TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 80/13
26/4/13
1. PKK will start withdrawing from Turkey on May 8; NSC
discusses “permanent result”
2. Political parties divided over PKK withdrawal
3. Downer met with Ozgurgun at
the self-styled foreign ministry
4. Cicek meets Bozer and says
Turkey would definitely prefer Cyprus if it had to choose between Cyprus and
the EU
5. Atun meets with Turkish
Ministers of Economy and Energy
6. Ozyigit accused the two leaders in Cyprus for not
serving the solution of the Cyprus problem in the framework of the UN
parameters
7. BKP: “The
economic crisis should not be used as a trump card”
8. Tatar attended the 7th Global Congress on Combating
Counterfeiting and Piracy in Istanbul
9. A “regiment unit” of the occupation regime’s army in
the illegal Tymvou area to be transferred to occupied Kythrea village
10. Industrialists announce
results of a survey: “the actual embargo is the costs”
11. Turkish businessman was
granted the “citizenship” of the regime
12.
Fuat Namsoy resigned from UBP
13. The carpets of Hala Sultan
Tekke mosque in Larnaca will be replaced
1. PKK will start withdrawing from Turkey on May 8;
NSC discusses “permanent result”
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.04.13) reports that the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) will begin withdrawing from Turkish soil on May 8,
according to Murat Karayilan, a senior leader at the group’s base in the Kandil
Mountains of northern Iraq.
Karayilan,
however, told reporters yesterday that any military operation targeting the
militants would delay the withdrawal and cause the militants to retaliate.
The
PKK also released a number of suggestions to facilitate the withdrawal during
the press conference, which was attended by high ranking PKK members Zeki
Sengali and executive board member Hacer Zagros.
The
PKK militants will use previously travelled routes during the withdrawal organized
and disciplined while avoiding any clashes, the group said, according to Firat
news agency, which is known to have close ties to the organization.
According
to the ongoing preparations, the withdrawal will start on May 8 and will
continue in phases. The process will be finalized “as soon as possible” and in
secrecy.
The
withdrawing militants will be deployed to “southern Kurdistan,” which refers to
northern Iraq. Karayilan said they expected understanding from the Iraqi
authorities, and particularly from the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government
(KRG). The Turkish military should show a “similar sensitivity,” while avoiding
any “provocative and opportunist attitudes” in northern Iraq, he added.
In
the event of any military operations being conducted against the militants, the
withdrawal will be halted and the militants will use the “legitimate right of
defence” to retaliate, Karayilan said.
The
leader did not disclose in his statement whether the militants would pull out
with or without arms. Both Turkish President Abdullan Gul and Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan have insisted on a withdrawal without arms in repeated
remarks, while the military is asking for a legal regulation for the process as
it is legally obliged to fight against terrorism.
In a
statement on April 22, the military said it would keep on fighting against
terrorists.
A
number of other items that were mentioned in a letter to the jailed PKK leader,
Abdullah Ocalan, and which are also known by the Turkish authorities, should
also be considered, Karayilan said, without giving further details.
The
last item in the list was related to observation by independent groups that
could help spot problematic issues regarding the withdrawal.
The
resolution process, meanwhile, will take place in three phases, according to
Karayılan, who named the withdrawal as the first stage.
The
second stage is the efforts, mainly from the Turkish government and the state,
for a permanent solution, he said.
“With
the reforms within the frame of a constitutional solution, the conditions for
democratization in real terms and a solution to the Kurdish problem will
emerge,” he said, calling for the abolition of the village guard system,
support for the Turkish military and other “special war bodies.”
He
also called for the new Constitution, which is currently being drafted under
government auspices, to accord a place to the democratic rights, identity,
beliefs and religious sects of Kurds.
The
third stage, which deals with “normalization,” would include freedom for
Ocalan, according to Karayilan. “The disarmament of guerrillas will be brought
to the agenda following the realization of this process, which will witness the
liberation of everyone, including that of leader Ocalan,” Firat quoted Karayilan
as saying.
Ocalan
made a historic call on March 21 for the withdrawal as part of the ongoing
efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue. The call came amid
direct talks between him and a group of deputies, mainly from the Peace and
Democracy Party (BDP), and letters to and from Kandil and the European arm of
the PKK.
Moreover,
HDN also reports that the National Security Council (MGK) discussed the
additional measures for ensuring that efforts for peace and security give a
“permanent result,” according to a statement issued following the bi-monthly
meeting on April 25 that gathered top civilian and military officials,
implicitly referring to the ongoing peace process.
“The
pursuit of our determination in the fight against all terrorist organizations,
the importance of coordination and partnership with the international community
has been emphasized once again,” the statement read.
