Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-11-08

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 Press

[01] Barrage of criticisms against President Anastasiades' latest remarks

[02] Columnists assess the statements made by President Anastasiades on the Cyprus problem

[03] Ozersay gives the first signal for a possible "coalition" with UBP

[04] Baybars: 2,561 persons were not allowed to enter the occupied area because they were considered "unfavorable tourists"

[05] Statements by Ataoglu and Savasan on the occupation regime's tourism sector

[06] A survey shows that the support to the Turkish Cypriot political parties has decreased significantly

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: Turkey to produce local healthcare equipment

[02] Turkey calls on US to end all engagements with PYD/YPG

[03] Pakistan invites Turkey to join $64 billion mega project

---

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Barrage of criticisms against President Anastasiades' latest remarks

Under the title "Reactions on Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades!", Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (08.11.18), on its front page, reports that the latest statements of the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades during his press conference on Tuesday night became the reason for reactions in the Turkish Cypriot side. Many Turkish Cypriot politicians and organizations reacted to Anastasiades' statements.

Baris Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's spokesman, claimed that Anastasiades' remarks show that the political equality cannot be accepted (digested). He added that Akinci will hold a press conference on Monday the 12 of November to share his views with the public.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Burcu criticized President Anastasiades' latest remarks. He argued that Anastasiades had made it clear in his address to his people that they cannot accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot side and its active participation in Cyprus. He further claimed: "Mr Anastasiades has recently spoken about a loose federation or a decentralized federation. Yet he has not clarified these views during his meeting with Akinci or during his address to his people therefore we cannot quite understand what he means, which authorities will defer from the federal government to the constituent/founding states. As Akinci had made it clear during a number of occasions, if Anastasiades clarifies exactly what he means and clearly shows that he will work towards a result orientated and not an open ended talks process, only then, he (refers to Akinci) as the Turkish Cypriot side's representative, is open for discussion on this ma tters. The Turkish Cypriot side's active participation in all decision making processes within the framework of federal authority, even if their numbers is reduced, is a sine quo non for the Turkish Cypriots. Our political equality is not up for discussion".

Burcu also argued that the federal understanding is based on the sharing of its authority and riches and unfortunately Mr Anastasiades doesn't want to share either. He concluded by claiming: "Despite our side calling for collaboration on the hydrocarbon resources Mr Anstasiades prefers this area to remain in a crisis and this is very disappointing".

On the same issue, Kudret Ozersay, self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister, alleged that Anastasiades with his recent remarks surrounding decentralization was trying to curb the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.18), under the title "Anastasiades has confused them", reports that self-styled prime minister Tufan Erhurman also claimed that Anastasiades' latest statements have once more demonstrated that the fundamental issue is that the political equality cannot be accepted. He added: "Whether or not the centre or the wings are strong, it does not matter; they must comprehend and accept that the political equality in the federation is a sine qua non".

In a written statement, the new leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar, commenting on Anastasiades' statements, claimed that Anastasiades was trying to pass an old idea as something new. He further alleged that the fact that Anastasiades still set as a condition for a solution Turkey's guarantees to be nulled, is a proof that the Greek Cypriot leader does not aim a solution, and he still lives with the dream to turn Cyprus into Greek.

Cemal Varoglu, general secretary of the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP), said that the TDP supports a federal solution based on bi-zonal, bi-communal and political equality within the framework of the UN parameters and they do not adopt a definition of federation other than that.

Afet Ozcafer, general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), said that they do not lean forward to Anastasiades' proposal for decentralization, claiming that in their opinion, Anastasiades is trying to dilute the issue by pulling it elsewhere.

Erhan Arikli, the leader of the Revival Party (YDP), argued that there is no difference between decentralization and loose federation by claiming that Anastasiades in order to eliminate the false effect which was created in the Greek Cypriot side on the concept of loose federation, he found a new concept and called it decentralization. He noted that the content of the proposal is more important rather than the name, adding that the Greek Cypriot leader's proposal is extremely logical.

Arikli further argued that the deferral from the federation issue on the Cyprus problem should be accepted by both sides, adding that they, as YDP, find Anastasiades' proposal worthy of discussion.

