Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-04-05

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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] The Cyprus talks to resume on 11 April; Akinci: We expect developments that will make the resumption of the talks possible

[02] Akinci to meet with Junker

[03] Ozgurgun: "Parliament's decision to give the marking of Enosis under the Education Ministry's responsibility was a trick"

[04] Denktas says that they "granted citizenship" to 7,200 persons and if needed they will also give to 27,000

[05] More names of "new citizens" were published in the occupation regime's "gazette"

[06] Reactions against the occupation regime's policy on the "citizenship"

[07] The voting for the constitutional amendment referendum in Turkey is to be launched today in the occupation regime

[08] Siber on the Cyprus problem

[09] Turkey-EU suspend political talks until June

[10] Jailed HDP co-chair calls on all voters in Turkey to 'overcome fear' at the ballot box

[11] Editorial says Erdogan concerned about possible 'no' votes of Gul, Davutoglu, Arinc in Referendum

[12] Robinson club to visit the occupation regime

[13] Prosecutors demand jail for Turkish daily Cumhuriyet columnists, executives

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Cyprus talks to resume on 11 April; Akinci: We expect developments that will make the resumption of the talks possible

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.04.17) refers to the issue under the title "The negotiations depend on the decision of the Greek Cypriot Parliament" and reports that after his meeting with the UNSG Akinci stated that the position of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the resumption of the negotiations is very well known and that they are expecting developments within the forthcoming days which will make the resumption of the talks possible on 11 April. He said on this issue:

"As Turkish Cypriot side we are ready to begin negotiations on Tuesday 11 April, which is considered appropriate date by both sides. Our position on this issue is very well known. It has been explained many times. I do not need to repeat these. Our common understanding is that the developments during the forthcoming days will make possible this new beginning. I hope that the new beginning will bring good results for all Cyprus, for the region, for all the sides concerned".

Referring to his meeting with the UNSG, Akinci noted that Guterres' interest in the Cyprus negotiating process continues and that the UNSG had a "very useful contribution" during the Geneva Conference for Cyprus. He said that UNSG's interest will continue and added:

"During our meeting we had the opportunity as Turkish Cypriot side to convey to him the developments happened since Geneva. We briefed them regarding our views and positions from all aspects in detail. Once more, we had the opportunity to reiterate our commitment and determination for a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution in which both sides will live with political equality, will meet the concerns of both sides and both communities will be able to live with equality, freedom and security. Therefore, I want to note again that this meeting was very useful and fruitful".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci to meet with Junker

The paper writes that before Akinci's departure for Brussels to meet with the UNSG Antonio Guterres, Junker told the Turkish Cypriot leader that they could meet tomorrow, 6 April, at 12.30. However, when Akinci informed him that he would be in Istanbul tomorrow to attend the Eurasian Economic Summit, Junker decided to return earlier from Strasburg to Brussels in order to meet with Akinci tonight.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun: "Parliament's decision to give the marking of Enosis under the Education Ministry's responsibility was a trick"

Speaking during a program he attended on a private TV channel, he stated that the negotiations process could only be resumed in Geneva from where it stopped, once the Enosis decision taken by the Cyprus Parliament is withdrawn.

Alleging that the Parliament's decision to give the marking of Enosis under the Education Ministry's responsibility was a trick, he claimed this could not be enough for the resumption of the talks.

Alleging that the fact that the Greek Cypriot side, while a break was given to the quintet meeting in Geneva, took a decision to mark the Enosis as a confirmation to their intention not to return to the negotiating table, Ozgurgun claimed that Enosis was a hellfire preaching which meant "I did not have an intention to negotiate or agree, my intention is to annex the island with Greece and I am continuing negotiations unwillingly."

Alleging that the oil and natural gas exploration activities of the Greek Cypriots also showed their insincerity for a solution, Ozgurgun further argued that the natural resources around the island equally belonged to the two "peoples"of the island.

[04] Denktas says that they "granted citizenship" to 7,200 persons and if needed they will also give to 27,000

Responding to questions yesterday at the "assembly", Denktas noted that "if this number will increase to 27,000, it will increase, because we give these people their rights which have not been given to them for years".

Denktas also alleged that they do not distribute the "citizenship", but they "meticulously follow all legal procedures" and they "give" the "citizenship" to everyone who has the "right" to have it.

(I/Ts.)

[05] More names of "new citizens" were published in the occupation regime's "gazette"

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.04.17) reports that in the above-mentioned "official gazette" the names of 30 "new citizens" are published. The paper notes that names of "citizens" are published in all issues of the "gazette" during the last period.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Reactions against the occupation regime's policy on the "citizenship"

In a statement published on his account in the social media, Erhurman criticized the above-mentioned policy and noted that the "citizenship" is arbitrarily "given" to persons who do not live in the occupied area of the island for 11 or 12 years. He said that Denktas did not want to reveal the names of the persons who had been "granted" the "citizenship" arguing that these are "personal data". Describing this as "unbelievable", Erhurman disagreed with the above view and argued that Denktas does not want to reveal names because they "granted" "citizenship" to persons who have not even completed five years in the occupied area of the island and not to other who live and work with "work permit" for 11 or 12 years.

