Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-10-14

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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] NTV: The Turkish Cypriots start technical work to adopt the Euro

[02] Akinci: The Greek Cypriots should get rid of their "obsession" that cooperating with the Turkish Cypriots will help in the recognition of the "TRNC"

[03] Contradictory reports in the press on a possible visit of Erdogan and Davutoglu to the occupation regime on Saturday

[04] Burcu: We planned and set goals on the property issue, but there is no timetable for determining the property criteria

[05] Colak in Istanbul for contacts

[06] A protocol on the mutual recognition of the Turkish and the "TRNC universities" was signed

[07] The crisis in the UBP deepens every passing day

[08] Illegal GAU signed a co-operation protocol with the German Allensbach University

[09] Davutoglu: Evidence show two terror organizations behind Ankara massacre

[10] Turkey warns US, Russia over arms supply to Syrian Kurds

[11] Authorities attempt to silence memorial marches in Ankara

[12] Confidentiality order on deadliest suicide bombings in Turkey raises concerns of cover-up

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] NTV: The Turkish Cypriots start technical work to adopt the Euro

Noting that the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots will be materialized after the solution, NTV's correspondent Selim Sayari says that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci told him that during the leaders' meeting the day before yesterday they decided the establishment of a technical committee which will be carrying out the economic harmonization work.

Akinci said that by bringing experts from the EU the aim is the completion of the Turkish Cypriots' preparations for passing to Euro as soon as possible. He noted that the preparations aimed at the solution and added that the procedure of the one year long period for Turkish Cypriots passing to the Euro will begin after the agreement is approved in the referendum and within that period the Turkish lira will be in force.

Pointing out that adopting the Euro, the customs union and other harmonization preparations are issues which could be left for the period after a "yes" vote comes out in the referendum, Akinci said: "This is a process. Passing to the Euro and the customs union will constitute the first stage. Afterwards harmonization with the EU in the health, environment and other issues will come to the agenda".

Akinci stated that the issue of passing from the Turkish lira to the Euro will be carried out in consultation with Turkey and added that the aim is the amendment of the customs legislation without delay and the abolishment of the Green Line.

Noting that during his contacts in Brussels and New York the issues of passing to the Euro and the customs union came onto the agenda, Akinci said that the EU officials have promised to intensify their efforts and added that during the leaders' meeting yesterday they agreed with the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the establishment of an ad hoc committee.

Meanwhile, citing information acquired by EU Commission officials, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.10.15) reports that the work of the above-mentioned ad hoc committee is expected to begin by the end of October and regular meetings in the direction of institutionalizing the Commission's support to the preparations for the reunification of Cyprus will be carried out.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci: The Greek Cypriots should get rid of their "obsession" that cooperating with the Turkish Cypriots will help in the recognition of the "TRNC"

Referring to the process prior to the Annan Plan referendum in 2004, Akinci argued that if the process had been administrated in more wisely, "both sides would be members of the EU or the accession of the one side only would have been prevented".

Recalling the views that are in favour of other options outside the federal solution in Cyprus, Akinci showed the example of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabah and said that special situations exist for every country. He argued that there are people within both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot community who will reject even the best solution.

Akinci said that when he had recently stated that negative consequences may come up if the natural resources are not wisely used, some circles in the Greek Cypriot side misunderstood this warning. He noted that if the natural gas is wisely used, it will contribute to the development of the relations between the countries of the region. He further argued that bringing water [from Turkey] which could be used by both communities of the island could "very seriously" contribute in their relations. Akinci noted that the technical work for interconnecting the electricity networks in Cyprus is continuing and argued that the electricity which will come from Turkey could reach to the Middle East.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said that they are committed to a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution adopting the EU principles and added: "I have repeatedly explained what I understand of bi-zonality. This is a structure in which the Turkish Cypriots will have the clear majority of property and population, they will be the masters of their own area and administrate themselves within the framework of the rules of the constitution".

Expressing the view that the cooperation between the universities and education should be discussed in the negotiations, Akinci alleged that the education especially in the government-controlled area of the island is alienating the communities and showed as example the situation in the English School in Nicosia. He argued that the curricula should be discussed with a "new point of view".

Akinci said that the preparations for the Turkish Cypriots passing to the Euro together with the solution will start. He added that upon demand submitted by the Turkish Cypriots, the establishment of a committee composed by persons appointed by the EU Commission was decided. He noted that the experts will primarily come for the issues of passing to the Euro and the customs union and will work together with "TRNC officials".

Explaining that they have launched the procedure for harmonizing the Turkish Cypriot founding state with the EU laws, Akinci said that they have convinced both the EU and the Greek Cypriots on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Contradictory reports in the press on a possible visit of Erdogan and Davutoglu to the occupation regime on Saturday

According to the paper, in parallel to the inauguration ceremony which is to take place in Anamour in Turkey, another inauguration ceremony will take place in the Gecitkale [Panagra Dam] in the occupied area of Cyprus on the same day. The paper adds that in this framework, it was made know that Erdogan is possible to visit the "TRNC".

