TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 54/13 16-19/3/13
1. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Eurogroup’s
decision on Cyprus
2. How the Turkish press covers Eurogroup’s decision
on Cyprus
3. Efforts by Tatar to exploit the economic crisis in
the government-controlled area of Cyprus
4. Davutoglu
and Kerry discuss Iraq and Cyprus over a
telephone conversation
5. Eroglu reiterated that Varosha is part of the whole solution
5. Eroglu reiterated that Varosha is part of the whole solution
6. Talat: Eroglu has committed a mistake by
interrupting the Cyprus talks because of the Cypriot EU term presidency
7. Ozyigit: the negotiations process should resume
8. The breakaway regime reportedly turning to Muslim states for recognition
9. Oktay Vural said: “Cyprus problem is Turkey’s problem”
9. Oktay Vural said: “Cyprus problem is Turkey’s problem”
10.
Logoglu: “The government in power neglected the Cyprus problem”
11. Ozgurgun: “if there is no solution we will find
our place in the international platform”
12. Self-styled minister of Economy Atun participated in Jeddah Economic Forum and said they created opportunity for recognition through investments
12. Self-styled minister of Economy Atun participated in Jeddah Economic Forum and said they created opportunity for recognition through investments
13. Self-styled MPs Tacoy, Nami and Ulucay held contacts in Strasbourg
14.
The so-called municipality union due to Strasburg
15.
CTP’s Youth Organization became a full member of Young European Socialists
(YES)
16. Reactions by environmental organizations in the
occupied area of Cyprus for a music festival in occupied Karpassia
17. Increase of tourists in the occupied area of
Cyprus
18. Ocalan reportedly to call on PKK for a long-term
cease-fire during Nevruz celebrations on March 21
19. Former Turkish Chief of Staff and three MPs face
aggravated life sentence in Ergenekon case
20. Turkish journalist parts way with Milliyet
following a controversy over leaks on Imparli meeting
1. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Eurogroup’s
decision on Cyprus
Most of the
Turkish Cypriot daily newspapers on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (17-19.03.13)
cover on their front pages the decision taken by the Europgroup on Friday
regarding the haircut of the deposits in the Cypriot banks and the developments
that followed.
The papers use
the following titles:
Kibris: “Everybody is ruined” and “the Greek Cypriot government expropriates
10% of the money of the local and foreign depositors in the banks succumbing to
unprecedented conditions in order for being able to take loan from the EU”
(17.03.13)
“Fear for
‘raid’” and “Decision for expropriation of 10% of the deposits in the banks”
(18.03.13).
“Rage at the peak”
and “The Greek Cypriots, who gathered in front of the parliament protesting
against both Anastasiades and the EU, tried to prevent the passing of the law
that foresees the cutting of the deposits” (19.03.13).
Afrika: “The government expropriated the deposits in the banks” and “Upon
pressure by the IMF, the government in the south got hands on the citizen’s
pocket” (17.03.13).
“Panic” and
“After the expropriation of the deposits in the south, the eyes of the entire
world have suddenly turned to Cyprus. An angry farmer from Limassol entering
into a bank with a bulldozer has become the top story in the world’s media.
Even before completing one month on power, Anastasiades is under attack in the
Greek Cypriot community and is accused of treason” (18.03.13).
“The deposits’
crisis in the south whetted the appetite of the north” (The paper refers to
so-called finance minister Tatar’s statement that the reliability of the
banking sector in the occupied area has increased and money could be
transferred there according to the “laws”) (19.03.13).
Yeni Duzen: “Shock with the deposits in the south!” (17.03.13).
“The south is
boiling” (18.03.13).
“Bitter
solution” (19.03.13).
Haberdar: “’Those who are courageous will come’” (the paper publishes statements
by former so-called finance minister Salih Cosar, who argued that the
“courageous” Greek Cypriots might transfer their money to the banks in the
occupied area of Cyprus in front of new cuts) (18.03.13).
Halkin Sesi: “Tensed waiting” (the paper writes that the voting
in the parliament was annulled yesterday) (19.03.13).
Vatan: “He raided into a bank with a bulldozer” (17.03.13).
