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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 25.04.19

 

Contents

A.Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Bi-zonal bi-communal federation is the solution in Cyprus, says CTP

2. Akinci attends a congress on diabetes

3. Akansoy: Turkey has a problem with Denktas

4. “4th International Universities Search and Rescue games” to be launched today in the occupied area of Cyprus

5. Besim met in Istanbul with Turkey’s Minister of Health

B. Turkish Press

1.Erdogan: “Turkey’s critics over Armenian issue have bloody past” ; MFA condemns Trump over genocide remarks

2. Cavusoglu and Akar reiterate Turkey’s stance to continue defending its rights and interests in Aegean and EM

3. Russia looks at supplying Russian jets to Turkey; Russia to start delivering S-400s to Turkey in July

 

A.Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Bi-zonal bi-communal federation is the solution in Cyprus, says CTP

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs (25.04.19) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has said that the comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem could be reached only through negotiations and that this solution is a United Federal Cyprus based on bi-zonality and the political equality of the two communities.

In a message on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the referendum on the Annan Plan, CTP reiterated the “urgent call” for peace on the island and argued that an important door was opened in the world for the Turkish Cypriots with their “yes” vote in the referendum, but they were not connected with the world.

“The world found out that there is a community called the Turkish Cypriot community, which is modern, contemporary, supports peace and wants a solution”, claimed the party.  

(I/Ts.)   

 

2. Akinci attends a congress on diabetes

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Star Kıbrıs (25.04.19) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci attended the opening ceremony of the 55th National Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutritional Diseases Congress organized at a hotel in occupied Vokolida area by the Turkish Diabetes Foundation and the Turkish Diabetes Association.

In his address, Akinci expressed his sorrow for the fact that a delegation from India had allegedly been prevented from participating in the congress upon an initiative by the High Commission of India to Nicosia. He argued that there should be no Greeks and Turks on this issue and that humane life should be in its epicenter. He argued that everybody would benefit from the conclusions of this scientific congress. “This issue should not have a nationality”, he noted.  

(I/Ts.)

 

3. Akansoy: Turkey has a problem with Denktas

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Haberci (25.04.19) reports that Asim Akansoy, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that some obstacles existed on the issue of signing the so-called economic protocol with Turkey. Speaking on a radio program yesterday, Akansoy noted that “the protocol cannot be signed unconditionally”.

“We have our priorities and demands”, he argued and added: “There is an obstacle with Turkey on the issue of electricity. This is one of the problems. Turkey has from the beginning a problem with Mr Serdar Denktas. They do not want to meet [him]. This is the second obstacle for the relations to come to this point”.

(I/Ts.) 

 

4. “4th International Universities Search and Rescue games” to be launched today in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (25.04.19) reports that the “4th International Universities Search and Rescue Games for 2019 “ will be launched in the occupied area of Cyprus today.

According to the paper, the “event is co-organized by the civil defense organization and the International Universities Search and Rescue Council (IUSARC)”.  The “international games” will be completed on April 29. 

11 “universities” from the “TRNC”, 3 Universities from Turkey, 1 from Pakistan and 1 from Kazakhstan are expected to participate in the “games”. 

(AK)

 

5. Besim met in Istanbul with Turkey’s Minister of Health

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli (25.04.19) reports that so-called minister of health Filiz Besim met yesterday in Istanbul with Turkey’s Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Traditional and Subsidiary Medical Congress for 2019.

According to information acquired by the “ministry”, during the meeting the latest developments concerning the “construction” of the new “Lefkosia state hospital” were discussed. Besim further exchanged views with Koca on the new “cardiology clinic” to be built in the occupied area of Cyprus.

In statements after the meeting, the two “ministers” reaffirmed their “cooperation” also on the issue of medicines and vaccines and also they decided to meet again in the future.

(AK)

B. Turkish Press

1.Erdogan: “Turkey’s critics over Armenian issue have bloody past” ; MFA condemns Trump over genocide remarks

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (24.04.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/france-not-concerned-with-truth-of-1915-events-erdogan-142891) reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out on April 24 at those who claim that Turkey committed genocide against the Armenians.

