Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-09-16

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

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Erdogan says natural gas resources to be distributed to the sides according to the population ratio

[02] Akinci says that they will defend their rights to the end within the framework of the UN

[03] Statements by Ozersay on Turkmen citizens living in the occupied area of Cyprus and on the Cyprus problem

[04] Tatar reiterated the need for a "two state solution in Cyprus"

[05] Tore: "Turkish flag theft, not a simple incident"

[06] Seven more persons granted "citizenship"

[07] So-called police confirmed that two Greek Cypriots were arrested in occupied Morfou

[08] The self-styled minister of tourism said that Turkey will promote "TRNC" tourism

[09] The increasing population in the occupied area of Cyprus causes problems in education and health

[10] Morfou is empty without students, according to the shop owners of the area

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: "Turkey may buy Patriots from US"

[02] Cavusoglu slams Netanyahu over annexation remarks

[03] Defense Ministry says that delivery of 2nd S-400 battery parts to Turkey completed

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Erdogan says natural gas resources to be distributed to the sides according to the population ratio

According to illegal Bayrak television (14.09.19-https://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=erdogan-speaks-on-cyprus-issue-4), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an interview to Reuters News Agency in Istanbul has stated that international law dictates that any natural resources to be discovered in Cyprus must be fairly distributed between the "north and the south" according to the population ratio.

Reminding that Turkey was one of the three guarantor countries on the island, Erdogan said that there were areas off the coast of Cyprus where both Turkey and "south Cyprus" [Translator's note: as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus] could conduct exploration activities.

"However what does international law dictate? It says that any resource discovered or extracted, this could be fish or oil, needs to be distributed fairly according to the population ratio of the two sides. What are they doing? They want to deprive or exclude north Cyprus from all of these resources. This is not possible in international law. More importantly, we are seeing countries, which have no rights in the area trying to gain a say in all that is taking place. This is where the problem lies," Erdogan said.

[02] Akinci says that they will defend their rights to the end within the framework of the UN

Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Yeni Bakis (15.09.19) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, speaking at a festival in occupied Limnitis village, said that the "Turkish Cypriot people have the right to live on this island in peace, security and equality" and added: "This path is clear; we will defend our rights to the end within the framework of the UN and it is obvious that this can be done by not escaping the negotiations".

Stressing that the biggest right of the Turkish Cypriot youth is to be freed from the future uncertainty, Akinci further said: "The Turkish Cypriot people demand an equal future on this island as well as the other community. It is the right of the Turkish Cypriots to reach such a future. It is also the right of the Turkish Cypriot people to have a dignified place within the international community and international law. It is the right of the Turkish Cypriot people to live in freedom and security as an equal existence on this island. It is the most natural right of our Turkish Cypriot youth to get rid of the uncertainty of the future and to be freed from living under embargoes. […] There is a clear way to do this, we can do this by defending our rights to the end and without avoiding the negotiations within the framework of the United Nations".

(DPs)

[03] Statements by Ozersay on Turkmen citizens living in the occupied area of Cyprus and on the Cyprus problem

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen(16.09.19) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs and leader of the People's Party (HP), Kudret Ozersay has argued that what he called obstacles put by the government of Turkmenistan to its citizens to travel abroad influenced the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. In a statement through a post on his social media account, Ozersay said that "for some time we are facing a difficulty which victimizes the citizens of Turkmenistan in our country", adding that "many persons who work in our country and went to Turkmenistan to visit their families and for similar reasons, cannot get out from their country, they are not allowed to exit".

Noting that obstacles existed for those citizens of Turkmenistan who work in various countries of the world, Ozersay added: "We also, like other countries, have carried out some diplomatic contacts with Turkmenistan's diplomatic officials on this issue, but no result was achieved yet. When we participate in the meeting of the OIC's Foreign Ministers in New York after about a week, we will bring this difficulty to the attention of Turkmenistan's officials. I felt the need to make this statement after questions coming from time to time on this issue by citizens and especially by individuals who are employers of citizens from Turkmenistan".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Hakikat(16.09.19) reports that in statements during a visit to occupied Agios Amvrosios village, Ozersay referred to the Cyprus problem and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side wished for the existing uncertainty to end. He alleged that they wanted an agreement between the sides and exerted efforts in the direction of taking steps to improve the situation even without an agreement. Claiming that they did not accept the existing status quo, Ozersay reiterated the position that a model based on cooperation would be more realistic since a federal solution allegedly did not seem possible now.

