Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-04-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat is the winner of the so-called presidential elections.

[02] Statements by Talat after winning the so-called elections.

[03] Talat: Papadopoulos must approach Annan's invitation warmly.

[04] Short Biography of Mehmet Ali Talat.

[05] How the Turkish Cypriot press sees Talats victory in the elections.

[06] Eroglu stated that the so-called elections were neither legal nor fair.

[07] Denktas stated that he will support Talat if the new president remains true to his oath.

[08] Rauf Denktas got a phone call from Gul before leaving his office.

[09] Demirel: Denktas is an hero.

[10] Demirel: The deep state is the army of the state.

[11] Turkey is reportedly expecting an invitation by the UN Secretary General on Cyprus. Statements by Erdogan´s advisor.

[12] Erdogan speaks of pressures and efforts to destroy Turkey's unity.

[13] Erdogan on the US demand for Incirlik.

[14] Turkish Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ali Tuygan said that Turkish-US relations are going well.

[15] Historic Armenian Monastery has been turned into cafeteria.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat is the winner of the so-called presidential elections

Mr Talat won 55.6 percent of votes counted, while his main rival Mr Dervis Eroglu, the leader of the (main opposition) National Unity Party (NUP), gained only 22.73 percent.

Below is the distribution of votes:

Mehmet Ali Talat:    55.6 %
Dervis Eroglu:	     22.73 %
Mustafa Arabacioglu: 13.22 %
Nuri Cevikel:         4.79 %
Zeki Besiktepeli:     1.72 %
Huseyin Angolemli:    1.05 %
Zehra Cengiz:	      0.44 %
Arif Salih Kirdag:    0.30 %
Ayhan Kaymak:	      0.17 %

The participation in this presidential elections was 69.58 percent and this was the lowest rate since 1976.

[02] Statements by Talat after winning the so-called elections

The Turkish Cypriots reiterated once again their decisiveness for a solution and the unification of Cyprus. They do not like the division of their island. They want to reunify Cyprus and they declared this very clearly to the international community. I thank my people; they gave a great support to my policies and they gave me a great responsibility also, in the meantime. I have to shoulder this responsibility. I have to do my best to reach and safeguard a solution to the Cyprus problem as a result of the reunification of our island.

At this moment, I want also to give my hand to the Greek Cypriots and Greek Cypriot leadership for peace and for finding a solution to our problem and reunifying our island.

Furthermore, I want to call also on the international community to support the Turkish Cypriots, for a beginning, at least, to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community -- these decisive people who worked for reunification of our island, and also, despite all negative propaganda, showed their decisiveness to support this political stand which we expose.

Also, I want to call on the UN Secretary-General to re-initiate his efforts to get a positive response from the Greek Cypriot side to prepare and present the proposal 0for amendments to the Annan plan, and in this way, to resume the negotiations to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[03] Talat: Papadopoulos must approach Annan's invitation warmly

In an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency (A.A), Mr Talat said: Mr Papadopoulos must convey his thoughts and suggestions to Kofi Annan.

Mr Talat noted: We will put our thoughts on the table. We are going to start a negotiation process to resolve the Cyprus issue. A solution must be found soon. We are running out of time. We have to utilize the time efficiently.

[04] Short Biography of Mehmet Ali Talat

Mehmet Ali Talat was born in Girne (occupied Kyrenia) on July 6th, 1952. Completing his secondary education on Cyprus, Talat graduated from Ankara's Middle East Technical University (METU).

After returning to `TRNC´ (occupied areas of Cyprus), Talat, an electrical engineer, opened his own workplace on cooling systems.

Taking part in political activities when he was a university student, Talat continued such activities after he returned to the island, and played an important role in establishment of Turkish Cypriot unions and Turkish Cypriot Students' Youth Federation (KOGEF). He became the first chairman of the executive board of KOGEF.

Also actively participating in the RTP's youth movement, Talat served in committees and organs of RTP for many years. Talat also worked as the secretary of the party responsible for educational affairs.

