Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-02-21

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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] Eroglu: The Turkish settlers and the army will not leave Cyprus

[02] Eroglu: We will certainly not say "come and take Varosha" before sitting at the negotiating table

[03] Erdogan and Obama discussed the Cyprus problem over the phone; Obama thanked Erdogan for his "constructive role" on the re-launching of the Cyprus talks

[04] Ozersay in Ankara for meetings with Turkey's Undersecretary of MFA

[05] Cavusoglu: "Anastasiades has always been a leader supporting the negotiations"

[06] Political reasons behind allocating land to Turkish Galatasaray football club in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Atun: the only thing that goes well is the Cyprus talks

[08] Turkey's Internet law to affect the breakaway regime as well

[09] Cavusoglu: "The USA is the last state to advise Turkey on Internet"

[10] Turkish government to introduce new bill for expanding powers of MIT; Reaction by opposition parties on the new bill

[11] Turkey's YSK allows CHP to run in polls in Istanbul district

[12] Two and a half million more voters for the forthcoming local elections in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The Turkish settlers and the army will not leave Cyprus

In an interview with Anatolia news agency, Eroglu alleged: "The comments of the Greek Cypriots on this issue are wrong. The Turkish army cannot leave this place. Because the treaties of alliance and guarantees is an agreement signed together by three states. Therefore, all three states must decide unanimously. If it is taken into consideration that this is a red line for Turkey, this will not happen". He went on and claimed: "This seems a little bit like comments pursuing a dream and made in a manner that will satisfy their people, of course, because they could not secure some developments in the text of the joint declaration on which they have been insisting until today and because they could not materialize their views".

Referring to the joint declaration, Eroglu said that there are issues in it which satisfy him and said that the important thing is "a bi-zonal, bi-communal partnership which will be established by two founding states of equal status". Noting that none of the sides was fully satisfied from the joint declaration, Eroglu alleged that in the agreement, they "got the acceptance by the Greek Cypriot side" that "the constituent states which will be established are sovereign" and they also imposed their own "sovereignty" by "putting forward that "the sovereignty of the new partnership state will originate from these constituent states".

Eroglu said that according to some comments made in the Greek Cypriot side in case of a possible agreement, Turkey's guarantees will be abolished, the Turkish army will be withdrawn and the Turkish settlers will leave the island. He alleged that "these comments do not reflect the truth".

Eroglu alleged that even though the world does not recognize them, the Turkish Cypriots have a "state" which is recognized by Turkey and reiterated the allegation that "the citizenship" is granted by their "government" according to their "constitution".

Meanwhile, addressing a conference on the water, environment and agriculture, Eroglu argued that an agreement should solve the Cyprus problem and not "resolve the Turkish Cypriots". "The Turkish Cypriot people could not say 'yes' to an agreement which will resolve us and endanger our future", he claimed adding that both "peoples" should say "yes" to the solution.

"If our Greek Cypriot neighbours come to the table by taking into consideration the existing realities in Cyprus and exert effort for creating a brand new Cyprus, we could reach a result", he claimed.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: We will certainly not say "come and take Varosha" before sitting at the negotiating table

In statements yesterday during a meeting with the so-called "unity and solidarity" association of Varosha Eroglu pointed out to the "sensitivities" of the association on the property issue and said that the discussion of the chapters has not yet started in the negotiations, but when the discussion of the property starts, he will share his views with the "people".

"When the negotiations come to the point regarding the territory, it will be inevitable but to share some issues with you", he said adding that he was not in the position to give them a lot of information because negotiations on the substance of the issues have not started. "However, after 3-4 meetings some things will start coming up", he noted.

Referring to the issue of the closed city of Varosha, Eroglu said that they will not say "come and take it" before sitting at the negotiating table and added that he does not want to debate on issues which are not discussed at the negotiating table. "And the issues which come to the table, we share them with our people in time", he argued and added that at the table he will defend what he called as the rights of the settlers from Turkey.

