Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-06

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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] Nami: we are not at the point of discussing the territory which is a sensitive issue that directly concerns people's lives

[02] Eroglu continues trying to give the impression that he wants a solution in Cyprus

[03] Denktas: "We will have a national airline at all events; Turkish teams should come to Cyprus through Tymvou"

[04] Turkish Cypriot businessmen will hold contacts in the Netherlands, Belgium and France

[05] MUSIAD calls on Turkish Cypriot businessmen to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina

[06] Association of Turkish Confederations asked from Nigeria to recognize the breakaway regime

[07] Illegal GAU will host an international symposium on architecture in 2014

[08] Kasif participated in the 2nd International Maritime and Communication Council in Turkey

[09] More than 2.300 persons were granted the "TRNC citizenship" in the period 2009-2013

[10] Erdogan's contacts on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting; controversial reports whatever he met or not with Obama

[11] Turkish FM meets his German, French and South Korean counterparts

[12] PKK's military leader announces suspension of withdrawal

[13] Turkish-Israeli normalization talks could be completed at any time

[14] Prosecutor seeks life for alleged murderers of Gezi protester

[15] Lira hits record low

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami: we are not at the point of discussing the territory which is a sensitive issue that directly concerns people's lives

Arguing that putting preconditions before the commencement of the talks at the level of the leaders, was not in harmony with the spirit of the negotiations.

Nami claimed that everybody should know that the negotiations are not at the point they had started and expressed the hope that they will continue from the point they were left.

He argued that the territory is a sensitive issue which directly concerns the lives of the people and added that "it would not be a realistic stance to allege that we have come to the point of discussing the territory". Nami alleged that we are not at the point of discussing the map in the chapter of the territory and claimed that "there are procedures which we should overcome in order to be able to come to that point". He added: "The chapter we call 'the territory' consists of many subchapters. The map is its very last stage. We understand the sensitivities of the Greek Cypriot side on this issue, but we are not obliged to share all their assessments".

Replying to a question on the island's hydrocarbon resources, Nami said that the point to which this issue has reached proves the necessity for finding a solution in Cyprus and wished for the island's natural resources to speed up the peace process. Noting that he was not surprised by the steps taken by the Greek Cypriot side on this issue, he said he wanted to warn that putting forward issues to which the other side could highly react would not affect positively the negotiating process which is expected to start in October. He recalled that the natural resources belong to the whole of Cyprus and called on the Greek Cypriot side to respect this.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu continues trying to give the impression that he wants a solution in Cyprus

In statements yesterday during the celebrations on the occasion of the occupation of Limnitis area, Eroglu allegedly made a call on the Greek Cypriot side saying: "Let them come and let us agree on a timetable and, by putting an end now to the Cyprus issue, let us become an example for our region in which conflicts never stop". Eroglu claimed that if delaying tactics are not used and the intention is to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, the solution would gain acceleration.

He added: "We are ready for this as well. Let us sit at the table as guarantor powers, Turkey, Greece and Britain and as Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides and let us head towards a solution. We are ready for securing progress in the negotiations through give and take, but we will never agree to enforcements made beforehand saying 'first you should give this, then we want that and if these happen, we will sit at the table'".

Eroglu reiterated the allegation that he is ready to resume the negotiations with President Anastasiades from the point they were left with former President Christofias, reach a result soon and sign an agreement in 2014. "Not accepting to start from the point we were left, and giving messages saying that 'first the Turks should give territory' is tantamount to not wanting a solution, and running away from the table", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Denktas: "We will have a national airline at all events; Turkish teams should come to Cyprus through Tymvou"

In statements to Turkish Cypriot Genc TV the night before yesterday, Denktas reiterated also the view that the tender for illegal Tymvou airport should be rejected and added: "We have held a preparatory contact for now and I asked for a meeting. The only thing I want is for the sole airport of the state to remain to the state".

Denktas said that a new Turkish Cypriot airline will be established and noted: "The Turkish Cypriot airline (KTHY) will be established again. Its name might not be KTHY. Our target is a company named 'Cyprus Turkish Airlines International'. But could it be another name? Yes, it could, but at all events we will have a national airline".

Asked about the policy they will follow on the issue of the so-called embargoes in the field of sports allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots, Denktas responded that they do not have infrastructure and motivation, adding that they will try to attract "sports tourism" to the occupied area of the island and activities such as training matches and training seminars.

Noting that the way of the Turkish Cypriots in individual sports is open, Denktas said: "We have to demand the following from Turkey: Will you participate in sports activities in the south [Translator's note: this is how he describes the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus]? Come from Tymvou airport. Let us enforce this door. When the Greek Cypriots do not give permission, let us show to the world how the Greek Cypriots cause pain to our youth. We can multiply these examples".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkish Cypriot businessmen will hold contacts in the Netherlands, Belgium and France

The delegation will visit Belgium on 11 September and meet with the Belgian Federation of Active Entrepreneurs (BETIAD). It will visit the European Parliament and firms that produce and export goods.

KTIAK delegation will depart for France on 13 September in order to have a meeting with France's Association of Active Turkish Businessmen (FATIAD).

The chairman of KTIAK, Ilker Zugurt told Kibris that it is the first time that a civilian organization will hold a visit to Europe at that level and expressed the belief that the benefits of this visit will be seen in the future.

(I/Ts.)

