Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-02-09

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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] Kalin: "The presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus is a security valve for the island"

[02] Eide: "Solution in Cyprus is possible"

[03] Statements by Ozgurgun on the Cyprus problem

[04] TKP and SDP will merge

[05] Toga Atakan, the "general secretary" of HP

[06] Comments on the attack against Turkish Cypriot vehicles on Troodos Mountains

[07] Ozgurgun and Sibel alleged that the cycling tour organized in the breakaway regime will help towards the recognition of the "TRNC"

[08] Cavusoglu due to visit Ukraine

[09] HDP's Deputy Leyla Zana released after detention in Diyarbak?r

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Kalin: "The presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus is a security valve for the island"

"The Cyprus negotiations do not have any relation indexed to a referendum. Actually, we took the necessary steps we need to take on the Cyprus issue" Kalin said.

Claiming that the Turkish side is showing a positive stance within this period, Kalin alleged: "The presence of the Turkish army in the island has never been against the Greek Cypriot side. It has been a security valve for the island and for external dangers and also a structure which was established realistically. It is important to preserve it there for maintaining the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean".

Stating that although a certain point was reached in Geneva there are still issues needed to be worked on, Kalin said during his recent meeting with the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide and he added that he openly put forward the Turkish principles.

On the issue of whether the tension experienced between Turkey and Greece would have a negative effect on the Cyprus peace process, Kalin argued: "It is even wrong to say 'coup soldiers' and really unacceptable that these 'uniformed terrorists' were not extradited to Turkey. This was shaped as a political decision from the beginning and came to this point."

Claiming that this will have its consequences, Kalin said: "However it would be wrong to index this issue with the Cyprus problem. This is out of the question. We are supporting the continuation of the negotiations. If a development parallel to our principles occurs in the coming weeks we will then support that also".

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (online, 09.02.17) reports that Kalin, in an interview with Turkish private broadcaster NTV, commenting also on the Cyprus talks, alleged the following: "It is not possible the Cyprus talks to have any index with the referendum. We will always take one step ahead from the Greek Cypriot side. We took the steps that we should have taken. In 2004 the Turkish Cypriot side voted yes to the referendum, the Greek Cypriot side voted no, but they were rewarded. They (the Turkish side) faced the Greek Cypriot side's obstacles. They (EU) made the Greek Cypriot area an EU member. Turkey was constructive in the process but set down principles. The system of security and guarantees will continue to safeguard the peace in the island. The existence of the Turkish army there has never been against the Greek Cypriot sector".

(DPs)

[02] Eide: "Solution in Cyprus is possible"

He said that the two leaders in Cyprus have reached a point that had not been reached at the Cyprus negotiations ever before and added that the support of the guarantor countries Greece and Britain is necessary.

"The increased tension during the last days and weeks has made my work difficult. I wish it did not exist but we want to have a platform where Turkey and Greece could cooperate without been negatively affected by the Cyprus problem", he stated adding that this could help towards having good results at the Cyprus negotiations and a positive impact in the region of Eastern Mediterranean.

Referring further to the Cyprus negotiations, he said that they had the opportunity to put all the issues at the table and seek answers to questions regarding the status and the guarantor powers in Cyprus. "I believe that we can find a middle road. Negotiations showed to me that this is possible. A solution that the two sides would feel that are not threatened is possible", he said.

He added that they try to approach the issue of security from a different point of view which will safeguard both today and tomorrow. "We want a solution that both communities to be co-owners of the state", he said.

Eide referred to four levels regarding the efforts for the solution, that be 1) the solution itself, and the quality of the solution, 2)solution regarding inter security, 3) the safeguarding of the application of the solution 4) the foreign security of Cyprus. As he said it is not possible to say what results can be reached at this point but he added that one has to be creative and think "outside of the box" in order to fulfill the needs of the two communities: Make the Turkish Cypriot community to feel that is politically equal despite being smaller arithmetically; at the same time the international powers to safeguard that this will take place in such a way that will satisfy the Greek Cypriot side.

Finally, referring to the maps' submitting, Eide said that the two maps submitted by the two sides were very close to each other. He also said that this issue has been transformed to an issue that can be solved. "Since the two sides committed to their people that will do anything possible for the establishment of a united state, which was a dream of years for many people and a development that will be positive for the people of Cyprus, then I think that a solution will be reached", Eide said adding that he is realistically optimist.

"If there is a will there will be a way", he said, adding that there is a big difference now compared to the 2004 efforts. "Both leaders want the solution and share a common dream. This is solution written by the Cypriots themselves. The UN does not want to write the solution for them. This is a mistake we committed in the past", he stated.

