posts=ubp-general-secretary-tacoy-slams-anastasiades)
broadcast that the general secretary of the main opposition National
Unity Party (UBP) Hasan Tacoy claimed that it was not up to the Greek
Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades to decide what would happen and
how any revenues deriving from the island's natural wealth would be
distributed. "The Greek Cypriot leadership cannot present the rights of
the Turkish Cypriot people as a favour", he argued.
Tacoy's statement came as a response to earlier statements made by Cyprus
President Anastasiades that any wealth to be generated from the natural
gas off the coast of the island should be distributed 4 to 1.
Tacoy claimed that Anastasiades' remarks were far from the island's
historical facts and only made it harder to reach a settlement in
Cyprus. He added that the statements were the continuation of the Greek
Cypriot side's aggressive and provocative policies.
Claiming that it was not up to Anastasiades to decide how and when
revenues from hydrocarbons will be distributed, Tacoy said that Turkey
and the Turkish Cypriot "people" knew well how and when to protect its
rights when the time came.
Accusing the Greek Cypriot leader of overstepping his boundaries, the
UBP General Secretary Hasan Tacoy said that Turkish Cypriot "people"
would never abandon its sovereignty or Turkey's active and effective
guarantees. He also said that the Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people
will also not remain as bystanders against the actions of the Greek
Cypriot leadership on the issue of hydrocarbons.
[04] Ozersay's statements during the budget approval discussion of the
"foreign ministry"
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (15.12.18) reports that the budget of
the so-called ministry of foreign affairs was voted by the "assembly". The
budget is up to 99,841,600 TL.
Speaking during the discussion, the self-styled foreign minister Kudret
Ozersay stated that the "foreign ministry" aims to strengthen the
relations between the "TRNC", both with Turkey and the Organization
of the Islamic Cooperation and also "to increase the visibility of the
Turkish Cypriots".
He criticized the Greek Cypriot side for not wanting to share "the power,
the administration and the natural wealth" in Cyprus, adding that all
the partners in the breakaway regime (the "government and the assembly")
share this opinion. He also stated that it is very important for the new
procedure to be seen if there is a common vision between the two sides
in Cyprus.
Referring to the hydrocarbon issue, he said that this could offer an
opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem, which was lost in
2004. He said that they work with Turkey on this issue and they take
every opportunity to explain that the Greek Cypriot side does not want
to share the natural wealth of the island. He said that some circles want
to cut the ties between Turkey and the "TRNC" and added that no one has
so much power and neither Turkey nor the "TRNC" will give permission for
this. He stressed the importance of a common vision between the two sides
of the island as it was noted by the UN Secretary General. He also said
that the main question that the UN Secretary General's special envoy
on Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute should ask the two sides, should be what is
the core of the Cyprus problem according to each side.
He claimed that UN in Cyprus became part of the status quo and that
in some area they lost their role, adding that the "foreign ministry"
together with the "presidency" gathered their opinion and sent them to
the UN on the issue.
Referring to Maronites issue, he said that efforts were made for quicker
step to be taken for their return. On the return of the fenced off
city of Varosha under Turkish Cypriot administration, he stated that
discussions are still continue and there is a close co-operation with
Turkey on the subject.
(CS)
[05] Almost four million travelers used the illegal Tumpou airport
last year
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (15.12.18) reports that the
"minister of transportation", Tolga Atakan stated that around four
million travelers used the illegal Tympou airport between January and
November 2018.
According to Atakan, 24,744 flights were made in illegal Tympou as
follows: 22,334 scheduled flights, 1,715 charter flights and 695 special
flights.
During this period, 3,740167 travelers used the illegal Tympou airport:
3,519,450 travelers with scheduled flights, 218,972 travelers with
charter flights and 1,645 with special flights.
(CS)
[B] Turkish Press
[01] Akar reiterates that Turkey will continue to protect its rights in
Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.12.18,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-decisive-fight-restrains-terror-activities-minister-139755),
under the title "Turkey's 'decisive fight' restrains terror activities:
Minister", reports that Turkey's National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar
said that the Turkish army has dealt a heavy blow to the PKK and the
illegal group has been experiencing "serious failure" following Turkey's
"decisive fight". (?)
