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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Turkey's Vice President due to the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Turkish invasion in Syria

[03] Erhurman on the "Direct Trade Regulation"

[04] Akyener: Turkey has the potential to carry out drillings anywhere in the world

[05] "Election race with UBP could put coalition government in danger", says Ozersay

[06] The "19th international Dr Fazil Kucuk sports games" started in the occupied area of Cyprus

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey's MFA condemns the trilateral summit between Egypt-RoC-Greece

[02] Erdogan: "Operation 'Peace Spring' starts in northern Syria

[03] Turkey's Defense Ministry: "Turkish troops advance into northern Syria"

[04] Turkish political parties back 'Operation Peace Spring'

[05] Turkey launches legal action against 78 people

[06] Birgun newspaper's owner detained over expressing opposition to the Peace Spring Operation

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Turkey's Vice President due to the occupied area of Cyprus

According to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Halkin Sesi (10.10.19), Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay will visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus tonight. It is reported that Oktay will visit tomorrow first the occupied village Lefka and later will have meetings with "government officials".

(DPs)

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Turkish invasion in Syria

The majority of the Turkish Cypriot Press today (10.10.19) refers to the new invasion of the Turkish army in Syria on their front page.

Under the title "Terror targets were hit", K?br?sreports that the so-called "Peace Spring Operation" was launched yesterday at 16.00 with the aim to destroy the "terror corridor", the establishment of which was allegedly attempted at Turkey's southeast border, and to create a "safe zone". YPG's positions in Resulayn were hit and Turkish F-16 bombed targets in a depth of 30 kilometers within the Syrian territory, notes the paper adding that after the "elements which constituted risk" were cleaned, the Turkish army entered into Syria by land from three points east of Euphrates.

Afrika refers to the issue under the title "No" and reports that "this time they called the operation 'Peace Spring Operation'", adding that "the invasion of Turkey to Syrian territories started with a bombardment by jets". "Kobani, which became a legend five years ago with its resistance and victory against the barbarians of the Islamic State, is also hit. According to the first assessments, civilians were dead and wounded", writes the paper.

Under the title "Turkey is at war", Havadis reports that the operation is the biggest after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and that before the Turkish land operation, PKK/YPG attacked Turkish inhabited areas close to the borders. No one was killed or injured during the attacks, adds the paper.

Yeni Duzen refers to the issue under the title "War in the name of 'peace' started".

Haberal K?br?sl? refers to an article published in the Washington Post by the Turkish Presidency's Head of Communication Office under the title "Turkey's plan must be supported".

Under the title "Peace Spring OperationStarted!" Detay reports that Turkish President Erdogan announced the beginning of the operation through his Tweeter account, alleging that the operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces together with the Syrian National Army started against PKK/YPG and DEAS "terror" in northern Syria.

Under the title "The army is in Syria against terror", Gunes notes that Erdogan, who administrates the operation together with the Turkish Defence Minister Akar argued that they would "eliminate terror". The paper reports also that self-styled prime minister Tatar and other "ministers" expressed their support to Turkey's invasion noting that their prayers are with Turkey and its army.

Other titles are the following:

Diyalog: F-16s hit first

K?br?s Postas?: Terror targets are being destroyed in the north of Syria

Yeni Bak?s: Turkish Armed Forces in Syrian territories

Volkan: Our prayers, our hearts with our army

Hakikat: Allah exists and let Him be your helper

Vatan: Peace Spring

(I/Ts.)

[03] Erhurman on the "Direct Trade Regulation"

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (10.10.19) reports that Tufan Erhurman, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has said that Turkish Cypriot "deputies" were undertaking initiatives before the political party groups at the European Parliament regarding EU's "Direct Trade Regulation" with the Turkish Cypriots.

In a post on his social media account yesterday, Erhurman noted that they found out that some Greek Cypriot political party leaders were exerting efforts for taking the regulation out of the agenda and alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has showed and will continue to show at all platforms its will in the direction of finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

He also claimed: "In conditions, however, of not being able to reach a comprehensive solution in spite of this will, no one can expect the limitations before the Turkish Cypriots' economic activities to remain as they are. The competent organs of the EU should produce a decision starting from these realities and our deputies will continue exerting an intensive effort to ensure this".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akyener: Turkey has the potential to carry out drillings anywhere in the world

Turkish Cypriot Illegal Bayrak (10.10.19, https://www.brtk.net/akyener-dunyanin-her-yerinde-sondaj-yapabilecek-potansiyeldeyiz/) broadcast that Oguzhan Akyener, Head of Turkey's Energy Strategies and Policies Research Center, has argued that no technical or economic "deficiency" remained for the operation of Turkey's seismic exploration and drilling vessels and added that Turkey had developed "national technology" as regards its drilling activities and reached the potential of being able to carry out explorations at sea anywhere in the world.

