Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-06

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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: "We have entered into a historical period"

[02] Akinci says that the issue of the powers of the founding states is almost completed

[03] Ozersay: The Greek Cypriots try to prolong the negotiations "like a chewing gum"

[04] Atun says that Turkey gave them 200 million TL this year for nine different programs

[05] Ataoglu continues to promote tourism of the breakaway regime in Iran

[06] Sucuoglu evaluated his contacts in Ankara; Turkes and Akdag to pay soon an illegal visit in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] The new "state oncology centre" was inaugurated in the occupied part of Lefkosia

[08] Turkey-Iraq tension on rise at the eve of key Mosul operation

[09] Figures on military personnel in Turkey after the coup attempt structural change

[10] Kilicdaroglu criticized the AKP government for cutting live broadcasts of several TV stations and channels

[11] 66 more judges and prosecutors were dismissed in coup attempt probe

[12] The World Energy Congress to take place in Turkey for the first time

[13] The state of emergency in Turkey "shadows" the occupied area of Cyprus

[14] Occupied Lefkosia "municipality" and Eskisehir signed a "twin cities protocol"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "We have entered into a historical period"

Stating that the negotiation talks were suspended today in order to brief the "assembly" about the latest developments, he recalled that the new intensified phase of the negotiation process was launched the other day. "I consider today's briefing of the assembly as very important, taking into account that the goal we have set at this phase of the intensified process is to reach to a solution within 2016", Akinci said.

Akinci said further that besides the "assembly" he will also brief in a separate meeting the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot political parties about the latest developments.

Underlining that he is ready to listen to the views of all "deputies" in every platform, Akinci reminded of the fact that it is the third time in a period of 16 months that he is briefing the "assembly" about the negotiation talks, comparing with President Nicos Anastasiades who has done this only once.

Replying to a question whether they should expect by the "assembly" to receive a decision today regarding the Cyprus problem, Akinci clarified that today's meeting is only "informative".

(AK)

[02] Akinci says that the issue of the powers of the founding states is almost completed

In statements in the occupied area of the island after the meeting, Akinci noted that yesterday they started discussing issues on which agreement had not been achieved in the chapters of Governance and Power Sharing, the Property, the EU and the Economy and added that they achieved convergences.

"The most important issue which we settled today was the part which concerns the powers of the founding states to make international agreements. We can say that this part is almost completed", he said.

Noting that in the federations all over the world the founding states have the competence to make international agreements on concrete issues which are included in the fields of their power, Akinci gave as example the cases of Belgium, Germany and Canada. He further said that the founding states will be able to make agreements in the fields of culture, art, education, sports, commerce, economy, tourism and economic aid with various countries including Turkey. He added that they will also be able to make agreements with international organizations like UNESCO and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. "Sometimes the following question is asked: Now economic agreements are made with Turkey. Will this happen after the solution? Yes it will", he said.

Asked in which country outside Cyprus the negotiations on the territory chapter will be held, Akinci replied that this is not known yet, but most probably it could be a neutral country.

Asked to comment on the issue of whether they agree with President Anastasiades as to how much progress is enough to pass to the discussion of the territory, Akinci argued: "Essentially, in our view there is enough progress. I think that even today there should be no obstacle for passing to the next stage. Why I am saying this? The solution of the other points of disagreement may become easier after you see the whole picture. I am saying this in relation with the result which you achieve, but there are other issues which should be settled".

Akinci claimed that the issues which should be settled are not 180-200 as it is alleged and that many of these issues are related with the implementation [of the solution] and therefore the basic differences are less.

Finally, he argued that it is possible for more convergences to be achieved and that it could clearly be seen that some disagreements will remain for 2017, but they wish to complete the four chapters to a "great extent".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay: The Greek Cypriots try to prolong the negotiations "like a chewing gum"

He made these statements speaking at ADA TV Channel where he evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

Ozersay accused the Greek Cypriot side of trying to prolong the negotiations "like a chewing gum", as he said and claimed that during the three-party meeting in New York the expectation rose too high. He also noted that Akinci tried to limit down the expectation warning "people not to expect miracles".