Talat was charged as the Minister of Education and Culture in the first coalition government formed by his party and the Democrat Party (DP) after the general elections held in December of 1993. He undertook the same post in the second DP-RTP coalition, and became the State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the third DP-RTP coalition government.

Mehmet Ali Talat was elected as the leader of RTP in the 14th convention of RTP held on January 14th, 1996. After being elected a parliamentarian from Lefkosa on December 14th, 2003, Talat formed RTP-DP coalition government on January 13th, 2004.

Winning a victory in the February 20th parliamentary elections, Talat formed the second RTP-DP coalition, and is still the prime minister of `TRNC´.

Talat, who can speak English, is married with two children.

[05] How the Turkish Cypriot press sees Talats victory in the elections

KIBRIS, under the banner front page title New leader, new period, writes that Mr Talat won the elections from the first round taking the 55.6 % of the votes. The paper writes that 102.853 persons voted yesterday, while 147.823 are registered in the election lists. The participation percentage in the elections was very low, says KIBRIS, as it reached only 69.58 %. The Denktas era is over, notes the paper, adding that Mr Talat and his supporters celebrated their victory last night at Inonu square in the occupied part of Nicosia. The paper also reports that the United States and the Commission of the EU congratulated Mr Talat about his victory.

AFRIKA, under the title Talat is elected, Erdogan has won, notes that for the first time the participation percentage in elections has fallen under 70 %. In the so-called presidential elections of 2000 this percentage has been 81 %. The paper writes that Mr Talat received the 55.6 % of those who voted, but the votes in his favour were only the 37.7 % of the registered voters. The only district where Mr Talat was not able to reach 50% is occupied Trikomo, where he received only 44.12 %. Mr Talat received his highest percentage in occupied Morfou area (58.81 %). The paper underlines also that the main opposition National Unity Party (NUP) of Dervis Eroglu suffered the greatest loss of votes, while the left-wing Communal Liberation Party received the lowest percentage in its history. The candidate of the settlers party (New Party), Mr Nuri Cevikel, came fourth in the elections receiving the 4.79 % of the votes. In Trikomo district he succeeded in getting 13.82 %.

HALKIN SESI gives the election result under the banner front-page title Talat is the President.

KIBRISLI, under the banner front-page title New Period, argues that the process of the peoples taking over the administration from the status quo is completed.

YENI DUZEN publishes the results under the title And it is Talats period.

VATAN publishes the results under the title And Talat is in the Palace and writes that today the Talat government is expected to submit its resignation to Mr Rauf Denktas and Talat to take over the presidency. The General Secretary of the RTP, Ferdi Sabit Soyer is expected to take over the duty of the prime minister of the occupation regime and he will be establishing a new government within the framework of the agreement reached between RTP and DP after the 20 February so-called parliamentary elections.

ORTAM refers to RTP era and says that Mehmet Ali Talat has been the winner of the elections the result of which was known beforehand. The paper points out that the 30.48 % of the voters did not participate in the elections.

GUNES comments on the election results under the title Talat is on the head of the status quo and Elections under shadow! The paper refers to the statements made by the chairman of NUP, Dervis Eroglu after the results had been announced.

VOLKAN, under the title 91.880 persons are against Talat, writes that while the number of the voters is 147.823 only 55.943 persons voted for Mr Talat, who could not take the votes of the 65 % of the people that said yes during the 24 April referendum. He remained 15 % under the 70 % target they had set, notes VOLKAN arguing that the 31 % that did not participate in the elections protested for external interventions aimed at having Mr Talat elected.

CUMHURIYET writes that The Second President is Talat.

[06] Eroglu stated that the so-called elections were neither legal nor fair

Mr Eroglu, who congratulated the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) Mehmet Ali Talat for his victory, stated that the so-called elections were openly meddled with from outside forces and that the public in occupied Cyprus was put into an election atmosphere where the results were already known. He stated that the Turkish media and the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan declared Mr Talat to be the new president before the elections come to an end.

The NUP leader also said that the 31% of the voters who did not show up in the elections, were NUPs voters who were protesting the outside meddling in the elections and added that the RTP maintains its power but it is shown that it has increased its percentages because of the low levels of participation in the elections.

