Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-24

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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] Eroglu accuses Akinci of having relations with Fethullah Gulen

[02] Akinci describes Eroglu's accusations as "black propaganda" and an effort to "drag" the Turkish government into the "elections"

[03] Ozgurgun: If there were "general elections" today, UBP would be the first party

[04] Talat on the 11th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum: There is no solution if Eroglu is elected

[05] Kalyoncu expresses strong support to Akinci

[06] Various organizations and political parties expressed their support to Eroglu and Akinci

[07] 176 thousands 980 electorates in the 2nd round of the "presidential elections"

[08] Cavusoglu met with Hammond; The Cyprus issue was discussed

[09] Turkish daily wrote that Nadir will be sent to Turkey

[10] Distress at Agios Dometios crossing point yesterday due to the occupation regime's strict control measures

[11] German President labels Armenian killings as genocide

[12] Seven world capitals now without Turkish ambassadors

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu accuses Akinci of having relations with Fethullah Gulen

Eroglu alleged that he is the person who signed a joint statement for the first time after the High Level Agreements of 1977-79. He claimed: "This joint declaration is a kind of timetable. I am a person who brought Anastasiades to the stage of bargaining. [?] We have come until the stage of the bargaining. In any case, after this Anastasiades abandoned the table [?]".

Eroglu accused again the Greek Cypriot side of implementing delaying tactics and referring to statements made by Espen Barth Eide, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, argued that Eide also "pointed out to the end of 2015" for holding a referendum. Eroglu reiterated the allegation that after the bargaining begins they could solve the Cyprus problem within a couple of years and added that "it is possible to have an agreement as it is possible not to have an agreement". "I became a candidate in order to conclude an unfinished business. This is my last election", he added.

Referring to the support expressed by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to Mustafa Akinci, Eroglu alleged that the two left-wing parties (the CTP and the Social Democracy Party ? TDP) will continue to be rivals after the "elections" and claimed that in spite of the fact that Akinci says that he will be impartial, he will try to strengthen the one party against the other after the "elections". "And I think that the CTP will be harmed from this", he argued.

Eroglu claimed that contrary to himself, Akinci never put forward his indispensable conditions. "He has no clear stance other than saying that we will give fenced off Varosha to its former owners under UN control. For example, he never said that Turkey's active and effective guarantees will continue. For example, he has not spoken as clearly as I did about our citizens coming from Turkey. He has not spoken clearly on the issue of the rotating presidency. He has conducted his campaign only by promising beautiful future to the citizens".

Eroglu argued that three big foundations exist in the occupied fenced off city of Varosha and alleged that Akinci talks are ignoring the "properties of these foundations".

Eroglu further claimed that President Anastasiades has clearly stated who he wants to win the "elections" and argued that the return of Varosha will benefit only the Greek Cypriots, while the confidence building measures should secure benefit to both communities.

Arguing that the "elections" concern the future of the "TRNC people", Eroglu alleged: "If those who are in much more cooperation with the Greek Cypriots and try to open a front against Turkey are at the negotiating table, this could cause various results".

Meanwhile, in statements to a television program, Eroglu said that the "citizens" did not go to the ballot boxes last Sunday in order to punish the political parties and their "deputies".

He argued that they have reached the final stage and it is not the time now to give a lesson to anyone. "We are in a period when the disappointments will be wiped away from the minds", he argued alleging that it is the time to take a decision on the future of the "TRNC".

Referring to his opponent in the second round, Eroglu said: "I do not know what is in Mr Akinci's mind, but I know the question he had once asked the then Prime Minister of Turkey. I know that the expression that 'if a country transfers population to another country which it has occupied, this is a crime of war' belongs to both himself and those who support him. [?]'

