Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-01-23

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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] Erdogan's statements caused a day of tension yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Reactions by Turkish Cypriot politicians for yesterday's incidents

[03] Akdag asked for a penalty of Afrika newspaper

[04] Reaction statements by "journalist's unions" in the occupied area of Cyprus towards attacks against Afrika newspaper

[05] Turkish columnist asseses the situation in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] Efforts for the "establishment of a four-party coalition government" continue

[07] Erdogan: Turkey 'will not take a step back' in Afrin operation

[08] Turkey, Russia, Iran agree on '1,600-attendee list' for Sochi meeting

[09] Deputy PM Simsek: Afrin operation to have a 'very limited impact' on Turkey's economy

[10] CHP Deputy Muharrem Ince to challenge Kilicdaroglu for party's leadership

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan's statements caused a day of tension yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus

The protesters threw eggs, tomatoes and stones against Afrika's building, broke the building's windows and shouted slogans against the journalists and the administration of the paper. Two protesters climbed on the balcony and broke a sign with Afrika's name. Protesters attempted also to enter into the building but the "police" prevented them. Two persons were taken under custody.

The same protesters went later to the "parliament's oath ceremony" where they protested against Dogus Derya. During Derya's "oath taking" some of them shouted slogans outside the building and a group entered into the room shouting. Two protesters climbed on the "parliament's" roof waving Turkish flags. The protesters in the room booed Derya when she was taking her "oath", as a result of which she reacted shouting "Shoulder to shoulder against fascism". This caused the reaction of Bertan Zaroglu, "deputy" with the settlers' Revival Party (YDP), who threw a paper to Derya, something which caused tension in the room.

Meanwhile, in a statement regarding the incidents, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci pointed out the "police" weakness to provide security, in spite of the fact that he had warned the "security forces". Akinci underlined that the "police" should be more effective in this kind of events.

Under the title "They came to kill", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (23.01.18) reports that the instructions to the protesters came "from a high place" and that they attacked the newspaper with knives. It writes that the protesters attacked the newspaper with stones in front of the "police's" eyes and broke all windows and doors. "The murder was prevented with the interference of some self-sacrificing police officers", notes Afrika adding that supporters of the paper created a human wall in front of its offices. "The attacks lasted all night", notes the paper adding that those who watched the incidents through a live broadcasting on television were shocked, went massively to Afrika's offices and kept a watch all night to prevent further attacks.

Under the title "Day of shame" and the subtitle "Vulgar democracy", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (23.01.18) reports that President Erdogan called on his "brothers in northern Cyprus" to take a position against Afrika, the protests were turned into "an attempt for lynching", the "police" watched and interfered with delay and Afrika's windows were broken. According to the paper, the protesters swore and booed Akinci in front of the "police's" eyes.

Under the title "Black day", Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (23.01.18) reports that Akinci went to Afrika's offices to calm down the situation but protests were made against him as well. Akinci went away with his bodyguards' help. "The country experienced unprecedented events, the tension which started with the elections escalated, the culture of violence shows itself everywhere with provocations and concern exists in the society", argues the paper.

Other front-page titles are the following:

Havadis: "Big shame"

Vatan: "Tension at the parliament's first meeting", "Protest in front of Afrika newspaper" and "An activity to support Afrika newspaper was held"

Demokrat Bakis: "The parliament starts with incidents" and "Demonstration in front of Afrika"

Kibrisli: "Support to Afrika from AKEL"

Kibris Postasi: "Two wrongs do not make one right"

Gunes: "Tension at the parliament"

Diyalog: "The 'first day' that will pass to history"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Reactions by Turkish Cypriot politicians for yesterday's incidents

Tufan Erhurman, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), in a message at his social media account, said that the weakness of security, the acts of violence and the lynching attempts are unacceptable. He added that the "security forces" should overcome this problem quickly and do their duty. He also noted that this tension does not benefit anyone.

Kudret Ozersay, leader of the People's Party (HP), stressed that no one has the right to behave like this, describing yesterday's attack against Afrika as an attack to the freedom of the press. Ozersay, at his social media account, wrote: "You may not agree with the views and writings of Afrika newspaper, I also do not agree with what Afrika wrote on the 1974 interference and on the Afrin issue. You can protest on this, but today's (yesterday) attacks, which were violent, are not acceptable. The attacks are not compatible with the principles of the state of law and it is an attack to the freedom of the press".

Cemal Ozyigit, leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP), in a statement regarding the incidents during the "oath ceremony" in the "parliament" and the violent attack against Afrika nespaper's offices, described the incidents as disrespectful to the "democratic values and institutions of the country". He made a call for common sense.

Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), argued that "the headline article of Afrika newspaper on Turkey's operation in Arfin should be legally investigated by the office of the chief prosecutor". He further alleged that "the provocative and irresponsible attack to the values of the vast majority of the community cannot be considered as freedom of expression".

Erhan Arikli, leader of the Revival Party (YDP), described the incidents both in the "parliament" and in Afrika newspaper's office as saddening and upsetting. Arikli made a call to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to take the necessary steps in order the political party leaders, the NGO's and the intellectuals to be convened and obtain a national consensus.