According to the paper, in spite of the fact that some websites in the occupation regime announced that both Erdogan and Davutoglu will come, this is not true. Invoking circles from the "TRNC's foreign ministry", the paper writes that only Erdogan will visit the "TRNC" and not Davutoglu.

After the completion of the ceremony in Anamour in Turkey, Erdogan, is expected to travel to the occupation regime with a private helicopter and go directly to Panagra to hold the inauguration ceremony there, together with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci and other "government officials", writes the paper.

Afterwards, according to the same sources, Erdogan and his accompanied delegation will attend a working launch together with Akinci. Erdogan is expected to depart from the "TRNC" in the night.

Meanwhile, the sources from the "foreign ministry" have not made known the time both inauguration ceremonies will take place.

The paper concludes and writes that the possibility for Erdogan, or Davutoglu not to visit the occupation regime is also very high due to the uncertainty that prevails in Turkey after the recent terror attacks.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (14.10.15) reports in its front page title that Erdogan and Davutoglu are expected to visit the "TRNC" on Saturday, October 17.

Invoking diplomatic reliable sources, the paper writes that Erdogan and Davutoglu will attend first the inauguration ceremony in Anamour which is to take place at 13.00 and afterwards will pass to Panagra Dam in the occupied area of Cyprus for the second ceremony.

(?)

[04] Burcu: We planned and set goals on the property issue, but there is no timetable for determining the property criteria

Burcu noted that the meetings to determine the property criteria will be on Friday and if it needs to be continued on Monday and Wednesday in the next week. Burcu further said that the negotiators will meet tomorrow for preparatory work and will have an evaluation meeting regarding the works for determining the property criteria. He added: "We planned and set goals on the issue of property", however, he said that they haven't created a timetable for determining the criteria. Burcu further said that as soon as they solve the issue, then they will move to another.

(DPs)

[05] Colak in Istanbul for contacts

Colak is also expected to carry out various contacts in the Turkish city.

Colak will be attending the summit held under the theme "Strengthening Partnerships: Migration and Human Mobility for Sustainable Development."

Around 900 delegates from governments, international organizations and civil society as well as other high level officials, including UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, UN Alliance of Civilizations High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, and around 30 Ministers and Vice Ministers from all regions of the world are attending the 8th GFMD Summit.

Colak is being accompanied by "executive assistant" Huseyin Ozel, the "director of the department of immigration under the ministry of interior", Orhan Cagansel from the "state planning organization" and "deputy director of the police department on immigration-chief inspector" Fevzi Oztumende.

[06] A protocol on the mutual recognition of the Turkish and the "TRNC universities" was signed

Speaking during the meeting, Turkes said they are aware of the importance of the "ministry of education" in educating the future generations of the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and added that they will provide the necessary support on this issue.

Stressing that they want to see a strong "TRNC", Turkes expressed Ankara's desire for the "TRNC" to continue to exist as a Turkish state and to integrate with the rest of world with the lifting of the reportedly embargoes.

"We see that the meetings between Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades are going well. We hope that the current positive atmosphere will not fail for any reason or more clearly, the Greek Cypriot side will not resort to its usual tactics and behaviour", Turkes claimed.

For his part, Durust said that they have been working continuously for children in the "TRNC" to have a good education and the latest means to carry out their education. "We need the support of the motherland in order to achieve this. We will sign a protocol with the Turkish Education Ministry regarding this issue", Durust added.

As part of his other contacts in Ankara, Durust then met with the Turkish Education Minister Nabi Avci, with whom they signed an additional protocol within the framework of the agreement concerning the mutual recognition of the Turkish and the "TRNC universities". Speaking during the meeting, Turkish Minister Avci stressed that the agreement will resolve the uncertainty of the status of the Turkish students studying in "TRNC universities". "We are working on new arrangements which will make TRNC universities more attractive", he added.

Also touching upon the protocol, Durust said that "with this protocol every year thousands of Turkish students will have the same rights as TRNC students studying at the TRNC universities".

With this protocol students who will graduate from the universities of both "countries" will no longer need to go through a process of accreditation.

[07] The crisis in the UBP deepens every passing day

According to the paper, the five candidates for the party's leadership, Nazim Cavusogl, Hamza Ersan Saner, Ersin Tatar, Unal Ustel, Oguz Ceyda and Zorlu Tore went yesterday to the party's headquarters demanding form the party's leader Huseyin Ozgurgun and candidate as well, the lists of the party's members.

However, according to the paper, the lists of the party's members were not given to the candidates, providing as an excuse that it was necessary to be approved and sealed first. This has caused the reaction of the UBP' candidates.

