Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-06-03

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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 argues that the Turkish Cypriots' rights have been usurped and they want a solution to take these rights back

[02] The contacts of Turkey's Minister for Transport in the breakaway regime

[03] Turkey and the breakaway regime signed a cooperation "protocol" in the field of civil aviation

[04] The occupied Cyprus ports are being privatized

[05] Turkish EU minister warns European Parliament on sensitivities over the upcoming report on Turkey

[06] The applications of Greek Cypriots to the "Property Compensation Commission" are facilitated

[07] The breakaway regime gave new permissions for stone quarries; Reaction statement by the "KTSO"

[08] Search and Rescue Exercises to take place in the breakaway regime between 9-12 June

[09] HSBC is closing down its branch offices in the breakaway regime

[10] International brands to open stores in the new City Mall to be constructed in occupied Famagusta

[11] Commentary tells Erdogan to "Stop Threatening" and to answer questions about MIT Trucks

[12] Prosecutor demands aggravated life sentence for Turkish journalist sued by Erdogan

[13] Reactions grow in Turkey as concerns over possible government seizure of major dailies persist

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci argues that the Turkish Cypriots' rights have been usurped and they want a solution to take these rights back

In statements yesterday in Istanbul on his way to New York, Akinci said that what we need in Cyprus is not to dance tango, but halay folk dance [Translator's note: It is an Anatolian folk dance, which is danced with the participation of many people holding hands]. "We need a process in which there will be much more participation and we will proceed towards the target in harmony", he noted.

Akinci reiterated that they have started well the negotiations with President Anastasiades and that the good start is important but not enough. "It should continue well and its end should be good", he noted adding that "a very serious and difficult job, such as forming a text by which a possible solution could be internalized by both communities and approved by both peoples, is expecting us".

Akinci said that this should be a new period during which they will be in dialogue and in harmony with Turkey, but most importantly the Turkish Cypriot community should come together and become a part of the process. Akinci pointed out that the parameters of the solution are known and that there is a framework which was most recently finalized on 11 February 2014.

Asked what the result of a possible referendum will be, Akinci said that the people will see and discuss the issue and take their decision accordingly. Referring to the Annan Plan referendum, he alleged that the Greek Cypriot side gave priority to the accession to the EU then believing that it could impose the solution it wanted and voted no to the plan. He added: "They soon saw that the EU is not a paradise garden. Even if you are in the EU, you will be disappointed if you cannot do your homework well".

Akinci pointed out that there are some public opinion polls, which show that 52% of the Greek Cypriots who had voted no to the Annan Plan will say yes to a possible solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The contacts of Turkey's Minister for Transport in the breakaway regime

He first held a meeting with the "parliamentary speaker" Sibel Siber. Self-styled Turkish ambassador to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca was also present at the meeting.

Bilgin stated during the meeting that Turkey has roots and special relations with the "TRNC" that could not be compared with any other "country".

He expressed the belief that through a wide spectrum of projects being realized in the occupied area of Cyprus, "the country's economy will further strengthen".

"We have entered a transition to the sustainable economy program process which will increase the prosperity of the TRNC people and will create a sustainable and competitive economic structure", he stated.

For her part, Siber said that their aim was "to increase the living standard of the people and the prosperity of the country" and expressed happiness of the cooperation between the two "countries".

Bilgin also held a meeting with the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and expressed the desire for the breakaway regime to have "a modern, strong and secure infrastructure in the fields of communications and transportation".

Reminding that the joint committee was established with the aim of identifying the opportunities and needs of cooperation between the two "countries" in the fields of transportation and communication, he said the committee is continuing with its workings.

Yorgancioglu stressed the importance of works being carried out towards developing the relations between Turkey and the "TRNC" and touched upon the significance of investments and information transfer being made by Turkey in the fields of land and sea transportation. He also expressed the hope that cooperation in the field of civil aviation will contribute greatly to the development of the sector in the "TRNC".

[03] Turkey and the breakaway regime signed a cooperation "protocol" in the field of civil aviation

The protocol provides that in case the breakaway regime's "civil aviation authorities" ask, the authorization to be made by the Turkish civil aviation directorate within the framework of its own laws for aviation activities in the occupied area of Cyprus will be recognized by the breakaway regime's 'civil aviation department". According to the "protocol' the Turkish civil aviation directorate will be able to give authorizations which the breakaway regime's "civil aviation department' cannot give such as registrations, licenses, flying eligibility and pilot licenses etc.

