Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-07-20

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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: There are no 'full stops' in diplomacy only 'commas'

[02] Akinci: If there is no solution of the Cyprus problem, all sides will lose

[03] Ozgurgun and Sibel met with foreign parliamentarians and ministers who are illegally in the "TRNC" for the "20th of July celebrations"

[04] Kilicdaroglu and Turkes due to the occupation regime for the "celebrations" for the Turkish invasion; The "celebrations" were simplified

[05] Purge operations in Turkey will reportedly be expanded in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] Books and other items linked to Gulen were found burned in occupied Galateia dump; Allegations that the FETO structure is been widely expanded in the occupation regime

[07] Erdogan and Obama discussed the extradition of Gulen

[08] At least 49,000 government employees dismissed from duty over alleged links with Gulenists

[09] Turkey annuled Gulen-linked broadcasters' licenses

[10] Turkey's religious directorate will not offer Islamic funerary services to coup plotters

[11] MIT informed top generals hours before coup attempt

[12] The occupation regime launched works for the opening of the occupied Karavostasi port

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: There are no 'full stops' in diplomacy only 'commas'

Speaking to foreign journalists and parliamentarians, who are currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus for the "celebrations" of the 42nd Turkish invasion to Cyprus, Akinci said that there is no possibility to be accepted by both communities a unitary state solution or a confederation. He added that their aim in the Cyprus talks is to establish by the end of this year a new bi-zonal, bi-communal federal state based on the political equality, which will safeguard also the security, the freedom and equality of both communities. Akinci further said that in such structure is of vital importance for them to contain the bi-zonality, equality and security, adding that they explain this insistently to the UN officials as well as to all the contacts they have. He argued that the ongoing negotiations are the last chance for a federal solution in Cyprus."

Asked to comment what will happen in case they do not reach a federal solution by the end of the year, Akinci said: "Of course, there are no 'full stops' in the diplomacy. A 'comma' will be put and will continue. The important thing is how it will be continued after the 'comma'. If a federal solution is not feasible by the end of 2016, then a 'comma' will be put. After the 'comma', there is a huge possibility of launching a process which will deepen the separation instead the unification under the federal roof.

The foreign delegations briefed by Akinci were the general secretary and "deputy" of the Movement of the Turks Party (THP) in FYROM Enes Ibrahim, the Sudan Deputy Osama Faisal Elsayed, the Pakistani Deputy Shaza Fatima, the Hungarian Deputy Marton Gyongyosi, Musumba Isaac, Namuganza Persis, Annita Among Annet, Lord Northbrook, the European Parliament Bulgarian Deputy Ilhan Kucuk and the Azeri Deputy Ganire Pasayeva.

In the briefing, there were also journalists and media representatives from Belgium, Moldova, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland, Kirgizstan, Lithuania, Serbia, Italy, "Kosovo", Uganda, Tanzania, Nepal, Qatar, Malaysia and Kuwait.

(DPs)

[02] Akinci: If there is no solution of the Cyprus problem, all sides will lose

Hamzacebi, for his part, said that they desire the Cyprus talks to come to an end with success, adding that the Turkish Cypriot "people" have always supported the solution. He further said that their biggest wish is a solution to be reached in Cyprus based on the founding will of the two "people".

Meanwhile, Hamzacebi met also with the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and self-styled assembly speaker Sibel Siber.

(DPs)

[03] Ozgurgun and Sibel met with foreign parliamentarians and ministers who are illegally in the "TRNC" for the "20th of July celebrations"

According to the paper, the delegation is headed by the Sudan Deputy Osama Faisal Elsayed. The so-called foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu was also present at the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Elsayed said, inter alia, that they are visiting the "TRNC" in order to be briefed about the latest developments in Cyprus and also about the "realities" on the Cyprus problem.

Elsayed expressed also his full support to the efforts for reaching a solution in Cyprus.

Also speaking, Ozgurgun alleged that the 20th of July brought peace in the island and to the Turkish Cypriots and expressed the wish that similar incidents will not be experienced in the future.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli (20.07.16) reports that the delegation composed by foreign parliamentarians and ministers from Sudan, FYROM, Uganda, Hungary, the UK, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, met also with the "speaker" of the so-called assembly Sibel Siber.

Speaking during the meeting, Siber stressed the need for the international community to show respect to the "existence" of the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the so-called embargoes, she claimed that it is incomprehensible why the international community continues to impose "embargoes" to the Turkish Cypriot community. She also expressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot community to have the right of representation abroad.

