New York, USA
28 July 2017
(MOFA Qatar)

The State of Qatar has reiterated its cooperation with various United Nations bodies related to the fight against terrorism, including Security Council's Committees, expert teams and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), stressing support of their efforts in fulfilling their mandate in order to assist Member States.

This came in a speech delivered by the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the United Nations General Assembly on "Strengthening the Capacity of the United Nations System to Assist Member States in the Implementation of UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy".

In this context, Ambassador Al-Thani pointed to the financial contribution made by the State of Qatar in support of the CTITF, stressing the ongoing coordination to strengthen partnerships in capacity-building and launch of projects aimed at preventing violent extremism and addressing the roots of terrorism.

The State of Qatar attaches great importance to working within regional and international mechanisms to eradicate terrorism and address its causes, reaffirming in all forums its strong condemnation of terrorism regardless of its motivation, in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever is committed, she stressed.

Since the adoption of the United Nations counter-terrorism strategy, the State of Qatar has been keen to fully implement its measures to address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, enhance international cooperation in the field of prevention and combating of terrorism and to fully comply with the international obligations of the UN Security Council relating to the fight against terrorism and its financing, Ambassador Al-Thani added.

The State of Qatar is keen to strengthen bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism and deprive terrorist groups of funding sources, she said, referring to the bilateral agreements for cooperation and coordination signed by Qatar, such as the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States against terrorism.

She stressed the State of Qatar's keenness to continuously update its national laws and regulations related to the fight against terrorism and its financing to cope with any emerging terrorist challenges, adding that Qatar as a distinguished international partner in the joint international efforts to combat terrorism follows a comprehensive approach in dealing with the phenomenon of terrorism in various military, financial and legal levels.

She also shed light on the State of Qatar's role focused on strengthening all these efforts by supporting technical capacity-building to prevent violent extremism leading to terrorism and supporting efforts to eliminate terrorism by addressing the causes leading to an environment conducive for terrorism for terrorist activities such as security vacuum, injustice, tyranny, repression, marginalization and discrimination, which provide an incubator environment for terrorism.

In this regard, Ambassador Al-Thani stressed the importance of preventing terrorism, noting the State of Qatar's initiative to hold a General Assembly's meeting on the 'Prevention of Children and Young People from Violent Extremism' in June 2016.

Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed Bin Saif Al Thani praised the efforts of the State of Qatar to prevent the threat of terrorism, pointing to the Silatech initiative, which aims to provide employment opportunities for young people in the region ,covers more than 15 countries and has funded since its inception tens of thousands of projects run by young people at the request of international partners.

She also referred to Educate A Child (EAC) programme aimed at addressing the environment exploited by terrorists to recruit young people by providing educational opportunities for children who have lost their right to education due to conflicts, wars and natural disasters.

The State of Qatar pursues a comprehensive approach that involves the consolidation of a culture of peace, tolerance and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions, HE Al-Thani concluded, noting that Qatar hosts a range of leading intellectual and enlightenment centers in the region and also encourages freedom of expression and freedom of the press to contribute to countering any attempt to exploit the fight against terrorism as a pretext for political ends.

Nicisia
28 July 2017

President Mustafa Akıncı has said that they are not pleased with Eide’s attitude and statements. He said, “We want Eide to be more honest. We want him to say clearly with whom the responsibility lies. We want him to publicly say what he says to us in private. However, we know that he cannot do that.”

Speaking during an activity, President Akıncı also said that the UN will continue its balance policy considering the future of Cyprus.

Akıncı said, “UN parameters are being discussed in these days. The problem are not the parameters but the mentality”. He continued, “The problem is the Greek Cypriot’s mentality, which does not allow any possibility for a solution within these parameters.”

Pointing out that all three conferences in Switzerland were organized thanks to the real willingness of the Turkish Cypriot side to find a solution, while the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades constantly displayed unwillingness, Akıncı stressed that all conferences were unsuccessful.

