Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-09-12

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

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci is preparing to visit new York next week

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with the Swedish Ambassador and the Archbishop of Maronites

[03] Jailed Turkish journalist Nazl? Il?cak to be "denaturalized" from "Turkish Cyprus citizenship"

[04] Denktas: "The winter time will not be adopted"

[05] Atun spoke to BRT on OIC summit

[06] An official from Zimbabwe will investigate accusations that African students are dragged to prostitution in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Cavusoglu claimed that the water coming from Turkey will turn the occupied area of Cyprus into a food store

[08] 34 thousand students will attend "public schools" this year in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Elcil accused the "ministry of education" of not taking measures to tackle the increase of students' registration in schools

[10] Izcan: "A new negotiation process is necessary to start the soonest possible"

[11] Wood charcoal quarries in the occupied area of Cyprus will stop operating

[12] Foreign countries to attend a "basketball tournament" to be organized at the illegal "YDU"

[13] Erdogan: S-400 is a done deal, down payment already transferred to Moscow

[14] Turkish Deputy PM: Iran-Turkey trade relations legal

[15] Celik due to London to discuss relations with the UK and the EU

[16] Turkish economic growth shows strong recovery in second quarter

[17] Prosecutors demand 10 years in prison for jailed former HDP co-leader

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci is preparing to visit new York next week

According to a statement issued by his "office", today Akinci is expected to meet with Siber and the leaders of the "coalition partners", the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP), Huseyin Ozgurgun and Serdar Denktas respectively. Tomorrow he will meet with Tufan Erhurman and Cemal Ozyigit, leaders of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Social Democracy Party (TDP) respectively.

Yesterday Akinci held a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with the Swedish Ambassador and the Archbishop of Maronites

The latest developments on the Cyprus problem were discussed during the meeting held at the "presidential palace".

The "president's special advisor for diplomacy and EU affairs" Erhan Ercin and the "president's special advisor for political affairs and history" Meltem Onurkan Samani were also present at the meeting.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (12.09.17) reports that Akinci also met with the Archipishop of Maronites Youssef Souef and exchanged views regarding the decision of the occupation regime for the Maronites to return to their occupied villages.

(CS)

[03] Jailed Turkish journalist Nazl? Il?cak to be "denaturalized" from "Turkish Cyprus citizenship"

According to the report, Il?cak's "property" in the island, which was rented 22 years ago, had been used as a "base" to serve the Gulen network, believed to have orchestrated the July 2016 coup attempt. Police reports also revealed that high-ranking Turkish police officers with alleged links to the Gulen network and some "police officers" in the breakaway regime held meetings at the residence, the report said.

It has also been reported that the residence had been evacuated completely in the wake of last year's failed coup attempt.

Il?cak had been "naturalized" as "a citizen of the TRNC" in 1995.

"I dined at a restaurant which had previously been a house next to a monastery they called Bellapais in Girne in 1995. A British gay couple had been managing this restaurant named Abbey House and they wanted to hand the restaurant over so that they could leave. I bought here as a house because its price was much cheaper compared to Turkey. I applied for citizenship as I had residence and I was accepted," Il?cak had stated in 2004 about her "naturalization process".

Il?cak had previously denied allegations over her links to the Gulen network during hearings in June as a part of the case into the alleged "media leg" of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

[04] Denktas: "The winter time will not be adopted"

Denktas made these statements during a meeting he held with various trade union representatives. He stated that "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun will make an "official statement" on the issue in the coming days.

He justified his opinion claiming that the "TRNC" must share the same time zone with Turkey with which it co-operates "at every level". He also said that the trade unions suggested the conducting of a referendum when the issue was discussed in the past.

As Yeni Duzen notes that trade union representatives left the meeting reacting against the "decision". The general secretary of KTOS trade union Saner Elcil stated that the "decision" of the "government" is "political" adding that the Turkish Cypriot community paid the price of this sin last year when children lost their lives. "The children will have to go to school when is still dark", he stated.

The chairperson of KTOEOS trade Union Selma Eylem stated that they suggested that a referendum to be conducted over the issue so that the decision to be taken by the "people".

Ôhe chairman of KAMU SEN Metin Atan called on the "government" to evaluated again the situation and said that Denktas is not taking a step back on the issue. He also warned that they will react against the "decision".

