Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-09-08

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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: A guarantee system without Turkey cannot be formed

[02] Kibris Postasi reveals information on the property chapter

[03] Milliyet continues revealing information on the property chapter

[04] Ergun Olgun: Bi-zonality a criterion on solution of property issue

[05] The remains of nine more missing persons were found in occupied Morfou

[06] Ten more "TRNC citizenships" were granted in the breakaway regime

[07] A meeting for speeding up the works for the opening of two new crossing points was held

[08] NATO chief due in Ankara for first visit since coup attempt

[09] Turkish Deputy PM Kurtulmus: Turkey never declared US behind coup attempt

[10] CHP report on prisoners highlights mistreatment in post-coup attempt probes

[11] Turkey will not follow the daylight saving time

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: A guarantee system without Turkey cannot be formed

In statement to the press after his meeting with President Anastasiades, Akinci explained that they had decided with Anastasiades for a media blackout until the joint statement on 14th September and added that unfortunately Anastasiades defied the media blackout and announced that a three party meeting will most likely take place in New York with the participation of the UNSG Ban Ki-moon on the 26th of September.

Stressing that in order to keep their target for a Cyprus settlement within 2016, October should not be wasted, Akinci said: "Of course, we will continue the negotiations after New York. All sides need to exert effort in order to be able to hold a five-party meeting before the end of October". He added that the date of his arrival to New York is not certain yet.

He further said: "The goal is to create the necessary foundations of a settlement in which both peoples on the island can live in peace. The goal is to create a new federal structure on the basis of politically equal constituent states, to achieve peace and not blood or tears. It will be our duty to provide sufficient time so that the public may fully comprehend the agreement reached before voting on it".

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (08.09.16) broadcast that Akinci, responding to questions, said that they are brainstorming on the Chapter of Security and Guarantees but that the issues have not been discussed in detail. "These discussions have been limited to the level of principles. We too put forward various principles. There are two things which we have been talking about for months and which Turkish officials have also been voicing. No one is claiming that the treaties of 1960 are applicable today. We had strict positions in the past rejecting any notion of changes on the issue. But you can't negotiate like this. We need to come up with new formulas which will safeguard our rights and address our concerns", he added.

Akinci further said that the Greek Cypriot side had submitted a 'non-paper' outlining its thoughts on the system of guarantees, but had fallen short of allaying Turkish Cypriot security concerns. He added that Greece and Turkey need to work on the guarantee system, something which will continue in New York, and taken up in detail at a five-party conference.

(DPs)

[02] Kibris Postasi reveals information on the property chapter

Baris writes that according to a document agreed upon by the sides on 30 May 2016, "definite agreement" has been reached on the issue of the properties which will remain outside the range of the returned properties in case a solution is found. These are: The properties on which a settlement has been reached with an amicable agreement, the properties on which significant development was made and the properties which are used by "state institutions".

According to the paper, it has been decided that if someone lives in a property, this property could not be returned until an alternative roof is ensured for the user.

The sides have reportedly disagreements on four "fundamental" points on the property chapter; they determined about 30 criteria for the properties and prepared a list for "persons with priority". The following are considered as crucial issues in the criteria on the property chapter [as noted in English in the paper]: the "Emotional Attachment", the "Significant Improvement" [of the property], the "Subsequent Purchase" and the "1/3 Formulation for empty land properties".

Explaining each of the above criteria, Baris writes that the "emotional bond" formula has been thoroughly discussed in the beginning of August by the negotiators and that according to this criterion, a person who had lived until a certain age in a property before 1974 (the age of ten is discussed) will have the right to apply for the return of his/her property.

"However, while both the Turkish and Greek side are united on the point that the number of the persons who will [gain] return of property within the framework of the 'emotional bond' concept could at the most be one thousand, it is said that the Turkish Cypriot side stressed in the meeting that the persons who fit in this criterion should urgently be determined as otherwise at least 20 thousand Turkish Cypriots who enter into the scope of this criterion might live in uncertainty", notes Baris adding that the Greek Cypriot side insists on reference to be made to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on this issue and notes that the members of the Property Committee should take their decisions accordingly. The Turkish Cypriot side, on the other hand, demands that the decisions in the committee are taken within the framework of concrete criteria which will be determined based on the ECHR jurisprudence.

The journalist reports that disagreements between the sides exist on the 'significant improvement' criterion that concerns the valuation of the property. The Turkish side argues that a 6,5 coefficients should be used [for calculating the compensations], while the Greek Cypriot side wants the calculation to be made using a two digits number. While the sides have agreed that the properties on which significant development had been made will be kept outside the range of the properties to be returned, the criteria on this issue have not been written down and it is not definite how each development will be evaluated. The Greek Cypriot side has allegedly submitted suggestions inspired by the Annan Plan on this matter and it is not positive on the issue of making any steps back.