He said that when the Turkish Cypriot side accepted 29.2% of the map, the Greek Cypriot side panicked and Anastasiades told him “Mr Akıncı sorry but I am not ready”.

Akıncı also referred to a statement by AKEL’s leader who said “Anastasiades did not go to Crans-Montana with the aim of finding a solution; instead he went to lie the responsibility on someone else.”

The President stressed that although Turkey and the TRNC will never accept ‘0 troops and 0 guarantees’, they want a system to protect the security of the Turkish Cypriots and they have made some concessions accordingly, which the UN and the EU witnessed.

Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission has sent a letter to President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades in which he stressed that the European Commission will continue to help the parties in the efforts to reach a settlement.

Stating that any path to reach a settlement should be carefully evaluated and bridges should be built, Juncker said that him and the European Commission will always support the parties on the island.

Islamabad
28 July 2017

Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has stepped down immediately after disqualification as member of Pakistan Lower House on orders of Five Members bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan. He is found guilty not declaring Dubai based FZE Company among his declare assets at the time of contesting general elections in 2013 and on holding residence visa of United Arab Emirates.

This is third time that Nawaz Sharif is ousted as Prime Minister before completing his term. Last time, his democratically elected government was dismantled on 12th October 1999 in a coup by then Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Pervez Musharaf who later provided logistic and security support to US led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, post 9/11.

A five-member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa announced it's judgment while hearing Panama Papers case at 1203 PM (Pakistan Time). Court also directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Pakistan’s main anti-corruption watchdog to file a case against Sharif and his children in an anti-corruption court within 6 weeks and that the trial should be completed in 6 months.

The Supreme Court also disqualified Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a top leader of the ruling PML-N and retired Captain Mohammad Safdar, son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif from their seats in Parliament.

While opposition party lawmakers celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office, ruling party members expressed disappointment but also said Sharif's days are not over.

State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb at a press conference after the verdict said, "Nawaz does not need a chair, he is a reality. That day is not far, when he will be chosen for the fourth time"

Aurangzeb added: "Some decisions happen in court, others in peoples courts. We may have lost one decision... which I am not surprised about but am saddened."

"PML-N is Pakistan's biggest political party. It has the higest number of political workers. And history is a witness that whenever Nawaz Sharif was removed unjustly, the people of Pakistan brought him back to parliament with a greater majority."

She also said that the party will announce its plan after looking at the decision in detail.

Senior lawyer Asma Jehangir said the court's decision should be accepted but that there is room for criticism.
"After this decision, a lot of cracks have emerged which will keep the judiciary on its feet for a very long time," Jehangir said to Geo News. "This is a unique decision. It has had a unique procedure. In courts it happens that there is a set pattern but the way this case has happened is not normal."

Earlier on April 20, a five-member bench comprising the same members had delivered a three-two provisional judgment in the case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family over charges of having overseas properties through corruption and money laundering.

Justice Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmed had declared the prime minister be disqualified under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution, while three judges - Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had decided to constitute a joint investigation team (JIT) to further probe the financial affairs of the Sharif family.

Former president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Barrister Ali Zafar said: “I fail to understand what is happening. I am seeing this for the first time.”

He, however, expected that the matter could go to trial court.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, after hearing the arguments on the JIT report had reserved the judgment on July 21st.

The bench had stated surely they would look into the matter of disqualification of the respondents.

However, Justice Ejaz Afzal observed that concealment of assets fell under Section 12(2)(f) of Representation of People Act, 1976, which was jurisdiction of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

A senior counsel, on condition of anonymity, said: “What the case was and in what direction the court has taken it is very strange?”

“This happens when the things are happening not in accordance with the law and constitution. The fate of this case would be similar to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s case,” he claimed.

The majority judgment rendered by Justice Ejaz Afzal, Justice Sheikh Azmat and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had directed for constitution of the JIT.

