Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-11-08

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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: Turks should also be able to become president of united Cyprus

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader speaks on new Swiss talks

[03] Turkish Cypriot press: If a solution will be reached in 2016, discussing the territory in Switzerland is inevitable

[04] The Cyprus problem was discussed at the self-styled assembly

[05] KTOEOS expresses its support to the two leaders

[06] Kansoy called the two leaders to establish a "common Morfou and a common state"

[07] The Social Gender Equality platform expressed support to the leaders

[08] Arikli called Akinci not to fall into the Greek Cypriot's "trap" in Switzerland

[09] Cooperation agreement between Turkey and the breakaway regime on social issues

[10] Ataoglu said that their aim is to extract tourists from every British region

[11] Twenty-two Syrian refugees were arrested in the occupied coast of Davlos

[12] Erdogan opens new $5 billion power plants

[13] Calls to halt Turkey's EU accession talks racist, EU Minister Celik says

[14] Turkey condemns Luxemburg FM for Nazi remarks

[15] Another HDP Deputy remanded in custody in terror probe

[16] CHP: Arrests of HDP lawmakers violate constitution

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: Turks should also be able to become president of united Cyprus

Asked to comment on the fact that the territory will also be discussed, Akinci said that "we want a big reconciliation for the future generations".

Akinci reiterated his view that Turks should also be able to become president of the united Cyprus. He argued that the issues of governance, property and territory are interrelated and that the Greek Cypriots are trying to relate the territory and the property. "If we agree on the criteria, we will discuss the issue of the map", he said and alleged that President Anastasiades is not as well prepared for the negotiations as the Turkish side. "We have come to this point because of the Turkish Cypriot side's determined stance", he claimed.

Finally, Akinci reiterated the view that in order for the Cyprus negotiations to be concluded, a five-party summit with the participation of the guarantor powers and the communities of the island should be held, because the above-mentioned states have signed the existing Treaty of Guarantees of the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot side wants a date for the five-party conference for the discussion of the security and guarantees to be determined in Switzerland.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader speaks on new Swiss talks

The article goes as following:

"[?] During our meeting, I found President Akinci to be highly realistic and cautiously optimistic, he has full knowledge of the issues involved and can diagnose the possible difficulties and problems. He attaches great significance to the continuation of Turkey's support.

[?]

The bad taste left by the 2004 referendum apparently reduced the number of those who believe that a solution can be achieved. Akinci stressed that the topics around the map and security of the island would not be discussed in Switzerland and instead they would focus on governance style, ownership, EU issues, and the economy. The topics around the map and security will be fully dealt with after all other topics are resolved. In this regard, the KKTC president does not think it is realistic or appropriate to remove Turkey's guarantor powers under the current circumstances. He says time is needed to build a sense of safety and for the concept of safety to change in the eyes of the Turkish community and that there is also need to develop the habit of coexistence and change the education systems."

[03] Turkish Cypriot press: If a solution will be reached in 2016, discussing the territory in Switzerland is inevitable

Noting that addressing the ceremony, UNSG said that the solution in Cyprus is attainable, the paper writes that in Switzerland, the leaders will discuss the details of the four chapters on which it is said that progress has been made, that is, the Governance and Power Sharing, the Economy, the EU and the property. They will also start the discussion of the criteria on the territory chapter, which has not been discussed at all until today. In case a date for a five-party international conference is determined, reference to names of villages and maps will be made, notes the paper adding that the leaders will be meeting face-to-face at least twice every day and if it is needed meetings with the participation of small or bigger groups will be held.

Citing information by "diplomatic" sources", Yeni Duzen's correspondent Cagil Gunalp reports that the UNSG noted that the implementation of the agreements between the leaders on issues such as the economy will constitute a confidence building measure.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.11.16) reports that the leaders will discuss the criteria on the territory tomorrow in case there is an agreement of the unsettled issues of the first four chapters having as final aim to determine a date for holding a five-party conference. Otherwise the Mont Pelerin summit will fail, argues the paper.

Meanwhile, Basaran Duzgun, Havadis' director, expresses the view that the possibilities of success and failure of the negotiations in Mont Pelerin are 50-50, because "both leaders are in great tension" and "at a crossroad". Arguing that the territory will be the issue on which the biggest tension will be experienced, Duzgun writes that this issue is considered to be a "victory for the one side and smack down for the other".

