Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-16

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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] Davutoglu: Varosha is not currently on Turkey's agenda

[02] Nami meets Davutoglu in Ankara; He says Varosha is not on the agenda; Davutoglu wishes for the "TRNC" to live forever

[03] Yorgancioglu: Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution; Ertug is in NY

[04] Ozgurgun opposes the opening of occupied Varosha before Cyprus settlement

[05] TDP: Varosha must be returned to its owners; Talat: I am not against the opening of Varosha; YKP: Let's start from Varosha for a solution

[06] Turkish Cypriot businessmen continued their contacts in Europe

[07] Turkish company offers Israel to build pipeline

[08] Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation sent congratulation letters to the new "government"

[09] Ozgur: Revision of the economic protocol can come into the agenda

[10] Self-styled health minister is participating in the WHO Europe meeting in Izmir

[11] First day of school in occupied Cyprus

[12] Turkey wants from US 'Plan B' for Syria

[13] AKP hires thousands for new social media campaign

[14] Intense use of tear gas blamed in death of man during protests in Istanbul

[15] New mosque project on the way for Princes' Islands

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: Varosha is not currently on Turkey's agenda

Downer evaluated his contacts in Cyprus as fruitful and repeated the UN's desire to see the Cyprus problem solved within a few months following the resume of negotiations in October, reports say.

Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu for his part reiterated Turkey's support to a settlement in Cyprus but said that the Turkish side is running out of patience.

"A 50-year-old problem can't remain unsolved. Turkey's expectations on the solution of the Cyprus problem correspond to that of the United Nations" Davutoglu said.

According to diplomatic sources, Davutoglu also made it clear that Varosha is not currently on Turkey's agenda, since the issue can only be resolved within the framework of an ultimate solution to the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 14.09.13), under the title "Varosha 'non-starter' for talks over Cyprus", reported that a Turkish diplomat, commenting on the Davutoglu-Downer meeting, told the paper "Neither the U.N., nor us want the talks be open-ended. But bringing a deadline to the negotiations is not on the table, since the Greek side rejects such a timetable."

[02] Nami meets Davutoglu in Ankara; He says Varosha is not on the agenda; Davutoglu wishes for the "TRNC" to live forever

Davutoglu said he hopes that the Greek Cypriots will not allegedly lose this opportunity for a solution and added: "The Republic of Turkey will always be by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC, in every minute and every condition?Your peace, tranquility, prosperity and security is tantamount to our peace, tranquility, prosperity and security".

Referring to his meeting on Friday with the UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer in Ankara, Davutoglu said that they discussed steps which will be taken in the context of the Cyprus negotiations. He added: "From this point of view, meeting with you was well-timed. We congratulate you. I wish that the TRNC will live forever with its beautiful flag?"

On his part, Nami said that he held his first visit abroad to Turkey according to the existing tradition and added that continuing this tradition was an honor and joy for him. He noted that they will continue their close consultations and cooperation and added: "The Turkish Cypriot people demand that their status in the world is clarified now. This uncertainty should not continue. We have a very important wish, demand and desire to be unified with the world. We want the world to listen to this now?We want a federal solution to be definitely established in Cyprus. All our efforts are in this direction, but of course this will be possible with a positive response by the other side?"

In statements to illegal TAK news agency after his one-hour long meeting with Davutoglu, Nami said they discussed the developments in the Cyprus problem and the road they will follow from now on. He noted that they assessed how their cooperation will be and added that he will be in New York on 22 September together with the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu. He pointed out that they decided that they will meet with Davutoglu there and continue exchanging views.

Asked whether they discussed the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha with Davutoglu, Nami said: "There is not an agenda called Varosha. We agree with Turkey on the issue of Varosha being a part of the comprehensive solution".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Yorgancioglu: Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution; Ertug is in NY

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, Yorgancioglu said they held a fruitful meeting with Eroglu where they exchanged views on how the "government" can contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Upon being asked on the occupied fenced town of Varosha, Yorgancioglu shared Eroglu's view that occupied Varosha can only be part of a comprehensive settlement. He added: "We don't have any concrete information on the Greek Cypriot side's proposal regarding Varosha. We have been informed verbally but there is no written demand on the issue".

Meanwhile, the Eroglu's special representative Osman Ertug flew to New York on Sunday to prepare the ground for Eroglu's contacts to be held within the framework of the UN General Assembly meetings at the end of this month.

During his contacts in New York, Eroglu will be accompanied by Ozdil Nami.

[04] Ozgurgun opposes the opening of occupied Varosha before Cyprus settlement

In a written statement, Ozgurgun said the non-solution in Cyprus continues because of the reportedly Greek Cypriot side's reluctant and insincere stance.

"We expect the negotiations to be re-launched in October but the Greek Cypriot side continues to present a stance far away from good will. The Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades avoided a leaders' meeting before the negotiations are launched, and this is a sign that despite our hopeful stance, the negotiations will enter into a difficult process", Ozgurgun claimed.

He argued that the Greek Cypriot side's demand on the immediate return of occupied Varosha to its former owners and the opening of the occupied port of Famagusta to trade under the EU's supervision actually proves the Greek Cypriot side's real intention.

