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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-07-01
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-29-30.06-01.07.2019
No. 120/19
29-30.06-01.07.2019
Content
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[01] Explosion and fire in the occupied area due to object believed to
be a missile
[02] Varosha not a part of comprehensive settlement talks nor is it part
of confidence-building measures process, Ozersay claims
[03] Ozersay met with Famagusta Initiative to discuss Varosha opening
[04] Turkish Cypriot lawyer: "The claims that the properties in Varosha
belong to Evkaf are not serious"
[05] Turkish Cypriot journalists' union send a letter to Ozersay
requesting access to Varosha
[06] Tatar alleges that there are not Turkish and Greek properties in
the occupied area of Cyprus
[07] Tore addressed the 5th International Social Sciences Congress held
at Skopje
[08] A delegation of the "Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Union" attended
a meeting of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress of Local
Authorities in Stuttgart
[09] Tatar stated that the so-called police force need to hire officials
in parallel to the increase of population in the breakaway regime
[B] Turkish Press
B 1. Erdogan to Macron: "You cannot talk on Cyprus"
[02] Turkish President addressed accompanying Turkish journalists in
Osaka and talked about his meeting with Trump and about S-400
[03] Turkey ready to confront hostilities in Libya: official
[04] Senate confirms David Satterfield as new US ambassador to Turkey
[05] Former PM Davutoglu calls on AKP to reassess values after Istanbul
defeat
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[01] Explosion and fire in the occupied area due to object believed to
be a missile
Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (01.06.19,
http://www.brtk.net/taskentte-yangin/) broadcasts that great concern was
caused last night in the occupied area of Cyprus after a fire in occupied
Vouno village. Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who visited the area
last night, said that at first, it seemed that the fire had been caused
from a fall of an "unmanned flying object" and expressed his satisfaction
with the fact that this object had fallen outside the inhabited area
(http://www.brtk.net/bolgedeki-savasin-bizim-payimiza-dusen-kotu-sonuclarindan-biri/).
Akinci noted that this was one of the bad consequences of the war in
our region and denied the information that this was an explosion
of ammunition in the occupied area. He added that everybody
should exert every effort they could for achieving lasting peace
(http://www.brtk.net/taskentte-panik/).
In a post on his social media account, self-styled foreign
minister Kudret Ozersay said that he had personally visited
the area and examined the parts found there together with experts
(http://www.brtk.net/ozersay-itfaiyemizin-calismasiyla-yangin-kontrol-altina-alinmistir/).
He said that the findings showed that the explosion had been caused by
an aerial vehicle carrying explosives or by a missile. He also noted
that the letters on the pieces of the above-mentioned object could help
them understand what it was soon.
According to Bayrak
(http://www.brtk.net/taskentte-bulunan-parcalar-inceleniyor/) the letters
found on the above-mentioned pieces were in the Russian language.
In a second post on his social media account later this morning,
Ozersay said that the regime was in contact with Ambassadors to Nicosia
of countries which could have information on this issue and added
that they would share with the public the information they would obtain
(http://www.brtk.net/ozersay-bilgi-sahibi-olabilecek-buyukelcilerle-temastayiz/).
According to Ozersay, the first evaluations of the incident refer to a
Russian-made missile, which was a part of Syria's defense system activated
during an air attack against the above-mentioned country last night,
missed its target, covered its range and fell in the occupied area of
Cyprus. He noted that the explosion happened before the missile fell on
the ground, something which is verified by the fact that the pieces were
scattered in various places.
In statements at the area of the incident, "prime
minister" Ersin Tatar said that after his briefing by the
commander of the so-called security forces, it seemed that
this was not an intentional act and that it was an accident
(http://www.brtk.net/basbakan-tatargerekirse-turkiyeden-uzmanlar-gelebilir/).
He noted that it is believed that the object was a missile, which fell
by accident in the occupied area of Cyprus or exploded in the air. He
argued that the incident should not be exaggerated and that similar
accidents happened in various places of the world.
Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak cites information by sources from
the Syrian army on Syrian Military Capabilities website noting
that the object that fell in the area of Vouno village was
an S-200 missile fired by the Syrian forces against Israeli jets
(http://www.brtk.net/suriye-ordu-kaynaklari-dusen-cisim-s-200-fuze-parcasi/).
The Syrian sources warned that after an explosion of such a missile,
very dangerous poison could spread to the area.
According to the "police" of the regime
(http://www.brtk.net/toplamda-5-parca-bulundu/), five pieces of the
object which had fallen last night in the occupied area of Cyprus were
found. Noting that it is believed that this object was a missile, the
statement said that the main body of the missile fell on the mountains
of Vouno village, that another piece fell one kilometer far from the
main body, one piece in the garden of a house in occupied Dikomo and
two pieces in occupied Kornokipos village.
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (01.07.19,
http://www.yeniduzen.com/dikmende-bazi-evler-bosaltildi-116460h.htm)
reports that houses were evacuated in Vouno and Dikomo villages, adding
that experts from Turkey would come to assist the "authorities" of the
breakaway regime.
Tufan Erhurman, chairman of the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP), also visited the area this morning
(http://www.brtk.net/erhurmansiyasi-aktorler-bolge-barisini-saglamali/).
In his statements, Erhurman noted that, as it was said, the fall of the
missile was a result of the conflict between Syria and Israel and added
that no one could feel safe as long as peace was not secured in the area.
Finally, according to illegal Bayrak (01.07.19,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=unidentified-object-confirmed-as-stray-missile),
the "government" confirmed today that the unidentified object that
crashed in an area near occupied Vouno was indeed a stray S-200 missile.
Speaking after an emergency "cabinet" meeting, Tatar said that there was
no need for panic or alarm. The meeting was also attended by the commander
of the so-called security forces Brigadier General Tevfik Algan and
commander of the Turkish occupation army, Major General Y?lmaz Yildirim.
Tatar reassured the public that there was no poisonous gas or chemicals
in the missile. "We have been assured by our military authorities that
the missile does not pose a health threat," he said. Tatar also argued
that there was no need to blow the incident out of proportion or spread
false reports that such an incident could occur again. "This was an
accident and a mistake. It could happen as a coincidence," he reiterated.
In his statements, Ozersay gave information about the S-200 missiles. He
reiterated that he had met with ambassadors of several countries stationed
in the Republic of Cyprus and that the information they had received
overlapped with their own findings.
He said that the missile was a stray Russian-made S-200 fired in response
to Israeli missile attacks and added: "A similar missile had fallen in
Gaziantep in 2018. The writings on that missile and on the object that
crashed in the TRNC are the same. Our initial findings confirm that this
is an S-200 missile. This is an important incident but there is no need
to panic".
Finally, Ozersay urged Israel and neighboring countries to exercise
calm and to refrain from actions that could pose a danger to lives
and property.
(I/Ts.)
[02] Varosha not a part of comprehensive settlement talks nor is it part
of confidence-building measures process, Ozersay claims
Illegal Bayrak (01.07.19
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=ozersay-on-maras-issue) reports that
"deputy prime minister, foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay has said that
"the Greek Cypriot leadership is not our interlocutor" in response
to President Anastasiades' proposal to set up a technical committee
on Varosha.
Ozersay made statements to the Turkish Cypriot News Agency (TAK) on
Varosha issue yesterday.
He claimed that the Greek Cypriot leadership, which is asking for the
establishment of a joint committee on Varosha, did not even respond to
the Turkish Cypriot side's proposal on establishing a joint committee
on natural gas, which the Turkish Cypriot community has rights over.
"Varosha is not a part of comprehensive settlement talks nor is it
part of the confidence-building measures process. If the negotiations
process had been underway, Varosha could have been taken up by the two
sides as part of the talks. On the other hand, Varosha had been taken
up as a confidence building measure in the past many times but failed
to reach an agreement" Ozersay added.