(CS)

[05] Atun spoke to BRT on OIC summit

Speaking to the BRT, Atun said that he had found the opportunity to hold "bi-lateral contacts"during the summit which was attended by heads of state and representatives of 57 Islamic countries.

Atun said that "it was important to improve and develop diplomatic relations as well as contacts with the international community".

"Such events are important in voicing and promoting our cause…convincing others of our existence. The meetings were extremely important in that sense" he claimed.

(CS)

[06] An official from Zimbabwe will investigate accusations that African students are dragged to prostitution in the occupied area of Cyprus

Professor Ngara will hold meetings with the self-styled ministers of foreign affairs and education, Tahsin Ertugruloglu and Ozdemir Berova respectively, "officials" from the so-called high education planning, evaluation, accreditation and coordination council (YODAK) and "university rectors".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Cavusoglu claimed that the water coming from Turkey will turn the occupied area of Cyprus into a food store

Speaking to Ankara Anatolia news agency (AA) in Konya, Cavusoglu reminded that the "TRNC water supply project" has brought water to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He explained that that at least the 50% of the 75 million m3 of water, which arrives in the occupied area of Cyprus, is used for agricultural irrigation.

Noting that they prepare projects in order the area of occupied Morfou to become an irrigated agricultural land, Cavusoglu further claimed that when these projects would be completed and the water will reach to their people 100% and be used for agriculture, then the fate of "TRNC" will change and will regain the fame of the past as a "green island".

Commenting on the Cyprus problem, Cavusoglu alleged: "We have never been a minority in Cyprus and will never be one". He alleged that the "Greek Cypriot administration of South Cyprus", as he refers to the Cyprus government, did not come near to any agreement. He further argued: "We are ready to agree without making any concessions on Turkey's guarantees. In a research, the 95% of our people demand Turkey's guarantees. However, the Greek Cypriots do not accept this. (…) We have to continue our efforts with the motherland (Turkey) to strengthen our own state, to institutionalize it and to be self-sustained in order to be a state that will stand on its own feet".

(DPs)

[08] 34 thousand students will attend "public schools" this year in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to information received by the "ministry of national education and culture", this year until today, from the age of 4 to 5th grade, approximately 20 thousand students have registered. In addition to this, approximately 10 thousand students will attend on Monday the secondary schools and high schools, while approximately 3 thousand 400 students will attend the secondary and high schools, which are affiliated to vocational technical education.

According to the "ministry", 3 thousand 731 teachers will work this year at "public schools". One thousand 460 teachers will work for the primary school, 1 thousand 800 teachers for the secondary schools and high schools and 471 teachers for the schools, which are affiliated to the vocational technical education.

The paper also reports that according to last year's data, there were 3 thousand 484 students in private primary schools, one thousand 467 students in private secondary schools and one thousand 740 students in private high schools.

(DPs)

[09] Elcil accused the "ministry of education" of not taking measures to tackle the increase of students' registration in schools

Noting that the new academic year will start on September 18, Elcil said that some schools in the occupied town of Keryneia are not ready to provide education. He explained that because there is a significant increase of students in the occupied area of Keryneia, additional classes are being built, but still the number of students in class increased to 35. He added that all these problems are due to a non-planning schedule.

Elcil considers the "ministry of education" the only responsible for these problems, adding that due to many student registrations, the "ministry" started to build prefabricated classes in the parking area of the "Maarif Anaokulu" in occupied Keryneia.

Noting that there have not been any appointments of teachers, Elcil said that the lack of teachers poses a serious problem.

(DPs)

[10] Izcan: "A new negotiation process is necessary to start the soonest possible"

Supporting that the negotiation process is the only path for the two sides to overpass their problems, Izcan added that losing time with mutual accusations is the worst thing that could happen.

Izcan went on and stressed the need for the sides to exert efforts for the resumption of the negotiation talks and stated that the six-articles framework proposals submitted by the UN's Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres could constitute the basis of the talks.

Claiming also that the proposals submitted by the sides in the last summit in Crans Montana are still at the table, Izcan added that both sides persist on the need the UN's Secretary-General to give the green light for the resumption of the talks. "The basic issue in Cyprus is to achieve a federal solution where the basic human rights of all Cypriots will be respected and all Cypriots will be able to live together in security", Izcan added.

(AK)

[11] Wood charcoal quarries in the occupied area of Cyprus will stop operating

The "decision" of the "council of ministers" was announced by self-styled prime minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun, who said that the aforementioned quarries would be closed because of their negative influences.

