Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-13

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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] Atun: The "energy cooperation agreement" with Turkey is of great technical, strategic and economic importance

[02] Ertugruloglu said that if solution is not reached the alternative may be the recognition of the TRNC in a Taiwan based model

[03] Ozgrugun expresses readiness to contribute in the cooperation between Turkey and the breakaway regime in football

[04] UBP celebrated its 41st anniversary

[05] ISAD welcomes energy deal

[06] Turkish Cypriots are getting organized in platforms either pro or against the solution

[07] Cavusoglu reiterated the allegation that Turkey wants a solution in Cyprus by the end of 2016

[08] Kibris: "The Greek Cypriot reaction to electricity with cables and Putin's handshake with Akinci"

[09] Erdogan: Clinton speaks like a political apprentice

[10] Murat Yetkin comments on Clinton's statements on arming the Kurds

[11] Contradicting results on democratic values in Turkey according to a poll

[12] Israel, Turkey discussed joint gas pipeline as ties resume after six-year dissent

[13] Turkish PM says new Constitution is a 'must'

[14] Antiquities from occupied Agios Filonas church in Rizokarpasso have been removed

[15] Seven hundred kilos of meet were captured at Ayios Dometios barricade by the so-called police

[16] Great interest for the first electrical automobile produced by illegal YDU

[17] Turkey fires NATO military envoys after failed coup

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Atun: The "energy cooperation agreement" with Turkey is of great technical, strategic and economic importance

Noting that the previous "government" made no steps on the oil and natural gas, Atun said that "we will continue the seismic woks from the point they were left".

Referring to the transfer of electricity from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with undersea cables and the interconnection of their electricity systems, Atun argued that this is of "great technical, strategic and economic importance". He said that the interconnected system will provide electricity supply safety and prevent the environmental pollution. He further noted that the "agreement" provides for the development of works in the field of oil and natural gas infrastructure and their maintenance as well as the marketing of oil derivatives.

Recalling that after the explosion at Mari in 2011, the government-controlled area of the island purchased electricity from the occupied area by being connected at three points, Atun reiterated the call on the Greek Cypriot side as regards the creation of a common electricity transmission center, connection with Turkey and sharing the energy with them.

Referring to the Southern Caucasus Oil Pipeline and the Hyper-Anatolia natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), Atun described Turkey as "energy basis" of the area and alleged that the "TRNC" should take place in the "big picture".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ertugruloglu said that if solution is not reached the alternative may be the recognition of the TRNC in a Taiwan based model

Ertugruloglu who was speaking at a program at ADA TV, stated that for years he has been saying that the Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution. He also added that he was not surprised by the recent developments as regards the negotiations. He referred to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, saying that he is a mild person with a desire for solution and added that he (Ertugruloglu) got the feeling from New York negotiations that Akinci returned in poor spirit.

"We have to start talking about what is going to happen if there is no result at the negotiations; works must start. I think that the alternative is the recognition of the TRNC in a Taiwan based model, an administration that would either be autonomous or would be annexed to Turkey", he alleged. He went on and added that he does not support that this is what should happen but that this is an alternative solution.

He also reminded Akinci's statements that "if there is no solution, the Greek Cypriots will be in a position of becoming neighbors with Turkey and said that the Greek Cypriots afraid that the breakaway regime will be annexed to Turkey. "Turkey will not do anything to harm the TRNC", he said.

Referring to the agreement for comprehensive cooperation in the field of energy signed by Turkey and the breakaway regime, Ertugruloglu said that he has not a lot of information on the issue but that this is a framework agreement the context of which will be filled up at a later point.

He also stated that this development was not made in order to harm Cyprus and accused the Turkish Cypriot "people" of never been happy with the "government".

"We make mistakes but we never abandon the state", he said.

