Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-07-29

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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] ATIP delegation held contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Ozersay expressed his concerns about the negotiation progress; Akinci's spokesman says that talks proceeds according to the Common Statement

[03] TDP and BKP do not support the newly "coalition government" of CTP-UBP

[04] The newly appointed "Turkish ambassador" to the occupied area of Cyprus presented his credentials to Akinci

[05] Talat met with the Russian Ambasaddor to Lefkosia

[06] Erdogan demands lifting of HDP Deputies' immunity; Bahceli calls on judiciary to close pro-Kurdish HDP

[07] HDP'S Selahattin Demirtas accused Erdogan for leading Turkey to a "civil coup"

[08] Turkish columnist evaluates possible effects of Turkey's military operation against PKK

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] ATIP delegation held contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

The delegation headed by its president Cemal Yang?n met first with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc?, and afterwards with the "speaker" of the so-called assembly Sibel Siber, so-called prime minister Omer Kalyoncu and "foreign minister" Emine Colak.

Speaking during the meeting with Akinci, Yang?n said that Turkey, Azerbaijan and the "TRNC" are all brother "countries".

Yang?n said that they will be meeting with representatives of the business sector during their stay in the "TRNC" to seek prospects for business and investments in the "country".

For his part, Ak?nc? highlighted too the close relationship that exists between the two "countries".

He said that although Azerbaijan did not officially recognize the "TRNC", this is not an obstacle for developing business and friendship ties between their respective "countries".

Drawing attention to the problems and difficulties experienced by the Turkish Cypriots, Akinci said that Turkish Cypriot athletes are unable to compete in international sporting events or even play friendly matches with Turkish teams. "The only way of overcoming these problems is becoming part of the international law which can only be achieved through a political settlement", Akinci added.

The delegation met afterwards with Siber. Speaking during the meeting, Yang?n said that Azerbaijani officials had always attached great importance and value to the "TRNC".

"The TRNC is an indispensable part of Turkey and Azerbaijan" Yang?n alleged, adding that they were looking into ways of exporting potatoes and citrus produce from the "TRNC" to Azerbaijan. "We are here for concrete projects on this issue. We shall be meeting with sector representatives tomorrow. Our hope is that our contacts will yield positive results", Yangin added.

Siber for her part said that the commercial and business cooperation between the two "countries" surpassed political relations on many occasions.

She also highlighted the strong bond and relationship between the two "countries".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.07.15) reports that in its contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus, the delegation met also with Kalyoncu and Colak.

Speaking during the meeting, Kalyoncu underlined how important is for the "TRNC" foreign businessmen to carry out business and investments in the "country" and added that they will be very happy to see the "TRNC products" to enter foreign markets.

Also, during the meeting with the so-called foreign minister Colak, Yang?n, explained the purpose of their visit and stated that they came to the "TRNC" to develop commercial cooperation, and to discuss with the trade associations. He said that they intended to transport the most important products of the "TRNC", potatoes and citrus, to the Russian market.

The "representative of TRNC" in Baku Sadettin Topukcu accompanied the delegation.

(AK)

[02] Ozersay expressed his concerns about the negotiation progress; Akinci's spokesman says that talks proceeds according to the Common Statement

Ozersay said that the statements made by UNSG Special Envoy on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide who stated that he is doing whatever he can to make sure that he contributes to a solution that is fully in compliance with the European values and principles and human rights, may be a "dangerous expression", as he said which in the long run may not be to the best interest of the Turkish Cypriots after a solution is reached.

He also wondered whether the UN parameters and the 11 February Common Statement are taken under consideration in the talks.

Commenting on Ozersay's statements, Baris Burcu, the speaker of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci stated that the negotiations are continuing in the framework of the 11 February Common Statement which provided for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution. "There is no any change or any misunderstanding as regards this". Burcu said adding that European values and principles will assist the solution.

(CS)

[03] TDP and BKP do not support the newly "coalition government" of CTP-UBP

On the same issue, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan said that receiving a vote of confidence the "government" by the "assembly", which has lost its "legality" and not from the people, does not change the reality. He added that the "people" do not trust or believe the CTP-UBP "government".

(DPs)

[04] The newly appointed "Turkish ambassador" to the occupied area of Cyprus presented his credentials to Akinci

Halil Ibrahim Akca has been carrying out this post as of the 1st of April 2011.

Kanbay's last foreign duty was as the Turkish Ambassador to Slovenia Ljubljana and before that he served as Turkey's Ambassador to Baghdad.

[05] Talat met with the Russian Ambasaddor to Lefkosia

According to a statement issued by CTP, the Russian Ambassador and Talat discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus' negotiations.