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriots support a bi-zonal solution and that they have proven it during the period of 2004, Sibel added that the solution to be found will not be viable if is not supported also by the Greek Cypriot side.

(AK)

[04] Kilicdaroglu and Turkes due to the occupation regime for the "celebrations" for the Turkish invasion; the "celebrations" were simplified

According to the paper, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CTP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu has arrived last night in the occupied area of Cyprus to attend the "celebrations". Also, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Tugrul Turkes was expected to arrive this morning in the occupation regime.

The "celebrations" for this year were simplified writes the paper, adding that several receptions and concerts were cancelled.

Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (20.07.16) reports that due to the recent developments in Turkey after the failed military coup attempt for the first time in history the "celebrations" for the 20th of July will take place with no military attendance. All military events have been postponed and also no military units will participate to the parade that will take place in the morning in the occupied part of Lefkosia.

Moreover, the frigate TCG Gaziantep and the submarines TCG Kilic Hucumbotu and Burak Reis of the Turkish Naval Forces anchored at occupied Keryneia's port, will remain close for the public.

[05] Purge operations in Turkey will reportedly be expanded in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, the wide-range purge operations launched in Turkey to clean out all the members of the military and all state organizations who are suspicious to have links with the Gulenist organization FETO, has been expanded also in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The paper writes that Turkey has pushed the button for a cleaning out operations to take place inside the so-called Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command (KTBK) and Turkey's Security Forces Command.

Also, according to the paper, the army commander Galip Mendi who served in the past as "chairman" of the "civil defence organization" in the occupied area of Cyprus has been removed from duty as general commander of the Gendarmerie in Turkey. According to information acquired, Mendi is mixed with the assassination of the Turkish Cypriot journalist Kultu Adali which took place on July 6, 1996.

Meanwhile, referring to the purge expanded operations in Turkey, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (20.07.16) under the title: "Parallel structure in the daughter land", reports that the detentions of two commanders who served in the occupied area of Cyprus in the past, has become the reason for the launching of similar operations in the occupied area of Cyprus.

According to the paper, Firat Alakus who served in the "civil defence organization" in the occupation regime during the period 2014-2016, and Fatih Yarimbas who served in the same post (2012-2014) have been arrested yesterday in Ankara.

As it was made known, the Turkish General Staff will send a delegation in the occupation regime in order to launch investigations.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (20.07.16) reports that the "authorities of the TRNC", commenting yesterday on the allegations published by the Cihan news agency that Turkey will launch similar purge operations in the "TRNC", have stated that they are not informed on this issue. The so-called presidency said that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci follows closely the developments in Turkey, while the so-called police denied the allegations that they held a high level meeting towards this matter.

(AK)

[06] Books and other items linked to Gulen were found burned in occupied Galateia dump; Allegations that the FETO structure is been widely expanded in the occupation regime

According to the paper, workers at the occupied municipality of Galateia were informed about the fire in the area and went there to extinguish it. As soon as they realized that the books were written by Gulen, they informed the police which immediately launched wide-range investigations.

In statements on the issue, the "mayor" of occupied Galateia "municipality" Cemil Saricizmeli, stated, inter alia, that after the military coup attempt in Turkey, some people in the "TRNC" were scared and thus they decided to burn the books. "This incident proves that a structure exists here as well. I do not consider this a coincidence. This is an organized work. In these circumstances, it is obvious that someone's wanted to put out of sight some things".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.07.16) reports on statements by the chairman of Hizmet-Sen trade union in the occupied area of Cyprus, Mehmet Kurumanastirli who argued that during the last three years the FETO structure in the "TRNC" has been widely expanded. He argued that there are a lot of persons inside the business world, the "public sector", the "religious organizations" who are supporters and have links with the FETO organization. He also claimed that the people linked to Gulen movement organize meetings in the "TRNC" once a month in order to explain Gulen's positions.

Supporting that the parallel structure was mostly expanded in occupied Karpasia and Varoshia, Kurumanastirli added that the FETO structure in the "TRNC" will explode like a bomb.

(AK)

[07] Erdogan and Obama discussed the extradition of Gulen

"The President made clear to President Erdogan that the United States doesn't support terrorists and doesn't support individuals who conspired to overthrow a democratically elected government", according to White House spokesman Josh Earnest. He said that Obama "reiterated once again the strong commitment of the United States to the democratically elected civilian government of Turkey" and commended the Turkish people's effort in "defending the government and repelling the coup" last week.

