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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-08-18

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/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 156/16 18.08.2016

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

  • [01] Akinci met with Erdogan in Ankara
  • [02] Yildirim alleges that this is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus; Akinci's contacts in Ankara
  • [03] More about the "citizenship" issue
  • [04] Occupied Keryneia's city planning "decree" continues causing debates
  • [05] Atun signed agreements in Ankara
  • [06] Illegal weapons found at illegal Famagusta port
  • [07] Turkey asks for explanation from Germany over 'Islamist platform' claims
  • [08] Deputy PM denies claims Turkey moving away from West
  • [09] Turkey submits normalization deal with Israel to Parliament for approval
  • [10] Turkish Justice Minister: If the U.S. does not extradite Gulen it would mean the U.S. has given up on its relations with Turkey for Gulen
  • [11] Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to visit India
  • [12] Fifty Turkish academics dismissed from an Azerbaijan university

  • [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

    [01] Akinci met with Erdogan in Ankara

    Under the title "We are ready for solution within this year", Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.08.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met yesterday in Ankara with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and evaluated the latest stage on the Cyprus problem. After the discussions they held at the presence of their delegations, the two leaders had also a face-to-face meeting. According to the paper, in the statements they made after their meeting, they gave the message that the Turkish side is ready for a solution to the Cyprus problem within 2016.

    Erdogan said that they discussed the developments as regards the Cyprus problem and added:

    "We have made detailed evaluations. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side are in favor of a just, lasting and comprehensive solution on the island. We have exerted and are exerting every possible effort in this direction. The target of these efforts is the establishment of a new and viable bi-zonal bi-communal partnership within this year between the two sides in the island. It is absolutely necessary for the Cyprus issue to reach a solution in a manner which will guarantee the political equality, the legitimate rights and the security of the Turkish Cypriot side. The settlement of this issue will contribute to the security, stability, cooperation and prosperity in our area. After a possible solution, the real potential of Cyprus will come up and many cooperation projects, which could not be evaluated until now at regional scale, will be materialized. It is undoubtedly very important to show the necessary political understanding and flexibility in the way to the solution. In parallel to this, the sides should see each other as future partners and show that they are ready to live side by side and respect each other's rights. [?]"

    Arguing that if the wish to reach a result is sincere, the above-mentioned behavior should be exhibited from now in a clear and concrete way, Erdogan alleged: "We will decisively continue doing whatever we can aiming at greening up peace, stability and prosperity in the island and our region. I believe that the discussions we held today were a valuable step taken in this direction".

    In his statements Akinci referred to the Cyprus negotiations and expressed the view that they have really reached a turning point in Cyprus. He argued:

    "We are persons of the same generation with Mr Anastasiades. We are making the last attempt of our generation. We will either reach a solution in Cyprus before the end of 2016 or this window of opportunity will be lost with 2017 with the beginning of the propaganda campaign for the 2018 February elections in the south. In spite of the warnings we always make, when 2017 enters, they will trigger new tensions again by searching for natural wealth in the area they call exclusive economic zone, in the area where the Turkish Cypriots also have rights. The [election of] a new UNSG will come onto the agenda. This window of opportunity will be closed until the new UNSG learns this file. Therefore, we say that the way of reason and logic is to put an end to this issue before the end of 2016. And to turn the natural wealth in Eastern Mediterranean into a field of cooperation and not a reason for tension [?] Feeling your support always gives us strength. Therefore, we have seven more meetings during the process between 23 August and 14 September. Following the UN General Assembly will come. Perhaps, if good progress is achieved in these seven meetings, the door for new processes during which we could be more hopeful may open by the end of September. We will continue to walk on this path having your support. I hope that the other side will give us this opportunity".

    Referring to the anti-Gulen operations in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci claimed that the Turkish Cypriots, who have always supported democracy, law, freedom and non-military administration, will not allow FETO of any other terrorist organizations to appear in "their lands". He added that if there is valid information based on documents and correct sources on this issue, they will do whatever they can to uproot such organizations. Referring to something said by the well-known Turkish poet Namik Kemal who had been exiled to Cyprus, Akinci said that "the innocent should not suffer alongside with the guilty" and noted: "Cyprus is a small place, a place where there is a lot of gossip. Namik Kemal had always complained of Cyprus' gossip and mosquitos. Of course we do not want some innocent persons to be accused in vain with gossips, envy or tale bearing in the TRNC, which is a democratic state of rule of law. I am sure that you do not want this here as well".

