Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-01-18

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CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The "four-party government coalition" a strong possibility

[02] Akinci explained the "procedure of forming a new government"

[03] Akinci stressed that the Turkish Cypriots are a secular community who follows Ataturk's road

[04] Atun says that the new "government" should start working for the "economic protocol" with Turkey for the period 2019-2021

[05] Turkey's MGK convened: "Turkey to take urgent action against threats from Syria"; State of Emergency to be extended

[06] Cavusoglu discussed Syria with Lavrov

[07] Turkish military shipment with tanks arrives in Hatay on Syrian border

[08] Former Istanbul Bar head announced his candidacy for the CHP leadership ahead of the upcoming party convention

[09] OSCE calls on Turkey to release two arrested journalists over high court ruling

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The "four-party government coalition" a strong possibility

This possibility is greater that the establishment of a "three party coalition government" between the National Unity Party (UBP), the DP and the Turkish settlers' Revival Party (YDP), writes Kibris.

The paper also adds that the meetings between the leaders of CTP, HP, TDP and DP took place yesterday at a party's presidents' level. The four leaders replied positively on the possibility of a "fourth-party government coalition". The "government" will be established having CTP's chairman Tufan Erhurman as "prime minister" and the leaders of the other three parties acting as "deputy ministers" and having a "ministry" each. The aim is to establish a "reform government" rather than a "short lived government" that will lead the "country" into new adventures.

According to the paper, the "ministries" will be distributed as follows: CTP: 4, HP:3, DP: 3 and TDP: 2. DP is asking for the "ministries of finance and economy", and the other parties did not react against it. HP asked for the "ministries of foreign affairs, economy and labor", TDP for the "ministries of education and internal affairs". CTP is left with the "prime ministry, ministry of health, transportation and agriculture".

However, because the bargaining is still going on, there may be some changes as regards which party will get each "ministry" the paper notes.

(CS)

[02] Akinci explained the "procedure of forming a new government"

Speaking to the press after the opening of a library at Oguz Veli secondary school in occupied Keryneia, Akinci briefed them "regarding the process of establishing the new government". Noting that "the political parties are currently evaluating the election results and the oath day of the deputies is approaching", Akinci said that "it is expected the government to submit its resignation in a day or two".

Akinci also explained that "after the resignation, he will grant the current government the authorization to remain in office until the new government is being established" and after this the consultations with the political parties will begin.

He further explained: "As the constitution clearly dictates, it is my obligation to hand the duty of forming a new government to a deputy or the head of a parliamentary group who will able to obtain the necessary majority to form a government".

Noting that "there is a parliamentary system in the country and that governments are set up by the political parties and not by the president", Akinci added that the "president will appoint the new government".

(DPs)

[03] Akinci stressed that the Turkish Cypriots are a secular community who follows Ataturk's road

Akinci stated that the Turkish Cypriots are a secular community who follows Ataturk road and principles adding that they will not take a step back from this characteristic of them.

Stating that the issue of religious pressure that appears to be exerted to students came recently to the agenda and was covered by the press, Akinci stated that this issue cannot be ignored and the "ministry of education" must take the necessary measures to prevent it.

(CS)

[04] Atun says that the new "government" should start working for the "economic protocol" with Turkey for the period 2019-2021

In statements during a television program, Atun noted that a "government" with the participation of the National Unity Party (UBP) will primarily take up the "budget" for 2018, which could pass from the "assembly" in mid-March in case a "government" is established. He added: "We are in the last year of the implementation of the Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocol, which is currently implemented with Turkey and encompasses the 2016-2018 period. Work for a new one should be carried out the soonest and preparations on this issue should be made. The works for the new protocol encompassing the years 2019-2021 should get started. The persons who will come to the economy and finance ministry in the new government period should have this vision and competence. These should be planned in order for planning the future, the completion of the infrastructure investments on the one hand and the support of the real sector on the other.

A fund of 1,600,000,000 Turkish liras granted by motherland Turkey for 2018 is expecting to be used. The government, which will be established, should act consciously on the issue of using funds. We have raised the bar of the economy ministry. During the last period, we have signed six different agreements with our interlocutor ministers".

Replying to a question regarding UBP's forthcoming congress, Atun said that they have a leader who took over the party with 14 "deputies" and raised this number to 21. "I support the continuation of Mr Ozgurgun in this duty", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkey's MGK convened: "Turkey to take urgent action against threats from Syria"; State of Emergency to be extended

"Necessary steps would be taken immediately and resolutely to defeat any threat against Turkey from western Syria in the first stage," said a statement issued following the National Security Council meeting in t Ankara. The meeting, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, lasted more than four hours.

The statement added that necessary steps will be taken to secure the life and property of the local community, and strengthen Turkey's border with Syria.

