Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-08-01

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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] Nami on Crans Montana failure and Varosha opening

[02] Denktas: "The time has come to open the fenced-off town of Varosha"

[03] Atun: "A possible cooperation between Israel-Turkey-'TRNC' on the natural gas is into the agenda"

[04] Ozgurgun: "The Turkish Cypriots should take lessons from the past"

[05] Turkish commentary says Cyprus intercommunal negotiations 'Wake-up' call

[06] "Hala Sultan theology college" launches a campaign to register students

[07] Turkey and US in new row over terror support

[08] MHP supports Turkish government's controversial draft law allowing 'mufti marriages'

[09] Turkey's top religious official retires from his post

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami on Crans Montana failure and Varosha opening

As he alleged the summit did not failed because of the disagreements occurred on guarantees and the number of the army. "The main reason was the refusal of the Greek Cypriot side to take a new step", he claimed.

According to a statement issued by the so-called presidency, Nami alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has no problem on the UN parameters and acted accordingly to them; it was the Greek Cypriot side which rejected them, he claimed. He went on alleging that from now on the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side is to take initiatives at international level and force the Greek Cypriot side to accept a solution.

Referring to the opening of the fenced Varosha city, Nami said that no one should expect that the steps that will be taken will be the same as in the case of a comprehensive solution. "We will not turn the international community against us; we will continue extending a hand of friendship We will evaluate the situation based on the two above mentioned principles baring always in mind what our best interests are and we will decide whatever steps will be taken for Varosha or on any other issue", he stated.

(CS)

[02] Denktas: "The time has come to open the fenced-off town of Varosha"

In an interview to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Denktas said that the Cyprus talks have been going on for years now searching for a solution on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation within the framework of the UN mission. Despite all the Cyprus talks, Denktas claimed that no result would come out of this and added that the continuation of the Cyprus talks with these parameters has lost its meaning.

Claiming that the representative role of the Greek Cypriot side of the whole island to the world should be cut, Denktas argued that under no circumstances they (the Greek Cypriots) want to share the authorities, which have been granted to them by the world. For this reason, a solution cannot be reached Denktas claimed and added that "An equal federal state cannot be formed with a community, where the sides are not equal".

(DPs)

[03] Atun: "A possible cooperation between Israel-Turkey-'TRNC' on the natural gas is into the agenda"

Speaking for the first time to the paper about the steps planned to be taken during the forthcoming months, Atun referred to the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa vessel drilling activities in the north of occupied Karpasia, alleging that important determinations were made.

He further claimed that after the announcement of the "official results" from the "oil exploration activities" in three months, a platform will arrive in the island in order to carry out drilling activities. Atun further alleged that on the issue of the natural gas, a possible "cooperation" between "Israel-Turkey-TRNC" is into the agenda. Atun further claimed that a work was made concerning the transferring of Israel's natural gas to Europe from a terminal from the "TRNC" via Ceyhan.

Evaluating the issue concerning the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the occupation regime via underwater cables, Atun claimed that they are ready to implement the project by the end of this year. He added that the project will be concluded in two years and is expected to cost 450 million euro.

Stressing the need to act with global vision and global mind of thinking, Atun alleged that "as a result of Turkey's establishing ties with Israel on the natural resources in the Mediterranean, the TRNC would be a partner in this cooperation".

Accusing the "Greek Cypriot administration" as he called the Republic of Cyprus of not willing to share the natural gas with the Turkish Cypriots, Atun said: "Not only the Greek Cypriot side refuses to grant our rights but also ignores Turkey's rights".

"The Greek Cypriot side acts as if it is the single head in the Mediterranean region. It does not accept sharing the energy resources with the Turkish Cypriots. They are saying 'we will give you your share after the solution' but they do not say how much it will be. […]", Atun further claimed. He also accused the Greek Cypriot side of aiming to create tension in the area by taking unilateral steps.

(….)

