Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-10-16

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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] Erdogan and Obama discussed the Cyprus problem and how to deepen cooperation against ISIS

[02] Akinci: "Even though the Republic of Turkey officially recognizes us, it cannot implement the requirements of this recognition in every field"

[03] Colak discussed the progress of the Cyprus negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Minister

[04] Colak: USA's approach on the Cyprus problem is positive; I cannot comment on Russia's stance

[05] Burcu denies reports published in the Greek Cypriot media concerning the launching of discussion on the territory issue at the Cyprus negotiation talks

[06] A committee called: "We do not want to immigrate from Yialousa" established by the villagers living in occupied Yialousa village

[07] Sadi alleges that the Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied area should be turkified through a legal way in a possible solution

[08] Talat to meet with Erdogan on October 20

[09] Ozgurgun refers to "outside interferences" in the UBP prior to its congress

[10] INTERPA's 9th meeting of the "executive board" took place in the occupied area of Cyprus

[11] "Priceless antiquities" were unearthed at the occupied ancient city of Soloi

[12] Milliyet has started been published in the breakaway regime

[13] Ankara says any violation against Turkey by Syria will be reciprocated

[14] HDP co-chair blames AKP government for Ankara bombings

[15] Turkish poll shows ruling AK Party support short of majority

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan and Obama discussed the Cyprus problem and how to deepen cooperation against ISIS

The two leaders spoke by telephone and reaffirmed their shared goal of stepping up military pressure on ISIS and strengthening moderate opposition elements in Syria to create conditions for a negotiated solution to the conflict, including a political transition, according to the White House.

Obama and Erdogan also agreed on an urgent need to end attacks in Turkey by PKK - a terrorist organization recognized by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

In addition, Hurriyet (16.10.15) reports that the two leaders evaluated that the Cyprus negotiations are progressive positively and reiterated their support for the reaching of an agreement.

[02] Akinci: "Even though the Republic of Turkey officially recognizes us, it cannot implement the requirements of this recognition in every field"

Akinci argued:

"Now we cannot say that let us solve these problems by using the EU processes, because the southern part [Translator's note: This is how he describes the Republic of Cyprus] has already entered into the EU.

All these years the only thing we saw on the recognition issue is that only the Republic of Turkey recognizes us. And I want to share with you my view frankly on this issue. Of course, the way by which we are welcomed here we cannot see it in any other part of the world. Our brotherly feelings on this issue are beyond everything. [?]"

Akinci said that Turkey also faces problems deriving from the international rules and added that they are aware of that.

"For example, a Turkish team cannot come to the TRNC a play a match. That is, it cannot play with us even a friendly match. Why? Is it because it does not want it? No. it is because it will be punished by UEFA and FIFA. When it is paired with south Cyprus, it has to go and play a match. Is it because it wants to do it very much? If it does not go, it will be punished, it will be excluded. [?]

Even though the Republic of Turkey officially recognizes us, it cannot implement the requirements of this recognition in every field. It does not recognize south Cyprus, but it cannot implement the requirements of non-recognition in every field. Even your closest one, no matter how close is to you politically and with your brotherly relations, every nation, every country has its own special problems and troubles. And these have in a way been very serious barricades until today for the recognition of the TRNC. These barricades still exist today. I have chosen a mission for myself. Politics is the art obtaining what is possible. Politics is the art of obtaining what is possible by protecting your rights, not by surrendering. [?]"

Referring to the Annan Plan period, Akinci argued:

"I do not know any other community in the world, which, in spite of the fact that it has voted 'yes' to the solution and the EU, remained outside the solution and the EU with the 'no' vote of another community. [?] During that period I said: 'What we have to do is to support the accession of a politically equal two founding-state structure to the EU with the solution by taking the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, ensuring their equality. We have to support Turkey to be given a date to begin its accession talks only in a process parallel to this'. Unfortunately this was not accepted".

Referring to the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that the parameters have roughly come up and what is left is political will and determination. He alleged:

"We have this determination. The government of the Republic of Turkey has it. We are carrying out these efforts in consultation with them. Have we covered some distance? Yes we have. Within these five months, important developments were ensured on three of the six chapters, that is the governance and power sharing, the EU issues and the economy. There are still three chapters left. The property, the territory and the security are the most complex issues. In any agreement the equality, freedom and security of the Turkish Cypriots are issues which must definitely be settled. I want this for the other community as well".

