Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-24

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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] Turkey and Greece agree that the Cypriot negotiators should hold contacts in Athens and Ankara respectively

[02] Ertug: the contacts of the Cypriot negotiators in Greece and Turkey are important and something which the Turkish Cypriot side wanted

[03] Eroglu allegedly wants commitment in writing that the negotiations will resume from the point they were left

[04] Gul called on the Greek Cypriot side to respond positively to Turkey's steps

[05] Davutoglu met with Kerry in the side on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly

[06] Korkmazhan: Eroglu's stance on the occupied Varosha is unacceptable

[07] Ex-US Congressman organizes lobby for occupied Cyprus in the USA; The expenses are paid by Turkey

[08] Remains of six Greek Cypriot missing persons were reportedly found in occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas

[09] Afrika relieves the list: Atalay asked Kucuk to grant "TRNC citizenship" to eleven persons

[10] Akansoy: the system of granting the "citizenship" of the regime will change; Illegal settlers say they will apply to ECHR

[11] Yorgancioglu confirms that he sent a letter to Ankara but says that the contest was different

[12] TYHA awarded with 5 Gold Anchor Karpaz Gate Marina built in the occupied part of Cyprus

[13] Turkey says Russian suggestion to send Turkish troops to Syria not on agenda

[14] Turkey, Russia conduct joint air military exercise

[15] Erdogan slams UN system depending on 5 Security Council members' decisions

[16] German election results not likely to make a change for Turks

[17] Turkey's postmodern February 28 coup's transcripts of MGK unveiled

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkey and Greece agree that the Cypriot negotiators should hold contacts in Athens and Ankara respectively

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with his Greek counterpart Evangelos Venizelos in New York, where he attended the UN General Assembly.

The two leaders discussed regional issues covering developments in Syria and Egypt as well as bilateral relations including cooperation in trade, tourism, and fight against terrorism.

Leaders also voiced their demand over the immediate start and result of the negotiations for solution in Cyprus, AA broadcast.

[02] Ertug: the contacts of the Cypriot negotiators in Greece and Turkey are important and something which the Turkish Cypriot side wanted

In statements to Kibris, Osman Ertug said that the development was something that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side was responding to the demand of the Greek Cypriot side to meet with Ankara by demanding that the Turkish Cypriots should also meet with Greece, Ertug recalled that the Turkish demand had not been accepted and added: "We insisted on the negotiations being held on the basis of equality. After this, such an arrangement came up. It is an important development".

Noting that the timing and the format of the mutual visits of the representatives to Athens and Ankara has not been known yet, Ertug said that this is a decision in principle, "but the logic points out that the meetings will be held simultaneously". He added, though, that it would not be correct to enter into details from now and "create a climate as if these are preconditions".

Ertug said that the Turkish Cypriot side has been demanding that the two leaders should meet in New York and argued that it would be a "good opportunity" for the negotiations to begin at the leaders' level, as both leaders are in New York. "This process could resume under the Secretary-General's supervision", he noted.

Ertug said that Eroglu would meet tomorrow with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and on Saturday with the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

Commenting on the proposals submitted by President Anastasiades to Ban Ki-moon, especially on the issue of the occupied fenced city of Varosha, Ertug said that the views of the Turkish Cypriot side have not changed and argued that no proposal was submitted to them on this issue.

"In principle, Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution and if a comprehensive solution is reached, this problem will also be solved", he added.

Ertug expressed also the view that the EU could contribute in the negotiations at a consultative level and the agreement to be reached should be adapted to the EU legislation.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu allegedly wants commitment in writing that the negotiations will resume from the point they were left

In statements to illegal Bayrak television and "TAK news agency" in New York, Eroglu argued that the negotiations should resume in October from the point they had been left. He claimed that after he had been "elected" he sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General in which he was committed in writing that the negotiations would continue from the point they had been left. He alleged that the same commitment should be made by President Anastasiades as well.

Eroglu toured yesterday the new headquarters of the "representation" of the breakaway regime in New York accompanied by the regime's representative, Mehmet Dana.