Moreover, the flying schools will be authorized by Turkey and thus they will fulfill the international standards. Furthermore, cooperation will exist on issues such as the visual flight rules (VFR) and balloon flights.

In addition, the obstruction maps for illegal Tymbou and Lefkoniko airports will be prepared and the "civil aviation" personnel will be trained in Turkey.

In statements after the signing of the "protocol", Tacoy said that they exchanged views with Bilgin on the issues such as investments, roads, e-government, maritime, aviation etc. and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that "motherland Turkey is by our side".

On his part, Bilgin said that the economic and financial cooperation "protocol" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime is giving its economic results and they are happy with seeing these results. He argued that the relations between Turkey and the breakaway regime have a very different meaning and importance than the relations with any other state.

Asked to comment on a proposal reportedly made by the Republic of Cyprus within the framework of the confidence building measures as regards the establishment of a telephone line which will secure coordination between the civil traffic control centers of Turkey and Cyprus, Bilgin replied that any situation which will negatively influence the relations between Turkey and the breakaway regime is out of the question and added that the proposal will be evaluated within this framework.

Replying to a question saying that the income secured by the flights in the area granted by Turkey to illegal Tymbou airport goes to Turkey's airfields and is not paid to the Turkish Cypriots, Bilgin noted that in case there is a demand on this issue, this could be discussed. Commenting on the same issue, Tacoy said that with the income secured from this field, the breakaway regime's "Smart Control System" has been created.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The occupied Cyprus ports are being privatized

Referring to the launching of new boats of the so-called "coast guard", Tacoy said that this is important for the security of the coasts and added that the "coast guard" has 18 vessels and that the security of the coasts increased with five trailers granted by Turkey.

Tacoy noted that they will spend 500 thousand euro for the maintenance of breakwaters at occupied Keryneia Old Marina and its surrounding area, adding that they have launched preparation together with experts from Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish EU Minister warns European Parliament on sensitivities over regarding the upcoming report on Turkey

A planned vote on approving the report on Turkey on May 21 was postponed because of lack of time for political groups in the European Parliament to discuss proposals for amendments.

In letters sent to European Parliament President Martin Schulz, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Elmar Brok, and the leaders of party groups in the parliament, Bozkir expressed Turkey's concerns about some amendment proposals in the report, which will be voted on in June.

He stressed that any mention in the report regarding the European Parliament's April 15 Resolution recognizing the 1915 mass killing of Ottoman Armenians as genocide, or any call to exclude the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from the EU's list of terrorist organizations, would "not be acceptable" for Turkey, diplomatic sources said.

In his letter dated June 1, Bozkir also said that any call to block opening new negotiation chapters for Turkey, or to lift financial assistance to Turkey, would make the report "unacceptable" for Ankara.

Bozkir added that the report should not include a "one-sided perspective that could negatively influence the on-going talks for reunification of Cyprus", according to the sources.

[06] The applications of Greek Cypriots to the "Property Compensation Commission" are facilitated

This decision was taken after a Greek Cypriot refugee from occupied Vasilia village applied to a "court" in the occupied area of Cyprus and succeeded to annul the mortgage for his occupied property by proving that this mortgage had been paid.

The above-mentioned refugee applied to the "Commission" in 2011 demanding compensation for his property in Vasilia, but the "Commission" and the "interior ministry" did not approved the conclusion of the application arguing that the property had been mortgaged on 27 March 1974. The authorities of the occupation regime were not satisfied with the documents submitted by the refugee proving that he had paid the mortgage and put as precondition the signing by the bank [the Bank of Cyprus in this case] of a document saying that the mortgage has been cancelled. The bank refused to do it for political reasons and the Greek Cypriot applied to the "court" in occupied Keryneia, which ruled that the mortgage was lifted. The "attorney general" of the regime appealed against this decision, but the appeal was rejected.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The breakaway regime gave new permissions for stone quarries; Reaction statement by the "KTSO"

The "KTSO" expressed in the statement its worries over the preparation by the "ministry" of a new "regulation" as regards the stone quarries, without consulting the stakeholders. The "chamber" condemned strongly the "ministry" for its new implementation and points out that it is unacceptable and destructive for the environment and the "country's economy" the opening of new stone quarries.

