Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-11-28

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

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Denktas: "The concept of federal Cyprus collapsed after Crans Montana"

[02] Arikli criticizes Akinci over UN Parameters

[03] KTOS and KTOEOS says Cavusoglu is side-stepping Akinci

[04] Arikli criticizes the fact that the fenced off Varosha city is "a forbidden for construct?on area"

[05] "The path of reason is not to keep Varosha as a trump card"

[06] Celer on the number of "foreign workers" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Ulucay to attend the APA meeting

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey's NSC "reaffirms that no development contrary to the rights and interests of Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus would be allowed"

[02] Erdogan argues Western allies act as shields for terrorist groups

[03] Turkey and EU to launch talks for Europol agreement

[04] Turkey to establish special naval forces for protecting its energy activities in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean

[05] Detention warrants issued for 82 soldiers from Turkish Air Forces and 33 from Turkish Army Forces

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Denktas: "The concept of federal Cyprus collapsed after Crans Montana"

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (28.11.18) reports that the "minister of economy" and leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas said that the failure of the Crans Montana summit was not only a failure of a negotiation procedure but the collapse of the concept of "federal Cyprus" as well.

Denktas, who issued a written statement, said that the concept of the Greek Cypriots as regards federation is nothing more than a "named federation". As he claimed, in reality the Greek Cypriots' concept of a federation in which there is no political equality, the Turkish Cypriots will lack security, the Turkish Cypriot "people" will be under the hegemony of the Greek Cypriots the name of the efficiency of the state; in other words the Greek Cypriots will be the ones taking all the decisions.

Denktas also claimed that as long as the mentality of the Greek Cypriots does not change, neither the establishment of a federal state nor the establishment of a co-federal state is possible. "With this mentality is not possible even for two separate states to live side-by-side in peace", he claimed and said that the Greek Cypriot side is moving forward to a conflict.

"This is the mentality behind the fact that they consider only their 'natural right' the natural resources around the island. They are trying to bring our island, which is surrounded by war because of the straggles for sharing the natural resources, closer to the fire zone. The Greek Cypriot side not only does not extent efforts for reaching a federal solution but intensifies the actions that put the whole area into danger. As the Turkish Foreign Minister said, the Greek Cypriot side should take a decision regarding what kind of a solution it wants. Both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot stated similar times that they are ready and willing to reach a solution to the problem", Denktas claimed.

He went on and added that the establishment of a common federal state by the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots is neither an unavoidable historical ending nor a social reality. As he claimed, two "people" with different culture, language, religion and nation were dragged to seek a common country for geographical and political reasons. "We must work in harmony together with motherland Turkey for the creation of a new negotiation process with new parameters, developing our original proposals and leaving out the methods of the past in which time was consumed for so many years, without closing the doors to a state that can be created under these circumstances", he said.

Denktas also said that this proposal was justified by both the statements of Cavusoglu to Greek Cypriot "Politis" daily and also by the reactions that followed. Denktas also said that the statements of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, that he did everything possible for a solution to be reached at Crans Montana, were correct.

(CS)

[02] Arikli criticizes Akinci over UN Parameters

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (28.11.18) reports that the leader of the Revival Party (TR. Note: the party of the settlers) Erhan Arikli stated that the Greek Cypriots have grew distance from the UN Parameters for a solution to the Cyprus problem; however the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci insists that it would not be right for the Turkish Cypriots to go out of these Parameters.

Arikli who issued a written statement, claimed that President Anastasiades grew distance from the UN Parameters by not accepting the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots, (their efficient participation in the federal organs) and by not referring to the rotating presidency in his recent statements.

Arikli said that despite the recent statements of Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu that the Greek Cypriots should decide on the kind of solution they want, Akinci continues to be closed to new ideas, insisting that he discusses only a federation solution and that he is not going out of the UN Parameters. "According to us, Akinci should understand Cavusoglu and develop a dialogue with him because Cavusoglu is the Turkish Foreign Minister. And we can walk this road only with Turkey", he alleged.