"The establishment of a terror corridor and the formation of a terrorist army across the border will not be allowed."

The Council rejected the US plan to establish a 30,000-strong border security force in Syria, manned by the SDF, a group dominated by the terrorist group PYD/PKK. "It is regrettable that a state, which is part of NATO and our ally in bilateral relations, declares the terrorists as its partner and provides them with weapons, without any concern for our safety," the statement added.

"Weapons, tools and materials given to PYD/PKK – YPG terrorist group must be collected without delay," it said, adding that the fight against Daesh has been completed on a large scale.

The Council also advised the government to extend the country's state of emergency, a proposal which was later submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey by the Cabinet.

Following the Council meeting, a Cabinet meeting, also chaired by Erdogan, began at 8.30 p.m. (0530GMT) and lasted an hour.

"Nobody should expect Turkey to be patient anymore," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said over US arming of YPG/PKK, during a press conference after the Cabinet meeting.

He reiterated that Turkey is determined to take the necessary steps regarding the issue, adding it faces threats at its border which "everybody is aware of".

"Establishing a terror corridor in the region, supporting this establishment is unarguably an open threat to Turkey's territorial integrity and border security, to the safety of life and property of our citizens and to national security," Bozdag said.

[06] Cavusoglu discussed Syria with Lavrov

The two discussed upcoming National Dialogue meeting in Black Sea resort Sochi and the issue of "violations of the Syrian regime" of the Astana process, a Foreign Ministry official told the Hurriyet Daily News, adding that the request came from the Russian side.

The two top diplomats also discussed "issues related to alleviating the humanitarian problems of the civilian population in Syria and compliance with the ceasefire in the de-escalation zones in accordance with the agreements reached in Astana," according to the Ministry's statement.

The move comes amid the Syrian regime's continued military advance in Idlib, backed by its allies Russia and Iran, and a recent move by the U.S. to form a "border security force" including members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. It also comes amid Turkey's vaunted operation in Syria's Afrin region to clear out the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), but the Russian Foreign Ministry statement did not mention Afrin.

[07] Turkish military shipment with tanks arrives in Hatay on Syrian border

The four tanks, sent on Saturday, were distributed to border units after reaching Hatay's Hassa and Kirikhan districts, said Anadolu Agency correspondents on the scene.

Additionally, 20 tanks sent from several regions in Turkey also arrived at Antakya district of the province.

Another 15-vehicle convoy, consisting of armored personnel carriers, has also been sent to Elbeyli district of neighboring Kilis province.

People near the border could be seen flying Turkish flags from their homes to welcome the military convoy.

On Saturday, Turkish security forces hit several PYD/PKK targets in Afrin, along Turkey's border with northern Syria, to prevent a "terror corridor" from forming along the border.

An Afrin operation is expected to follow Turkey's successful seven-month Operation Euphrates Shield, which ended in March 2017.

[08] Former Istanbul Bar head announced his candidacy for the CHP leadership ahead of the upcoming party convention

"I present my candidacy for CHP leadership, not only in my own name, Umit Kocasakal, but also on behalf of millions of Republic and Ataturk lovers, those who are the real owners and the real base of this party and for those who miss their party," Kocasakal said on January 17 in a press conference announcing his leadership bid in Istanbul.

Leading the Istanbul Bar Association from 2010 to 2016, Kocasakal has been criticizing CHP leadership and CHP cadres for "drifting away from the founding principles" of the main opposition party, describing them as "Republican and Ataturkist values."

(…)Vowing to "return the CHP to its founding principles," Kocasakal criticized dissident CHP members.

"My motto is for a CHP that has returned to its factory settings, to its identity, its founding principles; a CHP that voters will vote for with excitement," he said.

The main opposition party will hold its 36th ordinary congress on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 in Ankara.

CHP leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu will be a candidate for the leadership for the seventh time in his eight-year leadership in the main opposition.

[09] OSCE calls on Turkey to release two arrested journalists over high court ruling

"This refusal to implement the Constitutional Court decision is of grave concern, as it is related to the freedom of individuals, in that case of two journalists. It seriously infringes upon their rights including freedom of expression and freedom to work as journalists, who should be protected by the rule of law," Desir said in a statement on Jan 17.

"I call on the authorities to ensure that the Constitutional Court decision of 11 January 2018 in the cases of Altan and Alpay is implemented and that they are released without any further delay," she added.

Desir's letter to Cavusoglu demanded the release of two scribes, the OSCE said.

According to the decision of the Constitutional Court, which was published on 11 January 2018, the ongoing detention of Altan and Alpay is disproportionate and infringing upon their rights to liberty, freedom of expression and freedom of the media. The Representative welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision as a milestone in protecting the rights and freedoms of journalists in Turkey, the OSCE also stressed.

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