Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-08-05

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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] Ozgurgun: Morfou will not be returned

[02] Clarification by the Turkish "embassy" in the occupied part of Nicosia on Kanbay's recent statements

[03] A political operation is allegedly on the way in the occupied area of Cyprus regarding Gulen's organization

[04] Turkes will address tonight's rally in the occupied area of Cyprus; People are reportedly threatened to participate

[05] "Erdogan's love to the TRNC flag"

[06] "Constitutional court" announces its decision on Turkey's "coordination office for youth and sports"

[07] Turkey will pay 2.1 million sterling to a Greek Cypriot

[08] Toros claimed that all the "title deeds" are under the "guarantee" of the "state"

[09] An increase of flow of refugees to Cyprus

[10] Erdogan vows to root out Gulenists in business world

[11] Court issues warrant against Gulen for ordering July 15 coup attempt

[12] Turkey slams Austrian PM's remarks on EU membership

[13] Turkey slams Sweden for calling Gulen "opposition leader"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun: Morfou will not be returned

Ozgurgun alleged that the issue of Morfou becoming an "area of special status" could not be discussed, that many things changed since 2004 when the Greek Cypriots voted "no" to the Annan Plan, that they will not wait forever for the Greek Cypriots to say "yes" and that they could not leave Morfou as an "idle area". He also claimed the following: "If there will be an agreement, border adjustments could take place in this agreement. [?] There is a buffer zone of 128 kilometers. The buffer zone will be emptied. [?] Territorial and border adjustments could be discussed. However, our people could not be told 'go away and become refugees once more' from the place they had settled and earn their living. This could in no way become an issue of bargaining. Morfou could never be given. Our investments in Morfou will continue. Morfou is and will continue to be an area of the TRNC [?]"

Ozgurgun argued that the Turkish Cypriots have the power to resist and that those who believe that they resist because Turkey is in the island are wrong. "The Turkish Cypriot people take strength from motherland Turkey. They are an indispensable part of the great Turkish nation with motherland Turkey, but they have the strength to exhibit resistance by their own and they have proved this", he claimed and alleged that they will not allow some circles to send Turkey away and rule over the Turkish Cypriot "people".

Referring to the Gulen organization (Feto), Ozgurgun noted that they meticulously examine the information they receive and that there was no result until now, but this does not mean that there will be no result in the future.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (05.08.16) describes as "shocking" the statements made by Ozgurgun, who asked to comment on Turkey's reaction to the third round of licensing for natural gas explorations in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), argued that a crisis might be caused due to the third round of licensing and added that they had many times warned the Greek Cypriots on this issue.

Ozgurgun also alleged that it would be naivety to consider that the Greek Cypriots have good will and will vote "yes" to an agreement with the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to his "government's" relations with Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci, he argued that they exert effort to have good relations with Akinci and alleged that the "government" should be represented in the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team at the Cyprus talks.

Commenting on the "citizenship" issue, Ozgurgun argued that this issue 'has been turned into a humanitarian drama" and that they have started solving the problems of people who wait for many years to be granted the regime's "citizenship". He further suggested that those who live "legally in the country" for a period of five years should submit an application for the "citizenship".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Clarification by the Turkish "embassy" in the occupied part of Nicosia on Kanbay's recent statements

The statement clarified that the dismissals, to which reference had been made by Kanbay, concerned units which belong to the Republic of Turkey. It added that the "TRNC state", as the breakaway regime is called, has the duty and the authority to find and abolish employees who are related to Feto and belong to the "TRNC state".

The statement reiterated that Turkey and the breakaway regime will continue cooperating on the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[03] A political operation is allegedly on the way in the occupied area of Cyprus regarding Gulen's organization

The attention was turned to "some circles" in the occupied area of Cyprus after Kanbay's statement that "dismissals might come on the agenda within the forthcoming days", notes the paper which citing a "political source", writes that within the framework of the investigations regarding Feto organization in the occupied area of Cyprus, the above-mentioned organization's connection with some business circles which had played a role in the National Unity Party (UBP) coming to power is examined.

The source said that Ozgurgun is meticulously working on "cleaning up" these elements and that Ankara is carefully watching the statements made by Ozgurgun and "deputy prime minister" Serdar Denktas on Feto's extensions in the occupied area of Cyprus which are totally opposite to each other.

