TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 13/13
18.01.13
1. The Greek Cypriot
cemetery in occupied Lapythos is destroyed; Bones are thrown in the garbage
2. Saner says
investments in illegal Tumvou airport will be completed within four years
3. So-called minister
Ustel due to London to promote the occupation regime’s tourism for 2013
4. Talat: 15 persons are granted the “citizenship” in
every meeting of the “cabinet”; Turkey interferes in everything in occupied
Cyprus
5. Pressure over
Kasif from Turkey to withdraw its candidacy becoming intensified
6. CFA and the CTFA
held yesterday a second meeting; hopes for an agreement were expressed from
both sides
7. Bagis continues
talks in Sweden; he asked for the “lifting” of the so-called embargoes
8. Havadis newspaper
to open an office in Ankara
9. Peaceful funeral
for three assassinated Kurdish women took place yesterday in Diyarbakir;
messages of peace by Kurdish politicians
10. Public survey in
Turkey presents AKP to be the first party with 54%, if elections were to take
place today
11. Muharrem Yilmaz
the new chairman of TUSIAD
12. Journalist Mehmet
Ali Birand passed away
1. The Greek Cypriot cemetery in occupied Lapythos
is destroyed; Bones are thrown in the garbage
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (18.01.13)
reports that the Greek Cypriot cemetery in occupied Lapythos village has been
destroyed as a result of initiatives by Fuat Namsoy, so-called mayor of
occupied Lapythos and general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP).
According to information cited by Kibrisli, the decision for destroying the
cemetery was taken four years ago by Namsoy and his team.
Diggers and bulldozers destroyed the cemetery and the
church which was inside it, writes the paper adding that the stones of the
Greek Cypriot graves are broken and thrown into the building of the destroyed
church of the cemetery.
The bones which had been taken out of the cemetery
were thrown into the garbage, notes Kibrisli adding that the fact that no one
said anything about Namsoy’s actions drew attention.
The paper writes that it is certain that the Greek
Cypriots will carry the issue to the bi-communal committee for the cultural
heritage and to the European Parliament.
(I/Ts.)
2. Saner says investments in illegal Tumvou airport
will be completed within four years
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (18.01.13)
reports that Ersan Saner, self-styled minister of public works and transport of
the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said
that the investments in illegal Tymvou airport will be completed within four
years, that 350 million Euros will be spent and that after the investments are
completed the occupied area of Cyprus will have a modern airport.
In statements to illegal Bayrak television, Saner
evaluated the work of his “ministry” in 2012 and explained the projects planned
for 2013. He said that the target for 2013 on the issue of the highways is not
to leave any point in the occupied area which is not reachable with a road. He
noted that the highest item in the “budget” of his so-called ministry will be
spent in this field.
Referring to the 350 million-Euro investment in the
illegal Tymvou airport, Saner noted that 100 million Euros of this money have
already been paid to the breakaway regime and the rest 250 million Euros will
be paid in four years. He noted that the company that won the tender should submit
to the regime its working plan within 20 days after the handover ceremony. He
alleged that they have better technical equipment than the airports in the
government-controlled area of Cyprus and that they offer much better services
in the field of aviation.
(I/Ts.)
3. So-called
minister Ustel due to London to promote the occupation regime’s tourism for
2013
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (17.01.13) reported from London that the so-called
minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel held a press conference
at the London “representation of the TRNC”.
Having
arrived in London to promote the tourism sector of the “TRNC in 2013”, Ustel
said the following: "We aim to increase the number of British tourists
visiting the TRNC in 2013," adding that "125 red buses and 125 black
taxi cabs in London were decorated with colorful ads of the TRNC".
Meanwhile,
the black taxi cabs in London will have promotional books on the “TRNC”.
“TRNC's
Representative in London”, Oya Tuncali was also present during Ustel's press
conference.
4. Talat: 15 persons are
granted the “citizenship” in every meeting of the “cabinet”; Turkey interferes
in everything in occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.01.13)
reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has argued
that recently the National Unity Party’s (UBP) self-styled government, had not
employed persons according to the needs of the regime.
In statements to a television station, Talat said
yesterday that the above-mentioned decisions were made in order for “prime
minister” Irsen Kucuk to win the race for the presidency of the UBP. He
described as strange the fact that Turkey did not interfere in the issue, in
spite of the protocol signed with the regime and in spite of the fact that
Ankara interferes in everything in the occupied area of Cyprus, regardless of
whether it is necessary to do this or not. “If these employments are made for
Mr Irsen Kucuk to win and nothing is said about it, it is a shame”, he
noted.
Replying to a question on the issue of the
“citizenship” of the regime, Talat said that according to information published
in the press, 15 persons are averagely granted the “citizenship” in every
meeting of the “council of ministers” and noted that “these are definitely not
legal”.