In addition, Mr Eroglu stated that he would not stand down as the chairman of his party and added that after the assessment of the election results NUP would review its policy.

[07] Denktas stated that he will support Talat if the new president remains true to his oath

Speaking to TAK news agency, Mr Denktas stated that he will support the new president if he remains true to the oath he has given. Denktas also said that it would have been nice if Erdogan has not exerted his influence regarding the elections.

Commenting on the high percentage of the voters who did not participate in the so-called elections and reached the 30%, Mr Denktas stated that this fact was a message that these persons sent to the administration. He also added that the low participation was also connected with the fact that four elections took place in occupied Cyprus during the last year.

Mr Denktas, who also made statements at the illegal Bayrak television, stated that he will visit Mr Talat in order to congratulate him in person. He said that he will help as much as he can in order for an agreement to be reached which will be strong, permanent and will safeguard the state and its sovereignty.

[08] Rauf Denktas got a phone call from Gul before leaving his office

According to our information, Mr Denktas, in turn, thanked Gul for his sincere wishes and expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Justice and Development Party (JDP) government on the Cyprus issue. It was also learned that Mr Denktas told Mr Gul that he will engage in close cooperation with the Turkish Government in the future as well.

Mr Denktas declared that his first advice to the new President of the TRNC is that he should remain loyal to his oath. Mr Denktas said that the so-called president that would be elected in the elections or in the second round should embrace all the people and refrain from engaging in partisanship. Mr Denktas also said that it is essential to cooperate with Turkey. He expressed the view that the existing situation on the island will continue until 3 October.

Explaining that there has been a certain change in the discourse of the so-called Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat since he was elected prime minister and he has come to know the Greek Cypriots better, Denktas said: He has learned a great lesson. He is a smart man, and he should learn a lesson.

Mr Rauf Denktas revealed that he is planning to establish a national congress as a civilian, adding that the work on this subject is continuing.

[09] Demirel: Denktas is an hero

Demirel said: Denktas is not only leaving a past, he is leaving a state which he has established 22 years ago. He has gathered the Turkish Cypriots dispersed all over the island to the north. He is leaving the Turkish Cypriots safely gathered in the north. Denktas is none to second. He is an hero. From now on he has to be patient. He is leaving a state that he established and ruled it for 22 years.

[10] Demirel: The deep state is the army of the state

When asked what is the deep state, Demirel said: When the government is unable to implement the laws, the deep state comes in and embraces the state saying that the state which we had established with so many difficulties is slipping out of our hands.

The reason that the state becomes in need of the deep state, emanates from the inability of ruling the state. In the past when Turkey became impossible to govern Martial Law had been declared. Of the 80 years of the Republic´s history 40 years passed under `martial law´ and `state of emergency´. It is not an easy country to rule. However, today it would be wrong to try to solve every difficulty through resorting to emergency rule . In the past Turkey did not have enough police force. Turkey today has enough police force. The deep state does not move in, unless the state comes to the point of dissolution, destruction. They are not a separate state. When they overtake the state, then they become the deep state. And in that case there is no state.

[11] Turkey is reportedly expecting an invitation by the UN Secretary General on Cyprus. Statements by Erdogan´s advisor

In statements to KIBRIS correspondent in Brussels, Mrs Emine Davut, Mr Bagis reminded that Mr Erdogan met three times with Mr Annan and pointed out that neither Mr Talat nor the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Mr Moliviatis or the officials of the Republic of Cyprus are standing idle.

Mr Bagis said:

We shall wait for the sides to inform the UN Secretary General about their sensitivities. If the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots wants something to change in the plan they have to inform the Secretary General in writing about these and taking into consideration the sensitivities of the sides the Secretary General must ensure a new plan to come about preserving the balances. And a new referendum must take place. However, the reward and the punishment must be known beforehand.

[12] Erdogan speaks of pressures and efforts to destroy Turkey's unity

Turks must be sensitive and logical in reacting against provocations, Mr Erdogan said.

