3/3/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S


No. 41/15                                                                                                       03.03.15
1. Nami addresses a conference and continues his contacts in Qatar
2. Eroglu calls the Greek Cypriot side to cooperate for the implementation of 4G system
3. TDP’s delegation met with Sertoglu
4. Data on the trade within the framework of the Green Line Regulation
5. The breakaway regime is participating in an international tourism fair and in international firms’ competitions
6. Al Jazeera Turk Network published a supplement about Cyprus
7. The lost “Little Lion of Famagusta” was returned to its original place
8. Davutoglu: No compromise if PKK returns to arms
9. Erdogan’s food and drinks are analyzed before he consumes them in order not to be poisoned
10. A 13-year-old student has testified on suspicion that he “insulted” Erdogan on Facebook

1. Nami addresses a conference and continues his contacts in Qatar
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (03.03.15) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that the most effective way for overcoming what he called as “the Greek Cypriot side’s hard attitude” in the quest for a solution in Cyprus and securing a positive Greek Cypriot stance is the quick lift of the so-called isolations allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.

According to a statement issued by his “office”, within the framework of his visit to Qatar, Nami participated in a panel at Brookings Institute in Doha under the title “The Cyprus problem and the negotiations process”. In his address, Nami claimed that the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is “meaningless and unjust”. Noting that the solution of the Cyprus problem will contribute in the normalization and development of the relations among Turkey, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean countries and the European Union, Nami argued that the easiest problem to be solved in Eastern Mediterranean is the problem of Cyprus.

Claiming that in case the hydrocarbons issue was not well administered the situation in Cyprus could deteriorate, Nami argued that if the issue was well administered, it could positively contribute in the solution process. He reiterated the view that President Anastasiades should unconditionally return to the negotiating table and discuss the issue there.

Within the framework of his contacts, Nami met with the Dean of Georgetown University’s Doha Campus, Dr Gerd Nonneman and visited Qatar Foundation’s Katara Cultural Village, which organizes international cultural activities, upon invitation by the village’s general director, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Ali Sulaiti. Nami told Sulaiti that they want to cooperate with the cultural village. Sulaiti replied that they are open to cooperation and that they will be happy to cooperate. 
(I/Ts.)     

2. Eroglu calls the Greek Cypriot side to cooperate for the implementation of 4G system
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (03.03.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met yesterday with the so-called minister of transportation and communication Hasan Tacoy and the “head” of the “Broadcasting committee” and “Information technology and communication council” of the “ministry”, Kadri Buruncuk.
According to the paper, Tacoy and Buruncuk submitted to Eroglu a 4-year strategic plan regarding the fields of communication and technology.
Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu referred to the efforts exerted by the “broadcasting committee” for the implementation of the 4G system and said that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to cooperate with the Greek Cypriot side in the area of information technology and specifically for the implementation of the 4G system. “If the Greek Cypriot side is ready the next days, then all necessary steps will be taken for the re-launching of works by the committee”, Eroglu said.
Also speaking, so-called minister Tacoy said during the meeting that they have prepared a 4 year strategic plan on information technologies and noted that this could contribute to the “economy” of the “TRNC”.
Buruncuk referred to the matter of 4G and explained that during the implementation of the 4G system, it is possible that some problem might appear in the border areas due to the various frequencies. He, however, added, that these problems could be solved if the 4G system is implemented simultaneously by both sides in the island.
(AK)

3. TDP’s delegation met with Sertoglu
Under the title: “KOP is the way out”, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (03.03.15) reports that a delegation of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) headed by its chairman, Cemal Ozyigit visited yesterday the “Cyprus Turkish Football Association” (KTFF) and met with its chairman Hasan Sertoglu.
Speaking during the meeting, Ozyigit referred to the problems experienced at the Turkish Cypriot football for 40 years and said that the way out to their problems is their assimilation to CFA (KOP) in the framework of the FIFA regulations.
Also speaking, Sertoglu explained that they started this initiative both for the “youth” of their “country” and for “football”. He added that after having contacts with several experts and lawyers, they all agreed that the “KFFF” should become a member of FIFA and UEFA. “This is possible to happen by demanding our rights deriving from the past and there is no other way out to do this than KOP”, Sertoglu stated.
(AK)

4. Data on the trade within the framework of the Green Line Regulation
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (03.03.15) reports that a slight decrease was observed in the trade within the framework of the EU’s Green Line Regulation in 2014 in comparison to 2013. According to data given by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, the sales of products from the occupied to the government-controlled area of the island were 3.836.847 euro in 2013 and fell to 3.661.922 in 2014. Plastic (raw material), plastic products and scrap iron are on the top of the list of the sales to the government – controlled area of Cyprus.