In statements to Bayrak, Akyener said that the beginning of drilling activities by Yavuz vessel at Guzelyurt 1 well [Translator's note: Morfou -1 in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone] was an important step and alleged: "The fact that after south Cyprus made some statements regarding the license in [parcel] 7, Turkey went to that area and said that I am also here is really an important step, both politically and diplomatically. Anyway Turkey shows this in every manner with the technical ability it acquired".

Akyener argued that Turkey would continue gathering seismic data in its own sea areas and in what he called "the sea areas of northern Cyprus", adding that they had really gathered important data and they had covered a "serious distance" with two seismic exploration vessels.

(I/Ts.)

[05] "Election race with UBP could put coalition government in danger", says Ozersay

According to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Diyalog (10.10.19), Kudret Ozersay – self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs - said that he will not run for "president" if he thinks he does not stand a chance of winning. He added that his party is evaluating the issue, while he hasn't decided yet for the "presidential elections".

Replying to a question in relation to the upcoming "election" in a program on Diyalog TV yesterday evening, Ozersay said that in case both himself and Ersin Tatar – "prime minister" – are candidates for the "presidential elections", then the works of the "coalition government" will be effected negatively. He explained that if both of them are "candidates" then the "coalition government" cannot continue.

(DPs)

[06] The "19th international Dr Fazil Kucuk sports games" started in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Nacak (10.10.19) reports that the "19th international Dr Fazil Kucuk sports games" started yesterday and will continue until October 28 with the participation of 350 athletes from 25 countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, self-styled prime minister Ersin Tatar claimed that the Turkish Cypriots are under embargo for political reasons and for this reason the youth cannot take part in sports events. He argued that despite all the difficulties, they are trying to break the isolation by participating to organizations and organizing events.

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey's MFA condemns the trilateral summit between Egypt-RoC-Greece

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (09.10.19-http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no292-misir-yunanistan-gkry-zirvesi-hk.en.mfa) publishes in its official website the following press release regarding the joint declaration issued following the trilateral Egypt-RoC-Greece summit:

"The joint declaration, issued following the trilateral summit between Egypt, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot administration [Translator's note: the Republic of Cyprus], held in Cairo on 8 October 2019, containing baseless claims against our country, has no meaning and value.

This declaration is the latest example of how the Greek/Greek Cypriot duo involves regional countries and instrumentalizes them into their maximalist and intransigent national policies at the expense of international law.

Since the outset of the Cyprus issue, Turkey has exerted every effort in good faith and has put forward a strong political will for a comprehensive settlement. The party who rejected the Annan Plan in 2004 and who left the table at the Cyprus Conference in Crans-Montana in 2017 is known to everyone.

The Cyprus issue will remain unsettled as long as the Greek/Greek Cypriot duo's mindset prevails which ignores the very existence of the Turkish Cypriots denies their political equality and perceiveS them as a minority. This mindset is the core reason behind the failure of every negotiation process carried out over the last 5 decades.

On the other hand, Turkey exerts every effort towards the establishment of a mutually acceptable, durable and equitable regime within the framework of international law that upholds the legitimate rights and interests of all parties in all seas, including the Mediterranean.

The maximalist policies of Greek/Greek Cypriot duo, that disregard the principle of 'equity' which is one of the most basic principles of international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in maritime boundary delimitation, have led to losses in the past against Egypt's interests regarding its maritime jurisdiction areas. Yet Egypt seems to have turned a blind eye to this abusive treatment by the Greek/Greek Cypriot duo.

Turkey will continue to protect resolutely its own rights and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey is ready to talk to all countries in the region, except the GCA, for the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean in accordance with the principle of equity. The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriots are the Turkish Cypriots. The 13 July 2019 cooperation proposal of the Turkish Cypriots is an opportunity that should be seized in order to settle the Cypriot dimension of the hydrocarbons issue.