They had requested Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar to constitute a special bench to ensure implementation of this judgment so that the investigation into the allegations may not be left in a blind alley.

Justice Azmat in his judgment in Panama Papers case has given finding; “Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution cannot be permitted to be used as a tool for political engineering by this court nor should this court arrogation unto itself the power to vet candidates on moral grounds ...”

A similar kind of observation was give by Justice Ejaz.

On the other hand, the minority judgment delivered by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmed stated: “Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has not been ‘Honest’ and ‘Ameen’ in terms of Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution and thus rendered himself disqualified from holding the office of a member of National Assembly of Pakistan and ceasing to be the prime minister of Pakistan.

“The respondent No 1 (PM) is not ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ and does not deserve to be the member of National Assembly. The ECP is directed to issue a notification of disqualification of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from being a member of Parliament with effect from the date of announcement of the present judgment.”

PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq, Pakistan Awami Muslim League Chairman Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, advocates Tariq Asad and Barrister Zafarullah had filed the petitions in the case.

The PTI is seeking disqualification of PM Nawaz Sharif, Captain (r) Safdar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar from parliament.

The JI in its earlier petition had requested the Supreme Court to direct the investigating agencies to probe all persons whose names appeared in Panama Papers case. Later, it changed its request and demanded disqualification of the prime minister.

Sheikh Rasheed has urged the top court to form a commission as it had constituted in the case of Memogate scandal.

The three-member bench had constituted six-member joint investigation team comprising FIA Additional Director General (Immigration) Wajid Zia, Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed from the ISI, Brig Kamran Khurshid from the MI, Irfan Naeem Mangi from the NAB, Amer Aziz from the SBP, and Bilal Rasool from the SECP. Wajid Zia was made head of the team.

The JIT was tasked to find answer of 13 questions; how did Gulf Steel Mill come into being; what led to its sale; what happened to its liabilities; where did its sale proceeds end up; how did they reach Jeddah, Qatar and the UK; whether respondents No 7 and 8 in view of their tender ages had the means in the early 1990s to possess and purchase the flats; and whether sudden appearance of the letters of Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani is a myth or a reality.

The other questions were: how bearer shares crystallised into the flats; who, in fact, is the real and beneficial owner of M/s Nielsen Enterprises Limited and Nescoll Limited, how did Hill Metal Establishment come into existence; where did the money for Flagship Investment Limited and other companies set up/taken over by respondent No 8 come from, and where did the working capital for such companies come from and where do the huge sums running into millions gifted by respondent No 7 to respondent No 1 drop in from.

The JIT after working for two months submitted a 10-volume final report containing evidence on July 10th.

It had found significant gap/disparity among the known and declared sources of income and wealth accumulated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Mariam Safdar, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz.

It had referred sections of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 and the Qanun-e-Shahadat, 1984 to proceedings against the Sharif family.

The report noted that all the respondents failed to produce the requisite information confirming “known sources of income” in prima facie tantamount to not being able to justify assets and the means of income.

The report also pointed out irregular movement of huge amounts in the shape of loans and gifts from Saudi Arabia-based company Hill Metals Establishment, United Kingdom-based companies – Flagship Investments Limited and United Arab Emirates-based company Capital FZE to PM Nawaz and his son Hussain Nawaz, and Pakistan-based companies of Nawaz Sharif and his family.

The role of off-shore companies is critically important as several off-shore companies Nescoll Limited, Nielsen Enterprises Limited, Alanna Services Limited, Lamkin S A, Coomber Group Inc, Hiltern International Limited have been identified to be linked with their businesses in the UK.

These companies were mainly used for inflow of funds into UK-based companies, which not only acquired expensive properties in the UK from such funds but also revolved these funds among their companies of the UK, the KSA, the UAE and Pakistan.

The prime minister and Hussain Nawaz have been found to be recipients of movement of these funds into Pakistan as gift/loans whose purpose/reason have not justified by them before the JIT.

