Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-18

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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 reiterated Turkey's proposal to provide water to the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Ozgurgun claims that the Greek Cypriots are responsible for the lack of non-solution

[03] Denktas: "Bringing electricity from Turkey is one of our priorities"

[04] Akinci met with the French Ambassador to Cyprus

[05] Burcu asks for the punishment of those who have reportedly attacked Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of Cyprus

[06] Cavusoglu is in Turkey participating to an OIC's committee meeting

[07] Elcil: "Money laundering is taking place via university students"

[08] Binali Y?ld?r?m tops internal AKP survey for new leader

[09] Columnist: Israel and Cyprus talks to resume from next week

[10] Cavusoglu to Lavrov: "Prove Turkey helps Daesh, and I'll resign"; He insists Turkey won't revise anti-terror law

[11] Turkey's Parliament backs immunity bill

[12] Demirtas: PKK should apologize

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan reiterated Turkey's proposal to provide water to the Republic of Cyprus

Speaking during the meeting, Erdogan stated, inter alia, that with the water transferred project from Turkey to the "TRNC", they covered the "TRNC's" potable and agriculture water needs for the next 50 years.

Underlining that the water transferred project had a cost of 550 million dollars, Erdogan reiterated their proposal to the Greek Cypriots in the "south", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, to provide them with water. "Look Greek Cypriots, you occasionally have water shortage and you transfer water with vessels and tankers. We have said that we can provide water to south Cyprus as well and with this process to be able to carry out a peace project. There is no demand at the moment but we have done our part", Erdogan stated.

(AK)

[02] Ozgurgun claims that the Greek Cypriots are responsible for the lack of non-solution

Speaking during a meeting with the board of directors of TMT headed by its president Yilmaz Bora, Ozgurgun said that despite all negativities, the "government" supports the ongoing process carried out with the support of Turkey. "We are in support of a bi-communal solution on the basis of the political equality of the two peoples and standing UN parameters. The Greek Cypriots will have to start accepting some of the realities on the island should efforts to reach a solution by the end of 2016 fail", he added.

Ozgurgun also alleged that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem is the result of the Greek Cypriot side's refusal to see Turkish Cypriots as their equal partners.

Also speaking, Bora claimed that the Greek Cypriots insist on not seeing the Turkish Cypriots as their equals. Expressing, as he alleged, the society's discontentment with statements regarding the process, Bora said that steps towards achieving international recognition of the "TRNC" should be taken.

[03] Denktas: "Bringing electricity from Turkey is one of our priorities"

Denktas, who was speaking to Ankara Anatolia news agency, stated that efforts regarding this issue will last 1-2 years.

Asked about the Cyprus negotiation, Denktas stated that it is not possible to go against the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. According to Denktas, Akinci is the "president" who was elected by the "people" and who is sincerely seeking a solution at the negotiating table. "We will merely support this. I appreciate our president's sensibility", he stated,

Referring to Turkey-EU relations, he claimed that "the EU is not treating Turkey with sincerity and good will".

"If the EU understands that Turkey is not a threat to it, but rather an opportunity, then we will easily reach a solution. The EU is not being sincere with Turkey. It does not show a clear good will", he claimed.

In addition, the paper further writes that in case the economic protocol between the breakaway regime and Turkey is not signed prior to the extra ordinary election conference of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) which will be held on May 22nd, the breakaway regime will face financial difficulties. Commenting on the issue, Denktas stated that there is a good chance the protocol to be signed before the conlusion of the conference.

Finally, Havadis (18.05.16) writes that Denktas issued a written statement saying that constructors which completed work either for the "state" of for the "municipalities" will be paid soon from money yelded by Turkey's sources.

(CS)

[04] Akinci met with the French Ambassador to Cyprus

The latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process were discussed at the meeting which took place at Akinci's office.

Akinci's historical and political advisor Meltem Onurkan Samani and his foreign relations coordinator Deniz Birinci were also present at the meeting which was closed to the press.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

[05] Burcu asks for the punishment of those who have reportedly attacked Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of Cyprus

Recalling that such "unacceptable incidents" happened in the past as well, Burcu said that upon instructions by the Turkish Cypriot leader they asked by President Anastasiades through the Greek Cypriot Negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis the arrest and effective punishment of the perpetrators as well as the compensation of the damages which the Turkish Cypriots suffered.

Burcu noted that they have been told [by the officials of the Republic of Cyprus] that such attacks were made against Omonia football club's supports as well, but they will do whatever they can for paying the damages of the Turkish Cypriots and protect their rights.

