TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 41/13
27/2/13
1. Merkel: we cannot open chapters in Turkey’s
negotiations as long the Cyprus problem is not solved
2. Davutoglu comments on the election of President
Anastasiades
3. Bagis’ response to Merkel: “Ankara is ready to open
its ports to Greek Cypriots if German Lufthansa starts flights to Ercan
Airport”
4. Caglayan: “I did not had time to make a proposal to
Merkel on the Cyprus problem”
5. Ria Oomen-Ruijten hopes Anastasiades'
election will speed up reunification talks
6. “Anastasiades to the rescue!”
7. “Merkel's visit marks a turn”
8. Eroglu wants an agreement that no agreement could
be reached in Cyprus
9. Kucuk: “If Anastasiades sends a representative to
the negotiations, we will not degrade our president to that level”
10. Reply by Elcil to Bagis: “The Turkish officials
are used to insulting us”
11.
Akca discussed with Yorgancioglu and Akansoy the elections in the Republic of
Cyprus
12.
Hasan Sertoglu the candidate of UBP for the occupied Lefkosia municipality’
“elections”
13. Turkey’s MGK conveyed yesterday; the fight against
terrorism, the Syria crisis and the Imrali process dominated the meeting
14. More about the Imrali process; Demirtas on
Ocalan’s letter
15. Iran will
reportedly trade oil for Turkish ships in order to evade US sanctions
1. Merkel: we cannot open
chapters in Turkey’s negotiations as long the Cyprus problem is not solved
Under the title “Solution in Cyprus first”, Turkish
Cypriot Kibris newspaper (27.02.13) reports that the German Chancellor, Angela
Merkel has said that the desired chapters in Turkey’s accession negotiations
with the European Union (EU) cannot open because of the Cyprus problem.
During her two-day visit in Turkey, Chancellor Merkel
addressed the “2nd Turkish-German CEO Forum” established by the
Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) and their German
colleagues BDI. Addressing the forum, the German Chancellor said that a problem
regarding the Ankara Protocol exists in Turkey’s full membership negotiations.
She added: “We cannot not open as many chapters as we want, in case the Cyprus
problem does not reach a solution within this framework”.
She went on and said that extremely safe investment
conditions exist in Turkey for German businesses adding that their trade volume
exceeds 30 billion Euros, but could be further increase. “These investments
could take us forward, because there is a very big need in the energy sector”,
she noted pointing out that the renewable energy resources are also important
and not only the classic energy resources. The German chancellor said that the
necessary conditions for the development of this sector exist in Turkey.
Chancellor Merkel noted that Germany wants a result in
Turkey’s full membership negotiations, “but of course there is a long way in
front of us”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Davutoglu comments on the
election of President Anastasiades
Under the title “Road map to Anastasiades from
Davutoglu”, Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi online newspaper (27.02.13), reports
that the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu has sent “a clear
message” to the newly elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos
Anastasiades. Replying to questions of Burcu Akkaya, the paper’s correspondent
in Ankara, Davutoglu said that Turkey had a “developed legal acquis” over the
Cyprus problem and pointed out to the “specificity” of the UN parameters on the
issue.
“The reason of the non-existence of a solution until
today in Cyprus is not Turkey and the TRNC”, alleged Davutoglu reiterating the
Turkish argument that “it is the Greek Cypriot side the one that said ‘no’ in
2004”.
He went on and claimed: “Now Anastasiades came on duty
there and he is in a new exam. If he continues that stance and paves the way of
a new peace process, he will definitely receive a response. I am saying this in
the positive meaning”.
Arguing that the negotiating process slowed down and
regressed during President Christofias period, Davutoglu reiterated the Turkish
allegation that the Greek Cypriot side has always been the one that not wanted
peace. He went on and claimed: “We believe that peace could be achieved on the
island based on equal rights and on the principle of bi-zonality, but the
important thing is for the other side as well to believe this. I think that the
negotiations will gain acceleration, if such a road is followed during
Anastasiades’ period”.
