Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-01-19

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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] Turkes will be coordinating the Turkish negotiating team during the Cyprus talks at Mont Pelerin

[02] The climate at the Cyprus talks at Mont Pelerin is said to be positive; the community leaders will reportedly meet on 26 January in Cyprus

[03] Erdogan's chief adviser: Turkey has taken Cyprus by shedding blood and will give it away only by shedding blood

[04] MHP Deputy claimed that the Turkish army is the sole guarantee of the Turkish Cypriots

[05] Biden held a phone conversation with Akinci

[06] Former "education minister" wonders about the connection of theological teaching staff with FETO

[07] Turkish Naval Forces offered two boats to the "Keryneia coastguard forces"

[08] Kanbay visited Akinci, Siber, Denktas and Ertugruloglu

[09] The "Report on North Cyprus industrial strategy" is published

[10] Turkish Lira's declining increased the foreign currency loans for the Turkish Cypriots

[11] Russia and Turkey hit ISIL in first joint air operation in Syria's al-Bab

[12] Cavusoglu met with Trump's top national security advisor

[13] Erdogan's spokesman: Turkey pursues a balanced foreign policy

[14] CHP fails to persuade MHP to stop support for reform

[15] Articles 1-5 passed in second round of voting on constitutional change

[16] Poll: Public trust in military plunges after Turkey's failed coup

[17] New York Times correspondent denied entry into Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkes will be coordinating the Turkish negotiating team during the Cyprus talks at Mont Pelerin

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.01.17) refers to the issue under the title "Turkes surprise in Mont Pelerin".

(I/Ts.)

[02] The climate at the Cyprus talks at Mont Pelerin is said to be positive; the community leaders will reportedly meet on 26 January in Cyprus

According to the paper, the second convention of the international conference on Cyprus is expected to last for three days and the conference will be upgraded to a political level in the end of January or in the beginning of February for taking the final decisions.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (19.01.17) reports that the technical committees have separated the issues and started "step by step" talks at Mont Pelerin. Yesterday intensive negotiations on issues regarding "internal and external security" were held, writes the paper adding: "While the climate at the table is described as 'positive', it was said that all teams at the table, including Greece, are exerting intensive efforts to reach a convergence".

Havadis reports also that the announcement of new dates for the continuation of the process is expected with the completion of the work of the technical committees at Mont Pelerin. The paper argues that the discussions are held on four chapters: 1) The guarantee of the constitution, 2) the supervision of the agreement in order to function without problems, 3) the internal security and 4) the external security. Referring to the positions of the sides, the paper notes that Turkey wants the continuation of its guarantees in the entire Cyprus and the right of unilateral intervention, while the Greek and Greek Cypriot side demand the abolition of the guarantees after a certain period of time.

Meanwhile, Havadis writes also that the leaders of the two communities will meet on Thursday 26 January in the buffer zone in Nicosia in order to determine a date for convening again in Geneva in the end of January or in the beginning of February and discuss a program of meetings to achieve further progress on the chapters of the Property, the EU, Economy and Governance.

Commenting on the issue of security and guarantees in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.01.17), journalist Emine Davut Yitmen reports that while the working groups are attempting to prepare a list of questions on the security and guarantees and determine methods for solving these issues, some express the view that two important layers (stages) exist on the security issue: 1) the two communities to believe in the solution and 2) the internal security. Foreign diplomats, notes Yitmen, describe the issue of security and guarantees as complex and sensitive arguing that traditional hard approaches exist on this matter.

"Questions concerning the continuation of the 1960 Treaties of Alliance and Guarantees are coming forward", she writes underlining that the alternative here is the important thing. She writes the following:

"[…] Reference is made to two different stages regarding the security. In the first stage the people must believe in the solution. The view that they should believe that the federal structure is trustworthy, that it will function, that the individuals will be equal and that their rights will be protected is coming into prominence. The issue of the internal security is at the second stage. On this point, a judiciary system in which the rule of law will be implemented is coming to prominence. The police are expected to help in the implementation of the rule of law in the possibility that the two communities, which are living separately, will live together. Looking at the examples of other countries, this is important especially at the first stage. Except for these two stages, because their implementation will take time, a kind of security practice is needed. After this, the external security of united Cyprus and issues related to it are expected to come onto the agenda. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Erdogan's chief adviser: Turkey has taken Cyprus by shedding blood and will give it away only by shedding blood

Bulut, who in the beginning of the interview alleged that what he would say during the program were only his personal views and were not binding for anyone else, criticized a statement made on the same program by Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci who said: "Let us join the EU first. Anatolia helped us a lot. From now on we will help Anatolia".

