Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-05.11.19
No. 730
Content
1. “Residence permits and visas regulation” approved by so-called parliament
2. “Either Akinci or Erdogan” reports Afrika
3. Davulcu: “The alternative to the federal solution is to be the border region of Turkey”
4. Izcan: “Some circles do not want Akinci to participate in the Cyprus talks”
1. Turkish cabinet slams US terror report for “double standards”
2. “US building new military bases in Syria's oil-rich area”, Anadolu reports
3. Turkey captured al-Baghdadi's relatives in Syria, official says
4. Turkey, Russia “in talks on joint production of S-400”
5. Turkish court releases journalists Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak
Α. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. “Residence permits and visas regulation” approved by so-called parliament
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (05.11.19) reports that the “Residence permits and visas regulation” was approved yesterday by the so-called parliament with 29 votes in favor, one abstaintion. Twenty “deputies” did not participate in the opening voting, the paper writes.
Speaking on the issue, the so-called minister of labor Faiz Sucuoglu stated that according to data received, the percentage of persons who entered the breakaway regime in 2012 was 14,96% while this number increase to 20,44% for the year 2019. “This is the first time that such a number is observed in the TRNC”, he stated, adding that this is the result of citizens of third countries who wanted to find a job in the breakaway regime.
(CS)
2. “Either Akinci or Erdogan” reports Afrika
Under the title “Either Akinci or Erdogan”, Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Afrika (05.11.19), on its front page, reports the following: “The debate on the upcoming presidential election that will be held in April is growing. In this election, Mustafa Akinci and Tayyip Erdogan will be coming face to face! Akinci has not yet announced whether he will be a candidate or not”. The paper also writes that a victory of any of Akinci’s rivals will be perceived as a victory for Erdogan.
It is further reported that the results of an opinion poll carried out by the Turkish research company “Gezici” will be announced on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Sener Levent, editor-in-chief, commenting on the results, said that according to his sources, Akinci is falling behind. He added that the opinion poll shows that Akinci has even difficulties to be in the second round. However, Levent writes that he cannot know whether this is true or not, and they will see.
(DPs)
3. Davulcu: “The alternative to the federal solution is to be the border region of Turkey”
Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Haberator (05.11.19) reports that Mehmet Davulcu, general secretary of the Communal Liberation Party – New Forces (TKP-YG), said that he believes the alternative to the federal solution in Cyprus is to become the border region of Turkey.
Evaluating the latest developments on the Cyprus issue at web TV Haberator, Davulcu said that the sides are expected at the tripartite meeting to be held on November 25 in Berlin to overcome their differences, to accelerate the negotiation process beginning from where they left off and prepare the ground for the five-party meeting. Furthermore, he called on both leaders to be aware that every step they will take in the direction of reconciliation will positively affect the future of Cyprus and it is expected they will make efforts in this direction.
(DPs)
4. Izcan: “Some circles do not want Akinci to participate in the Cyprus talks”
Turkish Cypriot daily “Diyalog” (05.11.19) reports that the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan called on the two sides in Cyprus to show a constructive stance at the three-party-meeting to be held on November 25in Berlin. This way, he said, the road for a five-party-meeting will be opened as well.
Izcan, who issued a written statement, said that the continuation of the island’s division will lead to the disappearance of the Turkish Cypriot community.
He also said that a decision should be taken based on the UN resolutions in order for an agreement to be reached. “Stopping the procedure will be to no one’s benefit”, he stated, adding that there are circles that want the continuation of the status quo, and do not want the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to participate in the Cyprus talks. There is an ugly game taking place, he said, by some circles who do not want a federal solution.
(CS)
B. Turkish Press
1. Turkish cabinet slams US terror report for “double standards”
According to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-slams-double-standard-in-us-terror-report-148315), no mentioning of YPG/PYD and FETÖ as terrorist organizations in the recently released U.S. terrorism report is one of the most obvious examples of the double standard approach, Turkey's Presidential Cabinet claimed on Nov. 5
The Cabinet criticized "Country Reports on Terrorism 2018" -- issued by the U.S. State Department on Nov. 1
Not mentioning the YPG, PKK terror group's Syrian offshoot, and PYD, its political wing, as well as FETÖ, the group behind the 2016 defeated coup attempt, is “one of the most obvious examples of the double standard approach”, said the statement released after the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"[...] Turkey resolutely continues to fight all terrorist organizations especially PYD and FETÖ, as well as PKK and ISIL," it added.
2. “US building new military bases in Syria's oil-rich area”, Anadolu reports
According to Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu (05.11.19, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-building-new-military-bases-in-syrias-oil-rich-area/1635657), the U.S. has started construction of two new military bases in Syria's oil-rich Deir ez-Zor governorate. The military bases are being built in the 113th Brigade area and near al-Sur region, according to local sources.
While the footage captured by Anadolu Agency showed that many construction equipment are put into action, it was learnt the U.S. has sent 250 to 300 additional soldiers, armoured vehicles, heavy weapons and ammunitions to the region.
3. Turkey captured al-Baghdadi's relatives in Syria, official says
Turkish daily newspaper Sabah (05.11.19) reports that a senior Turkish official said Turkey has captured the older sister of the slain leader of Daesh in northwestern Syria, calling the arrest an intelligence "gold mine".
Little is known about the sister of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Turkish official said that the 65-year-old known as Rasmiya Awad was captured in a raid Monday on a trailer container she was living in with her family near the town of Azaz. The area is part of the region administered by Turkey.
4. Turkey, Russia “in talks on joint production of S-400”
According to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (04.11.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-russia-in-talks-on-joint-production-of-s-400-148304), the delivery of the second batch of the Russian S-400 missile defence systems to Turkey may be delayed beyond 2020, the planned timeline, due to talks on technology sharing and joint production, the head of the country’s Presidency of Defence Industries said on Nov. 4.
Turkey’s procurement of the first batch of S-400 system was for a finished product, but Ankara wants the second system as co-production and with transfer of technology, Demir told NTV private broadcaster. “Common production concepts can play the calendar. We have some sensitivities that some productions have to be done here. Technical studies are in progress,” he stated.
Russia had offered to sell Turkey its SU-35 fighter jets and Turkey was evaluating the offer, he also said. Ankara makes “comprehensive analysis” of the financial and strategic dimensions” of such a procurement, he added.
Asked about alternative cooperation with other countries for the new generation fighter jets, Demir said Turkey is in talks with four-five countries. Turkey conducted a successful test-fire of the country’s first indigenously developed sea-launched cruise missile, Demir also said.
5. Turkish court releases journalists Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak
According to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-court-releases-journalists-ahmet-altan-nazli-ilicak-148329), a Turkish court on Nov. 4 ordered the release of Ahmet Altan, a novelist and former editor-in-chief of Taraf newspaper, and Nazlı Ilıcak, a columnist and former parliamentarian, under judicial control.
Nazlı Ilıcak was sentenced to eight years and nine months and Ahmet Altan was handed 10 years and six months in prison for “aiding” FETÖ, the group widely believed to have orchestrated the July 2016 coup attempt. They were, however, released due to time served from Silivri Prison and Bakırköy Women's Prison, both in Istanbul.
Academic Mehmet Altan, Ahmet Altan’s brother who was previously released pending trial, was acquitted in the case. (…) Ilıcak was also detained together with 16 journalists as part of an operation against FETÖ on July 30, 2016.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ EH)
PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE
