Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-19

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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] Turkish Cypriot press: Trabzonspor arrived in Cyprus flying directly to Larnaca

[02] Eroglu says they are looking for an agreement having as starting point the "realities" in Cyprus

[03] Ozersay confirms the preparation of a Turkish plan on unilaterally opening occupied fenced Varosha

[04] Akansoy: opening Varosha should have a triggering contribution to the solution

[05] Nami and Talat exchanged views on the Cyprus talks

[06] "Mayor" of the occupied part of Lefkosia attends "Mediterranean Cities for Peace conference"

[07] The college of theology in occupied Mia Milia opened for the new school year

[08] Davutoglu: Syria will face consequences if it retaliates

[09] Davutoglu and Tuomioja discussed bilateral relations and the Cyprus problem

[10] Gul to meet Biden and Rouhani in New York

[11] CHP due to Washington

[12] Erdogan to environmental activists: Go and live in the forest

[13] Schoolbook in Turkey praises Taliban leader and calls children to go to war

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish Cypriot press: Trabzonspor arrived in Cyprus flying directly to Larnaca

According to the paper, in previous years airplanes from Turkey could not fly directly to the government-controlled area of Cyprus. This was reportedly realized for the first time as a result of an initiative by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (19.09.13) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Ozdil Nami held a contact with the Turkish Foreign Ministry as soon as he was informed on the issue. In statements to Yeni Duzen, Nami said that Turkish Foreign Ministry officials told him that the Greek pilots of the plane had changed the route upon their own initiative while they were on air. The officials said that the incident did not happen upon an initiative from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, as some media argued.

Commenting on the issue in his column in Yeni Duzen (19.09.13), Sami Ozuslu writes that flying directly from Trabzon to Larnaca "was definitely good news for the group, because the road would be shortened very much and it would not be necessary to wait at Rhodes".

Noting that since 1974 there has been no direct flight between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, Ozuslu writes, inter alia, the following: "Actually the change of route in Trabzon-Izmir-Rhodes line is not something unknown to us. The Turkish Cypriots had witnessed similar 'by passes' in the Tymvou-Izmir/Antalya/Dalaman- London route. When there were no passengers to get on or off the plane in Turkey, the pilots continued their way without making 'touch down', because this was not violating the international civil aviation rules. Violation of the rules could cause trouble for Turkey.

It is highly possible that the incident yesterday was realized in a similar manner. In any case, according to information having as source members of the group, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs played a role in the issue of the direct flight. This means that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a contact with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demanded change of route in order for the team having a relaxed journey. Athens discussed the issue with Nicosia and the issue was arranged?"

Ozuslu alleges that this move might not be recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, but it should be perceived "as a sign of approach" between Turkey and Cyprus.

Many Turkish Cypriot newspapers cover the issue on their front page, noting that this is the first time that a direct flight is held from Turkey to the government-controlled area of Cyprus since 1974.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu says they are looking for an agreement having as starting point the "realities" in Cyprus

Eroglu called on President Anastasiades to negotiate with him unconditionally and alleged that they want to continue the negotiations with good will and solve the Cyprus problem within this or the next year. Eroglu argued that it is important to pave the way for an agreement which will be guaranteeing the future of the Turkish Cypriots. "We want to solve this problem and erase it from the world's agenda" he alleged.

Referring to the Greek Cypriot side, Eroglu claimed, inter alia, the following:

"We are inviting them to a negotiating process without preconditions, but they continuously try to gain time with demands which could not be materialized. In our view, the last chance in the Cyprus issue should be used well?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay confirms the preparation of a Turkish plan on unilaterally opening occupied fenced Varosha

Ozersay alleged that the comprehensive solution in Cyprus is prevented by the approach of the Greek Cypriot side saying "give me Varosha in order for a climate of trust to be secured". He said, though, that some "courageous, rational and compatible with the international law steps" are needed in the Cyprus problem.

Ozersay said it is true that during the period he was serving as Eroglu's special representative, as he was doing with many other issues, he had prepared a proposal for a solution on the issue of occupied fenced city of Varosha which he believed that was "outside the established molds, different and really functional". Ozersay noted that the news broadcast the day before yesterday by Turkish NTV channel "was reflecting a part of this work".

Recalling that the official Turkish side has been for years that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution, Ozersay argued that "if you are going to bargain Varosha with the Greek Cypriot side, your statement that it is part of the comprehensive solution is understandable". He added, however, that instead of negotiating the issue with the Greek Cypriot side, the Turkish side could take a unilateral step, which will be in harmony with the international law and the human rights, bring the two communities closer to each other and revive the economy.

