Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-12-13

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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] Discussion on the Cyprus problem in the "assembly"

[02] A deadline of five days to the "government" to withdraw the "decree" for occupied Famagusta area

[03] Baybars argues that the "decree" protected the streams, the wetlands and cultural heritage

[04] "Title deeds with bribe"

[05] Ulucay to go to Istanbul for a conference

[06] KTOS accuses the "coalition government" of paying the defending and security expenses of Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] The agreement on agriculture signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime was published on the Official Gazette of Turkey

[08] New "attorney general" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan and Akar claim that the embargo due to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus made them develop their own defence industry

[02] Akar reiterated that Turkey will never allow any steps and fait accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean

[03] Turkey deploys more military vehicles to Syrian border

[04] Leader of Turkish Vatan Party supports the establishment of Turkish basis in occupied Cyprus

[05] Bahceli: "People who emulate yellow vest protests in Turkey will pay heavy price"

[06] Opposition CHP and the IP (Good Party) agree on mayoral candidates for top 3 provinces in Turkish elections

[07] Turkish diplomats in Washington face probe over alleged links to FETO

[08] Mobile operator Turkcell ready to launch 5G and sends its shares to a Dutch company

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Discussion on the Cyprus problem in the "assembly"

Turkish Cypriot newspaperK?br?s (13.12.18)reports that the "budget" of the so-called presidency was discussed yesterday in the breakaway regime's "assembly". Reference to the Cyprus problem and the Guterres Framework was made during the discussion.

Ersin Tatar, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), claimed: "Of course we want peace and agreement. However, at the end of the day we have a state. We could be dragged into an environment in which we could be annihilated as people. We should be careful. Reference to 'zero troops zero guarantees' was recently made in the negotiations. The Turkish Cypriot people do not and will not say yes to such an agreement. They should not say yes. If negotiations start on this point, woe to us".

Tatar wondered what the "foreign ministry" and the "assembly" thought on the recommencement of the negotiations and argued that the views of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and "foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay were different on the Cyprus problem. Expressing the view that Akinci should consult with the "assembly" on the Cyprus problem, Tatar claimed: "Mrs Lute is coming, they say. With which documents is she coming? Are we going to stay awake until the morning and think 'what did they give and what they did not give'? We should be briefed as representatives of the people. At which point is Akinci? This is what we are trying to understand. [?] We should definitely strengthen our ties with Turkey. We should strengthen every kind of relations and the other side should know this. [?]"

Referring to the population issue, Tatar alleged: "We should decide how the population policy in the north will be. We cannot accept the four to one proportion".

Replying to Tatar on the four to one proportion issue, Ozersay noted that on the population policy the individuals' fertility had not been discussed. Noting that he expressed his personal view and that of the People's Party (HP), Ozersay said that his party had many times supported the continuation of the system of guarantees in Cyprus. He claimed that the territory issue should not have been discussed before the final stage of the negotiations, because this weakened the Turkish Cypriot side's bargaining element. He said that it would not be right for him to comment on the map, because he had not participated in the negotiations in Switzerland and he had not been involved in the issue of which map and what was given. Noting that the negotiating process was not continuing at the moment and this is why he did not want to discuss the issue in this manner, Ozers ay reiterated that there was a lack of common vision between the sides on the issue of political equality, the partnership and how the administration will be shared.

Continuing his speech, Tatar alleged: "There will be two separate states, the sovereign Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey's effective and active guarantees will exist in the state in the north. We should press for such an agreement". Noting that Akinci had given a map in the negotiations and opened Turkey's guarantees for discussion, Tatar wondered how Akinci would start negotiations from that point and added that he did not accept the Guterres framework as basis for the negotiations.

In his statements, Erhan Arikli, chairman of the Revival Party (YDP), recalled that both Ozersay and Turkish officials had said that the proposal for taking the Guterres Framework as basis for a "framework agreement" had been a surprise for them as it contained "ambiguities". He alleged that there was no change of mentality in the Greek Cypriot side and claimed: "Still discussing the Guterres Framework and asking to return to this point is unfortunate".

Recalling Akinci's statement that he wanted one more last chance before the "presidential elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus, Arikli wondered what change of mentality had been seen in the Greek Cypriot side and Akinci wanted to discuss new things.

