Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-10-02

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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 continues his contacts in New York

[02] Colak met with the Foreign Minister of Qatar; Nami met with US and UN officials

[03] Davutoglu: Turkey supports Cyprus solution process

[04] Colak indicates water will bring more projects for doing business

[05] Self-styled minister of tourism sampled the water coming from Turkey

[06] Disagreement between Ankara and the breakaway regime on the administration of the water transferred from Turkey

[07] Pilgrims visit Larnaka Tekke Mosque

[08] An Antique burial site of the Hellenistic era was found in occupied Lapithos

[09] Self-styled tourism ministry take part in IFTM Top Resa Tourism Fair in Paris

[10] One of Turkey's most influential columnists and TV commentators, was severely beaten

[11] HDP Deputies leave Parliament in protest against President Erdogan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci continues his contacts in New York

As part of his contacts, on the same day Akinci also met with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The Cyprus issue and Akinci's New York contacts were taken up during the 45 minute meeting which was held at the Plaza Hotel.

During the meeting, Davutoglu pointed to the importance of Akinci's high level contacts in New York. He also reiterated Turkey's support to the negotiations process and the ongoing efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot "people" and their legitimate rights. The Turkish Cypriot delegation also stressed that the meeting with Davutoglu was fruitful.

Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Ozdil Nami, Akinci's spokesman Baris Burcu, Akinci's private secretary Cenk Gurcag, self-styled foreign ministry undersecretary Erhan Ercin, and the "representative" of the breakaway regime New York Mehmet Dana accompanied Akinci. Davutoglu was accompanied by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cevdet Yilmaz and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek at the meeting.

Within the framework of his contacts in New York, Akinci also met with a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot Society which is based in New York. During the meeting which was held at the Plaza Hotel, the delegation headed by Ali Sencer was briefed by Akinci on the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process and his contacts in New York.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television in Turkish (online, 01.10.15) reports that Akinci met with New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murry McCully on Thursday. During the meeting, which lasted for 40 minutes, they discussed the ongoing Cyprus talks.

Akinci briefed the New Zealand Foreign Minister on the latest stage reached at the Cyprus talks and asked that all concerned sides regarding the Cyprus problem to show respect to the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Minister Mccully, for his part, asked the opinion of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding some chapters of the talks.

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 01.10.15), Akinci had also a meeting with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Mogherini. In his short statement following the meeting, Akinci stressed that peace and prosperity to be provided by a solution in Cyprus will be a positive example for the region. Akinci informed Mogherini regarding the stage reached at the Cyprus negotiations and expressed the Turkish Cypriot side's views.

Furthermore, Akinci stated that they discussed the EU's role and contributions in case of a possible solution.

Stressing that they also discussed the issue of preparations which should start as soon as possible for EU's fulfilling the requirements of a solution; Akinci said that the views of the Turkish Cypriot side about the precautions which should be taken to preserve a bi-communal, bi-zonal character of a comprehensive solution were also discussed.

Akinci noted that it was underlined during the meeting that some factors of a solution need to be protected within the EU as a primary law.

Stating that the issues regarding the cost of a solution were also discussed, Akinci said that they discussed what the EU can do on the issue of meeting the expenses of a solution.

During the meeting, Akinci expressed the view that the EU institutions should ensure more cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot side for the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriot side to the EU. Akinci added: "In brief, we gave information about the current stage of the negotiations and stressed that a solution to be reached in Cyprus should have a legal certainty within the EU. We talked about the positive role of the EU for meeting the expenses of a solution. It was a positive meeting."

[02] Colak met with the Foreign Minister of Qatar; Nami met with US and UN officials

Colak also met with the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and the former "Turkish ambassador" to the occupied part of Nicosia Halil Ibrahim Akca. Colak is also going to attend the Foreign Ministers Coordination Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in New York, where she will deliver a speech. Self-styled ministry of foreign affairs undersecretary Erhan Ercin and general director Kemal Koprulu were also present at the meetings.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami met yesterday with Amanda Sloat, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Later, Nami met with David Pressman, the US Ambassador to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs and Jeffrey Feltman, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. No statement was issued after the meetings.