Asked whether a gesture could be made prior to the comprehensive solution, Eroglu replied that the fenced off city of Varosha is a part of the chapter of the territory and that the Greek Cypriot side had rejected a proposal submitted by the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas. He alleged that if you give it now to the Greek Cypriots, you will enter into a deadlock when you ask yourself what the Greek Cypriots will want afterwards in order to sit at the negotiating table. He said that the salami policy is not valid for the Cyprus problem, to which a comprehensive solution should be found.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci describes Eroglu's accusations as "black propaganda" and an effort to "drag" the Turkish government into the "elections"

In a statement issued yesterday, Akinci noted that during his entire life he was committed to no one else than the Turkish Cypriot "people" and that he never met with Fethullah Gulen.

Furthermore, Akinci said for Eroglu, inter alia, the following: "In any case, everybody knows how weak his understanding of democracy is. He is a politician who fears of his people. Therefore, he is known of the fact that intrigues never lacked from his political methods. Dervis Eroglu is a person who, for his personal sultanate, denigrated the political level so much that he expects help through making discriminations among the citizens, through spreading fear instead of hope to the people, through oppression and through intimidation".

Meanwhile, Akinci also met with journalists from Turkey to whom he stated that he will follow a pro-solution policy in the Cyprus problem and he will carry out negotiations in order to form a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal system on which the sides agreed on 11 February 2014. He said that the Turkish Cypriot "people" want to administrate their own institutions and they want to do it well. "My wish is for incidents like the bankrupted Turkish Cypriot airlines not to happen again", he noted adding that "the Turkish Cypriots should become owners of their own institutions and be able to stand on their own feet in this island".

Akinci pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots have no real say in their own institutions and added that the "police", the "fire brigade" and the "security forces" in the occupied area of Cyprus are still bound to the [Turkish Armed Forces'] General Staff.

Akinci said that healthy and sound relations should be established with Turkey and added: "I do not see the TRNC as a community which unilaterally receives aid. Turkey helps us but we cover almost all of our imports from Turkey. We have imports higher than 1-2 billion dollars every year. We have close cultural relations with Turkey deriving from history. [?] The relation that we will establish with Turkey will be a relation based on mutual respect. [?]"

Akinci argued that Turkey also favours a solution in Cyprus and added that now the "natural gas" dynamic exists instead of the EU dynamic that existed ten years ago.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper (24.04.15) reports that in statements during visiting its premises Akinci said that he will materialize change if he wins the "elections" and he will proceed together with the Republican Turkish Party on the Cyprus problem. He noted that they might think differently on some issues and tension may be created from time to time, but they should look at the issue "from the point of view of the country's future".

Referring to President Anastasiades, he said: "We know each other with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades. We had a contact with him. We are both from Limassol. The generations before us should have solved this problem. If our generation cannot solve it as well, I really worry about the future generations".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun: If there were "general elections" today, UBP would be the first party

Commenting on the 2nd round of the "presidential elections" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus which will be held on April 26 in a TV programme, Ozgurgun reiterated their full support to the incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

Referring to rumours that if Akinci wins the "elections" then the "flag" of the breakaway regime on Pentadaxtylos range would be removed, Ozgurgun said that no one has such strength to remove the "flag".

He also claimed that if there were "general elections" today in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, there would be a serious change in the ratio of the "parliament structure" and for this reason the issue of the "government" has ended. He added that the UBP is ready for an "elections" in any moment, claiming that if there were "elections", UBP will be the first party, because there are many internal problems in the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and therefore will lose a lot of votes.

(DPs)

[04] Talat on the 11th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum: There is no solution if Eroglu is elected

Talat was speaking to the paper on the 11th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum.

He said that the biggest opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem was lost in 2004. He also said that the efforts for the solution continue and that important developments were safeguarded. However, he said, the procedure was obstructed after Eroglu's election and the non-solution of the problem was cemented. Finally, he said that the Turkish Cypriots were outcast from the world after Eroglu got in "power".

