Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-03

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun: "We can never permit discussion of Turkey's active and effective guarantees"

[02] Ozgurgun held contacts in Turkey

[03] Ertugruloglu: "If the negotiations fail we will look for new options, including annexation with Turkey"

[04] CHP Deputy claims that the Turkish public is distracted from the Cyprus negotiation process

[05] Atun announced that Turkey and the occupation regime will prepare a "protocol" on the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the occupation regime

[06] Threats against Elcil because of his European Citizen Award

[07] Economic dependency on Turkey is reportedly decreasing

[08] HDP Deputy shares through social media pictures of Turkish army's atrocities against women in southeastern Turkey

[09] Izcan said that criminality is out of control in the breakaway regime

[10] The "solidarity movement" asked for explanations from the so-called government

[11] New political party has been established in the occupied area of Cyprus

[12] Sami Ozulu is the new chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalism Union

[13] An official of the British High Commission confirmed that no change has been made on the procedure for the expats' right of driving in the Republic of Cyprus

[14] Erdogan sends strong messages to EU and the US

[15] Turkey imposed curfews on 13 villages in southeastern Turkey

[16] Police detain FETO leader Gulen's brother in Izmir in anti-terror operation

[17] Cavusoglu due to Brussels to attend a conference on Afghanistan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun: "We can never permit discussion of Turkey's active and effective guarantees"

Alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side has many times proved its will for an agreement in Cyprus, Ozgurgun claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has always said "no" to the agreements, which the Turkish Cypriot side approached positively.

Referring to the guarantees, he alleged:

"The Turkish Cypriot people can never abandon motherland Turkey's active and effective guarantees. The public opinion polls show that this support is around 90%. The Greek Cypriot side should know this. […] My government and I […] will definitely not permit Turkey's guarantees to be discussed. We will not give concessions from Turkey's active and effective guarantees, we will not permit its discussion. This is our thickest red line which should be underlined, because the issue of security requires much more importance in the modern world of today. […]"

Ozgurgun further claimed that bi-zonality should clearly be preserved and the fact that the Turkish Cypriot "people" are equal to the Greek Cypriots should not be forgotten. "If the Greek Cypriot side accepts this, the solution will be found immediately", he alleged and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept this. "Let us see things from the opposite side. If we accept what the Greek Cypriot side wants, a solution will immediately be found", he argued.

Replying to a question regarding the tripartite meeting in New York, Ozgurgun said that he does not see a lot of agreements and that the negotiations will continue from the point they remained. He argued that when elections take place in either of the sides, problems are experienced in the negotiations. Recalling the presidential elections of 2018 in the government-controlled area of the island, Ozgurgun alleged that entering into the pre-election climate would prolong the negotiations.

Ozgurgun also claimed that the Greek Cypriots "have the mentality" that they are the internationally recognized state which is an EU member, that the Turkish Cypriots are a minority and that they discuss with the Turkish Cypriots only for giving them minority rights. He alleged that because of this mentality the Greek Cypriots think that the natural gas and everything else belong to them and say that "I cannot discuss it with the minorities". "What are you going to agree with this mentality", he wondered arguing that the natural gas belongs to both communities of the island. He alleged: "They [the Greek Cypriots] try to turn this issue into a fait accompli. If such a thing happens, the necessary measures will be taken. We should not permit for the rights of the Turkish Cypriots to be usurped".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (01.10.16) reported that in statements to Turkish A Haber, Ozgurgun commented on the tripartite meeting held in New York and claimed that he does not see hope for a solution by the end of 2016 in an environment in which the Greek Cypriot side does not abandon its "demands". "If you surrender it will happen", he alleged after referring which the demands of the Greek Cypriots are. "However, neither Turkey nor the Turkish Cypriots will accept such a thing", he added.

Ozgurgun claimed that the Turkish Cypriots do not need an agreement which will be materialized by "giving everything by force". He argued that the Greek Cypriot side is in the same way obliged to an agreement and that the Greek Cypriot side's rights are not more than the ones of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Noting that the Greek Cypriots accept to meet with Turkish Cypriots abroad only as two communities under the auspices of the UN, Ozgurgun alleged that looking at the negotiations within this framework, it is not right to have many hopes.

Ozgurgun once more criticized the statement made by UNSG's special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, who had said that "guarantees are outdated". He argued that Eide had no right or competence to issue such a statement on the guarantees and described this statement as "inconsistent and wrong".

Ozgurgun further alleged that the Turkish Cypriots were forced to launch the negotiations in 2008. He argued that this decision and behaving as if the Turkish Cypriots were obliged to reach an agreement is wrong. "We beg no one for an agreement and we are not going to give everything away because we need an agreement", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun held contacts in Turkey

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ertugruloglu: "If the negotiations fail we will look for new options, including annexation with Turkey"

Ertugruloglu stated that if the current negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem fail, the Turkish Cypriot community will start looking for other options, including the annexation with Turkey.

