Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-10

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Aktag's statements show that Turkey is behind Ertugruloglu's "proposal" for annexation

[02] Columnist: Aktag's statements show that we are under occupation

[03] Akinci: "There is no rule that says that we must do everything the way Turkey does it"

[04] Caglar and Ozcenk are carrying out contacts in Strasbourg

[05] Reactions by KTOS and KTOEOS against the "transferring of teachers from Turkey"

[06] Criticisms against UBP regarding the privatization of the occupied airport of Tymbou

[07] The occupation regime attended two "events" abroad

[08] Turkey-US rift heats up with visa, arrest crises

[09] Turkish Lira shares tumble on US-Turkey visa tension

[10] Turkey slams PACE for awarding senior FETO member

[11] Court rules for retrial of CHP MP Enis Berberoglu

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Aktag's statements show that Turkey is behind Ertugruloglu's "proposal" for annexation

Meanwhile, journalist Ulas Baris on Turkish Cypriot GAK TV news portal (09.10.17, http://www.gaktv.com/ulas-baris-yazdi-sorunlar-var-diye/) recalls that Ertugruloglu had said: "From now on we want to negotiate on the basis of confederation and not federation. We can try for the international recognition of the TRNC. The second option is an autonomous republic, like the model of France-Monaco." Noting that Aktag argued that "within the framework of this and similar ideas, Turkey and the TRNC will sit and decide for a political solution now", the columnist says that we could read this statement in two ways: 1) Work in the direction of the breakaway regime recognition and 2) A model of autonomy, like Monaco, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taiwan or Nakhijevan, which means "semi annexation of the north part of Cyprus". The columnist adds the following:

"[…] We are skipping over the first option because we have been seeing for 40 years that is an unrealistic desire. Therefore, let us receive as a direct message Milliyet's title that 'annexation is on the table' and look at the second way of reading. Because, in this situation it is shown that Mr Tahsin is actually his master's voice. Actually, after Akdag's statement it is clearly evident that Mr Tahsin, for whom all political figures said everything during last week, is only an 'ambassador' and that Turkey is behind these ideas. In this situation, those who talk about the puppet should talk about the puppeteer as well, but when we consider about the approaching elections, it is, of course, expected for them to say 'let us not fall out with Ankara'. […] You remember that Recep Tayyip Erdogan had made a very crucial statement in the past. What was that? 'The citizens from Turkey living in the island are not adequately represented in the parliament'. If we look at the proportion of our population (we do not know statistically, but we know the calculation by the eye), it is evident that this proportion has been spoiled in favor of the citizens from Turkey. In this situation, either we want it or not, the number of those [of them] who will be elected in the TRNC parliament will increase. […] Thus, we understand that the view expressed few months ago by Metin Munir that 'Ataturk added Alexandretta to Turkey and Erdogan will add Cyprus', is not wrong. […] Moreover, this situation which will be probably created, will be 100% in harmony with the fact that the north is internationally seen as Turkey's 'subordinate administration'. […]

Now, you will say what the Greek Cypriots will say for this? I can guarantee you that the Greek Cypriots are ready from yesterday for an agreed separation. They can explain this very well to the people, in return of Varosha, the half of Morfou and the compensation of the properties in the north. […] Moreover, instead of the Turkish side (Turkey) causing problems in the south of the island with America, Italy or France, it is very likely to abandon its rights on these gas reserves and be directed to gas reserves which probably exist in the north. I do not think that the Greek Cypriots will say no to this.

The last statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that 'the negotiations for federation ended' and the subsequent statement that 'we are obliged to negotiate again for a political solution' point to a negotiation in this direction. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Columnist: Aktag's statements show that we are under occupation

"[…] The rhetoric used by Aktag is a clear illustration of the project implemented in the north part of the island for 40 years. First a military intervention was carried out. Then, a crime of war was committed by transferring population. Now, they are taking from our hand all our strategic institutions one after another. […] There is a Minister responsible for Cyprus in the cabinet established in Turkey. […] We are anyway bound to Turkey. […] It pays the salaries of our civil servants. It has the majority of population. We are using its monetary unit. Naturally, we are bankrupting with it and rise with it. Today, almost all Cypriots are miserable because of the rise of STG. Why? Is it because of Tahsin Ertugruloglu's statement that 'we will strike'? Or is it because of Turkey's unstable foreign policy? Think about it, we are victimized the most because Turkey is unstable in its foreign policy. Have you ever asked yourself 'why are we influenced from this situation […]?' The answer is very simple, because we are bound to Turkey. Or more correctly, we are under Turkey's occupation. Therefore, I am not angry for Akdag and those who talk like him. On the contrary, I demand the increase of this kind of statements. So that the fraud to end. Turkey's real intention is to be disclosed. […] Everyone who says today that 'Turkey wants a solution on this island' supports Turkey's policy for Cyprus. That is, it means that he accepts to become Turkey's 82nd province. We say that the current order of things is anyway the 82nd province and we are struggling for it to change. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Akinci: "There is no rule that says that we must do everything the way Turkey does it"

Speaking during the visit, Akinci said that he planned to visit "state and government institutions" when he found the opportunity in an effort to establish closer relations and dialogue with these "institutions".

