Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-11-17

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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] Racist groups attacked Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area; President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader condemned the attacks

[02] Ozyigit: "The path for the solution is to enter into the international law"

[03] Veysel Eroglu said that the water transferred from Turkey will obtain a yearly net income of 80 million TL

[04] The "municipalities' law" was amended

[05] The discussion of the "Draft budget law of 2016 financial year" has been launched

[06] Self-styled health minister to attend the 5th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Health

[07] Kurds and Grey Wolves students fought each other in occupied Famagusta

[08] Erdogan and Putin discussed Syria and the energy issue

[09] The Turkish Parliament gathers for oath taking; the new cabinet is expected to be announced on Nov. 18

[10] A letter by Tsipras in Turkish daily Sabah

[11] HDP appeals to top election board for cancelation of Nov. 1 election

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Racist groups attacked Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area; President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader condemned the attacks

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci asked for the attackers to be arrested and brought to justice. "The Greek Cypriot leadership must seriously bend to this issue", he said.

President Anastasiades issued a statement condemning the incidents. In a tweet in the Turkish language, the President described the perpetrators of the attacks as "foolish".

According to Kibris, General Secretary of the AKEL left-wing party, Andros Kyprianou also condemned the attack.

Turkish Cypriots who were attacked told Kibris that they were afraid a lot and complained that the police did not interfere. The two Turkish Cypriot vehicles were attacked around 11.00 in the morning near Ledra Palace crossing point during a protest of approximately 200 persons wearing black clothes and masks. The Turkish Cypriots said that the police did not interfere and that they were saved thanks to the interference of some pure minded Greek Cypriots. When two of the drivers who had been attacked went to the police to complain, the police told them that "you had been at the wrong place the wrong time". The Turkish Cypriots did not file a complaint because the Greek Cypriot police did not take them seriously writes the paper which publishes statements by victims of the attacks.

The issue is covered by all the Turkish Cypriot newspapers today on their front pages.

"They should be tried" is the front page title of Afrika, which refers to Akinci's statement and the tweet of President Anastasiades in Turkish. Some other titles are the following:

Yeni Duzen: "Irrational persons"

Havadis: Fascism rises from the dead again

Halkin Sesi: Fascist attack

Kibrisli: ELAM attacked

Vatan: Behold, this is the good will of the Greek Cypriots!

Diyalog: Idiots

Gunes: Attacks to Turks by Greeks, Atrocity, Are we going to make peace with them?

Detay: Peace for Peace!

Meanwhile, Turkish dailies cover the issue of the attacks under the following titles:

Hurriyet: "Fascist attack against Turkish Cypriots: 2 people injured".

Milliyet: "Foolish and unacceptable". Members of the extremist racist organization ELAM in Cyprus organized protest actions in several crossing points with the aim to condemn the "32 anniversary" of the UDI.

Milliyet also covers the issue in another report under the title: "Shocking attack in south Cyprus against cars with Turkish Cypriot placards".

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.11.15) reports that Turkish Cypriots were attacked late Monday by right-wing Greek extremists of the National Popular Front, or ELAM, security forces said.

From the Greek Cypriot side (editor's site: the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus), they threw stones and firecrackers damaging several cars on the Northern Cyprus side (editor's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). A driver suffered a head injury, said Cenk Gurcag, executive assistant to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

Another driver, Merkan Numansoy, told to an Anatolia news agency reporter at the scene that he suffered from a chest injury. Numansoy went to the Cyprus police but was reportedly told that "it might be dangerous to go to the Greek Cypriot side between November 15-20".

"The Greek Cypriot administration should immediately bring the criminals to trial," said Akinci. Meanwhile, Cyprus President Anastasiades wrote on Twitter that the acts of such "stupid people" against Turkish Cypriots were unacceptable. Anastasiades voiced his "deep sadness" over the attacks. "The state does not tolerate the acts of those individuals or groups who want the island to be divided on grounds of a so-called patriotism," he said.

(I/Ts./ AK)

[02] Ozyigit: "The path for the solution is to enter into the international law"

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots who were excluded from the international law for years experienced a lot of difficulties and disappointments in several fields, Ozyigit added that the most concrete example of this is the recent football game between the national teams of Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus which took place in Larnaka and the fact that the Turkish Cypriots were only fans.

Ozyigit went on and said that the only remedy to overpass their difficulties is through their integration with the international law.

Referring to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Ozyigit said that it should be based on the 11th of February Joint Declaration Agreement signed between the two sides, which envisages a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation based on political equality.

Ozyigit condemned also the fact that Turkey, which does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, play football games with the Republic of Cyprus, while on the contrary it does not do the same with the "TRNC" which it recognizes.

