Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-07-26

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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] A "decision" for the return of all Maronites to their villages in the occupied area of Cyprus was taken

[02] Cavusoglu: Cyprus cannot be an obstacle to Turkey's EU membership

[03] Akinci's advisor blames the Greek Cypriot side for Crans Montana failure

[04] Ozyigit said that the federal solution is the best possibility for the Turkish Cypriots

[05] Turkish Cypriot trade unions accuse Erdogan of not respecting democracy and human rights

[06] Havadis reports that the "coalition government" has not implemented the "economic and financial agreement with Turkey"

[07] Ertugruloglu suggests Akinci to pass the negotiation duty to the "assembly"

[08] Erdogan: "S-400 agreement with Russia is 'a done deal"

[09] Erdogan: "Germany will be the one to pay the price if it imposes an embargo on Turkey"

[10] Erdogan urges Muslims worldwide to protect Al-Aqsa

[11] Commentary: "Cumhuriyet trials set litmus test for Turkish democracy"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] A "decision" for the return of all Maronites to their villages in the occupied area of Cyprus was taken

According to a press release issued by the "presidency", in a meeting which was held this morning under the "presidency" of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, "the decision to provide the possibility to all the Maronites to return to their village was taken".

The synchronization of the works among the "institutions" to be involved with the return will be carried by Akinci's undersecretary Gurdal Hudaoglu. The adjustments that will create the possibility of the Maronites' return to their villages will proceed with coordination of the "presidency, the prime ministry, deputy prime ministry and finance ministry, the interior ministry, the foreign affairs ministry, the embassy's undersecretariat and the military officers". In the first place, the necessary adjustments to "regulate" within the scope of works will be completed with a road map and an execution timetable in order for the taken decision to be put into practice in a short time.

During the meeting which was held in the "presidency" under the chairmanship of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, illegal Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Nicosia Derya Kanbay, the commander of the Turkish occupation forces lieutenant Omer Pac, the Commander of the security forces major general Yilmaz Yildirim, deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas, Akinci's advisers, "directors" from the "register office" and "military officers" were present.

(DPs)

[02] Cavusoglu: Cyprus cannot be an obstacle to Turkey's EU membership

He made these statements speaking at a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and Turkey's chief negotiator EU Minister Omer Celik.

"Just how constructive we have been on the Cyprus Issue has been personally witnessed by Mogherini, Timmermans and EU officials at Crans-Montana. The UN Secretary General and representatives have seen it too. Everyone has clearly seen who wants a solution and who doesn't. As a result the Cyprus problem should no longer stand as an obstacle, a barrier in the way of Turkey-EU relations" he alleged.

Cavusoglu further claimed that dialogue between Turkey and the European Union needs to continue despite having several setbacks and added that there are no disagreements on regional issues, the same cannot be said for Turkish-EU bilateral ties.

On his part, Turkey's chief negotiator EU Minister Omer Celik alleged that injustice has been made against Ankara by the Republic of Cyprus which as he claimed "has been unilaterally blocking 5 different chapters in Turkey's EU accession negotiations."

"The latest negotiations have once again revealed Turkey's constructive approach in the negotiations. Steps must be taken from now on to prevent the Greek Cypriot Administration from unilaterally blocking the 5 chapters. Turkey has completed all its preparations on these chapters. There should be no such unilateral attempts due to political reasons" he alleged.

[03] Akinci's advisor blames the Greek Cypriot side for Crans Montana failure

He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to create the perception that all the problems experienced at Crans-Montana had emerged as a result of disagreements on the issue of security and guarantees; however 4 of the 5 proposals put forward by the Greek Cypriot side were outside of the framework drawn by the UN, he alleged.

Hudaoglu also claimed that one needed to look at the period leading up to the Crans-Montana summit in order to understand what happened correctly.

He alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side had worked constructively and in good will for the past 2 years, pushing the process forward by undertaking initiatives at every opportunity and claimed that the conference on Cyprus had convened as a result of the Turkish Cypriot side's efforts.

Alleging that the UN Secretary General's framework on the issue of territory took the map presented by the Turkish Cypriot side as a basis but also underlined the need to make amendments to meet the Greek Cypriot side's concerns, Hudaoglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots had stepped out of the framework drawn by the Secretary General by insisting on their own map.

He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side had also stepped out of the UN Secretary General's framework on the issue of governance and power sharing which stated that the 2 to 1 ratio for rotational presidency should be preserved.

"The Greek Cypriot side also refused to budge on the position regarding property on which they have been insisting on for years" he alleged.

