Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-11-22

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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] Burcu blames the Greek Cypriots for the failure of the negotiations in Switzerland and reveals the Turkish Cypriot proposal on territory

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the failure of the negotiations in Switzerland

[03] How the Turkish press covered the outcome of the Mont Pelerin talks

[04] Erdogan's chief-adviser alleges that the occupied area of Cyprus should become Turkey's province

[05] CTP "deputy" said that the inhabitants of occupied Morfou to remain at the village is a condition for a "yes" at a referendum

[06] "ISAD" chairman: "The blame is not on the Turkish Cypriot side if the talks fail"

[07] Turkish Cypriot taxi driver was attacked by two Greek Cypriots

[08] MUSIAD to open a branch in Sudan

[09] The "1st real estate and investment leader's summit" to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] Turkey urges EU and NATO allies to take measures against PKK terror activities in member states

[11] Recent survey reveals 65% support for new Constitution and presidential system

[12] China says it would consider Turkey membership of Shanghai bloc

[13] Turkey calls Israel's anti-Adhan bill 'insulting' and 'unacceptable'

[14] Turkey's PM Yildirim: AKP withdraws controversial sexual abuse motion

[15] HDP decides to return to parliamentary work after boycott

[16] Seven Turkish firms seized in FETO-linked probe are transferred

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu blames the Greek Cypriots for the failure of the negotiations in Switzerland and reveals the Turkish Cypriot proposal on territory

In statements late last night after the result of the Cyprus talks in Switzerland was known, Burcu claimed that the Turkish side went to the negotiations started on 7 November "with all its seriousness" and being ready to reach a result. "Unfortunately, our interlocutors have not made the adequate preparation. They asked for one week interruption and we gave it to them. Unfortunately, they did not prepare during that period as well", he alleged.

Reiterating the Turkish view that a problem was created by Greece's position that it will not participate in a multilateral or a five-party conference unless the guarantees are abolished and the Turkish occupation army is withdrawn, Burcu described this statement as being "irresponsible". Noting that they have exerted efforts for many hours yesterday to overcome "Greece's hesitation", Burcu said that yesterday they were told that Greece had been convinced, but a lot of time was lost in the meantime.

Burcu alleged that Akinci made an opening on the territory issue which is one of the most important criteria, but the Greek Cypriot side did not show the expected approach on the issue. He argued that President Anastasiades suggested the return of a number of Greek Cypriot refugees higher than the one in the Annan Plan and "did not go back even a millimeter" from this stance. He alleged that it is not "ethical" to demand "90 thousands and to do this 12 years after the Annan Plan". "If they put forward a number and do not move back not even for a millimeter, if they are not reasonable, how we will find a solution?", he wondered and alleged: "They have a maximalist stance. Either [you give] this or nothing else. Why are they doing this? With which ethics this is harmonized?"

Burcu further claimed that President Anastasiades exhibited a hard stance on the territory and also Greece on holding a five-party conference on the condition that the guarantees are abolished and the Turkish occupation army is withdrawn. He added:

"The map and the territory would be in the five-party meeting. We would not end the territory at Mont Pelerin, but they wanted to put this in their pocket as well. This was their thought beforehand. This is not fair. If we will establish a state with equality, this should be perceived at all levels of the pyramid. […] While we would end even the rotating presidency in Switzerland, we could not do this as well. […]"

Burcu said that the Turkish side will evaluate the situation and alleged: "I experienced a disappointment as a person who has been working for peace for 42 years. I saw what happened and what has been done. If the Greek Cypriots could exhibit half of the will exhibited by our president, our negotiator and our team, this problem would have been solved".