"At the moment, it is believe that there are 2,2 trillion cube meters of natural gas around Cyprus. Disregarding everything, we will do drillings and take the place we deserve on natural gas reservoirs. During our meetings with Turkey's Energy Minister Albayrak, we agreed that within the next 6 months-one year the latest, after rending a platform from TPAO, we will be able to reach the natural gas reservoirs. It is very important for us today to protect as the 'TRNC' our natural gas rights not only because we want to protect our rights and interest but also because it is very important for us to utilize these reservoirs for trade activities", Atun further alleged.

(…)

(AK)

[04] Ozgurgun: "The Turkish Cypriots should take lessons from the past"

In a message issued for the "446th year of the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, the 59th anniversary of TMT and the 41st anniversary of security forces command" (Security Forces Command Headquarters), Ozgurgun alleged that while they shape their future as Turkish Cypriot "people", they should never forget from which streets they have passed and under which conditions they have established their "state" and they should work hard for carrying forward the "TRNC".

In a meeting also with Yilmaz Yildirim, major general of the "security forces command", Ozgurgun claimed that the "security forces" carry the most important task to safeguard their domestic and internal security.

(DPs)

[05] Turkish commentary says Cyprus intercommunal negotiations 'Wake-up' call

"The Cyprus negotiations, which ended recently never to start again, demonstrated that the island's division is not temporary but permanent.

This was demonstrated not only to the Cypriots but also to those countries such as the United Nations, the United States, Germany, Britain, and Russia that take a close interest to the issue.

The future of the Cypriots can be conceivable within this framework only.

The Turks and the Greeks will not coexist under the roof of a federation on the island, which was divided into two ethnically since the Turkish soldier landed on the island in 1974.

I can give you hundreds of reasons for this. The main reason, however, is the excessive demands of both communities from each other.

The Greeks do not want to make concessions on the monopoly over the Cyprus Republic. The Turks do not want to return the Greek lands on which they have lived for nearly 50 years to their previous owners.

A second reason -- and this may be the main and most important reason is that the sides do not like each other -- and I did not use the word "hate" on purpose from the point of view of Greek Cypriot sensitivity. The reason being that the sides do not trust each other and do not have a shared vision for the future of the island.

The Turkish and Greek Cypriots have shown that they belong more to the Middle East than Europe with their uncompromising minds. According to what an expert academician told me, they are even more backwards than the African tribes, who have experienced genocide, on their ability at compromise.

All these, however, have become history.

From now on, the issue can be simplified.

How will the Turkish and Greek Cypriots live their lives within the existing status quo without harming each other and the world?

There is no need for the Greek Cypriots to do much.

They are living in a state, which is a European Union member recognized by the world.

Their democracies and their judicial systems are solid. They have resolved their main problems such as education, health, and transportation. Their national per capita income is more than that of Israel.

They have a problem of provincialism, however. And, their minds are filled with the web of hatred sown by the Orthodox church. In the Christian world, no people are more the toys of the church like the Greek Cypriot people.

Despite their several enviable characteristics, this will prevent the Greek Cypriots from becoming another Singapour or Luxembourg.

The situation of the Turkish Cypriots, in turn, is pitiful.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC] is a state of bribe and unearned income established on gains of war. Its main income consists of Turkey's generous help, which is thrown into the pool of unearned income and bribe. This "living a life of ease" system prevented the Turkish Cypriots from setting up an administration directed toward public benefit.

Everything that can go wrong goes wrong in KKTC -- health, education, bureacracy, roads, water and electric infrastructure is falling apart. Environmental problems have turned into catastrophe.

In concretion, Kyrenia is similar to those places like Kusadasi and Mersin that have been transformed into urban hells. The administrators are not even feeling the need to hide the fact that they are stuffing their relatives pockets with public goods.

Bribe and unearned income and the politicians working for their benefit instead of the public good is the heroin of the Muslim societies.

The only way to be free of this addiction is to get rid of the political cadres, who have not even one reform in their history, and bring to power honest and competent people.