The paper refers to “a new process” in the
negotiations which “will bring with it new policies in the sides”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Bagis’ response to Merkel: “Ankara is ready to open
its ports to Greek Cypriots if German Lufthansa starts flights to Ercan
Airport”
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.02.13) reports that Turkey’s EU Minister Egemen
Bagis has challenged German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the Ankara protocol,
saying that Ankara is ready to open its ports to Greek Cypriots if a German
airline Lufthansa starts flights to “Ercan Airport” in “Turkish Cyprus”, as the
breakaway regime is called.
“I’ll
call your bluff. The Turkish Republic will open its sea ports, airports, and
air space, if Lufthansa embarks on an expedition to Ercan Airport,” Egemen Bagis
told reporters yesterday, citing Merkel’s call on Turkey for progress in
implementing the Ankara Protocol.
“Turkey’s
ports were open to Greek Cypriot vessels until 1987”, Bagis stressed, adding
that letting Greek Cypriots into Turkish ports would not mean official
recognition of the state.
“Nobody
can expect Turkey to unilaterally open its sea and air ports while Turkish
Cypriots are suffering due to the embargo, despite the EU decision dated on April
24, 2004,” he said.
“Merkel
is repeating her doubts on Turkey’s full membership of the EU, but she has
never made an effort to block the negotiation process”, Bagis said, adding that
on the contrary, during Germany’s EU term presidency, Turkey actually opened
three negotiation chapters.
At a
joint press conference with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 25,
Merkel butted heads with Ankara on the deadlock surrounding Cyprus. “We need
Turkey’s progress on the implementation of the Ankara protocol. Otherwise, the
number of negotiation chapters that can be opened will be limited,” Merkel
said.
4. Caglayan: “I did not had time to make a proposal to
Merkel on the Cyprus problem”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (26.02.13) the Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan
has said,
that he did not had time to make a proposal to German Chancellor Angela Merkel
on Cyprus problem.
Caglayan
said that he had a proposal which he failed to convey to the visiting German
Chancellor Angela Merkel on the Cyprus Issue. “Allow Lufthansa to fly to Ercan
Airport and we shall open all our ports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes”, Caglayan
said.
Speaking
to reporters at the end of the 2nd Turkish-German CEO Forum, he said that he
had not found the time to convey a proposal on Cyprus to the German Chancellor
who was in Turkey as guest of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
on a two day visit.
“I
was going to propose to the German Chancellor to allow Lufthansa Airways to fly
to Ercan Airport and that, we, in return would open all our ports to Greek
Cypriot vessels and planes” he said.
Also,
touching upon the visa requirements for Turkish nationals when entering the EU,
the Turkish Minister alleged that there was a double standard in the practice
and requirements, particularly for businessmen.
5. Ria Oomen-Ruijten hopes Anastasiades' election will speed up
reunification talks
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (26.02.13) reported that Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the European
Parliament reporter on Turkey, has expressed hope that new President of the
Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will be able to bring back momentum to
the negotiations on the reunification of the island.
In
statements to Today's Zaman, she said: “I am hopeful and confident that
Anastasiades will be able to bring back the much needed momentum in the
negotiations on the reunification of the island, based on a fair and viable settlement
for both communities”.
Recalling
center-right politician Anastasiades' “yes” vote for the 2004 Annan plan,
Oomen-Ruijten called on all parties, including the Turkish government, to use
this momentum to make renewed efforts to come to a lasting settlement.
(…)
6. “Anastasiades to the rescue!”
Under
the above title, Amanda Paul, columnist in Today’s Zaman (26.02.13) writes the
following about Anastasiades’ election to the Presidency of the Republic of
Cyprus: “The new Greek Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades, will have a
baptism of fire. His in-tray is overflowing, including leading Cyprus out of a
deep economic quagmire, taking steps to improve the socioeconomic situation
and, if that were not enough, get back to the business of negotiating a
settlement to the decades-old Cyprus problem.
