Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-04

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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 alleges that the Greek Cypriot side ignores the "serious move" made by the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey on the security

[02] Eide says that the leaders have achieved more progress than ever in the Cyprus negotiations

[03] Akinci will brief the "parliament" on the Cyprus problem

[04] Ozgurgun says that the Cyprus problem will again be the most important topic in the "parliament's" agenda this year

[05] Denktas alleges that they will grant "citizenship" to all settlers who have the "right" to take it

[06] The so-called assembly launched works; statements by Sibel on the Cyprus problem; Turkish Cypriot political parties condemned the July 15th coup attempt in Turkey

[07] The daughter of the chairman of the "Cyprus Central Bank" was arrested for connections with the Gulen organization

[08] Erdogan blasts UN, US and the EU

[09] Turkey extends state of emergency for 3 months

[10] Yildirim: "There is no Kurdish problem, just a PKK terror problem"

[11] Erdogan and Yildirim slam Moody's

[12] Turkey lifted the ban for German lawmakers to visit Incirlik and expects AWACS approval by Germany after lifting Incirlik veto

[13] "Why is Erdogan hitting at Turkey's founding generation?"

[14] Meeting of the Association of Press Council to be held in the breakaway regime

[15] Berova to participate in the 3rd meeting of Youth and Sport Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

[16] The breakaway regime is organizing a tourist roadshow fair in Iran

[17] More about the "renting of a plot of land" in occupied Keryneia

[18] Turks 'most active Facebook users'

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci alleges that the Greek Cypriot side ignores the "serious move" made by the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey on the security

Giving the first lecture of the 2016-17 academic year at the "International university of Cyprus" ("UKU), Akinci said that he is trying to explain to all his interlocutors the dangers which exist if the solution of the Cyprus problem is extended in 2017 and reiterated the view that if a "common political understanding" is not reached by the end of the year, their job will become more difficult in 2017.

Akinci called on President Anastasiades to think of the next generations and not the next elections and reiterated the position that they want a solution to be reached in three stages during the forthcoming process. He argued that if the existing opportunity is missed the problem will become more difficult given the potential dangers and division will be strengthened.

Akinci further said that there are only "semicolons and commas" in diplomacy and no "full stops", but expressed the belief that the Cyprus problem has come to its "saturation point", because "the solution today is more difficult than it had been 12 years ago and it will be even more difficult tomorrow".

Referring to the hydrocarbon issue, Akinci argued that they see a field of cooperation, but it could be turned into a field of tension and blow the negotiating process up. He went on and reiterated the position that there are a lot of reasons for hurrying up to achieve a political solution by the end of 2016.

Akinci said that the solution to be reached will be a bi-zonal, bi-communal state and that it is absolutely necessary that everyone lives without dominating over each other, in equality, participating in the decisions and having rotating presidency.

Referring to the stage of the negotiations which will start today, Akinci said that they will focus on four chapters and that in the second stage there will be a camping type series of meetings upon an invitation by the UNSG during which they will discuss the territory issue. He added that right afterwards they want to hold a five-party conference with the participation of the guarantor powers to discuss the security and the guarantees.

He reiterated: "Let us finish now the basic principles of an agreement by the end of the year in such a format, let us put them on paper. The technical issues could remain for 2017. What I want is for us to see whether we can reach an agreement in 2016. If we start building the framework, we will fill it up".

Akinci alleged that before going to New York they agreed with President Anastasiades to say to the UNSG that "we will return to Cyprus and work for minimizing the points of disagreement, but afterwards to go to a five-party meeting within a framework in which we will discuss the security and the guarantees as well". He claimed that President Anastasiades was afraid of the "uproar" of what Akinci called as "the rejectionist front" and behaved as if these things had never happened. Akinci argued that preparation is needed for the five-party conference and that the UNSG cannot invite the guarantor powers two days before the meeting.

