TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 181/16
22.09.2016
1.Akinci launches his contacts in New York by meeting the British
Foreign Secretary
2. “Search for a ‘British key’ to the
solution”
3. “The unofficial agenda is the
guarantees”
4. Ertugruloglu held contacts in NY
5. Denktas: “Turkish guarantees are sine qua
non”
6. Erdogan met with Biden in NY; He called on Biden to facilitate the
arrest and extradition of Gulen; The Cyprus problem among the issues being
discussed
7. The contract for road works for the Lefka-Apliki is signed and
will be completed by the end of February
8. Illegal Tymbou airport to be ready in
2018
9. 2,347 persons have benefitted from “immigration
amnesty”
10. Attack on Israeli embassy in Ankara
11. Commander of Turkish invasion to Cyprus died at
77
1. Akinci launches his contacts in New York by meeting the British
Foreign Secretary
Under the title “Britain supports the solution”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (22.09.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci launched yesterday his contacts in New York holding his first
meeting with the British Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Boris
Johnson.
During the meeting, which took place at midnight (Cyprus time) at the
UK’s Permanent Mission to the UN, the negotiating process for finding a solution
to the Cyprus problem was evaluated and the British Minister reiterated his
country’s support to the solution of the Cyprus problem and underlined the
importance of finding a solution without delay.
Akinci is also expected to meet with US Vice President, Jo Biden
tonight at 21.00 (Cyprus time).
(I/Ts.)
2. “Search for a ‘British key’ to the
solution”
Under the above title Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (22.09.16) refers to the meeting held yesterday in New York
between Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the British Secretary for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson and reports that both during
this meeting and the meeting held between Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami
and the British Permanent Representative to the UN, Peter Wilson, Britain was
asked to undertake a role on the issue of financing a possible solution to the
Cyprus problem.
The paper’s editor-in-chief Rasih Resat writes that in statements
after his meeting with Johnson, Akinci said that Britain fully supports the
solution in Cyprus and added: “It was a meeting better than we expected”.
It is said that Britain’s support was asked as an alternative source
of financing for the solution through London City, which is one of Europe’s most
important financing centers. Resat writes that the Turkish Cypriot side would
ask Britain’s both diplomatic and financial support to the solution in Cyprus,
taking into consideration that “Britain knows the Cyprus problem better than
anyone else” and that it could “guide” all other countries which would interfere
in the issue.
It is considered that the British private sector could be briefed
regarding the existing opportunities in Cyprus and the British capital could be
invited to the island after the solution. Through this, the London City will secure “alternative financing”
to the island after the solution and the cost of the solution will be decreased.
It is said that all these thoughts would be conveyed to Johnson during his
meeting with Akinci.
(I/Ts.)
3. “The unofficial agenda is the
guarantees”
Under the above title, Esra Aygin, Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper’s (22.09.16) correspondent to New York, reports that
the chapter of security and guarantees is the basic issue on the agenda of the
back-stage diplomatic contacts in the American city prior to the meeting of the
UNSG with President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci on
Sunday.
Noting that UNSG’s Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide is
holding frequent meetings with Turkish and Greek officials, the journalist notes
that the target of these meetings is to make the necessary preparations on
the chapter of security and guarantees, in order for the sides to be ready to
reach a final agreement when the turn of discussing this chapter comes. It
is said that all guarantor powers are exhibiting a constructive stance on the
above-mentioned chapter and some formulas which will satisfy both sides are
open-mindedly discussed.
Aygin cites diplomatic sources which argue that after the new
round of intensified negotiations to be held for few weeks in Cyprus following
the return of the leaders to the island from New York, the negotiations are
expected to be carried outside Cyprus. In this form of negotiations, writes
Aygin, the guarantor powers will also take part, but the
guarantees will be discussed only in the last stage of the negotiations.
During this Green Tree or Burgenstock type negotiations abroad, the issues on
which agreement has not been reached are expected to be discussed and
within the framework of the final “give and take”, issues such as the
rotating presidency, some elements of the property, the territory and security
and guarantees will be tackled.
Referring to the Sunday’s meeting, Aygin reports that the leaders
will brief the UNSG on the stage which the negotiations have come and convey the
message that they are ready to pass to the next stage. They will also ask him to
undertake a more active initiative for the continuation of the process.
(I/Ts.)
4. Ertugruloglu held contacts in NY
According to illegal Bayrak television (21.09.16), so-called foreign
minister Tahsin Ertuğruloglu who is in New York, embarked on his contacts
yesterday.
Ertugruloglu met yesterday with the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate
of Oman Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah.
According to a press statement released by the “foreign ministry”,
the meeting between the two “foreign ministers” took place at the Permanent
Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations.
Ertugruloglu briefed his Omani “counterpart” on the latest
developments on the Cyprus problem.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (22.09.16) reports
that Ertugruloglu met also with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
According to diplomatic sources, the two “ministers” discussed and
evaluated the latest stage of the Cyprus negotiations process.
Also, Cavusoglu and Ertugruloglu discussed the issue of reinforcement
of the “TRNC’s representations” in Turkey with the opening of new “consulate
generals”.