(CS)

[03] Statements by Ozgurgun on the Cyprus problem

Reminding of the fact that a new international conference on the Cyprus problem is into the agenda for next March, Ozgurgun alleged that the expectations of both sides on the Cyprus problem are very different. Commenting on the new international conference on the Cyprus problem to take place in Geneva again on March, Ozgurgun claimed the following: "There are many who accumulate interest from this case. This is totally a waste of time. Do you think that the guarantor countries do not have other work to do than meeting every month? After all, the expectations of the sides are far away from each other. Turkey's President has very clearly stated that 'Varoshia is the only territory concession we can make. In return for Varoshia we want Kokkina. So, there is nothing to be given. With this proposal, we would not give anything. Also, on the property issue there is full confusion, and if it will be solved in this way, then conflicts will follow. The territories of whom will be given, and to who?", Ozgurnun alleged wondering.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci did not commented at all on the statements made by Erdogan, Ozgurgun said: "Since Mr. Akinci did not make any statements, I take into account Mr. Erdogan's statements. The Greek Cypriot side has stated that the map submitted by the president of the TRNC is different than the map Turkey refers to. […]", Ozgurgun also argued.

Expressing the view that there will be no progress on the Cyprus problem not even in the next 25 years, Ozgurgun claimed that if no stability is created in Syria, Iran and Iraq, there will be no progress on the Cyprus problem. Ozgurgun further alleged the following: "Without accepting the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people and the political equality of the two founding states, no solution is possible to be found on the Cyprus problem. The Greek Cypriot side's position is totally opposite. The situation is the same, nothing radical will change. So, who will take seriously a possible new conference? We are not beggars of an agreement. This is what we say. The TRNC is the plan B for us. The negotiation talks should suspend and we should look in front of us. If we do not accept being a minority and if the Greek Cypriot side accepts us as equal partners, only then there will be a solution. Negotiations cannot be carried out in this way".

Supporting that he has no communication with "president" Akinci, Ozgurgun stated that for this reason he could not attend the briefing made by Akinci yesterday to the "parliamentary party" leaders. "I would not attend any briefing meetings. Mr. President's behavior is biased. I will send my colleagues. The Greek Cypriots have taken everything. And they are focused now on the Turkish guarantees. A very serious strategic mistake was committed. If we discuss this issue also, we will lose the Cyprus problem. If there is a thought to be surrendered, this is of course another issue".

Evaluating the internal issues of the occupation regime, Ozgurgun stated that the salaries for the first 6 months of the year will be paid normally and added there is no problem concerning the "economic protocol" signed with Turkey. "There is no problem with the protocol. We have discussed this with Tugrul Turkes and there is no problem. He is expected to come here during the weekend in order to have consultations with him on this matter", Ozgurgun further said.

(AK)

[04] TKP and SDP will merge

Tozun Tunali, leader of the SDP, said that they met with the TKP recently to discuss ways of cooperation and to merge their political forces. Reminding that neither of the parties has experienced elections, Tunali said that they need to go through an election process in order to evaluate their parties' efficiency.

Mehmet Cakici, leader of the TKP, said that their principles are very close to the SDP and added that as they have said it before they are ready to make alliance.

(DPs)

[05] Toga Atakan, the "general secretary" of HP

According to the statement, Toga Atakan has been elected as the "general secretary" of the party.

(AK)

[06] Comments on the attack against Turkish Cypriot vehicles on Troodos Mountains

"I congratulate you sirs. You have succeeded in creating a Greek Cypriot generation that hates the Turks. You have painted a flag on the mountains and this flag, which you rubbed in every Greek Cypriot's face, served its purpose very much. Now, you are gathering the fruits of this hatred. Behold, they are destroying Turkish Cypriot vehicles in the south. […] Do not get angry sir. These are your creation. The superior medals of creating hatred. […] On the one hand you succeeded the hatred. And on the other you once more forced everyone say 'solution with the Greek Cypriots is never possible'. You could not succeed in bringing up the Turkish children in the north as enemies of the Greeks, but you succeeded in bringing up the Greek children in the south as enemies of the Turks! Moreover, how strange, how sad it is. You are not the one who is attacked in the south. It is our brothers who support peace. […] You friend, who painted that flag on the mountains, you are not the one who is burned in this cauldron of hatred which you have set on fire. Innocent people are burned. Their only sin is that they did not demand this flag, which serves no other purpose than creating hatred, should be lifted from there. And that they turned a blind eye to the sowing of these seeds of hatred on these mountains, which had been taken by the force of arms from the other side.

