Claiming that listing and compiling the positions of the two sides
into a single document will not produce a solution but would only
be recording existing divergences, Ozersay added: "It is time the UN
and international actors understand that the Cyprus problem cannot be
solved through such exercises. This is what we have been conveying to
our interlocutors. More importantly we are telling them that starting
a new process without questioning the reasons behind the failure of the
last process will only prepare the ground for a new failure".
Ozersay further alleged that the reason for the failure of the last round
of talks in 2017 was the Greek Cypriot side's reluctance to share power
and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots, claiming: "It's been two years
since that process. Has anything changed in the Greek Cypriot side's
mentality? Are they [Greek Cypriots] ready to share with us? The answer
unfortunately is no. That is why the belief that the Cyprus problem can
be solved through a simple paper exercise should be abandoned as soon as
possible". He said that discussions with the Greek Cypriot side should
focus on areas where cooperation can be carried out.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Kibris (24.09.19)
reports that Ozersay also said: "You know, the dialogue between the
sides is not just about the negotiation process. Besides, there is
not at the moment any negotiation process. There is a call, as it was
also included in the latest UN report, for which sectors the sides
could cooperate regardless if they recognize each other. We have the
opportunity to explain to our interlocutors our views on this issue
by giving concrete examples. They also ask us some questions regarding
the recent developments in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. They
try to understand the situation and the views and the perspective of
the Turkish Cypriot side. I am trying with my team to explain to our
interlocutors as much as we can. We present the views and thoughts of
the Turkish Cypriot people on such broad platforms; we are trying to
make it visible. As always, we strive to make our voice heard".
"I am struggling to ensure that our people will live a European
contemporary life on the basis of two founding states with political
equality, freedom and security preserving their genuine identity and
personality. We are going with a good will and constructive spirit and
like always, we will do the best defending the acquis which came up in
the UN efforts until today and our rights. With this spirit we will meet
with the UNSG. […]"
According to the paper, referring to President Anastasiades, Akinci
argued: "The Turkish Cypriot people are no one's minority […]. If a
partnership is going to be established, it is important to decide together
in the fields of competence of the partnership. […] Abandon the logic of
majority-minority the soonest and direct to the logic of partnership. Only
in this manner it is possible to conclude the terms of reference".
Sending a message to those who refer to the "two-state solution", Akinci
said: "Even though the statement for two recognized states sounds good,
it is not a development which could happen in the foreseeable future".
Referring to the negotiations, Akinci argued: "Clarity and specificity
is basic for a process which will head to success. As Turkish Cypriot
side, we know what we want. What we want is in harmony with the UN
parameters. We have political will and determination. If all sides,
and mainly the Greek Cypriot side, show the same political will and
determination, a solution in Cyprus is possible. If we do not achieve
this, the most possible development is the permanent division of
the island. We provide for a process which will be result-oriented,
well-prepared and short, which will be aiming at a strategic agreement
and if this is achieved, it will be possible for us to hold technical
meetings. We are expecting the UNSG to undertake an active role. […]
Turkish officials wish the convention of a five-party conference, even
of an informal one. We also are not closed to this".
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (24.09.19) refers to the same
statements and reports that Akinci claimed that during UNSG's Special
Envoy for Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute's contacts, President Anastasiades
"continued his negative stance on the issue of effective participation"
in the decisions and there was not possible to write down the "terms of
reference". Arguing that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to present
the situation as if everything had been agreed during the meeting on 9
August between the leaders and when Lute came everything was finished,
Akinci alleged: "There is no such thing. We saw that Anastasiades
was not clearly approaching the political equality issue. Therefore,
there was no agreement [during Lute's contacts]. During Lute's
efforts, Anastasiades continued his rejectionist stance on the issue of
effective participation. It was not possible to write down the terms of
reference. His statements in London were offendi ng. Political equality
is a sine qua non for us".
