Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-25

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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] Source says that agreement was reached on the four freedoms and denies information published in the Greek Cypriot press

[02] Ozgurgun alleges that efforts are exerted to put psychological pressure on the Turkish Cypriots through the Greek Cypriot press

[03] Colak due to Ankara to meet with Erdogan, Cavusoglu and Bozkir

[04] Ertugruloglu expresses UBP's disagreement with their "coalition partner" Emine Colak's statements

[05] CTP's general secretary on the property issue

[06] A "protocol" is signed between the Turkish occupation army and the self-styled ministry of transport on the new "Tymbou airport"

[07] Erdogan takes Turkey to re-election as opposition warns PM over 'indecent proposal'

[08] Cavusoglu announces deal against ISIL, US denies it; Cavusoglu insists that the deal is sealed

[09] Another mayor jailed over 'self-rule' claims; PKK attacks pipeline in Turkey

[10] Mourners slam Erdogan and Turkish government at funeral ceremonies for slain soldiers

[11] Commentary: "Repeat elections to be a gamble for Erdogan, AKP"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Source says that agreement was reached on the four freedoms and denies information published in the Greek Cypriot press

The source said that the issue was discussed within the framework of the "four freedoms", which guarantee the free movement of people, goods, capital and services in the EU, and "with the aim of protecting the Turkish-Greek balance on the island, there is an understanding on the issue that the number of the Turkish and Greek citizens, who will come and settle in the country, to be such that the proportion of population on the island is not spoiled'.

The source noted: "The proportion of population now on the island is four to one, but this does not mean that it will always stay the same. There might be an increase in the birth rate and Turkish Cypriots who live abroad and are not granted the citizenship might decide to return".

Pointing out that the agreement between former President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat has been reiterated, experts say that the four to one proportion had been included in the Annan Plan.

The source recalled that the Greeks are EU citizens and do not need to be granted the citizenship of the united Cyprus and alleged that the information published in the Greek Cypriot press is not examined and people "are misinformed and worry unnecessarily".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun alleges that efforts are exerted to put psychological pressure on the Turkish Cypriots through the Greek Cypriot press

Ozgurgun said that his party continues to believe that, in parallel to the political equality of the "two peoples", sovereignty and bi-zonality, Turkey's active and effective guarantees are also fundamental in an agreement for the Cyprus problem.

He claimed that it is not possible for them to forget what he called as "the inhuman behaviour" against the Turkish Cypriots, including many "injustices, and mass murders". "It is especially not possible for the agreement to carry the Turkish Cypriot people to the pre-1974 period, something which is the Greek Cypriot side's dream", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Colak due to Ankara to meet with Erdogan, Cavusoglu and Bozkir

According to a press release, Colak will meet with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and the Turkish Minister for the EU and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir.

[04] Ertugruloglu expresses UBP's disagreement with their "coalition partner" Emine Colak's statements

Ertugruloglu said that the UBP "does not digest" the statements made by the self-styled foreign minister of the regime, Emine Colak and added: "When a government is established, as a requirement of the protocol, every minister talks about his own ministry. Otherwise, the government would be dissolved the very next day".

Explaining his views on the privatizations, Ertugruloglu said that the privatization of the illegal Tymbou airport was correct but the timing was wrong. He argued that even if the seaports are not privatized, those should be operated by the "private sector" and controlled by the "state".

(I/Ts.)

[05] CTP's general secretary on the property issue

On the issue of immovable property in Cyprus, Erhurman said that the decision taken by the commission in 2010 must be looked at. "The decision draws the founding framework on the property issue in Cyprus", said Erhurman and drew attention to the 115th and 116th paragraphs in the decision. He added: "Property is a material and therefore can be compensated with money". He also noted that if the compensation is made in the appropriate manner to the courts then an imbalance between the sides won't emerge and added: "The courts can also see exchange as a solution".

On the issue of the property being left as inheritance, he claimed that the person who has been living on that property for 30 to 35 years their rights will also be taken into consideration when decisions are made regarding the future of the property. He also drew attention to the European Court of Human Rights in regards to the property issue and said that a three phase solution needed to be sought on the property issue.

"Exchange, compensation and return must be discussed at the negotiating table and the Greek Cypriot side must come to an agreement on this formula", said Erhurman.

In regards to citizenship issues, the CTP General Secretary said that within the framework of human rights, the place of birth, ethnicity and nationality of Turkish origin "TRNC nationals" will not be discriminated against.

[06] A "protocol" is signed between the Turkish occupation army and the self-styled ministry of transport on the new "Tymbou airport"

Under the title "Protocol for a new landing field and a terminal building", the paper writes that Emrullah Turanli, president of Tasyapi Constructions Undertaking Industry and Commerce Ltd, which has undertaken the reconstruction works, said that in spite of the fact that the place of the project had been known from the very beginning, a delay of two and a half years was observed. He expressed the hope that the problems will be solved soon so that the company is able to continue its works.

