TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
1. Eroglu: if a solution is not reached in Cyprus
everyone should go his way; He will reportedly meet with President Anastasiades
on 22 May
2. Eroglu remembers that the Republic of Cyprus is a
common state when it suits him
3. Statements
by Tatar on black money and the gold reserves
4. Evkaf is trying to take back the properties it
allegedly lost during the British colonial rule
5. Columnist criticizes Serdar Denktas for his
statement on the Cyprus Airways
6.
Turkey’s Minister of Youth and Sport is illegally visiting the occupied area of
Cyprus
7.
The so-called “Natural produce foundation” became a member of the WFO
8. First charter flight from Copenhagen conducted in
the breakaway regime
9. Destruction of antiquities continues in occupied
Kaprasia
10.
New “university” will be opened in the occupied Kyrenia
11.
Businessmen from North Afrika and Middle East were invited to attend a fair and
forum in the occupied area of Cyprus
12. Turkey becomes first country with ambassador to
Palestine
13. Controversial statements over the PKK withdrawal
from Turkish soil
14. Famous Turkish pianist Fazıl Say sentenced for
blasphemy
15. New TUSIAD board members, cannot receive an
appointment with the Turkish Prime Minister
1. Eroglu: if a solution is not reached in Cyprus everyone
should go his way; He will reportedly meet with President Anastasiades on 22
May
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (16.04.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu has reiterated the allegation that if the Greek Cypriots do not want a
solution to the Cyprus problem, they should allegedly stop being a fetter for
the Turkish Cypriots and everyone should go his own way.
Addressing a
ceremony on the occasion of the 57th anniversary from the transfer
of the administration of Evkaf religious foundation to the Turkish Cypriot
community, Eroglu referred to the Cyprus problem and claimed that
they try to find a solution to this problem in full harmony with Turkey. He
added: “We hope that our Greek Cypriot neighbors will the soonest overcome
their economic problems and will come to the negotiating table with good will,
a constructive mentality and ideas, which will ensure the solution of the
Cyprus problem and turning the island into a center of peace, prosperity and
tranquility”.
Eroglu argued
that the Cyprus
problem should be solved so that the uncertainty ends and referred to
statements made on this issue by the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, the
Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu and the Minister responsible for the EU,
Egemen Bagis. Eroglu claimed that they want to use the issues of natural gas
and the transfer of water and electricity from Turkey in the direction of making Cyprus an
island of peace, prosperity and tranquility and of increasing the cooperation
between Greece
and Turkey.
“However, if
they do not want a solution, they should stop being a fetter for us and
everyone should go his own way”, he alleged claiming that the Turkish Cypriot
“people” are determined to defend their own “state”, “sovereignty” and
rights.
Meanwhile,
illegal Bayrak television (15.04.13) reported that, as it was announced
yesterday, Eroglu will meet with President Anastasiades on the 22nd
of May at a social gathering.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu remembers that the Republic of Cyprus is a common state
when it suits him
Illegal Bayrak television (16.04.13) broadcast that the self-styled presidency of the breakaway regime issued a “statement” reacting against what it called as “an initiative for selling the 14 tons of gold” of the Republic of Cyprus.
Illegal Bayrak television (16.04.13) broadcast that the self-styled presidency of the breakaway regime issued a “statement” reacting against what it called as “an initiative for selling the 14 tons of gold” of the Republic of Cyprus.
In the “statement”, is said that the Republic of Cyprus which was
established in 1960 is a common state and that all its resources, including the
gold belongs to the two “peoples” of the island. It is also stated that any
income or assets that belongs to the Turkish Cypriots cannot be sold without
their consent. Such an action, as well
as hydrocarbon resources on the island, would consist of a rape of the Turkish
Cypriots rights, it was claimed at the statement.
3. Statements by
Tatar on black money and the gold reserves
Turkish daily Sabah
(16.04.13) reports that the so-called minister of finance Ersin Tatar explained
that not only from Russia,
but also from countries that have US embargo like Iran and Syria have asked to bring their
money in banks in the “TRNC”. Noting that if black money comes to “North Cyprus”, then this will also mess with Turkey, Tatar
added: “Here is the backyard of Turkey.
