Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-18

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The importance of ECO's decision for the breakaway regime is underlined

[02] Bagis: EU's demand from Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus main problem on their relations

[03] Kucuk: the economic program will increase people's prosperity

[04] Eroglu says he does not support Turkey's economic program for the breakaway regime

[05] More statements by Kasif on Turkey's interference to the forthcoming UBP congress

[06] Reactions by Turkish Cypriot political parties towards Turkey's interference to the UBP congress continue

[07] Avci leaves open the possibility of returning to UBP

[08] The so-callled ministerial council approves the tender for illegal Tymbou airport

[09] Breakaway regime in contact with UN officials over alleged increase in Turkish Cypriot drivers' harassment

[10] The chairwoman of the Global Taekwondo Federation met with Eroglu and Kucuk

[11] "Russia to target Turkey with anti-aircraft missiles"

[12] European court rules against Turkey in prisoner abuse case

[13] Turkish government reportedly declined US offer to use its state of the art military technology to hunt down the military leaders of the PKK

[14] Turkish-US Investment Conference to take place in New York on October 19

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The importance of ECO's decision for the breakaway regime is underlined

The paper publishes statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, the self-styled minister of finance, Ersin Tatar and the so-called foreign minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun.

In statements after returning from Azerbaijan, Erdogan pointed out to the importance of the observer status granted to the regime and added that the "TRNC" had not this status before. Describing this as "important step, Erdogan expressed his satisfaction with this development. He added that ECO is an important organization from the point of view of turning economic cooperation and development in the area into an institution. He said that at the summit they discussed issues such as trade, economy, investment, transport, agriculture, energy, education, health and organized crime.

Furthermore, self-styled foreign minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun issued a written statement yesterday noting that the decision will contribute in the development of their relations with the other member-states, in achieving mutual cooperation and in the "TRNC" making its voice heard loudly in the organization. He said that his "ministry" has been regularly participating in the technical meetings of ECO since 1993 and that the regime was accepted as "observer" as a result of "intensive and multilateral efforts" by his "ministry". He said that an official application with his own signature had been made to the general secretary of the organization asking for the "observer status".

On his part, Irsen Kucuk, speaking at the meeting of the "council of ministers" yesterday, said that this decision was important and thanked Erdogan and the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu for this decision.

Moreover, in statements to Haberdar, Ersin Tatar also thanked Erdogan and Davutoglu, arguing that this decision is a historic opportunity for the regime and a possibility for the economy to achieve a great development. He said that at the Summit in Baku, they met in various occasions with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. He reiterated that the decision was taken after Iran's reservations were overcome due to Turkey's contribution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Bagis: EU's demand from Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus main problem on their relations

He alleged that the main reason the relations between Turkey and the European Union are not at the desired level was the EU's demand from Turkey to establish relations with the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus.

He also criticized the block for setting the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as a precondition for Turkey's EU membership process.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot said yes to the Annan Plan with a majority of votes in the 2004 referendum, and said that the Greek Cypriot side had rejected the plan. "Although the EU leaders and the European Council took a decision for removing the unjust isolations on the TRNC after the referendum, the decision had not yet been implemented", he alleged.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.10.12) reporting on the same issue writes that Bagis said that Turkey describes its European Union accession bid as "a strategic choice," and added it is committed to become the first Muslim member of the 27-member club. However, he said that Turks have dramatically grown less eager to join in.

Bagis cited strict visa policy on Turks as one reason to the diminishing confidence they have in the EU, saying, "even Brazilian citizens can travel freely in the Union without a Schengen visa while nationals of a candidate country are denied the same right."

The Turkish minister said the Cyprus problem was used by several EU countries to block Turkey's accession talks, adding 17 of 33 chapters in policy areas could not open due to political reasons.

[03] Kucuk: the economic program will increase people's prosperity

Kucuk addressed the "people" last night through all the local television stations and said that "the main target of our program is to create a TRNC which stands on its own feet, and increase our people's level of prosperity".

