Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-07

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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] Emine Colak: "We should tell the world the expectations and the problems of the Turkish Cypriots regarding the Cyprus talks"

[02] Izcan: "The solution on property issue will be resolved with return, compensation and exchange"

[03] Eide met with Maronites in the occupied villages of Karpasia and Kormakitis

[04] Columnist wonders whether the Turkish Cypriots will continue to defend Turkish interests or they will pave their own way

[05] Cavusoglu and Hammond discussed airstrikes against ISIL and the Cyprus talks

[06] Kanbay: The Turkish government will continue to support the "TRNC" in every possible way

[07] Atun: "The stronger our motherland is the stronger the TRNC becomes politically and economically"

[08] Passengers traffic via airports and ports in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] "Gross Domestic Product" increased by 4.8% in 2014

[10] A Libyan Minister has been granted an honorary title by illegal GAU

[11] The founding stone ceremony of the illegal GAU's hospital to take place today

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Emine Colak: "We should tell the world the expectations and the problems of the Turkish Cypriots regarding the Cyprus talks"

Colak said that she considers her new duty as pushing all limits for expressing the Turkish Cypriots' position in international relations. She added that while the negotiations continue in order to reach a settlement in Cyprus, they need to tell the whole world their desire for a solution as Turkish Cypriots.

Noting that she will be able to contribute to the negotiations in the context of external contacts, Colak added: "The process is gaining momentum with the contribution of foreigners as well. We will tell the world the expectations, the problems of the Turkish Cypriots and what might disturb them during this process".

On the issue of "Security and Guarantees", Colak said that there is a connection in the international dimension between the three guarantor states as well as Cyprus on the issue of Guarantees and Security and Alliance Agreements, adding that the the guarantees should be discussed with joint consensus according to the needs of both communities.

(DPs)

[02] Izcan: "The solution on property issue will be resolved with return, compensation and exchange"

Stating that the property and territory chapters are the most important issues of the Cyprus problem, Izcan pointed out that the two leaders have recognized the individual property right and have reached to a principle agreement towards this issue.

Supporting that the solution of the property issue will be obtained with the options of return, compensation and exchange, Izcan added that the criteria towards how the compensation and the return will be implemented and in which property, will also be determined. "The criteria to be determined will not abolish the individual property rights and will take into account the rights of the currents users of property", added Izcan.

Underlining that the plunderers and those who support the continuation of the status quo do not defend the basic rights of the Turkish Cypriot community, Izcan added: "If we want a solution, we are obliged to act in accordance with justice and the international law on the property issue and in other issues as well".

Supporting that it is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot community to cover alone all the amount of compensation to be paid for the property issue, Izcan expressed the view that the foreign powers which had caused the Cyprus problem and the Republic of Turkey which laid the foundation of the status quo in the "northern" part of Cyprus should not walk away from their responsibilities.

(AK)

[03] Eide met with Maronites in the occupied villages of Karpasia and Kormakitis

As the paper writes, Eide stated that the aim of his visits to those villages is to be informed about the people's expectations towards the solution and added that in this framework he wanted to be informed about the Maronite's views towards the efforts exerted for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The paper adds that the representative of the Maronites in the House of Representatives Antonis Hadjirousos said that the Maronites support the efforts exerted by the two leaders aiming to reach a comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem, adding that after the solution, they would like to return back to the houses they left after 1974 within military zones.

In his turn, Eide said that Maronites are a part of Cyprus and added that in a possible solution they have at least the right to say as much as the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.

(AK)

[04] Columnist wonders whether the Turkish Cypriots will continue to defend Turkish interests or they will pave their own way

"Should Turkish Cypriots try to defend their own interests even if that amounts to hurting Turkey's interests? Or should they defend Turkish interests even if that requires their own interests be sacrificed? This is not an egg and chicken story, but a very serious issue that deserves a very serious evaluation. The question is of course also related to who the Turkish Cypriots are. Turks living in Cyprus? Cypriots of ethnic Turkish origin? What about those living abroad? Are they still Turkish Cypriots or what?

