Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-10

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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 briefed political parties

[02] Burcu: Negotiators will talk about property in their next meeting

[03] Akinci: the Cyprus settlement will ensure that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will live freely, in security and as equal partners

[04] Cyprus water pipeline completed; Turkish Minister Eroglu: a project to bring electricity will start in the coming days

[05] Erdogan will attend the inaugural ceremony for the "water project"

[06] Colak says that their target is to increase their "representation offices" abroad

[07] MHP Deputy alleges that Akinci ignores the interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots

[08] Volkan continues referring to a possible bloodshed in Cyprus due to the property issue

[09] Turkish Settlers Association chairman said that Akinci supports the interests of the Turkish Cypriots

[10] Self-styled minister of tourism proposed that the Turkish citizens to cross to the government controlled area of Cyprus

[11] US consulate attack in Istanbul

[12] Turkey "officially" undertakes all powers in the occupied area of Cyprus on sports and youth

[13] UK Envoy to Ankara: Turkey key on refugee flow and fighting of ISIL

[14] Thousands attend demonstration on peace in Istanbul

[15] Turkish Daily predicts new elections

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci briefed political parties

Speaking to the press afterwards, all political parties described the meeting as useful. The leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) Mehmet Ali Talat said that they had reached an agreement to be briefed more frequently in the future. "It was an extremely useful meeting" he added.

The leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun said that the meeting in general had been productive. "There were concerns arising from speculative reports in the Greek Cypriot press. This meeting was extremely useful in that aspect. We saw that none of those speculative reports were true", he added.

The leader of the Democrat Party-National Forces (DP-UG) Serdar Denktas, for his part, said that this was the first briefing Akinci had given them and that from now on Nami will be briefing them on developments on a weekly basis. "The position we support is that the North will remain ours and the South will remain in the control of the Greek Cypriots. In order to have an equal say in matters concerning the whole island one of the signatories must definitely be the TRNC. We shall continue our efforts in that direction", he added.

Also evaluating the meeting, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit said that they had found the opportunity to exchange their views regarding the negotiations process. "Various circles on the Greek Cypriot side which want the continuation of the status quo are intentionally and deliberately spreading speculative information. Other circles on this side are using this opportunity to further create speculation by using those reports. We need to be careful about this", he said.

[02] Burcu: Negotiators will talk about property in their next meeting

He also stated that the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide in a statement he delivered on behalf of the two leaders had said that the number of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot members will be equal at the property commission to be established after a solution.

"As it could be understood from Eide's statement, both the previous and the current users of a property can apply to this commission" Burcu said.

Touching upon the Republic of Cyprus Government Spokesman's statement that no agreement has yet been reached on who will have the right to apply to the commission first, Burcu said that both will have the right to apply to the commission for their rights. The commission will try to find a solution.

"As announced earlier, the property commission will try to meet the demands through the methods of return, compensation or exchange within the framework of criteria to be agreed on by the two sides. I want to underline an issue that having two people to claim right on a property does not mean a win for one side and a loss for the other. The duty of the property commission will be to meet the rights of both the previous and the current users through suitable methods. Both users will be able to apply to this commission and gain their rights" Burcu said.

Burcu also added that before the leaders meeting to be held on the 1st of September, the two negotiators will be holding 5 meetings between the 25th and 31st of August.

"The agenda of the leaders meeting will be defined depending on the developments to occur as a result of the 5 meetings of the negotiators" the Burcy said.

Burcu also reiterated that the issue of territory, village names, ratios, maps and the guarantee agreements will be taken up at the final stage of the negotiations.

[03] Akinci: the Cyprus settlement will ensure that the Turkish Cypriot "people" will live freely, in security and as equal partners

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots today are living in freedom and security but that there are still much to be done, Akinci said that it is their duty and responsibility to ensure that the Turkish Cypriot "people" have a better life.

Also touching upon the Cyprus issue, Akinci said that "the solution to be reached will be a settlement which will ensure that the Turkish Cypriot people will live freely, in security and as equal partners. It is you, the people, who will decide whether or not to accept the settlement to be reached. This cannot be by the leaders alone."

Comparing the current process with the 2004 Annan Plan process, Akinci said that the people are hurried to make a decision because of the tight timetable. "The current process allows us more time", he noted.

The illegal Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Nicosia Derya Kanbay also attended the ceremony.

[04] Cyprus water pipeline completed; Turkish Minister Eroglu: a project to bring electricity will start in the coming days

The last segment of the 80km water pipeline was submersed and connected, completing the multi-million euro project which will help cover the water and irrigation needs of the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus for the next 50 years.