The only reason for the Turkish Cypriots to chase the dream of establishing a federation with the Greek Cypriots is to think that the Greek Cypriots will solve the problems they cannot solve.

It was believed that all our problems will be solved if we are under the same roof with them and we will reach the same level as them even if it was not said so outright.

Civilization, however, is not like a head cold, it is not infectous. Prosperity, in turn, is a matter of organization. The one who does not use his head, who cannot sweat, and who is not honest does not get any food.

The intercommunal negotiations is a "wake-up" call for the Turkish Cypriots. I hope it was heard."

[06] "Hala Sultan theology college" launches a campaign to register students

The flyers make a call to the community to register their children to the theology college for a "modern education, social ethics and better future". The paper reports that a promotion campaign for the "Hala Sultan theology college" has been launched in the mosques.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), evaluating the "uninspectable situation", stressed that in addition to the flyers displaced at the mosques, the "parent-teacher association" and trustees from the "foundation" are also trying to pick up students with home visits.

(DPs)

[07] Turkey and US in new row over terror support

Turkey has strongly condemned remarks by Brett Mc Gurk, U.S. special envoy for the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), while also recalling the U.S. support to Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which it says is an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), hence a terrorist group.

"Our reaction to the statements of Brett McGurk, in which he associated Turkey with the presence of terrorist organizations in Idlib was brought to Mr. McGurk's attention at a high-level demarche and his statements, which could be characterized as provocative, were protested," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Huseyin Muftuoglu said in a written statement on July 30.

McGurk's statements will also be reiterated to U.S. authorities through the Turkish Embassy in Washington, he noted.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Sedat Onal conveyed Turkey' unease and asked the U.S. envoy to "correct" his statements if he did not aim any provocation, a Foreign Ministry official told Hurriyet Daily News on condition of anonymity. Onal warned the envoy that these kinds of statements could harm the grounds of cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey at a time when the U.S. administration is seeking cooperation with Ankara for the post-ISIL period in Syria, said the official.

In addition, the paper also reports that Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu has criticized the United States, indirectly saying that it supports the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) through its Syrian wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG).

"Support to the PKK is not coming from the other ends of the world. It is not coming from Turkey or from unknown places. It is not Japan that is giving brand-new weapons to the PYD [Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party], which is a facelift version of the PKK. So, there are wrong choices," Soylu said at a conference on July 31.

He then indirectly accused the U.S. of supporting the PKK and "creating problems" for Turkey.

[08] MHP supports Turkish government's controversial draft law allowing 'mufti marriages'

"We have to popularize civil marriage. Will this regulation contribute to that? It will. This is the critical issue.

No matter who performs it - whether it is municipal officials or muftis – the ceremony will have to be within the boundaries of civil law," Usta said on July 31.

He claimed that the percentage of civil marriage in Turkey is relatively low and said the new regulation, which will allow local religious civil servants of the Diyanet to solemnize a marriage, will boost the number of registered marriages.

Currently Turkish foreign missions, municipalities, registry offices, captains, and local neighborhood heads (muhtars) have the authority to perform marriages, and this new regulation will only add the office of muftis to the list.

"If it is under civil law, it is not important whether people go to a municipal or [Diyanet] building. So we do not see a problem here. We think it will contribute to the popularization of [marriage]," Usta said.

According to the draft law on civil registration services submitted to parliament on July 25, provincial and local muftis will be granted the authority to conduct marriages in Turkey.

The draft has drawn outrage from opposition voices, who say it will land another blow on secularism in Turkey.

Civil organizations working on women's rights argue that the regulation will result in the rise of child marriages.

[09] Turkey's top religious official retires from his post

Gormez's retirement request was accepted by the Turkish Prime Ministry, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Ekrem Keles, who chairs the High Council of Religious Affairs, will serve as the directorate's interim chief until Gormez's successor is appointed, according to the sources.

Gormez, 58, was appointed to the post in November 2010.

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(CS / AM)

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