Subject: Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-20 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW CONTENTS No. 203/17 20 .10.17 [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Akinci: "We will not throw the UN parameters into the garbage" [02] Atun claimed that the "electricity transfer project" from Turkey is to be completed by 2020 [03] Health protocol between the breakaway regime and Turkey [04] Turkish Cypriot columnist assesses the relations with Turkey in view of the "elections" [05] The "KTSO" "signed" a "cooperation protocol" with the National Chamber of Industry and Trade of Kenya [06] The "chairman" of the "MUSIAD Cyprus" attended the "official delegation" which accompanied Erdogan in Poland [07] YDP: "We were the guests; now we are the hosts" [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS [01] Akinci: "We will not throw the UN parameters into the garbage" Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika and all the other Turkish Cypriot newspapers today (20.10.17) refer to statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci addressing an economic and political seminar at the illegal "Technological University of the Middle East ? North Cyprus" [Translator's note: See Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19.10.17, item 1], as published by Akinci's "office". Under the banner front page title "If I could not do it, no one can", Afrika comments on these statements and says: "Mustafa Akinci, who has come to office with claims of [finding] a solution but does not refer to the word solution anymore, has now started explaining to the community how division could take place" and "spoke very self-confidently". During his speech, Akinci alleged the following: "As long as there is a problem, the quests for a solution will continue. Whatever will happen, it will happen through negotiations. Even if the result is division, it will happen through negotiations, through consensus. We will not close the doors for dialogue, to throw the UN parameters into the garbage. I am very clear as to what will happen from now on. Everyone must be realistic. After an experience of 50 years, the Turkish Cypriot people will not enter into a negotiating process, which will lead us to the same unproductiveness again with the same methods and the same understandings". Reiterating the allegation that the method of the negotiations should change in order for achieving a result, Akinci claimed that the negotiations should not be open-ended and a serious change of mentality should take place in the Greek Cypriot community in order for another attempt to be made within a concrete framework focused on the result "with the approach of the balanced package" included in the recent report of the UNSG. He also expressed the view that carrying out dialogue is not possible now because of the presidential elections in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus and alleged that Foreign Minister Kasoulides and DISY chairman Neofitou have stated that the Greek Cypriot side is not ready for negotiations because of the election climate. Referring to the recent report on Cyprus submitted by the UNSG to the Security Council, Akinci alleged that with this report the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to blame the Turkish Cypriot side for the failure of the negotiations were proved to be in vain. He argued, however, that the Turkish Cypriot side feels that a great injustice was made against it, since the UNSG did not want to clearly point out who was responsible for the failure, because negotiations will continue. "The UNSG, however, should not have committed the mistake of equally sharing responsibility", he claimed. Referring to statements describing the UN parameters for the Cyprus problem as "dead and buried", Akinci further alleged that the "mentality of the Greek Cypriot leadership" which was not in harmony with the UN parameters was responsible for the failure of the negotiations and not the parameters themselves. He argued: "I have never said that the UN parameters are dead and buried. Because it is not the UN that sat down and wrote these things called UN parameters. The majority of these parameters are a set which consists of elements brought onto the agenda by the Turkish Cypriot side, such as bi-zonality, which was shaped by the negotiations during the years, the political equality, the rotating presidency, which entered into UNSG Guterres' framework at Crans Montana and similar issues. It is not wise to throw into the garbage elements and principles which we obtained by the leaders before me and by me and come face to face with the UN. Yes, it is not possible for the negotiations to continue within the same framework, a change of understanding, method and framework is needed. This should be defended together with our people, our political parties and Turkey". (I/Ts.) [02] Atun claimed that the "electricity transfer project" from Turkey is to be completed by 2020 Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.10.17) reports that so-called minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun, in exclusive statements to the paper, referred, inter alia, to the "electricity transfer project" with underwater cables from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus and argued that they foresee the completion of the "project" to take place in 2020. He further argued that AKSA organization [Translator's note: AKSA is the only private sector electricity producer in the island" will not have a role in the "TRNC's electricity policy in 2018". He further claimed that AKSA is "one of the reasons for the delay of the implementation of the electricity transfer project" from Turkey. Atun reiterated also that after the completion of the "electricity transfer project" from Turkey they will be discussing the possibility of "selling electricity to south Cyprus". (AK) [03] Health protocol between the breakaway regime and Turkey Illegal Bayrak television (20.10.17) broadcast that the self-styled health minister Faiz Sucuoglu met with the Turkish Health Minister Ahmet Demircan in Ankara and discussed a health "protocol" which contains the revision of current hospitals and buildings of new ones. Speaking during a joint press