Ozyigit recalled also statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who right after his "election" said that their aim is to progress with the process, to leave behind in history the problems derived from the Cyprus problem and to end the "unjust treatment" towards the Turkish Cypriots as a result of the non-solution.

Ozyigit concluded by stressing the need for the process with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP) to be ended the soonest possible. "We should insist on this path, both for the sports in our country and also for our youth. "Otherwise, the Turkish teams will continue to play matches in the south and will not be able to play even a friendly match with us. We will remain as fans and watchers at the games", Ozyigit added.

(AK)

[03] Veysel Eroglu said that the water transferred from Turkey will obtain a yearly net income of 80 million TL

Speaking to Turkish daily Aksam, Eroglu said that after the water, which is transferred from Turkey, is refined at the treatment facilities in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, it is planned to be used as potable water and assigned for irrigation to the occupied areas of Morphou and Mesaoria.

(DPs)

[04] The "municipalities' law" was amended

Benli argued that after this "legal" arrangement, communal reconciliation will be achieved and their many year-long problems will be solved.

Referring to the provisions of the new "law", he said that the "state" aid which the "municipalities" take from the "local incomes" increases from 8,5% to 9%. Furthermore, "municipalities" in 16 rural areas, which have population less than six thousands, will be granted an additional aid of 0,25%.

Benli noted: "With the new law, the state aids of the municipalities will increase by 20% - 30%. Especially for the municipalities in the rural areas, an additional increase has been brought. There is an important increase in the income either as a result of measures taken within the municipalities or of steps taken at a central level. This increase in the income will be reflected to the community as services [?] As of 1 January 2016, if the social insurance, providence fund, taxes, prims and deposits of the employees are not paid in time, they have been guaranteed by being bound to the condition of cutting them from the state aid. Moreover, the accumulated social insurance and providence fund debts will be restructured".

According to Benli, criteria have been put on the employment with this "law". He added: "The personnel expenses will not exceed 55% of the income in the small municipalities and 50% in the city municipalities. Thus, the employment exceeding the capacity of the municipalities will be prevented [?]"

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (17.11.15) reports that in spite of the fact that the "law" aiming at the "municipalities" acquiring a sustainable structure passed unanimously by the "assembly", the past debts of the "municipalities" are too high, as 17 out of the 28 "municipalities" are "drowned in social aid deposits crisis" because they owe to the "social insurances department" and the "providence fund department" 80.183.984,35 Turkish Liras (TL) and 87.108.873,28 TL respectively. The debt reached 167.292.857,63 TL with the delay fees and is increasing continuously.

The paper writes that according to the new "law", until 1 January 2017 the "municipalities" will file applications demanding the restructuring of their debts. After the debts are restructured, the "municipalities" will start paying them as of 1 January 2018. The maximum restructuring period will be 20 years. It is guaranteed that the "municipalities", which will not apply for restructuring their debts, will start paying their debts as of 1 January 2018 for a 20-year period from cuts which will be made to the aid given to them by the "state".

(I/Ts.)

[05] The discussion of the "Draft budget law of 2016 financial year" has been launched

According to the paper, the budget of the so-called presidency for 2016 which is 26 million 913 thousand 100 TL has been discussed first during the meeting of the "committee". The "undersecretary of the presidency" Gurdal Hudaoglu was also present during the meeting.

Delivering a speech prior to the discussion of the budget of the so-called presidency, Hudaoglu said that their planning for the budget of the "presidency" was made taking into account the economic circumstances and with the lower cost for the "state". He added that comparing with the 2015 budget there was zero increase in the funds for "Promotion and Information" and in "Goods and Services" and 28% decrease on the chapter of "Political Promotion Expenses".

(AK)

[06] Self-styled health minister to attend the 5th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Health

The Meeting will be attended by the Ministers of Health of OIC Member Countries, and will review the status of implementation of the OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action 2014-2023. It is expected that the closing speech will be given by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

(DPs)

[07] Kurds and Grey Wolves students fought each other in occupied Famagusta

The fight started during elections for the students' council. The Kurds were shouting slogans in favor of their imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan and the Grey Wolves shouted slogans against Ocalan. When the tension escalated the two groups threw stones to each other. Around ten vehicles were damaged. The "police" are trying to find out who were involved in the fight.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Erdogan and Putin discussed Syria and the energy issue

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a roughly one-hour meeting at midnight as both men's last activity of the first day of the G-20 Summit where they conducted separate talks with U.S. President Barack Obama earlier in the day. Although a large delegation accompanied Erdogan in his meeting with Obama, the fact that he discussed Syria alone with Putin attracted attention.

According to presidential sources, Erdogan and Putin were first accompanied by their Foreign Ministers and some aides to discuss bilateral issues. The pair agreed to hold an annual high-level cooperation council meeting in Moscow on Dec. 15 as a follow-up to their last year's meeting in Ankara on Dec. 1. That meeting resulted in an initial agreement for the construction of a new pipeline from Russia to Europe via Turkey. However, there has been no further progress on the project.

