Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-08-22

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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 argues that good progress is achieved in four chapters of the Cyprus negotiations

[02] Burcu on the upcoming visit of the Egyptian Minister of Natural Resources in the Republic of Cyprus; He called the Greek Cypriot side to refrain from harmful actions

[03] Ak?nc? held a phone conversation with Biden

[04] A proposal for an international military police force in Cyprus

[05] Izcan: UBP-DP "coalition government" grants 500 "citizenships" every month

[06] Denktas: Saying "we need a solution" is tantamount to begging

[07] Two Turkish Cypriots suspects for the Agia Napa murder, under arrest

[08] Only 32 applications to the "immovable property commission" during January - August 2016

[09] The occupation regime continues the illegal "granting of citizenship"

[10] Turkey exported poisonous tomatoes from Greece to the occupation regime

[11] Terror attack in Turkey's Gaziantep district killed 51 people; Massive condemnation of the attack by Turkish politicians and the international community

[12] Statements by Yildirim on Biden's forthcoming visit to Turkey

[13] Cavusoglu held an unexpected visit in Tehran to discuss the Syria issue

[14] The Turkish Parliament approved Israel deal

[15] Turkish Foreign Ministry recalls 300 diplomats in probe

[16] Ten refugees from Syria were abandoned at occupied Karavas area

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci argues that good progress is achieved in four chapters of the Cyprus negotiations

Referring to President Anastasiades, Akinci alleged that "it is time for my interlocutor Anastasiades to show a historic leadership to his community instead of being one of the possible candidates in 2018" and claimed that he is trying to do this "without thinking of the future elections".

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Akinci reiterated the view that the Turkish Cypriots have also rights on this wealth and alleged that, in case a solution to the Cyprus problem is not reached in 2016, new tensions will be created with the drillings for natural gas planned to begin in 2017. "Let us share this wealth with the solution instead of tension", he said.

Arguing that the progress on the four chapters gives hope for a solution, Akinci alleged: "We cannot discuss the territory adjustments in the current format. We cannot discuss maps, percentages and names of places in the current format. Let us discuss this in the last closed session in a series of continuous meetings that will not cause speculations. If we finish it ok, then we will pass to a five-party conference. Let us sit with the three guarantors. Let us search for a formula which will provide the security to the Turkish Cypriots in the best manner and distance the Greek Cypriots from the perception of a threat [?] We can end this, but I am not at the position of saying that we are this point now [?]"

Referring to the Turkish Cypriot expectations after the resumption of the talks tomorrow, Akinci argued: "On the property issue there are some matters on which they should satisfy the Turkish Cypriot side. They are still not at this point. There is the rotating presidency. It is not possible for the federal united Republic of Cyprus continuously being under the presidency of a Greek Cypriot only. A Turkish Cypriot should also become president of course. There is almost an agreement on the principle of the rotating presidency, but there is not an agreement on the periods. We should close the rotating presidency issue within the next seven meetings so that to be able to enter into the issues of territory, security and guarantees. If we achieve this in the next seven meetings, we will be able to secure a more optimistic development in September".

Akinci argued that in some political institutions there will be full political equality and added: "In the senate, which is the upper parliament, there will be equality both in political and in numerical sense, while in the lower parliament there will be a distribution according to the population". He noted that there will be numerical equality and equality from the point of view of the periods in the High Federal Court, while in some other institutions and decision-taking mechanisms a "qualitative majority" will be necessary.

Akinci alleged that the distribution of the periods of the rotating presidency should be like it had been in the Annan Plan in the worst scenario and added that "we do not accept something below this". He claimed that in institutions where there is no numerical equality, there should be "effective participation" in the decisions, arguing that "it is not possible for the decisions to be taken with simple majority in a federation".