If something disturbs Turkey,
it will disturb us”.
On the same issue, columnist Meliha Okur
writing in Sabah, reports that Ersin Tatar said that he had denied the Russian
and Iranian money.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan
(16.04.13) reports that Ersin Tatar, commenting on his father statements that
they have rights on the gold reserves, said: “I totally agree with my father
statement, who was comptroller general of the Republic of Cyprus.
To whom and which property the Greek Cypriot side will sell? The Turkish
Cypriots, who are also the founders of the Republic of Cyprus,
have also shares on the gold…. If they touch it, the issue should be discussed
between the two sides and our shares should be given to us… if they have needs,
we also have needs…we will follow this issue.”
4. Evkaf is trying to take back the properties it
allegedly lost during the British colonial rule
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (16.04.13) reports that Mustafa Kemal Kaymakamzade,
general director of the Turkish Cypriot Evkaf religious foundation, has said
that they are using their income and resources aiming at contributing in fields
where the people need them to and are conducting a research trying to take back
the properties they have allegedly lost during the British colonial rule in
Cyprus.
Addressing a
ceremony on the occasion of the 57th anniversary from the transfer
of the administration of Evkaf to the Turkish Cypriot community, Kaymakamzade
alleged that it has come to light that approximately 35% of the island is
allegedly Evkaf property and added that their duty is to bring these properties
back to the foundation.
He also claimed
that the Evkaf properties are being attacked in the government-controlled area
of Cyprus
and added that they are following the issue.
(I/Ts.)
5. Columnist criticizes Serdar Denktas for his
statement on the Cyprus
Airways
Writing in his
column in Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (16.04.13), Basaran Duzgun
refers to the statement made recently by Serdar Denktas, chairman of the
Democratic Party (DP), who had said that he could find an investor to save the
Cyprus Airways, if the Greek Cypriots accepted the Turkish Cypriots to obtain
50% of the company. Duzgun reports, inter alia, the following:
“…Everyone who
heard Denktas’s statement could not desist from saying ‘good Heavens’. Recently
sarcastic and from time to time insulting statements for the Greek Cypriot side
have been made by Egemen Bagis. I wonder, did Serdar Denktas take Egemen Bagis
as an example? Is he imitating Egemen
Bagis? If the situation is not so, the public opinion wants to know his real
intention and the means he will use to achieve this intention. That is, to
speak straightly, why did Serdar Denktas is presenting himself as trying to save
the Cyprus Airways? When our airlines had gone bankrupt, he was only contented
with protesting and considered it unimportant when businessmen would establish
a new airline. What is the special characteristic of the Cyprus Airways and he
is trying to save it? And of course, where will he find the money from? Who is
the investor or the investors whom he will convince to put money? …
Serious problems
exist in the airport that has been privatized after the Turkish Cypriot
Airlines (KTHY) went bankrupt. The aviation companies threaten by saying that
‘we will go on strike’. The price of the airplane tickets has already been as
high as to prevent the citizens’ freedom of traveling. Now we are face to face
with an airport problem. Very well, what is Serdar Denktas, who exerts efforts
to save the Cyprus Airways, saying and doing before this situation? …
I wish Serdar
Denktas to save the Cyprus Airways and to come back and revive the Turkish
Cypriot Airlines. Otherwise, we will all spend our lives by squibbing each
other…”
(I/Ts.)
6.
Turkey’s Minister of Youth and Sports is illegally visiting the occupied area
of Cyprus
Under the front-page title: “Suat Kilic
in the TRNC”, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (16.04.13) reports that the Turkey’s
Minister of Youth and Sports, Suat Kilic has arrived yesterday in the occupied
area of Cyprus in order to attend several events and to participate to the
opening ceremony of the “University Sport Games” which will take place tomorrow
night (today) at the Ataturk Sport Center.
