Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-10-09

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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] Baybars: 252,497 "TRNC citizens" and 117,291 persons with "residence permit" – Population increase rate is 1,5%

[02] Tore: "No one should fear of the increase of population"

[03] Talat: "The terms of reference should determine the method and not the substance"

[04] Turkish Cypriot delegation in Brussels for the "Direct Trade Regulation"

[05] Arikli says that "they will either win the presidential race or determine who the next president will be"

[06] Akinci met with six mayors from Jordan

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkish Parliament approves motion on Iraq and Syria

[02] Cavusoglu discusses Syria with his Russian counterpart

[03] Kalin: "Turkey has no intention to occupy any part of Syria"

[04] Turkish officials reacted over US 'Trump's threats against Turkey

[05] NATO General Secretary to visit Turkey

[06] German NGO employee in Turkey gets suspended sentence for insulting Erdogan

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Baybars: 252,497 "TRNC citizens" and 117,291 persons with "residence permit" – Population increase rate is 1,5%

Under the title "There are 252 thousand 497 TRNC citizens, 117 thousand 291 persons 'with permit'", Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris(09.10.19) reports that Aysegul Baybars, self-styled minister of interior in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that as of 23 October 2019, it would be possible for the "residence permits" in the occupied area of Cyprus to be granted online. Speaking yesterday at the "assembly" of the breakaway regime, Baybars said that she had submitted to the "government" the "draft laws" regarding the "citizenship" and the "permanent residence permits", adding that the "government" was reevaluating the "draft law" on the "white identity cards" and the "permanent residence permits".

According to Baybars, the number of the "TRNC citizens" was 252,497 on 26 March 2019. She said that on 24 April 2019 there were 53,844 persons with a "work permit" in the occupied area of Cyprus, 452 persons with a "permit to establish a business", 4,297 persons with a "companion permit", 3,698 persons with a "visitor permit" and 55,000 persons with a "student permit".

She expressed the view that a basic target should exist in the policies as regards the population and correct foundations should be created towards this direction. She explained that one of the reasons for which they felt the need of having a "regulation" was the fact that it has been continuously said that the social and economic services were insufficient and that problems existed in the services offered in fields such as the schools and the hospitals.

Baybars said that archives on the population were kept from 1900 until today, but "the complicated system should be clarified". Noting that arrangements for persons having various statuses could not be made, Baybars pointed out that for offering economic and social services the status of the foreigners living in the occupied area of Cyprus should be clarified and these persons should be registered.

According to Baybars, it would not be correct for the "exceptional citizenship" to be given by the "assembly" and not by the "council of ministers". She alleged that the new "draft-law" was prepared in a way that exploiting such "citizenships" would not be easy.

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Halkin Sesi (09.10.19) publishes Baybars' statements under the banner front-page title "Services are not proportional to population" and reports that she said that the increase rate of the population in the occupied area of Cyprus was 1,5%, which is higher than the EU average rate. She also noted that the services offered in the occupied area were not proportional to the population, adding that this could be seen especially in the fields of health and education. She pointed out that keeping a balance was needed.

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen (09.10.19) reports that speaking during the discussion of the issue at the "assembly", Dogus Derya, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), asked for the "authority to grant exceptional citizenship" to be taken away from the "council of ministers" and to be given to the "assembly". She said that no country gave its citizenship without taking into consideration some criteria, which are determined according to each country. Derya asked also a "quota" for the "citizenships".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Tore: "No one should fear of the increase of population"

Under the title "No one should fear of the increase of population", Turkish Cypriot newspaper Halkin Sesi (09.10.19) reports that Zorlu Tore, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that the Cyprus problem had been built on "the population and the territory" and criticized those, who addressing the "assembly", say that the population should not increase.

Speaking yesterday at the "assembly", Tore claimed that no one should fear of the "increase of population of good quality". He argued that persons who got married were not granted "citizenship" and were forced to wait. He expressed the view that these things were not "correct" and argued that persons who have taken the culture of this place and had a clear record should be granted "citizenship".