"A map is not expected to come onto the agenda at the Mont Pelerin Summit", he reports and notes: "Or rather, Akinci does not want to discuss a map. However, if the end of the road has come and if the target of reaching a solution by the end of the year exists ? something on which Akinci often reiterates his target in this direction ? it is inevitable for him to discuss a map. And it seems that it is not possible to reach a result with the positions at which the sides are standing. What should be done? New proposals, which will be relaxing the leaders and will be making the agreement easier, should be submitted to the table. Mont Pelerine is the most appropriate place for this".

Under the title "They will discuss at least 13 hours daily, the first day was satisfactory", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (08.11.16) reports that sources close to the "president's office" said that the leaders will hold discussions for at least 13 hours daily in Switzerland and that the "five day marathon" will start at 09.00 in the morning. The Turkish Cypriot source told journalist Ulas Baris that the fact that the UNSG devoted hours to the two Cypriot leaders at Mont Pelerin was a "sign of support and faith", as due to his heavy schedule, he devotes only 15 minutes to other important world leaders. Baris reports that after the UNSG's departure at 14.30, the leaders started the negotiations with their delegations from 17.30 until late at night.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.16) describes the leaders "calm, warm and sincere" during their meeting with the UNSG. Citing sources from Akinci's office, the paper reports that the first day of the negotiations in Switzerland started in "a positive, sincere and constructive atmosphere".

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Cyprus problem was discussed at the self-styled assembly

The General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman stressed that the Switzerland Summit was a turning point for the Cyprus problem and expressed the hope that positive news will come out from the summit.

Arguing that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci had been criticized for not relaying enough information, he reminded that Akinci briefed political party leaders before the summit last Friday. "The Prime Minister and the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun did not attend the last meeting. The General Secretary of the UBP should have at least attended this meeting. I was expecting them to show the same attention as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan" Erhurman said.

"Prime minister" Ozgurgun in response to Erhurman said that he had lunch with Akinci last Tuesday and that he informed Akinci that he would not be able to attend Friday's meeting.

"Akinci's approach to this was positive. I wish this issue had not been brought to the agenda of the parliament" Ozgurgun said.

Stating that they abstained from making too many statements as every statement could have a positive or negative effect; he said that the "government" expressed support to Akinci in the negotiations process he conducted with Turkey.

Reminding that they had demanded from the Turkish Cypriot leader for a representative from the "foreign ministry" to take part in the negotiating team, Ozgurgun said this was not accepted by Akinci and that therefore the "government" was not entirely involved in the negotiations process.

[05] KTOEOS expresses its support to the two leaders

Gokcebel called the two leaders to act with courage not only for the future of their communities but for the whole world's rights.

(?)

(AK)

[06] Kansoy called the two leaders to establish a "common Morfou and a common state"

Kansoy who sent a letter of support to Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci said that a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution in Cyprus based on the political equality will constitute the beginning of viable peace process in Cyprus. Kansoy added also the following: "While you are evaluating Morfou town and territory and property issus there, the reality that our Greek Cypriot friends had earn their incomes from this fertile land prior to 1974, and the Turkish Cypriots as well after 1974, gives you the opportunity to establish a "Common Morfou" and to exert efforts for the establishment of a common state", Kansoy stated.

(AK)

[07] The Social Gender Equality platform expressed support to the leaders

The platform also demanded from the leaders to take brave steps on the road towards a solution.

The members of the Social Gender Equality Platform gathered in front of the so-called presidency yesterday to express support to the Cyprus talks that began in Switzerland.

The members of the platform, who will be gathering in front of the "presidency" every day between the 7th and 11th of November after 5 pm and wait for "good news", also read out a letter written by the women for the leaders.

The platform members unfurled pro-peace banners in front of the "presidency" and hung their wishes on olive tree branches.

They also read out a letter titled "Peace Now" which was addressed to Akinci and Anastasiades that voiced their desire for a solution on the island.

