Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-03-03

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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] Davutoglu and Kalyoncu signed the water "agreement"; Davutoglu reiterates that they do not recognize the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Akinci: "By enforcing our structure we will come closer to the solution"

[03] Isik stated that Turkey will continue exerting efforts for a solution in Cyprus and for the "lifting" of the so-called embargoes

[04] Talat reacted against AKEL's statement that the water agreement will not bind Cyprus

[05] Ozgurgun reacted over President Anastasiades' statement about the development of occupied Morfou

[06] Durust: Anastasiades' statements do not concern us

[07] Kibris Postasi resumed its printed edition

[08] Protesters trying to break Sur curfew met with harsh police intervention

[09] Turkish PM calls Cumhuriyet report an 'espionage against Turkey'

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu and Kalyoncu signed the water "agreement"; Davutoglu reiterates that they do not recognize the Republic of Cyprus

In statements at a joint press conference, Kalyoncu argued that the water "agreement" is of vital importance for the Greek Cypriots as well in the federal republic to be established after the comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. He claimed: "We believe that the water should be used from now in the direction of peace and rapprochement. The positive course of the relations between the TRNC and Turkey in a sensitive period during which the negotiations between the two communities are advancing is of great importance".

Arguing that important distance has been covered in the search for a just and lasting solution, Kalyoncu said that the negotiating process is continuing positively.

Asked to assess the statement made by left-wing AKEL party's general Secretary that the water "agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime does not bind the Republic of Cyprus, Kalyoncu alleged that if a federal republic is established the international agreements made by the "south", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, and the "international agreements" made by the regime will be all valid. "I believe that they have created a fuss in vain and they did not do right", he alleged.

In his statements, Davutoglu described the water project as "the project of the century" and argued that with this project the "daughter land is once more connected to the motherland". He added: "The motherland and the daughter land who have been sharing the same destine for centuries had unified forever with the blood of our martyrs who went there in 1974 and now with our water [?] With this project of the century we are sending to our Cyprus, our TRNC, the daughter land, Turkey's water which is [?] for them like the mother's milk, because in all places of the world the islands' most important problem is the fact that they cannot have water resources or their resources are limited. In this sense the Anatolian water transferred to the TRNC is a strategic investment [?]".

Davutoglu said also that with Kalyoncu they discussed the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and had the opportunity to assess their work. He argued:

"The TRNC standing on its own feet, having an institutionalized political and economic structure is one of the most important strategic targets for Turkey and bears vital importance. Either there is a solution or not, the TRNC which will continue its existence as a founding state, must be built on the soundest foundations as one of the two founding states and if there is no solution it is required that it has the deposit to be able to again continue its own way as a respectable and recognized country in the world. On this issue Turkey is by the TRNC's side [?] under any conditions. No one should make wrong calculations. Turkey's support, the support which makes possible the impossible today, will continue always just like in the water project and we will continue doing whatever is necessary from now on for our kinsmen, our brothers in the TRNC living in tranquility, security and stability".

Replying to a question regarding Greek Cypriot statements that the Republic of Cyprus will not recognize the water "agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime, Davutoglu argued:

"The comment of a country which we in any case do not recognize does not bind us. It is necessary to say this. Actually this reflects a mentality. It is tantamount to 'we are not accepting any step even if this is positive'. Think, with a great munificence we say I am not aiming at the TRNC, we are sending water to the entire Cyprus. We are in any case ready to give all we have for the TRNC. Let no one doubt about this. [?] Therefore the water which reaches the island of Cyprus and God willing when peace comes will be the water of life to all Cyprus, not only for the Turks but for the Greeks as well. We said this as well. We referred to it as the first step for a big peace. How positive language we use, how constructive approach we exhibit. We never said the following: 'This water goes only for the Turks and the Greeks will never make use of it'. Because for us the water is a blessing to all humanity by Allah to all humankind. [?] While we are using such a positive language, the other side says 'this agreement does not bind us'. It does not matter whether it binds [them] or not. Has the water reached there? Yes it has. Has an agreement been signed? It has. Is with this agreement every kinsman of ours in the TRNC going to be benefited of this water? Yes they will. Let it not bind them. There is no need to make this so big trouble of it. However, it is important because it reflects the mentality. Because of this mentality peace cannot be reached in Cyprus. That is, a stance which aims at preventing or denigrating or ignoring even a positive step is in any case preventing peace from coming to Cyprus. Look how relaxed we are, on the other hand, we are open to any kind of solution, we are open to discussing everything, we are open to sending water, we are open to pleasing. Why? Because we have faith in ourselves, we are certain of our justice, we are certain of our power, we are certain of the position we are standing. Therefore, we should not take it very seriously into consideration. One day they will remember these issues, this agreement which now they are not taking seriously into consideration or they do not accept, when they start drinking from water that came [?] and they will thank Turkey. And they will thank Mr Kalyoncu for signing the agreement. The day will come when they will be ashamed of what they did".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci: "By enforcing our structure we will come closer to the solution"

Pointing out that "KOBI's" aim is the development of the "economy" and the creation of a competitive structure in the "TRNC", Akinci said: "It is highly important to become competitive not only within the federal structure to be in the future but also within the EU". "By doing this, we will come closer to the solution", Akinci argued and stressed that even if there will not be a solution, the Turkish Cypriots should establish a viable and competitive structure.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation talks, Akinci said that after his "election" in "presidency" he exerted efforts with honesty and goodwill together with the cooperation of Turkey in order to find a solution on the Cyprus problem. He also explained that Cyprus as a whole and as a new state to be within the framework of a federal structure, should take its place inside the EU.