There
was never any doubt that Anastasiades would be crowned President. He had been
the favorite for months, and while he did not manage to make it over the 50% mark
in the first round, he walked away with a clear victory in the second. The
result was welcomed in the EU. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt tweeted that
it offered an opportunity for ‘Cyprus to return to Europe’. Many in the EU
viewed communist Demitris Christofias as too close to Moscow.
This
election was very different from previous ones as, for the first time in
decades, it was not all about the Cyprus problem. Rather, it was all about
money -- with the policies of outgoing President Christofias delivering Greek
Cypriots the worst economic situation since the division of the island in 1974.
Therefore, Cypriots mostly voted for the person they believed could turn the
situation around, get a bailout deal in place and get money back in their
pockets.
Anastasiades
has a massive task ahead of him. He has pledged to conclude a bailout
agreement, which could be as much as 17 billion euro, as soon as possible,
putting Cyprus back on the path of stability and growth. While it seems all EU
leaders are in agreement about the bailout, he may not be out of the woods as
it still needs to go to national parliaments and there are some shaky cases --
for example, Germany. In order to assure there will be no default, he may be
forced to privatize some areas, such as the ports, increase health care costs
-- which would be extremely unpopular -- or possibly make Turkish Cypriots pay
for health care they currently receive for free.
Once
he has secured a bailout deal, he will also need to focus on the Cyprus problem
as pressure will mount from the UN for the talks that were put on ‘hold’ last
June to be restarted. During his victory speech, Anastasiades spelled out that
Greek Cypriots should realize the country would be partitioned if there were no
cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots. Appealing to the Turkish Cypriots, he
stated he was sending a ‘message of peace, friendship and sincere intention to
seek a solution that will lead to a modern and European homeland that will
respect the human rights of all its citizens’.
However,
while Anastasiades has a long history of supporting a bi-zonal, bi-communal
federation, he has indicated that he does not want to be chief negotiator. This
would represent a significant change as until now it has always been the two
leaders who have taken this role, and this idea has not been welcomed by the
leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community, Dervis Eroglu. It may have been part
of the deal made with his coalition partner, the Democratic Party (DIKO), as it
is rumored the likely candidate would come from DIKO. While Anastasiades'
Democratic Rally (DISY) voted for the UN's 2004 Annan Plan, DIKO vehemently
opposed it.
In
terms of foreign policy, which seems set to be headed by former Foreign
Minister and current member of the European Parliament Ioannis Kasoulides, who
is well-respected in the west, changes are afoot. First will be the expected
application for Cypriot membership of the NATO-affiliated Partnership for Peace
(PFP). It will be interesting to see the Turkish reaction to this, although as
it is only the PFP, Turkey has no veto. Of course it would be a different
matter if Cyprus decided to apply for NATO membership. It also seems that
Anastasiades may be ready to unblock some of the chapters that Nicosia
presently blocks in Turkey's accession talks as well as accepting Turkish
Cypriots to have observer status in the European Parliament. Although, in
return, they may propose the shelving of the unimplemented direct trade
regulation for Turkish Cypriots, requesting that it be replaced with something
else. However, whether this strategy will bring a positive result remains to be
seen”.
7. “Merkel's visit marks a turn”
In a
commentary under the above title, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (26.02.13)
published the following by columnist Yavuz Baydar who commented on Merkel’s
visit to Turkey:
“German
Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Turkey must be added as another positive
step toward melting the icy relationship between Ankara and the EU. It follows
two other important recent steps. First, France unblocked a chapter coming
during the current talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and secondly,
Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly (57.5%) voted for the Democratic Rally (DISY)
leader, Nikos Anastasiades in the presidential election, a strong signal of a
mood change on the island.