Volkan: “The victims have beaten up the minister” and “Thousands of Turks, who
had opened accounts in Greek Cypriot banks, gave away hundreds of thousands of
euros to the usurper Greek Cypriot administration” (18.03.13).
(I/Ts.)
2. How the Turkish press covers Eurogroup’s
decision on Cyprus
The majority of
Turkish daily newspapers through the three day holidays (17-19.03.13) cover on
their front pages and with inside pages commentaries and reports, the decision
taken by the Europgroup on Friday regarding the haircut of the deposits in the
Cypriot banks and the developments that followed.
Following are
some of the titles:
Sabah: “The fear of Lehman in Europe”
Hurriyet: “Greek Cypriot domino”. The paper writes that the tension which was
created in the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as the paper describes the
Republic of Cyprus, after the announcement of the decision of Eurogroup, has
created a crisis in the EU as well, since there are fears that the decision
received for “south Cyprus” will have a reflection to other European countries
as well.
Cumhuriyet: “Panic after the bank deposit tax”, “Warnings for
social tension”.
Milliyet: “Europe has sent the ball to the south”. Writing in the paper, the
paper’s correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, Sefa Karahasan describes
the situation as it was formed after the Eurogroup’s decision and writes that
the decision caused irritation to the Greek Cypriot side. He adds that the
“assembly” has been postponed for today and underlines that while the EU points
out the need for a solution, Russian became angry with the EU.
Zaman (online): “The crisis of the south Cyprus, in the EU”
Aksam (online): “Greek Cypriots
still grabble between each other for the crisis, 39 years after Ayse return
from Vacations (Translator’s note: in reference to the code word that triggered
the Turkish invasion of 1974).
(AK)
3. Efforts by Tatar to exploit the economic crisis
in the government-controlled area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (19.03.13) reports that Ersin Tatar, self-styled
minister of finance of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that the banking system in the occupied area of
Cyprus is reliable and they do not need money the source of which is undefined.
In a written
statement issued yesterday by his office, Tatar assessed the decision of the
government of the Republic of Cyprus to expropriate 10% of the deposits in the
banks in the government-controlled area of the island and it was possible for
some Greek Cypriots or Britons to transfer their money to the banks in the
occupied area of Cyprus.
Tatar added that
they received some telephone calls on this issue, but they said that they want
to keep their banking system clean and will not accept for any kind of money to
enter into their banks. “We will not let some dangers such as money laundering to
enter here”, he argued.
Tatar alleged,
inter alia, the following: “…In statements made at international platforms on
various occasions, it is said that money laundering is held in south Cyprus
[Translator’s note: as he describes the government-controlled area of the
island] and some secret and ugly affairs are happening. The entire Europe knows
this, but south Cyprus is an EU member state. It is a full member. Therefore,
it has once more been revealed how big the injustice they commit against the
TRNC is...”
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (18.03.13) reports that in
statements to Ada television Ersin Tatar said that he had given instructions
for preventing the flow of black money from the government-controlled to the
occupied area of the island through the barricades. He argued after the
decision for the haircut of the deposits, the economy of the Republic of Cyprus
“has officially collapsed”.
Tatar said that
their doors will be opened to legal money from the government-controlled area.
He alleged that President Anastasiades might be forced to resign, that the
business circles in the government-controlled area of the island are in shock
and that former president Christofias had committed big mistakes on this issue.
(I/Ts.)
4. Davutoglu
and Kerry discuss Iraq and Cyprus over a
telephone conversation
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (18.03.13) reports that the Turkish and American foreign ministers discussed the developments in Iraq and the Cyprus problem over the phone on March 16, nearly 36 hours after their second telephone conversation in two consecutive days.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (18.03.13) reports that the Turkish and American foreign ministers discussed the developments in Iraq and the Cyprus problem over the phone on March 16, nearly 36 hours after their second telephone conversation in two consecutive days.
“As their first
conversation took longer than planned, the unaddressed issues of Iraq and
Cyprus were left to their later talk, and that took place on March 16,”
diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News.
The
Kerry-Davutoğlu talk was focused on the developments in Iraq as tension between
Iraqi Kurds and the Shiite government has escalated recently.
The two men have
also evaluated the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of
Cyprus and whether a new peace process could be launched.
5.