Noting that the infrastructure problems should be solved within a short period of time, Tore alleged the following:

"In the Greek Cypriot policy it is said: 'You are a minority, you are not equal'. And I see that discrimination is made in the assembly on the population. Legal arrangements should be made, but it is not correct to make arrangements for persons who deserved it, were adapted, and made investments".

Tore reiterated also that as UBP "we want the world to see and accept the reality of two separate states in Cyprus".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Talat: "The terms of reference should determine the method and not the substance"

Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Yeni Duzen (09.10.19) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, evaluating the Cyprus talks at "BRT" television programme, said: "I can't say that I did not understand the issue with the terms of reference, but I cannot find it reasonable" and wondered what's the purpose of it.

Noting that the Cyprus talks have been going on for 50 years and all aspects have been discussed, Talat said that both sides know the positions of the other side by heart and it is not possible to introduce new positions with the terms of reference.

Talat explained also that the principles on which they are working to agree on have already been agreed upon in the past and that there is no point in discussing them from the beginning.

[04] Turkish Cypriot delegation in Brussels for the "Direct Trade Regulation"

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Halkin Sesi (09.10.19) reports that Ertugrul Hasipoglu, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP), has said that a delegation from the "assembly" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus is going to Brussels to demand the removal of the "Direct Trade Regulation" from the agenda of the EU and its entry into effect quickly. "We know that it will not be easy because there are Greek Cypriot Deputies who have usurped our seats in the European Parliament", he alleged in a written statement issued yesterday adding that the Turkish Cypriot delegation would be meeting with political party groups and ask for their support during the "crucial voting" to be held on 10 October.

"Furthermore, we will be holding some contacts with new MEPs in Brussels who have a prejudiced stance on other developments in the Cyprus problem and especially on the issue of fenced-off Varosha", he claimed and alleged that after finding out about the Democratic Rally Party's (DISI) statement that it would hold contacts aiming at the withdrawal of the "Direct Trade Regulation" from the agenda, he thought that "serious problems" would exist not only on the issue of finding a solution, but also for confidence building measures with a community which has such a mentality.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Arikli says that "they will either win the presidential race or determine who the next president will be"

Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Vatan (09.10.19) reports that the general secretary of the the Revival Party (YDP) Turan Buyukyilmaz, in a speech yesterday at the celebrations of the third anniversary of the party at the occupied Kyrenia, said that they have reached now the 8,000 members, adding that "the TRNC people has believed and trusted them". He further argued that they are walking towards becoming the ruling party with determined and confident steps.

Speaking at the event, Bertan Zaroglu – "deputy" with the YDP, claimed that the number of people believing in YDP is growing every day and that the YDP has become the party of the "TRNC people".

Finally, Erhan Arikli – YDP leader - , speaking also at the event, said that his party will solve the chronic problems of the "country", stressing also that from three members the party has now almost 8,000 members. He further said that YDP is the most effective opposition party in the "parliament" despite only having two "deputies", adding that "they will either win the presidential race or will determine who the next president will be".

(DPs)

[06] Akinci met with six mayors from Jordan

Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Vatan (09.10.19) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met yesterday with six mayors from municipalities from Jordan, who are in the occupied area of Cyprus upon invitation from the "mayor" of occupied Kyrenia municipality Nidai Gungordu for the "olive festival".

(DPs)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkish Parliament approves motion on Iraq and Syria

Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.10.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-parliament-approves-motion-on-iraq-syria/1606269) reported that the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday ratified a motion, extending the state's authority, to launch cross-border military operations in northern Iraq and Syria for another year.

The motion came ahead of Turkey's planned safe zone operation in northern Syria.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and two other opposition parties, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Good (IYI) Party backed the motion. The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), however, voted against the motion.

Addressing lawmakers ahead of the voting, head of Parliament's National Defense Committee Ismet Yilmaz said that Turkey's ultimate target in the northern Syria was to end the existence of all terrorist groups.