Talat noted that there are persons, who “have not
showed up” and are granted the “citizenship” by the self-styled ministry of
interior. He added that the number of these persons is not known. He argued
that if a permanent residence “permit” is given to these persons, many problems
regarding the “citizenship” issue will be solved and the demographic structure
of the occupied area of Cyprus will be protected.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Talat said that the
problem has now become a problem of the world and the UN, and added that within
this framework, partition of the island council not happen. He argued that the
supporters of partition have also understood this reality.
(I/Ts.)
5. Pressure over Kasif from Turkey to withdraw its
candidacy becoming intensified
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (18.01.13)
reports on the crisis in the National Unity Party (UBP) and writes that as the
date of the final ruling of the self-styled supreme court approaches regarding
the conducting of a second election round for the party’s leadership, pressure over
Ahmet Kasif from Turkey to withdraw its candidacy, is becoming intensified.
According to the paper, the “ambassador” of Turkey to
the breakaway regime Halil Ibrahim Akca and of MIT “TRNC” representative at the
so-called embassy Ender Onkol, are trying to persuade Kasif to withdraw its
candidacy and are trying to make other UBP members to support “prime minister”
Irsen Kucuk.
Akca stated that Kasif should not run for the
position, otherwise, even if he is elected he will not be able to perform its
duties. On his part, Onkol is said to call on UBP members not to support Kasif
and that they should preach him towards removing his candidacy, noting that
this is the wish of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, the demands of whom
Onkol is conveying to the UBP members.
However, writes the paper, Kasif issued a statement
noting that he will not back out from the race and called on UBP members to
advocate their own party.
6. CFA
and the CTFA held yesterday a second meeting; hopes for an agreement were expressed
from both sides
Under
the title: “Both are hopeful”, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (18.01.13)
reports in its sport-pages that the second meeting between the Turkish Cypriot
Football Federation (CTFA) and the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) took place
yesterday morning at the offices of the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation”.
As
the paper writes, the aim of the meeting was to find a solution on the issue of
the openings that KOP will make abroad towards the country’s football.
Officials
from FIFA and UEFA attended also the meeting, writes the paper.
Meanwhile,
under the title: “Unification of Cyprus possible in football”, Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (18.01.13) refers to the issue as follows: “Football
officials on the divided island of Cyprus stated yesterday that there was
progress in efforts to put Greek and Turkish Cypriot teams under one roof for
the first time in over 50 years.
Officials
from the Greek Cyprus Football Association (CFA) travelled north across the
UN-patrolled ceasefire line to meet Turkish Cypriot counterparts to end the
current politically enforced segregation. This follow-up meeting from December
was also attended by representatives from world and European governing bodies
FIFA and UEFA respectively.
‘I
want to thank FIFA and UEFA for their interest. After this meeting, I think we
are closer to an agreement than we were before it,” CFA chairman Costakis
Koutsokoumnis told reporters. ‘There is a large light at the end of the
tunnel,’ he added. He said both sides would now hold discussions on the matter
in Zurich, Switzerland sometime in March.
But
the CFA chief said also that any deal would have to be ratified by the members
of the two football associations.
Turkish
Cypriot football association Chief Hasan Sertoglu said that after yesterday’s
meeting, both sides were closer to an agreement. ‘I hope that in the near
future we will be able to bridge some differences which still exist’, he said”.
(AK)
7. Bagis
continues talks in Sweden; he asked for the “lifting” of the so-called
embargoes
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (17.01.13) reported from Stockholm that Turkey's European
Union Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis met
separately with his Swedish counterpart Eva Birgitta Ohlsson Klamberg as well
as with International Development and Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson in
Stockholm on Thursday.
Bagis
also visited the “TRNC’s” representative office in Stockholm.
Delivering
a speech, Bagis said that the “embargoes” and “isolations” imposed on the “TRNC”
could not be accepted. “If Annan plan had been approved, a United Cyprus state
could have been one of the most prosperous in the world now”, he said.
“Greek
Cypriots have been suffering from a very serious economic crisis due to their
wrong attitude”, the EU minister said adding the following: “If a reasonable
government came into power in elections to be held in the Greek Cypriot side in
February and this government pursued a right policy, we would support steps
that would be taken. We will support a solution based on a political equality
to be approved by TRNC people and Greek Cypriots," he said.
Later
Bagis departed from Sweden for Turkey.
8. Havadis
newspaper to open an office in Ankara
Under
the title: “Important day for Havadis”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(18.01.13) reports that the paper will inaugurate today its office in Ankara.
As
the paper writes, the paper will open today its office in Ankara with an
inauguration ceremony. Havadis office will be inaugurated by the so-called
foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister
Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Besir Atalay.
(AK)
9. Peaceful
funeral for three assassinated Kurdish women took place yesterday in
Diyarbakir; messages of peace by Kurdish politicians
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (18.01.13) reports that a peaceful ceremony was held yesterday
in Diyarbakır to bid farewell to the three Kurdish women killed in central
Paris last week. Tens of thousands of people march in the city as Kurdish
politicians give messages of peace.
