Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-10

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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 has reportedly asked Siber not to return occupied Morfou to its legal owners and give the regime's "citizenship" to 10,000 settlers

[02] Ozgurgun calls Akinci to clarify that the Turkish Cypriots will be joint partners who manage the state

[03] Bozkir: Turkey's biggest wish is a Cyprus settlement to be found in a way that the Turkish Cypriots have wished and Turkey has always supported

[04] Turkish Cypriot columnists assess the situation in the Cyprus talks after the statements by President Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci

[05] "A 99% agreement on the water management issue"

[06] A change of the town planning zone in the occupied Keryneia

[07] The "Independent Cyprus Turkish Tour Operators Association" is established in Britain

[08] The occupation regime participated in a tourism fair in Brussels

[09] The Ambassador of Ireland to Cyprus visited Atalay

[10] Turkey summoned the US envoy over the latest statements by the US on the PYD organization

[11] Turkey will reportedly hold talks with Israel to mend ties

[12] HDP's Demirtas accused the AKP government of committing a massacre in Cizre; HDP's Deputies hold contacts in Washington and Moscow

[13] Turkey to issue a smoking ban for outdoors with Erdogan's orders

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan has reportedly asked Siber not to return occupied Morfou to its legal owners and give the regime's "citizenship" to 10,000 settlers

The Turkish President is also quoted as saying that "the EU's promises should not be trusted". Erdogan has reportedly emphasized that no step back should be made from the Annan Plan, which had been rejected because of the Greek Cypriots' "no" vote in 2004 and argued that "making a step back would be wrong".

Referring to occupied Morfou which would be returned to its legal Greek Cypriot owners according to the provisions of the Annan Plan, Erdogan has reportedly said: "Morfou should not be given to the Greek Cypriots. Because the Annan Plan has not been accepted, the things happened there are not valid". According to the paper, Morfou is the most productive area of the island.

Erdogan has also drew attention to what Milliyet describes as "the problem of approximately 10,000 citizens of the Republic of Turkey", who had acquired the right of becoming "citizens of the TRNC" [Translator's note: The breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus], but have not been granted the "citizenship" yet. He reportedly said the following to the Turkish Cypriot delegation: "Why don't you give the citizenships? A step should be taken on this issue". The delegation said that "a legal preparation is being made for the citizenships", but Erdogan replied: "We as Turkey accepted to the country 2.5 million people from Syria. Why don't you make citizens? Why are you afraid of the citizenship?"

Erdogan has also drew attention to the slow tempo of the reforms carried out in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that "the necessary steps for people's prosperity should be taken".

According to the paper, complaints on the issue of the "citizenship" were also expressed by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who also met with Siber's delegation. When a self-styled deputy in Siber's delegation told him that "the EU and the Greek Cypriots oppose to the citizenships", Davutoglu has reportedly replied that "this cannot happen by looking at the others".

Referring to the issue of granting "citizenship" to Turkish businessmen, Davutoglu said: "You are a small state, open your doors".

As regards the Cyprus talks, Davutoglu has reportedly described as "important" the territory issue and noted that Ankara is not positive to "putting a limit on the citizenships".

Siber has reportedly explained that "there is a climate of optimism in the negotiations".

According to the paper, persons who have been working for five years with a work "permit" in the occupied area of Cyprus are acquiring the right of becoming "citizens" of the regime. However, the current self-styled government is granting "citizenship" to those who have worked for twelve years with a "permit" and if a "draft-law" which is now being examined by the relevant "parliamentary committee" is adopted, this period will be extended to fifteen years.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun calls Akinci to clarify that the Turkish Cypriots will be joint partners who manage the state

According to a press release by UBP press office, Ozgurgun, evaluating yesterday the Cyprus issue, said that the "government" will not create problems on the Cyprus issue. He added: "The Cyprus issue is our priority and the UBP's stance on this issue is crystal clear. Although there are some who criticise us for forming a government with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) we as the UBP did this for our people, the arithmetic at the parliament calls for this".

However, Ozgurgun, further said that they are not pleased with the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and called on Akinci to clarify that the Cyprus issue is a give-and-take process as well as an issue of management. He argued: "The 'president' should clearly state that the Turkish Cypriot 'people' will be joint partners who manage the state, once he takes this issue to the negotiating table then the Turkish Cypriot 'people' will be more comfortable".

