TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No.
70/13
12/4/13
C
O N T E N T S
1. Statements by Ertug
on the Cyprus problem; Eroglu to brief political parties
2.
Noble Energy considers pipeline from Israel to Turkey
3. Israel sees
‘Med-Streams’ in service of regional diplomacy
4. Turkey has a
long-term policy to gradually increase the population in occupied
Cyprus; 28.000 settlers will be granted “citizenship”
5. Initiatives by the
occupation regime to implement the “touchdown system” in
cooperation with the Turkish Airlines
6. Regime’s “central
bank” warns that they might experience “the same problems as
their neighbors”
7. Concerns for people
trafficking for organs in the occupied Cyprus
8.
Foreigners consider to transfer money to the occupied part of Cyprus
and purchase property; Columnist: the regime turned blind eye when
foreigners who had purchased property were cheated
9. Elcil described the
lifting of free health services to the Turkish Cypriots by the
Republic of Cyprus as a racist discrimination
10. Kucuk: “The
allegations for cabinet reshuffle are groundless”
11. Tumerkan is the
new director of “BRT”
12.
Columnist in Turkish Cypriot daily speaks about buying off votes
during the illegal by-elections which took place at the occupied
Lefkosia “municipality”
13.
Turkey's 4th
judicial package passes into law with critical last-minute amendment
1.
Statements
by Ertug on the Cyprus problem; Eroglu to brief political parties
According
to illegal Bayrak television (11.04.13), Turkish Cypriot leader
Dervis Eroglu’s special representative and spokesman Osman Ertug,
speaking on a television channel, claimed that the Turkish Cypriot
side was ready to take necessary steps towards reaching a
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
Ertug
claimed that the two leaders had initially agreed to come together
for dinner on the 25th
of April but that the Greek Cypriot side reportedly wanted later to
postpone the meeting.
Claiming
the Greek Cypriot leadership was in an inclination to run away from
dialogue and to reject a solution plans, Ertug said that this view
was voiced not just by them but by the former Greek Cypriot Foreign
Minister Nicos Rolandis himself.
“It
is openly clear that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to share
power, authority or wealth with the Turkish Cypriots. We may not talk
about wealth at the moment but we can talk about potential wealth
which is related as to how revenues generated from hydrocarbons will
be distributed”, he said.
Reminding
that the Turkish Cypriot side had made numerous proposals on the
issue of hydrocarbons in 2011 and 2012, Ertug said: “We have stated
time and time again the most feasible and profitable way of exporting
the natural gas will be over Turkey.”
Ertug
also said that they had proposed to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos
Anastasiades, who faced a serious economic crisis, as soon as he was
elected to make use of the hydrocarbon opportunity together.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (12.04.13) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will meet with the Turkish Cypriot
political parties, which are represented in the so-called assembly,
on the 16th
of April to brief them on the latest stage of the Cyprus problem as
well as to exchange views.
2.
Noble
Energy considers pipeline from Israel to Turkey
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (online, 11.04.13) with the above title reports
that US energy firm Noble Energy has stated that the company has
already started to work on possibilities to launch an energy project
between Turkey and Israel, regional powers who have recently
normalized their ties.
The
Texas-based Noble Energy possesses 36% share of the natural gas
discovered in the Tamar field off Israel's Mediterranean shores in
2009. Company CEO Charles Davidson has said in a statement that the
possibilities are being elaborated by the company to pipe the newly
discovered Israeli gas to Turkey.
“We
are targeting two-fold growth in the upcoming five years. We are
planning to double our production as well as our reserves and cash
flow,” Davidson said during his trip to Israel, while commenting on
the company's outlook.
Prior
to his visit to Israel, Davidson travelled to Cyprus and said the
company prefers first to liquefy the natural gas in plants on the
island and then export it as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The
Cyprus Government stated in late March that they are seeking
financial support to build energy infrastructure such as the
facilities to convert the gas into LNG. Israel has suggested that
Cyprus build such a plant to process both Cypriot and Israeli natural
gas, the latter of which has been discovered in even bigger
quantities in nearby waters.
Cyprus
reported its first natural gas discovery in December, when Noble
Energy said it had discovered an estimated 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet
in a block south of the island. Davidson said that the discovered gas
reserves go beyond the needs of both Israel and Cyprus and estimated
that initial drilling, scheduled to begin in June, will last 75-90
days. He also said that economic difficulties in Cyprus have not
hurts gas operations on the island, and if anything, have even
accelerated them.