Merkel's
visit was long overdue. It has been well-noted that she has visited Turkey only
once in three years, while Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has visited
Germany four times. Should it be interpreted as the Christian Democratic Union
of Germany (CDU) now being in accord with its coalition partner, the Free
Democratic Party (FDP), about the strategic importance, economic performance
and crucial democratic transformation of Turkey? Perhaps. One can hope that the
visit and the positive sound of her messages indicate a long-lasting change of
mind.
Cynics
have seen ‘no progress’ between Erdogan and Merkel on Turkey's EU accession
process. But the truth is, Merkel not only endorsed France's unblocking move,
but also signalled that other chapters may follow, with perhaps a second one
even before the end of the Irish term presidency in the EU. One understands
that she needs to balance very carefully in an election year for Germany on a
subject which can shake and stir the votes.
But
deep down, she knows that she has the backing of some party heavyweights about
remaining committed to coalition protocol on Turkey's accession and support for
it to continue.
There
are many aspects to why Germany should be more active, frank and clear about
its relations with Turkey and its policy on the EU negotiations. Pro-EU arguments based on today's Turkish
economy speak for themselves, as outlined by Kemal Dervis, the vice president
of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and a former Minister of Economic
Affairs of Turkey, for the daily Handelsblatt on February 25, 2013 in an
article titled “Die Politik is am Zug” (“The policy is on track”). Apart from
fine figures on inflation, growth, reduced deficit, employment, strong currency
and reserves, German politicians do look with admiration at ‘hardworking’ Turks
(a virtue they value highly), when they compare them with the Mediterranean
citizens of the EU. Turkey with such an economy is now too big for Germany to
ignore, and far too important to be seen only as a simple trading partner, no
doubt. Therefore, the tough visa regulations and the particularly rigid
implementation of it attributed to German general councils in Turkey must be
eased; liberalized in the sense that, once having passed a security check,
Turkish citizens must be given five-year, multiple-entry Schengen visas.
Nor
should there be any doubt that increasing defense cooperation through NATO on
Syria creates a new momentum for Berlin to realize more deeply Turkey's
significance on the south-eastern flank of the continent, as it shoulders
increasing burdens. Stability in Turkey, in that sense, can be said to be
serving the stability of Germany, and of Europe as a whole.
Merkel
did not say much on Turkey's Kurdish peace process, but given the presence of
large, politicized Turkish, Alevi and Kurdish communities in her own country --
take it for granted that solutions on all social rifts here will ease tensions
there. Interests overlap. And in that case, it is demanded that Germany more
thoroughly consider indirect, discreet assistance to endorse Turkey in its
struggle against historical demons. The EU membership process, kept alive and
well, is the best help.
Merkel
is certainly right in her arguments about Cyprus, even if it is an issue that
still needs time, given the stalemate. But, it has become also clear that Erdogan
is willing to resolve the issue in a broader context. He expects a
complementary signal from Anastasiades, and has in mind a ‘package solution’
that should involve Cypriots as well as Greece, energy and economic
cooperation, and have the backing of Britain. Germany can play a crucial role
for the Eastern Mediterranean, if Erdogan's ideas make any sense”.
8. Eroglu wants an agreement
that no agreement could be reached in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot Kibris newspaper (27.02.13) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that the sides should
agree whether an agreement could be reached in Cyprus or not and added that “if
an agreement will not be reached, this is also an agreement”. In statements
yesterday during a visit to Turkey’s Orhangazi district governor, Eroglu said
that a new President of the Republic was elected now in “South Cyprus Greek
Administration”, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, and wished to meet
with the new President within the forthcoming days.
He argued: “I wish we sit and talk in the forthcoming
days. If there will be an agreement, there will be [an agreement], if there
will not be one, this also is an agreement. That is, if there will not be an
agreement; let us agree on that as well”.
Claiming that the world has continuously expectations
from Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue of securing an agreement,
Eroglu alleged, inter alia, the following: “We are trying to make the state we
have established continue living and while we are doing this we are continuing
together searching for an agreement by which we will be able to live in Cyprus
in security with our honor and dignity”.