Needless to say, these UK companies were loss-making entities which heavily engaged in revolving funds vis-à-vis creating a smoke screen.

The expensive properties of the UK were due to the business operations of these UK companies.

New York
27 July 2017
(MOFA)

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Foreign Minister of State of Qatar met Thursday in New York with Peter Thomson, President of the United Nations General Assembly .

Foreign Minister of Qatar briefed the U.N. General Assembly President on developments of the Gulf crisis and all the measures taken by the siege countries against the State of Qatar and how they constitute serious violations of international treaties and conventions as well as international law.

Manila
27 July 2017
(PNA)

The Commission on Population (POPCOM) on Thursday said that from being ranked 12th, the country is now just the 13th largest country in the world in terms of population.

Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III, POPCOM Executive Director said the country has lost the 12th spot three years after taking the post.

"On July 1, 2017, Ethiopia overtook our spot, making the Philippines the 13th largest country in the world," said Perez.

The country currently has an estimated 104.3 million population, according to the POPCOM "Population Clock".

It was in 2014 when the United Nations (UN) had ranked the Philippines as the 12th most populated country with a 100 million population then.

Perez added that the country may further rank lower in the coming years.

This as 14th placed Egypt was found to have a higher population growth rate of 1.9 versus compared to the Philippines' 1.5.

And with the drop in the world's most populated country rankings, the POPCOM Official said the government is now more pressed to provide better services to Filipinos.

"This event is a challenge to provide a quality life for the babies and make every Filipino count in the progress and development of the country as the population increases rapidly every year," said the official.

"It is also a reiteration of POPCOM’s advocacy through the years that every child should be born wanted, and his/her basic rights on social services, such as health and education, are ensured for his/her total development," he added.

Meanwhile, he said the Philippines’ symbolic 100 millionth babies have already turned three years old on this day (July 27).

Doha
26 July 2017
(Daily Peninsula)

The representatives of international, regional and national organisations of journalists, human rights and freedom of expression groups yesterday unequivocally condemned the threats by the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain, demanding the closing down of Al Jazeera and other media outlets including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al Jadeed and Middle East Eye.

The two-day conference titled “Freedom of Expression, Facing up to the Threat” also supported the developing of a new binding international instrument dedicated to the safety of journalists, including a specific enforcement mechanism, which would improve the international response to attacks against journalists and the culture of impunity.

The representatives unanimously adopted Recommendations at the International Conference titled “Freedom of Expression, Facing up to the Threat”, organised by the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar in co-operation with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI). They also expressed total solidarity with journalists and other media and ancillary workers at Al Jazeera and other targeted media.

In the set of unanimously passed Recommendations, Conference recognises the numerous resolutions adopted in recent years by the UN General Assembly, the Security Council and the Human Rights Council deploring the impact of attacks against journalists and other media workers on the public’s right to information and freedom of expression, and expressing concern at the chilling effect that such attacks, especially when perpetrated with impunity, have on the media as a whole.

Conference supports the developing of a new binding international instrument dedicated to the safety of journalists, including a specific enforcement mechanism, which would improve the international response to attacks against journalists and the culture of impunity. A Convention on the Safety of Media Workers, potentially negotiated within the UN General Assembly, would present the advantage of systematising the relevant obligations inferable from multiple legal texts and making them more accessible to decision-makers and law-enforcement authorities and bringing together the applicable human rights and humanitarian law norms, tailoring them to the situation of journalists.

Conference finally believes that current legal provisions should be expanded beyond the obligation to protect journalists against attacks on their life, and include forced disappearances and kidnapping (by state or private actors), arbitrary arrest, intimidation, deportation/refusal of entry, confiscation/damage to property and new forms of violence experienced by journalists during the 2011 Arab Spring, and further develop Human Rights Council resolutions S-2/1 and S-9/1 concerning the attacks on media installations and allowing access as well as safe media corridors in conflict zones.