Touching upon the issue of not switching to daylight saving time, Akinc? said that the issue had once again divided the Turkish Cypriot society.

He expressed the view that this sensitive issue must be taken up and discussed by the "parliament" and added: "As I have said before this issue must be taken up and discussed according to scientific data. This issue must not only be discussed by the government but must also be debated in parliament. I would like to say one thing clearly, there is no rule that says that we must do everything the way Turkey does it. We must do things which suit the conditions of the country best. There is nothing to misunderstand from what I am saying".

[04] Caglar and Ozcenk are carrying out contacts in Strasbourg

The "deputies", who will attend the meetings of the permanent committees of PACE and the political groups meetings, will also carry out contacts with Deputies who are taking part at the plenary session of PACE. They will continue their contacts until October 13.

According to a written statement by the "TRNC representative office" in Strasbourg, Caglar, who took the floor at the first day of the Plenary Session of the PACE, asked the following question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomir Zaoralek of the Czech Republic, which holds the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE:

"On the one hand, while a closely united stance is exhibited by the member countries of the Council of Europe within the framework of values like democracy, human rights and the superiority of law; on the other hand, it has been observed that while the project unifying Europe in almost every field, particularly in the political, cultural and political areas, has been going on for years now, the ultra-nationalist and separatist movements in some European countries have been increased. Where have you, as European countries, made a mistake and how should we take measures against these movements?"

Czech Minister Zaoralek said that these movements are gaining ground and expressed his concern on the rise of the right-wing parties. However, he added that it is important that in the struggle against these movements, the non-governemental organizations, together with political parties to be incorporated and the Council of Europe to continue its work in this area.

It is expected that Caglar will address the open session on Friday. Moreover, it is expected that Ozcenek will ask separate questions to Czech President Milos Zeman and PACE General Secretary Thorbjorn Jagland, who will address the plenary session today.

(DPs)

[05] Reactions by KTOS and KTOEOS against the "transferring of teachers from Turkey"

"The main goal of the transferring of the teachers from Turkey is this", Elcil said, adding that the main goal of these teachers will be to prepare and sent to the "Turkish embassy" reports every week.

Elcil pointed out also that Turkey's Ministry of National Education which administrates the "religious orders" in Turkey follows and acts according to "reactionary tendencies". The aim of the Turkish Education Ministry is to spread to the "northern part" of the island vindictive and religious practices, Elcil stated.

Elcil further stressed the need for the "unemployed teachers" to file a "legal action" to the "court", adding that the "trade unions" are ready to support them.

Also speaking, Selma Eylem, chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot secondary schools' teacher's union" ("KTOEOS"), stressed that the majority of the teachers to be sent from Turkey, are working and acting according to the "orders" of the "Turkish embassy" in the "TRNC". Eylem described the "transferring of Turkish teachers" to the "TRNC" as a part of the "practices of impositions" followed by Turkey.

Eylem further added that "Turkey is undertaking steps for the annexation of the northern part of the island". She then called the Turkish Cypriot community to revolt against Turkey's practices.

(AK)

[06] Criticisms against UBP regarding the privatization of the occupied airport of Tymbou

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.10.17) reports that the opposition political parties criticized harshly the political party UBP (National Unity Party), which was again in "power" when the airport was privatized, stating that the privatization did not happen correctly and the "state" lost millions of dollars.

Tufan Erhurman, addressing the "parliament", said that they will submit a proposal to ask for investigation regarding the privatization of the airport and all the persons involved. He added that if their proposal is rejected then, they will ask from the "police" to arrest all those who omitted their duties.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.10.17) reports that the target of the report is the "foreign minister" Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who used to be at that time "minister of transport". Erhurman accused Ertugruloglu of acting light-hearted and as a result he damaged the "state". Ertugruloglu argued that the criticism against him is unjust and wonders why the "state" was damaged. He also claimed that Turkey sent him the lawyer Omer Elmas, as "the person who knows the job". Later, it was proved that Elmas was partner in the company that would have made inspections at the airport.

[07] The occupation regime attended two "events" abroad

Also, according to the same paper, two "representatives" of the "Faculty of health sciences" of the illegal Near East "university", Prf. Dr. Umran Dal Yilmaz and Prof. Dr. Nurhan Bayraktar, "represented" the illegal university at the "13th International Congress of the European Union Geriatric Medicine- Society-Developing Preventive Action Geriatric". The congress took place in Nice, France.

(AK)

[08] Turkey-US rift heats up with visa, arrest crises

Last week's arrest of a Turkish employee of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul triggered the latest deterioration, with the US Embassy in Ankara saying on Oct. 8 that it would stop issuing visas for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

The Embassy said "recent events" have forced the U.S. government to reassess Turkey's "commitment" to the security of U.S. mission services and personnel in the country.

Later in the day, Turkey announced suspension of all non-immigrant visa services at all Turkish diplomatic facilities in the U.S., in retaliation for the US decision to suspend all non-migrant visa services at its diplomatic facilities in the country.

The Turkish Embassy in Washington issued two almost word-for-word copies of the U.S. statement in both English and Turkish.