According to a "cabinet's" decision taken on 13 August, the protocol has been prepared with the aim of being a basis of the security issues.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Erdogan takes Turkey to re-election as opposition warns PM over 'indecent proposal'

After a meeting that took longer than four hours with Parliament Speaker Ismet Yilmaz, Erdogan announced his decision with a written statement late August 24.

"Despite contacts with all political parties, a cabinet of Ministers could not be formed and it became clear that it was not possible to do so under current conditions. As such, a necessity to renew the election has appeared", the statement said, citing Constitution's articles that gave Erdogan the authority for this decision.

According to Turkey's Constitution, an interim government must be formed in five days and the re-election must be held in 90 days.

Both the CHP and the MHP have already made clear that they will not take part in such an interim government led by the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which won the highest number of votes in the June election despite losing its parliamentary majority. Despite this, AKP leader Davutoglu suggested on Aug. 23 that he planned to offer cabinet posts to individual figures from the CHP and the MHP, arguing that the Constitution grants him such an authority.

However, CHP Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Ozgur Ozel slammed the offer on Aug. 24.

"All our doors are closed to such an indecent proposal. Our phones are closed. If they call us, if they harass us for such an indecent proposal, then we will block out Davutoglu's telephone. He will not find anybody as a counterpart anymore", Ozel said.

"Even mentioning the names of CHP Deputies in relation to such immorality is not ethical for us. We would strongly reject this", he added.

MHP Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Oktay Vural similarly described Davutoglu's planned move as "indecent" on Aug. 24. According to Vural, Davutoglu's remarks indicated the "degeneration" and "desperation" of the Prime Minister and his team.

When asked whether he would offer ministries to CHP and MHP members, Davutoglu told reporters on Aug. 23 that he would do so, "looking at the spirit of the Constitution".

"Whatever the Constitution says in our current system, I will do. The Constitution doesn't say, '[parliamentary] groups must take the decision, the names of nominee candidates are conveyed and the parties must decide at parliament,'" he added.

Under Turkey's Constitution, a so-called "election government" comprised of all political parties represented at parliament, should lead Turkey from the calling of the election to the holding of the election.

The current situation is unprecedented, as Turkey has never seen repeat snap elections after the collapse of coalition talks last week.

When asked about Davutoglu's plan to offer cabinet posts to figures in his party, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Aug. 23 stated that "there is no such dishonest person within the CHP".

[08] Cavusoglu announces deal against ISIL, US denies it; Cavusoglu insists that the deal is sealed

The two countries will soon launch "comprehensive" air operations to flush Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters from a zone in northern Syria bordering Turkey, Foreign Minister Cavusoglu told Reuters on Aug. 24.

Detailed talks between Washington and Ankara on the plans were completed on Aug. 23, and regional allies including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, as well as Britain and France, may also take part, Cavusoglu said in an interview.

"The technical talks have been concluded, yesterday, and soon we will start this operation, comprehensive operations, against Daesh [ISIL]," he said.

However, hours after Cavusoglu's statement, White House Spokesman Josh Earnest denied that Turkey and the U.S. reached an agreement.

On the same issue, the paper (online, 25.08.15) reports that the Turkish and U.S. militaries have finalized technical talks on operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and have inked a deal on the issue, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a press meeting in Ankara on August 25.

"The U.S and Turkish military authorities have signed the [agreement]," Cavusoglu said.

His remarks were aimed at eliminating an apparent disharmony between his earlier statements and subsequent remarks by a White House official.

Cavusoglu subsequently stated that information about signatures on the agreement might have reached Washington late due to the time difference. Military officials from the U.S. and Turkey will decide on when the joint operations against ISIL will start, he added.

U.S. jets have already launched strikes against the jihadist group from Turkey's Incirlik air base, close to the country's border with Syria, but the Turkish operations were delayed upon a U.S. request to spare time for developing further coordination.

[09] Another mayor jailed over 'self-rule' claims; PKK attacks pipeline in Turkey

Mayor Cetin was arrested in accordance with the Article 302 of the Turkish Penal Code for trying "to disrupt the unity and territorial integrity of the state".

Edremit Mayor Cetin was taken into custody on charges of declaration of "autonomy" in the early hours of August 14 along with S.S. who was charged for disclosing the 'autonomy' claim to the press, after the Van public prosecutor's office launched an investigation over the 'self-rule' claim.

All the arrested mayors are members of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP).Regarding the "autonomy" claims, the DBP, which is known to be in alliance with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and is often described as the HDP's fraternal party, has made striking remarks.

In 12 different regions in several provinces, including Van, Sirnak, Mardin, Batman, Hakkari, Mus and Diyarbak?r, pro-PKK locals have allegedly claimed self-rule in the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, the paper also reports that an explosion took place on Monday evening at a natural gas pipeline in Turkey's south-eastern Kars province following an attack by PKK terrorists, reported Ihlas news agency.

Governor of Kars, Gunay Ozdemir confirmed that the terrorist attack was carried out by the PKK.