Referring to other issues Ozersay stated that his party sees positively the transfer of electricity from Turkey.

(CS)

[04] Atun says that Turkey gave them 200 million TL this year for nine different programs

In statements after the meeting, Atun said that Turkey gave the breakaway regime around 200 million Turkish liras this year to be used in nine different programs for tradesmen and craftsmen. He noted that a similar sum of money will be given to the tradesmen within the forthcoming days.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ataoglu continues to promote tourism of the breakaway regime in Iran

The paper writes that around 170 Iranian tourists agents participated in the event in which the self-styled minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu made a speech. Speaking during the event Ataoglu alleged that the Iranian people could get out of the dangerous atmosphere of the Middle East and enjoy a safe vacation in (occupied) Cyprus.

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

(CS)

[06] Sucuoglu evaluated his contacts in Ankara; Turkes and Akdag to pay soon an illegal visit in the occupied area of Cyprus

Evaluating his contacts to "BRT", Sucuoglu announced that Turkes and Akdag will be visiting the "TRNC "in the near future for further discussions on the "health system" and the "new hospital" to be built in the occupied part of Lefkosia.

He also said that a delegation from the Turkish Health Ministry will arrive in the "TRNC" on the 11th of October for preparatory work on the "Guzelyurt Hospital" [occupied Morphou hospital] and a "hospital" planned to be built in occupied Trikomo.

Explaining that the delegations from Turkey and the "TRNC" were carrying out infrastructure work for the new "hospital" in the occupied part of Lefkosia, Sucuoglu added that they will be exchanging views on the issues of "general health insurance", the "automation system" and "health system" in general.

Sucuoglu also added that after the Turkish delegation prepares its report, the Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag will be visiting the "TRNC" to inspect the "hospitals" and to visit the area where the new "hospital" will be constructed.

Noting that he held a long meeting with Turkes, Sucuoglu stated that Turkes expressed support for the new "hospital".

Stating that Turkes will pay a working visit to the "TRNC" in the coming days, Sucuoglu explained that during his contacts in Ankara, health plans and programs were brought to the table.

Sucuoglu also added that new developments and reforms in the "field of health" in the coming period will be supported by Turkey.

[07] The new "state oncology centre" was inaugurated in the occupied part of Lefkosia

The oncology center has a 62 bed capacity and a 5 person intensive care unit.

The new "hospital"l was inaugurated by so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, the "minister of economy and energy" Sunat Atun, the "minister of health" Faiz Sucuoglu, the former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the so-called Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Derya Kanbay.

(…)

Speaking at the ceremony, Sucuoglu said that the center will be solving problems experienced by cancer patients to a great deal.

Ozgurgun in his speech said that health is one of the "government's" top priorities, adding that the "health minister" had taken important steps in a short period of time and that more will be done in the field of "health" in the coming days.

Pointing out that there could be no politics in health, Ozgurgun thanked all past and present "health ministers" for their contributions for the construction of the "oncology center".

[08] Turkey-Iraq tension on rise at the eve of key Mosul operation

Ankara believes an offensive by Shia militias will backlash in Sunni-populated Mosul and argues that Sunni fighters, trained by Turkish troops in the Bashiqa military camp, should be a key part of the Mosul offensive.

The Foreign Ministry summoned Iraqi Ambassador to Ankara Husham al-Alawi on October 5 over the Iraqi Parliament's demand for Turkish troops to leave the Bashiqa region of Iraq, diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News.

On the same day, Iraq's Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey's Envoy in Baghdad to protest what it said were "provocative" comments made in Ankara about keeping Turkish troops in northern Iraq.

However, Turkish Ambassador Faruk Kaymakc? was in Ankara on Oct. 5.

On Oct. 4, Iraq's Parliament asked the government to send a diplomatic note to Turkey's Ambassador to Baghdad, to describe Turkish troops in the country as "hostile occupying forces," and to reconsider trade and economic ties with Turkey. It also rejected Turkish lawmakers' recent decision to extend the mandate on authorization of the government for cross-border military operations into Iraq.

