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TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 238/12
7.12.12
TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
1. He has a nerve; Sarcastic Bagis forgets the occupation in Cyprus and offers a
“sheet anchor” to the Republic of Cyprus to overcome the financial crisis
2. Cicek accused once more the EU and the international community for doublestandard policy on Cyprus
3. Turkish MPs: Cyprus is a key for Turkey’s EU course
4. Eroglu briefed the Italian Ambassador in Cyprus and an Azerbaijani Deputy on
the Cyprus problem; Bozer met with Azeri MPs
5. Ozgurgun: the economic crisis will not contribute positively to the solution of
the Cyprus problem
6. Tatar on natural gas and the economic memorandum of the Republic of
Cyprus: Turkish Cypriots have rights on natural gas as well
7. Gunsel comments on the Republic of Cyprus’ decision to cease free of charge
health services for the Turkish Cypriots
8. EP’s Budgetary Control Committee approves financial aid to the Turkish
Cypriots after reportedly accepting their views
9. Eroglu is accused of being unwilling to solve the Cyprus problem
10.
More
statements
by Talat
on
the
Cyprus
problem
and
economy
11. Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce approves the economic protocol
signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime
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12. Turkey’s Minister of Justice met with Fule in Brussels; Fule’s spokesman
stated the BDP Deputies should not be “excluded” from politics
13. German cabinet approves Patriot missiles for Turkey
14. The occupation regime along with other 30 countries participates to Growtech
Eurasia Fair in Antalya
15. Necati Sasmaz plans to built a luxury hotel and a film studio in the occupied
area of Cyprus
1. He has a nerve; Sarcastic Bagis forgets the occupation in Cyprus and offers a
“sheet anchor” to the Republic of Cyprus to overcome the financial crisis
Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.12.12) reported from Budapest that Turkey's Minister
of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, in statements from Hungary
assessed the Republic of Cyprus’ declaration of bankruptcy and stated: "may God help
the Greek Cypriots."
Saying that the Turks helped those in need, he alleged that the Greek Cypriots have
become a victim of their own actions. "The Greek Cypriot administration went bankrupt
due to the deadlock in the island. The Greek Cypriots are suffering due to their policies
of deadlock and spoiled attitude. Had the Greek Cypriots favored a solution, the whole
island of Cyprus would have been one of prosperity and tranquillity. We will extend a
helping hand if necessary," Bagis underlined.
"Just as Turkey provided 5 billion USD of loan to the IMF, we will consider helping the
Greek Cypriots if they apply to Turkish Cypriot officials," Bagis also said.
2. Cicek accused once more the EU and the international community for doublestandard policy on Cyprus
Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.12.12) reported from Ankara that the Speaker of the
Turkish Parliament Cemil Cicek said on Thursday that Europe and the international
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community acted with double standards on the Cyprus issue and stood by the party that
did not want a solution.
Cicek received his Pakistani counterpart Haji Mohammed Adeel and a delegation
accompanying him in his office.
Reminding that Adeel was in the “TRNC” before visiting to Turkey, Cicek added that the
Cyprus problem was the longest standing dispute within the UN. Saying that despite the
efforts of the “TRNC”, the issue could not be solved due to the double standard attitude
of Europe and the international community, Cicek thanked Pakistan for supporting a
solution.
Cicek said Turkey and Pakistan were key countries in their regions.
Adeel said many projects in Pakistan were being undertaken by Turkish citizens.
The delegation paid a visit also to Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
3. Turkish MPs: Cyprus is a key for Turkey’s EU course
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (07.12.12) reports that six MPs from the Turkish
Republican People’s Party (CHP) and five MPs from the Turkish Nationalist Action party
(MHP) visited yesterday the self-styled prime minister, Irsen Kucuk and the “speaker” of
the so-called assembly, Hasan Bozer.
In statements during the meetings, CHP MP from Alexandretta (Hatay) area, Mevlut
Dudu said they are MPs assigned by their parties with the duty of dealing with the
Cyprus problem, which is very important both for their parties and their country. “Cyprus
is in a key position for Turkey’s EU target”, said Dudu claiming that Turkey has
neglected the Cyprus problem for some time now.
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Dudu argued that “a new opening is needed” on the Cyprus problem and added that for
this reason they wanted to be briefed by the Turkish Cypriot “officials” on this issue.
In his statements, MHP’s MP Erkan Akca, said that Cyprus has always been a national
cause for Turkey, noting that they are annoyed by the fact that the Turkish government
“turned the Palestinian problem into its own problem by ignoring Cyprus”. He underlined
their bonds with the Turkish Cypriots and noted that they are always ready to offer their
support to them.
