Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-04

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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] Cavusoglu claimed that the Turkish side is not responsible for the failure of the Cyprus talks

[02] "Foreign ministry": "The UN Peace Force convoy carrying medical supplies to the Greek Cypriots living in occupied Karpasia passed smoothly"

[03] A debate in the "parliament" regarding the "citizenships"

[04] "TRNC citizenships" to 75 persons

[05] Akinci and Turkish Cypriot political parties assess the UNSG's report on Cyprus

[06] Ertugruloglu threatens that they will strike the international companies which drill for hydrocarbons in Cyprus' EEZ

[07] Ozgurgun: "The fact that the Greek Cypriots don't see the Turkish Cypriots as their equals was evident in official documents"

[08] Columnist says that the Turkish Cypriots have become a minority in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Soyer comments on Straw's statements in favor of the division of Cyprus

[10] Reports for 6,000 cases of Brucellosis

[11] Turkey says developments in Iraq, Syria are internal matters

[12] MHP leader: Kirkuk, Mosul, Arbil are Turkmen cities

[13] HDP lawmaker loses seat over terror charges

[14] AKP reshaping local posts, Ankara Mayor not excluded

[15] Women's rights groups, opposition MPs protest bill allowing mufti marriages

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu claimed that the Turkish side is not responsible for the failure of the Cyprus talks

In an interview to the Ankara Anatolia news agency, Cavusoglu argued that first and foremost, the restrictions and the embargoes imposed on the "TRNC" should be lifted. He further argued that they did not have any accusatory or negative stance from the meeting in Crans-Montana, adding that following the meeting they said that they will hold discussions and evaluate it.

Recalling that the Cyprus talks, which were held within the UN parameters and on the basis of the joint declaration of February 11, 2014, could not produce any results, Cavusoglu alleged that everyone saw in the Cyprus Conference in Crans-Montana that the Greek Cypriot side was not ready for a solution.

Claiming that the Turkish side displayed a constructive stance during the negotiation process, Cavusoglu alleged: "Everyone saw that we were there for a solution. At this moment, both in the meetings that we held with the international community but also in the meetings within the international community, it is said that the TRNC and Turkey were very constructive and that they were there to achieve a solution and that is accepted. Because the other persons and the institutions, including the EU, which participated in the talks, speak on this openly."

Cavusoglu reiterated that one of the reasons that they did not reach a settlement in the Cyprus problem is that we are at the beginning of the election period in the "Greek Cypriot administration", however, he claimed the real reason of the non-solution lies in the Greek Cypriot "people" not willing to share in issues such as administration and power.

Cavusoglu further said: "We should again look for a solution through new diplomacy, through new negotiations. We should lift, one way or another, this uncertainty." He added that their stance, their position with the "TRNC" will be clear until the elections in Cyprus are over. He claimed that the point where the negotiation process reached in Crans-Montana, the international community grants the rightfulness of Turkey and the "TRNC". He further said: ""Will this enter in the reports? This is something else. But at least they discuss it amongst themselves and they told us that during our meetings".

(DPs)

[02] "Foreign ministry": "The UN Peace Force convoy carrying medical supplies to the Greek Cypriots living in occupied Karpasia passed smoothly"

The so-called ministry writes in the statement that the "decision" taken to enforce the "customs duties" of the various consumer goods delivered to the Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the "TRNC" had entered into force on 1 October, but remained exempted from medicines and medical supplies. It also describes as unfortunate the statement made by UNFICYP on the issue. UNFICYP stated today that it regrets the decision taken by the "Turkish Cypriot administration", which it considers to be an unfortunate development.

"The UN convoy arrived at the border of the TRNC using the Ledra Palace border gate from the Greek border in the morning. The UN was notified in writing from the TRNC authorities in line with the routine implementation of the convoy, and the 2-vehicle convoy was transferred to the TRNC from Ledra Palace border gate to Karpasia. No restrictions or taxes were imposed on the UN convoy carrying medical supplies alone", was alleged in the statement in which was also claimed that this decision was taken because the Republic of Cyprus was politically abusing the issue of the Greek Cypriots and Maroniets living in the breakaway regime calling them enclaved.

The "ministry" also claimed that the new implementation was in line with the third Vienna Agreement signed in 1975 between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot sides and that it is committed to cooperate with the UN Peacekeeping Force in humanitarian matters.

(CS)

[03] A debate in the "parliament" regarding the "citizenships"

Erhurman criticized harshly the fact that the "coalition government" "grants" exceptional citizenships", and asked for explanations. Denktas replied that they will "grant" "citizenship" to the youth who came to study in the "universities", to those who are "rightful", to those who were born in Cyprus, adding that if it is needed, they will also grant the "citizenship" to persons, who do not have these characteristics.