(DPs)

[03] Akdag asked for a penalty of Afrika newspaper

(DPs)

[04] Reaction statements by "journalist's unions" in the occupied area of Cyprus towards attacks against Afrika newspaper

In statements on behalf of the "union", Sami Ozuslu, chairman of the "administration board", stated that responding to news reports and headlines of a paper by using violence is "outside of democracy".

"Unfortunately we have seen after the latest attacks against Afrika that not only the freedom of press in our country, but also press organizations and press correspondents and journalists are in danger", Ozuslu said, underlining the need to protect the liberal mentality and the right to express different views.

Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recent statements against Afrika newspaper, Ozuslu described them as misfortune not only from the point of press freedom in the "TRNC" but also for the "peoples" of both "countries". "Such approaches are provocative and they aim to create social unrest and distrust", Ozuslu further said.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Basin-Sen trade union (Press Union) condemned also the attacks and the lynching hysteria against Afrika newspaper by fascist circles in the occupied area of Cyprus, supporting that frankly it is an example that there are efforts aiming to murder the freedom of expression in the occupied area of Cyprus as it happens in Turkey.

"The main responsible for these fascist attempts is Turkish President Erdogan", underlines the statement describing the statements made by Erdogan while being in Bursa against Afrika newspaper as unacceptable. Basin Sen called on everyone in the occupied area of Cyprus not to remain silent. "Today is a dark day for the democracy of this country and for the rule of law. It is not possible to accept what had happened in the country by hiding behind the excuse of our 'motherland'. […]. We are the owners of this country and we should safeguard it. […]. And we are asking: are they going to launch a probe against those persons who behaved contrary to our laws and constitution?", the statement said, inter alia.

Also, in another written statement, the "foreign press union" stated that the "members of the union accept with sorrow the comments being included in the paper's headline". The "foreign press union" described as unacceptable the comment made by Afrika which called Turkey as an "occupier" and compared the "Turkish military operation in Cyprus" with the Turkish operation in Afrin. The statement further said that "all members of the union condemned strongly Afrika's comments", claiming that "every passing day the paper exerts efforts to deal a blow to their ties with motherland, and to enhance feelings of despitefulness and hatred inside the community".

(AK)

[05] Turkish columnist asseses the situation in the occupied area of Cyprus

Referring to the incidents which took place yesterday against Afrika newspaper and the attack against the Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci himself, Lule describes Afrika as a "marginal newspaper which addresses a very small minority" and with "low sales". He also says that as far as he knows, Sener Levent is facing charges for up to 325 years in prison. He argues the following:

"[…] There is a serious reaction in the TRNC in general against this kind of articles by Afrika newspaper and Sener Levent. However, the attack against the newspaper or individuals has almost fastened together the country. The attacks with stones and sticks held yesterday against the newspaper's headquarters caused the reaction of almost all politicians. In fact the attack against president Mustafa Akinci has turned the country into one flesh against this angry crowd. […]

One reality which exists since a long time in northern Cyprus remains in the shadow of this and similar events and it is not discussed. And this is the fact that the Turkish Cypriots' view against those who came and settled from Turkey and Turkey. I realize this more and more every time I visit the island.

There is an continuously 'increasing anger' in northern Cyprus. It is obvious that a big distress is created on the one hand from the fact that the Turkish Cypriots as population are left behind the Turks from Turkey who have been established later in the island and on the other hand by the fact that Turkey shadows out her weight in every field. The political power can come to existence only with the votes of the Turks from Turkey and the emphasis on the 'motherland'.

A different 'perception of Turkey' has been created now. It is useful to examine it closer:

- The political and economic dependence on Turkey which exists in the island creates distress.

- The feeling that Turkey sees the northern part of the island mostly as Anatolia's extension and province rather than a state under its protection and that the Turkish Cypriots' sovereignty […] is continuously been taken away from them comes forward.

- The Turkish Cypriots witnessed the collapse of two political projects. For many years after the TRNC's declaration, they exerted efforts to have it recognized, but in the beginning of the 2000's they got the impression that this will not be possible. They directed their power towards the reunification of the island which will give them the possibility to become members of the EU. However, the fact that the Annan Plan referendum failed left them face to face with an uncertain future and this uncertainty continues […]

- The majority in the TRNC wishes for Turkey to direct the Turkish Cypriots to stand on their own feet.

- The tendency of seeing the changing demographic structure of northern Cyprus as a part of a state plan is continuously increasing.

- The Turkish Cypriots, since the lifting of the entry limitations with passports in 1990, are facing difficulties to control the immigration from Anatolia […]

- The tendency of some politicians to distribute the TRNC citizenship prior to elections causes reactions. The feeling that the Turkish Cypriot culture suffers from erosion is spreading. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Efforts for the "establishment of a four-party coalition government" continue

In statements after the meeting, Kudret Ozersay, leader of the People's Party (HP) recalled that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will be meeting separately with the leaders of the four political parties and after completing his meeting he will decide to whom it will give the "task for the establishment of a government".