[10] Mourners slam Erdogan and Turkish government at funeral ceremonies for slain soldiers

Army Captain Ali Alkan was killed after PKK militants attacked a military outpost in south-eastern SIrnak province's Beytussebap district late Aug. 21.

More than 15,000 people, including several members of Parliament, participated in the funeral ceremony for Alkan in the southern province of Osmaniye on Aug. 23.

Tensions ran high when Justice and Development Party (AKP) politicians attempted to take a place in the front row during the prayer service for Alkan. "You have nothing to do here. Get out", an infuriated mourner shouted at AKP Deputies Suat Unal and Mucahit Durmusoglu.

"I am a relative of our martyr and I am not standing in the front row. What are these marauders doing there?" another person in the crowd asked angrily. Then the crowd began to boo the local religious head who conducted the ceremony for making a place for AKP Deputies.

As AKP Deputies were forced to leave the ceremony grounds, a cousin of the slain soldier yelled in protest, targeting Erdogan. "What kind of deal have you made that the children of our homeland are going like this? Why doesn't Turkey stand up? Why does Turkey sleep? Is it the solution process? The solution is now lying here," Ahmet Sahin said.

"Why do those who have been saying 'solution' since yesterday now say war?" asked Mehmet Alkan, a uniformed lieutenant colonel and the elder brother of a slain soldier, as the funeral ceremony continued.

"This son of our homeland was just 32 years old. He couldn't get enough of his country, his beloved ones yet. Who is his murderer?"

While clutching his brother's coffin, the lieutenant colonel also took jabs at the presidential palace, the controversial construction of which was ordered by Erdogan.

"Those who say that they want to become a martyr are hanging around in palaces with 30 bodyguards and armoured vehicles. There is no such thing! If you want to become a martyr, then you should go there and do it," he said.

Alkan's words were also pointed at Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, who expressed his desire to die for the country. "My goal is to be martyred, if Allah desires, for my religion, nation and country," the Minister had said on Aug. 19.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy chair Mevlut Karakaya, who attended the ceremony, told journalists AKP Deputies "attempted to take the front row by crushing people. I don't understand the enthusiasm of AKP members to stage such a show. Is it the time for such shows?" he asked.

Neither the state-run Anadolu Agency nor nine pro-government newspapers reported the lieutenant colonel's protest. Dailies Sabah, Turkiye, Gunes, Akit and Milat did not even publish any report about the funeral.

Meanwhile, fiercely pro-government social media users, known as "Ak trolls," launched an angry campaign against Alkan on Twitter, labelling him as a "Gulenist," an "Alevi," and even a "terrorist."

This is not the first time mourners at funeral services for slain soldiers have accused Erdogan and the government of the rekindled violence.

[11] Commentary: "Repeat elections to be a gamble for Erdogan, AKP"

"Renewed elections are a gamble for Erdogan and AKP (Justice and Development Party) for two reasons: The first is that the interpretation that the electorate wanted to warn AKP on 7 June but exaggerated the dose is wrong. Yes, it is almost certain that AKP is still the first party and that this reality will not change in the short term. The reason is that under the current political conditions which are confined to the issue of identities and polarization, the sociological, cultural, and economic groups of the identity on which AKP depends are still large. On the other hand, there are doubts, ambivalence, and a slackening in the way AKP is perceived and assessed by these groups and by the coalition among these groups. This situation will not change until a lasting answer is found or until AKP persuades those groups anew.

It is obvious that the tactics and discourse used by Erdogan and the AKP ever since 7 June aim not at persuasion, but at pressuring and angering the opposition in order to bring about a tightening of their own ranks. Clearly, Erdogan and AKP are aware of this and realize that they cannot persuade their own ranks in the short term. That is why they are moving toward elections by means of political engineering.

The second reason that turns repeat elections into a political gamble for Erdogan and AKP is connected to the problems currently facing the country. AKP and Erdogan are failing to realize that the problems facing the country are changing due to their own dynamics but that the steps they take are speeding up this transformation. Or maybe they realize that but choose to gamble.

(…)

All political rivals remained outside the game ever since 7 June. Some because their political capacity was enough just for that, some because of the conditions, and some because of wrong game plans...

Now Erdogan and AKP are on their own, one against the other.

For his own wishes, Erdogan is marching with his own game plan at the expense of weakening the party that played the greatest role in his existence and in his continuing status as first and foremost, at the expense of destroying the party's joint rational mind. It would be wrong to think that starting from AKP's founding cadres, the entire party organization approves of what is happening, or that they are at ease with the arbitrariness-partisanship-polarization-corruption. Nor is it realistic to expect that Erdogan's power over the party will disappear. Will there be a new balance between Erdogan and the party? If so, with what cadres? Or will the party continue to obey Erdogan completely? Consequently, one of the factors that will affect the election results and the country's future will be AKP's 12 September convention. (…)" TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(DPs/ AM)

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