Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-06-05

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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 argues that the solution in Cyprus is close

[02] Akinci: "We must use well the window of opportunity"

[03] Ulucay: The "Property Compensation Commission" experiences economic difficulties

[05] The "KTSO" demands the opening of a new crossing point in occupied Mia Milia

[06] New optical readers at the checkpoints

[07] Yorgancioglu denied allegations related with the privatization of the occupied Famagusta port; More reactions by political parties and trade unions

[08] Erdogan vows to continue Kurdish peace process after parliamentary elections

[09] Demirtas rules out coalition with AKP after election

[10] "The day after the election"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci argues that the solution in Cyprus is close

"I am leaving here today with a positive climate. I believe that this positive climate will help in reaching a solution in Cyprus within the forthcoming months", he said.

Akinci noted that the leaders discussed various issues and convergences, but the sides have agreed that certain issues such as the territory and the guarantees will be discussed towards the end of the process. "It is not correct that the territory issue will be discussed on 17 June", he added.

Referring to his meeting with the UNSG, Akinci said that Ban was satisfied with what he heard from him.

Akinci alleged that Turkey has always contributed positively to the negotiations on the Cyprus problem and argued that what we need is Greece to gather its strength the soonest and contribute positively to the process like Turkey. He said that during his visit to Ankara and the meetings he has held with the Turkish President and the Prime Minister, he saw that they approach positively a possible agreement on the island and support the process. Noting that in spite of the fact that the forthcoming elections in Turkey are an internal matter, Akinci expressed the belief that whoever wins the commitment and the contribution to the solution process in Cyprus will continue.

Akinci further noted that they [the leaders] will try to hold more productive negotiations and make everybody's life easier by working on more productive confidence building measures.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said also that he asked for the UNSG's support on the issue of the minefields, adding that they need the help of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for correctly establishing the minefields.

Reiterating that we need to give hands and dance the Turkish halay or the Greek syrtaki dances, Akinci noted that what we need is for everybody, not only the sides in Cyprus, but the UN, the EU, the guarantor powers and the entire international community to advance towards a solution in harmony by holding hands.

Replying to a question, Akinci said that it is the first time that two leaders who had voted yes to the Annan Plan are at the negotiating table and pointed out that his vision for a solution continues to exist, expressing the hope that the same is valid for President Anastasiades as well.

Referring to the hydrocarbons issue, Akinci said that he sees this issue as a "valuable property" which will bring benefit to all sides on a "win-win principle". He argued that the wisest thing to do is to be prepared for the future instead of quarrelling for something the quantity of which is unknown. He added: "In parallel to using these resources in the financing of a possible solution, we could carry them to Europe with a pipeline through Turkey together with Israel's gas. And this is the most appropriate method".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci: "We must use well the window of opportunity"

Addressing a working breakfast organized by the International Peace Institute (IPI), Akinci recalled that when he had been mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia, they worked together with the Greek Cypriot mayor of the divided capital to reach a result for the benefit of the inhabitants of the city. "We have found in our common needs the answer to the question of what prevents us from working together", he said adding that the starting point of their successful projects was the common need. "The question we must ask on the Cyprus problem is whether there is a mutual need for a solution", he argued.

Akinci referred to the benefits of finding a solution in Cyprus and said that transferring the Cypriot and Israeli natural gas to Europe with pipelines though Turkey could constitute a "win-win scenario for the benefit of all actors in the area". "This scenario is the most efficient and the most applicable scenario today. With the continuous interests and the support of the international community we can turn this into reality", he argued.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ulucay: The "Property Compensation Commission" experiences economic difficulties

Speaking yesterday at the "assembly" of the regime, Ulucay noted that 170 cases have been completed in 2014-2015, but "no concrete step could be taken for securing contribution to the Commission from our own resources".

Referring to the same issue, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), recalled a decision taken by the European Court of Human Rights saying that "the person who uses a property for 30 years has also rights on it" and expressed the view that within this context, the "Commission's" work should be taken into consideration seriously. Noting that advancing this work is a precondition, Soyer underlined that resources are needed for this.

(I/Ts.)

[04] So-called minister Ulucay stated that there are 40 thousand foreign "legal" workers in the "TRNC"

Ulucay stated that the 40 thousand "legal" workers in the "TRNC" would have the right to apply to grant the "TRNC's citizenship" as soon as they fill the 15th year of their stay in the "country".

Sucuoglu in his turn, compared in his speech the figures and conditions that exist in the "south" with those in the "TRNC" as regards the issue of granting "citizenship" and alleged that "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, ranks second in the EU, among the countries which grant the most citizenships and added that if it continue in this way, then the "TRNC" should "grant 1,700 citizenships" annually in order to cover this percentage.

Referring to the precondition of the 15 years, which is related also with the working "permission" and is necessary for someone to have the right to apply for granting the occupation regime's "citizenship", Sucuoglu argued that this period is too long since in all other countries is 5-10 years.

(AK)

[05] The "KTSO" demands the opening of a new crossing point in occupied Mia Milia

Cirali who exchange views with Egemen towards this issue, stated, inter alia, that the opening of a crossing point in Mia Mila, would be a better alternative than that of the Agios Dometios crossing point for the dispatching of goods and products of the companies which sell to the "south" within the framework of the Green Line Regulation (GLR).

Cirali further said that the opening of a crossing point in Mia Milia would be an important alternative as well for the citizens who want to cross to the "south" with cars.

(AK)

[06] New optical readers at the checkpoints

Self-styled interior minister Teberruken Ulucay who went to the Ayios Dometios crossing point examined the optic readers and said these were being implemented at all crossing points from Illegal Tymbou airport to the "ports and borders". At a meeting at Ayios Dometios crossing point with the UN it was discussed that the number of immigration officers for the Republic of Cyprus to be increased to two as the queue of cars crossing into the south is more.

