Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-11-24

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Greek Cypriots need 'mentality transition', Akinci claims; He also alleged that direct flights to and from the UK should be launched

[02] Izcan: "The new energy strategy in the region has taken new dimension by excluding Turkey and north Cyprus"

[03] "Experts" claim that the trilateral summit of Egypt-Cyprus-Greece was an effort to intimidate Turkey

[04] The "Laguna" area in occupied Varosha is removed from the scope of being a military zone

[05] Sefik reiterates the allegation that the population is 230,747 and the "voters' 188,668

[06] Durust admitted that they will "distribute thousands plots of land" after the so-called elections

[07] Atun attended COMCEC meeting

[08] Turkey has urgent need for air defense system, FM Cavusoglu says

[09] Turkish PM: Reza Zarrab has shifted from suspect to witness before trial

[10] Jews most targeted by hate speech in Turkish media: Report

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Greek Cypriots need 'mentality transition', Akinci claims; He also alleged that direct flights to and from the UK should be launched

Akinci's remarks came during a conference in north London on the talks for a sustainable solution in Cyprus.

Speaking to the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community living in the U.K. at a venue in Wood Green, Akinci gave a summary of how the negotiations were shaped since he was "elected president" in 2015.

"To solve the Cyprus question today is harder than it was in 2004," Akinci said. He underlined that 65% of the Turkish Cypriots accepted the Annan Plan in 2004 but 75 % of the Greek Cypriots rejected it. "It is now seriously debatable whether we [Turkish Cypriots] have 65 % 'yes' vote today."

Akinci said that "if a solution is reached it would take a lot of effort to get it accepted by the people on both sides of the island".

He claimed that there must be a "mentality transition" on the Greek Cypriot side and said that the Greek Cypriot leaders "should be able to tell their people that a Turkish Cypriot would be the president of a federal republic in Cyprus, if there is a solution." "We haven't heard them saying that yet," Akinci claimed.

He added that a solution in Cyprus will not be coming overnight but "it will be gradual and take time." The talks from now on for a solution on the island should be result-oriented, time-limited and in packages, Akinci told the audience.

He also argued that the UN parameters should not be forgotten. "Bizonality and political equality, with the efforts of our leaders in years, and finally, revolving presidency, which entered Guterres's speech with our efforts. We cannot push all that with the back of our hand."

Akinci further alleged that the problem did not lie in parameters but it is with the "Greek Cypriot mentality, which cannot adapt to, does not believe in and do as necessary with those principles." "Whoever wants a solution in Cyprus, they will accept that there is an equal entity in Cyprus, even if it is not recognized," Akinci claimed.

Akinci also said that Turkey would be the shortest and cheapest route to ship natural gas reserves in Eastern Mediterranean.

"Everybody will win from solution and peace but everybody will lose with tension," he claimed, adding that "there are three things that the TRNC would not give up in a solution".

"First is our freedom. We will not go under anybody's domination. Second is our political equality. Third is our security."

In addition, Illegal Bayrak television (24.11.17) broadcast that speaking at the event in London, Akinci alleged that he had devoted all his efforts since coming to office towards achieving a settlement in Cyprus and added that it was very clear as to who had prevented a solution from taking place.

"This however was not mentioned in the UN Secretary General's report" he claimed.

Alleging that "the Greek Cypriot side's main goal was to break all bonds and ties between Turkey and the TRNC" Akinci claimed: "This was not possible. We told them. We tried to tell others as well."

Akinci also voiced the opinion in his speech that direct flights to and from the UK should be launched.

[02] Izcan: "The new energy strategy in the region has taken new dimension by excluding Turkey and north Cyprus"

In a written statement, Izcan noted: "The non-solution of the Cyprus problem and Turkey's policies in the Middle East have become the reasons of forming new military and economic alliances in the region".

Noting that the summit which was held on energy by Egypt, Greece and "south Cyprus" (as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus" as well the agreement that they reached is the clearest indication on this, Izcan further argued that the agreement between Egypt, Greece and "south Cyprus" to invite also in the energy alliance Italy, reveals that the energy strategy in the region has taken new dimensions by excluding Turkey and "north Cyprus".

Stressing that the encountered problems in the region have reached a dimension that threatens the stability and adding that the foreign policies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government as well as the non-solution of the Cyprus problem create serious threats for themselves, Izcan said that an early solution in Cyprus is unavoidable.

(DPs)

[03] "Experts" claim that the trilateral summit of Egypt-Cyprus-Greece was an effort to intimidate Turkey

Professor Dr Ahmet Sozen argued that the solution of the Cyprus problem as well as the normalization of Turkey's relations with Egypt and Israel may change in a very radical way the cooperation equation on the natural gas in the East Mediterranean and this will bring Turkey to a very important position in this equation.

Assistant Professor Dr Hayriye Kahveci claimed that steps should be taken in order the works related to the interconnection electricity of the occupied area of Cyprus with Turkey to be completed as soon as possible and in order to weaken the "strategy block" that the leaderships of Israel, Egypt and Cyprus are trying to form.

Journalist Selim Sayari (NTV correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus), argued that at the efforts of "south Cyprus" and Greece to regional alliances against Turkey, are exploiting Ankara's political problems with the countries in the region. According to Sayari, "the deterioration of the relations between Turkey and Egypt as well as the relations between Israel and Egypt that have not been normalized yet, are driving south Cyprus to make an alliance with Egypt and Greece against Turkey".

