"Turkey and the United States have intensified political and military dialogue for strategic planning to smoothly deliver U.S. weapons to the Free Syria Army (FSA), following Washington's decision to supply military assistance to the Syrian rebels, the H?rriyet Daily News has learned.

On the political level, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto
lu and Secretary of State John Kerry exchanged two phone calls, one on Saturday and the other late Wednesday, to discuss recent developments in Syria on the eve of a crucial core group meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People on Saturday in Doha. Kerry and Davuto
lu are also expected to hold a t?te-?-t?te meeting in Doha, in their first encounter since relations between the two allies were strained over the Gezi Park protests.

On the military-intelligence level, technical experts from the two countries are in intense talks to explore the best ways for the delivery of American weaponry to the FSA. Some representatives of the rebels have also been present in these meetings.

One of the most likely potential routes for the transportation of this weaponry into Syria is through Turkey, which has a long border with its southern neighbour, diplomatic sources said. Syria's northern parts are under the FSA's control and Turkey has stood as the best logistical centre for the Syrian opposition since the turmoil broke in the country in 2011.

The Kerry-Davuto
lu phone conversation late Wednesday mainly addressed developments in Syria, following Washington's policy change regarding arms supplies to the FSA.

No-fly zone on the agenda of Doha

 After this change of policy, they sure want to be in close coordination with us,' a Turkish Foreign Ministry official told the HDN. 'The change in the U.S. position has impacts on the ground and at the political level. Just after Washington declared this change in their policy, 73 senior Syrian army officials -including some four-star generals - defected to Turkey,' the official said. (?)

'We will discuss everything, including the implementation of a no-fly zone over Syria,' Foreign Minister Davuto
lu said in an interview with private broadcaster TGRT late on Wednesday. The use of chemical weapons, which has been proven by the Turkish and U.S. governments, will also be discussed, while participant countries will explore how to swiftly provide aid to the opposition groups. (?)"

[08] High level meeting in Ankara heading by Gul on Gezi Park protests and Kurdish issue

The Gazi Protests and the latest developments on the "peace operation regarding the Kurdish issue was discussed during the meeting, writes the paper which notes that this one of the few times that Erdogan and Gul met face-to-face after the breaking of the demonstrations in Turkey. In addition the paper writes that Gul and Erdogan held joint and separate meetings with Fidan and Ozel.

[09] Foreign Ambassadors to Lefkosia held contacts in occupied Cyprus

The paper writes also that Oksana Tomova, Ambassador of Slovakia to Lefkosia, visited the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The chairman of the chamber, Gunay Cerkez said during the meeting that a just solution to the Cyprus problem is needed and argued that the Turkish Cypriots are determined on this issue. "We cannot wait any more for a solution", he claimed and alleged that the so-called embargoes implemented on the Turkish Cypriots should end.

(I/Ts.)

[10] US State Department's report on human trafficking criticized strong the breakaway regime

According to the report, the breakaway regime turns a blind eye on the issue and does not make any efforts to prevent human trafficking or to help towards the identification of the victims.

The report writes that in a research conducted in year 2012, in 40 night clubs and three bars in occupied 1.121 women worked as B-girls for six months while 24 women worked as waitress. The women were forced into prostitution writes the report and came mostly from the following countries: Moldova Ukraine, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Georgia, Tunisia, Romania, Latvia, Egypt, Armenia and Tanzania.

[11] Political tension in occupied Cyprus increases; Kucuk attacks Eroglu; Quarrels for the candidacies continue

Kucuk argued that Sibel Siber's "government" has been established "without seeking the will of the people", by "violating democracy" and "with the support of the president of the republic", as he described Eroglu.

Kucuk said that in spite of his obligation to act impartially, Eroglu meddled in the internal affairs of the UBP and added: "Eroglu, who supports the current government, lost his temper". Kucuk alleged that Eroglu's effort is for this "government" not to go away, because if it this happens Kucuk will return to the "prime ministry". He claimed: "Who is this president of the republic? A person, who boasts of being a member of the UBP. Let him not say from now on that he is the biggest supporter of the UBP. This is over now".

Addressing the same meeting, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) noted that "the panic" of Kucuk that he will be defeated could be read in his face and in his eyes. Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), described Kucuk as "a child who lost his lollypop", while Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) said he saw no meddling by Eroglu in his party. He argued that the aim of the participation of the eight "MPs" of the UBP in his party was to prevent the "murdering of democracy" and "stop the invitation for meddling in the internal affairs of a party".