[08] Arikli called Akinci not to fall into the Greek Cypriot's "trap" in Switzerland

Arikli further claimed that not only the statements made by President Anastasiades, but also the structure of the Greek Cypriot delegation in Switzerland and the information acquired so far prove that the Greek Cypriots went to Mont Pelerin with the aim not to reach a solution.

Claiming that the aim of the Greek Cypriot side is to pull a map from the Turkish Cypriot side without the determination of a five-party meeting first, Arikli added the following: "They will utilize this map as an instrument for propaganda during the pre-election period. We believe that Mr Akinci will not fall into this trap".

(AK)

[09] Cooperation agreement between Turkey and the breakaway regime on social issues

Saner met with Turkish Minister Kaya within the framework of the 6th Session of the Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member States held in Istanbul.

According to a statement released by the self-styled labor and social security ministry, mutual cooperation on projects being carried out for the "Senior Centre, Home for the Disabled and Children's Village" in the breakaway regime were taken up during the meeting.

The statement also said that Turkish Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya expressed her ministry's readiness to provide every support for the projects. Saner for his part expressed the desire for inspecting the sample facilities in different parts of Turkey with his technical delegation and to make use of the knowledge and experience of Turkey on the issue.

[10] Ataoglu said that their aim is to extract tourists from every British region

Ataoglu told the press that he may say that they started to regain the London market. He further said that the British market possesses a lot of potentials for the "TRNC", adding that they have not received yet enough share from this market lately.

He expressed the belief, by claiming that their efforts will bear its fruits in the coming tourism season. He further argued that "TRNC's participation" in the fair was a great success and argued: "This is where we defy the world and show them that we exist. North Cyprus is not just sand and beaches but a place where activity tourism, walking paths, bike paths, water sports, and unrestricted tourism opportunities exists."

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.11.16) reports that Ataoglu also said that the British market is important for the "TRNC", adding that in the upcoming days, advertisements of the "TRNC" will be seen in different regions of Britain. He concluded by saying that their aim is to extract tourists from every British region for Cyprus (translator's note: he refers to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

(DPs)

[11] Twenty-two Syrian refugees were arrested in the occupied coast of Davlos

According to the paper, the Syrian refugees said that they escaped from their country in order to save their lives, but they were deceived. The traffickers told them that they would have brought them to Paphos, but instead they left them at the occupied coast of Davlos.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that the Syrian refugees will be expelled because there is no "law on political asylum" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

(DPs)

[12] Erdogan opens new $5 billion power plants

He also vowed claiming that Turkey's electricity market would be third in Europe within a couple of years.

Erdogan said Turkey's first nuclear electric power plant would be operating by 2023 and two other power plants will start producing in the coming years.

"We must build these three energy plants," Erdogan stressed adding that some external hands had attempted to stop Turkey's every step toward the nuclear power plant projects.

Erdogan slammed the West's double standard against Turkey. "Don't pay attention to the West's so-called environmental attacks," he added, pointing out that the West is using more power plants that are not environment friendly than Turkey.

"We have put forward two important steps on Nuclear plants. Akkuyu nuclear power plant will be launched by 2023, while works on another nuclear plant in Sinop is progressing at full speed," Erdogan said.

A third nuclear power plant will be built and we are working on this too, he added.

Turkish President said they gave priority to renewable energy.

"The most important condition of the renewable energy tender would be the using of domestic technology," he noted.

President Erdogan said a total of 33 new hydroelectric plants launched their operations countrywide as he opened them in the ceremony, adding that Turkey had made a revolution in using hydroelectric resources.

"We are opening 11 geothermal plants... and 23 natural gas electric power plants," Erdogan said, adding that all these mega projects show that Turkey would continue its economic development despite terror threats.

[13] Calls to halt Turkey's EU accession talks racist, EU Minister Celik says

Speaking after a meeting with EU member states Ambassadors in Ankara on Monday, Celik condemned the calls to suspend negotiation talks for being racist.

"We do not want to cut ties with the EU. We want to establish stronger relations with Europe" Celik said.

Celik criticized the decision -- made by a lower court in Brussels on Thursday and the subject of an appeal the following day by federal prosecutors -- was an attack on human rights.

"The decision by a Belgian court to not recognize the PKK as a terrorist organization is a direct attack on the European Convention on Human Rights," he said.

