18/10/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S


No. 200/16                                                                                          18.10.2016

1. Akinci to visit Istanbul
2. Burcu replies to Government Spokesman’s statements 
3. Ertugruloglu to participate at OIC meeting in Uzbekistan
4. The Turkish settlers’ party asks for clarifications on how many settlers will remain on the island after a Cyprus settlement
5. Sucuoglu will participate in the Global Health Tourism Summit and Fair
6. New Louroutzina road that will allow no identity control, to be inaugurated today
7. The “energy agreement” will be discussed on October 24 at the “assembly”
8. Turkes is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus
9. Turkish Minister of Transport is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus
10. Children will be able to obtain a “TRNC identity card” from the first day of their birth
11. A group of 80 persons from Iran will visit the occupied area of Cyprus
12. Durust met with participants of the “1st Turkic World Youth Forum” which is taking place in the breakaway regime
13. Co-operation between Turkish Cypriot SIM Channel and BBC
14. Erdogan: “Our physical boundaries are different from the boundaries of our heart”
15. All public gatherings and demonstrations banned in Ankara to ensure “safety and public order”
16. Kurtulmus: Turkey takes measures against refugee flows from Iraq, Syria
17. Erdogan: “Turkey 'will be at the table' for Mosul talks”

1. Akinci to visit Istanbul
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci will depart for Istanbul today in order to participate in the Global Relations Forum.
According to a statement issued by his “office”, at the Forum Akinci is expected to deliver a speech regarding the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He will return to the occupied area of Cyprus on the night of 20 October.
(I/Ts.)

2. Burcu replies to Government Spokesman’s statements 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has replied to Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides’ statement that there will be no clear majority either in the Turkish Cypriot or in the Greek Cypriot constituent state after a possible solution to the Cyprus problem. In a written statement issued yesterday, Burcu alleged that Christodoulides’ above statement “do not reflect the entire reality, include deficiencies and cause wrong understandings.”
The founding states will be able to limit the ‘legal residence right’, which will include limited right to vote (for example in the local elections) and will be able to give permission to mostly 20% of their own internal citizens”, argued Burcu describing as “different things” the ‘right of legal residence’ (legal domicile) and the right of abode, which does not create any political or other right.
Burcu said that Akinci had stated yesterday the following: “Everyone will be able to reside where he wishes. If he wants to build a summer house, he will be able to do so. He will be able to buy an apartment and stay in it. If he finds a job, he will be able to work. If he wants to establish a business, he will be able to do so, if he applies to the local administration and acquires the necessary permit. All these possibilities will exist in both sides in a manner in which they do not include any political or other right”.  
Burcu claimed: “What Mr Christodoulides tried to underline is related to the right of residence. However, in parallel to this, something else was also agreed. And this is that the founding state will be able to give the right of legal residence to mostly 20% of the number of its own internal citizens to persons coming from the other founding state wishing to build their legal residence there”.
Burcu claimed that in the light of these “realities”, it is “obvious” that the Turkish Cypriots will possess the clear majority in their own “founding state”, as the Greek Cypriots will anyway have the majority in their “founding state”. He alleged: “We find it really difficult to understand the logic of the statements made by the Greek Cypriot side without putting forward the entire picture and without taking into consideration our sensitivities as well”. 
(I/Ts.)

3. Ertugruloglu to participate at OIC meeting in Uzbekistan
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglu, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has departed for Uzbekistan to participate in the 43rd meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation.
According to a statement issued by the “ministry”, the meeting will start in capital Tashkent tomorrow and will end on 20 October.
(I/Ts.)

4. The Turkish settlers’ party asks for clarifications on how many settlers will remain on the island after a Cyprus settlement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Sunalp Dervis Sencer, deputy leader of the Revival Party (YDP), called Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to make a statement on how many persons who are from Turkey will remain in Cyprus after a Cyprus settlement.

In a written statement, Sencer, reminding President Anastasiades’ statements that “90,000 Turkish settlers may remain on the island in case of a solution”, noted that Akinci did not make any comment regarding this issue.

Sencer also asked for clarifications on which persons are included in the term Turkish settlers, how these persons have been identified, what will be the case for those who are married, have kids, or the children were born in the “TRNC”.
(DPs)

5. Sucuoglu will participate in the Global Health Tourism Summit and Fair
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Faiz Sucuoglu, self-styled health minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, will participate in the Global Health Tourism Summit and Fair, which will take place in Ankara between 19 and 21 October.
According to a statement issued by his “ministry”, Sucuoglu is departing for Turkey tonight and will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the Summit explaining the targets in health tourism and health system in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Sucuoglu will return to the occupied area of the island on 20 October.
(I/Ts.) 

