Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-05-11

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: A new era will start on the Cyprus issue from May 11

[02] Nami held contacts in Berlin; "Germany bears historical responsibility for a solution"

[03] Davutoglu describes the water project as "another road from Anatolia to Keryneia"

[04] A congress on oil and natural gas was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] The number of voters in the breakaway regime for the June 7 Turkish elections

[06] Volkan argues that there is plan for dividing and neutralizing the UBP

[07] The "KTFF" has approved harmonization of its charter with FIFA

[08] Kerry to meet Cavusoglu in Ankara

[09] Turkey to build its first LPD

[10] Kenan Evren passed away

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: A new era will start on the Cyprus issue from May 11

Speaking yesterday at the "wild asparagus" festival in the occupied village of Agia Eirini, Akinci said that the past generations have shared the pain and the poverty, adding that the next generations will pass over it in order to share the beauty in an equal way. He stressed that he will walk this path by protecting all kinds of rights, including the Turkish Cypriots' rights of equality and security, without forgetting also that there is a community at the other side too. He further said: "We will work for a solution which we will embrace, adopt and which we will vote in support of a referendum. Whatever agreement we will reach will not make any sense without your approval. What really matters is the people and to reach a solution which will be adopted by the people. This is also valid for the Greek Cypriot people. We will work for a new Cyprus which will protect the legal rights and benefits of the two peoples of the island".

Underlining that the Cyprus problem will enter an important era from today, Akinci said that they will take the first step with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades by joining for dinner and resume the Cyprus talks shortly.

Noting that he will not accept any agreement that will not be adopted by the "people", Akinci said that he will try for a new Cyprus, which will protect the legitimate rights and interests of both "peoples", will not reflect the past and the future will be equally shared.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 09.05.15) broadcast that Akinci made important statements regarding the Cyprus issue during an event he attended.

He said they would be working towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem but emphasized that this cannot be a unilateral effort. "The solution has to be the product of a shared vision by the two sides", said Akinci.

Referring to the social gathering that he will be attending with Anastasiades on Monday the 11th of May, Akinci said that they would be discussing their visions and how they together can carry the process forward. "I believe this is possible and therefore I will work to make this possible", said Akinci.

"Believe me a federal solution is foreseen in Cyprus' future and the most important factor will be production. A productive community can take up its position more comfortably in a federal structure", said Akinci. He emphasized the fact that a productive community can easily compete with EU institutions in the future and succeed and added that Cyprus must become a country that produces quality goods if it wants to have a competitive edge in the future.

(DPs)

[02] Nami held contacts in Berlin; "Germany bears historical responsibility for a solution"

In the agenda of his meetings in Berlin were mainly the Cyprus negotiations process and the "unjust embargoes and isolations" imposed against the Turkish Cypriots.

Nami, who was accompanied by the "private secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs", Huseyin Ozel, held contacts on Friday at the Office of the Federal Chancellery, followed by a series of important meetings at the Federal Parliament (Bundestag).

After his meeting with Philipp Missfelder, Foreign Policy Spokesman in the Bundestag of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CDU/CSU), Nami met with Gunther Krichbaum, Chairman of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union within the German Bundestag from the CDU/CSU.

Later, Nami met with Norbert Spinrath, Spokesman on EU Affairs and member of the Social Democrat Party in the Bundestag, as well as with Heinz Joachim Barchmann, Deputy Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee.

Nami expressed his expectations pertaining to the resumption of the negotiation process and indicated that if the process is expedited and both sides display the necessary political will, it is possible to reach a solution within 2015.

Emphasizing the importance of supporting the new hopeful environment with concrete steps, Nami recalled that the EU acquis offers the necessary legal foundation for the lifting of the" isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.

He pointed out that if the EU displays a more embracing stance towards the Turkish Cypriots, it will contribute to the establishment of a balance between the two sides, and added that such a stance will have a positive effect on the negotiations.