A Turkish official told the Hurriyet Daily News that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had not mentioned the visa suspension during an Oct. 7 phone conversation with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Meanwhile, Ankara has reportedly been working to convince Washington to reverse its decision to halt the issuing of all regular visas at U.S. Consulates in Turkey. Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara Philip Kosnett was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the morning of Oct. 9 amid the tension.

The move comes at a time when relations between the two allies are going through severe turbulence, amid the arrest of Istanbul Consulate staff member Metin Topuz late on Oct. 4 over espionage charges and alleged links with some leading members of the Gulen network, accused of being behind last year's failed coup attempt.

According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Topuz is accused of talking on the phone with Zekeriya Oz, a fugitive former prosecutor who was dismissed from his post, and four former Gulenist police officers, Yakup Sayg?l?, Nazmi Ard?c, Mahir Cakall? and Mehmet Akif Uner, before the December 2013 corruption probes.

Later on Oct. 9, Turkish authorities reportedly issued a detention warrant for a second U.S. Consulate worker who was allegedly hiding at the Consulate compound.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated on Oct. 9 that it has invited a Consulate staff member at the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul to testify as a suspect.

"The man, who is a staff member at the U.S. Consulate Istanbul and does not have 'diplomatic immunity,' has been invited to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for his testimony," the prosecutor's office stated. It added that the suspect's wife and child have already been detained in the Black Sea province of Amasya.

Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said that if Washington had any security concerns about its missions in Turkey, steps would be taken to address them. "I hope the U.S. will review its decision," Gul said in a televised interview, adding that Turkey is "open to pursuing judicial cooperation" with the U.S. but stressing that the government would not intervene in judicial decisions.

The arrest of a Turkish citizen suspect over an incident that took place in Turkey is the "right" of the country, Gul also said, adding that there is no arrest procedure regarding other personnel of the U.S. consulate in Istanbul.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 10.10.17) reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that the U.S.' decision to suspend visa services at its missions in Turkey was "very upsetting".

Speaking at a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko in Kiev, Erdogan said that Turkey is governed by the rule of law, and is not "a tribe", referring to the arrest of U.S. Consulate employee. The President said he told foreign ministry officials that the Turkish Embassy in Washington should issue the same statement as the U.S. in accordance with the principle of reciprocity to halt visas from the U.S.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (online, 09.10.17) reports that the U.S. on Monday clarified its decision to suspend non-immigrant visa operations at its diplomatic facilities in Turkey, emphasizing that it only applies to the consideration of new visa applications.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass, in a statement, said: "Our local staff members are Turkish citizens and we, of course, expect them to observe Turkish law like any other citizen of the Republic. They have a right to expect that the Turkish authorities will provide appropriate legal protections and due process, including the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, in accordance with the Turkish Constitution, and the principles of rule of law that all modern democracies follow".

He noted that this was not a decision the U.S. took lightly and it was taken "with great sadness".

However, Turkey's Justice Minister on Monday slammed the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey's statement on the arrest of a local U.S. Consulate employee in Istanbul, calling it improper for a diplomat.

On Friday, John Bass criticized the U.S. employee's arrest, saying it was motivated by "revenge rather than justice". "This is not a statement fitting a diplomat," Abdulhamit Gul told news station A Haber.

[09] Turkish Lira shares tumble on US-Turkey visa tension

The Turkish currency was hit and stood at 3.7 against the dollar, rising from 3.6160 at the close on Oct. 6. It was quoted as having touched a level of 3.9223 overnight.

The lira also plunged to historic lows against the euro, hitting 4.49 early on Oct. 9 before recovering to 4.33 later.

[10] Turkey slams PACE for awarding senior FETO member

A statement released by the Ministry said offering the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize to Murat Arslan, the former president of the now dissolved Association for the Union of Judges and Prosecutors (YARSAV), was "wrong and unacceptable".

PACE announced earlier on Monday that the prize "has been awarded to the Turkish supporter of the independence of the judiciary Murat Arslan."

Arslan has been detained as the result of evidence that revealed his strong ties and membership to the FETO, which orchestrated the coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

"Making such a mistake under the roof of an organization that is the defender of the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law has seriously damaged the credibility of the PACE," the Ministry statement read.

The Ministry also accused PACE of "aiding the circles that support terrorism" and betraying "the ideals of democracy and human rights" by presenting Arslan, a terrorism suspect, as a human rights defender.

[11] Court rules for retrial of CHP MP Enis Berberoglu

An Istanbul regional court reversed the ruling of the 25-year prison term for Berberoglu. The Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court had ordered the prison sentence on charges of "revealing secret information in terms of the security of the state or for its domestic and external political benefits with political or military espionage purposes."

The appeals court ruling came after Berberoglu's lawyers had issued an application to the court for an examination into the case.

Accordingly, Berberoglu will be retried in the case as his criminal file will also be sent to the previous court for review.

However, the appeals court ordered the continuation of the CHP deputy's arrest, citing the status of current evidence and his potential to escape while also ruling out any probation.

Meanwhile, his lawyers stated they would demand Berberoglu's release after the appeals court ruling.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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