Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-07-16

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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] Erdogan: "The President and the government are on duty; Coup plotters will pay for what they did"

[02] Turkey's MFA: Government is in control

[03] Akinci on the coup attempt in Turkey: Undemocratic actions are unacceptable

[04] Turkey attempted coup: Timeline of events

[05] At least 161 people dead and 2,839 detained over coup attempt

[06] Opposition parties reject the military coup attempt

[07] The International community supports Turkey's government

[08] Acting Chief of Staff: Turkish Armed Forces successfully foiled coup attempt

[09] Fethullah Gulen condemned the coup attempt

[10] How the Turkish press covered the military coup attempt

[11] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the coup attempt in Turkey

[12] Erdogan supporters protest in the occupied area of Cyprus against the coup attempt

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan: "The President and the government are on duty; Coup plotters will pay for what they did"

"Turkish Airlines began its operations. There is a small distress in Ankara," Erdogan told a large crowd gathered at the airport. "There is no leaving here until this situation goes back to normal", he said.

Erdogan slammed U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of leading a terrorist organization and attempting to infiltrate and overthrow the democratically-elected government in Turkey.

"It is enough the betrayal you have done to this nation", Erdogan said, though not mentioning Gulen's name, and called him to return to his country, where he would face trial.

Addressing hundreds of citizens that gathered in front of the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Erdogan spoke as follows: "What the Parallel State Structure is has fully been revealed as a result of their act yesterday evening after 17-25 December. As was seen, they showed blatant examples of a terrorist act. They are so despicable as to direct the weapons, bought with the means and money that belong to the nation and the poor, at this nation. Whom are they directing their weapons at? Where do these tanks shoot at? Have they bought the F-16 jets with their fathers' money?"

Urging citizens not to disrupt their stance, Erdogan said: "I would especially like to use this expression. From the highest ranks of our army to the lowest rank, from the Chief of General Staff and force commanders to the rank and file, those who have become a tool constitute just a minority. In Turkey it is not the armed forces that administer the state and neither can it. Now a government, which has come to the power through the national will, and a President that the nation has brought to the office with a 52% vote, are on duty."

Erdogan further stated: "Our only need is to believe in ourselves. There is nothing we cannot achieve as long as this heart beats and we stand firm against them. I am also calling on Pennsylvania. It is enough the betrayal you have done to this nation. Come to your homeland if you dare it. Your strength won't suffice to stir the country from there."

The President added: "Turkish Airlines has begun its flights. There is small distress in Ankara. It will also be overcome. There is no leaving here until this situation goes back to normal. I will not leave, too."

In response to citizens' slogans "Turkey is proud of you", Erdogan said: "We are proud of you". Concluding his address by thanking citizens, President Erdogan made an emphasis of "One nation, one flag, one homeland, one state," at the end of his address.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 16.07.16) reports that Erdogan said earlier on July 16 that coup plotters would pay for what they did. "They will pay for what they did", Erdogan said at Istanbul's Ataturk airport after returning from the southern resort Marmaris.

"This attempted uprising will get its answer from the law and they will be given an answer through the judicial system. They should know that in this country the law will be maintained", he said.

The President defined the attempt as "a movement of treason" and added: "This is an act of treason and uprising. They will pay a very heavy price for this act of treason. Let me express this clearly".

[02] Turkey's MFA: Government is in control

"Our president and government are in charge," according to the statement, carried by Turkey's Washington Embassy and Permanent Mission to the UN on Friday.

"Turkish armed forces were not involved in the coup attempt in its entirety. It was conducted by a clique within the armed forces and received a well-deserved response from our nation", it added.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that a no-fly zone has been enforced above Ankara, adding that army commanders, including Chief of Staff Hulusi Akar, are on duty and working to stop the illegal military action.

Millions of Turks spent the night on streets across Turkey in a show of support for the Turkish government.

[03] Akinci on the coup attempt in Turkey: Undemocratic actions are unacceptable

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (16.07.16) reports that a long lasting extraordinary meeting was held last night at Akinci's office during which the Turkish Cypriot leader and "high ranking bureaucrats" evaluated the situation. During the meeting, the commander of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus and the commander of the so-called security forces briefed Akinci over the phone regarding the situation. The commanders told Akinci that they continue to carry out their duties within the framework of the "constitution".

Moreover, in statements to illegal Bayrak television (16.07.16, online), Akinci noted that the incident "closely concerns" the Turkish Cypriots. "We are following it. We are a community which is in very close relation with Turkey", he said adding: "We are a community which rejoices when good things happen in Turkey and worries during bad developments".

