Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-09-15

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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: solution is possible in Cyprus in case there is political courage and determination

[02] Akinci: Step-by-step to a five-party meeting

[03] Turkish Cypriot columnist comments on Akinci's television interview

[04] Ozyigit evaluated the intensified phase of the negotiation process; He called all sides to give an opportunity for a five-party meeting to take place after New York

[05] Turkey slams German Der Spiegel over provocative cover

[06] German Embassy and other offices in Turkey closed temporarily amid reports on fears of attack

[07] AKP government to CHP: Decree laws cannot be taken to high court

[08] Turkish police detained dozens in operation against international betting gang

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: solution is possible in Cyprus in case there is political courage and determination

Replying to questions of the chief editors of four newspapers (Kibris, Havadis, Yeni Duzen and Kibris Postasi) during a television program broadcast last night on illegal Bayrak, Genc TV, Kanal T, Kibris TV and Kanal Sim televisions, Akinci said that studies have been conducted as regards the percentage of the Greek Cypriots who want to return to the "north", as the area which is currently under Turkish occupation is described, and that these studies held by German experts showed that 23% want to return.

Akinci said, inter alia, the following: "The old rhetoric should be abandoned in the formula to be found. 100 thousand persons will come here, 60 thousand parsons will go there. The 160 thousand persons to whom reference is made are not alive. Therefore, these numbers are exaggerated. A survey carried out by a German expert had been published in the press the other day. We have embarked in the property issue having the return as understanding, but only [the return] of 23% was in question".

Asked whether President Anastasiades has the political courage to put a solution in front of his people, Akinci replied that we should wait and see the developments within these 90 days, "but in the statements he is recently making, I think that he is also preparing the community slowly-slowly". "There is a statement he has issued on Facebook. There were very courageous expressions. He could say some things which had not been said in the past and he had also not been saying", he argued alleging that we shall see in the end of these 90 days [by the end of the year] whether this stance will be continued.

Akinci said that when the leaders return from New York they will continue the intensified negotiations in October and added that agreement has to a great extent been reached on four chapters. He noted: "If we leave the certain two points on which there will be no agreement and end everything else, afterwards we should do what I have said. On a date which should not be far away, perhaps in the beginning of November, to slowly pass to a different format, complete the work as regards the territory and pass to a five party [conference]. Now if the understandings coincide, these two issues will not take as much time as the administration and the property. The chapters which required the real time remained behind. Now it is time for the chapters which want will, determination and courage. At the stage we have reached, we have come to the point where the elements of political courage and determination predominate. Therefore, my answer is yes, if there is will and determination, these 90 days are enough. [?] It is possible now for the solution to become visible in these 90 days. [?]"

Replying to a question, Akinci said that territorial adjustments will take place "to a reasonable extent", but "this issue will not happen without guarantying that even a single citizens of ours will not be unjustly treated". Explaining what he means, Akinci said that it is important for everyone to know where he will go when he will move and how he will earn his living. "There will be out of the question to take steps on these issues without creating the infrastructure", he noted adding that it is evident that international financing will be needed for the solution.

Replying to another question, Akinci said that he is carrying out the negotiations on the basis of the power given to him by the "people" and that the joint declaration of 11 February [2014] provided for the establishment of a federation. He noted that the federation is different than the confederation, as the former includes two founding states, but a single international identity and single sovereignty. He added: "However, this does not mean that the founding states have no powers. The powers of the founding states are a lot. All the residual powers except those included in the constitution as federal powers will belong to the founding states, as for example health and education. The foreign policy will be a federal power with the participation of the founding states. What is included in a state which we perceive as a single one? There is a single budget. There is [a single] finance. There is a foreign policy. If an army exists, there is a single defense. There will be a single citizenship [?]"

Referring to the four freedoms, Akinci argued: "If you say four freedoms and stop there, it means that everything is free. This is not the case. This does not mean rejection of a right. However, it is related to how this right will be regulated and you will not experience any problem with the EU norms. Think of a block of ten floors. It is a different thing to buy the one floor than buying the entire building. You will have the right of regulating on this issue. They could come up to 20% and take the legal residence right. I can say this, it is not a secret".

Asked why he puts forward his New York visit, Akinci replied that he is trying to say that "we are passing the stages of a course which goes to a five-party [conference] in a form of turning points."

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci: Step-by-step to a five-party meeting

Speaking to the press after the last meeting of the second round of intensified talks with President Anastasiades, Akinci said that with the yesterday meeting they had left behind an important period and a new period will begin in New York. He added that he will meet with UN General Secretary in a separate meeting and also in a three-party meeting on September 25, instead of September 26 due to a change of Ban's programme. He further said that he will also have some other bilateral meetings.