(DPs)

[04] The "Laguna" area in occupied Varosha is removed from the scope of being a military zone

The "council of ministers" decided to "authorize" the so-called land office and the "mapping department" to determine and mark the borders of the military zone which will change within this framework. It was also decided that the necessary works will be held under the observation of the Turkish occupation army and the command of the military unit which is responsible for the area. The decision was taken by the "council of ministers" on 18 September and entered into effect after being published in the "official gazette" on 13 November 2017.

The paper recalls that it had published this information a while ago and wondered whether the area is given away to someone as present. It also publishes pictures of the area.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Sefik reiterates the allegation that the population is 230,747 and the "voters' 188,668

She reiterated that the population of the occupied area of Cyprus [before her "office" to have the "lists of candidates" hung] is 230,747, noting that they had entered new data 15 days ago and since then they received no other data.

According to Sefik, the persons who have most recently been granted "citizenship" might to be included in the "voter roll" adding that those who do not see their names in the "rolls" could file an objection during the lists' hanging period.

Asked to comment on the fact that the number of the "voters" increased by 112,844 since 1975, Sefik said that many years passed since 1975 and added that "the latest number of our voters is 188,668".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Durust admitted that they will "distribute thousands plots of land" after the so-called elections

Durust further claimed that they are preparing for "distributing thousand plots of land" after February. "They will not be 30 or 40, they will be 500-2000", Durust argued.

Meanwhile, referring to the statements made by Durust, the general secretary of the New Cyprus Party (YKP) Murat Kanatli stated that Durust's statements "violate the election law and called on the higher election council to intervene".

(AK)

[07] Atun attended COMCEC meeting

Atun met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan within the framework of the meeting.

This year's meeting was attended by delegations from over 57 OIC member countries.

Atun attended the opening session of the meeting which was chaired by Erdogan and attended by ministers of the member countries.

[08] Turkey has urgent need for air defense system, FM Cavusoglu says

"Recently, some of the NATO allies are putting up serious resistance to giving Turkey defense systems, including simple weapons, that we need. I need to build an air defense system. But I cannot buy it from my allies. Then I have to get it from somewhere else. I have an urgent need," Cavusoglu said.

In wake of a recent incident, which targeted Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO drill, the Foreign M inister emphasized that Turkey was not moving away from NATO.

"Turkey is not sliding anywhere, it stands where it is. Turkey has no problem with the EU. Every country pursues multidirectional foreign policy," Cavusoglu said, adding that Turkey also had such a right.

Turkey's top diplomat also rejected criticism over the country's close ties with Russia. "Foreign M inisters of NATO member states requested improvement in relations with Russia. As soon as we improved the relations, the same foreign ministers started criticizing us: 'Why are you so close with Russia?'" Cavusoglu said.

Turkey has not been drifting away from Europe and NATO nor is it approaching Russia. There is no such thing. We have no problems with European countries," Cavusoglu said. "Turkey will continue conducting works with NATO," he added.

[09] Turkish PM: Reza Zarrab has shifted from suspect to witness before trial

"The U.S. is putting pressure on those involved in the case to testify against Turkey and threaten Turkish interests. Those who were suspects are now witnesses. This is a human rights violation," Yildirim said at the Turkey Economy Summit in Istanbul.

"Turkey and the United States are two allies. So lawyers should do their job and politicians should do theirs. Let's never allow lawyers to harm relations between the two countries," he added.

Yildirim described current bilateral troubles as "temporary," while claiming that cases against Turkish citizens in the U.S. such as Zarrab were based on "groundless rumors and lies." "Turkey has never processed anything against domestic and international laws in its trade and exports," he said. He said any attempt to jeopardize Turkey's economy or financial sector would be "in vain."

"Our country does not need to seek approval to trade from anyone. Some countries can easily do business with a country on which they impose embargoes, but when Turkey does business [with the same country] it is considered a sign of guilt. Recently, the U.S. have made a deal with Iran to sell aircrafts, an agreement in principle. And then they accuse Turkey of breaking the blockade. Where is the law? Where is justice?" Yildirim said.

[10] Jews most targeted by hate speech in Turkish media

The foundation's report was based on local and national media, determining a total of 1,910 columns and news reports targeting ethnic and religious groups in Turkey.

The report, prepared as part of the foundation's Media Watch on Hate Speech project encompassing the May to August period, found 2,466 examples of hate speech in the examined media outlets.

Some 788 of the texts including hate speech were published in the national press while 1,122 were in local media.

According to the foundation, 493 hate speech examples targeted Jews, while 472 targeted Syrians. Greeks were third on the list with 256 examples, followed by Armenians, Cypriot Greeks and Turkish Greeks, and Christians.

British people and Buddhists were also targeted by hate speech in a number of examples.

According to the report, the highest number of hate speech items was found in articles and columns regarding Israel.

Tension over the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem prompted a number of media outlets to demonize Jews as a collective group, with the term "Jews" often being used in place of "Israeli state," "Israel" or "Israeli Defense Forces," the report stated.

It added that Jews were also presented as a "secret power" and "threats against Turkey" in many conspiracy theories reflected in the Turkish media.

Many reports and columns referred to Jewishness as an insult, with Jewish identity "attributed to many institutions and individuals in a negative context," the report stated.

Syrian refugees, meanwhile, were often referred to in criminal incidents including murder, theft and sexual harassment, while also being equated with terror and security problems.

Syrian refugee women were presented as a threat against the family and society, while Syrians as a whole were described as a source of tension and a threat against Turkey's demographic structure, the foundation stated.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

https://www.pio.gov.cy/

(CS / AM)

Copyright (C) 2017 Press and Information Office, All rights reserved.

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article