Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-09-01

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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] Statements by Cavusoglu and Akinci; Cavusoglu called for a tripartite and quintet meeting on the Cyprus problem and asked for the current opportunity not to be missed

[02] Cavusoglu met with Ozgurgun

[03] Cavusoglu inaugurates an "information infrastructure project" and argues that "TRNC's" "representation offices" abroad should increase

[04] Eide has reportedly told Akinci that "a possible failure in the negotiations this time will be more than a usual failure"

[05] Akinci met with the British High Commissioner

[06] Denktas went to Ankara for high level contacts

[07] Turkish Cypriot trade unions express support to Akinci

[08] "Is Ankara playing a double game?"

[09] Efforts by the "ministry of economy" to strengthen tradesmen in occupied Morfou area

[10] Erdogan to brief G-20 leaders on coup attempt, anti-Gulen fight

[11] Cavusoglu discussed with Lavrov over the phone the 'Euphrates Shield' operation

[12] Turkish Interior Minister resigns; Labor Minister Soylu to replace him

[13] Turkey summoned the US envoy over remarks on Syria operation

[14] Celik called German's EU Commissioner' remarks "cultural racism"

[15] Former AKP lawmaker detained over Gulen links

[16] Survey revealed that nearly 80% of public believe that the US will not extradite Gulen

[17] "Religious affairs directorate" is organizing a visit to Hala Sultan Tekke for Kurban Bayram

[18] Illegal YDU organized a conference in Vienna

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Statements by Cavusoglu and Akinci; Cavusoglu called for a tripartite and quintet meeting on the Cyprus problem and asked for the current opportunity not to be missed

Ak?nc? and Cavusoglu held a joint press conference following a one and a half hour meeting held at the so-called presidential palace.

Ak?nc? said that he was very pleased with the meeting and explained that they found the opportunity to evaluate the course of the Cyprus negotiations process.

"The goal is to hold a three-party meeting in New York and then hold a Birkenstock model quintet meeting. Progress has been achieved so far but there are still difficulties" said Ak?nc?, expressing the need for more progress to be achieved in order to reach a positive outcome.

"We are in a historic process. The target is for a solution in 2016. Turkey is also supporting this target. We should abstain from actions which will prevent us from reaching this target. For example, the exploitation of natural gas", Ak?nc? also argued.

Urging the Greek Cypriot side to take steps without domestic political considerations, Akinci added the following: "In this sense, we hope to establish a bi-zonal federal state approved by the people and based on freedom, equality, security and political equality. We are working for an agreement which will receive a yes vote in a referendum", Akinci said, supporting that security; freedom and equality are very important for both "peoples" on the island.

Underlining that peace and justice will only be reached if these conditions were met; Akinci claimed that Turkey has been supporting the process from the very beginning, something he added that had been reaffirmed during their meeting.

Alleging that they have been working in a good will, Akinci expressed hopes that the Greek Cypriot side will adopt the same approach.

Cavusoglu for his part reminded that he also met with "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun, "deputy prime minister" Serdar Denktas and "foreign minister" Tahsin Ertugruloglu before his meeting with Ak?nc?.

"We are at a critical stage in the negotiations process. These meetings are important. We expressed full support to the negotiations. We remain committed to the 11 February 2014 framework", Cavusoglu stated.

Pointing out that Ankara will continue to give the same support during this critical stage, he underlined importance of exchanging views when dealing with the tougher issues of security, guarantees and territory.

"We are working towards achieving a comprehensive peace and solution on the island. We are ready to provide every support. We want a tripartite and a quintet meeting to be held. We are saying that this opportunity should not be missed this time", Cavusoglu said, adding also that the process is not an easy one.

Responding to a journalist's question whether there was any issue in the talks he was not informed about, Cavusoglu said: "There is a good dialogue regarding the course of the negotiations. We are well informed about what is going on. Negative statements made in South Cyprus are having negative effects on Turkish Cypriots. We also discussed this issue with Greece. The concerns of the Turkish Cypriots should be understood but what we are saying is that neither side should have any security concerns. We also say that groundless statements should not be made on the issue of guarantees."

Responding to another question regarding the disagreements between the "government" and Akinci, Cavusoglu stated that everyone should act responsibly during this critical stage.

