Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-09-02

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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: We have not discussed criteria on the property issue; The "new structure" will not apply again to become a member of the UN and the EU

[02] Eide: "I become more and more hopeful every week"

[03] Reactions to Akinci's statements regarding the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing points

[04] Ertugruloglu: We cannot talk about a solution in Cyprus without Turkish guarantees

[05] So-called minister Colak met with the chairman of the "KTSO"

[06] Sucuoglu is invited to Azerbaijan to work on cooperation opportunities in tourism

[07] Illegal GAU opens a new campus in Moldavia

[08] Tore to be the sixth candidate for the UBP leadership

[09] Felicity Party chairman stated that the Turkish invasion to Cyprus was the most glorious time in Turkey's history

[10] Turkish police raid Gulen-linked Koza Ipek media companies

[11] Strong criticism by opposition parties over the police raids on media outlets; European officials also condemned the raids

[12] British journalists arrested on suspicions of having links with the PKK

[13] An Israeli top diplomat praises the appointment of Sinirlioglu as Turkey's Foreign Minister

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: We have not discussed criteria on the property issue; The "new structure" will not apply again to become a member of the UN and the EU

Akinci noted that the negotiators have not yet worked on the criteria in the property, adding that the preparations of the sides continue on this issue. He called on the "citizens" not to believe in what he called as "speculations' and pointed out that "we hide nothing from our people, let no one doubt about this". He said: "An agreement has almost been achieved on the categories of the affected properties. However, the criteria, that is, the criteria which the property commission to be established will take into consideration during its work, have neither been exchanged between the sides nor negotiations on these criteria have been made".

Recalling of UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide's statements after yesterday's meeting, Akinci said that yesterday they assessed the points on which the leaders and the negotiators agreed until today. He added that they continued their work on the chapters of property and governance.

Replying to a question, Akinci argued that the news published in the Greek Cypriot press have "misleading aspects", noting that the press reported that criteria, instead of categories, have been discussed and exchanged. Akinci claimed that Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides has also conveyed the issue wrongly.

Responding to a question on the opening of the crossing point in Deryneia area, Akinci said that as political leadership they have decided the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas and the technical committees are included in the following process. He noted that a proposal for building alternative roads has been submitted for both Deryneia and Apliki areas. He said:

"After studies which were conducted by our technical committee together with various authorities in Deryneia, the proposal for an alternative road there was submitted. According to information I obtained afterwards, the proposal for an alternative road regarding Lefka-Apliki was withdrawn and now the mines from the existing road are being cleaned".

Noting that no agreement exists between the sides regarding the Deryneia crossing point, Akinci said that the members of the technical committee did not meet in the summer, but they will meet in September and try to find a way out. He argued that their target is for the difficulties on the issue of the route to be overcome and both roads to open the soonest as they know that this is the people's expectation. He said that they will follow the issue and that they do not want the problems experienced during the opening of other crossing points to be experienced in Deryneia as well.

Responding to another question on the property issue, Akinci said that the individual's property right is something which any way exists without being mentioned and it is valid in the whole world. Noting that the important thing here is how this right will be used, Akinci continued:

"If we refer to the properties in the north and in the south, 41 years passed. These 41 years created new situations. Some situations were taken up to the European Court of Human Rights, but in an important case there it is stressed that the years which passed brought some rights to the people who use the properties. Therefore, property right does not mean that the people who live on the lands or in the houses for many years will be thrown out with a decision. Realism has won in that court. Therefore, these are not issues which will be explained with percentages. These are issues which will be solved with criteria and these criteria have not even come to the stage of being discussed yet. The sides will carry out their studies and in the end of the day these criteria will come up".

Akinci said that the 1977-79 high level agreements, the UN parameters, the joint declaration of the 11th of February 2014 and the principles reaffirmed by both sides refer to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in Cyprus. He added:

"According to our understanding, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation means a system in which the Turkish Cypriot people will have the comfortable majority in both population and property in their own area. Therefore, according to our understanding, the negotiations which we are holding should result within this framework".

Noting that the EU principles will be taken into consideration and the human rights will be respected, Akinci argued: "However, the European principles should not eliminate bi-zonality and bi-communality. This is our understanding. These are also mentioned in the agreement of 11 February 2014".