Furthermore, we also strongly reject the baseless and distorted claims against Turkey in the Syria part of the declaration. As the most affected country from Syria-based terror, Turkey has, as is the case in the past and in the future, demonstrated once again, with the operation initiated today, that it will not hesitate to take the measures required by its national security within its rights stemming from international law. It is far from credible for those have long been serving for the separatist agenda of the terrorist organization PYD/PKK to refer to the territorial integrity of Syria. Those who are rooting for the purpose of splitting Syria over the terrorist organizations must back down at once for the well-being and the union of the Syrian society".

[02] Erdogan: "Operation 'Peace Spring' starts in northern Syria

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.10.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-troops-syrian-national-army-begin-operation-peace-spring-in-northern-syria-erdogan-147320) reported that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Oct. 9 that the Turkish troops along with the Syrian National Army have begun the 'Operation Peace Spring' against the PKK/YPG and ISIL terrorists in northern Syria.

"Our Turkish Armed Forces with Syrian National Army has started the #OperationPeaceSpring against the PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorist organizations, in northern Syria. Our aim is to wipe out the terror corridor, trying to be implemented in our southern border, and bring peace and security to the region," Erdogan said in a tweet.

"With Operation Peace Spring, we will eliminate the terror threats against our country. With the SAFE ZONE we will establish, we will provide the return of Syrian refugees to their countries. We will protect the territorial integrity of Syria and save the region's people from the claws of terror," Erdogan added.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Operation Peace Spring is being carried out under international law, the U.N. Charter and U.N. Security Council resolutions on the fight against terrorism.

Turkey informed members of the U.N. Security Council members about the Operation Peace Spring.

'Envoys of the UNSC member countries in Ankara, including the United States, were invited to the Foreign Ministry and briefed on the operation", a Foreign Ministry official said.

"The United States, the Russian Federation, England, Germany, France and Italy, NATO and the United Nations secretary general were informed about the Peace Spring Operation as of 2 p.m. local time", the Defense Ministry said in a tweet.

"The operation started at 4 p.m. local time", the ministry said in a statement, adding that the operation was launched "to provide security for our borders and prevent the formation of a terror corridor, to neutralize the terrorists and terrorist organizations that pose a threat to our national security, especially the Daesh and PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG, and to provide proper conditions for the displaced Syrians' return."

Erdogan also called leaders of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and oppositional IYI (Good) Party by phone and informed them about the operation.

Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said for his part: "Our heroic army with Operation Peace Spring will secure our borders, bring peace and stability to east of the Euphrates and ensure Syrians return home safely."

Mustafa Sentop, Turkish Parliament Speaker, said: "Operation Peace Spring commenced by Turkey aims to ensure the stability of our region that the terrorist organizations desire to sentence to chaos." "Turkey is conducting an operation with the sole aim of achieving peace. By this operation, all the people of the region shall win," he added.

Sentop also said: "Turkey has used all means of solution and negotiation against the threat of terror, but the terror groups formed in the south of Turkey have continued with their activities." "The sole purpose of the commenced operation is to eliminate the threat of terror against Turkey," he added.

(…)Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (09.10.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/10/09/turkeys-syria-operation-will-contribute-to-stability-in-region-erdogan-tells-putin) reported that Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed Turkey's planned anti-terror operation in northeastern Syria and the safe zone in a phone call, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

In the call, Erdogan told Putin that the operation to the east of the Euphrates would contribute to peace and stability in Syria and pave the way for the political process to resolve the conflict in the country.

Highlighting that Turkey prioritizes the protection of Syrian people's rights and interests, Erdogan said he appreciates Russia's constructive stance regarding the matter.

Turkey has launched Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria's territorial integrity.

Turkey has said the terrorist group PKK and its extension the YPG/PYD constitute the biggest threat to Syria's future, jeopardizing the country's territorial integrity and unitary structure.

Ankara has also stressed that supporting terrorists under the pretext of fighting Daesh is unacceptable.

Turkey has a 911-kilometer (566-mile) border with Syria and it has long decried the threat from terrorists east of the Euphrates and the formation of a "terrorist corridor" there.

Turkey plans to resettle 2 million Syrians in a 30-km-wide (19-mi) safe zone to be set up in Syria, stretching from the Euphrates River to the Iraqi border, including Manbij. However, the presence of terror groups such as the PKK, PYD, and YPG risk its formation.

Turkey has rid an area of 4,000 square km (1,544 square miles) in Syria of terrorist groups in two separate cross-border operations. Since 2016, Turkey has conducted two major military operations in northwestern Syria -- Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch -- to purge the region of the terrorist groups Daesh and the YPG, which is the Syrian branch of the terrorist group PKK.