He said that he has no hopes that a solution will be reached in 2016 and added that this opinion is not connected only with the current solution procedure. "Because is not possible to leave the table with an agreement on the basic of equality at a negotiating process which is not being conducted on a basis of equality", he claimed.

He stated that due to the 2018 presidential elections, in which the Greek Cypriots will be focused on as from the first months of 2017, only around five months for negotiations remain. Therefore, he said, during this remained period, either we will leave the table reaching an agreement or we will agree upon the non-agreement.

Ertugruloglu stated that despite all the issues Ankara faces at the international arena, Ankara continues to show its sensitivity and determination on the Cyprus problem. "Because Ankara knows this very well: A Turkey that will lose in the Cyprus issue, it will not be able to remain standing in any other issue. I have no worries over this. Ankara will continue to be well and sound", he stated.

(CS)

[04] CHP Deputy claims that the Turkish public is distracted from the Cyprus negotiation process

According to the paper, Caray, who issued a warning to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, stated that the public opinion is distracted by the "very sad" internal issues of Turkey, as a result of the 15 July failed coups, the deep economic crisis, PKK attacks and the Syria issue.

He went on adding that an agreement was signed between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel for gas exploration and that even the guarantees of Turkey at the island are put in danger during the talks. He also referred to the results of the referendum of the Annan Plan and claimed that after the results the Greek Cypriot side put obstacles in front of Turkey's EU bid.

(CS)

[05] Atun announced that Turkey and the occupation regime will prepare a "protocol" on the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the occupation regime

Underlining the increasing needs of the occupation regime every passing day on energy, Atun said that he will exert efforts together with the Turkish Minister to prepare a "protocol" for the transferring of electricity from Turkey and added that as soon as it is prepared, it will be signed by the "ministers" of the two "countries". He further said that the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the "TRNC" with undersea cables will contribute to "human health, the environment and the renewable energy".

(AK)

[06] Threats against Elcil because of his European Citizen Award

Some persons wrote: "Just like Erdogan cleaned up the FETO supporters, let us clean up these supports of the Greeks" or "Kick him out of the TRNC". A settler from Turkey named Abdullah Iskey said: "I have named my dog at home Sener Elcil. The dog has not been eating for two days. It seems that it is offended".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Economic dependency on Turkey is reportedly decreasing

Citing data obtained from the "ministry of finance", the paper writes that Turkey's monthly aids and credits were 140 million 175 thousand Turkish liras (TL) in 2011 and decreased to 53 million 374 thousand TL in 2015.

According to the donation and credit "protocols" signed for 2016, Turkey has committed to give the breakaway regime one billion 404 million 380 thousand 406,46 TL this year.

The "donations protocol" for 2016 provides for total donations of 927.895.149,55 TL, which are distributed as following:

[01] Investments: 432.775.234,65 TL

[02] Real Sector Support: 177.000.000,05 TL

[03] Defense: 307.119.914,85 TL

[04] Incentives Fund: 11.000.000,00 TL

[01] Contribution to the "budget" deficit: 200.000.000,00 TL

[02] "Public" Sector (Other): 76.485.256,91 TL

[03] Reform Support Fund: 200.000.000,00 TL

[08] HDP Deputy shares through social media pictures of Turkish army's atrocities against women in southeastern Turkey

"The supporters of women rights, who have reacted because they suffered men violence due to the fact that they were wearing shorts in a bus, their representatives, the feminist groups remained silent for the women killed in Yuksekova, [and] in Varto and their bodies were exhibited in the middle of the streets. Because, for these liberal fascists the most important is always the identity [of the victim]".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Izcan said that criminality is out of control in the breakaway regime

Izcan said that the increase in rapes and robberies is an indication that the situation is out of control in the breakaway regime. He also accused the "government" of following a wrong policy as regards issues on population, labor and "citizenships", arguing that this is one of the reasons that led the crime rate to escalate.

"All these are a result of the weak and hideous governing", he stated.

(CS)

[10] The "solidarity movement" asked for explanations from the so-called government

According to the paper, the plot of land is located near to the sea in occupied Keryneia area and it is considered as one of the most beautiful areas in the "country".

In the light of this development, the "solidarity movement" described the "ministerial council decision" as worrisome and asked from the so-called government to make statements on the issue. "It is worrisome the fact that one of the most beautiful public areas to be given as bribe", said the "solidarity movement" in its statement.

(AK)

[11] New political party has been established in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, Erhan Arikli has been elected as the "founding chairman" of the "Rebirth Party" and Turan Buyukyilmaz as "general secretary".

