Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-29

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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] Akinci to meet with Erdogan by the end of the week; The date of his meeting with President Anastasiades not determined yet

[02] Erdogan said that Akinci will not negotiate on his own without consulting Turkey

[03] AKP MP Kuzu: "If Akinci likes it so much he should live in the south"

[04] Akinci replies to Kuzu: "Your statement were rude and disrespectful"

[05] Akdogan: "The TRNC is our homeland. Because our martyrs were killed there"

[06] Turkish Cypriot political parties and NGO's reacted over Erdogan's statements

[07] Kilicdaroglu: "TRNC is not under Turkey's tutelage"

[08] Erdogan, Davutoglu and Cavusoglu sent separate messages to Eroglu thanking him for his services

[09] Turkish columnists comment on Akinci's election and the clash with Erdogan

[10] Ozersay expresses support for Akinci

[11] Developments in Turkish Cypriot parties following the "presidential elections'" results

[12] Sertoglu welcomes President Anastasiades' reference to "CTFA-KOP" process in CBM's

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci to meet with Erdogan by the end of the week; The date of his meeting with President Anastasiades not determined yet

Citing information, the paper also writes that the meeting between Akinci and President Nikos Anastasiades, which was scheduled for Saturday, was cancelled in order the first meeting and visit of Akinci to be conducted in Turkey.

In addition, a statement was issued by the new Turkish Cypriot leader's office according to which a date for Anastasiades - Akinci's meeting is not determined yet. The statement notes that the issue of the meeting between the two Cypriot leaders was discussed during the conversation that took place after Anastasiades called Akinci to congratulate him for his winning but a date and a time for the money is not set yet.

(CS)

[02] Erdogan said that Akinci will not negotiate on his own without consulting Turkey

Replying to reporters' questions on his return from Kuwait, Erdogan said: "TRNC President will not continue according to his own understanding", adding that he wishes they could agree, but because there are the guarantor countries, this agreement cannot be made only by their own.

Erdogan also said that they are on behalf of the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and Greece on behalf of the Greek Cypriot administration (translator's note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus). Erdogan also said: "These issues are not matters that will be agreed without being discussed first with these guarantor countries. Esteemed president will not do this work (talks) with his own way. There is no distress since the rights of our Cyprus citizens are protected".

(DPs)

[03] AKP MP Kuzu: "If Akinci likes it so much he should live in the south"

Kuzu commented that Erdogan should have said a lot more to Akinci and added: "On what Akinci was relying on and he was trying to pick a fight?" He also said that if Akinci liked the Greek Cypriots so much then he should go and live there.

Kuzu said a person should know his place; however Turkey will not come to Cyprus to tell Akinci what to do.

[04] Akinci replies to Kuzu: "Your statement were rude and disrespectful"

According to Akinci's statement, the Turkish Cypriots voted for Akinci for his vision and his personality and everyone must respect their political will. It also added that a "TRNC" which will be able to stand on its own two feet would be in a more healthy position within a federal Cyprus and the EU.

(CS)

[05] Akdogan: "The TRNC is our homeland. Because our martyrs were killed there"

Akdogan underlined that Turkey supported by all means until so far "north Cyprus' development" and added that it will continue to do so. "Do you know why? Because we consider it as a homeland. The quarrel regarding motherland and foster-land is because we consider it as homeland. And this because in that land, in that homeland a lot of our martyrs lost their blood and killed. (?)

Recalling that Turkey is the only country which exerted efforts for the recognition of the "TRNC" as an "independent state", he reminded that Turkey has brought into the agenda of the international community the Cyprus problem.

(AK)

[06] Turkish Cypriot political parties and NGO's reacted over Erdogan's statements

According to the paper, all political parties and NGO's condemned strongly Erdogan's statements and called him to respect the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community.

In its written statement, the New Cyprus Party (YKP) said that Erdogan's statements prove the "policy of imposition and pressure" that Turkey follows towards the "TRNC", and called everyone to support their struggle against Turkey's policies.

Also, the secretary-general of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan criticized Erdogan for the statements he made about Turkey's ties with the "TRNC" and stated that the Turkish Cypriot community's expectation from Turkey is to show respect to its "elected president" and to the community's political will.

Moreover, commenting on Erdogan's statements, the general secretary of KTOS Sener Elcil, said that Erdogan's attack against Akinci was not only an attack against him but also against the Turkish Cypriots.

Elcil continued and stated that the Turkish Cypriot's have the knowledge, the skills and potentials to be self-administrated. "We do not want to be Ankara's bond slaves".

On the same issue, the Famagusta Initiative's activist Mustafa Ongul, in a written statement expressed his support to Akinci and stressed the need for the establishment of ties between Turkey and the "TRNC" based on friendship and not on the "motherland-daughter land" logic.

