Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-08-09

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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 TRNC is a reality… It cannot be ignored"

[02] Ertugruloglu alleges that the Greek Cypriots want the continuation of talks because they are afraid of the occupation regime's recognition

[03] Izcan: Those who supported Akinci expect him to push for finding a federal solution and not to put butter on status quo supporters' bread

[04] Denktas: "Elections cannot be held earlier than April 2018"

[05] Twelve more "TRNC citizenships granted" by the breakaway regime

[06] Turkish singer's application for "obtaining" "TRNC citizenship" was accepted

[07] New "consulates" in Trabzon and Antalya

[08] Turkish Cypriots protest against the nuclear power plant in Akkuyu

[09] Emin Akkor is appointed as Kibris newspaper's editor in chief

[10] Al Jazeera promoted the occupied area of Cyprus

[11] Turkey-NATO in talks over German lawmakers' visit to Konya base

[12] Turkey starts building security wall on Iran border

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "The TRNC is a reality… It cannot be ignored"

Expressing his gratitude to the victims who lost their lives during the conflict, Akinci referred to the essence of their "struggle" and alleged that this was to live as free men on these lands and without entering under anyone's dominance, to prevent Cyprus' unification with Greece [enosis] knowing that the island is enough for both communities and to protect the existence of both communities and the other groups in an area where they could live freely.

Akinci argued that sorrow was experienced in the struggle for the unification of the island with Greece and that martyrs and war veterans existed in this struggle. He said after all these the House of Representatives [of the Republic of Cyprus] had taken a decision which sanctifies enosis and claimed that President Anastasiades, instead of signing a law which would eliminate this decision, left the issue pending by referring it to the Constitutional Court.

Akinci said that today they want what those who had struggled in Kokkina area 53 years ago wanted and added that their wish is to live freely and in security and to register their right to exist as two equal communities on this island.

"The TRNC is an entity, an event, a reality even though it is not recognized today", he alleged and added that no one should ignore the "TRNC's" existence. Akinci argued that if the Greek Cypriot side had the same understanding with them, the "TRNC" would be one of the two founding states in a federal Cyprus now. He further alleged that on the issue of guarantees, the Turkish side showed the "necessary flexibility in a manner that would not endanger the Turkish Cypriots' security of course".

Akinci claimed also that the "openings" of the Turkish side were not responded by the Greek Cypriot side, which had travelled to Crans Montana with the slogan of "zero army, zero guarantees" and departed from there with the same slogan. Furthermore, he accused the Greek Cypriot side of doing "everything it could for not entering into the [UNSG Antonio] Guterres' framework'. Akinci argued that the diplomats, who attended the negotiations, including those coming from the EU and the UN, saw the effort allegedly exerted by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side, even though they do not say this publicly. He further argued that the UN report for Cyprus in September would most likely include a balanced approach blaming both sides.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ertugruloglu alleges that the Greek Cypriots want the continuation of talks because they are afraid of the occupation regime's recognition

In an interview with Kibris TV, Ertugruloglu claimed that during this new process, the Turkish Cypriot side should not play the game of the Greek Cypriots and commit the mistakes it had committed after the Annan Plan.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to establish a partnership with the Turkish Cypriots, Ertugruloglu alleged: "The Greek Cypriots have been panicked now. They want to continue the negotiations from the point they were left, because they are afraid of the TRNC taking the way of recognition or taking other choices on the agenda".

He also claimed that whoever is elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, he is obliged to abide by the decisions of the National Council and establish good relations with the Church. He alleged: "Let us not dreaming. Saying these is not tantamount to being against the solution, it is telling the realities. Which price has the Greek Cypriot side paid during the negotiating process lasted for 50 years? Therefore, in this new process we must say both to the world and the Greek Cypriot side that the Turkish Cypriot people have now other choices and alternatives".

Ertugruoglu said that when he "came on duty" he held some meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci but the latter "was not very positive to a close dialogue" with him. "Anyway, our vision is not close and we did not have close consultations", he added.

Claiming that the "old process has ended" and the process cannot continue with the same parameters, Ertugruloglu said that Ankara is also very determined on this issue. He alleged: "This process has ended. There could be no insistence on this ground. Mr President has also said this". Noting that diplomacy does not end, Ertugruloglu said that this is why he had stated that if he had been in Akinci's place, he would have handed over the duty of the negotiator to the "assembly", but his words were distorted. He claimed that the "assembly" should determine the norms and the criteria of the new process as well as the name of the negotiator.

Claiming that two "peoples" and two "states" exist in Cyprus, Ertugruloglu alleged: "The Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC… These two states are the reality of the island of Cyprus. If the Greek Cypriot side does not sit at the table with this reality, it is ok, but as long as we do not sit with our state, we cannot leave this table with equality".

Arguing that in the new process, they will have the opportunity to go outside the negotiating process, he alleged: "We should show our rightfulness to the world. Therefore I say 'let us be good neighbours first, let us achieve this first and then we could become good partners".

Ertugruloglu further claimed that if the UN shows its impartiality and accepts the Turkish Cypriots as an "equal people", the opportunity for reaching a solution in Cyprus will be obtained again. "The main thing in Cyprus is for the UN to correct its mistake. The UN should re-evaluate, re-examine all its activities in Cyprus", he alleged.