He also claimed there is no need to repeat the failed processes and
added "because such approaches can only assist the continuation of the
status quo."
"The inventory study on one of the primary symbols of the status quo,
will take a snap shot of the situation in the fenced-off city, which then
the Turkish Cypriot side will use as its basis for the next steps. It
is for this reason that the Greek Cypriot side is not our interlocutor
but the former residents of Maras are no doubt one of the stakeholders
and they will not be ostracized from the process" Ozersay claimed.
He added the "TRNC government will take steps by taking international law
and the expectations and the rights of the former residents of Varosha
and the Evkaf Administration into consideration".
"However we are conducting a scientific survey before doing so,"
Ozersay said.
He also noted it will be wrong to reduce the Varosha issue to who owned
which immovable property and when. "Looking at the steps to be taken
on Maras as property ownership would mean missing out on the bigger
picture. The issue is beyond property or proprietorship" Ozersay added.
[03] Ozersay met with Famagusta Initiative to discuss Varosha opening
Illegal Bayrak (29.06.19
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=fm-ozersay-discusses-maras-with-magusa-initiative)
reports that "deputy prime minister and foreign minister" Kudret Ozeray
met with representatives of the Famagusta Initiative on Friday "to
exchange views on the government's plans concerning the closed city
of Varosha".
"Ozersay has been meeting throughout the week with leaders of the
political parties in so-called parliament, former presidents and
Mustafa Ak?nc? with the aim of informing and exchanging views with
stakeholders and political actors in the country on the government's
Varosha initiative" according to illegal Bayrak.
"We had the opportunity this afternoon to meet with members of the
Famagusra Initiative which is one of the stakeholders on the issue, to
convey our views, to explain the steps we plan to take and to answer
questions they might have. I believe that we understand each other
better today than we did yesterday and that we have established a good
communication," Ozersay posted in social media after the meeting.
[04] Turkish Cypriot lawyer: "The claims that the properties in Varosha
belong to Evkaf are not serious"
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (30.06.19) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot lawyer Murat Metin Hakki, in an interview to the paper regarding
the occupied fenced-off town of Varosha, said that the 1974 land registry
books are those that should be taken as a basis for Varosha, adding that
the claims that Varosha is an Evkaf property are not serious.
Hakki further noted: "According to international law, the 1974 land
registry books should be taken as basis. Other claims are legally
groundless. In 1956, Evkaf was transferred from the British to
the Turkish leadership. The 1963 incidents led to the expulsion of
Turkish Cypriots from many authorities, but the judiciary continued to
be bi-communal until 1966. In 1965, Makarios even appointed Zeka Bey
[Mehmet Zekia] as the Chief Justice of the whole island. (…) A large
part of the original title deed records are available. When we look at
the origins of these land registry books, especially in 1913, it seems
that most of the property belongs to foundation [vakif] properties. (…)
Regarding this foundation properties, it was possible to exchange one
property with another or to exchange it for money. (…) The star of Varosha
shined between 1960-1974. An important issue that should not be forgotten
in this matter is that if there was an irregularity regarding the pro
perties of the foundation (Vakif), there was a limitation period. So,
if there was a mistake, if a foundation property was unjustly passed to
someone else, if the British did so, as it is claimed, the limitation
period is 36 years. In other words, if there was an irregularity in 1925,
the limitation period would expire in 1961. (…) When the foundation
agreements were held in 1960, a payment of 1.5 million sterling was made
to our community leaders and to the foundation organization, which was
then called the High Council of Evkaf (foundations) to be used for the
purposes of education and the development of the Evkaf properties. As
a result of this payment, the communal leaders in the future would not
make any financial claims or in any other context in connection with
the Cyprus administration, against the British government, the colonial
government or the new Cyprus state government. So, this means that if
there was an irregularity, we were disengaged of this. (…)"
(DPs)
[05] Turkish Cypriot journalists' union send a letter to Ozersay
requesting access to Varosha
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (01.07.19) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
journalist's union has sent a letter to so-called deputy prime minister
and "foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay, asking for the fenced off city
of Varoshia to open for them in order to be able to take photos and
make reportage.