Nami further highlighted the importance of the support of Germany and other EU countries in this regard.

At the round-table discussion titled: "A new round of talks in a more realistic atmosphere" which was organized by the Science and Politics Foundation, Nami came together with German bureaucrats, academicians and NGO's representatives.

During the discussion, Nami stated that there is a new positive atmosphere regarding the negotiations following the "presidential elections" which took place in the "TRNC". "The stance which will be taken by the Greek Cypriot side in this new era may have a determining effect on the outcome of the negotiation process. It is not acceptable for the negotiations to start from scratch", said Nami.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anadolu news agency (08.05.15) reported that Nami called Germany on Friday to encourage the Greek Cypriots to find a political solution to the 50-year division of the island.

"Germany bears historical responsibility because it played a key role in the EU's decision in 2004 to accept the divided island as a member to the union," Nami told Anadolu Agency on the final day of a two-day visit to Berlin.

Nami said that the EU lost an important opportunity in achieving a settlement by granting the EU membership to the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus.

"We believe that Germany bears historical responsibility to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and to use its influence over the Greek Cypriots for a solution," Nami added, underlining the EU promise not to leave Turkish Cypriots isolated.

"Today the Greek Cypriots are using all the advantages and facilities of EU membership," Nami said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots are deprived of them.

Nami asked for Germany to push for initiatives such as direct trade with "northern Cyprus", direct flights to illegal Ercan airport and the Turkish Cypriot's representation in the European Parliament.

(?)

He also accused the Greek Cypriot side of refusing to make any political concessions. He however, expressed hopes for a change in this attitude under international pressure. "The international community is now demonstrating a strong political will towards a final solution after more than 50 years of conflict," he said, adding that the election of "president" Mustafa Akinci on April 26, could give the talks fresh momentum.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.05.15) under the front-page title: "Same old story" reported on Nami's contacts in Berlin and writes that in the new era, nothing has changed from the former approach of the Turkish Cypriot side.

(AK)

[03] Davutoglu describes the water project as "another road from Anatolia to Keryneia"

"We are connecting another road from Anatolia to Keryneia. We are carrying Anatolia's water to Cyprus with pipelines, with tunnels under the sea. Behold new Turkey's power. When Mr Bahceli, Mr Kilicdaroglu come here ask them whether they could [even] dream about carrying water to Cyprus with pipelines [?]"

Davutoglu argued that before 1994 and Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election as Mayor of Istanbul, "the Republican People's Party (CHP) mentality", as he called it, had left people in that city without water, as they could not find any even for washing their hands.

(I/Ts.)

[04] A congress on oil and natural gas was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

Several issues from environment to geology and from energy policies to the Cyprus negotiations process were being discussed during the congress.

Delivering an opening speech at the congress, the so-called minister of environment and natural resources Hakan Dincyurek said that there were many hydrocarbon and natural gas layers around Cyprus and added that "as it was stated by important world actors like the UN, the EU and the US on many occasions from past to present, everyone living in Cyprus has the right to natural resources around the island".

For her part, the "speaker" of the "assembly", Sibel Siber expressed the desire that instead of causing conflict, the natural gas and hydrocarbons in Cyprus to bring peace and a solution to the island. "We hope that the natural gas and hydrocarbon resources would play the role of a catalyzer for a solution and will be shared equally among the peoples of the island", Siber added.

Also, delivering an opening speech at the congress, former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriot side started working on oil and natural gas before 1983 and continued these works until today.

Warning that if the Turkish Cypriot side did not finalize its technical and legal preparations it will be obliged to accept anything the Greek Cypriot side will put forward in case of a solution, Talat expressed the need for finalizing technical and legal works immediately.

