Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-07-18

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/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami says that the negotiations process has completely collapsed

[02] Cicek: Peace in Cyprus will be lasting if the solution is based on two states, two equal peoples and political equality

[03] Davutoglu stated that Cyprus will never return to the pro-1974 situation

[04] KTOS: Erdogan wants the division of Cyprus, not a solution

[05] Turkish naval ships and "Turkish stars" airplanes arrived illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus for the "20th of July celebrations"

[06] The British Ambassador to Ankara interviewed by a Turkish daily; Reference to the Cyprus problem

[07] KTOS trade union opened a lawsuit against the Republic of Cyprus for the EU elections

[08] So-called minister of natural resources met with Erdogan

[09] Self-styled parliamentary delegation continued its contacts in Strasbourg

[10] Mustafa Akinci to be an "independent candidate" at the next "presidential elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[11] Turkish Deputy Prime Minister described Israel's attacks on Gaza as "state terrorism"

[12] Palestine's Abbas visits Turkey amid ground offensive in Gaza

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami says that the negotiations process has completely collapsed

In statements on a TV program yesterday, Nami said that mutual accusations exist instead of positive messages for the negotiations and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side took steps that "are falling behind the Annan Plan" and destroyed the confidence building measures with its last proposals.

Referring to the statement made by the US Vice President, Joe Biden that the key of the solution in Cyprus is in Turkey's hands, Nami argued that this is "a populist and unfortunate statement" and alleged that there is absolutely no stagnancy in the negotiations that derives from Turkey and that it will not be possible for the Turkish side to overcome the difficulties deriving from the Greek Cypriots. He alleged that Turkey strongly supports the negotiations and argued that it could not do what the Cypriots cannot.

According to Nami, what should have happened was to show respect to the convergences of the past and concentrate on the rest of the main issues. He alleged that right after the joint declaration, the Greek Cypriot side stated that it would respect absolutely no convergence achieved in the past and brought to the negotiating table proposals which would annul these convergences.

Nami said that he will continue his contacts in Brussels and that during his recent visit he discussed the problems experienced in the Financial Aid and Green Line Regulations.

Referring to the proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side as regards the preparation of a road map in the negotiations, Nami argued that the Greek Cypriot side has repeatedly said that it would not accept a time table. He claimed:

"You will clearly show your stance at the negotiating table. You will clearly express your stance to the international powers. You will clearly share your proposals both with your own public and with the world. You will ensure that pressure is exerted on the Greek Cypriot side. You will continue your way in this manner".

Nami argued that the issue of the natural gas is "a narrow framework of opportunity" but if what he called as the "war of power" is abandoned it could be used as an element which will motivate both "peoples" for a comprehensive solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cicek: Peace in Cyprus will be lasting if the solution is based on two states, two equal peoples and political equality

Cicek received the breakaway regime's so-called ambassador to Ankara, Mustafa Lakatamyali and a delegation from the "TMT Fighters' Association" on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

Cicek alleged that the Turkish Cypriots had been exposed to a great oppression and when things became unbearable, Turkey used its rights deriving from the agreements and materialized the invasion, which he called as "peace operation".

Cicek said that Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey and "a state policy which goes beyond governments".

Cicek reiterated the Turkish allegation that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey exhibited their will for a solution on the island in the referendum for the Annan Plan in 2004 and claimed that "the Greek Cypriots are those who spoiled the game". He alleged the following referring to the Greek Cypriots: "Their President of the Republic changes, but the policy does not change. He seems like doing something, but does absolutely nothing. He aims at deceiving the foreign public opinion and delay by spreading things to time and foot dragging".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Davutoglu stated that Cyprus will never return to the pro-1974 situation

"Important developments are taking place in Cyprus. There is a procedure that continues carefully, but it continues in the right direction", he stated and added: "There will never be a return back to the situation before the peace operation", referring to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974.

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (18.07.14) writes that Davutoglu criticized the remarks by John R. Bass, who was recently nominated as the new United States Ambassador to Turkey and has suggested that Turkey is drifting toward authoritarianism, saying that the claim is "subjective" and that there is also a tendency to authoritarianism in the United States.