The union asked also in the letter for a permit in order to organize a
"press meeting" in the fenced off city of Varosha, in order to cover
in detail the issue of the possible opening of the city, an issue which
has attracted international interest.
(AK)
[06] Tatar alleges that there are not Turkish and Greek properties in
the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (01.07.19) reports that so-called prime
minister Ersin Tatar, speaking during the opening ceremony of the 3rd
real estate agents' seminar, claimed, inter alia, that they will continue
strengthening the "TRNC" and alleged that as long as the "TRNC's economy"
continues to grow, the "estates, properties, houses, apartments and all
kinds of investments will increase their values. Continue investing in
the TRNC. Delete from your literature the reference on Turkish property
and Greek property. This is the TRNC. There is a state behind you and
there is the Turkish nation. The title deeds in the TRNC are title deeds
of the state and thus these state title deeds will continue to be valid
forever", Tatar argued.
Referring to the fenced off city of Varosha, Tatar alleged that it is
a property belonging to them and specifically to Evkaf foundation. He
further called on the Turkish investors to continue investing in the
"TRNC".
The paper writes that investors and real estate agents from Mersin
were also attending the seminar which was co-organized by the "Turkish
Cypriot's real estate agents" and the "Real estate's chamber of Mersin"
(AK)
[07] Tore addressed the 5th International Social Sciences Congress held
at Skopje
Illgal Bayrak (01.07.19
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=tore-speaks-in-skopje) broadcast that
self-styled deputy speaker of parliament Zorlu Tore addressed the 5th
International Social Sciences Congress held at the International Balkan
University in Skopje, under the auspices of the Speaker of the Turkish
Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop.
According to a written statement issued by the "assembly", Tore who
delivered an opening speech at the congress which was attended by 600
social scientists and academics from different countries, claimed that
"although the TRNC was only recognized by motherland Turkey, it attended
many international meetings and had strong ties with many countries".
Tore said that "the TRNC had commercial, social, cultural and economic
relations with Turkey, but was subjected to serious embargoes and
restrictions in the field of sports and in other areas such as diplomacy".
"The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is continuing on its way. We
were a partner within the 1960 Republic of Cyprus however we were kicked
out. Despite the fact that the Greek Cypriots withdrew from the Treaty
of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus they continued to occupy the
so-called partnership republic, became members of the EU and the UN. This
is the biggest injustice to us by the world" Tore alleged.
Tore also claimed that Turkish Cypriots had created their own homeland
and state as a result of the Greek Cypriots' actions.
"Even if our state is not recognized internationally it is a place which
safeguards the national identity of the Turkish Cypriot people. We are
a separate state and we only trust Turkey" he added.
Stating that the international community's stance should be approached
from a sociological perspective, Tore said: "If they recognized seven
separate republics after the Former Yugoslavia broke up then why do
they not do the same in Cyprus? This should be examined seriously. The
UN is not fair. The EU by unilaterally accepting the Greek Cypriots as
a member is also not fair", he claimed.
[08] A delegation of the "Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Union" attended
a meeting of the Current Affairs Committee of the Congress of Local
Authorities in Stuttgart
Illegal Bayrak (29.06.19
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=ktbb-delegation-attends-coe-meeting-in-stuttgart)
reports that a delegation of the "Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Union"
(KTBB) attended the meeting of the Current Affairs Committee of the
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
which convened in Stuttgart, Germany.
The meeting was attended by "deputy president" of KTBB and Mayor of the
occupied part of Lefkosia Mehmet Harmanc? and other so-called mayors.
[09] Tatar stated that the so-called police force need to hire officials
in parallel to the increase of population in the breakaway regime
Illegal Bayrak (29.06.19
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=police-force-celebrating-its-55th-anniversary)
reports that self-styled prime minister Ersin Tatar met with a delegation
of the so-called policy in the breakaways regime which "celebrated its
anniversary of establishment".
