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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-01-10Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-10.01.19 No. 07/19 Contents[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[B] Turkish Press
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press[01] Ozersay argues that the two sides should start to cooperate without waiting for a Cyprus settlementAccording to illegal Bayrak television (10.01.19, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=ozersay-in-washington), Kudret Ozersay, self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister, who completed his contacts in New York moved on to Washington D.C. yesterday.As part of his contacts in the US capital, Ozersay met with several high level officials from the US State Department. He then held meetings with some officials from US President Trump's team at the White House. Within the framework of his contacts in Washington, Ozersay also attended a meeting at the Atlantic Council ? one of the most prestigious think tanks in the world especially on the issues of energy and security. During a speech he delivered at the Atlantic Council, Ozersay touched upon the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, the mandate of UNFICYP and the natural gas issue in the Eastern Mediterranean. He also responded to participants' questions. As part of his contacts, Ozersay will also be meeting with several members of the US Congress. On the same issue, "BRT" (10.01.19,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=fm-ozersay-speaks-at-atlantic-council)
also broadcast that Ozersay, during his speech at the Atlantic Council,
has expressed the view that the two sides in Cyprus should start to
cooperate on a wide area of issues without waiting for a solution,
adding that it was not right to try and link everything in Cyprus to
the decades long Cyprus problem.
"The two sides should be able to cooperate, without having to wait for
a settlement, on a wide range of issues such as natural gas, crime and
extradition, the fight against money laundering and terrorism", argued
Ozersay, expressing the view that this was the only true way to building
an environment of trust between the two sides on the island.
Drawing attention to the importance of cooperation in achieving peace
and stability in the region, Ozersay said that the cooperation carried
out between the two sides on electricity in 2011 was a good example of
what needed to be done. He reminded that the "South" (Republic of Cyprus)
had experienced serious power shortages following a massive explosive
at the main power plant in Mari. "The Greek Cypriot side had hesitated
at first but later turned around, did what was pragmatic, showed the
necessary flexibility and purchased electricity needed from the North"
he said. Ozersay pointed out that the deal had been made possible via
the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.
"We saw that if there is a will there is a way. We saw that it was
possible to cooperate on a wide range of issues through mutual need and
pragmatism" he added.
On the issue of hydrocarbons, Ozersay claimed that the international
community's approach to the issue was the reason for the Greek Cypriot
side's reluctance to cooperate on the issue. "While one side is able
to benefit from this wealth, the other side, an equal partner over that
wealth, is told by the international community that it can only benefit
from this wealth as and when a settlement is reached. Naturally such a
stance discourages the Greek Cypriots from cooperating on this issue",
he argued.
In a statement issued by Abdullah Korkmazhan on behalf of the Movement,
it is said: "The demand for not prolonging UNFICYP's term of duty and
its withdrawal from Cyprus in the current conditions of the continuation
of the cease fire and the non-solution is a dangerous, adventurist and
provocative effort aiming at inciting tension".
Kormazhan called on Ozersay to say what he suggested in UNFICYP's place
and wondered whether the UN should hand over to the Turkish occupation
army the places which are under its control in Cyprus. He also asked
who would interfere when a military or a provocative action happened.
Noting that Ozersay had said that the Turkish Cypriot side demanded that
UNFICYP's term of duty should not be renewed, Korkmazhan argued that
it was evident that the "coalition government" had no Cyprus policy
and called on Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci to issue a statement on
the matter.
(I/Ts.)