Is it only the flag? There are many things in your manifesto of hatred. For 29 years, you kept close the one half of their country for the people. You prohibited even their going to visit the places where they were born. This is how the children born in 1974 have come to their 29th year of age. Listening to stories of savagery by their parents. And looking at the other half of their country behind barbwires. […] How did you expect to find the children, the heart of whose you have been filling up with hatred for 29 years? [Did you expect] them to embrace you with love and say to you 'you did well by sending us away from our lands'? […]

Why are you surprised that the Greek Cypriot youth feels enmity and hatred for you, while Varosha, which you have been keeping and feeding to the snakes for 43 years, is still there? […] I also do not love you, because you have offered Varosha to the snakes. I find very disgusting everything you did for making the other side to feel pain by you rubbing in the other side's face the lands you obtained as war trophy. For this reason I do not love you. You have killed Tasos and Solomou in the most savage manner and felt no regret about this. Instead of feeling regret and apologize, you have rewarded those who killed them. How they should not hate you? […]

I congratulate you sirs. […] You have achieved your goal. Look, even those of us who support peace the most, do not trust the Greek Cypriots now. Even those of us who support peace the most say that 'there can be no solution without Turkey'. I congratulate the government in Turkey. It has succeeded in turning Cyprus into Turkey. Nothing more is left to be said […]"

Furthermore, columnist Cenk Mutluyakali in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.2.17) also comments on the issue in his column under the title "The mental patients on Troodos". Mutluyakali writes the following:

"I have spent my vacations many times in the south part of Cyprus. I have spent the night. I travelled. I went to the sea. To the villages of Troodos. To Pafos, to Limasol. I have experienced absolutely no unpleasant incident. No one said something bad to me or looked at me hostilely. I am not writing these things to cover up the ugliness experienced by the Turkish Cypriots whose vehicles had been attacked the day before yesterday on Troodos. The actual thing is the following: During the tens of my vacations I have not met with any mental patient. Because blind nationalism and fanaticism is a mental illness! And unfortunately, these 'sick situations are more spread in the south comparing to the north. They absolutely do not reflect the whole of the Greek Cypriot community. In the same manner in which those who killed a Greek Cypriot at the barricade by crushing his head with sticks and stones do not reflect the Turkish Cypriot community! The issue is the fact that this kind of behaviors remains 'unpunished'. The duty of all progressives in the south and mainly Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades, is to find these 'mental patients' and treat them. They need to be more courageous, decisive, and meticulous for this".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozgurgun and Sibel alleged that the cycling tour organized in the breakaway regime will help towards the recognition of the "TRNC"

Speaking on the issue, self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun claimed that such events helps towards the recognition and the promotion of the "TRNC".

Self-styled speaker of the assembly Sibel Siber expressed her support to the tour and also she alleged that the event will help towards the recognition of the breakaway regime.

(CS)

[08] Cavusoglu due to visit Ukraine

Cavusoglu and his Ukrainian counterpart, Pavlo Klimkin, will review all dimensions of bilateral relations and discuss new cooperation opportunities, the statement said.

"The two sides will have a comprehensive exchange of views on current regional and international issues with a special emphasis on the situation of the Crimean Tatars as well as the recent developments in the eastern regions of Ukraine," added the statement.

A "Plan for Consultations" between the Ministries will also be signed after the talks.

During his visit, Cavusoglu will meet Ertugrul Apakan, the Head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.

Cavusoglu's two-day visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Ukraine.

The Joint Strategic Planning Group functions under the High Level Strategic Council between the two countries.

(…)

[09] HDP's Deputy Leyla Zana released after detention in Diyarbak?r

Police in Diyarbak?r detained Zana as a part of an investigation carried out by the Diyarbak?r Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of "being a member of an armed terror organization."

Zana's detention came after she refused to testify to prosecutors and was ordered to be brought forcibly by police. She was later transferred to the courthouse following her proceedings at the police headquarters.

A Diyarbak?r court later ordered her release on probation.

Zana had served 10 years in prison for speaking Kurdish while taking her parliamentary oath in 1991. She was eventually released in 2004 and again became a lawmaker after the June 2011 election.

On February 7, HDP Sanl?urfa Deputy Dilek Ocalan was also released after her brief detention at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport upon an arrest warrant on terror charges.

A lawsuit had been filed on Ocalan in a Sanl?urfa court on charges of "engaging terror propaganda" with a prison sentence of up to five years demand.

The Sanl?urfa 5th High Criminal Court had later issued an arrest warrant for Ocalan and she was detained at Ataturk Airport on February 7. The Bak?rkoy 1st High Criminal Court later ordered Ocalan's release.

(…) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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