Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-07-06

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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: No traces of landmines have been found in 25 of the 28 minefields

[02] Yorgancioglu resigns; The most likely is reportedly a CTP-UBP "coalition government"

[03] Akinci met with French Minister Desir

[04] The "Property Compensation Commission" might stop being a "local remedy" because it cannot pay compensations

[05] TDP will participate in the meeting of the Council of the SI in NY

[06] Cerkez on the efforts exerted for the establishment of a common GSM communication network in Cyprus

[07] Toros calls for reform in the economy of the breakaway regime

[08] Settler's association reacted against the statements of the Archbishop

[09] Vehicles in the breakaway regime have been increased by 60% in the last ten years

[10] A rented fire helicopter from Turkey at the occupied airport of Tymbou

[11] AKP Deputy compared the possible Turkish intervention to Syria with the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

[12] Military increases presence on border as commanders summoned to Ankara

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: No traces of landmines have been found in 25 of the 28 minefields

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Akinci said that inspections were held by teams from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the "Cyprus Turkish security forces" (editor's note: the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus) within the areas of which coordinates were provided by the Greek Cypriot side.

He reminded that the UNMAS teams had carried out the inspections in line with a request he had made to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during his meeting with him on the 4th of June.

Pointing out that there are landmines suspected in three of the areas provided, Akinci said that all three areas have been fenced off and pose no direct risk to the public.

Akinci also said: "No traces of landmines were found in 25 of the 28 reported coordinates. We only have suspicions in 3 areas. The first coordinated is located within a military zone in Gungor (editor's note: the occupied village of Koutsoventis). Since there is no civilian access to the location in question, the area does not pose an immediate threat. The second coordinates are located in Alemdag (editor's note: the occupied village of Agridaki). Part of the plot is private property while the remaining part is accessible to the public. The third area is on the side of the road near Omerli (editor's note: the occupied village of Galini). All three areas have been fenced off and marked, posing no risk at all. Necessary work to screen and if needed clear the plots has begun."

Akinci further said that there is no longer a need for this issue to occupy the public's agenda, particularly now that it is high season for tourism and added: "I would like to thank both the UNMAS teams and the Cyprus Turkish security forces for the work they have carried out. Let everyone be assured that the areas fenced off will be checked and cleared in no time".

[02] Yorgancioglu resigns; The most likely is reportedly a CTP-UBP "coalition government"

The paper writes that the second round of meetings for the establishment of a new "government" was held on Friday. A delegation headed by the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) leader, Mehmet Ali Talat visited the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG).

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.07.15) reported that Akinci met on Saturday with the political party leaders within the framework of the efforts of establishing a new "government". Today Akinci is expected to assign Omer Kalyoncu, CTP-BG "deputy" of occupied Keryneia, with the duty of forming a "coalition government". The efforts for establishing a new "government" are expected to begin this week.

After meeting with Akinci, Talat said that they informed him that their party organs decided to establish a "government" under Kalyoncu. On his part, UBP leader, Huseyin Ozgurgun stated that they agreed with Akinci that the "country' should not remain without a "government" for a long time and that the new "government" should be established the soonest. The chairman of the DP-UG, Serdar Denktas said that they have expressed a positive view for Kalyoncu, while the general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Suphi Hudaoglu stated that they are seeing Kalyoncu positively.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.07.15) reported that the CTP discussed once more in its central administrative committee the issue of the party with which it will establish a "coalition government". The majority of the party's competent organs and "deputies" were in favor of establishing a "government" with the UBP. According to the paper, this majority reached 55%. In case of a "coalition" with the DP-UG some "deputies" will resign in case they do not get a "ministry" and thus the party concerns that the "government" will numerically face difficulties in the "assembly". It is said that three "deputies" will resign in case they do not become "ministers". The CTP and the UBP have reportedly agreed on many issues except on the "privatizations".

Referring to Havadis' above-mentioned information, Cenk Mutluyakali, general publishing director of Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (06.07.15) expresses the view that the possibilities for the establishment of the CTP-UBP "government" are currently around 70% and not 55% as Havadis has argued. "Of course, we could not know what will happen when the timetable, the details and the sharing of the ministries will come to the table", he notes.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Akinci met with French Minister Desir

The meeting, which was held in Akinci's office, was attended by the self-styled undersecretary of the foreign affairs ministry Erhan Ercin and Akinci's spokesperson Baris Burcu.