In addition to the Turkish Minister Eroglu, the ceremony was attended by the illegal Turkish "ambassador" to the occupied part of Nicosia Derya Kanbay and the self-styled minister of natural resources, environment and food Onder Sennaroglu.

Speaking on board the ship with which the last piece of the pipeline was installed the Turkish Minister said that the success of the project in fact belonged to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who had been serving as Prime Minister when the project was launched. "Our duty ends at the Gecitkoy Dam (editor's note: occupied Panagra dam) in the TRNC. The distribution of the water will be carried out by the TRNC and relevant authorities", he added.

Noting that the water will reach in the occupied part of Nicosia in a month's time, Eroglu said that the arrival of the water to the capital will be inaugurated by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

He said that fresh spring water from Turkey's Toros Mountains will be flowing from taps all across the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus by the 31st of December 2015.

Eroglu claimed that the water will be shared with the Greek Cypriots in the event of a settlement serving to build a lasting peace on the island.

Also touching upon the issue of electricity being brought from Turkey, Eroglu said that planning to bring electricity from Turkey via a cable will start in the coming days.

The network will pump 75 million cubic meters of water annually from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with pipelines anchored at a depth of 250-280 meters under the sea.

Fresh water from Turkey's dragon stream is expected to reach the "TRNC" in 10 days.

Eroglu met in separate meetings with Akinci, the self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu and Sennaroglu respectively.

During his visits the Turkish Minister provided information about the project which cost more than ?500m to complete. He said that Turkey had achieved a great and difficult accomplishment, adding that the world's largest water treatment facility had been constructed as part of the project.

During the meeting, Akinci said that the water to arrive from Turkey is extremely vital for the "TRNC". Stating that such a project had been voiced for years, Akinci thanked both Erdogan and the Turkish nation for their efforts.

Akinci also claimed that the water to arrive can become a peace project.

Kalyoncu, who also met with the Turkish Minister, said: "This water is important for Cyprus. An important bond is being formed with Turkey. It is not a feat which should be underestimated and the water to arrive must be used carefully and wisely. We are ready to do our part".

Sennaroglu said that the biggest problem in living on an island is the lack of natural resources. He said that the water transfer project had come to life thanks to the vision of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "This water means life and a turning point for Cyprus. We should know the value of this. We can all see the importance Turkey attaches to Cyprus when we look at the size and magnitude of the project. The water should not be wasted and should be used carefully" he concluded.

[05] Erdogan will attend the inaugural ceremony for the "water project"

Eroglu also announced that the water can arrive to the occupied part of Nicosia on October 29, 2015, and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will inaugurate the project.

(DPs)

[06] Colak says that their target is to increase their "representation offices" abroad

Colak noted that their target is to increase the number of their "representation offices" abroad and, in parallel to the struggle for the solution of the Cyprus problem, to "explain" this problem abroad. Responding to a question, she said that their priority is to increase their "representation offices" in the EU member countries and make the existing "representation offices" more active. She noted: "We plan to open one more representation office. Our target is [for this office] to be opened in places in which we had not a representative before. [?] we will start with Europe".

Referring to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Colak argued that the two "founding states" will need an equal number of diplomats and underlined that their currently few diplomats need to urgently be increased, but because of its scarce resources, the "ministry" faces difficulties to even make appointments in its "foreign representation offices".

Colak said that her vision as "foreign minister" is to support Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in the Cyprus talks on every issue. The second leg of her vision, she argued, is, in parallel to this, to explain the so-called wish of the Turkish Cypriots for a solution abroad and especially in the EU and make the Greek Cypriot side to get into action in this direction.

Responding to a question, Colak noted: "When we meet with our diplomats they say that a different wind is blowing here [in Cyprus], but the climate in the countries we are, is the same. We meet with the harsh stance of the Greek Cypriots. We wish for this to be softened. This will be the biggest Confidence Building Measure. It will be the biggest CBM for us when one of our diplomats, artist or academician goes abroad and does not face placards or a stance that objects to his participation in an activity. [?]"

Colak referred also to Turkey's support and said that "they [Turkey] are ready to contribute in whatever we need". She argued that she felt no imposition or domination during her meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister on 20 July and added that she received the message that Turkey's "common vision" with them is peace in Cyprus and that Turkey will support finding a solution on the island. Colak said that her first visit abroad will be held to Ankara and that she expects a date to be given by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which currently has a heavy schedule.

(I/Ts.)

[07] MHP Deputy alleges that Akinci ignores the interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots

He noted that the negotiations resumed in May, but Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots allegedly do not know in which context the issues are being discussed and on which issues is possible to reach an agreement, because Akinci and his team are implementing an information blackout.

