TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 62/13 30/3-2/4/13
C
O N T E N T S
TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
1.
Davutoglu sent to Kerry the new proposal on Cyprus problem
2. Atun called on the Republic
of Cyprus to exit from Euro zone and enter to the Turkish lira zone
3.
Statements by Kucuk on the financial crisis in Cyprus
4.
Sber-owned Denizbank eyes cash from Cyprus
5.
Israeli companies build villas for foreigners in the occupied area of
Cyprus
6.
Turkish daily alleges that Greek Cypriots are abandoning their properties in
occupied Cyprus for money
7.
Economic crisis and decision for casino establishment affects the casinos of
the breakaway regime
8.
Natural gas from Israel’s Tamar field starts flowing
9.
Third oil pipeline in line between Turkey and Iraq
10.
Astrophysics and Space Science Research center to be established in the
breakaway regime with Kazakhstan’s aid
11.
The breakaway regime participated in a tourism fair in Ukraine
12.
Turkey’s dairy product exports to EU to restart
13.
Turkey’s GDP expanded at 2.2% in 2012
14.
The flag of the breakaway regime on the Pentadaxtylos mountain rage was
maintenance
1.
Davutoglu sent to Kerry the new proposal on Cyprus problem
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 01.04.13), under the title “US and Turkey discuss Iraq, Syria over the
weekend”, reports, inter alia, the following:
“The fragile situations in Iraq and
Syria were discussed on March 30 during a telephone call between U.S. Secretary
of State John Kerry and Ahmet Davutoglu, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, which
shares a border with two critical Middle East countries, diplomatic sources
told the Hurriyet Daily News.
On Syria, the discussion centred on the
measures to be taken regarding a warning by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
regarding the Syrian government’s use of Scud missiles against rebel forces in
populated areas and the possible use of chemical weapons in President Bashar
al-Assad’s arsenal. (…)
Kerry had voiced his reaction to the
weapons support the Syrian government gets from Iran and elsewhere via Iraq,
during his visit to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad on March
24. Al-Maliki, himself a Shiite, the official religion of Iran, does not hide
his support for al-Assad and was quoted as saying in return that he did not
have the sufficient means to control the planes and trucks carrying cargo to
Syria through Iraq.
But al-Maliki, who ironically has
political support from both the U.S. and Iran, has serious problems with his
country’s own Sunni population. His decision to delay local elections in the
Sunni-populated provinces of Anbar and Ninevah amid opposition criticism as to
its ‘unconstitutionality’ was another issue raised by Kerry during his Baghdad
visit. That issue was discussed between Kerry and Davutoglu, who expressed
Turkey’s concern regarding the future of Iraq.
There is a discrepancy between Turkey
and the U.S. over the licensing of energy sources in the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) by the Turkish border; Turkey has pointed to American
companies like Chevron and Exxon as examples for Turkish companies to follow,
even as Washington says improving Turkish-Kurdish relations further weaken
al-Maliki’s position.
The whole Syria-Iraq-Iran balance might
change as Turkey’s relations get back on track with Israel following the
latter’s U.S.-mediated, March 22 apology to Turkey over the nine Turks killed
by Israeli commandoes in 2010. That might get Russia involved in the area
again, as well as lead to lucrative energy projects between Turkey and Israel,
thereby perhaps affecting the Cyprus issue as well, given the new energy
sources discovered around the divided island and given the economic crisis
there.
Davutoglu also asked Kerry whether he
had received his letter dated March 26 proposing a ‘new state of affairs’
regarding Cyprus, with the involvement of Turkey, Greece and both communities
on the strategically important eastern Mediterranean island. Kerry said he
received the letter and would follow up on it, sources told HDN.”
2.
Atun called on the Republic of Cyprus to exit from Euro zone and enter to
the Turkish lira
zone
Under the front-page title: “Calling
from ‘minister’ Atun to the Greek Cypriots” Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan
(02.04.13) reports on statements by the so-called minister of economy Sunat
Atun who has called the Greek Cypriots to exit from the Euro zone and enter to
the zone of the Turkish lira, which is also used by “TRNC”.
According to a statement issued by the
so-called ministry of economy and energy, Atun made the above statement in a
program broadcast by Kibris TV, where he evaluated the latest economic
developments in the Republic of Cyprus.