"There may be differing views but you need to talk, try to understand each other and to convey these issues. Our wish is to carry on the process in unity and solidarity both in Turkey and north Cyprus", Cavusoglu added.

Morevoer, replying to another question, Akinci said that the minutes of the meetings have always been delivered to the related parties.

Stating that the "deputies" and other parties could acquire and access the minutes, he reminded that the same method had been applied in the past on the condition that these were not shared with the press.

Reminding that there were rumors that there won't be a referendum, Ak?nc? said: "A sufficient time will be made given to people on both sides so that everyone will know what they will be voting for. It is out of question not to hold a referendum. There is an article on the 11 February document that the agreement will be submitted to the approval of the people. Nothing is being hidden from the public".

[02] Cavusoglu met with Ozgurgun

Ozgurgun was speaking during a meeting with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is illegally in the "TRNC" for a series of "official contacts".

Cavusoglu expressed Turkey's happiness for the support the "TRNC" and the Turkish Cypriot "people" had shown to Turkish democracy and to the Turkish people in the wake of the failed 15th of July coup attempt in Turkey.

Stating that the Turkish government was pleased with the steps taken by the "TRNC government" in the struggle against the Fethullah Terror Organisation (FETO), Cavusoglu said: "As in all other areas, we showed the world our solidarity in the face of this terror attack. We greatly thank you for this".

Also, touching upon the relations with the "TRNC government" and the Foreign Ministry, Cavusoglu said: "We are following the successful work carried out by the government and are trying to do all we can to support you. We as the foreign ministers of our countries are meeting frequently."

Pointing out that efforts to solve the Cyprus problem had recently picked up pace, Cavusoglu said that Turkey will be by the side of the Turkish Cypriot "people" during this difficult process.

"We shall continue to do our part and to support a just and lasting settlement" he said.

Ozgurgun for his part expressed the hope that cooperation between the two "countries" will further deepen in the period ahead.

Referring to the steps taken by the "government" against the FETO organization, Ozgurgun said that the steps had been taken to demonstrate that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will in no way tolerate any attacks against "motherland" Turkey.

On the Cyprus issue, Ozgurgun said that close cooperation with Turkey on the Cyprus problem is essential, particularly during this critical time.

"In that sense your presence is extremely important" he said.

[03] Cavusoglu inaugurates an "information infrastructure project" and argues that "TRNC's" "representation offices" abroad should increase

In statements during the inauguration ceremony, Cavusoglu alleged that thanks to the solidarity between Turkey and the "TRNC" [Translator's note; The breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] they could carry their "Cyprus cause" until today, that this is the best example of their solidarity and that this solidarity exists also between the "representation offices" of the regime abroad and the Turkish embassies.

Cavusoglu said that they are working to increase the number of the regime's "representation offices" on the one hand and improve the working conditions of the employees in these "offices" on the other. He noted that the lack of personnel in the breakaway regime's "representation offices" should be overcome and added that they are holding contacts for overcoming this deficit and they are cooperating for hiring 20 persons to cover these needs.

According to Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Ministry should also be strengthened after the "Fethullah Gulen (FETO) incidents". He noted that in Turkey they have 65 million documents in digital form and they are happy for sharing this experience with the "daughter land", as he described the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Cavusoglu reiterated the allegation that Turkey will continue supporting the breakaway regime for finding a lasting and just solution and claimed that they will continue being one step ahead, like they had been during the Annan Plan period. "It is one of our fundamental duties as motherland to protect Turkish Cypriot people's interests", he argued.

In his statements Ertugruloglu said that the two "ministries" had signed a "cooperation and operation protocol" in 1998, according to which they cooperated in fields such as personnel education, exchange of personnel etc. He noted that the regime has 24 "representation offices" abroad and it will increase their number in the forthcoming period. Therefore, the fast, continuous and reliable communication and sharing of information and documents is very important, he argued. In this sense, he added, they signed a "protocol" with Turkey in August 2015 for benefiting from Ankara's experience in the field of information.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eide has reportedly told Akinci that "a possible failure in the negotiations this time will be more than a usual failure"

Eide has reportedly drew attention to the fact that the only opportunity for the US President Obama undertaking a role in the Cyprus negotiations is the UN Summit which will be held in New York in September. He also argued that "a possible failure will be more than a failure this time" and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side's views "coincide with the understanding for a federation".