[07] Yorgancioglu denied allegations related with the privatization of the occupied Famagusta port; More reactions by political parties and trade unions

Meanwhile, the reactions continue in the occupied area of Cyprus after the latest statement made by the so-called minister of transportation and communications Hasan Tacoy that the issue of the privatization of the "port" is in the agenda of the "government".

Issuing a statement on the issue, the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) underlines that the party, as a liberal socialist party, opposes to the privatizations, since, it considers them a dimension of the economic change in the framework of the globalization.

The party underlines that the privatization of the institutions which belong to the state is contrary to the social principles of a "state".

On the same issue, the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Tozun Tunali in a written statement yesterday said that everyone should be aware of the fact that nobody can make the "Famagusta port" a present without the approval of the "assembly".

Tunali expressed their strong reaction over the latest statement made by the so-called minister Tacoy as regards the privatization of the "port" and added that they will follow closely the issue, pointing out at the same time the strategic importance of the "port".

Tunali called also the "coalition parties" in the "government", the CTP and DP not to sign this mistake and called the opposition parties to undertake responsibility and transfer the issue to the "assembly" for discussion.

Moreover, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan, said in his turn, that the party opposes to the privatization policies and underlined that they will not permit the "CTP-BG-DP-UG coalition government" to proceed with the privatization of the "Famagusta port".

Accusing the so-called government for not making any investments at the "port", Korkmazhan pointed to the negative effects of the possible privatization of the "port", and underlined the need for the Turkish Cypriot community to be self-administrated.

Strong reactions over the issue were expressed also by several trade unions in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The Cyprus Turkish Public Servants Trade Union (KAMU SEN), the Turkish Cypriot Civil Servants Union (KTAMS), the Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions' Federation (Turk-Sen) and other trade unions issued yesterday separate written statements to condemn the possible privatization of the "Famagusta port".

(AK)

[08] Erdogan vows to continue Kurdish peace process after parliamentary elections

Addressing a rally in Turkey's eastern Bingol province Erdogan said: "We initiated the solution process with our people and for the sake of our people. We will sustain it likewise." He added: "There is no relation between the solution process and election results."

He again slammed the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) for its alleged collaboration with the PKK. "They are trying to threaten the people and [are doing] politics by saying: 'If we do not enter the parliament, there will be chaos.' They cannot do anything. The government stands by our citizens with all its power and opportunities. We did not initiate the solution process with them [the HDP]," Erdogan said.

[09] Demirtas rules out coalition with AKP after election

He stated that those supporters of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) also don't want revived conflicts between the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), adding: "The society wants peace. I think the MHP will also feel obliged to have dialogue on the Kurdish settlement process -- which aims to seek a solution to the country's decades-long Kurdish problem.

When asked whether his remarks about the MHP might be construed as a coalition formula that will include the MHP if this party adopts a positive stance over the course of the talks on the Kurdish issue, Demirtas responded: "My remarks on this subject should not be construed as a possibility of coalition [with the MHP]. However, the MHP cannot desire the renewed conflict and war. None of the MHP supporters opts for this. I believe the MHP will feel obliged to prefer the path for peace. This is because of the society's demand for peace. So, no one should get into panic by questioning what will happen if the AKP [AK Party] loses power."

However, CHP parliamentary group deputy chairman Akif Hamzacebi has ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition with the HDP. Posting a tweet on the issue on Monday, he wrote, "We have no idea of forming a coalition either with the HDP or with any other political party."

[10] "The day after the election"

"When I place recent surveys for the June 7 election in front of me, I guess it is highly likely Turkey will heave a sigh of relief on June 8. This is because almost all surveys show the Justice and Development Party (AKP) losing some of its votes and, more importantly, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) passing the national election threshold of 10 %.

I have seen different surveys conducted by seven different companies. In only one of them does the AKP appear to be able to form a government on its own. In others, it appears that no single party will be able to form a single-party government; a coalition is required or the AKP will have to convince deputies from other political parties to join it. The last alternative of course is to seek support from other political parties for a minority government.

In all of these alternatives, though, one thing is certain: Recep Tayyip Erdogan's dream of changing Turkey's parliamentarian system into a presidential one and being the first President under this system will fade away. The second thing that is certain is that the AKP will lose its absolute power and freedom to act on its own in Parliament when it comes to enacting laws and other parliamentarian activities.

However, the AKP losing power does not guarantee that this country will achieve peace. During the campaigning process, all the three opposition parties that will be in Parliament after the June 7 election declared that they would not partner with the AKP for a coalition. If we accept these solemn declarations at their face value and not as a political maneuver in any way, then a crisis will be knocking on Turkey's doors.

During this entire campaign, Erdogan has acted as though he is still the leader of the ruling AKP. Can he change his position after the election and act as though he is an impartial President, as defined in the Constitution? For example, if the AKP cannot form a government, would Erdogan allow Republican People's Party (CHP) leader, as the chairman of the main opposition party, to try to form a coalition government? Or would he insist that only a person from the AKP can try and form a government? And finally, would Erdogan try to opt for an early election if the AKP cannot form a government within 45 days after the election? [?]

The other question, of course, is whether Erdogan can maintain his grip over the party after a serious defeat in the election. This depends of course on the extent to which the AKP loses votes. In just a few surveys the AKP appears to receive below the psychological threshold of 40 %. If it really goes below 40 % then we might witness a significant rift in the party and a serious debate over the role of Erdogan as guardian of the party.

In short, we are heading for an election that promises surprises and changes. [?]" TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(CS/ AM)

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