(DPs)

[02] Columnists assess the statements made by President Anastasiades on the Cyprus problem

Turkish Cypriot columnists assess the statements made the night before yesterday by President Anastasiades on the Cyprus problem.

Under the title "Anastasiades confessed in the end", Turkish Cypriot columnist Mete Tumerkan in Halk?n Sesi newspaper (08.11.18) alleges that it has been clearly seen once more that President Anastasiades does not want to share the island's administration and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots. Tumerkan claimed that President Anastasiades said that he opposes the effective participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the decision making and alleged that the President showed that he could not accept political equality, arguing that he brought the decentralization approach onto the agenda in order to abolish political equality. "In brief, he showed why there was no federal solution until today and who prevented it", alleges Tumerkan.

Under the title "What Cavusoglu said to Anastasiades?" columnist Sami Ozuslu in Turkish Cypriot Yeni Duzen newspaper (08.11.18) describes as "a tale" President Anastasiades proposal for a decentralized federation because, as he claimed, federation is anyway a decentralized administration system, something which is one of its main differences from the "national state". The columnist argues also that President Anastasiades' statements launched a new round of accusations between the sides and recalls that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci will make statements on 12 November to reply to President Anastasiades.

Ozuslu alleges also that the reason for President Anastasiades proposing a decentralized federation is to prolong the discussions for finding a solution in Cyprus for another 50 years and argues that "it seems that there is an agreement between Anastasiades and Ankara on this issue". Noting that President Anastasiades refrained from revealing the content of his discussions with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the columnist says that neither he, nor the Turkish Cypriots, or even Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci know what Cavusoglu told President Anastasiades. He claims:

"If Cavusoglu relieved him to submit the decentralized federation tale, the following conclusion is drawn: It means that they agreed on telling this tale and discussing the federal solution with strong wings for another 50 years, that is on the issue of the continuation of the status quo".

Turkish Cypriot Volkan newspaper (08.11.18) alleges that President Anastasiades buried the federal solution in Cyprus by opposing the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots, Turkey's guarantees and the presence of even a single Turkish soldier on the island. The paper claims that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci's policy for finding a federal solution went bankrupt and that the insistence on starting negotiations on this basis would be nothing else but "loss of time" for the Turkish Cypriots. The paper claims that for this reason, the "assembly" of the breakaway regime should extraordinarily convene to assess President Anastasiades' statements, annul its previous decision in favor of a federal solution in Cyprus and declare that the only solution which could be found from now on is a solution on the basis of "two equal sovereign states".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay gives the first signal for a possible "coalition" with UBP

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberator newspaper (08.11.18) reports that so-called deputy prime minister and "foreign minister" and leader of the People's Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay in statements last night at Genc TV, refused claims that there is a crisis at the "four-party coalition government", alleging that he did not hold any meetings regarding the formation of a "new government".

Ozersay, however, said that if the "government" collapses, and the party's organs decide, they may hold meetings with all the Turkish Cypriot political parties including the UBP. Ozersay refuted claims that he is at a bargain with the UBP for the formation of a new "government".

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (08.11.18) under the title: "The first signal for a partnership with UBP by Ozersay", underlines the fact that Ozersay, when he was at the opposition front, he had stated "I would not drink even a coffee with the UBP", pointing out that Ozersay sent the first signal for a possible "coalition with the UBP".

Ozersay further stated that it is very early to discuss whether he would be a candidate or not for the "presidential elections" that will take place on 2020.

(AK)

[04] Baybars: 2,561 persons were not allowed to enter the occupied area because they were considered "unfavorable tourists"

Turkish Cypriot Yeni Duzen newspaper (08.11.18) reports that Aysegul Baybars, self-styled interior minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the regime's "migration police" had increased the frequency of their controls and that during the period January ? October 2,561 persons were considered "unfavorable tourists" and were not allowed to enter the occupied area of Cyprus.

In statements made yesterday, she said that they "obviously" need a policy on the issue of population and added that her "ministry" submitted to the "council of ministers" a "draft-law" on the regime's "citizenship" and another "draft-law" on the "permanent residence".