(CS)

[03] KTOS and KTOEOS says Cavusoglu is side-stepping Akinci

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (28.11.18) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) argued that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is by-passing Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci who represents the Turkish Cypriot community in the Cyprus talks.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Emel Tel, president of KTOS, noted that the Turkish official in the past used to say "Cyprus' land is important for us", now they are saying "The natural resources of Cyprus are important for us". Tel accused Turkey of "playing with time and wants to dominate the whole of the island", adding that "Turkey's officials have agreed with the Greek Cypriot leadership on 'playing with time' and the side, which is the loser on this game, is the Turkish Cypriot community". Tel further argued that the responsibility to spoil this game belongs to Akinci.

On the same issue, the paper reports that the Turkish Cypriot Secondary Education Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS), in a written statement, also criticizes the latest statement of Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Referring to the latest statement of Cavusoglu, who talked about "different alternatives" regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem, Selma Eylem, president of KTOEOS, said that this statement shows their desire to get rid of the only attainable solution in Cyprus and with this to complete the process of the Turkish Cypriots' extinction.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the "government" should not be a mere spectator on these statements, Eylem argued that they should respond by asking from the EU Commission that two Turkish Cypriots should be elected as EU parliamentarians, the Euro currency should be adopted and meetings with the EU should be held.

(DPs)

[04] Arikli criticizes the fact that the fenced off Varosha city is "a forbidden for construct?on area"

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (28.11.18) reports that the leader of the Revival Party (TR. Note: the party of the settlers) Erhan Arikli criticized the fact that the fenced off Varosha city is "a forbidden for construct?on area".

Arikli, who was speaking to Genc TV, claimed that there are poor people in the area and if is "zoned for housing" the persons living there will be given a chance.

He also said that the opening of the barricades is a ray of hope for the people living in the area adding that the decisions taken on the issue should not put these hopes out.

(CS)

[05] "The path of reason is not to keep Varosha as a trump card"

Under the above title in Turkish Cypriot newspaper Star K?br?s (28.11.18), columnist Dervis Dogan assesses the fact that the occupied fenced off city of Varosha is abandoned and has been turned into ruins. He notes:

"[?] It has been turned into ruins. It has even become a nest of germs. Snakes, centipedes and rats are fooling around here. Actually Famagusta is in danger in this sense. However, no one sees this. No one sees or turns a blind eye to this situation, which condemns Famagusta to darkness and prevents its development. Why? Because Varosha is an important political trump card in our hand. We anticipate that we will gain an advantage in the Cyprus problem by using this trump card. [?] We see that the efforts launched by means of making Varosha a part of the Cyprus problem secured absolutely no communal gain for us. In brief, this trump card has not created a positive result for 45 years. In this case, it is understood that this trump card could not create a very influential argument in the Cyprus problem. However, we cannot say that the Varosha argument has collapsed. [?]"

Noting that the Agia Napa area, which is in the south of occupied Varosha, is hosting millions of tourists, the columnist says that the occupied area of Famagusta broke off a share after the opening of the barricades. "However, as I have said, this share is very very small", he argues and concludes by explaining the benefit of returning Varosha to its legal owners:

"[?] Very well, since we are keeping it as a political trump card, can we not make use of it more efficiently and obtain a gain by putting forward both the political advantage and the economic reason? Of course we can. With some agreements under the supervision of the UN, we can launch an initiative for the return of Varosha to its legal owners. With these agreements we can in an equal proportion meet the needs for materials at the stage of Varosha's reconstruction and furthermore we can interfere in the process by commercially participating in any kind of necessary need. Besides we can develop much more trade relations. In the need for employment which will be created with Varosha's potential, we can show a more influential participation with human resources".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Celer on the number of "foreign workers" in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli newspaper (28.11.18) reports that so-called minister of labour and social insurance Zeki Celer, speaking yesterday during the meeting of the "budget and planning committee" which "approved" the "budget" of the "ministry", argued that there are 50 thousand foreign workers in the "TRNC".