Pointing out that a remarkable progress has been achieved at the negotiation talks, Akinci added that there are still some difficulties in some core issues and underlined that they will continue their efforts in order for the process to yield a positive outcome.

Stating that they are carrying out the talks conscious that 2016 will be the year of the solution, Akinci stressed that this solution will reflect positively to the region.

Supporting that they should continue their path with the vision to turn the energy resources in the region as a mean of cooperation and not of friction, Akinci referred to the negative scenario of not being able to reach a federal solution in Cyprus and added that it is from this point of view that KOBI's role is very important. He stated also that if no solution is found, the life in the occupied area of Cyprus will continue and said that that they should do all necessary in order to be able to become a part of the international law.

(AK)

[03] Isik stated that Turkey will continue exerting efforts for a solution in Cyprus and for the "lifting" of the so-called embargoes

Isik went on and stressed the need for the business world in "north Cyprus" to become competitive and for the occupation regime's economy to become innovative.

Isik also stated that the Turkish Republic will continue providing any kind of support for the development of the "TRNC".

Giving a briefing about the grants and the standby credits that Turkey provided to the entrepreneurs in the country, Isik added that Turkey will continue its contribution and support to the "entrepreneurs" in the "TRNC" as well.

Pointing to the important role of "KOBI" (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in the occupied area of Cyprus) for the development of the "TRNC's economy", Isik explained that the "TRNC's KOBI summit" is taking place with the aim to determine "KOBI's strategies" towards competition and development.

Referring to the water transferred from Turkey to the occupation regime, Isik said that this will bring prosperity in the "TRNC" and boost the production of the "country".

(AK)

[04] Talat reacted against AKEL's statement that the water agreement will not bind Cyprus

AKEL issued a statement noting that the water project is a plan that should have been signed off by a unified federal Cyprus and not a regime that is not recognized.

"Whether it is bind or not, this is not an issue that can be determined by a statement made by a party", Talat said and added: "This is not a significant statement? It is not clear yet which international agreement will bind or not the United Cyprus State". Talat also expressed the question why this agreement could not bind the federal state. "What kind of objections are there for it?", he said.

He went on and added that they even undertook this issue with Demetris Christofias during the Cyprus negotiation and discussed on how the water would be under the federal authority.

(CS)

[05] Ozgurgun reacted over President Anastasiades' statement about the development of occupied Morfou

Commenting on Anastasiades' reaction, Ozgurgun said: "With this mentality, which is trying to present motherland Turkey as the side which is against the solution, losing time for an open-ended negotiation talks is the biggest injustice for the Turkish Cypriot people".

(AK)

[06] Durust: Anastasiades' statements do not concern us

"These statements do not concern us", Durust stated adding that the construction of a "Cyprus science community health university" is extremely important for them and it does not concern them whether Anastasiades, the Greek Cypriots and their administration are pleased or not with it.

He went on and added that the Turkish Cypriot "people" have been living in this soil for 40-42 years and they consider it as their motherland. "Investments will help towards the solution procedure", he said and added" "We are not against the solution. We think that a solution is necessary. If there is a solution, it will not be according to Anastasiades liking. [?] supporting the solution procedure means that we will not stop the investments in our country and we will make them where we think are needed", he stated.

(CS)

[07] Kibris Postasi resumed its printed edition

According to Rasih Resat, the editor-in-chief of the Kibris Postasi, the paper's administration team decided to re-think its decision to stop the circulation of Kibris Postasi on paper and its continuation on internet, because of the reaction of the readers. "We could not bear the pressure, we missed our paper and we started printing again", Resat wrote.

(CS)

[08] Protesters trying to break Sur curfew met with harsh police intervention

The police used pressurized water, tear gas and plastic bullets against the protesters to force them away. Police detained 33 people during the protests.

Diyarbakir authorities already announced on Wednesday that it has banned all entry into the Sur district, a move that came before the planned march to protest the long-standing curfew.

Speaking on Monday, pro-Kurdish HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtas called on people to march on Wednesday to protest the more than 90-day curfew in Diyarbakir's Sur district. "We don't see it as normal that a war has been ongoing in the center of the province for three months. All Diyarbakir people should make a stand to lift the blockade in Sur," Demirtas said, and called on everyone to attend the march planned to be held in Sur on Wednesday. "This is a democratic right guaranteed by the Constitution," he underlined.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who spoke during a press conference in Nigeria on Wednesday, called on prosecutors to take action against Demirtas. "I think the prosecutors have to perform their duties, because nobody has the right to create chaos and disturb the peace in my country."

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday that lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish HDP had sought to collaborate with "terrorists" and drag Turkey into chaos.

Davutoglu also told a news conference that there are plans to make it easier for civilians to leave areas under curfew in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, where hundreds have died since the clashes between PKK terrorists and the security forces members erupted after the collapse of a cease-fire in July.

In remarks to reporters in Parliament on Wednesday, Interior Minister Efkan Ala termed Demirtas's call an "open provocation," adding, "Those who make provocations bear the consequences," he said.

[09] Turkish PM calls Cumhuriyet report an 'espionage against Turkey'

"There is clearly an issue of an activity [carried out] against the Republic of Turkey. They published documents, which were meant to be secret and revived the issue. [?] The aims of those who gave the documents to them are obvious," Davutoglu said, adding it was wrong to reflect the case as one regarding press freedom.

Davutoglu also said one could not apply to the Constitutional Court before the legal process was complete, adding that the whole legal process cannot be tied only to the Constitutional Court. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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