According to Burcu, the proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side on the territory during the first round of the talks at Mont Pelerin was 29,2% [to remain under the administration of the Turkish Cypriot constituent state]. He argued that the reason of the deadlock in the negotiations yesterday was the minimum limit of 78 thousands and the maximum limit of 92 thousands as regards the number of the Greek Cypriots who would return [to the currently occupied north part of the island] under Greek Cypriot administration after the solution. He further alleged: "We have submitted our proposals and improved them until the last moment, but they did not move even for a millimeter. In spite of the difficulties imposed by life, Akinci, by pushing our limits, took such a step wanting them also to behave logically".

(I/Ts.)

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the failure of the negotiations in Switzerland

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (22.11.16) refers to the statements made by Baris Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader's spokesman, under the title "Burcu: 'Our proposal was 29,2%, there were excessive demands, we could not advance'". The paper writes also that according to diplomatic sources, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would meet in the beginning of December to discuss holding a multilateral conference on Cyprus in case the two community leaders agreed on the criteria of the territory chapter.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (22.11.16) refers to the failure of the negotiations at Mont Pelerin under the title "Big collapse". Noting that Burcu accused the Greek Cypriot side for the "collapse of the summit", the paper reports that the leaders, who had achieved serious progress in the criteria of the territory during the first round of the "summit", exerted a serious effort yesterday to agree on two basic issues. The main reason of the disagreement was the length of the coastlines of the federal constituent states and the number of the Greek Cypriot refugees who would return to the territory given back under Greek Cypriot administration. According to the paper, the UN issued a statement after the announcement by the Turkish Cypriot side that the talks in Switzerland collapsed and said that in spite of the efforts of the leaders no agreement had been achieved and that the sides decided to return to Cyprus and assess the process. Havadis' columnist Huseyin Ekmekci reports in his column that the Mont Pelerin negations failed, but the negotiating process will not collapse.

Noting that the negotiations were not completed by the time the paper was printed, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (22.11.16) refers to the developments under the title "There is not enough progress" and argues that Greece's precondition on the guarantees had caused a problem in the process for a long period of time. In spite of the fact that this issue was partly overcome during the second day of the Mont Pelerin talks, achieving progress was not possible because of the stance of the Greek Cypriot side on the criteria of the property, alleges the paper claiming that the deadlock in the negotiations derived from President Anastasiades wish as regards the return of 100 thousand Greek Cypriot refugees.

Under the title "The 2016 target was buried under Mont Pelerin's feet", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (22.11.16) reports that the second round of the negotiations at Mont Pelerin had no result "because of the fact that the Greek Cypriot side did not abandon its maximalist stance".

Noting that the negotiations were not completed by the time the paper was printed, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (22.11.16) refers to the developments and argues that the highest tension experienced until today in the Cyprus talks was observed during the last 48 hours at Mont Pelerin. The paper alleges that the "negative stance" of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side "sealed" the negotiations held on Sunday and on Monday. Various sources presented the "negative climate" during the second round of Mont Pelerin talks as if no problem existed, claims the paper adding that the Greek Cypriot and Greek sources presented things as "rosy", while the Turkish Cypriot sources gave a "grey picture".

(I/Ts.)

[03] How the Turkish press covered the outcome of the Mont Pelerin talks

Milliyet: "No result at the Cyprus negotiation talks. The talks in Switzerland came to a deadlock". The paper writes that due to the excessive demands and the intransigent attitude of the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiations talks in Mont Pelerin in Switzerland, no result came out from the process.

Sabah: "No progress could be achieved at the Cyprus negotiation process". The paper writes that the negotiation process came yesterday to a deadlock due to the stance of the Greek Cypriot side. According to the paper, in spite of the "important and positive" steps taken by the "president of the TRNC" Mustafa Akinci, the "Greek Cypriot leader" Nicos Anastasiades could not repay back.