Referring to the issue of guarantees, Akinci said that they agree with Turkey on this matter and claimed: "It is absolutely necessary for us to secure Turkey's guarantees in this negotiating process". He alleged:

"[?] Our people have experiences in the past, feelings and views. We are talking about an island like Cyprus. Of course, we do not want to live in the past, but we want to build a new future with the lessons we have taken from our experiences. The Turkish Cypriot people want the continuation of Turkey's guarantees with this experience coming from what we have lived. We have to find a formula for this [?] What should be said and done is the following: The conditions of 1960 ware not the same as the conditions of 2016. In the conditions of 1960 we had been a community spread all over the island, living in small places. Now we will massively live in our own area. We will have a founding state. We will have a police organization, which we had not in the past. There will also be a federal police in which we will also participate. We will trust first ourselves and then Turkey. And we will make out institutions strong. After that, other than Turkey there is no place which we could trust".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Burcu on the upcoming visit of the Egyptian Minister of Natural Resources in the Republic of Cyprus; He called the Greek Cypriot side to refrain from harmful actions

He further claimed that any attempt or initiative undertaken by the Greek Cypriot side in ignorance of this fact, to unilaterally extract, exploit and transport these resources, will be an unacceptable violation of the joint rights of the Turkish Cypriots people.

Burcu issued a written statement to reply to the reports published in the Greek Cypriot press regarding the upcoming visit to the island by the Egyptian Petroleum and Natural Resource Minister Tarek El Molla to sign a bi-bilateral agreement for the sale of the "south Cyprus' gas" to Egypt.

The agreement will envisage the transportation of natural gas discovered off the coast of "south" Cyprus to gas terminals and perhaps to power stations in Egypt.

Burcu warned that the Greek Cypriot side should refrain from such harmful actions undertaken at a critical time when efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement have intensified. "It must not be forgotten that the talks had been abandoned in the near past because of such actions", Burcu warned.

He underlined that the most effective and logical thing to do at this time, when relations between Turkey and Israel had improved and when projects were being drafted to transport Israeli gas to the EU via Turkey, was to reach a settlement in Cyprus as soon as possible and to combine Israel's gas with that of Cyprus's before transporting it to Europe via Turkey. "It is with no doubt that such a plan in which all sides will be benefited, will also contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem" Burcu said in the statement.

[03] Ak?nc? held a phone conversation with Biden

According to a statement issued by the "president's office", Ak?nc? discussed with Biden the latest situation in the Cyprus talks.

[04] A proposal for an international military police force in Cyprus

Sefa Karahasan, the paper's correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, writes that the ongoing Cyprus talks have entered a critical stage, adding that during the seven meetings in August and September the two leaders will also discuss one of the most critical chapters, the "guarantees". Karahasan argues that both leaders are planning to conclude the guarantees issue in an international conference by the end of September or in the first week of October, where Turkey, Greece and Britain will participate.

Milliyet paper succeeded to obtain the proposal that both the Greek Cypriots and the USA have submitted at the negotiating table. Victoria Nuland, US Assistant Secretary of State, presented her thoughts on the Guarantee issue to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci during her visit to Cyprus. Nuland explained to Akinci that the "Guarantees proposal has been improved after a series of contacts she carried out in Turkey and Greece". According to Nuland's proposal, the police forces of the Constituent/founding States of the domestic security will be safeguarded by the federal police. An international force will be deployed in the island for a length of time. Within this force, Turkish and Greek soldiers will be found.

According to the paper, the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades, said to Akinci, who was explaining at the negotiating table Nuland's proposal, that he does not adopt Nuland's proposal. Anastasiades said that as a result of consultation with Greece, they have formed their own ideas. Noting that both sides have some concerns on the security issue in Cyprus, Anastasiades said that "the fact that there is reciprocal insecurity cannot be denied". Noting that the Turkish Cypriots do not see the accession to the EU as an adequate security, Anastasiades said that "they are open to a friendly alliance between Turkey and Greece", adding that 2,500 persons of military police may be deployed in Cyprus.

Later, the Greek Cypriot leader presented at the negotiating table the following proposal:

? The Constituent State police will involve primary for the problems at the local level.

? If the police of the Constituent state is incapable, then if the President of the Constituent State wants, the Federal police will step in.

? In case the Federal Police is also inadequate, then within the scope of Greek and Turkish soldiers, the international military police force which will be consisting of personnel from the European countries and will be deployed in an agreed territory in the island, will step in.

? In a case of a deadlock, then President of the Federal State, the Deputy President of the Federal State, the Presidents of the Constituent States with the Federal and Constituent police forces will come together and will advise what will do on the issue.

? At the end of the consultation, the decisions will be conveyed to the Commander of the international Force.

? The Commander of the Military Force will come from a foreign country except from Turkey, Greece and Britain.