Arguing that they were following a foreign policy which allegedly forced the Greek Cypriot side to take steps in the direction of this cooperation, he alleged that the best example for this was the natural gas issue. He claimed that after the Turkish showed this "will", the Greek Cypriot side started thinking of what could be done on the natural gas issue before a solution to the Cyprus problem was found.

Referring to the opening of the occupied fenced-off city of Varosha, he said that they have started implementing, with a concrete plan, things which had been discussed, but were not implemented for years and argued that this plan would be implemented quickly during the forthcoming period, without steps which are contrary to the UN resolutions and without ignoring the rights of the "former owners".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Tatar reiterated the need for a "two state solution in Cyprus"

According to illegal Bayrak television (15.09.19-https://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=pm-tatar-criticizes-anastasiades-mitsodakis), so-called prime minister Ersin Tatar alleged that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will never abandon Turkey's active and effective guarantees nor will they abandon their rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He claimed also that the "government" will proceed with its plans for the fenced-off city of Varosha.

In a written statement issued on Friday, Tatar evaluated the latest statements made by President Nicos Anastasiades and the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens.

"Both Anastasiades and Mitsotakis have set the removal of Turkey's guarantees as a precondition to starting talks. They are also demanding that Turkey cease its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean for restarting talks, ignoring the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the process. Anastasiades has threatened to carry the issue of Maras to the United Nations. All these demands and preconditions have once again demonstrated that it is not possible to reach a solution to the Cyprus Problem and to expect a positive approach from the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo," Tatar alleged.

Supporting that any settlement to be reached in Cyprus needed to be based on the realities on the island, he argued the following: "These realities are clear. There are two separate states, two independent sovereign peoples. What needs to be done is to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of sovereign equality as stated by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on his latest visit to the island".

[05] Tore: "Turkish flag theft, not a simple incident"

According to illegal Bayrak television (14.09.19-https://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=tore-says-theft-of-the-turkish-flag-not-a-simple-incident), the "speaker" of the so-called assembly, Zorlu Tore alleged that the incident involving a Greek Cypriot teenager stealing a Turkish flag and a photograph of the late founding "president" Rauf R. Denktas was "not a simple incident of theft".

"This is a vile attack on the freedom and independence of the Turkish Cypriot people," Tore said in a written statement issued on Friday.

Tore argued that Greek Cypriots and priests who attend and conduct church services in the "TRNC under the pretext of exercising freedom of religion must be closely watched".

Tore also criticized the Slovakian Embassy for instructing all its citizens to leave Acapulco Hotel following Thursday's explosion at a nearby military zone despite the fact that the situation had returned to normal and it was no longer dangerous.

"The Slovakian Embassy's action is nothing but a demonstration of hatred against Turks. The Slovakian Embassy which conducts round table meetings with political parties of both sides has contradicted itself. We are expecting an explanation as to why the Slovaks acted the way they did. We would like to remind them that it is the Greek Cypriot side which is occupying the so-called Republic of Cyprus," Tatar claimed.

[06] Seven more persons granted "citizenship"

Under the title "'Justified' citizenship to seven persons", Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen(16.09.19) reports that the self-styled council of ministers decided to grant "citizenship" to seven persons with the justification that they were born, raised, studied and lived for years in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The names of these persons were published in the "official gazette" on 12 September 2019 (Issue Number 126). The new "citizens" are: Bahar Bender, Leyla Tugantemir, Aliser Ilhan, Yusuf Bozkurt, Remziye Yildirim, Lale Bender and Cansu Arslan.

(I/Ts.)