Ozdag described as "surprising" the fact that the AKP government and the Turkish Foreign Ministry "made no guidance and gave no recommendation", in spite of the fact that the issues which he described as "worrying" have been published in the press. Ozdag alleged that the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea are being ignored in the negotiations process, while Turkey has turned its attention to the Middle East, the Islamic State and the PKK.

Commenting on the issue, Afrika reports that "the ghost of the solution" has lead into action the nationalists' front both in occupied Cyprus and Turkey. "While calls for war are made in the island saying 'the hunting rifles are ready', in Turkey the climate that 'Cyprus is being sold' started to be created", writes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Volkan continues referring to a possible bloodshed in Cyprus due to the property issue

"As a Turkish Cypriot who loves his children, grandchildren and country, I gave the necessary reply to the Greek Cypriot and sent him away", argued Tutku.

The paper writes: "We are once more warning the officials: If the Greek Cypriots are not prevented from knocking on the Turkish Cypriots' doors holding their old title deeds, a conflict could come up any moment and blood could be shed".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkish Settlers Association chairman said that Akinci supports the interests of the Turkish Cypriots

He also said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci supports the interests of the Turkish Cypriots; however he claimed that with the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army from Cyprus, the chances of the Turkish Cypriots to live in the island will be modified.

(CS)

[10] Self-styled minister of tourism proposed that the Turkish citizens to cross to the government controlled area of Cyprus

Sucuoglu said that they want from the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to submit a proposal that they will prepare to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, adding that this proposal should be in the agenda. He added that the Cyprus authorities do not give permission to those who come from Turkey to cross to the government- controlled area of Cyprus. (Editor's note: Persons visiting Cyprus must enter and leave the country from a legal port or airport in the government-controlled area of Cyprus. The Turkish citizens, who enter the Republic of Cyprus from non-authorized points of entry - illegal ports or airports -, cannot cross to the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.)

Sucuoglu claimed that the Turkish tourists could cross for a day visit to Hala Sultan Tekke or some other places and added that this would be beneficial for the economy of the Greek Cypriots too.

(DPs)

[11] US consulate attack in Istanbul

The suspect, a woman, was wounded during a police operation in a building near the consulate, where she was hidden and later caught, according to police.

The attack on the consulate in the northern Sariyer district of Istanbul occurred early Monday morning. No casualties have been reported.

The consulate has been closed to public until further notice, said a written statement released on the consulate's twitter account.

Police have conducted a large-scale operation to find the second assailant. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack came after another on a police station in Istanbul, which killed one police officer and wounded at least 11 people, including four other police officers.

The police officer, who was injured in the gunfight, died at the hospital.

[12] Turkey "officially" undertakes all powers in the occupied area of Cyprus on sports and youth

Noting that the activities of the so-called ministry of youth and sports will almost be abolished with the "protocol", the paper writes that "almost all powers in the field of youth and sports are being transferred to Turkey". The "protocol" will be valid for five years.

(I/Ts.)

[13] UK Envoy to Ankara: Turkey key on refugee flow and fighting of ISIL

"First of all, Turkey has not joined the anti-ISIL coalition, Turkey is a member of the coalition from the beginning," he said, while responding to daily Hurriyet questions on Ankara's recent decision to open its Incirlik base to the U.S.-led coalition's upcoming strikes on ISIL.

Commenting on the foreign fighters problem that both the U.K. and Turkey have been facing, Moore said, "In our case, we don't know the exact number but our working estimate is about 700 U.K. citizens have gone to Syria and we think about half of those came back to the U.K."

The tie between the U.K. and Turkey is a very broad one, the ambassador said. "It is difficult to kind of synthesize it too much. But I find myself doing a lot of work around trying to get our exports up in Turkey, trying to partner with Turkish companies for third country markets. We have also done a lot of work recently with Turkish companies investing into the U.K. That seems to have got some momentum over the last two to three years. You have got Beko; they have just started an R&D center at Cambridge University. We had the huge deal with Ulker buying United Biscuits, the largest deal ever done by a Turkish company in the U.K.," he said.

"Because Turkey is active in a lot of places where we are, everything from the EU, Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Caucasus, Libya, Somalia? a long list of things I find myself talking about when I enter the building of [the] Foreign Ministry. We need to consult Turks on things; Turks need to consult us on things," he said.

[14] Thousands attend demonstration on peace in Istanbul

People started to gather at the Bakirkoy demonstration area for the meeting, which was attended by HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag and CHP deputy Oguz Kaan Salici.