[05] TDP: Varosha must be returned to its owners; Talat: I am not against the opening of Varosha; YKP: Let's start from Varosha for a solution

Ozyigit noted that his party sees the opening of Varosha as an important step towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and not as an obstacle and added that they will support every step taken on this issue.

Ozyigit recalled that the UN Secretary-General has submitted to the sides a 77-page document in which he notes the issues on which the sides agreed, the issues on which they reached close to an agreement and the issues on which they are too far from agreeing. He argued that ignoring all these and starting from the scratch would not be a correct approach.

Meanwhile, Ortam (15.09.13) reported that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has stated that he had never been against the opening of the occupied fenced city of Varosha, but "it should be known that Varosha is a very difficult issue". In statements to a TV station, Talat alleged that perhaps the solution of the Cyprus problem could be easier than the issue of Varosha, and added that he thinks this because of the existence of hundreds of points of deadlock in the conditions of the non-solution.

Furthermore, under the title "Call from the YKP: let's start for the solution from Varosha", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.09.13) reported that the New Cyprus Party (YKP) has called on the self-styled government to declare that it is ready to discuss the issue of occupied fenced city of Varosha the soonest. Pointing out that the Turkish side sees Varosha as part of the comprehensive solution and does not want to discuss it, YKP recalls that in Kyprianou-Denktas High Level Agreement of 1979, Varosha was accepted as an issue on which agreement should be reached before the solution of the Cyprus problem. "If Varosha is not opened, no one will believe that Turkey is serious for a solution", notes YKP and calls on starting for a solution with the issue of Varosha.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish Cypriot businessmen continued their contacts in Europe

In statements during his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot businessmen, Kir, who is of Turkish origin, recalled that from time to time reference is made to "the Belgian model" for a solution in Cyprus and noted: "The Belgian model is in crisis. One must think very well when proposing such a model to the Cypriots". He said that the good aspects of this model could be taken, but it would not be a realistic approach to implement for other communities this model which caused problems in Belgium. Kir noted that if the Turkish Cypriots expect something from Brussels, they should visit Belgium, know what they want and struggle for this.

The chairman of KTIAK Ilker Zugurt invited Kir to visit the occupied area of Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriot delegation was hosted in Brussels by the Belgium Active Associations' Federation (FEDACTIO). The Turkish Cypriot businessmen met with members of FEDACTIO and discussed the possibilities of doing business together.

Kibris (15.09.13) reported that KTIAK's delegation met also with Adem Kumcu, chairman of the Europe's Turkish Businessmen Confederation (UNITEE), who said that the Turkish Cypriots could achieve a result by touring Europe, building friendships and explaining their problems and not by staying in their country, sitting and criticizing. He noted that statements such as "Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots do not need Europe" are not correct and argued that the accession of Turkey into the EU will solve many problems which cause them headache and mainly the Cyprus problem. He noted that they were trying to help the Turkish Cypriots, but the Turkish Cypriot should also visit Europe.

According to the paper, the Turkish Cypriot delegation visited also the European Parliament (EP) where EP officials briefed it on the Parliament's work.

Moreover, Kibris (16.09.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot delegation visited also Paris and met with officials from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and industry (CCI Paris Ile De France), who stated that they did not know that a "state" named "TRNC" existed and that "embargoes" are allegedly implemented on this "state".

A presentation was made for the Turkish Cypriot delegation by Remy Arthus, responsible for the chamber's international business development directorate and international and European affairs directorate and by Gordana Adam, chamber's consultant for southern Europe international business development.

Remy Arthus said he did not know that Cyprus is divided and that "a different structure exists in the north".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkish company offers Israel to build pipeline

Istanbul-based Turcas Holding has offered Israel, which has started to discover considerable amounts of natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean, to build a pipeline under the sea from Israel to Turkey's southern province of Mersin. A member of the board, Mathew Bryza announced the offer worth $2.5 billion during an energy conference held in the Republic of Cyprus.

Bryza, a former American diplomat, said the 470-kilometers-long pipeline would have a capacity to transfer 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year. He also stressed that if the political problems between Turkey and Israel affected the construction, all cost and responsibility would be assumed by Turcas.

Besides, Israeli daily Globes said Turkey's Zorlu Group, was also in talks with Israel for done pipeline building and buying natural gas. Globus said Zorlu, which was constructing a power plant in the Ashkelon province of Israel, contacted the companies that had shares in Israel's natural gas region Leviathan and made offers for buying natural gas and constructing a pipeline.

[08] Secretary-General of the OIC sent congratulation letters to the new "government"

On his part Nami sent a thank you letter to Ihsanoglu, expressing his satisfaction for the improved relations between the breakaway regime and the OIC.

[09] Ozgur: Revision of the economic protocol can come into the agenda

Ozgur said that revision of the protocol can come into the agenda adding that relations with Turkey must be taken upon sensitively. He also said that technically, the revision is based on the will of the two sides who signed it.

[10] Self-styled health minister is participating in the WHO Europe meeting in Izmir

Around 630 persons from 63 countries are participating in the meeting which is hosted by the Turkish Health Ministry.