Referring also to this issue, Fazilet Ozdenef – "deputy" with CTP – asked from the "government" to share the data regarding the "citizenships". She added that during the period August 9, 2016 and August 9, 2017, 924 "exceptional citizenships" were "granted with decisions" of the "council of ministers". She also explained that only 40 of those were granted for reasons of sports, culture etc.

Replying to the criticism, self-styled minister of interior Kutlu Evren argued that the "citizenships" that are granted today consider persons that have been living in the occupied area of Cyprus since 2005, stressing that they are obliged to grant "citizenship" to the persons who have completed ten years of residency in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Evren also claimed that during the period of CTP, 1.622 persons obtained the "citizenship" with the approval of the "council of ministers", while in the period of UBP- DP, 2.908 persons obtained the "citizenship" with the approval of the "council of ministers". In addition to this, Evren explained that during the period of CTP, 58 persons "obtained the citizenship" with a decision of the "council of ministers" and 1.014 persons during the period of UBP-DP.

Evren further said: "In total, 4.000 persons obtained the citizenship during the CTP period, and 9.294 persons in the UBP-DP period". He explained that "the total number of the citizenships in the period of UBP-DP is about the wives and children (4.221) of those who were granted citizenship with the decision of the council and those who obtained automatically citizenship as the (1.151) spouses of Turkish Cypriots".

(DPs)

[04] "TRNC citizenships" to 75 persons

The paper writes: "The government that grants unquestioningly citizenships with a decision of the council of ministers, granted citizenships to 75 more persons in a meeting of the council of ministers on September 25. The list with the 75 names of those who obtained citizenship was published in the official gazette on October 3.(…) The council of ministers decided to grant the TRNC citizenship to 75 persons, according to article 9, paragraph (1), clause (c) of the citizenship law No. 25/1993."

(DPs)

[05] Akinci and Turkish Cypriot political parties assess the UNSG's report on Cyprus

Meanwhile, in statements to Kibris, leaders and representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties assessed the above-mentioned report.

Afet Ozcafer, general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP) said that they did not expect a different stance by the UNSG and that they do not accept the expression [used by the UNSG] that both sides have not exhibited enough political will. She claimed that it is "funny" for technical committees to discuss confidence building measures, when the Greek Cypriot side does allegedly not accept the Turkish Cypriots as politically equal and rejects the rotating presidency and these issues are discussed in a meeting with the participation of the leaders and the guarantor powers.

Erdogan Sorakin, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) told Kibris that the UNSG's draft-report coincides with the statements made by Antonio Gurterres after the Crans Montana conference and that the UNSG tried to use "balanced and constructive expressions" in his draft-report. He noted that the CTP thinks that no other solution is possible in the current conditions except for a federation described in the UN Security Council's Resolutions and in the UN parameters. Therefore, he said, the CTP will exert efforts in the direction of reaching a federal solution on the basis of the UN parameters within the forthcoming period. He also pointed out that taking steps on confidence building measures is important.

Moreover, Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that he agrees that a historic opportunity has been lost in Crans Montana. He argued that the UNSG should continue his mediation and the sides should discuss the Guterres framework and clarify their positions so that they are able to reach a result within a short period of time in case the negotiations resume.

Finally, Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) described as "correct and appropriate" the UNSG's view regarding the lack of will by the sides. He said that no technical committee functions now and added that the work of the committees and the detente between the communities should continue.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ertugruloglu threatens that they will strike the international companies which drill for hydrocarbons in Cyprus' EEZ

"[…] What the foreign companies have to understand is that they cannot do this job with the Greek Cypriots. You know that upon our invitation, a Turkish ship has come to carry our researches. We hope that they will not insist on the unilateral researches. For years they have been internationally robbing [us] through the embargoes, but we will not allow it this time. We will do whatever is necessary so that they will not get away with it".

When the journalist asked him whether he was referring to striking [the companies] and recalled that there are American companies among those who carry out researches, Ertugruloglu claimed: "Yes, if it is necessary. Of course we do not prefer this, but if things get warm, what else could we do? Is it expected from us to turn a blind eye to the Greek Cypriots' fait accompli? If tension is increased, the Republic of Cyprus will be responsible for this. We have supposedly established this republic together. Where are the Turkish Cypriots? Has anyone asked us where these reserves were and what rights we had on them?"

Meanwhile, referring to the same statements Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.10.17) reports that Ertugruloglu stated that if necessary, the Turkish Cypriots will transfer to Turkey their "powers" in the fields of foreign affairs and defense. He alleged the following on the issue:

"Time has come now for us to work for international recognition. We have been avoiding this until today. However, we might exert efforts for TRNC's international recognition now. The second choice before us is an autonomous republic, a structure like the France – Monaco or the UK – Gibraltar model. That is, a republic in which we will transfer our powers in the fields of external affairs and defense to Turkey and we will administrate alone the rest of the issues internally. We have not chosen yet which path we will choose. We will sit and decide together with Turkey".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozgurgun: "The fact that the Greek Cypriots don't see the Turkish Cypriots as their equals was evident in official documents"

He also claimed that "the Turkish Cypriots should not be forced to beg for a settlement".

