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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-12-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 233/10 07.12.10 C O N T E N T S

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

  • [01] Negotiations on the Cyprus problem resumed
  • [02] Rauf Denktas says the single sovereignty and single state "concession" does not bind Eroglu
  • [03] CTP-BG participated in PES council meeting
  • [04] BKP acquires observer status in the European Left Party
  • [05] A survey on relations between Turkey and "TRNC"
  • [06] Azizoglu: Target to raise the number of students to 100.000
  • [07] Panel discussion by the group "Varosha initiative"
  • [B] TURKISH PRESS

  • [08] "Turkey-Cyprus dialogue" meeting in Istanbul
  • [09] Palestinian leader Abbas pays official visit to Turkey
  • [10] A newly drafted bill to amend Law on Political Parties
  • [11] Highlights

  • [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

    The meeting held yesterday between the Turkish Cypriot leader and President Christofias within the framework of the Cyprus talks, statements by Eroglu after the meeting, a written statement by former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas on the issue of single sovereignty and single state in Cyprus, the activities of CTP and BKP in Europe, efforts to increase the number of students in the illegal universities to 100,000, the developments in the UBP and the "government" after the party's recent congress, and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today.

    [01] Negotiations on the Cyprus problem resumed

    According to Illegal Bayrak television (BRT ? online, 06.12.10) in statements on his return to his office after the meeting with President Demetris Christofias in the framework of the direct talks, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said the content and procedure of negotiations were taken up during the meeting, in line with the work carried out by their special representatives. Eroglu recalled that Kudret Ozersay and George Iacovou will be meeting twice a week to discuss the issues on which there is no convergence, as well as the sine qua non of the two sides on the core issues of the six chapters of the talks.

    Eroglu said that the timetable of December talks were also determined during meeting. The two leaders will meet on 13, 21 and 28 December.

    Eroglu explained that, in the new procedure of the talks, following the tripartite Cyprus summit in New York, they will take up the work of their special representatives on possible convergences, and will work to conclude it if possible. Noting that Ozersay and Iacovou discussed the main points of disagreement on the economy chapter during their meetings last week, Eroglu said that the territory issue might come on the agenda at the next meeting of the special aides. He also reiterated his determination to continue the resumed talks with the Greek Cypriot side with the aim of reaching a political agreement on the basis of the United Nations parameters.

    [02] Rauf Denktas says the single sovereignty and single state "concession" does not bind Eroglu

    Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.12.10) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas said that the single sovereignty and single state "concession" does not bind the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

    In a written statement to illegal TAK news agency, Denktas noted that President Christofias and the UN Secretary-General "are of the opinion" that agreement has been reached in Cyprus on the issue of single people and single sovereignty. However, he added, Mehmet Ali Talat argues that he never talked about one people.

    Denktas noted that Eroglu is obliged to state to the UN Secretary-General and President Christofias that "the Turkish Cypriot people is one of the two equal sovereign peoples who do not accept their right of determining their own future to be debated and have no intention of making concessions on this".

    "Eroglu has been elected by giving this promise to the people and Talat lost because concessions were made on the issue of single sovereignty and single state", said Denktas.

    (I/Ts.)

    [03] CTP-BG participated in PES council meeting

    According to the Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (07.12.10), a written statement by the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) said the party's general secretary, Kutlay Erk and secretary for foreign affairs, Erkut Sahali, attended European Socialist Party's (PES) Council meeting which took place in Warsaw.

    In the framework of the meeting, the CTP-BG delegation met with the PES chairman Paul Nyrup Rasmussen, the general secretary Phillip Cordery, the Vice-President of the European Parliament and Coordinator of the High Level Contact Group for relations with the Turkish Cypriot community, Libor Roucek, and the chairman of the EP Socialist group, Martin Schultz. The delegation also met with representatives of the German Social Democrat Party, the French Socialist Party, the Greek Socialist Party (PASOK), and with Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) from Turkey.

    This is the first time CTP-BG attends a PES council in the capacity of member.

    [04] BKP acquires observer status in the European Left Party

    Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (07.12.10) reports that the United Cyprus Party (BKP) participated in the 3rd Congress of the European Left Party (ELP), which took place in Paris on December 2-5. The party was represented by its chairman Izzet Izcan. Izcan held contacts with leaders of several member parties of ELP with whom he exchanged views on the Cyprus problem and economic issues. As the paper writes, BKP has acquired observer status in the European Left Party.