Commenting on Denktas' statement, Yeni Duzen's columnist Mert Ozdag reports that 7,200 is a number which cannot be underestimated and notes:

"The families of the persons who were granted the citizenship will also become citizens. Their children, their spouses. 7,200 times 4! It means 28,000 new citizens. Let us say that half of them are children. They are 14,000 voters! 14,000 votes! The government, which created 14,000 new voters since it came to power in May 2016, could do worse things! [?]"

Moreover, Cenk Mutluyakali, general director of Yeni Duzen, writes in his column today that if the situation on the "citizenship' issue continues, he will be the first who will oppose to those who say that "all TRNC citizens should become citizens of the federation" in case a solution to the Cyprus problem is reached.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The voting for the constitutional amendment referendum in Turkey is to be launched today in the occupation regime

According to the paper, the "ballot boxes" will open at the "20th of July Fen lyceum". The sealed ballot boxes will be sent to Turkey after the end of voting on April 10, writes the paper.

(AK)

[08] Siber on the Cyprus problem

Siber alleged also that it is not possible to establish a partnership if the one side considers the other as a "minority" and when it does not recognize any of its "institutions".

(AK)

[09] Turkey-EU suspend political talks until June

The gatherings were postponed until the April 16 referendum in Turkey and then until June, well after the French elections upon the demand of the EU, according to sources.

In February, Ankara and Brussels discussed holding a Turkey-EU summit at the leaders' level in either late May or early June with a positive agenda. Along with political talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, EU leaders also expected to authorize the commission to start customs union talks with Ankara by July 1. However, Germany made clear to its EU partners that "there will be no such summit until German elections in September and that no action will be taken on visa liberalization for Turkish nationals."

Ankara will also not participate politically in a meeting on Syria in Brussels organized by the EU on April 4-5 amid simmering tension with the bloc.

Turkey is not attending the "Support of Syria and the Future of the Region" meeting, which is being organized under the auspices of the EU, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Nations, on a political level because it is not satisfied with an EU response over the format of the meeting and its own title, sources said.

Sources said the situation was an effective reason for Ankara's decision not to attend the conference, adding that Turkey, as the country which hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees, will attend the technical sections of the conference in order to contribute to the activities of the welfare of Syrian refugees.

Turkey's attendance at the conference was greatly anticipated since it is home to the largest number of Syrian refugees, around 3 million.

But the EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said April 3 that Turkish Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m had not replied to the invitation, even though his counterparts in Jordan and Lebanon were set to attend.

[10] Jailed HDP co-chair calls on all voters in Turkey to 'overcome fear' at the ballot box

"I'm inviting everyone to go to the ballot boxes, overcoming fear and voting 'no' to fear. Bravery is contagious," read a message sent by Demirtas to his party from the prison where he is kept in the western province of Edirne on April 4.

Turkey will hold a referendum on April 16 to decide whether to change from the current parliamentary system to an executive presidency with vastly enhanced powers for the President.

Demirtas also called on the people to "spread bravery," regardless the party they support.

"Let's spread bravery without considering whether one is a Kurd, Turk, Alevi, Sunni or AKP, CHP, MHP or HDP supporter. Be sure that goodness will win. We all will win," he said.

Saying that "Turkey is going through historical days," Demirtas noted that "the main base for the government is to create fear and make everyone feel it."

"It's a very human emotion to be afraid from the government in times like these. But don't forget that bravery is also a human emotion. The only way to not leave fear as a legacy to our children is to act with bravery," he said.

[11] Editorial says Erdogan concerned about possible 'no' votes of Gul, Davutoglu, Arinc in Referendum

"TV journalist Hakan Celik asked an interesting question to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on private broadcaster CNN Turk in an interview on the evening of April 1: How will former President Abdullah Gul and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vote in the referendum on April 16?

One might say such an issue is not Celik's business, and ask how Yildirim would know about the votes of two of his predecessors in the ruling Justice and Development Parti (AK Parti) anyway. But the question has a point. For weeks now, word has been spreading within the AK Parti ranks that Gul, Davutoglu, and former Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc (one of the old guard), will not be saying "Yes" to the consolidation of all executive power in the president's hands. Some have even suggested they might work against it.

It was also reported on the day of the interview that Yildirim had invited Gul to join him at his "Yes" rally in Gul's hometown Kayseri, but Gul declined the invitation.

In response to Celik's question, Yildirim said the following: "From time to time all of us can do wrong or make mistakes. But none of our friends have knowingly betrayed this fellowship [the AK Parti] and never will do."