Suat Kilic has been welcomed to the
occupied area of Cyprus
by the so-called Turkish ambassador to the occupied Lefkosia, Halil Ibrahim
Akca, as well as by the so-called minister of education, youth and sport Mutlu
Atasayan who met Kilic during his arrival
at the illegal Tymbou airport.
In statements upon his arrival, Kilic
expressed pleasure over his visit to the occupied area of Cyprus and sent
Erdogan and Gul’s regards.
Referring to the University Sport Games
that will take place today in the occupied area of Cyprus, Kilic said that this event
is very important both for the future of the “TRNC”, as he described the
occupation regime, as well as for the future of youth. He added that the
University Sport Games event is one of the most important international sport
events with the most participation from foreign countries.
Kilic thanked also the athletes from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Pakistan,
Afghanistan Turkey and the “TRNC” who will participate to the sport games.
In the framework of his visit to the
occupation regime, Kilic has also participate and delivered a speech at a
seminar organized last night at the illegal YDU university by the “Academy
Cyprus Development Platform”.
Delivering a speech there, Kilic
referred to the strong ties between Turkey and the occupation regime,
describing the “TRNC” as a full independent “state”, which is as he said the
closest partner and the fellow traveller of Turkey in its international
relations.
Kilic assured that Turkey will
always continue its efforts for the lifting of the so-called embargoes and the
recognition of the occupation regime.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot
daily Vatan (16.04.13), Turkey’s
Minister Kilic will lay down today the foundation stone for the 5th
Students Campus at the illegal DAU, which is financed by the Turkish
government.
The so-called minister of education,
youth and sport, Mutlu Atasayan as well as the “Turkish ambassador” to occupied
Lefkosia, Halil Ibrahim Akca will also attend the foundation stone ceremony.
AK
7.
The so-called “Natural produce foundation” became a member of the WFO
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (16.04.13)
reports that the “Natural produce foundation” (TUK) in the occupied area of
Cyprus, participates to the annual general assembly of the World Farmers Organisation
(WFO) which is taking place in Niigata,
Japan.
According to a statement issued by the
TUK, the “foundation” participates to the assembly together with the “Turkish
Cypriot farmer’s Union”. The general assembly
meeting started yesterday and will continue until April 18.
The paper writes that the “TUK”
foundation has also become a member of the World Farmers Union (WFO), since its
application for membership has been approved unanimously by the 50 member
countries.
AK
8. First charter flight from Copenhagen conducted in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.04.13) reports that Akmina Travel, which organized charter flights from various European countries to the breakaway regime, has started organized charter flights from Scandinavian countries as well.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.04.13) reports that Akmina Travel, which organized charter flights from various European countries to the breakaway regime, has started organized charter flights from Scandinavian countries as well.
Akmina Travel,
which according to the paper brought more than 40 million tourists from Poland, Belgium, Germany, Holland and Italy last year
in occupied Cyprus,
conducted yesterday its first chapter flight from Copenhagen, Denmark,
in the framework of cooperation with a local tourist agency named
“Tourisrejser”.
The first 189
passengers, who arrived in illegal Tymvou airport from Copenhagen, were received by the self-styled
minister of tourism Unal Ustel and various other “officials” during a cocktail
party with local drinks and food. Speaking during the cocktail, Ustel said that
they aim for a 12-month tourism period and Scandinavian countries are on of
their main targets for this.
9. Destruction of antiquities continues in occupied
Kaprasia
Turkish Cypriot
daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.04.13) reports that Arif Albayrak, self-styled
deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has brought onto the agenda of
the regime’s self-styled assembly, the issue of the destruction of antiquities
at the ancient city of Gastria
last Saturday in occupied Karpasia peninsula. He said that by damaging the
remains of the ancient city on the World Art Day, they were murdering their
cultural heritage. According to the paper,
the damage had been caused during the “increase of the capacity” of K-Pet
company’s installations.
Albayrak
recalled that in the past they had also destroyed Saint Theklis chapel and
Kastros Neolithic reservation in Karpasia, and noted that these three incidents
are their “triangle of shame”.