Noting that the undiluted bi-zonality is the main principle for the solution of the Cyprus problem as stated by the UN parameters, Ozgurgun said that the UN parameters should not be forgotten. He added: "In these parameters, there are two bi-zonal, founding states. These two founding states are the state of the Turkish Cypriots and the state of the Greek Cypriots. Now the Greek Cypriots say "No, the Republic of Cyprus will continue'. Over here, the UN parameters collapse. The second thing they say, 'No, everyone will settle where they want, EU acquis will be implemented'. Here again, the UN parameters collapse. The third they say is, 'No need for guarantees within the EU'. By diluting the guarantorship, they are going out of the UN parameters. At that case, it is not possible to be able to make such an agreement; we expect Akinci's statement on this."

He also warned that if a solution that is tailored only by the Greek Cypriot side alone is approved then the country may suffer a major economic collapse.

(DPs)

[03] Bozkir: Turkey's biggest wish is a Cyprus settlement to be found in a way that the Turkish Cypriots have wished and Turkey has always supported

During a meeting with a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) headed by its chairman Firki Toros, Bozkir stressed that the biggest wish of Turkey is to reach in a result on the Cyprus problem in such a way that the Turkish Cypriots have wished and Turkey has always supported.

Reminding that the Cyprus talks are continuing in the island, Bozkir said that they desire to reach a solution in the form of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on the political equality. He added that they also wish the continuation of Turkey's identity to be a guarantor. Finally, Bozkir wishes to both leaders success in terms of finding solution in this problem.

Toros, for his part, said that a potential federation to be successful should be formed by a strong Turkish Cypriot economy in order to protect the gains of the Turkish Cypriot side.

(DPs)

[04] Turkish Cypriot columnists assess the situation in the Cyprus talks after the statements by President Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci

"[?] After this point, in spite of all the artificial pumping [of hope], the reality that the solution is a much weaker possibility than it had been assumed has come to the surface with nothing remaining hidden. From now on, the merchants of hope will not find clients so easily for the hopes in which even they themselves do not believe! Because, like Akinci has said in the beginning of the process, these people cannot bear another disappointment.

The realities could be hidden until this point with the lie and spiel that important progress has been achieved in the negotiations. And this balloon, which would blow up sooner or later, blew up with the definite and clear statements by Anastasiades!

Anastasiades says that the Greek Cypriot side will not accept the rotating presidency. Let alone the other points of objection, even only this is enough to cause a breakdown at a point. The reply given by Akinci especially to this clearly reveals this reality. 'If the Greek Cypriot people will not digest a Turkish Cypriot being at the head of the common federal state during just periods, this means that there will be no agreement'. [Translator's note: This quotation was given in bold letters by the columnist]

That is, now you will ask: Have things broken down? In my view they have! From now on the negotiations will continue connected to a life support unit and when the last grain of sand falls down from that narrow hole, they will pull the plug and declare that they have lost the patient! [?]"

Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot columnist Mert Ozdag writes, inter alia, the following in daily Yeni Duzen newspaper under the title "Agreement or separation?":

"The real picture is coming to surface slowly ? slowly in the negotiating process, which has for a long time been loaded with too many hopes with public relations games and caused very big expectations. I have written this before: We are actually at such a period that this is a turnout. Either the points of consensus would be really declared or the period of mutual blaming would start. The latter happened! With Anastasiades' statements the realities have come to the surface. To start with, there is no agreement on many points. Or the leaders understand different things about the agreement. In the guarantees, for example. I am sorry, but one of the leaders is definitely lying. Because Akinci is saying 'we have not discussed it, it will be taken up in a five-party conference' and the Greek Cypriot leader says 'we have surmounted the guarantees'. [?] Which one is true? These examples could be multiplied. For example, [?] the Greek Cypriot leader insistently says that the solution will be the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus. [?] Akinci, however, notes that 'the TRNC exists' and in the solution it will become a 'founding state'. [?] There is absolutely no convergence on the issue of the rotating presidency. Anastasiades says that 'this cannot happen' and Akinci that 'if this does not happen, there will be no solution'. [?]

A concrete agreement exists only in the property and I think that this agreement will not be accepted by the majority of the Turkish Cypriots. The agreement that 'the priority for filing an application during the first year will belong to the first property owner', is not something that was received positively in the north. [?]

When we look at the general picture, we see that Anastasiades has started using the process for securing a great success to DISY in the elections in May. Akinci is drawing the attention to this situation in his last statement Akinci is right in this comment. [?]