Referring to the bomb attacks in Turkey, Akinci said: "If Ankara cries, Nicosia also cries. If the Republic of Turkey mourns, the TRNC also is in mourning. I share this great pain of yours".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Colak discussed the progress of the Cyprus negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Minister

During their meeting, Colak conveyed information to Sinirlioglu regarding the latest developments at the negotiations. Emphasizing the importance of reaching a settlement, Colak expressed that the strong support of Turkey is significantly contributing to enabling the breakaway regime to conduct the negotiations with greater strength.

Colak also reiterated her condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the terror attack which took place in Ankara and stated that the breakaway regime as always, sincerely shares the pain of the people of the Republic of Turkey.

On his part Sinirlioglu emphasized that their support to the breakaway regime will continue in every field and added that their biggest wish is for the negotiations to be concluded with a just and viable settlement and for sustainable peace to be achieved.

(CS)

[04] Colak: USA's approach on the Cyprus problem is positive; I cannot comment on Russia's stance

In statements to Turkish Haber Turk in Istanbul, Colak alleged that Turkey offers great support to the process and always sends clear and positive messages.

Asked when a definite solution will be reached, Colak responded that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to determine a date and argued that a referendum could be held for the solution of the Cyprus problem before the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus in May 2016. "The wish of all of us is to lead this issue to a conclusion while harmony has been ensured", she said adding that political will exists in both sides for solving the Cyprus problem and the negotiations are being carried out in an intense manner.

Colak noted that "many internal and external elements" are in favor of the solution and this creates a pressure for a solution.

Referring to the negotiating process, she said that problems exist on some issues discussed in the negotiations and noted that these issues are "the property, the border adjustment and the guarantees".

"Just like the Annan Plan was submitted to referendum, the leaders of both sides will agree, afterwards the parliaments will take a decision for holding a referendum and simultaneous and separate referenda will be held in the two communities", she argued.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Burcu denies reports published in the Greek Cypriot media concerning the launching of discussion on the territory issue at the Cyprus negotiation talks

(AK)

[06] A committee called: "We do not want to immigrate from Yialousa" established by the villagers living in occupied Yialousa village

According to the paper, the "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) in occupied Trikomo, Biray Hamzaogullari, and the National Unity Party (UBP) "deputy" in occupied Trikomo, Hamit Bakirci were also among the participants and supported the formation of the committee.

Speaking during the meeting, Hamzaogullari reminded of the fact that the Cyprus High Level Agreements of 1977-1979 signed by Rauf Denktas envisaged the return of Yialousa and said that this turned against them during in the Annan plan. Hamzaogullari added that he is one among those who do not want to become refugees and leave from Yialousa in a possible solution. Stating that the negotiator should take this into consideration, Hamzaogullari said that they would protect their rights.

Also speaking, Bakirci said that they decided to be organized in order for their voice to be heard more and stressed the need for the demands of the "residents" of Yialousa to be considered.

(AK)

[07] Sadi alleges that the Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied area should be Turkified through a legal way in a possible solution

In statements to the paper, Sadi claimed that using an occupied Greek Cypriot property is "legal", but the uneasiness created because of the reactions of the Greek Cypriots on this issue should be overcome.

Replying to a question, Sadi said: "I refer to these properties becoming Turkish in case of a solution. If there will be two separate areas, all the branches you catch on should be sound. When we hold on them, they should not remain in our hands [?]"

Sadi noted also that there are people who have been given 3.000 or 4.000 donums of land [Translator's note: Donum is a land measure of about 1000 square meters] without possessing any equivalent property [in the government-controlled area of the island].

(I/Ts.)

[08] Talat to meet with Erdogan on October 20

According to information obtained by the paper, no a special issue will be on the agenda of the meeting.

The paper also writes that Erdogan will not meet with Talat tomorrow, during his illegal visit for the inauguration of the water transferred project to take place in the breakaway regime.

(CS)

[09] Ozgurgun refers to "outside interferences" in the UBP prior to its congress

In statements to a television channel, Ozgurgun referred to UBP's congress which will be held on 31 October and argued: "This congress will show everything. Now our members will decide whether our party will be administered from inside or outside. During my term in the office, no interferences can take place. No one can direct me. [?] The decisions are taken collectively. If there is an outside interference, I say 'stop'. If I cannot stop it, I resign".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (16.10.15) reports that the other six candidates for the presidency of the UBP held a press conference yesterday at the party's headquarters and called on the UBP's competent organs to convene and take decisions as regards the congress. They said that they do not know how the congress will be organized, how the voting will take place etc. They also accused Ozgurgun of behaving "like a dictator" and asked for his resignation.

