Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-09-13

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Cavusoglu: "We will open Maras"

[02] Akinci calls for a communal action for tourism

[03] Ozersay says the representations of 16 countries in Cyprus were informed for their citizens after the explosion

[04] Reactions from Turkish Cypriot parties over the explosion in occupied Ayios Epiktitos

[05] The regime has reportedly determined the person who stole the Turkish flag from occupied Lysi village

[06] KSP: "We are against a guarantorship system"

[B] Turkish Press

[01] German FM expects Turkey would continue to honour its commitments

[02] Cavusoglu: "Some intelligence services give support to FETO"

[03] Former Prime Minister Davutoglu resigns from AK Party

[04] Egemen Bag?s will be appointed as Turkey's Ambassador to Prague

[05] Five Cumhuriyet journalists released from prison after top court ruling

[06] Islamist opposition party's former chair faces 9-year sentence over Gulen links

[07] Turkish Central Bank lowers interest rates by over 300 points

---

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Cavusoglu: "We will open Maras"

Under the front-page title: "We will open Maras", Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (13.09.19) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that the Turkish side is preparing for the opening of the fenced off city of Varosha.

Replying to questions in an interview to CNN-Turkey, Cavusoglu said further the following: "Yes, preparations are taking place. We will open Maras. Turkey will defend TRNC's rights until the end".

Cavusoglu reiterated further the allegation that any agreement on the natural gas issue in the Eastern Mediterranean that would not include Turkey will cost very high and will not subserve. Referring to USA's and France's warning on Turkey's activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cavusoglu alleged: "It's out of their boundaries".

(AK)

[02] Akinci calls for a communal action for tourism

According to illegal Bayrak television (13.09.19, https://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-calls-for-social-action), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has called for a communal action for tourism in a bid to prevent the "country" from being affected negatively. Yesterday afternoon, Akinci visited Acapulco Hotel which was damaged from the explosions that occurred in an ammunition depot in a nearby military zone in "Catalkoy" [editor's note: the occupied village of Ayios Epiktitos].

Speaking during the visit, the director of the Acapulco Hotel Icim Cag?ner Kavuklu said that recovery efforts were underway. She said that it was necessary for the society to mobilize and to adopt an approach which was beyond party politics so as to prevent the tourism sector from being affected negatively from the incident.

Ak?nc?, for his part, noted that lessons were needed to be taken from the incident. "What is important is to derive lessons from this incident and build a safer future. We will take the necessary measures once we have completed our assessments on the incident," he said, adding that it was fortunate that no one was seriously injured.

"There were 79 soldiers serving within the military zone and all were safely evacuated. There were thousands of people in the nearby villages and hotels. The military, police, fire brigade, civil defence and health teams were all mobilized", Ak?nc? said, adding that all necessary measures were in place.

"We will be asking all the right questions. Why did this explosion occur? How can we turn our geography to a safer place? The military measures will continue as long as the Cyprus issue remains unsolved. We will consider what is best for our geography and how our people could be affected less while we will take these measures. We will learn from this incident. I wish you all a speedy recovery", Akinci concluded.

[03] Ozersay says the representations of 16 countries in Cyprus were informed for their citizens after the explosion

According to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Vatan (13.09.19), Kudret Ozersay, self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister, announced yesterday the decisions taken by the "crisis desk", which was formed after the explosions at an ammunition depot in a military zone in occupied Ayios Epiktitos village.

Ozersay announced that the use of all kinds of fireworks in the region, where the explosions occurred, is prohibited for a week. In addition, an area around the explosion zone has been closed for hunting.

He further said that there was no emergency situation in the explosion area and the life returned to normal. However, he added that the reporters are not allowed to shoot footage or report in the nearby vicinity of the explosion zone.

Ozersay also said that he contacted the representatives of 16 foreign countries in Cyprus to inform them regarding their citizens.

(DPs)

[04] Reactions from Turkish Cypriot parties over the explosion in occupied Ayios Epiktitos

Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (13.09.19) publishes statements by Turkish C ypriot parties regarding the explosion that took place yesterday in occupied Ayios Epiktitos.

The leader of the Democratic Party Serdar Denktas stated that lessons must be taken from the accident and expressed his sorrow over the explosion. He also said that they are lucky that there were no victims.

The general secretary of the Revival party (Tr. Note: The party of the settlers) Turan Buyukyilmaz commenting on the issue stated that Cyprus should not be de-militarized and added: " The Turkish army will continue to exist in the island as long as we exits here".