Very well, what will happen now? As Akinci said, the Greek Cypriot leader is in an election mood. This is May for which Akinci says that is a 'natural time table'! And Turkey's stance says that 'if this job ends until March, it is ok, if not, everyone will go his own way'. In your view what kind of a turnout we are at now? Is it an agreement or separation? It seems to me like it is the second one.

I hope I am wrong, but on the one hand the real face of the Greek Cypriot leader which came to surface because of the elections in the south and Turkey's stance and Akinci's statement that 'the TRNC exists' on the other' are showing that we are closer to separation.

I said that I hope that I am wrong, but excuse me, expecting a result from the negotiations in such a climate is naivety".

(I/Ts.)

[05] "A 99% agreement on the water management issue"

The delegation was composed by the so-called minister of finance Birikim Ozgur, the "minister of economy, industry and trade", Sunat Atun, the "minister of agriculture, natural resources and food", Erkut Sahali and the "minister of communication, environment and culture", Kutlu Evren.

According to the paper, in statements to illegal Tymbou airport upon their return from Turkey, so-called minister Ozgur said, inter alia, the following: "A great majority of the substantial proposals prepared by our prime minister in cooperation with several other circles in the TRNC will be included in the final inter-governmental agreement to be signed with Turkey. We will give a more detailed briefing at a later stage after the signing of the agreement".

Ozgur said also that they are pleased from their two days contacts in Turkey and added: "We will convey to the prime minister this morning the text derived from the result of our work".

Also speaking, so-called minister Atun said, inter alia, that the workings had been defined and that a 99% agreement had been reached. "Only the signatures are left and we will present to prime minister Kalyoncu the outcome of our visits".

(AK)

[06] A change of the town planning zone in the occupied Keryneia

The self-styled mayor of occupied Keryneia municipality Nidai Gungordu said that the decision is correct.

Asim Akansoy, the self-styled minister of interior and labour, said that the occupied town of Keryneia is one the most important tourist towns, adding that the unsustainable structure within the old town of Keryneia cannot continue.

(DPs)

[07] The "Independent Cyprus Turkish Tour Operators Association" is established in Britain

The Turkish Cypriot tour operators, who met in the "London Destination Fair" lately, had the idea to be united in order to be more beneficial in order to safeguard more tourism for " North Cyprus" (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). As a result, they announced officially their association "ICTTOA" and at the moment, there are 10 members. The aim of the Association is to be able to promote better "North Cyprus", to increase the number of visitors to the occupied area of Cyprus, to protect the image of "North Cyprus" and to increase their cooperation in the tourism field.

The chairman of ICTTOA Refik Niyazi Salp, speaking to the paper, said that their primary aim is to market in a more effective way Cyprus. He added that they will increase the dialogue with the "Turkish Cypriot Association of Tourism and Travel Agents" ("KITSAB"), the "Turkish Cypriot hoteliers union" ("KITOB") as well the so-called ministry of tourism. Salp explained that they want to revive again the current system of incentives. He further said that their advertising campaign of "North Cyprus" in Britain by the "ministry of tourism" should be in a long term and not in a short one. He added that if they work altogether as a team they will be more successful and be able to help their "country".

(DPs)

[08] The occupation regime participated in a tourism fair in Brussels

According to the paper, the occupation regime attended the fair with its own stand and it was represented there by the "ministry of tourism" and representatives of the tourism sector.

Issuing a statement on the issue, the "ministry" said that within the framework of their participation to the fair, "officials of the ministry" and representatives of the sector, held contacts with several Belgian and European tour operators and briefed them about the occupation regime's tourism and possible mutual working opportunities.

The paper adds that Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir was among those visited the occupation regime's stand.

(AK)

[09] The Ambassador of Ireland to Cyprus visited Atalay

According to a statement issued by the "religious affairs department", the effects of the ongoing communication and dialogue between the religious leaders in Cyprus to the peace process for the solution of the Cyprus problem has been discussed during the meeting.

