TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
1. Erolgu will ask for recommencement of the negotiations in April
2. Turkey has
reportedly prepared a plan B if Kucuk fails to win at the UBP congress; Turkish
settlers were called to Turkey for instructions
3. Akca
alleged that the declaration of the breakaway regime a success
4. “Famagusta
Initiative Organization” sent letters to the two candidates for the presidency
of the Republic of Cyprus
5. Turkish constructive firm on its investments in occupied Cyprus
6. Eleousa
church and monastery in occupied Karpasia lacks of care
7. Bagis continues his contacts in France
8. Turkey is intensifying its search for natural gas and oil in Central
Anatolia to meet its energy needs
9. BDP selects three names for the second visit to jailed PKK leader
1. Erolgu will ask for recommencement of the
negotiations in April
Turkish Cypriot
daily Haberdar newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader,
Dervis Eroglu has said that after the second round of the presidential
elections in the Republic of Cyprus, he will send a letter congratulating the
newly elected President and asking for the recommencement of the Cyprus talks.
In statements during a press conference yesterday, Eroglu noted that the
Turkish side insists on the recommencement of the negotiations in April and on
putting a time limit in the process.
Eroglu said that
it makes no difference for them who will win the elections. He reiterated the
allegation that the Cyprus problem has been discussed since 1968, that all
aspects of the problem have been discussed until now and that a time limit
should be put in the negotiations. Erolgu noted that Turkey shares the same
view with him on this issue, which he discussed with the Turkish President Gul
in the sidelines of the recent summit of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) in Cairo.
Eroglu said that
UN Secretary-General’s special adviser for Cyprus, Alexander Downer will come
to the island in March in order to meet with the two leaders and wished for a
date for the recommencement of the negotiations to be determined during this
visit.
Eroglu argued that
the priority of the new Cyprus government will be the economic problems, but
the Turkish Cypriot side thinks that the Cyprus negotiations should start
before the end of April.
He alleged:
“Now, the economic situation may be the only pretext of Anastasiades or Malas.
I am concerned that Downer might change April to May, but in any case the
commencement of the negotiations is absolutely necessary in order to reach an
agreement”.
Eroglu said that
the first thing he will do after the second round of the presidential elections
in the Republic of Cyprus is to congratulate the newly elected President of the
Republic both on the phone and in writing.
“Afterwards I will send a letter for the beginning of the negotiations”,
he added.
Recalling that
he had met twice in the past with the chairman of Democratic Rally Party
(DISY), Nikos Anastasiades, Eroglu said that former President of the Republic,
Glafkos Clerides had also attended their dinner at president Anastasiades’ home
in Limassol and added:
“He transfers
his experience to Anastasiades. During our meeting Anastasiades has drawn a
reconciliatory picture. I hope that he is the same at the negotiating table.
During the dinners at our house it was not possible for us to enter into many
details on the Cyprus issue, but their hospitality was very good, especially
his wife’s. I thank them again. Of course, the social relations are one thing
and the negotiating table is another…”
Noting that
reference is made to loose federation by president Anastasiades, Eroglu said
that “Anastasiades might have different things in his mind” while saying this
and added that as long as the content of this term is not clarified, it would
be difficult to say what he thinks about it. Everything will be seen at the
negotiating table, he added.
Responding to a
question on President Christofias’ statement that the Greek Cypriot side is ten
steps in front of the Turkish Cypriot side in the solution of the Cyprus
problem, Eroglu alleged that this is not true and that the Greek Cypriot side
had rejected three solution plans submitted until today.
Noting that the
presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus are important for them, Eroglu
said, inter alia, the following: “One of the two candidates will come out [as
winner] from the ballot box. Whoever wins in the south [Translator’s note: as
he described the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus] makes no
difference for us. When Christofias had been elected, he was received with
satisfaction, with hope for peace and solution in the Turkish Cypriot side, but
as you see Christofias has also completed his five years and goes. Whoever is
elected makes no difference. In the end, he will be the person elected by the
Greek Cypriot people. He will be at the table having in the forefront their
interests…”
Asked to comment
on the fact that while Turkey interferes with the “elections” in the occupied
area of Cyprus Greece does not do this in the government-controlled area of the
island, Eroglu alleged: “A Minister from Greece had visited them before. I do
not want to comment why he had come, but it’s up to a government’s preference
to decide whether this is correct or not”.