Eroglu argued that an agreement had been reached on the issue of the resumption of the negotiating process in October and expressed his sorrow because President Anastasiades' stance on the issue of the resumption of the negotiations is, allegedly, not clear. Eroglu claimed that he is ready to resume the negotiations from the point they had been left and said that the progress achieved could not be thrown away and that what should be done is to reach an agreement on the main issues the soonest.

Eroglu said he would convey these views during his contacts in New York and mainly during the meeting with the UN Secretary-General. Eroglu is expected to meet today with the General Secretary of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and afterwards to attend a reception to be hosted by the Turkish Permanent Representation in President Gul's honor.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Gul called on the Greek Cypriot side to respond positively to Turkey's steps

The Presidency of the Republic of Turkey issued the following press release (online, 23.09.13) regarding the meeting between Gul and Ban Ki-moon:

"President Abdullah Gul, visiting New York where he will attend the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, met with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of the UN. Underscoring the significance of the drawing of a comprehensive political strategy to come out of the crisis in Syria, President Gul declared that it is time the UN took a concrete step for its dignity and credibility. The President and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also tackled the Cyprus issue and the negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Stating that the agreement on stripping Syria of its chemical weapons is an affirmative development, President Gul accentuated that the problem is not only about chemical weapons and underscored the significance of the drawing of a comprehensive political strategy to come out of the crisis in Syria. President Gul further declared that it is time the UN took a concrete step for its dignity and credibility.

The President also reiterated that Turkey's will for resolution about the Cyprus issue is certain and clear. This approach of Turkey towards the issue is shared by the Turkish Cypriots as well, said the President, adding that if the Greek Cypriots positively responded to these steps, progress would be made towards a resolution.

[05] Davutoglu met with Kerry in the side on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly

They discussed the ongoing crisis in Syria, as well as other developments in the Middle East and the ongoing changes in the region, in a meeting that lasted longer than scheduled, according to diplomatic sources.

The New York meeting was a follow-up of a previous meeting held in Paris between the foreign ministers of Turkey, the U.S., Britain and France. Kerry informed Davutoglu about the recent meetings held in The Hague and New York, after a meeting in Paris that clarified a proposal to remove chemical weapons from Syria, according to the sources.

Kerry also informed Davutoglu about all elements that should be involved in a U.N. Security Council decision on the issue, and the scheduled meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the P5+1 was also on the agenda. Davutoglu is scheduled to meet with Zarif in the coming days.

Ankara's Ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan, participated in the meeting, along with foreign ministry officials Feridun Sinirlioglu and Omer Onhon, and advisor Ali Sarikaya.

[06] Korkmazhan: Eroglu's stance on the occupied Varosha is unacceptable

In a written statement issued yesterday, Korkmazhan also said that the denial of the opening of occupied fenced off town of Varosha and port is like putting obstacles in front of an early solution to the Cyprus problem.

Korkmazhan noted that the reason of the increased interest lately on the Cyprus problem is to keep under control the oil and the natural gas of Cyprus.

[07] Ex-US Congressman organizes lobby for occupied Cyprus in the USA; The expenses are paid by Turkey

According to the contract signed with Herrick Feinstein, McMahon will organize trips to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with the participation of members of the Congress and make sure that the occupied area of Cyprus will be presented in a positive manner in the media.

Former self-styled foreign minister of the regime, Kutlay Erk had said that this kind of lobbying activities started during former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat's period and intensify when negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem we held. Erk said that the money is paid to the firms in installments in return to the services they offer. He noted that in the past this amount had been paid by the "president's office", but now it is paid by the "publicity department".

However, information obtained by Kibris from an official in the "ministry of foreign affairs", who wants to remain unknown, the expenses for the lobbying activities of the breakaway regime are covered by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The official said also that the firm, which will be organizing the lobbying activities, has been chosen upon Turkey's "advise".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Remains of six Greek Cypriot missing persons were reportedly found in occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas

Murat Soysal, assistant of the Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons told Kibris that they had been informed two years ago that six Greek Cypriot missing persons were buried in the area, but their efforts gave no result then, due to the lack of eye witnesses.