    [05] A survey on relations between Turkey and "TRNC"

    Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (07.12.10) publishes a public opinion poll conducted by Cyprus Social Research and Educational Counselling Centre (KADEM), which took place from November 25 to December 1.

    Responding to the question "how relations between Turkey and 'TRNC' should be", 34% answered that the existing relations should continue, 33% answered that the influence of Turkish officials on the so-called government officials should be reduced and the decisions of the "TRNC government officials" on various issues should be more independent and efficient. The "TRNC government officials" should be completely independent from Turkey's government officials was the view of 18%, and 15% answered that Turkey's government officials should exercise more influence on "TRNC government officials".

    The survey also shows that 50.4% of those whose parents are from Turkey answered that they support the current relations between Turkey and the occupation regime. However, only 29% of those whose parents are from Cyprus support the current relations between Turkey and the occupation regime.

    [06] Azizoglu: Target to raise the number of students to 100.000

    Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (07.12.10) reports that Orhan Hikmet Azizoglu, founding chairman of the "International Universities Congress" stated that work has begun both in the academic domain as well as in the field of infrastructure with in order to increase the number of students in "TRNC universities" to 100.000. Azizoglu stated that in this framework, a "Rectors Workshop" is to take place in the occupied areas on December 15, in which 400 university rectors from 105 different countries have been invited.

    In a written statement, Azizoglu said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, together with the rectors of the "TRNC universities" decided that efforts will be exerted to increase the number of students.

    Azizoglu further stated that intensive efforts are being exerted to attract students from Gulf Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and from Higher Education Institutes and universities of Africa and Asia countries.

    (AK)

    [07] Panel discussion by the group "Varosha initiative"

    Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (07.12.10) reports that the "Working Group for the Dynamics of Varosha" will organize a panel discussion on "The economic explosion in Varosha and the solution code in Cyprus" on Thursday at 19:30 at the "East Mediterranean University".

    [B] TURKISH PRESS

    Statements by the Turkish the President Abdullah Gul after his meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, the negotiations between Turkey and Israel to reach an agreement regarding the Israel's apology in connection with the raid on Gaza bound flotilla last May, and the meeting of the two leaders in Cyprus, are some of the main stories highlighted in today's Turkish press.

    [08] "Turkey-Cyprus dialogue" meeting in Istanbul

    Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (06.12.10) reported from Istanbul on exclusive statements by Ozdil Nami, Republican Turkish Party's (CTP) representative who served as adviser to former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Speaking to the newspaper following the "Turkey-Cyprus dialogue" meeting organized by the Foreign Policy Programme of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), Nami said that the United Nations must play an enlarged role as a mediator rather than just monitor the negotiations between northern and southern Cyprus. "The U.N. must synchronize both sides' positions, by finding a formula with which both sides feel confident enough it will lead to a solution and unification of the island," he said.

    TESEV organized the meeting with political and civil society organization representatives from both sides of Cyprus as well as Turkey on the current state of affairs, the UN secretary-general's report on ongoing negotiations, as well as whether it will be a "make-or-break" year in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

    According to Nami, as neither Cypriot side has adopted a strategy of pushing for a solution before Greek Cyprus' elections in May 2011, an independent international body like the UN must take a stronger stand in the process to reach a solution. In this way, the UN would help both parties move forward through behind-the-scenes diplomacy, Nami said. "If parties are still unable to negotiate, then an international conference will have to be held in the future," Nami said, adding that "even that would cause a status problem for southern Cyprus, as it would want to be represented as the Republic of Cyprus, which is unacceptable for the northern third of the island."

    The paper, inter alia, reported that Nami said he is pessimistic that an agreement will be reached by either January or May next year. "In January, [Ban] will [probably] say it is obvious both sides need more time to solve the issue," he said, adding that they would then have to wait for the "southern Cyprus" elections results in May, plus an additional period until the newly elected government makes a commitment for negotiations with "northern Cyprus".