The source argued that some names within the UBP and within its "coalition partner", the Democratic Party (DP), are close to Gulen's Community and that this relation is not something new as it goes many years in the past. Ozgurgun has allegedly started consultations and questioning within his party and is calculating how he would eliminate some persons who are close to him. It is said that he is not happy with this, but it is not possible for him to oppose President Erdogan and the AKP government in Ankara.

The source said that a reshuffle in UBP's members in the "cabinet" could happen within the forthcoming days, but his would create "big problems" within the party.

The same source pointed out that after the coup attempt, Ankara has been examining in detail the relations of some political and military officials in the occupied area of Cyprus and has been secretly cooperating with the regime's "government".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkes will address tonight's rally in the occupied area of Cyprus; People are reportedly threatened to participate

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (05.08.16) describes the rally as "support to Erdogan's dictatorship from Cyprus" and "applaud of greasers to assassinated democracy". The paper writes that the National Unity Party (UBP), the Democratic Party (DP), the People's Party (HP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and some "unknown organizations" expressed their support to the rally.

The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) did not support the rally and issued no statement on the matter. On the other hand, the United Cyprus Party (BKP) called on the people not to participate in the rally, while the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP) described it as "a rally supporting Erdogan's dictatorship".

Finally, the Independency Road organization issued a statement noting that "democracy could not be by force" and pointed out that some "directors" in the "public sector" forced their "employees" to participate in the rally, some persons who had submitted applications for the regime's "citizenship" have been told that "if you do not come to the rally, your job will not be done" and some private educational organizations and companies threatened their employees to take part in the rally.

(I/Ts.)

[05] "Erdogan's love to the TRNC flag"

In statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Erdogan noted that no party flags should be carried to the rally and added: "There can be flags of the TRNC and Azerbaijan".

(I/Ts.)

[06] "Constitutional court" announces its decision on Turkey's "coordination office for youth and sports"

The "court" decided that "article" 3 (1) (G) of the "agreement" is contrary to the "constitution", while all the other "articles" are not "unconstitutional".

"Article" 3 (1) (G) provides that the "office" will ensure the construction, operation, repairing and maintenance of the campuses which operate or will operate in the occupied area by "the credit and campuses general directorate" and the modernization of all existing campuses and that it will implement the "protocol" which was signed on 10 February 2012 with the breakaway regime's "competent ministry" and was put to effect upon approval by the "cabinets of both countries". It also provides that other "protocols" will be prepared, if necessary.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (05.08.16) reports that the "director" of breakaway regime's sports office, Huseyin Cahitoglu told the paper that he could not understand why some young people oppose to the establishment of the above-mentioned "office" by Turkey. He noted that Turkey has modern sports installations that are at world standards and added: "Through this office, the government will ensure the construction of the installations it wants in the TRNC. I cannot understand why some young people oppose to this".

Cahitoglu said that 27 out of 32 sports "federations" in the occupied area of Cyprus support the establishment of this "office", while the rest do not oppose it, but wish to know the "regulations" under which it will operate.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkey will pay 2.1 million sterling to a Greek Cypriot

According to reliable sources by the paper, the Turkish government has to pay immediately to the Greek Cypriot the amount of 2.1 million sterling as a compensation concerning a Greek Cypriot property in the occupied village of Vasileia in Keryneia.

(DPs)

[08] Toros claimed that all the "title deeds" are under the "guarantee" of the "state"

Toros, participating in a programme at Kibris TV, claimed that "all the title deeds granted in North Cyprus (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) are under the guarantee of the state". He added that the leaders are negotiating the property issue and he believes that it will be solved. He further alleged that no one who owns a "title deed" in their "country" is under any risk.

(DPs)

[09] An increase of flow of refugees to Cyprus

The paper reports that the Bangladesh refugees, who claimed to be students in the government controlled area of Cyprus, were handed over to the UNFICYP. It is expected that the UNFICYP will hand them over to the Cyprus police.

A column in Kibris paper underlines the increasing flow of refugees to Cyprus after the measures the European countries took to prevent them from crossing into Europe. It is further said that there is absence of a "law on migration" in the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus".

Emphasising that the Republic of Cyprus has become the main target of refugees who want to reach Europe, the paper urges the "administration" of the breakaway regime to quickly prepare itself to deal with an increasing number of refugees in the near future.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (05.08.16), referring to a report from the European Commission on the implementation of the Green Line Regulation and its results, reports that there was a 30% increase of migrants illegally crossing from the occupied area of Cyprus to the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus in 2014, adding that in 2015 1,290 illegal migrants crossed through the Green Line to the government controlled area of Cyprus.