Eroglu reiterated that Varosha is part of the whole solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (16.03.13)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, participating at the
live programme “Daily” broadcast by the Turkish private news channel CNN Turk,
said that he expects to re-launch the Cyprus talks with the Greek Cypriot side
on May, adding that September is getting too late. He also said that he
explained to UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer
that they will gain time if they sit on the negotiation table on May.
According to a press release issued by
Eroglu’s office, Eroglu said that he wishes Anastasiades not to use as an
excuse the financial problems and stay away for a long time from the
negotiation table. He also said that while his team continues the negotiations
on the economic issues with Troika, he can deal with the negotiations.
Commenting on the latest statement by
Cyprus Foreign Minister Kassoulides that Turkey should return to the Greek
Cypriots the fenced-off town of Varosha in exchange for the opening of new
chapters at Turkey’s EU accession talks, Eroglu said that it is impossible to
accept such a thing, adding that Varosha is part of the whole solution.
6. Talat: Eroglu has committed a mistake by
interrupting the Cyprus talks because of the Cypriot EU term presidency
Turkish Cypriot
daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.03.13) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, former
Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that the Cyprus negotiations will resume
somehow and added that interrupting the negotiations when the Republic of
Cyprus had assumed the EU term presidency was a mistake. In statement to a
television program, Talat argued that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu was
one of those who secured the accession of the Greek Cypriot side, as he
described the Republic of Cyprus, into the EU. Talat wondered the following:
“Did Mr Eroglu not know that the Greek Cypriot side, which he put into the EU,
would assume the term presidency and he interrupted the negotiations as a
protest as soon as the term presidency started?”
Replying to
Eroglu’s accusation that with his statements he harms the Turkish Cypriots,
Talat argued that the real harm is caused by Eroglu’s “measureless wrong
statements, which derive from not understanding the world”.
Talat said that
when he meets with UN Secretary-General’s special adviser, Alexander Downer or
with diplomats he does not criticize Eroglu and that he always says what the
Greek Cypriot side should do and what is necessary for Turkey’s EU accession
process and the Turkish Cypriots being kept close to the EU. “However, I only
say that he [Eroglu] is not as enthusiastic as I am on the issue of the
solution”, he added.
Replying to a
question on Eroglu’s statement that “not agreeing is also an agreement”, Talat
said that this is tantamount to the statement that “the non-solution is a
solution” and it is a statement which shows that he “is not able to read out
the world” and spoils the image of the Turkish Cypriots in the world.
Talat argued
that the occupied part of Cyprus will not become a Taiwan in case an agreement
is not reached, that they have no similarity with Taiwan and that their job
should be finding solution.
(I/Ts.)
7. Ozyigit: The negotiations process should resume
Turkish Cypriot
daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.03.13) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, general
secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has made a call for the
resumption of the Cyprus negotiations process, noting that every day that
passes without a solution harms the Cypriots.
In a statement
issued by the TDP, Ozyigit alleged that no one should be deceived and start
making “other dreams” by President Anastasiades allegedly “becoming a hawk” in
his election program and his statement that he could not ignore the fact that
75% of the people said “no” [Translator’s note: to the Annan Plan in 2004].
Ozyigit said that all the Greek Cypriot leaders “become hawks” when they are
candidates, but when they are elected they continue the negotiations from the
point they had been left.
Ozyigit said
that the hydrocarbon reserves in parcel 12 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone
could play the role of catalyzer in the solution process. He argued that
attention should be paid to President Anastasiades stance as regards NATO,
noting that we should not enter under NATO’s umbrella when we find a
solution.
(I/Ts.)
8. The breakaway regime reportedly turning to
Muslim states for recognition
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (15.03.13) reports that Osman Ertug spokesman of the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, told Reuters in an interview that the Turkish
Cypriot side is considering asking “fellow Islamic states” for formal
recognition.
According to his
statements, their first choice would be to negotiate reunification, but he said
that negotiations could not take forever.
“If a deal
proved impossible, the Turkish Cypriot side would have to respond”, he said.
“That could mean
going beyond the unilateral declaration of independence with which Turkish
Cyprus announced it was seceding in 1983”, he said. Asked: "How do you go
further?”, “By getting recognition," he said.