2. Political parties divided over PKK withdrawal
According
to Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.04.13), the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK)
April 25 announcement of the exact date of their withdrawal from Turkish
territory, has been interpreted by the two main opposition parties as proof of
undisclosed concessions given to the organization by the government. However,
the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Peace and Democracy
Party (BDP), which have both taken an active role in the process, welcomed the
move.
All
that has happened has only shown that it is jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan
and the PKK’s military leader Murat Karayilan who have made the decision about
Turkey’s future, but not the government or the people, main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy
Chairman Faruk Logoglu suggested, speaking to reporters.
“It
is concerning that a three-stage road-map has been drawn and that they [the
PKK] are imposing a situation on Turkey, as if they are the ones holding the
authority,” Logoglu said.
“Statements
from Ocalan and Kandil are revealing the bargaining conducted with Ocalan. If there
was no agreement on elements of the statement by Kandil, then this statement
would not have been released. All of us want friendship and peace, but we
cannot swallow the point to which the AKP has brought Turkey and our people,”
he added.
The
PKK should hand over its arms instead of laying them down, Logoglu also said.
Meanwhile,
the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli, questioned the sincerity of the PKK's withdrawal,
slamming the government's management of the peace process. "The symbolic
withdrawal is an insidious tactic aiming to gain time. Turkey is not a stopover
or a rest area for terrorists," said Bahceli in a statement. "Again,
the submission of the AKP [to the PKK] is publicly attested. The security
forces will not allow PKK terrorists to withdraw freely from Turkey."
For
his part, MHP's deputy parliamentary group chair Oktay Vural also argued that there is "no laying down of the
arms." “The coup plan prepared in Imralı and Oslo will be legitimized by
the PKK weapon. The PKK in the region will be turned into the KCK [Kurdistan
Communities Union - the alleged urban wing of the PKK] and will be introduced
as resolution plan,” Vural said.
AKP
Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Aysenur
Bahcekapili emphasized the importance of caution when discussing the issue.
“We are in a delicate period. Everyone must be careful with the way they talk,
with every word they say. If a withdrawal is happening, we cannot be anything
other than glad. From now on, it will not be the holding of arms that will be
talked about, but rather friends holding one another’s hands,” she said.
Pervin Buldan,
the deputy leader of the BDP, said yesterday that Turkey was experiencing a
historic period, but also that the biggest tasks were still yet to begin. “We
should express for Kurds that these people are now accepted as an addressee,”
she said, adding that people were under no illusion that there will be peace so
easily.
3. Downer met with Ozgurgun at
the self-styled foreign ministry
Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak television (26.04.13,
online) reports that Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser
on Cyprus, is holding contacts today in the occupied area of Cyprus with “TRNC”
officials.
Downer visited Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled minister
of foreign affairs, at the latter’s office. At 14.00 hours he is expected to
visit the self-styled prime minister, Irsen Kucuk.
(Ed. Note: This is the first time a U.N. official
meets with breakaway regime “officials”)
In a statement after their meeting, Ozgurgun said they
held a positive official dialogue and discussed the steps and the road map that
will be followed in the Cyprus problem.
Ozgurgun said he told Downer that the Turkish Cypriot
side was ready for the negotiations and that they support Turkish Cypriot
leader Eroglu’s efforts on this issue.
Ozgurgun noted that Downer told him that the economic
situation in the government-controlled area of Cyprus constitutes a serious
problem for the resumption of the negotiations. “Therefore he told us that in
spite of the fact that he is hopeful, he does not expect the negotiations to
start soon”, he added.
Ozgurgun said that the Turkish Cypriots will
definitely not accept the EU to be a side at the negotiating table and claimed
that Downer told him that he agrees with them on this issue.
Ozgurgun noted that he told Downer that a road map
should be prepared for the negotiations and added that Downer did not tell him
anything satisfactory on this issue.
Replying to a question, Ozgurgun said that his
conclusion from his meeting with Downer today was that the direct negotiations
might start in the end of this year. He added that the Turkish side has
conveyed the view that this process should be the “end game”. He said he saw
that it is as if we have come to the beginning of the talks today, in spite of
the fact that the UN Secretary-General had allegedly said that these
negotiations should end at last.
