Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-08-09

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 / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: The Turkish Cypriots see no other alternative than Turkey providing their security

[02] Turkey's MFA will pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] The Cyprus problem is expected to be discussed between Putin and Erdogan

[04] The "immovable property commission" cannot be an effective remedy due to financial problems

[05] Volkan paper claims that FETO transferred money through Cyprus to African countries

[06] "Who are the buddies of Bulent Arinc here!"

[07] German former MEP of Turkish origin is appointed as head of the anti-Gulen operations in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] Erdogan and Putin talks are expected to boost trade relations

[09] "GAU rector" Akpinar said that they are planning to establish an airline

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: The Turkish Cypriots see no other alternative than Turkey providing their security

Akinci noted that in case the ongoing negotiations result positively, the Turkish Cypriots will have their own police, parliament, government and coastguard. "In parallel to this, as the community fewer in number we want, of course, the continuation of Turkey's guarantees", he said alleging that this is a wish of the Turkish Cypriot "people".

Referring to the Kokkina incidents, Akinci alleged that the Turkish Cypriots exhibited a very serious resistance example and if there was not for Turkey's help, the result could have been much worse. "If I said that we are continuing today the same quest as the struggle and the quest of those days, it would not be wrong", he claimed and added: "Our most important duty is to take lessons from the past and build the future. The most important point for not repeating the past is taking lessons from what happened in the past. If we do not take lessons, the same things may be repeated. [?] The Turkish Cypriot people see no other alternative than Turkey providing their security."

Noting that they are also facing internal problems, Akinci expressed the view that it would be a mistake to leave the solution of these problems to the period after the solution of the Cyprus problem. He noted that problems will continue to exist after the solution of the Cyprus problem, but the difficulties deriving from the fact that they are outside the international law for 53 years and the non-recognition of the "TRNC" will be solved with their participation in the international community.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkey's MFA will pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

It is reported that Cavusoglu will carry out high level contacts during his visit.

(DPs)

[03] The Cyprus problem is expected to be discussed between Putin and Erdogan

He also expressed the following view: "Russia, which is a member of the UNSC, supports a Cypriot solution and rejects an imposed NATO solution. In this sense, it is not correct to expect Russia to say 'yes' to a solution plan which will be formed with pressure by the Euro-Atlantic community. Therefore, Russia and Turkey may meet at the same point".

Ozsaglam further argued that we should not be surprised if the security issues come forward in parallel to the energy issues and the two countries' cooperation is increased on the security issues.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The "immovable property commission" cannot be an effective remedy due to financial problems

According to the paper, the "commission", which was set up in 2006, has come to an end due to various reasons. Although, the "commission" is still in "the line of duty", does not have the financial resources.

The applications by the Greek Cypriots to the "Commission" have dropped significantly. While in 2011, 1,926 Greek Cypriots applied to the "commission", the number fell to 182 in 2015. The first 7 months in 2016, there were only 31 applications.

As of 2016, the "commission" has paid GBP 227,162,314 to the applicants as compensation.

The paper reports that in 2015 the 255 applications from the 312 were adjourned sine die by the "commission". The "commission" said that the reasons of the indefinite postponement were the financial problems.

(DPs)

[05] Volkan paper claims that FETO transferred money through Cyprus to African countries

The paper alleges that part of this money sent in the occupied area of Cyprus was transferred to African countries like Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya through the government controlled areas of Cyprus. With this money, FETO schools were built in these countries and huge investments were made especially at the real sector.

The paper further reports that with the money left behind in the occupied area of Cyprus plots, apartments, houses, farms and fields were bought in the name of different persons in various places in the "TRNC" (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). Meanwhile, some buildings that belong to FETO in the occupied area of Keryneia are still under construction.

(DPs)

[06] "Who are the buddies of Bulent Arinc here!"

