Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-04-06

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Allegations by Ankara Anatolia news agency on the Guterres-Akinci meeting

[02] Akinci evaluated his contacts in Brussels

[03] The occupation regime alleges that the Republic of Cyprus' hydrocarbon activities harm the Cyprus negotiations

[04] Ozgurgun stated that "transferring electricity from Turkey" is into the agenda of the so-called government; statements on the Cyprus problem

[05] Ertugruloglu: "The logic of the negotiations should be questioned at the stage reached"

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

[07] The 20th Eurasian Economic Summit kick-started in Istanbul

[08] A mass grave belonging to Greek Cypriots was found outside the occupied Galateia village

[09] The "Solidarity union" in the occupied area of Cyprus called the people to say "no" to Turkey's referendum

[10] Erdogan: "Next phase of Euphrates Shield operation to include Iraq"

[11] Turkey hopes Russia won't veto UN bid on Syrian gas attack; Turkey's MFA condemned the gas attack; Erdogan blasts world's 'silence' over Syria attack

[12] Court rules for continuation of arrest of HDP co-chair Demirtas

[13] "Turkey's foreign relations after the referendum"

[14] Sungur: The real estate market is experiencing its "golden era" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Allegations by Ankara Anatolia news agency on the Guterres-Akinci meeting

During Guterres-Akinci meeting it was said that the decision for commemorating the 1950 plebiscite in schools "was not a simple step", but a "strategic decision which prepares a climate causing serious concern for the future of Cyprus". Akinci and Guterres have allegedly fully agreed on the above-mentioned map. They also discussed the four core chapters of the Cyprus problem. Akinci has reportedly said to the UNSG that the decision regarding the 1950 plebiscite is "evidently annulling" the ground for the negotiations.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the "fact that the Greek Cypriot side avoids implementing the confidence building measures (CBMs)" agreed between the sides months ago, showing pretexts "which could not be understood". Akinci told Guterres that the CBMs are not a matter of status, but their aim is to develop the understanding that the federal solution is for the benefit of both communities and to facilitate the everyday life.

Finally, according to the same information, Akinci and the UNSG discussed in detail the "negative influence" on the negotiations by the "insistence of the Greek Cypriot side on its negative stance on the issues concerning the political equality".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci evaluated his contacts in Brussels

In the afternoon, he met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker separately.

Evaluating his contacts in Brussels, Ak?nc? said that especially during his meeting with Mr. Juncker he was able to discuss several issues in detail.

He stated that he informed Juncker why a deadlock had been experienced at the talks and why this issue was important for the Turkish Cypriot side.

Akinci also underlined the fact that only a short period ahead remained and much was needed to be done.

Noting that he had been explaining from the very beginning the importance of the Turkish Cypriot "people with its institutions" being prepared for the EU, Ak?nc? alleged that lately the Greek Cypriot side had been delaying the works of the Ad-Hoc committee.

Akinci further claimed that even though some problems actually stem from the Greek Cypriot side themselves, he accused the Greek Cypriot side for using this as a mean to prevent the EU representatives from getting in contact with the Turkish Cypriot institutions and officials.

Akinci further alleged that "if there is going to be a solution on the island then the TRNC with its institutions will have to carry out serious work to get in line with the EU acquis communautaire".

Noting that once the point for a solution is reached then the first thing that they want to come into force is the Euro currency being used in the "north" of the island, Akinci pointed out that in order for this to be realized, a lot of work needs to take place.

"He greeted this with much understanding and the problems we are experiencing at the negotiations table as well. Once the talks restart we will try to make progress on important chapters and I hope we will come together at another conference in Geneva", said Ak?nc?.

Akinci added that Mr. Juncker will once again attend a meeting that will take place in Geneva under the EU observer status. Ak?nc? said that Juncker reiterated that the EU is ready for this and that they are ready to support the Turkish Cypriot "people" who are one of the equal partners of the island.

"He said that the channels of communication between the EU and the Turkish Cypriots will always be open and that they wanted to be in constant dialogue with us and that they will try to assist us in any way", Ak?nc? further said, expressing his pleasure over his meeting with Juncker.