The paper writes that this is the first time the breakaway regime is participating in the WHO Europe meeting at a "minister level".

[11] First day of school in occupied Cyprus

Secondary schools are starting lessons tomorrow.

[12] Turkey wants from US a 'Plan B' for Syria

"This process will give more time for [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad [to stay] in power. The deal should have been more open and straight in outlining the possible sanctions to be imposed on Damascus in the event of the regime's incompliance with the deal," a Turkish diplomatic source said over the weekend.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will outline the Turkish government's position and its concerns with regard to developments in Syria at a meeting in Paris with the participation of Foreign Ministers from the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Davutoglu was invited to the meeting by John Kerry, with whom he exchanged two phone conversations on Sept. 14 and early yesterday.

Having already described the efforts as "cosmetic," Davutoglu bluntly expressed Turkey's concerns over the deal's effects on the ongoing civil war in Syria and repeated that the international community should be made well-aware of the potential massacres that could be committed by the Syrian government. Initially slated to be a meeting between the U.S., French and British Foreign Ministers, the scope of the Paris meetings was expanded in the wake of the Davutoglu-Kerry conversation.

Turkey, along with France, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, favour a large-scale punitive military operation into Syria, with the purpose of effectively toppling the al-Assad government after nearly 2.5 years of civil war that has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Syrians.

In Turkey, Davutoglu held phone talks with his Qatari and Saudi Arabian counterparts late Sept. 14 before his participation at the Paris meeting was confirmed by the Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.09.13) reported that Davutoglu on Sunday held an urgent meeting with Syria's opposition figures. He met with representatives of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) in Ankara ahead of his trip to Paris.

Davutoglu received SNC head Ahmad al-Jarba, SNC interim government leader Ahmad Tuma and Free Syrian Army chief Salim Idris to discuss the US-Russia deal agreed to on Saturday after three-day talks in Geneva, as well as the opposition group's views on the future of Syria.

Davutoglu congratulated Ahmad Tuma on his recent election into the leadership of the interim government, while welcoming the SNC's efforts to increase its representative power within the Syrian opposition. He noted it would be also a positive step for Syrian Kurds to participate in the coalition.

[13] AKP hires thousands for new social media campaign

Over 900 districts will have its own AKP social media representatives, with a 1,000 staff to be located in Istanbul, 600 in Ankara, and approximately 400 in Izmir.

The team will be responsible for converting AKP sentiments into trending hashtags, Star reported.

The move came soon after the AKP was dealt a clear defeat in social media when Gezi protesters turned websites like Twitter and Facebook into tools for organizing protests, voicing mostly anti-government sentiments.

The frequency and intensity of the Gezi Park protests on social media reached levels so high that it prompted Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to personally intervene, calling Twitter "a menace" and beginning a campaign against the website.

Many protesters were detained during the protests over their social media postings, with the online giant Facebook admitting to sharing information with Turkish police forces, despite previously denying the accusations.

Facebook claimed that the sharing of information was prompted by child endangerment and emergency law enforcement, and had nothing to do with the protests.

Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters previously that Twitter had turned down a cooperation offer with the Turkish government during the protests, but that Facebook had responded "positively."

[14] Intense use of tear gas blamed in death of man during protests in Istanbul

Serdar Kadakal died from a heart-attack on Sept. 13 in Istanbul's Kadikoy district where protests have been met with a fierce police intervention for three days.

Relatives have claimed that the death of the 35-year-old sound technician, who had a history of a heart condition, was caused by the intense use of tear gas by the police.

His sister Sibel Kadakal said that the whole family had warned him not to go to his workplace, a well-known bar in the Bahariye neighbourhood, which was the epicentre of the protests during the week.

"He told us that he had trouble breathing. He did not need to go outside [the bar] because the gas which entered inside affected everyone. It was a small area. We have warned him not to go to work. His throat and chest were aching," Kadakal said.

"His wife was with him when he fainted. A doctor brought him back to life for a short time with cardiac massage. It's a young death? So we have whys and how's," she said.

However the police rejected that Kadakal's death could have any connection with the use of tear gas.

"This person was not in an area where gas was used by our forces," the police said in a statement on its website. "Kadakal's relatives have said that although his heart valve was replaced in 1996 and he used a cardiac pacemaker, he smoked and took alcohol despite [doctors] forbade him," the statement said.

But Sibel Kadakal said that they were not convinced that tear gas did not have any effect on his brothers' death. "Exposure to [tear gas] harms even a normal person. It may cause different sort of effects in an ailing person's body," she said.

[15] New mosque project on the way for Princes' Islands

Mustafa Farsakoglu, the mayor of the Princes' Islands, told the Hurriyet Daily News that the mosque construction project was first brought up by Istanbul's Mayor Kadir Topbas in 2009.

"The reason for the [construction] was put forth as the large number of Arab tourists who visit the islands. I said that the islands had enough religious buildings which were sufficient enough to cover the need. The place the mosque where is planned to be built is the centre of the island," said Farsakoglu, adding that the Heybeliada Sanatorium, which was closed in 2005, should be turned into a hospital rather than being transferred to TOKI and opened for zoning. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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