The "chamber" calls also the "government" to suspend its works and the new "regulations" as regards the stone quarries and at the same time to take into consideration the "stakeholders' opinion", the situation that exists in the EU and the "country's structure".

(?)

[08] Search and Rescue Exercises to take place in the breakaway regime between 9-12 June

The search and rescue exercises which are carried out co-jointly with Turkey will take place in the St Hilarion mountain region and off the coast of Famagusta. It will incorporate land and sea rescue exercises with the participation of civil and military aspects, writes the paper.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (03.06.15) reports that the breakaway regime bought three 42-Herktor picket boats.

(CS)

[09] HSBC is closing down its branch offices in the breakaway regime

According to the paper, the bank has agreed with the Chinese ICBC to sell its other three branch offices to Turkey.

(CS)

[10] International brands to open stores in the new City Mall to be constructed in occupied Famagusta

According to the paper, the international brands that would like to open a store in the "TRNC", will show their branch offices in Mersin and with this way, they will not have any problem to make investment in the "country" which is not recognized.

The paper writes that the City Mall project will be implemented by the Electrokur firm and will cost 15 million euro. The City Mall will consist of 60 stores and 9 cinema halls.

(?)

[11] Commentary tells Erdogan to "Stop Threatening" and to answer questions about MIT Trucks

"1. On the plane taking him back from a visit to Germany on 12 May, President Erdogan told correspondents: "Nobody can slander MIT [National Intelligence Organization] by saying it sent arms to al-Qa'ida and place it under suspicion. If those who make the allegations have any dignity, they need to prove their allegations." He also said that "humanitarian aid" was being sent to the Turkmens in Syria.

(http://www.yenisafak.com. tr/gundem/o-gorusmedenimvardi- 2140531)

Then why did he give instructions for a suit to be filed [against Cumhuriyet] when video footage proved that MIT was indeed sending arms?

2. The day Cumhuriyet published the said report on 29 May, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told AFP in Kayseri that "the aid was for the Free Syrian Army [FSA] and the people of Syria."

(http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ gundem/29154186.asp)

The next day, at the rally in Ankara, he corrected himself, saying, "That aid was going to the Bayirbucak Turkmens in Syria."

(http://www.milliyet.com. tr/davutoglu-o-yardimlarbayirbucak/ siyaset/detay/ 2066874/default.htm)

What happened in the meantime that the Prime Minister changed his mind?

3. Yasin Aktay, Davutoglu's Deputy and AK Parti [Justice and Development Party] member of parliament from Siirt, said in Siirt on 18 May: "Those weapons were going to the FSA."

(http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ gundem/29036154.asp)

He was wrong, too?

4. If the weapons were meant for the Turkmens, why was the delivery made through the Reyhanli Gate which was under al-Nusrah's control at the time, and not through a border gate closer to the Turkmens?

5. Is it not a crime for state officials to lie to their people? To the Assembly? To the world? Is it not a crime for them to threaten journalists who decipher the lie? Which is the bigger crime?

6. Regardless of whom the weapons were going to, if the procedure was a crime according to national and international law, would it be right to expect journalists to be part of the crime? In fact, would the journalist not be guilty if he refrained from publishing the true story?

7. Was the footage censored because it reflected the truth or because it did not?

8. If it was "humanitarian aid," why was it done in secret? In other instances, humanitarian aid was delivered with great fanfare. If medicine and blankets were being delivered, why was this considered a "state secret"? Why was the footage banned and why was the delivery not displayed with pride?

9. The Adana Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation on the ground that we published "fake footage that does not reflect the truth." If it does not reflect the truth, then why was an investigation launched on the ground that state secrets were revealed? If it was a secret, then why is being called "fake"?

10. The same prosecutor's office has launched another investigation on the ground that we "revealed information that should have remained secret." The information was supposed to remain a secret according to whom? For whom? For the people? For MIT? For ISIL? Who decided on what ground that keeping this information a secret, and not deciphering it, serves state interests?

11. Can the stamp of "state secret" be used to cover up a crime? If an act is a crime, then can the fact that it is a secret be enough to clear it? For example, if a coup plan is revealed, then can it not be publicized because of the stamp of "state secret" on it? In such a case who would have committed the crime or those who reveal the coup plan?