    Furthermore, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (07.12.10), reporting on the same event writes that Turkish and Greek Cypriot observers have said that as UN-mediated talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus stagnate, hopes for a comprehensive solution have started to fade, but there is still a chance, albeit a small one, for working out the details of the thorny property issue. During the TESEV meeting, the observers agreed that negotiations are likely to fail prior to elections in the Greek Cypriot administration in May and elections in Turkey in June 2011, if the Turkish and Greek sides are not able to make progress.

    The paper, inter alia, reports that participants at the TESEV meeting in Istanbul said Turkish and Greek Cypriots have been engaged in a mutual "blame game" rather than in activity that will produce solutions. They also said optimism for a solution has been fading mainly because incentives for a solution do not exist anymore as Greek Cyprus is already a member of the European Union, which does not seem so keen on Turkey's membership and as Turkey loses interest in the EU as well.

    Speaking to Today's Zaman, one participant said there might not be a need for a comprehensive solution anymore. "Maybe there is a need to redefine parameters for a new Cyprus settlement if talks fail," Erol Kaymak from the "Eastern Mediterranean University" ("DAU") based in the "TRNC" said. He said that "negotiations can succeed if people are realistic." "Maybe a federation will fall off the agenda if the current negotiations fail. And instead of a comprehensive settlement, there can be normalization short of political reunification," Kaymak said.

    [09] Palestinian leader Abbas pays official visit to Turkey

    Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (HDN ? 06.12.10) reported from Ankara on the contacts of the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, arrived in Turkey on Sunday for an official visit. Abbas met with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan late on Sunday. Turkish Foreign Ahmet Davutoglu also attended the meeting, which was closed to the press. In addition, the Palestinian President had a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Monday. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Turkey-Palestine relations and regional developments were all reportedly on Abbas' agenda.

    Citing information by CNNTurk channel, HDN reports that Abbas and Erdogan discussed the latest developments in the Middle East peace process, Palestine's relations with neighbouring countries and preserving internal unity within Palestine. The meeting with Gul focused on the stalled peace talks with Israel, reports said.

    In a joint press conference with Abbas following their meeting Monday, Gul said he emphasized that the establishment of an independent Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is crucial in achieving peace in the region. He added that Turkey support the peace talks stressing that in order to improve the living standards of the 1.5 million people in Gaza, the blockades must be removed, and Israel must adopt new politics so that aid can reach Gaza. Gul said. "Turkey's close cooperation and solidarity with Palestine will continue. Turkey will continue its social and economic support and aid to Palestine."

    [10] A newly drafted bill to amend Law on Political Parties

    Turkish daily Today's Zaman (07.12.10) reports that a newly drafted bill aims to release the Law on Political Parties, a product of the September 12, 1980 coup d'?tat, from the shackles of the coup era.

    The Law on Political Parties came into force in 1983 and has often been the focus of criticism on the grounds that it allows anti-democratic practices. The draft bill, prepared by Ministry of Justice, proposes amendments that would make it more difficult to shut down political parties.

    Party closure cases will have to be judged in accordance with the Council of Europe's Venice Commission criteria. Moreover, the bill envisages improvement of democratic standards within political parties, determination of party leadership through an election, prohibition of arbitrary membership annulment and transparency in the financial affairs of political parties.

    The Ministry of Justice plans to present the bill for approval in Parliament shortly after upcoming parliamentary elections slated for June 2011.

    [11] Highlights

    Following are summaries of reports and commentaries of selected items from the Turkish press of 6 December 2010:

    a) Turkey-Israel

    An article by Ugur Ergan, in Hurriyet under the headline "Turkey and Israel seek to compromise" reports a meeting in Geneva between Turkish and Israeli envoys. The envoys discussed methods to put bilateral relations back on track. Citing diplomatic sources, the paper says Israel and Turkey are going to work on a joint text which will be satisfactory for both Turkish and Israeli public opinions.

    An article in Milliyet by Semih Idiz, entitled "Window of opportunity came after a disaster" says: "Turkey's firefighting assistance to Israel immediately resounded positively in international diplomatic circles. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the first to congratulate Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. (...) Now it remains to be seen whether there will be any foresighted steps to utilize the window of opportunity in relations between Turkey and Israel. It is obvious that Israel has to accept somehow its responsibility on the Mavi Marmara disaster. That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks that 'Israel will find a proper way to to demonstrate its appreciation for the Turkish efforts on firefighting' is very important." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

    http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

    /EI


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