Bulut argued:

"Anatolia needs neither EU's help nor anyone else's help. Therefore, during Turkey's road towards the EU, Cyprus' help or guidance is not needed. There is a question as to who will benefit from the Turkish citizens visiting Cyprus with the Schengen visa with TRNC's accession to the EU together with the island of Cyprus. […] After all these, the handing over of the Turkish existence to the British dominance, to the EU dominance cannot be accepted with Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus [Translator's note: This is the exact term used by Bulut] accession to the EU, the island of Cyprus' accession which is very important for Turkey in the Mediterranean. Turkey's view is not to accept such an agreement, to accept this map, to walk this road. Those, who think that they will lead Turkey to a [certain] point by deceiving it with this game that has been going on for centuries with British and European brains, will deceive only themselves. Therefore, how we took Cyprus? We took it by watering it with the blood of the martyrs. If there is someone from the EU countries or Britain of Germany who wants to take it back, let him pay this price and go, the door is there. If there are some people who want to separate Cyprus from the land of Turks, Cyprus every square centimeter of which we have taken with the blood of our martyrs, with the right of our martyrs, if they are ready to pay the same price, Cyprus is there, come on! Neither the British bases in Cyprus you should trust nor the games of the Queen and the servants among us and in the Turkey's Republic of Northern Cyprus [Translator's note: This is the exact term used by Bulut]. If there is someone who wants to take it, we will give him with blood every square centimeter of Cyprus, which we have taken with blood and is watered with the blood of our martyrs. Neither in Cyprus nor in the Mediterranean nor in the east have we have territory to give to anyone. Cyprus is and will remain a Turkish motherland".

Arguing that what happen in the British bases in Cyprus during the coup in Turkey on 15 July remain a question, Bulut alleged that "in an environment in which Turkey's physical occupation is attempted, the end of those who think of putting an end to the Turkish existence in Cyprus will be tragic" and argued that "the most important Turkish presence in the Mediterranean" exists in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[04] MHP Deputy claimed that the Turkish army is the sole guarantee of the Turkish Cypriots

Ozdag claimed that the Turkish side made a lot of compromises during the negotiations in Geneva having a "minority phycology", as he alleged. He also claimed that a "conflict climate" could be created in case the procedure continues.

Ozdag further claimed that the only guarantee for the Turkish Cypriots is the Turkish army and expressed his worries in case the Turkish Government and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan continue with the same way their Cyprus policy. According to Ozdag a new prospective must be adopted on the issue.

(CS)

[05] Biden held a phone conversation with Akinci

According to information by the "TRNC presidency", it was Biden who called the Turkish Cypriot leader.

Akinci thanked Biden for his assistance towards the efforts for solving the Cyprus problem.

(CS)

[06] Former "education minister" wonders about the connection of theological teaching staff with FETO

Idris's action follows the recent arrest of Turkish military staff of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus for connections with FETO.

According to the paper, Idris is asking Berova to give explanations regarding the connection of the teaching staff of the Theological School in occupied Mia Milia village with FETO as well information about the school's finances. He also asked if investigations are taking place regarding other teachers in theological schools. Idris notes to Berova that these issues are important since are related to the secularity of the "state".

(CS)

[07] Turkish Naval Forces offered two boats to the "Keryneia coastguard forces"

The code names of the boats are «KKTCSG-301» and «KKTCSG-303».

(CS)

[08] Kanbay visited Akinci, Siber, Denktas and Ertugruloglu

During the meeting Akinci and Kanbay exchanged views on the 5-party conference held in Geneva and the negotiations process.

Kanbay also presented Akinci a piece of concrete from the wall which was destroyed in the bombardment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the 15th of July coup attempt.

Meanwhile, Kanbay also visited the self-style speaker of the parliament Sibel Siber, self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas and self-styled foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu yesterday.

During the visits, Kanbay also presented pieces of the wall from the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Today, Kanbay visited the former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

[09] The "Report on North Cyprus industrial strategy" is published

In the report, there are information regarding the economy of the "country", the current situation in the industry, the industrial strategies of other countries, the strengths, the weakness, analysis of Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), vision, strategic map, targets and action plan.

(DPs)

[10] Turkish Lira's declining increased the foreign currency loans for the Turkish Cypriots

The paper, which reports on the issue under the title "The loans have become mountains", writes that installments of loans have been increased and adds that a person who would paid 500 dollars in 2016, now has to pay 891 dollars.

(CS)

[11] Russia and Turkey hit ISIL in first joint air operation in Syria's al-Bab

The chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Sergey Rudskoy, said nine Russian aircraft, consisting of four Su-24Ms, four Su-25s and one bomber Su-34, as well as eight Turkish fighter jets, four F-16s and four F-4s, participated in the first joint air strike.

While this is the first time the two countries have conducted strikes in Syria, Russia previously struck ISIL in Syria in the past month.