Kucuk noted that they are not alone in this journey and that they know that they have the support of the Turkish government. He went on and strongly criticized those, who allegedly try to create an environment that harms the relations with the "motherland", by expressing dissatisfaction from some statements, for the sake of personal or party interests or for some "official posts".

Kucuk argued that they will insistently work for a strong "TRNC", even though they are allegedly under "embargoes". He said that the reason of this address was to share with the "people" his enthusiasm, excitement and joy. Kucuk argued that his joy "peaked" by seeing the step by step materialization of the project of transferring water and electricity from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, by watching the "huge" illegal airport in Tymvou, the completion of the project of occupied Lefkosia's peripheral high way within the framework of "Lefkosia Master Plan" and by bringing the "2013-2015 Economic Program" to the stage of the signatures.

Moreover, Kucuk referred to the sectors of tourism and education in the occupied area of Cyprus and said that the number of students in their illegal universities reached 50 thousand, the number of tourists reached one million and the income from tourism approached one billion.

He also said the following on tourism: "The application by foreign investors to make investments in our country in the field of tourism, the fact that they consider our country as centre of attraction, is good news for the future of this sector. Last year, when charter flights from 13 countries were materialized, the number of tourists from the Republic of Turkey doubled and an increase of 60% was achieved in the number of tourists from third countries".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu says he does not support Turkey's economic program for the breakaway regime

"I have not seen the economic program. I have no information about it. And since I have no information, I have no support towards it", he stated. "However, I do not think that it is a program which will meet the expectations of the Turkish Cypriots", Eroglu stated.

Referring on the forthcoming UBP election congress to be held on Sunday, Eroglu reiterated that he support Ahmet Kasif and that he has a right to vote in the congress and he will vote for Kasif. Referring to Irsen Kucuk, Eroglu said that he supported him in the last congress but he was "unsuccessful".

He also accused Kucuk of humiliating the party and making it smaller and wondered about the sources of the money that are spent daily for dinner and cocktail parties by UBP in support for Kucuk's candidacy. "This must be put under investigation", he stated.

[05] More statements by Kasif on Turkey's interference to the forthcoming UBP congress

According to statements made yesterday by Kasif through his press office, Kasif alleged that neither the Turkish Cypriot "people" nor the UBP's grassroots want Kucuk to continue to be the chairman of UBP and Prime Minister as well. Kasif added the following: "If with the systematic interference which is continuing for months, the threats, the pressure and the promises the goal is to mortgage the will of UBP delegates, the honourable and self-conscious UBP delegates will not be spoiled with this dirty game".

Expressing his sympathy and gratitude to "motherland" Turkey and the officials of the Turkish government, Kasif supported that Kucuk is the most unsuccessful "prime minister" in history, adding that he achieved to disjoint the party in the name of stability. He also said that neither the "country" nor the party is possible to gain advantages from Kucuk and added that this is a reality that is not possible to change.

Kasif continue and said that he will be the winner at the forthcoming UBP congress. He said also that he will establish brother ship relations between Turkey and the "TRNC", based on mutual sympathy and respect.

Meanwhile, commenting on Kasif's statements on Turkey's interference, the chairman of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici expressed criticism to Kasif accusing him for not speaking for years about this interference. "Kasif spoke about interference as if that interference is happening only today", Cakici said.

(AK)

[06] Reactions by Turkish Cypriot political parties towards Turkey's interference to the UBP congress continue

According to the written statement, Izcan pointed out that Ankara' governments were interfering to the internal affairs for years and added that this is not something new that happening.

Izcan continued and said that neither the "prime minister", nor Ahmet Kasif and Dervis Eroglu have anything to offer to the Turkish Cypriot community. "They only want to protect their self-interests and all of them approve the projects of AKP to exterminate the Turkish Cypriots".

Also, under the title: "The independence is the most important element for the existence of a state", Yeni Duzen reports on statements by the secretary-general of the Democratic Party (DP) Bengu Sonya who, in a written statement yesterday, said that several governments who were in power in Turkey occasionally, were interfering to the occupation regime's internal affairs, and said that this is unacceptable.