"During the past few years, forensic incidents which disturb us happened", she noted and added: "The changing demographic structure, the labor force which comes to the country, the increase of population, [and] the change of the socioeconomic structure necessitate some measures, which were not necessary in the past".

Referring to the "security systems" which will be established in the cities, Baybars noted that they will start from establishing these systems in the occupied part of Nicosia and Keryneia.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Statements by Ataoglu and Savasan on the occupation regime's tourism sector

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (08.11.18) reports that the so-called minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu, who is currently in London for the "World Travel Market" fair, attended a seminar called "TRNC Cyprus Tourism and Investment Opportunities seminar" which was co-organized by the "Businessmen's Association" in the occupied area of Cyprus ("MUSIAD Cyprus") and the "MUSIAD UK".

Speaking during the seminar, Ataoglu said that the "ministry" has launched preparations for the "tourism strategic plan" which will cover the years from 2018-2021. Ataoglu claimed that within this framework and especially after the completion of the "investments and construction works" which are taking place in occupied Keryneia and Vokolida, their aim in this three years, is for the number of "tourists" to reach 2 million, the revenues from the "tourism sector" to reach 2 billion dollars and the number of bed capacity to reach 40 thousand.

Meanwhile, the same paper reports that Ahmet Savasan, "chairman of the Cyprus health tourism council", who is also in London for the fair, issuing a written statement, alleged that he expects that the "revenues" from "health tourism in the TRNC" to be increased by 30%.

Savasan further stated that within the framework of their participation in the fair, they met with representatives of the tourism sector from several countries, with foreign journalist, while at the same time as he said, they had signed new agreements on health tourism.

(AK)

[06] A survey shows that the support to the Turkish Cypriot political parties has decreased significantly

Under the title "The people do not see the elections as a remedy", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.18), on its front page, publishes an opinion poll conducted by CMIRS (The Center for Migration, Identity and Rights Studies) on September 2018 on the Turkish Cypriot political parties.

According to the results of the survey, the support of the public to the political parties decreased significantly. It also showed that "most of the citizens stated that they would not go to the polls in a possible election and it was the highest rate in the survey conducted in the last 8 years".

The participants responded to the question "Which party would you vote if there was a general election next Sunday?" as follows compared also to past surveys:

Party	July	October	January	April	July	October	February	June	Sept
 	2016	2016	2017	2017	2017	2017	2018	2018	2018
UBP	17.73	19.9	30.69	18.3	18.5	19.01	12.93	19.7	16.4
CTP	10.4	8.15	9.95	11.4	12.65	15.89	8.62	19	10
TDP	4.02	3.84	2.49	1.7	5.39	4.43	2.72	5.3	2.4
HP	6.86	10.31	11.19	10.9	14.05	8.85	12.02	4.3	2.8
DP	1.65	2.4	3.48	1.4	2.34	3.39	2.72	1.5	1.8
YDP	-	-	-	-	-	0.26	0.23	-	0.8
YKP	0.47	0.24	1.24	-	0.47	0.52	-	-	0.2
BKP	-	-	0.5	-	0.23	0.78	0.68	-	0.4
KSP	0.47	0.48	-	0.2	0.23	-	0.23	-	-
TKP-YG	-	-	1.49	2.4	0.47	1.82	2.04	0.3	0.2
Mixed	8.27	7.91	3.48	10.2	7.96	7.29	13.83	19	10.4
Undecided voters	9.69	20.62	8.46	16.9	13.82	17.19	20.41	11.4	14.6
No vote	40.43	26.14	27.11	25.9	23.89	20.57	23.58	19.2	29.6
No answer	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9.4

(DPs)

---

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: Turkey to produce local healthcare equipment

Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.11.18 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/health/erdogan-turkey-to-produce-local-healthcare-equipments/1305151) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday domestic production in the health sector is as important as in the defense sector.

"Turkey needs a rapid nationalization, localization in the health sector," said Erdogan, speaking at the academic year opening ceremony of the University of Health Sciences in Ankara.

Erdogan said Turkey should produce its own tomography, ultrasonography and MRI machines, adding that the country has the human capital for this.