The operators of these quarries, the majority of which are in occupied Morfou and Lefka area, got into action after the "decision" and some of them will meet with Fikri Ataoglu, self-styled minister of tourism and environment for conveying their views and demands.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Foreign countries to attend a "basketball tournament" to be organized at the illegal "YDU"

According to the paper, women basketball teams from several countries, such as the Chech Republic, Spain, Belgium, Turkey and the "TRNC" will attend the tournament.

The occupation regime will be represented by the "basketball women's team" of the illegal Near East university.

(AK)

[13] Erdogan: S-400 is a done deal, down payment already transferred to Moscow

He dispelled speculation on whether Turkey would give up ongoing negotiations with Russia for the purchase of the S-400 missile defense system due to pressure from NATO, saying that the first down payment for the missile system was already transferred to Russia. Speaking to journalists who accompanied him on a visit to Astana, Kazakhstan to participate in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit, President Erdogan asserted that allegations made by certain media outlets regarding Turkey's cancellation of the procurement process of the S-400 missile system do not reflect the truth.

"The S-400 missile system deal has already been signed by officials. As far as I know, the first installment was also transferred. This process will continue between Turkey and Russia. Both [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin and I are determined to realize this deal," Erdogan said on Aug. 10 on his way to Astana. Highlighting that the steps taken by Turkey to improve its defenses and become more independent in terms of defense are not open for discussion, he said, "We make our own decisions regarding our independence and we are obliged to take the necessary measures in defense and security. If we're having issues in acquiring certain defense instruments and our attempts are met with obstacles, what we're going to do is simple; we will take care of ourselves."

Erdogan reiterated that certain allies have been stonewalling Turkey's efforts to acquire missile defense systems, adding that similar hardships were also experienced during the acquisition of drones and armed drones.

"For instance, we were unable to acquire drones from our allies; they were demanding an exorbitant sum. We were not demanding that they do it for free, mind you. They provide tanks, armored vehicles and armament to terrorist organizations, yet do not allow us to acquire certain defense equipment. So, we started to produce our own drones and armed drones."

President Erdogan also touched on relations with Germany, speaking about the future of Turkish-German relations after the upcoming elections in Germany and said that Turkey has no ill will toward the German people.

"We have no issues with the German people. Over three million Turks live in Germany and coexist in harmony with Germans. Our issue is with the faulty approach of German administrators and German officials. These approaches should cease to be. We have seen what they have done during the campaign process of the April 16 referendum. The Republic of Turkey will never compromise as long as they continue to attack us. We cannot accept Germany becoming an accomplice to terrorism," he said.

"As I have said, we have no issues with the German people, but rather with the officials. We are disappointed in them. They are engaged in an election process, and who wins or loses is not our concern. The elections are a German domestic affair," he added.

Regarding allegations on social media that he has talked with Bashar Assad, Erdogan said that they were baseless and the product of ill intentions.

Erdogan was also asked about Iraqi Turkmens living in the region being prompted to migrate ahead of the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum.

"We wouldn't recommend our Turkmen brothers to relinquish their lands; they should stay on their own lands. I was recently visited by a Turkmen delegation that said they were born on this soil and that they will die on this soil. They said it is the will of their ancestors. I will never forget their emotional expressions. They added that they will do whatever they can," he responded.

Meanwhile, Erdogan also spoke of his contacts during the OIC summit.

"I have conducted bilateral discussions in meetings with the Presidents of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Venezuela, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Guinea and Guinea Bissau. Thus, I have realized a total of nine bilateral discussions with Presidents. I hope this summit will yield beneficial results, especially with its declaration," he said.

Erdogan also talked about his phone call with Trump that took place while he was in Kazakhstan. Explaining that they discussed the improvement of bilateral relations, Erdogan said, "We underlined that our countries are strategic partners and this should be reflected in our relations. In addition, we talked about regional issues along with Myanmar. We have also decided that we should talk about these issues face-to-face during the U.N. General Assembly."

[14] Turkish Deputy PM: Iran-Turkey trade relations legal

At a news conference at Cankaya Palace, Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Bekir Bozdag defended former Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan against the charges, saying trade relations between Turkey and Iran are legal according to both international and Turkish law.

"There is no commercial transaction (between Iran and Turkey) that is against national and international law…It is definitely not possible to make (such a transaction)," Bozdag said.