Noting that
Nikos Anastasiades seems to have more chances to win the elections, Eroglu said
that this “does not mean that Anastasiades’ job will be easier on the issue of
establishing a coalition”, because “the results of the elections and the
numbers which have come up show that this will be more difficult and that he
will need more than one coalition partner”.
Eroglu said that
they closely follow “step by step” the elections in the Republic of Cyprus and
the statements during the campaign.
Eroglu described
as “very interesting”, the support offered by the Democratic Party (DIKO) and
the church to Nikos Anastasiades, who, he recalled, is a person that voted in
favor of the Annan Plan in 2004. He also called as interesting the statements
made by Anastasiades during his election campaign. He argued that Anastasiades
“exhibits a negative stance” on the issue of the indispensable conditions of
the Turkish side, the continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantees,
bi-zonality, the establishment of two founding states based on a new
partnership and putting a time limit in the negotiations. He noted that the
other candidate, Stavros Malas exhibits a stance in parallel to the one
exhibited by President Christofias at the negotiating table. “We hope that the
words said during the elections campaign are not reflected on the negotiating
table”, he argued.
Eroglu said that
after the presidential elections, he will evaluate the situation with his
negotiating team, the “parliamentary platform”, the “people’s council”, his
“advisory committee” and the political parties.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Turkey has reportedly prepared a plan B if Kucuk fails to win at the UBP
congress; Turkish settlers were called to Turkey for instructions
Under the front page title: “Here is the
plan ‘B’ if Kucuk fails to win”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(21.02.13) reports that representatives of 12 organizations and associations of
Turkish settlers paid a one-day visit to Ankara yesterday, upon an invitation
by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Besir Atalay.
According to the paper, the
organizations and associations of Turkish settlers were called to Ankara to
take instructions, since, as the paper writes, Ankara has already prepared an
action plan in case that Kucuk will fail to be elected at the forthcoming UBP
congress which is to take place on Sunday.
The paper underlines that the action
plan envisages for “early elections” to take place in the occupied area of
Cyprus in the possibility that Kasif will be the winner of the UBP congress,
adding that in this “elections”, the Turkish settlers either they will
participate with a form or a separate party they will establish, or under the
umbrella of Kucuk’s team who will resign from UBP.
The paper continues in its column
“Letter from Afrika” and writes that Atalay undertaken this initiative to
invite the “organizations and associations” of Turkish settlers in Ankara,
since, during his latest visit to the “TRNC”, when he came to mediate into the
“elections” in favour of Kucuk, he left from the island uncomfortable.
The paper points out also that a very well
know fact is
that Prime Minister Erdogan sees as great weakness the fact that the “Turkish
settlers” are not represented with “deputies” at the so-called assembly and
adds that it is for this reason they went into action towards this direction.
Underlining also that Eroglu’s term will
finish in two years; the paper writes that AKP will have to put up with Eroglu
until then, but still, within this period, it has some neutralized plans. The
idea of bringing someone else besides Eroglu as a negotiator at the talks, is
also on the table, writes the paper.
(AK)
3. Akca alleged that the declaration of the
breakaway regime a success
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the “ambassador” of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca, stated that the declaration of the “TRNC” and of the “independence” of the Turkish Cypriots is a great success.
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the “ambassador” of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca, stated that the declaration of the “TRNC” and of the “independence” of the Turkish Cypriots is a great success.
Akca was
speaking during a meeting with a delegation of the TMT organization which
changed its administrative board recently.
Akca went on and
said that there might be problems in the breakaway regime, however the point
that was reached should not be underestimated. “We can reached even more
successful points starting from here”, he added.
4.
“Famagusta Initiative Organization” sent letters to the two candidates for
the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (21.02.13)
reports that the “Famagusta Initiative Organization” has sent a letter to the
two presidential candidates of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the paper, the “Famagusta
Initiative Organizations” in its letter proposed a formula for Maras-Port-
within the walls city [Translator’s note: “Maras is the occupied fenced off
city of Varosha] with the aim to get out of the deadlock of the non-solution.
In the light of this formula, the
“Famagusta Initiative”, asks for efforts to be taken for Famagusta to be set
under the control of the UN, for the opening of occupied Famagusta port under
the supervision of the EU. The “Famagusta Initiative” underlines that with
mutual steps to be taken and with the appropriate implementation of the formula
submitted for (Maras-Port-within the walls city), the Turkish Cypriots will
gain the potential to overpass the unjust treatment they received since they
are not able to be integrated with the world, and also, with the return of
Maras (Famagusta) to its legal owners, the Greek Cypriot community’s 38 years
of pain will also be abolished.