(CS)

[03] Ozgrugun expresses readiness to contribute in the cooperation between Turkey and the breakaway regime in football

Noting that the TFF could help on issues such as infrastructure and the material, Ozgurgun argued: "Of course, it can also facilitate the transfers of our football players to Turkey. In the end of the day, we should reach the point of mutually playing matches".

Complaining of the so-called sports embargo allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots, Ozgurgun claimed that even for unofficial games punishment is on the agenda. He alleged: "If someone will punish us because we played football, let he punish us. However, whomever I talked with during my contacts abroad, they told me that this is an inhumane behavior. The other day I met in Ankara with the administrators of Samsunspor club. They said that if they receive an invitation to come to the stadium named after Mete Atanir, they will come and play and would not be afraid of the punishment".

Referring to the relations of the Turkish Cypriot "football federation" with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP), Ozgurgun argued that these relations were interrupted and alleged: "The Greek Cypriots themselves interrupted them. In any case they did not want to have contacts with Hasan Sertoglu. They were afraid that 'we will recognize the Turks'. In any case, you cannot impose anything by force on the Greek Cypriots. The 1960 agreements is the most evident example for this"

(I/Ts.)

[04] UBP celebrated its 41st anniversary

Messages of solidarity and unity were given out at the evening attended by party members.

Delivering the opening speech at the reception, the General Secretary of the National Unity Party Oguz Dursun reminded that the UBP had set out to protect the existence and future of the Turkish Cypriot "people" when it was first established 41 years ago on the 11th of October 1975. He added that the UBP has its signature under all agreements which had taken the "country" and its people forward.

The UBP's honorary leader and former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who also spoke at the evening, said that the UBP is the only political party which has made lasting investments in the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

Commenting also on the recent remarks made by President Nicos Anastasiades and the Cyprus Church, Eroglu said that it is not easy trying to reach a solution with such statements and protests organised at the "gates of Guzelyurt" (editor's note: the occupied region Morphou).

Eroglu also called on all party members to defend the "state and its existence".

UBP's leader Huseyin Ozgurgun, for his part, said that the UBP is the party which established the "TRNC", which kept it going and which will continue to defend its existence.

"Those who cannot tolerate the Turkish Cypriot existence on this island will find the UBP standing before them. If there are those who want to live together with the Turkish Cypriots they have to be in agreement with the UBP and its long line of supporters", he argued.

Ozgurgun also claimed that the "UBP government" has succeeded in accomplishing what previous "governments" had failed to do in two years in only a short period of 5 months.

Criticizing those who try to set obstacles before the UBP, Ozgurgun reiterated the strong ties that exist with motherland Turkey.

Underlining the importance of the water and electricity projects for the "country", the UBP leader said: "Programs and projects are essential. You cannot run a country with empty slogans".

[05] ISAD welcomes energy deal

In a written statement, the "president of ISAD" Metin Sadi alleged that the agreement has upgraded the importance and status of the "country".

Sadi thanked the "state and government officials" of both "countries" for undertaking such an initiative which he claimed "would take the Turkish Cypriot people to a brighter and more hopeful future".

Sadi also argued that they believe that a just and lasting solution in Cyprus is within reach after this stage.

[06] Turkish Cypriots are getting organized in platforms either pro or against the solution

The first platform under the name: "We are not giving an inch back", issued a statement signed by its spokesperson Mustafa Caluda which was under the title: "We are not giving Morfou back". The newly established platform stated that it will organize a protest next Sunday at 11 in the morning in occupied Kato Zodia and will march towards the barricade located in the area. According to the paper, a statement will be read after the march in which it will be noted that neither any inch of the "country" nor Morfou will be set under a "Greek Cypriot administration".

Afrika also reports about the establishment of another platform under the name: "Solution and Peace Platform". The platform consists of 33 non-governmental organizations.

According to a statement made on behalf of the platform by Okan Dagl?, the platform aims to actively work with the two sides on the island in order for lasting peace to be realized together with a solution and the culture of peace must become sovereign on the island.

He continued to announce the 5 principles of the platform.

