Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-31

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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 evaluates one year in "office" and says he will continue representing the Turkish Cypriot "people" at international platforms

[02] Denktas proposed a "customs union agreement" with Turkey

[03] The breakaway regime will participate in the United World Games in Austria

[04] The trade within the Green Line regulation remains stagnant

[05] Durust due to Pakistan for an OIC meeting

[06] Fifteen persons were "arrested" after the clashes between Kurdish and Grey Wolf members in occupied Lefka

[07] KTAMS condemned the so-called government for serving AKP's interests

[08] Ankara warns Berlin over an Armenian bill

[09] Erdogan: "No Muslim family should engage in birth control"

[10] Quarrel within the MHP continues over the date for snap party congress

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci evaluates one year in "office" and says he will continue representing the Turkish Cypriot "people" at international platforms

Noting that they will work for new a united, bi-zonal, bi-communal federal Cyprus based on political equality, Akinci said that in parallel to the negotiations they will not neglect properly representing the Turkish Cypriot "people" at all platforms they are given the chance to do so. Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, he noted:

"You want to take deep roots and exist in this country. You want to be accepted as equal and free men on these lands, as people who live away from worries for the future, in security, standing upright and in dignity. I believe that I represent this just demand of yours openly in every level, every platform. I have clearly expressed your demand and determination in Nicosia, in the buffer zone, in Ankara, in Berlin, in Istanbul, in Davos and in New York. [?] The first sentence we wrote in the new page we have opened during the new period is that all sides have now undoubtedly accepted the sincere and strong demand of the Turkish Cypriot people for a solution. No one is left anymore in doubt that the Turkish Cypriot people have shouldered the solution process in Cyprus, that they try to promote it and that they sincerely want a solution. In the end of the first year, all countries and sides concerned, the international institutions have come to the point of having no doubt about our sincerity. A new climate of trust was created during the new period".

Pointing out that during the past one year progress was achieved on Confidence Building Measures (CBM), Akinci described the new adjustments within the framework of the CBM as "the backbone of the solution" of the Cyprus problem, adding, however, that no CBM could replace the just, bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution. Akinci said that "serious progress" was achieved on the issue of the radio and television frequencies in the relevant committee and in the efforts for harmonizing their frequencies with the international standards. He also noted that the electricity networks were temporarily unified.

Referring to the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas, Akinci said that the efforts in this direction are continuing with the contribution of the UN and the EU, adding that their opening might have been delayed, but both crossing points will open soon and that the works in this direction are systematically continuing.

Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (31.05.16) refers to the same statements and writes that Akinci recalled of his recent visit to Istanbul and his participation in a dinner, something which President Anastasiades has allegedly used as an excuse for not participating in programmed meeting within the framework of the Cyprus talks showing "exaggerated and unjust reaction". He argued: "Undoubtedly the fact that the solution process was interrupted with such excuses was not good. Anyway, it was early understood that the created crisis would not be prolonged. My wish is for this not to be repeated. We cannot accept that the contacts which we are holding are not tolerated, when the Turkish Cypriot people are determinedly and sincerely advancing in the way of the solution".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Denktas proposed a "customs union agreement" with Turkey

Denktas further said that they should be able to sell their products, which are produced properly accordingly to TSE (Turkish Standards Institute), in Turkey duty-free, adding that at this moment they cannot sell what they are producing. He asked from Turkey to open its doors to their products.

(DPs)

[03] The breakaway regime will participate in the United World Games in Austria

This was made known during a meeting between "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun and a delegation of the "north Cyprus water sports federation".

During the meeting, Ozgurgun said that the "government" always supports the participation of sports teams in international organizations and congratulated the "north Cyprus water sports federation" for its participation in the United World Games.

The paper writes that more than 800 athletes from 40 countries will participate in the games.

(CS)

[04] The trade within the Green Line regulation remains stagnant

Cigdem Aksu, responsible for trade and business development of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO), speaking to the paper, said that the figures have reached to the aimed level, adding that the prohibition on crossing of the heavy duty vehicles to the "South" constitutes the biggest obstacle for the trade.

The top selling products to the "South" are fresh fish, scraps and plastic products.

The paper publishes the total "export figures" in euro per year from 2005 until today:

2005: 1,673,000

2006: 3,228,000

2007: 4,125,000

2008: 7,172,000

2009: 6,000,000

2010: 5,909,000

2011: 5,304,000

2012: 4,195,000

2013: 3,928,000

2014: 3,911,000

2015: 3,933,000

(DPs)

[05] Durust due to Pakistan for an OIC meeting

According to a statement released by the "ministry", Durust will attend the two days meeting that will discuss the 10 year plan for science and technologies development within the OIC.

Durust who is "representing" the "TRNC" at the meeting with an observer status will address the general assembly.

Durust will return to the "TRNC" on Wednesday the 1st of June.

[06] Fifteen persons were "arrested" after the clashes between Kurdish and Grey Wolf members in occupied Lefka

According to the paper, 15 persons were arrested for the weekend events in occupied Morfou, Lefkosia and Lefka and among them is the chairman of the Grey Wolfs organization, Adem Yurtagul. The paper also notes that the persons arrested will be brought in front of a so-called court in occupied Morfou today.

