Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-06-01

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "The only thing for which we are not ready is for the Greek Cypriot side imposing pre-conditions on us"

[02] Burcu stated that Akinci has accepted Guterres' invitation for a meeting in New York

[03] Cavusoglu will evaluate the Cyprus talks with Akinci and Turkish Cypriot politicians

[04] Gezici survey shows Ozersay's People's Party first with 30,8%

[05] The Denktas family abandons "claiming" land for building a university

[06] TKP and BKP will join forces

[07] Turkey's National Security Council warns against supporting PKK and affiliates; it discussed the Cyprus problem as well

[08] Celik: "Turkey's EU process is a necessity of politics and not romanticism"

[09] Putin 'removes restrictions on operations of Turkish firms in Russia'

[10] A CHP Deputy faces terrorism charges

[11] KTOEOS will give moral and material support to all educators who have been dismissed from their duties in Turkey

[12] Sener Elcil will continue as general secretary of KTOS

[13] "ARUCAD university" has been "established" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "The only thing for which we are not ready is for the Greek Cypriot side imposing pre-conditions on us"

Addressing the 10th so-called international wild apricot festival, Akinci alleged that during important processes like this many statements which could cause "information pollution" might come out and that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will continue learning all truths from him as always. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side tries to benefit from the information pollution and reiterated the allegation that the information saying that the UN asked from the two leaders to meet last Monday and that the Greek Cypriot side accepted this immediately but the Turkish side rejected it does not reflect the reality.

Akinci said that the proposal had come last night directly from the UNSG and that this was an initiative which they have been expecting. Noting that they immediately gave a positive response to UNSG's proposal, Akinci alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side wants a solution in Cyprus from the bottom of its soul and not a deadlock. He expressed the view that the formula with which both sides in Cyprus could be satisfied is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federative solution based on political equality and two founding states with rotating presidency and the effective participation of both sides in the decisions. Akinci argued that the Turkish Cypriots had approved with a percentage of 65% such a solution in the referendum held in 2004.

Noting that the results of public opinion polls today show high percentages of those saying "yes" to a federal solution in the occupied area of Cyprus and those who are undecided in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Akinci claimed: "It is possible to create a Cyprus in which the community, the people will live in equality, freedom and security but we have to be very careful now in the way going to this. And the sides must not exhibit imposing behaviors on each other".

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to start from the point they had left the negotiations in Geneva on 12 January, Akinci argued that they are ready to go to the meetings without pre-conditions, to discuss all issues with frankness, examine together all issues which remain open and reach a result by focusing on the big picture. He alleged:

"There is only one thing for which we are not ready. And let me say it openly and clearly here from tonight. The only thing for which we are not ready is for the Greek Cypriot side imposing pre-conditions on us. We do not accept them in Nicosia, in Geneva and in New York".

Arguing that the solution could not come with pre-conditions, Akinci alleged:

"There are modalities accepted until today. The 11 February 2014 document is a document with Mr Anastasiades' signature. It was very openly and clearly said there that all chapters, all issues will be put interdependently with each other. The final communique of the Geneva Conference on 13 January is also there. The Turkish Cypriot side is faithful to these two texts and will continue being faithful".

Claiming that the way out is known in case there is a will, Akinci alleged that the Greek Cypriot side will not be able to put pre-conditions on the security and guarantees or on the territory and try to impose these on the Turkish side. Arguing that they are ready for any kind of agreement except for pre-conditions, Akinci alleged that in case the Greek Cypriot side abandons its pre-conditions, there will be left no situation on which agreement cannot be reached.

Akinci argued also that everyone knows which issues that remain open are and will, determination and intention are needed for reaching a solution. Claiming that these elements exist in the Turkish Cypriot side, Akinci alleged that if these exist also in the Greek Cypriot side "let them come and let us finish this job, but if they do not, there is no need to deceive the people any more". "We will come out and say to our people that a way for a solution was not found and the reasons are these", he added.

