Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-06-23

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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: Only if the Greek side abandons the "zero troops, zero guarantees" position, negotiations will be possible

[02] Turkes held separate meetings with political parties; He changed his program and departed earlier with Akinci

[03] "Early elections" in the breakaway regime cannot take place before the end of year due to "legal and technical issues"

[04] 31 more persons "were granted" the "TRNC citizenship"

[05] More about FETO investigations in the breakaway regime

[06] Ataoglu claims that the tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus has increased

[07] Turkey's MFA responded to Greece's MFA on the recital of the Quran in Agia Sophia

[08] Cavusoglu alleged that FETO is very active in Japan

[09] Six arrested in food poisoning case at Turkish barracks in Turkey's Manisa

[10] Turkish troops, military vehicles arrive in Qatar

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: Only if the Greek side abandons the "zero troops, zero guarantees" position, negotiations will be possible

In statements last night at the illegal Tymbou airport before departing for Turkey, Akinci recalled that they often state that the talks, which will begin on 28 June, are the final stage of the negotiations and that this is not only the view of the Turkish Cypriot side but countries and organizations which are interested in the Cyprus problem, including the UN and the US Vice President with whom he had held a telephone conversation the night before yesterday, think that the time for having a result has come.

Akinci alleged that Turkey is also included in these countries and that Turkey has always supported the negotiations in Cyprus. Referring to his visit to Turkey, Akinci said that he will hold consultations and evaluate the situation in view of the conference which will start on 28 June. He noted that today he will meet with Prime Minister Yildirim and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu n Ankara and tomorrow he will meet with President Erdogan in Istanbul.

Noting that the determination of the two communities in Cyprus is not enough for finding a solution, Akinci said that the positive contribution of Turkey and Greece will also be needed during the Conference in which the chapter of Security and Guarantees will be discussed.

Recalling that yesterday he had briefed the Turkish Cypriot political parties on the document prepared by the UNSG's Special Adviser, Espen Barth Eide on the Security and Guarantees, Akinci claimed: "This document prepared by Eide is not a document beyond our expectations. Effort has been exerted in the Greek Cypriot side to burden on it unnecessary, exaggerated meanings. We did not do this, we were not expecting such a thing".

Akinci said that the document includes the questions posed during the five-party meeting at Mont Pelerin, the answers given to these questions, the worries and the way of dealing with the problems as well as the perspective of the sides as to which means and tools could be used for facing these problems. He noted that the document includes Eide's views, which do not constitute proposals for a solution and aim at becoming a guide of the work to be carried out in Switzerland.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkes held separate meetings with political parties; He changed his program and departed earlier with Akinci

Turkes met with the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Tufan Erhurman and the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Cemal Ozyigit, as well with the chairmen of three parties which are not represented in the "assembly", Kudret Ozersay from the People's Party (HP), Erhan Arikli from the Revival Party (YDP) and Mehmet Cakici from the Communal Liberation Party – New Forces (TKP-YP).

After the meeting Ozersay stated that they are holding a dialogue with Turkey both on the Cyprus problem and on other issues and argued that we are living a period in which dialogue is necessary. He noted that they have expressed some views, thoughts and concerns to Turkes regarding some issues in view of the conference in Switzerland.

Turkes changed his program and departed last night for Ankara together with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. It had been announced that he would depart today. Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team headed by Ozdil Nami had also departed for Ankara yesterday morning within the framework of its preparation for the Conference on Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[03] "Early elections" in the breakaway regime cannot take place before the end of year due to "legal and technical issues"

According to the paper, there are "legal and technical issues" that prevent the "elections" of taking place soon, despite various discussions on the issue.

(CS)

[04] 31 more persons "were granted" the "TRNC citizenship"

The "council of ministers" gave as justification the "article 9, paragraph (1), clause (c) of the citizenship law No. 25/1993" for the new "citizenships". This "article" refers to the "exceptional citizenship" and abolishes the "provisions" that "someone has to live uninterrupted in the TRNC for five years backwards from the date of the application" and "someone has to verify with his/her behaviour that he/she has decided to settle in the TRNC".

The "citizenship law" declares "this situation for those who are considered obligatory by the council of ministers to obtain the citizenship".

The paper further reports that during the "decisions of the council of ministers for the latest citizenships", the conditions either "live in the country" or "the decision to settle down" were not asked.

The paper publishes the names of 31 more persons who "obtained" the "TRNC citizenship".

(DPs)

[05] More about FETO investigations in the breakaway regime

According to the paper, Ihami Erdem was brought in front of a "court" by the "police" which asked that he will stay under a 20-day "arrest" in the "central prisons" until he is "deported" to Turkey.