Akinci said that during his contacts in New York, he would continue to
support that the terms of reference could be formed with three documents:
The Joint Statement of 11 February 2014 between President Anastasiades
and former Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, all agreements reached during
the process until the Crans Montana Conference and the Gurterres Framework
of 30 June 2017.
posts=cavusoglu-slams-greek-cypriot-fm-with-a-response),
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Cyprus Foreign
Minister Nicos Christodulides in New York on Monday that "it was the
Greek Cypriot leader who had rejected a federal solution", adding:
"We need to decide what to negotiate first".
According to information obtained, the two Foreign Ministers reportedly
bumped into each other as Christodoulides was about to meet the Greek
Foreign Minister, and just as Cavusoglu was speaking to reporters.
Apparently Christodoulides asked Cavusoglu why the terms of reference
to restart the talks could not be decided upon immediately, and why
Turkey was asking that a five-party meeting with the two sides and the
guarantor powers take place first.
In response, the Turkish Foreign Minister once again referred to
reportedly discussions he had last year with the Cyprus President Nicos
Anastasiades, who spoke of possible solutions involving a confederation
and two states, noting that certain things still require clarification.
"The last time in Crans Montana your leader spoke of a confederation. Last
year he first spoke of a federation and then a confederation," he claimed.
"There is no other solution other than a bizonal, bicommunal
federation. Let's shake hands now that we agree and we can move on,"
Christodoulides replied.
Cavusoglu refused to shake hands, it was reported, insisting that the two
sides still need to agree on the basis of future talks, and underlining
that Turkey has throughout the years supported efforts towards a solution,
both with the Annan plan in 2004 and during the most recent talks in
2017 in Crans-Montana.
[04] Trade Union Platform supports that all Turkish citizens who live
in the occupied area of Cyprus would be "granted the TRNC's citizenship"
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberator (24.09.19) reports that the general
secretary of the "Turkish Cypriot teachers' trade union" (KTOS),
Sener Elcil, issuing a written statement on behalf of the "trade union
platform", supported that with the "financial and economic protocol
signed between Turkey and the TRNC last July, all public assets were
given as present to the Turkish capital". He further added that the aim
of this protocol is to create tension inside the society.
Elcil went on adding that the AKP government, which signed the "protocol",
put as a precondition for allocating the 750 million TL to the "TRNC",
the following: "the regulation of the judiciary system in the TRNC and
also for all Turkish citizens who live in the TRNC for more than five
years to be granted the TRNC's citizenship".
The statements adds further that in case the "National Unity
Party-People's Party (UBP-HP) "government implements the conditions of the
protocol, this would cause social conflict". The statement adds that the
trade union platform calls on the so-called government to "suspend the
signed protocol" and accept the proposal of the "trade union platform"
to discuss their 90-article proposal on how to create a "country" that
could be self-administrated.
(AK)
[05] Soyer: The foundation presented as "owner" of occupied fenced-off
Varosha closed down in 1935
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (24.09.19) reports that Ferdi Sabit
Soyer, former "prime minister" and leader of the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP), has said that Abdullah Pasa Foundation, which is presented by
EVKAF religious foundation as the owner of the fenced-off city of Varosha,
had been compensated and closed down in 1935. In statements to the paper,
Soyer referred to a book under the title "The History of Turkish Cypriot
Foundations with Documents" [Translator's note: The title in Turkish is:
"Belgelerle K?br?s Turk Vak?flar Tarihi"] written by Mustafa Hasim Altan,
which had been printed by the "Cyprus EVKAF Administration Publications"
in 1986.
The above-mentioned documents are published in the second volume of the
book on pages 1262-1281, writes the paper adding that the book had passed
from a control by a committee composed by Harid Fedai, H. Fikret Alasya
and Guney Esendag before taking the decision as regards its publication
by EVKAF and the so-called religious affairs department.
