Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-07-05

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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] Ak?nc? claimed that the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side act in accordance with the UN's Secretary General parameters; He called Guterres to return to Crans Montana

[02] Turkish Cypriot parties call on Guterres to return to talks to speed up process

[03] Cavusoglu reiterated that the Turkish side could not accept "zero troops" in the island

[04] The negotiations have almost come to deadlock, Guterres returns to save the process, says the Turkish Cypriot press

[05] Ozgurgun claimed that occupied Karpasia and Morfou will remain under the "administration" of the breakaway regime

[06] Talat alleges that international pressure should be exerted on the Greek Cypriot side

[07] Tatar: "Guarantees and troops are indisputable for us"

[08] A "businesswomen association": "The image that Morfou is not an appropriate place for investments should be lifted"

[09] Isik: "Turkey-Russia missile deal done, finance to be resolved"

[10] Kilicdaroglu takes referendum case to ECtHR

[11] US lifts laptop ban on flights from Istanbul

[12] Turkey's top court shuts down Once Vatan Party after leader goes missing

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ak?nc? claimed that the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side act in accordance with the UN's Secretary General parameters; He called Guterres to return to Crans Montana

"We are working hard along those lines, and we hope that the coming few days will be productive", added Akinci when responding to reporters' questions while leaving the morning session of the conference yesterday.

Akinci also alleged that he was doing his best to maintain a solution in Cyprus within a framework envisioned by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. "I always tell you the truth. The Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey follow the parameters that have been set by the Secretary General and are doing our best in order to obtain a solution in Cyprus", Akinci claimed.

In response to a question, Akinci stated that the return of the UN Chief to the conference will be good, adding that the joint call made by the four Turkish Cypriot political parties was timely.

Expressing the hope that the days ahead will be productive, Ak?nc? said: "Every day is a new day. Let's wait and see!"

[02] Turkish Cypriot parties call on Guterres to return to talks to speed up process

The four party representatives issued a joint statement inviting Antonio Guterres to return to the Swiss Alps, saying that progress was slower in the second week of talks than in the first. "If UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres does not return to Crans-Montana as soon as possible and make the necessary interventions, unfortunately, the talks may not end with a positive conclusion," the statement read.

Guterres left the Swiss resort on Saturday after participating in the Cyprus conference, along with Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders as well as the guarantor countries -- Turkey, Greece and Britain.

He is currently in Lisbon, Portugal and is expected to return to New York Tuesday evening.

The statement was signed by the representatives of the four parties that are attending the Turkish Cypriot delegation, that are the Republican Turkish Party (CHP), the National Unity Party (UBP), the Democratic Party (DP) and the Communal Democracy Party (TDP).

[03] Cavusoglu reiterated that the Turkish side could not accept "zero troops" in the island

"If there is to be a solution, we should decide this week, because this is the last conference," Cavusoglu told reporters after a meeting in Crans-Montana, Switzerland with representatives from the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides and those from the other two guarantor countries, Greece and the U.K.

"We have shown good intentions and flexibility but this should get a response. Unfortunately, we could not see any positive response from the other side. We also saw that some confidential documents were leaked despite promises," Cavusoglu alleged.

Cavusoglu reiterated further that Ankara could not accept having "zero troops" in Cyprus.

He also addressed remarks made earlier in the day by President Nicos Anastasiades who said: "Turkey should get in line."

"This is an arrogant comment," said Cavusoglu. "What does 'Turkey should get in line' mean? Turkey has from the beginning acted within the framework that the UN Secretary-General has determined. Those who have put forward nonsense proposals from the beginning [...] do not have the right to say 'Turkey should get in line'."

[04] The negotiations have almost come to deadlock, Guterres returns to save the process, says the Turkish Cypriot press

As it was announced, the UNSG Antonio Guterres will return to Crans Montana tomorrow with the aim of overcoming the deadlock, writes the paper adding that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the four Turkish Cypriot political parties represented in the "assembly" called on Guterres yesterday to return to Crans Montana to put the process back on "the rails". According to Kibris, Greek Cypriot AKEL left-wing party has also supported the call on Guterres to return to Crans Montana.

Under the title "Behold the Turkish proposals", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (05.07.17) reports that the Turkish proposals on the security and guarantees, which consist of nine points, were leaked yesterday to the Greek Cypriot press. According to the paper, Turkey proposes that there should be no final date for the withdrawal of troops or for the guarantees, reevaluation of the issue should be made after three election terms (15 years) and the presence of the Turkish army should continue.

The paper refers also to the joint statement of the four Turkish Cypriot parties calling on the UNSG to "urgently interfere" in the conference. The statement argued that it does not seem possible for the process to advance without the presence of the UNSG. The same paper covers also on its front page Cavusoglu's statements under the title "Cavusoglu: Zero troops zero guarantees rhetoric is not even a dream". The statements are published in Afrika's inside pages under the title "Cavusoglu accuses the Greek Cypriot side of being insolent".