(AK)

[07] Kilicdaroglu: "TRNC is not under Turkey's tutelage"

When asked if the CHP considers the "TRNC" as a "baby-land", Kilicdaroglu said that the "TRNC is an independent state".

"Turkey could aid and give support to many countries, but using that support as if it were a 'right of empery' and using such pitiless language does not suit the Turkey of the 21st century," he said.

"Turkish Cyprus has a different flag, parliament and judiciary. Their democracy and consciousness of democracy is far more developed than ours. They are more sensitive to corruption. We have to respect the TRNC and its institutions," Kilicdaroglu claimed.

The CHP leader accused the government of perceiving everything as if it were in their own "backyard."

(DPs)

[08] Erdogan, Davutoglu and Cavusoglu sent separate messages to Eroglu thanking him for his services

As the paper writes, Erdogan in his message thanked Eroglu for all he offered to the Turkish Cypriot's struggle for "freedom and existence", for his services and the efforts he exerted in the Cyprus negotiation talks, and to the "national cause" in general.

Erdogan described Eroglu as a real example of a leader and said that they will be thinking of his contribution and be thankful to him forever.

Similar were the messages sent to Eroglu by Davutoglu and Cavusoglu.

(AK)

[09] Turkish columnists comment on Akinci's election and the clash with Erdogan

Candar writes that "Akinci's election campaign was held up by two main pillars: 1. He expressed a powerful will to fix the Cyprus problem. 2. He promised to reshape relations with Turkey on the basis of two equal countries. (?) There is no need to add that the 'settlement' means a 'federation' between 'two states and two communities'.

(?)

From the day Mustafa Akinci was elected, Erdogan tried to put him in his place saying, 'He should watch his language'. He insisted on making the 'motherland and baby nation distinction'. This was not one of the 'gaffes' that everyone has grown accustomed to Erdogan making. It reflected a point of view.

Erdogan has, as in so many things, made a U-turn in the foreign policy from the early 2000s with respect to its near abroad, a policy that is now better understood to have been largely the work of Abdullah Gul. Cyprus is no exception.

Meaning, Erdogan has shifted to a position that is in favour of the 'status quo' and that feels 'the best settlement policy is no settlement'. That was how Turkey's 'deep state' approached the Cyprus problem to begin with. As a result, the relationship between Erdogan and the 'deep state' is exposed in his approach to Cyprus as being 'flirtatious' at least if not 'matrimony'.

Meaning that the polemic that took place between Erdogan and Akinci less than 24 hours after Akinci had been elected 'TRNC president' is no coincidence.

(?)

'Hopes for a settlement' on Cyprus have been brought back to life. Now, pay attention to the direct talks that are going to begin under UN observation on 4 May.

Pay attention to what?

To this: Ankara (you can read this as Tayyip Erdogan) is very disturbed by the idea of 'a blow/coup against the status quo' in the 'TRNC' being delivered by 'left-wing secular' Akinci who will most likely set out towards a settlement together with Anastasiades. Might Ankara try to 'sabotage' the 'settlement process' on Cyprus? What is it going to do?

How can we interpret a tone of voice that disrespects the political will in the 'TRNC' by adopting an attitude of 'I pay the piper, I call the tune' and that insists on the 'motherland-baby nation asymmetry' instead of acknowledging that the 'TRNC' and Turkey are equals? (?)"

On the same issue, columnist Sami Kohen, writing in Turkish daily Milliyet (29.04.15), under the title "The New Cyprus Facts", reports, inter alia, the following:

"In a climate in which the whole world regarded Mustafa Akinci's election as 'president' of the 'TRNC' as positive it was most unfortunate that the "motherland-baby nation" polemic between Ankara and Lefkosia [editor's note: the occupied part of Nicosia] led to quite unnecessary friction.

That the issue has been closed now is good to hear. However, what matters is that this argument should not leave an after taste and that this kind of rhetoric should not be repeated. In order to do this - apart from stopping angry outbursts - we need to pay attention to the new realities concerning Cyprus. What exactly are these realities?

[01] Independent candidate Mustafa Akinci was elected "president" in the KKTC with 60.5% of the vote. We have to respect this result from the ballot box that represents the national will. (?)

[02] Akinci's election was welcomed by the Greek Cypriots and the international community alike. The Turkish side's image has been elevated in the persona of the new leader. That disparaging words were uttered from Turkey at this exact time is a contradiction.

[03] The 'TRNC' was founded as an 'independent state' to offset the 'Greek Cypriot State' (editor's note: the Republic of Cyprus). Ankara is the only country that recognizes this status. Akinci's comments about the 'motherland-baby nation' relation are not so much a challenge against Ankara but an expression of the Turkish Cypriots' desire to act more independently and to stand on their own two feet. This in turn demonstrates the reality that the sense of having a 'Turkish Cypriot identity' has grown in strength.