Referring to the political situation in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, Akinci said that AKEL and DISY parties could never have a joint candidate in the elections and therefore their eye is turned onto the votes of the "rejectionist front". "I wish for Anastasiades to think of the future generations and not the future elections", he claimed.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eide says that the leaders have achieved more progress than ever in the Cyprus negotiations

In statements after meeting yesterday with Akinci, Eide noted that they evaluated the meeting to be held today within the framework of the Cyprus talks. He said that the agreement text to be prepared by the two sides is a text written and agreed by the Cypriots. Every word of it has been written by Cypriots, he noted adding that the UN was only trying to help and is not at the stage on the issue of writing the agreement.

Eide expressed the view that it would be "extremely tragic" if the existing opportunity for finding a solution is not used, that there are two community leaders who are committed to solve the problem and that the international community also wants a solution. He said that the meeting today will be focused on an agreement as regards how the forthcoming days will be used and added that the two leaders agree on what they achieved during their recent visit to New York and what they have in their hands.

Eide argued also that the sides agree on what should be done and have the same target as regards the point they want to reach.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Akinci will brief the "parliament" on the Cyprus problem

The "extraordinary session" will start at 10.00 o' clock in the morning.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozgurgun says that the Cyprus problem will again be the most important topic in the "parliament's" agenda this year

Ozgurgun alleged that their target is to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and that they observed that the Greek Cypriot side does not have a will for reaching an agreement. He further claimed that the presidential elections in the government-controlled area of the island might cause halt and difficulties in the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Denktas alleges that they will grant "citizenship" to all settlers who have the "right" to take it

In statements to a television station, Denktas claimed:

"Will they be five thousands by the end of the year? I do not know whether they will be five thousands or fifteen thousands. Everyone who has not been treated in a humane manner, everyone who has been condemned living imprisoned until today, will take it. [?] It is so simple. They say that the number will increase to 230 thousands. It will be increased from 600 thousands to 800 thousands and I will say nothing, but the number of 220 thousands was given and it had not even been discussed whether this was right or wrong and I will remain committed to it. No, I will continue [?]"

Replying to a question, Denktas claimed that this move will not weaken Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci at the negotiating table.

Asked whether President Erdogan told them to stop granting "citizenships", Denktas replied negatively and added that no one urged him to give or not give "citizenships". He claimed that no one from Turkey did this.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The so-called assembly launched works; statements by Sibel on the Cyprus problem; Turkish Cypriot political parties condemned the July 15th coup attempt in Turkey

A joint declaration by the political parties with "seats in the parliament" was read out by the "parliamentary speaker" Sibel Siber during the session.

All political parties condemned the July 15 coup attempt of the Gulen terrorist group (FETO) made on July 15. "We declare that we condemn the coup attempt against the constitutional order, rule of law and democratic will made on July 15, 2016 in Turkey and we condemn the heinous attack against the Turkish parliament as the TRNC parliament presidency and all political parties represented at the parliament and we are always on the democratic will's side under all conditions", said the declaration.

The statement added that the resistance by the Turkish people, who risked their own lives against the coup attempt in July, would not be forgotten.

Also, in her opening speech, Siber touched upon the Cyprus issue and argued that that unlike the internal problems, the Cyprus problem is not something that could only be solved by the one side. "It is our hope that a just and permanent solution is found to the Cyprus problem, one that will bring peace to the two peoples on the island" Siber said and added that the "two peoples" on the island needed to feel secure.

On the issue of administration and power sharing, Siber said that it should not be based on numerical majority but political equality and reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot "people" supported a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on political equality.

"A solution is different, peace is different, therefore the solution that will be found should not lead to renewed fighting but embrace peace and be viable" added Sibel.

Meanwhile, so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and political party representatives delivered speeches during the "session".

[07] The daughter of the chairman of the "Cyprus Central Bank" was arrested for connections with the Gulen organization

According to the paper, the woman was arrested in the framework of the "ByLock program", which is a mobile phone application adopted by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to detect persons who have connections with Gulen.

(CS)

[08] Erdogan blasts UN, US and the EU

Noting that "there are no Muslim member-states in the U.N. Security Council," he argued that the Permanent membership of the UNSC should be increased from 10 to 20, 10 of which rotate every two years, so that all 193 countries take an equal turn.

