Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-27

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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] Akinci is the new Turkish Cypriot leader with 60.50% of the votes

[02] Akinci's first speech after his victory

[03] Eroglu: "The people gave a message to the political parties, not to me"

[04] Denktas congratulated Akinci for his victory and called on Turkey to revise its policies on the "TRNC"

[05] Turkish, Cypriot and foreign officials congratulated Mustafa Akinci on his election victory

[06] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover Akinci's victory

[07] "Black propaganda" during the "elections" in the "TRNC"

[08] Yorgancioglu: I don't think I will run for the party leadership in CTP's upcoming congress

[09] Turkish Cypriot academicians evaluate the reference to Cyprus in AKP's, CHP's and HDP's manifesto

[10] Appeal to save the Turkish Cypriots sentenced to death in Malaysia

[11] Erdogan slams nations recognizing the Armenian genocide; Turkey to take diplomatic measures against those countries

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci is the new Turkish Cypriot leader with 60.50% of the votes

According to the paper, Akinci supported by the Social Democracy Party (TDP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP) and the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) in the second round received 67 thousands 35 votes, while his rival Eroglu supported by the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) gained only 43 thousands 764 votes.

The turnout in the runoff ballot between Akinci and Eroglu was 64.12%, a slightly higher than the first round which was 62.34%. The highest turnout was in the occupied town of Morphou with 68.88% and the lowest in the occupied town of Keryneia with 61.32%. In the second round of the "presidential elections", from the 176,980 registered voters, only the 113,478 cast a valid vote.

Akinci has become the fourth Turkish Cypriot leader; the previous ones were Rauf Denktas, Mehmet Ali Talat and Dervis Eroglu. He will be in the post for five years.

The "Higher Election Board" (YSK) announced the following results:

Occupied district of Nicosia

Ballot Boxes: 213

Number of registered voters: 55,782

Number who voted: 35,902 ? 64.36%

Mustafa Akinci: 23,215 votes ? 66.14%

Dervis Eroglu: 11,887 ? 33.86%

Occupied district of Famagusta

Ballot Boxes: 178

Number of registered voters: 46,011

Number who voted: 29,304 ? 63.69%

Mustafa Akinci: 16,191 votes ? 56.87%

Dervis Eroglu: 12,280 ? 43.13%

Occupied district of Keryneia

Ballot Boxes: 140

Number of registered voters: 35,417

Number who voted: 21,717 ? 61.32%

Mustafa Akinci: 13,071 votes ? 61.45%

Dervis Eroglu: 8,199 ? 38.55%

Occupied district of Morphou

Ballot Boxes: 84

Number of registered voters: 20,813

Number who voted: 14,335 ? 68.88%

Mustafa Akinci: 8,636 votes ? 61.36%

Dervis Eroglu: 5,438 ? 38.64%

Occupied district of Trikomo

Ballot Boxes: 78

Number of registered voters: 18,957

Number who voted: 12,220 ? 64.46%

Mustafa Akinci: 5,922 votes ? 49.84%

Dervis Eroglu: 5,960 ? 50.16%

(DPs)

[02] Akinci's first speech after his victory

Addressing his supporters at Inonu square in the occupied part of Nicosia after the announcement of the results, Akinci said that nothing could stop change because the "people" were determined to make the change and thanked all the parties which supported him. Akinci described the "elections" as very important because even those who do not recognize the breakaway regime know that the Turkish Cypriot community elected its leader yesterday.

Referring to outgoing Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu's statement that if Akinci wants to consult with him during the forthcoming procedure he is ready to do so, Akinci said that he will take this into consideration and added: "I want of course to benefit from the contribution of people that had been at the post of the president of the republic, whether this is Mr Mehmet Ali Talat or Mr Eroglu, because this country belongs to all of us, the future of this country concerns all of us".

Akinci said that President Anastasiades called him to congratulate him and added that they will have a meeting soon after the "formalities" are over. "This country has no more time to lose", noted Akinci adding that they belong to the same generation with President Anastasiades. He pointed out: "We wanted very much the generations before us to solve the problems of this island. This did not happen. If we also cannot solve them, these could become a bigger burden for the generations after us. I told him that and he shares the same view".

Moreover, Akinci noted that the UN Secretary-General's Sepcial Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide also called him and said that he will visit the island on 4 May and he wants to discuss how the process will proceed. Akinci said that he thanked Eide and told him that he won the "elections" with his pro-solution vision, that they need the contribution of the UN in their efforts and that they are ready to cooperate with the UN with good will.