(DPs)

[03] Davutoglu: Turkey supports Cyprus solution process

Davutoglu once again underlined Turkey's determination to find a just, permanent and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and added: "Within this framework we will continue to support a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the two people of the island being equal partners with political equality".

He also expressed the hope that the current Cyprus negotiation process will be concluded shortly. Davutoglu further said that Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Cypriot "people's" effective and constructive efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[04] Colak indicates water will bring more projects for doing business

Calling on the EIT members to support investment in the breakaway regime and help in lifting "isolations" on sectors such as tourism and education, Colak said that a sustainable solution would undoubtedly contribute as well.

Speaking at the gathering, Colak noted that the "TRNC" would be more than happy to host the EIT future events and their members. She said that as the 'observer country status' of the breakaway regime had begun; their aim is to strengthen relations with the other members.

[05] Self-styled minister of tourism sampled the water coming from Turkey

Speaking to reporters, Sucuoglu claimed that the water that is currently flowing from Turkey can solve the whole island's water problem. He added that the water from Anamur will change the fate of "North Cyprus" (editor's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) as well as the island. "We are extremely happy to see that the project has been completed after a two year wait", Sucuoglu said.

Pointing out that the project is one of a kind in the world; he said that the water earns the Turkish Cypriots an important strategic advantage. "If you ask me this is more precious than any oil or natural gas", he said. Sucuoglu also highlighted the positive impact the water will have on the Cyprus negotiations process.

[06] Disagreement between Ankara and the breakaway regime on the administration of the water transferred from Turkey

According to the paper, despite the fact that the technical works as regards the water transfer have been completed, the issue of administration has not been solved yet since Turkey on one hand insists on giving the administration to a private firm while the breakaway regime on the other hand insists on the establishment of an autonomous administration.

Speaking to Kibris Postasi (01.10.15) on the issue, CTP chairman and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that "it is out of the question for the water to be brought from Turkey and all other public water resources, to be given to a private firm to be administered", adding that the right thing to do is to establish an independent water administration which would take care of the water from Turkey as well as all resources on the island.

Responding to a question on whether or not privatizing the water 'was an order from Turkey', Talat said it would be unjust to say this was an order; however Turkey did believe it would be better if a private organization administered the water on the island however this was not a new issue.

Talat pointed out that the official inauguration ceremony for the water project will take place on October 28 but no official contact with Turkey and himself had been made yet on the issue since until now all contact was at technical level. Asked if they would take a step back from the independent water administration idea if Turkey insisted, Talat said he did not want to say whether or not they would take a step back but the important thing here was "our own values:, as he stated.

On his part, the chairman of the Communal Democratic Party Cemal Ozyigit stated according to Halkin Sesi (02.10.15) stated that the water transferred from Turkey should be administrated by the local "authorities" and called on the "government" to take a clear stance on the issue. He also said that despite the fact that the water issue came to the agenda in 2008 neither of the Turkish Cypriot parties, who have come to "power" since that date managed to take a decision on the issue.

(CS)

[07] Pilgrims visit Larnaka Tekke Mosque

The pilgrimage marked the Muslim feast of Eid Al Adha or Kurban Bayram and was organised by the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process which is under the auspices of the Swedish Embassy.

It was the first time that a Greek Cypriot priest, assigned by the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos II, visited the mosque for the occasion.

Worshippers toured the mosque grounds and prayed during the visit.

The head of the self-styled department of religious affairs of the breakaway regime Prof. Dr Talip Atalay and the Archbishop's representative priest Savvas Hadjionnas who spoke during the visit gave messages of peace and reconciliation.

Atalay stressed the importance of peace and brotherhood and further expressed the hope that there will be end to terrorism and discrimination. He also underlined the importance of the Archbishop of Cyprus for accepting the presence of "Turkish origin TRNC citizens" by sending a representative to the mosque.