The two operations were in line with the country's right to self-defense borne out of international law, UN Security Council resolutions, especially no. 1624 (2005), 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014), and under the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while being respectful of Syria's territorial integrity.

[03] Turkey's Defense Ministry: "Turkish troops advance into northern Syria"

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily news (10.10.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-troops-advance-into-northern-syria-147325) reports that Turkey's Defense Ministry said early on October 10 that the Turkish troops are continuing their advance into northern Syria following a ground offensive launched as part of Operation Peace Spring. "Our heroic commandos who are participating in Operation Peace Spring continue to advance [into the region] east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria," the Ministry said on Twitter.

Turkey launched the operation on Oct.9 to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria's territorial integrity.

In the first hours of the operation, Turkish jets shelled 181 posts belonging to the terrorist organizations in northeast Syria, the Defense Ministry said late on Wednesday.

By Wednesday evening, Turkish fighter jets had struck targets of the People's Protection Units (YPG) terror group 30 kilometers deep into Syria, according to the official Anadolu Agency. Turkish forces reportedly advanced up to 25 kilometers near Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn, destroying YPG ammunition.

The Defense Ministry said that the Turkish forces are taking great care not to harm civilians and allied troops in the area.

"Our army continues its fight against terrorists, while its main priority is to protect civilians from harm," Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter, touching on the purpose of the operation.

"Turkey, acting within the framework of its rights arising from international law and the 'right of self-defense' set out in the UN Charter, is determined to drain the swamp of terror that threatens our borders and poses a threat to the whole world.

"It is our greatest expectation that the world public opinion will have the same determination in the fight against terrorist organizations," Oktay said.

[04] Turkish political parties back 'Operation Peace Spring'

Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.10.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-political-parties-back-operation-peace-spring/1607608) reports that the Turkish political parties expressed their support on Wednesday behind the newly-launched Operation Peace Spring in areas controlled by the YPG/PKK terrorist group east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.

Turkey will both establish a safe zone in northern Syria as well as peace, tranquility and stability in the region with Operation Peace Spring, which is strictly in line with international law and legitimacy standards, said Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli on Wednesday in a written statement.

Bahceli underlined that Turkey launched the operation to neutralize treacherous and separatist organizations that seriously threaten Turkey's survival and national existence.

"May Allah bless and bestow triumph upon our children," said main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Twitter. Kilicdaroglu expressed hope that Turkish soldiers successfully complete Operation Peace Spring without injury.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, the leader of the Grand Unity Party (BBP) wished victory for the Turkish soldiers in the operation. "The aim of this operation is to ensure our border security, and eliminate the terror threat coming from Syria," said Mustafa Destici. "The operation also aims to contribute to regional peace, he said.

"Our proposed solution in the region is for Daesh militants to be sent to whichever country they are a citizen of. They are currently in the hands of the U.S.," he said.

"I hope our soldiers return home safely and peace prevails in our region as soon as possible," said opposition Saadet (Felicity) Party leader Temel Karamollaoglu on Twitter. Karamollaoglu also wished success to the Turkish army, and insight and tenacity to Turkey.

Also, another opposition party, Good (IYI) Party, leader underlined that Turkey's military struggle in Syria must be boosted by diplomacy. "May Allah grant the Turkish troop success as soon as possible," Meral Aksener said.

In a statement, Free Cause Party (HUDAPAR) said the operation is "not a Turkish-Kurdish war". "PKK/YPG have never fought for Kurds," the statement added.

[05] Turkey launches legal action against 78 people

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.10.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-launches-legal-action-against-78-people-147332) reports that the Turkish police launched legal action on Oct. 9 against 78 people for inciting hatred through a smear campaign on social media against Turkey's Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, said Turkish security forces.

"We will continue our fight against crime and criminals in every field as well as in the virtual environment," the Turkish Security General Directorate said in a statement.

(…)

[06] Birgun newspaper's owner detained over expressing opposition to the Peace Spring Operation

Turkish daily Sozcu (10.10.19-https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2019/gundem/birgun-gazetesinin-internet-sorumlusu-gozaltina-alindi-5381206/) reports that the Istanbul Attorney General's office ordered the detention of Hakan Demir, owner of the online newspaper Birgun, since the paper in its social media account condemned the Peace Spring Operation by writing the following: "Do not provoke people with blood and hatred".

Legal investigation was launched against Demir, writes the paper.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/ EH)

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