Asked to comment on a statement made by President Anastasiades last week saying that "we are in favor of the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus", Akinci said that he had read these statements and added that President Anastasiades made other different positive statements together with these statements, when he said that "the Republic of Cyprus does not belong only to the Greek Cypriots" and that "this mentality should change". Describing these statements as "an important move", Akinci said that they refer to a "new structure which the two communities and two founding states will establish in political equality". He said that some "sensitivities" exist in both communities and added;

"The sensitivity in the Greek Cypriot side is the following: We wonder if we are abolishing the Republic of Cyprus, we wonder whether we will remain without a state if we abolish it on the day of the solution. No, according to them, the Republic of Cyprus is changing a form and according to us, a new structure is formed, because the two sides will approve a new situation in the referenda. When two 'yes' votes is the result of the referenda, a new structure will be born. Whatever we say this new structure's name is, this will be a federation. We have not yet named it. When the day comes, we will give it a name. We are aware of the fact that a new structure will be born, but the following situation exists: this newly formed structure - which will be a new structure with its name, flag and everything ? will be a federative structure. However, this new structure will not go and file an application again for becoming a member of the UN and becoming a member of the EU".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eide: "I become more and more hopeful every week"

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Eide said that the leaders had assessed the last 11 meetings of the two negotiators. He reminded that the two leaders will be meeting again on the 14th of September and added that the process is progressing clearly and openly.

Eide said further that there were issues agreed on and ones which still required agreement; he added that at this stage his duty is to guide as there is still a difficult process ahead.

Noting that he was not going to say much about the substance of the talks, Eide said that the chapters were taken interconnected to one another and he was pleased with the work, decisiveness and commitment the leaders, negotiators and their teams are showing. "I am not saying it is going to happen but I become more and more hopeful every week", Eide stated.

[03] Reactions to Akinci's statements regarding the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing points

Ahmet Hizli, "chairman" of the "environment and promotion association" of occupied Lefka area, told the paper that Akinci's statements aimed at gaining time for overcoming the problems experienced in the backstage as regards the opening of the crossing point. He said: "Are there mines? Yes there are. Perhaps the cleaning will be extended as a requirement of the technical conditions as regards the season, but I think that Mr Akinci's statements are made because of the backstage problems which we have also heart and are an effort to gain time for overcoming them".

Moreover, Hakan Oran, "chairman' of occupied Lefka and its surrounding villages' "solidarity and development association" said that Akinci's statements show that the crossing point will not open until the end of the year and wondered whether the mine cleaning is a so difficult job. He recalled that they had experienced the same problems during the opening of occupied Zodia area crossing point.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.09.15) refers to the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas under the title "Military obstacle". The paper reports that it is repeatedly stated that we have never been so close to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, but even the opening of two crossing points is not possible. Afrika notes that yesterday Akinci refrained from openly referring to the Turkish occupation army and referred only to "various authorities" that have proposed an alternative road in Deryneia.

The paper adds: "However, there is no agreement between the sides on this issue. The Apliki crossing point as well has been obstructed by the army's objection and the proposal was withdrawn. Thus, it has been decided for the existing road to open by cleaning the mines".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ertugruloglu: We cannot talk about a solution in Cyprus without Turkish guarantees

Ertugruloglu said that the information about the negotiations is not transparent and expressed his belief that the talks are not carried out in the right way. He also criticized the Greek Cypriots who holding in hand the title deeds of their houses are visiting their houses in the breakaway regime claiming that this makes uncomfortable the persons who live in the houses.

He also wonders why we are talking about a new state to be created after a solution is reached since this new state will apply neither to the EU nor to the UN to become their member. "The Greek Cypriots are not seeing political equality warmly", he said.

Ertugruloglu said that the developments as regards the negotiations can lead to an end of the "coalition government" between his party (the National Unity Party) and the Republican Turkish Party. "We are not prisoners in this coalition. We will protect our stance on the Cyprus problem with people that believe and love the TRNC and believe in its existence", he said.

(CS)

[05] So-called minister Colak met with the chairman of the "KTSO"

Speaking during the meeting, the "chairman" of the "chamber" Ali C?ral? asked from Colak the further development of export relations especially with countries where the "TRNC" has "representation offices".

Pointing out to the importance of the economic development of the "TRNC" at the current peace process atmosphere in the island, C?ral? especially stressed the importance of developments on "exports".

For her part, Colak noted that industry, production and exports are fields which require foreign relations and said that the teams working at the "foreign representation offices" of the "TRNC" are well aware of the needs of the "TRNC" in the field of commerce.