Cyprus
signed a deal with Noble Energy in 2008 offering the US-based firm a
right to explore the offshore block. Davidson also said that the
company is looking for a strategic partner for drilling for the gas
and that the firm has already discussed the issue with Cyprus.
3.
Israel
sees ‘Med-Streams’ in service of regional diplomacy
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.04.13), under the above title,
reports the following:
“Building
a pipeline that will carry Israeli gas to Turkey would enhance
political normalization between two countries, Israeli envoy says,
contrary to Turkish efforts to separate two processes.
Transferring
Israeli gas through Turkey to the international market is profitable
for both Turkey and Israel and cooperation in the energy field could
pave the way for resolving regional problems, a senior diplomat from
the Jewish state said, as he apparently referred to probable
normalization of bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel with
the help of such cooperation at a bilateral level.
‘We
should start thinking at least about a set of Med-Streams, a set of
pipelines and LNG that will enable us to exploit not only oil and
gas, but also to create another political environment,’ Ambassador
Michael Lotem, Special Envoy for Energy of the Israeli Foreign
Ministry, said yesterday, referring to prospects of building of a
pipeline from Israel to Turkey.
‘Can
we use energy; can we use gas, beyond the commercial value of it, in
the service of politics, in the service of diplomacy?’ Lotem asked
in a speech delivered at the second and last day of the 12th
Turkish International Oil and Gas Conference (TUROGE).
‘I
say that we should… and if we are talking about [it], especially
for Turkey, for Europe,’ the Israeli ambassador said, citing the
BTC project, which he describes ‘a valued example of how an energy
project can initiate geopolitics’.
Lotem
was among the speakers in a session on the East Mediterranean as part
of a panel titled ‘Potential Sources of Alternative Supplies –
Regional Developments’.
Elaborating
on different options to transport Israeli gas to international
markets, Lotem cited Cyprus as ‘the nearest EU-friend country of
Israel’.
There
was a lot of talk about taking Israeli gas to an LNG facility in
Cyprus, the diplomat said,
adding that
we have to remember some strongly recommended that the Israeli export
facility be in Israel .
‘We
have strong natural interests in the present,’ he said, noting
voices from Turkey that have said the country is a natural market for
Israeli gas.
The
Israeli diplomat also cited other voices within Israel, those asking
if the Jewish state should ‘take risks that would subject them to
pipeline-politics’.
‘I
strongly believe that Turkey has proven a very positive record of not
connecting these issues,’ Lotem said, adding that the BTC pipeline
is running smoothly without interruption.
Although
Israel showed its hand for energy cooperation with Turkey, Ankara has
fallen behind intentionally to avoid any interpretation of connecting
the issue of the apology Israel offered for the Mavi Marmara victims
and the oil-gas bonanza in the region.
Energy
Minister Taner Yildiz in earlier remarks repeatedly said that
discussing energy deals before the restoration of ties between Turkey
and Israel had been finalized would be impossible.”
4.
Turkey
has a long-term policy to gradually increase the population in
occupied Cyprus; 28.000 settlers will be granted “citizenship”
Under the title “28
citizenships on the table”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli
newspaper (12.04.13) reports that after the news it published
yesterday on the regime’s preparing to grant its so-called
citizenship to 100.000 persons, it obtained new information on the
issue.
Citing “sources”, the
paper writes that “demands” on the issue of “citizenship”
have for a long time been coming to the “interior ministry” and
that Turkey’s intention is to make a long-term move on this issue.
The authorities of Turkey think that the population in the occupied
area of Cyprus is not enough and their target is to increase the
population by granting the “citizenship” to 20.000-30.000 persons
at the first stage and to the same number at each of the next stages.
It is noted that within
this framework demands are continuously conveyed to the “ministry
of internal affairs and local administrations” regarding the
gradual granting of the “citizenship” to more persons.
Citing “reliable
sources”, the paper reports that 28.000 new files on “citizenship”
issues exist at the “ministry” and Turkey emphasizes that more
persons should be granted the “citizenship” starting from these
files.
It is argued that these
28.000 cases have been for a long time waiting in the “ministry”
because the self-styled “minister of interior”, Nazim Cavusoglu
has no positive look for this issue.
The paper recalls that
yesterday it reported that Turkish officials were not pleased with
Cavusoglu’s stance and insisted that another person should be
appointed to his place in the first “reshuffle”.
Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika newspaper (12.04.13) also refers to the issue and reports that
according to information published by Kibris Postasi newspaper, the
so-called embassy of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia exerts pressures on
Cavusoglu on this issue. Under the title “New citizenships are
imposed”, the paper writes that some members of the “ruling”
National Unity Party (UBP) express the view that “prime minister”
Irsen Kucuk is trying to implement without questioning the decisions
of the “embassy” which come to him in the form of “suggestions”
and that is why he is taking wrong decisions, the price of which will
be paid by the Turkish Cypriots. The same officials said that
Cavusoglu’s removal from his “office” had come onto the agenda
because he questioned these decisions.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Initiatives
by the occupation regime to implement the “touchdown system” in
cooperation with the Turkish Airlines
Under
the title: “Catching of tourist in Cyprus”, Turkish daily Sabah
newspaper (12.04.13-online version) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
tourist agents have taken action utilizing the opportunity of the
economic crisis experienced in “south Cyprus”, as the paper
describes the Republic of Cyprus. In the framework of this action,
the “TRNC government”, as the so-called government is called, is
exerting efforts together with the Turkish airlines to lift the
“isolation” and also to attract tourists who planned to visit the
Greek Cypriot side.
As
the paper writes, the Turkish Cypriot travel agents expect the
support of the Turkish Airlines since they demanded the European
tourists to land to the “TRNC” with the “touchdown system”.
In
statements on the issue, the chairman of the “administration board”
of the Merit Tourism Group, Reha Arar, underlining that the
“isolation” of the occupation regime by the European countries is
the most important difficulty the aviation sector faces, said: “The
European tourists are coming to north Cyprus either with scheduled
flights or with charter flights. We have asked from the Turkish
Airlines the developments of the ‘touchdown system’. With this
system, the tourists who want to come to the TRNC will land firsts to
Antalya but they will directly flight here without to be necessary to
wait there”.
Arar
stated also that the number of tourists from Europe will be increase
to 25% this year and added that they expect around 1 million tourists
for this year.
In
statements also, Sami Turkay, CEO of Kaya Hotels and Resorts said
that tourists from the “south”, pay one-day visits to the “TRNC”,
however, this is not very frequent because of the political pressure
which is exerted, as he said. He continued adding that if the problem
of transportation is not overcome, there will not be a remarkable
increase on the number of tourists from Europe.
(AK)
6.
Regime’s
“central bank” warns that they might experience “the same
problems as their neighbors”
Under
the title “Central Bank: We may also experience the same problems”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (12.04.13) reports that the
so-called central bank of the breakaway regime in the occupied area
of Cyprus,
has made “a not accustomed warning”.
In a statement in the
“annual report” of the “bank” for 2012, its director, Bilal
San said that they have to do what is necessary without delay in
order for not experiencing the problems that exist in their
“neighboring countries”. San noted that the problems of the
banking sector influence the entire community and the economy.
According to the report,
the assets of the “bank” increased by 18.2% comparing to the last
year and reached 2.6 billion Turkish liras (TL) in 2012. The “bank’s”
equity capital increased by 11.32% in the same period and rose to 261
million TL.
(I/Ts.)
7.
Concerns
for people trafficking for organs in the occupied Cyprus
Under the title “Mafia
for Organs”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (12.04.13)
reports that days have remained for the approval of the
“transplantation of organs law” by the so-called assembly of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the paper, this development creates a hope for sick
people who are forced to travel abroad for transplantation of organs,
but at the same time some people believe that this “law” is
paving the way for illegal transplantations of organs and “mafia
for organs”.
In statements to the
paper, surgeon Dr. Mustafa Hami recalled that the occupied part of
Cyprus is a “country far away from the international law and could
not be controlled” and expressed the view that after the approval
of the “law” by the “assembly”, illegal transplantations of
organs will take place.
Dr Hami said that all the
illegal practices in Turkey are implemented in the occupied area of
Cyprus as well and added: “Trade of women, human trafficking exists
in this country. Why it is not possible for a mafia for organs to be
created?”
Noting that illegal
practices are implemented, Dr Hami said that some persons visit the
occupied area of Cyprus during the weekend, undergo operations and
return to their countries. He added that persons who are victimized
in these secret operations return afterwards and try looking for
their rights.
