"It's not right to expect different outcomes from drawing the same framework and doing the same things" Akinci claimed, speaking to reporters following his meeting yesterday with leaders of the "coalition government".

"Foreign and domestic issues as well as the recent visit to Ankara by the so-called deputy prime minister and foreign minister Kudret Ozersay", were among the matters being discussed at the two- hour long meeting which was attended by CTP leader and so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman, HP leader and so-called foreign minister Kudret Ozersay and the TDP leader and so-called minister of education Cemal Ozyigit.

The DP leader and "minister of finance" Serdar Denktas was not present at the meeting.

Touching upon the issue of the Apl?ki and Derinya crossing points, Ak?nc? alleged that they were all in full consensus on the latest situation regarding the crossing points.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side had fulfilled its part following the decision taken in 2015 regarding the opening of the crossing points, Ak?nc? called on the Greek Cypriot side to do the same.

On the issue of Maronites returning to their villages in the "north", Akinci argued that all necessary work to make this happen as soon as possible will be carried out.

Responding to a question as to whether or not there was a chance he would be getting together with the Greek Cypriot leader for a meeting, Ak?nc? said that dialogue is the only way to solve problems.

He, however, said that "expecting different outcomes from drawing the same framework and doing the same things was is possible".

Ak?nc? stated that he had conveyed to the UN Secretary General's Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar when they met earlier in the week that he had no objection for meeting with Anastasiades at a social dinner.

He, claimed, however that "he has not seen a change of mind-set in the Greek Cypriot side since the presidential elections in the south".

In regards the prison sentence given to a Greek Cypriot for attacks on Turkish Cypriots, Ak?nc? welcomed the Court's ruling but said that he would not like to comment before he sees the final outcome.

On the hydrocarbons issue, Ak?nc? reminded that the Greek Cypriot side had been granted EU membership while the Turkish Cypriots had been left out of the bloc.

"The Turkish Cypriots are partners in hydrocarbon exploration and Turkey is the country which will transport the gas to Europe" Akinci alleged, adding that this is the only way peace and stability could come to the region, as he claimed.

[04] Ozersay admits that the imposition of "tariffs" on the aid to the enclaved persons was "not right"

Noting that they have conducted a research through the "social services department" regarding the persons who receive aid from the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Ozersay said that no one will be treated in a special manner and added this aid need to be really humanitarian in practice. "The practice of implementing tariffs has caused a problem", he admitted explaining that due to the "tariffs" the number of the persons who receive aid was significantly decreased.

Ozersay said also that yesterday they visited occupied Agia Marina and Asomatos villages, in which Maronites used to live before the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and examined on the spot the basis on which they will take a step for the Maronites. He noted that they consulted with military officials, examined the issues on the spot with them and saw that these officials showed a positive stance.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.03.18) comments on Ozersay's statements regarding the humanitarian aid sent to the enclaved persons in its main editorial under the title "The issue of the obstacle to the humanitarian aid". The paper notes that the practices of the former "government" on this issue cannot be described as "humanitarian". It recalls that Ozersay said that now they are considering of taking "reasonable and modern steps" but that these steps will protec t the rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people". "Behold, this expression that 'the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people will be protected' is scaring us", notes the paper adding: "We hope that the measures to be taken are not inhuman again".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Akinci will participate in an economic summit in Istanbul

(CS)

[06] The Turkish Media Advisor of the Water Administration commented on the various phase of water transfer project from Turkey

The third and final phase will be the implementation of a waste treatment plant for which offers will start to be submitted soon. He also stated that officials from Turkey may visit the breakaway regime soon for the inauguration ceremony of the third phase of the project.

(CS)

[07] UBP backs Sertoglu as candidate for occupied part of Lefkosia "mayor", while the "coalition government" will possibly support Harmanci

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (23.03.18), under the title "The pain of alliance", reports that the discussions of the four political parties of the "coalition government" for the upcoming "local elections" are continuing. Their aim is to support a joint candidate for the biggest towns in the occupied area of Cyprus, the occupied part of Lefkosia, Famagusta, Keryneia and Morphou. It is stressed that it will not be easy. While it has been taken for granted that Mehmet Harmanci will be the joint candidate in the occupied part of Lefkosia, there are difficulties in the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to support the candidate of the Democratic Party (DP) in the occupied town of Famagusta. The People's Party (HP) and CTP want different candidates for the occupied towns of Keryneia and Morphou.

(DPs)

[08] Kilicdaroglu claims that 156 island and islets in the Aegean Sea belong to Turkey

The meeting was closed to the press.

