Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-01-11

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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: "Everyone wants the year 2016 to be a year of new beginning for Cyprus"

[02] Burcu replies to Ozdag's accusations

[03] Turkes argues that there is no delay in Turkey's payments to the breakaway regime in Cyprus and that the Cyprus talks are going well

[04] Talat evaluates the regime's relations with Turkey; He says that Turkey asked "citizenship" for another 26.000 settlers

[05] Turkey summons British Ambassador over suspension of Turkish diplomats' bank accounts in UK

[06] Ozgurgun: The agreement reached with the Turkish government on the water issue should be implemented immediately

[07] More about the scandal with the illegal Tymbou airport

[08] Sucuoglu signed protocol for archaeological excavations with the Ankara Gazi University

[09] One weapon accounts for every six persons in the breakaway regime

[10] Under-14-year-old football team of the "Turkish Cypriot Football Federation" to participate in a tournament held in Spain

[11] Davutoglu: South-Eastern municipalities use funds to aid PKK instead of building infrastructures

[12] Working Journalists' Day marked amid protests and detentions in Turkey; Erdogan: Press freedom is not unlimited

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "Everyone wants the year 2016 to be a year of new beginning for Cyprus"

Making a statement prior to the meeting, Akinci noted that the Cyprus issue has been continuing for over half a century now and added that the issue has been discussed thoroughly. "What's important is to reach an agreement that is accepted by the two sides", said Akinci and added that it is their aim to achieve two "yes" at a possible referendum.

"For a solution we need mutual understanding, we need to understand one another", said Akinci and added that they are working to reach an agreement where both peoples on the island are equal, living in security and peace. He said that they are constantly meeting with officials from Turkey, the parliament, government, opposition, civil society organisations and municipalities in order to find the criteria for the solution.

Reiterating his belief that that they will shape the future together, Akinci said that he will continue to hold meetings regarding the progress that is being made at the Cyprus negotiations. "We must create a solution by listening to one another. We aim for the year 2016 to be a year of a solution. If we know what is possible and what is not we can reach our aim more easily", Akinci added.

Meanwhile, the "Chamber of Electrical Engineers" held its New Year's reception on Friday night and Akinci, self-styled parliamentary speaker Sibel Siber, self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu and a variety of politicians took part in the event.

Speaking at the reception, Akinci said that they are trying their best to establish peace on the island through cooperation and expressed his belief that the "Chamber of Electrical Engineers" and the "Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects and Engineers" as always, will continue to contribute to the solution process on the island.

Noting that everyone wants the year 2016 to be a year of new beginnings for Cyprus, Akinci said: "I hope just like the Turkish Cypriot 'people', the Greek Cypriot 'people' will also have the same desires and that with the same feelings we will both achieve a solution and peace on the island".

[02] Burcu replies to Ozdag's accusations

Noting that without having any real facts or knowledge, Ozdag had made statements that were insulting and offensive, Burcu said that Ozdag had made similar biased statements in the past and it is clear that he is being supplied information by anti-solution circles.

Explaining that Ozdag had claimed that he visited the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to follow the Cyprus negotiations process, Burcu criticized Ozdag as he had made inappropriate statements without even requesting an appointment with Akinci, the negotiations team, the self-styled parliamentary speaker, theself-styled prime minister or the self-styled foreign minister.

Burcu reminded Ozdag, who evaluated the Akinci's handling of the Cyprus negotiations process as anti-democratic and far from being transparent, that information sharing is at its highest level at the negotiations process.

Ozdag had also claimed that the negotiations team is insufficient when it comes to international law and EU law. Burcu's reply to this claim was to list the number of experts that are serving on the negotiations team. "Ozdag overstepped the boundaries when he characterised the negotiations process that is being carried out in cooperation and harmony with Turkish officials, as submissiveness", Burcu added.

He added that the attack against Akinci and the negotiations team is at the same time an insult against the Turkish Cypriot "people". "On both sides of the island there are those who are opposed to a solution and we are witnessing accusations that are equivalent to insults by those circles. Without paying heed to unfounded accusations, we will continue to work towards finding a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, with all our good intentions", said Burcu.

[03] Turkes argues that there is no delay in Turkey's payments to the breakaway regime in Cyprus and that the Cyprus talks are going well

"There is no such issue. I have been looking after Cyprus for four months. No payment that came to my office and was withheld. When I read the news in Cyprus, I was astonished. The water is for the people's benefit. The politicians in Cyprus should take the responsibility for this [?] There is no debate between the state of the Republic of Turkey and the TRNC. There is no disagreement. Turkey is trying to do whatever it can for its brother-country Cyprus".