Sevket Fedai, self-styled mukhtar (headman) of the occupied village, said he informed the "police" and the Committee on the Missing Persons as soon as he found out about the incident and added: "We have been hearing many stories in the past. The remains were really found under an olive tree just like it had been said".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Afrika relieves the list: Atalay asked Kucuk to grant "TRNC citizenship" to eleven persons

The list was sent to Irsen Kucuk during the period that the election congress of the National Unity Party (UBP) was taking place and "Kucuk was distributing citizenships like bread and cheese", as the paper writes, in order to gain the necessary support to be elected as the party's leader, according to Afrika, which sites information by the Kibris Manset news side.

The paper writes that in the letter was asked as a favor from Kucuk to grant the "citizenship" to 11 Turkish citizens, including Mustafa Kabakci MP with the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP), to Sehmuz Barut who is known for his rush reactions against the demonstrators in Gezi Par, officials related to Cratos Hotel in occupied Cyprus and some wives of militants who serve at the occupation army in Cyprus.

[10] Akansoy: the system of granting the "citizenship" of the regime will change; Illegal settlers say they will apply to ECHR

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (24.09.13) reports that representatives of illegal settlers' organizations reacted to the statement by Akansoy that they would only obtain the right to apply for the "citizenship" after ten years.

Enver Dincoglu, chairman of the settlers' organization called "Refugees' Association", said that in case this practice is implemented, they will "knock all doors, including the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)".

Bertan Zaroglu, chairman of the settlers from Alexandretta, argued that Akansoy's statement contradicts with the program of the "government" and alleged that such an arrangement would be contrary to the "constitution" and the human rights.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Yorgancioglu confirms that he sent a letter to Ankara but says that the content was different

Yorgancioglu stated instead, that in the letter he evaluated the deficient of the protocol as these were evaluated lately and the needed changes.

[12] TYHA awarded with 5 Gold Anchor Karpaz Gate Marina built in the occupied part of Cyprus

Managed by the Sea-Alliance Group, the marina has benefited from the Group's extensive experience in the requirements of yacht owners, focusing on customer service and the provision of industry-leading services both in the marina itself and shore-side, the paper reports.

Director of Sea-Alliance Roy Klajman said: "This is a significant milestone for Karpaz Gate Marina and we are extremely proud of our team which has produced the exceptional standards required to achieve this award. Our attention to detail and comprehensive training of everyone involved with the marina has created a blue print for other projects in the future."

TYHA assessor Murat Tuncer described Karpaz Gate Marina, located in the occupied Karpasia peninsula, as "an ideally situated base in the heart of the area - the perfect place from which the Karpaz peninsula's pristine waters, untouched bays and deserted sandy beaches can be explored".

As part of its 5 Gold Anchor status, Karpaz Gate Marina has also achieved the internationally recognised ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations) clean marinas award.

[13] Turkey says Russian suggestion to send Turkish troops to Syria not on agenda

Despite Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggesting that Turkish and Arab troops may also contribute to protecting the UN team that will carry out the mission in the war-torn country, Turkish diplomatic sources have stated that "Ankara has not yet received an official request from the Russian side over the mission".

"This suggestion is Lavrov's personal opinion. We have not yet received an official request. Therefore, the topic is not currently on our agenda. In addition, it is very hard to evaluate this topic as sending troops to a foreign country needs serious political deliberation. However, we will evaluate such a proposal when it is made by the Russian side," said a senior Turkish diplomat, who spoke to Today's Zaman on the condition of anonymity, on Monday.

The Turkish diplomat also noted that it was not an easy task to send Turkish troops -- even if they were part of a UN force -- to Syria, as Ankara, which is the staunchest supporter of the Syrian opposition that is fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been at odds with the regime in Damascus.

"Moreover, the areas where the chemical weapons are located are said to be under the regime's control. So this makes the task tougher for us. The process of destroying the chemical weapons is a troubling one. The team that will destroy them should be protected," said the diplomat. The diplomat maintained that even if Turkey sends troops, this should not be considered a military action, adding that the aim would solely be to protect the UN team.

