Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-08-19

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun announces a population census for 27 November; Haberdar: The UN will not use the results of this census in the negotiations

[02] KTOS accuses Turkey and its puppets in occupied Cyprus for their threats on the explorations for oil and natural gas

[03] Messages of condolences by Eroglu, Kucuk and Tanpinar regarding PKK's attack in Hakkari

[04] Reactions to the European Arrest Warrants against usurpers of occupied Greek Cypriot properties continue in the Turkish Cypriot press

[05] The "Movement for Bright Future" continues its contacts in Washington6. "Turkish security council says Turkey determined in fighting terrorism"

[07] "Drastic measures in anti-terrorism fight"

[08] Turkish Minister says Turkey safe haven for investments

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The decisions of the National Security Council, chaired by President Abdullah Gul, to adopt tougher measures against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) after the attacks in southeastern Turkey, Turkish military attacks against PKK's targets in northern Iraq and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Ozgurgun announces a population census for 27 November; Haberdar: The UN will not use the results of this census in the negotiations

Ozgrugun argued that the expressions used in the report of the UN Secretary ? General which could be interpreted as if the population census will be held upon the demand of the Greek Cypriot side do not reflect the reality and expressed his regret about these expressions. He noted that the "TRNC" is determined to take every necessary step, including a population census, within the framework of its efforts and plans for the prosperity and the happiness of its "people". He said these efforts are not exerted with the aim of satisfying third parties.

Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (19.08.11), Ozgurgun said that observers from the UN will follow the census.

Moreover, Haberdar's editor-in-chief, Rasih Resat reports in his column today (19.08.11) that the United Nations (UN) decided not to use the results of this population census in the negotiations because the numbers will be clarified in the second half of 2012. According to Resat, in spite of the fact that the UN experts, who visited both sides of the island during the past few months, said that they would provide the necessary technical assistance, the results will not be used in the negotiations because they will not be clarified before the second half of 2012.

(I/Ts.)

[02] KTOS accuses Turkey and its puppets in occupied Cyprus for their threats on the explorations for oil and natural gas

"It seems that the Republic of Turkey has forgotten that, by voting the UN resolution No 186 of 4 March 1964, it recognized the Greek Cypriots as the official Government of the Republic of Cyprus, and with its threatening statements invites for bloodshed and tears on our island", noted Elcil adding that all the wealth and assets of Cyprus belong to Cypriots and no one could cry for war over these assets.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Messages of condolences by Eroglu, Kucuk and Tanpinar regarding PKK's attack in Hakkari

According to the press release, Kucuk conveyed his condolences and the sorrow he felt due to the "wretched attack". Kucuk also said that the Turkish Cypriots share the pain of "motherland Turkey" and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who became martyrs.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (19.08.11) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu also sent a message of condolences to Turkish President Abdullah Gul because of the attack in Hakkari.

Eroglu, in his message, said that the escalation of these "terror attacks", which aim at the integrity of Turkey as well as the peace and unity of the sovereign Turkish nation, sadden the Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, Fevzi Tanpinar, chairman of the so-called Foreign Press Association in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, expressed his sorrow for the attack in Hakkari where 8 soldiers were killed and 15 were wounded. Tazpinar, in his message, said that this was an attack against the integrity of the Republic of Turkey.

[04] Reactions to the European Arrest Warrants against usurpers of occupied Greek Cypriot properties continue in the Turkish Cypriot press

In statements to Volkan, Colak said that these issues should be seriously taken into consideration and the Turkish side should work coordinately. She argued that a "legal war", a "propaganda war" is going on and added that this situation will continue, if no solution is reached. She noted that the Turkish side should work on a strategy against all these and use the help of experts before some "bad developments" happen.

She said that the European Warrant of Arrest is debated in the entire EU and added that the issue of how right and how fair this is should be discussed. She added: "We have to examine this debate directed toward Cyprus. If the Turkish Cypriots will be arrested with the use of this mechanism, we have to be able to produce measures against this within our own community".