The chairman of the association, Idris Demirsoz said that they are concerned that they will be victimized in case of a solution and alleged that 16.000 inhabitants of Varosha do not expect an agreement, prosperity and wealth upon the "victimization of Varosha". "We say no to such an agreement", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Erdogan and Obama discussed the Cyprus problem over the phone; Obama thanked Erdogan for his "constructive role" on the re-launching of the Cyprus talks

Obama thanked the Turkish Premier for his 'constructive role' in the effort to renew negotiations on Cyprus.

The two leaders also discussed the importance of a 'quick conclusion' to the normalization of relations between Tel Aviv and Ankara.

[04] Ozersay in Ankara for meetings with Turkey's MFA

According to information given by the "presidency", Ozersay met yesterday with the Undersecretary of Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioglu. They evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus talks.

During the visit, Ozersay is accompanied by the "head of political affairs", Gunes Onar and "director/representative" Gulfem Veziroglu.

[05] Cavusoglu: "Anastasiades has always been a leader supporting the negotiations"

He argued, inter alia, the following on the Cyprus problem: "Political support and confidence building measures are very important in a process? We provide full support. The UN is very determined. The EU offers a big support. Great powers, such as the USA, also offer big support. In a place where so much support exists, I saw very clearly that the people in the Greek Cypriot side are not like in the past and they also want solution now".

Referring to Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU, Cavusoglu said that after the European Parliament (EP) elections, the lifting of the obstacles in Ankara's way will most probably come onto the agenda. He noted that the opening of chapters 23 and 24 are blocked by the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, and added that this blockade "must definitely be lifted".

"We saw consensus on this issue. Consensus exists in these big countries and institutions", he argued noting that they had asked French President Hollande whether France could convince "south Cyprus", as he described the Republic of Cyprus. He claimed that these are steps which the EU states should take, not Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Political reasons behind allocating land to Turkish Galatasaray football club in the occupied area of Cyprus

Aysal visited the occupied area of the island yesterday and met with Yorgancioglu, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, and the self-styled minister of interior, Teberruken Ulucay.

In statements during his meeting with Yorgancioglu, Aysal said that the period for making investments by Galatasaray has come, that they have an investment program for the occupied area of Cyprus and that they have prepared their projects. He noted that they visited Yorgancioglu in order to see how he could help them and take his support.

On his part, Yorgancioglu said that the allotment of land to Galatasaray by the former self-styled government has been annulled by the current "government" and added that it was anyway not possible to invest on that land which is agricultural land. He noted that the land had been leased to the club for one year, but Galatasay did not meet the conditions of the agreement and therefore the "council of ministers" annulled the allotment. He said that they have given land to Besiktas football club as well and they have launched investigations to annul this allotment as well.

Yorgancioglu pointed out that a lot of clubs exist and the regime could not give land to all of them, because its lands are limited. He said that they could invite tenders for this kind of land and argued that the way of evaluating their scarce land is important.

Aysal interfered at this point and said: "Given that there was no building permit and investment possibility on this land allotted to us, it was granted for political reasons". "I am sorry, but this is what happened", replied Yorgancioglu.

Aysal noted that by making investments, they want to give something to the occupied area of Cyprus and not only take from it. Yorgancioglu said that they need such investments, but reiterated that this kind of allotments will be made through invitation of tenders.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Atun: the only thing that goes well is the Cyprus talks

[08] Turkey's Internet law to affect the breakaway regime as well

Speaking to the paper, Information Technology and Communication Foundation executive , Kadri Buruncuk, stated that the Internet regulations regarding the server of the country you are using, affects you; therefore the new regulation will affect the breakaway regime as it is using Turkey's server.

However, the self-styled minister of public works anmd transportation Ahmet Kasif stated that the "TRNC" is a different "country", therefore the internet law adopted in Turkey will not affect it.

[09] Cavusoglu: " The USA is the last state to advise Turkey on Internet"

"Everybody knows the restrictions on the Internet in the U.S., especially regarding WikiLeaks," Cavusoglu said. "It's not acceptable for the U.S. to make such routine statements expressing concern without examining the content of the law or without taking the practice of other states, such as Germany, into account," he added.

Washington had expressed strong concerns regarding the controversial Internet bill signed into law by Turkish President Abdullah Gul on February 18, despite the government's recent move to amend some of the most disputed articles.