Also touching upon the issue of equal treatment of Turkish and Greek nationals following a settlement, Hudaoglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side also refused to show any flexibility on the subject.

Complaining that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to distort the facts and developments in a bid to create the perception that the talks had failed only because of the issue of security and guarantees, Hudaoglu also alleged that the Turkish Cypriot "people" allegedly can remain at ease knowing that their leadership did all it could for a settlement.

[04] Ozyigit said that the federal solution is the best possibility for the Turkish Cypriots

In press conference yesterday, Ozyigit made a call to the Turkish Cypriots to make an effort in order to develop their "relations" with the international arena and their social transformation.

Stressing that the federal solution is the best possibility for the Turkish Cypriots, Ozyigit made a call to all sides to develop the "state structure", the peace culture and the relations with the EU.

Ozyigit also argued that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci exhibited a determination with his pro-active stance to reach a just and lasting solution.

Ozyigit further reiterated that a new planning for the fenced off town of Varosha should be discussed by representatives of both communities under an international supervision.

(DPs)

[05] Turkish Cypriot trade unions accuse Erdogan of not respecting democracy and human rights

The trade unions used a statement accusing the Turkish government of Tayyip Erdogan of not respecting democracy and human rights.

(CS)

[06] Havadis reports that the "coalition government" has not implemented the "economic and financial agreement with Turkey"

The paper also writes that Tugrul Turkes, former Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs had to interfere in order to use 84 million TL from the "2017 budgetary deficit". However, the paper argues that the "coalition government" did not stay focus on the "reforms" and Turkes lost his position as "the minister who did not do his job".

The paper publishes tables showing the amounts of money the "coalition government" got from "Turkey's aid committee" and how much money were spent.

(DPs)

[07] Ertugruloglu suggests Akinci to pass the negotiation duty to the "assembly"

Ertugruloglu who made these statements speaking to Diyalog TV, argued that no decision has been taken yet regarding the recognition of the "TRNC" and alleged that instead of quitting his post as "president" the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci should pass the negotiation duty to the "assembly".

Ertugruloglu said that is too early to talk about what is going on from now on and claimed that the 50-year procedure came to an end after Crans Montana. He also stated that the biggest blow against the Turkish Cypriots, after what took place in Crans Montana would be the negotiations to continue to be contacted within the same parameters.

He went on alleging that Turkey did not take a step back regarding the issues of guarantees or its intervention rights and expressed his sorrow that this kind of allegations, as he said, were made both by Eide and some internal circles in the breakaway regime. "Mother land does not sell the Turkish Cypriots, it does not leave them alone for its own interest, it is not useful to create doubts about motherland", he claimed.

He further alleged that the breakaway regime could become a "free trade area", adding that Turkey could take steps towards this direction.

(CS)

[08] Erdogan: "S-400 agreement with Russia is 'a done deal"

The S-400 missile system negotiations between Ankara and Moscow are a done deal, amid comments from U.S. officials that it was a "worrying move".

Turkey had sought a deal with the U.S., but their failure made the country look for alternatives.

"Yesterday, a reporter asked me in the airport that since the U.S. said if we make a deal with the Russia regarding the S-400s, there would be tension. Why would there be a tension? If we can't do what we have wanted to do with the U.S. for years now, we have to be in search of alternative options," Erdogan said in an address to the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) group meeting at Parliament, adding that the deal was signed.

Ankara's close contact with Moscow has been closely watched by Turkey's NATO allies. Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford said at the annual Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that Turkey's possible purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems is "worrying."

"Turkey has not completed a deal with Russia yet. If they would, it would be concerning," Dunford said in an interview with the NBC television station at the forum.

Responding to Dunford's remarks, Erdogan said: "Greece, which is also a NATO member, has been using S-300 for years, no one says anything. We have taken some steps with Russia now, there have been signatures. I hope that we will see the S-400s in our country. We will also continue the process for their joint production as well."

Mustafa Kibaroglu, chairman of the Political Science and International Relations Department at MEF University, said that Greece had also purchased defense systems from Russia previously. "In 1998, [Greek] Cyprus bought S-300 missiles from Russia and the U.S. did nothing to prevent it," he said. "With Turkey's determined stance on the issue, the missiles were sent to Crete rather than the Greek Cyprus (editor's note: Republic of Cyprus). Although it did not touch on the missiles for years, eventually, Greece integrated them into its national defence system," he added.

[09] Erdogan: "Germany will be the one to pay the price if it imposes an embargo on Turkey"

"You have to take into account a bigger price [that you have to pay] if you think you can frighten Turkey with your threats of embargo," Erdogan told ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers at a weekly meeting in Parliament on July 25.