Turkes said that Turkey proposed the building of 472-kilometer water distribution network in the occupied area of Cyprus, the prevention of leakage-waste of water and the establishment of a second part of the project regarding the installation of a pre-paid system. According to Turkes, Turkey has asked the signing of an additional "protocol" so that no time is wasted until the build-operate-transfer procedure. "We have proposed that with this additional protocol the Water Affairs Department (DSI) carries out all these, until an agreement is reached on the water", he noted.

Turkes said that he could not understand the stance of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), which had not approved the agreement reached between the regime's "minister of finance", Birikim Ozgur (who comes from the CTP) and Turkey. He alleged:

"The TRNC is a separate state. We do not interfere in its internal affairs. However, let me note the following: I am the Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus. Can I make an agreement with the officials in Cyprus and then take it for approval to the AK Party council? Mr Birikim has been authorized and made an agreement [?] Afterwards, the party which should implement it (the CTP), takes it to its council. And then it says no. How will it explain this to its voters? [?]"

Turkes claimed that Turkey has never taken a decision which victimizes the Turkish Cypriots and everything agreed with the "protocols" is being paid on time. He noted that the money that should have been given to the regime within the framework of the financial "protocol" has not been given, because the "protocol' has not been signed yet. "Why was the financial protocol not prepared? This should be questioned", he said.

Referring to the negotiations process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkes alleged:

"The negotiations are proceeding positively. We are talking with president Mustafa Akinci. We are satisfied with the fact that the negotiations with Anastasiades are going well. However, both sides should make small gestures in order to be able to reach an agreement within the framework of the confidence building measures, but the Greek Cypriot side avoids even these small gestures. If Anastasiades wants to remain in history, he should make an agreement. Anastasiades should resist the pressures in the south".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Talat evaluates the regime's relations with Turkey; He says that Turkey asked "citizenship" for another 26.000 settlers

Asked to comment on the statement of the "embassy" that the water issue will be solved in the "cabinet", Talat said that after the CTP assembly took a decision, the "ministers" coming from the CTP cannot approve anything else.

Replying to another question, Talat noted that the water issue should be solved at the political level. "I think that my visit to Ankara could help in this. I think that it would be difficult for this issue to be solved if it remains at technical level in Ankara", he argued.

Asked about the new "economic protocol" between Turkey and the regime, Talat said that the "protocol" will be completed by tomorrow and a proposal will be submitted to Turkey. "We are waiting nothing from Turkey. We are the ones who delayed", he admitted.

Asked whether Turkey has put as precondition for the signing of the "protocol' that the "citizenship" of the regime should be given to another 26.000 Turkish settlers, Talat replied that "Turkey has the approach of drawing the attention of the government here to its citizens living here and their complaints". "As far as I know the total number of the complaints should be around 26.000", he said and agreed with the comment of the journalist that this number is "quite big".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkey summons British Ambassador over suspension of Turkish diplomats' bank accounts in UK

Turkish authorities have started an objection appeal process in English courts calling on British authorities to fulfil their obligations under international law, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic."We have initiated an appeal process. We expect for the prohibitions and precautions that have been placed on these accounts to be immediately lifted and for the UK to follow and adhere to the legal obligations that are required by international law. We expect the legal appeal process to be finalized very soon".

Bilgic underlined the suspension of the bank accounts violates Vienna Convention as it is against the nature of diplomatic and consular relations. "As you know, some international agreements on diplomatic relations are recognised as constitutional law. These are the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations", he said.

"Freezing of these accounts means the disregard of both these agreements", he continued.

"Additionally by freezing these accounts the UK has disrupted the workflow of our diplomatic and consular activities and has disregarded the Vienna conventions. Naturally this is completely unacceptable for us".

Responding to a question about the freezing of diplomats' bank accounts at a Turkish bank in England, Bilgic said the freezing of the accounts dates back to a decision that was taken in 2014-2015 by the Greek Cypriot administration (editor's note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus) as "precautionary measure".

The issue was brought to the attention of the British authorities by the Turkish embassy in London and the British ambassador to Ankara was summoned by the Turkish Foreign Ministry to explain the decision.

Bilgic said that taking this kind of decisions is harming the negotiation process for Cyprus.

[06] Ozgurgun: The agreement reached with the Turkish government on the water issue should be implemented immediately

Referring to the agreements that were made on the water issue and the ceremonies that took place with "government officials", Ozgurgun reminded of the last meeting that took place in December between Turkey and "TRNC" delegations and noted that it was decided with an "intergovernmental agreement" that the water management and inspections would be carried out by "TRNC public authority" during that meeting.

"Due our 'government partner' the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) taking this issue to its party assembly, the Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocol has not been signed and our people are suffering due to this", said Ozgurgun.