Meanwhile, this morning Ak?nc? moved on to Istanbul where he will be attending the 20th Eurasian Economic summit.

[03] The occupation regime alleges that the Republic of Cyprus' hydrocarbon activities harm the Cyprus negotiations

In a written statement issued yesterday, the "ministry" claimed that the latest example for this were the Republic of Cyprus' efforts to take new "unilateral steps" which "reject the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people" within the framework of its "illegal hydrocarbon activities" in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Referring to the agreements signed yesterday and today with foreign companies for three blocks in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the occupation regime's "ministry" alleges that these are an "evident sign" that the "Greek Cypriot leadership" did not abandon the stance which "does not accept the Turkish Cypriots as equal owners of the island".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozgurgun stated that "transferring electricity from Turkey" is into the agenda of the so-called government; statements on the Cyprus problem

Ozgurgun alleged that by transferring electricity from Turkey, the price of the electricity as well as the production cost will be reduced. He further stated that he discussed with Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim that the water which is transferred from Turkey to the "TRNC" is to be used for agriculture purposes and alleged that Yildirim has given instructions for the implementation of "an irrigation project" for occupied Mesaoria and Morfou. He further claimed that Turkey and the "TRNC" have already launched works towards this issue.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (06.04.17), Ozgurgun who gave a conference on the Cyprus problem at the illegal Near East university ("YDU") yesterday, alleged that the Greek Cypriots "were campaigning under the Greek flag".

Stating that the Cyprus issue is the oldest issue on the agenda of the UN, Ozgurgun pointed to the geopolitical importance of the island and provided information about its history.

Alleging that the Turkish Cypriots had started to leave the island and Greece had made a population transfer to Cyprus following Britain's unilateral annexation of the island, he claimed that the Greek Cypriots' demand for Enosis had increased after 1931.

Reminding that the 1950 Enosis Plebiscite was accepted with a 95% vote, Ozgurgun stated that he was sure that a similar result will be obtained if a plebiscite was held in "south" Cyprus today.

Touching upon the "struggle" waged by the Turkish Cypriots against Enosis since the beginning, he provided information about the reasons behind the "20th of July peace operation" and the "establishment" of the "TRNC".

Alleging that the last phase reached at the 50 year long negotiations had once again stopped with the Enosis Plebiscite decision of the Cyprus Parliament, Ozgurgun said that they still support that the Turkish Cypriot side, together with Turkey should not return at the table until this decision is removed. "We are still at that point", he said.

Ozgurgun also put forward their clear stance on the Cyprus issue and claimed that "the Cyprus issue could not be solved without Turkey. If a step is to be taken in Cyprus this will be a joint step taken by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people."

(AK)

[05] Ertugruloglu: "The logic of the negotiations should be questioned at the stage reached"

Claiming that the time had come to question whether to negotiate or not, he said: "it is not possible to talk about a B Plan as long as the negotiations are kept alive with deception."

Ertugruloglu evaluated the negotiations process during a program he attended on BRT.

Pointing out that the reason which brought the negotiations process to a halt had not been removed, he alleged that for this reason it was not right to say that the talks will resume on the 11th of April.

"Will the negotiations start on the 11th?" Ertugruloglu asked and added: "The president in his statement said that he thinks that the developments in the coming days will lead to the continuation of the negotiations. Everyone knows that the president demands the removal of the Enosis decision for the continuation of the negotiations. I do not think that the decision to mark the Enosis Plebiscite will be removed. Removing this decision will mean that Anastasiades is giving up his Presidential candidacy", Ertugruloglu alleged.

(?)

"Let's assume that the decision will be removed. Are we going to be OK then? Will the obstacle on the negotiations be removed and will we return to the table and come to a point of agreement? If the Enosis decision will be removed, however I don't think it will be, there is another important development which was Anastasiades' remarks after the Geneva Summit that 'a minority could not be equals of a majority'. There are efforts to overlook this statement" Ertugruloglu added.