“We already know that those, who are stirring up trouble with so-called Armenian genocide allegations, France in particular, do not have any intention of seeking the truth and we want the entire world to know it, too,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan made the comments during a symposium on archives and historical research held the same day that France marked its first national commemoration of the 1915 killing of Armenians.

“We see that those who attempt to lecture us on democracy and human rights over the Armenian issue themselves have a bloody past,” Erdogan said.

He then welcomed researchers to quest for the truth in the national archives.

Erdogan further accused the Armenians and their supporters of massacring the Muslim people, including women and children, in eastern Anatolia and said their relocation to the Syrian Desert was “the most reasonable action that could be taken in such a period.”  “Relocation is one thing, massacre is another thing,” he said.

Erdogan added further that no one has been able to prove with archival evidence that an Armenian genocide occurred.     

Turkey’s version of the events of 1915 is that some Armenians in eastern Anatolia were relocated after they sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. The relocation resulted in numerous deaths.      

Turkey objects to characterization of the deaths as “genocide.” The government maintains that the 1915 events were a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties. Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to discuss that period of history.     

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (24.04.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-rejects-trumps-characterization-of-1915-incidents-as-meds-yeghern-142913) reported that Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized a statement issued by United States President Donald Trump on the mass killings of Armenians in 1915, calling on Washington not to distort historical facts for internal political gains.

“We reject the statement by U.S. President Trump on the 1915 incidents on April 24, 2019. Based on the subjective narrative fictionalized by the Armenians, this statement has no value at all. The distortion of history for political objectives is unacceptable,” read a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on April 24. Turkey’s reply came hours after the White House issued Trump’s message on Armenian Remembrance Day.

(…)Turkey’s statement recalled that more than half a million Muslims were massacred in the same period by Armenian rebel groups and called on Trump to be “fairer.”

“Turkey remains to be behind its proposal for the establishment of a joint history commission for the full investigation of the incidents of 104 years ago,” the statement added.

 

2. Cavusoglu and Akar reiterate Turkey’s stance to continue defending its rights and interests in Aegean and EM

Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.04.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-ministers-discuss-security-foreign-relations/1461990) reported that Turkey’s Defense Minister and Foreign Minister met on Wednesday to discuss the regional security and foreign relations in Ankara, the Defense Ministry said in a written statement. 

In an evaluation meeting between the delegations, Hulusi Akar and Mevlut Cavusoglu addressed the latest developments in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the proposed safe zone in Syria, in particular, a Ministry statement added.

Also attended by senior Turkish officials, including Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler, Land Forces Commander Umit Dundar, Naval Forces Commander Adnan Ozbal, Air Forces Commander Hasan Kucukakyuz and Deputy Foreign Ministers Sedat Onal and Yavuz Selim Kiran, the meeting reiterated Turkey’s stance in defending Turkey’s rights and interests both in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

3. Russia looks at supplying Russian jets to Turkey; Russia to start delivering S-400s to Turkey in July

Turkish Daily Hurriyet Daily News (24.04.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russia-looks-at-supplying-russian-jets-to-turkey-142911) reported that Russia has signaled a willingness to sell Russian-made war planes to Turkey if the United States halts delivery of F-35 fighter jets.

Alexander Mikheev, head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, said on April 24 that Russia is ready to discuss the possibility, according to Interfax news agency.

“If the Turkish side applies to us for consultations, we will be ready to consult with the Russian United Aircraft Company within the scope of our possibilities,” he said.

The U.S. announced on March 28 that it had suspended the delivery of the F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets to Turkey over Ankara’s plans to buy Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

The first two F-jets were delivered to Turkey in June, and Turkish pilots started training at the Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Earlier this month, Turkey received two more F-35 jets. Currently, Turkish pilots continue their training, and the jets will be deployed to Malatya air base in Turkey by November.

Meanwhile, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on April 23 said that Turkey was unfazed by U.S. threats and had a Plan B in case the U.S. continues to block F-35 deliveries and terminates the deal.

“We have short-term, medium-term and long-term plans”, Akar said.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (24.04.19) reported that Mikheev has stated that Russia will start delivering its S-400 missile defense systems to Turkey in July, "Everything has been already discussed and agreed," Mikheev told Interfax.

 

 

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/EH)