Referring to the relations with Turkey, Akinci said that he wants relations based on mutual respect with Ankara and recalled that his opponent in this "election" told the Turkish settlers that if Akinci was elected he would send them back to Turkey. "They did not want to understand that this rhetoric has become aged now", he noted adding that the settlers laugh with all these.

Referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (27.04.15) reports that Akinci said that he will continue the negotiations with the aim of finding an agreement accepted by both sides. He noted that during his campaign he had said that he would exhibit an approach that protects the rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people", but tries to understand the point of view of the other side showing empathy.

Akinci added: "Many pains have been experienced in the past. The past generations we lived pain! We were not the only ones who experienced these, the community in the south also experienced them. It is the time to heal our wounds. The past generations shared these pains. Let the future generations share the blessings of this island".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: "The people gave a message to the political parties, not to me"

Eroglu alleged that in the 5 years he was in "office", he had brought the negotiations to the point where they were and added that he was a "candidate" with the aim to bring the talks to an end.

Eroglu stated this was his last "election" and added that he would not be a candidate for anything again. He said the "people" wanted to give a message; and this message was not to him but to the politicians and the political parties. "Lessons had to be learnt from these elections", Eroglu added.

[04] Denktas congratulated Akinci for his victory and called on Turkey to revise its policies on the "TRNC"

Denktas said that the Democratic Party (DP) will evaluate the outcome of the ballot boxes which is the "people's demand for change" and added that they have received the "people's message".

Speaking during a press conference at the party headquarters last night, Denktas congratulated Eroglu for his work during the last five years. He pointed out that they cooperated during the "presidential elections" with the National Unity Party (UBP) and received 40% of the votes in the second round.

Pointing out that the Democratic Party will exert efforts and try to cooperate with the "president" in this new era, Denktas said that they will soon visit Akinci in order to share their view.

Stressing the need for Turkey to revise its policies towards the "TRNC", Denktas called also all sides in the "TRNC" to understand all the difficulties experienced in the "country".

Denktas stated also that together with the cooperation of the "president", they will undertake duties towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, with loyalty to their "state" and in the name of the Turkish Cypriot "peoples sovereignty and equality".

(AK)

[05] Turkish, Cypriot and foreign officials congratulated Mustafa Akinci on his election victory

Erdogan in his message said that Akinci's election came at a critical juncture in the Cyprus negotiations process. He also reiterated Turkey's support to achieving a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.

"Your election to the post of president comes at a critical phase of the half century old Cyprus problem. Reaching a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the negotiations carried out under the auspices of the UN Secretary General's Good Offices Mission will remain to be our priority", the congratulatory message read.

Erdogan, however, claimed that it is not possible to adopt an approach of finding a solution at any cost to the Cyprus problem, which lies in the misconception that the Greek Cypriot side is the only owner of Cyprus.

Noting that they see the Cyprus problem as their national cause, Erdogan said in his message: "I believe that the determination, belief and committed struggle waged by the Turkish Cypriots to this day as one of the equal partners on the island will continue during your term as President. Turkey as a motherland and guarantor country will continue to fulfil its duties and responsibilities stemming from international agreements. I would like to use this opportunity once again to congratulate you on your election".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (27.04.15, online) reports that except from President Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu and Mevlut Cavusoglu also congratulated the newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader, by sending a message through the Turkish so-called embassy in the occupied part of Nicosia last night. At the same time, Davutoglu called also Akinci to congratulate him in person.

In his message Davutoglu said that the Cyprus issue has always been and will continue to be one of the priorities of the Turkish government and as it is mentioned in the program of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, as a guarantor country Turkey will continue its so-called constructive contribution and support to the UN's efforts for achieving a negotiated, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem which is based on the "essential founding will of both peoples on the island, their political equality and the fact that they are the common owners of the island". He said that his government will continue providing any support for the development of the "TRNC" and the increase of the prosperity level of the Turkish Cypriot "people" so that they look at the future more confidently.

On his part, Cavusoglu argued that their priority is to find a just and lasting solution to the 50-year long Cyprus problem by successfully ending the negotiating process within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's good offices mission. "In parallel to the comprehensive solution, we will continue with my colleagues at the Ministry the efforts towards the Turkish Cypriots taking their rightful place in the international community by overcoming the unjust embargoes to which they are exposed", he alleged.

Meanwhile, the leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party Kemal Kilicdaroglu also called Akinci, congratulating him on his election over the phone.

Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (27.04.15) reports that Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament, commenting on Akinci's victory in his twitter account, wrote the following: "It seems that Mustafa Akinci will be the winner of the presidential elections in North Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot and Turkish nationalists will be bewildered".