He also underlined that all of his criticisms on Akinci and the negotiating team up until today were not because they were negotiating. "I criticized what they have been imposing on us as successes. However, I believe that the time has come to question whether to negotiate or not. They negotiated and gave approval to wrong things. They reached wrong agreements. The logic of negotiating should be questioned at the stage reached", Ertugruloglu added.

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

Recalling that Denktas said that they had "granted" "citizenship" to 7,200 persons and if necessary they will increase this number to 27,000, Erhurman noted that "they granted citizenship to 700 persons every month". "The UBP-DP government is trying to level the people's will to the ground by guarantying these votes which are at the percentage of 10% that could influence the elections", he argued.

Meanwhile, in a written statement the People's Party (HP) expressed the view that the system of "granting" "citizenship" must change and that it was seen that the current system "is open for political exploitation". "The recent numbers of citizens announced by the UBP-DP government showed once more that the system is not transparent and reliable and that it must change", said the statement adding:

"The decision for citizenship should be taken by the Turkish Cypriot authorities within the framework of the conditions of the country. We do not consider that any possible demand, insistence or pressure outside this is correct and we see it as interference in the political will of the community".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (06.04.17) reports that Asim Akansoy, "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and former "interior minister", argued that the "citizenship issue has been turned into an instrument of satisfying the expectations of Turkey's government".

Recalling that the "citizenship" is related to the Cyprus problem and that an agreement had been reached on the issue between President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci, Akansoy said that Denktas' statement challenges the world and added: "'We do not have the luxury of declaring war to the world like a Don Quixote with a sword in his hand".

(I/Ts.)

[07] The 20th Eurasian Economic Summit kick-started in Istanbul

The conference, which will last until April 6, is gathering 200 statesmen, academics, and businessmen with representatives from 44 countries and religious functionaries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the summit, Akkan Suver, the President of the Marmara Group Foundation, criticizing NATO, said it had not done enough about the security issues that Turkey is experiencing along its border. He also criticized the European Union on having taken "Greek Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, as its member in 2004 without solving the conflict on the eastern Mediterranean island, thus not allowing the Turkish Cypriots to be a part of the EU.

He further alleged said that while these topics will be addressed throughout the conference over two days, another topic that would be stressed on would be on how wrong it was to mention Islam and terrorism together.

(?)

[08] A mass grave belonging to Greek Cypriots was found outside the occupied Galateia village

The excavation works in occupied Galateia village were launched in winter but were halted due to the bad weather conditions.

The Turkish member of the CMP said that it is believed that the mass grave belongs to a group of Greek Cypriots who were lost in the period of 1974. The Turkish member said that they will continue the excavation works in the area.

(?)

(AK)

[09] The "Solidarity union" in the occupied area of Cyprus called the people to say "no" to Turkey's referendum

According to the paper, after yesterday's statement by the "Turkish Cypriot union of artists and writers" who called the voters to vote "no", the "Solidarity union, issued also yesterday a written statement in five languages (Turkish, Armenian, Greek, Kurdish and English) calling on the voters to vote "no" to the referendum.

The "Solidarity union" underlines in the statement that the system of the one-man rule and dictatorship will be imposed in Turkey while at the same time it greets all people who say no and resist to this kind of impositions.

The statement said further that the success of no voting in Turkey's referendum will reinforce the democratic powers and will be a success that will affect not only Turkey but also the whole region. "We, as the supporters of peace in Cyprus, will always be in solidarity with those who resist in Turkey for their rights. Long live the solidarity of the people", the statement further said.

(AK)

[10] Erdogan: "Next phase of Euphrates Shield operation to include Iraq"

Speaking in a joint interview with NTV and Star, Erdogan described the Euphrates Shield Operation as the first stage of Turkey's counter-terrorism road map, saying that expanded stages would follow.

A future operation will have "not [only] a Syrian dimension, [but] also an Iraqi dimension. There are the Tal Afar and Sinjar situations [in Iraq]. We also have kin in Mosul," he said, referring to Turkmens.

Launched in August 2016 and carried out with Free Syrian Army support, the Euphrates Shield aimed to improve security, support coalition forces and eliminate the terror threat along the Turkish border. It ended on March 29 after Turkey lost around 70 soldiers.