conference Demircan said they agreed to further develop the cooperation between the two "ministries" and added that the "protocol" will be signed once the work has been completed. Demircan stressed that just like in other fields; Turkey will continue to share its knowledge so that "necessary works to continuing towards the needs of Cyprus in the field of health." Demircan also stressed that "cooperation with the TRNC will continue in the fields of infrastructure, hospitals, laboratories and education". Sucuoglu on his part said that they discussed the steps to be taken in the health system in the "TRNC" adding that they came to terms on many issues. "Hopefully, as a result of these works and with the new protocols we will be able to improve the infrastructure and make the necessary changes in the health system in the TRNC" Sucuoglu argued. [04] Turkish Cypriot columnist assesses the relations with Turkey in view of the "elections" Writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (20.10.17), Unal Findik assesses the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey and argues that this is the issue, which they should discuss the most during the "election" campaign. Findik notes that those who expect a radical change after the amendment of the "election law" are waiting in vain because "I do not think that a radical change is possible with this structure". He adds the following: "[?] The issue I want to elaborate upon while going towards the early elections is the relations with Turkey. The 'mother-child relation' of today has been built on 'eliminating the Turkish Cypriot community, melting it in the Turkish community, assimilating it'. This form of relation should rapidly change. Now, some might ask 'Are you not a Turk?' Yes, but I am a Turkish Cypriot. I was born on these lands, I was raised on these lands. [?] Therefore the Turkish Cypriot identity cannot be defined as Turkish identity only. This community is different than the Turkish community in Turkey. This difference derives from its geography, culture, customs and traditions. Trying to eliminate this difference is tantamount to trying to annihilate the Turkish Cypriot community. The pressure for citizenships and the fact that those who govern cannot resist to this pressure is the biggest danger. [?] It is said that since this government was established, 10 thousand citizenships were granted [?] The community will either melt, will be eliminated within a bigger community, or it will continue its existence and take its honourable place as equal partner in a united Cyprus. And for this, it is necessary to continue its communal existence. We must now understand that, if the relations with Turkey continue in this manner, not only we will not be able to become equal partners in a united Cyprus, but we will not be able to be equal partners even in the TRNC [itself]. And we must produce solutions [about this]. In my view, this is the issue which must be discussed the most in the elections. Otherwise, we must be ready for unexpected results. Do not be surprised if, perhaps not in these elections but in one of the following elections, half of the assembly is filled up with persons who have been recently granted citizenship. And the result of this will be a decision to unite with Turkey through a referendum, like Alexandretta. [?]" (I/Ts.) [05] The "KTSO" "signed" a "cooperation protocol" with the National Chamber of Industry and Trade of Kenya Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (20.10.17) reports that the "Turkish Cypriot chamber of industry" ("KTSO") "signed" a "cooperation protocol agreement" with the National Chamber of Industry and Trade of Kenya. According to a "statement" issued by the "KTSO", the "protocol" was "signed" in Ankara within the framework of the "Economic Cooperation Conference between Turkey and African countries" which is organized by the "Turkish Industrialist and Businesswomen Confederation" ("SANKON"). The "protocol" envisages the development of cooperation between the two "chambers" and "development of trade ties" between the "chambers". Also, within the framework of the "protocol", a delegation of the "KTSO" will carry out a visit in Kenya in 2018 in order to discuss their further cooperation. Meanwhile, in the framework of the forum, the delegation of the "KTSO" met with economic organizations and firms from several African countries, such as Morocco, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, south Sudan and others and discussed how the "Turkish Cypriot products" could be promoted to the market of their countries. The "KTSO" was represented in the conference by Caglar Turk, "responsible for foreign relations" and Taner Yolcu "member of the administration board". (AK) [06] The "chairman" of the "MUSIAD Cyprus" attended the "official delegation" which accompanied Erdogan in Poland Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (20.10.17) reports that Okyay Sadikoglu, "chairman" of the "Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association" in the occupied area of Cyprus (MUSIAD Cyprus), attended the official delegation of businessmen which accompanied Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his latest trip to Poland. Erdogan visited Poland this week where he attended the Turkish-Polish business forum. (AK) [07] YDP: "We were the guests; now we are the hosts" Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (20.10.17) reports that the Revival Party (YDP) held yesterday its first mass party meeting in occupied Keryneia. Bertan Zaroglu, general secretary of YDP, argued that he is proud of being the continuation of the Revival Party, which was established in 1985, adding that they relighted the torch that was turned off in 1992. He further argued: "For 25 years, they were playing with us as if we were a ping pong ball. In every place we have been, we were the guests, but now we are the hosts. This is our home, our warm nest!" Replying to claims that they will form alliance with other parties, Zaroglu claimed that "they have allied with the people and they are going for the power". (DPs) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/index_el/index_el?OpenDocument (CS / ??) Copyright (C) 2017 Press and Information Office, All rights reserved.