Meanwhile, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on October 5 that Turkey is ready to cooperate with the Iraqi government in every way to defeat terrorist organizations from the neighboring country.

"Iraq belongs to Iraqis, Syria belongs to Syrians," Kurtulmus told reporters in Istanbul, while adding that it was impossible for Ankara to allow any terrorist group to change the ethnicity and demographic structure in the region and stressing that Iraq and other countries should not allow such moves either.

In a written statement on Oct. 4, the Turkish Foreign Ministry similarly condemned the Iraqi Parliament's characterization of Turkish troops in Bashiqa as "occupiers."

"We strongly condemn the Iraqi Parliament's unacceptable decision, including dirty accusations against the Turkish President," the Ministry said in a statement, adding that the decision did not reflect the opinion of the Iraqi people who Turkey has stood by and supported for years.

It also highlighted that Turkey had been fighting ISIL, which is a threat to its national security, and that Ankara is a member of the international coalition fighting the terror group.

"Turkey has lost thousands of citizens due to the terror threat from Iraq and has defended Iraq's territorial integrity, sovereignty, stability and security taking huge political and economic risks, despite being affected directly by the instability caused by the sectarian approach of Iraq," the statement added.

A mandate that allows military action against terror organizations in neighboring Syria and Iraq for one more year was first approved by Turkey's parliament in 2007 and extended after ISIL appeared, according to the statement.

"Turkey will maintain its determination in fighting against terrorist organizations that threaten national security as a right to self-defense, as well as in protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, with which it shares a common future," according to the statement.

It urged the Iraqi authorities to "take the friendly hand that Turkey offers" to the benefit of Iraq and the region "in a period that is very critical in terms of fighting against Daesh."

Over last weekend, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned of possible "sectarian" results arising from the Mosul operation. Any liberation of Mosul should be conducted by those with ethnic and religious ties to the city, Erdogan said, objecting to the use of Shiite militiamen.

An unspecified number of Turkish troops in the Bashiqa camp outside ISIL-controlled Mosul in northern Iraq are involved in training Iraqi fighters who plan to recapture the city.

Baghdad has demanded the immediate withdrawal of forces that it said Turkey "illegally" sent into Iraq.

[09] Figures on military personnel in Turkey after the coup attempt structural change

A total of 355,212 military personnel are currently serving under the roof of the TSK, the military announced on its website on October 5, revealing a dramatic decline from the 518,166 at the end of June.

The figure even jumps to 570,111 when the number of civilian personnel is added.

The June figures showed that the personnel number of the gendarmerie stood at 160,148.

On July 27, the Interior Ministry took full control over the gendarmerie and the Coast Guard as part of the precautions against a further coup attempt. The gendarmerie will now operate with the military in cases of emergency.

According to the new statement, 201 generals and admirals and 29,434 military officers are currently on duty following dismissals from the army as part of the ongoing investigation into the attempted takeover, which was blamed on the movement of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, particularly members of the movement who were high up in the military in Istanbul and Ankara.

Before the coup attempt, there were 358 generals and admirals in total, with 32 of them being in the gendarmerie.

The army added that there were 67,257 non-commissioned officers on duty. It also stated that there were 49,279 specialized sergeants and 15,869 contracted privates after the dismissals.

There are also 6,072 reserve officers and 187,100 privates in the army, according to the military.

According to the statement by the General Staff on July 1, there were 39,287 military officers, along with 96,391 non-commissioned officers, 21,303 specialized gendarmerie, 76,641 specialized privates, 13,216 contracted privates, 6,477 reserve officers and 264,493 privates in the army.

According to initial figures announced in early September after the coup attempt, the number of total military personnel decreased to 351,176.

There were 206 generals and admirals, 29,946 military officers, 67,646 non-commissioned officers and 48,879 specialized sergeants, along with 15,888 contracted privates, 5,827 reserve officers and 182,784 privates, according to figures released on September 9.