Speaking on a program on BRT, he claimed that it would be wrong to act on the Cyprus problem according to the outcome of the upcoming elections in south Cyprus, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, in February next year.

"You cannot and should not determine the future and fate of the Turkish Cypriot people by looking at the outcome of the elections in South Cyprus" he claimed.

Alleging that the Greek Cypriots see that Turkish Cypriots as an ethnic minority along with the Maronites and Armenians and that this was included in official documents, Ozgurgun claimed that this mentality proved that it was not possible to achieve a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal partnership with the Greek Cypriots.

He claimed that there was no meaning in 'treading water' after the elections in "south Cyprus" in February, adding that the Turkish Cypriots do not have the luxury of waiting for the Greek Cypriots to have the desire for a settlement.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side has always desired a settlement and that all past efforts had failed despite this good will due to the Greek Cypriot side's negative stance, Ozgurgun argued that it is time the Turkish Cypriots to take a number of decisions along with Turkey regarding its future.

[08] Columnist says that the Turkish Cypriots have become a minority in the occupied area of Cyprus

Commenting on a recent statement made by Serdar Denktas, so-called deputy prime minister of the occupation regime, Levent notes that someone must be blind and deaf for not seeing and feeling this reality. He argues, inter alia the following:

"[…] If I am not mistaken, during the last census of population, it had been announced that our population, that is the TRNC's population, was 294 thousands. Of course, this is a multiplex lie. And the hospitals, the jails and most importantly, the streets throw up to our face this multiplex lie every minute! […] Let us suppose that this is not a lie and that this officially announced number of 294 thousands is true. The percentage of the Turkish Cypriots in this hardly passes 30%! […]. That is 200 thousands are Turks from Turkey and 94 thousands Turkish Cypriots! And this is more than enough to show that we have become minority of Turkey. Let Serdar keep saying that 'we will not become a minority on these lands'. If he says 'they are our blood brothers, it is a great honor for us to become their minority', then I have nothing to say! […]

And they give tens of citizenships every day! And we are buried in the pit of minority a little bit more every day! Saying that 'we will not become a minority'! […]"

(I/Ts.)

[09] Soyer comments on Straw's statements in favor of the division of Cyprus

Soyer said that we should think whether the reason for this statement is "an effort to take a position from the point of view of the British deep-state" before the Kurdish state, which is attempted to be established in northern Iraq, or the developments in Catalonia. Soyer expressed the view that Ankara should be cautious to this approach and that the British interests in northern Iraq and their policy in Catalonia have played a decisive role for this statement. He added: "We have to ask Straw then: What do you say to the separation of Scotland? What do you say to the separation of Wales? Will they recognize Catalonia? What is his approach for northern Iraq? These are questions which should be responded".

The columnist notes the following: "Soyer argues that if division is supported in Cyprus, Ankara will not be strong enough to defend Iraq's territorial integrity. As a matter of fact, another sign of this approach was the statement that 'we respect Spain's territorial integrity' that was made by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs', which in every occasion says that it attaches importance to Iraq's territorial integrity. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[10] Reports for 6,000 cases of Brucellosis

Hamzaoglullari said that investments must be made in the area in order for the issue to be addressed.

(CS)

[11] Turkey says developments in Iraq, Syria are internal matters

"There are incidents in Iraq and Syria at a time when we are focusing on our objectives, but we will overcome all our problems with the support of our people. The developments being observed in Iraq and Syria are directly linked to our internal matters," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Oct. 3, speaking at a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group meeting.

Turkey has already declared the referendum held by the KRG for a unilateral independence as a threat to its territorial integrity and toughened its position against the Arbil administration since the Sept. 25 referendum.

"We hope northern Iraqi officials, who have destroyed the well-maintained relationship and went further by threatening us, will come to their senses as soon as possible," Erdogan said. "But it [Turkey] will surely increasingly continue [imposing sanctions] if they don't come to their senses. We will not refrain from taking further steps as occasions require," he added.

For his part, Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m also emphasized that efforts to establish new states in Iraq and Syria are considered as a direct threat to Turkey's national security, saying "Turkey maintains all its rights to take all necessary actions against it.

Despite Turkey's harsh reactions and ongoing joint military exercises with the Iraqi military on the two countries' shared border, a senior Turkish government official ruled out speculations over a potential cross-border operation into northern Iraq.

Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Bekir Bozdag said that claims of a future operation by Turkey into northern Iraq were mere speculation, adding that Turkey will use its forces "with reason."

