Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-08-17

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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 will discuss the guarantees in Ankara

[02] Turkes alleges that the stance of the Greek Cypriots on the territory issue is incomprehensible

[03] The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary has been invited to visit the occupation regime

[04] Kucuk on the missing persons' issue

[05] Ten more persons were "granted" the occupation regime's citizenship

[06] The occupied regime received 19 million cubic meters of water from Turkey within the framework of the "water transferred project"

[07] "A Great Wall of China in Keryneia"

[08] The foundation ceremony for the construction of the new "hospital" in occupied Morfou to take place by the end of December

[09] Turkish PM cools down demands to reinstate death penalty

[10] Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discusses Gulen's extradition with US counterpart Kerry

[11] Turkey's FM in talks with European leaders over criticism of post-July 15 measures

[12] Turkish prosecutors demand two life sentences for Gulen

[13] Tension between Turkey, Greece flares up with row over genocide, Sumela

[14] Turkey's Constitutional Court stirs outrage by annulling child sex abuse clause

[15] Turkish Court temporarily shuts down daily Ozgur Gundem newspaper over alleged PKK propaganda

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci will discuss the guarantees in Ankara

In statements before his departure, Akinci argued that their expectation from the Greek Cypriot side in the last quarter of 2016 is to leave aside the statements that say "guarantees could never be accepted", "if this or that place is not returned there could be no solution", "the natural gas is in our sovereign territory and no one can intervene". Alleging that such statements will serve no other purpose than causing tension, Akinci claimed that we are face to face with an "extremely important historic opportunity" for being able to fairly share the wealth in these lands and seas on which both "peoples" have rights. He reiterated the allegation that this is "the last chance of our generation" for a federal solution and that if the solution remains for 2017 we will find ourselves in a different environment due to the campaign for the presidential elections in the government-controlled area of Cyprus.

He said: "We need coldblooded approaches in this period. Within so many difficulties, in an area where we are drowning in so much blood and tears, it is possible for us to create a structure in Cyprus which will protect the rights of both sides, based on political equality, a bi-zonal, bi-communal United Federal structure in which we will live in equality, freedom and security. [It is possible] provided that we will be able to proceed in a reasonable, wise and realistic manner in this direction. The forthcoming months will show us whether we will be able to find a way out within the framework of logic. I wish that we will be able to find it".

Referring to his contacts in Ankara, Akinci noted that "the contact with Ankara was necessary before the UN General Assembly and such an important period" for the Cyprus talks. Akinci said that he asked for this meeting with Erdogan and added:

"Because, as we all know the turn of the most important issues has come. Beyond our close dialogue, relations and historic and cultural ties, Turkey is one of the three guarantors. In this period during which the issue of guarantees slowly-slowly comes onto the agenda, it was a very serious necessity to carry our dialogue with them to a new stage and hold much more detailed discussions".

Noting that he will hold useful contacts in Turkey, Akinci argued that Turkey needed to work in coordination with them and now their coordination is an upgrade to the highest level. "I do not doubt that the meeting we will hold with Mr Erdogan will have a new contribution to the solution process of the Cyprus problem", he claimed.

Asked to comment on Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's statement that "the issue of guarantees is not even a matter of discussion" and on whether Erdogan has a different view, Akinci replied:

"I have repeatedly underlined how important Turkey's guarantees are for the Turkish Cypriot people. I have said the statement that 'if the guarantees are not abolished there will be no solution' is wrong. However, a negotiating process is being held. From the very beginning I have underlined one thing: the issue of security is of extremely vital importance for the Turkish Cypriot people. We will trust first ourselves and then the Republic of Turkey, I said, because there is no other place which we could trust. Just like I have every time underlined how important Turkey's guarantees are for us, there is an agreement that this issue will be discussed at the right place and time. That is, this is one of the six chapters. [?] Saying now that 'nothing can be discussed, nothing can be debated' is a stance, but within the negotiating processes you sit, listen to the other side and put forward your own stance. And if formulas which will not harm the security of the Turkish Cypriot people are produced, if such formulas can be produced and work in this direction can be made, you take these into account. [?] There is no need to enter into details. We will still discuss them. We will discuss them in Turkey as well. We will say our security needs and Turkey will put forward its needs and view as guarantor power. And do not forget. This will be discussed at the end at a five party conference in which the three guarantor countries and the leaders of the two peoples will participate. However, I do not think that Turkey will be at the point of not negotiating at all on this issue. This is only a statement said for underlining the vital importance of the guarantees for the Turkish Cypriot people. There is nothing wrong with that. Because there are voices from the other side saying that this can never happen and if it happens there will be no agreement. Such a statement is naturally coming against this statement [?]".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkes alleges that the stance of the Greek Cypriots on the territory issue is incomprehensible

Describing the property and the guarantees as the most difficult chapters in the Cyprus talks, Turkes said that the discussion on these issues will also start. He noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci wants to find out Turkey's stance and views on the issue of guarantees as it is one of the guarantor powers and within this framework some work is being done. He further alleged the following:

"The property is a very technical issue. The stance of the Greek Cypriots is not comprehensible. That is, it says: 'I will give nothing, but you should give me my properties there and if you cannot give them, you pay the money for them'. Is there no Turk living below that line? Are there no rights, land and properties left by the Turks there? According to the Greek Cypriots, there are not. They have an unserious approach".

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary has been invited to visit the occupation regime

According to the paper, the invitation has been conveyed to Lezsak by Mehmet Aldemir, "chairman" of the "TRNC's Mediterranean Strategic Research Center" ("ASAM"), who represented the occupation regime at the 6th Global Hun-Turk Turan Congress. The congress was organized in Budapest by the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, the National Assembly of Hungary and the Hungarian-Turan Foundation.

Issuing a written statement on the issue, the "general secretary" of "ASAM" Gokhan Guler has said that Aldemir who met with Lezsak in the framework of the Congress, conveyed Alanli's invitation.

Speaking during the congress, Lezsak expressed satisfaction over ASAM's participation in the last three Hun-Turk Turan Congresses. He also thanked Alanli for the invitation and stated that he will reply to the invitation the soonest possible.

(AK)

[04] Kucuk on the missing persons' issue

Speaking on a program on illegal BRT via telephone yesterday, Kucuk reminded that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? has been repeatedly making the same appeal to all those who might possess information on possible burial sites of missing persons, to share this information with the Committee on Missing Persons.

"We were searching for a total of 2,001 persons. We have found only a little more than half of that number so far. The remains of 700 people have been identified but we are still seeking to locate, exhume and identify the remains of 1,000 people. We are aware that it will not be possible to find all of them", Kucuk said.

Underlining the importance of sharing any information on the missing persons, Kucuk said that the Committee is continuing its work and that there are a number of possible burial sites being looked into.

She also said that the CMP had carried out excavations at 100 different sites in the past 10 years but that reaching this figure will not be possible in the future. "The only thing that is needed is to persuade people with information" she added.

[05] Ten more persons were "granted" the occupation regime's citizenship

According to the decision of the "council of ministers", the "TRNC' citizenship" was "granted" to the following:

1) Ozden Ozbilun, born in Sivas in 1945

2) Osman Trasoglu, born in Ordu in 1975

3) Nader Albalkhi, born in Damascus Countryside in 1972

4) Ece Uysal, born in Istanbul in 1971

5) Yasam Ayavefe, born in Adana in 1983

6) Vladyslava Goryelova, born in Ukraine in 1998

7) Huseyin Zoroglu, born in Denizli in 1985

8) Murat Dindi, born in Askale-Erzerum in 1974

9) Ashraf Faig Mohammad Albarghouthi, born in Amman in 1969

10) Raghad Albalkhi, born in Syria in 1998.