Asked where such
recognition might come from, would not name individual countries but said:
"From our Islamic brothers. We haven't aggressively sought recognition.
But if things are not moving forward it is something we may have to
do."
The election of
a new President of the Republic of Cyprus last month offered a new opportunity
for progress, according to Ertug.
"I would
say the next few months are crucial. It is not just the gas. We have a new
Greek Cypriot leader who says he is keen on talking. There seems to be
willingness to talk when we call...," he said. "Things can go either
way. The gas can be a tool for cooperation or confrontation. But so far, I have
to say it has made things worse."
The next step in
the peace process, he said, should be for newly elected Greek Cypriot leader
Nicos Anastasiades to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu informally at a
social gathering in the next few months. That should lead, he said, to more
talks.
9. Oktay Vural
said: “Cyprus problem is Turkey’s problem”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (18.03.13) publishes an
interview of the vice president of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Oktay
Vural with paper’s journalist Mete Tumerkan.
Vural stressed that the Cyprus case is Turkey’s issue,
adding that it is Turkey’s problem and not problem of the Turkish Cypriots who
live in Cyprus. He also said that from his point of view Cyprus is part of
Turkey.
Vural said that they have a different perspective on the
Cyprus problem from the ruling government of the Justice and Development Party
(AKP), adding that Cyprus is a national issue for them.
Claiming that there are two people, two states and two
parts in Cyprus, Vural said that they should look to find a solution based on
these “realities”.
10.
Logoglu: “The government in power neglected the Cyprus problem”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot
daily Volkan (19.03.13) reports on statements by Faruk Logoglu, deputy chairman
of the Republican People’s Party (CTP) in Turkey, who in statements during a
press conference he organized in the Turkish National Assembly, evaluated the
latest developments on Syria, Cyprus and in the foreign policy in general.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Logoglu
described the Cyprus problem as a problem which was also a national cause for
all the political parties.
Stating that the new President which was
elected after the “presidential elections” in “south Cyprus”, as he described
the Republic of Cyprus, gives the impression that he has a more close approach
to the solution and that is more conservative, Logoglu said: “If he would
undertake steps according to his mild worlds, if he contributes to the solution,
we do not have any objections. However, we had seen again in the past
conservative leaders in south Cyprus, but, they never achieved to have a
political agreement with the Turkish Cypriots. As CHP, we back the solution, as
long as this solution will be based on the political equality of the sides and
the existence of two separate states in the island”.
Logoglu went on and said that the
government in power today has neglected the Cyprus problem. He continued and
accused the AKP government for its policy on the Cyprus problem and the issue
of oil and natural gas exploration activities of the Republic of Cyprus in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
(AK)
11. Ozgurgun: “if there is no solution we will find
our place in the international platform”
Illegal Bayrak television (16.03.13) broadcast that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun said that if the non-solution of the Cyprus problem continues then the breakaway regime and the Turkish Cypriots “will continue their workings towards obtaining their rightful place in the international platform” and added that “as always these steps will be taken with the full support of motherland Turkey”.
Illegal Bayrak television (16.03.13) broadcast that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun said that if the non-solution of the Cyprus problem continues then the breakaway regime and the Turkish Cypriots “will continue their workings towards obtaining their rightful place in the international platform” and added that “as always these steps will be taken with the full support of motherland Turkey”.
Ozgurgun made
these statements during a speech he gave in a conference taken place in Izmir,
Turkey, titled “Cyprus from the past to the present”.
During the
conference Ozgurgun alleged that their expectation the President of the
Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades
“to open the way towards a solution within the framework of the UN parameters
and for the solution process to gain a new momentum, was nothing but irony”.
He also alleged
that the Republic of Cyprus “which is drowning in economic problems”, as he
said, must realize the advantages of a
peaceful solution on the island and added that if a peaceful solution is
prevailing on the island then the natural gas resources that surround
Cyprus can be shared and both sides can
benefit from this.
“The Greek
Cypriot side must accept this fact”, he said.
12. Self-styled minister of Economy Atun participated
in Jeddah Economic Forum and said they created opportunity for recognition
through investments
Illegal Bayrak
television (16.03.13) reports that the self-styled minister for Economy and
Energy Sunat Atun who took part in the Jeddah Economic Forum is continuing with
his contacts in Saudi Arabia.