Eide has especially drawn attention to the fact that Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State, Victoria Nuland will stop having influence as regards Cyprus as of the end of September. The paper writes that Nuland "complained" of not being able to talk with Feridun Sinirlioglu, former Undersecretary at the Turkish Foreign Ministry who has been appointed as Turkey's Permanent Representative at the UN. Eide said that "Sinirlioglu is needed" and added that he hopes that Akinci would help for Nuland establishing contact with Sinirlioglu. He further described as "positive development' the information that Sinirlioglu would be in Ankara until October.

The paper writes that Akinci met with Sinirlioglu at his hotel in Istanbul during his recent visit to Turkey upon an invitation by President Erdogan.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Akinci met with the British High Commissioner

The latest developments on the Cyprus problem were discussed during the meeting.

Akinci's "advisor for political affairs and history", Meltem Onurkan Samani and his "private secretary" Cenk Curcag were also present at the meeting which was closed to the press.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

[06] Denktas went to Ankara for high level contacts

According to a statement released by the "ministry", Denktas will hold "high level contacts" in Ankara.

As part of his contacts, Denktas will be meeting with the Turkish Finance Minister Naci Agbal.

The "undersecretary" of the "ministry" Ahmet Havutcu and Denktas' "private secretary An?l Kaya are accompanying him during the visit.

[07] Turkish Cypriot trade unions express support to Akinci

KTOS (Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers Union) stated that the parties of the coalition "government", the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party (DP) are against the solution and the unification of the island and said that the organization fully supports Akinci at the negotiation table.

KTOEOS (Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers Union) also expressed its support to Akinci and noted that it will continue to offer to the Turkish Cypriot leader any assistant needed. It also criticized the UBP and DP for their recent attitude in a time that important developments are taking place regarding the Cyprus talks.

DEV –IS Trade Union also criticized the two parties accusing them of aiming to hurt the negotiations.

Finally, Turk-Sen stated that its support and trust towards Akinci is full and noted that behaviors like UBP and DP towards the Turkish Cypriot leader will not be tolerated.

CS)

[08] "Is Ankara playing a double game?"

"The debates during a process in which the negotiations have been intensified are meaningful", he notes and adds, inter alia, the following:

"[…] Very well, do they really not trust Akinci? If it was so, they could say 'we do not trust him'. However, by saying 'we have been excluded', I think that they are giving a different message! Or they are expressing the message of others. [The message] of Ankara government of course! President Akinci's visits to Ankara are known and his long lasting meetings with President Erdogan. And afterwards the statements by which absolutely no detail was given! [And] the implications that Turkey is in favor of the solution. Is Turkey really in favor of a solution in Cyprus? While encouraging Akinci, is it on the other hand trying to give other messages to the government partners and determine a road map? Or more openly, does Ankara not trust Akinci in the negotiating process? While stating that he is carrying out a successful process, does it actually not believe this? […]

Meanwhile, in almost all their statements Turkey's officials say that they support the solution! However, the TRNC government has suddenly adopted an attitude that does not want a solution. In my view, the issue of [having] a representative in the negotiating team is totally a pretext! They have suddenly become defiant the day before yesterday. This defiance escaped no one's attention! If Turkey is really in favor of the solution in Cyprus, is it possible for our government to be opposing to the solution? No one can explain this to me! Is this a tactic by Ankara? Akinci is the good policeman and the government the bad policeman!

The picture which exists in the country now is not pleasant at all. The Turkish Cypriots are once more divided in two, like a watermelon. You will see that very soon the debates and the tension will increase further. And what is more, there is still no plan! […] Whatever the result is in such an environment, it will be unhealthy! Ankara must announce its stance more clearly to the Turkish Cypriot public opinion and abandon the logic of the good policeman and bad policeman".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Efforts by the "ministry of economy" to strengthen tradesmen in occupied Morfou area

Speaking during a meeting held for the event, self-styled minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun, stated that strengthening the economy is one of the main goals of his "ministry" and added that they give great importance to occupied Morfou's development.

He also said that they will introduce a new donation program for small firms of the area on September 19 and added that they are trying to meet the needs of the tradesmen of the occupied region. Atun went on adding that the "government" is planning a special economic program for occupied Morfou for the year 2017.