According to the paper, the progress, which has been obtained in the ongoing Cyprus talks for the reunification of the island, was discussed during the meeting. Desir said that the election of Akinci as a Turkish Cypriot leader has opened an opportunity window for the strengthening of the prosperity and stability of the island and to give an end to the division of the island in a way that will benefit the two communities in the island and the region as a whole with the EU. He also said that France is satisfied with the positive atmosphere of the Cyprus talks as well as the determination and courage that both leaders have exhibited.

Noting that France has given a strong support to the talks, Desir wished success to both leaders and the UN Special Adviser on Cyprus of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide.

Desir further said that the Cyprus settlement, which should be beneficiary for both communities, should also be agreeable to the EU fundamental principles.

(DPs)

[04] The "Property Compensation Commission" might stop being a "local remedy" because it cannot pay compensations

The chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Cemal Ozygit said that certain amount for compensating Greek Cypriots for their occupied properties has been secured by Turkey and added that in case the problem of securing resources is not solved, the "danger" of the 'Commission" stop being a "local remedy" exists.

Referring to the request by the self-styled speaker of the "assembly", Sibel Siber to the political parties to submit their view on how this problem will be overcome, Ozyigit noted that his party will submit its views, but they do not support any step which will be contrary to the negotiating process, because the property issue is a part of this process.

"It is known that the compensation for the land on which big hotels and the Middle East Technical University (ODTU) had been constructed was paid by Turkey", he said adding that "our work will be related to the way by which compensations will be paid from now on and to the exchange [of property]".

The paper recalls that Hamza Ersan Saner, "deputy" with the National Unity Party (UBP), had prepared a "law" providing that if the Greek Cypriot owner of an occupied property and its Turkish Cypriot user agree, they could solve the problem through the "Commission". The Turkish Cypriot could pay the money to the Greek Cypriot, the property will become "Turkish property" and the Turkish Cypriot's points for "property of equivalent value" will be disengaged.

According to Ozyigit, however, in order for the "legal provisions" to be implemented, the following questions should be replied first: "Will a territorial concession be given? Are there places which will be returned? Which places will be returned? How the compensation mechanism will work in the places which are returned?"

Siber, on the other hand, said that in case the exchange of property is successfully implemented as a solution, the illegal title deeds given by the occupation regime will be internationally valid and in this way, "bi-zonality", which is one of the parameters of the solution of the Cyprus problem will, allegedly, be guaranteed. Siber argued that if the "Commission" cannot pay compensations, the benefits gained from its establishment will be lost.

(I/Ts.)

[05] TDP will participate in the meeting of the Council of the Socialist International in NY

According to a press release issued by TDP, the General Secretary of SI Luis Ayala sent an official invitation to the TDP on May and expressed his expectation from the TDP to accept and participate in the meeting.

(DPs)

[06] Cerkez on the efforts exerted for the establishment of a common GSM communication network in Cyprus

Speaking to the paper about the efforts exerted for the "establishment of a GSM connection communication network in Cyprus" which is a measure announced amongst others in the framework of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for the unification of Cyprus, Cerkez stated that the contacts between the 2 operators from the "north" and 3 GSM operators from the "south" continue.

Cerkez said that all the involved parties met twice and added that there is no technical problem on the issue of the connection network but as he said the discussions continue on "financial aspects". Cerkez said that all things will be clarified in a few weeks.

He pointed out that the operators will meet again next week in order to discuss financial issues and added that in spite of the fact that progress was achieved during the meetings, there is not a clear decision yet.

Cerkez underlined that the meetings on this issue from the political point of view will continue as well. He said that they will inform the "president" about the developments concerning the discussions on this matter.

(AK)

[07] Toros calls for reform in the economy of the breakaway regime

Toros made these statements regarding his expectations on the new "government" to be established in the breakaway regime soon, after the change of leadership in the Republican Turkish Party (CTP).