Conference therefore calls on governments: To recognise all recommendations, covenants, declarations and resolutions promulgated or endorsed by international organisations such as the UN and its agencies such as Unesco; To implement forthwith the UN latest plan of action and enhance their working with organisations dedicated to the safety of journalists and media workers; To acknowledge and accept their obligations to give journalists protection as civilians in situations of conflict; To strengthen national mechanisms and laws including criminal laws and overhaul justice system to end impunity and to provide judicial and legislative assistance to prevent serious violations of international humanitarian laws including the targeting of journalists.

On media freedoms, Conference calls on governments to recognise the right of media organisations to report information freely and without interference from government and to allow citizens to access information on their own government and institutions in the cause of transparency and accountability.
It also calls on governments to limit their ability to curtail media access and set the limits of reporting and access to information and allow transparent and independent adjudication on decisions relating to publication.
Conference also acknowledges the vital role played by trade unions in supporting freedom of expression for journalists and defending the right of journalists to report on often contentious issues and hold power to account.

Recognising the danger in establishing legal limits on expression, and accepting the risks in allowing states the ability intervene on online information, conference calls on governments and media organisations to work to challenge hate speech, including misogyny, racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and extremism, and to promote the idea that encouraging a plurality of ideas and ideologies is the solution to challenge bigotry and prejudice.

Conference also calls on journalists to respect codes of conduct that demand fairness, accuracy and the need to oppose the scapegoating of minorities and pandering to prejudice and ignorance.

On international workers rights, Conference recognises that the freedom of expression and in particular of the media is inextricably linked to the freedom of media workers to carry out their professional role without fear of intimidation or discrimination.

Doha
19 JUly 2017 
(NHRC)

Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) met with the envoys of Republic of India, the Republic of Bangladesh, and the diplomats of Republic of Nepal and of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Dr. Al-Marri briefed on the severe human conditions suffered by workers from the communities of their countries because of the siege on Qatar. During the meeting, Al-Marri gave a report and statistics on the numbers of these workers.

Importance of communication among the victims and the concerned embassies in Saudi Arabia was highlighted in order to address the situation of the members of their communities. Al-Marri said that among the difficulties faced by workers there is the interruption between them and their operators in the State of Qatar, which prevents them from the delivery of their dues due to the financial embargo.

The diplomats thanked the National Human Rights Committee for the efforts it has been exerting since the beginning of the crisis and its interest in their employees in the country and the countries of the siege and assured their follow-up to these efforts.

Nicosia
26 July 2017

President Mustafa Akıncı has said that “It is not fair that the Turkish Cypriot people are living under embargoes due to the unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot side for a solution”. He was talking to a group of visiting journalists from Canada, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia.

On the recent failure of Crans-Montana, Switzerland meetings between North & South parts of the Cyprus, TRNC President said that 'we cannot adopt the notion of '0' troops and '0' guarantees. We displayed our understanding which is based on decreasing the military factor as the agreement will be implemented and cooperation and confidence will increase, Akinci said.

“We don’t have any responsibility in not reaching a conclusion”, President Mustafa Akıncı said that from the beginning Turkish Cypriot side has been spending efforts in order to be one of the two equal sides in Cyprus. “our vision for being one of the two equal partners who unites Cyprus with a solution is very clear.”

On presence of Turkish troops presence on the island, Akıncı said that “Turkey used her rights emanating from the 1960 agreements and intervened on 20 July 1974 preventing the unification of Cyprus to Greece”.

Indicating that after 20th of July 1974 the foundations of a bi-zonal, bi-communal structure were established, Akıncı said that the main principles of a possible solution evolved with the summit agreements between Denktaş and Makarios and between Denktas and Kipranou in 1977 and 1979.

All efforts for finding a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution based on political equality since those days have been unsuccessful, said Akıncı.

President Akinci said that TRNC has a number of options including worst to worst for our people safety and security may join as part of Turkey, however, it is an option in case of all doors closed on us. 'None of the Turkish Cypriot likes presence of Turkish forces or joining Turkey, however, if we are pushed badly, we will have to safeguard our lives and security.

