Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-31

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

CONTENTS

[01] Akinci: 'We did not cast away the UN parameters and we will not make such a mistake'

[02] Akdag: 'The Cyprus problem is not solved because the Greek Cypriots are the spoiled kid of the West'

[03] The 'proposal' of the `9 'deputies' for the federal solution to stop be the base of the negotiation was not discussed yesterday at the so-called assembly

[04] The occupation regime's 'budget for 2018' was 'approved' by the so-called council of ministers

[05] Erdogan takes legal action after CHP Deputy called him 'fascist dictator'

[06] Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey launched new Asia-to-Europe rail link

[07] Columnist argues that AKP's votes are declining in both Istanbul and Ankara

[08] Optimar Research Company' survey showed the newly established IP party to gain 6.4% of the votes if elections were to take place in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

[01] Akinci: 'We did not cast away the UN parameters and we will not make such a mistake'

Akinci alleged that the 'failure of the talks resulted from the Greek Cypriots unwillingness to share the administration power with the Turkish Cypriots in political equality'.

Akinci also claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey had shown flexibility in Crans-Montana, alleging, however, that the Greek Cypriot side did not show the same flexibility.

Referring to the UN Secretary General's latest report on Cyprus, Akinci criticized the UN Secretary General who said that 'the two sides could not show the necessary political will to cover the last kilometre', arguing that this is an approach which laid a burden on both sides.

'This is not acceptable' Akinci said, arguing that the UN Chief acted by taking the future into consideration. He further alleged that it is not acceptable to unjustly lay a burden on the Turkish Cypriot side.

Touching upon the upcoming elections in 'south Cyprus', as he called the Republic of Cyprus, Akinci said there is a need for a change in the mentality on the Greek Cypriot side. 'The open-ended negotiations process has completely ended. We did not give up negotiations and a search for a solution. We did not cast away the UN parameters. We will not make such a mistake. However, we will also not make a mistake to continue the aimless negotiations process for another 50 years', he alleged.

Stressing that it is important to 'further strengthen the economy and democracy in the TRNC and the continuation of Turkey's existing support', Akinci alleged: 'It is important to continue the fight for the removal of the unjust and baseless isolations. It is also important to maintain our vision for a solution.'

Reminding that water was brought to the 'TRNC' from Turkey, Akinci claimed the following: 'This technology has proved itself. It can be developed further and water could be shared with the south. There is a serious cooperation potential in energy resources, electricity and water.'

Stating that an agreement which did not involve 'equality, freedom and security could not be considered an agreement for the Turkish Cypriot side', Akinci said: 'Therefore, if they are ready to cooperate for such a reasonable agreement we will be ready to evaluate this. We can then establish a single routed federative structure with two founding states and make everyone happy. If we cannot then instead of a single roof this will be two different roofs side by side. There is no other way.'

'As long as there is a conflict somewhere the search for peace continues. There is no other way. You don't put a dot in diplomacy. However, this effort should have an aim and should be result oriented. It is for the benefit of no one to continue forever', Akinci further alleged.

[02] Akdag: 'The Cyprus problem is not solved because the Greek Cypriots are the spoiled kid of the West'

Akdag further claimed: 'The TRNC had always a positive stance. If the Greek Cypriot had also a positive stance, then this job would have already been solved. They have behaved in an uncomprehending way, which has been disturbing the UN and other countries, which are also involved. For this reason, the problem is not solved. Well, what can we do? I, on behalf of my government, am responsible for the programme of economic cooperation and support between the TRNC and Turkey. The faster we develop the TRNC, the faster we increase its prosperity, so much we will approach the solution. We want an island within peace and stability and with an increasing prosperity. We can also obtain this without a final solution with the Greek Cypriot side. Between the years 2016-2018, we have a cooperation with an economic package of 3,5 billion TL. The TRNC will carry out its own structural reforms. We will increase the income and the peace of mind'.

Akdag also alleged: 'As long as the Republic of Turkey exists, we will not allow anyone to touch the hair of a TRNC citizen. I have a duty focus on safeguarding the enrichment of the Turkish Cypriots, accelerating the development of the country and increasing their prosperity. I believe that this is the best way to safeguard the solution. Then the spoiled side will also come for the solution.'

Referring to the disputes for gas research in the Mediterranean, Akdag also claimed: 'We also have rights regarding the gas. We will not allow gas drillings here by violating the TRNC rights, as if the gas was of the South Cyprus and they exploit it, as if they have right on it'

(DPs)

[03] The 'proposal' of the `9 'deputies' for the federal solution to stop be the base of the negotiation was not discussed yesterday at the so-called assembly

The call for the urgent discussion of the 'proposal' was withdrawn from the 'parliament' yesterday.

The National Unity Party (UBP) 'deputy' Zorlu Tore who had put forward the 'two proposals' addressed the 'plenary session' of the 'assembly yesterday', claiming that the Greek Cypriots 'had stolen the federative republic from the Turkish Cypriots'. He further alleged that the 'TRNC' is a 'national state', adding that they will stake a claim on this 'state.'

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side's mentality had not changed and therefore they had made this 'proposal' and the 19 'deputies' had put their signatures under that 'proposal', Tore further argued: 'We wanted this issue to be given priority and discussed at the committee but if this doesn't take place it will happen during the second meeting'.

The Social Democratic Party (TDP) 'deputy' Zeki Celer for his part alleged that consultations had not been carried out with his party when these 'proposals' were being prepared. He further argued that the Cyprus negotiations process was being carried out with Turkey and that the political parties were being informed regarding the developments.

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhurman for his part noted that there could be different views amongst the parties but that subjects that can affect the Cyprus negotiations process should be taken up seriously.