Speaking at the demonstration, Demirtas said the demonstration was being held because people do not want to see their children killed in a way conducted by the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Demirtas said the groups who came for the demonstration were determined to bring peace to the country and to prevent the country from going back to the 1990s, when clashes between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish army were at their deadliest.

Police deployed water cannon known as TOMAs to the demonstration ground.

Demirtas called on all mothers of members of the Turkish security forces to object to the government and say they did not raise their children to give them away for a war desired by the AKP and "the person living in the palace," referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Demirtas said they did not fear going to the ballot box once again for an early election, if that was what the AKP forced upon the populace. "We will make them sorry for wanting to go to early polls," Demirtas said. "Are you ready for this?" he asked the crowd listening to him in Bakirkoy.

Demirtas called on Davutoglu to stop giving the HDP orders from Ankara, adding that Davutoglu and the AKP should put a stance between themselves on arms and war. Demirtas also asked Davutoglu how they asked the HDP to account for "terrorist attacks" when it was the AKP which was actually supporting the attacks. To support his claims, Demirtas gave the examples of the massacres of Zergele, Uludere and Suruc.

[15] Turkish Daily predicts new elections

"In an unexpected move a day before a key meeting on coalition possibilities with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made a call on Aug. 9 for a united political stance against violence.

Davutoglu said "all political leaders" should join the call to abandon arms and protect democracy. The call comes a day after the Istanbul headquarters of PM Davutoglu's Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) [AKP] came under fire by unidentified gunmen who injured a party employee.

The jargon of "abandoning arms" is generally used by the government in reference to the actions of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Davutoglu did not mention the name of the PKK, but the move seems like an attempt to corner the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which is focused on the Kurdish issue, in the Turkish parliament, since Kilicdaroglu's CHP has already publicly asked the PKK to stop acts of terror and abandon arms.

Davutoglu said he was going to talk about the issue with Kilicdaroglu during a meeting on Aug. 10 that will also discuss coalition possibilities. The timing of the statement, though, could raise eyebrows in the CHP ranks who suspect that the AK Parti has just been playing with time.

The time of the invitation from PM Davutoglu to Kemal Kilicdaroglu signals a long meeting anyway. Kilicdaroglu is the one who is going to listen to the decision of Davutoglu whether he is still willing to establish a grand coalition between the conservative AK Parti and the social democratic CHP. [?]

Well, there would be 12 days left until Aug. 23, the constitutional 45-day dead-line, but there is no visible scenario for the CHP to establish a government. Actually the hopes are dim in the CHP ranks for a coalition. Kilicdaroglu said recently that he believed Davutoglu was sincerely in favor of a grand coalition but that President Tayyip Erdogan would not let him to do so. Kilicdaroglu made a call for his MPs to convene with party executives on Aug. 12 with the agenda of getting ready for another election; talking about a coalition would be a sur-prise, depending on what Davutoglu has to say.

On the election front, the picture is complicated, too. There have been two people asking for a rerun of the elections from day one; President Erdogan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, albeit for different reasons.

Bahceli's political priority since the June 7 elections is to make the presence of the HDP which is focused on the Kurdish problem, in the parliament dysfunctional. His number-one condition for forming a coalition with the AK Parti has been an immediate end to the government's dialogue with the PKK for a political settlement to the problem. Bahceli thinks if the elections are repeated under circumstances in which the government puts pressure on the HDP (which it is doing thanks to the resumed acts of terror by the PKK), the HDP's votes could go down and the MHP's up.

Erdogan's priority is not to lose full control over the state apparatus which he has managed to maintain after 13 years in power. He knows well that any coalition means sharing power and the CHP's Kilicdaroglu, for example, would share the power with Davutoglu but not with him. That's why Erdogan wanted to go to another election, hoping that this time AK Parti can regain its power so that he can enjoy his de facto presidency, if not de jure.

But according to the information in the political backstage, all three polls Erdogan has asked for recently showed the HDP is not likely to go below the 10% national threshold and that AK Parti is not likely to regain the majority that is 276 seats.

However, Erdogan's political background suggests that instead of accepting the truth, he is likely trying everything possible to alter it.

The possibility of continuation of military operations against the PKK in the same context gets automatic backing from the MHP.

Bahceli said on Aug. 8 that if the government decides for an immediate election, he would support an election government by Davutoglu. (Bahceli had previously asked for Nov. 15, which coincides with the G-20 Summit in Antalya, when many world leaders will be in Turkey.) Under the circumstances, hearing an agreement on an AK Parti-CHP coalition today would really be a surprise." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(CS/ AM)

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