He noted that a doctor of
Turkish origin, who had become famous in America in the field of
heart transplant, had been prohibited to exercise his profession
because of violating some principles. This person, who could find a
job nowhere in the world, has come to the occupied area of Cyprus and
started working in a private hospital, said Dr. Hami.
(I/Ts.)
8.
Foreigners
consider to transfer money to the occupied part of Cyprus and
purchase property; Columnist: the regime turned blind eye when
foreigners who had purchased property were cheated
Writing in his daily
column in Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (12.04.13), Sener
Levent reports that Russians, who have money in the banks in the
government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, are seriously
considering of transferring their money to banks in the occupied area
of the island. Citing information he obtained from Russian
journalists, visiting the occupied area of Cyprus, Levent writes that
there are also some Russians who plan on investing on immovable
property in the occupied part of Cyprus.
Noting that the Russian
journalists had conducted a research in the streets asking Turkish
Cypriot “citizens” what they though on this issue, Levent reports
that one “citizen” said: “let them come, we will milk them
better”!
Levent recalls that the
“officials” of the breakaway regime have a different opinion on
this issue saying that their banks are safe and that the Russians and
the Britons should consider that their money would be safe there.
Meanwhile, writing in his
daily column in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.04.13),
Resat Akar reports that the Turkish Cypriots need plans and projects
for the future in order for not returning to the “dark days of the
past”. Recalling how they looted the occupied Greek Cypriot
properties since 1974 and how they cheated foreigners, who had
purchased occupied properties, Akar writes, inter alia, the
following:
“…As of July 1974,
the period of the big looting started. There is no worse thing than
people in an uncontrolled country living with plunder. Some people
should have stopped this madness. But they did not. The plundering
has been turned into a part of politics. Plots of land or houses have
been distributed to voters. One day the possibilities in hand were
exhausted.
After the rejection of
the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriots, the second big looting period
started. Blacksmiths or peddlers became building contractors within
few months. Some established jobs without having a permit and without
being registered.
We
started selling a lot of houses to Britons, who were coming to our
country as tourists and loved our sunny weather. If the state
defended this event and took the constructions sector under control,
such an event would have been a great opportunity not only from an
economic point of view, but also for the recognition of the TRNC and
the increase of the foreign support. However, this did not happen. We
turned a blind eye when innocent people were cheated. A significant
part of those who paid their money and purchased residence was not
able to either get a title deed or be rescued from the construction
problems. The municipalities, the housing and environment ministries
could not control the ‘illegal constructions’ during the term of
duty of all the governments. Or they could not take deterrent
measures even though they controlled it. Even though big swindles
such as the Garry Robb, Kulaksiz and Tutuska cases have been
experienced, no proper questioning was conducted. While those who
were powerful won, the undefended people were left out in the open.
That is, it is an unjust system…”
Akar goes on and writes
that no one was punished for these scandals and notes that they could
not continue their way with such a system, or ask support for the
“TRNC” in case no solution to the Cyprus problem is reached.
(I/Ts.)
9.
Elcil
described the lifting of free health services to the Turkish Cypriots
by the Republic of Cyprus as a racist discrimination
Under
the title: “Elcil got angry with the Greek Cypriots”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberdar (12.04.13) reports that the general secretary
of KTOS trade union, Sener Elcil issuing a written statement
yesterday, opposed to the legal regulation which envisages that
Turkish Cypriots will not be provided free health services from the
Republic of Cyprus anymore and said that this is a racist
discrimination against the Turkish Cypriots.
Elcil
stated that the Greek Cypriot authorities providing as an excuse the
economic crisis in “south Cyprus have launched an initiative to
lift the health services provided to the Turkish Cypriots, forgetting
that the Turkish Cypriots are also citizens of the Republic of
Cyprus. Elcil said that this kind of approaches aimed to the division
of the island and are separatist, as he described them.
Elcil
went on and said that this approach aims to the division of the
island and added that it is an approach with political dimensions.
Elci criticized also the so-called minister of health, Ertugrul
Hasipoglu for his latest statements.
(AK)
10.
Kucuk:
“The allegations for cabinet reshuffle are groundless”
Under
the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (12.04.13) reports
that the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk has stated yesterday
that the news published yesterday in the press about a “cabinet
reshuffle” in the occupied area of Cyprus, do not reflect the
reality.
Issuing
a written statement on the issue, Kucuk said that he is totally happy
with the member of the “cabinet”, adding that that they will
continue their works and their projects with the current “cabinet”
until the “general elections” in 2014.
