TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 110/13 13/6/13
1. Breakaway regime
announces plans for violating again Cyprus’s EEZ together with Turkey’s TPAO
2. AKP government ordered
protesters to leave Gezi Park; it proposed for a referendum to be held for Gezi
Park
3. Erdogan, Davutoglu and
Bozdag reiterated that external circles are related to Gezi Park protests;
criticism was expressed to international media
4. Gul: “Turkey will solve
issues with democracy”
5. Mossad's director met
with MİT head; The Syria crisis and Gezi Park protest were discussed
6. Ashton warns that AKP
planned rallies will increase tension in Turkey; she indicated that they are
close to open a new chapter for Turkey
7. Bagis on the Gezi Park
protests; He criticized the Republic of Cyprus for preventing Turkey’s EU
membership
8. Three airplanes from
occupied Cyprus will reportedly carry people to support Erdogan’s rally in
Istanbul on Sunday
9.
Demirtas stated that the withdrawal of PKK has been completed; he urged the
Turkish government to proceed to the second phase
10.
Kucuk: Ankara is disturbed by the situation in occupied Cyprus
11.
Trade Unions’ Platform announced their expectations from the “government” that
will be formed after the “early elections”
12.
The timetable for the upcoming “early elections” in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus
13.
Evkaf religious foundation employed twenty two new imams in occupied Cyprus
14.
Only Turkish in the road signs in occupied Cyprus
15.
The breakaway regime to have a TOMA riot control vehicle in September
1. Breakaway regime announces plans for
violating again Cyprus’s EEZ together with Turkey’s TPAO
Turkish
Cypriot Kibris Postasi news website (13.06.13) reports that the self-styled
ministry of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus has described as “unfortunate development” the beginning of
the confirmation drilling in block 12 of Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In a
written statement issued today the self-styled ministry said that they had
found out that the “Greek Cypriot side”, as it describes the government of the
Republic of Cyprus, is carrying our seismic explorations in the area for which
the regime had given a so-called license to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation
(TPAO). The “ministry” alleged that these “provocative steps” are “an
unacceptable approach which increases tension in the area”.
The
“ministry” claimed also that as “co-owner” of the island, the Turkish Cypriot
“people” had “equal and inseparable rights” in the exploration and exploitation
of the natural resources in the island’s EEZ. It went on and said that they
would definitely not allow for the so-called usurpation of the rights of the Turkish
Cypriot “people” with the creation of fait accompli.
“The
works carried out within this framework are continuing and in parallel to the
new seismic explorations which will be held in the next few days in the blocks
for which permits for exploration/extraction were given to TPAO by our
government, drilling activities are also planned according to the result which
will be taken”, the self-styled ministry said.
“In
order for peace and stability on the island and in Eastern Mediterranean to be
secured, we hope that the Greek Cypriot side will end its daydreaming policies
and start constructively contributing to the negotiations in the direction of
finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and the research for a
common ground to be determined with mutual understanding for carrying out the
exploration/extraction activities for hydrocarbon until a solution is reached”,
argues the statement.
(I/Ts.)
2. AKP government ordered protesters to
leave Gezi Park; it proposed for a referendum to be held for Gezi Park
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (12.06.13) reported that Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan's government ordered protesters out of an Istanbul park on
Wednesday, while making a limited concession in the form of an offer to hold a
referendum on redevelopment plans that caused nearly two weeks of riots.
Huseyin
Celik, Deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), said that
hundreds of demonstrators still camped in Gezi Park, which adjoins Taksim
Square in the heart of İstanbul, must leave immediately.
(…)
"Those
with bad intentions or who seek to provoke and remain in the park will (now) be
facing the police," Celik said at a news conference following a meeting
between Erdogan and a group of public figures linked to the Gezi.
Celik
gave few details of how a referendum would be carried out, saying it could
either be held across İstanbul or just in the district near Taksim.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (13.06.13) reported that the members of the
Taksim Solidarity Platform that met the Deputy Prime Minister last week said
that they did not accept the government’s proposal of a referendum. “Nobody met
with us. We rose up because we refused the police oppression that continued
until this morning. [The ruling AKP's spokesperson Huseyin Celik] said those
who stay in the park are marginal. No one will abandon the site tonight,” the
group said in a statement.
3. Erdogan, Davutoglu and Bozdag reiterated
that external circles are related to Gezi Park protests; criticism was
expressed to international media
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.06.13) Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his belief that the Gezi Park protests have
external connections, adding that the interest lobby and foreign news outlets
were also involved. “Those against whom we said ‘one minute’ are now
delighted,” Erdogan was quoted as saying during a meeting with the chairman of
the Confederation of Turkish Craftsmen and Tradesmen (TESK) Bendevi Palandoken
on June 12.
