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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-17.10.19

 A. Turkish Cypriot press

1. Erhurman: “Cyprus talks should not resume from scratch”

2. Turkey’s RTUK promotes the international recognition of the occupation regime’s YYK

3. Turkish official asked for a DNA test to be done for Akinci

B. Turkish press

1. Diplomatic source in Turkey: “Operation in Syria, clear response to Trump’s letter to Erdogan”

2. Ozersay: Turkish Cypriots 'fully' back Turkey on terror fight

3. Erdoğan informed his party about Turkish operation in Syria and claimed that there were civilian massacres in Cyprus before the Turkish invasion

4. YPG released Daesh terrorists to attack Turkey, FM Çavuşoğlu claims

5. Turkish, Russian presidents to meet in Russia's Sochi

6. Turkish Defense Ministry: “Turkey 'neutralizes' 673 YPG/PKK persons in N Syria”

 

A. Turkish Cypriot press

1. Erhurman: “Cyprus talks should not resume from scratch”

Under the title “Our relations with Turkey are on the right ground”, Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Haberci (17.10.19) reports that Tufan Erhurman, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), during a meeting with the paper’s journalists, said that “the relations of the TRNC authorities with Turkey are very important and that good relations should be established on the right ground and the right ground is to have a self-sustained economy and democracy”.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Erhurman said that their views and statements on this issue are very clear. He explained that they support a comprehensive solution model on a federal basis, which will be achieved with a method that is result-oriented, not open-ended by protecting the past convergences and lift the debates on political equality. Reminding that they have a lot of experience on the Cyprus issue, Erhurman claimed that his party is one of the most expert on this issue. He added: “We don’t want the resumption of the Cyprus talks from scratch. In case of resuming the Cyprus talks with unclear limits, open-ended, they will return to the starting point”. 

Claiming that Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades not only does not approach with consensus on the issue of political equality, but also blocked the process with the concern that he would not be able to explain it to the public and to his people, Erhurman stressed that Crans Montana should never allow them to forget this.

Referring to political equality, Erhurman argued: “We don’t want the resumption of the Cyprus talks before the political equality debate is over. Because political equality is a matter that has been clarified in UN Security Council resolutions and has been agreed in past convergences. It is not possible to resume a negotiation process, which is result-oriented before the discussions on this issue are over. Because if this issue is reopened in the negotiation it would be like starting from scratch, and then it means that issues like bi-communality and bi-zonality may also open and it is clear that this will not end”.

Commenting also on the UBP-HP “coalition government”, Erhurman argued that during their four month performance the only thing they heard from the “government” is the “financial protocol”, their relations with Turkey and the fenced-off Varosha issue. Criticizing them for their statement that “as soon as they would have come to power they would have signed the protocol”, Erhurman said that the “protocol could only be published in the official gazette in September”, and added that “the amount that was announced before was much higher than the 750 million TL, which was begun to transfer and only 203 million TL will be transferred to the real sector and infrastructure”.  

(DPs)

2. Turkey’s RTUK promotes the international recognition of the occupation regime’s YYK

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (17.10.19) reports that the chairman of the  Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) Ebubekir Sahin has stated that they will continue doing everything necessary for the promotion of the “TRNC” and its media organizations in the international arena.

Speaking yesterday to Ankara Anatolia news agency, upon visiting the occupation regime and after meeting with “representatives” of the so-called broadcasting higher board (YYK), Sahin said that during his “contacts” in the “TRNC” an exchange of views was made on issues related with “possible cooperation agreements, protocols” and cooperation in several fields.

Stating that an exchange of views was made on three basic topics including their cooperation in the international field, Sahin added: “The Turkish Republic and the RTÜK are doing everything necessary for the increase of the international recognition of the TRNC’s YYK. We have also discussed the decisions we have taken so far and also how we can help them attend meetings even with observer status and we have reached an agreement on this”.

Sahin went on to claim that the occupation regime’s YYK has the right to attend the meetings of the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (ERPA) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Broadcasting Regulatory Authorities Forum (IBRAF) and added that their aim is to increase the number of organizations that YYK could attend. Explaining that they have submitted application for ERPA’s next summit to be organized in Turkey next year, Sahin said that they would do what is necessary so that the YYK to attend the summit with its “official name, as TRNC”.

Sahin expressed also satisfaction over the fact that “regulation procedures and controls in the field of media and broadcasting in the TRNC are decided with full consensus and unanimously”.

(AK)

3. Turkish official asked for a DNA test to be done for Akinci

Turkish daily Afrika (17.10.19) reports that another insult was added towards the attacks against the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci because of the statements he made on Turkey’s operation in  Syria.

In a post on social media, the director of Agriculture Mersin in Turkey Arif Abali said than an administrator should be appointed in the “TRNC”. He also asked for “TRNC’s” annexation to Mersin.

Abali further said that the “TRNC” has a population of 326,000 and should not be the “daughter country” but a district of Mersin.

“TRNC should become the 14th district of Mersin. We should put  an administrator and I should be the one to do this job.   […] My first job would be to make the English president [TR. Note: implying that he is not a Turk] of the TRNC to say the names of the martyrs we have had since 1571 and to sing ten verses of our National Anthem. I will ask my friend to have a DNA test as well”, he stated.

Afrika writes that Abali later stated to a local paper that the views he expressed were his personal views and he was not speaking as the director of the Agriculture of  Mersin.