(AK)
11.
Tumerkan
is the new director of “BRT”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (11.04.13), Mete Tumerkan, who has
worked in a variety of positions at the illegal BRTK since 1991, will
now serve as its director.
The
so-called council of ministers appointed Mete Tumerkan as the new
director of the illegal Bayrak Radio Television Corporation after the
position became vacant after his predecessor Huseyin Cobanoglu
retired last month.
Tumerkan
began working at the “BRT” in 1991 and served as an assistant to
the “BRT board of directors” and as a coordinator between 2001
and 2008.
He
received numerous “Journalist of Year” awards also served as the
head of the Turkish Cypriot Journalists Society.
Alongside
this, Tumerkan is a newspaper columnist, programmer and educator.
12.
Columnist in Turkish Cypriot daily speaks about buying off votes
during the illegal by-elections which took place at the occupied
Lefkosia “municipality”
In
a commentary entitled: “Vote, vote, vote”, Gurdal Hudaoglu,
columnist in Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (12.04.13) reports on the
“by-elections” which took place at the occupied Lefkosia
“municipality” and writes that a night before the “elections”
a strange operation for vote bargaining-buying off votes, took place
within the walls city of occupied Lefkosia and as it was said some
people had also been threatened at gunpoint.
Hudaoglu
refers to a statement made two days ago by the chairman of the
Association of settlers to the “TRNC” as the occupation regime is
called, from Alexandretta who has stated on camera while
participating to a televised program the following: “Two parties
offered to me, as the chairman of the association, money, in exchange
to direct votes within the walls city”. Hudaoglu adds that the
chairman of the above “association” said that he has evidence and
documents which are considered enough to prove this, adding that he
however did not mentioned the names of the two parties. He however,
said, that it was one left-wing and one right-wing party, writes
Hudaoglu.
Hudaoglu
goes on and writes that normally after the above allegations, the
“country” had to take action; however, he points out that nobody
reacted and nobody launched investigations towards the above
allegations (...).
AK
13.
Turkey's
4th
judicial package passes into law with critical last-minute amendment
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.04.13) reports that those
charged with committing propaganda crimes will not be additionally
charged with being a member of a terror organization, according to
the 4th
judicial package which was passed into law April 11.
Turkey's
much-debated fourth judicial package was passed into law by
Parliament April 11, with the introduction of a last-minute amendment
to remove extra punishment for those convicted of “terror
propaganda”.
The
package is intended to eliminate rulings against Turkey in the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for human rights violations,
especially regarding the situation of convicts charged with
membership in a terrorist organization.
The
legal reform package was widely debated in Parliament and sparked
controversy when it arrived in Parliament on March 7, as it did not
meet the high expectations that had built up over time in its
original state.
However,
according to an amendment introduced to the fourth judicial package,
no punishment will be inflicted for “being a member of a terrorist
organization,” once the defendant is charged for committing
propaganda crimes.
Charges
of affiliation with a terrorist organization will no longer be held
once the crimes of publishing and distributing leaflets and
statements by terrorist organizations, making the propaganda of a
terrorist organization and participating in illegal meetings and
protest marches have been penalized.
The
amendment to the Bill on Amending Some Laws within the Context of
Human Rights and Freedom of Expression, known as the fourth judicial
package, was introduced by the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP) late on April 10 during debates on the package at Parliament’s
General Assembly.
Yet,
the amendment has reservations for cases where the crime qualifies as
involving coercion and violence, such as possessing explosives,
damaging property, injuring intentionally, resisting with the purpose
of avoiding duty and jeopardizing general safety. When those crimes
are involved, the person can still be charged for being a member of a
terrorist organization.
With
another amendment introduced yesterday, the article on those who
committed a crime in the name of a crime gang was limited to armed
gangs.
The
amendments pave the way for the dropping of charges against suspects
accused of being members of unarmed criminal gangs, including
Fenerbahce Chairman Aziz Yildirim, who is charged with rigging
football matches, and municipal employees in Izmir and Eskisehir
accused of embezzlement.
The
fourth judicial reform package aims to eliminate rulings against
Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Justice
Minister Sadullah Ergin previously said the fourth judicial package
was not a result of “bargaining” in the ongoing talks to solve
the Kurdish issues, adding that preliminary studies for the package
began in November 2011 when the talks had not yet been launched.
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