Erdogan said the situation was worse in Iraq's Sinjar region, saying that the city is about to become the "second Kandil" for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), referring to its headquarters in Iraq's Kandil Mountains. "There are around 2,500 PKK terrorists attempting to create this second Kandil," Erdogan said.

(?)

Turkey has previously expressed concerns about the PKK's presence in Sinjar and said it would take measures, including deploying troops, to prevent it from securing a base in the region.

Erdogan also warned that the mostly Shiite al-Hashd al-Shaabi groups in Iraq were acting as an invasion and occupation movement in Iraq. "When we look at it all, there is a support for Iranian and Persian nationalism based on sects in Iraq. They disseminate it with sectarianism and spread it on the basis of Persian nationalism," he said.

[11] Turkey hopes Russia won't veto UN bid on Syrian gas attack; Turkey's MFA condemned the gas attack; Erdogan blasts world's 'silence' over Syria attack

He added that he hoped the Security Council would take effective action this time.

(?)

Kurtulmus called the attack a "grave crime against humanity," because it targeted civilians, including children, women, the elderly and the wounded at a medical clinic.

Meanwhile, in a written statement late April 4, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey condemned the attack perpetrated by Syria.

"The imagery and information received from Khan Sheikhun points to the continuous use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, in clear violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 2118 and 2209. We expect the international community to react to these attacks while we anticipate relevant international organizations, in particular the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, to immediately investigate these attacks, which have been repeated time and again," the statement read.

The statement invited also all relevant parties who have influence on the Syrian government to fulfill their responsibilities in order to immediately stop such attacks which exclusively target civilians and constitute grave violation of the cease-fire regime.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.04.17) reported that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in statements on Wednesday blasted the Assad regime for a chemical weapons attack in Idlib, Syria that killed some 100 civilians, but also the international community for being silent in the face of the atrocity.

"How will you be able to recover from the curse from this?" said in Turkey's northwestern Bursa province, branding Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad a "murderer".

"The world is keeping silent in the face of these [attacks], how will you be able to give an account for these?" he added.

Erdogan also spoke on the weakening "artificial wealth level" in the European Union. "The European Union, which has an average age of 43, has a hard time finding jobs for its young people. So Europe no longer has a prospect of employment. However, those who threaten us with the economy, visas, and trade should look towards themselves first," Erdogan said, alluding to the European Union's unfulfilled promise to grant Turks visa-free travel in the Schengen zone.

Addressing "those who think they will make Turkey kneel down using terrorist organizations," Erdogan warned: "A very hot summer is awaiting them."

[12] Court rules for continuation of arrest of HDP co-chair Demirtas

The Diyarbak?r Eighth Heavy Penal Court ruled for Demirtas to remain in jail, where he is held on several charges including "managing a terrorist organization."

In the monthly hearing evaluating the arrest of Demirtas, who has been under arrest since November 4, 2016, the court ruled that he should remain in prison as his defense has not yet been taken, the charges against him are catalog crimes, and the possible sentence he is going to receive does not correspond to the time he has so far spent in prison.

The Supreme Court's Fifth Penal Chamber on March 29 decided to transfer the HDP co-chair's case file to the Ankara Heavy Penal Court, citing security reasons.

In the case that was opened by Diyarbak?r Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Demirtas is accused of "managing a terrorist organization," "making propaganda of a terrorist organization," "opposing the law on assembling and demonstration," "openly inciting people to hatred and enmity," "inciting people to not follow the rules," "inciting people to commit crimes" and "praising a crime and a criminal," and faces between 43 and 142 years of prison.

A total of 13 lawmakers from the HDP, including its co-chairs Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, face hundreds of years in jail over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Meanwhile, the HDP's Kurdish-language referendum song "Bejin Na" (Say No) was banned across Turkey by a court in the southern province of Mersin. The Mersin Second Penal Court of Peace ruled that the "No, no to single flag, no to single nation, no to single language" lyrics of the song were against the Constitution.