Also, commenting on his contacts in NY, Ertugruloglu said that he
does not understand the reason why some cirlces in the “TRNC” find his visit in
NY as strange. He also added that during his stay in NY he will meet with the
Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Mauritania and Libya. Afterwards, he will
proceed to Washington and have contacts with several think-tanks. He added
further that he will also meet tomorrow morning with the Secretary General of
the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Madani.
(AK)
5. Denktas: “Turkish guarantees are sine qua
non”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper
(22.09.16) reports that so-called deputy prime minister and minister of finance
and leader of Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas stated that the expectations
of the Turkish Cypriot “people” as regards the Cyprus problem should not be
ignored.
He made these statements during a speech at a meeting of his party in
occupied Keryneia district.
Denktas stated that Turkish Cypriots do not want to experience again
what they have experienced in the past. He also said that their “sensitivities”
must be taken into consideration and added that Turkish guarantees are “sine qua
non”.
(CS)
6. Erdogan met with Biden in NY; He called on Biden to facilitate
the arrest and extradition of Gulen; The Cyprus problem among the issues being
discussed
Turkish daily Sabah (21.09.16) reported that President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan met on Wednesday with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at Peninsula
Hotel in New York.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the recent developments
in Syria, including Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield backing the Free Syrian
Army (FSA) against DAESH terrorists and the refugee
crisis.
Erdogan pointed out that the U.S.-backed PYD/YPG's primary aim is not
to fight against the DAESH terrorist group in Syria. Meanwhile, the two leaders
discussed the process of the transitional government in Syria, fight against
terror, as well as the refugee crisis.
At the meeting also attended by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu,
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, National
Intelligence Agency (MİT) Director Hakan Fidan and General Levent Ergün in
reflection of the importance attached to the fight against the Gülenist terror
Group (FETÖ) and its Pennsylvania-based leader Fetullah Gülen, Erdogan also
discussed the issue of the extradition of U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, the leader
of the Gülenist terror cult, FETÖ, who was behind the bloody July 15 coup
attempt against the Turkish government.
Erdogan reiterated Ankara's request on the extradition of Gülen from
the U.S. to Turkey, urging U.S. authorities to take the necessary legal
steps.
Erdogan additionally met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,
Slovenian President Botur Pahor, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Saudi
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.
Erdogan also met with the British Prime Minister Theresa May on
Tuesday in addition to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistani Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.09.16) reports
that the Cyprus problem was also among the issues being discussed during
Erdogan’s meeting with Biden.
(AK)
7. The contract for road works for the Lefka-Apliki is signed and
will be completed by the end of February
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (22.09.16) reports
that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Commission
announced the signature of the contract for road works for the
Lefka-Apliki.
Self-styled mayor of occupied village of Lefka Aziz
Kaya, speaking to the paper, said that the project is expected to be
completed by the end of February. He added that road works under this
contract will cover only the section of the road in the occupied part of
Cyprus.
According to the announcement, the overall length of the road to be
improved is 980 meters. The road footprint includes 7.0 meters for the road
pavement and 2.0 meters for road shoulders on both sides (1.0 m on each side).
Ditches will be constructed where required on both sides of the road for rain
water conveyance.
The project is fully funded by the European Union in the framework of
the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. Estimated cost of the
project is approx. 600,000 Euro.
(DPs)
8. Illegal Tymbou airport to be ready in
2018
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkins Sesi newspaper (22.09.16) reports that
the works for renovating and broadening the illegal Tymbou airport are
continuing and that the “airport” will be ready in 2018.
According to the paper, the renovated “airport” will cover an area of
170,000 square meters together with 128,000 square meters of covered parking
place and will have a 530-meter tunnel of three lanes for every direction. The new terminal will be able to
serve up to 5 million people in the first phase and 7-8 million people later.
So-called minister of public works and transportation Kemal Durust
inspected the works at the “airport” and stated that this will be the biggest
investment of the breakaway regime. “Our aim is to open the airport in 2018”, he
stated.
(CS)
9. 2,347 persons have benefitted from “immigration
amnesty”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (22.09.16) reports that
self-styled minister of labour and social security Hamza Ersan Saner has said
that 2,347 persons have benefitted from the “immigration amnesty” since August
16, 2016, when it was entered into force. He added that the “immigration
amnesty” does not include those who are working illegally or have been expelled
due to crime offences.
(DPs)
10. Attack on Israeli embassy in Ankara
Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.09.16) reported that an attacker
wielding a knife tried to storm the Israeli embassy in Ankara on Wednesday but
was shot before reaching the building, Turkish reports and Israeli officials
said.
Turkey's NTV television said that the attacker tried to enter the
well-defended embassy but was "neutralized" by being shot in the leg.
Employees of the embassy took refuge in a shelter, it added.
"The embassy staff is unharmed. The assailant was injured before he
reached the building," a Ministry statement said.
(…)The attack comes three months after Turkey and Israel signed a
deal to restore their ties which hit an all-time low after the 2010 raid by
Israeli commandos on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship that left 10 Turks
dead.
(…)
11. Commander of Turkish invasion to Cyprus died at
77
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (22.09.16) reports that a “legend
commander” of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus, retired colonel Yilmaz Cengiz died
at the age of 77.
According to the paper, Cengiz was sent to Cyprus prior to the
invasion to safeguard that the invasion was going to be conducted with safety
and success.
(CS)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK /ECh)