6. New Louroutzina road that will allow no identity control, to be inaugurated today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.10.16) reports that the inauguration ceremony of the new road that will safeguard the access to the occupied Louroutzina village without the conducting of identity control, will take place today.

The paper writes that the five-kilometer road will be completed in three months and that it will  cost four millions Turkish Lira.

Speaking to Kibris, the  “mayor” of Louroutzina Hasan Barbaros, stated that this development will open the road of development for the village.
(CS)

7. The “energy agreement” will be discussed on October 24 at the “assembly”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.10.16), the agreement on the energy sector between Turkey and the “TRNC” as well as the steps, which are planned to be taken to support this “agreement”, will be discussed on October 24 at the self-styled assembly of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Dogus Derya, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), reminded that she asked to discuss this “protocol” before signing it. She also said that the “assembly” and the “people” were not informed of this “agreement”.
(DPs)


8. Turkes is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Tugrul Turkes, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus today in order to participate in the “1st Youth Forum of the Turkic World”.
Turkes will also hold separate meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, self-styled prime minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun and the “speaker” of the “assembly”, Sibel Siber. 
(I/Ts.)

9. Turkish Minister of Transport is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Ahmet Aslan, Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus.
According to a statement issued by his ministry, Aslan will sign the “E-government project” between Turkey and the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus and a “memorandum of understanding” for cooperation in the field of postal services.
Aslan will also attend the ceremonies to be organized on the occasion of the beginning of the construction works of the new terminal at the illegal Tymbou airport and the roads between occupied Tymbou and Louroudjina and the illegal airport and occupied Tymbou village.
Moreover, Aslan will hold separate meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled speaker of the “assembly” Sibel Siber  and self-styled minister of public works and transport, Kemal Durust.
He will also visit the dam at occupied Panagra village and the installations of the water project from Turkey and participate in a launching ceremony of stamps issued on the occasion of the anniversary of the water project from Turkey. 
(I/Ts.)

10. Children will be able to obtain a “TRNC identity card” from the first day of their birth
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (18.10.16) reports that the so-called ministry of interior completed its “legal works” for granting “identity cards” to children from the day they are born.

In a press release issued by the “ministry of interior”, it is reported that with this new adjustment the children will be able to obtain an “identity card” from their first day of birth and within this framework around 40 thousand children will get an “identity card”. The “legislation”, which was completed recently, will be submitted at the “assembly”.

The paper, in its column the “hero of the day” by putting the photograph of Kutlu Evren, self-style minister of interior, comments on this new “legislation” by writing the following:

“He plays with the population in the north Cyprus. While the wind for solution is still blowing at the negotiations, they are gradually accelerating these games. Now, they have started to grant identity cards from the day of birth. In other words, as soon as the child comes to the world, it will own a TRNC identity card. For this reason, a new arrangement at the law was made… according to the oldest law, the children could not get an identity card until they become 11 years old. It is interesting how they will give to the babies an identity card, how will get a photograph or a signature. With the ratification of this law at the assembly, 40 thousand children will own immediately an identity card.”
(DPs)

11. A group of 80 persons from Iran will visit the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.10.16), Ismet Esenyel, self-styled undersecretary of the ministry of tourism and environment, said that more than 200 tourist agents participated in the “Road Show”, which was held in Tehran and Tiflis by the “tourism ministry” and with the  cooperation of the Turkish Airlines (THY). He added that a group of 80 persons from Tehran will visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus by the end of October or at the beginning of November in order to be introduced to the “tourist products”.

Esenyel explained that those who are visiting from Iran will be increased in the near future.
(DPs)


12. Durust met with participants of the “1st Turkic World Youth Forum” which is taking place in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (18.10.16) reports that Kemal Durust, self-styled minister of public works and transportation met with youth organizations members who are visiting the breakaway regime for the “1st Turkic World Youth Forum” which is taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus.

According to the paper around 300 young persons from 25 countries are participating in the Forum.

Speaking during the meeting with Durust, the chairman of the “Cyprus-Azerbaijan Friendship society” Orhan Hasanoglu, stated that they aim to co-operate with the breakaway regime in the fields of culture and education.
On his part Durust stressed the importance of the Forum which as he said strengthens the ties of the Turkic youth.
(CS)

13. Co-operation between Turkish Cypriot SIM Channel and BBC
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen reports that the Turkish Cypriot Channel SI, which started broadcasting on 2008 , will start a co-operation with BBC.

The two organizations signed a protocol effective as of today.  Within this framework, the Turkish broadcasting of the BBC World Service (BBC Turkce) will be able to be transmitted via the website of Sim Channel.
(CS)

14. Erdogan: “Our physical boundaries are different from the boundaries of our heart”
The website of the Turkish Presidency http://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/ published (15.10.16) the speech that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered for the start of the 2016-2017 academic year at University (RTEU) in the province of Rize.