[07] So-called police confirmed that two Greek Cypriots were arrested in occupied Morfou

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (16.09.19) under the title "Disgrace" reports that the so-called police in the occupied area of Cyprus confirmed that two Greek Cypriots, a woman aged 52 and her 20 years old daughter were arrested the other day in occupied Morfou, by the so-called police. According to the paper, the two women were arrested with the justification that they were taking photos and videos of their house in occupied Morfou, which is located in an area where photos and videos are forbidden. "Human rights are strongly violated in the norther part of Cyprus", points out the paper, adding that the "occupier does not permit people who have properties in the TRNC to take photos there".

The paper adds further that the arrest of the two women caused strong reactions in the "south" and was described as a blow to the efforts for peace and finding a solution in the island".

(AK)

[08] The self-styled minister of tourism said that Turkey will promote "TRNC" tourism

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (16.09.19) reports that the self-styled minister of tourism Unal Ustel, evaluating his recent contacts in Ankara stated that they will co-operate with Turkey on issues related to the formation of politics as regards transportation and the promotion of the recognition of the "TRNC" and its transformation to a tourist destination.

According to Ustel, Turkey will give "strong support" aiming to the increase of the number of foreign tourists who visit the breakaway regime. He also said that the one-entry visa that Turkey grands to tourists from Far East and Asia apply to the occupied area of Cyprus as well and these tourists will be able to visit both Turkey and the "TRNC".

(CS)

[09] The increasing population in the occupied area of Cyprus causes problems in education and health

Under the title "This hospital is not enough for this population", Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Yeni Duzen (15.09.19), on its front page, publishes a photo from a corridor at "Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu state hospital" in the occupied part of Nicosia and reports that "the only fully equipped hospital in the country, Nicosia Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu hospital is no longer adequate for the country's population. Doctors from all specialties are on duty 24hours a day in the hospital, but neither the infrastructure nor the capacity are sufficient for the patients".

Meanwhile, under the title "Without population planning, the number of schools and the number of hospitals is inadequate", Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Kibris (16.09.19) reports that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), commenting on "the relocation of three classes of an elementary school in Keryneia to a building of a private school because the number of schools in the country was not enough to meet the population", said that "due to lack of planning on the issue of population, the number of schools and hospitals in the country are not enough anymore".

The paper further reports: "The fact that the number of schools in the country is not sufficient to meet the population caused extraordinary situations in the new school year which started today in primary education".

Elcil also noted that 56% of the students in school are Turkish citizens, 5% are from third countries and 39% are "TRNC citizens", adding that "the main cause of this problem is the lack of planning in this country". He further said that "it is not clear who is entering and who is leaving the country".

(DPs)

[10] Morfou is empty without students, according to the shop owners of the area

Under the title: "The Shop owners in Morfou are waiting for the students", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (15.09.19) reports that the shop owners in occupied Morfou stated that the area is empty when the students of the "universities" leave and the population is increased after the students return.

In statements to the paper, some shop owners of the area stated that the students are the main reason that keeps Morfou alive and added that their job ends when the students go. According to the shop owners, only few tourists visit Morfou and therefore the number of tourists visiting the area cannot cover the students' absence.

(CS)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: "Turkey may buy Patriots from US"

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.06.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-may-buy-patriots-from-us-erdogan-146560) reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Reuters news agency in an interview in Istanbul on Sept 13 that Ankara will discuss purchasing US Patriot missiles in a meeting between the two countries' leaders later this month.

"I said no matter what package of ... S-400s we get, we can buy from you a certain amount of Patriots," Erdogan said. "But I said we have to see conditions that at least match up to the S-400s", he added.

Erdogan had earlier talked about buying Patriots with U.S. Donald Trump in a telephone call and the two will discuss the issue in more detail at the U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York later this month.

"In my opinion a country like the US will not want to hurt its ally Turkey any more. This is not rational behavior," Erdogan said, expressing hopes that his personal bond with Trump would overcome the current crisis between the two countries.

"This is not an offense, but a defense system. Turkey needs such a defense system," he said.