Arikli expressed the support of his party to the establishment of an air basis and a naval basis by Turkey in the occupied area of the island and asked what the views of the "government" were on this issue. Describing as "a mistake" the fact that the "government" had been sidelined, as he alleged, on the so-called opening for the Maronites, Arikli said that the YDP wanted the opening of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha and argued that this would constitute an example for the Maronites issue.

(I/Ts.)

[02] A deadline of five days to the "government" to withdraw the "decree" for occupied Famagusta area

Under the title "A deadline of five days to the government", Turkish Cypriot newspaperK?br?s (13.12.18)reports that the Turkish Cypriot building contractors' union gave a deadline until Tuesday to the self-styled government to withdraw the "decree" for the development of the occupied areas of Famagusta, Trikomo and Agios Sergios. Otherwise the "government" would face "a yellow vest operation" in the occupied part of Nicosia, the union warned during a press conference yesterday in Famagusta.

During the press conference, businessmen and the three "mayors" of the above areas also opposed the "decree".

Cafer Gurcafer, chairman of the contractors' union, said that Turgay Deniz, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, called for a meeting today of all the economic organizations, which are active in the "country" and added that the efforts which they would be exerting for the next five days would aim at abolishing the "monstrosity", as he described the "decree".

Referring to his organization's efforts for preparing a "city plan" about the above areas, Gurcafer noted that they had carried out a research as to how this planning was made in Scotland, Malta, Turkey, the government-controlled area of Cyprus, England and France. Adding that high buildings existed all over the world, Gurcafer gave the example of a 30-storey building on Makarios Avenue in the government-controlled area of Nicosia.

He said that there was a demand for 10 thousand residences annually in the occupied area of Cyprus and that during the past three years 5 thousand residences had been demanded by inhabitants of the occupied area and the other 5 thousands by Turkish Cypriots living abroad and foreigners. According to Gurcafer, with a horizontal development 10 thousand donums [Translator's note: A land measure of 1000 square meters] would be needed for a demand of 10 thousand residences, but if the development was vertical only 300 donums would be needed.

Gurcafer further alleged that the views of self-styled interior minister Aysegul Baybars had been the same with his own until the catastrophic floods of last week.

Meanwhile, addressing the same press conference, Turgay Deniz, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, said that it was a mistake to blame businessmen for the death of four young persons during the floods and added that the "decree" limited investments and caused uncertainty and therefore it was not acceptable by the businessmen.

Turkish Cypriot newspaperYeni Duzen (13.12.18)covers the issue under the title "Contractors rejected the decree, permit for 12 floors is asked".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Baybars argues that the "decree" protected the streams, the wetlands and cultural heritage

Turkish Cypriot newspaperK?br?s (13.12.18)reports that self-styled interior minister Aysegul Baybars has denied the accusations that the "decree" for the development of the occupied areas of Famagusta, Trikomo and Agios Sergios destroyed nature and argued that the "decree" protected the streams, the wetlands and cultural heritage.

In statements to the paper, Baybars noted that under some conditions the "citizens" are not deprived from their right to build a residence. "The decree gives us the right to put the condition of [building] public roads, green areas and infrastructure investments", she added.

(I/Ts.)

[04] "Title deeds with bribe"

Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (13.12.18) writes that Cafer Gurcafer,, the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot building contractors' union", referred to the recent death of the four young persons in the breakaway regime, who were carried away by a stream after the heavy rain in occupied Lefkosia ?Keryneia main road and said that the contractors appeared almost as the murderers of the young persons; however, he said, the "Turkish Cypriot Building contractors' union" had sent two letters to the "highway department" offering their assistance while the road was being constructed. "However they hid the project, they did not give it to us", he said.

"If this project was shared between the 'Turkish Cypriot building contractors' union' and the 'Chamber of civil engineering" and our proposals were taken into account these persons would not have died", he stated. He also said that title deeds in stream beds were given for political profit and hotels were built after licenses were given by the "city planning bureau" and "municipalities". "Who gave title deeds in stream beds? Who was bribed, who gained money from these title deeds? Let's talk about this in front of the people", he stated.

(CS)

[05] Ulucay to go to Istanbul for a conference

According to illegal Bayrak television (13.12.18-http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=ulucay-going-to-istanbul) the "speaker" of the so-called assembly, Teberruken Ulucay, will take part in a conference organised by the Parliamentarians for Al Quads, in Istanbul.

Ulucay and his accompanying delegation will depart from the occupied area of Cyprus tonight in order to attend the conference.