Cumhuriyet: "Cyprus talks end without solution. UN: No agreement has been reached

Hurriyet Daily News: "Cyprus peace talks fail to produce solution"

Yeni Safak (in English): "Cyprus reunification talks end without solution. Swiss talks fail to outline concrete steps to resolve territorial dispute"

Ankara Anadolu: "Cyprus reunification talks end without solution"

Aksam: "Cyprus reunification talks ended without any result"

(AK)

[04] Erdogan's chief-adviser alleges that the occupied area of Cyprus should become Turkey's province

"The accession of northern Cyprus in the EU with the solution [of the Cyprus problem] is [tantamount to] murdering the Turkish Islamic presence, it is a crime. If it wants to be saved from this, the TRNC will become a province, [and] it will continue its way". Bulut wondered the following: "Will we give the whole of Cyprus to the EU and we as Turkey will enter to the island with Schengen visa from now on?"

Erdogan's adviser also alleged that during the coup of the 15th of July in Turkey, mobilization of Fethullah Gulen (FETO) supporters was observed within the British Bases in Cyprus.

Levent expresses the view that importance should be attached to Bulut's statements, since no official in Turkey could remain in his post if he went outside "Erdogan's line". "Those who do not speak with Erdogan's language cannot sit at these seats. Yigit Bulut expresses Erdogan", argues Levent noting that Erdogan wants to turn the occupied part of Cyprus into Turkey's province and does not want a solution to the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[05] CTP "deputy" said that the inhabitants of occupied Morfou to remain at the village is a condition for a "yes" at a referendum

"[Therefore] of course it is a condition for a yes at a referendum that they will remain in the area", he claimed.

Ercal was evaluating to the paper the recent developments of the Cyprus problem and stated that he is quite optimistic for the solution procedure.

(CS)

[06] "ISAD" chairman: "The blame is not on the Turkish Cypriot side if the talks fail"

Sadi stated that he observed that Akinci is exerting very serious efforts for reaching a solution and claimed that if there is not a positive outcome of the solution procedure, it is not the Turkish Cypriot side that should be blamed.

"As an association we will object if the blame is fall to our side", he stated.

(CS)

[07] Turkish Cypriot taxi driver was attacked by two Greek Cypriots

According to the paper, the Greek Cypriots started swearing at Karapasa and took him out of his car and hit him.

Karapasa, who submitted a complain at the Cyprus police over the issue, stated to Diyalog that he has been transferring passenger to and from the free areas of the Republic through the barricades for the last 12 years and this is the first time such an incident occurred.

The paper notes that the attack took place at a time that the talks of the Cyprus problems are intensified.

(CS)

[08] MUSIAD to open a branch in Sudan

According to the paper, the inauguration ceremony for the new branch of MUSIAD will take place between December 10-13, with the participation of around 400 businessmen from Turkey and other European countries.

Meanwhile, MUSIAD's branch in the occupied area of Cyprus, in a written statement said that in the framework of the "bilateral talks program" in Sudan, the promotion of the "TRNC" during the inauguration ceremony and the "TRNC's participation" in the meetings there, are considered very important. The statement called also all Turkish Cypriot businessmen who would like to attend the program in Sudan to express their interest.

(AK)

[09] The "1st real estate and investment leader's summit" to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to information acquired by the "Turkish Cypriot constructor's union", the "summit" will take place at the illegal Near East university on December 1st, with broad participation of academicians, politicians and businessmen from the occupation regime and Turkey.

The "summit" is supported by several "organizations" in the occupied area of Cyprus, like the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), the so-called Turkish Cypriot chamber of industry, the "Turkish Cypriot constructor's union", the "Turkish Cypriot's investment agency" ("YAGA") and the illegal "YDU".

(AK)

[10] Turkey urges EU and NATO allies to take measures against PKK terror activities in member states

Addressing the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Istanbul on Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey acts as a barrier between the threats posed by the terror groups and the rest of the world, as well as the influx of refugees, and continued by adding: "The support you provide to Turkey will add further strength to fight against terror organizations which target our shared security.