Underlining that Trump blames the Obama administration for refusal to sign a deal with Turkey to sell the Patriot missile system, Erdogan said: "It is impossible to think that threats of sanctions reflect reality."

He also reiterated that Turkey would take care of itself if Washington continued its current stance on Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program.

Highlighting that Russia supports Turkey in the defense industry, Erdogan stressed that Russia offered Turkey to sell fighter jets Su-57 and Su-35.

"We support people from Idlib migrating at the moment as the Turkish Republic with Disaster Management Agency (AFAD) and Red Crescent by trying to deliver all kinds of aid," Erdogan further said.

He stated that there were already 3.6 million Syrian refugees in Turkey and Ankara cannot host anymore migrants, and added that the West had no such problem.

Erdogan emphasized that Turkey would be holding an Idlib summit in Ankara on Monday where talks with Russia and Iran will be held on a lasting truce in Idlib. "The aim was not just an instant truce, but one to end migration, provide a cease-fire and end the terrorist networks in the area", he said.

Erdogan stated further that the EU has not fulfilled its commitments on expenditures and Turkey would not remain silent in the face of the EU.

"This figure is now 3 billion euro. The EU had pledged ?6 billion ($6.6 billion) aid to improve living conditions of Syrian refugees in Turkey, but only ?2.22 billion ($2.45 billion) were disbursed as of this June, according to Turkey -- 40 billion dollars we have spent so far," he said.

He noted that he had a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the week and he also met French President Emmanuel Macron and that discussions would continue in New York.

He said creating a safe zone will ensure that the migrants in Turkey would return to their own land and that there would be all kinds of education, health and shelter in their own land.

"It is Turkey which is fighting with these terror groups, we are your partner in NATO. You give them the weapons for free that you will not sell for money to your NATO ally," he said.

"We are fed up with explaining this ... I think Trump must understand us," Erdogan added.

[02] Cavusoglu slams Netanyahu over annexation remarks

Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.09.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-lambasts-netanyahu-over-annexation-remarks/1584269) reported that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu dubbed as "embarrassing" the Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to annex large parts of occupied lands in the West Bank.

Cavusoglu was speaking at the emergency meeting of Foreign Ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah.

"This embarrassing statement is a vile attempt to win a few more votes in the coming election at the expense of destroying the hopes of [achieving] a lasting peace in the Middle East," Cavusoglu said.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu, appealing to his voters ahead of polls slated for Sept. 17, said: "I announce my intention to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, if the Israeli citizens elect me."

Cavusoglu said further that the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories inflicted heavy damage on the daily lives of the Palestinians.

He went on to state that Israel was encouraged by "some" countries and its political system has been on the verge of turning into an apartheid and racist regime. "This new fait-accompli should be a warning to those [countries] who are giving a blank check to Israeli violations and provocations," he said and called on the Muslim world to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

He added that this fresh annexation comments by the Israeli government should make Muslim countries question the so-called "Deal of the Century" and some members of the OIC should raise an objection to the Israel's illegal actions.

Cavusoglu expressed gratitude over the reaction of the international community toward Netanyahu's annexation statement. "This [international reaction] is positive, but not enough," he said, calling on the globe to take firm action against such baseless illegal claims.

Stressing that the core point of the establishment of the OIC was Palestine, Cavusoglu went on to say that a proper peace plan should "meet the expectations of the Palestinians and fix the historical injustice."

(…)

[03] Defense Ministry says that delivery of 2nd S-400 battery parts to Turkey completed

Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.09.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/delivery-of-2nd-s-400-battery-parts-to-turkey-completed/1584175) reported that Turkish Defense Ministry said on Sunday that the final parts of the second battery of Russian S-400 missile defense system have arrived in Ankara.

Noting that the delivery process for the second S-400 battery started on Aug. 27, the Ministry said that the transfer was completed at Murted Airbase on Sunday.

"The delivery of the first battery equipment was made on July 12-25", it added.

Currently, the installation of the system is underway and Turkish military personnel are being trained on the use of the system. The system is projected to get operational in April 2020.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/AM)

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