Burcu argued that the attack harms the negotiating process for solving the Cyprus problem and the mutual feeling of trust and should be condemned by both sides.

Meanwhile, commending on the issue, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, argued that they do not allege that all Greek Cypriots have the same views, but "it is a reality that there is a Greek Cypriot youth who is nourished and educated with enmity towards the Turkish Cypriots".

He alleged that another reality is that the police and the authorities took absolutely no measure on the issue. He claimed: "The Turkish Cypriot people must know that there are some persons in south Cyprus who do not have friendly feelings towards them and form their future accordingly. We do not have the right to endanger our safety and future by acting as if these things do not exist".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Cavusoglu is in Turkey participating to an OIC's committee meeting

The latter had invited Cavusoglu to the OIC's committee meeting.

During the meeting the issues regarding the transfer of water and the next steps to be taken were discussed, writes the paper. Eroglu stated that the aim of the Turkish government is the water transferred from Turkey to be soon distributed to the Turkish Cypriot "people".

The paper also writes that Cavusoglu will today address the OIC's committee meeting.

(CS)

[07] Elcil: "Money laundering is taking place via university students"

Elcil explained that one reason for the remarkable increase on the number of university students in the "TRNC" is the fact that casinos carry out money laundering via those students.

"This is a scandal. Gambling casinos, hoteliers and big businessmen and each one is the owner of a university. Recently there are also other demands coming from Turkey for new universities to open. This has become a business trade. The total annual revenues from the internet gambling casinos in the TRNC have reached to 1 billion dollars. University students are used in order to transfer this money to the country via the legal way. In order to carry out this business and bring the money to the "TRNC" as cleaned, they deposit the money to the university students' accounts. Besides this, although the number of university students in the country is 86,000, only 56,000 study continually. 30,000 out of them do not study at the universities and live in the country with student's visas. This method is used in order for the casinos to make money laundering. The organization which regulates this business is the YODAK. [Translator's note: 'Higher Education Control and Accreditation Council']. We have in our hand a huge folder with the illegalities and infraction of rules of the person who is leading this organization", Elcil stated.

(AK)

[08] Binali Y?ld?r?m tops internal AKP survey for new leader

To the question "Who do you want to see as the new party chairman?" a majority of 329 AKP members participating in the first round of the survey answered "Binali Yildirim", writing his name on the envelope distributed.

Sources say that Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag are the names that followed Yildirim in the survey.

[09] Columnist: Israel and Cyprus talks to resume from next week

"Both talks between Turkey and Israel for the normalization of relations and talks between Turkish and Greek Cyprus [editor's note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus] for reunification are expected to start again from next week, after a de facto pause over the last few weeks, according to a senior Turkish source.

The pause in the talks on Cyprus was due to two main reasons. The first was the parliamentary elections on the Greek side of the island on May 22. These election is something that has been known for months. The surprise factor also delaying the talks was the decision of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to step down (which he described as 'not his own preference') after a meeting with President Tayyip Erdogan on May 4. The ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) snap congress was announced for May 22, coincidentally on the same day as the Greek Cypriot elections.

(?)

The most important change in Ankara, which will also affect foreign policy, is that Erdogan himself will be more directly taking the steering wheel. That is likely to affect decisive talks on key foreign policy issues like Cyprus. So, depending on the Greek Cypriot election result, Erdogan may take the lead on the Turkish side in a possible international Cyprus conference in the summer months.

The same applies for talks with Israel. Establishing a new foreign policy set up under his control, Erdogan (not the Prime Minister) is likely to have the final say on a potential normalization with Israel. According to both Israeli and Turkish officials, those talks are at an advanced stage. But they have been on de facto hold since Davutoglu's announcement that he is stepping down. (?)

Both deals are of strategic importance not only for Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Israel, but for the broader security and prosperity of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. If everything goes according to plan and a Cyprus settlement is reached between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, and if normalization takes place between Turkey and Israel, then big economic projects could follow, such as the transporting of Israeli and Cypriot off-shore gas to Europe via pipelines through Turkey, and the bringing of Turkish fresh water to Cyprus via an already-built pipeline.

May 22 could mark a threshold for both schemes, after which talks may restart."

[10] Cavusoglu to Lavrov: "Prove Turkey helps Daesh, and I'll resign"; He insists Turkey won't revise anti-terror law

In Vienna for an International Syria Support Group (ISSG) meeting on Tuesday, Cavusoglu told Lavrov that he disagreed with the claims that Turkey turned a blind eye to the terrorist organization Daesh, according to witnesses of the exchange who do not want to be identified. "You are a serious diplomat, and one of the most experienced diplomats among us. You should not rely upon such frivolous claims", Cavusoglu said to Lavrov during the meeting.