"Turkey acts as a block between terror groups and the rest of the world, beginning with Europe. If we fail in this fight, meaning if this barrier falls, the terror groups will turn the world into a bloodbath, with a flood fire. We say, instead of weaken this barrier, let's strengthen it. Any support given to Turkey in fight against terror is a contribution that country's securing of its own future," President Erdogan said.

Erdogan highlighted that Turkey has been the only country with successful results in its fight against Daesh terror group in Syria, while adding that it has also suffered the most from being targeted by Daesh, and also PKK's Syria affiliate YPG terror groups. President Erdogan added that the weapons captured from the PKK militants were found to be provided by some of Turkey's Western allies.

"Do you know that some of the weapons captured from the groups we declared as terror groups in Iraq and Syria are produced by our allies? And we know these weapons so well, and we even possess their serial numbers. However, when we inform them [the allies], they do not bother caring. Some say they were provided during previous administrations. Others say we do not consider PYD/YPG as a terror group," Erdogan said and criticized Turkey's allies for picking-and choosing between terror groups.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.11.16) reports that Western countries should reject the asylum requests of suspected Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) members, Defence Minister Fikri Is?k said at a Nov. 21 meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, sources familiar with the meeting told the paper.

Referring to media reports that some members of the Turkish Armed Forces serving in NATO structures have filed asylum requests in Western countries, Is?k told the Secretary General that "granting those applications is not acceptable for Turkey and asked him to convey this message to Western interlocutors", sources said.

On Nov. 18, NATO's SG confirmed that a number of Turkish officers serving in NATO structures in Europe had recently filed asylum requests, citing personal safety concerns following the foiled coup.

Stoltenberg added that the officers' asylum requests would be processed by the related NATO members independently and the alliance would not be interfering in the process. "It would be wrong if we started to go into that kind of legal issue, that's for the judicial system [of the countries]," he said.

[11] Recent survey reveals 65% support for new Constitution and presidential system

The survey was carried out through face-to-face interviews with 5,400 people from 50 cities and 140 districts in Turkey, between the dates of Nov. 8 and Nov. 12. According to the results of the survey, 65% of the participants said that they supported the dialogue on the new Constitution and presidential system between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), while 28% were not in favour of the negotiations and 7% remained undecided.

When asked about whether the state of emergency was hindering their everyday activities, 71% of the participants stated it did not have any impact on their daily lives, while only 14% said they were directly affected by measures taken during the state of emergency. Moreover, 72% of the interviewees expressed their support for the taking in of the Deputies who are "legally" charged with aiding terrorist organizations and treason. Some 17% of the participants stated that they were against this, while 11% were undecided about the subject. Responding to questions on a recent political talking point, i.e., whether the death penalty should be reinstated for crimes causing public indignation and treason, 71% of the interviewees said it should be re-implemented, while 18% declared that they are against it.

Participants also answered questions about Turkey's relations with the European Union, the U.S. and NATO. In response to a question on whether they think Turkey should continue to strive for full membership of the EU, 64% of the participants replied negatively, while only 22% asserted that Turkey should stay on its path to full EU membership. Regarding relations between Turkey, the U.S. and NATO, participants were asked whether they believed the U.S. and NATO were Turkey's strategic partners. Only 12% of participants affirmed that the U.S. and NATO were Turkey's strategic allies, while 78% opposed the notion.

In addition, the participants were asked which party they would vote for if an election was to be held now. Some 50.82% declared they would vote for the AKP, while 24.62% said they would vote for the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP). The support for the MHP and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) was 14.45% and 7.5%, respectively.

[12] China says it would consider Turkey membership of Shanghai bloc

China, Russia and four Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), also known as the Shanghai 5, in 2001 as a regional security bloc to fight threats posed by radical Islam and drug trafficking from neighbouring Afghanistan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that Turkey is already a dialogue partner of the bloc and has long closely cooperated with it, which China appreciates, according to Reuters.

China attaches great importance to Turkey's wish to strengthen that cooperation, he told a daily news briefing. "We are willing, together with other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and in accordance with the rules of its legal documents, to seriously study it on the basis of consensus consultation," Geng said, without elaborating.