An indictment was announced Sept. 6 in New York charging Caglayan and three other Turkish nationals for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran.

The charges stem from a probe into Reza Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian gold trader arrested in the U.S. last year for alleged sanctions evasion.

"If you ask what is trying to be done in the U.S. over Reza Zarrab and now the phenomenon that our honorable minister's name is involved, the essence of the matter is this: The American judicial system is being used to repeat what the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) tried to do during the coup attempt of Dec. 17-25 (2013) (in Turkey) and failed," Bozdag said.

He was referring to a previous attempt where FETO allegedly used its members in the Turkish judicial system to attempt to topple the government through an alleged corruption scandal.

Bozdag said Caglayan protected Turkey's interests during that period and did his duty according to national and international laws.

"There is a very different thing here…It is part of a very dirty game. There is no evidence; there are fabrications," he said.

Bozdag also said some circles are trying hard to harm Turkish-U.S. relations and they should not be tolerated anymore.

The Iranian-born Zarrab was arrested on March 21 last year in the U.S. on fraud and Iran sanctions-related charges.

He previously faced an investigation in Turkey in 2013 on charges of alleged illegal gold sales to Iran via Turkey, which resulted in his detention. That case was dismissed in 2014.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016 which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

[15] Celik due to London to discuss relations with the UK and the EU

During the visit, Celik will meet British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Minister of State for Europe and the US, Alan Duncan, the EU Affairs Ministry confirmed in a statement.

During his contacts, Celik will discuss the latest developments in Turkey's relations with the U.K. and the EU, the Brexit process, the fight against terrorism and other opportunities for cooperation.

Celik will also come together with some prominent figures working against Islamophobia in the U.K. and will attend a conference at the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, on the future of Europe.

He will also talk to major media organizations.

(…)

[16] Turkish economic growth shows strong recovery in second quarter

First quarter growth was also revised up to 5.2 % from an initially reported 5 %, while 2016 growth was revised up to 3.2 % from an initial 2.9 %.

Growth was driven by all main sectors in the second quarter, with the agricultural sector expanding by 4.7 %, the manufacturing industry by 6.3 %, the construction sector by 6.8 % and the services sector by 5.7 %, the Turkish Statistics Institute (TUIK) said in a statement.

"Leading indicators regarding the third quarter show that strong economic growth is continuing and gaining momentum," Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said in a written statement following the data.

Expansion of the state Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) had begun to support growth from the second quarter, he also said.

The government is penciling in overall economic growth of 4.4 % for the whole of 2017 and Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m said at the weekend that the target would likely be exceeded.

In a statement, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said some 1.98 % of the 5.1 % of growth in the second quarter came from exports.

[17] Prosecutors demand 10 years in prison for jailed former HDP co-leader

The Mersin 2nd Heavy Criminal Court continued the case against Yuksekdag on Sept. 11 in her absence, with prosecutors seeking a sentence of 10 years in prison over a speech she delivered at Nevruz celebrations in the southern province of Mersin in 2016.

Yuksekdag was arrested on Nov. 4, 2016, along with nine other HDP lawmakers, and has been in prison since then.

"There are currently more than 20 cases ongoing in different courts," her lawyer Gulseren Yoleri told Hurriyet Daily News on Sept. 11.

"There are also eight different investigations by prosecutors filed against her, and we anticipate them being turned into a case," she added.

After her first conviction was finalized in February, Yuksekdag was stripped of her seat in parliament. "And two other convictions are in an appeal process," her lawyer said.

As the Ankara 16th Heavy Criminal Court is also continuing a case against, her lawyers demanded a merge of files, but the Mersin Court Board declined the demand on grounds that the "two cases only have her name in common," adjourning the hearing.

She is facing 30 to 83 years in prison for "inciting to commit a crime" and "inciting the public to hatred and hostility," in the Ankara case, where the next hearing will be held on Sept. 18.

With Yuksekdag and Nursel Aydogan, another lawmaker for the Kurdish issue-focused party, stripped of their seats in Parliament, there are currently nine HDP Deputies in prison on terror charges, including the party's co-leader Selahattin Demirtas.

Two other former lawmakers, Faysal Sar?y?ld?z and Tugba Hezer, who were also stripped of their seats in Parliament following criminal charges, left Turkey in the wake of a parliamentary decision to remove lawmakers' immunities in 2016 and have been abroad ever since. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS /AM)

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