Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-31

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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] Havadis: The governance and power sharing is solved; With the solution of the property issue the problem will be completed to a great extent

[02] Milliyet: The Turks will be treated as EU citizens

[03] Burcu: The negotiators have not started discussing the criteria on the property

[04] TMT chairman: Federation is a suicide

[05] The so-called Embargoed! group expressed strong criticism to the EU for the hellim/halloumi export regulations and for the inspection processes

[06] The Turkish occupation army opened a file against Afrika

[07] "Fifty- fifty in Varosha reconstruction" says the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Union of the Building Contractors

[08] Stone quarries cause great environmental and visual pollution in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Turkey's interim Cabinet approved by Erdogan; Tugrul Turkes assigned as Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs

[10] Davutoglu: "New government represents every color of Turkey"

[11] Kilicdaroglu and Demirtas commented on the formation of an interim government

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Havadis: The governance and power sharing is solved; With the solution of the property issue the problem will be completed to a great extent

Diplomatic sources told Havadis that until now the sides have discussed the issues of governance and power sharing, property, territory and citizenship and achieved serious convergences on many issues. The sources said that the common understanding of the two leaders on the property issue is to find a balance between the rights of the "current users and the original owners". The negotiations on the property are expected to last for a few months, writes the paper adding that one of the convergences reached on the issues of property and citizenship is the necessity for bi-zonality and bi-communality and the existence of a Turkish Cypriot majority in the population and the properties in the Turkish Cypriot founding state and a Greek Cypriot majority in the Greek Cypriot founding state.

It is said that Turkey has launched some studies on the issue of the financing of the solution and especially the compensations to be paid on the property issue and that the development of the Turkish Cypriot properties left in the government-controlled area of the island is included among these studies.

Citing "Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sources close to the negotiating teams", Havadis reports that no map or names of villages to be included in the territorial adjustments have been discussed at the table until now, adding that the map will be the last issue of discussion.

The sources said that agreement has been reached to a great extent on the governance and power sharing which "constitutes the biggest part of the problem and is very important for the Turkish Cypriot side". The sources underlined that the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots in the federation which will be established with the solution has been guaranteed and that the Turkish Cypriots will effectively participate in the decision taking mechanisms. As an example for this, they said that there will be an equal number of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the Senate and the Supreme Court. The sources noted that there is no agreement on the issue of the rotating presidency, which has been left for the end.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Milliyet: The Turks will be treated as EU citizens

Milliyet's correspondent in Cyprus, Sefa Karahasan writes that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and his negotiating team have submitted to the negotiating table their view that after an agreement is reached in Cyprus, "Turkey should be treated as an EU member". According to the proposal supported also by Ankara, notes the paper, "a person from Turkey who wishes to go [Translator's note: This is the exact verb used by the paper] to the newly established state will have the rights of an EU citizen on issues such as the movement, [and] permanent residency".

Noting that a restriction on the basis of the 4:1 proportion will be brought on the residence issue, the paper points out that the aim with this is for the Turkish citizens not to spoil the up-to-then population structure of the island.

A high ranking official said to Milliyet the following: "The citizens from Turkey who will go to the island will have the same rights as the citizens from Greece who will go to the Greek Cypriot side. After the solution Turkey will be treated as an EU member state".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Burcu: The negotiators have not started discussing the criteria on the property

Burcu noted that the development achieved in the property issue was only the "common determination" of the categories and the kinds of the influenced properties. He added:

"The fate of these properties will be determined by a Property Commission, which will be established after the solution and have equal number of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot members. We have not yet come to the stage of negotiating the criteria on which the Property Commission will base its decisions. In the forthcoming process, the issues concerning these criteria will be put onto the agenda and discussed by the sides".

(I/Ts.)

[04] TMT chairman: Federation is a suicide

"We are known for saying no. You know why we say no? Because a federation and a United Cyprus is suicide for the Turkish Cypriots", he alleged. He went on and added that they do not want any international guarantees adding that the only guarantee they need is that of motherland Turkey. "After 40 years they are talking about a federal Cyprus. This is a trick and a fallacy", he alleged claiming that the breakaway regime is better off than many other "countries" in the world.