(CS)

[10] Erdogan to brief G-20 leaders on coup attempt, anti-Gulen fight

The G-20 Summit will be held in Guangzhou, China on September 3 and 4 with the participation of the world's wealthiest nations, including the United States, Russia, China and Japan.

Kal?n said that Erdogan will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as EU President Jean Claude Juncker.

Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will also hold a quadripartite meeting to extensively discuss the Turkey-EU migrant deal, which includes granting visa liberalization to Turkish nationals in return for the implementation of the Readmission Agreement.

Erdogan's briefing to world leaders will also include the ongoing Syria unrest and the fight against global terror organizations, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Kal?n said.

Upon a question, Kal?n confirmed an Erdogan-Obama meeting and underlined that the two leaders will also discuss Turkey's request of the extradition of Fethullah Gulen from the U.S. "This issue will surely be on the agenda of our President's meeting with Mr. Obama," he said, recalling Erdogan's lengthy meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on the same issue on August 24.

Kal?n underlined that a legal agreement between the two countries on extradition requests also required the detention of sought individuals and repeated Turkey's demand for the immediate arrest of Gulen.

Kal?n said that Gulen and his aides who staged the coup attempt against Turkey were walking freely in the U.S., adding that "Showing tolerance to them is unacceptable."

Erdogan's meeting with Putin will be a follow-up to the leaders' last talk in St. Petersburg on August 9, Kal?n said, informing that the two leaders will discuss the ongoing ties normalization process.

[11] Cavusoglu discussed with Lavrov over the phone the 'Euphrates Shield' operation

Cavusoglu informed Lavrov about "Euphrates Shield" during a phone conversation and stressed that the cross border operation was ongoing in a successful way, as Syrian opposition groups had made progress against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The Ministers exchanged views on the recent developments on Syria, discussing access to humanitarian aid in the region, ceasing clashes and starting a political process, according to sources.

Lavrov and Cavusoglu also agreed to meet as soon as possible, sources added.

[12] Turkish Interior Minister resigns; Labor Minister Soylu to replace him

Yildirim announced Ala's resignation after Ala held an unscheduled meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu has replaced him", Y?ld?r?m said.

The shift came at a time when the government is carrying out a big campaign against the followers of Fethullah Gulen after the July 15 coup attempt as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has escalated its attacks.

New Interior Minister Soylu joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2012 and served as a party Deputy leader before entering the cabinet.

Former Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu has replaced Soylu's seat.

[13] Turkey summoned the US envoy over remarks on Syria operation

"It has been underlined that such statements are by no means acceptable and that they do not comply with the alliance relationship," read a statement issued by Tanju Bilgic, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, late on August 30.

Bilgic's statement came after Ash Carter, the U.S. Secretary of Defense; Brett McGurk, the U.S. Special Envoy on the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); and Spokespersons from the Department of Defense and the White House each urged Turkey to stop clashing with the PYD.

Turkey's concerns over such remarks were dispatched to Bass by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ferdiun Sinirlioglu on Aug. 30.

"The objectives of the Euphrates Shield Operations are known," Bilgic said, adding that Turkey would continue until all "terror groups" are pushed away from the Turkish border so that they will not be able to "pose a threat to Turkish citizens."

Bilgic also reiterated Turkey's expectation that the U.S. would keep its word that PYD forces would be withdrawn to the east of the Euphrates.

[14] Celik called German's EU Commissioner' remarks "cultural racism"

Celik was referring to remarks by EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Guenther Oettinger, who said that Turkey's EU membership "would be an issue after Erdogan," and Turkey would not be able to join the Union in the upcoming decade.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, Celik also criticized statements from the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.

He also criticized EU Commissioner on Enlargement Johannes Hahn for his recent remarks that Ankara would not give up 2.7 million euro earmarked to support refugee projects. Hahn said: "Turkey needs this money". "Turkey does not need that money. Turkey is not a country that can be purchased. Speaking in this way, Hahn should be aware that his statements sabotage this process which has appeared as an acquisition between the EU and Turkey", Celik said.

He also refuted allegations that there had been a cease-fire agreement between Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).

"We do not accept in any circumstances... a 'compromise or a cease-fire reached between Turkey and Kurdish elements,'" Celik said. "The Turkish Republic is a sovereign, legitimate state," he added, stressing that one could not draw equalization between a 'terrorist organization' and Turkey as if there was a consensus between them.

