A. NEWS ITEMS
1. Eroglu reiterates that he will work for strengthening the breakaway regime
2. DP, HIS, and MAP support Eroglu on so-called presidential elections
3. Yeni Duzen reports that Serdar Denktas will be assigned with the duty of dealing with the Cyprus problem in case Eroglu wins the elections
4. Davutoglu notes that the Cyprus negotiations will continue uninterrupted no matter who the winner at the illegal presidential elections will be
5. Survey shows Eroglu ahead of Talat
6. Five Turkish Cypriot political parties comment on the statement of President Christofias for an international conference on the Cyprus problem
7. Ferry link between occupied Famagusta port and Haifa to launch in mid-April
8. Data on “imports” and “exports” of the illegal regime in January 2010
9. The vice-president of European Universities Association evaluates the decision making mechanism of the illegal universities
10. Perini said that there is no place for military and religious regimes in Europe
11. Alarko company will invest in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus in tourism sector
B. COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
1. “The game of Ankara”
2. Columnist argues Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan pulls the strings in the so-called “presidential elections” in occupied Cyprus
3. Turkish columnist proposes to ruling AKP to withdraw a symbolic amount of Turkish troops from Cyprus
4. From the Turkish Press of 19, 20 and 21 of March 2010
A. NEWS ITEMS
1. Eroglu reiterates that he will work for strengthening the breakaway regime
Illegal Bayrak television (20.03.10) broadcast the following:
“The leader of the governing National Unity Party-Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has said that his aim, if elected as President, will be to open the gates of the Presidential palace to the people. The Premier also said that the negotiations will also be conducted under more transparency and open to the people.
Addressing local inhabitants of Degirmenlik [occupied Kythrea] village at a gathering yesterday evening, UBP leader, Prime Minister and candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections, Dervis Eroglu said that he had dedicated the last 34 years of his life to creating a more peaceful and prosperous TRNC.
Stating that the majority of the people approved of his Presidential candidacy, Eroglu said that his party also worked towards achieving peace, security and prosperity in the country.
He said that his party had taken an oath to uphold the TRNC and to safeguard the honourable existence of the Turks of Cyprus under the roof of their own state.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that next month’s Presidential election was a decisive one which would determine the future of the Turks of Cyprus on the island as well as the national cause.
‘We shall defend our rights at the negotiating table to the very end. However, let it be known that we shall not say yes to everything Christofias demands’ he added.
The Premier also claimed that the President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias had failed to reach an agreement on the issue of Governance and Power sharing, EU Matters, Economy and were deliberately delaying the chapters on territory, guarantees and property”.
Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (21.03.10) broadcast the following:
“The leader of the National Unity Party, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu today paid a visit to villages around the Girne area [occupied Kyrenia].
Speaking during the visits the Prime Minister announced that he had official started his election campaign.
He thanked the villagers for their support and expressed the hope that the same support will be reflected in the ballot boxes as well.
Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Mr. Eroglu emphasized the fact that the ongoing negotiations process should be carried out with the realities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and added that the people will never abandon the state or the guarantees on the island.
He also said that the negotiations process will continue after the presidential elections as well.
Noting that although president Talat has been in office for 5 years and the negotiations process has been going on for two year, no progress has been made, Mr. Eroglu said the government has changed the time has come for the President to change also”.
According to illegal Bayrak television (21.03.10), the leader of the ruling National Unity Party, so-called prime minister and “candidate” in next month’s “presidential elections”, Dervis Eroglu launched his “election campaign” with a rally last night.
The campaign rally under the slogan, “Here comes the people, here comes the difference” was held at the Ataturk’s sports centre in occupied Lefkosia.
During his speech Erolgu said that he had decided to run as a “candidate” due to all of the requests that had been made by the people.
During his speech Erolgu said that he had decided to run as a “candidate” due to all of the requests that had been made by the people.
“I will make every effort to find a permanent solution for the people of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, said Eroglu and added that he will be working with a group of experts, he will be carrying out a lot of overseas visits and give extra importance to lobbying.
Explaining that he will always be in close contact with “Motherland Turkey”, Eroglu noted that in his 18 years as “prime minister” he had always been in close contact with Turkey.
2. DP, HIS, and MAP support Eroglu on so-called presidential elections
Illegal Bayrak television (20.03.10) broadcast the following:
“The Democrat Party (DP) has announced that it will be supporting the National Unity Party’s (UBP) candidate - Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu in next month’s Presidential elections. The leader of the DP Serdar Denktas also said that they well be attending tonight’s UBP election rally in support of Mr Eroglu.
The majority of the DP’s extended party assembly which convened last night to make a final decision on the issue voted in favour of supporting Mr Eroglu.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, the leader of the DP Serdar Denktas said his party will fully and actively support Mr Eroglu.
In a separate press conference today, the DP leader called on the people to put aside their differences and complaints with the UBP and to support Prime Minister Eroglu as a strong united message to the rest of the world.
He said that the Democrat Party had taken this decision to support the UBP leader in line with the importance it carried for the future of the Turks of Cyprus.