During the meeting Tatar stated that "the police force needed to hire
new officers in parallel to the increase in the country's population so
as to be able to ensure the public's safety and security".
[B] Turkish Press
B 1. Erdogan to Macron: "You cannot talk on Cyprus"
Turkish Yeni Safak (01.07.19.
https://www.yenisafak.com/dunya/pazarlikta-cetin-olmayi-severim-3496898
) reports that the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated that he met
while in Osaka Japan for the G20 meetings with the French President
Emmanuel Macron.
Asked by journalists how his meeting with Macron went , after Erdogan's
harsh statements towards the French President, not to intervene with
Cyprus, Erdogan said that his meeting with Macron in Japan was very
positive. "Macron did not say 'why you stated those things'. I told him
in person in our bilateral discussion: Look, I said. You cannot talk
on the Cyprus problem. You have nothing to do with Cyprus. I can talk,
Greece can talk, the European Union can talk but you cannot" he added.
[02] Turkish President addressed accompanying Turkish journalists in
Osaka and talked about his meeting with Trump and about S-400
Turkish Daily Sabah (29.06.19
https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/07/01/trump-sides-with-turkey-on-s-400-f-35-issue)
reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed accompanying
Turkish journalists in Osaka, Japan.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Turkey's stance on the purchase
of S-400 missiles as well as the F-35 issue, President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan said, hinting that with these warm talks, the relations between
the two countries may actually enter into a new, positive period. "We
had talks with President Trump in a very positive atmosphere," Erdogan
said, during a meeting with journalists in Japan where he went to attend
the G20 summit and held many side meetings with various world leaders,
including Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "[Trump] supports us
on the S-400 and F-35 issues. He made it clear in front of the press that
they are looking for different options when it comes to the sanctions,"
Erdogan said , giving an insight into Trump's opinions over the current
developments that are affecting Turkish-U.S. relations.
In his meeting with Erdogan on Saturday on the side-lines of the G20
summit, Trump slammed the Obama administration's reluctance to sell
Patriot missiles to Turkey in 2013, saying Turkey was not treated fairly
as a NATO member. "So I have to tell you, he [Erdogan] is a NATO member
and he is somebody I have become friendly with. And you have to treat
fairly. You understand that? You have to treat fairly. I don't think he
was treated fairly. I don't think he was treated fairly," Trump added,
giving a clear sign that his administration will not seek the path
of sanctions and avoid an unfair treatment of Turkey in the ongoing
S-400 and F-35 tensions. He said his administration would be looking at
different solutions regarding the issues.
Referring to Trump's personality, Erdogan said that he respects the
U.S. President's clear and precise expressions on these critical
issues. "While expressing some things, Trump does not have a hidden
agenda on his mind," the president said, adding that this is a very
unique feature of Trump, especially when considering that he has many
opponents within his team over many issues.
Erdogan also said that Trump accused the Obama administration for the
misconduct regarding the Patriots, saying that in Trump's opinion if he
[former U.S. President Barrack Obama] was to give Patriots to Turkey,
things would not have come to this point. When asked about Countering
America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) or other sanctions
against Turkey, Trump, first, severely criticized the unfair treatment
of Turkey by the Obama administration and said "we are looking at it,
but it's [sanctions] a two-way street."
"They [Obama administration] wouldn't sell him [Erdogan], they wouldn't
let him buy the missile he wanted to buy which is the Patriot. And after
he buys something else, they say now we will sell you the Patriot,"
Trump said.
The president added that in Trump's opinion, the U.S. should be treating
Turkey fairly right now. Touching upon Trump's further remarks on the
issue, Erdogan said that the U.S. president told him that he does not
like the U.S. to be known as a country that does not provide products
to a country that has made its payments already, reminding that Turkey
has paid $1.4 billion to the U.S. for the F-35s. "We've made our payment
but they do not deliver our purchase to us," Erdogan said, adding that
this is not the right way for a trader to act to its costumer.