Arguing that the Greek Cypriot side is very "aggressive" on these issues, Colak alleged that the "Property Compensation Commission" proved that the Greek Cypriots are not right on this issue.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (19.08.11) publishes statements by lawyers who alleged that the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to issue European Warrants of Arrest against the usurpers of occupied Greek Cypriot properties are contrary to the laws of the European Union. In exclusive statements to the paper, the lawyers, who are based in London, argued that the European laws say that persons who have committed a crime could be returned from an EU member country to another, if 25 criteria are fulfilled. They claim that crimes regarding property are not included in these 25 criteria.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The "Movement for Bright Future" continues its contacts in WashingtonTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.08.11) reports that a delegation from the "Movement for Bright Future" (AYH) headed by Anil Kaya continues its contacts in Washington. The Movement held contacts at the American Congress. Speaking during the visit, Anik Kaya stated, inter alia, that they exchanged views on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and on the developments in the region. The paper writes that within the framework of the visit, Anik Kaya was offered the "International Visitors leadership Program-IVLP" certificate by the US State Department's Education and Culture Affairs Bureau.

[06] "Turkish security council says Turkey determined in fighting terrorism"

"Turkey's National Security Council (MGK), chaired by President Abdullah Gul, issued a written statement after a regular meeting on Thursday, saying it would adopt a 'more effective and decisive fight in the fight against terrorism'.

The statement did not elaborate on what those measures would be.

The statement urged everyone who it said believes in parliamentary system and rule of law, subtly referring to the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which has been a staunch supporter of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), to put distance between itself and the separatist terrorist organization. It said everyone must behave responsibly and sensitively by taking the fight against terrorism as a national matter.

(...)

The MGK gathering on Thursday was significant in configuring Turkey's what Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier unveiled as 'new era in fight against terrorism'. The government has not still elaborated in details what kind of strategy it will endorse in its fight against terrorism in the face of increasingly growing deadly attacks by PKK members in the past few weeks but bombing of PKK camps by Turkish warplanes in northern Iraq and large-scale operation and raids in Southeast Turkey have shown that government has stepped up security as a response to the terrorism.

The MGK statement said more effective, decisive and result-based struggle will be endorsed in fight against terrorism, stressing that acts of the terrorist organization will face with the most solid response.

(?)

Thursday's MGK meeting follows a period of upheaval in the armed forces. Four new commanders were appointed this month to replace those who resigned in protest at the jailing of hundreds of their colleagues in connection with anti-government conspiracies.

The Security Council also reportedly discussed the situation in Syria and expressed grave concern over growing death toll in a five-month uprising against 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad, stressing that violence and use of force against civilian population must be immediately stopped and realization of democratic political change and transformation based on a definite timeframe in line with legitimate demands of the Syrian people.

The MGK statement also urged Syrian authorities to guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of holding peaceful demonstration and freedom of organization of political parties.

The statement said the MGK also discussed the latest developments in Libya, Iraq and Somalia."

[07] "Drastic measures in anti-terrorism fight"

"Turkey's security leaders issue tough orders for the country to stand stronger against the outlawed PKK and take on a new strategy in the fight on terrorism

Turkey's top security council convened Thursday to revisit the country's anti-terror strategy, recommending the adoption of tougher measures against outlawed groups, making new arrangements in the law enforcement structure and pressuring the internal and international supporters of the illegal groups.

The bimonthly National Security Council (MGK) convened Thursday under the leadership of President Abdullah Gul and with the participation of top civilian and military officials, just one day after at least nine soldiers were killed in an attack in the eastern province of Hakkari, bringing the total number of troops killed in the last month to over 30. The current state of the military's fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, and the developments in neighbouring Syria dominated the council's meeting, as both issues were interpreted as critically important for Turkey's stability and security.

(?)

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

During the meeting, which came a day after Turkish jets bombed PKK targets in northern Iraq in retaliation for the Hakkari attack, participants discussed a complete overhaul to Turkey's strategy against the PKK, including the following measures:

Cross border operations: The Turkish Air Force will continue to launch aerial operations against PKK targets in northern Iraq as long as they are deemed necessary. The military's bases in Diyarbak1
r and Batman have been reinforced with ammunition and other weaponry necessary for operations. Some fighter jets have also been dispatched from the Bal1
kesir base in the country's northwest to Southeast Anatolia. Likewise, Turkey's land forces were also mobilized in recent days, especially in regions close to the Iraqi border.