She notes that in statements to Turkish Cypriot Diyalog TV on Monday,
Ozersay had said that UNFICYP had been established in 1964 when there
was a possibility for a conflict on the island and the regional peace
was threatened. "However, at the point we have come today, just like
nothing of these exists, a large part of the duties given to the UN Peace
Keeping Force have lost their meaning", he alleged adding that "we do
not think that it is meaningful for the international community to keep
Peace Force's mission here with an expenditure of 50 million dollars,
while the UN Peace Force is in a kind of a position of representing the
status quo in Cyprus" and there is no progress for finding a comprehensive
solution. She adds the following:
"Ozersay's stance is not new. He has been expressing since some period
his annoyance from the UN's mission on the island, but conveying this
to the UN as the official stance of the Turkish Cypriot side is thought
provoking. Because when you say 'Turkish Cypriot side', this binds
both the presidency and the government. Therefore, I think that it is
the public's right to know whether the demand for abolishing UN Peace
Keeping Force's military wing is also a demand of president Akinci and
prime minister Erhurman. [?]"
Tugyan notes that another important point is the justification used by
Ozersay to back his demand by saying that there was no possibility of
conflict and threat to the regional peace, as was the case in 1964. She
adds:
"If nothing of these exists, then what is the job of 40 thousand troops
on the island? I wonder, what does Mr Ozersay, who finds unnecessary
the existence of 1000 UN soldiers, think on the issue of the 40 thousand
(with the optimistic possibility) Turkish soldiers? Or why he supports
the continuation of the existence of the guarantees and the Turkish
troops on the island in case of a possible solution? If he says that
we want the demilitarization of the island, how nice! However, if no,
the nuisance is only the UN troops, which is the case, then, he needs to
frankly reply to the above questions. Ozersay notes that the UN spends
50 million dollars for UNFICYP and that he does not find it meaningful
to spend here this kind of money in this environment.
According to information I obtained with a minor research, the annual
cost of UNFICYP is 54 million dollars. One third of this money, that is
18 million dollars, is voluntarily covered by the Republic of Cyprus and
6,5 million dollars again voluntarily by Greece. Of course, this is not
spent only for the UN Peace Keeping Force's military wing, but there are
also other missions carried out by the Peace Keeping Force on the island.
Very well, if the annual expenditure of the UN, which maintains
its existence on the island with approximately 1000 soldiers from 12
countries, is 54 million dollars, this coincides with 300 million Turkish
liras, does Mr Ozersay find meaningful the cost for the Turkish army,
which we assume that are roughly 40 thousand? The budget of the Security
Forces Command (GKK) is 423 million TL. You think what the cost of the
Turkish peace keeping forces command in Cyprus (KTBKK) is [Translator's
note: This is how the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus is called by the
Turks]. Moreover, in an environment where, as esteemed minister himself
said, 'there is absolutely no situation and possibility of conflict'!"
(I/Ts.)
According to the paper, the prolonged "problematic system" followed by
Turkey on the issue of "cash flow" to the "TRNC" was been abolished due
to its deficiencies.
According to article 4 of regulation E of the Turkish Republic budget law
for 2019, the authority for the "TRNC's aid and credits" is given to the
office of the Presidency. According to the regulation, the disposal, the
aim, the method and the conditions of the allowances will be determined
according to a protocol which is to be signed by the "two states". The
decision was published in the official gazette of Turkey.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily newspaper Diyalog (10.01.19) reports that
so-called minister of finance, Serdar Denktas, in exclusive statements
to the paper, welcomed the above decision taken by Turkey and alleged
that Turkey will allocate to the "TRNC" 1 billion TL in 2019.
"We have been saying it for months that the difficulties experienced
in capital flow from Turkey were deriving from Turkey's system. Thus,
what we have been supporting, became true", Denktas argued, explaining
that Turkey would sent this source of money by March 2019.
Commenting on the method to be followed by Turkey on the sources of 2018
which were not allocated by Turkey, Denktas said that he does not know
if Turkey will allocate them retrospectively.
(AK)
Speaking to the paper, the founding chairman of the Global Journalist's
Council (KGK), Ali Dim, stated that the Council will be the "Voice of
the Turkish Cypriot people abroad". Dim is at the same time chairman
of the Cooperation Platform of Anatolia Media and also chairman of the
administration board of Dim Media Ltd.