Noting that in this case it would have no meaning to say that "Varosha is part of the comprehensive solution", Ozersay explained that he is not talking about "giving Varosha away". "I believe that the Turkish side should realize creative ideas which would break the existing status quo, even though partly", he argued.

He said that his personal view is that Varosha could be opened under Turkish Cypriot administration and be bound to occupied Famagusta "municipality", that the demands of the Greek Cypriot owners regarding the return of their property could be evaluated at the "Immovable Property Commission" and that the so-called rights of EVKAF religious foundation could be protected in the area believed to be EVKAF property. He added he did not find strange that the Turkish side states that they have no proposal on the issue of Varosha, because what he had tried to put forward was a unilateral step by the Turkish side, not a proposal to the Greek Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akansoy: opening Varosha should have a triggering contribution to the solution

In statement during a television program, Akansoy argued that the proposals mentioned in the news "were not realistic". He claimed that seeing Varosha as "a pilot area" for the solution of the Cyprus problem, would be more rational. He expressed the following views on the issue:

"Varosha is a very important issue. It is an issue that has a role for revealing Greek Cypriots' expectation for the solution. As CTP the comprehensive solution is of course our priority. Any step taken towards the comprehensive solution could be an issue to be discussed with priority. It is not possible to ignore the steps that have been taken and open Varosha. Varosha can be opened, but this should have a triggering contribution to the solution. It is more rational to see it as a pilot area for the federal solution. Varosha could be opened only with a specific status".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Nami and Talat exchanged views on the Cyprus talks

During the meeting, Nami and Talat evaluated the Greek Cypriot stance as well as what the Turkish Cypriot side should do in order to reach a Cyprus settlement on the talks expected to resume on October. They came into the conclusion that it would be useful to be in consultation.

[06] "Mayor" of the occupied part of Lefkosia attends "Mediterranean Cities for Peace conference"

Kadri Fellahoglu ? "mayor" of the Turkish Cypriot municipality in the occupied part of Lefkosia - and Ozmen Birinci ? "municipality officer"- flew to France on Wednesday and they will return in the occupied areas of Cyprus on the 21st of September.

Fellahoglu has been invited to the conference by the Chairman of the Mayors for Peace, Daniel Fontaine. Participants will address a wide range of peace related issues, among them the role of cities to promote nuclear disarmament and peace, and how to develop Mayors for Peace's activities in this region.

[07] The college of theology in occupied Mia Milia opened for the new school year

[08] Davutoglu: Syria will face consequences if it retaliates

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu informed Secretary of State John Kerry about the downing of a Syrian helicopter by a Turkish jet and repeated that the Syrian chopper had violated Turkey's airspace.

For his part, Kerry updated Davutoglu on the efforts of France, the United Kingdom and the United States to convince Russia to adopt a strong resolution about the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, through the insertion of Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter that allows for the use of force in the case of non-compliance with the deal brokered by Washington and Moscow on Sept. 14 in Geneva.

The two Ministers also reviewed the U.N. report on the Aug. 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb, which allegedly stated that the regime was responsible. Davutoglu and Kerry are expected to meet in New York next week, where both will attend the U.N. General Assembly. New York will observe important meetings on Syria, with expectations that the much-anticipated Geneva 2 talks could be realized.

In the meantime, Turkish diplomats conveyed information to both the office of the U.N. Secretary-General and NATO over the helicopter attack. The information provided was no different to what Turkish authorities told the Turkish media, according to sources.

Turkey warned Damascus Sept.18 it would "face the consequences" if it sought to avenge the downing of the Syrian military chopper this week, but said it did not believe a border attack was a retaliatory strike, AFP has reported.

A car bomb exploded at Syria's rebel-held Bab al-Hawa border crossing into Turkey on Tuesday, wounding at least 12 people, according to a monitoring group, a day after Turkish warplanes shot down a Syrian helicopter which Ankara claimed violated its airspace. Davutoglu said Tuesday's bombing did not appear to be a revenge attack.

"Our security and intelligence units have been working on this, but one should not reach an early conclusion that it was retaliation," Davutoglu told a press conference in Ankara.

"Such retaliation against us within the Syrian territory cannot be considered," he said, warning: "The Syrian regime should know that it will face the consequences even if it thinks of retaliation."

[09] Davutoglu and Tuomioja discussed bilateral relations and the Cyprus problem

"Finland supports the enlargement of the EU and within this scope we have always supported keeping the EU door open for Turkey. If we contribute to keeping Turkey's candidate process alive, we will be glad," Tuomioja said.

