Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-08-07

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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] Ozersay: Some problems exist in the Cyprus talks, but finding a way out is possible

[02] CTP's "deputy" Abbas Sinay resigns from the party

[03] Measures by the breakaway regime against the Ebola virus

[04] Bakirci allegedly not knew the problems of visiting Marseille on the expenses of a private firm; AKP is believed to be behind him

[05] Participation of the breakaway regime in events abroad

[06] A plot in the occupied part of Nicosia was given to Ankara Anatolia news agency

[07] Galip Mendi is appointed as the commander of the Aegean Army

[08] 1,600 persons will visit the occupied village of Kokkina

[09] Erdogan complains of being called 'even uglier things, Armenian'

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: Some problems exist in the Cyprus talks, but finding a way out is possible

The paper writes that the negotiations came into deadlock after the meeting held between the leaders on 24 July and that no development is expected on the Cyprus problem until the UN General Assembly opening session in September.

Ozersay alleged that a precondition which leads the process into deadlock is the Greek Cypriot side's allegedly not accepting the convergences achieved between the two sides until today and wanting to list the issues on which the sides think that convergence exists, instead of passing into the give and take process which is the third stage of the negotiations. "It is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept such a precondition", he said and argued that the principle that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" does in no way provide a basis for the Greek Cypriot side to reject the convergences of the past. "Efforts are exerted to present the precondition which the Greek Cypriot side wants as something procedural, but it is definitely not such a thing", he claimed.

Ozersay alleged that what the Greek Cypriots want is for the sides to be able to unilaterally change the agreements of the past, choose among them whatever they like and put aside whatever they do not like.

Ozersay argued that negotiating by putting preconditions will be useful in nothing else except for delaying the process and it is an approach which should be questioned.

Ozersay said that the UN is now trying to overcome the difficulties through various channels and added that the UN's and the negotiators' duty is to overcome these difficulties. "We are trying to overcome this problem with an agreement that could be reached without losing the agreements of the past", he argued.

Ozersay noted that it is out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept the accumulation of so many years spent in the negotiations to come to a zero. "Therefore, we have to find a way out", he said adding that "a finding a mid-point, a way out somehow is possible".

Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (07.08.14), in case it is decided, the crossing point in occupied Apliki area near Lefka could open in 15 days. He argued that this crossing point should be evaluated as a CBM alone and added that opening the crossing point unilaterally could harm the negotiating process. Ozersay said this is one of the first issues raised by the Turkish Cypriot side and argued that when they did this they came face to face with the precondition that they should accept the opening of other crossing points in return of opening Apliki.

(I/Ts.)

[02] CTP's "deputy" Abbas Sinay resigns from the party

Under the title "Shocking resignation", the paper writes that Sinay submitted yesterday his resignation directly to the "speaker' of the "assembly" and not to the chairman of the CTP. Sinay made no official statement on the issue. After Sinay's resignation, the number of CTP's "seats" in the "assembly" will fall to 20.

Kutlay Erk, general secretary of the CTP, stated that no resignation by Sinay reached the competent organs of the party. "We love and respect Mr Abbas", he said and added: "There is dissatisfaction. We are discussing with our colleagues how we can solve this dissatisfaction and we are trying to solve the crisis".

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.08.14) reports that according to some sources from the CTP, Sinay is very annoyed from the incidents that happened within the party during the "municipal elections".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Measures by the breakaway regime against the Ebola virus

Officials from the "health ministry", experts on infectious diseases, members of the infection control committee and academics from the "Near East University's Clinical Microbiology and Infection Department" evaluated the risks of an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The working group agreed on taking several precautions on the issue.

The statement issued by the "health ministry" pointed out that no one carrying the Ebola virus or any suspicious death with symptoms of Ebola virus has been reported in the "TRNC" so far. It also said that those who came to the "country" from epidemic regions of West Africa and who made contact with persons who had the virus could be infected. It however stated that the risk of infection was quite low if general measures were adopted.

"Only those who have had close contact with infected people or wild animals are under risk. On the other hand, not everyone who comes from Africa is under risk" the statement added. The "ministry" also advised "citizens" not to visit these countries unless truly necessary.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.08.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot medical association (KTTB), in a written statement yesterday, proposed to the breakaway regime what measures should be taken in order to protect against the Ebola virus.

The association suggested that thermal cameras should be installed at all the illegal entries of the breakaway regime. These should monitor the travellers from the African countries, because the virus can appear later.

[04] Bakirci allegedly not knew the problems of visiting Marseille on the expenses of a private firm; AKP is believed to be behind him

Yorgancioglu said that Bakirci told him that he had "no bad intentions", but now he is experiencing the result of accepting an invitation, which he did because he is new in politics and did not know the problems that would be caused by this. Yorgancioglu noted that Bakirci told him that his contacts had a positive result and that he found out how the damage caused by the stone quarries could be rehabilitated. According to Bakirci, this company will visit the occupied area of Cyprus in September-October, inspect all the stone quarries and rehabilitate one of them free of charge.

Yorgancioglu replied to the allegations that the "permits" of this company will be extended. He said that the previous "government" had given permission to this company to export 250 thousand tons of gypsum annually. He noted that when they came to "power" they said that they would not renew this "permit". "The company concerned said it had connections and asked for the extension of its permit for a while for fulfilling its obligations", he noted adding that after this, they renewed the company's "permit" six months ago on the condition that the production would remain under 250 thousand tons.