Explaining that all possibilities were evaluated while taking this decision, Mr. Denktas said his party’s priority was not to take part in the coalition but to change the method at the negotiation table”.
Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (21.03.10) reports on statements of the Nationalist Justice Party (MAP) leader, Mr Ata Tepe, during the UBP rally organised in occupied Lefkosia. Addressing the people, Mr Tepe said that he is embracing everyone who has the “nation” in his heart. He added that they are supporting the “candidacy” of the UBP leader and self-styled prime minister, Mr Dervis Eroglu, because of his support to the relations to the existence of the “TRNC” and his views on their relations with Turkey.
Οn the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (19.03.10) broadcast the following:
“The Politics for People Party (HIS) has announced that it will support Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu in April’s Presidential elections.
Mr Eroglu – the National Unity Party’s candidate for the Presidency – visited the Politics for People Party. Speaking during the visit, Prime Minister Eroglu pointed to the vital importance of the election for the future of the TRNC people and said that he is asking the support of those who believe in the TRNC and want to bring a solution to the Cyprus problem within this framework.
`This is a cause concerning all of us. The result of the election will affect the future of the People and the TRNC`, he said, underlining the need to act in unity.
During the visit, the Leader of the Politics for People Party Ahmet Yonluer voiced his party’s support to Prime Minister Eroglu, who he said, has been defending the TRNC and will struggle to protect it.”
Meanwhile, under the title “Why they said Eroglu”, Akay Cemal comments in his daily column in Kibris newspaper (22.03.10) the decisions of the Democratic Party (DP), the Nationalist Justice Party (MAP) and the Politics for the People Party (HIS) to support Dervis Eroglu in the illegal elections to be held in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus on 18 April 2010.
Noting that the decision of these parties should be considered “natural”, Mr Cemal reminds that the DP had said in the past that it does not accept the stance of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat at the negotiating table and especially the “concessions” regarding the single sovereignty and the cross-voting.
“Thus, while the DP was deciding to support the chairman of the UBP in the 18 April elections, its president Serdar Denktas noted that they did not approve the issues discussed at the table by the two leaders within the framework of the Cyprus talks, that they did not want the rights earned in the past to be lost and therefore they support Eroglu, who is the closest candidate to them”, writes Mr Cemal.
(EA, I/Ts)
3. Yeni Duzen reports that Serdar Denktas will be assigned with the duty of dealing with the Cyprus problem in case Eroglu wins the elections
Under the title “Denktas’ plan”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.03.10) reports about an agreement which was made between Serdar Denktas and Dervis Eroglu, which provided for the latter’s support by Serdar Denktas’ Democratic Party (DP) in the so-called presidential elections.
The paper, which cites an interview given by Serdar Denktas to Turkish daily Aksam newspaper on the 11th of March, writes that Eroglu and Serdar Denktas had shaken hands even before the DP’s Party assembly, in which the party decided the “candidate” whom it will support for the “elections”.
According to this agreement, the Cyprus problem will be assigned to Serdar Denktas while Dervis Eroglu will be dealing with the “internal policy” together with the self-styled government. As regards the “coalition government” to be formed between the two parties, DP will be given three “ministries”: the “ministry of health” and the “ministry of transportation” and another “ministry”, which has not been determined yet.
In the interview, Serdar Denktas stated, inter alia, that Eroglu is not very well informed about the Cyprus problem, and he does not know the details as regards this issue. On the other hand, Serdar Denktas himself wants to stay out of the “government” and to carry out the coordination of the foreign policy. “(I want) to be the architect of the foreign policy of the new government”, he stated.
Yeni Duzen notes that the statements of Serdar Denktas appeared in the Turkish press and they have never been denied. The paper also writes that because of these developments, the vision for the solution of the Cyprus problem will return again to “Denktas’ school” and the situation which existed in the year 2000 will return again.
(CS)
4. Davutoglu notes that the Cyprus negotiations will continue uninterrupted no matter who the winner at the illegal presidential elections will be
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (22.03.10) reports on statements of the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on board after his visit to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. Responding a question regarding how the outcome of the upcoming illegal presidential elections of April 18 in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus will influence the future of the negotiations, Mr Davutoglu stated that no matter who will win the illegal elections, the negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side will continue uninterrupted and added: “And if Talat is elected, the process will continue.” Mr Davutoglu noted that the continuation of the negotiations provides advantage to the Turkish side and said that Turkey is determined to continue its “solution-focus” stance. He added that Turkey is sincere towards its desire for a solution and reminded that the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the first time met with Greek Cypriot journalists right after the Turkish-Greek Forum. He also reminded that he met with the delegation as well at the Foreign Ministry. He said: “If I wanted, instead of the Ministry, I could have seen them at a hotel in Istanbul” and noted that he wanted for the Greek Cypriot journalists to specifically take a step to the ministry.
5. Survey shows Eroglu ahead of Talat
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (20.03.10), under the title "Eroglu 41 Percent, Talat 28 Percent “ reports that a survey which has been carried out by the MPC-DIGISES Company through telephone messages shows that Dervis Eroglu leads Mehmet Ali Talat by 13 percent.