"We share the serious concerns raised by the OSCE and others that the law has the potential to severely restrict free expression, freedom of the press, and access to information over the Internet," said Marie Harf, deputy spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State during a press briefing on February 19.

Harf also gave a sound warning that such law could indirectly damage Turkey's economy. "We also believe the law could negatively impact Turkey's business and investment climate," she said.

Upon Gul's request, Parliament has begun discussing two amendments to the bill submitted by the government.

Harf also stressed that the U.S. expected Ankara to guarantee individual freedoms through the drafting of the law. "Obviously, we are looking to Turkey during this process to uphold the fundamental freedoms that really underscore why we're concerned about this legislation."

[10] Turkish government to introduce new bill for expanding powers of MIT; Reaction by opposition parties on the new bill

The move has raised further questions over the principle of separation of powers in Turkey.

A related bill was presented to the Parliament Speaker's Office late on February 19, at a time when the country's agenda was dominated by incidents and heated debates that show no sign of slowing up.

The bill to restructure the country's intelligence system has added fuel to the fire in a political climate where concerns over freedom of expression are rising, mainly due to governmental actions that some say could lead to a reduction in freedom of expression.

Parliament's Internal Affairs Commission will begin debates on the MIT bill over the weekend. The commission's chair, Mehmet Ersoy, told Anadolu Agency on February 20 that the bill was slated to be adopted by Parliament before recess, which will begin at the end of February due to the local elections on March 30. The commission will therefore work around the clock in order to approve the bill in a timely manner, Ersoy added.

According to the bill presented by two Deputies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Alpaslan Kavakl?oglu and Idris Sahin, the MIT will fulfil all kinds of tasks regarding external security, the anti-terror fight and national security, which are assigned by the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (21.02.14) reports that that Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu harshly criticizes the new intelligence law.

K?l?cdaroglu has criticized the government's move to equip the intelligence organization with expanded powers, accusing the Prime Minister of creating a Mukhaberat-style secret police a la Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"Turkey is rapidly becoming a dictatorial regime. The entire world has realized this dictatorial regime as well. This amendment on the MIT [National Intelligence Organization] is another step in this direction," K?l?cdaroglu said in an interview with daily Hurriyet yesterday.

"No institution is equipped with extraordinary powers", he said, noting that such powers were not even given to MIT during states of emergency. "Turkey is becoming an intelligence state. [Prime Minister] Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to build an 'al-Assad state.' Syria is an intelligence state and the same is being applied here," he said.

Also, the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) Deputy Parliamentary group chairman, Oktay Vural, called the presentation of such a comprehensive bill by just two Deputies a "scandal."

Noting that she had yet to review the bill in detail, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Pervin Buldan underlined the importance of the relations between the bill and the Kurdish peace process, in which MIT has a central role. "We won't say 'yes' to any legal arrangement that will not ensure the process", Buldan said.

Ertugrul Kurkcu, the co-leader of the People's Democratic Party (HDP), which is the sister-party of the BDP, stated that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted to rule every institution of the country. "Since we already know that the Prime Minister is the mayor, the Justice Minister and the Chief Prosecutor of Turkey, we also understand that he wants to be the MIT chief too. It is for sure that this bill is designed accordingly," Kurkcu said.

[11] Turkey's YSK allows CHP to run in polls in Istanbul district

The Sariyer District Election Board ruled late on February 20 that the main opposition party could not participate in the upcoming March 30 local elections, as it submitted its candidate list nine minutes too late.

The Board decided by five votes against two that the party would not be able to participate in the polls in Istanbul's Sariyer district. The CHP reportedly submitted its list to the board at 17:09 p.m. on February 18, nine minutes after the deadline. The party's Istanbul head, Oguz Kaan Sal?c?, said they had sent the list by fax before the deadline, but the fax procedure came through nine minutes late.

Turkey's Supreme Election Committee has organized an extraordinary meeting later on February 20, ruling in favour of the party's objection claiming, that the necessary files had in fact been submitted on time and only a CD version of the list had been sent a few minutes after the deadline.

[12] Two and a half million more voters for the forthcoming local elections in Turkey

According to Gunen, there is an increase of 2 million 505 thousand 901 voters comparing with the last elections which took place in Turkey. Guven said that this increase is normal according to the population of Turkey.

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