(I/Ts.)
9. Kucuk: “If Anastasiades
sends a representative to the negotiations, we will not degrade our president
to that level”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.02.13)
reports that Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of Cyprus, has said that the leaders of the communities carry
out the duty of “negotiator” in the Cyprus talks and added that the support of
his “government” to the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu will continue, if
the Greek Cypriot side continues the negotiations in this manner.
In statements to Kibris TV, Kucuk said: “If [Translator’s
note: newly elected President] Anastasiades sends a representative to the
negotiations, then we will not degrade our president to that level”.
Kucuk argued that the newly elected President of the
Republic was supported by EOKA-B organization and that his statements before
the elections did not give much hope for a solution. “I do not expect positive
developments soon”, he said.
Referring to the statement made recently by Eroglu
that his telephone calls were wiretapped, Kucuk said he does not think that
this is possible. Noting that he received no information until today telling
him that the telephones were wiretapped, Kucuk added: “Personally I am relaxed
on this issue”.
Kucuk said that he will not take his opponent in the
race for the National Unity Party’s presidency, Ahmet Kasif and his supporters
to the disciplinary committee of the UBP and added that their aim was to win
the “elections” in occupied Lefkosia “municipality” and come to “power” alone
during next year’s general “elections”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(27.02.13) publishes an interview with Irsen Kucuk, who said that he is the
president of the party and will not allow anyone to consider that “two
authorities” exist in the UBP. Criticizing Eroglu’s stance during the recent
congress of the party, he argued: “Eroglu has personally become a side in the
congress. He participated in the congress. He has personally carried out the
campaign against me. He tried to put pressure on everyone, including the
ministers, and direct them”.
Referring to the statement made by the Turkish
Minister Responsible for EU Affairs, Egemen Bagis, who invited Kucuk, Eroglu
and President Anastasiades to have fish in Istanbul, Kucuk said, inter alia,
the following: “During this new period, I and my government will be more active
in the foreign policy. I hope that the President of the Greek Administration
Anastasiades accepts this invitation of Mr Egemen Bagis and we will go
altogether to have fish in Istanbul”.
(I/Ts.)
10. Reply by Elcil to Bagis:
“The Turkish officials are used to insulting us”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (27.02.13)
reports that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary
School Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), replied yesterday to the Turkish Minister
Responsible for EU and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bagis, who had invited the
newly elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades to have
fish at Bosporus in Istanbul. Elcil invited Bagis to Lefkosia to have bullez, a
traditional Cyprus food. Elcil said, inter alia, the following in his
statement:
“In an insolent manner Mr Bagis sends invitations for
having fish in Istanbul’s Bosporus… In order for enriching Egemen Bagis’
knowledge and explain to him the realities in Cyprus, we invite him to have
bullez in Lefkosia… When they achieved the result they wanted in the elections
in the north [Translator’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus],
they know started making statements regarding the south north [Translator’s
note: the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus]. AKP, which
offered every material and moral support for the election of Irsen Kucuk, has
done this to receive a disproportionate return… Bagis continues hiding behind
the yes vote of the Turkish Cypriots and make insolent statements. The
officials from Turkey, who withdrew absolutely no soldier for the solution, who
cause “pain” to all Cypriots at the barricades, who transfer population to the
island and distribute citizenship, who usurp our political will, who plunder
the Greek Cypriot properties and who still keep Varosha close, have turned
insulting us to their habit…”
(I/Ts.)
11. Akca discussed with Yorgancioglu and Akansoy the
elections in the Republic of Cyprus
Under
the title: “Close cooperation is important”, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar
newspaper (27.02.13) reports that the so-called Turkish ambassador to occupied
Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca visited yesterday the headquarters of the
Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), where he met with the chairman
of CHP, Ozkan Yorgancioglu and the general secretary of the party Asim Akansoy.