Prime Minister Erdogan commented that there are still some concerns regarding individual freedoms in Turkey. Yet we must find solutions by compromising. Compromise in the society will bring a fruitful compromise in the Turkish parliament. If we Turks can succeed in finding compromises, many problems in the society will be eradicated.

According to Erdogan, there are some pressures coming from the EU. We are finding out attempts to destroy our unity. Nevertheless, we must stand united and not fall. No one should try to take advantage of the stability in Turkey. As long as we live shoulder to shoulder, we can overcome all obstacles. We do not live to survive, but rather to be successful in the EU.

[13] Erdogan on the US demand for Incirlik

In the first section, Erdogan says that the European Court of Human Rights has not officially asked Turkey to retry Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, adding that nevertheless Turkey has to abide by the ECHR's decisions and that the Turkish people should trust the independent Turkish judiciary. He goes on to define "our common denominator" as "citizenship of Turkey" and points out that his administration rejects the following types of nationalism: "ethnic nationalism," "chauvinistic" nationalism, "religious nationalism." He also asserts that the Government is aware who is behind the recent "provocations" in Mersin, Trabzon, and Adapazari but that disclosing this information would make it difficult to adopt future precautions.

In the second part, the Prime Minister says that the Parliament remains to reach a consensus over the need to lift the restrictions on the wearing of Islamic headscarves, that the National Assembly's current stance on the headscarf issue does not reflect the people's will, adding that main opposition leader Deniz Baykal should understand that "we must adopt a joint approach" on this matter as on the Armenian issue.

In the third section, Erdogan notes that Turkey is an independent country and that it will do whatever the "NATO framework" requires concerning the US demands about Incirlik Air Base without letting Turkey's "sovereignty rights" be compromised, adding that any further use of Incirlik is out of the question. He proceeds to say that while a resolution by the US Congress recognizing the Armenian claims of genocide would "make us unhappy," it would not require a retaliatory response by Turkey. He also discloses the particulars of a conservation he had with President Bush in Brussels, asserting that the US President offered to come to Turkey "if it is necessary" and that he responded by saying, "Last time, you came. It is my turn now."

In the fourth part of the interview, Erdogan says that while he regards decent and respectful warnings to his administration as "part of our collective wisdom" and that "we definitely benefit from them," it is not possible to accept occasional "below-the-belt" attacks from part of the media and that unfair criticisms are only serving to create tension with detrimental consequences for the financial markets. He also announces that while "everything is ready" for the sale of media organizations placed in state receivership, the Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund has not completed the legal procedure required for the sale to take place.

In the fifth section, Erdogan criticizes certain commentators for "exaggerating" the importance of who will become chief negotiator with the European Union and accuses them of affecting the public opinion negatively about Turkey's prospects for starting negotiations by creating the impression that the government does not know when to appoint a chief negotiator.

In the final part of the interview, the Prime Minister blasts certain "anachronistic types" for claiming that Turkey owes some $32 billion to the IMF. He asserts that Turkey's actual debts to the IMF total approximately $20 billion and that this amount stood at $28-30 billion when they came to power. He accuses critics of the IMF in Turkey of not being aware that the IMF is an "accrediting organization" and that "you do not have any credibility in international markets if the IMF does not accredit you."

[14] Turkish Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ali Tuygan said that Turkish-US relations are going well

Mr Tuygan said that Turkey gave the message that it recognizes Iran's right to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but it views the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region as a serious security issue. On the subject of Syria, Mr Tuygan said that he informed the US side that Turkey, too, acknowledges the messages of the international community. It should not be regarded as odd that, as a regional country, Turkey has a different style and channels, Mr Tuygan added.

Mr Tuygan noted that on the subject of the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] the US officials understand Turkey's sensitivity. Referring to the expectation that the Armenian allegations will be raised at the US Congress, Mr Tuygan explained that he expressed Turkey's sensitivity in this regard.

[15] Historic Armenian Monastery has been turned into cafeteria

Sonmezler´s objective is to turn the place into a camping site.

/SK

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