It is reported that Akinci did not see as positive Anastasiades' proposal. Akinci noted: "You have only mentioned the dimension of the domestic security. The 1960 Treaty of Guarantees guaranteed also the Constitutional order". In response Anastasiades said that "the Constitutional order will be guaranteed by its own constitution and the guarantees that the EU law gives under the auspice of Cyprus' EU membership".

It is reported that Akinci said that he looks positive to a guarantee system that will emerge without being threatened by the Greek Cypriot community or the constituent state and added: "The Turkish Cypriot people do not rely on guarantees that will come from a country of an institution except Turkey. These issues should be discussed in a meeting where the guarantor countries will participate".

(DPs)

[05] Izcan: UBP-DP "coalition government" grants 500 "citizenships" every month

Referring to self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, Izcan said: "Ozgurgun is trying to blow up this process by denigrating those who want a solution and the searches for a solution and by insistently putting into the negotiating delegation the intransigent and opponent to the solution Tahsin Ertugruloglu and his undersecretary [?] During his Ankara visits he carries out propaganda in favor of the non-solution [?]".

Noting that since coming to "power" the "government" did nothing for the benefit of the "people", Izcan argued: "The aim of the government is to prepare for elections before the new year by materializing Ankara's demands, including those on the issue of the citizenship, and by securing economic contribution from this."

According to Izcan, the UBP-DP "government" gives 500 new "citizenships' every month. He noted that their will for a solution should be questioned in an environment in which on the one hand they say that no territorial concession should be made and on the other they distribute "citizenships". "This stance is tantamount to not wanting a solution", he pointed out.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Denktas: Saying "we need a solution" is tantamount to begging

Recalling Turkish Cypriot Akinci's response to the above statement, Denktas said that the "two sides", as he called the "government" and Akinci, have different visions as regards the solution and "therefore having this debate is actually extremely healthy" and "it is not a debate which weakens" Akinci.

Asked whether the "different visions" will lead them to chaos, Denktas said that this will not happen and added that when an agreement text comes up, they will carry out a campaign in favor of its rejection, if this does not include their "sensitivities".

Referring to the economic activities of persons who belong to Fethullah Gulen community (FETO) in the occupied area of Cyprus, Denktas said that they do not accept the approach that someone is member of "FETO" because of his business activities. "It should not be forgotten that the person who is named Fethullah Gulen and today is known as FETO as well as those being close to him had been very respectable persons in Turkey until a while ago", he noted and wondered whether the Turkish Cypriots become members of an organization when they have business relations with such respectable businessmen.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Two Turkish Cypriots suspects for the Agia Napa murder, under arrest

The two men, Mehmet Akpinar, 22, and Ahmed Salih, 43, were brought earlier to the occupied Lefkosia "district court" for a remand hearing.

The suspects had being charged with the accusations of violating a first degree military zone and entering or exiting the "TRNC" illegally.

The "court" ordered the two to remain in "police custody" for an additional three days until a "police" investigation is completed.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.08.16) under the front page title: "Will they be extradited to the south or they will be deported?", wonders about the faith of the two suspects and adds that during the years 2014-2016 they were illegally crossing from and into the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus to the "TRNC" with several means.

Commenting on the issue, the co-chairman of the bi-communal technical committee for "crimes and criminal cases", lawyer Celal Onen, has stated to the paper, that the "extradition" of the two suspects to the Greek Cypriot side is a political decision.

Also, Gurdal Hudaoglu, "undersecretary" of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, stated that all necessary procedures will take place and said that the situation is not clear yet.

(AK)

[08] Only 32 applications to the "immovable property commission" during January - August 2016

Erkmen, speaking to the paper, announced that 5,330 applications are still pending. He added that in 2016, there have been only 32 applications in eight months, and no application has been made yet in August.

(DPs)

[09] The occupation regime continues the illegal "granting of citizenship"

The paper underlines the remarkable increase on the applications for "citizenship" and points out that in every meeting of the "ministerial council" the "granting of citizenship" to 10-20 persons is included in its agenda.

According to information acquired by the paper, around 10 thousand people will have the "right" to become "TRNC citizens" in the next two years and prior to the "general elections" that will take place in the occupied area of Cyprus in 2018.

