Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-06-06

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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: Geneva will be a conference for the solution and not an interim phase

[02] Akinci's statements prior his departure to New York

[03] Eide: "The Conference on Cyprus in Geneva will be an open ended process in the 2nd half of June"

[04] Izcan called the sides to show a constructive stance for the success of the process

[05] UK Transport Secretary says they view illegal Tymbou airport as Turkey's domestic line

[06] Seven persons were arrested for connection with FETO organization

[07] The "Immovable Property Commission" announced that only 1000 of the 6323 applications have been settled

[08] The" Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2017 Search and Rescue Exercise" to take place in the occupation regime

[09] Turkish fishermen "arrested for breaking the territorial waters of the TRNC"

[10] Turkey and Germany failed to resolve split over Incirlik base

[11] Turkey ready to do its part to resolve Gulf rift

[12] Court orders the arrest of the son-in-law of former Deputy PM Bulent Ar?nc in anti-Gulen probe

[13] Gulen, two HDP MPs and 127 others face denaturalization within three months

[14] UBP said that no "early elections" are to take place in 2017

[15] ConIFA European Football Cup was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

[16] The occupation regime's "bar association team" to attend a football tournament in Slovenia

[17] The "6th international competition of caricatures" will take place in the occupation regime

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: Geneva will be a conference for the solution and not an interim phase

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in New York after meeting with the UNSG and President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, Akinci argued that at this stage Geneva will be a conference for the solution and not an interim phase. Noting that the issues in the Cyprus problem have been discussed since a long time and "mutual steps" should be taken now, Akinci alleged that the Turkish side has shown this determination and that now is the Greek Cypriot side's turn. Referring to the meeting with the UNSG Akinci claimed the following:

"During the meeting held last night upon esteemed UNSG's invitation, the sides met at the road of reason, met at the line of logic, the pro-conditions were lifted and therefore the way for Geneva was paved".

Replying to a question, Akinci said that the issues to which the sides attach importance are known and if a way out is found the road for cooperation on the natural gas issue will open. Reiterating the view that the Turkish Cypriots have also rights on the natural gas resources around the island, Akinci claimed that a "serious plan" exists by which all sides could cooperate on the natural gas issue and reiterated the "warning" that if instead of materializing this plan the 'insistence on continuing these explorations continues", the field in which cooperation could exist will be turned into a field of tension. "My wish is for the course on the way of reason to continue and a result to come out", he added.

Replying to another question, Akinci said that he does not want to pump "unnecessary and groundless hopes" to the people and that in order for the way to Geneva to open the sides should meet in the "way of reason", the lifting of the pre-conditions was needed for this and the pre-conditions were lifted. "The basic issue is for things to move on in Geneva. Will the Greek Cypriot side be able to move on? We will see on this", he claimed.

Noting that the efforts of the UNSG's Special Adviser, Espen Barth Eide had not been successful and that the UNSG had invited the sides to New York in order for the effort exerted all this time is not wasted, Akinci alleged that President Anastasiades saw that the pre-conditions he had allegedly put forward would not be accepted because even in his own community many people said that this approach could not continue.

Arguing that he had been very relaxed in New York, Akinci alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side is committed to the earlier agreements and did not go to New York with pre-conditions. Reiterating that they are faithful to the statement of 12 January 2017 and the 11 February 2014 document, Akinci concluded by saying that they have absolutely no worry as "in the end a reference was made to these documents".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.06.17) reported that upon his arrival to the UN headquarters in order to participate in the meeting with the UNSG and President Anastasiades, Akinci said that they went there upon the invitation by the UNSG and alleged that "the reason we are here is the insistence of the one side on pre-conditions". He alleged that they were in New York in order to reiterate their commitment to the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on the accepted principles and with the hope and expectation to open the way for the International Conference on Cyprus to reconvene in Geneva. He reiterated that what we need the most is political will and that the way for progress will open in case there is commitment to the 12 January 2017 statement and 11 February 2014 agreement.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci's statements prior his departure to New York

Repeating his view that the way to opening the path to a Geneva summit does not contain any preconditions, Akinci argued: "There was a previously agreed foundation; we are going in line with this. We continue to harvest our aim for a solution on the island and I hope that the Greek Cypriot side's aim for its election does not preclude its aims for a solution".