Despite
worries of possible provocations and sabotage that would turn the ceremony into
a violent protest, the gathering was peaceful. Women’s coffins were covered with
the flags of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Speaking
at the ceremony, Kurdish politicians, including Ahmet Turk – an independent Deputy
and head of the Kurdish umbrella organization Democratic Society Congress (DTK)
– as well as Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas,
denounced military operations against Kandil mountain in northern Iraq, where
PKK militants are based, once again stressing that Kurdish people demand peace,
not war.
“Making
peace is not possible while making war at the same time,” Demirtas said.
(…)
The
women’s bodies arrived in Diyarbakır late January 16 and their transfer from
Diyarbakir airport to the morgue of a private hospital turned into a mass
demonstration as thousands of people poured into the streets to accompany the
hearses carrying the bodies. A flag of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK),
the urban wing of the PKK, was raised on a flagpole in the hospital’s garden
after the bodies were brought to the hospital.
Wrapped
in PKK flags, the coffins were brought to Diyarbakir’s Batıkent Square, where
the ceremony was held, escorted by thousands of people carrying posters of the
murdered PKK members. Banners read: “We are all Sakine, Leyla and Fidan,” and
slogans such as “The PKK is the people, the people are here,” and “martyrs
never die,” were chanted. After the coffins arrived at Batıkent Square, white
pigeons symbolizing peace were released.
In
speeches expressing their sorrow, Kurdish politicians stressed that peace is
their initial demand despite their grief. “Everybody is expecting sensitivity
from us. But here, our people have shown that they are ready for peace although
we have lost three of our comrades. But peace can be possible with mutual
respect,” Turk said.
The
senior politician also said it was impossible to speak of peace when Kandil
mountain is being bombarded by Turkish jets. “I’m appealing to those who call
on us to be sensitive for peace. Mr. Prime Minister, how can you talk about
peace while Kandil is being bombarded? What kind of peace is being sought with
this?” Turk said.
Demirtas
said people in the square were demanding an “honorable peace.” “As mothers bid
farewell to their children, they did not promise revenge. They demand peace.
When will the world understand this stance? And when will the government
understand this?” Demirtas said.
(…) Demirtas,
however, reiterated his party’s support of recent talks officials held with
Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the PKK. “We support the resolution
proposal that Mr. Ocalan has introduced or will introduce.”
“I’m
appealing to those who seek to resolve this problem by negotiating with us;
Kurdish people are backing us. Kurdish people back talks with Ocalan. Kurdish
people demand peace even during funeral ceremonies. We see our people as the
assurance of peace. And the government should take a concrete step to show that
they back peace,” Demirtas also said.
(…)
10. Public
survey in Turkey presents AKP to be the first party with 54%, if elections were
to take place today
Under
the front-page title: “54% to AKP”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (18.01.13)
reports on the results of a survey conducted by KONDA Research Company in
Turkey according to which if elections were to take place today in Turkey, the
Justice and Development Party would receive 53.6%, the Republican People’s
Party (CHP) 21.7%, the Nationalist Movement Party 12.3%, the Peace and
Democracy Party (BDP) 7.2% and other parties 5.2%.
According
to the paper, the survey has been conducted during December 2012 in 28
provinces of Turkey with a sample of 2511 people.
Commenting
on the survey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inter alia, said: “I call
your attention. This survey is not a normal survey being conducted by us. These
figures come up by a survey which was conducted by a company which is not of
those who conduct opinion polls for us. So, the figures are very important.
This result shows the kindness of the nation to the AK party. This people love
us (...)”, Erdogan said.
(AK)
11. Muharrem
Yilmaz the new chairman of TUSIAD
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (17.01.13) reported that Muharrem Yilmaz was elected on
Thursday the new President of the Executive Board of Turkish Industrialists'
and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD).
Yilmaz was elected unanimously and replaced
Umit Boyner as TUSIAD head.
Yilmaz
was born in the north-western province of Bursa on August 2, 1957. Yilmaz is a
graduate of the Faculty of Economics at the Uludag University. He has been
serving as the CEO of family owned Sutas Company since 2005 when his father
passed away.
12. Journalist
Mehmet Ali Birand passed away
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.01.13) reported that Mehmet Ali Birand, a
well-known Turkish journalist, Hurriyet Daily News columnist and chief news
editor of private channel Kanal D, passed away late today in hospital after
undergoing surgery.
Birand
had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in order to replace a stent at the
American Hospital in Istanbul on January 16.
Birand’s
son, Umur Birand, announced the news of his father's passing late today on
private channel CNNTurk.
The
journalist, 72 years old, had been receiving cancer treatment for a long
period.
Birand,
who began his career at daily Milliyet in 1964, had become a legendary figure
in Turkish journalism.
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