(CS)

 

B. Turkish press

1. Diplomatic source in Turkey: “Operation in Syria, clear response to Trump’s letter to Erdogan”

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.10.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/operation-in-syria-clear-response-to-trumps-letter-to-erdogan-source-147613) reports that Ankara has ignored an offer by U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter sent to the Turkish President, adding that the ongoing “Operation Peace Spring” already responds to it.

“The letter written on Oct. 9 was rejected by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and thrown away,” Turkish media quoted a diplomatic source as saying.  “The straightest answer to this letter is the Operation Peace Spring, which began on Oct. 9,” said the source. “Trump understood such proposals were not valid,” the source added. “[Trump] has seen that he cannot make Erdogan do anything with the mediation offer.

White House confirmed late on Oct. 16 that a Trump letter to Erdogan revealed on social media was authentic.

Trump said in the letter that “he could destroy Turkey’s economy if the situation in Syria is not contained and resolved in a humane way.” “Let’s work out a good deal!” he said, suggesting a U.S. mediation to stop Turkey’s operation against the YPG, the Syrian arm of the outlawed PKK, which is listed as a terrorist group by the two NATO allies and the European Union.

 

2. Ozersay: Turkish Cypriots 'fully' back Turkey on terror fight

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (17.10.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-cypriots-fully-back-turkey-on-terror-fight-147595) reports that “Turkish Cyprus will fully back Turkey's rightful fight against terrorism” self-styled foreign minister Kudret Ozersay stated.

"As a deputy prime minister and foreign minister, I want to stress once again that my government and nation fully and completely back the Republic of Turkey and its nation on their rightful fight against terrorism. No one doubts that," Özersay told the members of Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee. "Turkish Cypriots will also back Turkey's steps to ensure its borders security and territorial integrity in the future," Özersay said.

"The two countries have historical and emotional ties," he added and stated:  "We have strong and deep relations".

 

3. Erdoğan informed his party about Turkish operation in Syria and claimed that there were civilian massacres in Cyprus before the Turkish invasion

Turkish daily Yeni Safak (17.10.19 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-never-committed-civilian-massacre-in-its-history-erdogan-says-3503066) reports that no power can stop the cross-border operation launched by Turkey in northern Syria until it reaches its goals, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said.

Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

Erdogan, in a meeting with his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, also announced that 1,220 square kilometers have been cleared of terrorists in “Operation Peace Spring” in N. Syria since its launch on Oct. 9.

“Never in our history has Turkey carried out any civilian massacres, as it is against our nature”, he added, “rebuffing attempts to smear its anti-terror operation in northern Syria”, the report adds.

 

"Turkey has never committed any civilian massacre in its history and it never will. Our religion and culture would never allow to do it,"

In fact it is the history of those who accuse us of committing massacres that are full of such massacres, Erdogan said.

"If you’re looking for civilian massacres, look at Afghanistan, Myanmar's Rakhine state, Upper Karabakh, and Bosnia," where Muslims were slaughtered late in the last century and in this one, Erdogan said.

He added: "If you want to see civilian massacres, look at Cyprus before Turkey's intervention, look at Palestine just under your nose, where the Muslims are deliberately killed in the streets."

Rejecting offers to “mediate” in the conflict, he said: "The Republic of Turkey never in its history sat down at a table with terrorist groups. We are not looking for a mediator for that." Instead, he laid down a red line, saying: "By tonight all terrorists must lay down their arms, destroy their traps, and leave the safe zone we determined."

Erdogan's remarks came ahead of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Turkey on Thursday.

Pence will be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and they are scheduled to meet with Erdogan in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

4. YPG released Daesh terrorists to attack Turkey, FM Çavuşoğlu claims

Turkish daily Sabah (17.10.19 https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/10/16/ypg-released-daesh-terrorists-fm-cavusoglu-says) reports that “the People's Protection Units (YPG) released Daesh terrorists in northern Syria and gave them money to attack Turkey during Operation Peace Spring”, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Wednesday.

"The YPG has not hesitated to make a direct agreement with Daesh. As a result of the deal in Raqqa, hundreds of Daesh militants have been freely evacuated with buses," Çavuşoğlu told lawmakers in the Turkish parliament.

"They have not only released the Daesh terrorist in northern Syria in exchange for attacking Turkey, but they have also given them money," said Çavuşoğlu.

Çavuşoğlu said that “western countries' negative reactions to Turkey's Operation Peace Spring arose from their frustrated efforts to establish a terror group – the People's Protection Units (YPG) – on Turkey's southern border”.

"Look at the countries that react the most today (to the operation). Especially France, their goal is to establish a terrorist organization here. To this end, those in the field and the neighboring regions have done very serious work. The reason they attacked us so much, therefore, is the frustration they experienced when we broke this game," he said. Çavuşoğlu said Turkey would retaliate against any sanctions imposed by Washington.

5. Turkish, Russian presidents to meet in Russia's Sochi

Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.10.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkish-russian-presidents-to-meet-in-russias-sochi/1616430) reports that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet his Russian counterpart in Russia on Oct. 22, according to a statement by Presidential Communications Directorate on Wednesday.

Erdogan and Vladimir Putin will meet in Sochi, a Russian coastal city, as part of Erdogan’s one-day visit to Russia, the statement said.

6. Turkish Defense Ministry: “Turkey 'neutralizes' 673 YPG/PKK persons in N Syria”

Turkish Yeni Safak (17.10.19 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-neutralizes-673-ypg-pkk-terrorists-in-n-syria-3503116) reports that a total of 673 YPG/PKK persons have been “neutralized” since the launch of Turkey's ongoing “anti-terror operation” in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The Ministry updated on Twitter the figure of the persons “neutralized” as part of Operation Peace Spring.

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(CS/ EH)