1) The platform will fight for a bi-communal, bi-zonal united federation Cyprus based on political equality with a single international identity.

2) They will work towards encouraging the two leaders on the island towards finding peace and support the efforts that they take towards this end.

3) The platform will work towards bringing together all people and societies that support peace and a solution in the north of the island.

4) If a referendum is to be held on the island and the solution that is supported by the platform is found, they will work towards getting the agreement approved.

5) In order for the culture of peace to be reinforced once a federal solution is found to the Cyprus problem they will show a joint front with other peace supporting groups to assist the people on the island.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (13.10.16) reports that the "Platform, of Morfou Inhabitants Organizations", stated that it is against the return of Morfou to the Greek Cypriots. The platform issued a statement under the title "We are replying to Anastasiades and to the Archbishop", where it accuses President Anastasiades of trying to appear likable to his community by saying that he will not sign an agreement without the return of Morfou. The same position is shared by the Church, the platform notes.

(CS)

[07] Cavusoglu reiterated the allegation that Turkey wants a solution in Cyprus by the end of 2016

(I/Ts.)

[08] Kibris: "The Greek Cypriot reaction to electricity with cables and Putin's handshake with Akinci"

The paper claims, inter alia, the following:

"[?] Bringing electricity from Turkey to our country is a serious advantage and a very important event from many points of view. Our expectation is for this project to start and end the soonest. Let no one expect us to oppose to a project, which, after the water, will make the TRNC politically strong. Of course, there might be some concerns as regards the cost or calculations by experts, but because of the political benefits which this project will secure, debating this project is not correct. [?]

In parallel to the electricity issue, it is an undisputable advantage for the TRNC the fact that president Mustafa Akinci has been at an international meeting in Istanbul, delivered a speech and talked with leaders.

What we actually want to put emphasis on is the negative reaction showed by the Greek Cypriot part on both issues. The message given by the voices coming from the Greek Cypriot side is that 'the Turkish Cypriots should live without water and electricity'. You might as well say to the bakers not to sell bread to the Turkish Cypriots. We are face to face with a very important part [of the society], which does not want to recognize and does not recognize our political equality, evaluates the Turkish Cypriots with the population and makes foolish comments and with the simplest definition exhibits the ignorance of considering the political equality as numerical equality.

This chauvinistic stance in south Cyprus is not acceptable. We condemn this stance and we declare that we are openly reluctant to the circles which exhibit this stance and we will vote by thinking very carefully in a possible referendum. When we say that we are reluctant to these racist groups, among which the enemy of the humanity and rejected by the entire world Neo-Nazi ELAM is also included, let no one understand that we are afraid. However, we also want to warn the so-called 'Greek Cypriot supporters of peace and solution' who say nothing to these groups' every kind of stupid, unnecessary, aggressive and hostile stance. The reaction you have exhibited to electricity and Akinci's handshaking with Putin shows that you have no difference from the others.

At a possible referendum in 2017, we are definitely ready to vote for a solution in the direction of the 1977-79 High Level Agreemets and Eroglu-Anastasiades document of 11 February 2014, that is, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal agreement based on the political equality of the two communities, like we did in 2004. However, the provocative statements coming from many circles during the past few days, and mainly by the Archbishop, are unacceptable.

Electricity and water as well as any kind of contacts are Turkish Cypriots' right. Our Greek Cypriot friends must understand this very well. The Turkish Cypriot side is not 'desperate' and 'needy of the solution' as some our colleague columnists and some of our politicians mistakenly say from time to time. Motherland Turkey is with us now and from now on as it had been in the past. We have absolutely no doubt about this. Yes, we want a solution; the solution is for our advantage. However, the same solution is at the same extent for the advantage of our Greek Cypriot friends. Transferring electricity with undersea cables will be for the advantage of the entire Cyprus in a possible solution. Just like the water event. Turkey has brought this water and electricity to the whole island. This is a greatness which should be applauded. We fully believe that it will positively contribute to the solution and could be used by the whole of Cyprus after the solution".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Erdogan: Clinton speaks like a political apprentice

Emphasizing that this region had different sensitivities and that providing weapons to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) would be a very wrong move, Erdogan said: "Aren't you aware that you caused the death of 600,000 people through the weapons you provided? Where is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Where is law? Where is the importance of human life?"