    Replying to Akinci's above comment, Erdogan said: "I also thank you very much, but let us not return to Namik Kemal's period in which there was a lot of gossip. [?] We are now talking about a north Cyprus far from gossip. God willing the number of mosquitos has also reduced a lot".

    (I/Ts.)

    [02] Yildirim alleges that this is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus; Akinci's contacts in Ankara

    Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.08.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met yesterday in Ankara with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. Citing information acquired by Anatolia news agency, the paper writes that the Cyprus talks were evaluated during the closed-door meeting which lasted for one hour.

    According to the same source, Yildirim alleged that the ongoing negotiating process is the last chance for finding a lasting and comprehensive solution in Cyprus and that Turkey will continue supporting a solution which will abolish the security grievances of the Turkish Cypriots and guarantee their political equality and legitimate rights. On his part, Akinci expressed the Turkish Cypriot "people's" solidarity with the Turkish people which prevented the coup attempt with their "decisive and courageous stance".

    Furthermore, Akinci and Yildirim exchanged views regarding the steps to be taken for further promoting "cooperation" between Turkey and the "TRNC".

    Within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, Akinci visited at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) the building of which had been bombed during the coup attempt of the 15th of July and the Special Operations' Office of the Police General Directorate in Golbasi area which was also attacked.

    Akinci met also with General Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Turkish General Staff, and signed the book of condolences opened at the General Staff after the coup attempt.

    (I/Ts.)

    [03] More about the "citizenship" issue

    Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.08.16) reports that the secretary of publication and propaganda of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Salih Efendi, criticized the "government" for granting new "citizenships".

    Efendi, who issued a written statement, said that the "government" grants the "TRNC citizenship" to 500 persons every month with decisions taken by the "council ministers" and the "interior minister".

    Efendi notes that it is obvious that the demanded by the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for 26,500 new "citizenships" has started to be implemented gradually. He also stated that this policy is implemented in a very critical period of the Cyprus negotiation, where the two Cypriot leaders have agreed on the number and the population analogy, adding that this is done on purpose.

    "This practice serves neither the solution nor peace", Efendi stated, adding that it will hurt Akinci at the negotiations and also transform the Turkish Cypriots into a minority in their own "country".

    In addition, reporting on the same issue Kibris (18.08.16) writes that according to a decision of the "council of ministries", which was published at the "official gazette", seventy persons received the "TRNC citizenship" and three more persons will also receive it on the condition that they have no criminal record and pass a health control.

    These are Hakan Baris (born in Ankara, Turkey), Ben Zion Friedman (born in Israel) and Dervis Erten (born in Seyahn, Turkey).

    Moreover the paper writes that congestion is observed at that "interior ministry" where many Turkish citizens and citizens of third countries who live in the breakaway regime gather daily due to the "immigration amnesty" and the re-launching of "citizenship granting" which was stopped for a short period.

    (CS)

    [04] Occupied Keryneia's city planning "decree" continues causing debates

    Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (18.08.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, has been exerting pressure on the so-called interior minister Kutlu Evren to sign the [amendment of the] city planning "decree" for occupied Keryneia area. Citing backstage information, the paper writes that Ozgurgun threatens that he will remove Evren from his duties if he does not sign. It is said that Evren is at a difficult situation, because the "municipalities" of occupied Lapithos, Karavas, Agios Amvrosios and Agios Epiktitos are exerting pressure on him not to sign and have agreed on a "planned development". The "decree" is rumored to be the reason of a possible forthcoming "reshuffle of the cabinet".

    Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen's (18.08.16) columnist Tayfun Cagra reports that as it was proved by the recent briefing on the occupied Keryneia area "decree", the reason for the wish of making amendments in the "decree" is the "legalization of illegal floors" at a hotel built in the area of the old Zeyko oil factory in occupied Agios Georgios. According to the columnist the "entire government" has been activated for "legalizing the illegal floors" of this hotel. The target of the change in the "decree", he notes, is not only the increase of the floors of the buildings, but also the increase of the percentage of the plot of land on which the buildings are constructed.

    Yeni Duzen publishes also statements by the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot "building contractors union", Cafer Gurcafer, who said that the two extra floors of the hotel constructed by Turkish Kaya Group in the area should be demolished, according to an "interim order" issued by the "court".

    (I/Ts.)

    [05] Atun signed agreements in Ankara

    Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak television (18.08.16, online, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=atun-held-contacts-in-ankara) broadcast that Sunat Atun, the breakaway regime's "minister" of economy and energy, held contacts in Ankara yesterday as "guest" of the Turkish Minister of Customs and Trade Bulent Tufenkci. A "memorandum of agreement" regarding the development of cooperation for craftsmen and artisans was signed following the meeting of the two "ministers".

    Speaking after the meeting, Tufenkci said that they attach to the development of the "TRNC" the same importance they attach to Turkey's development and added that they closely monitoring the development of the breakaway regime's economy.

    He noted: "I want to share with you the information that the Turkish Cypriot Association of Credit Guarantee Cooperatives for Tradesmen and Craftsmen will apply for membership to the Turkish Association of Credit Guarantee Cooperatives for Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESKOMB). Therefore, TESKOMB just like the Turkish artisans will also provide loans for Turkish Cypriots artisans. I think this will be an important development for artisans in the TRNC".

    Meanwhile, Atun evaluated his Ankara contacts to the Turkish State Television channel-TRT Haber.

    Reminding that an "agreement" had been signed last week with Turkish Minister Zeybekci to ease the criteria for beverages produced in the occupied area of Cyprus to be exported to Turkey, Atun noted that with only this agreement the annual import of the "TRNC" will increase by 20%.

    Atun added: "Raising its exports by 20% is an important gain for the TRNC which targets to achieve a 4-5 % growth rate. The fact that these agreements prepare the ground for this is extremely important for us".

    Atun also announced that an integration of the customs of Turkey and the breakaway regime will take place electronically. "This integration will ease operations. It will reduce unnecessary paper work", he said.

    Noting that under the World Trade Organization Turkey will switch to automated customs with 108 countries, Atun argued that the customs integration between the breakaway regime and Turkey will indirectly mean the integration of the "TRNC" with these 108 countries.

    [06] Illegal weapons found at illegal Famagusta port

    Under the title "Smuggled weapons operation", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.08.16) reports that the "police" discovered a huge haul of illegal weapons on a ship with the name "Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpasso)" at the illegal Famagusta port.

    According to the paper, it seems that the weapons were transferred to the breakaway regime last July and they were to be transferred to Turkey.

    (CS)

    [07] Turkey asks for explanation from Germany over 'Islamist platform' claims

    Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (18.08.16) reports that Ankara has slammed claims reported by Germany's ARD public broadcaster that Turkey has become "the central platform of action for Islamist groups" in the Middle East, as Berlin bids to cool down the spat following Turkey's angry response.

    The German government said in a confidential document obtained by The Associated Press on Aug. 16 that Turkey had become "the central platform of action for Islamist groups" in the Middle East.

    The claims in question are "a new indication of the distorted mindset which has been attempting to weaken our country by means of [attacking] our President and our government," said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a written statement released on Aug. 17.

    "The required explanation about the report, to which was referred in the ARD news report, is being sought for from FRG [the Federal Republic of Germany] authorities," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. "It is obvious that, behind these claims, there are some political circles in Germany whose double-standard manners in the fight against terror, including the bloody actions of the PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] terror organization, which continues to target Turkey," read the statement.

    "As a country, which sincerely fights against all kinds of terror no matter what their roots are, Turkey expects from its other partners and allies too to act in the same way," the Turkish Ministry statement said.

    In the confidential document by the German government and reported by ARD, the Interior Ministry of Germany said "numerous statements of solidarity and supportive actions" for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and "groups in the armed Islamist opposition in Syria" by Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "underline their ideological affinity with the Muslim Brothers."