He stated that the average monthly salary they take is 500 dollars and added that they send approximately 150 million dollars abroad every year.

Meanwhile, the "committee" has "approved" the "ministry's budget" which is 305 million 481 thousand 100 TL.

(AK)

[07] Ulucay to attend the APA meeting

According to illegal Bayrak television (28.11.18, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=ulucay-to-attend-apa-meeting), the self-styled speaker of the assembly of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus Teberruken Ulucay will attend the 11th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Istanbul.

According to a press release by the "assembly", Ulucay, who will attend the event as guest of the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Binali Y?ld?r?m, will leave the occupied area of Cyprus this evening.

The Republican Turkish Party (CTP)"deputy" Salahi Sahiner, the People's Party (HP) "deputy" Hasan Topal and the National Unity Party (UBP) "deputy" Oguzhan Hasipoglu will accompany Ulucay during the visit.

The 11th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly will kick off tomorrow and continue until the 2nd of December.

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey's NSC "reaffirms that no development contrary to the rights and interests of Turkey or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus would be allowed"

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.11.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-will-not-allow-fait-accompli-in-syria/1323291), the National Security Council (NSC) "reaffirmed that no development contrary to the rights and interests of Turkey or the TRNC [breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus] would be allowed."

In a statement after meeting in Ankara, the National Security Council also warned that unilateral moves in the region would not contribute to world peace, and urged consideration of Turkey's determination based on international law.

The NSC affirmed that Turkey would continue cooperation with the new Iraqi government in all areas, particularly security issues and underlined that the Turkish Armed Forces would continue counter-terrorism operations against the terrorist PKK/KCK in Iraq.

Turkey will not allow a fait accompli in Syria but will use its right to self-defence, Turkey's national security establishment further warned on Tuesday.

The NSC claimed that Turkey has always supported Syria's territorial integrity and political unity and stressed that the biggest threat to a political solution in Syria is the terrorist presence east of the Euphrates River.

The statement also "strongly emphasized" that Turkey would not be indifferent to the terrorist PKK/PYD-YPG changing the demographic makeup in areas bordering Turkey through persecution and forced migration. It added that Turkey will continue its determined fight against terrorism to protect its people from threats arising from terror groups along its borders with Syria and Iraq.

The statement said that "some countries" failing to list terrorist groups such as the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and the PKK/KCK's Syrian branch the PYD/YPG as terror groups hurts counter-terrorism efforts. (?)

[02] Erdogan argues Western allies act as shields for terrorist groups

According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (28.11.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2018/11/28/western-allies-act-as-shields-for-terrorist-groups-erdogan-says), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during his yesterday address to his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lawmakers in Parliament, said that Ankara's allies act as shields for terrorists groups in Syria targeting Turkey's national security, criticizing U.S. military support to the PKK's Syrian affiliate under the pretext of fighting Daesh. "Terrorists who have shown enmity against our country clearly are the only targets for us. This is an opportunity for those claiming to be allies, strategic partners who want to strengthen relations politic ally, economically and militarily and carry them into the future. We will acknowledge that they side with Turkey when they no longer stand as shields in front of terrorists groups," Erdogan added.

In his criticism, Erdogan was implicitly referring to the United States, which supports the People's Protection Units (YPG) militarily as its partners against Daesh in Syria. Washington's Syria policy has angered Ankara as the latter sees no difference between the PKK, a group listed on terror lists by the U.S. and EU, and its Syrian branch, the YPG.

"The sole target of this terrorist group, which is the Syrian branch of the PKK, is our country. We can no longer stand idle against this threat," Erdogan said, and also added that Turkey will take the necessary action if the U.S. does not take into consideration Ankara's security concerns regarding the continued arming of the YPG.