According
to a statement issued by the press office of CTP-BG, during the meeting, the
elections which took place in “south Cyprus”, as the Republic of Cyprus is
called, as well as the possible developments to be formed on the negotiation
process were also being discussed.
Speaking
during the meeting, Yorgancioglu referred, inter alia, to the strong ties exist
between Turkey and the “TRNC” and stressed the importance of the establishment
of dialogue in all aspects, as well as the need for a more close cooperation
with Turkey, having in mind, as he said, that the Cyprus problem
will come again into the agenda.
(AK)
12. Hasan Sertoglu the candidate of UBP for the
occupied Lefkosia municipality’ “elections”
According
to Turkish daily Haberdar newspaper (27.02.13) the National Unity Party (UBP)
has approved unanimously yesterday during the meeting of the “party council”
Hasan Sertoglu, as the candidate of the party at the forthcoming “by elections”
to take place at the occupied Lefkosia municipality on April 7.
Speaking
after the party’s meeting, Kucuk referred to the “elections” at the occupied
Lefkosia municipality and stressed the need to take action in order to win also
this “elections”, as he said.
On
his party, Hasan Sertoglu said that they will work together with UBP with unity
and solidarity and added that it will not be difficult to win the “elections”.
He continued and said that he is a candidate who aims not to create more
problems to the “municipality” but to solve the problems, as he said.
(AK)
13. Turkey’s MGK conveyed yesterday; the fight against
terrorism, the Syria crisis and the Imrali process dominated the meeting
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (26.02.13) reported that the National Security
Council (MGK) held its regular bi-monthly meeting on February 26, just three
days after a delegation from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) made a
critical visit to İmralı island for talks with the jailed leader of the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as part as an ongoing peace process between the
government and the PKK.
Although
there was no comment made directly on the talks with the PKK during the MGK’s
meeting, which was presided over by President Abdullah Gul and saw the
participation of top civilian and military officials, the nation’s fight
against terrorism and security operations planned for the coming months
dominated the five-and-a-half hour assembly, according to an official
statement.
“While
our fight against terrorism continues with determination, [the council] has
discussed measures that could be taken to ensure our people’s security and
peace,” the statement said.
The
meeting convened as a potential PKK ceasefire and retreat by militants were
said to be on the agenda of the peace process.
The
Syrian civil war and the continuous flow of refugees into Turkey were also
among important discussion points at the meeting. Civil and military leaders in
the MGK also examined the latest situation in Iraq and North Africa, according
to the official statement.
14. More about the Imrali process; Demirtas on Ocalan’s
letter
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.02.13) reports that the parties involved in the
ongoing resolution process expressed their determination for eventually finding
a peaceful resolution to Turkey’s decades-old conflict with the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he would even drink
hemlock poison if it meant achieving peace.
“If
our Justice Ministry is allowing BDP [Peace and Democracy Party] deputies to
İmralı as part of the resolution process, the only reason is [to see] whether a
step could be taken [toward a solution]; it was this,” Erdogan said on February
26 in an address to his party’s parliamentary group, reiterating that he was
ready to even “drink hemlock poison” if it would pave the way for serenity in
the country.
BDP
co-chair Selahattin Demirtas, meanwhile, said that the jailed leader of the
PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, who recently met with three BDP Deputies, believes that
the recent process will beget an eventual resolution to the Kurdish issue.
“Neither we, nor the state can abandon that process,” Demirtas quoted Ocalan as
saying in a letter he said they received from Ocalan the morning of February
26. The letter was reportedly sent through a courier by the National
Intelligence Service (MİT).
“There’s
a certain determination and desire this time. Parties have focused on the
target. They don’t regard the process as hanging on by a thread. We are making
persistent efforts in order for that process not to fail,” Demirtas told a
group of reporters on February 26. When asked whether the PKK could declare a
ceasefire on March 21, at Nevruz – a spring festival for many people in the
Middle East that is of crucial importance to Kurds – Demirtas said that there’s
a de facto ceasefire, indicating that the PKK is not carrying out armed action
and the army is not conducting considerable military operations against the
PKK. He added that the de facto ceasefire can become official after the process
makes progress. “Withdrawal of PKK militants will become definite after
discussions between Ocalan and Kandil, the mountain where the PKK’s
headquarters and training camps are based”, according to Demirtas.