(I/Ts.)

[10] INTERPA's 9th meeting of the "executive board" took place in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, the meeting took place at Merit Premium Hotel in occupied Keryneia and police officials from several countries such as Turkey, Sudan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Kazakhstan attended the meeting.

The next meeting of INTERPA will take place in March 2016 in Sudan

[11] "Priceless antiquities" were unearthed at the occupied ancient city of Soloi

The tomb complex consists of three chambers, the two of which are not destroyed, but the third has been looted. Human remains, jewelry, weapons and 16 pots used for servicing people during ceremonies were found in the undestroyed chambers. In one of the chambers, an undestroyed crown was found.

Archeologist Hazar Kaba, who works in the tomb complex within the framework of his doctorate at Ankara University, said that the objects found in the occupied ancient city of Soloi show the commerce activities between Soloi and ancient Athens. Kaba noted that some jewelry and pots bear the Persian designs.

It is said that the golden crown is similar to the crowns laced in the tombs of aristocrat Macedonians, while some pots have the same characteristics with pots from Ionia, today's western Anatolia.

The human remains, which have been found in the one chamber, belong to a man, a woman and a small girl. The remains in the second chamber belong to a woman and a small girl. Experts are carrying out DNA tests to find out the relationship between the people buried here.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Milliyet has started been published in the breakaway regime

Fikret Bila, Milliyet's Turkey editor-in-chief as well as Akay Cemal, who was Milliyet's correspondent in the breakaway regime for 30 years were also present in the reception.

(CS)

[13] Ankara says any violation against Turkey by Syria will be reciprocated

"I call on [PYD leader] Salih Muslim to [use] good sense and to pull himself together. It would not be good for him if he doubts Turkey's will and determination. Turkey has been fighting against terror and nobody should attempt to test its determination in this fight against terror," Sinirlioglu said on Oct. 15 in response to reported remarks by Muslim.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu lashed out at both the United States and Russia for supplying weapons and support to the People's Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of PYD, in its bid to fight extremist jihadists, raising concerns that the arms could be used against Turkey by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), an affiliate of the PYD.

"The message that we have given to the PYD is clear. If they resort to any move directed against Turkey, the required penalty will be given without hesitation," Sinirlioglu said.

[14] HDP co-chair blames AKP government for Ankara bombings

Speaking in Ankara on Oct. 15, Demirtas's remarks came while commenting on the court-imposed ban on media reports about the official investigation into the blast.

"If there is even just a one-in-a-million possibility of the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] PKK being behind this attack, then they [the government] would make it obligatory for the media to report on the incident. This illustrates that the AKP and ISIL were behind this attack," he told reporters on Oct. 15 ahead of his party's Executive Board meeting in Ankara.

"What is the Prime Minister trying to hide? Allow everyone to express their thoughts freely. Do they believe they can hide it this way? We are shocked. People already know everything, so let them express their opinion freely," Demirtas added.

The HDP co-chair also blasted the ruling to ban "criticism" of the investigation, questioning how such criticism could influence the investigation.

[15] Turkish poll shows ruling AK Party support short of majority

In June, the centre-right, Islamist-rooted AK Party lost its overall majority for the first time since coming to power in 2002, taking 40.9 % of the vote.

The survey of 4,864 people held between Oct. 3-4 showed the main opposition Republican People's Party on 27.6 %, the Nationalist Movement Party on 15.8 % and the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party on 13.6 %, comfortably above the 10 % threshold required to enter the Parliament.

It estimated the prospective number of AK Party MPs in the 550-seat parliament at 256, short of the 276 needed for a majority.

In the June election, the CHP won 25 %, the MHP 16.3 % and the HDP 13.1 % of the vote.

The Gezici survey showed a rise in support for the AK Party compared with its previous poll in mid-September which put the AK Party in 39.3 %, the CHP at 28.1 %, the MHP at 16.8 % and the HDP at 13.5 %.

The poll was conducted before a devastating bomb attack in Ankara last week at a peace rally, the worst of its kind in Turkish history, which killed at least 97 people. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/ AM)

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