Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-10-15

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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 alleges that President Anastasiades is mistaken if he thinks that Turkey will say "yes" to whatever the Greek Cypriots want

[02] Ozersay: If the Turkish Cypriot side could direct Turkey towards a milder attitude the negotiations would not be suspended

[03] Turkey's MFA called on the EU to adopt a balanced and realistic stance on the Cyprus talks

[04] Turkey's EU Minister: "We will not accept elements which could create opportunity for a solution in Cyprus to be used of the opening of chapters in the EU process"

[05] Erhuman: Ozersay's "candidacy" shows that his mind was not on the Cyprus talks

[06] Talat said that the tension created by Turkey at Cyprus' EEZ benefitted Eroglu; Eroglu said that Talat's statements are shameful

[07] Document shows Turkey's support to Islamist groups in Syria against the Kurds

[08] German expert on property to give a presentation in the breakaway regime

[09] Turkish fighter jets bomb PKK positions for first time since start of peace bid

[10] Demirtas slams Erdogan's stance on PKK and Kobani

[11] K?l?cdaroglu accuses the Turkish government of providing support to ISIL militants

[12] Turkey to introduce reforms in domestic security laws

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu alleges that President Anastasiades is mistaken if he thinks that Turkey will say "yes" to whatever the Greek Cypriots want

In statements yesterday during a meeting with Turkish retired non-commissioned officers from Istanbul, Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriots are the side which ran away from the negotiating table and they have to return.

Referring to the activities of Turkish warships in Cyprus' EEZ, Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots ran away from the negotiating table using as "pretext" a seismic explorations vessel from Turkey coming to the area, but "there was no harassment".

Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriots were looking for such excuses to run away from the negotiations and argued that they have said that their sovereignty had been violated aiming "to show that they are a recognized state".

Meanwhile, in a written statement issued yesterday by his "office", Eroglu has alleged that President Anastasiades "lives in the delusion of seeing himself as the owner of the whole of Cyprus and the sole sovereign of the island". "If this was the situation, there would have been no need for negotiations", he claimed adding that the international community should see the delaying tactics allegedly implemented by the Greek Cypriots and not remain silent.

Eroglu described as "not serious and far from being true" the statement that the negotiations would anyway be interrupted because of next year's so-called elections in the occupied area of Cyprus. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriot "elections" have never constituted an obstacle for the negotiations, "not now, nor ever". Eroglu described the statement as "an excuse for justifying the Greek Cypriot leader's withdrawal from the table" and argued that the "elections" would constitute a "natural timetable" for the negotiations, something which would constitute a reason for them to work more intensively for reaching a result.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay: If the Turkish Cypriot side could direct Turkey towards a milder attitude the negotiations would not be suspended

Ozersay argued that Turkey could have been directed diffidently by the Turkish Cypriot side and expressed the view that the Turkish side should have said to the Greek Cypriot side the following: "If you say that you have the right to hold explorations for natural gas and we have also rights on this natural gas, then we will also explore".

Noting that Turkey's activities in the area are not "a new situation", Ozersay claimed that Turkey does not prevent the activities of the Republic of Cyprus and that it only observes them from a distance. "It observes them closely, but does not prevent them. Then what we need to do as Turkish Cypriot side is to concentrate on peaceful explorations and drilling there, rather than on prevention, by directing Turkey [towards this direction]. If they try to prevent, then the legitimate defense [right] will be activated and you will not be the aggressor".

Ozersay alleged that if the Turkish Cypriots gave license to a Turkish firm for holding explorations for natural gas in the area, they would have given prominence to the dispute between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.

Asked whether Turkey could not have been warned on this issue at this important phase of the negotiations and exerted pressure for the solution, instead of "creating an opportunity" for President Anastasiades running away from the negotiating table, Ozersay replied: "I think that a president who has taken his political power from the people, has a political vision and can undertake initiatives could have done this".

Ozersay said that the diplomatic rhetoric used by the self-styled government and by the Turkish Cypriot leader refers to Turkey's rights and help in creating the picture that "Turkey is usurping the rights of the state which is possessed by the Greek Cypriots".