Pointing out that independence is one of the most important elements of a state to be, Sonya stressed also the need for the ties between Turkey and the "TRNC" to be based on mutual respect and loyalty. He also stressed the need for this kind of efforts to be ended, no matter who will be elected in power in the "TRNC" and who will be in power in Turkey, as he said.

(AK )

[07] Avci leaves open the possibility of returning to UBP

Replying to a question during an interview with Kibris TV, Avci noted: "If a call in this direction comes to us, we will discuss it at our competent organs and take a decision. The country needs unity and solidarity".

Avci said that some persons within the UBP continuously give negative messages on the issue of being unified with the ORP and gave as example statements made by Hasan Tacoy. "However, ORP had given a vote of confidence to the government of which Mr Tacoy was a member", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The so-called ministerial council approves the tender for illegal Tymvou airport

(AK)

[09] Breakaway regime in contact with UN officials over alleged increase in Turkish Cypriot drivers' harassment

Ozgurgun met with a joint delegation from the "Turkish Cypriot Tourism and Travel Agencies Association", the "United Taxi Drivers' Union" and the "Car Renters Association" who conveyed the problems that commercial vehicles registered in the breakaway regime allegedly faced in the free area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking during the visit, Ozgurgun said that the "government" was informed over the issue and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side "is taking steps at every opportunity to mistreat and victimize the Turkish Cypriots" and called on Greek Cypriot leadership "to put an end to its hostile and aggressive stance towards Turkish Cypriots".

He said that all necessary measures will be taken in the event such incidents continue. He also alleged that Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markulli had lately been voicing with great pride of the Greek Cypriot side's attempts to foil a proposal brought before the EU Commission aimed at paving the way for direct trade between the breakaway regime and the EU.

"It is not difficult to guess who are organizing or backing the Greek Cypriot police and fanatics who, sometimes through the use of violent methods, harass and try to prevent Cyprus Turkish commercial vehicles from operating in south Cyprus" he alleged.

[10] The chairwoman of the Global Taekwondo Federation met with Eroglu and Kucuk

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu expressed the belief that with the support of their close friends they will achieve the lifting of the so-called embargoes.

Expressing his gratitude to the chairwoman of the Global Taekwondo Federation Linda Park for her support towards the issue of the lifting of the sport embargoes which are imposed to the "TRNC", Eroglu pointed out that the fact that the 2013 World Taekwondo Championship is to take place in the "TRNC", gives important messages both to their neighbours and abroad.

In his turn, Linda Park expressed her pleasure for visiting the occupation regime and said that with the organization of the World Taekwondo Championship in the "TRNC", they wanted to underline the sport "embargoes" which are imposed to the "TRNC".

Expressing her opposition to the "embargoes2 which are imposed not only in the "TRNC" but also in all the other places of the world, Park said that they received a lot of letters and messages for the cancellation of the "World Championship" in the "TRNC", and added that even thought, they did not gave up from their decision.

Also, speaking during the meeting, the chairman of the "TRNC Olympic Committee", Eyup Zafer Gokbilen said that the World Taekwondo Championship is to be launched tomorrow and will last for three days. He added that a total of 450 athletes from 11 countries will participate to the Championship. The countries are the following: "TRNC", Turkey, Germany, Russia, Moldova, Iran, Iraq, Belarus, Ukraine and Armenia.

Gokbilen further said that despite of the efforts exerted by the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus to cancel the Championship, Linda Park guaranteed that the "championship" will take place.

Meanwhile, the chairwoman of the Global Taekwondo Federation, Linda Park met also yesterday with the so-called prime minister, Irsen Kucuk.

Speaking during the meeting, Kucuk pointed out that the "TRNC" is a constitutional and democratic foundation which is not recognized due to political reasons and added that he cannot understand the imposing of sport "embargoes" to the "TRNC".

Stressing the importance of Park's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Kucuk thanked her also for her support and her insistence for the "championship" to take place in the "TRNC" and added that all events which are organized in the "TRNC", contribute to the promotion of the "country" abroad.