Erdogan claimed previously that the YPG has received thousands of truck-loads of weaponry from the U.S. and that these weapons will ultimately be used against Turkey, given the organic links between the PKK and YPG. "It is clear that the aim of those arming tens of thousands of people is not the fight against terror as there is not even one Deash element left along Turkey's borders," Erdogan argued. (?)

[03] Turkey and EU to launch talks for Europol agreement

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.11.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-eu-to-launch-talks-for-europol-agreement-139230), Turkey and the European Union Commission will launch talks on Nov. 30 for an agreement between Ankara and the European Police Service (Europol) which is one of the benchmarks for visa free travel for Turkish nationals.

Turkish and EU officials last week met in Ankara for a High Level Dialogue meeting and the two sides reconfirmed their intention to continuing the visa liberalization dialogue to implement all pending benchmarks. Concluding and implementing an operational cooperation agreement with Europol is among the remaining six benchmarks to launch the visa talks as part of a refugee deal between Ankara and Brussels. (?)

Moreover, Turkey has to finalize bilateral judicial cooperation agreements with each EU member state. Therefore, the deal requires a bilateral judicial cooperation agreement with the "Greek Cyprus" (Republic of Cyprus) as well.

But since Turkey does not officially recognize the Greek Cypriot administration [Republic of Cyprus], Ankara and Brussels have been discussing alternative ways to realize the agreement.

Berlin proposed to undertake necessary operations between Turkey and Greek Cyprus [Republic of Cyprus] through the German government, a Turkish official told Hurriyet Daily News on condition of anonymity.

Turkey, first of all, must make necessary legislative amendments on data protection so that the deal with Europol can be realized for an operation agreement paving the way for the exchange of personal data on security issues, because the Union wants to secure personal data of more than 500 million people within the EU zone. Once this is done, Europol and the Turkish police would be able to exchange personal data on terror organizations along with other organized crime and human trafficking networks.

[04] Turkey to establish special naval forces for protecting its energy activities in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean

Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (28.11.18, https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/deniz-timleri-geliyor-3411593) reports that Turkey which has intensified its oil and natural gas actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea, will establish a Special Naval Forces team aiming to protect its naval energy lines and its natural gas and oil seismic vessels and drilling platforms in the regions.

The paper adds that Turkey, which has launched the TurkStream project with Russia in the Black Sea and the Trans Anatolia Pipeline Project (TANAP) with Azerbaijan, continues its seismic researches with Oruc Reis and the Barbarros Hayereddin Pasa and at the same time has launched drillings offshore Alanya and Mersin, increases further its decisive steps in the energy war in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this framework, Turkey has accelerates its works for establishing an alternative security structure which will protect the country's interest. As a first step, Turkey will establish for its energy security the "Naval Security Forces" which are expected to be ready to be active in 2023.

The "Naval Security Forces" will be tasked to provide security and take action against possible terrorist incidents in the sea. Even though the number and the content of these Special Forces have not been determined yet, the aim is that they will be ready to take action by 2023.

(AK)

[05] Detention warrants issued for 82 soldiers from Turkish Air Forces and 33 from Turkish Army Forces

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.11.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/fetonun-hava-kuvvetleri-yapilanmasina-operasyon/1322307), the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday issued detention warrants for 82 active duty soldiers from the Turkish Air Forces as part of a large number of investigations being conducted into real and perceived followers of the Gulen movement.

According to a statement released by the prosecutor's office, the warrants were issued for servicemen who are accused of having communicated with "imams" of the movement on public pay phones.

(?)

Meanwhile, AA news agency (28.11.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gunun-basliklari/feto-nun-tsk-yapilanmasina-operasyon-33-gozalti-karari/1323450) also reports that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a detention warrant today for 33 active duty soldiers from the Turkish Army Forces as part of the investigations on the Gulen movement.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/AM)

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