Alleging that this is not a situation which they desire, Akinci claimed that they can do nothing, if this will and determination are not exhibited and the solution opportunity in Cyprus is wasted for the February 2018 elections. "The one side cannot force the other for a solution", he added.

Noting that the commencement of a new period in Cyprus will contribute in the development of a new form of relation between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots as well as between the peoples of Turkey and Greece, Akinci said that they want the relations between Turkey and the EU to be improved and not deteriorated and recalled that after the recent contacts of President Erdogan in Brussels, reference was made to a road map of one year in the relations between the EU and Turkey.

Referring to the illegal visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to the occupied area of Cyprus today, Akinci said that they will exchange views on the Cyprus negotiations and that Turkey supported the Turkish Cypriot side's stance on the issue of the pre-conditions. He expressed the belief that today Cavusoglu "will once more reiterate Turkey's support which the Turkish Cypriot side needs like always".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Burcu stated that Akinci has accepted Guterres' invitation for a meeting in New York

Burcu said in a written statement that the UN Chief had a telephone conversation with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and invited him to New York for a meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

"Our President gave a positive response to the invitation and told the UN leader that he would attend the meeting", Burcu said.

(...)

[03] Cavusoglu will evaluate the Cyprus talks with Akinci and Turkish Cypriot politicians

According to the paper, Cavusoglu will have meetings this morning to evaluate the negotiation process. First, he will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci at 12.00 in a tete-a-tete meeting; later Akinci's negotiating team will also participate.

At 14:00, Cavusoglu will meet with Huseyin Ozgurgun and Serdar Denktas, self-styled prime minister and self-styled deputy prime minister of the breakaway regime accordingly.

At 14:30, Cavusoglu will meet with the opposition political parties represented at the "assembly", the leader of the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhurman (CTP) and the leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit.

Finally, at 15:00 Cavusoglu and Akinci will hold a joint press conference.

(DPs)

[04] Gezici survey shows Ozersay's People's Party first with 30,8%

According to the most important results of the survey, if so-called elections were to be held today, the People's Party (HP) of Kudret Ozersay would gain the most votes with 30,8%, 60% of the "people" think that the "government" is not successful and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is trusted by 40,5%. In addition, the Cyprus problem is considered to be the most important problem faced by the breakaway regime with 33,11%.

Following are the detailed results of the survey:

Asked "what they would vote if elections were held today", the persons participated in the survey replied as follows:

Party Percentage % (including undecided votes)

People's Party (HP) 30,8%

National Unity Party (UBP) 23,4%,

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 18,1%,

Communal Democracy Party (TDP) 10,2%

Democratic Party (DP) 7,8%

Revival Democracy Party (YDP) 4,8%,

Communal Liberation Party (TKP) 2,2%

New Cyprus Party (YKP) 1,5%

United Cyprus Party (BKP) 1,2%

(Tr. Note: The "election's threshold for a political party to enter the "assembly" in the breakaway regime is 5%).

Asked about the credit they would give to the "government" (with highest score to be 10 and the lowest to be 0) the persons participated in the survey replied as follows:

[01] -4/10 60,2%

[02] 7/10 25%

[03] 10/10 14.8%

Party Percentage %

People's Party (HP) 17,9%

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 6,9%

National Unity Party (UBP) 10,5%,

Communal Democracy Party (TDP) 15,8%

Communal Liberation Party (TKP) 2,3%%

Democratic Party (DP) 9,2%

New Cyprus Party (YKP) 7,3%

Undecided 9,4%

No one 16,9%

Asked if they are pleased with the "coalition government" of UBP and DP and the performance of CTP, they replied as follows:

Pleased 9,6%

Partly pleased 21.1%

Not pleased 59,7%

No opinion 9,6%

On the question, what "coalition government" they would prefer, the replies were as follows:

According to me there should be no "coalition government" 30,1%

HP-TDP 17,8%

UBP-DP 14,3%

CTP-TDP 8,6%

UBP-CTP 8,2%

CTP-DP 6,5%

UBP-HP 5,9%

CTP-HP 5,5%

UBP-YKP 1,5%

Asked what kind of politicians they prefer, the persons participated in the survey replied as follows:

Pro-peace politicians 45,38%

Nationalist politicians 33,28%

Social democrat politicians 27,63%

Socialist politicians 7,27%

Liberal politicians 24.95%

Asked to evaluate the performance of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci at the Cyprus negotiations, they replied as follows:

Very successful 18,1%

Successful 40,5%

Neither successful nor unsuccessful 17.3%

Not successful 15,5%

Very Unsuccessful 7,2%

Have no opinion 1,4%

Asked with which political party Akinci shares the same political ideas, they replied as follows:

HP 0,7%

CTP 34,5%

UBP 5,9%

TDP 42,1%

TKP 10,1%

DP 0,5%

YDP 0,9%

BKP 0,7%

YKP 0,4%

Have no opinion 4,2%

Asked what the biggest problem faced by the "TRNC" is, they replied as follows:

The Cyprus problem 33.11%

Corruption 26,50%

Health 26,09%

Education 22,79%

Lack of planning 21,88%

Unemployment 21,14%

Partisanship 17,42%

Traffic 16,27%

Public ineffectiveness 14,20%

Cost of living 13,13%

Water issue 9,99%

Environment 9,58%

Speaking to the press, Murat Gezici, the owner of Gezici research firm, stated that the detailed results of the survey are on sale for 25,000 Turkish lira. He also revealed that 2 persons have so far bought the results, without mentioning the names.

The survey was conducted with a sample of 1,461 persons between 13-15 of May.

(CS)

[05] The Denktas family abandons "claiming" land for building a university

Reminding that the debates regarding this land caused a "government crisis" in the occupied area, the paper notes that the father and son, Denktas announced the withdrawal of their "claim" with separate statements on their social media accounts.

In his statement, Serdar Denktas said that his son Rauf and the "Denktas foundation" have been working on this project for five years and argued that the fact that the issue came onto the agenda prior to the "general elections" which are approaching resulted in some persons taking aim at him and his family due to personal political targets. He alleged that as children of a man who had paid prices for his "country" they had been raised in defamation campaigns against their dignity and claimed that this was one of the prices they had paid for having the "Denktas" surname.

Denktas further alleged that the "state" "allotted" land to his son in the same way it allots land to all "universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that he had to sign the "decision" as the "responsible minister". He said that the occupation army "gave" them the land on the condition they would build a "Rauf Denktas University". Noting that his son will not carry out the project, he said that even if the "state" abandons the idea of establishing a "Rauf Denktas University", his family will not abandon it.

In his statement, Rauf Denktas said that there is no decision yet that the "Rauf Denktas University" will be a "state university" and added that they will establish this university regardless of the "state's" aid. "Therefore, as Rauf Denktas University and Denktas Foundation, we are withdrawing all our claims regarding the 200 donums of land which caused hatred towards our family for days", alleged and called on all political parties which have "high ethical sensitivities", to look in the mirror.

(I/Ts.)

[06] TKP and BKP will join forces

The leader of TKP Mehmet Cakici argued that the Turkish Cypriot "people" go through difficult times and it is the first time that they live the corruption in such extend. Cakici said that they follow the works of the "ministers" and their families, accusing them of exploiting the possibilities of the "state" and get unearned money. He further accused the "coalition government" of committing robbery and looting. Stressing that this is unacceptable, Cakici argued that "the important laws on issues like health, public sector, interest, and similar issues, which are necessary to be addressed for finding solution in a short time for their problems, are not clear".

Emphasizing that the "citizenship" was granted to people that did not have the right to obtain it, Cakici argued that the "citizenships" are "granted" with the worry of votes. He added that this kind of treachery is done against the Turkish Cypriots. He further noted that it is time that these practices should cease.