12. Let us assume that the weapons went to the Turkmens and not to the FSA; if it were a legitimate transfer of arms in line with national and international law, why did you feel the need to conceal and lie about it? Why did the publication of the footage disturb you?

13. If, during the course of the delivery, the weapons exploded as a result of an accident -- as in Reyhanli -- who would have assumed responsibility for the casualties? Would a new organization be found once again, and the responsibility laid on it?

14. Prime Minister Davutoglu said: "It is nobody's business what was in the TIR [International Highway Transport truck]." Does he not owe an explanation to the Assembly to whom it must report and to his people whose lives are endangered during the delivery?

15. Does MIT have the duty or function to carry out international arms deliveries? Has this duty been determined by law?

16. Does the fact that the weapons were going to the Turkmens and not to ISIL change the reality that this was an illegal operation? Does it make the operation legal? Does the identity of the addressee legitimize the delivery of weapons by the state?

17. If this was a state decision, then why were the Governor's Office, the Prosecutor's Office, the Gendarmerie, and even the head of the MIT Regional Office unaware of it?

18. When the TIR's were caught, MIT wrote to the Prosecutor, "The goods are ours, deliveries are being made between units within Turkey." Is it ordinary practice for a state institution to submit false documents and lie to another state institution?

19. This entire scandal, the capture during delivery, the attempt to hide the members' identity when the army conducted a search, trying to stop the TIR, failing to do that, summoning the help of the governor, the pitiable picture shown to the world -- do not all these prove MIT's great incompetence? Has the state's intelligence organization been entrusted to these cadres?

20. And the last question: Why did Hakan Fidan really resigned? Did the cadres who were disturbed by the illegalities in MIT played a role in the deciphering of this operation?

[12] Prosecutor demands aggravated life sentence for Turkish journalist sued by Erdogan

On June 2, scores of Cumhuriyet editors and columnists appeared on the newspaper's front page, proclaiming that all of them were responsible for the report in tandem with a social media campaign, #CanDundarYalnizDegildir (Can Dundar is not alone).

Continuing his tough stance on the matter, Erdogan filed an individual criminal complaint against Dundar and Cumhuriyet on June 2, claiming that the story "included some footage and information that are not factual."

The criminal complaint, filed to Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office to be sent to Istanbul where Cumhuriyet is based, argued that the newspaper "joined the actions" of the followers of U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan's former ally, whose followers in the judicial and security organs are now described by the government as "the parallel organization."

"By publishing the fabricated footage and information that were leaked to him by the parallel organization, [Dundar] joined the actions of the organization members who searched the trucks and plotted with fabricated evidence to create a perception in the scope of a planned setup as if the Republic of Turkey has been helping terrorist organizations," the complaint said.

The plaintiff accused Dundar of both "trying to manipulate justice" with fabricated material and "violating confidentiality" by publishing the story. Erdogan's lawyer Muammer Cemaloglu also requested the prosecutor launch a public law suit following the investigation.

[13] Reactions grow in Turkey as concerns over possible government seizure of major dailies persist

With just a week before the country's June 7 parliamentary election, prominent Twitter whistleblower Fuat Avni claimed early on Monday that there will soon be a mass detention of journalists and members of the judiciary as part of government efforts to muzzle media outlets that are free, independent and critical. The whistleblower claimed said some 200 people will be detained in a major sweep that was ordered by embattled President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is reportedly furious over the publication by the Cumhuriyet daily of photos of weapons being transported to radical groups in Syria by trucks run by Turkey's intelligence organization.

Among those critical journalists planned to be detained are Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli; Today's Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bulent Kenes; Today's Zaman Managing Editor Celil Sagir; Today's Zaman columnist Emre Uslu; Turkish Review magazine's Editor-in-Chief Kerim Balci; Bugun TV Ankara representative Faruk Mercan; Bugun daily's Washington bureau chief Adem Yavuz Arslan; Bugun daily columnist Nazli Ilicak; former Taraf daily Editor Yasemin Congar; former Taraf daily Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Altan; and Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Can Dundar.

The politically motivated investigations not only include journalists but also the corporate entities of the Zaman, Samanyolu and Bugun media outlets. Zaman is the country's largest circulated national daily. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(CS/ AM)

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