Turkey launched its ongoing Euphrates Shield operation on Aug. 24, 2016, to clear its border with Syria of terror groups which include ISIL and the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the fighters from its military wing, the People's Protection Unit (YPG), which it sees as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighting within Turkey.

The action comes one day after the U.S. military said on Jan. 17 that it had carried out air strikes in Syria against ISIL targets of interest to both Washington and Ankara near the town of al-Bab, following Turkish criticism of insufficient U.S. support for its ground offensive.

Turkey has been angered by U.S. policy in Syria, particularly Washington's support for the PYD and YPG.

U.S. Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a Baghdad-based spokesman for the U.S.-led military coalition battling ISIL, counted four strikes in recent days against the jihadists' targets that he said were in both countries' "mutual interest."

"We saw a window of opportunity where it was in our mutual interest to get those targets destroyed," Reuters quoted Dorrian as saying, adding that the targets were identified by working with Turkey.

"This is something we expect to continue doing. We strike [ISIL] targets anywhere in Syria or Iraq that they can be found," Dorrian told reporters at the Pentagon.

[12] Cavusoglu met with Trump's top national security advisor

"Met with General Flynn, who will assume the position of National Security Advisor, and other officials at a working breakfast in Washington D.C. ", Cavusoglu tweeted.

The meeting marks a first direct reach out between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration and the incoming Donald Trump administration, other than a phone call between two leaders last November.

House Intelligence Committee Congressman Devin Nunes, a Republican heavyweight, also attended the breakfast.

An aide of the Foreign Minister didn't provide additional details on the meeting, but said that Cavusoglu was the only foreign leader at the breakfast and the topics on the U.S.-Turkish agenda were discussed by the attendees.

[13] Erdogan's spokesman: Turkey pursues a balanced foreign policy

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of international media organizations in Ankara, Kalin said that Turkey's NATO membership did not prevent Ankara from establishing close relations with Russia, China or other countries. "Foreign policy is not a zero sum game to us. Getting closer to Russia does not need to have a negative impact on our relations with the U.S. and Europe. In the same manner, being a NATO ally does not mean that we will completely cut off our relations with Russia, China, African countries or Latin America", he said, adding that Turkey's geopolitical position necessitated a multifaceted foreign policy.

Kalin said Turkey shared closer views with Russia in some issues, while sharing similar views with the U.S. and E.U in some other. "It is impossible to reduce foreign policy to a single bloc under the current circumstances. Instead, we are pursuing a balanced policy between East and West. Moreover the developments in economy and security force us to adopt a wider perspective" Kalin noted.

Commenting on the future of Turkey-EU relations, associating the lack of "desired momentum" in the accession process with the anti-EU, anti-Turkey and anti-refugee sentiment across the continent, Kalin further said: "If the EU is suffering from 'enlargement fatigue', they should know that Turkey is also feeling tired and indignant because the membership process is not moving forward".

Kalin reiterated that the EU had yet to fulfil its commitment to Turkey over a refugee deal signed in March 2016, and went on to say that issues with the visa-free travel agreement could be resolved if the European Commission presented a "reasonable" offer.

[14] CHP fails to persuade MHP to stop support for reform

Highlighting the significant impacts the MHP has had on Turkish political history, Kilicdaroglu said, "Personally, I was compelled to meet with Mr Bahceli and he kindly accepted my request. During our discussion, I expressed my concerns regarding the constitutional amendment while thanking him for his favorable reception of my request". On the other hand, Bahceli responded to questions from reporters with a short answer, saying that "Mr Kilicdaroglu has said what needed to be said."

On the same issue, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (19.01.17), under the title "Leading to dictatorship", reports that Kilicdaroglu after his meeting with Bahceli said: "To grant the authority to a single person, then you will bring dictatorship in Turkey".

[15] Articles 1-5 passed in second round of voting on constitutional change

The second round of voting over the constitutional reforms began late Wednesday after almost three weeks of debates at the Parliament.

The first round of voting was completed with the Parliament passing a total of 18 articles - each with over 340 'yes' votes.

It changes the ninth article of the Constitution - "the judicial power shall be exercised by independent courts on behalf of the Turkish Nation" - to read "independent and impartial courts".

The second item of the package increases the number of lawmakers from 550 to 600 in accordance with the rising population. A total of 480 lawmakers took part in the second ballot. It passed with 342 votes in favour, 139 against, four blank ballots; 65 lawmakers were absent.

Article 3, which lowers the age of candidacy for Parliament from 25 to 18, passed with 342 'Yes' votes while 137 rejected the motion; three papers were left blank and three were invalid.

[16] Poll: Public trust in military plunges after Turkey's failed coup

While the military topped the list as the most trusted institution in the country with 62.4% in the same poll conducted by Kadir Has University last year, the figure fell to 47.4% this year. This placed it in second position, below the presidency which rose from 46.9% to 49.4%.