The key words in this reply are "knowingly" and "betrayal," and the prime minister's words could be considered a kind of Freudian slip.

In other words, Gul, who has served as Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and President over the AK Parti's 15 years in office, is considered to have "betrayed" the government by not attending the "Yes" rally ? though not "knowingly."

When Yildirim was criticizing Gul in such a way, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, who is supporting President Tayyip Erdogan's referendum target, raised the bar against Gul. On April 2, a day after Gul did not appear next to Yildirim in Kayseri, Bahceli said the following: "Gul should have been there for two reasons. First, he is from Kayseri. Secondly, he should still show his determination in general elections even after the termination of his presidency."

The MHP leader's problem is clear: Erdogan and Yildirim have not been able to find the level of support they were seeking from Bahceli's party. The MHP is split and a significant part of its grassroots has joined to the "No" front. Bahceli is now trying to pave the way to saying that he is not responsible for this split, because if the result on April 16 is "No," the AK Parti's heavy hitters would likely look for someone to blame. Potential targets could be Gul, who appears to be an easy target now, and Bahceli himself.

In fact, the reason why the AK Parti has started to look again for the support of Kurdish votes for the "Yes" campaign is because it has failed to find the necessary support from the MHP. That might be why Ankara has given only a very mild reaction to the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leader Massoud Barzani's announcement that he plans to hold a referendum for Kurdish independence this year.

Isn't the discomfort in AK Parti ranks clear from the sudden interest of certain pro-government commentators in Kurdish votes, even though for the past few weeks they have been predicting a comfortable 55-56 percent "Yes" victory?

But that is not the only unfair treatment of Gul or tactical move by Bahceli to summarize what is happening in the referendum atmosphere, with Turkey less than two weeks before going to the ballot box. [?]

Recently, it was Kilicdaroglu who was targeted almost as a terrorist for leading the "no" campaign; thankfully that was corrected by President Erdogan following reactions from the grassroots. Now it is Gul who is being targeted. God knows who will be next.

Perhaps all these developments are indications of the not-so-festive atmosphere in the presidential compound at Bestepe in Ankara. Could it be possible that a seasoned politician like Erdogan is ignoring the possibility that some in his team are actually doing him harm because of their own positions and interests?

I think I have a reason to ask this question, as a journalist who received opprobrium from the AK Parti ranks for trying to warn readers about the U.S.-based Islamist preacher Fethullah Gulen and his followers back when they were still on good terms with the government. Of course, we are now reporting on AK Parti statements that they were "deceived" by Gulenists for years. Can that really be possible?"

[12] Robinson club to visit the occupation regime

According to the paper, the members of the above mentioned club had visited the occupation regime in the past for holiday and by bicycling tours and walking, explored the island's natural beauty and history. The Robinson club will launch its tour next October with the "TRNC" to be its final stop.

Meanwhile, according to the paper, so-called independent "deputy" Hasan Tacoy, within the framework of his recent contacts at the European Parliament, he held contacts with members of the Robinson club with the mediation of the "TRNC's representation office" in Brussels.

In a written statement, Tacoy said that members of the Robinson club will be visiting the occupation regime during the second week of October and added that the delegation of the club will be consisting of 10 persons and will be accompanied by TV channels. He explained that the aim of the project is to collect the amount of 5,000 euro and added that this project is very important for the promotion of the "TRNC".

(AK)

[13] Prosecutors demand jail for Turkish daily Cumhuriyet columnists, executives

The former editor-in-chief of the daily, Can Dundar, was named as the prime suspect in the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The charges directed at the suspects include "membership of an armed terrorist organization" and "helping an armed terrorist organization while not being a member of it."

Prosecutors are seeking between 7.5 and 15 years in prison sentence for Dundar, editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu, IPI Board Member Kadri Gursel, Ayd?n Engin, Bulent Yener and Gunseli Ozaltay for "helping an armed terrorist organization while not being a member."

CEO of the daily Ak?n Atalay, Mehmet Orhan Erinc and Onder Celik are charged with "helping an armed terrorist organization while not being a member" and "abusing trust," with the prosecutor demanding between 11.5 and 43 years in jail for them.

Between 9.5 and 29 years in jail is demanded for Bulent Utku, caricaturist Musa Kart, Hakan Karasinir, Mustafa Kemal Gungor and Hikmet Aslan Cetinkaya on the same charges as those directed at Atalay, Erinc and Celik.

In addition, the prosecutor sought between 7.5 and 15 years in prison for journalist Ahmet S?k for "helping and being a member of the PKK and the DHKP/C."

The indictment stated that daily Cumhuriyet started its publishing life upon the orders of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, but around 2013 "it was seized" by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization/Parallel State Structure (FETO/PDY), widely believed to have been behind the July 15, 2016 military coup attempt.

(CS/ AM)

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