The decision was conveyed to all HDP provincial and district offices across Turkey. "The song is against the article of the Constitution stating that: 'The Turkish state, country and nation are an indivisible unity. Its language is Turkish,'" the court ruled.

(?)

[13] "Turkey's foreign relations after the referendum"

"Frankly, Turkey's foreign relations had started to look not so bad after the first advances against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria in the framework of the Euphrates Shield operation. A Syrian ceasefire deal was cut with Russia and Iran, leading to the Astana talks, and even the December assassination of Russian Ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov could not disrupt it.

The first problem emerged as Donald Trump took over the U.S. Presidency in late January. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had hoped that Ankara's relations with Trump would be better than they were with Barack Obama, especially on two subjects in particular: The first was Obama's pick of the People's Protection Units (YPG) as a partner in the anti-ISIL fight on the ground in Syria. For Turkey, the YPG is the Syria extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and thus just another terrorist organization that should not be worked with. The second subject was the demand for legal action against Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based Islamist preacher who Ankara sees as being behind the foiled military coup attempt of July 15, 2016.

A number of ranking Turkish figures have visited Washington DC, including Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, to make contact with names in the new administration and to make progress on those two issues. But Trump has so far given Erdogan a cold shoulder. Despite meeting with many leaders up to now, the two men have only had one telephone call, back in February. It seems that Trump is determined not to make any close contact before Turkey's April 16 referendum on whether to shift to an executive presidential system.

The second big problem in Turkey's foreign relations emerged as Erdogan started to make reinstating the death penalty one of the main pillars of his "Yes" referendum campaign. The European Union has clearly stated that this is a red line for the continuation of accession talks, adding another issue to the many already existing problems between Ankara and Brussels. Others range from the many jailed journalists in Turkey to the state of judicial independence, seen to have been exacerbated by the state of emergency declared after the coup attempt. The crisis with the EU peaked after Erdogan and Ministers of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) were not permitted to make referendum campaign appearances in a number of EU countries, even though PKK supporters had no difficulty organizing rallies complete with live broadcast connections to their military bases in Iraq.

Seizing the opportunity presented by xenophobic rhetoric of some politicians in Europe ahead of elections, Erdogan accused Europe of acting "like Nazis" during the crisis. Since the heat of the crisis, the situation has somewhat calmed, and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu said on April 4 that 'thanks to the stupidity of European politicians', the AK Parti has been able to 'add a few more points' support' in its referendum campaign. But heavy damage has been given to Turkey-EU relations, which were already in a bad shape. Adding to the current problems are ongoing frictions with Greece in the Aegean and the continued question of immigration control of Syrian refugees to Europe.

The third problem is with Russia. Moscow had in recent months been helpful to Turkey in Syria - so long as Ankara moved against ISIL. But when Turkish-backed forces started to make moves against the YPG, Russia as well as the U.S. took a protective position for the YPG against Turkey. Ankara recently announced the end of the Euphrates Shield operation, transforming the role of its military units in northern Syria from active combatant positions to helping refugees in Turkey return to their homes in Syria. But problems with Russia remain in military, political and trade dimensions.

What's more, Turkey's relations with Arab countries are not in the best position either. Ankara has no relations with Syria, almost none with Egypt, and very fragile ties with Iraq. With Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar there is also the problem of the Muslim Brotherhood, which those countries continue to see as a terrorist organization, unlike the Turkish government.

Regardless of the outcome of the April 16 referendum, these problems - which have mostly been put into freeze by Turkey's counterparts - will be back on the agenda. If the outcome is "Yes," a further empowered President Erdogan will have to deal with all those problems himself, with no one else to share responsibility".

[14] Sungur: The real estate market is experiencing its "golden era" in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper writes that after the investors from Turkey, who "are waiting in line to make investments" in the occupied area of Cyprus, Russian investors have also turned their attention to the occupied area of the island. According to data given by the Turkish Cypriot real estate agents' union, approximately 10,000 Russian citizens invested in houses and land in the occupied area of Cyprus during the past three years.

Sungur told Havadis that the real estate market started going up in the beginning of 2016 and today it is experiencing its "golden era". "The market went mad", he argued.

(I/Ts.)

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