In addition, according to the latest decision taken at the meeting of the Supreme Military Council (YAS) in August, a total of 586 colonels were retired from the army.

Some 470 of the retired colonels were from the Land Forces, 71 were from the Naval Forces while the other 45 were from the Air Force, the Defense Ministry announced.

However, the terms of office of 434 colonels were expanded for two years on Augsut 30, according to a decision approved by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Some 372 of the colonels whose terms were expanded come from the Land Forces, 27 from the Naval Forces and 35 from the Air Force.

The total projected term in service of officers was also decreased from 31 to 28 years in a move to gradually reduce the number of high-ranking officers.

[10] Kilicdaroglu criticized the AKP government for cutting live broadcasts of several TV stations and channels

"It is a coup tradition to seize channels while they are broadcasting live," he tweeted on Oct. 4 after the government passed a decree law last week closing a number of Kurdish, left-wing and Alevi broadcasters for "being a threat to national security" and "having ties to terrorist organizations."

"Democracy rises with a free press that does not yield to civilian coups and dictatorship. If a country in 14 years has come to a position where there can be coups, then those who have been ruling the country for 14 years are not victims but are responsible," said Kilicdaroglu.

Imc TV, Hayat?n Sesi TV, Van TV, Jiyan TV, Azadi TV and Zarok TV, many of which broadcast in Kurdish, along with 11 radio channels, were shut down as part of a decree law that was introduced as part of the state of emergency Turkey's government imposed after the July 15 coup attempt.

[11] 66 more judges and prosecutors were dismissed in coup attempt probe

The total number of dismissed judges and prosecutors increased to 3,456 with the latest dismissals as part of an investigation into the attempted takeover.

(…)

[12] The World Energy Congress to take place in Turkey for the first time

The countdown has started for the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul, which runs through October 9-13. The congress will be hosted by the Energy Ministry under the aegis of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will give a speech.

Over 250 speakers from 80 countries are expected to attend, and Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak will represent Turkey. Setting the agenda for the energy world, the congress will host over 60 politicians.

(…)

Serving as the first global energy event held following the Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, the World Energy Congress will focus on the effects of new technologies on corporate structures.

Also, developments in coal, nuclear energy and sustainable energy will also be discussed. In the congress, problems in terms of experts, politicians and energy investors with regards to the Middle East and Turkey will be evaluated under the title of "energy security."

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (06.10.16) reports that the Istanbul Startup Conference will also take place in Turkey between October 6-10.

Startup Istanbul is the leading startup event which brings together founders, investors and executives in the region.

The event is an exclusive gathering of the leading startups, internet companies, angel investors and venture capitalists from Europe and Asia. This year, 500 startups, 500 investors and 4,000 attendees will come to Istanbul to attend the event, writes the paper.

[13] The state of emergency in Turkey "shadows" the occupied area of Cyprus

In a letter sent by "LAU" to the academicians it is said that they had to make other "arrangements" because of the state of emergency which is valid in Turkey after the coup of 15 July 2016 and that it was decided that their papers should not take place in the symposium.

The Solidarity organization condemns the decision of the organizers of the symposium noting that it violates the "academic autonomy" and the "reality" that the occupied northern part of Cyprus is an "entity" independent from Turkey. The organization describes as "shameful" the decision of rejecting the papers which was taken on non-academic grounds and the fact that a "university" in the occupied area of Cyprus such as "LAU" produced a decision based on decrees issued in Turkey.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.10.16) covers the issue on its front page under the title "The fascism which exist in Turkey was spread to us also" and reports that six academicians the papers of whose had been accepted were taken out of the list of the participants in the symposium. According to the paper, the real reason for banning the six academicians was the fact that they had earlier signed a petition in support of other academicians [opposing decisions taken by the AKP administration].

(I/Ts.)

[14] Occupied Lefkosia "municipality" and Eskisehir signed a "twin cities protocol"

The protocol was signed by "Lefkosia mayor" Mehmet Harmanci and Eskisehir mayor Yilmaz Buyukersen.

According to the paper, the protocol aims to strengthen the friendship and cooperation.

(CS) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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