He said that the National Unity Party's stance on the water issue has been clear from the very beginning and added that the UBP will not take part in any unnecessary discussions as it is well aware of its duties and responsibilities towards the public. "The intergovernmental agreements that have been reached should be implemented right away. This artificial issue that has taken over the public's agenda for no apparent reason should be overcome", said the UBP leader.

[07] More about the scandal with the illegal Tymbou airport

However, as the paper alleged, the "embassy" denied to contribute for this purpose and proposed to the "ministry" to provide the control-inspection service of the illegal Tymbou airport to the "state airport directorate". However, the "ministry of transportation of the TRNC" did not take into consideration the "embassy's proposal" and signed the agreement with the foreign company.

As the paper writes, the agreement was signed last October by the "undersecretary of the ministry of transportation" Olgun Amcaoglu. Amcaoglu who had objections to the signing of this agreement received pressure by the so-called minister of transportation Tahsin Ertugruloglu who told him that the signing of the agreement was "Erdogan's order". .

The above mentioned agreement envisaged the decision approved by the "council of ministers" to provide a foreign company the control-inspection services of the T&T airport company which is responsible for the management of the illegal Tymbou airport.

(AK)

[08] Sucuoglu signed protocol for archaeological excavations with the Ankara Gazi University

According to the paper, he signed a protocol for archaeological excavations with the Ankara Gazi University. Information is not provided regarding the areas in which the excavations will take place.

In addition, the paper reported that Sucuoglu met with the Turkish Minister of Tourism Mahir Unal and with the deputy Prime Minister, responsible for Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes. Commenting on his contacts with Unal, Susuoglu stated that they discussed ways to strengthen the cooperation in the area of tourism and he conveyed to the Turkish Tourism Minister his proposal the year 2017 to be "the year of North Cyprus", in Turkey.

Finally the paper reports that Unal may visit the breakaway regime next week.

(CS)

[09] One weapon accounts for every six persons in the breakaway regime

The paper cites information by the "ministry of interior" according to which "there are almost 57,000 weapons for a population of 290,000". Noting that there has been an increase in weapon buying during the last five years, the paper adds that these are shotguns, air guns and paintball weapons.

(CS)

[10] Under-14-year-old football team of the "Turkish Cypriot Football Federation" to participate in a tournament held in Spain

According to the paper, the tournament will take place in March and teenager teams from Barcelona, Seville, Liverpool and other big football teams will also participate.

(CS)

[11] Davutoglu: South-Eastern municipalities use funds to aid PKK instead of building infrastructures

Most of the municipalities in south-eastern Turkey are run by the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), the sister party of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). Recently, there have been many reports that the municipalities administrated by the DBP provide assistance to the PKK by digging trenches and establishing roadblocks to claim control over cities.

Davutoglu said that the DBP-run municipalities did not turn their funds into investments, which is essential to secure peace and tranquillity in the region. The Prime Minister said that these municipalities will give an account for these funds.

Davutoglu also touched upon some media reports' claims that there was a time limit for terror operations ongoing in the south-eastern Turkey. The Prime Minister said that "There is no such time limit", and the operations would continue until an atmosphere of peace is ensured in the region.

[12] Working Journalists' Day marked amid protests and detentions in Turkey; Erdogan: Press freedom is not unlimited

Demonstrators took to the streets in both Istanbul and Ankara to protest the fact that 1,000 journalists have been fired in recent months and that 33 are in prison, while over 200 reporters faced investigations in 2015.

Speaking to those gathered in front of the school, Guseren Ergezer from the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS) said that journalists do not feel that it is appropriate to celebrate Working Journalists' Day since many of their colleagues have been either killed or imprisoned in recent months. "We journalists have spent a lot of time in courthouses recently to give statements to prosecutors over alleged crimes, instead of spending our time doing our actual jobs. Almost every day, [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan's lawyers file a criminal complaint against one of us. Judges are ordered to issue rulings to arrest journalists and over 30 journalists are still behind bars. The only evidence used to justify these arrests is the journalists' news reports," Ergezer said.

Meanwhile, Erdogan issued a statement on Friday to mark Working Journalists' Day and said that a country's democracy is as strong as the extent to which its media and journalists are free to do their jobs, but added that the ability to exercise that freedom should not be construed as constituting exemption from responsibilities.

The President also said that powerful states have a strong media environment that allows different voices to flourish. "The media should be independent and the level of democracy in a country is shown by the extent to which the media, journalists and media employees are free. However, this freedom should not be interpreted as entailing an absence of responsibility. What matters is that people have access to true and objective news," Erdogan said.

Many social media users lambasted Erdogan's message, describing his remarks as insincere and accusing him of responsibility for the pressure on journalists and media outlets in Turkey. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(AK / AM)

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