Personally, I had given up identifying myself as a Cypriot, proudly believing I was a member of the Turkish nation. On a very sad 2013 February day I was told on a white screen, by the prime minister of the time that Turkish Cypriots became something like parasites for Turkey, while commenting on an irrelevant question. He did not use that exact wording, but that was the meaning. I was in my study room writing something while lending an ear to the news hour on TV. My wife brought a cup of Turkish coffee. 'Oh my God, why are you crying?' she asked, seeing tears pouring out of my eyes. It was a very sad moment. I remembered once again that even if I was ethnically a Turk, I was a Turkish Cypriot and I was proud of it. However, I grew up in Cyprus with a very strong commitment to Turkey and with an understanding that if something was good for Turkey, irrespective whether it was in line with our immediate interests or not, it ought to be good for us as well. Otherwise, if something was good for Turkish Cypriots but bad for Turkey, in the long run it would be bad for us as well. That was what 'the advocate of the national cause, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot struggle for a respectable life, honourable peace and wellbeing' was telling us anyhow. How could Rauf Denktas be wrong?

Questioning what Denktas said, particularly in those difficult years when I was growing up as a teenager, was unthinkable, at least in my neighbourhood. Very much like the famous Murphy laws, "Denktas is always right. If Denktas is wrong, than the first article applies" was the ultimate dictum of the time. Later, I had the opportunity to become a friend of Denktas and granted the privilege of free access to his private world. He was not just the commander "Toros" of the Turkish Resistance Movement, but a humble friend for people of all ages, a hard worker, very religious in the private sphere but at the same time, a committed secularist in public life. It was great fun to make him angry, yell at me and after a while start pondering ways to patch up and make me happy.

He was shocked hearing what the Turkish Premier had said but could not publicly utter a word on the issue. "How can Turkey be publicly criticized," he only mumbled. Indeed, it was with the same consideration that he did not publicly criticize when a decade earlier, back in 2003, despite the parliament adopting a strongly-worded Cyprus national cause declaration a while ago and the National Security Council reaffirming its full support of it, the Turkish government declared support for the Annan plan. When a Foreign Ministry undersecretary told him the Turkish government's message that he should be "receptive" to the Annan plan, he only told close confidants, "Time is up gentlemen? Time to quit politics? Rather than confronting Turkey, I should step down with my honour?" Still, to avoid hurting Turkey, he withheld his resignation until 2005, when at polls that year he announced he would not seek re-election. Years later, in a private discussion, he admitted his 'Turkey is always right' approach might have been wrong. However, when asked if he should publicly admit that, he smiled and said, 'How could I? I do not have time to tear down an image I built for so many decades and try to create a new one?' Yet, he no longer believed in the validity of the 'whatever Turkey does, does Cyprus good' cliche. At least he was aware that there was a new Turkey where some other interests had started to come before the country's national interests.

The Cyprus talks have come to a crucial junction once again. Even some norms were laid down to deal with the difficult individual property issue. Intelligent rumour is that in all subheadings, excluding the 1960 guarantee scheme and related security matters, there has been considerable progress. Because of the thick veil of uncertainty provided by the news blackout, there are serious concerns among the Turkish Cypriot conservatives that all red lines were wiped out by President Mustafa Akinci and his negotiating team. They accuse the president of being 'defeatist', if not a 'traitor', and 'intentionally surrendering' to the Greek Cypriot side.

Yet, most of those accusations stem from the worry that the settlement being negotiated might be against Turkish interests. Can that approach still be valid in today's conditions? Should Turkish Cypriots continue to defend Turkish interests and sacrifice their own future for them or should they place their own chart in front of that of Turkey's? Turkey is a big country and can defend its own interests if it wants, is it not so?"

[05] Cavusoglu and Hammond discussed airstrikes against ISIL and the Cyprus talks

According to the paper, Cavusoglu briefed Hammond regarding the developments occurred after the bombing attack in Suruc, the steps that Turkey adopted on its fight against the terrorists as well as the ongoing operation within the framework of the agreement with the USA.