(AK)
5. Turkish constructive firm on its investments in
occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the Turkish Bulut Constructive
Firm gave information about its construction and investments in occupied
Cyprus.
Speaking during
a press conference, the chairman of the firm’s board, Temel Bulut, stated that
the construction of a building started in 2010 and located at occupied Lefkosia
Keryneia road is continuing. He also said that the hotel in occupied Agios
Epiktikos consisting of 130 villas, with a capacity of two thousand persons,
also continues.
6.
Eleousa church and monastery in occupied Karpasia lacks of care
Under the title: “Tourist’s haunt”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.02.13) reports that the Eleousa church and
monastery which is located west of Rizokarpaso and in the east of Yialousa
village in the peninsula of Karpasia, is a place which attracts the interest of
a lot of tourists, however, as the paper points out, it is a place which for
years lacks of care.
The paper points out also that the
monastery which is near the church is totally be razed and it publishes photos
of the church showing its bad condition.
(AK)
7. Bagis continues his
contacts in France
Ankara Anatolia
News Agency (20.02.13) reports that Turkey’s EU minister Egemen Bağış who is
having contact in Paris, alleged that
European Union members are attaching great importance to the peace process
currently ongoing between the Turkish government and the jailed leader of the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“France and EU
countries give importance to the process aimed at the laying down of arms. They
attach importance to the increase of serenity inside Turkey,” EU Minister
Egemen Bağış told reporters after meeting with French officials.
France’s new
Socialist Party government had announced last week that it would assist Turkey
in opening one of the five chapters once blocked by Paris for Ankara’s
long-stalled EU membership talks. The announcement was welcomed by Turkish
officials despite the fact it hinted that the other four chapters would remain
deadlocked.
Bağış said that
he had discussed with his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve the 22nd chapter
on regional policies that France agreed to unblock and exchanged opinions on
the other chapters waiting to be opened.
Turkey’s EU
minister also met with French Interior Minister Manuel Valls and discussed the
Jan. 9 murder of three Kurdish women in Paris. “He assured me that they were
pursuing a lot of effort for a quick and transparent trial and were sharing all
the information [they found] with the Turkish intelligence and security
officials,” Bağış said. Both countries agreed to increase their cooperation in
the fight against terrorism, he added.
Meanwhile, a
French diplomat told French media that they were expecting a gesture from
Turkey in exchange for having lifted their veto on one of the five chapters
blocked by Paris. Cazeneuve has vowed to adopt a more positive position
regarding Turkey and expressed his expectation that Ankara would bring more
momentum to the cooperation among the two countries, the official said.
8. Turkey is intensifying its search for natural
gas and oil in Central Anatolia to meet its energy needs
Turkish daily
Today's Zaman newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız stated that
Turkey is intensifying its search for natural gas and oil in Central Anatolia,
but “needs to do much more to meet Turkey's energy needs,”. He was speaking at
a press conference on Wednesday.
The Turkish
minister said that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Turkey's state oil
firm, had “stepped up efforts in Central Anatolia” and found traces of shale
gas in the central provinces of Ankara, Kırşehir and Konya. Ankara's search for
shale gas deposits in previous months has focused on the southeastern province
of Diyarbakır, where TPAO is drilling exploratory wells in a joint project with
Shell.
Yıldız said
efforts to find shale gas are necessary as Turkey's energy needs are growing,
and it continues to import around 97 percent of its natural gas from abroad. He
downplayed hopes that the discovery of a natural gas deposit on Tuesday in
İstanbul's Silivri district, would go far towards meeting Turkey's appetite for
46 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year. “It would be misleading to say
this will bring a solution to our energy needs. The feasibility studies on the
[Silivri] well haven't been finished.”
Taking the
example of Merty Energy, the private company behind the Silivri gas find,
Yıldız suggested that private companies could play a central role in energy
exploration if they are “more attentive” to opportunities in Turkey. Stating
that Turkey's economic prosperity was tied to new energy discoveries, he said a
discovery “may mean massive profits for a company, but I think a sense that
this is for all of Turkey would be a better management attitude.”
Private and
state explorers are unsure of how much extractable shale gas Turkey holds, with
one Reuters report suggesting that reserves could vary from 20 trillion cubic
meters (cbm) of gas to a much more modest 6-7 billion cbm. Reuters suggested
this week that several international energy companies may be on the verge of
signing on to the search for Turkish shale gas.