Erdogan
notoriously reacted by uttering “one minute” to Israeli President Shimon Peres
during the 2009 Davos Economic Forum.
“Even if
not in such a manner, we had foreseen these events as a series of conspiracies
three months ago. We had received some intelligence reports,” Erdogan also
said.
The
Turkish Prime Minister reportedly watched with Palandoken a video showing the
damages inflicted on the shops of tradesman during the Gezi Park protests. “The
security forces will behave very differently from now onward. [Those who
damaged the shops] will render account. The tradesman should be vigilant. The
interests of the interest lobby don’t match theirs,” he said.
According
to daily Hurriyet, Erdogan also said during the meeting that he had told the
Interior Minister to “finish” the protests in the next 24 hours, without young
people at Gezi Park being hurt.
Erdogan
also met on June 12 with a group of 11 people, including artists, academics and
students that were invited by the government as representatives of the Gezi
Park protesters.
Meanwhile,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.06.13) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday that certain circles on international media
tried to damage Turkey's image at Taksim Gezi Park protests.
Speaking
on the private "Haber Turk" TV channel, Davutoglu said that Turkey
was a rising country and thus the image of the country was hurt by the
international media's Taksim Gezi Park protests coverage.
"When
compared, Taksim Gezi Park protests coverage by the international media is
different from the incidents in Turkey," said Davutoglu. "I know how
the same media broadcast the killings in Syria. We know that they broadcast
Taksim protests live for long hours without commercials, while the same media
did not pay much attention to Banyas massacres."
Also,
commenting on the Gezi Park protest, Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.06.13)
reported that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said: “Unfortunately
we see TV channels with a strong effort are being used as an instrument of
falsifying the truths by lies and slanders”.
Bozdag
talked to the press in Ankara's Esenboga Airport before his departure to
Republic of Congo for the Turkey - Republic of Congo Joint Economic Commission
meeting.
Bozdag
said: “Turkey witness the huge efforts of some media, artists and capital
holders and the structures of policy and ideology. Those who deliver the news
in Turkey and abroad, act against AK Party ruling and try to set a trap and
they will see with whom AK Party has been formed, said Bozdag.
Bozdag
added, "The protest which consisted of small part of our nation will be
ended as well. We do not have any hesitation about it".
"Turkey
is a democratic country and within the framework of constitution and laws,
everyone has the right for criticism, demonstration and organizing
meetings", said Bozdag.
4. Gul: “Turkey will solve issues with
democracy”
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.06.13) reported that President Abdullah Gul,
during a visit to the Governor of Riz, answered journalists’ questions.
He said
that the Gezi Park protests should be solved in a "democratic way"
within the law and without resorting to violence.
“This
kind of problem should be solved by discussing different thoughts, dialogue and
within the law. There may be disagreements; in such situations the courts
should be resorted to. In the end, these [disagreements] must be solved without
resorting to violence,” Gul told reporters.
Gul underlined
that the most contradictory thoughts must be able to be voiced within the
framework of rules. “It is democratic maturity to take into account and listen
to these demands,” he said.
However,
the President stressed that the protesters should not resort to violence.
“Violence should not be allowed … [Violence] is not permitted in Turkey, in New
York, in Berlin, or in Spain,” Gul said.
He also
called on the international media to be cautious about covering the Gezi
protests. He said that what was happening in Turkey was not caused by people’s
demands for rights, freedom and democracy, but that these demonstrations were
held by people who had “different demands.”
“We
evaluate all peaceful demonstrations, expression of thoughts as a democratic
right and we say this from the beginning. We are honoured to say this,” said
Gul, adding that Turkey was a democratic country unlike countries in the region
hit by uprisings.
However,
Gul said that it could not be regarded as democratic right if key places of the
country such as Taksim Square in Istanbul and Kızılay Square in Ankara are
attempted to be seized permanently, breaking rules and by use of violence.
On the
other hand, Gul said those who disagree with the project in Taksim must be
listened to. “Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meeting with several people
among the protesters yesterday must be regarded as a positive step taken for
such a dialogue”, Gul added.
Gul also
said the police and administration were aware that the intervention at Gezi
Park on the very first day was wrong.
“What happened in Gezi Park on the first day [of incidents] was
unfortunately wrong. Istanbul police acknowledged this too. This is why their
attitude has changed [in a positive way] yesterday and the day before [Monday
and Tuesday],” said Gul.