Speaking in Ankara during the meeting of the founding members of the KGK,
Dim stated that they pay great importance to the "TRNC" and argued that
"as a Council they will be everywhere. "We will make an important job
in north Cyprus. We will undertake steps that would make the Turkish
Cypriots' voice heard everywhere", Dim argued, pointing out that among
the founding members of KGK, is also the correspondent of the Demiroren
Media Group (DHH) in the "TRNC", Sefa Karahasan. "We will establish a
communication bridge with Cyprus", Dim further said.
The founding members of the Council met also with Turkish Foreign Minister
Mevlut Cavusoglu. Speaking during the meeting, Cavusoglu thanked them
for founding the Council and wished them good luck.
In his turn, Dim stated that they briefed Cavusoglu on the aim of the
Council and explained to him that it would be a large scale international
organization.
(AK)
(DPs)
Referring to the drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean,
Cavusoglu claimed:
"[?] Our Fatih drilling vessel has started working. Secondly, the issue
of starting drillings in our exclusive economic zone has come onto the
agenda of our National Security Council (MGK). Everyone is doing their
bit on the issue upon the instruction our esteemed President of the
Republic. It is said that oil and natural gas reserves exist around
the island. What we say is that both peoples should take their rights
but they say that we cannot do this. They use as an excuse the public
pressure. Our demand is very legitimate. The Turkish Cypriot people's
rights should be guaranteed. And everybody is talking: As long as this
does not go through Turkey, it is not feasible and the extraction has
no meaning. Let it go through Turkey and let everybody win. What is the
bad thing in what we say? The matter, however, is something else [?]".
Referring to the possibility of the establishment of a new naval base
by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus, Cavusoglu argued:
"[?] Turkey has a position. It will always protect the rights of the
TRNC and the Turkish people. We are reminding that they should distance
themselves from views such as zero troops. This does not mean kidding
around with them. We want them to see the realities [?]".
Referring to the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria, Cavusoglu
alleged:
"[?] The US learned to draw back. The operation against the YPG does not
depend on the withdrawal of the US. Even if the US does not withdraw,
Turkey will carry out an operation for its national security. We have
defended the rights of the Kurds as well in Syria [?]".
Referring to the issue of the S-400 missiles, Cavusoglu said that
no one has the right of having a say on this agreement, which is a
"finished agreement". He added: "We never forget our promise. And the
S-400 agreement is anyway a finished agreement. We might agree with the
USA for the Patriots, but if there is an insistence on the S-400 issue,
this cannot happen".
(I/Ts.)
The paper argues that the drill intends to give a message to Athens
concerning the controversial areas that Greece and the "Greek Cypriot
administration" (Republic of Cyprus) have claims on. The drill was named
"Blue homeland" and is expected to be the biggest battle rehearsal of
the Naval Forces, yet.
Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar repeatedly referred to Turkey's
sovereignty in the sea, the paper reports, adding that "the drill is
expected to take place in Turkey's continental shelf, including the
controversial areas that Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration
have claims on, in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean".
(DPs)
Erdogan said Fetullah Gulen, the U.S.-based ringleader of the terror group
behind the defeated 2016 coup, will come to Turkey "sooner or later". "I
don't know how long those who stood behind FETO [leader Gulen] will keep
supporting him, but sooner or later he will come here," said Erdogan.
Turkish leaders recently indicated that the U.S. has stepped up operations
against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in America, as
well as renewed efforts to extradite Gulen, a long-time resident of
Pennsylvania. (?)
Erdogan said that Turkey will follow FETO members "until they have no
place left in the world to hide". He also said Turkey countered attacks
"quickly and effectively" over the last 16 years through its democracy
and economy. "Hopefully, Turkey will enter a strong new period in 2019,"
Erdogan added.
On the same issue, under the title "Erdogan, Putin to meet soon,
but no date set yet", Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.01.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-putin-to-meet-soon-but-no-date-set-yet-140388)
reports that a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has been planned, but no
date has been set yet, officials from the two countries have said, amid
the former's negotiations with the United States over the withdrawal of
American troops from Syria.