Akinci explained that while he will be in New York, there is a great possibility to meet with U.S. Vice President, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and some other Foreign Ministers. He added that his programme with the meetings will be finalized in the coming days.

Noting that after the return from New York the meetings will continue in October, Akinci said that they want to resume the talks without wasting any time. He further said that they want to agree in most or even in all four chapters on the points that they still continue to disagree or try to minimize the most the divergence points. He added that when they solve this, then they will open the door for a five-party meeting, in order to solve the issues of the territorial adjustments and the issue of security and guarantees within 2016.

Replying to questions, Akinci said that the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, read on behalf of the two leaders a statement summarizing the talks. Akinci stressed that an important progress was obtained in the 16-month intense work, especially in the first four chapters, "government and power sharing", "EU issues", "Property" and "Economy", adding that the existence of still important disagreement points is vocalized.

Stressing that it is important all sides to preserve their aim reaching a Cyprus settlement in 2016, Akinci said: "The aim is solution within 2016, once more it has been confirmed as the target. With this aim, our request towards the UN Secretary-General is to intensify more his interest and efforts will and will be conveyed during our meeting with him in New York".

Asked to explain what his expectations are in the meeting with UN Secretary-General, Akinci said that Ban is satisfied with the progress made in the talks until now and sees positive developments. Akinci added that Ban knows very well what they have accomplished and they will evaluate the talks with him once more. He also said that they will ask from Ban to intensify his role in the process.

(DPs)

[03] Turkish Cypriot columnist comments on Akinci's television interview

Noting that for one more time we are in a critical bend as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem, Mutluyakali writes that we are all inside the solution train that will have to take the (right) turn.

"Federal state will become ours. So will the founding state! 'United Cyprus' will belong to everyone, not only to the 'others". The following words of Akinci are important too: 'we are working for two yes", Mutluyakali writes and adds that for the first time Akinci stated that the Greek Cypriots who will have the right of residence in the "north" will consists of 20% of the Turkish Cypriot population.

"'They can live in the place they want, but they will have no political rights; there must be limitations as regards the residency right', Akinci stated", Mutluyakali writes adding that as regards the chapter of property it will be solved in a great degree using compensations. "Therefore all eyes are focused on the financing of the solution", Mutluyakali notes.

The columnist goes on and writes that of course there will be territorial adjustment since it would be neither possible nor fair to reach a solution without returning "a hand span" of soil.

Mutluyakali writes that Akinci also referred to the issue of guarantees "which is a very sensitive issue" and notes that Turkey gave a message of "flexibility" as regards this issue. Commenting on this Akinci said that neither community should feel threatened and noted that even the feeling that there is no danger among citizens is very important. "This is why a bi-zonal solution is needed. So we can protect citizens on important issues", Akinci stated.

Finally, Mutluyakali completes his article noting that the two communities in Cyprus had enough. "We are tired", he notes, adding that we all want to hear that a bright future is waiting us from now on.

(CS)

[04] Ozyigit evaluated the intensified phase of the negotiation process; He called all sides to give an opportunity for a five-party meeting to take place after New York

On the Cyprus problem, Ozyigit stated that critical days are experienced in the intensified Cyprus negotiation talks. He pointed out that their expectation and desire is to establish the ground for referenda, as it was promised to the two communities. Pointing out that the final decision (solution) will be set to the communities for approval, Ozyigit added: "The important thing is the period to come to be constructed well. Instead of polarizing the community as it happened during the period of the Annan plan, our wish is for the two communities to present in good-sense their doubts and their gains in order for a common sense to be created. We as TDP will do our utmost in order for this common-mind to exist".

Asked to evaluate the current process of the intensified negotiations after yesterday's joint statement read by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Mr. Espen Barth Eide on behalf of the two leaders and prior to the tri-partite meeting in New York, Ozyigit stated the following: "I would like first of all to point out that every passing day without a solution on the Cyprus problem counts against all Cypriots. So, we consider that an early, fair and comprehensive solution would benefit both sides in the island. The conditions for the solution are already apparent. The 77/79 High Level Agreements, the convergences between Talat-Christofias and the text of the Joint Declaration signed between Eroglu and Anastasiades on the 11th February 2014. That is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution based on the political equality, one single international identity, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship. It is in this framework that Mr Akinci and Mr Nicos Anastasiades carry out the talks. As it is known, the two leaders concluded today (yesterday) the intensified phase of the talks and issued a joint statement. The process will proceed in New York. A tripartite meeting will take place on September 25. In the next stage after this point, a five-party meeting should take place and I would like to point out that all sides should give an opportunity for this to happen. We are self-controlled optimistic about the process. There is a historical opportunity in the next days and we should turn this opportunity into a fair and viable solution. We pay a great importance to the sensitivity of the two leaders that the solution should be internalized and become acceptable. It is also very important that both sides would protect their rights and at the same time will not ignore the rights of the opposite side", Ozyigit said.