(CS)

[05] The so-called Embargoed! group expressed strong criticism to the EU for the hellim/halloumi export regulations and for the inspection processes

The Embargoed! group supported that the appointment of the maritime specialists Bureau Veritas to oversee quality inspection - an essential part of the Brussels PDO, or Protected Designation of Origin for the cheese, will not provide a satisfactory working solution.

"One major fault, is that Bureau Veritas, is not obliged to provide any reports of its quality inspections to the TRNC cheese producers, while the EU Commission and the Greek Cypriot Republic will get reports of all inspections", the group said in its statement.

"The European Commission's proposals to regulate the trade in hellim, /halloumi, are not sufficient to safeguard the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and not in keeping with the new positive spirit of the Peace Talks", the group added in the statement.

Speaking on the issue, the chairman of the Embargoed! Group Fahri Zihni stated, inter alia: "We lobbied hard before the PDO was published to explain to the EU Commission the need for an inspection system that is transparent and fair to both communities. Anything less, would damage the spirit of positive co-operation that President Akinci is bringing to the peace talks".

"Bureau Veritas already do a huge amount of work for the Greek Cypriot Republic, who are the client in this contractual arrangement - not the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC). We would therefore question whether this constitutes a conflict of interest for the company, given the sensitive nature of Cyprus politics. There is no explanation from the European Commission as to why North Cyprus could not have independent inspections", Zihni added.

"We have written a firm letter to Commissioners Cretu and Hogan setting out our concerns. There is now a three-month period during which non-EU members can make objections, and we are hoping that all fair minded people, NGOs, the TRNC and other nation states including Britain and Turkey will play a role here and put the inspections regime on the right track", Zihni also said.

Zihni said further that the Embargoed! is very pleased from the fact that hellim is accepted as part of the new PDO definition, providing cultural equality. "There is no reason as to why the European Commission cannot also provide equality for the inspection processes", he concluded.

[06] The Turkish occupation army opened a file against Afrika

According to the paper, both the editor in chief of the paper Sener Levent and Mahmut Anayasa, who shared on a social media account on July 10, 2015, an article published in Afrika on July 8, 2015, were called at the "prosecutor office" to answer questions on the issue.

The paper writes that because there is not a "law" against an article published in social media, the paper can be hold responsible for a publication. Afrika is accused of offending the "Turkish Forces" and "for making the people alienated from the army".

(CS)

[07] "Fifty- fifty in Varosha reconstruction" says the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Union of the Building Contractors

According to Gurcafer, the two "unions" found a solution between them and decided to share the work. He also stated that he believes that an agreement will be reached adding that what is also important is to establish the agreement by strengthening the economy.

(CS)

[08] Stone quarries cause great environmental and visual pollution in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, besides the stone quarries which operate under the control of the "state", the private stone quarries cause environmental and visual pollution.

In statements to the paper on the issue, the chairman of the "Quarries' Union" Metin Ulug has stated that until so far, there are totally 15 registered private stone quarries in the "TRNC". He added that, in spite of the fact that no new permissions were given during the recent years for the operation of new quarries, still, their number has being increased dramatically and pointed out that the "country" needs only 7 or 8 quarries.

Ulug went on and accused all the previous "governments" for not taking any step in order to solve this problem with the quarries and proposed the establishment of a "union" or a "company" in order to have all the quarries under one umbrella.

On the other hand, the chairman of the Green peace movement, Dogan Sahir referred to the issue and stressed the need for the number of quarries and their resources to be examined.

Meanwhile, the paper adds that a lot of "citizens" living in the occupied Kythrea village expressed strong reactions over the cloud of dust that is caused by the operation of stone quarries near their houses and asked for the necessary measures to be taken in order to find out a solution to their problem.

(AK)

[09] Turkey's interim Cabinet approved by Erdogan; Tugrul Turkes assigned as Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs

Davutoglu submitted the composition of the new government to Erdogan on Friday night after the efforts he exerted since Thursday to form a provisional government that will run Turkey until early election of November 1st.

