Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-11-19

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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 met Hammond

[02] Eide met with Akinci

[03] Colak asks for the annulment of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus

[04] The British Parliament asks for the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners

[05] Ozgurgun: ELAM's attack demonstrated the need for Turkish guarantees in the island

[06] Columnists describe as "very Denktasist" Akinci's decision not to participate in German Embassy's reception for the honor of Steinmeier

[07] BKP was represented at the congress of the European Left Party in Madrid

[08] "Water crisis" in the occupied area of Cyprus; Turkey closed the penstock in Anamour dam for the flowing of the water in the occupation regime

[09] Turkish Cypriot columnist condemns the behavior of some reactionaries in the match between Turkey-Greece

[10] Occupied Morfou inhabitants ask for a hospital construction in the area

[11] Tsipras and Davutoglu discussed the Cyprus problem during their meeting in Ankara

[12] Tsipras met with CHP and HDP

[13] AK Party announces Parliamentary Speaker candidate

[14] Eight percent of Turks have favourable opinion of ISIL, Pew poll shows

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci met Hammond

Making a short statement after the meeting, Phillip Hammond said he was very pleased to meet with Akinci once again. He said that they discussed all aspects of the negotiations that are going on to try and achieve a settlement and that he was convinced that solid progress is being made on the political dimensions of the settlement.

Hammond said that Akinci and Anastasiades clearly have a good working relationship and are working through the challenges. 'There are some very big issues remaining about property rights, about territorial boundaries and security guarantees. I think we are getting to the crucial point of these discussions now where the two leaders have to come forward with bold and initiative solutions to these big remaining challenges' said Hammond.

'What I have been able to say to Akinci as I said to Anastasiades this morning is that the international community and I can certainly speak for the United Kingdom and I'm sure also more widely, is that they are right behind these discussions. We want a solution to be found and we will do whatever we can to support that solution. That means providing technical assistance to the discussions and in due course it will mean the international community finding some money to support the inevitable costs of a solution to the long running property related issues' said the British Foreign Secretary.

'I'm confident these talks will continue and accelerate over the coming weeks, there are lots of my international colleagues arriving the Chinese Foreign Minister is coming to the island, the Russian Foreign Minister, the US Secretary of State. There is real momentum now from the international community to support these talks and we will keep very closely in contact with both sides of this discussion and whatever we as the UK can do we will do' said Hammond while concluding his statement.

On his part, Akinci stated that he had informed the British Foreign Secretary regarding the developments in Cyprus and the Cyprus negotiations process.

Explaining that such visits will increase in the future, Akinci said that the international interest shown towards the Cyprus negotiations process is important.

He said that if a positive outcome is reached at the talks, the people on the island will make the Cyprus problem workable and livable.

Akinci also said that he believed that foreign support is important and his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary today had been very beneficial.

[02] Eide met with Akinci

The Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, the "presidential spokesman" Baris Burcu, the "undersecretary" of the so-called foreign ministry Erhan Ercin and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Lisa Butthenheim were also present at the meeting.

In statements to the press after the meeting, Eide reminded that the third out of the six meetings, scheduled to take place between the two leaders in November, has been completed.

Stating that the last meeting was an extended one, Eide added that it was constructive and pointed out that instead of making evaluation of the results of each separate meeting taking place between the two leaders, it would be better to make statements in the end of the series of the meetings.

Eide also said that the two leaders evaluated and condemned both strongly the attacks experienced on Monday, while they issued also a joint statement condemning the attacks.

(AK)

[03] Colak asks for the annulment of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus

Furthermore, Colak met in the Parliament with Crispin Blunt, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the UK's Parliament. According to Colak's office, during the meeting she drew attention to the importance of the increase of Britain's support to the negotiating process and the solution to be reached in Cyprus.

Within the framework of her contacts, Colak participated in a lunch hosted to her honor by the so-called friends of northern Cyprus group in the British Parliament. She also met with Hilary Benn, Shadow Foreign Secretary of the Labor Party and Pat McFadden, Shadow EU Minister. She briefed them on the negotiating process and underlined the importance of the support offered by the Labor Party both in the British Parliament and the Socialist Group of the European Parliament. She argued that especially when the Cyprus problem comes onto the agenda listening to the views of the Turkish Cypriots is important and asked from her interlocutors to hold contacts with the Turkish Cypriots in such situations.