Celik also denounced double standards within EU institutions over the PKK, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the EU, Turkey and U.S.

According to local media, the court had ruled that PKK activities could not be defined as terrorism because an "armed campaign cannot be considered as terrorist acts."

Belgium has been criticized in the past for failing to act against the PKK. In August, supporters in Brussels were allowed to celebrate the anniversary of the terror group's first attack and five months earlier followers set up tents outside EU buildings ahead of a Turkey-EU summit.

[14] Turkey condemns Luxemburg FM for Nazi remarks

"We condemn regretfully the voices that Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, which is one of the countries that support terrorism in Europe, expressed in the interview with a German radio channel Deutschlandfunk," Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu told the reporters in Ankara.

"These unfortunate statements show how the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, which is controversial how much it contributes to the fight against terrorism on a global scale, is incapable of assessing the scale and character of the terrorist threat facing Turkey."

Asselborn criticized Ankara's efforts to purge Turkey of state personnel linked to the overthrow attempt and accused the government of using methods reminiscent of those employed by the Nazis.

"To put it bluntly, these are methods that were used during the Nazi era and that's a really, really bad development ... that the European Union simply cannot accept," Asselborn told German radio.

He also suggested that Turkey's economic ties with the European Union could be halted. "At a certain point in time, we won't have any choice but to apply [sanctions] to counteract the unbearable human rights situation," he added.

[15] Another HDP Deputy remanded in custody in terror probe

Akdogan, an MP from Hakkari province, was charged with "committing a crime for a terror organization" and "making terror organization propaganda", among other accusations.

He is among the deputies who failed to answer a summons linked to a counter-terrorism investigation.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus had told journalists that the number of Deputies who had failed respond to the summons was down to two following Akdogan's capture Monday afternoon at the entrance of Hakkari.

The HDP's co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag as well as seven other lawmakers, were remanded in custody on Friday while three other lawmakers were released.

[16] CHP: Arrests of HDP lawmakers violate constitution

"Arresting lawmakers before legal processes and verdicts are finalized is against the Constitution and Constitutional Court rulings. This unlawful practice should be ended," a written statement issued by the CHP's Party Assembly said on Nov. 7.

Nine HDP Deputies, including co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, were arrested on Nov. 4 over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The CHP said the recent deterioration in democracy gives the Turkish people the "right to democratically resist."

"The [presidential] palace and the AKP [Justice and Development Party] executives who aided and harbored FETO [Fethullahist Terror Organization], the PKK [the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] and ISIL [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] terrorist organizations are major threats to the survival and democracy of our country," read the statement.

"This threat gives our citizens the right to resist democratically. All citizens who love their country and who believe in democracy and the need to protect basic rights and liberties should unite to defeat this major threat to our republic," it added.

The CHP Party Assembly gathered in an extraordinary session on Nov. 6 to shape a road map forward, following the arrests of daily Cumhuriyet journalists and HDP lawmakers.

"The AKP has sidelined social consensus and continued its attacks against democratic, secular and social principles of the rule of law and the core values of the Republic of Turkey," the resulting declaration said.

The CHP criticized the government for politicizing and controlling the judiciary.

"At this point, Turkey is experiencing a dark and authoritarian coup by the [presidential] palace under the guise of their struggle against FETO. The existing political situation is a threat to the freedom of the public and the survival of our country," it said.

The CHP submitted a list of demands for the government under four articles. It first requested the government to dismiss the ongoing court case against Cumhuriyet journalists, declaring the case to be "irrational and unlawful."

The second article urges the government to conduct an "effective investigation" into the July 15 coup attempt and ensure that the legal bodies conduct fair trails for everybody, while also asking the government to monitor the authorities responsible for human rights violations against detainees under investigation.

Third, it criticized the ruling AKP for "aiding terrorism" by following wrong policies in the struggle against the PKK. The CHP said the peace process, which collapsed last summer, should have been carried out under the roof of Parliament with elected representatives rather than the PKK, while also denouncing the "legally unprecedented" arrest of HDP lawmakers.

The party also demanded that the government stop interfering in schools, universities and NGOs, and to cease restricting freedom of expression, assembly and enterprise. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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