The June 7 election saw a stalemate with no party winning the majority necessary to form a single party government. Coalition talks between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the other three Parliamentary parties had not produced any result.

All parties except the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) had attended to join the caretaker government.

The new Cabinet consists of 11 MPs from ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), 11 independent candidates, and 3 representatives of the opposition - Tugrul Turkes (Nationalist Movement Party -MHP), and 2 MPs from pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HDP) - Muslum Dogan and Ali Haydar.

Davutoglu announced the list of members of the interim Cabinet at a press conference in Ankara which is as follows:

Prime Minister - Ahmet Davutoglu

Deputy Prime Minister - Yalcin Akdogan

Deputy Prime Minister - Numan Kurtulmus

Deputy Prime Minister - Cevdet Yilmaz

Deputy Prime Minister - Tugrul Turkes

Foreign Minister - Feridun Sinirlioglu

EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator - Ali Haydar Konca

Minister of Family and Social Policies - Aysen Gurcan

Minister of Justice - Kenan Ipek

Minister of Science, Industry and Technology - Fikri Isik

Minister of Customs and Trade - Cenap Asci

Minister of Environment and Urban Planning - Idris Gulluce

Minister of Economy - Nihat Zeybekci

Minister of Youth and Sports - Akif Cagatay Kilic

Minister of Internal Affairs - Selami Altinok

Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communication - Feridun Bilgin

Minister of Labour and Social Security - Ahmet Erdem

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources - Ali R?za Alaboyun

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock - Kudbettin Arzu

Development Minister - Muslum Dogan

Minister of Culture and Tourism - Yalcin Topcu

Minister of Finance - Mehmet Simsek

Minister of National Education - Nabi Avci

Minister of National Defence - Vecdi Gonul

Minister of Forest and Water Management - Veysel Eroglu

Minister of Health - Mehmet Muezzinoglu

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (30.08.15) reported in its front page on statements by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who has stated, inter alia, that the new Cabinet being established, is represented by people from all ethnical and regional origins in Turkey.

Referring to the assignment of Turkes as Deputy Prime Minister, Responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Davutoglu said: "As you know, Mr. Turkes is of Cyprus origin. This fact has strengthened the possibility of turning over the duties of Arinc, and assigning him as Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs".

[10] Davutoglu: "New government represents every color of Turkey"

The provisional government, which will steer Turkey to a rerun of June's general election on November. 1, includes representatives from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), one Deputy from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and two from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The Republican People's Party (CHP) - the second largest in Parliament - has refused to join the Cabinet. "I believe that we have formed a good Cabinet where every color of Turkey has been represented," Davutoglu told Haberturk news channel.

Davutoglu denied that the interim Cabinet was an AK Party body, insisting it was a "constitutional government." He added that he had personally prepared the list of Ministers - approved by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday.

The HDP was given posts overseeing the Ministries of EU affairs and development. One HDP lawmaker rejected the offer of joining the caretaker government.

Davutoglu said that the EU affairs portfolio, which also carries responsibilities as Turkey's Chief negotiator on EU entry and was given to Ali Haydar Konca, would be "testing" and a "confrontation" for the EU.

"Some [EU member state] Ministers who criticize Turkey and claim Turkey lacks freedoms will have contact with an HDP Minister," he said. The appointment would demonstrate democracy in Turkey as the HDP has "the most contrary views in Turkey," Davutoglu added.

Davutoglu stated also that Development Minister Muslum Dogan's role would also prove challenging as it could bring the HDP into conflict with the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and the U.S.

The HDP has campaigned for Kurdish rights and helped negotiations between the government and the PKK until renewed violence broke out last month. The PKK's armed campaign has seen the group target development projects such as dams and roads. "We will see whether they [the HDP] want real democracy or a fight between brothers erupts in Turkey in this two-and-a-half months [before the election]," Davutoglu said.

Turning to the election, Davutoglu said that Turkey had experience of implementing "objective rules" during elections amid political violence - a reference to the country since the Kurdish conflict began in 1984. He said that measures would be taken during the elections to prevent the PKK exerting influence on voters.