"Turkey aims to facilitate return of Syrians to their own country, to their homes and to their own territories, by providing a peace corridor within the territorial integrity of Syria," he added.

Yilmaz also noted that the motion would support the actions to permanently end the terrorism in the region.

The motion stated that Turkey attaches great importance to the protection of Iraq's territorial integrity, national unity and stability.

(…)

[02] Cavusoglu discusses Syria with his Russian counterpart

Turkish daily Sabah (08.10.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/10/08/fm-cavusoglu-discusses-syria-with-russian-counterpart) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday discussed northeastern Syria over the phone.

Cavusoglu and Lavrov discussed in detail the Syrian settlement process, paying particular attention to the situation in the country's northeast, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"They also exchanged views on the situation in the Balkans", the statement added.

The Ministers agreed to continue an intensive dialogue with a view to further strengthen and develop Russian-Turkish cooperation in all areas.

The phone call came amid Turkish officials' signal of potential operation to northern Syria to ensure Turkey's security by clearing the region of the terrorists.

(…)

[03] Kalin: "Turkey has no intention to occupy any part of Syria"

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.10.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-has-no-intention-to-occupy-any-part-of-syria-presidential-spokesman-147291) reported that Turkey's Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has stated on October 7 that Turkey has no intention to occupy any part of Syria.

In a live interview over the phone with CNN's Becky Anderson, Kalin said that the safe zone in northern Syria has two main goals.

"The safe zone issue has two main goals. It will secure Turkey's border -- just as Americans care about their border security, we have to take care of our border security. And the second purpose of the safe zone is to provide places for the refugees to return safely and voluntarily," he said.

Reminding Turkey's last two military operations in northern Syria, Kalin said that Turkey did not occupy any part of Syrian land.

"Turkey has no interest in occupying any part of Syria. We haven't done so in Jarablus when we fought against Daesh and eliminated 3,000 terrorists there," Kalin said, and continued: "Or when we entered Afrin, we have not occupied any part of Syria, we have returned those places to the local owners and residents, we have no intention of occupying any parts of Syria in the east of the Euphrates either, and also we have no interest in changing the demographics there".

"This is not a move against the Kurds. Turkey does not have any problem with the Kurds. We are fighting against terrorist organization that has killed and oppressed the Kurdish people as well," he said.

When asked if the resettling millions of refugees from Turkey back to Syria was not going to cause demographic re-engineering, Kalin answered the PKK/PYD/YPG changed the demography east of the Euphrates.

(…)

Kalin said further the Kurds will "of course" continue to live where they have lived for centuries. "We have no interest in altering demographics. It was the PKK/PYD that has changed the demographics there. The refugees in Turkey, which is about 3.5 million from Syria, will go back to the places where they have come from. We are not forcing anybody to go anywhere they don't want to go," he added.

Responding to a question about possible unleash of ISIL, Kalin emphasized Turkey fought with ISIL when they were at the peak of their power. "We have fought against ISIS in the Jarablus area and eliminated more than 3,000 of them, arrested about 5,000 of them, extradited or expelled many thousands when they were at the peak of their power," he said.

"Now ISIS has lost most of its power. And there are places where they might be present. And we will continue fighting against them, together with the international coalition, with the United States, the European countries and others," Kalin added.

Kalin also noted that PKK/PYD in Syria has been using the presence of ISIS pockets "here and there as a pretext to justify their military presence, their occupation of Arab towns."

When reminded about Republican Senator Lindsey Graham calling for Turkey's suspension from NATO if they attack Kurdish forces, and asked about what will be the response, Kalin said "Turkey is not attacking the Kurds."

Describing Senator Graham's statement as "very disappointing", Kalin said Turkey is "not attacking the Kurds, we are fighting against terrorist networks in Syria, which includes Daesh/ISIS, as well as PYD/YPG so, this is not a fight against the Kurds."

"There are thousands of Kurds in Syria who do not subscribe to PKK/PYD's Marxist-Leninist ideology. And it's really an irony of history that the United States has picked up a Marxist-Leninist organization in Syria as its ally," he said.