According to a statement released by the "assembly", Ulucay had been invited to attend the event by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Binali Y?ld?r?m.

Ulucay will be accompanied by the so-called deputy parliamentary speaker Zorlu Tore and the so-called parliamentary executive assistant, Gaglar Gulamkadir as well as by the "director of the press, foreign relations and protocol", Yasa Yesilada.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Binali Y?ld?r?m, and a variety of parliamentary speakers from various countries will take part in the conference in Istanbul that is expected to come to an end on the 16th of December.

Ulucay and his accompanying "delegation" are expected to return to the occupied area of Cyprus on Sunday.

[06] KTOS accuses the "coalition government" of paying the defending and security expenses of Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (13.12.18) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) announced that it will launch protests, including strikes, next week against "government's mismanagement" on the issues of population transfer, deposit interests, and salaries.

Emel Tel, chairman of KTOS, in a press conference in front of the "parliament", said that a population is being systematically transferred to "North Cyprus" (occupied area of Cyprus) and that the financial burden of this incoming population has crashed on the Turkish Cypriot community.

Noting that due to the devaluation of the Turkish lira the purchasing power of the Turkish Cypriot community has been regressed, Tel argued that either they should adopt euro, which is a stable currency or the cost of living should be reflected to the salaries every month. She further said that by raising the deposit interests in Turkey, many persons have been in a tight corner due to their debts in the occupied area of Cyprus.

According to KTOS announcement, "the most important of all these negativities of the four-party coalition government is that it also pays the defence budget of Turkey - the guarantor country - by paying all their expenses with local revenues for eleven months now without taking a single penny from Turkey, and by not giving the cost of living to the employees and not increasing the minimum wage."

In the statement, it was also stressed that "the government does not share with the community that Turkey does not even pay its own army and this is unacceptable".

Sener Elcil, general secretary of KTOS, for his part, commenting also on the same issue, said that "the state expenditures were being met from local revenues for the last eleven months without taking a single penny from Turkey", adding that this is a good way. However, Elcil added that the defending and security spending of Turkey, the guarantor country, which are 280 million TL in the last ten months, are been shouldered by the "state". He concluded by saying: "This is not something we can accept. They have been avoiding sharing this reality with the community. The main reason of this press conference is to identify these problems".

(DPs)

[07] The agreement on agriculture signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime was published on the Official Gazette of Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis (13.12.18) reports that the agreement on agriculture signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime was published on the Official Gazette of Turkey.

According to the "agreement, the two "countries" will co-operate in techn????? and knowledge in the field of agriculture and will also co-operate in agriculture related economic issues.

The agreement was signed on April 10, 2018.

(CS)

[08] New "attorney general" in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to illegal Bayrak television (13.12.18-http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=new-attorney-general 2/3), Behic Ozturk has been "appointed" as the new "attorney general" in the "TRNC", after an election process which took place yesterday. The "council of judges" "elected" Ozturk at the post.

Ozturk will begin his new "duty" as of the 1st of January 2019.

Meanwhile, the "supreme council of judicature" will also "elect an assistant attorney general" and in order to do this they have opened up a vacancy and will accept applicanations until the 4th of January.

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan and Akar claim that the embargo due to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus made them develop their own defence industry

According to Turkish daily Milliyet (12.12.18, http://www.milliyet.com.tr/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-savunma-sana-siyaset-2793932/), Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a speech at the Turkish Defence Industry Summit held at the presidential complex in Ankara on Dec. 12, said that the reason that Turkey developed its defence industry was due to the arms embargoes imposed on them due to the "Turkish peace operation" to Cyprus (as he refers to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus).

Referring to the operations in Syria, "Olive Branch" and "Shield of Euphrates", he added: "We did these operations with our own capabilities. They have always told us that the US Congress does not give permission. They give to others but when it comes to Turkey, they don't give. This is what we have experienced with Cyprus, and after Cyprus we won ASELSAN (Turkey's Turkish defence industry). Our bad neighbour made us a householder. (?) We have now started exporting. Countries, which are not strong in defence technology, cannot face their future safely."