Asked to comment on the internal crisis experienced in the TDP after the party's central committee demanded the chairman of the party in the occupied Famagusta region, Mustafa Emiroglulari to be discharged from his position, Ozyigit underlined that this matter is a matter of discipline and principles related with the party's bylaw and will be solved within the party.

(AK)

[05] Turkey slams German Der Spiegel over provocative cover

Tanju Bilgic, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that the weekly's "extremely provocative" issue, which came out Tuesday, was prepared so as to "create a negative perception, not only about Turkey but also Islam".

He said the issue was a "new manifestation of the distorted and prejudiced mind-set that aimed to corrode" Turkey's image, which he said certain media outlets in Europe had been doing for a while.

The cover featured a title which read "A country loses its freedom", which Bilgic said, ignored Turkish people's struggle for democracy, freedom and rule of law during the failed July 15 coup attempt and revealed an effort to intentionally distort reality.

Bilgic also condemned the cover that called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "dictator". It also shows minarets soaring as missiles fired reflected in dark sunglasses worn by the Turkish President. "We regretfully condemn the attempts to insult a President democratically elected," the spokesman said.

Bilgic also said that the magazine was adopting an irresponsible editorial policy favouring anti-Islam sentiment, xenophobia and discrimination.

[06] German Embassy and other offices in Turkey closed temporarily amid reports on fears of attack

Germany's Bild newspaper reported on Sept. 9 that the move was taken as a precaution after the Foreign Ministry learned of rumoured attacks on Consular facilities in Turkey during the Eid al-Adha holiday week.

The German Embassy in Ankara said on its official twitter account that the services at all German representative facilities in Turkey would provide limited service as meetings were cancelled until Sept. 16. It gave no further details.

The German Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the Bild report, but confirmed that its Embassy in Ankara and other Consular offices were closed to the public during the holiday week of Sept. 12-16, The Associated Press said.

[07] AKP government to CHP: Decree laws cannot be taken to high court

"The road to the Constitutional Court is closed for [the annulment of] decree laws. Because the issues the Constitutional Court can deal [with] are defined in our Constitution. Laws can be taken or Parliament's internal regulation can be taken," Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak told reporters on Sept. 14. "Therefore, decree laws cannot be taken to the court. Our Constitution does not pave the way for this."

Kaynak's statements came in answer to Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), who vowed to apply to the high court next week for the annulment of some articles of the decree laws which the party said were incompatible with democratic standards.

However, Kaynak suggested there could be changes in some of the articles of the decree laws when they are submitted to Parliament for legislation. "These can be corrected or some of its articles can be fully removed. The will of the Parliament is essential," he stressed.

Recalling that Kilicdaroglu expressed his intention to meet Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m to discuss the issue, Kaynak said, "If they would meet face-to-face, they can discuss why all of these [decree laws] are being made."

In an interview with daily Hurriyet, Kilicdaroglu said some decree laws issued by the government were no different from ones issued during past coups by the military junta.

Recalling that more than 12,000 teachers were discharged over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) under the most recent decree law, the CHP leader said that teachers should be tried if they were acting on orders from the PKK, adding it was however not possible to understand why so many teachers were dismissed. "If there are those directly linked to the PKK, those who act on orders of the PKK, put them on trial and dismiss them if they are found guilty," the CHP leader said.

[08] Turkish police detained dozens in operation against international betting gang

The police determined that many of the members of the gang were abroad, including leaders Scott William Masterson and Veysel Sahin. According to five-month-long tracking efforts by the anti-smuggling police, Masterson and Sahin, who lead the gang based in the U.K., Turkey and Turkish Cyprus (editor's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), were determined to be living in London. Masterson reportedly avoided detention in Turkey by holding meetings in customs-bonded areas.

The police will act to apprehend the fugitive suspects from the gang, including Masterson, who is one of the top managers of a legal betting company worth $400 billion in the U.K.

The Turkish Justice Ministry is preparing to send a file regarding the suspects abroad to Interpol's Office of the Secretary General in France in order for a red notice to be issued. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(DPs /AM)

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