The theme of the
3 day Jeddah Economic Forum 2013, which lasted between 16-19 of March, was
"housing the growing population".
According to a
statement released by the self-styled ministry of economy the Chairman of the
Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Gunay Cerkez and chamber officials have held
contacts with officials from countries taking part in the forum.
Evaluating the
forum, Atun said that they held a variety of important contacts and announced
that they were on the verge of making agreements with world businesses.
Atun said that
visits carried out within the past three years had not only been beneficial in
promoting the breakaway regime but had created an opportunity for corporate
recognition through investments.
In addition,
Turkish daily Gunes newspaper (18.03.13) reports that in the framework of the
meeting, Atun had a meeting with Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary
General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Atun stated
during the meeting that the volume of trade with member countries of OIC has
increased in the last four years, with the efforts and support of Ihsanoglu and
added that the main aim is to develop these relations.
On his part,
Ihsanoglu said that relations between the breakaway regime and the OIC, has
developed recently. He also said that important progresses have come out in the
breakaway regime trade as a result of these works and added that there are big
opportunities underlying these progresses.
In addition
Turkish daily Vatan newspaper (19.03.13) reports that Atun also met with the
deputy prime minister Ali Babacan.
During the
meeting Babacan stated that Turkey will always be next to the breakaway regime.
He also said that he is very pleased with the relations that the Turkish
Cypriots established with the Islamic countries with which they share the same
religion.
13. Self-styled MPs Tacoy, Nami and Ulucay held contacts in Strasbourg
Illegal Bayrak
television (15.03.13) reports that a delegation of the self-styled assembly of
the breakaway regime held a series of contacts in Strasbourg.
The delegation
consisting of National Unity Party “MP” Hasan Tacoy, Republican Turkish Party
“MPs” Ozdil Nami and Teberruken Ulucay held a series of contacts on Turkey’s
latest progress report which also cites Cyprus.
Turkey’s
Progress Report which was prepared by Christian Democrat MEP and Rapporteur for
the European Parliament on Turkey Ria Oomen-Ruijten will be voted at the
European Parliament on the 21st of March.
Speaking to the
Bayrak Haber, Tacoy said that the report includes issues such as the withdrawal
of Turkish troops, and transfer of the closed city of Varosha to the UN in
return for the opening of the Famagusta Port to direct trade under EU control.
Tacoy said they
opposed these expressions in the report and proposed for changes to be made.
Tacoy also said
the issue of the Turkish Cypriots’ representation at the European Parliament
was once again brought to the agenda.
14.
The so-called municipality union due to Strasburg
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes
(19.03.13) the chairman of the so-called municipalities’ union, “mayor” of
occupied Morfou, Mahmut Ozcinar and the “mayor” of occupied Lefka
“municipality”, Mehmet Zafer went to Strasburg in order to participate to the
spring session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council
of Europe which is to take place between March 19-22.
Ozcinar and Zafer, in the framework of
the session, will also carry out contacts with representatives of several
countries, writes the paper.
(AK)
15.
CTP’s Youth Organization became a full member of Young European Socialists
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni
Duzen (18.03.13) the Youth Organization of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
has became a full member of the Young European Socialist (YES), which is
formally called ECOSY (European Community Organisation of Socialist Youth).
According to the paper, during the
congress of (YES) which took place from 7 to 10 March 2013 in Sweden, CTP’ Youth
Organization participated to the congress with two candidate members who were
given the status of the full member.
As the paper underlines, CTP’s Youth
Organization applied for full membership (YES) on February of the previous
year.
Issuing a joint declaration with EDEK’s
Youth Organization, the two organizations sent messages of friendship and peace
to all member organizations.
Also, in statements on the issue, the
chairman of CTP’s Youth Organization, Urun Solyali said: “With the full
membership to YES, CTP’s Youth Organization achieved for the youth Turkish
Cypriots to have equal rights in Europe (...)”.
Moreover, CTP’s Youth Organization
secretary for foreign relations, Aybike Yektaoglu said that the fact that they
became full members of (YES), is a result of their fruitful efforts and
characterized this as an important step for the Turkish Cypriot youngsters. He
went on and said that their new goal is to participate to the Youth Federation
of Socialist International. “We have a lot of work to do until 2014. We are
preparing for the application”, Yektaoglu added.