"In the last three to four years, relations between civilians and the military [in Turkey] have become more balanced. Some steps have been taken regarding the Kurdish problem [in Turkey]. Some steps concerning freedoms, including the headscarf ban, have been taken. So, where is the authoritarian tendency? This [remark by Bass] isn't based on any data. There are authoritarian tendencies in the US and Europe. This is a subjective allegation," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu also dismissed an accusation from his Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, that Turkey and Qatar sabotaged a failed cease-fire proposal introduced by Egypt, and said that Hamas involvement should be secured in any truce initiative in Gaza. "I have never taken him seriously," Davutoglu said.

[04] KTOS: Erdogan wants the division of Cyprus, not a solution

In a written statement issued yesterday, Elcil said, inter alia, the following:

"(?) The governments of Turkey, which use the Turkish Cypriots as hostages by turning the Cyprus issue into an internal politics material and by colonizing the northern part of our island with the mentality of a conqueror, continue the lies saying that 'we want a solution'. When Mr Erdogan says that 'we will be a step forward', he actually tries to say that he will be a step forward in the non-solution, the colonization of the northern part of the island and the assimilation policies. With the policies it applies in the northern part of our island, the government of Mr Erdogan, who says that he wants a solution and he will be a step forward:

- Makes the Turkish Cypriot poorer and force them leaving from the island with the Migration Law

- Gives the public property that belongs to the Turkish Cypriots to capital which is close to the AKP

- Usurps the political will of the Turkish Cypriots by heap up population in the northern part of the island and by distributing citizenship

- Opposes to the return of Varosha to its legal owners

- Builds mosques in the villages at the border which will be returned with the agreement

- Causes pain to the Cypriots at the border gates with the ridiculousness of taking visa, and showing passport and identity card

- Prevents the telephones from unconditionally working everywhere in the island by rejecting the 00357 code which is Cyprus' international code

- Turns the northern part of the island into a center for black money, gambling and drugs?"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish naval ships and "Turkish stars" airplanes arrived illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus for the "20th of July celebrations"

According to the paper, the airplanes known as "Turkish Stars" will present their show in occupied Keryneia on July 20 around 18.30. Afterwards the "aerobatics team of Turkish stars" will present a show in front of the Ataturk monument in occupied Keryneia. The same airplanes are also expected to participate in the "official" military parade which every year takes place at Dr Fazil Kucuk Boulevard in the occupied part of Nicosia. At the same time, as the paper adds, the ships of the Turkish Naval Forces: Gaziantep frigate, Bordrum corvette, Poyraz Hucumbotu and Gur Denizaltisi will dock at the occupied port of Keryneia between July 19-20 and will be open for visits from the public.

(AK)

[06] The British Ambassador to Ankara interviewed by a Turkish daily; Reference to the Cyprus problem

(?)

Regarding the Cyprus problem and the EU-Turkey negotiations, Moore replied the following questions:

"Daily Sabah: As a representative of one of the guarantor states of Cyprus, how do you evaluate the current peace talks?

RM: Leaders of the two sides of the island are talking and that's a very good thing. Both communities can see the economic opportunities that would come out of a settlement. Energy, water supplies are a great driver for solution. But I have been following the Cyprus situation for 25 years and we still don't have a settlement. There are decades of distrust between the two sides. A solution will still require more leadership from Ankara, from Athens, from London, from Washington and the support of the U.N. to get us over the line. I'm hopeful but I'm also realistic that there is a lot of hard work to be done".

(?)

"Daily Sabah: Britain has always been supportive of Turkey's EU bid. Considering the economic and political crisis that Europe faces which has led to a decreased capacity to absorb new members, where do you think negotiations will head? Do you think there is a deadlock in Turkish-EU relations?

Richard Moore: I am more positive. I don't think it's a deadlock. Up until 2013 we were in a difficult period. The word deadlock would have been perfectly fair to describe it.