Atun said in his statements that if
“south Cyprus”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus exit from the Euro zone and
enter to the zone of the Turkish lira, then, its economy will become more
competitive.
Describing how the Cyprus bank’s enter
to this position and how the economy of Cyprus has come to a position of
bankruptcy, Atun recalled the bank crisis in the occupied area of Cyprus during
2000, and said that due to the necessary measures taken by the “country”, they
achieved to become stronger and over pass the crisis.
Atun said further that the only remedy
for the Greek Cypriots to have a competitive and a sustainable economy is to
enter to the Turkish lira. He pointed out that the Greek Cypriots have the advantage
to circulate the Turkish lira in their market in the name of rescuing their
future, as he said.
(AK)
3.
Statements by Kucuk on the financial crisis in Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak television
(01.04.13), so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk, evaluating the economic
crisis in South Cyprus [Trans. Note: government controlled area of the Republic
of Cyprus] has stressed that Greek Cypriots should improve their relations with
the breakaway regime and motherland Turkey in order to be able to overcome
their economic deadlock.
Kucuk claimed that the “TRNC” economy
definitely won’t see huge reflections of the economic crisis in the south,
since the “TRNC” has a strong banking structure and economy.
Kucuk underlined the fact that “the
Greek Cypriot side should withdraw from its old stance regarding relations with
the TRNC, as this would help south Cyprus overcome its economic crisis”.
Also reacting against the “burning of
the Turkish flag in south Cyprus last week”, Kucuk said that the incident is a
sign of how far the Greek Cypriots are away from reaching an agreement with the
Turkish Cypriots.
Reacting also to the incident, so-called
finance minister Ersin Tatar said that such acts will never serve peace in
Cyprus, adding: “Motherland Turkey is a strong country and the perpetuation of
the TRNC state lies in Turkey’s further development”.
Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency
(01.04.13) reports that so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk, speaking to press
members on Sunday, said “there might be a slight impact but they did not expect
the crisis would affect TRNC”, adding that “there was a strong banking system
and sound economy in TRNC”.
Kucuk said hydrocarbon reserves off
Cyprus and the “Turkish Cyprus water supply project” were important economic
developments and in order to benefit from those projects mutually, there should
be first peace and agreement.
4.
Sber-owned Denizbank eyes cash from Cyprus
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 30.03.13), under the above title, reports that after tax imposition on
deposits in Greek Cypriot banks, Russian oligarchs may deposit their money in
Turkey’s Denizbank, which was acquired by Russian Sberbank last year, the head
of Denizbank has said.
“Russian oligarchs’ money will target
Turkey thanks to Sberbank’s acquisition. When their money enters the Turkish
banking sector, we hope that it also reaches Denizbank,” said General Manager
Hakan Ates, in an interview with Reuters on March 28. He noted that they had
not received any definite indication of this. Sberbank acquired its 99.85 %
stake in Denizbank for $3.5 billion last year.
The 10 billion-euro EU-IMF deal will see
Russians, who have an estimated total of $31 billion deposited in Greek Cypriot
corporate and private accounts, lose cash from a so-called “haircut” placed on
deposits of more than 100,000 euros in Greek Cypriot banks. Also, several
capital controls have been imposed on transactions, including payments and
money transfers, in order to prevent capital flight from Cyprus, which reopened
its banks on March 28.
The state-controlled bank, which
controls a third of overall lending in Russia, made a net profit of $11.2
billion in 2012, as its retail loans had grown by 57.1%, leading to a 32% rise
in its gross loan portfolio. The rise in loans was helped by Sberbank’s
acquisition of Denizbank in Turkey, and Austria’s VBI, which has operations
across Eastern Europe. Without these deals, corporate and retail loans were
still up 16.1% and 43.2% respectively.
5. Israeli companies build villas for foreigners in
the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (02.04.13) reports that two Israeli firms have
constructed 1500 villas in the occupied area of Cyprus in villages which are by
the sea, but it is forbidden for Turks to buy these villas. Citing information
published by journalist Cagdas Ulus in Vatan newspaper, Afrika writes that
Israelis and Britons have established 443 “bubble companies” through Turkish
lawyers and purchased land in occupied Keryneia, Famagusta, Morfou, Karpassia,
Akanthou, Rizokarpasso, Komi Kepir, Kalogrea, Gialousa and Livera areas.