(AK)

[06] The occupied regime received 19 million cubic meters of water from Turkey within the framework of the "water transferred project"

The officials said that the water was sent from the Alakopru Dam on the Anamur Creek in Mersin, southern Turkey, to the Gecitkoy Dam [occupied Panagra Dam], which was constructed close to occupied Keryneia.

The "Turkey-TRNC water project" was officially launched in 2011 and aims to provide water to the "TRNC" for the next five decades.

The investment cost of the Alakopru and Panagra dams for the project are close to 80 million Turkish Liras, roughly $36.6 million, and the project will supply around 75 mcm of water to "TRNC" every year.

The water supply to the island started last October and has continued without interruption under a "protocol" between the two "countries".

The officials also said that the number of "municipalities" seeking to use the water and who have signed "subscription agreements" with the so-called agriculture and natural resources ministry has reached 23 out of 28.

At the same time, the construction of drinking water distribution lines in the occupied Famagusta and Karpasia peninsulas is 99% completed, while feasibility studies for the rest are continuing.

(?)

[07] "A Great Wall of China in Keryneia"

Ertan Oztek, former "director" of the above-mentioned "office", noted that with the amendment of the "decree" it is said that seven floor buildings will be constructed at areas which touch the shore and that a "Great Wall of China" will be built from occupied Vasileia village until occupied Agios Amvrosios.

During the meeting it was decided that the citizens will be given a deadline until Friday 19 August to submit their suggestions and criticism regarding the "decree" either to the "city planning office" or to the "municipalities" of occupied Keryneia, Agios Epiktitos, Karavas, Lapithos and Agios Amvrosios.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The foundation ceremony for the construction of the new "hospital" in occupied Morfou to take place by the end of December

Sucoglu made the above statements yesterday during a meeting he held with the occupied Morfou "civil society initiative".

(AK)

[09] Turkish PM cools down demands to reinstate death penalty

"The death penalty is a one-time death, but there are deaths worse than death for the coup plotters. That is an objective and fair judgement," Yildirim said in a parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara on Aug. 16, adding that they would not act with the feeling of revenge.

"[U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah] Gulen will come and pay the price. However, we won't act with the feeling of revenge," he said, as his speech was cut several times with the audience chanting, "We want the death penalty."

The debate on the death penalty started after the failed takeover, believed to have been orchestrated by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended the idea of reintroducing it, prompting criticism from European Commission Chief Jean-Claude Juncker, who said its reintroduction would lead to the "immediate breaking off of negotiations."

During his speech, Yildirim praised the Turkish media for their work on the night of the failed takeover, saying it resisted the coup plotters while "putting their life at risk."

Erdogan, meanwhile, told members of the Turkish Bar Association that it was the Parliament that would make a decision on the issue.

[10] Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discusses Gulen's extradition with US counterpart Kerry

According to diplomatic sources, Cavusoglu talked about the upcoming visit of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Turkey on August 24, interpreted by many as a positive shift to respond to Turkey's extradition request.

They also exchanged ideas on the current developments in Syria, including the liberation of Manbij from Daesh terrorists, and the situation in Aleppo.

[11] Turkey's FM in talks with European leaders over criticism of post-July 15 measures

Cavusoglu's contacts with Elmar Brok, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand took place on Aug. 15 upon his counterparts' request, Turkish diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News on Aug. 16.

Relations between Turkey and the Council of Europe (CoE), as well as Ankara's dialogue with Brussels were items on the agenda between Cavusoglu and Kaljurand, as Estonia is currently presiding over the Council of Europe, said the same sources, speaking under condition of anonymity.

"As for the contact initiated by Brok, Cavusoglu has briefed the European lawmaker of the treacherous coup attempt and measures taken in its aftermath," they said.

"The Minister has also given information to Brok about the structure of FETO [the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization], voiced the uneasiness having stemmed from the unfair criticism directed by Europe at Turkey along this process, and particularly noted that partial reports in the European press haven't been reflecting the truth," they added.