Elaborating on Oettinger's remarks, Kal?n said that the EU officials should first asses their attitude after the failed coup attempt, instead of "giving lessons on democracy and human rights."

EU officials "should look at where they have been standing," regarding the struggle against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), he noted.

He reiterated that Turkey's EU membership will remain a strategic target of Ankara.

"These kinds of speculations on Erdogan" would not benefit the EU, he also said, stressing that Turkey is the "key country" that would maintain security in the region.

"What would the EU do if the coup attempt had succeeded and the state institutions of Turkey had collapsed?" he asked.

"Whether they like Erdogan or not, everybody who defends democracy, human rights and freedom owes a debt of gratitude to Erdogan," he added.

[15] Former AKP lawmaker detained over Gulen links

Lawyer Idris Sahin, a former AKP Deputy from the Central Anatolian province of Cank?r? and Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Commission, was detained in an operation launched by the Cank?r? police's counter-smuggling and organized crime department.

Searches were carried out in Sahin's house and office.

[16] Survey revealed that nearly 80% of public believe that the US will not extradite Gulen

A recent poll published on Wednesday indicates that a majority of Turkish people thinks that the U.S. and the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO) is behind the July 15 failed coup attempt.

According to a poll conducted by the Denge Research Company in 26 city centers using the one-to-one method regarding the July 15 coup attempt, 78.7% of participants responded negatively to the question, "Do you think that the U.S. will extradite FETO ringleader Fethullah Gulen," while 16.8% said that they think the U.S. will return him to Turkey.

The poll also revealed that 39.5% of those polled believe that the primary objective of the coup attempt was to overthrow the administration and the government, with 20.3% indicating that they believe the prime goal of the coup attempt was to divide the country and 12.5% indicated that they believe the goal was to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Another 11.9% of participants believe the coup attempt aimed to start a civil war in Turkey, whereas, 8.8% believe the coup plotters wanted to destroy the country and the Turkish state.

A staggering 96.1% of participants indicate their support for the anti-FETO operations currently underway, while 45.9% of citizens said that they consider the coup attempt to be "a traitorous act," while 4.4% called it "dishonorable." Another 15.9% of participants said that the coup was "aimed at democracy," while 11.9 % said that it was "an operation targeting the President."

(…)

During the coup attempt, 54.65 of citizens went out onto streets according to the poll, with 95.9%stating that the call made by President Erdogan was the most important factor in their ability to stand against the coup plotters. Of all participants, 94.8% said that the live broadcasts during the coup gave them courage to resist, while 86.6% said that prayers announced from mosques that night were the motivation behind their resistance.

Responding to the question, "Which parties do you think effectively responded to the coup attempt on the night of July 15?" 88.3% indicated the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), while 85.5% indicated the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and 62.6% pointed to the Republican People's Party (CHP). Another 72.7% of participants stated that they consider the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) to have been very insufficient during the coup attempt. Of those polled, 86.1% indicated that they consider the reactions given by the media to be adequate, while 82% of participants indicated that the responses of politicians and political corporations were adequate and 72.4% indicated NGOs followed by 54.1% for the judiciary, 52.7% for businessman, 50.7% for celebrities and 45.5% for academicians.

The majority of participants expressed their support for the state of emergency announced after July 15 with 73.4%, while 53.7% of those surveyed indicated that they want the unity and solidarity shown between political parties in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt to continue. (…)

Also, responses to the question: "Which party would you vote for if an election were being held today?" were spread out among Turkey's four biggest political parties; namely, the AK Party, the CHP, the MHP and the HDP, with 51.5%, 25.6%, 13.3% and 8.1 % respectively.

[17] "Religious affairs directorate" is organizing a visit to Hala Sultan Tekke for Kurban Bayram

According to an announcement made by the "directorate", Turkish origin inhabitants (settlers) can also apply for participating in the visit.

(CS)

[18] Illegal YDU organized a conference in Vienna

According to the paper, around 100 scientists from the following countries participated in the conference: Japan, USA, Germany, Russia, Poland, Turkey, UK, Austria, Azerbaijan, Canada, Italy, Czech Republic, France, China, Romania and Uzbekistan.

(CS) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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