Speaking during the meeting with the Turkish MPs, Bozer said he was glad with
Palestine joining the UN, but at the same time he felt a pain and wondered why the
Turkish Cypriots could not do the same. He argued that they were waiting for the
Cyprus talks to resume after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and
reiterated the Turkish view that no result could be achieved with open ended
negotiations.
Addressing the Turkish MPs, Irsen Kucuk said that any kind of support from Turkey
gives them strength. He argued that the Greek Cypriots exerted some efforts to interrupt
the financial aid granted by the European Union to the “TRNC”, as he described the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, but thanks to intensive backstage
activities by the Turkish side this Greek Cypriot demand has been rejected.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eroglu briefed the Italian Ambassador in Cyprus and an Azerbaijani Deputy on
the Cyprus problem; Bozer met with Azeri MPs
According to illegal Bayrak television (06.12.12) the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis
Eroglu met separately today with the Italian Ambassador to Cyprus Alfredo Bastianelli
and Azerbaijani Deputy Ganire Pashayeva.
Eroglu brief the foreign diplomats and dignitaries on the latest stage reached on the
Cyprus Problem.
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The so-called “special representative” of Eroglu, Osman Ertug and the “presidential
undersecretary” Hasan Gungor were present at both meetings.
No statements were issued to the press before or after the meeting.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (07.12.12) Pashayeva, together
with another MP from Azerbaijan, Musa Kasimli visited the “speaker” of the so-called
assembly, Hasan Bozer who told them that “they are one nation and two states”.
The two MPs said that they love the occupied area of Cyprus very much and that they
wrote books regarding the occupied area of Cyprus both in Turkish and Azeri
languages.
5. Ozgurgun: the economic crisis will not contribute positively to the solution of
the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.12.12) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, selfstyled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, has said he does not think that the economic crisis in the
government-controlled area of the island could contribute positively to the solution of the
Cyprus problem. In statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Ozgurgun noted
that the negotiations could resume in April, after the presidential elections in the
government-controlled area of the island. He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side does
not seem to have an intention to reach an agreement because of the existence of the
Orthodox Church and some nationalistic circles.
Asked to comment on a statement allegedly made by President Christofias that the
Republic of Cyprus went bankrupt, Ozgurgun pointed out to the electricity and water
which will be transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of the island and expressed
the hope that President Christofias will understand the benefits of this for Cyprus. “We
do not want anyone to enter into economic straight, we are not happy for this”, he
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argued noting that some economists said that the situation of the Greek Cypriots is
worse than the situation in 1974.
Ozgurgun alleged that the economic crisis creates potential for reaching a just, lasting
and viable solution. Moreover, he claimed that an agreement will have the capacity to
solve a general crisis, that the Turkish Cypriots are in favor of an agreement and that
the solution will secure economic development on the island.
(I/Ts.)
6. Tatar on natural gas and the economic memorandum of the Republic of
Cyprus: Turkish Cypriots have rights on natural gas as well
Turkish Cypriot daily Hurriyet newspaper (07.12.12) reports that Ersin Tatar, the selfstyled minister of economy of the breakaway regime alleged that the European Union
will lay hand to the incomes of the natural gas in order to help the Greek Cypriots who
are facing economic problems and said that the breakaway regime has a right to this
income as well.
Tatar who made statements to Hurriyet on the declaration of President Demetris
Christofias regarding the economic memorandum, stated that while the EU is making
the “account book” for the Greek Cypriots, regarding their loans and incomes, must
register that the Turkish Cypriots “have rights on these sources, to the natural gas as
well”.
He also stated that the economic crisis of the Republic of Cyprus will negatively
influence the solution of the Cyprus problem.
7. Gunsel comments on the Republic of Cyprus’ decision to cease free of charge
health services for the Turkish Cypriots
Under the title: “Debt-laden Greek Cyprus ends free health services to Turks of island”,
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (06.12.12) reported that the Greek Cypriots starting from
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the first day of 2013, will cease health services offered to Turkish Cypriot free of charge
since 2003.
Over 50 million Euro worth services were presented the “citizens” of the “TRNC” during
nine years starting from 2003. A yearly 5-6 million Euros were spent on the health
services offered to the “TRNC citizens”. Since the “Greek administration”, as the
Republic of Cyprus does not recognize the “state” of the “TRNC”, the state hospitals of
the Republic of Cyprus did not charge Turks who arrive from the “north” of the island for
hospital costs. The Greek Cypriots will also ask more than 100,000 people from the
“south” of the island to pay in exchange of the health services they receive.
Turkish Cypriots, on the other hand, have five “state” hospitals. If need be, they are
referred to other hospitals in Turkey or the “Near East University Hospital”. The “TRNC
state hospitals” serve annually for 370,000 patients and carry out nearly 10,000
operations yearly.