The general secretary of the United Cyprus Party Salih Sonustun stated that Cyprus should get rid of armies and weapons and become a place of peace.

Star Kibris (13.09.19) writes that the leader of the Communal Democracy Party Cemal Ozgiyit stated that lessons should be taken because of the accident. "The time has come for measures to be taken", he stated.

Yeni Duzen (13.09.19) reports that Tufar Erhurman of the Republican Turkish Party stated that risk should not be underestimated and measures should be taken.

(CS)

[05] The regime has reportedly determined the person who stole the Turkish flag from occupied Lysi village

Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s(13.09.19) reports that the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs has announced that they established the Greek Cypriot, who had stolen the Turkish flag and the picture of former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas from "Dr Fazil Kucuk" primary school in occupied Lysi village last Sunday, September 8, during a service held in the church of the occupied village.

In a statement issued yesterday, the "ministry" said that they established the Greek Cypriot by using the camera recordings of the school. It argued that the Greek Cypriot's name was Savvas Koulendoru and added that an "arrest warrant" was issued against this person and that he is "wanted".

The "ministry" also said that it had asked from the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) the return of the Turkish flag and Denktas' picture.

According to the statement, the above-mentioned person exited from the occupied area of the island through the crossing point in Pergamos area at 13.45 hours. "Our demand for launching initiatives towards the Greek Cypriot administration was conveyed to UNFICYP", the statement said.

Referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Gunes (13.09.19) argues that the aforementioned Greek Cypriot is a son of one of the priests and that his action was planned.

(I/Ts.)

[06] KSP: "We are against a guarantorship system"

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (13.09.19) reports that the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP) is opposed against the Treaty of independence and guarantees in Cyprus, supporting that it is completely impractical in our days.

Issuing a written statement, KSP said that the party is not only against Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus but is opposed to Greece and the UK's guarantees as well. KSP supported further that guarantees in Cyprus do not serve the people of Cyprus interests but indeed, it was formed in order to protect the imperialist powers' interests in the region. (…)

(AK)

---

[B] Turkish Press

[01] German FM expects Turkey would continue to honour its commitments

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.09.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-to-honor-commitments-to-turkey-german-fm-146526), Germany on Sept. 12 reaffirmed its commitment to the EU-Turkey refugee agreement, amid fears of another refugee wave due to the Syrian regime's attacks in the northwestern region of Idlib.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed concern over recent developments and increasing number of crossings in the Aegean Sea in recent months. "I have discussed these issues in a phone call with my Turkish counterpart [Mevlut] Cavusoglu this week. I had once again highlighted that the EU would honour its commitments under the EU-Turkey refugee agreement," he said, adding that he expected Turkey would also continue to honour its commitments. "It has been a very constructive discussion. So I believe that the situation will step by step calm down and normalize again," he added. (…)

[02] Cavusoglu: "Some intelligence services give support to FETO"

According to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (12.09.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/some-intelligence-services-give-support-to-feto-turkish-fm-146529), some foreign intelligence organizations give support to FETO, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sept. 12.

Turkey has cooperation agreements with other countries to fight terrorism, which have spurred some positive steps; however, some foreign governments have not taken a stand against FETO. Some foreign intelligence agencies have even given support to the group, Cavusoglu said in a speech at the district governorship course event.

"When we talk to some of our interlocutors, our interlocutors know very well what activities the PKK receives today in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, France and even the U.K. My interlocutors better tell me how they collect money voluntarily or compulsorily from weddings. But they're not on the line we want to take," he said.

Cavusoglu noted that recently, Turkey welcomed steps by Germany, Britain and France against the PKK, but those steps stop short of FETO. "Unfortunately, we still see that these countries have not taken any concrete steps regarding FETO," he said.

"As the Ministry of Interior and Foreign Affairs, we have to work in close cooperation in the fight against terrorist organizations such as FETO and PKK, which pose a threat to our security. Thanks to our cooperation to date, we have brought many terrorists to our country and brought them to justice. We also endeavor to dissolve the terror nests in those places," he said. That is why the government has recently appointed 94 Interior Consultants, he noted. (…)

[03] Former Prime Minister Davutoglu resigns from AK Party

According to Turkish daily newspaper Sabah (13.09.19, https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2019/09/13/ex-pm-davutoglu-resigns-from-ak-party), former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu resigned from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) after being referred to the party's disciplinary committee for his dismissal.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)'s central committee referred former Ahmet Davutoglu, former AK Party lawmakers Ayhan Sefer Ustun, Selcuk Ozdag and Abdullah Basc? to the disciplinary committee to be discharged from the party on Sept. 2.

Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who resigned from the party leadership in May 2016 after a growing rift with the party organization, issued an open criticism in the wake of the March 31 local elections.

[04] Egemen Bag?s will be appointed as Turkey's Ambassador to Prague

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.09.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/foreign-ministry-to-appoint-new-ambassadors-146512), Egemen Bag?s, Turkey's former Minister for EU affairs and later a Chief Negotiator for EU accession, will be appointed as the country's Ambassador to Prague, a Turkish official has told Hurriyet Daily News. Bag?s was a close aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he was Prime Minister.

The Ministry also will appoint envoys to several other capitals including Hasan Ulusoy to Brussels, Aylin Sekizkok to Sofia, Mustafa Ozcan to Minsk, Togan Oral to Ashkhabad, Hasan Sekizkok to Skopje, Demet Sekercioglu to Colombo, Mahinur Ozdemir to Algiers, Haldun Tekneci to Hanoi, Fatma Pihava Unlu to San Jose, Orhan Is?k to Laos, Kaya Bakkalbas? to Madagascar, Gulcan Akoguz to Santiago, Inan Ozy?ld?z to Tallinn, Mustafa Osman Turan to Dhaka, Ismail Aramaz to Amman, Erkan Aytun to Guatemala City and Yesim Kebapc?oglu to Santa Domingo.

[05] Five Cumhuriyet journalists released from prison after top court ruling

According to Turkish news portal Turkish Minute (12.09.19, https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/09/12/turkeys-top-appeals-court-overturns-sentences-of-7-cumhuriyet-journalists/), five journalists from the Cumhuriyet daily who have been in prison since April were released on Thursday evening after Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals (Yarg?tay) overturned the sentences handed down to seven former Cumhuriyet employees and ordered the release of five of them, according to Turkish media.

Former Cumhuriyet employees Musa Kart, Guray Oz, Mustafa Kemal Gungor, Hakan Kara and Onder Celik were released from Kand?ra Prison in northern Turkey.

The staff members released today are barred from leaving the country, Turkish media reports said.

Two of the seven – Kadri Gursel and Bulent Utku – were not behind bars as Gursel was released on probation in May and Utku had not turned himself in to authorities to serve his sentence as the other six had. The court ruled to uphold the sentence of Emre Iper, who will remain behind bars.

The Cumhuriyet trial involved a total of 18 defendants, journalists and media staff who faced terrorism-related charges due to the paper's publications, some of whom started to serve prison sentences on April 25 of this year. (…)

[06] Islamist opposition party's former chair faces 9-year sentence over Gulen links

According to Turkish news portal Turkish Minute (12.09.19, https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/09/12/islamist-opposition-partys-former-chair-faces-9-year-sentence-over-gulen-links/ ), a Turkish prosecutor has indicted Mustafa Kamalak, the former chairman of the Islamist opposition Felicity Party (SP), on allegations of supporting the faith-based Gulen movement, demanding a prison sentence of up to nine-and-a-half years, the OdaTV news website reported on Thursday.

Turkey declared the Gulen movement a "terrorist" organization after a 2016 failed coup that the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses the movement of masterminding, although it strongly denies any involvement.

Kamalak was elected chairman of the SP after the death of Necmettin Erbakan, the father of Turkey's Islamist movement, in 2011. He later left the position to Temel Karamollaoglu, the incumbent chair of the party.

According to the report the indictment was drafted after a complaint was filed with the prosecutor in 2017. Kamalak's 2015 remarks criticizing the government seizure of Koza-Ipek Holding, which was accused of being affiliated with the Gulen movement, were cited as evidence in the indictment, the report said.

[07] Turkish Central Bank lowers interest rates by over 300 points

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (12.09.19, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/economy/turkish-central-bank-lowers-interest-rates-by-over-300-points-3500475), the Turkish Central Bank on Thursday lowered its one-week repo rate 325 basis points. The bank's policy rate -- also known as the one-week repo rate -- fell from 19.75% to 16.50%.

The decision came in a statement from the bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting -- the sixth of eight meetings scheduled for 2019. (…)

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/AM)

---

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article