5. Mossad's director met with MİT head; The
Syria crisis and Gezi Park protest were discussed
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (12.06.13) reported that Turkish media reported on
Wednesday that Tamir Pardo, director of Israeli national intelligence agency
Mossad, has covertly met with Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT)
head Hakan Fidan in Turkey, to discuss the situation in Syria and the ongoing
anti-government protests in Turkey.
According
to reports, Pardo, who is of Turkish and Serbian origin, traveled to Turkey in
a private airplane to see Fidan. They reportedly discussed the latest situation
in Syria, which has been in turmoil for more than two years, and the impact of
Iran on the situation. The two parties shared intelligence ahead of a planned
US-Russia-led peace conference in Geneva, which is expected to bring together
the Syrian regime and opposition in July for a solution to the conflict in
Syria.
Pardo
reportedly told Fidan that members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
are engaged in activities against Turkey by Syrian intelligence agency
al-Mukhabarat.
The two
intelligence officials also discussed the ongoing Gezi Park demonstrations,
which began at the end of last month in protest of government plans for the
redevelopment of a park in İstanbul's Taksim Square. Demonstrations have spread
to other provinces in the country and turned into anti-government protests.
Media
reports also said that Pardo wanted to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan to talk about the issue, but that Erdogan did not respond to the
Israeli official.
This
high-level visit by Pardo is considered an important one for Turkish-Israeli
relations, which were strained until quite recently due to the Israeli naval
commandos' raid on the Mavi Marmara, a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza
in May of 2010, killing eight Turkish civilians and one Turkish-American.
6. Ashton warns that AKP planned rallies
will increase tension in Turkey; she indicated that they are close to open a
new chapter for Turkey
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (12.06.13) reported that the European Union Foreign Policy
Chief Catherine Ashton urged that planned rallies by Turkey’s ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) would risk adding to the tension in the country
during a discussion in the European Parliament on June 12 on the issue.
“Major
AKP rallies in Istanbul and Ankara this weekend would risk adding to the
tension when we need to see de-escalation. The answer, I believe, and as I have
said, is engagement, not antagonism,” Ashton said.
Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s planned meeting with representatives of
the protestors on June 12 “is an important opportunity to find a way forward
based on dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect,” Ashton told the Parliament
also addressed by European Union Commissioner Stefan Fule.
“Democratically
elected governments – even the most successful of them, which have enjoyed
three election victories and have half the population’s support – still need to
take account of the needs and expectations of those who don’t feel represented.
And peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate way for such groups to express
their views,” said Ashton.
President
of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Hannes Swoboda also
targeted Erdogan during a speech he made during the European Parliament
session, where he slammed Erdogan’s remarks about unwillingness to change.
“The
people are the ones protesting against him and his ultraconservative policies.
And how does he react? With pure, brutal violence,” Swoboda said, adding that
chapters on freedom of speech and rule of law “should be opened without delay.”
“Let’s
talk about the problems and either Turkey advances and complies with European
standards – or we can close the negotiations,” he stated.
Also,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.06.13) reports that the European Parliament
(EP) discussed the protests in Taksim Gezi Park in EP general assembly meeting.
Speaking
during the meeting, Ashton said: "Now it is not time to cut the ties with
Turkey, it is time to set closer ties," regarding the protests in Turkey.
About
Turkey's EU membership, Asthon said: "We are close to open a new chapter
in accession process of European Union".
Meanwhile,
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held talks with his German counterpart
Guido Westerwelle over the phone to discuss Taksim Gezi Park protests.
Davutoglu
criticized the session about Turkey in the Parliament of Germany for the way it
was conducted. "When the similar events happen in European countries
including Germany, they do not react differently than Turkey did," also
said Davutoglu.
7. Bagis on the Gezi Park protests; He
criticized the Republic of Cyprus for preventing Turkey’s EU membership
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (12.06.13) reported from Paris that Turkish Minister for
European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said on Wednesday that
it was irrational to compare Taksim Gezi Park protests with the Arab Spring.
Speaking
at Izmir's EXPO 2020 candidacy presentation in Paris, Bagis said that Turkey
was a country where democratic elections are held and it was unfair to compare
Turkey with the events in countries where there was no democracy.
“Turkey's
ruling party came into power with democratic elections”, said Bagis adding: "The
situation in Turkey is not similar to the ones in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. If
Turkish electors are not happy with our practices they will show this in the
next elections."
Bagis
said Turkish government had no objection to the protestors who have environmental
concerns but had had no tolerance for the terrorist groups using violence.