In statements on the issue, the “chairman” of the illegal Near East University Board of
Trustees İrfan Suat Gunsel, said that after this development, hard days await the
Turkish Cypriots. According to Gunsel, the number of patients who go to the “southern”
part of the island seeking medical treatment has decreased since 2010, when the
“university's hospital” was opened. Gunsel added that the Turkish Cypriots do not need
to leave their “country” for health services any more. He pointed out that a total of 6,000
“TRNC citizens” were referred to the “university hospital” from the “state hospitals”,
which decreases the number of patients who need to leave the “TRNC” for medical
treatment.
(…)
8. EP’s Budgetary Control Committee approves financial aid to the Turkish
Cypriots after reportedly accepting their views
8
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (07.12.12) reports that European
Parliament’s Budget Control Committee has adopted the report prepared by Bulgarian
MEP Ivailo Kalfin regarding the European Union’s financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots.
According to the paper, the report has been shaped in the direction of the views of the
Turkish Cypriots, as a result of efforts exerted by the so-called representation office of
“TRNC” in Brussels, the so-called EU coordination center and three Turkish Cypriot socalled MPs - Hasan Tacoy, Ozdil Nami and Teberruken Ulucay.
In statements to ABHaber news website, the head of the “EU coordination center”,
Erhan Ercin, said that as a result of the voting, elements such as the continuation of the
financial aid under five priorities including the infrastructure projects, like before, and the
offering of this aid within a more structural framework in the scope of the multiannual
budget of the EU were added into the report.
(I/Ts.)
9. Eroglu is accused of being unwilling to solve the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.12.12) reports that Ozkan
Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has accused the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu of being unwilling to solve the Cyprus problem. Speaking
yesterday at the “assembly” during the discussion of the “budget” of Eroglu’s office,
Yorgancioglu said that Eroglu, just like his National Unity Party (UBP), is unwilling on
the issue of the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Yorgancioglu argued that in spite of the progress achieved during former Turkish
Cypriot leader Talat’s period, during Eroglu’s period there was a regression in the
Cyprus talks and the international climate, which had been in favor of the Turkish
Cypriots, started to be turned against them.
Yorgancioglu accused Eroglu of hiding a Greek Cypriot proposal on the property issue,
submitted during the Second Green Tree Summit, according to which “there was no
need for the property owner to have the first say”.
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Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (07.12.12), Mehmet
Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) also accused Eroglu and the UBP
of not wanting a solution in Cyprus. Addressing the same meeting of the “assembly”,
Cakici referred, inter alia, to the natural gas and oil reserves in Cyprus’s exclusive
economic zone and alleged that the “TRNC” has also a right on these resources. He
argued that they should defend these rights and the natural gas or oil should be
transferred to Europe through Turkey. “An equal agreement” is absolutely necessary in
Cyprus in order for this to happen, he said.
(I/Ts.)
10. More statements by Talat on the Cyprus problem and economy
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.12.12) reports that the former Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat speaking on a television program made statements on
the economic protocol signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime and the
Cyprus problem.
Talat stated that if the economic aid offered by Turkey is used wisely, the
“government’s” image will be repaired and no early “elections” will be held in the
summer. However, he said that if the current situation continues in the breakaway
regime, early “elections” will take place in the coming year.
Cementing on the forthcoming February elections in the Republic of Cyprus, Talat said
that the United Nations made preparations for a possible win of DYSI chairman Nikos
Anastasiades, who is possible to show a more flexible stance as regards the Cyprus
problem; however he alleged that this many not be possible. He went on and added that
Anastasiades is under the influence of the former President Glafkos Clerides, who was
a great supported of the Cyprus problem solution.
10
11. Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce approves the economic protocol
signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.12.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) sees positively the economic protocol agreement
signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime on December 4.
Evaluating the protocol KTTO stated that it contains many views and measures that
were prepared by the Chamber some time ago and which were conveyed to the
“government”.
On the contrary, the chairman of the KAMU-SEN (Public Servants Trade Union),
Mehmet Ozkardas criticized the protocol and noted that many “MPs” have no
knowledge about its contents before it was signed.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (07.12.12) reports that many other
trade unions and organizations in occupied Cyprus, such as the Turkish Cypriot
Construction Materials Traders Union, (ITB) and the Free Workers trade Union
condemned the protocol.
12. Turkey’s Minister of Justice met with Fule in Brussels; Fule’s spokesman
stated the BDP Deputies should not be “excluded” from politics
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.12.12), Turkey's Justice Minister
Sadullah Ergin met on Thursday in Brussels with European Union's Commissioner for
Enlargement, Stefan Fule.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Ergin criticized slow progress in
Turkey's accession talks, adding that certain EU members tried to introduce extra
criteria in the opening of policy chapters. "The scanning process ended in 2006. It has
been six years and we still did not receive post-scanning reports on a number of
chapters," Ergin, said complaining over EU's slow work on Ankara's accession
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negotiations. "But, we still are determined to continue our path toward membership",
Ergin added.