According to information acquired, the dispute between Turkey and Greece on the Aegean Sea came to the agenda. Kilicdaroglu has reportedly said the following: "We do not want a dispute on the Aegean Sea. We are in favour of peace via dialogue. 156 island, islets and rocky places in the Aegean belong to Turkey and it is not right arming for these".

Referring to the "efforts exerted by the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece for the issue of the drilling in the Mediterranean to be included as a chapter into the agenda of the EU summit which is taking place in Brussels, Kilicdaroglu made the following comment: "It is not right to take unilateral decision by disregarding the sovereignty rights of the TRNC".

(AK)

[09] Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Trump

"Our President held a phone conversation with US President Trump. Bilateral and regional topics were discussed in the conversation," Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kal?n said in a written statement.

"Both leaders agreed to continue collaboration for common strategic goals and resolve issues that negatively affect bilateral relations:, said Kal?n in a statement.

"The importance of strengthening relations between the two NATO allies and strategic partners was discussed," Kalin added.

[10] Cavusoglu: "Turkey insists on 'joint action' with US in Syria"

Cavusoglu said that Ankara and Washington "should not let relations between them cool" for the discussion of a mechanism to stabilize the Syrian town of Manbij. Therefore, officials from the two countries will meet in the upcoming days, Cavusoglu told Anadolu Agency.

"Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan and Turkish Foreign Ministry undersecretary Umit Yalc?n will meet when their schedule permits", he said.

"Their work will continue until a new Secretary is appointed, so we can pass to the stage of implementation as soon as possible," Cavusoglu added.

"The YPG [Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units] will withdraw from here [Manbij] and their withdrawal will be monitored. Then, the question of who will maintain the security of this region will be addressed. As soon as the YPG leaves, Turkey and the U.S. will take joint action there. We will also take measures regarding security together," Cavusoglu further said, adding that the second phase of the roadmap includes the administration and security of the area in Manbij. "Both of these aspects would be determined by demographics once the YPG/outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) retreats from the area".

"Ankara is seeking an agreement with Washington over who will secure Manbij after the YPG withdraws from the area.

Turkey wants the U.S. to put an end to its support to the YPG and collect the arms it has distributed to the organization.

"Once the roadmap on Manbij is successfully implemented, [we] will then move on to cities located east of the Euphrates where the same model will be implemented," said Cavusoglu citing the outcomes of a meeting for a working group.

If the Manbij model is implemented successfully, then an operation will not be necessary in the town of Sinjar in Iraq, where PKK affiliated groups have advanced during a fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Cavusoglu stated.

"However, if the plan in Manbij remains unimplemented, then Turkey will also intervene in Iraq. If this plan is not realized, the only option left will be to clear [the area of] terrorists. This is not just valid for Syria, but also for Iraq", Cavusoglu said.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.03.18- http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-wont-withdraw-from-manbij-washington-129183) reports that the the U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert stated that United States "has no intention to leave Manbij," despite Turkey's pledge to clear the People's Protection Units (YPG) from Manbij, in northern Syria.

"U.S. forces are located in Manbij. We have made it very clear with the Turkish government that we will continue to operate there," said at a press conference in response to a question about the U.S.' stance on Manbil", Nauert said on March 22.

Nauert also said that talks with Ankara have not been concluded and Washington is willing to continue the conversations, referring to the three technical committees of Turkey and the U.S., formed to solve issues between the two countries.

[11] Turkish singer and actress Zuhal Olcay sentenced to 10 months in prison for "insulting Erdogan"

A lawsuit was filed against the artist for "insulting" Erdogan during a concert last year, with the prosecutor seeking a four-year prison sentence for the singer.

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Prosecutor's Office stated that a person told the police that Olcay had made an insulting hand gesture against Erdogan during a concert in the Kad?koy district of Istanbul on Aug. 5, 2016. An investigation was subsequently launched and footage from the concert was examined by an expert, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Dec. 12, 2017.

Olcay is accused of revising lyrics to the song "Bos Vermisim Dunyay?" (I Let Go of the World) to criticize Erdogan, devising a hand-gesture to accompany the melody. According to the footage, the revised lyrics say: "Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it's all empty, it's all a lie, life will end one day and you'll say 'I had a dream.'"

In her testimony, Olcay reportedly said she revised the lyrics because the President's name fit the rhyme scheme and she "had not had any other ulterior or insulting motive."

The singer also said that the hand gesture had targeted an audience member in the front row after they had made a negative comment about her.

The prosecutor's office had demanded a jail term for Olcay ranging from one year and two months to four years and eight months on charges of "insulting the President." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/ AM)

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