Stating
that the terrorist group which perpetrated a suicide attack on the US Embassy
in Ankara, known as Revolutionary People's Liberation Party–Front (DHKP-C),
attended the demonstrations to abuse, Bagis said: "If an Al-Qaeda banner
was hung over on the Statute of Liberty how would New York Times react?"
"It
is interesting to have such incidents in Turkey when the terror organization
PKK laid down arms and the economic and development figures are at best
levels," said Bagis. "Interest lobby and several financial
institutions are disturbed by the growth and development in Turkey", he
added.
Bagis
also said that Turkey would strengthen the EU and the union would be a global
peace project with Turkey's full membership to the EU.
Bagis
criticized the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as the Republic of Cyprus is
called, for preventing Turkey's EU membership negotiations saying: "Turkey
was vitally important for the EU in terms of EU's energy policies."
8. Three airplanes from occupied Cyprus
will reportedly carry people to support Erdogan’s rally in Istanbul on Sunday
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.06.13) reports that after outgoing
self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk’s visit to Ankara and his meeting with
the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “Cyprus got into action” to
support Erdogan in his conflict with the protestors.
Under
the title “Invasion from Cyprus to Istanbul rally”, the paper writes that three
airplanes from the occupied area of Cyprus will take off from illegal Tymvou
airport in order to carry people who will support the rally organized by
Erdogan on Sunday, 16 June, in Istanbul. According to Afrika, a group of people
activated by the National Unity party (UBP) call on people through the social
media to participate in the rally.
(I/Ts.)
9. Demirtas stated that the withdrawal of
PKK has been completed; he urged the Turkish government to proceed to the
second phase
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.06.13) reported that the co-chair of the Peace
and Democracy Party (BDP) Selahattin Demirtas has said yesterday that the first
phase of the withdrawal of the members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),
is now complete and it is time to move on to the next phase, adding that
Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, had also declared that the withdrawal
was done to a great extent.
Selahattin
Demirtas also noted that they are supporting the Gezi protests in the name of
freedom.
Demirtas
said that now that the initial phase was done, that the second phase of
introducing regulations for democratization was necessary, adding that it was
now the government’s turn to take action.
“There
is no problem with the withdrawal, no interruption. A position for reciprocal
tension or conflict does not arise. In Ocalan’s words, the desire expected from
the first phase is largely complete. Actually the first phase is complete. Now,
it is time to talk about the second phase. It is time for practice,” Demirtas
said.
Demirtas
stated that the government could introduce a mixed democratization package.
“There cannot be [just] one law, but a mixed package that includes practices
against human rights in plenty of laws. Some penalties are too high,
disproportionate. Periods of detention are implemented arbitrarily. What is
right is the lifting of ÖYMs [specially authorized courts] too, but I do not
know if the government is taking a step or not,” he said.
A total
of 100 articles must be amended to “clear the way,” he said.
10. Kucuk: Ankara is disturbed by the
situation in occupied Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (13.06.13) reports that outgoing
self-styled prime minister and leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), Irsen
Kucuk has argued that Ankara is disturbed by the situation in the occupied area
of Cyprus. In statements after his return from Ankara where he had met with the
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kucuk said that “Ankara finds
strange” and “does not welcome” the fact the eight “MPs” have abandoned the UBP
and joined the Democratic Party (DP).
Kucuk
described the eight former “MPs” of his party as “traitors” and the
overthrowing of his “government” as “attack against democracy”. Kucuk argued
that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and circles that wanted the
continuation of the status quo in his party were behind this incident.
Commenting
of the efforts by the three opposition party to establish a “government” which
will lead the Turkish Cypriot to the early “elections” of the 28th
of July, Kucuk argued that “this does not represent the will of the people” and
therefore it would be difficult to establish a new “government”. He claimed
that the “real will of the people” will be seen on the 28th of
July.
Referring
to the leaders of the Social Democracy party (TDP) and the DP, Mehmet Cakici
and Serdar Denktas respectively, Kucuk alleged that they have the same
“psychological structure” and claimed that both Denktas and Cakici as well as
the eight “MPs” who had abandoned the UBP give an impression similar to the one
given by the Greek army when it was abandoning Izmir.
Referring
to those who criticized him because of his visit to Ankara, Kucuk said that his
aim was to thank Ankara for helping the occupied part of Cyprus. He argued that
his actions are democratic and transparent and that no one has the right to put
“embargo” on him and added: “Ankara is the capital city of our motherland.
There is a government with which we work in harmony. Of course I will go to Ankara.