Izzet Izcan, the leader of BKP, accusing the current "coalition government" of being corrupted and committing looting, said that their aim is to serve the citizens and to prevent the burglary and looting. He further said that for this reason the opposition should joint its forces to remove the "government" from the power.

Izcan asked the resignation of the "government" and to hold immediately "early elections".

(DPs)

[07] Turkey's National Security Council warns against supporting PKK and affiliates; it discussed the Cyprus problem as well

The statement came after a closed-door meeting in Ankara, which lasted over four hours under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"It has been stressed that a policy of supporting the PKK/PYD/YPG terror organization -- which is acting under the guise of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- does not suit [the principles of] friendship and alliance," a statement released after the meeting read.

The Council in the statement also questioned the freedom to operate that "terrorists" appear to benefit from in various countries, despite Turkey's warnings. Ankara has frequently voiced its frustration after various demonstrations organized by the PKK terror group, namely in European countries. "It has been noted that establishing a strategic cooperation with Turkey -- which has considerable experience in the fight against terrorism – will constitute a benefit all around the world," said the statement.

"It has been stated that terror attacks in Afghanistan, Germany, Belgium, France, Iraq, Britain, Sweden and Pakistan have shown one more time how much Turkey is right in its calls for cooperation in order to prevent terrorism," it said.

The statement also noted that Turkey's relations with the European Union should be improved in line with Turkey's full membership goal with lifting obstacles to visa-free travel and opening new chapters and fulfilling its commitments with regard to aid to provided for refugees.

It also said the meeting focused mainly on measures, taken inside and outside of the country, against various terror organizations.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Milliyet (01.06.17) reports that during the meeting of the National Security Council, among the issues being discussed was also the Cyprus problem.

[08] Celik: "Turkey's EU process is a necessity of politics and not romanticism"

"Why should we give up on the EU? The EU is a strategic goal for use but this relationship should be pursued in a fair and objective manner," Celik also stated.

"What we are doing is politics, not romanticism. What we are concerned with is our national interests, so we'll look into how we can proceed," Celik further said.

Officials from Turkey and the EU will meet at a political dialogue meeting on June 13 in Turkey in a bid to discuss the short-term road map of the relationship and to determine the areas in which the two parties will work.

Turkey and the EU will discuss setting a new political framework in ties by prioritizing areas of mutual concern. Turkey has also underlined that any process should include the accession process, which would necessitate the opening of negotiation chapters along with other issues such as the migrant deal, visa liberalization and a new customs union.

(...)

"A common understanding behoves us to leave those discussions behind. Let's see what we can produce now. Why should we give up on the EU? We have continued our activities regarding the EU. And they are perfectly aware of why we are in this mood," Celik said.

Celik also accused the EU of failing to fulfill its commitments stemming from a migrant deal signed on March 18, 2016, as well as its promises to waive visa restrictions for Turkish nationals and deliver 3 billion euro of aid to Turkey for the resettling of refugees.

The EU is aware that it cannot cut its relationship with Turkey given the latter's geopolitical importance, Celik said.

"EU accession also remains a strategic goal for Turkey", Celik said. "This is what is being discussed [in the EU]: Turkey is an indisputable partner. We should listen to them and show progress [in ties]. And what we say is that the EU is a strategic partner but that the relationship should be based on fairness and objectivity."

[09] Putin 'removes restrictions on operations of Turkish firms in Russia'

The related decree "on removal of certain special economic measures against the Turkish Republic" was signed by Putin, the Kremlin press service stated on May 31, according to the news agency.

As part of the decree, the list of categories of Turkish citizens entitled to visa-free travel to Russia has also been expanded.

According to the decree, the Turkish citizens in possession of service passports, flight and cabin crew, as well as businesspeople visiting Russia for short periods will be entitled to visa-free travel, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The decree also grants visa-free travel to diplomatic and Consular representatives of Turkey and their families on the basis of the principle of reciprocity.

Putin also instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to notify Turkey of the partial renewal of a May 2010 agreement concerning the terms of mutual travel of citizens of the two countries.

