Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-07-28

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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] Statement by the so-called foreign ministry on the UN's Security Council decision to extend the mandate of UNFICYP

[02] Ozgurgun evaluated his contacts in Turkey; Statements to TRT

[03] Denktas: "Political recognition is the price for land"

[04] Turkey's military council to convene after failed coup bid

[05] OIC introduces draft resolution to designate FETO as terrorist group

[06] Over 1,000 Turkish army officers dismissed over FETO links

[07] Detention warrants issued for 47 former Zaman employees in Gulen probe

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Statement by the so-called foreign ministry on the UN's Security Council decision to extend the mandate of UNFICYP

The statement called the UN' officials "to dissolve this serious deficiency and to put an end to their unilateral and wrong stance".

The statement said that in the recent decision of the UN's Security Council to extend the mandate of the UNFICYP in Cyprus until the 31st of January 2017, "the reference about the Greek Cypriot administration as the Republic of Cyprus does not reflect the realities in the island". The statement adds that this reference is considered as unacceptable by the Turkish Cypriot side.

It also points out that the "Greek Cypriot administration", represents and "administrates" only the "southern part" of the island, it has no authority in the "north" and it does not represent the Turkish Cypriots.

"It should be known that it will not be possible to reach to a fair and viable solution in Cyprus, if only the one side of the two equal sides in Cyprus continues to be recognized as a state and the other side as a community", the statement adds.

It describes also as serious deficiency the lack of reference to the two leader's willingness and determination to reach to solution on the Cyprus problem within 2016.

The so-called foreign ministry in the statement attaches importance and describes as very positive the interest of the international community on the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process. It underlines further that the calling for the intensification of the talks should be made only to the Greek Cypriot side, and not the Turkish Cypriot side which has always done its utmost.

Regarding the reference made in the decision on the delay of the implementation of some Confidence Building Measures, the "foreign ministry's" statement claimed that the only responsible for this delay is the Greek Cypriot side.

Concerning the reference in the report about the disposal of mines, the statement pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side has made proposals to the Greek Cypriot side towards this matter but still waits for an answer.

(?)

(AK)

[02] Ozgurgun evaluated his contacts in Turkey; Statements to TRT

Speaking during the meeting with Kahraman, Ozgurgun expressed his condolence over the military coup attempt in Turkey argued that the stronger and healthier is "motherland Turkey", the stronger the "TRNC" will be.

In his turn, Kahraman expressed strong support to the "TRNC" and stated that Turkey will continue to be by their side. Referring to the failed military coup attempt, Kahraman argued that the difficult situation in Turkey threatens the peace not only in Turkey but also in the region and the world.

Ozgurgun met also with Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism. No statements were issued before or after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (28.07.16) reports that Ozgurgun and his accompanied delegation returned to the occupation regime last night.

Evaluating his contacts in Turkey upon his arrival at the illegal Tymbou airport, Ozgurgun said, inter alia, that he held constructive and important meetings with the Turkish officials and discussed issues related with the economy, tourism, agriculture and finance.

He added that they had reached to an agreement on the "irrigation project" to be implemented in occupied Morfou within the framework of the water transferred project.

Ozgurgun explained also that they have also decided to undertake comforting measures in order to overcome the possible effects on the "sectors of education and tourism in the TRNC", deriving from the military coup attempt in Turkey. He explained that in this framework, they have agreed to launch work for new low-cost destinations. He also added that they undertook efforts so that the flights to the "TRNC" to be carried out through domestic flights.

Meanwhile, the same paper reports that Ozgurgun, in other statements to TRT news, stated, inter alia, that they have already taken measures both at the "ports" and "airports" against the FETO organization.

Recalling that the occupation regime has included the FETO organization in the "list of terrorist organizations", Ozgurgun added that they have no indications so far for this FETO organization to have links with the "TRNC". He also pointed out that they are in full consultation and cooperation with the Turkish authorities and intelligence towards this issue.

Referring to the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks, Ozgurgun argued that they will not accept any solution that will not include Turkey's effective and active guarantees in Cyprus.

Referring to the natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ozgurgun claimed that the transferring of the Israeli natural gas to Turkey via the "TRNC" will contribute economically to both "countries".

Commenting on the issue of the opening of Apliki and Deryneia crossing points, Ozgurgun stated that the simultaneous opening of these crossing points is very important.