Demirtas,
who had yet to read the whole letter when speaking to reporters, said that the
handwritten letter by Ocalan arrived at the BDP’s headquarters in a white,
unsealed and unmarked envelope. Ocalan wrote one letter, with three addressees
on separate cover letters: the BDP, Kandil and the European wing of the PKK.
The BDP Party Assembly gathered and discussed Ocalan’s letter and the BDP’s
Central Executive Board will respond to Ocalan’s letter before deciding whether
or not to reveal its content.
According
to sources, Ocalan lays out certain conditions for the PKK’s disarmament in his
letter. Certain legal assurances should be provided for the PKK’s withdrawal
from Turkey and the withdrawal can be completed by the end of August, Ocalan
was quoted by sources as saying.
For
disarmament of the PKK, according to Ocalan, Turkey needs to strengthen local
administrations by removing its reservations on the Council of Europe’s
European Charter of Local Self-Government. The definition of a neutral
citizenship, which will not define anyone as Turkish or Kurdish and
establishment of a truth commission in Parliament to examine rights violations,
are required conditions for a resolution, Öcalan reportedly wrote. Demirtas
said that Ocalan expects a response to his letter within two weeks”.
(…)
15. Iran will reportedly trade oil for Turkish ships in order to evade
US sanctions
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (26.02.13) reported that a news report has said on Tuesday that Ankara is now
considering an Iranian bid to exchange oil for Turkish ships and coast guard
boats in a deal worth more than $3 billion, amid US-led sanctions on the
transfer of some international currencies and gold to Iran over Tehran's
suspected nuclear program.
Turkey,
Iran's biggest natural gas customer, has been paying Iran for its exports with
Turkish lira because sanctions prevent it from paying in dollars or euro.
Iranians
then use those liras, held in Halkbank accounts, to buy gold in Turkey, and
couriers carry bullion worth millions of dollars in hand luggage to Dubai,
where it can be sold for foreign currency or shipped to Iran. Halkbank had also
been processing a portion of India's payments for Iranian oil.
US
officials sought to prevent Turkish gold exports, which indirectly pay Iran for
its natural gas, from providing a financial lifeline to Tehran, largely frozen
out of the global banking system by the Western sanctions.
To
avoid the latest sanctions, Iran is now considering trading the oil and gas it
exports to Turkey for Turkish industrial products, Turkey's Vatan daily
reported on Tuesday. The bargain could create a sector worth $20 billion in the
long run. The shipping industry is a candidate to profit most from this move by
Iran and has already been taking measures to turn the crisis into a business
opportunity.
A
senior official working in a Turkish shipbuilding yard told Vatan that Iranians
want to buy their products and they are particularly interested in purchasing
coast guard boats, search and rescue vessels, river craft and small cargo
ships. He added that demands like these have already been conveyed to Ankara
and that they are awaiting answers from officials.
Officials
in the shipping industry say the demand from Iranians have already amounted to
up to $3 billion.
Turkish
Shipbuilders' Association (GİSBİR) chairman Murat Kıran also confirmed the
demands from Iran in his interview with Vatan. Kıran stressed that
international investment is creating new opportunities for Turkish businesses.
He said if Ankara approves the bargain, the sector will have a chance to revive
its business.
The
report said that the export of shipping industry has significantly declined
with a 60% drop to $1.1 billion, due to a decline in global demand. The
ship-for-oil bargain with Iran will make the sector significantly more vibrant.
The
report added that Turkish coast guard boats and search and rescue vessels are
world-class brands. Different types of Turkish boats are already being exported
to Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Georgia, Egypt and Pakistan.
(…)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