Recalling that coups had also happened in the past in Turkey, Akinci noted that these coups did not take Turkey forward and expressed his concerns about the new attempt.

"We wish and want a future under a democratic rule of law in democracy and pluralism for Turkey. We know that the coups are not a solution. All problems could be solved only in democracy", he said.

Akinci noted that he talked with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs and conveyed to him his feelings.

Addressing the Turkish Cypriots Akinci called on them not to worry adding that there is absolutely no problem in the occupied area of Cyprus. He said: "There is no problem within our borders. We are taking some measures against possibilities for provocation. I met with the army corps and the security forces command. They are continuing their duties here within the chain of command. The attempt for a coup has no influence here. It has no influence at the borders as well. We are following the events in Turkey. Our only wish is for Turkey to find a solution to its problems and solve its problems in stability. Democracy is the only way out".

Akinci argued that a negative development in Turkey caused a positive development, which is the fact that the Turkish people backed democracy.

Wishing for the coup to fail and Turkey to continue being a civilian Republic, Akinci noted that elections are the solution. Expressing his worries about the situation, he argued that the healing of the wounds will take time and wished for Turkey to find its calm the soonest and the relations among the political parties [of the country] to soften.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkey attempted coup: Timeline of events

The Turkish government says millions of citizens and police have successfully repelled an hours-long coup attempt led by a breakaway faction of the nation's army.

The first signs of trouble came early Friday night, when residents in Istanbul began to report the closure of the Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges.

Amidst the confusion, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said an attempted coup was underway and a group referring to themselves as a "peace council" claimed to be in control of the country.

A statement said the so-called "peace council" would draft a new Constitution after calling for an immediate curfew and martial law in the country.

In the following hours, residents in Istanbul and capital Ankara, reported sounds of gunfire, explosions and jets flying through the night sky.

A few hours later, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared before a crowd of thousands at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport and announced that the coup had failed.

Timeline of Events:

00:26 am - Erdogan urges people to take to the streets to protest against what he describes as a coup attempt by a minority faction within the military. Speaking via a cellphone video link he says it will meet a "necessary response". He says he is returning to Ankara.

00:35 am - Turkish state broadcaster TRT goes off air, but later starts broadcasting from London.

00:51 am - A military helicopter opens fire over the Turkish capital Ankara, witnesses report an explosion in the capital.

01:03 am - Justice Minister says members of a movement loyal to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen in the army are behind the attempted coup.

01:08 am - Tanks surround Turkish parliament building, open fire. Gunfire heard at Istanbul airport.

01:26 am - Two loud explosions heard in centre of Ankara.

01:37 am - Commander of First Army, part of land forces responsible for Istanbul and other western areas, said those attempting a coup were a small faction and "nothing to worry about".

01:47 am - Yildirim says gangs and illegal formations are behind coup attempt, and calls it a terrorist act. He says government remains in charge. Urges people to take to the streets.

01:51am - Commander of special forces says a group has engaged in treason, they will not succeed. Says military does not condone coup.

01:59am - Turkish fighter jet shoots down military helicopter used by coup-plotters over Ankara.

02:04 am - State-run Anadolu Agency says 17 police officers killed at Ankara special forces HQ; no independent confirmation

02:05 am - President Obama says he and Secretary of State Kerry agree that all parties in Turkey should support elected government. Urges restraint, avoidance of bloodshed - White House statement.

02:13 am - Group close to US-based cleric Gulen says accusations it was involved in coup attempt are "highly irresponsible". Condemns military intervention in Turkish politics, says concerned about safety of citizens.

02:20 am - In a phone to Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, John Kerry, US Secretary of State, reasserts Washington: "Absolute support for Turkey's democratically elected, civilian government and democratic institutions."

02:39 am - Bomb hits Parliament in Ankara, state-run Anadolu Agency says. Reuters witness hears blast in Istanbul.

02:52 am - Yildirim says situation under control, blames Gulen movement, declares no-fly zone over Ankara. A US-based organisation close to Fethullah Gulen earlier denied involvement.

03:20 am - Turkish official says Erdogan's plane lands in Istanbul.

03:27 am - Two more explosions hit parliament; member of Parliament reached by telephone says lawmakers are hiding in shelters in Parliament.

03:45 am - Private broadcaster CNN Turk halts live news broadcast, presenter says soldiers entered studio control room.

03:45 am - Around 30 soldiers, part of faction attempting to carry out a military coup, surrender weapons after being surrounded by armed police in Istanbul's central Taksim Square.