Benn and McFadden said that their support to the solution process in Cyprus will continue and that they are always ready to listen to the views of the Turkish Cypriots and meet with them.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (19.11.15), speaking to journalists at the so-called representation office of the regime in London, Colak said that during her contacts she had asked from her interlocutors Britain's support to the negotiating process in Cyprus, "because as a guarantor power Britain cannot remain silent and passive during such an important period". "They must support the negotiations most intensively", she argued.

Responding to a question on the natural gas found in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Colak said that the island's resources could increase prosperity on the island, but as long as there is no solution it could cause a conflict. "We saw this during the past months. There has been a process that went until the abandonment of the negotiating table", she noted expressing the view that when the natural gas and the water are united, "a better future will come for all of us" and these will be "elements which will lead us to the point we deserve".

Replying to another question, she said that whatever the property regime after the solution is, the property owner will have rights on his property regardless of where he is living. She added: "This is even a part of human rights. Therefore, the envisaged property formulas will most probably be procedures carried out by an independent property commission. These are valid for all, regardless of where they are living".

(I/Ts.)

[04] The British Parliament asks for the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners

Deputy Burrowes noted that the fact that the visit took place during a period of intensive negotiations showed their support and solidarity for a comprehensive solution. He expressed his satisfaction with the endorsement of the decision that was a "clear message towards supporting the entire Cyprus' and fenced off Varosha's freedom and justice".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozgurgun: ELAM's attack demonstrated the need for Turkish guarantees in the island

Ozgurgun stated that ELAM organization, which he holds responsible for the attacks, replaced EOKA and added that ELAM attacks the Turkish Cypriots and their properties. He went on and said that the statements made by President Nicos Anastasiades that he feels sorry for the incident are not enough and added that the attackers must be punished.

He also claimed that the Greek Cypriot side must abandon the chauvinist and racist education system that follows.

In addition, Ozgurgun expressed his satisfaction over the decision of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who refused to attend a dinner given in honour of the visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the buffer zone, because his request that the two sides be represented at the event on an equal footing, was not met satisfactorily.

(CS)

[06] Columnists describe as "very Denktasist" Akinci's decision not to participate in German Embassy's reception for the honor of Steinmeier

"[?] Was Akinci expecting to be invited as 'TRNC president'? Or did he believe that Anastasiades should have been invited with the capacity of the 'leader' by an Ambassador of a state? I do not think so. If he was expecting this, he is either very humorist or there is definitely a very dangerous virus, which remained in the palace from late Denktas' time and had infected Talat also at a time, and could deal a blow to the solution! The German Ambassador behaves as 'head of state' to the head of state of a country in which he is carrying out an official duty. We are not anyway in the UN negotiations! We will not sit at the table and negotiate! In short, [what is] Akinci's stance? It is very 'Denktasist'?"

Furthermore, writing in her column in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (19.11.15), columnist Cigdem Durust describes as "very emotional" what she calls as Akinci's "sensitivity". She recalls that the same behavior had been exhibited by late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas and former Turkish Cypriot leaders Dervis Eroglu and Mehmet Ali Talat from time to time. "Do we not have a lot of experiences which show that we could reach nowhere with such point of view", she wonders recalling that for many years those who had been criticizing late Rauf Denktas were saying that with his behavior he was not giving the Turkish Cypriots the opportunity to hold contacts and explain their problems. "Is it not a similar behavior this one now", she asks adding that she is very 'confused".

"Nevertheless, I am at ease because the invitation was not related to the Cyprus problem or the negotiating process", she notes.

(I/Ts.)

[07] BKP was represented at the congress of the European Left Party in Madrid

According to the paper, BKP which is an observer member of the European Left Party's executive board, was represented at the congress by Salih Sonustun, secretary of foreign relations of the party.

Sonustun made a presentation during the congress as regards the Cyprus problem.

In the presentation, Sonustun demanded from the (EL) party to support more actively the solution of the Cyprus problem. He also underlined the positive steps undertaken by the two leaders within the framework of the Cyprus negotiation talks and pointed out that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved with the leader's efforts only.

Pointing out that BKP supports the efforts for finding a federal solution in the island, Sonustun said that he called the two leaders to undertake more decisive steps in order to diminish their different views on several of the issues related with property, population territory and guarantees.