Commenting on the social media about the "founding of the party", Arikli thanked the Turkish settlers who are mainly the supporters for the support and said that they came to "power" with their support.

(AK)

[12] Sami Ozulu is the new chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalism Union

The elections for the Union's new board were held on Saturday.

(CS)

[13] An official of the British High Commission confirmed that no change has been made on the procedure for the expats' right of driving in the Republic of Cyprus

In statements to the paper, the British High Commission Vice-Consul Christina Smith said that the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus had confirmed to her that there had been no change to procedures. "We were informed that there was a misunderstanding at the crossing point about the application of UN regulations but this has now been resolved and people are free to cross", Smith said.

(…)

[14] Erdogan sends strong messages to EU and the US

"If the EU wants to admit Turkey as a full member based on an objective assessment, there is no obstacle to that. We are ready. But if they have no intention of admitting us and think they can continue stalling the process through unreasonable demands, they are wrong. They should know that that game is over", Erdogan said, adding: "It's the EU's choice whether to continue on its path with or without Turkey. They will make that choice themselves. They should not try to throw this responsibility on our shoulders through their cunning tactics".

(…)

"October is important in terms of our relations with the EU. As you all know, the visa-free regime that the European Union promised to Turkey is supposed to enter into force this month," Erdogan said, claiming that Brussels was attempting to make Turkey compromise "in the fight against terrorism."

"Let me be clear on this: This attitude is an explicit manifestation of the fact that the European Union does not want to keep its promise to Turkey. Let me be clearer still: Let them decide!" he added.

Erdogan also slammed the U.S. for the "inconsistency and disjointedness" of its policies on the Middle East, as one part of the Obama administration continues to insist on allying with Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD), an organization that Ankara regards as an associate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"We are making efforts to continue our relations with the U.S. in the spirit of our traditional alliance.

However, we have been witnessing grave signs of inconsistency and disjointedness in U.S. policies in our region, particularly in recent times," Erdogan said.

"A section of the U.S. administration insists on working jointly with the PKK/PYD-YPG [People's Protection Units] terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq, while another section tries to pursue policies that are sympathetic to our sensitivities," he added.

"This situation is apparently caused by the upcoming presidential elections in the U.S., so we will continue to work to solve this problem without harming the vital interests of our country," Erdogan said.

[15] Turkey imposed curfews on 13 villages in southeastern Turkey

The new measure came into effect at 05:00 (local time) and remain in place until further notice, the statement said.

The Governor said that the security forces will launch a major operation to search for terrorist groups operating in the hills near the town of Lice and Hani, contain their local collaborators and destroy the terrorists' weapon positions as well as targets used by terrorists as shelter, bunker and facilities.

People will not be allowed to go outside their homes until a second notification. "It is important for citizens to follow the ban for the security of their lives and property," the government's statement said.

[16] Police detain FETO leader Gulen's brother in Izmir in anti-terror operation

Gulen was detained after anti-terror police started searching for him after receiving a tip-off that he was staying at the home of a relative in the Gaziemir district of the western province of Izmir.

Kutbettin Gulen was dismissed from a printing house operating under Kaynak Holding after the state appointed trustees to the company in 2015 for its links to the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO).

Fetullah Gulen has five brothers: Seyfullah and Hasbi, who are dead, and Mesih, Salih and Kutbettin. He also has two sisters, Nurhayat and Fazilet. Their current whereabouts are not known.

In July, the police arrested Gulen's nephew Muhammet Sait Gulen in the eastern province of Erzurum. Another nephew, Ahmet Ramiz Gulen, was arrested in August in the southeastern province of Gaziantep.

(…)

[17] Cavusoglu due to Brussels to attend a conference on Afghanistan

The international community will also attend efforts to secure financial aid until 2020 to rebuild the war-torn nation. As a close partner of Afghanistan with deep historical, political and economic ties, Turkey has been participating in the conference series on rebuilding Afghanistan since its commencement in 2002. The U.S. Special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson, recently stated in Washington that the upcoming Brussels conference is to compile pledges of over $3 billion a year toward Afghanistan's development support.

The conferences affirm the international communities' commitment to support Afghanistan's development; and further assembly meetings where financial support toward the war-torn country will be discussed. In addition to bilateral assistance, Turkey is also taking part in the efforts of the international community to support Afghanistan's reconstruction, as the Central Asian country undergoes a transformation period.

The recently released statement by the Foreign Ministry indicates that Minister Cavusoglu is also to announce Turkey's development assistance pledge for the period of 2018-2020 during the Brussels Conference.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and EU President Donald Tusk will host the event. More than 70 countries along with 25 international organizations are expected to attend the conference. It has been further noted that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will also attend the conference on Tuesday. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(AK/AM)

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