"Now we invite [leading] companies from the international community for joint production in our country and there are positive approaches," Erdogan said.

He said localization of the health sector was as "important and critical" as that of the defense sector.

Erdogan also said that Turkey's city hospitals will help the nation leap forward in health tourism.

He said six city hospitals were opened in six provinces so far and another "huge" one is set to be opened in Bilkent, Ankara in December.

Erdogan also said the number of ambulances rose from 618 to 5,000, while 112 emergency health stations increased to 2,668 from 481 during the rule of AK Party.

He added that bed capacities of hospitals and total health sector workers has more than doubled and a total of 231,000 doctors have been staffed over the last 16 years.

[02] Turkey calls on US to end all engagements with PYD/YPG

Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.11.18 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkey-calls-on-us-to-end-all-engagements-with-pyd-ypg/1305417) reports that Turkey considers every support given to the PYD and YPG as a direct or indirect support to the terror group PKK, the country's presidential aide said on Wednesday.

Speaking following a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex, Ibrahim Kalin said Turkey would never allow a terrorist group's structuring in the east of Euphrates River.

Commenting on the U.S. relations with the PYD/YPG, Kalin said: "Turkey's main expectation from the U.S., which is our NATO ally and strategic partner, is to end its all engagements with PYD/YPG, Syrian branch of PKK terror group."

"It is a futile effort from the U.S. to describe the PYD and YPG -- which they used to describe as the Syrian branch of the PKK-- as a legitimate group which has no links with terrorism and the PKK," Kalin said.

Kalin said Turkey makes no distinction between terrorist organizations and added: "Wherever it comes, inside or outside, Turkish Republic will resolutely continue fighting terrorist threats with all its institutions."

Kalin stressed that Turkey's fight against Daesh terrorist group was ongoing and said: "We can never accept the argument that the measures Turkey has been taking against PYD/YPG, that is PKK, is weakening its fight against Daesh."

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including those of women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

Kalin also said schools linked to Fetullah terrorist organization (FETO) were closed in 21 countries since July 15, 2016 defeated coup, and called it as "a diplomatic success."

"Our comprehensive struggle against the Fetullah terrorist organization is continuing all over the world. It is not possible to make any concessions on this issue," presidential aide said.

He called on the countries "supporting and letting FETO activities in their countries" to take a clear stance against the terrorist group.

In addition, Yeni Safak (08.11.18 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/turkeys-expectation-from-us-is-to-not-send-weapons-ammunition-to-ypg-pkk-defmin-3465647) also reports that

Turkey expects the United States to take the same stance against the People's Protection Units (YPG) as it has taken against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday.

Turkey's expectation from the U.S. is for it to not send weapons and ammunition to the YPG terrorist organization, Akar added.Akar called a move by the U.S. to put bounties on three PKK terrorists "positive" but "belated."

[03] Pakistan invites Turkey to join $64 billion mega project

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (08.11.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pakistan-invites-turkey-to-join-64-billion-mega-project-138670) reports that Pakistan has invited Turkey to join the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which would benefit both countries, official media said Nov. 8.

"Pakistan highly values its relations with Turkey, and the new government desires to further strengthen relations between Islamabad and Ankara, said Asad Qaiser, the Speaker of the National Assembly, while speaking with Turkey's Ambassador to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul.

Yurdakul met with Qaiser in his office at Parliament House in Islamabad.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, Qaiser invited Turkey to join CPEC, which will benefit all countries in the region.

CPEC, a $64 billion megaproject signed in 2014, aims to connect China's strategically important northwestern Xinjiang province to Pakistan's Gwadar Port through a network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport cargo, oil and gas.

The economic corridor will not only provide China with cheaper access to Africa and the Middle East but will also earn Pakistan billions of dollars for providing transit facilities to the world's second-largest economy.

Turkey's Ambassador also vowed to strengthen relations with Pakistan.

"The Turkish people always consider Pakistan as their second home, and we wish to see this country always strong and prosperous," Yurdakul said.

Yurdakul also extended an invitation to Qaiser to attend the second League of Parliamentarian Conference for Al-Quds, which will be held on Dec. 14 in Istanbul.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/AM)

---

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article