Mandate to be extended: Though there is no sign of imminent cross-border operations into Iraq by land forces, sources have not ruled out the possibility. Turkey's last massive operation into northern Iraq was conducted in the winter of 2008. The MGK has decided to extend a parliamentary mandate for another year that allows the government to conduct cross-border operations since the current mandate expires on Oct. 18. The Foreign Ministry will hold meetings with the Iraqi government to ease the conditions for the Turkish military's cross-border operations and its strategies of hot pursuit when necessary.

More intelligence from the US: The U.S. has been providing real-time intelligence to Turkey since late 2007, allowing the Turkish military to conduct efficient cross-border operations into northern Iraq. There are plans to demand more military assistance from the U.S., sources said.

Special attention to Hakkari: Turkey's most remote province, Hakkari, which borders Iraq and Iran, has long been the theater for the PKK's most deadly attacks against troops. Apart from geographical difficulties that hinder an effective military response, the province is also known as a place where the state's control is weakening. In more rural areas of the province, a number of "recruitment camps" have been reportedly set up, providing an important source of manpower for the PKK.

'They have centres that they communicate with. [There are] locations of persuasion that they use to determine their action plans. I don't want to call it 'headquarters,' but they have places where they make decisions and later carry out the actions,' Deputy Prime Minister Hayati Yazici said in an interview with daily Aksam. Yazici also complained of the fact that the number of people joining the terrorist organization was on the rise, according to intelligence reports.

Terror acts to escalate: As stated by Murat Karayilan, senior PKK member, the terrorists are preparing for more attacks both in urban and rural places. Apart from targeting security personnel, the attacks could also focus on metropolitan areas. Intelligence reports predict that the attacks could be expanded to the country's Black Sea and East Anatolian regions. The MGK discussed ways to protect citizens from escalated terror acts.

Police-military cooperation: The most important change in the strategy is creating an alliance between the military and the police in the fight against terrorism. The strategy envisages a central role for the police's special teams, especially in rural areas of Southeast Anatolia. Authorities also hope to deploy professional army units in high-risk areas, particularly on the border with Iraq, meaning that newly recruited soldiers will not be dispatched to critical posts.

New role for governors: Under the MGK's plans, governors will play a key role in providing coordination between the police and the military in order to avoid confusion. The duties and responsibilities of governors are expected to be reinforced through legal arrangements.

Intelligence pool: As part of the new mechanism, the intelligence gathered by different law enforcement units will be collected under one roof and will be processed at the Undersecretariat of Public Order and Security. The processed intelligence will be directly sent to security units in the field so that they can operate more efficiently against the militants.

Political support: The MGK also reviewed the political support given to the PKK by some pro-Kurdish political parties and its effect on the fight against terrorism. A number of civilian organizations are in direct relationship with the terrorists, intelligence reports show, fostering the PKK's increasing influence, especially in urban areas of Southeast Anatolia. Methods of breaking political support for the organization remain an important target in the anti-terror fight.

International support: The PKK receives some of the most support from outside the country anywhere in the world, according to intelligence reports. Its main financial source comes largely from Belgium, the Netherlands and some other Western European countries. Ongoing work with the U.S. to force some European institutions to cut the financial links of some groups known to be affiliates of the PKK will be intensified. The MGK also reviewed regional supporters of the PKK, in northern Iraq, Syria and Iran and mulled over ways to break these ties."

[08] Turkish Minister says Turkey safe haven for investments

Caglayan said on Thursday that 92% of increase in foreign capital inflow to Turkey year-on-year in the first half of 2011 showed that Turkey was a safe haven for investments.

Recalling that international direct investments in Turkey reached 826 million U.S. dollars in June 2011, Caglayan said that international direct investments rose by 92% to 6.2 billion U.S. dollars year-on-year in the first six months of 2011. 88% of capital inflows was from EU countries and it showed that Turkey was advancing on its way to become a base of goods and services of Europe and Eurasia.

Caglayan added that they expected over 10 billion USD of direct foreign capital inflow to the country in 2011. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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