[05] The number of voters in the breakaway regime for the June 7 Turkish elections

The paper writes that the voting procedure, in the framework of the Turkish law according to which Turkish voters can cast their vote from abroad, has started on May 8 and will continue until May 31. It will take place at the "Turkish Embassy" building in the occupied part of Lefkosia. The paper also writes that the "Turkish ambassador" Halil Ibrahim Akca has already cast his vote on May 8.

(CS)

[06] Volkan argues that there is plan for dividing and neutralizing the UBP

Noting that it will announce the details of the plan tomorrow, the paper claims that the UBP's regular congress and the congress for amending the party's statute will be used to destabilize the party. It also argues that according to the plan, lack of confidence against the administration of the party should be created and there should be 3-4 candidates for the presidency of the UBP during the congress. It is also said that the resignation of the heads of UBP's some local organizations would help in the achievement of the target set in the plan.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The "KTFF" has approved harmonization of its charter with FIFA

Reports said that 40 out of 42 clubs took part in the "KTFF's assembly, with 38 voting in favor of the changes.

In a statement on the issue, Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of the "KTFF" said: "A journey has started for the future of football, youth, and the country".

[08] Kerry to meet Cavusoglu in Ankara

During Cavusoglu's visit to the U.S. in late April, the two officials discussed the crisis in Yemen, the latest developments in Syria, the ongoing fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and Turkey's contribution to a possible ground operation in Mosul, the resumption of the peace talks in Cyprus, Ukraine and energy security.

In the meeting, Cavusoglu is expected to discuss the latest developments in the train-and-equip program as well as the extradition of U.S.-based imam Fethullah Gulen, who is listed as a prime suspect in three different legal cases and is accused by Ankara of leading a terrorist organization.

(?)

Sources from the Foreign Ministry spoke to Daily Sabah and said that Kerry may also meet with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, however, it has not been confirmed by the Prime Ministry.

[09] Turkey to build its first LPD

This move was interpreted as 'alarming' for Israel, Greece and "Greek Cyprus" as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the paper, as it would change the whole security balance in Eastern Mediterranean.

The LPD, expected to be completed by 2021, is a part of Turkey's national ship (MILGEM) project and the country's recent moves to develop and improve its own defense industry. Weighing 27,436 tons, 231 meter-long, the ship will be able to carry 1,200 personnel as well as tanks, helicopters, drones and warplanes with capability of vertical landing and take-off. If built with a 'ski-jump' ramp flight deck, the LPD can also be used by some airplanes with horizontal landing and take-off capability. The ship will also include a full-fledged hospital.

The contract was signed during IDEF'15 defense fair, which acted as a show-off venue for Turkey's booming defense industry.

(?)The LPD will be able to sail non-stop for 50 days, while having a range of up to 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 kilometers), which would allow the Turkish Navy a strong presence even in the Atlantic and the Indian oceans.

[10] Kenan Evren passed away

Evren, who was 97, had been undergoing treatment for chronic back pain since March 2012 at the hospital.

Evren was born in Manisa in 1917 and graduated from the military academy in 1949. After serving as the Land Forces Commander, he was promoted to Chief of General Staff in 1978.

He is principally known for leading the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup. With the coup he assumed Presidency and the head of the National Security Council (MGK) along with being the head of the military. The era that began with the coup is known for gross human rights violations, suspension of the political process and tens of thousands being detained and tortured. Several prisons, including one in Diyarbak?r, became infamous for the systematic torture of inmates. Diyarbak?r Prison is seen by many as the place where the terrorist PKK was born.

Last year, Evren, alongside the only other surviving member of the 1980 coup, former Air Forces Commander Gen. Tahsin Sahinkaya, was convicted of crimes against the state and sentenced to life imprisonment. They were the first generals to be tried and convicted of leading a coup in Turkey. The court decision stripped him of his military title and demoted him to the rank of private. The court's decision was yet to come into effect when he died because of an appeal lodged by his lawyers. His trial was made possible after the 2010 referendum that introduced several changes to the Constitution.

Evren will be buried with a state funeral because he is a former President. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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