"We see that the firms of this country are smarter, more visionary, more prudent than its politicians", Erdogan said, noting that German investments in Turkey were uninterrupted despite German politicians' threat.

Germany is revealing its real intentions through threats over the economy as the German Ministers warn Turkey of avoiding investments, the President said.

The President said the Turkish government has never rebuffed foreign investments in Turkey, adding there were German companies operating in the country for more than a century.

[10] Erdogan urges Muslims worldwide to protect Al-Aqsa

Addressing the Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdogan said: "When Israeli soldiers carelessly pollute the grounds of Al-Aqsa with their combat boots by using simple issues as a pretext and then easily spill blood there, the reason [they are able to do that] is we [Muslims] have not done enough to stake our claim over Jerusalem."

Erdogan said protection of the Muslim holy site is not a just a matter about whether it is possible to do more to protect but a matter of faith. "Those who are able to should visit Al-Aqsa. For those who cannot visit Al-Aqsa, they should send aid to our brothers there", he added.

[11] Commentary: "Cumhuriyet trials set litmus test for Turkish democracy"

"It was an ironic coincidence that more than a dozen executives and journalists from the daily Cumhuriyet appeared in court on Press Freedom Day. Twelve out of 17 have been in prison since November 2016 and it took nine months for them to defend themselves in court.

Murat Sabuncu, the editor-in-chief of the daily, prominent writers Kadri Gursel and Ahmet S?k, award-winning cartoonist Musa Kart, Turhan Gunay, the editor of the literature supplement, and Guray Oz, the daily's ombudsman, are among those who have been accused on terror-related charges and of supporting multiple terrorist organizations, like the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The trial began on July 24 and is expected to be concluded by the end of this week with our sincere wish that all charges against them will be dropped and our colleagues will be freed.

As a journalist who started his career at the Ankara bureau of Cumhuriyet as a diplomatic reporter in the mid-1990s and spent an entire decade there, it has never been a surprise for me to observe government pressure on this newspaper, but I must confess that I'd never thought that it might one day be accused of supporting terrorist organizations.

As Turkey's oldest newspaper loyal to secular and democratic values, Cumhuriyet newspaper itself and its prominent figures had been subject to terrorist attacks in the past, leaving Ugur Mumcu and Ahmet Taner K?slal? as the best known victims behind many others.

I personally can testify that standing against any terrorist organization and condemning any kind of terrorist act were part of the well-established editorial line of the Cumhuriyet newspaper. None of the accused has anything to do with terror, neither with the PKK nor FETO.

Furthermore, even in the mid-1990s, Cumhuriyet newspaper and its executives were well aware of the danger posed by the Gulenist movement and its efforts to infiltrate into state institutions. I, myself, remember headlines devoted to shed light on the dangerous Gulenist structuring within the state, with calls on respective governments that it needs to be stopped.

In 2003, it was Cumhuriyet newspaper that revealed the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the time, Abdullah Gul, had instructed Turkey's diplomatic missions abroad to give all the support to Gulenists and Gulen-related companies, educators as well as non-governmental organizations in the countries where they were representing Turkey.

Mustafa Balbay, now a lawmaker among the senior ranks of the Republican People's Party (CHP), had spent around five years in jail on charges of plotting a coup against the government in the Ergenekon case. It is now clear all charges were based on fabricated documents and fake evidence produced by Gulenist law enforcement and judicial personnel.

Cumhuriyet's lead writer Ilhan Selcuk was also subjected to terror charges just like many other prominent progressive public figures during the same period.

The last years of the first decade of the 21st century were fully under a dark judicial tutelage at the hands of the Gulenists, which left deep traumas on the public conscience, and Cumhuriyet was one of sufferers of this process. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) was in power at the time and had no visible attempt in trying to reverse this.

In today's picture, Cumhuriyet newspaper - along with another critical daily, Sozcu - is being accused by the government of supporting FETO.

One should explain this to S?k, an investigative journalist who spent around one year in prison because of a book he wrote revealing the FETO danger in the early 2010s. He is again behind bars, deprived of his freedom and his family. One should explain it to Gursel, too, who openly urged the government that its ties with the Gulen movement can lead to dangerous consequences.

To put it mildly, all these are just bizarre. It's becoming hard to defend that Turkey is still a democracy, and the government needs to understand that cracking down on critical voices will not make it stronger. In a country where democracy is abandoned, the entire nation and all its institutions will become weaker."

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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