Also, the National Unity Party 'general secretary' Dursun Oguz alleged the following: 'We are open for negotiations, but you made no statements or proposals therefore we put forward our own proposals'.

Oguz further claimed that the National Unity Party was open to consultations and added that the party's views were not aimed at the 'elections'.

[04] The occupation regime's 'budget for 2018' was 'approved' by the so-called council of ministers

In a written statement issued by the 'press and public relations office of the prime ministry', 'for the first time in history a balanced budget was sent to the assembly for approval'.

(AK)

[05] Erdogan takes legal action after CHP Deputy called him 'fascist dictator'

Erdogan's lawyer Huseyin Adin said on Tuesday that they filed a legal petition concerning Bulent Tezcan with the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office for the crime of insulting the President, according to Article 299 of the Penal Code of Turkey (Law No. 5237).

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriye Daily News (online, 31.10.17) reports that the legal action came after Tezcan called Erdogan a 'fascist dictator' in a speech in the north-western province of Tekirdag on Oct. 30.

'I am saying here at Tekirdag Square, Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a fascist dictator', the CHP spokesman had said, prompting anger from ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials.

Presidential Spokesman Ibrahin Kalin reacted through his official Twitter account, saying legal action would be taken. 'Bulent Tezcan's hate speech is a disgrace for the main opposition party. It is not an example of politics; it is an example of animosity to the will of the people. A legal path will be pursued', Kalin posted on Oct. 30.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag described Tezcan's words as 'immoral'. 'It is grave immorality, vulgar and rude. There is a grave sense of animosity there. The only fascist party in Turkey is the CHP,' Bozdag said on Oct. 30 after a cabinet meeting.

[06] Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey launched new Asia-to-Europe rail link

The line, which includes 105 km of new track, will have the capacity to transport one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of freight. This capacity will rise to three million passengers and 17 million tons of freight by 2034.

The 826-km (513-mile) railway project connecting Baku with the north-eastern Turkish province of Kars via Tbilisi was launched in 2007 and construction began in 2008.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project is a crucial step for the region's future, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the inauguration ceremony in Baku on Oct. 30. 'The most important leg of the Middle Corridor Project [to unite Europe and Asia via Anatolia] has been fulfilled with the first service of the BTK railway,' Erdogan said alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

'Baku-Tbilisi-Kars is part of the Great Silk Road and it is important that we have implemented this project using our own funds,' he added, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. 'We are declaring the establishment of a continuous railway link from London to China,' he added.

The three countries are linked by the BP-led Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas line, but trade links between Turkey and the Caucasus region are limited. The new railway promises to provide an economic boost to the region. The new link will reduce journey times between China and Europe to around 15 days, which is more than twice as fast as the sea route at less than half the price of flying.

For his part, Aliyev described the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars line as a 'historic, global project,' praising the funding of the project by the region's own resources.

The project's total cost rose to more than $1 billion from an initial estimate of about $400 million, Reuters reported. The bulk of that financing came from Azerbaijan's state oil fund.

Kvirikashvili said that the project was a 'bridge between Asia and Europe.'

[07] Columnist argues that AKP's votes are declining in both Istanbul and Ankara

Hakan wrote: 'In particular, the AKP is having a hard time mobilizing educated and urbanized voters.

The people's love for Ataturk seems to be spreading. (...) Even the Konya football stadium in conservative central Anatolia played the Izmir Anthem over the weekend, a sign of solidarity with Ataturk and his ideals.

It appears that the AKP has become increasingly keen to embrace Ataturk. The Party utters his name more often and tries to make subtle pitches to Kemalist voters.

All this brings a few questions to mind. Can the AKP ever seem authentic on this issue? Will any significant number of Kemalists ever actually change their perspective and vote for the AKP? Is anyone going to buy this new strategy?

Melih Gokcek resigned as Ankara Mayor over the weekend after 23 years on the job. He harmed both himself and the President in the process.

'I wasn't tired ... I wasn't failing ... I resigned because my leader asked me to,' he said announcing his resignation.

With this statement Gokcek damaged both his leader and his party's reputation. By publicly undermining Erdogan's personality, by transforming himself into a figure bound to another man's will, by conveying the situation in a way that implicitly criticized the leader, he caused significant damage.

But he also harmed his own reputation by painting himself as merely a subservient underling in a greater, more irrational power structure, in which the king issues orders and the obedient obey.

He harmed his leader by suggesting that President Erdogan is capable of making poor decisions that nonetheless go unchecked.

If Gokcek had resigned by admitting his 'fatigue and lack of success,' even if his confessions were untruthful, he would have protected himself, his party and his leader. But he opted not to do this. (...)'

Moreover, HDN (online, 30.10.17) reports that Ahmet Edip Ugur, the Mayor of the north-western Turkish province of Balikesir, left his post on Oct. 30, the latest in a long-running saga over a number of resignations from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) ahead of local elections in 2019.

Announcing his resignation, Ugur said has resignation has nothing to do with 'failure' or any 'connection' to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who the government accuses of being behind the July 2016 coup attempt.

In an emotional speech in which he appeared to be struggling against tears, Ugur said he was obliged to make this decision after he and his family were 'threatened'. 'It is unbearable', he said, adding that it is now impossible for him to continue with the AKP, so he announced his resignation from the party too.

[08] Optimar Research Company' survey showed the newly established IP party to gain 6.4% of the votes if elections were to take place in Turkey

According to the results of the survey, in the question which party would you vote for if elections were to take place today in Turkey, the participants answered the following:

-AKP' 50.6%

-CHP: 23.3%

-MHP: 9.9%

-HDP: 7.8%

-IP: 6.4%

Also, replying to the question 'Do you consider as necessary the establishment of the new party', 57.8% of the participants replied negatively.

(AK)

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs / ΑΜ)

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