Akıncı expressed that they have spent intense efforts for the last two years and they provided for the presentation of maps by both sides for the first time in the negotiation history and also for the convening of the 5-party conference. Akıncı also added that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have been the side which want a solution in Cyprus.

Akıncı said: “Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have a great role in convening of the Cyprus conferences last year in Mont Pelerin and this year in Geneva and Crans Montana. The constructive and result oriented attitude of the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey was determined in all these meetings by all participants mainly the UN.

However we do not have any responsibility in not reaching a positive conclusion even if we desired it so much.”
Stressing that they gave great importance to equality, security and freedom for a solution to be reached, Akıncı expressed that they wished this for both communities not just for the Turkish Cypriots, and they always took steps for one side’s security not being a threat for the other side.

Akıncı reiterated that “ Of course, we could not adopt an approach of “0” troops and “0” guarantee. It was seen that the most important disturbance of the Greek Cypriot side was political equality rather than security issue. Greek Cypriot side does not want to share their powers with the Turkish Cypriots. Although we as the Turkish Cypriot side showed our will for a solution, made necessary territorial arrangements as demanded by UN Secretary General, and showed flexibility on the issue of Turkey’s Security and Guarantee, unfortunately, Greek Cypriot side did not show determination for a solution”.

Akıncı also said that Annan plan was sometimes on the agenda of the negotiation process but Greek Cypriot side never took into consideration that Annan plan was a whole and also it included the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side. Although Greek Cypriots refused the Annan plan in 2004, during the final negotiation process, they demanded some parts of the plan which was for their advantage and never wanted to remember the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Stressing that during the two years negotiation process, very important developments were experienced, Akıncı said that if the Greek Cypriot side showed a more realistic and reasonable approach for the rest 8-10 separation points, it would be possible to reach an agreement in Cyprus.

Stating that one of the greatest problem was experienced on the property issue, Akıncı said that Greek Cypriot side insisted on some proposals which included uncertainty and disturbed the Turkish Cypriot people, and also on some arrangements which would give harm to our economy. Akıncı expressed that Greek Cypriot side never wanted to understand that uncertainty on property issue would be one of the important reasons of “no” votes of a possible referendum.

Furthermore, President Akıncı said that Greek Cypriot side deliberately made false statements that Turkey and Turkish Cypriot side demanded right of residence for 80 million Turks but this is not real.

Adding that although it was determined that some little changes on the Customs Union Agreement would be enough and the EU authorities expressed during the Cyprus Conference that it would not be a serious problem, Akıncı said that Greek Cypriot side continued to exploit this issue.

Stating that after the Cyprus Conference in Crans Montana, voices raised in the Greek Cypriot side calling the Turkish Cypriot side to break off relations with Turkey, Akıncı said that Turkish Cypriot side always gives importance to Cyprus’s being a brother geography with Turkey and considered this as an important gain not only for the Turkish Cypriots but also for the Greek Cypriot side.

Unfortunately, for long years, Greek Cypriot side never wanted an equal partnership in Cyprus so wanted to get rid of Turkey. They never wanted Turkish Cypriot side’s status to be raised and they did their utmost to make the Turkish Cypriots live under embargoes. However, they want the Turkish Cypriots to break off relations with Turkey which is the only open way for the Turkish Cypriots. Is this reasonable?

TRNC President stressing that Turkish Cypriots’ continuing to live under embargoes due to Greek Cypriot side’s being unwilling for a solution is not fair, Akıncı said “ As I have always expressed, we will continue our path with being conscious of our responsibilities to build a future in peace. We want to live in this island in peace and cooperation. We will continue our evaluations within the country and with Turkey. We will be realistic”.

President Mustafa Akinci said that equality, freedom, and security will always continue to be the Turkish Cypriot side’s essential principles.