(CS)

[05] Kalyoncu expresses strong support to Akinci

Commenting on the results of the first round of the "elections", Kalyoncu stated that his party experienced an important trauma and said that this must be examined and evaluated after the second "election" round is over. He also said that there was not bargaining between the party and Akinci and they did not discussed with him what is going to take place after the "elections". However, CTP wants to assist as regards the developments on the Cyprus problem, he noted.

Finally, on the latest statements regarding the opening of Varosha, Kalyoncu said that only time will show the developments that will take place on this issue.

(CS)

[06] Various organizations and political parties expressed their support to Eroglu and Akinci

According to the paper, the Social Democrat Party (SDP), said in the statement that they decided to support Akinci since they consider him to be the only one that can bring the change in the "country".

Also, the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP) said in its statement that the socialist stance is clear and that no vote should be given to the status quo and the supporters of the status quo.

The paper writes also that the "Kibris Pir Sultan Abdal cultural association" has openly expressed support to Akinci, while the chairman of the "Chambers of Tradesmen and Handicrafts" (KTEZO) Mahmut Kanber said in a statement that the chamber will continue to support those who exert efforts and their goal is a federal solution in Cyprus.

Moreover "the Turkish Cypriot's national existence council", the "fighter's association" and the Hizmet-Sen trade union announced their support to Eroglu, writes the paper.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (24.04.15) reports that the general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers` Union (KTOS) Sener Elcil, in a written statement yesterday, has stated that the second round of the "elections" into which Eroglu and Akinci will run for the "presidency" has been turned into a "referendum".

Elcil stated that the 26 April "elections" had been turned into a referendum between Akinci who supports a federal solution in Cyprus, peace, democracy, respect to human rights, equality and social justice and his opponent Eroglu, who has brought the Turkish Cypriot community to this situation, who in his whole political life was a supporter of the non-solution, was a plunderer, and was acting with partisanship.

(AK)

[07] 176 thousands 980 electorates in the 2nd round of the "presidential elections"

The chairman of the "High Election Board (YSK)" Safak Oneri announced that the voting will be held between 08.00-18.00 and the unofficial results will start coming in around 7pm, an hour after the voting ends with final results to be announced by 10pm the latest.

In statements to the "Turkish Cypriot news agency" (TAK), Oneri said that the "voters" will be voting in the same polling stations as in the first round. He also said that 64 new voters had been added to the voting list in the past week, explaining that these individuals are either persons who turned 18 in the past week or who had accidently removed from the "voting registry".

He also said that the results will be announced through the "High Electoral Council's" website at www.mahkemeler.net .

(DPs)

[08] Cavusoglu met with Hammond; The Cyprus issue was discussed

Europe Thorbjorn Jagland and his British counterpart Phillip Hammond.

The meetings took place on the side-lines of the Peace Summit in Istanbul held as part of activities marking the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Battle of Canakkale (Gallipoli).

According to diplomatic sources, the Cyprus issue was discussed during the meeting between Cavusoglu and Hammond.

Expanding cooperation between Turkey and the Council of Europe was amongst the issues discussed during the meeting between Cavusoglu and Jagland.

[09] Turkish daily wrote that Nadir will be sent to Turkey

According to a report issued by Vatan newspaper in Turkey, initiatives were undertaken for Nadir's return to Turkey after he abdicated his British citizenship. Meanwhile, it has been stated that steps were taken by both Turkey and the UK which in the framework of their agreement for Nadir, came to an understanding that the citizenship of Nadir and his spouse should be abdicated.

The paper writes that the UK, is expecting to send Nadir to Turkey after the general elections which are scheduled to take place in the UK on May 7, since it does not want to take the risk of this decision.

Also, according to the paper, a close source near to the British Prime Minister David Cameron, said that everything is ready for sending Nadir to Turkey, however, he added that they are waiting the UK elections in order for the Conservative Party not to lose votes.