    [08] Deputy PM denies claims Turkey moving away from West

    Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (18.08.16) reports that Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus rejected Wednesday claims Turkey was moving away from its traditional Western-oriented foreign policy. "Turkey is its own axis," Kurtulmus said at Cankaya Palace during a meeting with NGOs.

    "Both yesterday, today and tomorrow, an axis debate about Turkey is wrong and useless," Kurtulmus said, adding that the country would continue with its "multilateral and active" foreign policy.

    "Turkey's enhancing of relations with one region or one country does not mean the weakening of relations with other regions and countries," Kurtulmus said.

    The tepid response by many Western nations to Turkey's 15 July defeated coup attempt-and a subsequent trip to Russia by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan-have led many commentators to suggest that the country was departing from its traditional pro-Western foreign policy orientation.

    Erdogan's visit to Russia was his first overseas trip since the July 15 coup attempt, the aftermath of which has seen Turkey criticize Western governments and the EU for failing to support Turkish democracy in the face of a military takeover while warning Ankara to respect human rights and the rule of law.

    [09] Turkey submits normalization deal with Israel to Parliament for approval

    Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.08.16) reports that the agreement on normalization of Turkey-Israel relations has been presented to Turkish Parliament on Wednesday as part of the recent steps taken to mend the strained relations between the two states.

    According to the new agreement, Israel will pay $20 million in 25 days as a compensation for lost lives during the Mavi Marmara flotilla raid and Turkey will drop all cases against the incident.

    In addition, Israeli soldiers will be exempt from legal and criminal responsibility.

    Nine people had lost their lives after Israeli forces raided on Mavi Marmara flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, on May 31, 2010.

    [10] Turkish Justice Minister: If the U.S. does not extradite Gulen it would mean the U.S. has given up on its relations with Turkey for Gulen

    Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (18.08.16) reports that Turkish Justice Minister Bozdag urged Washington to detain FETO leader Gulen let he flee the country, adding that the U.S. should eventually extradite Gulen, or else it will lose the faith of the Turkish public.

    Speaking in an interview on A Haber, Bozdag once more drew attention to the extradition treaty between the two countries, and repeated Ankara's request to extradite Gulen since Ankara accuses him of being the mastermind behind the failed July 15 coup attempt. "We have a criminal-return agreement with the U.S. The 9th and 10th articles of the agreement are very clear ? when a state sends an emergency detention request to other about a criminal, the other state should arrest the criminal as a preventative measure without seeking for any evidence," Bozdag said, referring the ongoing process to extradite Gulen.

    Bozdag said that if the U.S. does not extradite Gulen to Turkey it would mean the U.S. has given up on its relations with Turkey for Gulen.

    [11] Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to visit India

    Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (18.08.16) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will make an official visit to India on Thursday, Foreign Ministry sources said on Wednesday.

    According to sources, Cavusoglu will be in India from August 18 to 20 to discuss a number of issues and exchange ideas.

    A roadmap between the Foreign Ministry of Turkey and the Foreign Ministry of India is also expected to be approved.

    Last week, Turkey requested the New Delhi administration to close schools linked to the Gulenist terror cult, accused of leading the brutal failed coup attempt on July 15, which resulted in the deaths of over 240 people and injured over 2,000.

    [12] Fifty Turkish academics dismissed from an Azerbaijan university

    Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (18.08.16) reports that fifty Turkish academics employed at an Azerbaijani university will not have their contracts renewed.

    According to the Rector of state-run Baku Higher Oil School, Elmar Gasimov, the Turkish academics ? including professors, department heads and deans ? worked at Qafqaz University in the capital, Baku. Gasimov said that the university has assigned Azerbaijani academics instead of Turkish staff, allegedly linked with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

    The Turkish teachers will leave the country by the end of August, he added. The college was brought under the control of Baku Higher Oil School after the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey. At least 240 people were martyred in the coup attempt, which the government has said was organized by the followers of Fetullah Gulen, founder of FETO. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

    http://www.pio.gov.cy

    (CS /AM)


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