Referring to the previously approved and published declaration in Geneva, Akinci said that it was only natural that the technical works carried out at Mont Pelerin on security and guarantees be forwarded to a renewed 5 party conference and claimed: "What's not natural is the Greek Cypriot side demanding that this chapter be finished then the issue of territory being taken up and then moving on to other chapters". He further added that they wanted result orientated meetings to take place.

He also said that they want all sides to see the whole picture and underlined the fact that all chapters are linked to one another and added: "All topics have been discussed up until today and there are close to 10 to 12 that are related to one another therefore these must be discussed together. I have been saying this for some time. It is not possible to finalize these topics alone".

"All sides have the right to see the whole picture, to see if these are acceptable by their people or not. The Greek Cypriot side must see this as well" said Ak?nc?.

He further reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side's stance that he was going to New York to get results and added that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey are ready for a conference in Geneva and ready to get results.

"I hope the Greek Cypriot side and Greece are also ready for this. I hope I can give the news in New York that a Geneva summit will take place", Akinci concluded.

[03] Eide: "The Conference on Cyprus in Geneva will be an open ended process in the 2nd half of June"

Speaking at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Eide said that the two sides in Cyprus were closer to a settlement and that the necessary modalities to achieve success were currently available.

Pointing out that the conference on Cyprus is continuing, the UN Special Advisor said that the only reason why a date was not determined at Sunday's dinner between the two leaders and the Secretary General was the absence of the representatives of the three guarantor countries at the meeting.

Stating that the conference will reconvene in the second half of this month, Eide said: "This will be an open ended process. What this means is that there will be a starting date but not a finishing date. Of course the finishing date will be the day we will announce whether or not we have settled this historical problem. We are not announcing how many days this will take. We believe it will take time…so we're talking about a period of two weeks."

Reminding that convergences existed on the chapters of Governance and Power Sharing, Property, Economy and EU matters, Eide said that the two leaders also had an idea on how to finalize the territory chapter, even though it has not been put down on paper.

He said that the issue of Governance and Power Sharing which was the least discussed issue amongst the 6 chapters required special attention because the two sides had opposition opening positions on this issue.

"80% of the issues may have been resolved but this does not mean that the remaining parts will be easy. End games in such processes tend to be more intensive then earlier phases", he said.

[04] Izcan called the sides to show a constructive stance for the success of the process

Pointing out that a document with the positions of the sides is to be prepared and will constitute the road map on the issue of Security and Guarantees, Izcan stated that BKP wants the demilitarization and disarmament of Cyprus.

Stating that the Cold- War era was left behind, Izcan added: "We should not permit the guarantor countries to use Cyprus as an aircraft carrier".

Izcan went on and described as a right method the discussion by the two leaders of all issues where convergences have not reached in parallel with the territory, property and administration and power sharing chapters and stated that otherwise the process could not be able to progress.

Supporting that the "give-take process" will be inevitable for the solution, Izcan added that an early solution on the Cyprus problem will benefit the whole of Cyprus and will contribute to the stability of the region.

(AK)

[05] UK Transport Secretary says they view illegal Tymbou airport as Turkey's domestic line

ATCA's representative Kerem Hasan said that the UK Transport Secretary told them the Britain considers illegal Tymbou as Turkey's domestic line, something said for the first time by a British Minister. Hasan noted also the following:

"We are holding consultations at the moment on this issue with our lawyers and other Turkish Cypriot and foreign associations. Esteemed Transport Secretary has noted that the decision had been taken for technical and security reasons and that this practice is a result of the decision we know as 'laptop ban' in the British Government's March 2017 decision regarding the 'electronic devices'".