Referring to Mosul Erdogan said the following:

“Turkey has always embraced with open arms all the oppressed and victims, and never left its kinsmen alone.  Our physical boundaries are different from the boundaries of our heart. We should differentiate between them. We of course show respect for physical boundaries; but we cannot draw boundaries to our heart, nor do we allow it. Some ask us, ‘why do you care about Iraq, why do you care about Syria.’ They are asking, ‘why do you care about Georgia, Ukraine, Crimea, Azerbaijan, Karabakh, the Balkans, North Africa.’ These questions might be expanded. However, note that no one is asking the countries that come to our immediate environ from thousands of kilometres away ‘what business do you have here.’ None of the places for which they ask us ‘what business do you have here,’ are foreign to us. […] is it possible to think Edirne apart from Thessaloniki or Kardzhali? How come you can regard Gaziantep and Aleppo, Mardin and al-Hasakah, or Siirt and Mosul as places that have nothing to do with each other? You see something from us in any Middle Eastern and North African country you stop by between Hatay and Morocco. You definitely come across a trace from our ancestors at every step you take along the geography extending from Thrace to Eastern Europe. […]

Can we leave Mosul on its own? We are present in the history of Mosul. And what is it they are doing now? They are plotting to grab Mosul from the people of Mosul and offer it to others. […]

Turkey cannot turn its back on Aleppo. Turkey cannot disregard its kinsmen in Western Thrace, Cyprus, Crimea and anywhere else. We cannot leave Libya, Egypt, Bosnia and Afghanistan alone with their own problems. Otherwise, we feel embarrassed before both the history and our brothers living there, their hearts beating with us. Therefore, I always say that we deem our own both the happiness and unhappiness of our brothers living within the boundaries of our heart. Those mistaking that the interest of ours for their colonialist histories or for their sectarian and ethnic obsessions should first question themselves rather than giving advice to us. […]”

15. All public gatherings and demonstrations banned in Ankara to ensure safety and public order
Turkish daily Sabah (18.10.16) reports that all public gatherings and demonstrations were banned on Monday until the end of November after receiving information about potential terror attacks, the Governor's office said.

The Ankara governorate said in a statement that all such meetings had been prohibited until November 30, in line with the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the failed July 15 coup.

It said that the decision was taken "to ensure people's safety and public order".

The governorate, which is responsible for security throughout the capital and the wider province, said it had received intelligence "that banned terror organizations were preparing actions in our province".

Without naming which organizations, it said that the groups were thought to have been planning attacks on meetings and public demonstrations.

16. Kurtulmus: Turkey takes measures against refugee flows from Iraq, Syria
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (18.10.16) reports that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Oct. 17 that Turkey could end up hosting hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Iraqi city of Mosul if the U.S.-backed operation against jihadist groups is conducted incorrectly, adding that terrorist attacks could also increase as a result of the offensive.

“If something goes wrong in Mosul, the only place for hundreds of thousands of devastated people to go to will be Turkey. Turkey is ready for that, but our concern is not to cause any distress to local people to force them to flee their country,” Kurtulmus said Oct. 17 after a cabinet meeting.

Kurtulmus’s statement came as the United Nations warned that clashes in Mosul could push around 100,000 locals to leave their homes for Turkey and Syria.

17. Erdogan: Turkey 'will be at the table' for Mosul talks
Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.10.16) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would not only participate in the ongoing Mosul operation against Daesh in Iraq but would also “be at the table for talks”.

“It is impossible for us to stay out of it because there lies history for us,” he said during an international legal congress in Istanbul. Erdogan told listeners that Ankara was “not responsible for the results of an operation that it does not participate in”.

The much-anticipated Mosul offensive to liberate the city from Daesh began midnight Sunday.

Erdogan also said the “brothers of Turkey” -- Arabs, Turkmens and Kurdish civilians -- were currently in Mosul.

Referring to a Turkish-manned military facility close to Mosul, Erdogan said: “Nobody can expect us to leave Bashiqa.”

He added: “We trained Iraqi soldiers in Bashiqa camp, as well as Peshmerga for them to fight against Daesh. If these fighters had not been there, there would not have been [any] decent troops to fight.”

In addition Ankara Anatolia also reports that Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Numan  Kurtulmus reiterated that the presence of Turkish troops in Iraq's Camp Bashiqa would continue.

"Whenever the situation improves, and it is no longer necessary for Turkey to train and equip [the Sunni tribal forces], and to protect our people [in the camp] from Daesh and other terrorist organizations, then Turkey may review the situation. But for now, Turkey will continue its presence in Bashiqa," he said.

---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)