To a question whether there was a quid pro quo between the U.S. and Turkish Presidents, Kalin said there is none, and the two leaders have been talking about the safe zone.

"Remember, President Trump has wanted to pull out of Syria about eight months ago, but his security and military bureaucracy prevented him from doing this", he replied.

He also underlined that Turkey has done "much more for the Syrian people and the Syrian refugees than any other country in the world" and the country will continue to do so for them.

(…)

[04] Turkish officials reacted over US 'Trump's threats against Turkey

Turkish daily Sabah (08.10.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2019/10/08/turkey-cant-be-controlled-with-threats-vice-president-oktay-says) reported that Turkey has the determination and power to execute its own plans when it comes to national security and can't be controlled with threats, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Tuesday.

"Turkey will not accept the creation of a terror corridor or a terror state right next to its borders under no circumstances, whatever the cost," Oktay said at a university ceremony.

Oktay added that Turkey will maintain its approach for the future of the Syrians so that peace can be ensured in the region.

Oktay's comments came a day after Trump threatened to "obliterate" Turkey's economy if he considered any of Ankara's moves "off-limits."

Also, Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.10.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkish-speaker-criticizes-trumps-threat-to-turkey/1606345) reported that decrying the U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks about Turkey, the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Mustafa Sentop said that these (remarks) were related to the American domestic politics.

Maintaining that threats to Turkey does not make any sense, Sentop said that there were different comments and evaluations in Trump's tweets.

"With his tweets on Turkey, he [Trump] was directing at the U.S. domestic policy," he said, while talking to journalists in the Parliament.

Sentop said that nobody can threaten Turkey and it does not make any sense.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.10.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/trumps-threats-dont-comply-with-state-seriousness-147268) reported Turkey's opposition Good (IYI) Party leader Meral Aksener said on Oct. 8 that U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks regarding Turkey's planned safe zone operation do not comply with "state seriousness".

"[The remarks] are a paragon of insolence. Threatening the Republic of Turkey and Turkish nation, I clearly say, is a diplomatic scandal," Aksener told her party's parliamentary group.

Aksener noted that "the alliance and friendship" were seriously injured between the two countries with such kind of threats.

Aksener stressed that Turkey should give an appropriate response to Trump's remarks by defeating terrorists in northern Syria. "This is what our nation and we expect," she added.

[05] NATO General Secretary to visit Turkey

Turkish daily Yeni Safa (09.10.19-https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/nato-genel-sekreteri-stoltenberg-turkiyeye-geliyor-3509527) reports that NATO's General Secretary will carry out an official visit to Turkey on October 11.

According to a statement issued by NATO, Stoltenberg will hold official contacts in Istanbul. Stoltenberg, will meet with high level officials and later on will hold a press conference. Prior to his visit in Turkey, Stoltenberg will be visiting Italy on October 9 and Greece on October 10.

[06] German NGO employee in Turkey gets suspended sentence for insulting Erdogan

According to the Turkish minutes website (09.10.19- - https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/10/08/german-ngo-employee-in-turkey-gets-suspended-sentence-for-insulting-erdogan/), a Turkish court on Tuesday handed down a one-year suspended sentence to Aret Demirci, a German citizen of Turkish origin and an employee of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Turkey, for insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Deutsche Welle Turkish service reported.

Demirci had posted a tweet criticizing the Turkish media for not covering opposition party rallies before the 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections.

He used the term "basçalan" (thief-in-chief) in the tweet, a reference that has been used by opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu to describe President Erdogan.

Although Demirci had deleted his tweet and insisted that he was targeting the Turkish media, he was still tried on charges of insult.

A total of 26,115 people were investigated on allegations of insulting the Turkish President in 2018, a 30% increase over the previous year.

The slightest criticism is considered insult, and there has been a significant rise in the number of cases in which people inform on others claiming that they insulted the president, the government or government officials.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/ AM)

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