(CS)

[06] Erdogan demands lifting of HDP Deputies' immunity; Bahceli calls on judiciary to close pro-Kurdish HDP

In statements on July 28 prior to his visit to China, Erdogan stated: "Those who exploit the people and the state's tolerance and patience will receive the answer they deserve as soon as possible. Any step back is out of the question. This is a process and this process will continue with the same determination".

Erdogan, however, claimed that he rejected the closing of any political party, suggesting that politicians should be the object of the cases, not legal entities.

Erdogan stated also that Ankara could not continue the Kurdish peace process amid continuing attacks against Turkish targets that have come in response to the government's alleged complicity in crimes by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), especially after last week's suicide attack in Suruc that killed 31 members of a socialist youth group.

"It is not possible to carry on the peace process with those who target our national unity and brotherhood," he said.

But the given rights for 78 million Turkish nationals are abiding, he said, adding that it is "not possible" to take them back.

The Turkish government is "sincere" on the peace process, but the process has been "exploited", Erdogan added.

Erdogan pledged the continuation of domestic and cross-border operations against "terror groups" and underlined that it is time to put into practice the legislation on security issues which was recently adopted by Parliament.

Erdogan also said a "secure zone" in northern Syria, which Turkey and the United States have spoken about establishing, free of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) elements would help the return of 1.7 million refugees taking shelter in Turkey. "The clearance of those regions and the creation of a safe zone there will lay the ground for 1.7 [million Syrian] citizens here to return home," he said.

(?)

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (27.07.15-online in English) reported that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli has called on the General Public Prosecutor's Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals to act against the "Qandil politicians who not only abstain from criticizing the terrorists, but even praise their heinous acts."

Bahceli was implying that the Office should close the Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) in his written statement Sunday.

On Monday, responding to Bahceli, HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas said: "The MHP should first consider their blood-stained history before bashing us. In addition, the people are the only ones who have a say in the opening and closing of political parties", Demirtas added.

The recent argument between the two aforementioned leaders has rekindled the discussions regarding political party closure. During a 60-year period of Turkey's political history, a total of 28 political parties were closed, while many have also faced closure. Similar to the Democrat Party's situation in 1960, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) faced closure as the ruling party in 2008, while narrowly avoiding it by just one vote.

[07] HDP'S Selahattin Demirtas accused Erdogan for leading Turkey to a "civil coup"

"It's the people who open and close the parties. People who voted for the HDP 13% today can give 1% tomorrow. We'll respect and assume our party is closed. Do you say immunity? Tomorrow, we'll file a petition to the Parliament with 80 other colleagues in order to strip us of our immunity from prosecution," Demirtas said at his parliamentary group meeting on July 28.

Demirtas asked the ruling party members if they would do the same. "Are you in? Let's strip [our] immunity all together if you are not afraid of it," he said.

Demirtas stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has staged a "palace coup" against the national will after the June 7 elections.

A "civil junta" has seized the state in Turkey, Demirtas said, questioning the government's authority to make decisions that "carry the country into war."

"Where do they get the authority to make high level appointments and expenses from discretionary fund?" he asked.

Demirtas added that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is not a single government and cannot make decisions single-handedly. He also criticized the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of being a partner in "the coup."

[08] Turkish columnist evaluates possible effects of Turkey's military operation against PKK

(?)

"- The military's offensive in northern Iraq will make a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue nearly impossible. It will toughen the positions of the two sides, the Turkish government and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP)-PKK, which would cause the resumption of the armed conflict. An end to the Kurdish process would also slow down Turkey's democratization process and potentially deteriorate its relationship with its Western partners.

In addition, bombing PKK positions in northern Iraq under the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authority would complicate the position of Masoud Barzani and other Kurds in the region, known to be the strongest allies of the U.S. in the field. Thus, it's highly likely to hear from these countries that these attacks on the PKK should cease.

- The second concern is that Turkey's military offensive will shift the country's focus from ISIL to the PKK. The fight against ISIL is seen as the primary objective of the anti-ISIL coalition and Turkey joining it was applauded by many of the coalition partners. Turkey paving the way for coalition countries' warplanes to use Turkish bases is of course very important and is seen as game changer by many. But the detention of hundreds of ISIL sympathizers across the country in only the last week sparked questions on why these measures had not been taken earlier.

As a matter of fact, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made very clear on July 28 that his primary concern is the HDP, as he suggested pro-Kurdish lawmakers should pay the cost of pro-PKK statements. He openly called on Parliament to strip some of HDP lawmakers' immunity so they can be prosecuted.

This toughening position expressed by Erdogan accompanied with intensified military action on cross-border PKK targets clearly shows the real motivation behind this campaign is to discredit the HDP in the eyes of the Turkish public opinion before a potential early election.

Time will tell the cost of this plan by Erdogan and the government, and to what extent it will work". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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