Pointing out to the innovations to be brought to the island by the EU during the peace process, Colak noted that with the decision of the "council of ministers" a special unit which includes the "foreign ministry" and other "ministries" was established to coordinate works with the EU.

[06] Sucuoglu is invited to Azerbaijan to work on cooperation opportunities in tourism

Speaking during the meeting Sucuoglu stated that the "brotherhood relations" between the "TRNC" and Azerbaijan must progress further and added that they are open for any kind of co-operation.

On his part, Shahidov invited Sucuglu to visit Azerbaijan in order to work for co-operation in the field of tourism between the two "countries".

(CS)

[07] Illegal GAU opens a new campus in Moldavia

This development follows the establishment of the illegal GAU's campuses in USA, Hong Kong, UK and Turkey.

The campus in Moldavia will be located in the country's capital Kishinev.

(CS)

[08] Tore to be the sixth candidate for the UBP leadership

Tore will be making his candidacy official in a press conference on Friday the 4th of September.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak (01.09.15) the "central executive board" of the National Unity Party (UBP) convened yesterday.

Before the meeting, UBP leadership candidates Naz?m Cavusoglu, Ersin Tatar, and Hamza Ersan Saner conveyed their problems to the members of the "central executive board".

Speaking after the meeting, the candidates claimed that memberships were being granted in violation of party charter rules and demanded the "central executive board" to abide by the party's charter.

Cavusoglu claimed that people close to the current UBP leader Huseyin Ozgurgun were enrolled to the party by by-passing the district organs and said that this was unacceptable.

For his part, Tatar accused Ozgurgun for acting against the party charter.

Also speaking, Saner expressed the need to hold a fair congress and said: "We should act together with the winner of the congress however everyone should be treated equally during the race".

[09] Felicity Party chairman stated that the Turkish invasion to Cyprus was the most glorious time in Turkey's history

He said that the party is ready to establish a cooperation with any party if this could solve the country's problems and stated that the Turkish invasion to Cyprus, which was "the most glorious time in Turkey's history" as he said was took place when a coalition government of two opposite parties was in power.

(CS)

[10] Turkish police raid Gulen-linked Koza Ipek media companies

State-run Anadolu Agency reported on September 1st that the raid targeted 23 companies of the corporation over what it noted as "giving financial support to the Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETO) and conducting its propaganda."

The conglomerate's chairman, Ak?n Ipek, was not among the six people who were detained because he left Turkey a couple of days ago, according to the report, which also said that the police had seized documents and computers, found at the companies.

Koza Ipek was founded in 1948 by Akin Ipek's father Ali as a printing company. Among its media holdings are the Bugun and Kanalturk television stations and daily newspapers Bugun and Millet.

Concerns about the Gulen movement, which the government accuses of infiltrating state institutions, stem from recordings that surfaced in December 2013 that led to corruption investigations against former senior government figures.

In a statement, the Turkish Journalists' Association (TGC) condemned the raid, emphasizing that "journalists cannot be silenced."

Also, commenting on the raid, Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Can Dundar said in a tweet after the police raid: "Here are two newspapers of Turkey ahead of elections. Even if you silence all newspapers, you can't hide the truth".

The first front page, Dundar he attached was of daily Sozcu, a newspaper fiercely critical of the government, which left its column spots empty on September 1 to protest the "increasing government pressure." The second front page was of Ipek Koza-owned Bugun newspaper, which claimed on Sept. 1 to have published "photo evidence showing transportation of weapon producing materials bound for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [ISIL] in Syria."

[11] Strong criticism by opposition parties over the police raids on media outlets; European officials also condemned the raids

Minister of European Union Affairs Ali Haydar Konca expressed unease over the raids, saying that he was afraid that an operation against any media group may raise great concerns throughout the world about Turkey being a democratic country.

Objecting to "imposing bans" in the country, Konca said that extending freedoms could be the best way to eliminate the "constricted" situation of Turkey.

Speaking to reporters at the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) headquarters on September 1, the Minister said that he would raise the issue during a cabinet meeting later in the day.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu said that there would be no trace of democracy in a country where its media is silenced. "Don't disgrace [Turkey] in the eyes of the world," he added.

Meanwhile, the CHP formed a commission composed of Deputies that are former journalists Enis Berberoglu, Utku Cak?rozer, Bar?s Yarkadas and Erene Erdem to examine political pressure on media outlets in Turkey.