Erdogan also slammed the U.S. for dragging its heels on extraditing Pennsylvania-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who he said has "lived in luxury on 400,000 square meters of land for 17 years."

"We don't look for a court ruling whenever the U.S. asks us for [the extradition of] a terrorist. But we have not seen the same from our partner," he said, referring to Washington's stance on Gulen, who is accused of being behind Turkey's failed military coup attempt of July 15.

Erdogan also stated that "obstacles from the U.S. and Israel" ironically paved the way for Turkey to produce its own drones. He said that whenever Ankara has asked Washington to purchase drones, obstacles are thrown up in the U.S. Congress. "We are strategic partners, are we not?" he said.

(?)

Erdogan also blasted the European Union for "failing to keep its promise" on humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees hosted in Turkey, saying that out of the 3 billion euros promised by Brussels, only 179 million euros have received so far.

Although the issue of refugees was brought up at the recent session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, nobody properly embraces them, he said, while vowing that Turkey will continue to fulfill its humanitarian duties "regardless of whether the EU keeps its promise or not."

[09] Turkey extends state of emergency for 3 months

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, Kurtulmus said that the assembled Ministers decided that the state of emergency would be extended as of October 19 for 90 more days, with Parliament's approval.

"Turkey will determinately fight against all terror organizations," Kurtulmus said.

The National Security Council last week had advised extending the state of emergency.

According to the Turkish Constitution, a state of emergency can be declared for a maximum period of six months, but can also be extended if needed.

Parliament must ratify states of emergency, and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has a comfortable majority for doing so.

To enact the state of emergency, the government must see serious indications of widespread violence which could interfere with Turkey's democratic environment or its citizens' basic rights and freedoms as established by the Constitution.

[10] Yildirim: "There is no Kurdish problem, just a PKK terror problem"

In statements during a meeting with the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) in Ankara, Y?ld?r?m said that terrorism was holding back development and investment in Turkey, especially for citizens living in the east and southeast. "We have been suffering from terrorism for many years. In reality there is no Kurdish problem in Turkey. Kurds have a terror problem with the PKK. This problem holds us back in all areas. Works in the region are delayed, investments are delayed. Who is suffering? Our citizens living there are suffering," he added.

Y?ld?r?m recalled that six soldiers who were taking security measures were recently killed in an attack during construction of a road between the southeastern province of S?rnak and the eastern province of Van.

"Now let my citizens see, let my Kurdish citizens living there see. This terror organization, these vile people are doing whatever they can to hinder the development of the region. Let our children not fall into this trap," he said.

His remarks on the fragile situation in Turkey's east and southeast came after he said the state is responsible for "regulation" to make sure there is no unfair competition. "The state's duty cannot be trade. The state's duty is to provide security, justice, education, and health. Otherwise we should leave everyone to do their own job," said Y?ld?r?m.

"We should provide everybody with the same opportunities and whoever is then powerful should move ahead," he added.

[11] Erdogan and Yildirim slam Moody's

"Turkey continues to grow and develop. The credit agencies make evaluations under someone's orders. These agencies give a 'stable' outlook to a country like Turkey, which is standing on its own two feet. This time they even reduced it," Erdogan said.

Erdogan's comments follow the decision last week by ratings agency Moody's to lower Turkey's credit rating from Baa3 to Ba1.

"Put some coins into their [credit agencies'] pockets and get the rating that you want. We know where they take their orders from," Erdogan said, adding: "Cut the rating as much as you want. Turkey will continue to develop.

"We will open the Eurasia Tunnel on December 20. Let them come and go through the tunnel," he said, referring to a $1.25 billion project underneath the Bosporus, due to cut the 100-minute cross-strait journey time to just 15 minutes.

According to Erdogan, no one took Moody's decision seriously, as it was guided by political motives, not economic indicators.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (03.10.16) reported that Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m has slammed the Moody's decision to downgrade Turkey's credit rating at a moment when the Turkish economy is growing.