The Kremlin said Jan. 9 that it expected Erdogan to visit Russia for
talks with Putin soon, but that no date had yet been agreed on. Turkish
officials also confirmed the planned trip of Erdogan to Russia.
"Mr. President will also visit Russia in the forthcoming period,"
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, referring to the meeting
he said would take place in Russia which would have the same format as
the previous tripartite summit in Sochi between the Turkish, Iranian
and Russian presidents. (...)
Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.01.19,
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-russia-cooperate-to-build-future-of-syria/1360512),
under the title "Turkey-Russia cooperate to build future of Syria",
publishes a report on efforts by Turkey and Russia to strengthen their
multidimensional cooperation, especially on Syria. But also in ambious
projects like the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, the purchase of two S-400
air defense systems and the Akkuyu Nuclear Plant.
Unker's sentence was not postponed. She said she would appeal the local
court's ruling with a higher court.
"I fulfilled my journalism job. They were articles about public figures. I
fulfilled my job to inform the public. A right of reply had emerged [for
Y?ld?r?m]. I do not think that the news I wrote consistutes a crime,"
said Unker during the final hearing of the trial on Jan. 8 at the Istanbul
Caglayan Courthouse.
"This news has been covered all over the world, but it is only Pelin Unker
who is on trial in the world. The press has an irreplaceable job in a
democratic society. It has a duty to release all documents that concern
the public, and this is what Pelin has also done," said Unker's lawyer,
Tora Pekin, at the hearing, requesting her client's acquittal.
But the Istanbul 2nd Penal Court of Instance sentenced Unker on charges
of "defamation and insult" and "slandering a public official." The
court also demanded the journalist pays a fine of 8,860 Turkish Liras
(around $1,610).
The Paradise Papers are leaked confidential documents unveiling
off-shore accounts of politicians, businessmen, royal family members
and multinational companies, who were allegedly avoiding tax.
Unker had claimed in her news series that the sons of Y?ld?r?m, former
Prime Minister and current Parliamentary Speaker who is now running for
Mayor of Istanbul from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP),
owned five off-shore companies based on Malta.
Critics have accused Y?ld?r?m of breaching the Turkish constitution for
running for Mayor while Speaker of Parliament. They say the Constitution
requires the Parliament Speaker to be "impartial."
Meral Dan?s Bestas, an MP from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), said
her imprisoned colleague, Leyla Guven, has reached a "critical stage"
in her hunger strike. She has petitioned the Turkish parliament's human
rights investigatory committee to intervene.
Guven launched the hunger strike to press authorities to allow family
members and lawyers to visit jailed terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan,
whom she says is unlawfully being kept in isolation in a prison on an
island off Istanbul.
Bestas said 162 other prisoners in 36 prisons across Turkey ? 27 of them
women ? have joined the hunger strike. (?)
Guven, 55, has been in prison since Jan. 31, 2018 on charges of allegedly
provoking hatred with statements opposing a Turkish military operation
that drove out Syrian Kurdish militia from a northern Syrian enclave. One
of 10 HDP legislators currently in jail, she faces up to 31 years in
prison on terrorism-related charges if convicted. (?)
Y?ld?r?m, a former prime minister, is currently Speaker of the Turkish
Parliament. He did not resign from this post to run in the local elections
to be held in Turkey on March 31, in a move that attracted widespread
criticism from the opposition parties.
Speaking to RS FM radio station on Wednesday, Ozel claimed that Y?ld?r?m
will not leave the post of Speaker of Parliament if he is elected mayor
of Istanbul and that a member of the Istanbul municipal council will be
appointed as mayor of Turkey's largest city. "The name of Bilal Erdogan
is among those mentioned [as the possible mayor]," said Ozel.
The CHP deputy also said Y?ld?r?m not resigning from his post as Speaker
to run in the local elections will go down as a "black stain" in Turkish
history. (?)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/EH)
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