The book was based on "official documents" which say that "no such
foundation exists in Cyprus", notes the paper adding that the book's
presentation was written by former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas,
its foreword by Raif Unsal, the then chairman of the administrative
council of EVKAF and religious affairs, and its preface by Soner
Cuvalcioglu, the then general director of EVKAF. Furthermore, the book
was submitted to the then "prime minister" Osman Orek.
Soyer told the paper that "the EVKAF phenomenon" was important "for
the process of existing on these lands", but some mistakes existed in
its history, which should be discussed objectively. Soyer noted that
neither the "EVKAF phenomenon in Varosha" nor the "historical reality"
could be defended with the current propaganda of EVKAF and its director
through TV channels and advertisements.
(I/Ts.)
[B] Turkish Press
[01] Turkish FM met with the Turkish Cypriot leader at the UN
Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.09.19
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/74th-un-general-assembly-2019/turkish-fm-received-by-turkish-cypriot-leader-at-un/1592043)
reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in New York. In the meeting between
Cavusoglu and Akinci, "Turkey's support to the TRNC was stressed and
the latest developments in the region were discussed".
Cavusoglu also held talks separately with his counterparts -- Morocco's
Nasser Bourita, Sudan's Asma Mohamed Abdalla and Guinea-Bissau's Suzi
Barbosa – on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General
Assembly.
[02] Erdogan met religious, political leaders in New York
Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.09.19
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogan-meets-religious-political-leaders-in-new-york/1592052)
reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Monday with
religious figures and leaders of some countries in New York, where he
is holding talks as part of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.
Erdogan hosted representatives of Jewish institutions in the U.S. behind
closed doors at the Peninsula Hotel.
The meeting was attended by Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak,
Trade Minister Ruhsan Pekcan, Presidential Communications Director
Fahrettin Altun and presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, among others. No
information has been released on the content of the talks.
Later, Erdogan met with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel at UN
headquarters. It was also closed to the media.
During the meeting, Albayrak and Volkan Bozkir, chairman of the Turkish
Parliament's foreign affairs committee, were present. Pakistani Prime
Minister Imran Khan was also a guest of the Turkish president. The
meeting was also held behind closed doors and attended by Albayrak,
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Pekcan. Erdogan also met with German
Chancellor Angela Merkel. No further details of the closed-door meeting
were provided.
[03] Trump thanks Erdogan at UN religious freedom event
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.09.19
https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/09/23/trump-thanks-erdogan-at-un-religious-freedom-event)
reports that U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Turkey's
President has become "a friend" following negotiations to free an American
pastor from Turkish custody.
Trump said his administration was "thrilled" to secure Andrew Brunson's
release following "a very short and respectful negotiation with a very
strong man, and a man who has become a friend of mine, fortunately,
President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan of Turkey."
"I called the President and I said 'he's an innocent man.' They'd been
trying to get Andrew out for a long time," Trump said, referring to the
Obama administration during an event on religious freedom at the U.N. 74th
General Assembly. "I don't think they tried too hard unfortunately. But
I want to thank President Erdogan, and I want to thank you pastor for
being here with us today."
Brunson, who was released in October after being charged in the Turkish
province of Izmir with being a member of the Gulenist Terror Group
(FETO), was among attendees at the U.S.-hosted session.
[04] US offers Turkey new deal on F-35 fighter jets, Patriot missiles
after S-400 mishap
Turksih daily Yeni Safak (24.09.19
http://origin.yenisafak.com.tr/en/world/us-offers-turkey-new-deal-on-f-35-fighter-jets-patriot-missiles-after-s-400-mishap-3501321)
reports that the U.S. verbally offered Turkey a new deal on the F-35
fighter jets, according to reports by Turkish media outlets.
U.S. envoy to Ankara David Satterfield conveyed the offer which allegedly
also contains a trade deal package that will boost trade volume between
the two allies to $100 billion and lower tariffs on steel and aluminum.
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Sunday after meeting
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that he would like to get NATO ally
Turkey back in a joint manufacturing program for F-35 fighter jets,
from which it was expelled in July.