(CS)

[07] KTAMS condemned the so-called government for serving AKP's interests

Kaptan argued that the "government" in the occupied area of Cyprus which was established by the AKP, continues to cause disappointment and distress to the "people" and workers in the "TRNC", who expect the solution of the Cyprus problem, the increase of the purchasing power and solutions to the problems related with the minimum wages.

Kaptan criticized also the "government" for hiding from the "people" the provisions of the "economic protocol" to be signed with Turkey. He reiterated that anti-democratic practices and impositions are unacceptable for KTAMS and underlined that they will continue their struggle in order to serve the people's rights and interests.

(AK)

[08] Ankara warns Berlin over an Armenian bill

"Turkish-German relations have continued since World War I with extreme sincerity, leading to the intermingling of the peoples", Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesperson Numan Kurtulmus said on May 30.

"I believe that the German Parliament will not destroy this relationship out of respect for a few politicians," he said about the bill which will go to a vote in the Bundestag on June 2 and which condemns the century-old killings of Anatolian Armenians during World War I, as genocide.

"If they do such thing, it would consist solely of a text which has no scientific value; a text which has no value," Kurtulmus said after a Cabinet meeting.

"We would do whatever we do when other Parliaments adopt such Resolutions; we would do the same thing and proceed on our way," he added.

Armenia charges that as many as 1.5 million of its kin were victims of genocide during World War I under the Ottoman Empire.

Ankara rejects the "genocide" charge, countering that 300,000 to 500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian forces.

The bill, which was prepared by the coalition partners Christian Democrat Union/ Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), while the Greens say Armenians and other Christian minorities were subject to a genocidal campaign 101 years ago.

The debate over the Resolution also comes at a hugely sensitive time in Berlin-Ankara relations.

Turkish authorities are angry over the failure to grant citizens visa-free travel to the European Union and Germany is worried by the worsening rights situation in Turkey.

[09] Erdogan: "No Muslim family should engage in birth control"

"I am saying this clearly, we will increase our posterity and reproduce generations. As for population planning or birth control, no Muslim family can engage in such a mentality. We will follow the road that my God and dear Prophet [Muhammad] say," Erdogan said in an address to the foundation of the Service for Youth and Education Foundation of Turkey (TURGEV) in Istanbul.

In his remarks, Erdogan also praised TURGEV in its efforts to raise an "exemplary" generation of youth in terms of spiritual education in addition to regular schooling.

Erdogan underlined the new term of Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m's freshly formed Cabinet would focus on restructuring school curricula in order to eliminate the troubles of the youth.

He outlined three vices: being recruited by the "divisive terror organization," referring to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), joining the ranks of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or being carried away by "earthly pleasures" ? as part of which he included "addiction to technology."

Erdogan stressed the importance of a homegrown effort in tackling all these issues, stressing the need to establish and improve "national institutions" in education. "We need to take matters into our own hands, there is no other way. Do we want to raise an ideal youth? We need to found and improve our own institutions starting from parental education to pre-school education, all the way to graduate and postgraduate studies," he added.

Erdogan's statements also drew criticism from Ozgur Ozel, the Deputy parliamentary leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), who said decisions relating to women's bodies should be of no concern for a country's President.

"It is not up to the President, or other persons, to discuss decisions that should be made based on scientific criteria by scientists or decisions that relate to women's bodies," Ozel said, adding that the President was "talking nonsense" in an area beyond his sphere of influence.

Erdogan's remarks are in line with his long-term policy of encouraging "at least three children per family" while describing abortion as "murder" and railing against Caesarian sections.

"One or two children mean bankruptcy. Three children mean we are not improving but not receding either. At least three children are necessary in each family, because our population is at risk of aging," Erdogan said in February 2013.

According to recent reports, Turkey has paid over 450 million Turkish Liras since May 2015 as part of a government incentive to encourage women to have more children.

Women's rights activists and lawyers have criticized the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, which was led by then-Prime Minister Erdogan from 2003 until he was elected to the Presidency in August 2014, for the increasingly conservative and authoritarian political culture they say it is fostering, especially against women.

[10] Quarrel within the MHP continues over the date for snap party congress

"At this stage, our panel has decided, as the sole authorized functionary on deciding and executing a congress, to hold the grand extraordinary congress in Ankara on June 19, 2016" the official statement released by the three-member panel announced yesterday.

The announcement came less than a week after MHP leader Devlet Bahceli issued a written statement on May 25 declaring that the party will hold a congress to elect its leader on July 10 and Bahceli would run for re-election.

Bahceli said that the MHP administration had made the decision to "put an end to the debate" and "prevent any harm to party unity."

His announcement was preceded by a statement by the party's Deputy leader, Semih Yalc?n, on May 24, saying a party congress was set to be held in July, hours after Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals approved a local court's decision for the MHP to hold a congress.

The MHP administration, however, swiftly responded to the decision of the three-member panel, consisting of Mehmet Bilgic, Ayhan Erel and Ali Sag?r, and said they did not recognize its ordinance.

"We do not recognize the date, June 19, as announced by the trustee panel. The date of our congress is July 10. We will hold the congress on July 10," Yalc?n said, contributing to the confusion that has been continuing for weeks, as courts and politicians failed to reach an agreement on the matter.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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