Under the title "Guterres returns", Turkish Cypriot Yeni Duzen newspaper (05.07.17) refers to the return of the UNSG to Crans Montana noting that "the process advances slowly" and that all eyes are turned to Guterres now. Esra Aygin, the paper's correspondent at Crans Montana, reports that Guterres is coming on Thursday and that there is a possibility for the Prime Ministers of the guarantor powers to come on the same day depending on the progress to be achieved until then.

Citing sources close to the negotiations, the journalist writes that yesterday a little progress was achieved on the fundamental issues which remain open. Aygin notes that the sides have made some openings in the packages they submitted the day before yesterday on the issues of the governance, property, territory, equal treatment of Turkish and Greek citizens and security and guarantees.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.07.17) claims that during the 7th day of the conference on Cyprus, th Greek Cypriot side's and the Greek side's proposals, which are allegedly outside of the framework drawn by the UNSG, have again caused crisis. The paper alleges that the Greek Cypriot side's proposals did not took under consideration Guterres' "approach and win" principle and that President Anastasiades included the rotating presidency in the issues which are not negotiable. Greece's support to the zero troops zero guarantees position caused a "mini crisis", argues the paper adding that Akinci claimed that the Turkish side's proposals are within the framework drawn by the UNSG and that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey are doing everything they can for a solution to be reached in Cyprus.

Havadis also publishes on its front page Cavusoglu's statement that what is essential for them is the Turkish Cypriot "people's" and Turkey's interests and that the zero troops zero guarantees position cannot be even a starting point for discussion.

Under the title "Guterres at the table in spite of the NO", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (05.07.17) reports that the tension "hit the ceiling" yesterday during the conference and that the information that the UNSG will be at Crans Montana tomorrow "fell like a bomb" on the table. As a result of this, the tension was substituted by hope. According to the paper, Guterres' return was announced in spite of the position of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side that the UNSG should come to the table only after the sides approach a result.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozgurgun claimed that occupied Karpasia and Morfou will remain under the "administration" of the breakaway regime

Pointing out to the importance of the occupied Rizokarpaso area for them, Ozgurgun referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus negotiation talks recalling that in the maps submitted by the Greek Cypriot side, it's constantly insisting to the return of occupied Karpasia and Morfou. Ozgurgun alleged that they will not even make an evaluation of this demand, claiming that occupied Karpasia area is "under the Turkish Cypriot administration and will continue to be in the future".

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (05.06.17) Ozgurgun in a meeting with another delegation claimed that Turkey's guarantee is currently the most contemporary thing in Cyprus.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue and the process that is continuing in Crans-Montana, Ozgurgun alleged that even though the negotiations are continuing, the Greek Cypriot side did not want to give anything at the talks.

He also claimed that the Greek Cypriot side's real intention is to unite the island with Greece. "There is a Hellenic mentality. Everything is out in the open. When we see this, we see that we must do something. Water has come to the island and we offer this to the Greek Cypriot side. They say 'We'd rather drink poison than drinking Turks' water. This mentality is continuing today. It hasn't changed", Ozgurgun alleged.

He went on and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been open and ready for a solution as long as there is equality and the continuation of motherland Turkey's guarantees, "The Greek Cypriot side has never accepted the guarantees or the equality, it is trying to give us minority rights and this is what we will not accept. There would be no point living here", he further alleged.

Further claiming that due to the peace obtained by the Turkish Armed Forces, from 1974 until now the island has been in peace and that the Greek Cypriot side was also able to live in peace and tranquility, he added: "We still don't know how many people died or are still missing. Bones are being taken out of graves. There are still people who are on their death bed in the south admitting that they killed Turkish Cypriots and buried them at certain locations. This country has suffered many pains and here in Cyprus the guarantees are necessary".

Ozgurgun alleged also that contrary to Greek Cypriot "claims" that guarantees are an outdated practice, here in Cyprus they are the most up to date practice. "We will continue to fight for the guarantees" and as the government we will continue to work hard to solve internal problems with the support and motivation given to us by the people", Ozgurgun claimed.