"We've appointed our friends to take special interest over this issue,"
he further said. "We've so far made payment that is worth $1.4 billion
and the war plane number that we will purchase is 100 plus 16. Meaning
that the total number is 116," the president stated.
[…]
"We are already on our way [on the S-400 issue]. Within a week, maximum in
10 days, the first series [of S-400 missiles] will be delivered. I've made
this clear to Trump myself and Putin also said this to him," he expressed.
Recalling that technologically an S-400 is worth three Patriots, Erdogan
said that despite these facts, Turkey is ready to see the terms and
even if the terms are equal with the S-400 deal, the country is ready to
purchase the Patriots as well. "However, if they are not equal, I'm sorry
but if you [the U.S.] are taking your own interests into consideration,
then we'll prioritize our interests as well," he underlined.
Underlining that Trump has said nothing about the sanctions so far,
Erdogan said that Trump has clearly said "you're right" to him on
the subject. "We've brought this issue to a much further level," the
president added. "In this further level, Mr. Trump said that 'this is
unfairness.'" "This is a very important thing," the president emphasized.
"People should not talk on the S-400 subject randomly anymore since Trump
has made his stance clear with these talks," Erdogan added. Erdogan also
reminded the media that the trilateral talks between him Trump and Putin
were also very positive as well as the bilateral one between Trump and
Putin when it comes to the S-400 and F-35 issues.
"I believe that we will get over this issue without major troubles,"
the president underlined, indicating that Trump's upcoming visit to
Turkey will also contribute to these positive talks.
When it comes to the escalating violence in Idlib, Syria, Erdogan said
that although Russia also has an impact in the region, the Assad regime
is behind every attack.
"We [as Turkey] say that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin should warn
the regime on these issues," he said.
Pointing to the recent attack on a Turkish observation post where a
Turkish soldier was killed, Erdogan said that if similar wrongdoings occur
in the upcoming period, Turkey would continue to do what is necessary
as it did before.
[…]
"Today, one of the major issues that we highly prioritize is the sign
that 300,000 people are moving toward our border. We desire to put
an end to this movement. Until now, 330,000 people have returned to
Syria. While we were hoping for more to return, if such a move toward
Turkey occurs because of Idlib, then there is a problem," Erdogan said,
implying that all of Turkey's efforts to enable refugees to return to
their hometowns would be wasted.
[…]
Mentioning Turkey's plans on a possible safe zone, Erdogan said that they
desire a living space where there are houses with gardens that are built
in accordance with the local, traditional architecture, where people can
do agricultural work as well as breed livestock. "When you take a step in
such a direction, you save these people [refugees] from container cities
and shelters," he said, adding that if necessary, there might also be an
organized industrial site and vocational training for refugees in that
respect. The president also indicated that if such a project is realized,
then the initial 20-mile zone that was planned might be expanded to
30-40 miles. He added that he has called on U.N. Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres to take the lead on such a project.
Noting that such a place will be somewhere that people will come to
find peace, Erdogan said that to provide that peaceful environment,
coalition forces would have to take necessary measures to ensure security.
"I'll be pursuing this project," Erdogan said, indicating his
determination to make it real and the importance of the project itself. A
20-mile-deep safe zone between the northern Syrian towns of Jarablus and
al-Rai has been mentioned several times since 2012 by Erdogan, who has
maintained that the terror-free safe zone to be established in Syria's
north must be based on the country's territorial integrity. However,
the plan did not come to fruition at the time. The details of the safe
zone need to be ironed out, yet, one thing is clear: Turkey is firmly
against the presence of the YPG in the region.
[…]
As far as the situation in Manbij is concerned, Erdogan said the U.S. is
yet to fulfill a promise made over the province.