Also, asked to comment about the issue of Afrika newspaper and the incidents occurred yesterday at the so-called assembly during the "oath-taking ceremony" of Dogus Derya, "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozersay expressed the view that these developments will not affect the efforts for the "formation of a government".

Also speaking, Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP) stated that it is Akinci who will decide to whom he will "give the task for the establishment of a government", however, added that the four parties will continue their meetings and discussions.

(AK)

[07] Erdogan: Turkey 'will not take a step back' in Afrin operation

He was speaking on the third day of "Operation Olive Branch," during which one civilian in the southern province of Hatay was killed as a result of rocket fire from YPG militants across the border in Afrin.

"The Afrin issue will be resolved. There will be no step back. We have discussed it with the Russians and we have an agreement with them," Erdogan told businesspeople gathered for an award ceremony in Ankara.

He reiterated that Turkey's offensive into Afrin will only be over once objectives are accomplished in the field, "just like the Euphrates Shield Operation" in mid-2016.

"The U.S. is urging that the operation should not last too long and should be conducted within a certain time frame. I ask the U.S.: Does your operation in Afghanistan, which you launched more than 10 years ago, have a certain time frame? When will it be completed? You are also still in Iraq, aren't you? Do these kind of operations have a certain time frame?" Erdogan asked.

Turkey has "no intention of keeping troops in Afrin forever" and will withdraw them when objectives are fully met, the President stressed, vowing that Ankara will never allow the establishment of a "terror corridor" on its borders with Syria.

Referring to the civilian killed on Jan. 22 as a result of mortar fired from Afrin, Erdogan vowed that the "terrorists will pay the price for their attacks on Turkish territory."

Meanwhile, Turkey also launched a military operation on Jan. 22 towards Afrin from Syria's Azaz, the Turkish military announced around noon on the same day, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

The move aims at squeezing the YPG from both west and east in order to sweep them towards southern Afrin, further from the Turkish border. Military vehicle reinforcements continued to be made for the border units.

[08] Turkey, Russia, Iran agree on '1,600-attendee list' for Sochi meeting

Russia started sending invitations for the Sochi meeting, in which some 1,600 participants are expected to take part, the official said.

Syrian Kurds will be represented by the Kurdish National Congress, a group that also takes part in the High Negotiation Committee, along with some representatives of Kurdish tribes and the civic society in Syria's Kurdish populated areas determined by Russia, the official added, noting that Turkey maintains its right to object to any of the participants if any links to the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the People's Protection Units (YPG) are determined.

On speculations regarding an alleged agreement between Turkey and Russia over Operation Olive Branch, which Turkey launched on Jan. 20 to remove the YPG from the northwestern city of Afrin, the official denied that Russia approved the Afrin offensive in return for Turkey's approval for Russia to enter the rebel-held Idlib.

"There is no room for speculations as though there was a give and take situation. This is about national security; this is about the territorial and political integrity of Syria, which we are trying to support," the official said.

Asked about the future of the Afrin operation, the official said: "What we would like to see is first the full elimination of terror threat and presence in Afrin, and then if conditions allow us, we will try to set up stability in a way that people belonging to that territory can return as we did in the Euphrates Shield operation areas."

[09] Deputy PM Simsek: Afrin operation to have a 'very limited impact' on Turkey's economy

Speaking at an event in Ankara, Simsek addressed investors and said the country has entered a "new phase" in its fight against terror.

"Our investors should be at ease. The impact will be limited, the operation will be brief, and the terror risk posed to Turkey will decrease," he added. "The operation is a limited and effective one. My message to investors is that there is no need to worry," Simsek added.

His words came after similar remarks from Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. Turkey's economy will "not be affected" by the ongoing operation in Afrin, Yildirim told reporters on Jan. 21, vowing that the economy would continue to "grow strongly."

[10] CHP Deputy Muharrem Ince to challenge Kilicdaroglu for party's leadership

"In our 36th Ordinary Congress, I will be a candidate for the leadership of the Republican People's Party," Yalova MP Ince said on Jan. 22 in a press conference at Parliament.

The CHP will hold its 36th ordinary congress on Feb. 3 and 4 in Ankara, at which its next leader will be elected, along with its party assembly and high disciplinary board.

Along with current CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, former Istanbul Bar Association head Umit Kocasakal also announced his candidacy for the leadership on Jan. 17.

During Kilicdaroglu's eight-year period as head of Turkey's main opposition party, only Ince has stepped up to challenge him as a candidate in 2014, when he lost out to Kilicdaroglu. Some 740 delegates voted for Kilicdaroglu and 415 voted for Ince.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/All/EDB254ABD6F3EAE1C225816F00425E83?OpenDocument

(CS/ AM)

Constantia Soteriou

Press and Information Officer -Turkish Press Section

P.I.O. | Ministry of Interior | Republic of Cyprus

*: 1456, Nicosia, Cyprus | (: +357 22801162 | 7: +357 22 666123

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