Ergin thanked Fule over the EU official's efforts to add momentum to the talks under 'the
Positive Agenda' initiative with Turkey, adding that "fruitful work" had been done in
chapters on judiciary and basic rights and freedoms.
Fule, on his part, thanked the Turkish Minister for his efforts in Turkey's EU process.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (06.12.12), during Ergin's visits to
Brussels, the European Union made it clear that pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy
Party (BDP) Deputies should not be "excluded" from politics, referring to the raging
debate on whether or not the immunity of those Deputies should be lifted, leaving them
open to prosecution.
Peter Stano, spokesman for Stefan Fule said that Parliamentary immunity should apply
to all Deputies on a non-discriminatory basis. Referring to the commissioner's line that
the Kurdish issue and problems in Turkey's south-east could only be overcome through
the contribution of all democratic forces, Stano said the EU was not in favor of exclusion
of some Deputies from Parliament or politics.
Stano's remarks came on the heels of a heated debate in Turkey over whether to
deprive 10 BDP Deputies, who are accused of maintaining ties to the Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK), of their Parliamentary immunity. The issue intensified after the
release of a video showing BDP deputies and terrorists from the PKK chatting and
hugging one another along a highway in Semdinli, a district of the south-eastern
province of Hakkari.
"The European Commission recalls that its consistent line has always been that the
solution to the Kurdish issue and to all the problems in the south-east can only be
attained through the widest possible contribution of all democratic forces, and not
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through their exclusion. The issue of parliamentary immunity is currently being
discussed in the Constitutional Reconciliation Committee working on a new constitution.
Clearly, immunities must apply to all on a non-discriminatory basis," read the full text of
Stano's statement.
(…)
13. German cabinet approves Patriot missiles for Turkey
Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.12.12) reported from Berlin that the German cabinet
agreed on Thursday to send Patriot missiles to Turkey, ahead of the approval of
deployment of NATO's air defense system in Turkey.
Germany's cabinet, which gathered on Thursday in capital city Berlin, decided to send
German soldiers who will be using Patriot missiles in Turkey. Up to 400 German troops
will be on duty as part of a NATO mission.
Along with the Patriot deployment and providing troops, the approval includes the use of
Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS).
The cabinet's decision is pending for the voting of the Germany's parliament. The
parliament will meet on December 14.
Meanwhile, the German Defense Minister Thomas De Maiziere said on Thursday that
they did not want the clashes in Syria to spread to Turkey.
Speaking at a press conference with the German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
following a meeting of the German cabinet on Patriot systems and sending them to
Turkey, Maiziere stressed that Germany would send two Patriot batteries to Turkey
along with 350 personnel.
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Minister Westerwelle, in his part, underlined that the Patriot system was only for
defensive purposes. Warning Syria not to utilize chemical weapons, Westerwelle noted
that "in case Syria used chemical weapons, a new situation would arise in the United
Nations."
14. The occupation regime along with other 30 countries participates to Growtech
Eurasia Fair in Antalya
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (06.12.12) reported that the 12th annual Growtech Eurasia
fair, which opened at the Antalya Expo Center on Wednesday, highlights Antalya's
significant contribution to the country's agriculture sector.
The Growtech Eurasia fair, predicted to draw over 70,000 visitors and 630 participants
from over 30 countries over the four days of the event, introduces the latest innovations
in agricultural machinery and other products used in the industry from new and existing
brands, and includes international representatives that display their products in an effort
to enter the Turkish market or to find buyers from nearby countries.
Some of the participating countries at the fair are Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Ukraine, the “TRNC” and Russia in addition to Hungary, Egypt, the US,
Belgium, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Jordan, Austria, Kuwait, the UAE, Denmark, Poland,
Kazakhstan, Morocco, Georgia, Algeria and Bulgaria.
15. Necati Sasmaz plans to built a luxury hotel and a film studio in the occupied
area of Cyprus
Under the title: “Sasmaz will built a hotel as well”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi
(07.12.12) refers to a report published by Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan saying that the
Polat Alemdari Necati Sasmaz who is the famous Turkish actor, who starred in the
popular television series Kurtlar Vadisi (Valley of the Wolves), has launched
preparations in order to built a luxury hotel in the occupied area of Cyprus and a film
studio.
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As the paper writes, Vatan wrote the other day that Necati Sasmaz who was also
granted with the title of “honorary envoy”, arrived some days ago with his private jet in
the occupied area of Cyprus and has launched works to settle down.
According to the paper, Necati Sasmaz is a person who is strongly supported by the socalled minister of tourism, environment and culture. Necati Sasmaz and his
accompanied team inspected the areas of the occupied Karpassia in order to choose
one of the areas for the building of the film studio, writes the paper.
(AK)
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