Afterwards they have reportedly started building luxury construction sites in
these areas.
Two Israeli
companies named David Lewis and Koll Mann, notes the paper, purchased 30 donums
[Translator’s note: a land measure of around 1000 square meters] of land in
occupied Trikomo area and started building villas in areas by the sea such as
occupied Agios Andronikos, Gialousa and Pervolia. The villas were put up for
sale for 240 thousand sterling pounds, but the companies announced that they
would not sell to Turks.
According to the
paper, Turkish Cypriots and Turks from Turkey were surprised when they were
told that they could not buy villas and argued that foreigners purchase land in
the occupied area of Cyprus in order for acquiring rights in the international
waters. “During the past few years, the sales of property to foreigners
increased in the TRNC. The politicians turn a blind eye to this in order for
money to come”, they said adding that only Israelis and Britons could buy
villas sold for 240 sterling pounds in the most beautiful and virgin areas of
occupied Cyprus.
Moreover, the
paper publishes statements made by the self-styled minister of finance, Ersin
Tatar, who said that ten thousand British citizens and three thousand Russians
live in the occupied area of Cyprus, and added: “Britons and Russians who live
in south Cyprus [Translator’s note: as he described the government-controlled
area of the island] could come and settle in the north. They could carry their
pensions here. They could bring benefit to our economy. There is absolutely no
problem for British and Russian citizens, who live in the south Cyprus, to
settle in the TRNC and acquire property here”.
(I/Ts.)
6. Turkish daily alleges that Greek Cypriots are
abandoning their properties in occupied Cyprus for money
Under the title
“Greek Cypriots are abandoning their properties in the TRNC for money””,
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (02.04.13) reports that due to the economic
crisis in the government-controlled area of the island, Greek Cypriots are
abandoning their property rights in the occupied area of Cyprus, applying for
compensations from the so-called Property Compensation Commission.
Citing
“officials”, the paper writes that during the past few days too many
applications are filed at the so-called Property Compensation Commission
established by Turkey in 2006 with the aim of allegedly solving the problems as
regards the Greek Cypriot properties, which are occupied since the 1974 Turkish
invasion and occupation of Cyprus.
The paper writes
that the number of the Greek Cypriot applications was 1926 in 2011, 1601 in
2012 and around 1000 in the last six months.
In statements to
Spanish ABC newspaper, Gungor Gunkan, chairman of the so-called commission,
said that 15-30 persons were visiting the commission every day and that they
did not know how they could manage to deal with so many applications because
they are a “very small office”. The paper writes that some Greek Cypriots argue
that the compensations given are the one tenth of the real value of the
properties and this is why they keep away from this method. The paper publishes
also statements by Greek Cypriot lawyer Achilleas Demetriades, who said that
the regime is aware of the crisis in the government-controlled area of the
island and that the “commission” is making use of this crisis.
(I/Ts.)
7. Economic crisis and decision for casino
establishment affects the casinos of the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot
daily Halkin Sesi (01.04.013) reports that the economic crisis in the Republic
of Cyprus affected the casinos in the breakaway regime.
Speaking to the
paper, the Coordinator of the Casino Enterprises Union Ayhan Saricicek, stated
that during last years the number of the Greek Cypriots who visit casinos have
been decreased and added that the recent economic crisis have brought the visits
to a stopping point.
In addition,
Turkish daily Milliyet (02.04.13) reports that the recent decision taken by the
Republic of Cyprus for the establishment of a casino created worries between
the casino owners of the breakaway regime. The paper publishes statements by
the chairman of the Casino Union Unsal Ecesoy, who said that around 200
thousand Greek Cypriots visit casinos in occupied Cyprus every year but this
number will be decreased if a casino is established in the free areas. He also
stated that the Greek Cypriots spend five million Turkish lira only by using
credit cards at the casinos every year.
8.
Natural gas from Israel’s Tamar field starts flowing
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 01.04.13), under the above title, reports that natural gas from the
Tamar field off Israel’s Mediterranean shores began flowing on March 30, the
head of a partner in the field said in a statement.
Israel, once energy poor, is expected to
become a gas exporter by the end of the decade, with the Tamar field holding
enough reserves to meet the country’s gas needs for decades.