Moreover, the US Ambassador John Koening wrote in his twitter account that Akinci won the "elections" and that the officials and diplomats and the US Embassy in Cyprus are watching the "election results".

Also, according to the paper, a lot of Greek Cypriot politicians like the Secretary-General of AKEL, Andros Kyprianou, the former Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoulli, the former President Demetris Christofias and others send concratulatory messages to Akinci.

(DPs, I/Ts, AK)

[06] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover Akinci's victory

Kibris: "Akinci is the President"

Afrika: "Akinci of course, not Eroglu: Upside down". Under the title: "The Turkish Cypriot community wrote an epos this time. It won an unforgettable historic victory. It buried both Dervis Eroglu and the UBP and DP into history. [?]"

Yeni Duzen: "The end of an era". Under the title: "because the country, nation, flag rhetoric was until a certain place. The 'traitors' fairy tales would be decomposed, the mountains of 'fear' would be overcome, and the rhetoric of 'hatred' would be beaten up. There is place for freedoms, the future and a different mentality in the new world language".

Havadis: "The status quo was turned upside down"

Halkin Sesi: "Change". Above the title: "The Turkish Cypriot people made a revolution. With the victory of unity and solidarity a new era with Akinci started in Cyprus"

Diyalog: "New era"

Detay: "Olive branch for the future"

Kibris Postasi: "Absolute victory. Noble farewell"

Yeni Bakis: "People buried the status quo into history"

Bakis: "We salute with respect the 4th president of the TRNC Mr Mustafa Akinci"

Kibrisli: "People used their will and replied: The reply is Akinci"

Volkan: "The new president of the TRNC is Mustafa Akinci"

Vatan: "Akinci with a big difference"

Star Kibris: "People said change"

Ortam: "Welcome Akinci, farewell Eroglu"

Gunes: "The elections were completed"

All Turkish dailies cover today Mustafa Akinci's victory in the "presidential elections" held yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus. Following are the paper's titles:

Milliyet: "Leftist' victory in the TRNC". The paper's correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus Sefa Karahasan reports that Mustafa Akinci gained 60.5% of the votes at the "presidential elections", with the support of the left-wing parties and the supporters of the solution.

Hurriyet: "The victory belongs to Akinci". The paper's correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus Omer Bilge reports that the "TRNC people", with the slogan "change" preferred and voted in favor of Mustafa Akinci in the second round of the "elections". The leftist "presidential candidate" Mustafa Akinci won Eroglu by gaining a percentage of 60.4% and now is the new "TRNC president", writes the paper. The paper writes in its inside page that a heavy program is expecting Akinci this week since he is expected to announce his "negotiating team". Akinci is expected to include in his "negotiating team" names from the former "negotiating team" of Mehmet Ali Talat.

Sabah: "Mustafa Akinci's era in the TRNC". The paper reports about the clear and easy victory of Akinci in the "presidential elections" in the "TRNC" and writes that Akinci became the fourth "president" of the "TRNC".

Cumhuriyet: "Akinci won overwhelmingly in the elections in the TRNC"

Zaman: "North Cyprus elected its new president". The paper writes that Akinci who received the 60.5% of the votes won Eroglu and thus he will be the new representative of the Turkish Cyprus side against the Greek Cypriots at the Cyprus negotiation talks which are expected to be resumed on May.

Today's Zaman: "Leftist Akinci wins as Turkish Cypriots vote to choose their leader"

Hurriyet Daily News: "High hopes for peace as Akinci elected as new president of Turkish Cypriots"

Ankara Anadolu (in English): "Akinci declared the winner of Turkish Cypriot run-off presidential vote"

(I/Ts, AK)

[07] "Black propaganda" during the "elections" in the "TRNC"

According to the paper, Eroglu declared his rival Mustafa Akinci as "Turkey's man and Fethullah Gulen's follower" while at the same time, the paper reports that 72 hours before the "elections", he tried to exert pressure even to the press.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (26.04.15) reported that the Turkish Cypriot lawyer Baris Mamali issued a written statement and criticized the "Turkish Cypriot Security Forces" (GKK) for sharing to the social media a document which belong to the "GKK" and was against the views of one of the two "candidates".

Mamali described as disappointing and thought-provoking this action by the "GKK".