According to Earnest, the decision to extradite Gulen is not a decision to be made by Obama but a "legal decision" based on the "long-standing treaty" between the two countries. "That's the process that will follow", he added.

Materials related to the extradition of the cleric who lives in self-imposed exile in the US. state of Pennsylvania were submitted to U.S. authorities by the Turkish government in electronic form, according to Earnest.

According to a press release by Turkey's Presidency, Obama condemned the attempt to overthrow Turkey's democratically elected government and made it clear the U.S. supports democracy in the country. The statement also said that Obama told Erdogan the U.S. is ready to cooperate with Turkish institutions investigating the coup attempt.

Erdogan told Obama that the proper punishment would be given to those responsible within the framework of justice and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday called his Turkish counterpart, Fikri Isik, to voice support for the democratically elected government in Ankara following a recent failed coup attempt.

The call comes four days after the coup attempt by a fraction of officers in the Turkish Armed Forces linked to U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen.

"For his part, Minister Isik expressed his appreciation for the call and assured the Secretary that Turkey remains a determined and committed partner and ally in the fight against ISIL and terrorism of all kinds," Defence Department Peter Cook said in a statement.

The two Defence Chiefs also discussed the situation at the Incirlik Air Base where U.S. aircraft are launching airstrikes against Daesh, Cook said.

[08] At least 49,000 government employees dismissed from duty over alleged links with Gulenists

The Prime Ministry on Tuesday seized staff ID's of 257 workers, while the Council of Higher Education (YOK) demanded the resignation of 1,577 Deans throughout the country.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into 370 people in state-run broadcaster TRT over alleged links to FETO.

The Ministry of National Education also announced that 15,200 personnel had been suspended from duty, while the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) suspended 100 personnel from duty in connection to the coup attempt.

Meanwhile, the licences of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions were also revoked, an official at the ministry told Reuters on Tuesday, part of an expanding government crackdown following a failed coup attempt. Family and Social Policy Ministry also dismissed 393 personnel after the coup attempt.

[09] Turkey annulled Gulen-linked broadcasters' licenses

The Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTUK) cancelled licenses of 24 Gulen-linked broadcasters ? including Samanyolu, Can Erzincan television and Dunya Radio ? following the failed coup last Friday.

[10] Turkey's religious directorate will not offer Islamic funerary services to coup plotters

In the announcement, Diyanet said there had been many questions recently over the funeral prayers of the coup attempters and therefore it was found necessary to publish a statement regarding the issue.

Saying that funeral prayers were reserved for believers who died and that blessing were given for the deceased during the prayers, the statement added the coup plotting soldiers did not deserve the blessings of the believers, as they "not only put individuals' laws under their feet but the whole nation's with the actions they were involved in" and therefore religious funerary services would not be provided for these people.

The statement, however, excluded the soldiers and security personnel who were "dragged into the incidents forcibly and by threat, who found themselves in the clashes without knowing what was going on".

[11] MIT informed top generals hours before coup attempt

Beginning the statement by announcing that the attempts of the "terrorist traitors who are members of an illegal gang [the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization - FETO] and who have nestled into the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK]" had been suppressed as of July 17 at 4:00 p.m. throughout the country, the General Staff continued by denouncing any relation between this group and the "flag-loving, overwhelming majority" within the army.

"The information given by the National Intelligence Organization on July 15, 2016, at around 4:00 p.m. was evaluated at the General Staff headquarters with the attendance of Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Army General Salih Zeki Colak and Deputy Chief of Staff General Yasar Guler", said the statement, elaborating on the precaution orders given regarding the end of mobility of all military vehicles including tanks, planes, helicopters and concerning the return of the ones currently mobilized to posts.

[12] The occupation regime launched works for the opening of the occupied Karavostasi port

Pointing out that the opening of Karavostasi port which is closed for use since 1974 will contribute to the revitalization of the economy in the area, Durust said that they have launched works towards this issue. "We are determined to protect the Karavostasi port. Carrying out imports and exports from this port will cost less", argued Durust.

Underlining that they will continue with the same determination to carry out investments for the development of the "TRNC", Durust condemned the stance of the "Greek Cypriot administration" to put obstacles to the development of the "TRNC" in all international platforms. He further argued that their allegations that strengthening the development of the "TRNC" will blow the solution process cannot stop them from doing investments.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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