Priest Savvas Hadjionnas, for his part, wished all Muslims a happy Kurban Bayram and conveyed the Archbishop's good wishes. He said that the cooperation and dialogue between the two religious institutions will continue in the future.

Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud Executive Coordinator of the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the auspices of the Embassy of Sweden who also spoke during the visit said that she personally witnessed the positive effects of dialogue between the two leaders. Pointing out that several churches in the "North" (editor's note: occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) had also been opened to worship; Eskidjan said that this was a sign that there was mutual respect for religious freedoms.

[08] An Antique burial site of the Hellenistic era was found in occupied Lapithos

The burial site believed to date back to 58BC to 325AD in the Hellenist era. Self-styled minister of tourism Faiz Sucuoglu visited the burial site on Wednesday where he spoke to archaeologists there. "Antiquities and museums department manager" Fuat Azimli told the press that pieces dating back to the Hellenist era were discovered; once the dig will be completed they will be able to give more information relating to it he said.

[09] Self-styled tourism ministry take part in IFTM Top Resa Tourism Fair in Paris

A press release from the "ministry" read that the fair is running from 29 September to 2 October; self-styled head of the tourism promotion and marketing department Pembe Kanatli and self-styled department personnel Mustafa Koprulu are participating in the event this year. Brochures and maps of the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus were distributed to visitors.

[10] One of Turkey's most influential columnists and TV commentators, was severely beaten

"Ahmet Hakan Coskun, one of Turkey's most influential columnists and TV commentators, was severely beaten by four persons in front of his house in Istanbul on Oct. 1, right after completing his debate show, "The Neutral Zone," on CNNTurk. The attackers have been detained by the police, with at least one of them an infamous Twitter personality who trolls users who are critical of the government. It appears that they were using a hired car and chased Coskun from the CNNTurk building to his house for over 20 kilometres.

Both CNNTurk and daily Hurriyet, which Ahmet Hakan Coskun writes for, are part of the Dogan Media Group. The attack of Coskun was the third physical attack on Hurriyet in the past month ? all of which came following remarks against the media group, either by President Tayyip Erdogan or by the Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) government of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, which is not evidence itself that the attacks were inspired by them but nevertheless presents a pattern.

[?]

It is not clear whether the attackers were inspired by a statement by President Erdogan a day before when he once again slammed Ayd?n Dogan, the founder of the Dogan Media Group, for manipulating governments in the past, even though it is something that Dogan has denied numerous times.

What Dogan Sabanc? was talking about when she mentioned threats were not only Twitter trolls who are not very easy to follow, but also pro-government commentators in pro-government newspapers and TV stations who have continued their insults and threats ? including statements to Coskun like "If we want, we could smash you like a fly. If you are still alive, it is because of our mercy" by Cem Kucuk. So far, no probe has been opened by prosecutors despite numerous applications by lawyers to courts about insults and threats of violence against the Dogan Group and its members.

There was still no condemnation or expression of sorrow by either the President or the Prime Minister by 6 p.m. on Oct. 1 as this article was being completed. Are political and legal authorities waiting for something worse to happen before taking steps?

Turkey is going to a re-election on Nov. 1 amid a tense atmosphere with the resumption of acts of terror that have widened the political polarization in the country.

The attacks on independent media which refuse to become part of the political show or fall into line with the government's policies will neither ameliorate the political situation in Turkey nor boost Turkey's image abroad, especially when Erdogan is preparing to host the prestigious G-20 summit on Nov. 15-16 in Antalya.

A free press is an inseparable part of a working democracy, and the government should be well aware of that."

[11] HDP Deputies leave Parliament in protest against President Erdogan

HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag were not present at the session, which began with introductory remarks by Parliament Speaker Ismet Yilmaz. As Yilmaz presented Erdogan's entrance in the general assembly hall, the HDP Deputies in the hall refused to stand up, as required by custom, and when Erdogan began delivering his speech all HDP Deputies present left the hall in a show of protest. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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