The commission members were set to visit daily Bugun, daily Cumhuriyet and daily Sozcu on Sept. 1. They will continue visits to daily Zaman, daily Taraf and other media outlets on Sept. 2, the CHP said in a written statement.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that the press in Turkey has long been under pressure and business groups are startled.

"This is but one bad example. The current course of events will not end well for the country," Bahceli told reporters.

Meanwhile, several European officials have expressed strong criticism and increasing concern over police raids against media outlets critical of the government.

The Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland said that he has been following the latest incidents regarding Turkish media outlets and foreign journalists closely".

In a statement to Today's Zaman, Jagland said that he "will address the latest incidents with the Turkish authorities at the next possible opportunity."

Also, CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks said in a written statement on Tuesday that he is "very concerned about reports of raids carried out by the Turkish police in several newsrooms and the arrest of two VICE journalists in Turkey."

"These intimidating acts should stop immediately and the Turkish authorities should take resolute steps to ensure greater freedom of the media," he said.

[12] British journalists arrested on suspicions of having links with the PKK

The abbreviations and English translations of organizations linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), written in a notebook, were mentioned among the evidence seized by the police in the arrest of the two British journalists.

Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury, as well as their Iraqi translator Mohammed Ismael Rasool, were arrested on August 31 after a court order in the southeastern province of Diyarbak?r.

Although the August 27 tipoff that led to the August 28 detention of the two journalists claimed they had helped the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, the court issued the ruling for their arrest on suspicion they had supported the PKK in the southeastern Mardin, S?rnak and Diyarbak?r provinces.

The case has sown confusion, as Turkish media reported that authorities interrogated Hanrahan and Pendlebury, asking them questions about possible links to both ISIL and the PKK, two organizations which are currently fighting each other.

"As the prosecutor's investigation deepened in line with testimonies and seized evidence, the opinion that the three journalists were in a relationship with the PKK has gained weight," the agency reported on September 1.

(?)

[13] An Israeli top diplomat praises the appointment of Sinirlioglu as Turkey's Foreign Minister

According to Dore Gold, the director-general of Israel's Foreign Ministry, there are reasons for being hopeful when an increasing convergence of interests between the two countries offers a chance to the two once-close allies for turning the Middle East into a much more productive and peaceful area.

"I sent your new Foreign Minister a letter of congratulations," Gold told a group of journalists from Turkey on September 1.

(?)

Gold, a longtime adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, held an unannounced meeting with his former Turkish counterpart, Sinirlioglu, undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry who has recently taken over as Minister, in Rome in the second half of June to explore ways of improving ties.

"Turkey is very lucky to have him as Foreign Minister. He is a first-class diplomat," Gold said, declining to elaborate whether he and Sinirlioglu have been planning to hold a meeting in a near future.

(?)

"Israelis feel a great affinity to Turkey," Gold stated, citing geostrategic, people-to-people and historical backgrounds for such strong affinity, with a special emphasis on the Ottoman Empire's role as a haven for Jewish people in 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition. I think the connection has always been very special," he said, underlining that such bond is still in the "political consciousness" of the Israeli people.

According to Gold, what he sees as "a period of greater Iranian expansionism" is a key factor which requires rapprochement of the once close allies.

"Our two countries were strategic partners for so many years during the Cold War; we faced Soviet Union together. We had to provide security in the East Mediterranean together. Our security establishments were closely interwoven for many years. Now it is no secret that in the last few years, in the aftermath of the Mavi Marmara, the differences we had became more pronounced, public statements made in both countries by leaders. But I think today something is occurring. What we are seeing is an increasing convergence of our interests in the last number of years," Gold elaborated.

(..) "We have not yet resolved the crisis we had over time in Mavi Marmara but I think we are moving in a positive direction and our leaderships will at some point be able to complete that process. But in the meantime we face a Middle East which is much more dangerous and we are among elements in the region who can think and work together about how to change things in the Middle East," he said.

(?)Referring to one of Turkey's preconditions for normalization of relations, which is lifting Gaza's blockade, Gold said they wished that the Turkish authorities see Israel's efforts for the economic development of Gaza.

"Israel is supportive of Gaza. We have to find a way for growing improvement without putting Israelis into danger," Gold said, repeatedly refuting claims that Israeli officials have been holding negotiations with Hamas.

"Hamas remains to be a part of the jihadist universe," he said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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