The MPC-DIGISES Company, which is based in Istanbul, carried out a survey by sending out telephone messages from 16 to 18 March. Some 41 percent of the participants voted for National Unity Party leader Dervis Eroglu and 28 percent voted for Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Some 23 percent of the participants said that they are undecided and 8 percent voted for the other candidates.
The MPC-DIGISES Company announced the survey results at a press conference at the Merit Hotel in occupied part of Lefkosia on Friday.
Some 10,042 subscribers responded to the 40,000 telephone messages that were sent out during the survey.
Some 3,988 participants voted for Dervis Eroglu and 2,748 voted for Mehmet Ali Talat by midnight on 18 March. Some 2,303 people said that they are undecided and 768 people voted for the other “candidates”.
6. Five Turkish Cypriot political parties comment on the statement of President Christofias for an international conference on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.03.10) reports that the majority of the Turkish Cypriot political parties represented in the self-styled assembly have described as unacceptable the proposal submitted by President Christofias regarding the materialization of an international conference on the Cyprus problem.
The general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), Irsen Kucuk said that the sides in the Cyprus problem were clarified in the 1960 agreements and these sides are Turkey, Greece, Britain, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. He alleged that the proposal of President Christofias showed that the insincerity of the Greek Cypriot side continues and that the Greek Cypriots made this proposal in order to create difficulties to the solution.
The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ferdi Sabit Soyer claimed that President Christofias, who rejects the five-party conference proposed by the Turkish side, is exerting efforts to “lead the issue to a different adventure because he could not cancel it” and “he is trying to bargain”. He alleged that this proposal of President Christofias showed the “correct predictions” of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side. He said that this proposal was a success of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side.
The chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Cakici said they are positive to this proposal of President Christofias and added that such a development could be constructive. He noted that the guarantor powers’ making a new treaty of guarantees could contribute to the negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Mr Cakici described as “encouraging” the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side will also be at the table during the conference.
The foreign relations’ secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), Bengu Sonya alleged that the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the materialization of an international conference on the Cyprus problem is unacceptable and it was made for tactical reasons in order to force the Turkish side to reject it.
The chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), Turgay Avci alleged that the European Union could not have a say in such a conference because the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the Union and expressed the view that either five or six parties should participate in such a conference.
(I/Ts.)
7. Ferry link between occupied Famagusta port and Haifa to launch in mid-April
Under the title “Ferry to Israel nearing to launch”, Turkish Cypriot weekend Cyprus Today newspaper (20.03.10) reports the following:
“Former property developer Cafer Gurcafer says his Israel ferry link will take to the water next month.
Work is continuing on a ferry Mr Gurcafer bought from a Spanish operator for his MedDream operation and he says the Gazi Magusa [occupied Famagusta]-to-Haifa link will begin in mid-April.
It will work a six-day service, and the former head of the Construction Contractors’ Union said he hoped to bring 50,000 Israeli tourists to the TRNC annually.
There will be a casino on board the ship, which used to be a car ferry between Spain and Ibiza.
He told Cyprus Today: 'MedDream will provide a package holiday service both ways, including three-day trips. Tickets will cost $180 return. Let me stress it is not just about gambling. Yes, we have an on-board casino, but so do most other ferries.
We are working with a Tel Aviv-based travel agency, Flying Carpet, and we already have interest from a 7,000-member diving association and 17,500 strong motorbike federation, to name just two niche tourism markets.
We have also had inquiries from walkers, cyclists and [those with an] interest in eco-tourism, too.' The boat can take 150 cars, cargo and 650 passengers in one sailing.
Mr Gurcafer added: 'It will open up trade between the two countries. Israeli businessmen are already investing in the TRNC because they look to the future. They know that investment carries a risk, but that risk means profits will be very high.
Look around at North Cyprus. Our beaches are neglected, the Mesaoria plain is empty and unused. If countries like Spain, Italy and France can earn 70 million euros to 80 million euros a year, why can’t we claw back the loss of the last 30 years and make something of the tourism industry in this country?
If an arid country like Israel can do it, so can we. All we need is a more international attitude. Last year, Antalya, which has no casinos, hosted 575,000 Israeli holidaymakers, so would the TRNC not benefit too? ' He said he planned to use Gazi Magusa [occupied Famagusta] hotels to serve the Israeli tourists.
More details of the ferry link will be released nearer the launch date, which has yet to be fixed.”
8. Data on “imports” and “exports” of the illegal regime in January 2010
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.03.10) publishes data on the “exports” and “imports” of the illegal regime and writes that according to information received by the so-called trade office, “imports” rose by 18% and “exports” rose by 6% during January 2010 in comparison with January 2009. The total volume of “exports” reached 98,9 million dollars and of “imports” 4,5 million dollars.
During January 2010, “imports” from Turkey rose by 28% and reached 69,3 million dollars in comparison with 54,1 million dollars in January 2009. For the same period the value of “exports” to Turkey from the illegal regime fell by 22%.
(ML)
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