I do not feel the need to give account to anyone on this issue”.
(I/Ts.)
11. Trade Unions’ Platform announced their expectations
from the “government” that will be formed after the “early elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan
(13.06.13) reports that representatives of the Trade Unions' Platform (Sendikal
Platform), in press conference held at the building of the Turkish Cypriot
Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) yesterday, announced their
manifesto, which includes the stance of the Platform and their expectations
from the “government” that will be formed after the “early elections” of 28th
of July.
The Trade Unions’ Platform,
which consists of 27 trade unions, announced that they expect from the new
“government” to stop to grant “citizenships”, as well as the abolition of
Turkey’s “Aid Committee” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Tahir Gokcebel, chairman of
KTOEOS, reading the text which includes the basic principles of the Trade
Unions’ Platform, said that the cooperation protocols, which are signed between
Turkey and the breakaway regime, brings poverty, unemployment, irregularity and
environment massacre. Gokcebel also said that these protocols abolish also the
social state, impose the system of mafia, prostitution, laundry money and
drugs. Furthermore, Gokcebel said that these protocols interfere into the
culture, life, believes and education of the Turkish Cypriot community,
concluding that the protocols also bring a state of conservatism, fanaticism
and militarism instead of democracy.
At the 13th article
of trade unions’ manifest, it is asked the closure of Turkey’s “Aid Committee”,
arguing that these “financial aids” by Turkey forms a relation of “taking
orders”.
12. The timetable for the upcoming “early elections” in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak
(online, 11.06.13), the timetable for the upcoming “early parliamentary
elections” is as following:
“Political parties are
nominating their candidates for the elections to be held on the 28th
of July. According to the election process currently underway, all political
parties must determine and nominate their candidates by Tuesday, the 18th
of June.
Candidates nominated will be
submitting their official applications on the 21st of June while the
High Electoral Council (YSK) will be announcing the official list of
candidates.
The National Unity Party (UBP)
has announced that its candidates determined by the UBP’s nomination council
will be made public on the 15th of June.
The Republican Turkish
Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) which completed its deadline for applicants
yesterday (Monday) will determine its candidates over the weekend.
Party delegates will be
nominating candidates at party congresses to be held simultaneously in all
districts on the 12th of June.
The Democrat Party-National
Forces (DP-UG) which completed its deadline for applicants on the 5th
of June is in the process of determining its candidates.
The Social Democratic Party
(TDP) which completed its applications on Monday will be holding a solidarity
meeting on the evening of the 15th before heading to a general
congress on the 23rd of June.”
13. Evkaf religious foundation employed
twenty two new imams in occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.06.13) reports that the newly appointed director of Evkaf religious foundation, Ibrahim Fadil Benter, who was criticized recently for lifting the picture of former Turkish Cypriot leader, Dr Fazil Kucuk from his office and replace it with a picture of the Ottoman Sultan Selim II, took a new decision that will cause reactions.
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.06.13) reports that the newly appointed director of Evkaf religious foundation, Ibrahim Fadil Benter, who was criticized recently for lifting the picture of former Turkish Cypriot leader, Dr Fazil Kucuk from his office and replace it with a picture of the Ottoman Sultan Selim II, took a new decision that will cause reactions.
According
to Afrika, due to a decision of the Evkaf religious foundation dated 28 May
2013, twenty two imams will be employed in occupied Cyprus and their salaries
will not be paid by the Department of Religious Affairs of the breakaway regime
but from Evkaf.
The
paper notes that the soon-to be employed imams have not even graduated yet.
14. Only Turkish in the road signs in
occupied Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.13) reports that the road signs
throughout the breakaway regime are changed and the information written on them
is only in Turkish and not in English.
The
paper writes that this development created reaction among many persons who
stated that the breakaway regime is a touristic place and also have many
foreign inhabitants, therefore the road signs must be written in English as
well.
15. The breakaway regime to have a TOMA
riot control vehicle in September
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.13) reports that the breakaway regime will be the owner of a one TOMA vehicle (Riot control vehicle) in September.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.13) reports that the breakaway regime will be the owner of a one TOMA vehicle (Riot control vehicle) in September.
The
paper notes that the TOMA vehicles that are used against the demonstrators in
the currently taking place protest all over Turkey may be used in the breakaway
regime in similar cases.
Not an
“official” statement was made regarding the use of the vehicle, which is bought
by the so called security forces, writes Kibris. However, some “officials”
stated that it may be used in case of fire. The vehicle, which can spray two
tons of water in just a few seconds, was bought for 332.900 dollars.
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