Referring to a statement reportedly made by President Anastasiades that "first they should respect our sovereignty and then we will return to the table", Ozersay argued that this reminds him of a similar statement once made by the Turkish Cypriot side saying "if our sovereignty is not accepted, we will not sit at the table". He added: "I am not sure as to whether Anastasiades is satisfied with the interruption of the negotiations. Because he has also taken a risk. The situation is not predictable".

Ozersay alleged that President Anastasiades' statement shows that there will be no negotiations, that there will be a delay and that meaningful and substantial negotiations will not start.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkey's MFA called on the EU to adopt a balanced and realistic stance on the Cyprus talks

Bilgic said that Rompuy's statement once again proved that the EU was determined to ignore the Cyprus issue and the dispute resulting from the "Greek Cypriot Administration's" unilateral initiatives on hydrocarbon exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He also said that the current situation has demonstrated the inability of the EU, which accepted the "Greek Cypriot Administration" into the block before solving the Cyprus problem, to support the ongoing efforts for a comprehensive settlement.

Noting that it is time for the EU to bring an end to this deadlock and to adopt a balanced and realistic stance which will encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards a solution, Bilgic said that only then the EU would help the Eastern Mediterranean to become a region of prosperity and cooperation.

[04] Turkey's EU Minister: "We will not accept elements which could create opportunity for a solution in Cyprus to be used of the opening of chapters in the EU process"

During his visit, Bozkir stated that Germany is a very important country therefore Berlin's support is needed both for the solution of the Cyprus problem and for Turkey's efforts to become member of the EU and the opening of new chapters.

"In an environment in which we are heading towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, Turkey opposes using those elements, which will make the solution of the Cyprus problem possible, for the opening of chapters. Because we have had this stance for eight years, fourteen chapters remain blocked. We will continue to not accept elements which could create an opportunity for a solution on the island to be used for the opening of chapters in the EU process. If chapters are to be opened, they should be opened under their own conditions and in a manner that beneficial for all sides", he stated.

In addition, reporting on the same issue, Turkish Sabah (15.10.14) reports that Bozkir told journalists on Tuesday after his meeting with Michael Roth, Germany's state minister responsible for EU affairs: "We agree that Turkey and the EU really need each other, and recent developments have further increased the importance of these relations. During my discussion, I have witnessed that Germany is attaching more importance to our relations." "Both Turkey and Germany are concerned over the stalemate in the past three years in the EU accession talks," Bozkir also said.

[05] Erhuman: Ozersay's "candidacy" shows that his mind was not on the Cyprus talks

Underlining that no one will be content if a single person has to move or if a single part of land has to be given, Erhuman said that "if you assume that the left parties will be content then you are mistaken. We all know that a federal solution is a difficult formula for both sides". He noted that he understood the Greek Cypriots' maximalist positions but he is interested in the positions of the Turkish Cypriots regarding the territorial issue.

[06] Talat said that the tension created by Turkey at Cyprus' EEZ benefitted Eroglu; Eroglu said that Talat's statements are shameful

Evaluating the deadlock at the Cyprus talks to the paper, Talat stressed that the negative effects of the tension created in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus will not benefit anyone and will have a direct impact on the peace process.

Replying to questions on the purpose of the Turkish navy vessels in the area interpreted as behaviour of creating tension and on the position of international law, Talat said that these movements aim at giving a message and threats. He added that it happened before in the past, and when they harassed the platform, Christofias reacted. But he did not withdraw from the negotiating table. There was a very productive process then but now as there is no progress at the negotiating table, they made found the excuse of the presence of the navy vessels and the seismic exploration ship.

Asked to comment on whether it is correct for the Turkish naval vessels to be in the area, Talat said: "The truth is one thing and wrongdoing is another. I don't know in detail why it (Turkey) behaves like this. (?)The point which is important here is what the results will be. The result of this is the tension. The withdrawal from the negotiations, sending a seismic exploration ship or a naval vessel will always result to tension. Tension does not benefit the peace process for a solution. However, this benefits Eroglu and those who do not want a solution."