He claimed: “They think that the fact that
Anastasiades said ‘yes’ to the Annan Plan is an advantage and that if he starts
these negotiations with Mr Dervis Eroglu, they could reach a good point, but I
am not optimistic on this issue. Anastasiades’ saying ‘yes’ to the Annan Plan,
it was directed towards their internal politics’… Anastasiades says that he
rejects the Annan Plan today and that it is not in the agenda. Anastasiades is
the leader of the party of the members of EOKA and the members of EOKA
constitute an important obstacle both in the beginning of the Cyprus problem
and in its continuation”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Cicek meets Bozer and says
Turkey would definitely prefer Cyprus if it had to choose between Cyprus and
the EU
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.04.13)
reports that Hasan Bozer, “speaker” of the self-styled assembly of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, visited
yesterday Cemil Cicek, speaker of the Turkish Grant national Assembly (TGNA),
in Ankara.
In his statements, Cicek said that if Turkey had to
choose between Cyprus and its membership in the European Union (EU), it would
definitely choose Cyprus. “Turkey will never enter into such a clamp”, he
argued. Addressing the Turkish Cypriot delegation headed by Bozer, Cicek said
that the relations between Turkey and the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, “are a little bit extraordinary” and
added: “Here has always been your home. We are very pleased when we meet with
you, discuss our problems, and exchange views. Unfortunately, peace could not
be realized on the island in this sense. Actually there is peace in the north.
The situation in the south is for themselves. I can say nothing, but there is a
negotiating process going on. This negotiating process could not be concluded
positively”.
He went on and alleged that as long as the mentality
of the Greek Cypriot side continues to be the same, the process could not be
concluded positively, because “it would be too optimistic” to expect that the
Greek Cypriot side will take any step after “its accession to the EU on behalf
of the entire Cyprus”. He argued that
after the election of every new President in the Republic of Cyprus, optimism
exists, but “absolutely nothing changes”. He alleged:
“I think that the Greek Cypriot side appears as if it
would make a step, raises its foot and steps on the same place again. Those
before him were like this. He will also be the same. Especially if now he will
be bringing a proposal and taking a step after securing the support of the 75%
of the parties, he is anyway turning something impossible into a precondition.
Therefore, in spite of all our efforts, expectations and hope, and in spite of
your very positive contribution, nothing is visible in the near future.
Moreover, if their economic problems and troubles are added into this issue, I
think that we should look after our own job. This is my view. If this issue is
concluded positively, we will be happy, but in case this does not happen, a
state mechanism has anyway been established and works there, with its
parliament, its political parties and its institutions. …If a solution could be
reached there by accepting the existence of two states and two equal peoples in
really equal conditions, this will be fine. If this cannot happen, then we
believe that we must continue our own way…”
(I/Ts.)
5. Atun meets with Turkish
Ministers of Economy and Energy
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.04.13)
reports that within the framework of his visit to Ankara, Sunat Atun,
self-styled minister of economy and energy of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, met yesterday with the Turkish
Ministers of Economy, and Energy and Natural Resources, Zafer Caglayan and
Taner Yildiz respectively.
In statements after his meeting with Atun, Caglayan
referred to the economy of the Republic of Cyprus and argued: “Actually there
is a very good expression: ‘with such an attitude, it serves them right’. The
fact that south Cyprus, the economy of which could not endure, could put up
with even 10 billion euros, prevented the economy of the EU, one of the world’s
biggest economic and political unions, as well as very big, gigantic countries
of the world and carried out EU’s term presidency, is surely an extremely
saddening event for the EU. This matter has really become a humorous issue. A
sector which is forced to close its banks because of 10 billion euros has
carried out the presidency of a gigantic economy for six months. We saw and we
know how the world public opinion evaluated this. We will continue our way on
this issue. Turkey’s policy and stance on the TRNC is very clear”.
Caglayan alleged that the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in
the occupied area of Cyprus, continues to progress in spite of what he called
as “injustices and embargoes it faces in the international arena”. He said that
Turkey’s priority has always been “TRNC’s” growth and development on a sound
basis and alleged that the economy of
the regime is being continuously strengthened and has become extremely strong.
Caglayan said that in comparison to last year, per
capita national income in the occupied area of Cyprus increased by 5.5%. He
argued: “The fact that the economy of the TRNC grew by 2.8% during such a
period when south Cyprus has gone bankrupt is admirable for us”.
Caglayan described as “important” the fact that more
than one million tourists visit the occupied area of Cyprus and added: “Each of
these things is important indicator of TRNC’s economic, political and
diplomatic developments”.
In his statements, Atun said that per capita income in
the occupied area of Cyprus will exceed 17 thousand US dollars in 2015 and
added that they will do this with Turkey’s support. Atun said that the
situation in the government-controlled area of Cyprus is not “a breath of a
fresh air” and alleged that “south Cyprus”, as he described the Republic of
Cyprus, has come to the situation of needing the help of the Turks. “South
Cyprus will not be able to solve the deadlock in which it has fallen, without
cooperating with the Turkish world”, he alleged.