(I/Ts.)
10.
New “university” will be opened in the occupied Kyrenia
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli
(16.04.13) reports that the founder dean of the illegal Near East University
(YDU) Dr. Suat Gunsel is preparing to open a new “university” under a different
name.
According to the paper, the name of the
“university” will be “University
of Kyrenia Ltd.” and it
will be located in the occupied Kyrenia. It is also reported that the
shareholders of the company, University
of Kyrenia Ltd belongs to
Dr. Suat Gunsel’s daughter Cemre Gunsel, son Aziz Gunsel and his son-in-law
Enver Haskap.
The paper also reports that this new
“university” has been already registered. It also applied to the so-called
Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council
(YODAK). However, it is not known whether the above mentioned “university” will
be approved directly by “YODAK” or the so-called ministry of national
education, youth and sports.
11.
Businessmen from North Afrika and Middle East were invited to attend a fair and forum in
the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan
(16.04.13), the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) and the “Turkish
Cypriot Chamber of Industry”, will co-organize between April 18-20, a forum
called “International Career Opportunity Forum and Turkish Cypriot products
fair”.
As the paper writes, in the framework of
the event, around 40 Turkish Cypriot firms will participate to the fair. At the
same time, around 20 businessmen from North Afrika
and Middle East were invited by the “Turkish
Cypriot Chamber of Industry” to attend the forum and the fair, writes the
paper.
AK
12. Turkey
becomes first country with ambassador to Palestine
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (16.04.13) reports that
Turkey has become the first country with an ambassador to Palestine after its
envoy in Ramallah, Şakir Özkan Torunlar, presented his letter of credence to
President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.
Reflecting the
upgraded status of Palestine
from an entity to a non-member state by a UN vote in November, Torunlar has
officially been titled as the first ambassador to Palestine. Before the UN vote, Torunlar
served as Turkey's
consul general in Jerusalem.
Having presented his credentials to Abbas, Torunlar became the first foreign
ambassador formally recognized by Palestine.
Torunlar took
office as Turkey's
consul general in Palestine
in 2010.
Turkey recognized Palestinian statehood in 1988 and first
sent an envoy to Palestine
in 2005.
13. Controversial statements over the PKK
withdrawal from Turkish soil
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman newspaper (16.04.13) reports that Pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy
Party (BDP) Deputy Chairman İdris Baluken has said that Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will begin the
withdrawal process from Turkey within several days.
Speaking at a
news conference in Parliament on Monday, he said: “When we take a look at the
ongoing process, we see that the PKK first started with a ceasefire and it will
launch the withdrawal process within several days with concrete steps being
taken for disarmament.”
Baluken also
noted that they expect the handling of the solution of the Kurdish problem and
democratization through legal and constitutional amendments following the
withdrawal of the PKK.
However, Turkish
daily Hurrieyt Daily News (16. 04.13) reports that Peace and Democracy Party
(BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş said on Monday that it would be difficult for Kurdish militants
to disarm before leaving Turkey under the peace process, stressing that the key
issue was that they depart peacefully without contact with the Turkish
military.
“Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government is seeking a weapons-free pullout by
militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), as part of a drive to end the
three-decades long conflict. The militants themselves however have expressed
concern that they could be vulnerable to attack. Hundreds were killed in
clashes with security forces in a previous withdrawal in 1999”, Hurriyet
reports.
"Prime
Minister Erdoğan says disarmament must occur but even he, knows that is
technically impossible. He says, 'Leave the weapons in a cave or bury them, do
whatever you want,' but who will regulate this?" Selahattin Demirtaş,
co-leader of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), told Reuters in an interview
during a visit to Berlin.
"So we shouldn't get too hung up on this issue, and it appears that the
government won't turn this into a crisis."
14. Famous Turkish pianist Fazıl Say sentenced for
blasphemy
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (16.04.13) reports that world-renowned Turkish pianist
Fazıl Say was handed a suspended 10-month prison sentence today for “insulting
religious beliefs held by a section of the society,” bringing to a close a
controversial case while sparking fiery reaction in Turkey and abroad.