Hasan said that the British Minister informed them that the decision is valid for all domestic flights in Turkey towards the Istanbul Airport. Alleging that they have been expecting the beginning of direct flights to illegal Tymbou and that with this decision the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots increases, Hasan said that Grayling made no reference to the issue of "direct flights" in his reply.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Seven persons were arrested for connection with FETO organization

The paper writes that this is the first phase of the "investigations" which started in the occupied paert of Lefkosia and Morfou and adds that these will continue in the following days.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Ozgur Volkan (05.06.17) wrote that the Turkish authorities sent to the breakaway regime a list consisting of 114 persons that are believed to have connections with FETO. Citing information the paper writes that well-known businessmen, religious officials and bureaucrats are among the list and adds that "investigations" have already been launched over it. The paper noted that not only Turkish-origin but also "TRNC-origin persons" are included in the list.

In addition, experts from Turkey will arrive at the breakaway regime and will establish a "committee" along with "TRNC officials" regarding the 114-person list, wrote the paper.

(CS)

[07] The "Immovable Property Commission" announced that only 1000 of the 6323 applications have been settled

According to the "commission" there are more than 5,000 applications still pending settlements.

Speaking in an interview to the TAK news agency, the "president of the IPC" Ayfer Erkmen and "members of the commission" said that efforts were being made to solve the outstanding problems at the "commission" but that they have yet to achieve the result they want.

According to information on the "commission's website", of the 1,000 cases that have been concluded, 815 were settled through compensation.

The figures show that the majority of the Greek Cypriots have demanded compensation.

A total of 16 thousand donums of land has become Turkish title deed land through compensation at a cost of 235 million Pounds Sterling.

55 million Pounds Sterling of that figure has yet to be paid out.

Erkmen explained: "Despite the fact that it is the commission which rules and settles on the cases, it is the TRNC state or interior ministry which implemented the decisions".

He said that the amount of money "allocated" in the "TRNC budget" for the "commission" is 75 million Turkish Liras.

Stating that there has been a distancing of relations with Turkey over the issue in comparison to the past, Erkmen said that a proposal by Turkey to levy a land value tax on property that has become Turkish title land through compensation has not been accepted by the "TRNC". He said that the issue has contributed to the rift.

The "IPC members" also explained that bureaucratic red tape, mortgage problems and other problems related to divided shares of properties in question were the main obstacles in settling cases.

The members pointed out that the European Court of Human Rights on the other hand had only been able to settle 36 such cases over a span of 15 years.

Stating that efforts to digitally transfer title deed records were continuing in the "TRNC", the IPC members argued that not all title deed records were in the possession of the "TRNC government", with some left in South Cyprus, (editor's note: the Republic of Cyrpus).

They also stated that an offer by the Greek Cypriot side to 'harmonize' the records on both sides did not receive approval by the "TRNC government".

According to the "IPC members" the total amount of Greek Cypriot titled land within the "TRNC's boundaries" (editor's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), for the exception of "public land", is 1.4 million donums of land.

The amount of Turkish titled land that remains in "South Cyprus" is 450 thousand donums.

[08] The" Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2017 Search and Rescue Exercise" to take place in the occupation regime

According to the statement, the "exercise" will take place at "101 Evler (houses) area" at occupied Saint Hilarion area in the Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Famagusta, on "land and territorial waters" of the "TRNC" as well as within Turkey's search and rescue area.

(AK)

[09] Turkish fishermen "arrested for breaking the territorial waters of the TRNC"

The boat was carrying 3,600 kg tuna fish which are selling for 6,000 TL, wrote the paper noting that the boats which "enter" the "territorial waters of the TRNC" pose a big problem appearing especially every summer.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (06.05.17) writes that the 12 persons who consisted the crew of the "arrested boat", were "brought in front of a court" yesterday.

(CS)

[10] Turkey and Germany failed to resolve split over Incirlik base

Turkey said current conditions were "not suitable" for German lawmakers to visit the Incirlik base, which is used in strikes on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria, but they would be welcome to visit a military base in Konya, where Germany has troops and early reconnaissance planes deployed as part of a NATO mission.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel pledged in a joint press meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu more efforts to fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) activities in Germany.

Both Turkey and Germany underlined the need to maintain good ties by focusing on a "positive agenda", as a breakdown in relations would serve neither side.

"At the moment a visit to the Konya base is possible but not to Incirlik," Cavusoglu said, recalling that the issue was discussed between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels on May 25.

"The proposal we have made is about a visit to the Konya NATO base by the German delegation. This would be better to start with it," Cavusoglu said.