Meanwhile, the reactions against Bakirci continue. Afrika reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), asked for the removal of Bakirci from his duties, due to his visit to Marseille. He described as an "unacceptable scandal" and "bribery" the fact that the expenses of Bakirci's delegation were covered by a private company.

In its "Afrika'dan Mektup" [Letter from Afrika] column, the paper writes that the permit to this foreign company was granted by the former National Unity Party (UBP) "government" and wonders which this firm is. "Why does its name is not mentioned anywhere", wonders Afrika pointing out that both Yorgancioglu and Bakirci referred to "the firm" without mentioning its name. Referring to the possibility of Hamit Bakirci being removed from his duties, the paper argues that Bakirci, just like Turgay Avci in the past, is "Ankara's favorite". "Who can touch him, since he is the favorite of Tayyip Erdogan, who is preparing to declare his Sultanate in Ankara", wonders the paper adding: "Ozkan Yorgancioglu's power is not enough for removing Bakirci from duty. Since he could not settle even the issue of a police general director, will he settle this?"

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot columnist Tayfun Cagra also refers to Bakirci in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.08.14) under the title "The new politician Bakirci!" Cagra recalls of an allegation about Bakirci he had published on 10 September 2013, ten days after the establishment of the current self-styled government. According to this allegation, the AK Party government supported five persons in occupied Trikomo area during the "parliamentary elections" held in the occupied area of Cyprus last year. "It is said that one of them is the current environment minister Hamit Bakirci. Bakirci did not remain only at entering into the parliament, but with AKP's wish, he was appointed environment minister, in a manner that directly interests Karpasia", wrote Cagra then.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Participation of the breakaway regime in events abroad

Meanwhile, the paper also reports that the self-styled ministry of economy, tourism, culture and sports will represent the breakaway regime at the IFTM Top Resa 2014 (International French Travel Market), which will be held in Paris from September 23 to September 26, 2014.

[06] A plot in the occupied part of Nicosia was given to Ankara Anatolia news agency

[07] Galip Mendi is appointed as the commander of the Aegean Army

Thirty-seven generals and admirals were promoted; 43 generals were retried and the term in office of 34 generals and admirals was extended in the YAS meeting chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday. Fifty-one colonels were promoted to general or admiral.

The promotions of 192 generals to admirals were discussed at this year's YAS, which ended its work after meeting for 10 hours.

Servet Yoruk, head of the Gendarmerie General Command, was replaced by Gen. Abdullah Atay, formerly the commander of the Aegean Army.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel is due to retire in 2015. Land Force Commander Gen. Hulusi Akar, Air Force Commander Gen. Akin Ozturk and Naval Forces Commander Adm. Bulent Bostanoglu will continue their duties.

Commander of the 2nd Army Gen. Galip Mendi was appointed as the commander of the Aegean Army at this year's YAS. Salih Zeki Colak, the commander of the Education and Doctrine Command (EDOK), was appointed as the 1st Army commander. Gen. Kamil Basoglu, head of the 9th Army Corps, was appointed to head EDOK. Adem Huduti, the logistics commander of the Land Forces Command, was appointed as the commander of the 2nd Army. Gen. Abdullah Recep was promoted as commander of the War Academies from his former post as the commander of the 7th Army Corps.

Abidin Unal, head of the 1st Air Force, was appointed to head the Combat Air Force and Air Missile Defence Command.

Eleven generals who were tried and released in the trial regarding the Sledgehammer coup d'etat plot were all retired, although Adm. Deniz Cora, Air Gen. Turgut Atman, Adm. Ahmet Sinan Ertugrul, Gen. Ayhan Gumus, Gen. Gurbuz Kaya, Air Gen. Bulent Kocababuc, Adm. Abdullah Gavremoglu, Adm. Ali Sadi Unsal, Adm. Fahri Can Yildirim, Air Gen. Mehmet Erdem and Air Gen. Kubilay Baloglu were awaiting promotions. Another person who had been released in the Sledgehammer trial was Kubilay Baloglu, an air force general, who had earlier asked to retire.

[08] 1,600 persons will visit the occupied village of Kokkina

During the ceremony, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, self-styled mayor of Kokkina Mesut Yikici and the chairman of "Kokkina fighters association" Kutlay Keco will deliver speeches.

[09] Erdogan complains of being called 'even uglier things, Armenian'

"They have also said a lot of things about me. One of them came and said I was a Georgian. Then another came up and, I beg your pardon, called me uglier things, saying I was Armenian," Erdogan said during a live interview on August 5, adding that he was a purebred Turk.

"What I have learned from my grandfather, my father and all of them is that I am Turk. That's it," he said in remarks that have caused great controversy.

The Turkish Prime Minister has repeated several times during his campaign that main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is an Alevi, Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) candidate Selahattin Demirtas is a Zaza-origin Kurd, and the CHP and other parties' candidate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is "not even a native" for being born in Egypt, albeit to Turkish parents. During his speeches, Erdogan has consistently reminded the nation's populace that he is a "Sunni."

His comments triggered accusations of sectarianism, causing a backlash on social media and prompting the left-leaning daily BirGun to bitingly respond with the front-page headline: "Kilicdaroglu is Alevi, Demirtas is Zaza, Ihsanoglu is Egyptian and you are a thief."

But Erdogan argued during his interview that no one should hesitate to unveil his identity.

"Let everyone say what he is. An Alevi citizen can come to me and say, 'I am Alevi,' without any problem. Why it is considered discrimination when Sunnis say 'I am Sunni.' Kurds could not say so for years. Can't now my Kurdish brother say, 'I am a Kurd?' So let the Turks say, 'I am a Turk,'" Erdogan said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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