04:00 am - Erdogan appears among supporters at Istanbul airport, says uprising has been attempted against solidarity and unity of country; says no power is above national will.

[05] At least 161 people dead and 2,839 detained over coup attempt

A prosecutor in the Golbas? district said 42 of the dead were in Ankara. The plotters killed 17 policemen in an attack on the Golbas? Special Forces Department headquarters in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

In addition Anatolia also reports that in total 2,839 people, have been detained over charges of coup attempt. There are high-ranking officers among the detained. Broadcaster CNNTurk said four of them were generals and 29 of them were colonels.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag had informed that state prosecutors in all 81 provinces have already launched investigations on the coup attempt, saying "Detentions mostly took place in Ankara and Istanbul but there are other detentions in many other places of Turkey."

In the meantime, Brigadier General Ekrem Caglar, chief of the staff operations of the 3rd Army has also been detained, Anakara Anatolia reported.

[06] Opposition parties reject the military coup attempt

"This country had suffered a lot from the coups. We do not want these difficulties be repeated," Kemal K?l?cdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) said in a written statement. He stressed that the CHP will protect the Republic and democracy, saying "It should be known that the CHP fully depends on the free will of the people as indispensable of our parliamentary democracy."

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli phoned to Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m after the news broke, expressing his party's support to the democracy and free will of the people.

In a joint written statement, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs, Selehattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, said no one replaces himself as the national will. "HDP takes a stance against every coup in every condition."

"There is no way beside protecting the democratic politics," it added.

In addition, the paper writes that Turkey's Prime Minister has thanked the leaders of three oppositional parties for their backing to the democracy and standing with the government in the face of a group of soldiers that attempted to stage a coup.

"I thank the leaders of the opposition parties. They have protected the democracy. They have stood with our government by showing a clear stance against the coup attempt," Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m said early July 16 in televised remarks. All three parties represented at the Parliament issued statements in support to the government by rejecting the plot.

Y?ld?r?m also thanked the people who have taken the streets to support the government against plotters, calling them not to return to their homes and continue to back the democratically-elected government. "Let's not leave the streets to the plotters," he added.

[07] The International community supports Turkey's government

"The President spoke tonight by phone with Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the events in Turkey. The President and Secretary agreed that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected Government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed," read the readout issued by the White House early July 16. In a phone call to Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, Kerry emphasized "absolute support for Turkey's civilian government and democratic institutions". The Secretary underscored that the State Department will continue to focus on the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Turkey.

The paper also reports that Kremlin expressed its grate concerns over the recent developments. The Kremlin said it was gravely concerned about events in Turkey, and that it had instructed officials to help Russian nationals in Turkey return home at the earliest opportunity. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that President Vladimir Putin was being kept constantly updated on the situation in Turkey. Peskov said events were moving too fast to fully understand what was happening, but he said Russia was concerned and wanted to see Turkey return to the path of stability and order, and for there to be a lawful outcome.

Sabah (16.07.16) reports that EU President Jean-Claude Juncker also sent a tweet, saying: "EU supports #Turkey's democratically elected gov, institutions & #ruleOfLaw. Call for return to constitutional order."

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said on Friday she supported Turkey's civilian government as it faced an attempted coup.

Meanwhile, U.K.'s newly Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has spoken to Turkey's foreign minister and has assured U.K. support for the democratically elected Turkish government, Reuters reported.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorborn Jagland also condemned the coup attempt, saying: Any attempt to overthrow the democratically elected leaders in a member state of the Council of Europe is unacceptable.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement early Friday, condemning the attack. "On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express our concern about this evening's events in Turkey. We call for restraint by all parties. Canada supports the preservation of Turkish democracy, and condemns any attempt to subvert Turkey's democratic institutions by force of arms," the statement said.

Mexico's foreign ministry on Friday also condemned the attempted coup in a statement, saying that it was an attempt to suspend the country's democratic system.

In addition, Hurriyet (16.07.16) reports that NATO's Jens Stoltenberg said in a written statement: "I have just spoken to the Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu. I am following events in Turkey closely and with concern. I call for calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey's democratic institutions and its constitution. Turkey is a valued NATO Ally."

Another message of solidarity to the people of Turkey on the situation in the country came from Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Thorbjorn Jagland, in the form of an emailed statement.

Federica Mogherini, EU's High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, tweeted from a regional summit in Ulan Bator" "In constant contact with EU Delegation in Ankara & Brussels from Mongolia. Call for restraint and respect for democratic institutions #Turkey," the "Brussels will be watching with deep concern the events in Turkey, a key partner on its southeastern flank which has been trying to join the EU for many years without success," said Mogherini.