[04] True, the 'TRNC' has so far been able to maintain its existence thanks to Turkey's political, military and economic support. Nobody is denying this. But clearly, comments made from time to time such as 'You exist because of us' are offensive to the Turkish Cypriots. There is no need to repeat this in official announcements. Yes, the 'TRNC' still depends on Turkey. But Turkey also needs the 'TRNC', particularly in a strategic and military sense.

[05] Harmony, coordination and cooperation between Ankara and Lefkosia are needed today perhaps more than ever. It goes without saying that the Turkish Cypriot administration is going to take into account Turkey's interests when considering its own interests. Ankara in turn needs to act in a similar fashion and the government should cooperate with the 'TRNC' instead of imposing its own opinion.

In addition, the regional state of affairs plus the political and economic conditions make for an appropriate climate.(?)"

Columnist Ilnur Cevik, writing in Turkish daily Sabah (29.04.15), under the title "Akinci may solve Turkish Cypriots' image problem", argues that Erdogan is being extremely sensitive in view of the games being played against Cyprus behind the scenes to sever the ties between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, and feels any suggestions of Turkish Cypriots acting more independently and giving the image that Ankara is being sidelined, plays into the hands of the adversaries of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Thus, he reacts strongly to even a hint of any weakening of the bonds between Ankara and the Turkish Cypriots.

Cevik also said: "Yet, it is also true that the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey have a serious image problem in the West. The Turkish Cypriots are unfortunately regarded as puppets of Ankara and thus no one takes them seriously. Ankara is regarded as the dominant boss that imposes its will on the Turkish Cypriots irrespective of their own preferences. All this is being proven wrong by Ak1
nc1
. Now he will be the more independent face of the Turkish Cypriots and has a chance to regain respectability for the Turks on the island.

Now there will be a serious Turkish Cypriot negotiator who has always proven resourceful and conciliatory towards the Greek Cypriots. Those who expect him to 'sell out' are mistaken. On the contrary, he will be a tougher negotiator than those of the past, much to the discomfort of the Greeks."

Columnist Serkan Demirtas, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 29.04.15), under the title "Turkey should avoid arguments with Turkish Cyprus' new leadership", believes that "the resolution of the Cyprus problem will of course have regional economic and political consequences and will be to the advantage of both Turkish and Greek Cypriots. The removal of the Cyprus problem from the international agenda will also give an important hand to Turkey's EU process as nearly half of the chapters have been blocked due to this question. That's why Turkey should try to do its best to support the new leadership and avoid arguments and tensions with the Turkish Cypriots."

(DPs)

[10] Ozersay expresses support for Akinci

Commenting on the tension between Akinci and Erdogan, Ozersay wrote on social media: "I didn't say anything yesterday in order to avoid adding fuel to the flames, but I do find that Akinci's words are on the spot. I also think that the way he expressed his opinion without hesitating was also a right thing to do. From now on, I think it would be better to engage in healthy diplomatic dialogue instead of using media. It is not right for our relations with Turkey to be exploited through eviscerated concepts. I hope this discussion evolves in to some concrete steps towards healthier relations."

[11] Developments in Turkish Cypriot parties following the "presidential elections'" results

The paper writes that the National Unity Party (UBP) will hold its "guidelines congress" on June following by its ordinary congress on December 1. The paper writes that 6-7 members of the party are getting ready to run for the party's leadership while calls for the current leader Huseyin Ozgurgun started to surface. On his part, Ozgurgun dismissed those who want him to resign from his post, saying that resigning is easy but keeping on its not, adding that this issue is not on his agenda for the time being.

The Democratic Party will hold its congress in February 2016, however the party's officials will convey prior to this to examine the recent developments and the party's decisions.

The Communal Democracy Party will hold it congress in years as it was planned before the "elections".

The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will hold its extraordinary congress on June 14. The party's leader Ozkan Yorgancioglu stated that he will be a candidate for the leadership again stating that he takes full responsibility for the "presidential elections'" results.

Reporting on the same issue, Diyalog (29.04.15) writes that many important CTP officials stated that the "coalition government" with DP will continue and there will be no early "general elections". In addition the possibility of Mehmet Ali Talat to be a candidate for the party's leadership receives great support from party's members.

In addition, Havadis newspaper (29.04.15) reports that Kudret Ozersay is moving forward to establish a party and adds that the "mayor" of occupied Lapithos Fuat Namsoy, expressed his support to the new political formation. Namsoy was an UBP member but supported Ozersay on the "presidential elections". However, Ozersay stated on his Facebook account that he will is not establish a party for the time being.

(CS)

[12] Sertoglu welcomes President Anastasiades' reference to "CTFA-KOP" process in CBM's

Sertoglu described this development as very positive and said: "Sport is very important for building confidence and trust between the two communities". "We have been saying this for months, especially to our politicians here. We should have been the ones who proposed this, so I am sad that we didn't but I am also happy about this development".

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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