The paper further reports that they also exchanged views regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus talks.

(DPs)

[06] Kanbay: The Turkish government will continue to support the "TRNC" in every possible way

During the meeting, Sucuoglu reminded that tourism is one of the economy's locomotive sectors. He also said that there is close cooperation with Turkey in developing the sector.

Pointing out that there are problems experienced in the sector, Sucuoglu said that there are a number of incentive programs and projects which they are planning to start implementing at the end of the summer.

Kanbay, for his part, said that the tourism sector is a leading sector which contributed to the development of other sectors. Drawing attention to the importance of quality in tourism services, Kanbay said that quality is something foreigners are looking for. He also said that the Turkish government will continue to support the "TRNC" in every possible way.

Kanbay later visited the self-styled minister of health Salih Izbul.

Stating that his "ministry" is trying to serve the public the best way it could within the limits of the "country's means", Izbul said that they will try to bring to life certain projects in the term ahead. He added that he is looking forward to working in coordination with the "Turkish embassy" and "ambassador" Kanbay.

Kanbay, for his part, underlined the need to improve and upgrade the "country's" health infrastructure. He said that the Turkish government and his "embassy" will do all it can to assist the "TRNC health ministry" in achieving European health standards.

Kutlu Evren, during the meeting with Kanbay, said that a special bond and relationship exist between Turkey and the "TRNC". He also underlined "the importance of the support provided by Turkey in overcoming the Turkish Cypriot peoples' problems and difficulties".

Kanbay, for his part, said that the "ministry" is an important state institution and added that he is looking forward to developing projects together and cooperating in areas within the "ministry's scope".

[07] Atun: "The stronger our motherland is the stronger the TRNC becomes politically and economically"

Delivering a speech at the event, Atun said that Turkey is an extremely important country for Cyprus and added: "The stronger our motherland is the stronger the TRNC becomes politically and economically".

Expressing the hope that a government of stability will be set up as soon as possible,

Atun, who also praised the previous government's economic success, said that the same government must continue in order to secure the continuation of Turkey's economic growth.

[08] Passengers traffic via airports and ports in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the figures, the number of Turkish passengers who came to the occupied area of Cyprus via airports and ports during the first six months of 2015 has reached to 512 thousand 879, in comparison to 476 thousand 547 in the same period of 2014, while the number of passengers from other foreign countries in 2015 has reached to 158 thousand 745 in comparison to 133 thousand 63 in the same period of 2014.

The figures said indicate that the number of Greek Cypriots who crossed over to the occupied area of Cyprus during the first six months of 2015 was 431 thousand 851, in comparison to the same period of 2014 that it was 433 thousand. Also, the number of foreign tourists who crossed over to the "TRNC" from the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus in 2015 was 497 thousand 707, in comparison with 2014 that it was 505 thousand.

[09] "Gross Domestic Product" increased by 4.8% in 2014

The paper adds that the per capital income in the occupied area of Cyprus for 2013 has been increased from 15 thousand 349 TL to 16 thousand 078, while in 2014, in current prices it has been increased from 7 billion 606 million TL to 8 billion 858 million TL.

Muhtaroglu noted that, the highest increase (8.8%) in current prices in 2014 has been observed in the sector of independent business and services while there was an increase of (8.5%) in the sectors of trade-tourism. A decrease of 4.5% has been observed in the construction sector and 0.1% in the public sector.

(AK)

[10] A Libyan Minister has been granted an honorary title by illegal GAU

According to the paper, the honorary title has been given to the Libyan Minister due to his support and his contribution in the "TRNC's Higher education".

(AK)

[11] The founding stone ceremony of the illegal GAU's hospital to take place today

According to the paper, the project for the construction of the new "hospital" is taking place in the framework of the cooperation agreement signed between the illegal GAU and the Bilim University of Turkey.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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