However, his lawyer Baris Mamali, stated that the demand for his departure should have been issued through "diplomatic channels" and not through the "chief of police". Therefore the "court" ruled that the "suspect" could be set free.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (23.06.17) reports that investigations continue for Osman Adsiz and Selcuk Genc who were "arrested" in the breakaway regime in the framework of the investigations for persons or organizations that are involved in the FETO organization of Fetullah Guven.

According to the paper, there are 30 organizations that belong to FETO in the breakaway regime and information on these issues were found in the computers of the two "suspects".

(CS)

[06] Ataoglu claims that the tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus has increased

According to a press release by the "ministry", the period January-May was very productive. Ataoglu claimed that this success is the result of the joint efforts of all those who have worked for the increase of the promotion and marketing operations.

Ismet Esenyel, "ministry's undersecretary", said that the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation for those who come from Turkey grew by 23% over the period January-May 2016, from 238,000 to 293,000. The number of foreign tourists has increased by 56%, from 76,000 to 119,000, he further alleged.

Esenyel also argued that the hotel occupancy rates for those from Turkey increased by 20% from 653,000 to 783,000, adding that the hotel occupancy rates for the foreign tourists increased by 98% from 346,000 to 683,000.

(DPs)

[07] Turkey's MFA responded to Greece's MFA on the recital of the Quran in Agia Sophia

"We condemn the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece about the recital of the Quran and the call for prayer in Hagia Sophia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, instead of extending its congratulations to the Turkish people on the holy month of Ramadan and the 'Night of Power', opted for distorting the recital of Quran and call for prayer in Hagia Sophia.

The record of Greece in the field of freedom of religion, which is among the fundamental human rights, is well-known.

Just to cite a few examples: The Greek authorities subject the Turkish Muslim minority in Greece to increasing pressure, file law-suites against the elected Muftis for regular duties conducted by them and turned down this year once again the Muslims' request for praying during the upcoming Ramadan Feast in one of the historical mosques in Thessaloniki where there is no open mosque for worshipping.

Therefore, one can question what Greece, which still does not have a mosque open for worshipping in its capital either, understands from the interfaith dialogue that it has referred to in the statement.

We invite Greece to be a modern and democratic country and respect all religions".

[08] Cavusoglu alleged that FETO is very active in Japan

"FETO is also very active in Japan and poses a big threat here," Cavusoglu alleged, referring to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization in a speech on Middle East developments at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Cavusoglu further claimed that some FETO members were tied to foreign intelligence agencies. "We had to remove 25% of our diplomats, who were not affiliated with the state but with FETO," Cavusoglu said.

(…)

Referring to the conflict in Syria, Cavusoglu said that the war had "become a global problem by overflowing from the Middle East."

(…)

[09] Six arrested in food poisoning case at Turkish barracks in Turkey's Manisa

The same court also referred another eight employees, including the company's purchasing manager, to the Court of Peace with an arrest demand on the same day, Dogan News Agency reported.

Out of the 25 employees of the Rota Yemekcilik catering firm who were referred to a local court on June 21, the prosecutor released 16 following their testimony, while the court released three of them under judicial control orders and ruled for the arrest of six.

Meanwhile, another 23 people, including six officers responsible from the food control at the barracks and 17 catering firm employees, were referred to the court to give their testimonies over the case, to be taken on June 22. The six military personnel and nine catering firm personnel were released, while the court referred the remaining eight to the Court of Peace with an arrest demand.

(…)

The June 17 incident in Manisa was reported to be the second such incident at the same military barracks after more than 1,000 soldiers were affected by a similar infection on May 23, with one soldier succumbing to the effects of the poisoning.

The Health Ministry also touched on this previous incident on June 22, saying it was connected to salmonella bacteria and noting that a report has been prepared and sent to the Manisa Governor's Office on the incident.

"In an analysis conducted into the incident on May 23 in light of the data received from the camera recordings, the incident is determined to stem from the preparation phase of the cooking process," the Ministry stated.

[10] Turkish troops, military vehicles arrive in Qatar

"The transfer of five armored vehicles and 23 military personnel on June 22, 2017 to Doha was completed as part of a troop deploying process by the Turkish Armed Forces to Qatar, within the framework of a legal arrangement between Turkey and Qatar on the training, cooperation and deployment of troops," said the statement.

Turkey's Parliament on June 7 fast-tracked legislation to allow troops to be deployed to a military base in Qatar, two days after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Doha in the worst diplomatic crisis in the region in years.

Turkey has a military base in Qatar that currently houses around 90 Turkish soldiers.

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