Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-07-17

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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] Environmental disaster in occupied Gastria could not be cleaned even in ten years; the regime asks assistance from Turkey and the UN

[02] Eroglu: the forthcoming negotiations is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus

[03] Cicek alleges that the international community is ill-proportioned on the Cyprus problem

[04] KTOS: the decision on Varosha carried to Brussels by CTP "MPs" belongs to Turkish Foreign Ministry

[05] Turkish Cypriot columnist says returning occupied Varosha to its legal owners could trigger the solution in Cyprus

[06] Serdar Denktas promised he will grant "citizenships" to all the Turks who grew up in the occupied part of Cyprus

[07] Celebrations for the 1974 invasion with new violations of the airspace of Cyprus; foreign journalists will be briefed on the effect of oil search on Cyprus talks

[08] Erk: We attach a great importance to "city diplomacy"

[09] Gezi operation in full force as forces raid over 100 locations

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Environmental disaster in occupied Gastria could not be cleaned even in ten years; The regime asks assistance from Turkey and the UN

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (17.07.13) covers the issue under the banner front-page title "It is a crime, not negligence" and reports that "AKSA drowned into oil the only sea area of Cyprus that was clean". According to the paper, "the biggest environmental disaster in the history of the country" was experienced near Gastria.

The leak spread to an area of three kilometres within a short period of time due to the wind and reached occupied Vokolida and the fish farms established in the area. A five-kilometer barrier was established in the area for preventing the leak from spreading, but this effort was unsuccessful, writes the paper adding that the regime formed a "crisis desk" and asked help from Turkey and the United Nations.

According to the paper, experts said that this disaster could not be cleaned even in ten years. The Biologists' Association stated that only 20% of the leak could be cleaned even if the most advanced technology is used.

Under the banner front-page title "Disaster", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.07.13) reports that the sea and the coast in the area have become a "terrifying" sight and that the oil in the sea has spread into an area of seven kilometres between the area known as AKSA area and the lighthouse of Agios Theodoros village.

The self-styled minister of foreign affairs Kutlay Erk and his colleague responsible for tourism, environment and culture, Mehmet Harmanci stated that they have launched initiatives asking for help from Turkey and the UN. They said that they asked a crush barrier and equipment from Turkey adding that this help is expected to arrive today.

Erk noted also that this was not the first time that such an incident is caused by AKSA. "This means that they have weaknesses", he said adding that in case AKSA does not overcome these weaknesses the regime should examine the contract they have signed and use the rights deriving from this contract.

Self-styled prime minister Sibel Siber said that the effort to clean the area has started and that the firm which is responsible for the tragedy is brining ships from Turkey. She argued that this incident shows how right they were when they prevented the building of an oil storage facility at the seaside and added that taking measures before an environmental disaster to happen is important.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.07.13) reports that a leak of two tons of oil into the sea of occupied Gastria had also happened four months ago. The paper writes that then it had covered the issue under the title "A tragedy almost to happen", but now the tragedy happened.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: the forthcoming negotiations is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus

Eroglu alleged that the "TRNC state", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, exists even though the world does not recognize it. He claimed: "The EU implements embargo on us, but it also knows that there are people who live freely here and that we have a state even though they do not recognize it. What is remaining is the lack of an agreement or if there will be no agreement, there is a lack of recognition".

Eroglu reiterated the view that the negotiations could not continue forever, because the Turkish Cypriot "people" have allegedly no more patience. "What we want now from newly elected leader Anastasiades is for us to solve this problem within one and a half ? two years", he alleged.

Reiterating the view that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will never abandon Turkey's active and effective guarantees, Eroglu claimed: "We are not interested in the guarantees of the EU, because no one except the Turks will send their children to a military expedition for the protection of the Turks of Cyprus and sacrifice their lives".

He said that the Turkish guarantees are sine qua non for them and claimed that the so-called realities on the island should be taken into consideration in a possible solution.

Eroglu referred also to the early so-called parliamentary elections of the 28th of July, 2013 and argued that the date of the "elections" is wrong, because July is the hottest month of the year, it is a month for vacation and this year coincided with the Muslim month of Ramadan. Wishing for the people to go to the "ballot" and vote, Eroglu said: "However, I am not very optimistic".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Cicek alleges that the international community is ill-proportioned on the Cyprus problem

In statements after his meeting with Mustafa Lakadamyali, the self-styled ambassador of the breakaway regime to Ankara, and a delegation of Turkish Cypriot war veterans' association, Cicek argued that Turkey and the breakaway regime "strived hard for permanent peace on the island" and that they continue to face difficulties on this issue.

He claimed: "The door to peace has been opened on July 20 [Editor's note: He refers to 20 July 1974 and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, during which thousands of Cypriots have been displaced and became refugees in their own country. Moreover, thousands of Cypriots were killed and many are still missing. Since then Turkey occupies almost 40% of the island, maintaining 40.000 troops here.] TRNC founded its own state with an independent Turkish community on the island as a part of the homeland. There are two states and two peoples on the island. Turkish people are not a minority there".

Cicek also alleged that international community is biased on Cyprus issue, and "blocks the way towards peace". He claimed: "Unfortunately, the international community is ill-proportioned on Cyprus issue. It doesn't make a righteous evaluation regarding the incidents, but seeks its own interests even on this issue. We are the party that desires peace but the Greek party, not wanting peace, receives protection".

(I/Ts.)

[04] KTOS: the decision on Varosha carried to Brussels by CTP "MPs" belongs to Turkish Foreign Ministry

He added: "The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and circles in Cyprus who act upon instructions by Turkey have started acting in order to prevent the initiatives towards reaching a comprehensive solution by discussing the return of Varosha to its legal owners, the opening of Famagusta port under the control of the EU and confidence building measures related to this?"