The gas discovery in 2009 led to an
exploration frenzy in the Levant Basin - shared between Israel, Cyprus and
Lebanon - and the uncovering of a second bigger find, Leviathan, which prompted
Israel to set up a natural gas wealth fund.
“Today (we begin) independence in
Israeli natural gas. It is an enormous achievement for the Israeli economy and
the start of a new era,” said Israeli billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva, the
controlling shareholder in Delek Group, one of the partners in Tamar.
Tamar has already signed a number of
large deals, including one to supply as much as $23 billion of natural gas to
Israel Electric Corp and $4 billion worth to units of conglomerate Israel Corp.
Texas-based Noble Energy holds 36% of
Tamar. Isramco Negev owns 28.75% and Delek Group subsidiaries Avner Oil
Exploration and Delek Drilling hold 15.625% each. Dor Gas Exploration has a 4%
stake.
9.
Third oil pipeline in line between Turkey and Iraq
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 02.04.13) with the above title reports that Turkey is keen on keeping
its energy ties with Baghdad strong despite recently warming up with the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Energy Minister has said, noting that
Ankara would be willing to build third pipeline from southern Iraq to Turkey
with a previous proposal by the Iraqi government.
“In a previous meeting, Iraqi Oil
Minister [Abdul Karim] Luaibi indicated that they wanted to develop a ‘joint’
project with Turkey. We expressed our readiness for a pipeline that would
extend from Basra to the north and Ceyhan. We will begin the project when our
Iraqi brethren are ready,” Turkish Economy Minister Taner Yildiz said in a
written statement released March 31.
The pipeline between southern Iraqi
province of Basra and Turkish province Ceyhan, would be third after already
operating two Kirkuk–Ceyhan oil pipelines.
Composed of two different routes 970 km
long pipeline that carries crude oil from Kirkuk to southern Turkish province
Yumurtallik, is also Iraq’s largest crude oil export line.
“Turkey’s projects have continued in all
corners of Iraq,” Yildiz said.
“We have spent $600 million with our
partners in the natural gas and oil fields in the south [of Iraq]. Our projects
in these regions are continuing,” Yildiz said.
Yildiz had already said last June, that
both parties agreed in principle for a 1,200 km Basra-Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline
and he believes realizing joint interests, would leave ongoing problems of two
countries behind.
Relations between Turkey and the central
Iraqi government have plummeted due to the former’s energy ties with the KRG,
as well as due to plans to build an oil export pipeline between northern Iraq
and Turkey despite Baghdad and the United States’ objections.
Baghdad says it alone has the authority
to conduct exports and sign contracts, while the KRG say its right to do so is
enshrined in Iraq’s federal Constitution.
Turkey and KRG has initiated the process
on an energy deal including building a pipeline, as the KRG Prime Minister
Necirvan Barzani said last week during his visit to Turkey.
10. Astrophysics and Space Science Research center
to be established in the breakaway regime with Kazakhstan’s aid
Turkish Cypriot
daily Vatan newspaper (02.04.13) reports that illegal Keryneia American
University (GAU) will sign a protocol with Kazakhstan Astrophysics Institute
for the establishment of Astrophysics and Space Science Research center in the
breakaway regime.
According to the
paper, a GAU delegation will visit Kazakhstan between 8-11 of April upon an
“official invitation”, to sign the protocol.
11. The breakaway regime participated in a tourism
fair in Ukraine
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (30.03.13) reports that the occupied regime
participated in the 19th “UITT Kiev Tourism Fair”, which was
organized between 30-31 of March 2013 in Ukraine.
Tourist
agencies, airlines, hotels and various tourism organizations participated in
the fair. The breakaway regime distributed brochures in Russian and English.
12.
Turkey’s dairy product exports to EU to restart
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 02.04.13), under the above title, reports that Turkey has gained the
right to export dairy products to the European Union once again after a period
of 13 years, Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker announced yesterday.
“The EU’s Directorate General for Health
and Consumers has confirmed that Turkish firms comply with EU standards for
selling dairy products to the EU members. The legislation about the issue will
enter into force on April 3,” Eker said at the introduction meeting of the
dairy exports project, which is being carried out by the Ministry and the
Packaged Milk and Milk Products Industrialists Association (ASUD).