(AK)
16.
Reactions by environmental organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus for
a music festival in occupied Karpassia
Under the title: “Who has right?”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (19.03.13) reports that while the works and
preparations for the organization of the biggest music festival which is
planned to take place at the Golden Beach in occupied Karpassia continues, the
reactions by several environmentalist in the occupied area of Cyprus are
intensified.
The music festival is scheduled to take
place between September 26-29, 2013, with more than 80.000 persons being
invited, writes the paper.
According to the paper, the so-called
minister of tourism, environment and culture announced that they did not yet
given a permit for the festival to take place. On the other hand, the internet
website called silkroute-festival.com has launched selling tickets for the
festival with the cheapest ticket to cost 85 sterling pounds and the most
expensive ticket to cost up to 999 sterling pounds including the flight,
entrance to the festival, transferring to the “airport” and accommodation.
At the same time, as the paper points
out, the Silk Route Entertainments LTD Company, underlines in its website page,
that the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture has given the
permit for the festival to take place.
Also, “environment organizations” in the
occupied area of Cyprus underline in a separate statement, that the
organization of the festival, will be a great mistake adding that this festival
will get a blow in tourism instead of contributing to the tourism sector.
In statements on the issue, the
“honorary attaché” of the occupation regime in Germany, Turgay Hilmi, has
stated that he would do the necessary in order to prevent this festival to take
place and warns that in case the festival takes place, this will be the reason
for a great environmental destruction.
(AK)
17.
Increase of tourists in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (17.03.13)
publishes a statistic report showing that 261,681 persons - apart from those who have Turkish citizenship
or “citizenship” of the breakaway regime - visited the occupied area of Cyprus
in 2012.
According to the paper, during the year
2012, 74.173 visitors came from Britain, 24.754 from Germany, 22.014 from Iran,
18.686 from Netherlands, 13.108 from Russia, 7.893 from Poland, 7.077 from
Belgium, 6.460 from Austria, 5.533 from Italy,
5.499 from Azerbaijan, 5.397 from Bulgaria, 5.147 from Slovenia, 4.124 Ukraine,
3.986 from Turkmenistan, and 3.952 from Iraq.
Havadis publishes an interview of the
Director of DMG companies group Dimag Caginer to the paper. Caginer explained
that airlines SunExpress will carry tourists from Germany with scheduled
flights to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus from 22 March. This
company is a joint Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines and will have two scheduled
flights from Dusseldorf and Frankfurt per week. Caginer said that their aim is
to increase these scheduled flights.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
Halkin Sesi (18.03.13) reports that so-called minister of tourism, environment
and culture Unal Ustel said that between 15 April and 15 November will not have
any place in the hotels at the occupied area, they would need more hotel rooms.
He added that this year the tourists from Netherlands, who will visit the
occupied area, will be around to 30 thousands. This means that they will exceed
the 20 thousands tourists from Netherlands that visited the
government-controlled area of Cyprus in 2012.
Ustel explained due to an effective
advertisement in UK, there will be an increase of 30% for British tourists in
2013.
18. Ocalan reportedly to call on PKK for a
long-term cease-fire during Nevruz celebrations on March 21
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (18.03.13) reports that Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader
of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has said he will make a
“historic call” on March 21, Nevruz, which aims to “completely democratize
Turkey” while urging the Turkish Parliament to work toward ensuring there is
permanent peace in the country.
“The current
resolution process is proceeding on a positive course. Our aim is the
democratization of all of Turkey. Our efforts are for this aim. Within a
framework which would serve that aim, I’m carrying on my work in order to make
a call for the March 21 Nevruz celebration,” Ocalan said in a message read out
by Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş yesterday
following a third parliamentarian visit to İmralı island as part of the peace
process.
“The declaration
that I will prepare will be a historic call. This call will include
satisfactory information about all military and political legs of the
resolution. I also want to resolve the issue of arms rapidly and without the
loss of even one life,” Ocalan said.
Ocalan’s message
came a day after Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin announced that the government
could consider allowing Parliament to become involved in the peace process in
the interests of securing PKK militants’ withdrawal from Turkish territories.