(AK)

[10] Turkey summoned the US envoy over the latest statements by the US on the PYD organization

Turkish diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned the U.S. Ambassador John Bass. "Turkey's unease over the U.S. stance concerning the definition of the PYD and the YPG [the PYD's military wing, the People's Defense Units] has been clearly conveyed to the U.S. Ambassador," said the diplomatic source, speaking under customary condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.02.16) reported that the row between Turkey and the United States over the definition of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) has grown.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavugoglu in statements in Budapest during a joint press conference with his counterpart Peter Szijjarto, said that allied countries needed to make up their minds as to who their partners were in the fight against the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Stating that it was not rational for some countries not to regard the PYD as a terrorist organization when all countries were designating it as such, Cavusoglu said that allied countries needed to make up their minds. "Therefore, our friends and allies need to make their minds up. Are we [one of] the partner countries in Syria in the fight against Daesh or are terror organizations?" Cavusoglu asked.

One day ago, the U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby reiterated the U.S.' stance that it does not perceive the PYD as a terrorist organization, while adding that it understands ally Turkey's concerns regarding the organization. "We don't, as you know, recognize the PYD as a terrorist organization," Kirby said on February 8 during a daily press briefing, adding that they knew and understood that Turkey recognized the PYD as a terrorist organization. "Even the best of friends aren't going to agree on everything. Kurdish fighters have been some of the most successful in going after Daesh inside Syria," said Kirby.

(?)

[11] Turkey will reportedly hold talks with Israel to mend ties

Turkish diplomatic sources did neither confirm nor deny the reports but the Turkish private broadcaster NTV said that Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu was on his way to Geneva to attend the meeting.

Diplomats of the two countries have long been negotiating over a plan to normalize ruined relationship because of Israeli commandos' raid on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara flotilla. Israel officially apologized to Turkey in 2013 over the killings of 10 Turkish citizens but discussions on how much compensation will be paid to the families of the victims and how Turkish access to Gaza will be provided in an unrestricted way have still been not clear.

[12] HDP's Demirtas accused the AKP government of committing a massacre in Cizre; HDP's Deputies hold contacts in Washington and Moscow

"Here is the situation in Cizre: There were 70-90 people in total in a few buildings around a cellar. There were no clashes but there was artillery fired [by the military]," Demirtas said on Feb. 9.

"They committed a massacre in Cizre but they cannot announce it. They are scattering the dead bodies into side streets and ruined houses as if the dead bodies were already there," Demirtas added.

(?)Meanwhile, the HDP announced on February 9 that two HDP Deputies have been holding talks in Washington, while another Deputy has been in Moscow in order to attend the opening of a representation office of Syrian Kurds.

Urfa Deputy Osman Baydemir and Bingol Deputy Hisyar Ozsoy, who also serves as the party's Deputy Co-chair in charge of external affairs, are in Washington to hold "a series of diplomatic meetings," the HDP said in a written statement.

Baydemir and Ozsoy had meetings scheduled with officials from the U.S. State Department and members of the U.S. Congress, and they will return to Turkey on February 14 after "a series of diplomatic meetings in New York too," the party said.

The HDP also said that Diyarbak?r Deputy Feleknas Uca had travelled to Moscow to attend the opening of a representative office of "Syrian Kurdistan."

Last week, Farhat Patiev, the chair of the Council of the Federal National-Cultural Kurdish Autonomy said that a representative office of Syrian Kurdistan was due to open in Moscow on Feb. 10.

Patiev had accompanied Demirtas during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Dec. 23.

[13] Turkey to issue a smoking ban for outdoors with Erdogan's orders

Stating that it is an essential duty of the state to protect its citizens against the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, Erdogan said that Turkey has been working hard to decrease the number of smokers. "There can be no such freedom as the freedom to smoke. What really matters is that we protect the freedom of non-smokers rather than smokers," Erdogan said.

"Fighting against smoking is a personal principal of mine. There cannot be such a thing as 'freedom to smoke.' Just as there cannot be a thing such as freedom to commit suicide and freedom of exposure to terminal illness, there cannot be freedom of habits that lead to these outcomes."

Erdogan added that as part of the Health Ministry's campaign against smoking, over 141,000 people were supported with free treatment to quit smoking and over 23.5 million people who called "quit smoking" hotlines were treated.

Meanwhile, Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu has announced that Turkey will extend a smoking ban previously issued for indoor areas to outdoors.

The Turkish Health Minister announced that a new outdoors smoking ban, which aims to extend restrictions on smoking areas, would be issued, amid repeated opprobrium towards the habit from Erdogan.

Under the law, smoking outside shopping malls, in the gardens of sanctuaries and in outdoor walking areas and playgrounds will all be prohibited amid other new regulations for indoor areas, daily Sabah quoted Muezzinoglu as saying.

The outdoors smoking ban will reportedly come into effect this year. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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