According to the paper, the increase in the sales of fresh fish was remarkable in 2014, during which mulberry fig and ready mixed concrete was sold for the first time from the occupied to the government-controlled area of the island. 

The highest sales from the occupied to the government-controlled area of the island within the framework of this regulation were materialized in 2011 due to the purchase of electricity of 24.085.774 euro. The total sales then reached 29.402.577 euro.
(I/Ts.) 

5. The breakaway regime is participating in an international tourism fair and in international firms' competitions
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (03.03.15) reports that the breakaway regime will participate in the ITB Berlin which is one of the most important tourism fairs in the world. The paper writes that more than 10,000 participants from 190 countries will participate in the fair.

In addition, the paper writes that two Turkish Cypriot firms, “ Blue Fox Technology” and “My Unifood” will participate in two very important competitions in Dubai and Poland. They will participate in the “Step Conference” and “Pitch” competitions in Dubai and in “Wolves Summit” in Poland.

6. Al Jazeera Turk Network published a supplement about Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (03.03.15) reports that the Al Jazeera Turk Network (http://www.aljazeera.com.tr/)  which is part of Al Jazeera Network and is published in Turkish published a supplement about Cyprus.

The article was published in the Al Jazeera Turkish Magazine and covers eleven issues regarding the island. Among these issues are the missing persons of Cyprus, the forthcoming “presidential elections” in the breakaway regime and the economic and the political situation. In addition it examines the relations between the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey and also the illegal water transfer project and how can this affect the Cyprus negotiations.
(CS)

7. The lost “Little Lion of Famagusta” was returned to its original place
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (03.03.15) reports that the lion statue, known as “The Little Lion of Famagusta”, which was standing for years next to Famagusta’s Gate to the Sea from which people entered into the city through the walls, and it was thought lost, was returned to its original place yesterday. The statue was kept unexploited in the warehouse of the so-called antiquities and museums department for many years.   

Sifa Colakoglu, self-styled district officer of occupied Famagusta, said that he was very happy and enthusiastic because the “Little Lion” was returned to its original place and added that in case the Sea Gate’s restoration is completed in a time close to the restoration of the Castle of Othello, it will contribute to the “country’s” tourism.
(I/Ts.) 

8. Davutoglu: No compromise if PKK returns to arms
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (03.03.15) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated that the Turkish Government will not make any concessions if the use of arms is brought to the table by PKK. He also said that the implementation of theDomestic Security Reform Package will help the efforts to establish a balance between freedom and security of Turkish citizens and will help the Kurdish  peace process.

Davutoglu who was speaking at the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Parliamentary Group meeting on Monday stated: "The ultimate goal of the government is to create a sense of belonging and unity in all citizens," and added that the government is open to discussing all issues under the scope of a democratic framework. "Let no one put a barrier in front of the reconciliation process; let the culture of violence be eliminated," Davutoglu said. He also called on opposition leaders to take a firmer stance and embrace the reconciliation process rather than criticizing it just for the sake of creating opposition.

9. Erdogan food and drinks are analyzed before he consumes them in order not to be poisoned
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (03.03.15) reports that all the food and drinks consumed by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan both in Turkey and during the visits he pays abroad are analyzed before served to him.

According to statements by Erdogan’s Doctor Cevdet Erdol, who is also Deputy with the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan’s kitchen is under the strict control of his doctors, with a five-member emergency team permanently on call in the presidential palace.

“Everything the President eats, everything he drinks, is analyzed against radiation, chemical materials, heavy metals and bacteria,” Erdol said, adding that assassinations of prominent figures are not conducted using bullets anymore, but food is widely used for this purpose. Therefore, Erdogan’s food samples are being analyzed in laboratories in both Ankara and Istanbul.

10. A 13-year-old student has testified on suspicion that he “insulted” Erdogan on Facebook
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (03.03.15) reports that a 13-year-old student has testified on suspicion that he “insulted” Erdogan on Facebook and writes that a prosecutor in the Ayvalik district of the Balikesir province in Turkey summoned the 7th-grader, identified by the initials U.R.E., over a message he shared on the social network in May 2014.

Stating that the criminal complaint against his son was filed by the General Security Directorate of the southeastern province of Gaziantep, the boy’s father accused the authorities of harming the child’s psychology by taking him to the prosecutor’s office under police escort.

In addition, the paper also writes that a teenage schoolboy Mehmet Emin Altunses will go on trial on March 6 on charges of insulting the Turkish President in a speech in Konya. Four young persons were recently arrested on different charges of insulting the Turkish strongman during street protests this month.



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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS / AM)