Germany has six Tornado surveillance planes and around 250 troops deployed at the Incirlik base serving under the international coalition fighting against ISIL. It also has a few dozen troops in the Konya base operating AWACS as part of a NATO mission. Turkey has been blocking the visit of German lawmakers to Incirlik over Berlin's granting of asylum to members of what prosecutors and the government call the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETO) in the aftermath of the July 2016 coup attempt.

"My Turkish colleague explained to me that in the current situation, Turkey is not able to allow every visit by German parliamentarians to Incirlik - for domestic reasons," Gabriel said.

"I regret that. Conversely, I ask for understanding that we - for domestic political reasons - must transfer soldiers out of Incirlik, because the German Parliament has a parliamentary army and places value on German lawmakers being able to visit Bundeswehr soldiers at any time," he added.

Gabriel expressed satisfaction with the Turkish permission to German lawmakers to visit troops in the Konya base while underlining those talks between officials will continue in the coming days.

Shortly after he spoke, sources in Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m's office said he had cancelled a planned meeting with Gabriel, citing a "busy work schedule". A German delegation under Gabriel later met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and government officials along with Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

One likely destination for German troops and Tornados based in Incirlik would be Jordan, as Berlin had already sent military and technical teams to study the availability of Jordanian military facilities.

Another key issue discussed between the two Foreign Ministers was Turkey's growing complaints about PKK activities in German territories and the German government's apparent reluctance to study Turkish demands for the extradition of alleged PKK members.

Gabriel stressed that PKK is also a danger for Germany and said they were determined to take additional measures against the group, which Berlin has recognized as a terrorist organization since 1993.

He also promised that Berlin will review Turkey's demand for the extradition of around 4,500 Turkish nationals residing in Germany and accused of terror offences.

Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey's expectations from Germany in the anti-PKK fight. "The PKK is involved in all kinds of crimes, racketing, human and drug trafficking. The PKK is our enemy and poses a threat to all of us. They might even start launching attacks in Germany after the German government takes measures against it. This is not something I want but it is a terror organization," he said.

On Deniz Yucel, a Turkish-German journalist who was arrested in February, Cavusoglu claimed that he was not arrested because of his journalistic work "but because of his links with terror organizations".

"Turkey has an independent judicial system, just like Germany. There is an ongoing prosecution of Yucel," he stressed.

Gabriel expressed "sadness" over the continued arrest of Yucel and said he made some suggestions on this case to Cavusoglu.

"As a Foreign Minister, I have no word on these suggestions, but I will pass them to our relevant organizations," he said.

Foreign Minister Cavusoglu also claimed that foreign intelligence services had recently "started to use journalists" as part of "spying missions" in Turkey.

[11] Turkey ready to do its part to resolve Gulf rift

According to the presidential sources, Erdogan phoned Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for a diplomatic solution to escalating tension.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kal?n released a statement earlier, in which he said: "The countries in the region need to evaluate their relations on the basis of unity and solidarity rather that unfounded news and allegations."

"In times when the region is looking for peace and stability, the members of the GCC, with whom Turkey is in a strategic business alliance, must take the necessary steps towards achieving these common goals through negotiation, dialog, and communication," he added.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Ankara with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said that Turkey was ready to help in any way it can to bring the disputes to a manageable level. "Dialogue should be continued under all circumstances so the existing problems can be solved in a peaceful way," he added.

He expressed Turkey's "sadness" at the decisions to cut off ties, citing the importance of regional unity and solidarity and said "Turkey sees the unity and solitary among Gulf states as its own unity".

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen all abruptly announced their decision to sever diplomatic relations with Doha, citing "national security" concerns.

[12] Court orders the arrest of the son-in-law of former Deputy PM Bulent Ar?nc in anti-Gulen probe

Ekrem Yeter was detained at his residence and later referred to the prosecutor's office to testify. However, he was arrested on charges of "being a member of a terror organization".

Ar?nc had earlier told daily Hurriyet that he believed Yeter had no connection with the organization. "There is a [judicial] process ongoing. Hopefully, we will get information about him soon. We believe in our son-in-law in every aspect and we also believe he does not have any relationship [with FETO]," he said.