Furthermore, Halkin Sesi reports also that the "candidates" of the UBP and the TDP were announced yesterday. The paper notes that quarrels took place as regards the order of the "candidates" on the lists. As a result of these quarrels, Ertugrul Hasipoglu withdrew his candidacy with the UBP, and Baris Mamali and Suphi Hudaoglu resigned from their duties in the TDP and withdrew their "candidacies". Moreover, Tahsin Mertekci withdrew his candidacy with the TDP in occupied Morfou because Nazim Beratli, who had been "MP" with the CTP, was placed first in TDP's list.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (21.06.13) reports that Ejder Aslanbaba will definitely not be a "candidate" with the DP-UG in the "elections". After this was finalized, some rumors said that Aslanbaba accepted not to become a "candidate" because "they paid his debts". In statements after his decision not to become a "candidate", Aslanbaba said he still wanted to run in the "elections" and admitted that he had debts. "I wish they paid my debts and I left this island", he noted half joking half seriously speaking on the issue, reports Haberdar. Aslanbaba said also that he will keep the promise he had given with his colleagues when they started acting together and will vote positively for the "government" during the "vote of confidence".

(I/Ts.)

[12] Reactions to Erk's decision not to sponsor an activity for celebrating Turkish 1974 invasion of Cyprus

On the other hand, the organizers of the above-mentioned activity issued a statement criticizing Erk for giving an order in the direction of not including their activity in the celebrations for 20 July and added that they do not consider the "foreign ministry" as their sponsor and therefore they asked nothing for the activity to be held this year. They argued that including their activity in the program of the celebrations is an important message to the world and added that they will be at the beach in the night of the 19th of July until the morning of the 20th of July this year as well in order to show "the love and gratitude of the Turkish Cypriot people" to Turkey. [Translator's note: the activity is held at the beach in occupied Keryneia where the Turkish occupation army invaded Cyprus in 1974]

Meanwhile, addressing the "assembly" yesterday, Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) said that they oppose to the decision of the "ministry" not to support the above-mentioned activity and added that the Denktas Foundation will offer every contribution for the materialization of the "dawn guard".

Haberdar's editor-in-chief, Rasih Resat comments on the issue in his daily column today (21.06.13) and describes the decision of Erk as a "blunder", arguing that the interim "government" makes such blunders every day. He claimed that Serdar Denktas tried to correct the situation during his speech at the "assembly", but "it would not be wrong to say that he was not very successful". Citing some information, Resat reports that self-styled prime minster Sibel Siber called the organizers of the activity and apologized expressing the support of her "government".

(I/Ts.)

[13] Former Turkish Minister explains how easily he was granted the "TRNC citizenship"

Gunay, who made statements to Ankara Anatolia, denied reports that the new "prime minister" of the breakaway regime Sibel Siber canceled his "citizenship" and said that during his last visit to occupied Cyprus someone asked to take a copy of his Turkish identity card and then, upon its return he gave him "on foot" as he noted, the "TRNC citizenship".

[14] BKP holds its 3rd Congress and adopts the "presidential system"

The general secretary of the party, Izzet Izcan told illegal TAK news agency that they have decided to run in the "elections" as BKP-Communal Existence Forces (BKP- TVG), in cooperation with the Baraka Cultural Centre, the Communist Union and some individuals. He said, however, that they will use only the name of BKP in the "elections", because of some prohibitions that exist in the "law" as regards the "elections".

Izcan noted that their aim is for their cooperation to continue after the "elections" and to participate "strongly" in the struggle for communal existence following a policy in favor of peace and the labourers.

Izcan pointed out that there is not much difference between the four parties represented in the "assembly" of the regime and added that with the efforts of BKP an alternative is created.

Izzet Izcan is the only candidate for the presidency of the party until now.

(I/Ts.)

[15] Activities of the "universities" in Europe

According to a press release by the "press and public relations directorate" of "YDU", Mrs. Cemre G?nsel, the founding rector of "University of Kyrenia", which commenced its studies with three faculties, six departments, one vocational school and one academy, and Prof. Dr. Do
an 0
brahim, the director of innovation and information technologies centre, went to London to start contacts in order to establish an aviation school as part of the "University of Kyrenia". According to the press release, Mrs Gunsel will get in touch with well-known names concerned with aviation and carry out further contacts with related subjects in this sector.

Haberdar also reports that two professors from the "YDU" will present their papers on tourism and hotel management in the conference INTE 2013, which will take place on June 25-27, 2013, in Rome.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.06.13) reports that the illegal European university of Lefka (LAU) will participate at the 20th EURHODIP conference, in which became an official member on November 2012. The annual conference will be held in Slovenia from 10th to 14th July 2013. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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