[05] MUSIAD calls on Turkish Cypriot businessmen to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina

(I/Ts.)

[06] Association of Turkish Confederations asked from Nigeria to recognize the breakaway regime

In a joint press conference following the meeting, Atasoy stated that Nigeria must recognize the breakaway regime alleging that two states and two peoples exist in Cyprus. She also asked from the Nigerian people to support the "independence struggle" of the "TRNC".

On his part Oumarau stated that Cyprus problem is an important problem and said that on his return to Nigeria he will inform the government on his meeting with Atasoy, adding that they will visit the breakaway regime in order to establish a dialogue.

[07] Illegal GAU will host an international symposium on architecture in 2014

The symposium will be jointly organized by "GAU", Istanbul's Yildiz Technical University and Qatar University between 23 and 25 October, 2014.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Kasif participated in the 2nd International Maritime and Communication Council in Turkey

The paper writes that 25 ministers are participating in the conference and adds that Kasif delivered a speech during the meeting. Kasif expressed the belief that a strong basis will be put for the development of communications in the breakaway regime, with the support that the countries which participated in the meeting will offer to "TRNC".

[09] More than 2.300 persons were granted the "TRNC citizenship" in the period 2009-2013

Yucel said that in the period 2004-2009, 97 persons were granted the "TRNC citizenship" while in the period 2009-2013, 2.377 persons were granted the "citizenship".

[10] Erdogan's contacts on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting; controversial reports whatever he met or not with Obama

Turkish daily Sabah reports on the issue and writes that Erdogan held a 45 meeting with the French President Francois Hollande prior to the meeting's launching. The main issue of the meeting was Syria, writes the paper and adds that the two men agreed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's recent chemical weapons attack in Damascus suburb "should not go unpunished" and that a military intervention in Syria is necessary.

According to Sabah, Erdogan presented Hollande with evidence about the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. On his part, Hollande said France attaches great importance to bilateral relations with Turkey and that he wanted to pay a visit to Turkey as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Economy Minister Mehmet Simsek, Prime Ministry Undersecretary Efkan Ala and the Prime Minister's advisor, Ibrahim Kalin, were also present at the meeting.

Erdogan also held talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines of the summit.

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News reported that Erdogan discussed the Syrian crisis with U.S. President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a G-20 Summit.

The short meeting came after a working dinner on the latest developments in Syria between the leaders attending the summit. The talks were in haste and both leaders agreed to hold another t?te-?-t?te meeting on Sept. 6, according to the paper.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish daily Cumhuriyet writes that Obama did not make an appointment for a meeting with Erdogan. The paper writes that neither the Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to see Erdogan.

[11] Turkish FM meets his German, French and South Korean counterparts

According to diplomatic sources, Davutoglu met with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius during G-20 Summit which has been held in Strelna town of Russia's St. Petersburg as a follow-up meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Francois Hollande.

Bilateral ties and regional issues were discussed between two foreign ministers within the framework of latest and upcoming developments in Syria.

At the meeting, Fabius said, the use of chemical weapon as a crime against humanity must not be left as unanswered. Davutoglu also met with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle and besides bilateral ties, the ministers discussed the report which was prepared by a committee of German Parliament regarding National Socialist Underground (NSU) murders.

Davutoglu and Westerwelle also talked about the latest developments in Syria and democratic transition in Egypt.

Later on, Davutoglu met with his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se to evaluate all aspects of Turkey-South Korea relations. Davutoglu is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov today.

[12] PKK's military leader announces suspension of withdrawal

Bayik recently called on the Turkish government to take the steps negotiated during the settlement process, saying Sept. 1 was the deadline. Speaking to a pro-Kurdish news agency on Thursday, Bayik claimed the Turkish government had not taken the agreed-upon steps and the terrorist organization has been "betrayed."

"The Turkish government has not yet acted. This shows that they are not after a solution. We will defend ourselves. We're stopping the withdrawal. If they attack, we'll defend ourselves. If they intensify their attacks, we'll send back the groups which were withdrawn to South Kurdistan [northern Iraq]," Bayik said.

Speaking to Rohani TV last week, Bayik said the cease-fire between Turkey and the PKK would be broken if the government failed to take action before Sept. 1. "Kurdish people will defend themselves against any danger," Bayik stated, noting that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned on an island since his capture in 1999, is calling for democratization efforts for the second phase of the settlement process.

Earlier last month, one of the chiefs of the PKK had said that if the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) continues to behave the same way it has been in the past few months, the ongoing settlement process might be irrevocably damaged.

[13] Turkish-Israeli normalization talks could be completed at any time

"This should not surprise anyone," the official, who spoke this week on condition of anonymity, said of a possible breakthrough in the normalization process. "I do not see any political obstacle standing in the way of normalization," the official said.

Turkish and Israeli officials began talks in April on compensation for families of victims of an Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound aid ship the Mavi Marmara in May 2010, one of the Turkish conditions for restoring relations with Israel. The talks followed a US-brokered telephone conversation between the Turkish and Israeli Prime Ministers in March, during which Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accepted an Israeli apology for mistakes during the Mavi Marmara raid.

Turkey withdrew its ambassador from Israel and expelled the Israeli ambassador in Ankara after the Mavi Marmara raid, demanding a formal apology, compensation for families of the victims and the lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza to restore ties.

[14] Prosecutor seeks life for alleged murderers of Gezi protester