After the great promise of the early years of 2003-5, it felt like everything was moving in a positive direction. Then we had a more difficult period. In 2014, you had a successful visit by the prime minister to Brussels where he saw Van Rompuy, Barrosso and Schultz.

So, we started to make some progress. Then, if I'm honest, we look at some of the legislation introduced in Turkey earlier this year that caused concern both in Brussels, in the mind of Mr.Fule and across the rest of the EU. Some of the legislation we felt should have been more carefully consulted on, not least to reflect EU concerns. That said I have to say that recently, I have detected a real determination in Ankara, to get things back on track.

The U.K. is pushing hard for reforms in the EU. I am sure the EU that Turkey will join won't be the Union of 2014; and you can bet your life that the Turkey that joins the EU will be a very different Turkey than the one it is now.

I remain positive about the EU. There are too many people, particularly within the Turkish government; who understand the importance of the EU to Turkey".

(?)

[07] KTOS trade union opened a lawsuit against the Republic of Cyprus for the EU elections

Issuing a written statement on the issue, KTOS trade union alleges that the "Greek Cypriot administration" seized the Turkish Cypriot's voting right during the May 25th EU elections, underlining that more than 30 thousand Turkish Cypriots were prevented to cast their vote, providing as an excuse that they had not submitted their addresses. The statement also said the following: "It is a struggle against those who do not respect Turkish Cypriot's political will and those who have forced the Turkish Cypriots to be a minority in the north for years now. We will continue our struggle against the unprogressive mentalities that exist in both sides and we will also continue to demand our rights through the legal and political way".

(AK)

[08] So-called minister of natural resources met with Erdogan

Bakirci who is currently in Sakarya for a series of contacts flew to Istanbul with Erdogan's private helicopter. The meeting which took place at Istanbul Halic Congress Centre lasted 45 minutes. According to the reports, Bakirci informed Erdogan on the latest state of the infrastructure work for the water supply project as well as the operations of the "government" in the breakaway regime.

[09] Self-styled parliamentary delegation continued its contacts in Strasbourg

The delegation which met earlier with the cabinet of the President of the European Parliament and according to Bayrak "underlined the need for the EP to take concrete steps in allowing the Turkish Cypriots to be represented directly within the EP." Meanwhile, the delegation also held a meeting with the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Mevlut Cavusoglu.

[10] Mustafa Akinci to be an "independent candidate" at the next "presidential elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus

Replying to the paper's questions, Akinci expressed his will to be an independent candidate during the forthcoming "elections" and added that his future political plans are certainly not related with "the leadership of the part or to be a deputy candidate". He went on and clarified that he decided to be a "candidate" for the "presidential elections" and pointed out that the Communal Democratic Party (TDP) has asked him to be a candidate with its support.

Asked to evaluate the Turkish Cypriot leader's role on the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process, Akinci accused Eroglu for not being an "independent authority", adding that Eroglu's one hand is on the Cyprus problem and his other hand is inside UBP.

Akinci added that Eroglu presents everything like a bed of roses. "On the one hand Eroglu states that 'this work will be concluded in three months, and after five months he speaks about a referendum'. "It is not only the president. The foreign minister speaks for a solution in three months and for a referendum in five months. Now everything became clear. Ozdil Nami says that there is no progress but retrogress", Akinci said.

(?)

[11] Turkish Deputy Prime Minister described Israel's attacks on Gaza as "state terrorism"

Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), Isler, who said that Turkey offered humanitarian aid to Palestinian, condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and stated that these attacks have been continuing over the past years at various intervals. "There are cruel attacks and disproportionate force [in Israel's attack] with simple reasons." Isler criticized the international community for its failure to stop Israel's attacks on Gaza and its silence over the attacks. "Most of those who lost their lives are women and children", he stated.

[12] Palestine's Abbas visits Turkey amid ground offensive in Gaza

Abbas's visit to Turkey followed his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, held in Cairo on Thursday. He also met with a senior Hamas official in Cairo on Wednesday to try to salvage a cease-fire proposal put forward by Egypt. Abbas's visit to Turkey was arranged after a phone call between the Palestinian leader and Prime Minister Erdogan last week. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

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