Asked to comment whether this stance of Turkey is a signal for a diffrent approach to the Cyprus problem, Talat replied: "Turkey is in despair because the solution of the Cyprus problem is impossible with Eroglu's attitude. Turkey cannot express it by accusing Eroglu at this moment. Because in every occasion Eroglu says that he has a commitment and he has the support of the Turkish Cypriots. They cannot criticize Eroglu, they cannot press him. When they cannot do this, they act under the conditions of non-solution, seeing that a solution cannot be reached. This is a serious problem."

Responding to Talat's statements, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that Talat should be shameful for trying to gain points with these difficulties. He wondered if the solution of Cyprus problem was so easy, why he did not agree with Christofias in the three year period.

Eroglu also said that Talat's incorrect statements damage the people, adding that Talat gives a trump card to the Greek Cypriot side by attacking him. Eroglu repeated that they are in a very critical and sensitive period on the Cyprus issue, adding that he is ready to do whatever he has to do for an agreement based on the "realities" of Cyprus. He stressed that it is the Greek Cypriot side which abandoned the negotiating table.

[07] Document shows Turkey's support to Islamist groups in Syria against the Kurds

The letter, signed by the then Minister of Interior Muammer Guler, had been sent on 15 March 2013. In the letter PYD is described as "extended part of the separatist PKK organization" and the governor is asked to give shelter to Al Nusra fighters in public buildings within the boundaries of his province. The Minister asked for the necessary support to be given to the Turkish intelligence service (MIT) in its effort to assist El Nusra fighters from Chechnya and Tunisia passing into Syria.

"Logistic support to Islamist groups, their training and treatment of the wounded and the crossing of the fighters will be mainly materialized from here", said the letter.

(I/Ts.)

[08] German expert on property to give a presentation in the breakaway regime

Czada will give a presentation on October 17 at Acapulco Hotel, on the issue of property which as the paper notes is among the most difficult issues discussed at the negotiations.

[09] Turkish fighter jets bomb PKK positions for first time since start of peace bid

The Turkish General Staff ordered the bombing of the PKK's positions in the Dagl?ca district the southeastern Hakkari province late Oct. 13, Hurriyet has learned. The bombarded targets had reportedly been involved in "assassination, armed incidents and attacks on security bases" after last week's nationwide protests.

[10] Demirtas slams Erdogan's stance on PKK and Kobani

Demirtas said Kurds in Turkey who recently took to the streets to protest the government's policy regarding the ISIL advance in Kobani never demanded the Turkish military to fight against the radical group. He said the HDP had talks with the government during the first 23 days of the siege of Kobani and tried to explain how serious the situation is. "What we said was, 'You made mistakes in the past and now we are seeing their consequences.' ? We still said Kobani should not fall and tried to explain its importance. Yet they did not understand," he said. Demirtas added that the government, not the HDP, is responsible for the armed street demonstrations because of its hostile stance and prompting anger among the Kurds.

[11] K?l?cdaroglu accuses the Turkish government of providing support to ISIL militants

In his speech at the party's weekly parliamentary group meeting, the CHP leader said the weapons in the hands of ISIL militants were sent by the Turkish government.

K?l?cdaroglu also claimed that wounded ISIL militants are being admitted to Turkish hospitals in many cities for treatment. "ISIL sells illegal petrol and other materials. They have offices in many Turkish cities in order to enlist militants from Turkey. Camps were set up to train them. Truckloads of arms were sent. They are organizing meetings freely. Hundreds of people join ISIL by the crossing of Turkish borders. And Davutoglu still asks for official documents to prove these things. There is no need for an official document. Even Biden said that Turkey supports ISIL. He apologized not because of his words but for revealing a secret meeting. The government explicitly supports ISIL," K?l?cdaroglu added.

[12] Turkey to introduce reforms in domestic security laws

"We determined that efforts will be made toward strengthening the hands of the security forces in the case of social acts turning into violence," Arinc said, adding that the new security law must enhance the organization and coordination capacities of all related security units so that such large-scale incidents could be quelled right away.

In addition Today's Zaman (15.10.14) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that a higher number of water cannons will be provided to the police force than those burned during violent protests last week, and vowed that anyone involved in "vandalism" will be called to account before the court.

"For each TOMA [water cannon] set on fire, five to 10 TOMAs will be bought if necessary. For those public buildings burned, better [public] buildings will be built in their place," Davutoglu said at his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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