[12] Turkish prosecutors demand two life sentences for Gulen

In a 2,527-page indictment, Gulen is charged with attempting to destroy the constitutional order by force, forming and running an armed terrorist group, and financing terrorism, among other accusations.

Thirteen out of 111 suspects in the case, in which Gulen is the "number one suspect," have been arrested and all face prison terms ranging from two years to life in jail for forming an armed terrorist organization and running it, financing terrorism, attempting to change the constitutional order, attempting to overthrow the government, and fraud.

The indictment states that FETO members gained access to state archives by infiltrating into official institutions and intelligence units over the course of many years, aiming to seize all of the state institutions rather than to destroy the existing system.

[13] Tension between Turkey, Greece flares up with row over genocide, Sumela

According to a report in daily Kathimerini, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said Athens would continue to fight "until the recognition of the genocide of Pontic Greeks and the expression of a sincere apology by the descendants of the perpetrators, Turkey," referring to what Greece says was a genocide against the Pontic Greeks of the Black Sea in the early 20th century. A written statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Aug. 16 labeled Pavlopoulos' words "demagogy far from ? the responsibility of a statesman."

It also said that the Greek President's remarks, delivered during a visit to the Panaghia Soumela monastery in northern Greece on Aug. 15, "distorted" the decision to temporarily close the Sumela Monastery do "not comply with facts."

"We would like to remind the Greek authorities of their assimilation and inhuman practices imposed on all minorities since the foundation of their own country," said the strongly-worded statement, claiming that Greek officials are "trying to keep the Pontus claims on the agenda although they have no historical or legal consistency."

"The statements in question have been fueling religious and ethnic-based hatred of the fanatic elements in Greece directed at Turkey and the Turkish people," stated the Foreign Ministry, adding that the statements are "against the spirit of friendship and neighborly relations and do not help to improve cooperation between the two countries."

Greece says thousands of ethnic Greeks who had been living on the southern shores of the Black Sea for centuries were massacred in Turkey during strife that accompanied the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the modern Turkish state.

Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to Athens Kerim Uras described Pavlopoulos' words on the closure of the Sumela Monastery in the northern Turkish province of Trabzon as "unfounded."

"Claims that the Sumela Monastery in Turkey was closed without reason are unfounded. Falling rocks are a hazard. The Sumela Monastery pathway and overhanging rocks will be strengthened, dangerous trees cleared and reopened. The Sumela [Monastery] works began in 2012 and their last phase was in March 2016. We want to put it on the UNESCO World Heritage list," Uras said in a series of tweets posted on Aug. 16.

[14] Turkey's Constitutional Court stirs outrage by annulling child sex abuse clause

The Constitutional Court discussed the issue upon an application from a district court, which complained that the current law does not discriminate between age groups in cases of child sexual abuse and treats a 14-year-old as equal to a four-year-old.

The local court said the law does not provide legal consequences for the "consent" of victims in cases where the child victim is from 12 to 15 years of age and able to understand the meaning of the sexual act. "This creates an imbalance between legal benefits and sanctions that should be preserved in crime and punishment," the application stated.

With seven votes against six, the Constitutional Court agreed with the local court and decided to annul the provision. The decision will come into effect on Jan. 13, 2017.

The local court's argument and the Constitutional Court's endorsement have drawn a backlash from academic and human rights circles, which underlined that all individuals under the age of 18 are considered children according to international conventions to which Turkey is a party.

[15] Turkish Court temporarily shuts down daily Ozgur Gundem newspaper over alleged PKK propaganda

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office said in a statement that the Istanbul 8th Criminal Court of Peace approved a criminal court of peace magistracy's request to temporarily shut down Ozgur Gundem. According to the statement, the daily's closure was demanded for repeatedly making propaganda on behalf of the PKK and acting as the media organ of the organization.

Ozgur Gundem has been repeatedly closed down in the past. The daily started a campaign on May 3 called "editors-in-chief on duty" to foster solidarity and defend press freedom against a number of investigations it has faced. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS /AM)

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