(AK)

[03] Denktas: "Political recognition is the price for land"

Denktas, who was speaking to Kibris TV Program of Serdar Incirlik, also commented on the issue of territory concession at the Cyprus negotiation talks. "My people will decide if they will be displaced for the third time if territorial concessions will be given. However, if what it wants from me is land, political recognition is the price for this", Denktas claimed.

(CS)

[04] Turkey's military council to convene after failed coup bid

This year's YAS meeting will witness a number of firsts, including its location, duration and points of debate, as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government reorganized the session following a failed coup attempt on July 15, allegedly carried out by followers of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen that infiltrated into Turkey's military.

Although the meeting is traditionally held at the "Cakmak Hall" at the Presidency of the General Staff, this year's location was designated as the Cankaya Palace of the Prime Ministry in Ankara.

Former Air Force Chief Gen. Ak?n Ozturk, one of the key suspects of the coup attempt and also a YAS member, will not join the meeting as he is currently under arrest. Similarly, Lt. Gen. Ismail Metin Temel will attend instead of Commander of the 2nd Army Gen. Adem Huduti, who is also under arrest.

While YAS meetings are regularly held over a period of three days, this year's meeting will be completed within a day, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m announced, adding the decisions will be shared with the public following the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Government members and soldiers who are set to attend the meeting are expected to decide on promotions and appointments, in addition to measures related to the failed coup attempt. The meeting, however, has been clouded over doubts surrounding the merit of decisions made in recent YAS sessions.

Reports suggested that a significant number of the generals who were promoted during the meetings since 2013 are detained as part of the nationwide investigation into the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETO), and their advancements were partly enabled by a number of cases that later turned out to be based on forged evidence.

During the 2013 YAS meeting under former Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel, five major generals were promoted to lieutenant general, and only Lt. Gen. Ilhan Talu was arrested as part of the coup attempt. Likewise, two of the 11 officers who were promoted to major general were arrested.

Commenting on the same issue, Murat Yetkin writes the folliwng in Hurriyet Daily News (28.07.16) under the title: "Need to reset the Turkish military"

"[?] there is the Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting scheduled to convene today on July 28, which some have claimed was one of the main motivations for the coup attempt. According to suggestions whispered in Ankara's political corridors, the followers of U.S.-based Islamist ideologue Fethullah Gulen, who have organized and risen in the ranks of the Turkish military for the last 20 years or so, thought the time was ripe to try to take over the system. They feared that the government and the top brass were going to eliminate them in this YAS meeting, where retirements and promotions are decided.

[?]

Yet the circumstances surrounding this year's YAS meeting are totally different following the July 15 coup attempt.

[?] Under the circumstances, this year's YAS meeting is not likely to be simple promotions-and-retirements session. Rather, it may see a fundamental restructuring of the military. Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m has already taken the first step, separating the gendarmerie and the coast guard from the chief of staff and putting them under the Interior Ministry in the cabinet meeting of July 25. [?]

[05] OIC introduces draft resolution to designate FETO as terrorist group

The draft was introduced at a preparatory meeting that began Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and approved by all OIC member-state representatives with the exception of Egypt, according to the OIC's official news agency.

Egyptian representative expressed Cairo's reservations to the move citing "legal reasons."

"We always stand with resolutions taken unanimously by the OIC," Egypt's representative said, the news agency reported without providing the representative's name. "But as for the current draft resolution [on FETO], we must first consult with Cairo to discuss the legal procedures involved," he added.

[06] Over 1,000 Turkish army officers dismissed over FETO links

The move is part of new regulations, published on Wednesday in Turkey's official gazette, and come as part of the country's three-month state of emergency.

The Turkish Coast Guard and Gendarmerie General Command have also been brought under Interior Ministry control.

A total of 1,684 military personnel ? including former Chief of Air Staff Akin Ozturk; General Adem Huduti; Lieutenant Generals Yildirim Guvenc, Ilhan Talu, Salim Ulusoy; plus Major Generals Mehmet Disli and Kubilay Selcuk ? have been dismissed as part of coup bid probe.

As part of the state of emergency, the number of military officers with links to FETO has been confirmed at 87 generals, 726 commissioned officers, 256 sergeants from Land Forces Command; 32 admirals, 59 commissioned officers, 63 sergeants from Navy Force Command; 30 generals, 314 commissioned officers and 117 sergeants from Air Force Command.

According to decree, the regulation discharging all the personnel in question will come in on July 29.

[07] Detention warrants issued for 47 former Zaman employees in Gulen probe

Meanwhile, three news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 45 newspapers, 29 publishing houses and 15 periodicals which have alleged links to FETO have been closed amid the state of emergency. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS /AM)

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