Experts have
suggested that even if significant gas reserves are found, it would take until
2016 to develop the infrastructure to exploit them.
9. BDP selects three names for the second visit to
jailed PKK leader
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (21.02.13) reports that the pro-kurdish Peace and Democracy
Party (BDP) has notified the Turkish
Justice Ministry that it has chosen Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan
and Altan Tan to go to İmralı Island to meet Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned
leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as part of the ongoing
peace process.
The stalemate
that had developed between the government and the BDP over the composition of
the delegation was solved following Ocalan’s intervention, and the group will
now depart for Imralı within days of the conclusion of the necessary
procedures.
The names were
announced through a written statement by the BDP, following an hour-long
meeting on Wednesday in a bid to end the uncertainty over who would conduct the
second meeting with Ocalan. The statement said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan had refused to allow BDP co-chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş and
independent deputy, Ahmet Türk, to visit Öcalan on this occasion.
Recalling the
message delivered by Ocalan via his brother, Mehmet Ocalan, stating that he was
expecting to meet one of the co-chairpersons in the second delegation, the BDP
statement said the three names had been chosen by Öcalan himself in a bid to
avert the deadlock. It viewed Ocalan’s proposals as valid and said the party
had notified the Justice Ministry in line with the list.
Because Justice
Minister Sadullah Ergin was attending the meeting of the anti-terror board
under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay, the BDP’s request
was sent to Ergin’s chief advisor, Adnan Boynukara.
Meanwhile, Erdogan
said they will discuss the names on the sidelines of tonight's anti-terror
meeting. “The justice minister will probably make a statement tomorrow [Feb.
21],” he told reporters during a press conference held in Ankara with his
Libyan counterpart, Ali Zeidan.
“Ahmet Türk and
Ayla Akat Ata visited İmralı island on Jan. 3, which is considered to be the
beginning of the peace process between the government and the PKK. The process
is aiming at disarming the PKK and solving the Kurdish question. Erdogan
publicly slammed Türk for attacking the Turkish military’s operations against
the PKK in the aftermath of the first visit to İmralı, causing a rift. Erdogan also vetoed Demirtaş for his sharp
criticism of the government, and also refused permission to fellow
co-chairperson, Gültan Kışanak, for her embracing of PKK terrorists a couple of
months ago”, writes the paper.
According to
Hurriyet, the three names officially assigned by the party for the latest visit
have different qualifications. Pervin Buldan is the wife of Savaş Buldan, who
was killed in unsolved murder in 1994. Altan Tan represents the conservative
wing of the BDP and is known as a religious Kurdish politician. Önder, however,
is an ethnic Turk of Turkoman descent. As a movie director, artist and former
columnist, Önder was also a political activist in late 1970s, who was later tortured
during his time spent in prison imprisonment. Tan and Önder have been members
of Parliament since 2011.
10. “Eleven million signatures collected for
headscarf freedom in public sector”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the Civil Servants' Trade Union (Memur-Sen) in Turkey has collected more than 11 million signatures across the country as part of a campaign to abolish the headscarf ban for civil servants.
Under the above title, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (21.02.13) reports that the Civil Servants' Trade Union (Memur-Sen) in Turkey has collected more than 11 million signatures across the country as part of a campaign to abolish the headscarf ban for civil servants.
The campaign is
titled “10 million signatures for freedom.” The union announced on Wednesday
that its campaign for the collection of signatures across Turkey ended on
Tuesday and that it will present the signatures to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan. Head of Memur-Sen's Konya office, Latif Selvi, said that 562,725
signatures were collected in his province, a record for petitions in Konya. He
stated that a country trying its coup-plotters should no longer maintain such a
ban, which is also not compatible with Turkey's current Constitution, he noted.
“Turkey should get rid of such restrictions against to civil servants. After we
present the signatures to the Prime Minister, it will be the government,
Parliament and political parties' turn to do their job and eliminate this ban.
We call on all political parties to contribute to the efforts to rid the
country of this problem,” he stated.
The ban on
wearing headscarves has long been an issue of debate in Turkey. The headscarf
ban in Turkish universities, which was introduced after the Feb. 27, 1997 coup,
was eased after the Higher Education Board (YΟK) sent a circular to
universities in 2010 asking them to admit headscarf-wearing students. The
unofficial ban on the use of headscarves is also in practice in government
offices, where employees are told to leave their hair exposed.
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