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by his
so-called ministry”, Atun’s meeting with Yildiz lasted for one hour. No further
details are mentioned.
(I/Ts.)
6. Ozyigit accused the two leaders in Cyprus for not
serving the solution of the Cyprus problem in the framework of the UN parameters
Under
the title: “They serve the division”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (26.04.13)
reports that the secretary general of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal
Ozyigit, in a written statement yesterday, stated that 10 years had passed
since the opening of the crossing points in the two communities, but this
effort, as he said, did not contributed enough for further steps to be taken
towards the solution. “What is essence is the solution. Our desire is the
opening of all crossing points for peace, and to reach to an early, lasting and
fair solution”, Ozyigit added.
Ozyigit
went on and accused the “leader” of the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he
called President Anastasiades for using the economic crisis as an excuse for
the delay of the negotiation talks.
Referring
to Eroglu, Ozgiyit said that while Eroglu says that he wants the immediate
re-launching of the Cyprus negotiation talks, he, as he said, looks for other
alternatives for the basis the solution, than federation. “Both attitudes do
not serve the solution in the framework of the UN parameters; they serve
nothing else but the division”, added Ozyigit.
(...)Ozgiyit
stressed also the need for the immediate re-launching of the negotiation talks
that will finally yield to a result and added that they are aware that the
issue of natural resources will play a catalyze role to the negotiations to be
launched.
(AK)
7. BKP: “The
economic crisis should not be used as a trump card”
Under
the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (26.04.13) reports that the
United Cyprus Party (BKP), issuing a written statement yesterday, stated that
by using the economic crisis experienced in Cyprus as a trump card on the
Cyprus problem will deepen further the existing stalemate because of the
separatist impositions.
In
the written statement which was read by Abdullah Korkmazhan, the organizing
secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Kormazhan accused the Turkish
Cypriot side for continuing its insincere stance towards the early solution on
the Cyprus problem and adds that by using the economic crisis experienced by
Greek Cypriots and by imposing separatist policies, the existing stalemate will
become deeper.
Korkmazhan
goes on and points out the need for the immediate re-launching of the Cyprus
negotiation talks for a comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem and the
need for creating a constructive dialogue unity.
“The
discharging from the impositions of Troyka and Ankara is the early solution”,
stated Korkmazhan, adding that the early federal solution and the common
struggle constitutes the way out.
(AK)
8. Tatar attended the 7th Global Congress on Combating
Counterfeiting and Piracy in Istanbul
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes (26.04.13) reports that so-called minister of finance Ersin
Tatar attended the “7th Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting
and Piracy”, which was held in Istanbul between 24-26 April, as quest of the
Turkish Minister of Customs and Trade Hayati Yazici.
The
congress was organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and INTERPOL, in partnership with
the International Trademark Association (INTA) and International Chamber of
Commerce and Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (ICC/BASCAP).
Tatar
also attended the gala dinner, which was hosted by the Turkish Minister Yazici,
as guest of honour. During the dinner, Tatar met with the Secretary General of
the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya, and the Secretary General of
INTERPOL, Ronald Noble.
Evaluating
his participation at the congress, Tatar said that they are in cooperation with
international organizations on sensitive issues as fighting smuggling within
the “borders” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus.
Noting
that “TRNC” is locating in an important trafficking point of the East
Mediterranean, Tatar claimed that they do whatever they can in order to prevent
counterfeiting and piracy of any kind of products.
Tatat
also stressed that the important thing is to promote “TRNC” through this
cooperation with the international organizations and to gain respect in the
world as “TRNC”.
9. A “regiment unit” of the occupation regime’s army in
the illegal Tymvou area to be transferred to occupied Kythrea village
Under
the front-page title: “Rise against the confidential decision”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Yeni Duzen (26.04.13) reports on the decision which was taken by the
so-called ministerial council on March 20 2013, which envisages the
transferring of the 40th regiment of the occupation regime’s army
which, was until now located in the “north” of Tymbou area, to a stockyard area
in the occupied Kythrea village.
According
to the paper, the above decision of the so-called council of ministers, which
was not published to the “official gazette” of the breakaway regime, caused
strong reactions by live stockers in the occupied Kythrea village.
In
statements on the issue, the “governor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia, Kemal
Deniz Dana said that the “council of ministers” did not receive a final
decision yet.
Meanwhile,
according to the paper, the live stockers in the occupied Kythrea village organized
yesterday a protest against this decision, asking for an official statement to
be made on this issue.