He had been working as an associate professor in the cardiology department of the Y?ld?r?m Beyaz?t University's Medicine Faculty but was dismissed from his post in line with a decree law issued on Sept. 2, 2016.

Following the attempted coup, Yeter shared an image of himself with his wife on his social media account during public anti-coup rallies across Turkey dubbed "democracy meetings".

[13] Gulen, two HDP MPs and 127 others face denaturalization within three months

The Ministry's notice stated that a total of 130 people abroad, who had been probed over terror charges and crimes against the constitutional order, will be denaturalized unless they return and apply to the relevant institutions in the country within a three-month period starting from June 5.

Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania, is accused of masterminding the failed July 2016 coup attempt and is in 91st place in the list.

According to state-run Anadolu Agency, the list also included Osman Hilmi Ozdil, the alleged "police imam" of the Gulen network codenamed Kozanl? Omer, and he is reported to be in Thailand. An extradition request had previously been filed on him.

Separately, HDP S?rnak Deputy Faysal Sar?y?ld?z and Van Deputy Fatma Hezer Ozturk were also named on the list alongside the party's former Van Deputy Ozdal Ucer.

The lawmakers are accused of "providing arms to a terror organization" and "engaging in terror organization propaganda," with an arrest warrant already issued for them. The Parliament is also reviewing dossiers to strip their parliamentary status due to absence.

According to Article 29/2 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, citizens who are abroad and probed over aforementioned charges are reported to the Interior Ministry by the prosecutor or the court to strip them of citizenship within a month. The Ministry then publishes the notice and they are ultimately denaturalized unless they return within three months upon the request of the Ministry and the Cabinet decision.

The 11th criminal court in the southern province of Adana made an official application to the Justice Ministry to withdraw Gulen's citizenship on May 26.

[14] UBP said that no "early elections" are to take place in 2017

According to the paper, the party issued a statement after the meeting of the commission noting that it fully supports the "government" and "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun and that "elections" can be held in March or April 2018.

The paper also reported that the "independent deputy" Hasan Tacoy, also participated in the UBP meeting.

(CS)

[15] ConIFA European Football Cup was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

The opening ceremony of the 2017 ConIFA European Football Cup which is being held under the slogan "freedom to play football" was held at the "Lefkosa Ataturk Stadium" on Saturday night.

Delivering an opening speech at the event, the "chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Football Association (KTFF)" Hasan Sertoglu alleged that they wanted to show that the "TRNC" did not lack anything from the member countries of the UEFA and FIFA. He also claimed that they wanted to show what the Turkish Cypriot "people" were capable of.

The President of the ConIFA Europe Alberto Rischio for his part thanked the "Cyprus Turkish Football Association" for organizing the championship tournament at such high standards, alleging that the tournament was an indicator that all boundaries had been lifted.

The President of the ConIFA World Per Anders Blind stated that ConIFA was a special platform as it is a unique opportunity to show all cultural heritages and friendships to the world.

Also addressing the event, self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun alleged that such an organization had a great meaning for the "TRNC" youth and claimed: "We are a generation which grew up in the resentment after being reportedly prevented by the Greek Cypriot side's bigoted mentality which failed to comprehend the friendship, brotherhood and peace aspects of sports".

Ozgurgun also alleged that the sports embargos imposed on the "TRNC" and its youth was a violation of human rights and a great shame of humanity.

"It is a pride for us that our youth after such a long time are competing at a national level in this championship which has a great importance for our country", Ozgurgun claimed.

[16] The occupation regime's "bar association team" to attend a football tournament in Slovenia

According to the paper, the "team" to "represent" the occupation regime will be departing for Slovenia today.

(AK)

[17] The "6th international competition of caricatures" will take place in the occupation regime

According to the paper, more than 300 caricaturists from 62 countries will be attending the competition.

In statements during the press conference, Nidai Gungordu, "mayor" of occupied Keryneia, described as very important the organization of the event and alleged that the competition will contribute to the promotion of the "TRNC". He also added that the "international event" will take place in the framework of the "16 International Olive Festival".

(AK)

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