On the same issue, Turkish daily Vatan (12.12.18, http://www.gazetevatan.com/milli-savunma-bakani-akar-terorle-mucadeledeki-kararliligimiz-de-1226038-gundem/) reports that Turkey's Defence Minister Akar, delivering also a speech during the Turkish Defence Industry Summit in Ankara on Wednesday, said that the foundation of the Turkish defence industry extends to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. He added: "However the actual turning point in the defence industry occurred during the Cyprus peace operation [Turkish invasion to Cyprus], when our ally countries imposed to Turkey restrictions." Akar stressed that as a result of these restrictions they were exposed to the need of pr oduce independent policies on the defence issue.

(DPs)

[02] Akar reiterated that Turkey will never allow any steps and fait accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean

Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.12.18-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-determined-to-fight-terror-elements-in-syria/1336709) reported that Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has stated on Wednesday that Turkey's determination in the fight against terrorism continues in Syria's Idlib, Manbij and east of Euphrates in the same manner.

Speaking at the Turkish Defence Industry Summit in the capital Ankara, Hulusi Akar said that Turkish Armed Forces' fight against terror organizations such as PKK/KCK/YPG and Daesh have been simultaneously continuing inside the country and abroad with "big determination".

Akar recalled that the Turkish Armed Forces neutralized over 3,000 radical Daesh terrorists during the Operation Euphrates Shield along its Syria borders and around 5,000 PKK/YPG terrorists during the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, north-western Syria.

"Thus, we showed that we would never allow terror corridors wanting to be established along our borders," he added.

(?)During his speech, Akar also said that Turkey has been monitoring closely what has been happening in 462,000-square kilometres (11,416.269 acres) territorial seas in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and the Black Sea.

"The historic rights and benefits of our country and the TRNC are protected with determination in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean. We will never allow any steps and fait accompli to be taken despite of Turkey in our blue motherland," he noted.

[03] Turkey deploys more military vehicles to Syrian border

Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.12.18-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-deploys-more-military-vehicles-to-syrian-border/1336873) reported that Turkey on Wednesday sent a fresh deployment of military vehicles to south-eastern province of Kilis near the Syrian border.

Trucks loaded with tanks and howitzers reached Kilis. They were pointed at the Elbeyli district of Syria, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on the field.

The military vehicles were transferred amid tight security to troops on the Syrian side of the border, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media.

[04] Leader of Turkish Vatan Party supports the establishment of Turkish basis in occupied Cyprus

Turkish daily Aydinlik (13.12.18 https://www.aydinlik.com.tr/chp-yonetimi-kibris-ta-atlantik-ittifakinin-yaninda-turkiye-aralik-2018 ) reports that Dogu Perincek, the leader of the Turkish Vatan Party (VP) criticized the leadership of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in Turkey which sees the fundamental problems in Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean to be based on the deteriorating relations of Turkey with Israel and Egypt.

Perincek, who was speaking during a press conference, claimed that the threa?s faced by Turkey can be faced with an alliance between Asian and Eurasia countries.

"CHP's statements mean that we are giving Cyprus to the United States. We are delivering Cyprus to Europe. We're giving up the TRNC's sovereignty. We're giving up the TRNC and Turkey's interests in the Eastern Mediterranean", he said and added that "the existence of TRNC is in danger".

"We trust our national power, our army, our Navy. The efforts of our Navy to establish a naval base in Cyprus are very important in this respect. We are at the forefront of this decision and effort", he stated.

(CS)

[05] Bahceli: "People who emulate yellow vest protests in Turkey will pay heavy price"

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.12.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/people-who-emulate-yellow-vest-protests-in-turkey-will-pay-heavy-price-mhp-leader-139660) reported that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chair Devlet Bahceli has described the Yellow Vests anti-government protests in France as "terrorism," warning that those who may try to emulate them in Turkey will pay a heavy price.

"I am noting in advance that if there are any Yellow Vests terrorism wannabes, they will pay a heavy price for it. Those who wear a yellow vest should brace for sleeping naked. It is no joke," state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Bahceli as saying in a written statement on Dec. 12.

Bahceli stressed in the statement that he continues to support his party's de facto alliance with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) ahead of the March 31, 2019 local elections.

"We will act with sincerity. We will not get stuck on minor issues. We will free Turkey from its shackles with the spirit of the People's Alliance," he said. "Those who try to plot against Turkey for the morning of April 1 [the day after the local elections] and whoever sees yellow dreams will face us", Bahceli added.

[06] Opposition CHP and the IP (Good Party) agree on mayoral candidates for top 3 provinces in Turkish elections

Turkish dialy Sabah (12.12.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2018/12/12/opposition-chp-good-party-agree-on-mayoral-candidates-for-top-3-provinces-in-turkish-elections) reported that Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and opposition Good Party (IP) came to an agreement for the March 2019 local elections late Wednesday, saying their mayoral candidates for Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara will be from the CHP.