[14] Turkey, Russia conduct joint air military exercise

"The joint exercise is being held to test, evaluate, and develop both the equipment and personnel of the new Ankara Area Control Center's ability to oppose the use of civilian aircraft in terror attacks while cooperating with Russia under the aegis of the NATO-Russia Cooperative Airspace Initiative," the Chief of General Staff said in a written statement.

Both nations will be enacting the drill in the skies above Samsun, Sivas and Trabzon and international airspace over the eastern Black Sea region. The exercise will utilize two F-16 jet-fighters from the Turkish Air Command, Unified Air Operations Center-2 (Diyarbakir) personnel, as well as one TU-154 and four SU-27 jetfighters from Russian Federation Air Command.

[15] Erdogan slams UN system depending on 5 Security Council members' decisions

Speaking at the opening of Asia-Pacific Congress and Expo in Istanbul's Lutfi Kirdar Hall, Erdogan said the world was bigger than the "five" (five permanent members of the UN Security Council: US, UK, Russia, China and France) stressing that steps should be taken for peace and welfare.

He added that two of the permanent members locked the system by saying "no" for the envisioned steps to be taken, underlining the must of a cycling system.

Erdogan also said that Turkey is one of the exceptional countries in the region when it comes to peace, stability, welfare and especially democracy. "We find solutions for each existing domestic problems via democracy and law. In regional issues, we support peace, welfare and stability, especially the systems where demands of the people reflected on the administration, where democracy and the will of nation are dominant in the governmental system," Erdogan said.

[16] German election results not likely to make a change for Turks

Although Merkel increased the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU)/Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU) votes she slightly falls short of the absolute majority that is required to form a single party government. Two coalition scenarios stand out: either a grand coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is the second biggest party with 192 seats, or another coalition with the Greens, who hold 63 seats in the federal parliament, the Bundestag.

Since the CDU is likely to dominate in the coalition given its success in the elections, Germany's policy towards Turkey's EU membership is expected to be the same as a "state policy." However, analysts say that in case the Greens become part of the government, they would favor Turkey's full membership to the EU. Yet, even CDU officials reiterated several times that they desire the continuation of the negotiation process despite occasional hiccups in their relations and despite the tension between Merkel and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As a development worth noting, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who has been a close ally with the Erdogan government, lost his seat in parliament. Currently, there are no candidates who stand out to fill his position.

As far as immigration policies towards the Turks, the largest minority group in Germany, are concerned, the overall atmosphere on the day after the election is that nothing is going to change in their status. Merkel's CDU has never promised dual citizenship. Observers state that the option model, which requires the preference of one passport over the other for Turkish immigrants between the ages of 18 and 22, will remain the same.

The head of the Berlin Turkish Society, Bekir Yilmaz, told Today's Zaman that he does not believe the election results will make a difference for Turks in Germany. Although he finds the election of a higher number of Turks into parliament pleasing, he believes that it is also important who is elected to the Bundestag. According to him, Turks should take advantage of the interest of German parties in immigrant votes.

An unprecedented high number of politicians of Turkish origin entered parliament in Sunday's elections. Five out of a total of 11 Turkish politicians are from the SPD: Aydan Ozoguz, Metin Hakverdi, Cansel Kiziltepe, Mahmut Ozdemir and Yuksel Gulistan. For the first time in its history the CDU nominated a Turkish Muslim woman from its party for the federal parliament: Cemile Giousouf, who made it to the Bundestag on Sunday.

Cem Ozdemir, the first politician of Turkish origin to be elected to parliament from the Greens in 1994, has been re-elected. Ekin Deligoz and Ozcan Mutlu are the other names who entered parliament from the Greens. The Left Party, known for its sympathetic stance towards the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), will be represented by two female politicians of Turkish origin in parliament: Sevim Dagdelen and Azize Tank.