Washington removed Turkey from the joint F-35 program after Turkey
accepted delivery of S-400 equipment in July. Ankara also aimed to
purchase some of the jets but now says it could look elsewhere.
Graham said he and Erdogan discussed a possible free trade
agreement. "Turkey is a very important ally, not just when it comes to
Syria but for the whole region," he told reporters.
The U.S. is expected to send an official written offer to the Turkish
government soon.
[05] Turkey, US hold second ground patrol in safe zone area
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.09.19
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-us-hold-2nd-safe-zone-joint-patrols-in-n-syria-146823
) reports that Turkish and American troops held a second ground land
patrol on Sept. 24 in the planned safe zone in northern Syria, Turkey's
Defense Ministry said.
"The Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] and the U.S. personnel started the second
joint land patrol with the participation of land vehicles and UAVs on
the Syrian side in the south of Akcakale [district of Turkey], within
the scope of setting up safe zone activities in the north of Syria and
east of Euphrates," said the ministry on its Twitter account on Sept.24.
A convoy of four armored Turkish Armed Forces vehicles in the southeastern
Sanl?urfa province crossed the border and met with a U.S. military
convoy to join the joint land patrol, Anadolu Agency reported. The
Turkish and U.S. forces are set to conduct a land patrol in the Syrian
town of Tal Abyad.
The planned safe zone is expected to start from Tal Abyad town in
the west.
The land patrolling comes one day after the two Turkish F-16 fighters
conducted a flight over the Syrian airspace as part of a multinational
campaign to fight and eradicate ISIL in the war-torn country.
The flights took place in the planned safe zone area, a Turkish official
told Hurriyet Daily News on condition of anonymity.
U.S. and Turkish troops conducted their joint ground patrol for the zone
on Sept. 9.
On Aug. 7, Turkish and U.S. military officials agreed to set up a safe
zone in northern Syria and develop a peace corridor to facilitate the
movement of displaced Syrians who want to return home. They also agreed
to establish a joint operations center.
Turkey has long championed the idea of terrorist-free safe zones in
Syria. It has stressed ridding the area of the YPG, the Syrian branch
of the PKK, as well as resettling Syrian migrants currently sheltered
in Turkey.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK —
listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has
been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women,
children and infants.
[06] Turkey could miss out on some 700,000 tourists a year after British
company collapse: report
Turkish news portal Turkish Minute (24.09.19
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/09/23/turkey-could-miss-out-some-700000-tourists-a-year-after-british-company-collapse-report/)
reports that Turkey could miss out on 600,000-700,000 tourists a year
following the collapse of British tourism agency Thomas Cook on Monday,
the head of Turkey's Hoteliers Federation (TUROFED) said, according
to Reuters.
TUROFED chairman Osman Ay?k said the estimate was based on the number of
tourists that had come to Turkey with Thomas Cook in recent years. He
said those tourists may now decide against returning with other travel
agencies.
The world's oldest travel firm collapsed on Monday, stranding more than
half a million holidaymakers around the globe and sparking the largest
peacetime repatriation effort in British history.
Ay?k said there were currently 45,000 tourists in Turkey from the United
Kingdom and other European countries who had traveled with Thomas Cook.
Dalaman Airport's website showed at least seven flights to several UK
destinations scheduled to depart on Monday had been canceled.
Tourism is a major source of income for Turkey, helping to shore up
its current account deficit, especially in the summer months. About 40
million tourists visited in 2018, bringing in a revenue of $29.5 billion,
according to official data.
"There is a large number of small businesses whose fates depend on Thomas
Cook, especially in Mugla, Dalaman and Fethiye," Ay?k told Reuters,
referring to popular destinations on Turkey's western coast.
He said Thomas Cook owed 100,000-200,000 pounds each to some small hotels,
which could suffer as a result of the travel agency's collapse. Turkey's
Tourism Ministry said earlier that it was working with the Finance
Ministry to extend a loan support package to businesses that were
affected.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