“I am sorry for
my country after the court’s ruling,” Say said after the sentence was meted
out. “I am disappointed in the sense of freedom of speech. I am worried more
for the state of freedom of speech and belief in Turkey than I am for my own
sentence.”
Say had been the
focus of a legal battle since he re-tweeted several lines, which are attributed
to poet Omar Khayyam in April 2012, saying: “You say its rivers will flow in
wine. Is the Garden of Eden a drinking house? You say you will give two hours
to each Muslim. Is the Garden of Eden a whorehouse?”
He had also
tweeted, “I don’t know whether you have noticed or not but wherever there is a
stupid person or a thief, they are believers in God. Is this a paradox?
"Say’s
lawyers said the artist had “no intention of insulting or degrading” religion
with the tweets, but their defense failed to sway the court.
Say was
initially handed eight months for “committing and insisting on committing a
crime” before the court tacked on an additional four years because the artist
voiced the insult through “a mode of publication.” The sentence was eventually
reduced to 10 months, which was then suspended, allowing Say to remain free if
he completes a supervised five-year term without committing a similar crime.
Reaction against
the ruling was swift on both social and conventional media, with famous names
in Turkish art stepping up to show support for the convicted pianist.
Turkish author
Elif Şafak tweeted, “I am deeply surprised and saddened to hear about the
sentence given to well-known pianist Fazıl Say.” Journalists Ece Temelkuran and
Kanat Atkaya also tweeted statements of support for the pianist. Prominent film
critic and writer Atilla Dorsay, who recently resigned from daily Sabah over recent clashes at Emek Theater, described the
ruling as “horrid,” according to daily Hürriyet.
The case also
caused a strong backlash internationally as well, with the European Union and
PEN voicing concern over freedom of speech in the country.
A spokeswoman
for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Brussels was “concerned” by the 10-month
sentence, which “underlines the importance for Turkey to fully respect freedom of
expression,” Agence France-Presse reported.
English PEN also
released a statement on the ruling, saying the institution was “shocked” to
learn of the sentence. “The conviction
is in violation of Say’s right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and should be
overturned immediately,” the statement said.
Culture and
Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik said despite not wishing for “anyone to be involved
with judicial decisions over what they said,” it should be taken into account
that there was “a judicial decision here.”
15. New TUSIAD board members, cannot receive an appointment with the
Turkish Prime Minister
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.04.13) reports that the Turkish Industry and Business Organization (TUSIAD), a leading business organization in the country, which recently elected new board members, who are “expected to be more moderate with the government,” met with the main Turkish officials but could not receive an appointment with Erdoğan.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.04.13) reports that the Turkish Industry and Business Organization (TUSIAD), a leading business organization in the country, which recently elected new board members, who are “expected to be more moderate with the government,” met with the main Turkish officials but could not receive an appointment with Erdoğan.
According to the paper, the
mission visited Ankara
twice last week for the aforementioned talks, but could not receive its desired
appointment with the premier.
Newly elected TÜSİAD boards
traditionally demand appointments in Ankara
one week after assuming their positions.
Daily Hurriyet columnist Erdal Saglam wrote yesterday on the issue: “I think the new board formed at the general
assembly on Jan. 17 picked the same way. They should be asking for appointments
from Ankara,
mainly the prime minister starting from late January at the latest. Thus we can
say that the new TÜSİAD board could not get the appointment for more than two
months. We do not know about the reason for that, but certainly this is not
normal.”
In addition, the paper writes that
TUSIAD has called on the government to consider three main principles for the
country’s new charter.
The group’s demands, which were
listed in a statement yesterday, include judicial freedoms, universal rights
and freedoms and a change in the democratic representation system, although the
organization did not specifically mention the current election threshold of 10
percent in general elections.
“The list came
at a time when the ties between the group and the government are being
discussed amid a media report questioning whether Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan is reluctant about giving an appointment to newly elected TUSIAD
Chairman Muharrem Yılmaz.”, Hurriyet notes