Noting that Bulent Arinc is a person served at important posts in the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the columnist reports that Arinc received a serious blow after the coup attempt of 15 July. "Serious accusations were made against him and what is more these came from within his own party", writes Ozadam adding that after the coup Arinc stated that "you can call me foolish" in an expression of regret for his relations with Gulen, but "he is already branded".

Noting that now all eyes in Turkey are turned to Bulent Arinc and those who are indirectly accused like him, while in the occupied area of Cyprus all eyes are turned to persons who have close relations with Arinc.

He adds the following: "Notifications from Ankara are being made on this issue! Who are the politicians in the TRNC who have close relations with Arinc! Or what kind of relation they have! Of course Bulent Arinc confessed, said he was fooled in the night of 15 July and made his self-criticism, but? According to rumors from Ankara again, there is a quiet environment now in the TRNC! We have noted the statement made by Turkish ambassador Kanbay that 'there may be dismissals'. Because there will be dismissals! And these will be in posts which you cannot predict. The only thing which is being done now is sending reports to Ankara. When Ankara presses the button, the fears will be materialized. Let the information as regards the institutions [at which this will happen] stay with us for now! However, the politicians who are buddies of Bulent Arinc here will always sit on pins and needles. The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu will come to the island for few days! The period to follow seems to us like a cyclone?"

(I/Ts.)

[07] German former MEP of Turkish origin is appointed as head of the anti-Gulen operations in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper recalls that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) had accepted Ceyhun as its "honorary member" and notes that plots of land had been allotted to him in occupied Tymbou area, but afterwards this land was taken away from him. "Since he is returning now to the island as an employee of the AKP, it means that he has a lot of work to do", concludes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Erdogan and Putin talks are expected to boost trade relations

The meeting in St. Petersburg marks the first meeting between the two leaders since Russia and Turkey began normalizing relations following the downing of a Russian jet in November last year.

Cooperation in energy projects, tourism, food and industrial exports as well as new investments are expected to be discussed during the talks, in addition to efforts towards boosting trade volume.

Two months prior to the jet crisis, the two countries had set a goal to increase mutual trade volume to $100 billion by 2023.

The trade increased nearly 18% between 2010 and 2014 to over $30 billion, according to Turkish Statistical Institute.

Official data from Turkish Statistical Institute and Russian Federal Statistics Service Rossat showed that last year Russia was the second largest destination of Turkish exports while it was the third largest source of imports to Turkey.

In the first six months of 2016, Turkey's exports to Russia dropped by 60.5% to $737 million compared to the same period last year.

The crisis also had a negative effect on tourism, after Moscow banned the sale of package tours and charter flights to Turkey. Due to these restrictions, Turkey lost $840 million in tourism revenue over the first half of the year, as the number of Russian tourists travelling to Turkey dropped by 87% to around 184,000 compared to the same period last year.

Energy cooperation, and in particular the Turkish Stream pipeline project, and Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant are other topics of critical importance expected to be discussed at the meeting.

Announced by Putin in Dec. 2014 during a visit to Ankara, the Turkish Stream pipeline project plans to carry Russian gas via the Black Sea and Turkey to southeastern Europe.

The project was shelved following the crisis. Now with the normalization of relations between the countries underway, the project is expected once more to be an important topic for bilateral talks. On July 29, Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak said that talks with Turkey had resumed on the Turkish Stream natural gas project.

The meeting is also expected to help re-start Turkey's first nuclear power plant project. In 2010, Turkey signed agreements with Russia on the construction and operation of nuclear power plants in Turkey.

Turkey's first nuclear power plant Akkuyu, in the province of Mersin at the southern Mediterranean coast, was due to be carried out by Russia with a budget of $25 billion. It is under construction and will have a capacity of 4,800 megawatts with four units.

[09] "GAU rector" Akpinar said that they are planning to establish an airline

Speaking in a television programme, Akpinar announced that they, as "KUP", have a project, which is promoted lately, to establish an airline. He added that this project will obtain huge advantages for their students.

(DPs) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs /AM)

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