According to information provided by the sources, Erdogan and Putin selected to discuss Syria-related issues after their delegations left the meeting room. The two men discussed the possible consequences of the Vienna agreement and particularly the future of al-Assad.

Turkey foresees no future role for al-Assad in Syria's future, alleging that he is responsible for the killing of more than 300,000 Syrians. Russia, contrastingly, believes the Syrian people alone should decide their future government. The Vienna agreement envisages a six-month negotiation period for the formation of an interim government and the holding of elections within 18 months but does leave the future of al-Assad vague.

In reference to a disagreement on the categorization of Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD), Erdogan urged leaders that the fact that organizations like the PYD, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) are fighting each other does not alter the fact that they are all ? at least in Turkey's eyes ? terrorist organizations.

Turkey and the United States do not agree on the PYD's role, as the latter believes the group is successfully fighting ISIL in northern Syria while Turkey rejects this idea.

All leaders reiterated that Islam should not be associated with terror even as Erdogan said the political leaders in Islamic countries bore much responsibility in the present climate.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 17.11.15) reports that Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the Turkish Stream pipeline project was on the table during talks that were held between Erdogan and Putin as a part of the G20 summit in Antalya. Novak announced that the agreement on the project would be signed shortly.

Delivering a press conference during the G20 summit, Novak said Putin and Erdogan decided to continue preparations for the Turkish Stream project, which is planned to carry Russian natural gas to Europe via the Turkish-Greek border with a capacity of 63 billion cubic meters, following the formation of a new government in Turkey. "As soon as the new government is formed, we will continue work to complete the Turkish Stream with Turkey's new Energy Minister," he added.

Novak said it would be hard to estimate when the agreement would be inked; however, Moscow thought the agreement process would not last long.

[09] The Turkish Parliament gathers for oath taking; the new cabinet is expected to be announced on Nov. 18

Deniz Baykal, the former leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), will hold the post of temporary Parliament Speaker until the Parliament elects its Speaker.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will commission Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to form the new government on the same day. The new cabinet is expected to be announced on Nov. 18.

Prime Minister Davutoglu will visit political party leaders and ask their cooperation for the upcoming agenda of the Parliament. He will inform them about plans of his party to change the Parliament's internal regulation, which had led to objection by the opposition as the legislation restricts their right to speak on the Assembly floor.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) wants the parliament to work for five days, addressing issues in first three days and legislating for the two remaining days. The government first plans to bring a temporary budget law for the upcoming three months to the Parliament agenda.

As preparation of the 2016 Central Governance Budget Law will not be possible within such a short period of time, the AKP will draft a "temporary budget" for the first quarter of 2016 and Parliament will begin deliberations over the 2016 Central Governance Budget Law in January, although these deliberations are customarily held in December.

Unlike previously, Erdogan will not wait for the election of the new Parliament Speaker, which will take place on Nov. 22. The new cabinet is planned to be formed on Nov. 28.

[10] A letter by Tsipras in Turkish daily Sabah

"The times are difficult for peace and stability in our region. They call for a new level of communication and contact among countries that have the capacities and the will to ensure it is based on trust and aimed at cooperation - whenever possible, not only when necessary - founded on international law.

My visit to Turkey on Nov. 18, upon the invitation of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, will be an important opportunity for reinvigorating relations in this direction, particularly in the context of the growing refugee and migration crisis we face. It will allow us to discuss our cooperation in the important multi-faceted challenges of our region.

- Security challenges: In the past few days we condemned together the heinous terrorist attacks in Paris, as we had done before for attacks in Istanbul, London, Ankara, Madrid, Suruc and Mosul. As we condemned the barrel bombs in Damascus, the chemical weapons attacks in Iraq and the state executions in Libya. Facing the pseudo-dilemma between militarist dictatorships and violent Islamic fundamentalism, our choice is clear: We reject both.

We must stay united and determined against forces that use terror to strengthen their power. At the same time, we need to renew our efforts for peace, stability and reconciliation in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Ukraine, as well as initiatives for conflict resolution and economic development in Africa. On our own, but also as U.N., Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO members, we cannot found our engagement with our region on forms and actions that flagrantly failed in the past. War cannot lead to solutions, nor can it open the way to democracy. Actions that truly aim in this direction have to be considered and co-decided also by those actors who know better the dynamics of the region. That is why we need to deepen our bilateral, regional and multilateral dialogue and coordination on these issues.

At the same time, we need to recognize the importance for our region and our bilateral relations of reaching a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of U.N. decisions: A free, united EU member state, ensuring security and prosperity for all its people - Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and other communities - without anachronistic post-colonial arrangements. In these efforts we must not waste the hope and the momentum built on the island.