[13] Turkey calls Israel's anti-Adhan bill 'insulting' and 'unacceptable'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed the bill, which if agreed would apply across Israel and also to occupied east Jerusalem where more than 300,000 Palestinians live.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said that for centuries the Islamic call to prayer, church bells and Jewish prayers had mixed together in multi-faith Jerusalem.

"This is something on which there can be no compromise," Kurtulmus, who is chief government spokesman, said after a cabinet meeting. "It's absolutely unacceptable".

"It's an insult to the culture, past and history of Jerusalem. It makes no sense and is contrary to freedom of belief."

The bill, which is currently awaiting approval before it is presented to the Knesset, has the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It applies to all religions across Israel but many fears it is aimed at mosques that broadcast the Adhan, or call to prayer, five times a day. The planned legislation specifically mentions Israelis who "suffer regularly and daily from the noise caused by the call of the muezzin from mosques".

Before it becomes law, the bill must pass three rounds of voting by lawmakers.

Many Israelis have condemned the bill as an attack on freedom of religion and part of a pattern of persecution against Muslims.

[14] Turkey's PM Yildirim: AKP withdraws controversial sexual abuse motion

"These issues will be discussed at a [parliamentary] commission; if a proposal comes from them [the opposition], it will be developed. If not, we will fix the issue by taking the suggestions of NGOs, citizens, experts and academics. The place where problems get fixed is politics," Y?ld?r?m said Nov. 22, adding that their decision to take the motion back to the commission was also partially due to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call to secure a consensus on the controversial issue.

Speaking the previous day about the motion for the first time, Erdogan suggested that the problem should be "solved with a wide consensus", urging the government to heed criticisms and suggestions from the entire spectrum of society.

"I see a great benefit for the government in solving this issue through a broad consensus by paying attention to criticism and suggestions from different segments of the public", Erdogan told state-run Anadolu Agency.

The bill provoked fury in the country as it would have resulted in pardons for some men who assaulted underage girls if they marry their victims.

The motion stipulated a postponement of the announcement of verdicts for cases of sexual assault committed before Nov. 16 in the event that the victim and the perpetrator had married each other, as well as suspended sentences in cases in which the verdict had been announced.

The bill, which is part of a 49-article draft amending the code of criminal procedure, was issued in Parliament in a night session on Nov. 17 and received a majority of votes from the lawmakers present at the session.

[15] HDP decides to return to parliamentary work after boycott

"After our co-Presidents and Deputies were taken hostage, we decided on a de facto withdrawal from Parliament. However, we have now decided to take a more effective part in parliament after intense meetings," said Dogan Erbas, the co-chair of the HDP's Istanbul branch.

Erbas was addressing a demonstration in the Kartal district of Istanbul on Nov. 20, protesting the arrest of eight Deputies and the party's co-chairs Figen Yuksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas.

Discussions had started within the HDP after the party decided to halt all parliamentary works on Nov. 6, according to media reports.

The decision received negative reactions from other parties in Parliament, and Dogan said that their return was partly motivated by the fact that their absence was easing the government's lawmaking process.

"We've all seen the legal debates on granting pardons to rapists. Would it have been so easy to pass if the HDP was there at Parliament?" he said, referring to a controversial recent government-sponsored bill proposing to legally pardoning men charged of sexual abuse.

[16] Seven Turkish firms seized in FETO-linked probe are transferred

The Istanbul 8th Criminal Court of Peace ruled the companies should be handed over to the TMSF as part of the investigations into the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

In March, court-appointed trustees were put in charge of Cihan, which produced Turkey's biggest selling newspaper, Zaman, among other media interests.

Hundreds of companies seized during FETO investigations have now been placed under TMSF control, including large conglomerates such as Boydak Holding and Koza Ipek Holding. These are expected to be sold on in auctions. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/AM)

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