Another point on which the Greek Cypriot side is reportedly sensitive is the issue of "unjust enrichment" and court cases like the Orams Case. In this sense, the Greek Cypriot side insists on a different practice for the foreigners who benefited from the situation on the island and purchased cheaply occupied Greek Cypriot property. Moreover, the Greek Cypriot side has allegedly accepted that the users of projects of multiple houses built in the above-mentioned properties cannot enter into the range of the properties to be returned and they could not be asked to leave the properties. Persons who never lived in a property and acquired the property through inheritance will be compensated. The Turkish Cypriot side underlines that many complicated sales of these properties in the occupied area of the island have taken place during the last 40 years and opposes an adjustment which has as starting point any discrimination among the current users.

Another point of disagreement is experienced on the return of the 1/3 of the vacant plots of land that are not used by anyone. In the calculations of the Turkish Cypriot side on this formulation, a return of about 52% comes out and the Turkish Cypriot side asks that properties which are too small to be divided should remain outside this scope. The Greek Cypriot side has reportedly been insisting on the highest limit being 10 thousand square meters, but afterwards accepted the limit of three thousand square meters.

The "divisibility" of the property is reportedly another problem. The Greek Cypriot side insists that the plot of land should be evaluated according to the situation in 1974, while the Turkish Cypriot side argues the evaluation should be made according to the conditions created after 1974 because most of these lands were divided after 1974 and their size changed.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Milliyet continues revealing information on the property chapter

Karahasan, who in an earlier report had referred to the "emotional bond criterion" on the property chapter, writes that the "emotional bond" discussed in this chapter should be clarified and that the "impression" he acquired is that "the Turkish Cypriot side has obtained a significant gain and paved the way for the solution of the property issue in a manner similar to the one at the existing Immovable Property Commission" in the occupied area of the island.

Noting that the solutions in the property chapter will be return, exchange and compensation, Karahasan argues, inter alia, the following:

"There is no right of having the first say, as it is alleged. There will be the right of submitting the first application. The emotional bond is a matter weeded out in such a delicate manner, touched upon so often that in the minutes the criterion of the 'current user' has been determined and not the 'Greek or the Turkish user'. All documents, that is, all title deeds given in northern Cyprus will be valid. If a Greek Cypriot has a claim over a property in the north, he is obliged to prove it. The same rule is valid for the Turks as well. And the Turks must prove their claim over a property in the south. The Property Commission, which will be established by an equal number of Turks and Greeks after the solution, will decide on the demands of the Greeks or the Turks. There is the will for this procedure to function speedily. [?] A very important point is that after the criteria of the Property Commission are determined, these will be explained to the people and will be submitted to the approval of the people. These will be valid if the people approve them in the referendum [?]

If the claim of the applicant is valid, the conditions of exchange, compensation and return [of property] will be examined. Here, if the property had been vacant before 1974 and a construction was built on it later, there will be no return. The value of the plot of land will be compensated. If the land was vacant, the 1/3 proportion will be valid. The return of the 1/3 of the property could be made. The Turkish Cypriot title deed will become title deed of federal Cyprus. Compensation will be paid even if the plot of land is used for the public benefit. The places of religious worship will be returned. Attention here should be paid to the fact that only the 'current places of worship' will be returned and not 'church and religious affairs [department's] properties.

The remaining properties will be settled with the emotional bond formula. If a Turk or a Greek says that 'I had lived in this house before 1974 and I have an emotional bond', it will be possible for his/her house to be returned. However, this will be subject to criteria. The return of all Greeks or all Turks is out of the question. After the application, the situation of the current user will be examined. Currently the last adjustments as to whether who will live in the house are being made. It is said that around five thousand Greek Cypriots will be able to benefit from the emotional bond criterion. The average age of the Greek Cypriots who will gain the right to return varies between 67 and 75. It is considered that the Greek Cypriots of this age will not return. If the Greek Cypriot wants to return, the current user will be compensated for the value of the house. [?]

Finally, we can clearly say the following: A Greek Cypriot administration which will make a step back on the issue of territorial adjustment [that will stop asking the return of some areas and mainly Morfou], may face a flexible stance on the issue of guarantees".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ergun Olgun: Bi-zonality a criterion on solution of property issue

Referring to Foreign Minister Kasoulides' statement that "a solution to the Cyprus problem is 95 to 98 per cent done", Olgun claimed that this statement does not reflect the reality. He noted that he does not consider that the 98% is in agreement; adding that if there was a 98% agreement then this work would have finished today.

Olgun further said that the preservation of bi-zonality is essential. He added that bi-zonality should be a fundamental criterion on the solution of the property issue.