“If this
withdrawal takes place, if these terrorists drop their arms and leave these
territories and if there is a need for a legal act to make it [possible], then
we could bring it to Parliament,” Ergin said in a televised interview on March
17.
The PKK leader
is expected to make a call for a long-term cease-fire to the PKK during Nevruz
celebrations on March 21, but many observers have suggested managing the
withdrawal of thousands of armed PKK militants from Turkey to northern Iraq – a
move that would eventually mean the end of the armed struggle – will be more
important and difficult than declaring a cease-fire. Ocalan and the PKK’s
leaders in northern Iraq had previously voiced their concerns about the
withdrawal and demanded the establishment of a parliamentary commission to
observe this process.
A delegation of
BDP lawmakers, consisting of BDP deputy parliamentary group chair Pervin Buldan
and BDP İstanbul deputy Sırrı Sureyya Onder, along with Demirtas, traveled to
İmralı. Demirtas did not respond to
journalists’ questions after reading out the PKK leader’s message in the
afternoon at Istanbul’s Atakoy Marina.
19. Former Turkish Chief of Staff and three MPs
face aggravated life sentence in Ergenekon case
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (18.03.13) reports that prosecutors have demanded aggravated
life imprisonment for a number of suspects including the former Chief of Turkish
General Staff Gen. İlker Basbug, and Republican People’s Party lawmakers
Mustafa Balbay, Mehmet Haberal and Sinan Aygun, as part of their final opinion
in the alleged Ergenekon coup plot case.
The prosecutors
also asked for aggravated life sentences for General Nusret Tasdeler, former
Generals Hasan Igsız, Hursit Tolon and Sener Eruygur, as well as journalist
Tuncay Ozkan, on accusations of attempting to overthrow the government by
force, in a case that has left a mark on Turkey over the last four years.
In the
2,271-page opinion, read in court by Prosecutor Mehmet Ali Pekguzel, the
prosecutors said there was enough evidence to prove the existence of the
Ergenekon terrorist organization and called on the court to punish the suspects
accordingly. The prosecutors also asked for seven-and-a-half to 15 years in
prison for 96 of the suspects.
The case was
opened after 27 hand grenades were found in a shanty house in Istanbul in 2007.
20. Turkish journalist parts way with Milliyet
following a controversy over leaks on Imparli meeting
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman newspaper (18.03.13) reports that veteran journalist Hasan Cemal
has parted ways with the Milliyet daily, for which he had been working since
1998, following a controversy over Milliyet's publishing of the secret minutes
of a meeting between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader and Kurdish
deputies last month.
Cemal decided to
quit his job at the daily when an article he sent to the daily to be published
on Tuesday was rejected by Miliyet Editor-in-chief Derya Sazak.
Both Sazak and
Cemal defended Milliyet's publishing of the secret minutes, drawing harsh
criticism from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The meeting with
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan took place as part of ongoing peace talks between
the government and the PKK, which aim to resolve Turkey's long-standing Kurdish
problem and disarm the terrorist organization. In a speech in Balıkesir
province on March 2, Erdogan harshly criticized Cemal for his stance on the
leak, saying, “This kind of journalism should go to hell.”
Akın said Erdogan's
remarks prompted Milliyet's owner, Erdogan Demiroren, to ask Sazak to part ways
with Cemal and Can Dundar, another Milliyet columnist with the same stance on
the leak incident.
The crisis was
seemingly resolved as Cemal was given a two-week-long break as a punishment
while Dundar continued to write his articles.
Yet, the article
sent by Cemal to the daily at the end of this period was rejected by Sazak, who
asked the columnist to write another article. Cemal reportedly told Sazak that
he will not send another article as long as his latest article is not
published. Akın claimed that Cemal's latest article was on the relationship
between the media and government and included criticism of this relationship.
Cemal stated in
his unpublished column, which appeared on various websites, that the
relationship between the press and the government has always been problematic
in this country because the political establishment and networks generally
sought to keep the media under control within the boundaries of the “red lines”
arbitrarily drawn by themselves.
Political bodies
exerted pressure on the press through political, legal and economic instruments
to make it happen, Cemal stressed.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