(AK)

[10] Turkey exported poisonous tomatoes from Greece to the occupation regime

The paper writes that the incident was confirmed by the "director" of the "agriculture department" of the occupation regime, Akif Unsal, who, in statements to the paper, said, inter alia, that "poisonous tomatoes" were imported to the "TRNC" from Greece via Turkey and were all removed from the market and being destroyed.

The tomatoes were carrying the signature of a Greek company called "Petras Fruits" which carries out exports to several countries worldwide, writes the paper.

(AK)

[11] Terror attack in Turkey's Gaziantep district killed 51 people; Massive condemnation of the attack by Turkish politicians and the international community

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the perpetrator was a child suicide bomber likely from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

"There are strong indications that the attack was carried out by ISIL. A suicide bomber aged between 12 and 14 blew himself up. We know that ISIL has been trying to gain ground in Gaziantep for a while now," Erdogan told journalists in a press briefing in Istanbul on Aug. 21.

The terror attack took place in the Beybahce neighborhood of the Sahinbey district of Gaziantep province, according to a statement by the Governor's office. After its initial inspections at the scene, police said they found pieces of a suicide vest.

The bride and the groom were also wounded in the attack on a street wedding, mostly attended by people from the eastern provinces of Siirt and Van.

The suicide bomber reportedly joined the crowd disguising himself as a guest before blowing himself up. Funerals were started to be held on Aug. 21.

President Erdogan condemned the attack in a statement, adding that "the place where terror comes from doesn't make any difference for us."

"There is no difference between the PKK [Kurdistan Worker's Party], the FETO [Fetullahist Terror Organization] or Daesh. All of them are terrorists," he said, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL.

During his speech, Erdogan stressed that it was important for citizens to notify security officials of any information they have on a possible attack.

"Do not think of it as snitching. It is one of the most important parts of intelligence," he added.

(?)

In a written statement, Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m described the pain of the attack as "very big." "Everyone should make sure that our unity will repel all evil external or domestic attacks," he said.

CHP head Kemal K?l?cdaroglu and MHP head Devlet Bahceli both condemned the attack, saying it aimed at the unity of the people.

"Our rage is deep and sorrow is common. It should be known that the ones aiming to hit our unity with such an attack won't reach their treacherous goals," K?l?cdaroglu said, adding that the "barbaric group" behind the attack is the enemy of Turkey's republic, democracy and secularism.

"The residues of the demons like FETO, PKK and ISIL will get the punishment they deserve," Bahceli wrote on his Twitter account.

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which is focused on the Kurdish issue, said in a statement that the wedding was for one of its members, and women and children had been among those killed. HDP co-chair Figen Yuksekdag visited the scene of the attack on August 21 to pay her condolences to the victims.

In addition, a HDP delegation led by the party's co-chair Selahattin Demirtas cancelled a diplomatic program in South Africa following the attack.

(?)

Meanwhile, condemnations have poured in from around the world after the deadly suicide attack in Gaziantep.

Calling the attack "barbaric," the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass voiced Washington's determination for resuming its solidarity with Turkey in the joint fight against terrorism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also strongly condemned the attack, saying the fact that a wedding was chosen as a target once again showed that "terrorism knows no ethics."

The European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn have jointly offered their "deepest condolences" to Turkey over the attack.

Pope Francis offered prayers for the attack's victims, according to official Vatican Radio.

Also France, Greece, Azerbaijan, Britain, Sweden, Qatar, Pakistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the "TRNC" were among the countries that offered their condolences and condemned the attack.

[12] Statements by Yildirim on Biden's forthcoming visit to Turkey

"Our relations with the U.S. are medium sugar now. Biden is coming to Turkey to make the coffee sugary," Y?ld?r?m told foreign correspondents in Istanbul on August 20, drawing an analogy between bilateral relations with the U.S. and Turkish coffee.

"The U.S. is our strategic ally. Every family experiences problems. There are ones who want to ruin our relationship. We need to stop Gulen from being a problem," he added.

Biden is scheduled to visit Turkey on Aug. 24, which came after Turkish officials' repeated their requests for the extradition of Gulen.

Noting that Turkey had sent 84 files before the failed July 15 takeover and four after it to the U.S. for the extradition of Gulen, Y?ld?r?m said he should be arrested in light of the mutual deal between Washington and Ankara on the extradition of criminals.

"We say that nothing [bad] should happen to a person so involved in this [failed coup attempt]," he added.