(AK)

[10] Distress at Agios Dometios crossing point yesterday due to the occupation regime's strict control measures

According to the paper, the strict control measures followed at the Agios Dometios crossing point by the occupation regime's "authorities", caused distress to the "TRNC citizens" who wanted to pass their day in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking to the paper, a lot of Turkish Cypriots expressed their disappointment over the implementation followed in the crossing points and asked for efforts to be exerted from both sides to ease the practices followed at the crossing points.

(AK)

[11] German President labels Armenian killings as genocide

Gauck used the word in a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of what most Western scholars and two dozen governments regard as genocide against an Armenian population that flourished in what is now modern Turkey. Turkey vehemently denies the charge.

Gauck, a former East German pastor with a penchant for defying convention, also suggested Germany itself might bear some of the blame because of its actions during World War One. "In this case, we Germans must still come to terms with the past, as to whether there is in fact a shared responsibility, possibly even complicity, in the genocide of the Armenians," said Gauck, adding that German armed forces were involved in planning and even implementing deportations.

His determination to use the controversial word prompted members of parliament to overcome long-held resistance from Chancellor Angela Merkel's government, which until Monday had steadfastly refused to use the term.

Analysts say it was previously reluctant to apply the description in the case of Turkey for fear of upsetting Ankara and the 3.5 million people in Germany who are Turkish nationals or of Turkish origin.

The reversal of Germany's stance is significant because it is Turkey's top trading partner in the European Union. France, the European Parliament and Pope Francis are among others who have used the term, condemned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Questioning these claims is not up to parliaments or politicians, but rather to historians," Erdogan said on Thursday, before Gauck's speech. "The Armenian diaspora should ask the 40,000 Armenians who are citizens of our country whether they face any persecution," he told a peace conference in Istanbul, organised as part of the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign during World War One.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told parliament: "Those who develop hateful sayings against Turkey will feel ashamed and be held accountable in front of history and humanity".

[11] Seven world capitals now without Turkish ambassadors

Currently, Turkey has no ambassadors in Syria, Egypt, Israel, Libya, Yemen and the Vatican, in addition to Austria, as bilateral relations between Ankara and the aforementioned countries have become strained or due to security concerns over the past five years.

Turkey withdrew its ambassador in Tev Aviv, Oguz Celikkol, in 2010 after Israeli commandos boarded Gaza-bound aid ships resulting in the deaths of 10 Turks, bringing the already strained relationship between the Jewish state and Turkey to a breaking point. Diplomatic relations between the two states have been reduced to the second-secretary level.

In 2013, Egypt expelled Turkey's ambassador to Cairo on Nov. 23, declaring him "persona non grata", amid tension between the two countries, which has escalated since the military takeover that toppled former president Mohamed Morsi. Since then, Turkey has not appointed a new ambassador to Cairo.

In 2012, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Syria, Omer Onhon, and closed its embassy in Damascus, citing the worsening security situation in the country. The move came two days after then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was on the brink of breaking diplomatic ties with Syria and withdrawing its ambassador. Shortly after, Turkey declared that it did not recognize Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government as the legitimate administration in the country.

Turkey also recalled its ambassador in Libya, as bilateral ties strained between Ankara and new administration in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Turkey wanted to appoint as a new ambassador to Tripoli Ahmet Dogan but the Libyan government did not approve him. Turkey does not have an ambassador in Tripoli at the moment. Libya's Parliament recalled the country's ambassador to Turkey in 2014.

In February, Turkey suspended the operations of its embassy in Yemen and evacuated all of its diplomats, including ambassador Fazl? Corman, because of the worsening situation in the capital Sanaa due to intensified clashes between Shiite militia and Sunni groups.

Turkey's ambassador to the Vatican was summoned to Ankara for consultations on April 12, after Pope Francis called the 1915 incidents involving Armenians genocide.

Austria was subject to a similar reaction by Ankara, as Turkey recalled its ambassador in Vienna on April 22 after parties represented in the Austrian parliament signed a declaration recognizing the massacre of Armenians a century ago as genocide. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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