IP Chairwoman Meral Aksener and CHP Chairman Kemal K?licdaroglu also met later in the day to discuss their alliance and determine candidates for the upcoming elections.

The two party leaders announced after their meeting that they had reached a "good deal" that would be beneficial for Turkey.

According to their agreement, the CHP will support the IP's candidateS in Samsun, Trabzon, Ordu, Denizli, Bal?kesir and Manisa, while the IP will support the CHP's candidates in Turkey's top three provinces.

However, Kilicdaroglu and Aksener refrained from giving further details about this alliance or their agreement.

The CHP previously announced its 252 mayoral candidates for some election districts including 10 provincial municipalities.

The two parties have also been signalling that they will continue the Nation Alliance formed with the conservative Felicity Party (SP) and centre-right Democrat Party (DP) in the June 24 parliamentary elections, in order to appeal to the other parties' voter bases in the elections.

[07] Turkish diplomats in Washington face probe over alleged links to FETO

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.12.18)http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-diplomats-in-washington-face-probe-over-alleged-links-to-feto-139666) reported that two diplomats and an administrative officer in the Turkish Embassy in Washington are under investigation over "suspected links to FETO.

Diplomats Cem Ulusoy, the Embassy's Counsellor, Celil Erdogan, the Press Counsellor and Spokesperson, and Erdogan's wife Mehtap Erdogan, an administrative officer, were summoned to Ankara due to an ongoing investigation.

Sources in the Embassy confirmed the summoning of the three personnel with an administrative decree, but did not give details about the reason. It's not clear whether the case is particular to the Washington Embassy or if there is a wider operation against FETO remnants in other Foreign Ministry missions.

The reports that three Embassy personnel were summoned due to an ongoing investigation were already echoing in Washington corridors since last month, during Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's visit to Washington.

Erdogan was working with Omer Celik during his term as the European Union Minister. Ulusoy was the Consul General of Turkey in Burgas, Bulgaria between 2011 and 2013.

"It's true that the aforementioned persons were summoned with an administrative decree before they completed their terms," the sources in the Turkish Embassy said, but refused to comment on the allegations that they were under investigation for alleged links to FETO, widely believed to have masterminded the bloody failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

The Embassy is said to have informed the U.S. Department of State about the termination of three officials' duties.

(?)

[08] Mobile operator Turkcell ready to launch 5G and sends its shares to a Dutch company

Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.12.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/mobile-operator-turkcell-ready-to-launch-5g-says-ceo-139675) reported that the Turkcell's network, Turkey's largest mobile operator, is "5G" ready, the company CEO Kaan Terzioglu has said.

"Actually, with the existing frequencies we have, we can launch 5G even today," Terzioglu told journalists at a meeting on Dec. 10.

"We have already tested 5G with the millimeter wave spectrum as well, and we have reached 70 gigabits per second speeds on this," he added.

Terzioglu noted that the mobile operator has all the necessary ingredients including carrier aggregation technology as well as massive antenna technology.

"For us 5G, unlike other countries, is not a next generation technology. We already have these capabilities," he said.

The executive also noted that in Turkey Turkcell has two major technology partners, Huawei and Ericsson, sharing almost 50-50 of the company's infrastructure.

"We actually did our commercial break tests on 5G both with Huawei and Ericsson and in addition to that with Samsung as well."

Terzioglu is confident that Turkey and Turkcell will be one of the first 5G commercial services in the world.

Meanwhile, Turkcell yesterday sold its shares in the Netherlands-based telecommunication company Fintur.

The transaction came after the shareholders of Fintur agreed to transfer its subsidiary Kcell to Kazakhtelecom.

"A binding agreement with respect to the transfer of our shares in our 41.45% owned subsidiary Fintur to Sonera Holding, the other shareholder of Fintur, was signed on Dec. 12," Turkcell said in a statement, issued to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP).

The value of the transaction is anticipated to be some 350 million euros ($396.4 million).

The transaction is expected to be completed following the transfer of Kcell to Kazakhtelecom and the procurement of other regulatory approvals, the statement said.

(?)

Fintur, through its subsidiaries, provides mobile telecommunication services in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Moldova.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(EHj/AM)

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