"It is not the place of a credit rating company to decide on Turkey's note. Tradesmen, businessmen and the people are the ones who get to decide. We are responsible to them, not to the credit institutions," Y?ld?r?m said on Oct. 3 in a speech delivered to the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) in Ankara.

Blasting the Moody's decision, Y?ld?r?m emphasized increases in Turkey's national income and economic growth, saying that "confidence in the economy rose by 21% in August."

"When the people are expressing their trust, what credit rating institutions say is not important," he also said.

"We have achieved economic growth while fighting against [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] ISIL, [the Kurdistan Workers' Party] PKK, and [the Fethullah Terror Organization] FETO. Today, the economic indicators of Turkey are better than many others in the world," Y?ld?r?m alleged.

[12] Turkey lifted the ban for German lawmakers to visit Incirlik and expects AWACS approval by Germany after lifting Incirlik veto

A team consisting of six members of the Bundestag's Defense Committee will pay a two-day visit to Turkey and hold talks with their counterparts at the Turkish Parliament's Defense Committee on Oct. 4 before flying to Incirlik, which currently hosts 300 German soldiers, six Tornado surveillance aircraft and one tanker aircraft.

"The visit of German authorities to Incirlik is within the framework of inspecting German troops stationed at the base," Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told reporters following a cabinet meeting on October 3.

"The decision for their visit was made in line with our bilateral agreements with Germany," Kurtulmus said.

(?)

However, having lifted its blockage on German lawmakers' visit to Incirlik, Turkey expects two key decisions from the Bundestag. The first one is the extension of the mandate of German surveillance jets and its troops in Incirlik. It's believed that Germany will issue a 14-month-long extension to the mandate which will also include the construction of military facilities for German troops that will cost 58 million euros.

The second approval expected from Germany's Parliament is the deployment of NATO's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft to Turkey under a NATO decision to support the United States-led international coalition fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria and Iraq.

AWACS aircraft will be provided to Turkey by Germany, although the deployment requires clearance from the German Parliament. NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow said last week that he hoped the AWACS operation would begin before a NATO defense ministers' meeting in late October.

"We hope the necessary approval will be given by the German Parliament before this meeting. The ball is in Germany's court," a Turkish diplomatic source told the Hurriyet Daily News.

[13] "Why is Erdogan hitting at Turkey's founding generation?"

"Turkey today is in desperate need of unity and calm. The failed coup attempt on July 15 came at a time when political tension was already high. There was a moment of hope after the coup was foiled that wisdom would prevail, especially since the Parliament stood against the coup in a unified manner.

This is why it is intriguing that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chosen to return to the path of division and tension. As a statement from the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) said last week, Erdogan has returned to the 'default settings' as far as his abrasive and vindictive manner is concerned.

That statement was issued after Erdogan came out trashing the Treaty of Lausanne signed with world powers in 1923, following Turkey's successful War of Liberation against Greece after World War I. Lausanne is considered today to be the founding document of the Turkish Republic.

By arguing that this treaty was a failure ? and not the success that it has been seen as for decades because it gave the Aegean Islands 'only a shout away' from Turkey away ? Erdogan was effectively questioning the founding document of modern Turkey.

It is also noteworthy that it was the same Erdogan who only in July, on the 93rd anniversary of the signing of Lausanne, issued a statement lauding the treaty and referring to it as the 'title deed of the Republic'.

The fact that Erdogan contradicted this statement just two months later, by grossly misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the Lausanne negotiations, did not bother even those more informed elements among supporters of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Not one of them felt the need to underline that the Dodecanese Islands, which are indeed a shout away from Turkey, were passed to the Italians in 1913, a decade before the Republic was founded, after the Ottomans lost a war against Italy.

The false impression among most AKP supporters is that these islands were handed to Greece on a silver platter by the Turkish negotiators at Lausanne, starting with Ismet Inonu, one of the main heroes of the War of Liberation and the second President of the Republic after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

They argue that the successful war against invading Greek forces should have been carried on to the islands, clearly unaware that this would have entailed war with Italy. Neither are they aware that Italy was indirectly facilitating Turkey's War of Liberation at that stage because it was not given regions of the Aegean it coveted after World War I.