The extradition request for Gulen could be adjudicated under a 1979 treaty between the U.S. and Turkey, one of more than 100 the U.S. has signed with other countries, which would require the U.S. to arrest and detain Gulen for up to 60 days to give Turkey time to prepare a formal extradition request and to keep him in custody until a decision is handed down in his extradition case.

Y?ld?r?m also talked about a previous peace process, ruling out dialogue with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"We have nothing to talk about with the killers. We will not enter into a dialogue with a terror organization," Y?ld?r?m said, adding that the PKK had failed to put the previous peace process to good use.

"No one can tell us that we didn't give any chance to peace. We did, but they couldn't use it. They lost their chance. They used that period of calm to strengthen themselves," he added.

Y?ld?r?m also said that the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) should condemn the PKK.

"The HDP is an elected party. But they should say 'we don't recognize this despicable group,'" he added.

Meanwhile, Y?ld?r?m said the PKK and FETO met in northern Iraq, where the leaders of the PKK are based, once before and once after the failed takeover attempt, believed to have been masterminded by the Gulenists, Fatih Cekirge from daily Hurriyet wrote in his column on Aug. 20.

"We've received intelligence, and evaluations are being made. It was determined that they've met. We found out that they met before and after the coup attempt," Y?ld?r?m said.

[13] Cavusoglu held an unexpected visit in Tehran to discuss the Syria issue

With Turkey and Iran having a common understanding on the territorial integrity of Syria, Cavusoglu stated on Friday that the purpose of his visit was to exchange ideas on the Syrian crisis. "We must enhance our efforts [referring to Syria]. The issue deepens as time passes and becomes unsolvable. That was the reason for my visit to Tehran. We once more exchanged ideas and it was absolutely productive," Cavusoglu stated.

Pointing out once more that his Iranian counterpart gave highly significant support to Turkey on the night of last month's failed coup attempt, he noted that the Syrian crisis along with terrorist organizations the PKK and the PJAK were discussed in more detail.

Continuing his remarks by underlining that the constructive role of Iran and Russia is highly significant for regional problems, Cavusoglu said: "If negative roles continue, the conflicts will also continue. Thus, we are devoting all efforts to maintain a positive role and ready to cooperate for the sake of protecting Syria's territorial integrity. We already have a common understanding on this matter with Iran, and Russia has indicated similarly".

[14] The Turkish Parliament approved Israel deal

Lawmakers ratified late August 19 the agreement to restore relations between the two former close regional allies after a six-year rift, before Parliament was due to go into summer recess.

Under the deal, Israel will pay Turkey $20 million (17.7 million euro) in compensation for a botched Israeli commando raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship in 2010 that left 10 Turks dead, state-run Anadolu news agency said.

Israel will hand Turkey a "lump sum" within 25 working days of the agreement coming into force, the agency said, which families of the victims will receive in due course.

Under the terms of the deal, both sides agreed individual Israeli citizens or those acting on behalf of the Israeli government would not be held liable -- either criminally or financially -- for the raid, Anadolu said.

Israeli Cabinet Ministers approved the deal with Turkey in late June but Ankara did not send it to Parliament because of time pressure following the July 15 failed takeover.

Israel was quick to give its support to the Turkish government in the aftermath of the coup bid, condemning it while repeating its faith in the reconciliation process between the two countries.

After the approval of the deal, the two countries are expected to begin the process of exchanging Ambassadors to fully restore diplomatic ties.

The agreement also involves an easing of the naval blockade on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip allowing Turkey to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians there via Israel's Ashdod port.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously spoken about the economic advantages of improved relations, discussing the possibility of a pipeline to Turkey to export Israeli gas.

The rapprochement between the two countries came after secret talks held in December 2014 with two more rounds in February 2015 in Geneva and April this year in London.

[15] Turkish Foreign Ministry recalls 300 diplomats in probe

Diplomats who are found to have had liaisons with FETO will be laid off from their jobs, while those who have no connection with the organization will return to their posts, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported Aug. 21, citing anonymous sources.

Within the scope of the probe being run by the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office, the diplomatic leg of FETO, along with its extensions in the security, judicial, political, education and business sectors are also being investigated.

(?)

(AK)

[16] Ten refugees from Syria were abandoned at occupied Karavas area

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK /AM)

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