to Turkey
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.01.14), Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a delivery ceremony of the TURKSAT 4A satellite co-produced by Turkish and Japanese engineers in Tokyo.

The satellite will enable Turksat to offer telecommunication and TV broadcasting services throughout Turkey, as well as in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the company official said.

Erdogan confirmed that the satellite will be sent to a base in Kazakhstan and will be launched with a proton rocket on Feb. 15.

11. Europe criticizes Turkish government’s efforts to curb Judge and Prosecutors power
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 08.01.14) reported that the European Union and the Council of Europe have both criticized the Turkish government's increasingly draconian measures to cover up an ongoing corruption scandal. Both the EU and the Council made critical statements after the government announced that it has proposed an amendment to revamp the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), which was already revamped with a hotly contested referendum back in September of 2010. 

While the EU has warned the Turkish government not to undermine the judiciary, the Council of Europe issued a stern warning stating that the government proposal to amend the HSYK would be a “serious setback.”

The paper also reports that a statement by the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule's spokesperson, Peter Stano, underlined that any action which could undermine the effectiveness of investigations into the corruption allegations should be avoided.

Stano also reiterated the EU's concerns on the large number of police removals and dismissals in the wake of the corruption scandal.

12. Prosecutor Oz: I was threatened by Erdogan
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 09.01.14), a prosecutor who has supervised a recent corruption probe, claimed Jan. 8 thathe was “threatened” by two people sent by Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan to stop the investigation.

“Two people who were former members of the high judiciary were sent to me by Prime Minister Erdogan,” Zekeriya Oz, who was removed from his post as deputy Istanbul chief prosecutor following a graft investigation that included the sons of three former Cabinet members, told reporters.

Erdogan, who is currently on a visit to Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, denied the claims in a written statement as “slander”.

13. Iraqi Kurdistan’s first oil exports via Turkey pipeline seen by end of January
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 09.01.14), the first crude has started to flow through the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region's new pipeline across Turkey and the first independent exports are expected to begin at the end of this month, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said on Jan. 8.

Baghdad, which claims the sole authority to manage Iraqi oil, was infuriated after Arbil signed a package of contracts with Turkey for oil and gas exports as well as for the construction of new pipelines.

The Baghdad government says that Kurdish efforts towards oil independence could lead to the break-up of Iraq. Turkey’s courtship with the Iraqi Kurds has also raised concern in Washington.

14. Babacan: Halkbank to keep processing energy payments to Iran
 According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.01.14), Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan has said Turkish state-owned lender Halkbank, whose chief executive was arrested in connection with the graft investigation, is to continue mediating Turkey’s gas and oil payments to Iran.

“The state of Iran has accounts with Halkbank and we deposit the payments for oil and gas purchased into these accounts [...] Halkbank will continue to carry out this function,” Babacan said during an interview broadcast on Bloomberg HT Television.

15. Singapore and Turkey will launch free-trade talks
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 09.01.14) reported that Turkey and Singapore agreed to kick-off free trade agreement talks and raising flight frequency between the two countries during Turkish Prime Minister TayyipErdogan’s visit to the Sourteast Asian country.

Erdogan, on his first official visit to Singapore, said that there is potential for trade between the two countries to hit $3.0-5.0 billion annually, up from $1.2 billion in 2011.

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