Nicosia
26 July 2017

Tahsin Tahsin Ertugruloğlu , Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkish Northern Republic of Cyprus has stressed GCC States to solve their crisis through immediate discussions. ' It is unbelievable seeing such extreme stand and differences among close brotherly countries of GCC,' TRNC Foreign Minister told a group of journalists visiting from Canada, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia.

Ertugruloğlu lauded the wise leadership of State of Qatar and the role of it's people inspite of aggressive campaign against them.

Commenting on the recent failure of over 49 years long Cyprus conference in Crans-Montana, Switzerland under United Nations Secretary General, he said that the only parties responsible for the failure of the Cyprus Conference in Crans-Montana, the culmination of a 50 year negotiation process, were the Greek Cypriot side, and Greece. Ertuğruloğlu stressed that the negotiation process failed due to the uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriot side who has been insisting on a “0 troops, 0 guarantees” arrangement. Ertuğruloğlu stated that the main aim of the Greek Cypriot side is to remove Turkey’s presence completely from the island, and breaking relations with the Turkish Cypriots.

'Presence of Turkish forces have saved our lives and we sleep peacefully since it landed in 1974, since then there are no clashes and no casualties between both sides of the island. We personally do not also want any single Turkish soldier on our land, but it is Greek Cyprus attitude that we cannot survive without Turkish help for which we will always remain grateful to the Turkish government.

Ertuğruloğlu warned that TRNC has a number of options including if we are pushed to join as part of Turkey for which Greek Cypriots will be held responsible'. He cleared that we do not want at all to be part of Turkey or even like to have a single Turkish soldier on our soil, we want that we should be treated with equality and negotiations should be held on state to state basis.

Ertuğruloğlu criticised the statement by the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide that the outcome of the Conference was a ‘common failure’ by all sides. He said that is the statement was an injustice for the Turkish Cypriots, because the process has failed entirely due to the Greek Cypriot side’s uncompromising attitude.

Ertuğruloğlu also noted that the EU and UN are not objective in Cyprus.

Furthermore, stressing that the Greek Cypriot side should take into consideration the warnings of the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey on the natural gas issue, Minister Ertuğruloğlu said that the Greek Cypriot side’s statement, “We will give money in case of a solution” is an insult to the Turkish Cypriot people. He explained that the Turkish Cypriot claim was not based on money, but having rights to the natural gas.

Ertuğruloğlu underlined that the Turkish Cypriots understand the value of 20th July 1974 when we achieved peace in the island, and 15 November 1983, when the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was established.

Doha
26 July 2017
(QNA/NDTV)

Emir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Deputy Emir of State of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and Prime Minister and Interior Minister of State of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent cables of congratulations to Ram Nath Kovind on his election and swearing in as President of India.

A brief of 72 years old Ram Nath Kovind, newly elected President of India

1) Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit, is a farmer's son and in known for his humble origins and simple lifestyle.

2) Born on October 1, 1945, in Kanpur Dehat, Ram Nath Kovind is a commerce graduate. He pursued law from Kanpur University.

3) He practiced in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court for more than 15 years.

4) He is married to Savita Kovind and has a son and a daughter.

5) He is the former president of BJP Dalit Morcha. He has also served as the BJP's national spokesperson.

6) He was also a two-time Rajya Sabha member from the state of Uttar Pradesh between 1994-2000 and 2000-06.

7) Ram Nath Kovind had worked as a top aide to former Prime Minister Morarji Desai and has represented India at the United Nations in New York.

8) He has also been a member of several Parliamentary Committees, including the committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Law and Justice.

9) He was appointed as the Governor of Bihar by the Centre three years ago. The septuagenarian became the 36th Governor of Bihar in August 2015. His appointment had surprised many state leaders and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had voiced his displeasure over not being consulted. Though, during his term in Bihar, Governor Kovind hadn't run into no controversy with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

10) He is second Dalit President after KR Narayanan to hold the India's highest office.