At the same time, Erdogan also said Turkey would not immediately hand over suspects demanded by the United States but would instead proceed to dispatch them to the Turkish judiciary until Washington extradites the Pennsylvania-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen.

"When they ask for terrorists from us, we hand them over. But look, they do not hand over such terrorists to us. Why not? They talk about the judiciary and say they cannot hand him back without a court decision. OK. Let's see what happens. The same thing could happen here", Erdogan said in a speech to judges and prosecutors in Ankara.

"When [the U.S.] wants someone from us, we will hand them to [Turkish judges]. We will not decide until [Turkish judges] decide. That's how it will be from now on", he added.

Erdogan's statement constituted yet another salvo from Ankara at Washington on Fethullah Gulen. (?) "Look, it's been 17 years and this person still lives there. We have sent [the U.S.] 85 boxes of documents and we are still sending them," Erdogan said, recalling that Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag would go to Washington to meet his counterpart at the end of the month.

[10] Murat Yetkin comments on Clinton's statements on arming the Kurds

"In her second debate with the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Oct. 10, Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton said she was considering "arming the Kurds" because they are the "best partners in Syria and Iraq" against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

(?)

The usual thing would be the outrage of the Turkish leadership expressed in strong words and "if not" kind of threatening remarks.

There is something else which is not usual. That is the surprise support from Kemal K?l?cdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), for the government's stance regarding the Bashiqa training camp near Mosul after the Iraqi government sought to evict Turkey with support from both the United States and Iran.

This rather low-profile reaction from Ankara could be the indication of two possible developments.

The first could be Turkey choosing to stay where it is now on the Jarablus-Azaz line in Syria and at the Bashiqa camp ? without stepping out ? as it is desired and wait for its turn if things go wild after the Mosul operation as a party who will not bear any responsibility on the issue.

The second scenario is the possibility that the Turkish government is cooking something which could be a real surprise for everyone.

There is more.

The Washington Post reported that the White House has already been preparing to arm the People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is the Syria extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an armed campaign for separation since 1984, resulting in the deaths of 40,000 people.

(?)

It is not possible for the U.S. to give guarantees to Turkey or anyone else that those arms will not be used against Turkey or against the U.S. one day. It was the U.S. arms delivered to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan which were used to kill Americans later on in the hands of Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Also, to give more arms to the YPG means the U.S. is supporting them to have their region, autonomous from the government or totally separated from Syria. Will that make Russia happy at a time when the tension over Aleppo is escalating with the risk of poisoning the dialogue between Washington DC and Moscow over the future of Syria? Or Bashar al-Assad backed by Vladimir Putin? Or any other Arab country which would not like to see the division of one of them with Western force? As a former U.S. secretary of state and a former first lady, those are some of the questions that Clinton should have considered. To vow to "arm the Kurds" at such a time is not responsible, it is like playing with fire, and for American interests as well.

And at a different angle, the U.S. has used the Kurdish nationalist forces in Iraq four times since World War II with the carrot of autonomy or independence and abandoned them at the last minute at the expense of the Kurds themselves. Now a similar game is being staged in the Syria theatre, and the Kurds seem to trust the U.S. more than they have trusted anyone else so far, perhaps not considering that they might be heading for a fifth failure."

[11] Contradicting results on democratic values in Turkey according to a poll

The findings of the poll conducted by Metropoll on behalf of the Foundation, published yesterday, showed that Turks were somewhat liberal in rhetoric but not in practice.

When people were asked which of the following terms they considers most important, "liberty" came up with 41% as the most important value, ahead of equality, solidarity, welfare and security.