[06] Talat alleges that international pressure should be exerted on the Greek Cypriot side

Referring to the issue of security and guarantees, Talat claimed: "For me the effective participation, the political equality and the rotating presidency is the best guarantee and security. Turkey will not go away from the island by being defeated and Turkey sees that the Greek Cypriots do not want a solution". Alleging that the people who had voted for President Anastasiades experienced a great disappointment, Talat claimed:

"Greece and Anastasiades want to play with time. I did not expect that Anastasiades would have such a stance. He refrains from the solution since the very beginning. The Greek Cypriots who voted for peace and Anastasiades are experiencing a great disappointment. This conference is important. The fact that Turkey discusses the guarantees is a big step. A war took place. Turkey won this war. Turkey cannot be beaten and go away from here. Turkey sees that the Greek Cypriots do not want a solution. A strong pressure is needed on the Greek Cypriots for a solution. The international interference to the Greek Cypriot side is a must. If there is no international interference, no result will come out from this conference. The problem is not only the security and guarantees. The effective participation in the decisions is very important for the Turkish Cypriots. For me the effective participation, the political equality and the rotating presidency is the best security and guarantee. This conference will not be the last effort. Even if there is no result, the efforts will not end. The efforts will only end if the TRNC is recognized. If the whole world and even the Greek Cypriots recognize the TRNC, the efforts for a federal solution will end".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Tatar: "Guarantees and troops are indisputable for us"

Claiming that the main goal of the Greek Cypriot side and Greece is to leave the Turkish Cypriot "people" without any guarantees, Tatar claimed that "it is obvious at the Cyprus conference in Switzerland that they wish to break us of from motherland Turkey".

Tatar went on and alleged that they will not permit to dilute the issue of security and guarantees for the sake of achieving progress on the other five chapters of the negotiation talks.

(AK)

[08] A "businesswomen association": "The image that Morfou is not an appropriate place for investments should be lifted"

According to the paper, approximately 25 job owners and entrepreneurs attended the meeting and agreed to the view that "efforts should be exerted to destroy the image and the impression that Morfou area is not an appropriate region for investments". The "association" underlined the need for the development of occupied Morfou economically and socially.

The participants at the meeting underlined further that due to the uncertainty that exists at the talks concerning the occupied Morfou, the standard and the quality of living in the area has been negatively affected.

(AK)

[09] Isik: "Turkey-Russia missile deal done, finance to be resolved"

"The sides remain in negotiation on the financial package surrounding the deal for S-400 missiles", Isik added.

"All technical issues, both by the Russian side and the Turkish side, are over," Isik said in an interview with broadcaster TRT Haber. "Now it is time for the final decision", he added.

"Now, we continue work on the financial method. I think we will bring this to a point in the coming days."

However, Isik stated that Turkey would work on developing a national missile defense system with fellow NATO members Italy and France.

[10] Kilicdaroglu takes referendum case to ECtHR

Kilicdaroglu signed a legal petition during a news conference held ahead of the 20th day his protest march from Ankara to Istanbul.

(…)On Tuesday, Kilicdaroglu said that the April referendum was "illegitimate" due to a Turkish Supreme Election Board (YSK) decision to accept unsealed voting papers on the night of the vote. "We have prepared our petition. We are applying to the European Court of Human Rights," Kilicdaroglu said, putting the first signature on the petition.

The party has sharply criticized the conduct of the referendum, particularly the (YSK) decision.

However, Kilicdaroglu himself faced accusations from his own party that he failed to react strongly enough against the referendum outcome.

Following an unsuccessful appeal to the election board itself, the Council of State -- Turkey's highest administrative court -- rejected a CHP petition to annul the YSK's decision.

[11] US lifts laptop ban on flights from Istanbul

Early Wednesday, passengers flying with the Turkish Airlines from Istanbul's Ataturk airport to New York were the first to be allowed to keep electronic devices in cabin.

The decision to lift the ban came after two new tomography machines were installed in the Ataturk airport, which Transport, Maritime and Communication Minister Ahmet Arslan cited on Sunday.

"We carried out technical discussions with the U.S. and the U.K., and informed them that security measures at our airports are above world standards," said Arslan.

The installed tomography machines offer a high-definition, three-dimensional view of the contents of a bag, electronic device, or bottle of fluid. Similar CT machines were installed at airports after the September 11 attacks to identify explosives in checked bags.

In March, the U.S. banned laptops in cabins on direct flights to the U.S. originating from 10 airports in eight primarily Middle Eastern countries – Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey.

[12] Turkey's top court shuts down Once Vatan Party after leader goes missing

The party was founded under Demirel's leadership on May 21, 2014 but he went missing a short while after the establishment, reportedly taking millions of Turkish Liras with him.

According to the decision published in the Official Gazette on July 4, the party's closure was requested due to the situation of dispersing on its own with an indictment prepared by the Supreme Court Prosecutor's Office.

The Constitutional Court, in return, examined the issue and determined that the party had not held any major congress since its foundation and had not formed its obligatory branches.

It also stated that the party did not submit its defense to the court during the time given and that its headquarters were emptied previously.

The court unanimously ruled for the transfer of the party's assets to the Treasury.

The Once Vatan Party previously came to the agenda after it was claimed that its leader Demirel had not paid debts worth millions of liras to party executives and local business owners. He has been missing ever since.

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(AK / AM)

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