The
paper adds that the reason for the transferring of the “military unit” to
occupied Kythrea village was because of the decision taken for the
privatization of the illegal Tymvou airport and the works to be done there for
the broadening of the area.
Also,
in statements on the issue, Mustafa Naimogullari, “chairman” of the “live
stockers union”, said that they will transfer the issue to the court and added
that they will demand for their rights through the justice.
(AK)
10. Industrialists announce
results of a survey: “the actual embargo is the costs”
Under the title “The actual embargo is the costs”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (26.04.13) reports that the “Cyprus
Turkish Chamber of Industry” has carried out a survey and two focus groups with
the Economic Development and Growth Enterprise (EDGE) in order to find out the
situation regarding the exports of the occupied northern part of Cyprus during
the last quarter of 2012, to see the weaknesses and determine the exporters and
the potential exporters.
The results of the survey were announced yesterday at
a press conference by the chairman of the chamber, Ali Cirali, its general
secretary Doga Donmezer and employees of the chamber who contributed in the
preparation of this work.
Referring to the results of the survey, Cirali said
that the firms which conduct exports from the occupied area of Cyprus do not
see the political situation on the island as their biggest problem, something
which he described as “interesting result”. He noted that they mentioned as
their biggest problem the high transportation costs. He said: “The political
situation in Cyprus is shown as the third problem by our members who conduct
exports. The exporters consider the decrease of the transportation and input
costs as more important than sticking on the Cyprus problem”.
He noted that according to the economic program signed
between Turkey and the breakaway regime for the period 2013-15, the ratio of
the their exports to their imports was 6.9% in 2011 and added that the aim is
to decrease this ratio to 6.4% in 2015. He noted that the program’s aim is not
to increase exports, as the target for 2015 is for the export to reach 127
million dollars, while in 2011 they were 120 million dollars.
Referring to the regime’s foreign trade, the paper
writes that exports were 25 million dollars in 1977 and increased by five times
in 2012 reaching 116 million dollars. On the other hand, imports increased by
21 times in the same period, as they were 82 million dollars in 1977 and rose
to 1.7 billion dollars in 2012. The foreign trade deficit increased from 57
million to 1.6 billion dollars in the same period. The ratio between exports
and imports was around 30% in the period 1977-1990 and has been continuously
decreasing to reach around 6% in 2012.
According to the data, around 48.92% of the regime’s
56-million-dollar exports in 2012 were made to Turkey, 34.25% to Middle East
countries, 7.46% to EU countries, 0.87% to other European countries, 0.18% to
Far East counties and the rest 8.32% to other countries.
The 1.2-billion-dollar imports of the regime in 2012
were made from the following countries: Turkey 72.43%, EU 14.54%, Far East
4.76%, Middle Eat 4.78%, other European countries 1.66% and other countries
1.83%.
(I/Ts.)
11. Turkish businessman was
granted the “citizenship” of the regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (26.04.13)
reports that the self-styled ministry of internal affairs and local
administration of the breakaway regime announced yesterday that the procedure
for granting the “citizenship” of the regime to a Turkish businessman named
Temel Bulut, had been completed on 25 April. Temel Bulut is the owner of Bulut
Constructions Ltd. The paper wrote yesterday that granting “identity card” to
Bulut was on the agenda wondering whether the “embassy” of Turkey has been
exerting pressures in this direction.
The “ministry” condemned the paper for publishing such
information, and argued that the news was incorrect and aimed at deceiving the
public and harming the relations between Turkey and the “TRNC”, which allegedly
exist for centuries.
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (26.04.13)
refers to the issue on its front page and wonders whether the “TRNC” existed
centuries ago.
(I/Ts.)
12.
Fuat Namsoy resigned from UBP
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (26.04.13) reports that the secretary general of the
National Unity Party (UBP) Fuat Namsoy has announced yesterday his resignation
from his post.
Issuing
a written statement yesterday afternoon, Namsoy announced his resignation from
the general secretary of the party, he, however, did not entered into details
for the reason of his resignation.
Namsoy
thanked all the members of the UBP who supported him while he was on duty, and
stated that he will continue working for the good of the UBP and the “TRNC” in
general. He said that he will return back and work as a “mayor” of the occupied
Lapythos municipality.
(AK)
13. The carpets of Hala
Sultan Tekke mosque in Larnaca will be replaced
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes (26.04.13) reports that the carpets at the Hala Sultan
Tekke mosque in Larnaka will be replaced.
According
to the paper, the organization of Evkaf (Vakif) and the so-called director of
the head office of Evkaf as well as members of the so-called administrative
board of the religious affair department, will visit today the Hala Sultan
mosque in Larnaka, which will be refurnished.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