Finally, security in our region cannot be ensured without security in the Aegean. This cannot be done under threat of war or through increased Greek airspace violations. One of the first steps of this government was to agree with Turkey on the revitalization of the dialogue for confidence-building measures. We need to expand on this dialogue and work on the exploratory talks on the continental shelf. Only by ensuring good neighborly relations on the basis of international law can we build solid foundations for our future cooperation.

- The refugee and migration crisis: It is clear that without peace in Syria and Iraq and stability in Afghanistan, there is no prospect for the return of the citizens of these countries to their homes and an end to the refugee and migration crisis we face. So it is imperative that we work together on how we can address the issue of the management of these flows in a humane and effective way. Turkey, together with Lebanon and Jordan, has taken the enormous social and economic burden of supporting millions of refugees and migrants all these years. At the same time, the 650,000 people that have crossed the Greek-Turkish borders in the last months have created an unsustainable situation in Greece and Europe in general. The Greek people and authorities, despite great economic challenges, do all they can to manage these flows and give support to those in need. In this context it is very important that we move forward on a substantial agreement between the EU and Turkey on managing these flows within the country, on supporting migrants and on a robust resettlement mechanism for the legal entrance of refugees to third countries. A crucial component of this agreement, though, is about enhancing Greek-Turkish cooperation. We need to talk more about how to fight trafficking networks, implement our bilateral readmission agreement and how to coordinate and cooperate on the level of migration, police and coast guard authorities.

- Economic development: Greece and Turkey have a crucial role in connecting three continents through creating new networks in energy, transport, tourism, culture and commerce, particularly at a time when connectivity is more central than ever in overcoming current economic crises and averting future ones. Our bilateral High-Level Cooperation Council is an important tool in this regard. For its future fourth meeting we must concentrate on a few but substantial forward-looking agreements in the areas above.

Turkey's EU accession process is particularly important in this broader context, including also for the promotion of democratic reforms. Greece supports this process, recognizing its mutual benefits for the EU and Turkey as well its importance for bilateral relations and the broader region."

[11] HDP appeals to top election board for cancelation of Nov. 1 election

The HDP received fewer votes in the Nov. 1 snap election than in the previous general election held on June 7. Although the party obtained 13% of the vote on June 7, its support dropped to 10% on Nov. 1, following the renewed conflict between Turkish security forces and the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

After the announcement of the unofficial results, the HDP's co-chairs said that unfair election conditions and a deliberate policy of polarization by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained the drop in support.

The HDP cancelled election rallies following two deadly attacks on pro-Kurdish gatherings in July. HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtas told reporters on Nov. 1 that "there wasn't a fair or equal election... We were not able to lead an election campaign. We tried to protect our people against attacks."

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 17.11.15) reports that the HDP petitioned the Supreme Election Board (YSK) on Nov. 15 and the party's Adana Deputy, Meral Danis Bestas, announced its appeal on Nov. 16, a day before members of the newly elected Parliament were set to take oath.

Dubbing the Nov. 1 elections "illegitimate", Bestas recalled at a press conference in Parliament that the HDP lost one seat in Mersin province by 30 votes and one seat in Tunceli by 168 votes. She also referred to the controversial role played by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, apparently campaigning in favour of the AKP despite his constitutional neutrality.

In its petition filed to the YSK, the HDP stated: "There is no doubt that every local election, general election and by-election should take place between political parties and independent candidates. However, during the 26th Legislative Term Deputy General Elections held on Nov. 1, 2015, a series of actions and operations against this principle took place. A campaign against our party was conducted through the hands of the President and the interim government, which were not been a party in the elections; public resources were unlimitedly used to this aim; press organs were placed under a disciplinary order in a way that could only be seen before or during coup eras; voters were scared and terrorized and prevented from going to vote; and through hundreds of attacks against our party buildings, our party was put in a situation where it could not hold rallies or campaign."

"The election took place against the principle of integrity and the President and the interim government thus put their signature to a major election fraud," the HDP said.

"Additionally, governors, sub-governors, gendarmerie commanders and police chiefs who work under the government/the Interior Ministry tried to manipulate and influence provincial and district ballot box committees with false information and exerted a series of efforts for merging of ballot boxes. However, the YSK did not allow this," the party said, referring to the election board's Oct. 3 decision to reject the relocation of polling stations for security reasons on the grounds that there was no regulation pertaining to the moving of ballot boxes for security reasons.

In its appeal, the HDP relied on Article 2 and Article 30 of Law No 298 on the Basic Provisions on Elections and Voter Registers. "Elections are held based on the principles of free, equal and single stage public voting," reads Article 2. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(DPs/ AM)

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