Some 60% said it was "very important" to live in a country with a democratic government, while 32% said it was "important."

While these findings attest to relatively strong democratic values, other findings say something different. When asked "do you think people should give up some of their fundamental rights and freedoms for security and counter terrorism?" 40% said "yes" while 46% said "no". Some 55%, meanwhile, said the state must be allowed to gather personal information "only for security reasons".

Interestingly, while 28% find Turkey to be a "fully democratic" country, 25% believe it is "not democratic" and 43% say it is "partly democratic".

Meanwhile, nearly 70% are in favour of the separation of religion and politics. However, 23% say they have a "very positive" view of having an Islamic state, while 38% have a "positive" view of it.

There is a similar contradiction when it comes to gender equality. Some 59% said men and women should be equal, while three-quarters of people have no problem with women earning more than their husbands. However, 58% of people say they think women should get permission from their husbands before they start working.

Free speech has never been a strong attribute of Turks. However, 56% said expressing ideas in the media, even upsetting ideas, should be free, while 75% said opinions should be expressed even if they are against their values and beliefs. Only 33% said such ideas should be prohibited.

Looking at these findings, one might think that Turks are in favour of free speech. But in real life, especially when you look at social media, people not only do not tolerate views different from their own, they insult those expressing those views.

Still, amid the current political mood in Turkey, the fact that Turks displayed some strong liberal values - even if only at the rhetorical level - did come as something of a surprise.

Among those questioning the findings was Professor Ersin Kalayc?oglu of Istanbul's Sabanc? University. Kalayc?oglu draw attention not only to the situation in Turkey, but also to current developments across the world. He noted that free speech is under threat globally. Worse, referring to findings detailed in British journalist Timothy Garton Ash's recent book "Free Speech," Kalayc?oglu said free speech is facing a threat not only from states, but also from civil societies, "I was a pessimist before, and I became even more pessimistic after I read this book," he said.

Indeed, it is not only Turkey. The whole world seems to be going in the opposite direction in terms of certain liberal values.

[12] Israel, Turkey discussed joint gas pipeline as ties resume after six-year dissent

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz told reporters that he agreed at a meeting in Istanbul with his Turkish counterpart Berat Albayrak to "immediately establish a dialogue between our two governments" to examine the project's feasibility.

"We discussed energy in general and particularly the issue of natural gas and the possibility of building a natural gas pipeline from Israel to Turkey in order to deliver natural gas to Turkey and to Europe," Steinitz said, Reuters reported.

"There are other options, but the Turkey option is a strong one", he noted, adding that both counties have decided to create dialogue both on governmental and ministerial levels about this issue.

Turkey and Israel are now set to restore full diplomatic relations, including the exchange of Ambassadors who were pulled out of the respective capitals after the crisis.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (13.10.16) citing information reports that the gas pipeline, which will transfer the natural gas from Israel to Turkey will not pass through Cyprus. As claimed by Milliyet, the pipeline to reach Turkey will be built under the Eastern Mediterranean sea and will have a length of 500-550 km and depth of 2.500 metre.

[13] Turkish PM says new Constitution is a 'must'

Yildirim said: "As the AK Party, we have been saying this from the beginning: we should turn this de facto situation in Turkey into law. The decision will be made by the Parliament or by the people. We will soon bring a new Constitution to our Parliament".

Changing to a presidential system is opposed by Turkey's three other parliamentary parties and the AK Party does not have enough lawmakers to pass the proposals without submitting them to a referendum.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 12.10.16), under the title "AKP to submit own constitutional draft for presidential system: PM Y?ld?r?m", reports that AKP will submit its own charter draft that includes a presidential system, Yildirim has said, a day after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli suggested the public should decide on the issue.

Bahceli had criticized the AKP rule for violating the Constitution by creating a de facto presidential system, calling on the ruling party to either follow the Constitution or seek methods to legalize the situation.