(AK)

[08] "Water crisis" in the occupied area of Cyprus; Turkey closed the penstock in Anamour dam for the flowing of the water in the occupation regime

According to information acquired by the paper, the occupation regime's "government" refused to accept the proposal made by Turkey for the privatization of the water management and thus Turkey has decided to suspend also the flowing of money for investments in the "TRNC" as well as the flowing of water. Due to this practice, the investment projects of the "municipalities" and "ministries" have been suspended as well, writes the paper.

Speaking on the issue, the "muhtar" of the occupied Panagra village Bayram Avci stated that its being a week that the flowing of the water at the dam has stopped and added that the water in the dam is depleted.

Avci added that due to the crisis occurred and the long term lack of rainfall they will face difficulties not only in the agriculture sector but also the people will suffer as well.

The paper adds that the "water crisis" issue was discussed yesterday at the meeting of the central committee of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG). So-called prime minister Omer Kalyoncu, some "ministers" as well as the chairmen of CTP, Mehmet Ali Talat and the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun, were also present.

In statements to the paper, Ozgurgun said that there was a quarrel concerning the issue of the administration of the water from Turkey. He added that the issue will be solved through discussion and preparation and said that they will discuss this issue very soon with Turkey in order to find a solution.

(AK)

[09] Turkish Cypriot columnist condemns the behavior of some reactionaries in the match between Turkey-Greece

The columnist writes that similar behavior has been observed by funs in a national match in Konya by some reactionaries.

The columnist writes that the fans in the match were shouting the slogan: "Ya Allah Bismillah-Allah-u ekber" [Translator's note: "With the name of Allah, Allah is one"] and similarizes these people to the attackers in Paris.

(?)

(AK)

[10] Occupied Morfou inhabitants ask for a hospital construction in the area

According to the paper, the "Morfou Civil Society Platform" gathered 3,500 signatures which will convey to the "ministry of health".

(CS)

[11] Tsipras and Davutoglu discussed the Cyprus problem during their meeting in Ankara

"There is a window of opportunity right now over the Cyprus problem. The negotiations are proceeding. We have a common approach with Greece to contribute positively to the talks," Davutoglu said at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who is visiting Turkey.

Sending positive messages about cooperation between the two countries, Davutoglu said that Greece and Turkey have a similar approach to issues pertaining the European Union and added that there is a consultative base between the two countries to make the Balkans a region of peace and stability.

"Turkey, Greece and Europe share a common fate in terms of refugees" the Prime Minister said, while he underscored that the issue was not about refugees, but is rather about Syria and terrorist organizations. He noted that Turkey and Greece are victims of the Syrian crisis and said that nobody should put the blame on Turkey and Greece alone.

Davutoglu said that respective Greece and Turkish ministries will create a mechanism to foresee the steps that will be taken to prevent humanitarian tragedies in the future.

[12] Tsipras met with CHP and HDP

During his meeting with the parties, Tsipras exchanged views on the development of the Cyprus problem and the refugee crisis.

[13] AK Party announces Parliamentary Speaker candidate

Kahraman has served as the culture ministry during the Refah-Yol government between 1996 and 1997. He was elected as a Deputy from Istanbul in the November 1 general elections. Kahraman is also a veteran AK Party member from Rize, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's home province.

In addition, the paper reports that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has named Group Deputy Chairman Yusuf Halacoglu as their Parliamentary Speaker candidate.

Until the formation of a new government, the Republican People Party's Deniz Baykal is acting as the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, as the eldest member of the Parliament.

The deadline for the post is midnight on Nov. 21. The Speaker is voted for by the 550 deputies of the Grand National Assembly. In the first two rounds of voting, successful candidates need the support of at least 367 lawmakers. In a third round of voting, a minimum of 276 votes is needed. If a fourth round is necessary the candidate with the highest number of votes is elected.

The AK Party holds 317 seats in Parliament while the Republican People's Party (CHP) has 134 seats, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) 59 seats and the MHP 40.

[14] Eight percent of Turks have favourable opinion of ISIL, Pew poll shows

According to newly released data that the Pew Research Center collected in 11 countries with significant Muslim populations, people from Turkey to Jordan to Indonesia overwhelmingly expressed negative views of ISIL.

The survey showed that 73 % of the Turks said they have an unfavourable opinion of ISIL while 19 % offered no definite opinion of ISIL and 8% expressed positive perception of the group and 1% of those who had a favourable opinion said they have "very favourable" opinion about the group. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(CS/ AM)

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