Also, in her statements during the meeting, Park expressed her determination for the "World Championship" which is to take place in the "TRNC" next year. She added that she has received a lot of letters from the "Greek Cypriot administration" which aims to prevent the "championship" and stated: "I have said that this championship will be organized and that sports could not be mixed with politics".

(AK )

[11] "Russia to target Turkey with anti-aircraft missiles"

The installation will be completed by the end of this year, said Russian Col. Igor Gorbul, adding that the S-400 anti-aircraft missiles were capable of destroying all types of airplanes, as well as ultra-stratospheric and ballistic missiles.

Turkish-Russian tensions rose last week after Ankara forced down a Syrian passenger plane en route from Moscow to Damascus on suspicions that it was carrying weapons, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov moved to defuse tensions by saying the country's bilateral relationship would not be damaged by the incident.

[12] European court rules against Turkey in prisoner abuse case

Thirty-two-year-old Eylem Bas, an inmate serving life in Gebze Prison after being convicted of membership in an illegal armed organization and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, took the Turkish government to the European court claiming physical and sexual abuse while in police custody at the K?r?kkale Police Station in 2004, when she was initially arrested.

Bas's application to the court was logged on March 12, 2007.

The court found Turkey guilty of violating Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which states "no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," and based its ruling on Turkish authorities' failure to properly investigate the case.

[13] Turkish government reportedly declined US offer to use its state of the art military technology to hunt down the military leaders of the PKK

Ricciardone made these statements responding to questions from Turkish journalists during a press conference in Ankara on October 16 and said that the U.S. had offered the Turkish government its state of the art military technology to hunt down the military leaders of the PKK. However, the Turkish government declined, saying it would continue fighting the PKK "on the basis of its laws and experiences."

The paper writes that when asked the same day, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that he had turned down the offer on a rather technical basis. "Bin Laden was caught in a house" he said, recalling the U.S. commando raid on a house near the Pakistani capital Islamabad on May 2, 2011. "But the struggle here is in mountainous geography". (We can assume that the offer was made within the last year-and-a-half.)

Commenting on the issue, Murat Yetkin writes in Hurriyet Daily News the following:

"[?] As far as has been revealed up to now, this is the second secret offer of assistance by the U.S. against the PKK. The PKK has waged an armed campaign for an independent Kurdish state carved out of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria, which has claimed over 40,000 lives over the last three decades. The first offer was in 1999, when Abdullah Ocalan, the founding leader of the PKK, was on run and seeking to hide in European capitals (Athens, Moscow and Rome) like a loose mine. This was after he had been expelled from Syria in 1998 upon Ankara's threatening Damascus with use of force. It was during President Bill Clinton's term, and the CIA had offered its Turkish counterpart MIT help in hunting Ocalan down. Then-Turkish President Suleyman Demirel welcomed the offer, and on Feb. 15, 1999 Ocalan was captured at the Greek Embassy in Nairobi, brought to Turkey, tried, sentenced to life, and put in a special prison on Imral? Island, south of Istanbul.

There are two questions to be answered: The second one is, why did the U.S. reveal this secret offer, knowing that it would put Turkish government in a difficult position? An answer to this question could partly be found between the lines of what Ricciardone said. Apparently, complaints from Turkey - especially the recent statements of General Necdet Ozel, the Turkish Chief of General Staff - upset the U.S. administration, which underlines the importance of sharing intelligence. Perhaps the U.S. does not want the PKK issue to be discussed over its head on the eve of consecutive elections in Turkey - if you reveal a secret, you can reveal more.

But there is still no satisfying answer to the first question: Why on earth did the Turkish government turn down this offer of assistance against the PKK?".

[14] Turkish-US Investment Conference to take place in New York on October 19

In a statement released, DEIK said that investment conferences under the umbrella of DEIK/World Turkish Business Council (DTIK) had taken place in the past in Turkey, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Japan, China and United Kingdom.

A Turkish gong will ring at the New York Stock Exchange as part of the investment conference on October 19.

Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, high level DEIK and DTIK officials, around 250 businesspeople from all corners of the United States, and all Turkish trade counsellors, Turkish consul generals and Turkish ambassador in Washington will attend the New York meeting. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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