The day after the federal elections, no statistical data were available on the voting behavior of Turkish immigrants in Germany. A higher voting turnout was expected by civil society organizations due to a campaign conducted to encourage Turks in Germany to vote. Although the number of Turkish voters is estimated between 600,000-900,000 people, there is still a significant number of Turks, especially from first-generation immigrants, who chose not to become German citizens and hence are not eligible to vote.

Meanwhile, the B0
G Party, which predominantly consists of Turkish immigrants and people of other foreign descent, received 2,678 of the first votes and 17,695 of the second votes.

Turkish Ambassador to Germany Huseyin Avni Karslioglu told Today's Zaman that Turkey is happy to witness an increase in the number of deputies of Turkish origin as such a picture displays a good example of integration. "We hope they would constitute a substantial connection between Germany and their root country," he further added.

Commenting on the results of the German elections, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arin? said on Monday in 0
stanbul that Merkel had protected her power and even increased it and will probably establish a coalition. "I would like to congratulate the esteemed Angela Merkel," Arin? said as he noted that the debate over a coalition is a domestic matter of Germany. He said Turkey would not lose anything as a result of these election results, but gain instead. "I think Merkel will pay more attention to Turkey's cooperation and friendship," Arin? added.

[17] Turkey's post modern February 28 coup's transcripts of MGK unveiled

The transcripts advised the government to take measures against radical Islamist groups who were opposed to a secular and social state of law and aimed to establish an Islamic Republic based on sharia in Turkey.

National Security Council had gathered on February 28, 1997 to discuss threats and destructive activities aiming to topple Turkish Republic.

The decisions made by the National Security Council are as follows:

-Radical Islamist groups aiming to establish an Islamic Republic based on sharia pose a threat against a democratic and secular state of law, Turkey.

-Those radical groups attempt to weaken Turkey by discriminating between secular and anti- secular people.

-Secularism in Turkey provides democracy and a peaceful lifestyle.

-Turkey will never give up being a state of law and old-fashioned implementations carried out by ignoring laws do not comply with supremacy of law. Turkish president, prime minister, foreign minister, deputy pm, minister of national defense, interior minister and chief of general staff , commanders of the Turkish land forces, naval forces and air forces and commander of the Turkish gendarme forces had signed the transcripts.

-Measures to be taken against the threats to topple Turkish Republic are as follows :

-Secularism, one of the Turkish Republic's fundamental principles must be protected sensitively, current legislations must be carried out and if needed, new regulations must be made,

-Private dormitories, foundations and schools associated with religious sects must be brought under control by the state.

-Students must have an eight-year of continuing education.

-Necessary administrative and legal regulations must be carried out for Qur'an courses under the control of the Ministry of National Education.

-Practices of religious sects must be terminated.

-Implementations regarding laws in clothing that will present Turkey as old fashioned must be prevented.

-Attempts to solve the country's problems with the notion of "Islamic ummah" and those who support terrorist organizations must be prevented.

-Those who abuse laws and disrespect Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, must not be given any opportunities to do so.

The measures listed above were only a part of the overall measures.

The National Security Council made a total of 18 decisions during a 9-hour long meeting on Feb. 28, 1997 and presented them to Erbakan for approval. He was forced to sign the decisions. He subsequently resigned, handing over the Prime Ministry to his coalition partner, True Path Party leader Tansu Ciller. However, then-president Suleyman Demirel handed over the duty to form new government to Motherland Party leader Mesut Yilmaz. He formed his government with Democratic Left (DSP) and Democratic Turkey Party (DTP). DTP was constituted by resignations from True Path Party, which was pressed hard by media and judicial circles. Also, the Welfare Party that Erbakan led was banned by the Constitutional Court as a result of accusation for violating the principle of secularism in the constitution. During the infamous process many steps, that are interpreted as a setback for religious circles, were taken such as restrictions on graduates of Islamic schools entering into universities and expulsion of conservative people from public service.

In 2012, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the coup. The office prepared a 1,300-page indictment that was accepted by the Ankara 13th High Criminal Court. 103 suspects, including Former Chief of General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi, was asked to defend themselves on accusations of "overthrowing the Turkish government by force." Turkish army had overthrown three administrations in 1960, 1971 and 1980.

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