(DPs)

[10] Erdogan vows to root out Gulenists in business world

Business is the arena in which the network of Fethullah Gulen is still the strongest, Erdogan said in a speech at a meeting with the heads of business chambers and bourses in Ankara. "The ones who were arrested until now from this network are just the tip of the iceberg. The work for the others is underway. For sure, there is a business pillar of this organization. This may be where they are the strongest. As a rule, unless there is financing, no project can be realized. We are determined to cut all the links of this organization within the business world," said Erdogan.

Those who "financed the shooters" would be treated like the coup plotters themselves, he added.

The Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) is accused of harnessing an extensive network of schools, charities and businesses, built up in Turkey and abroad over the decades, to infiltrate state institutions and build a "parallel structure" that aimed to take over the country.

"As I mentioned yesterday here, I feel sad that I failed to reveal the true face of this traitorous organization long before," said Erdogan, referring to the network which Turkey alleges is a terror group. "We will not forgive anyone who financed even one bullet which was shot by this organization," he said.

Although the bulk of the purges in the wake of the coup attempt have been in the security forces, judiciary and public sector, private firms have also been affected.

Erdogan also said that the Central Bank should aim to raise its foreign reserves to at least $165 billion and urged lenders to reduce interest rates for home purchases to around 9%. He described high interest rates as oppressive.

[11] Court issues warrant against Gulen for ordering July 15 coup attempt

Upon a demand by Istanbul prosecutor Can Tuncay, Istanbul First Court of Peace ruled for the arrest of Gulen, the first warrant issued against the U.S.-based Islamic scholar concerning the July 15 attempt.

The ruling said that the Gulen organization, which infiltrated the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in major cities like Istanbul and Ankara, aimed to take over all the state's institutions and security bodies by changing the Constitution. It also clearly asserted that the organization, which aimed to become a large and effective political and economic power at the international level, carried out the coup attempt with a group of allegiant soldiers and meanwhile committed multiple crimes.

Describing the illegal actions which took place during the attempt, the ruling said that a probe was launched into Gulen on the legal grounds that "organization executives are sentenced as perpetrators due to all crimes committed within the frame of organization's activities" and that "there was no doubt that the coup attempt was the action of the organization and it was carried out by its founder suspect Fethullah Gulen".

[12] Turkey slams Austrian PM's remarks on EU membership

Cavusoglu told Anadolu Agency that he received Kern's comments with "astonishment" and "regret".

In an interview on Wednesday with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Kern called accession talks with Turkey a "diplomatic fiction" and said he wanted the EU leaders to reconsider their approach to Turkey.

"We would expect Europe, of which we have always been a reliable partner, to take Turkish democracy's side and [stand] in solidarity with us," Cavusoglu said, adding: "But we see that our EU partners' thoughtless and domestic policy-oriented remarks are not in accord with [EU] values".

Underlining that attacks against all Muslims in Austria increased by 42% in 2015 compared to previous year, Cavusoglu claimed that Turks are exposed to increasing racist and xenophobic attacks. "Our expectation from European politicians is not their rising racism or xenophobia", Cavusoglu said. "[Our expectation] is their support to Turkish people's reasonable struggle for democracy," he added.

[13] Turkey slams Sweden for calling Gulen "opposition leader"

The Swedish Migration Agency's decision came just three days after the Gulenist Terror Organization (FETO) coup attempt. "MigrationsVerket" said asylum seekers with "credible activity in political opposition" also included among the "risk groups."

"MigrationsVerket" spokeswoman Guna Graufelds said on Wednesday that Sweden does not rank countries as safe or unsafe when it comes to repatriating asylum seekers but instead makes decisions on a case-by-case basis. The Swedish Migration Agency declined to comment to Daily Sabah on the reasons behind the decision. With an understanding that Sweden is turning into a safe haven for coup plotters, the Turkish Ambassador in Stockholm, Kaya Turkmen, sent an official letter in which he stated that the decision has caused great concern and reasserted that U.S.-based FETO leader Gulen was behind the failed coup attempt. Turkmen's letter said: "The coup attempt aimed to eliminate judicial order in Turkey and the democratically elected government," and that "the attempt resulted in the deaths of more than 200 innocent civilians and 2,000 others being injured. Turkish authorities stressed that the remarks by the Swedish Migration Agency are unacceptable and urged Swedish authorities to immediately revise their remarks". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs /AM)

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