In all the Research of Social and Political Trends in Turkey survey conducted since 2000, the military has up to this year always topped the list of trusted institutions.

The presidency was this year among the few institutions in Turkey that have seen an increase in trust.

The poll, conducted in the first half of December 2016 in 26 provinces and made public yesterday, revealed that many institutions have suffered a loss of public confidence. In addition to the military, universities are also big losers, with 24.7% saying they trust universities, down from last year's 49.8%. NGOs saw a similar decrease, with 26.2% saying they trust NGOs, down from last year's 42.3%. Only 1.5% of those polled said they were a member of an NGO.

Trust in political parties also sharply decreased, from 33.9% to 21.8%, while Parliament saw an increase from 43% to 49%. The media came at the bottom of the list of trusted institutions, with only 15.1% saying they trusted the media, down from 27.8% last year.

In addition to the increase in trust in the presidency, the approval rating for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saw an increase compared to last year's survey. In 2015, 43.6% of respondents found him successful, up to 48% this year.

Meanwhile, 52.7% of respondents said they think Turkey should be governed as a parliamentary democracy and 32.5% favoured the presidential system. Ten percent said they believed Turkey should be governed as a presidential system in which the president remains the head of a political party. Over the years the number of people who favour the presidential system has seen a rise, up from 12.6% in 2014 to 22.1%t in 2015 and 32.5% in the latest report.

Some 34.7% said they would vote "yes" to constitutional changes to turn Turkey into a presidential system in a likely referendum, while 39.7% said they would vote "no," with 19.6% remaining undecided.

Officials from Kadir Has University noted that the poll was conducted before recent parliamentary debates on the constitutional change and long before any prospective referendum campaign.

The survey also revealed a change in the public's attitude to the government's foreign policy, which 35% found successful and 33% found unsuccessful. The latter figure marks a drop from 41% last year.

For the first time in 2016, the number of those who found Turkey's Syrian policy "successful" (32.3%) outnumbered those who said they find it "unsuccessful" (31.2%). In previous polls from 2013, 2014 and 2015 this figure was around 50%.

Some 48.8% said they support the current military Euphrates Shield Operation in northern Syria, while 28.5% said they do not and 22.7% said they have no idea.

The survey has also revealed a change in outlook on the government's Kurdish policy. For the first time in years, the number of people who find the Kurdish policy "successful" (33.8%) outnumbered those who find it "unsuccessful" (31.2%t). Last year 40% of respondents said it was unsuccessful while in 2014, 47.7% said it was unsuccessful.

In 2015, 53% were in favour of restarting the collapsed Kurdish peace process, but this rate dropped to 31.4% this year. While last year 35.3% said the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) "does not represent the Kurdish people," this rate increased to 49.1% this year. Some 19.2% said the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) represents the Kurdish people, while 54.4% said it does not.

Like last year, terrorism remained the most important problem for respondents to the survey, with 35% saying it was the most important problem, followed by the Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETO) at 25%.

Again, for the first time in years the number of those who believe the government's fight against terror to be "successful" (35.6%) outnumbered those who found it "unsuccessful" (28.4%). Last year the latter figure was 45.8%.

Meanwhile, there was a slight decrease in the number of those who see the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as a threat, down to 76.1% from 78% last year.

The survey also touched on the public's attitude to the government's sweeping post-coup attempt measures. Some 59.8% said they supported the initial declaration of a state of emergency, while 48.5% said it should continue to be extended.

[17] New York Times correspondent denied entry into Turkey

There was no immediate explanation from Turkish officials about the action, the Times said, adding that this appeared to be the first time a Times correspondent had been denied entry into Turkey.

An official of the office of the Turkish presidency was not immediately available for comment to The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, lawyer of New York Times in Turkey, Orcun Cetinkaya said police officers who were on duty at the airport had said Nordland was not permitted to enter the country due to "national security".

The executive editor of The New York Times, Dan Baquet, said the incident was "unlawful" and against to freedom of press.

"The Turkish government's action is an affront to freedom of the press and an effort to keep the world from having access to independent reporting from Turkey. Rod is a veteran correspondent who has done ground-breaking journalism from around the world. There was no justification for today's action. The Times remains committed to covering Turkey fairly, accurately and fully", Baquet said in a statement.

The New York Times drew attention to relations between the refusal to permit Nordland to enter the country and his columns about the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

A number of foreign journalists have been denied entry into the country over the past year.

On Jan. 2, the newspaper announced that it would withhold the identities of its reporters in the field in Turkey out of concerns for their safety amid greater pressure against journalists. The newspaper said it had previously employed similar measures only in Syria and Afghanistan. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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