In statements to the press, the five candidates condemned strongly Ozgurgun for the incident occurred, calling him to resign.

On the other hand, in statements to the press, Ozgurgun said inter alia, that the preparatory works within the party continue in order for a party' congress to be held in a healthy way and added that it is natural for some difficulties to exist. Ozgurgun then distributed to the media the CDs which included the candidates' list. The CDs were also given to the five candidates who refused to take them.

(?)

(AK)

[08] Illegal GAU signed a co-operation protocol with the German Allensbach University

The protocol was signed by the deputy chairman of the administration board of GAU Asim Vehbi who is currently in Germany holding contacts. Vehzi stated that this is one more agreement added to the nearly 200 agreements signed by the "university".

(CS)

[09] Davutoglu: Evidence show two terror organizations behind Ankara massacre

Davutoglu said that the probe for the Ankara bombing was being run on two different traces: "There are some findings on the DNA examination of the first suicide bomber. [?] All evidence indicate the existence of two different terror organizations. We are trying to find out whether there was collaboration between these two gangs."

Although he named the first terror organization as ISIL, Davutoglu refrained to name the second because of concerns that this could affect the conduct of the probe. "We will not leave this incident unresolved. We will identify the perpetrators of this attack and will go until the end. We will also find out their links, if there is any. Whatever is necessary, it will be done," he said.

Another issue intensely discussed was whether there was negligence on the part of the security forces in preventing this attack. He explained that this was something he also looked into right after the incident and informed that he asked relevant questions to the ministers of the interior and justice.

As Turkey is healing its wounds, now it's time to take Turkey to elections in full comfort and security, the Turkish Prime Minister said, adding that the timing of this attack also aimed to cast a shadow on the elections, its results and on Turkey's overall democracy. "The objective of this attack is to threaten democracy in Turkey. That's why the AK Party is under attack even before the incident in a bid to influence the election results", he stated.

[10] Turkey warns US, Russia over arms supply to Syrian Kurds

Turkey summoned the United States' Ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, on Oct. 13 to the Foreign Ministry to convey Ankara's strong reaction over the airdropping of ammunition to the PYD late Oct. 11. A similar message was scheduled to be conveyed to Russia later on Oct. 13.

"We have expressed this to the U.S. and Russia in the clearest way. This is an issue of national security for us. Everybody perfectly knows how we take action when it's about our national security, just like we did on the night of July 23, when we attacked the PKK and Daesh," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Ankara bureau chiefs of newspapers on Oct. 12. Davutoglu used the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as he recalled Turkey's launch of a comprehensive military operation against ISIL and the PKK.

Davutoglu's reaction came as the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that a U.S. cargo plane airdropped some logistical material to the PYD late Oct. 11 in line with Washington's plans to reinforce the Syrian Kurds in their fight against ISIL in Syria.

"The aircraft delivery includes small arms ammunition to resupply the local forces" to enable them to continue operations against ISIL, Pentagon spokeswoman Elissa Smith told Anadolu Agency on Oct. 13. Smith said the "successful" airdrop was conducted by a "U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft flying from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility" and added that all aircraft exited the drop area safely. Like the U.S., Russia is also in close contact with the PYD, but there are no confirmed reports about arms supplies from Moscow.

"I have instructed the Foreign Minister on this. Necessary diplomatic initiatives are being taken and our message is that 'We don't and never will approve of such a thing,'" Davutoglu said.

[11] Authorities attempt to silence memorial marches in Ankara

In a statement on Tuesday, the Istanbul Governor's Office refused to grant permission to a march planned to be held in Beyazit Square that day, saying that the planned route of the demonstrators was heavily used by the public, that the square is not defined as a demonstration venue in the relevant law and that "the governor's office doesn't find the march and rally planned to be held to be appropriate given the sensitivity of the current period."

[12] Confidentiality order on deadliest suicide bombings in Turkey raises concerns of cover-up

The Ankara 2nd Criminal Court of Peace decided on Monday that the investigation into the twin suicide attack in the capital should remain confidential upon a request filed by the Bureau for Crimes against the Constitutional Order of the Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office.

According to Altan Tan, a Deputy of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the confidentiality order reveals an attempt to cover-up the incident, rather than carry out an effective investigation into it.

Noting that no progress has yet been made in some previous investigations that have had a confidentiality order slapped on them, Tan told Today's Zaman: "Bombs explode all over Turkey. Two conclusions can be made on this -- either the government is behind those attacks or it failed to prevent those attacks. The government is the culprit in both cases as it failed to provide for its citizens' security. So, it has to resign."

According to the court's decision, lawyers will not be able to see the details of the probe, with some exceptions. As part of the investigation, lawyers will be denied access to any documents other than those which contain a suspect's statement, expert's opinion or official reports related to judicial procedures in which the people in question are authorized to be present. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/ AM)

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