"I am ready to resign if you have any evidence that Turkey helps Daesh, but if you cannot prove your claims, I invite you to Antalya [Cavusoglu's hometown] as a guest for the rest of your life," he added.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the claims that Turkey supports Daesh terrorist organization. "The portrayal of Turkey as a country that helps Daesh is excuse me if this will sound harsh -- despicable", Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.05.16) reported that Cavusoglu, speaking at a dinner with Turkish businessmen following a meeting on Libya in Vienna late Monday, has reiterated that Ankara will not change its counter-terrorism law, charging that EU pressure on the issue constitutes "support for terrorism".

Cavusoglu further said that Turkey will not yield to pressure from the EU to change its legislation on terrorism in return for visa-free travel in the Schengen zone. "Telling us to change our anti-terror law at a time when we are fighting against the PKK and Daesh amounts to supporting terrorism. We will never give into such impositions", Cavusoglu added.

Cavusoglu criticized the double standards in EU practices, saying some EU countries became members although they had failed to meet the requirements to do so. "You [the EU] have given visa-free travel to candidate countries without even starting the negotiation phase. Isn't it then the right of Turkish citizens to enjoy this too? We are talking about visa-free travel, not membership", he said.

Saying that without Turkey, the EU could not become a global power and solve its economic problems, Cavusoglu called for good sense in visa discussions. "We will discuss the visa issue with EU in a sensible manner. We need to make a road map. Everybody will keep their promises," he concluded.

[11] Turkey's Parliament backs immunity bill

Some 155 Deputies voted against the measure, with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) ? which focuses on the Kurdish issue ? claiming that is essentially a move to expel its MPs from Parliament.

The number of votes approving the bill was above the number of votes needed to bring it to a referendum, 330, but below the number that would allow the bill pass without one, 367.

The bill can be taken to a referendum should the results stay above 330 and below 367 in the second and final round of voting on May 20.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has 317 seats in Parliament, needs to win 367 votes? a two-thirds majority ? to push the legislation through directly at the second-vote stage.

The first article of the proposal was accepted with 350 votes, while the second one was accepted with 357.

Several Deputies from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) voted against the bill and there were at least seven MPs that voted against it in the AKP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which firmly stated that it would support the AKP in lifting the immunities, the results revealed.

The AKP has 315 seats in Parliament and the MHP has 40 seats. The CHP claims that at least 20 Deputies from their party voted for the measure, which means that more than 20 Deputies voted against the bill in the AKP-MHP bloc.

According to the results, the HDP voted against the measure as a bloc, which consists of 59 Deputies. The HDP regards the issue as "the coup agenda of the ruling party," rather than an issue related to immunities, said a co-deputy leader of the party, Meral Danis Bestas.

"The lawmakers will vote on for either 'democracy or fascism', and they will decide on either 'democracy or a one-man rule'. According to the internal regulations of the Parliament, this proposal is meant to be the 'self-abolishment of the Parliament'. Those who will say 'yes' to the proposal also recognize our righteousness but they say 'the order comes from high places'. We will see to what extent they will obey the order," Bestas said.

The bill had already led to fist fights at the committee stage with AKP and HDP Deputies exchanging blows with their fists and feet rather than discussing the document.

Under current Turkish law, members of Parliament have the right to full immunity from prosecution. If the new bill passes, it would lift the immunity of 130 Deputies from all parties whose dossiers have been sent to the Parliamentary Speaker. "What this motion seeks to destroy is the HDP in Parliament," party co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, both of whom could face prosecution, said in a letter to European MPs.

[12] Demirtas: PKK should apologize

"We want to state that we don't and will not accept this act and we condemn it", said Demirtas at the parliamentary group meeting of his party in Ankara on May 17, adding that such an attack can have "no reasonable or legitimate justification."

"I found the statements of the ones who claimed the attacks irresponsible. What should be done in such a situation is to help bring to light those responsible and apologize. Any other excuse cannot be accepted. The HDP has never been silent over the killing of civilians in this way and it will not stay silent," he added, after reading the names of the 16 people who lost their lives in the PKK attack.

Stressing that the HDP "does not want" the current war in a number of urban areas in southeast Turkey, Demirtas said that his party had "tried to put forward democratic politics in order to prevent the deaths of civilians".

In a statement, the PKK said the explosion was "accidental," claiming the vehicle exploded when anti-PKK villagers opened fire on the truck. The group said the explosives were meant to be transferred to another location and not detonated. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(DPs / AM)

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