[08] Acting Chief of Staff: Turkish Armed Forces successfully foiled coup attempt

Speaking in a press conference in Istanbul, newly appointed Acting Chief of Staff Dundar said that the commanders seized by coup plotters have been taken to an unknown location and that coup attempt was largely carried out by troops from the Turkish Air Forces.

''Turkey has shown the world its commitment to democracy,'' Dundar said and added that the Turkish people who sided with democracy and rule of law thwarted the attempt, while saying those who took part in the betrayal will not go unpunished.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (16.07.16) reports that only Hulusi Akar was saved among the top commanders held hostage by Gulenist coup attempters, as the whereabouts of others remained unknown, said deputy Chief of Staff Dundar on July 16. The air force's command, the gendarmerie command and some units from the armoured forces took part in the coup attempt, he said, adding that it was quashed.

"The coup attempt was rejected by the chain of command since the very beginning. The people protected democracy via going out to the streets and not leaving them to the coup supporters," he said, while adding that the President, the Prime Minister, the Ministers and lawmakers acted in "full solidarity" with the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

"Turkey has witnessed an insanity that hit its own Parliament and killed its own civilians. This nation will never forget this cowardice," he also said.

During his speech, Dundar stressed that they are "determined to clean up the members of the parallel movement from the army". "No one who betrayed the state will be left unpunished", he also said.

[09] Fethullah Gulen condemned the coup attempt

According to the paper, the Alliance for Shared Values, which is the movement of Gulen issued a statement on behalf of Gulen arguing that the Movement has advocated for 40 years for peace and democracy. "We have consistently denounced interventions in domestic politics. These are core values of Hizmet participants. We condemn any military intervention in domestic politics in Turkey. [?] we remain concerned about the safety and security of the Turkish citizens and those in Turkey right now and we pray for them", the message noted.

(CS)

[10] How the Turkish press covered the military coup attempt

Sabah: "The national will beat FETO supporter's coup attempt". "Strong blow by the national will to the coup attempt launched by a small military junta linked to the Gulenist Terror Organization (FETO). The Turkish citizens across the country went out to the streets to protect democracy.

Milliyet: "State of emergency night! The rebels could not succeed". The paper refers to statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ataturk airport who urged Turkish citizens to take to the streets in a show of support for the government after the military coup attempt.

Hurriyet: "No gateway to the coup plotters"

Posta: "Hurrah for democracy"

Zaman: "Despicable crime". The national will has not left a gateway to the rebels

Haber Turk: "Coup attempt! No compromise to the democracy"

Star: "The nation supported the democracy. 78 million people filled the streets". Erdogan: "They will pay a high price"

Yeni Safak: "Traitors!

Cumhuriyet: "Democracy is the solution. Chaos in the country!"

Akit: "Traitorous military coup attempt in Ankara"

Takvim: "Erdogan: They will pay a high price. Betrayal by the supporters of the parallel state!"

Yeni Cag: "Coup attempt!"

(AK)

[11] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the coup attempt in Turkey

Kibris covers the issue under the front-page banner title "Coup attempt" and refers to a "big shock in Turkey" noting that a group within the Turkish Armed Forces attempted to take over power in the country last night around 22.00 hours.

Under the title "Military coup", Afrika reports that President Erdogan called on the people to pour into the streets against those who attempted the coup.

Under the title "Coup attempt", Havadis writes that while the confusion caused by the coup attempt was continuing, Erdogan went to Istanbul.

Under the title "Like a coup", Yeni Duzen reports that the coup attempt in Turkey took place on 15 July, the same date on which a coup had happened in Cyprus 42 years ago. "Democracy in Turkey has once more suffered a heavy wound", writes the paper adding that "decay" was observed in the Turkish Armed Forces.

Under the title "Interesting coincidence", Diyalog also recalls that the coup attempt in Turkey happened on the same day with the coup in Cyprus 42 years ago and notes that "Turkey did not sleep last night" .

Other titles are the following:

Kibris Postasi: Difficult night. A group within the army attempted to seize power but history was not repeated

Kibrisli: The coup could not overcome the people's obstacle

Halkin Sesi: Extraordinary night

Vatan: Coup attempt

Demokrat Bakis: Critical night

Star Kibris: Coup attempt in Turkey

Ortam: Is it a coup, a memorandum or a riot?

Yeni Bakis: Coup shock in Turkey

(I/Ts.)

[12] Erdogan supporters protest in the occupied area of Cyprus against the coup attempt

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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