Replying to a question, Ertugruloglu said that the regime had opened "representation offices" in Antalya, Trabzon and Gaziantep and they were exerting effort to open new "representation offices" in Europe, but the support given to the "ministry" from the regime's "budget" should increase.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Izcan: Those who supported Akinci expect him to push for finding a federal solution and not to put butter on status quo supporters' bread

Criticizing Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci's recent statements, Izcan recalled that Akinci had been elected with the votes of the supporters of the federal solution in Cyprus and what is expected from him is to insist on policies which will push for a federal solution at the negotiating table and not to make statement that put butter on the status quo supporters' bread.

"This is why all parties and civilian organization which supported Akinci, including the BKP, offered this support", he noted adding that the pro-solution forces in both sides of the island should exert pressure on the leaders for the resumption of the talks.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Denktas: "Elections cannot be held earlier than April 2018"

Denktas argued that the earliest "elections" that can be held is in April 2018, adding that there is a request for "legal amendments" in the "assembly".

Meanwhile, Ozdag, in his column, under the title "One hour with Serdar Denktas", writes that they discussed with Denktas the proposals that the DP has prepared regarding the Cyprus problem off the record. Ozdag reports that Denktas' proposals include everything in detail from the opening of new crossing points until the fenced off town of Varosha. Denktas has already submitted his proposals to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

Ozdag writes: "Denktas has a new policy to become more active and influential. (…) He stressed that they should show that they exist, not just promoting the 'TRNC'. The new policy will be 'We also exist here'. (…) Varosha should be opened under Turkish administration. (…) Let's open them to contribute to the economy."

Ozdag concluded his commentary by writing that he feels that Denktas is testing the ground for the 2020 "elections".

(DPs)

[05] Twelve more "TRNC citizenships granted" by the breakaway regime

The names of those "obtained" the "TRNC citizenship" are published in the paper.

On the same issue, the paper criticizes this practice, writing that the "coalition government" continues to "grant" the "TRNC citizenship" by justifying its action with the article 9, paragraph (1), clause (c) of the citizenship law" and makes "citizens by exceptions".

(DPs)

[06] Turkish singer's application for "obtaining" "TRNC citizenship" was accepted

Meanwhile, the paper also reports: "The Turkish singer and actress Ajda Pekkan, who also bought a house in Keryneia, is also one of the famous persons who waits her turn for a citizenship".

(DPs)

[07] New "consulates" in Trabzon and Antalya

(DPs)

[08] Turkish Cypriots protest against the nuclear power plant in Akkuyu

A representative of the Platform said that the first unit of the power plant will start functioning in 2025 the latest and added that nuclear power is not friendly to the environment. He also noted that nuclear wastes will be buried in Mersin and will constitute a threat for the life in the surrounding area, including Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Emin Akkor is appointed as Kibris newspaper's editor in chief

(I/Ts.)

[10] Al Jazeera promoted the occupied area of Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[11] Turkey-NATO in talks over German lawmakers' visit to Konya base

NATO is conducting discussions with the German side, as well for the modalities of a possible visit to the Konya air base, according to the diplomat.

Reuters has reported that Turkey has agreed to let German lawmakers visit soldiers serving at an air base in Turkey next month as part of a NATO trip, a letter from the German Foreign Minister showed on Aug. 8, after Ankara refused a visit there to German MPs in July.

A letter from Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel to the head of Germany's Parliamentary Defence Committee said that Turkey had agreed to a NATO proposal for a visit to the air base near Konya on Sept. 8.

Under the plan, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller would lead the delegation and take up to seven members of the parliamentary committee with her.

"The Turkish Foreign Minister has agreed to this proposal," Gabriel wrote.

Details are reportedly still being worked out about which lawmakers would be included in the visit. Turkey had objected particularly strenuously to participation by members of Germany's far-left Left party, which Ankara accuses of "supporting terrorists".

However, Ankara has not yet confirmed or denied the permission for German lawmakers claimed in Gabriel's letter.

In July, Turkey delayed a trip by Bundestag's representatives of German troops serving on AWACS surveillance planes in Konya, following tension between Ankara and Berlin after the latter did not allow Turkish politicians to address Turks living in Germany during a referendum campaign.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern over the decision by the Turkish authorities, with the alliance fearing the possible withdrawal of German troops from the Konya base can affect the level of support for the international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). He offered to mediate for a visit by German MPs to troops at the Konya base in an attempt to help resolve the dispute between the two member states.

Germany's armed forces are under parliamentary control and Berlin insists lawmakers must have access to them.

Despite its blocking their access to Incirlik, where German troops are on a national mission, Ankara had not blocked visits by German MPs to the Konya air base until July as the mission is under a NATO mandate.

[12] Turkey starts building security wall on Iran border

The wall is being built by the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) upon the request of the Defence Ministry.

Pictures showing huge concrete blocks being moved into place were published on the website of the governor's office of the eastern province of Agr?.

Turkish authorities announced the construction of a 144-kilometer long barrier in May as a means of blocking cross-border movements. The entire Turkish-Iranian frontier is around 500 Km long.

The "security wall" will be constructed in five stages between Agr? and the neighbouring province of Igd?r as part of the protocol between the Ministry and TOKI.

The first stage is expected to be completed in October and will also feature a "security road" in order for security forces be able to patrol the area behind the border.

Bulletproof glasses will be put in 15 doors that will be set throughout the wall.

To beef up security on its Syrian border, Turkey began constructing a similar wall two years ago to prevent Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants from moving easily between the two countries and to clamp down on illegal crossings.

In June, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said 690 Km out of a planned 828 Km of the wall had been completed along the frontier with Syria. He added that further border security measures would be put in place once the construction is completed.

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(DPs / AM)

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