Asked about a possible electoral alliance with the Felicity Party (SP), that shares similar political roots with the AK Party, Davutoglu said there were grounds for meeting and cooperating with other parties to unite around common goals.

[11] Kilicdaroglu and Demirtas commented on the formation of an interim government

"In an environment where the Constitution is violated, constitutional customs are ignored, and in the absence of the rule of law, this Cabinet will only serve the presidency and the government," K?l?cdaroglu told daily Cumhuriyet in an interview published on Aug. 30.

He recalled that he was not given the mandate to try to form a government by the President after Davutoglu's failure, which led to the CHP's refusal to nominate Ministers to the caretaker government although it had five reserved Cabinet seats.

"This new Cabinet will only serve the presidency and the government. It is out of the question that it will serve the country. This is the reality," Kilicdaroglu stated.

He added that the Cabinet was not composed of "impartial" figures, citing Customs and Trade Minister Cenap Asc? who was appointed as a Minister after being rapidly promoted as the Undersecretary for the same Ministry on August 27.

"Based on what qualification have you appointed him as a Minister?" K?l?cdaroglu said. "Is this a new government? No, it's not. Under normal conditions, the interim government should be formed by an independent Prime Minister."

Kilicdaroglu has also repeated his criticism of Prime Minister Davutoglu for ruling Turkey "through instructions imposed on him from the Presidency."

"If this country is being ruled through instructions from the presidency, then it means that the prime ministry is nonfunctional. That's why this upcoming election is more vital than any others. Either chaos will be deepened and an open-ended period of instability will begin, or the rule of law and democracy will prevail. A country cannot be sacrificed for just one person's ambitions and one family's interests. Remember that [Roman Emperor] Nero burned Rome. These people today are not only burning Ankara, but the whole of Turkey," he said.

Turkey also needs to question the political understanding that brought about early elections, said Kilicdaroglu, accusing Erdogan of violating the presidential oath he took last year, of not respecting the people's will, and of overruling the principle of separation of powers.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with daily Milliyet, K?l?cdaroglu stressed that his election campaign would mainly focus on the fact that Turkey's fundamental problems can "only be resolved by the CHP."

"Turkey is in a bloodbath. The government has experienced a great loss of credibility both inside and outside the country. The MHP [Nationalist Movement Party] is opposed to almost everything and could never healthily govern the country. The HDP [Peoples' Democratic Party] is seemingly left out of the political equation. There is only one party left: The CHP," he said.

The party's deputy nomination lists for the election will not be changed, K?l?cdaroglu added, supporting that "changing the Deputy lists would be unethical".

Referring to the Kurdish issue, he stated that it remains one of Turkey's fundamental problems, and called on the HDP to be more outspoken against terrorist acts committed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Also, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.08.15) reported that the HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas commenting on the formation of an interim government said that the participation of two Ministers from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey's newly formed government, aims to prevent the Justice and Development Party (AKP) from "easily deciding to go to war."

Demirtas clarified that they accepted the interim Cabinet posts to prevent state facilities from being allocated exclusively to the AKP's election campaign.

"Our Ministers, namely the people's Ministers, are there [in the interim government] so that you [the AKP] can't easily decide to go to war, and so you do not use the state's opportunities for the benefit of the AKP's election campaign," Demirtas said, speaking to reporters in Hague on Saturday.

"They will be right at the back of your neck," he added.

Meanwhile, the HDP co-chair also said he expected the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to lay down its arms "if Turkey resumes negotiations with the armed group," suggesting that this would end the flare-up in clashes between the Turkish armed forces and the PKK.

The PKK had so far scorned HDP calls for a ceasefire, but Demirtas claimed that this did not spell an end to prospects for peace.

"What [the PKK] meant was that if a solution is brought back onto the political agenda, it won't even have to call to lay down arms and it will do so anyway," he said, adding that another strong showing for the HDP in parliamentary elections in November would increase the chances of resuming peace talks.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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