The history is too complex to go into here, and clearly far too complex for the average AKP supporter to comprehend. All that matters for them is that Inonu is their object of hate for his staunch secularism, and has become their scapegoat twice over because they cannot hit at Ataturk. It does not take much imagination to figure out who the real target is when Inonu is attacked and Lausanne is trashed.

Erdogan also appears unaware or uncaring of the diplomatic fallout from some of his statements. It did not take long for his remark about Lausanne to be picked up in Greece as a sign that Turkey still covets the islands and for the expected official protest from Athens to come.

Greece, however, did not pursue the matter, obviously aware that Erdogan's ultimately meaningless words were aimed at a domestic audience. His remark was no doubt noted, however, by diplomats as an example of how he can blurt out statements to serve his political ends at home without considering the international ramifications of his words.

Erdogan and his supporters are clearly more concerned with getting even with their secularist enemies and are now choosing to hit at them by attacking the founding generation of the secular Republic. They are not too concerned about 'bending history' as long as doing so serves their ends.

As to what this is doing to inner peace and stability in Turkey; that is obviously of secondary importance for them, if it is a consideration at all".

[14] Meeting of the Association of Press Council to be held in the breakaway regime

According to a statement issued by the Turkish Cypriot Press Council, journalists from Turkey and other countries will participate in the meeting.

Turkish Cypriot politicians and "officials" will briefly address the council. Among them are "prime minister" Huseyin Oozgurgun, "speaker of the assembly", Sibel Siber and "deputy prime minister and minister of finance" Serdar Denktas.

A delegation of the Association held a meeting with Ozgurgun yesterday headed by its chairman Kajubi Makajanka.

The paper notes that the World Association of Press Council held meetings in the breakaway regime in 2000 and 2009..

(CS)

[15] Berova to participate in the 3rd meeting of Youth and Sport Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

According to the paper, Berova will deliver a speech during the meeting.

(CS)

[16] The breakaway regime is organizing a tourist roadshow fair in Iran

The paper writes that self-styled minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu went to Tehran in order to have contacts aiming to increase flights towards the breakaway regime.

He went on and added that they will also start advertising in Azerbaijan,Moscow and UK to attract more tourists.

(CS

[17] More about the "renting of a plot of land" in occupied Keryneia

The paper writes that everybody remains silent on this matter, since no statement was made yet by any political party, organization or trade union.

According to the paper, the plot of land is located near the sea in occupied Keryneia area and it is considered as one of the most beautiful areas in the "country". Its value is estimated as 1 million Sterling per acre, writes the paper and underlined that it was made known that in the same location, another plot of land "belonging" to Peanuts restaurant, of about 2,5 thousand square meters was sold for 2,5 million Sterling to a businessman called Mehmet Ezic.

On the same issue and under the front-page title: "They gave to Gursel a protected area", Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.10.16) reports that the "solidarity movement" in a new statement yesterday revealed that the above mentioned plot of land which was handed over to a "university", is considered as an "archeological protected area".

The "solidarity movement" condemned the procedures followed by the so-called government and called it to withdrawn from "giving as bribe" the "land of this country" to specific groups which serve the big capital.

The "solidarity movement" supports that illegal procedures were followed since no tender has been opened first and underlines the fact that the "ministerial council decision" was not even published in the "official gazette" of the breakaway regime.

(AK)

[18] Turks 'most active Facebook users'

Around half of all 3.4 billion internet users are also Facebook users, yet this figure hits almost 97% in Turkey, said Facebook Turkey Country Director Derya Matras.

"There are 43 million Facebook users in Turkey; around 30 million of them connect to the social network on a daily basis. This is an incredible rate," Matras said in an interview with daily Hurriyet.

She added that some 39 million internet users in Turkey are also active in mobile technologies.

"Due to these tremendous figures, Facebook's Turkish team has been growing. We are now a part of the Middle East and Africa region, headquartered in Dubai, although the Turkey team works from London. We are developing our organizational structure so as to work with our business partners in a closer manner," she added.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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