Akar further said the counter-terror efforts were "necessary and
obligatory" for Turkey's security. He also stressed the importance
of protecting Turkey's rights in the Aegean and the Eastern
Mediterranean. "We will continue to protect our rights and benefits
in the Aegean, in the Eastern Mediterranean and in 'blue homeland',"
he added. (?)
[02] Erdogan: Terrorists being buried in trenches they dig themselves
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.12.18,
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/terrorists-being-buried-in-trenches-they-dig-erdogan/1340524),
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reiterated his firm
stance against terrorism, vowing to root out terrorists from his
country's soil.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of July 15 National Park in Esenler
district of Istanbul, Erdogan said: "We are always in terrorists'
mind. We are burying them [terrorists] in the trenches that they dig
themselves and will continue to do so." (?)
During his speech, Erdogan also warned opposition Republican People's
Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu against inviting people to hold
demonstrations similar to 2013 Gezi Park protests. "Mr Kemal, you cannot
make anybody to take the streets. Let me tell you something: Here is
neither Paris nor the Netherlands," he said.
[03] Cavusoglu: 'Working with Assad to be considered if elected fairly'
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.12.18,
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/working-with-assad-to-be-considered-if-elected-fairly/1340513),
Turkish Foreign Minister on Sunday said if there is a democratic and
credible election in Syria, then everybody "should consider" working with
Bashar al-Assad. "If it is democratic and credible one then everybody
should consider [working with Assad]," Mevlut Cavusoglu told a special
session -- moderated by CNBC anchor Hadley Gamble -- of 18th Doha Forum
in Qatar.
"It has to be a very credible, transparent, democratic and fair
election. At the end, Syrian people should decide who is going to rule
the country after the elections," Cavusoglu added. He further said that
the constitution for Syria should be drafted by the people of their
own country.
"It [the draft process] should be conducted under the umbrella of the
United Nations. It has to be an inclusive one. Everybody, the eligible
ones, should be able to vote," he said, referring to Syrians inside and
outside of the country, including Turkey and other neighbouring countries.
Cavusoglu said Washington's support of YPG/PKK terrorist organization in
Syria and extradition of the leader of Fetullah Terrorist Organization
(FETO) -- the group behind July 2016 deadly coup attempt in Turkey --
are main issues between Turkey and the U.S.
"Recently I've seen the credible investigation of the FBI in several
states and they have noticed the darkness of this organization [FETO],"
he said, adding that the country saw that the terror group was violating
the U.S. laws, "including tax fraud, visa fraud, and also some other
illegal activities."
Noting that Turkey's expectation was very clear, he said extradition of
the FETO leader Fetullah Gulen and other perpetrators of the attempted
coup -- "84 names" -- were requested from the U.S.
"Last time when we met in Buenos Aires, [U.S.] President [Donald] Trump
told [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan that they have been working
on that. But we have to see concrete steps, because it has already been
more than two years, almost three years," Cavusoglu warned. (?)
[04] Turkey conducts new wave of airstrikes in Iraq's north
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiey-conducts-fresh-airstrikes-in-iraqs-north-139767),
Turkey has conducted a new wave of airstrikes in northern Iraq.
"7 separatist terrorists who were in preparation to assault our bases
were neutralized in northern Iraqi regions of Gara and Hakurk as a result
of airstrikes on Dec. 16," Turkey's National Defence Ministry said in
a statement on Dec. 17, referring to the illegal PKK. (?)
[05] Arrest warrants out for 111 FETO suspects in Turkey
According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (17.12.18,
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/arrest-warrants-out-for-111-feto-suspects-in-turkey-3469401),
Turkish prosecutors issued arrest warrants on Monday for some 111 people
including active-duty soldiers across the country for their suspected
links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the
2016 defeated coup attempt.
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued warrants for 64 suspects
-- 55 non-commissioned officers including 35 on-duty soldiers -- within
the Turkish Land Forces Command and the Gendarmerie General Command.
The other nine suspects are believed to be the terror group's so-called
civilian imams. The suspects are accused of communicating with the terror
group through payphones.
Balikesir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office also issued arrest warrants
in 14 provinces as well as the "TRNC" for 27 suspects as part of a probe
into FETO. They were also reportedly communicating with the terror group
through payphones.
In western Canakkale province, arrest warrants were issued for 20 FETO
suspects as part of a probe into the terror group's crypto structure
within the Turkish Armed Forces.
The search for the suspects is ongoing across the country. (?)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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