Elcil described as "clear indication of the establishment of a national council" the agreement observed in the statements made on the issue of Varosha by self-styled foreign minister, Kutlay Erk, the Turkish Cypriot leader's spokesman, Osman Ertug and the self-styled MPs of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) who have visited Brussels.

He noted: "The CTP has not taken a decision saying that 'Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution'. It is obvious that the decision carried by these MPs to Brussels, in spite of CTP's decision to support confidence building measures, is a decision that belongs to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs? With the Annan Plan it has been revealed that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved with instructions taken by Turkey, because AKP 'seems like wanting a solution' but follows a policy for the non-solution".

Elcil said that they protest against these "MPs" of the CTP and express their support to the efforts exerted by the Famagusta Initiative.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Cypriot columnist says returning occupied Varosha to its legal owners could trigger the solution in Cyprus

"?It is correct that confidence building measures cannot substitute the solution of the Cyprus problem. As a matter of fact, it will be a disaster for the Turkish Cypriots to continue with confidence building measures and postpone the solution. What the Turkish Cypriots need is to be legally included in the international law and the international system. Nothing must substitute this. Therefore, we must focus on the solution. However, we must not ignore the power of the confidence building measures. We must use the confidence building measures as a step for reaching the solution. Within this framework, if Varosha is returned to its former owners under the control of the United Nations, if Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot companies and workers are employed in the development of Varosha, if Varosha is turned into a zone which will be freely used by both sides, if Famagusta Port and Tymvou Airport are made appropriate for international traffic within this framework and if the Republic of Cyprus opens the chapters it blocks for Turkey, it does not seem like a bad plan. Perhaps it will trigger the solution. Will everybody not gain in the end from the solution of the Cyprus problem? I say, I wish we start from Varosha".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Serdar Denktas promised he will grant "citizenships" to all the Turks who grew up in the occupied part of Cyprus

Pointing to the importance of civil authority, Serdar Denktas said that the DP-UG has never used or will use during his term elements like anti-riot forces, attacks, battering or toma, but their term will be based on tolerance. They won't accept anything else than dialogue.

Commenting on the "citizenship" issue, Denktas said that for them the issue is clear, adding: "There are plenty of young people, who live at this moment in this country (Transl. note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and maybe they have never visited Turkey. Either they were born here or came here with their swaddling clothes; they were raised here. When we will be in power, we will grant citizenships to all the applications of these young people. Because, these young people are part of this country. I cannot send them in another place. Their parents will have permanent residence permission."

Noting that they live the worst relations period with Turkey, Serdar said that they are obliged to strengthen again the historical and affection binds with Turkey

[07] Celebrations for the 1974 invasion with new violations of the airspace of Cyprus; foreign journalists will be briefed on the effect of oil search on Cyprus talks

The parade will be held at Dr Fazil Kucuk Boulevard in the occupied part of Lefkosia on Saturday, at 9.30am.

The official opening of "celebrations" will be done with a 21-gun salute on Friday at noon followed by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu's address, which will be broadcast by illegal Bayrak.

At 6pm, the Turkish Stars aerobatic team of eight Canadair NF-5s will put on a display at the occupied harbour of Kyrenia.

At the time of going to print, there was no confirmation about whether Turkish Prime Minister Recept Tayyip Erdogan would be coming to the celebrations, although Turkish high-level officials and foreign dignitaries were expected to take part.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot news portal Kibris Postasi (online, 17.07.13) reports that the self-styled deputy speaker of the "TRNC assembly" Mustafa Yektaoglu will brief the foreign journalists and politicians, who have been invited for the celebrations on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island, on the "effect of the search for natural gas, on Cyprus talks" tomorrow (Thursday) at the occupied municipality of Geunyeli at 16.00.

[08] Erk: We attach a great importance to "city diplomacy"

Furthermore, Erk said that in meetings he has with the aforementioned municipalities as the resumption of Cyprus talks is being prepared, they discuss how they can explain to third parties the rights, the expectations and the proposals of the Turkish Cypriots as regards the Cyprus problem and how they can work with the "municipalities" in order to coordinate in this sort of "city diplomacy".

[09] Gezi operation in full force as forces raid over 100 locations

Istanbul counter-terrorism squads took the streets from early hours of July 16, raiding locations ranging from foundation buildings to students dorms under accusations of violent behaviour against shopkeepers and police officers during protests.

Turkish Youth Union (TGB) Istanbul provincial head Olgu ?zdemir and some members of TGB were among the detainees, most of whom are university students. Those detained were taken to the counter-terrorism security branch at Vatan.

Forces conducted searches in all apartments in set destinations, since no number was specified in the search warrants, allowing whole building to fall within the warrants, according to lawyer Mehmet ?mit Erdem, who told daily Hurriyet yet several irregularities were present at the time of the searches.

Erdem, who represents detained Bircan Birol, a member of the Student Collective, added that police forces told lawyers that they lacked proper equipment to copy the confiscated digital evidence, which the law requires to be handed to lawyers as well to prevent any risk of tempering with the evidence.

The officers also confiscated all books and movies that included words like "strike" or "resistance", Erdem told daily Hurriyet.

There are high school students among the detainees as well, daily Hurriyet reported.

Scores of people have been detained in ongoing operations nationwide, with number of those arrested reaching as high as 48. The latest of the waves of arrests came when 11 people were arrested by court in Izmir, days after 15 were detained over charges related to the use of Molotov cocktails during demonstrations. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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