"We agree to Bahceli's call and we say that we will bring our constitutional proposal to the Parliament as soon as possible. Our proposal is a system which assures strong, stable and continuous power which works with all of its institutions in harmony," Y?ld?r?m said. Regarding Bahceli's statement on a presidential system as hopeful, he said, "Turkey has to turn the de facto situation into a legal situation."

The new initiative by the government has received strong reaction from two opposition parties represented in Parliament. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) criticized the AKP and MHP's joint proposition to attempt to change the system into a presidential one through a new Constitution.

Criticizing Erdogan for creating a massive political crisis, the HDP parliamentary representative said the partnership between the MHP and AKP aimed to moderate possible public unrest against the ruling party. "In order to prevent the crisis from deepening, and to keep it manageable, we will see in the near future that Bahceli and the MHP will make a pass and Erdogan and AKP will score a goal against Turkish democracy."

[14] Antiquities from occupied Agios Filonas church in Rizokarpasso have been removed

The director of the so-called antiquities and museums department, Fuat Azimli has said that after antiquities were found in the possession of the owner of a company which operates near the occupied Agios Filonas monastery, they filed "a lawsuit" against this person and carried the antiquities to the occupied Rizokarpasso "police station" where they will be kept as "exhibits", because there is no room in the "antiquities and museums department's" warehouse in occupied Famagusta.

According to information obtained by the paper, on 22 August 2016 Masallah Erkan, owner of Oasis Hotel, found and kept in his possession antiquities during cleaning works in the area, which is an archeological site. "Employees" of the "antiquities' department" visited the area, saw the antiquities and filed a "lawsuit" against Erkan.

(I/Ts.)

[15] Seven hundred kilos of meet were captured at Ayios Dometios barricade by the so-called police

The meet was coming from the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

(CS)

[16] Great interest for the first electrical automobile produced by illegal YDU

The car was manufactured by the illegal Near East University (YDU).

According to the paper, the manufacture of the automobile is a result of an eight years work and efforts by the "YDU" which after the establishment of a car factory will launch the mass production of electrical auto cars and their export to the world in 2017.

(CS)

[17] Turkey fires NATO military envoys after failed coup

In a classified military dispatch, 149 military envoys posted to NATO centres in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Britain were ordered on Sept. 27 to return to Turkey within three days.

Most were dismissed from service on their arrival, arrested and jailed, according to a Turkish military official at NATO and two farewell letters sent by departing Turkish officials emailed to colleagues at NATO and seen by Reuters.

One of those letters wrote of a "witch hunt" of senior air force commanders serving overseas.

In total, about 400 military envoys have been fired so far, the Turkish military official said. Two non-Turkish NATO staff familiar with the situation confirmed that Turkish personnel is being recalled but did not have more details.

Turkish officials say the scale of the crackdown is justified by the gravity of events on July 15, when rogue soldiers commandeered tanks, fighter jets and helicopters, bombing the Parliament and government buildings in their attempt to seize power. More than 240 people, many of them civilians, were killed.

Of the 50 military staff posted to the Turkish delegation at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, only nine remain, according to the Turkish official who spoke to Reuters.

A NATO official said Turkey had notified the alliance about military personnel changes at NATO commands in Europe and in the United States, adding that the issue has been discussed at a senior level between NATO and Turkish officials.

"We are confident that Turkey will keep its commitment to the rule of law when bringing the perpetrators of the coup to justice," the NATO official said.

Meanwhile, Turkey's Defence Ministry has confirmed that it had dismissed over 230 military personnel for suspected links to the Gulenists on Oct. 11.

According to a ministry statement, from a total of 233 people fired, 201 were from Turkey's air force and 32 from the navy.

Among this total, 158 commissioned officers, 67 sergeants and eight specialized sergeants were relieved of their duty.

Seven military judges and colonels were also removed, bringing the total number of dismissed officials to 3,939. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/AM)

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