[03] Turkey ready to confront hostilities in Libya: official
Turkish daily Yeni Safak (30.06.19
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-ready-to-confront-hostilities-in-libya-official-3484502)
reports that Turkey has taken all measures against possible hostile moves
or threats, the country's minister of national defense said on Sunday,
referring to threats by the spokesman of Khalifa Haftar's forces in Libya.
"The price of hostile attitudes or attacks will be heavy, they will be
responded with the most efficient and hard manner," Hulusi Akar told
Anadolu Agency in Osaka city of Japan, where he was part of the Turkish
president's delegation in the G20 Leaders' Summit.
Akar said that Turkey focused on Libya's territorial integrity,
sovereignty, people's peace and happiness and the national consensus
spirit in the country; however, it would not turn a blind eye towards
threats.
The Minister of national defense emphasized that Turkey would always be
part of peace and stability efforts in line with international law to
resolve disputes between conflicting elements of Libya.
Earlier on Friday, Haftar's spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari announced a ban
on commercial flights from Libya to Turkey and ordered his forces to
attack Turkish ships and interests in the country.
In addition, Ankara Anatolia (30.06.19
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-committed-to-protecting-its-citizens-worldwide/1519876
reports that Turkey's presidential spokesman slammed early Monday the
illegal detention of six Turkish citizens by East Libya-based commander
Khalifa Haftar forces.
"Detention of 6 Turkish citizens by Haftar's illegal militia in Libya
is an act of banditry and piracy. We expect our citizens to be released
immediately," Ibrahim Kalin wrote on Twitter. He added that otherwise,
Haftar elements will become "legitimate targets".
[04] Senate confirms David Satterfield as new US ambassador to Turkey
Turkish Daily Sabah (01.07.19
https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/06/28/senate-confirms-david-satterfield-as-new-us-ambassador-to-turkey)
reports that the U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed President Donald Trump's
nominee, David Satterfield, as the next U.S. ambassador to Turkey,
filling the spot that had been vacant since 2017.
Satterfield has been the acting assistant secretary of state for Near
Eastern Affairs since 2017. He has previously served as the deputy
U.S. chief of mission in Iraq, ambassador to Lebanon, director for Near
Eastern affairs on the National Security Council, as well as in Syria,
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
John Bass was the last serving American ambassador to Ankara from 2014
to 2017.
Bass, who is assuming the office of the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan,
left Turkey in October 2017 amid a visa crisis between Washington
and Ankara.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara first announced that it had suspended
non-immigrant visa services at all diplomatic facilities in Turkey. In
response, Turkey's Washington Embassy also suspended non-immigrant visa
services in the U.S. citing security concerns.
The decision came after Turkish national Metin Topuz, confirmed by the
U.S. Istanbul Consulate as a local employee, was remanded in custody over
terror charges by an Istanbul court. Topuz was suspected to be linked
to the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO), which is behind the defeated coup
attempt, according to a judicial source.
[05] Former PM Davutoglu calls on AKP to reassess values after Istanbul
defeat
Turkish portal Turkihs Minute (30.06.19
https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/06/30/former-pm-davutoglu-calls-on-akp-to-reassess-values-after-istanbul-defeat/)
reports that Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) management to reassess its values
after a stunning defeat in a mayoral election Istanbul, the Diken news
website reported.
Speaking at a political convention in southeastern Elaz?g province,
Davutoglu said his former party's abandonment of its founding principles
caused its loss in the Istanbul election by some 800,000 votes (9%).
The AKP has lost elections in Istanbul twice, once in the regular local
elections on March 31 and once in a repeat election on June 23.
He also recalled that the AKP had garnered some 49.5 percent of the vote
in a general election in November 2015 but said the party's support had
now plunged to less than 34 percent.
Without mentioning names, Davutoglu also criticized the appointment of
Berat Albayrak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's son-in-law, as finance
minister. "Affairs of state should be separated from the family," he
said. Finally he criticized the executive presidential system, which
was adopted in a narrowly backed referendum in 2017.
The former Prime Minister started criticizing his old party before the
Istanbul election, signaling his intent to establish a new party.
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