[12] MHP leader: Kirkuk, Mosul, Arbil are Turkmen cities

"Kirkuk, Mosul and Arbil are Turkmen cities and we have many ties there," Bahceli said, addressing his party group at Parliament on Oct. 3.

"This does not mean that we are neglecting or not acknowledging other people of Iraq, who have essential and equal rights," he added.

Strongly criticizing Barzani for the independence referendum that took place on Sept. 25, Bahceli reiterated the MHP's stance against an independent Kurdish region, claiming that the referendum was the "preliminary work - a front door - for a four-part greater Kurdistan."

He blasted the fact that the referendum was held in disputed regions such as Kirkuk, saying it would "harm the historical interests of the Iraqi Turkmens."

He also hinted that the MHP would support a military operation by Turkey into northern Iraq, echoing President Tayyip Erdogan's statement that Turkey could intervene in the KRG "suddenly one night" and adding that "it will not be a problem for the Turkish Republic."

[13] HDP lawmaker loses seat over terror charges

The parliamentary Speaker's office read the prime ministerial letter including the court ruling at the parliamentary session in the general assembly, a procedure that legally stripped Konca of her lawmaker status.

Konca had been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for "making propaganda for a terrorist organization." There are more than seven ministerial letters on Konca that enable legal authorities to file an investigation on her amid the lift of legislative immunities.

With Konca, the number of HDP Deputies stripped of their lawmaker status rose to five, since former co-leader Figen Yuksekdag and deputies Nursel Aydogan, Tugba Hezer Ozturk and Faysal Sar?y?ld?z had also lost their seats.

After the immunities were lifted, hundreds of letters were issued against 50 HDP lawmakers in Parliament.

HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas, the party's former co-chair Yuksekdag and seven lawmakers from the HDP are currently in jail.

[14] AKP reshaping local posts, Ankara Mayor not excluded

"There is no such thing at the moment. But that does not mean it will not happen in the future," Erdogan told reporters on Oct. 3, commenting on reports that Gokcek was among the Mayors expected to quit after the resignation of a number of other AKP Mayors.

Erdogan hinted that the recent resignations were part of the party's preparations ahead of the 2019 elections. "I hope we will prepare for the elections with a much livelier, more dynamic, stronger structure," he said.

Prior to Erdogan's remarks, the AKP's spokesperson rejected claims about the resignation of the long-time mayor of the Turkish capital. "The media reports about the resignation of Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek do not reflect the truth," AKP Spokesman and Deputy Chair Mahir Unal told reporters on Oct. 3.

Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas on Sept. 22 announced that he was stepping down from his post, which he had held for the past 13 years. The resignation followed disputes in the municipality administration, after Topbas handed back five previously agreed zoning amendments on the grounds that they would damage the municipal council. The amendments were then approved once again without changes with the votes of AKP council members.

Mehmet Keles, the AKP Mayor of the northern province of Duzce, also resigned on Oct. 2. Keles's son-in-law, Emre Kurt, was arrested in August over alleged links to the Gulen network.

Some 884 of Turkey's 1,397 mayoralties are currently under AKP rule.

[15] Women's rights groups, opposition MPs protest bill allowing mufti marriages

Female lawmakers from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) carried purple banners in front of the Parliament.

But police wanted to prevent the group from reading their press statement, causing tension to rise between the two sides.

After seeing the banners reading, "This marriage can't be registered," "We are reclaiming our lives" and "General morals, whose morals?" police wanted the group to disperse, but lawmakers intervened and the press release was made.

"What women in Turkey need are not muftis registering marriages. The needs and demands of women are not draft laws that would victimize women more today," HDP Adana lawmaker Meral Dan?s Bestas said on Oct. 2, while CHP Ankara deputy Senal Sar?han vowed "women will win."

"We'll be standing behind all regulations that support the equality of men and women, but we will oppose any that break it. Women have always won and will continue to win," Sar?han said, adding that it is important that women's rights groups and Deputies are in coordination.

CHP Manisa lawmaker Tur Y?ld?z Bicer and independent Deputy Aylin Nazl?aka also attended the press release.

"We have the responsibility of being the voice of all women and children subjected to violence, discrimination and alienation in this country," Nazl?aka told daily Birgun, adding that "we will never accept this law."

"No one can make us believe that this draft law is on the side of women at a time when sexual abuse increased by 700% in the last 10 years. This draft law is efforts to prepare a legal ground for child sexual abuse and underage marriage," she said.

According to the draft law on civil registration services, submitted to Parliament on July 25, provincial and local muftis will also be granted the authority to conduct marriages in Turkey, in addition to state registrars of marriages in municipalities.

Representatives of women's rights groups, meanwhile, stressed that changes in laws closely related to women's lives must be made in coordination with them.

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