He said that in the framework of the new economy program to be announced, investments must be encouraged and reforms should take place so that the "TRNC economy" to be strengthened and to be balanced with the economy of the Republic of Cyprus. "If this is not safeguarded, the Turkish Cypriot economy will be dependent on the Greek Cypriot economy after a possible solution", he argued.

(CS)

[08] Settler's association reacted against the statements of the Archbishop

The paper wrote that various settlers gathered in a park in the occupied part of Lefkosia and marched holding flags of Turkey and of the "TRNC" towards the Ledra Street barricade. They also held banners in which it was written "we are not leaving" and chanted slogans like "We are not going back, we came here to die".

Later a delegation of the protestors went to the Archbishop palace and handed a letter with the position and the reaction of the movement.

(CS)

[09] Vehicles in the breakaway regime have been increased by 60% in the last ten years

According to statements of the "director of traffic" of the so-called police, Ahmet Beserler, the increased number of vehicles is related to the increased number of fatal accidents in the occupied area of Cyprus and the lack of a sufficient number of "police officers". Beserler said that the number of "traffic policemen" is 220 and added that there is only one "police officer" for every thousand persons in the breakaway regime while the analogy in the UK is one for every 500 persons.

(CS)

[10] A rented fire helicopter from Turkey at the occupied airport of Tymbou

The fire helicopter rented for the summer season is stationed on standby at the occupied airport of Tymbou.

A mock exercise was also held in occupied Famagusta to test the helicopter. Speaking at the event, self-styled minister of environment and natural resources Hakan Dincyurek said that the renting of the fire helicopter is an important step towards preventing devastating destruction caused by forest fires. He added that the presence of a helicopter in the "TRNC" has made them stronger and more confident.

Dincyurek also pointed out that the helicopter will be standing ready to assist "South Cyprus" (editor's note: the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) or Turkey in the event such a request is made.

[11] AKP Deputy compared the possible Turkish intervention to Syria with the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

Sahin stated that a possible Turkish intervention to Syria is Turkey's right which derives from the international law. Sahin supported also that a possible operation in Syria will have similar effects with that of the "Cyprus peace operation", as he called the Turkish invasion in Cyprus.

(?)

Sahin alleged that a possible intervention to Syria by Turkey will put forward the unification of their rights like it happened with the "operation in Cyprus".

(AK)

[12] Military increases presence on border as commanders summoned to Ankara

The commanders of troops deployed along the border will take part in a high-level meeting to hammer out all contingency plans for a possible intervention in Syria, a Turkish daily reported on Sunday.

According to Hurriyet newspaper, Land Forces Commander Gen. Hulusi Akar and Commander of the 2nd Army Adem Huduti sent an order to attend the meeting to the commanders of armoured brigades of border troops, after they conducted inspections on Turkey's border with Syria last week.

The military will discuss which steps will be taken during a possible operation and how many troops will be deployed in Syria if the government finally gives the go-ahead. The meeting will take place this week in Ankara.

Advanced weaponry, including missile launchers and other heavy weaponry, from Ankara were sent to the border in the southern province of Kilis on Saturday, in the latest dispatch of equipment to the region.

On Sunday, the commander of Turkish elite Special Forces Gen. Sezai Aksakal inspected commando units that arrived in Sanliurfa last week. On Saturday, a unit from the Tunceli 4th Commando Brigade was deployed to the border. A total of 54,000 members of Turkey's land forces have reportedly been deployed on the country's Syria border.

A plan to have more than 400 armoured vehicles, which will carry military personnel and be protected by jammers, to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by planting mines across Syria's border with Turkey is expected to be assessed. The role of Turkey's air forces in a possible intervention is also among the topics to be discussed during the meeting.

Members of the Special Forces Command -- also known as the Maroon Berets -- which are deployed in the southeastern province of Sanl?urfa are also assumed to be a part of the operation plan. The Maroon Berets were involved in a military incursion into Syria to evacuate the tomb of Suleyman Sah in northern Syria in late February.

The scale of the recent mobility of troops and equipment unleashed expectations that the military will make a move in northern Syria. Turkish officials told media that ISIL's advances in the northern Syrian town of Azaz, a critical town that sits 10kms away from the border and links Kilis with Aleppo, would trigger a new wave of refugees flowing towards Turkey. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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