(DPs)

[05] The remains of nine more missing persons were found in occupied Morfou

The paper notes that excavations will continue according to information received by the Missing Persons Committee.

(CS)

[06] Ten more "TRNC citizenships" were granted in the breakaway regime

This was published in the "official gazette" of the breakaway regime. The persons granted the "TRNC citizenships" are the following:

Turkan Karimova, born in 1976 in Azerbaijan, Ozlem Tomak, born in 1998 in Lefkosia, Yasemin Tas, born in 1983 in Samandag, Serife Nur Patla, born in 2002 in Islahiye, Mehmet Yasin Tomak, born in 1999 in Sahinbey, Melisa Erurk born in 1999 in Odemis, Mehmet Cil born in 1988 on Antakya, Ayfer Budakci born in 1974 in Kayseri, Fuat Tosyali born in 1961 in Iskenderum.

(CS)

[07] A meeting for speeding up the works for the opening of two new crossing points was held

The paper writes that the speeding up of the infrastructure works and of coordination between the various parts was decided during the meeting.

(CS)

[08] NATO chief due in Ankara for first visit since coup attempt

This will be Stoltenberg's first visit to the Turkish capital since the coup.

The NATO chief will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Defense Minister Fikri Isik along with other high-level Turkish officials.

[09] Turkish Deputy PM Kurtulmus: Turkey never declared US behind coup attempt:

"Turkey officially does not have, and has not declared, such an assumption that American authorities are behind this coup attempt. There is no evidence or clear indication to speak towards that," Kurtulmus, who was in New York to hold meetings regarding Gulen, told journalists.

"The fact that [the] Americans displayed a slow reaction in the wake of the coup attempt caused difficulties for the Turkish people to reconcile this issue with the friendship [between Turkey and the U.S.] And we shared this without reservations [with American officials]," he said.

Kurtulmus said Ankara expected Washington to extradite Gulen, saying that it was "not a question of time but a question of intention," adding that Ankara was "much more optimistic now" about its outcome.

[10] CHP report on prisoners highlights mistreatment in post-coup attempt probes

In the report prepared after CHP deputies Veli Agbaba and Zeynep Altiok's visited the Bakirkoy Women's Closed Prison and Silivri Prison, interviewed inmates Necmiye Alpay, Asli Erdogan, Deniz Seki, Hulya Saridede, Ummu Capraz, Alp Cetiner and Ugur Topkaraoglu described their detention conditions and voiced their belief their arrests were arbitrary, against the law and politically motivated.

Linguist and author Alpay, a member of the terror-charged and now-closed daily Ozgur Gundem's advisory board who shares a ward with fellow board member Erdogan, said their rights in the prison were much more restrictive now compared to the past.

"Upon Asli [Erdogan's] objections and complaints that took place in the media, they have given her clean sheets and water? There used to be a chance for a visit from a friend, but now they have banned it. You can see only immediate family members? In wards rights are being restricted. I had served in Mamak [Prison]? for being linked with the TKP [Communist Party of Turkey] for three years. The system is very different [now]," said Alpay, as quoted in the report.

Ozgur Gundem was closed and many of its members were detained after raids on their homes for allegedly publishing in support of the PKK and making propaganda for the outlawed organization.

She also stressed her place on Ozgur Gundem's advisory board was completely symbolic and that everyone closely or distantly related to the daily were being detained.

"They are fixed on enlarging the Ozgur Gundem case. They are embroiling deputy editors-in-chief and others too, maybe they will arrest them," said 70-year-old Alpay, likening the current period to a "war period" and saying that "enemy-creating policies" were still ongoing.

Erdogan meanwhile said during the interview that her crucial needs such as a special pillow for her neck were not being met, adding she was at risk of paralysis as a result.

Erdogan also said her arrest was an "arbitrary and illegal practice."

"The law clearly says that the editorial advisory board cannot be held responsible for the daily on legal grounds... Since World War II no literary person has been arrested in Europe. My books have been translated into 14 languages but the AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] looks down on literary people. My approach to violence is clear in my book. Whoever is curious about it, they can open it up and read," said Erdogan.

The other interviewed inmates, Saridede, Capraz, Topkaaraoglu and Cetiner, charged with being members of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) and the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETO), said they were being subjected to a conspiracy for their actions in attempting to prevent torture and save inmates during a fire that erupted in the prison on Aug. 1.

[11] Turkey will not follow the daylight saving time

Decision no. 24005 dated September 6, 2016, issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources amended the second article of the Law Regarding the 24-Hour Day.

The clause specifying the end of daylight savings time on October 30, 2016 as of 4 a.m. local time has been repealed accordingly.

Turkey saves about 800 million to 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity through the daylight saving time, equivalent to the annual power production of a mid-level hydroelectric power plant. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(CS /ECH)

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