The decree will come into force following its publication in the Official Gazette,

Moscow agreed to lift all sanctions imposed on imported items from Turkey apart from tomatoes on May 3, when the leaders of the two countries met in Sochi.

Putin then said Moscow's embargo on the import of tomatoes from Turkey and its visa restrictions on Turkish nationals will remain in place for the time being.

Turkey and Russia signed a declaration in Istanbul on May 22 to remove restrictions on bilateral trade that were imposed after a jet crisis in 2015.

(...)

[10] A CHP Deputy faces terrorism charges

"A Public Prosecutor in Diyarbak?r has prepared a summary of proceeding about me on charges of 'being a member of a terrorist organization' and sent it to the Parliament," CHP Istanbul Deputy Sezgin Tanr?kulu said in a parliamentary speech on May 30.

Stating that the CHP has defended the principle of immunity for speeches under the roof of Parliament, Tanr?kulu said no lawmakers could be prosecuted for what they say in Parliament.

"There cannot be any cases or investigations in accordance with this principle of immunity. However, there are some hidden prosecutors who have given themselves a task," he said criticizing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for exerting influence over judicial bodies.

"I have been a lawyer in Diyarbak?r for 25 years. I have presided over the Diyarbak?r Bar. I am a founding member of the Human Rights Association, Human Rights Foundation and Amnesty International and have not been a member of a terrorist organization. However, during the five years of my lawmaker position … I have [allegedly] become a member of a [terrorist] organization during AKP rule," he said.

The legislative immunity of lawmakers was lifted by a constitutional amendment approved on May 20, 2016, with majority votes from the CHP, AKP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The amendment ruled that lawmakers who have a file at Justice Ministry, Prime Ministry and Parliamentary Speaker's Office for alleged crimes dated prior to May 20, 2016, would be exempt from constitutional article number 83, which stipulates legislative immunity.

The article says that "a lawmaker who is alleged to have committed a crime before or after the election cannot be held, questioned, arrested or prosecuted without a decision of the Parliament."

The prosecutors have filed a summary of prosecution on several CHP lawmakers including party leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu and lawmakers including Tanr?kulu, Ozgur Ozel, Veli Agbaba, Eren Erdem, Gursel Tekin, Safak Pavey and Mahmut Tanal within the month May.

In order to lift the immunity, a Public Prosecutor or related bodies must file a summary of proceedings about a lawmaker to the Prime Ministry's Office. The summary is then assessed by the Justice Ministry and conveyed to a Parliamentary Commission. If the Commission rules to lift the immunity, the file is then sent to the General Assembly to be voted upon.

[11] KTOEOS will give moral and material support to all educators who have been dismissed from their duties in Turkey

KTOEOS wants the release of the Turkish educators Nuriye Gulmen and Semih Ozakca who are in hunger strike in Turkish jails. KTOEOS also demand the return of all the educators along with Gulmen and Ozakca, who were dismissed, back to their duties. They also call all the officials to apply common sense.

Ms Selma Eylem, chairman of KTOEOS, said that they will launch an aid and signature campaign to ask the return of all educators, members of the Education Union (Egitim-Sen) back to their duties, who were dismissed unlawfully in Turkey.

(DPs)

[12] Sener Elcil will continue as general secretary of KTOS

The Chairman of KTOs will be Ms Emel Tel, and Sener Elcil will continue his duties as General Secretary.

(DPs)

[13] "ARUCAD university" has been "established" in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the statement, the newly established "university" will launch providing lessons as of the academic year 2017-2018. The "campus" of the "university" will be in occupied Keryneia, writes the paper, adding, that it will "start" operating with the "Faculty of Arts and Design". The "university's aim" is to provide to the "students" education in the fields of art and design.

The "rector" of the "university" will be Dr. Umit Inatci. The paper underlines that "ARUCAD" is the first "thematic university" being "established" in the "TRNC".

(AK)

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