(AK)

[08] Yorgancioglu: I don't think I will run for the party leadership in CTP's upcoming congress

Replying to a question by the reporters after casting his vote whether there would be early "elections", Yorgancioglu said that he did not think that the people wants another "election". He noted that 4 elections had been held during his term as leader of the CTP, adding that "besides the economic burden, elections causes tensions within the society".

Asked whether a change is expected in the administration of the party or not, Yorgancioglu said that the party congress of CTP-BG, which was initially scheduled to take place in October or November, could be moved forward by several months. He added that he is not thinking of running for the party leadership in the congress.

(DPs)

[09] Turkish Cypriot academicians evaluate the reference to Cyprus in AKP's, CHP's and HDP's manifesto

Dr Sozen noted that the three parties have not taken into consideration that "the state to be established in Cyprus will be a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality". Describing this as a "weakness", Dr Sozen said that CHP's vision has been formed having as starting point the AKP's deficiencies and mistakes taking into consideration the Cypriot left-wing parties' criticism, but there is no left perspective in this vision. Referring to the HDP's manifesto, Dr. Sozen said that it includes "democratic expressions" but their content is not filled in.

Moreover, Dr. Kemal noted that the Cyprus problem has been lacking from Turkey's agenda for a long time and in spite of the fact that the state and the officials concerned are working on the issue, the public opinion and the political parties have a very different agenda. He said that the CHP gives more extensive coverage to the Cyprus problem in its manifesto, something which shows the importance attached by this party to Cyprus. Describing the HDP's statement as "positive", Kemal said that the AKP's views "complete each other".

(I/Ts.)

[10] Appeal to save the Turkish Cypriots sentenced to death in Malaysia

According to the paper, the Cyprus authorities, who had already taken up the case through diplomatic channels and helped pay the pair's legal expenses, said that they would lodge an appeal and might take representations through EU representatives in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus are also being urged by the men's families to join the fight for clemency in what is the first ever overseas death sentence against a Turkish Cypriot - and the first anywhere since the end of British colonial rule in 1960.

Hakki Onen, Turkish Cypriot head of the bi-communal Crime and Criminal Matters Committee, has been working with the men's families and liaising with officials from the Republic of Cyprus. "The Greek Cypriot government (editor's note: the Republic of Cyprus government) has given the directive to appeal against the verdict. We are following the issue closely", he told the paper.

The families are now seeking help from all sides, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades. Osman Iseguven, brother in law of Mehmet Tosun, commented: "The Cyprus government has been trying to assist them, but we have not seen any help from the TRNC (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and Turkish government".

A relative of Mr Sigdeniz, who asked not to be named, claimed that the "TRNC government" - which would have to act through Turkey ? had made no effort to save and help the pair.

(DPs)

[11] Erdogan slams nations recognizing the Armenian genocide; Turkey to take diplomatic measures against those countries

Erdogan accused also the United States of siding with Armenia although President Barack Obama stopped short of using the term in his annual message.

Meanwhile, according to the paper, Turkey is getting ready to take a number of diplomatic and economic measures against countries that acknowledge the 1915 mass killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule at the end of the World War I as "genocide" on the centennial of the events.

(?)The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the Austrian Parliament's declaration, arguing that the Austrian Parliament has no right to make false accusations against the Turkish people. "It should be known that the Turkish nation will never forget this slander against its history," the statement said.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday called his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz and told him that the relationship between the two countries will be "inevitably damaged" due to the Austrian Parliament's declaration.

Furthermore, Germany's Parliament as of early Friday is set to adopt a resolution recognizing the events of 1915 as genocide. But it will be a difficult decision for Turkey to recall its Ambassador to Germany, which is Turkey's largest trade partner.

Turkey recently recalled its Ambassador to the Vatican following Pope Francis' reference to the 1915 events as "the first genocide of the 20th century," during a Sunday mass attended by Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan.

It seems that Turkey will not react strongly against statements on the events of 1915 made by Russia and Germany. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently described the 1915 events as "genocide," and attended the centennial commemorations in Yerevan on April 24. During a reception in Ankara on Thursday, Energy Minister Taner Y?ldiz told journalists that Putin's genocide remarks are surprising, but his statement will not affect cooperation between Turkey and Russia on energy projects. It's not clear at this point whether Turkey will recall its Ambassador to Russia.

(?)Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters late on Thursday that he had spoken with Cavusoglu about what an appropriate reaction to Putin's genocide remarks would be. He stated that Turkey will take necessary measures but did not elaborate. French President Francois Hollande has also used the word "genocide," and attended the centennial ceremonies in Yerevan. Davutoglu stated that it's important for Turkey to explain where it stands on this issue.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AC/ AM)

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