Davutoglu praised Turkish-Finnish relations despite the fact that both countries are far from each other geographically and thanked his counterpart for Finland's open support for Turkey's EU bid.

Tuomioja said the MfP initiative launched by Finland and Turkey would help speed up issues of mediation and peace. Stating that the two countries will discuss cooperation in the fields of peace and mediation next week, the Finnish Foreign Minister said for peace issues, more financing and time is needed.

During Tuomioja's visit, which was upon the invitation of Davutoglu, the two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral relations, Turkey's EU candidacy process, the economic crisis in Europe, Cyprus and exchanged views on current regional and international issues.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Helsinki in November as a sign of enhancing relations.

[10] Gul to meet Biden and Rouhani in New York

Turkey will be represented at the United Nations by a high-level delegation led by President Abdullah Gul and will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and diplomats that will depart for New York on Sept. 21.

Gul, who will address the General Assembly on Sept. 24 after Brazilian President Dilma Roussef and U.S. President Barack Obama, will have two important meetings on Sept. 25 with Vice President Joe Biden and Iran's newly elected President, Hassan Rouhani. The Gul-Rouhani meeting will be the highest-level encounter between Turkish and Iranian officials since Rouhani won June elections.

Gul will attend a reception to be held by Obama and a lunch by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the side-lines of the General Assembly. In addition, Gul is expected to conduct more bilateral meetings in New York but there is no confirmed meeting yet.

Davutoglu will also hold meetings with his counterparts, with the Syrian crisis expected to be at the core of his agenda. With expectations that the deal brokered by the U.S. and Russia to destroy Syria's chemical weapons arsenal will be discussed in New York with the participation of key countries, Turkey wants to use the opportunity to conduct a meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People and its core group.

Apart from Syria-oriented talks, Gul will address forums to be organized by the U.N. General Assembly, especially on sustainable development. While in New York, Gul will give interviews to leading international media, attend a Turkish-American Business Council meeting and give a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations.

[11] CHP due to Washington

The CHP's two deputy chairs, Faruk Logoglu and Umut Oran, will be holding talks in Washington on Sept. 23 and 24 before proceeding to New York, where they will also engage in talks with several contacts during a Socialist International (SI) meeting. The meetings in Washington will be held with officials from the White House, the State Department and Congress, Logoglu told the Hurriyet Daily News on Sept. 18.

They will also be meeting with a number of think tank organizations in order to make the required arrangements for Kilicdaroglu to deliver speeches, he added, declining to give more details. The exact date of Kilicdaroglu's visit to the United States will apparently be set after the CHP delegation's talks.

The SI meeting in New York will coincide with the U.N. General Assembly's 68th Assembly, where scores of heads of state and governments will take to the podium next week. The SI meeting will be held at the "presidium" level, meaning that only party leaders will be able to attend. Kilicdaroglu, however, preferred not to attend the meeting as he does not want to be abroad at a time when there are domestic problems in the country, officials said.

[12] Erdogan to environmental activists: Go and live in the forest

"I noticed a placard today. 'We want forests, not roads.' Can something like that be? There are so many forests. You can't get to your university if you have no roads. But if you want, we can send you to the forest. Go and live in forests," Erdogan said, in an address to his Justice and Development Party (AKP) provincial mayors on Sept. 18.

The road the Prime Minister mentioned is the disputed project passing through the ODTU campus, which caused opposition from both university students and residents of the Cukurambar district of Ankara. Police had intervened repeatedly with tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators last week.

"Roads made civilization. Whatever they say, we will not give up building roads. Because roads connect people," Erdogan said.

"On March 30, we will have local elections. We have passed through three general and two local elections in the last 11 years, but I can assure you that this election on March 30 is the important one," Erdogan said, asking his mayors to work relentlessly to "prove once again the power of the people's will." "We will write another page of history on March 30," he added.

[13] Schoolbook in Turkey praises Taliban leader and calls children to go to war

Citing information published by Turkish Milliyet newspaper, Afrika reports that the book describes as "our leader" Gulbeddin Hikmetyar, leader of the Afghan Hizbi Islami organization, who is shown kneeling down next to Prime Minister Erdogan. The paper writes that this is a book of poems by Cahit Zarifoglu having on its cover a child holding a gun. The paper publishes excerpts of some poems, saying, inter alia, the following: "Muslim children from far away countries, I beg you, come to war. At least send us your pocket money to buy bullets. I beg you, do something from there and come to war".

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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