TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 131/13 13-15/07/2013
1.
Eroglu: “Sitting at the negotiating table is not tantamount to rejecting our
state”
2. Bagis: “Too many
authorities were granted to the central government in the Annan Plan”
3.
Turkish Cypriot delegation meets Fule
4.
AKP image makers are helping Kucuk; Eroglu is campaigning for the DP-UG
5.
Cyprus problem is reportedly not on the agenda of the “election” campaign in
occupied Cyprus
6.
KTOEOS accuses of Turkish diplomats to distribute instructions at the “ministry
of education”
7.
Turkey has send over $4 billion to breakaway regime’s budget since the 1970’s
8.
Turkey will offer 2 million euro for constructions at “BRT
station”
9.
Music festivals in the occupied Cyprus were cancelled
10.
Turkish Parliament approved change in Article 35
1.
Eroglu: “Sitting at the negotiating table is not tantamount to rejecting our
state”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(14.07.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has referred
to the natural gas found in the area south of Cyprus and argued that it was not
possible for the one side to take away something on which both sides have
rights. Addressing a meeting of Lions Club in occupied Keryneia, Eroglu said
that when the issue of natural gas came onto the agenda the attention of the
whole world was turned to Cyprus.
Eroglu alleged that the cooperation of
the Republic of Cyprus with Israel will “heat up” the area and its waters. “The
natural gas, as the UN Secretary-General has said, is a treasure which belongs
to both peoples. Therefore, the one side cannot not take away something, on
which both sides have rights”, he claimed.
Eroglu reiterated that they are looking
for an agreement which will be taking into consideration the existing realities
in Cyprus, based on two founding states with the continuation of Turkey’s
active and effective guarantees, sovereignty and political equality.
Eroglu alleged that in case the EU kept
its promise for lifting the so-called isolation and the UN revised its
resolutions which are allegedly against the Turkish Cypriots, pressure would be
exerted on the Greek Cypriots. He reiterated that the negotiations which will
resume in October should have a time limit and added: “Creating a more viable
TRNC, increasing the standard of living of the Turkish Cypriot people and
strengthening the relations with motherland Turkey are principles which I have
always been supporting. We have exerted effort to show that the Turkish
Cypriots are people committed to their cause, to their state. Sitting at the
negotiating table is not tantamount to rejecting our own state. On the
contrary, the existence of our state makes us stronger at the negotiating table…”
(I/Ts.)
2. Bagis: “Too
many authorities were granted to the central government in the Annan Plan”
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 12.07.13), Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen
Bağış, speaking on the Cyprus problem to a Turkish newspaper, reminded that the
current Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades had supported the 2004 UN sponsored
Annan Plan, adding that the Greek Cypriot leader was positive during the
conversation they had at Croatia’s membership initiation ceremony.
Claiming that Turkey supported new steps
on the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the UN, Bağış said: “We definitely
want this but both sides must be willing. After all, the Greek Cypriot side is
not our collocutor. Our collocutor is Greece. We both are guarantor countries.”
Arguing that Turkey was ready for a
summit meeting with the participation of the three guarantor countries, the
breakaway regime (“TRNC”), Republic of Cyprus and the UN, Bagis repeated his
proposal to hold a conclave style summit where all parties will remain isolated
from the outside world until an agreement is reached.
Commenting on rumours regarding the
re-tabling of the Annan Plan, Bagis said the plan would not be called the Annan
Plan but the Ban-Ki Moon Plan.
“I think that too many authorities were granted to the
central government in the Annan Plan. Creating a partnership where the two
states have more autonomy but who delegate issues such as security to the
central government would be the more sensible”, Bagis concluded.
3. Turkish Cypriot delegation meets Fule
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(15.07.13) reports that a delegation from the self-styled assembly of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the republic of Cyprus is departing
for Brussels today in order to hold a meeting with Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner
Responsible for the Enlargement. Ozdil Nami and Teberruken Ulucay from the
Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) and Hasan Tacoy from the Democratic
Party – National Forces (DP-UG) will be participating in the Turkish Cypriot
delegation.
Expanding the scope of application of
EU’s Financial Aid and Green Line Regulations and overcoming some impediments
in their function, as well as the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the
European Parliament and issues regarding the negotiations for finding a
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, which are expected to resume in
October, will come onto the agenda of the meeting.
Erhan Ercin, chairman of the so-called
EU Coordination Centre will also attend the meeting, which will be held today
at 17.00 hours.
(I/Ts.)
4.
AKP image makers are helping Kucuk; Eroglu is campaigning for the DP-UG
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(14.07.13) reports that image makers from Prime Minister Erdogan’s Justice and
Development Party (AKP), who in the past had had former Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat change his glasses and shave his hair, have now had National
Unity Party (UBP) leader, Irsen Kucuk’s
hair dyed. According to the paper, Kucuk’s dyed hair was the thing that
attracted attention the most on Saturday during UBP’s
meeting in the occupied part of Lefkosia. The issue has reportedly been
discussed on the social media as well. According to Afrika, Kucuk seems to be
the “candidate” who faces the biggest problems in the “elections”.
The paper writes that two weeks before
the “elections” three parties claim that they would come to “power” alone. The
leader of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), Serdar Denktas has
stated that he would resign if his party did not come first. On the other hand,
the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP),
Mehmet Cakici has promised that he would resign in case his party wins the same
or lower percentages than it already has.
Meanwhile, the period during which
surveys could be published ended on Saturday, 13 July. According to Afrika, for
the first time, no one ordered a survey from KADEM Research Company during
these “elections”. The paper notes that the survey made by Redborder Company on
behalf of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) was not
convincing.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar
newspaper (13.07.13) reports that Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the
CTP-BG, has stated that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu interferes in
the “elections”. Akansoy accused Eroglu of going around the villages and asking
from the supporters of the UBP to
vote for the DP-UG. According to Akansoy, replying to those who have objections
to vote for the DP, Eroglu says that “this will happen only once” and that
afterwards they will return to the UBP.
Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily
Volkan newspaper (14.07.13) reports that two newspapers and two TV stations ask
money from “candidates” in the “elections” in order to interview them,
promising that they will help them to be “elected”. According to the paper, if
the “candidates” accept the offer, a price list is presented to them. Volkan
writes that the price for five TV programs and five articles in the two papers
is 20 thousand Turkish liras, for three programs and three articles 15 thousand
TL and for two programs and two articles 10 thousand TL. According to the
Volkan, this “election ring” has been able to “trap” 23 “candidates” until now
and gained hundreds of thousands of TL.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Cyprus problem is reportedly not on the agenda of the “election” campaign in
occupied Cyprus
Writing in his daily column in Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.07.13), Basaran Duzgun reports that for the
first time the Turkish Cypriots are experiencing an “election” campaign without
the Cyprus problem. Under the title “The Cyprus problem and the elections”,
Duzgun writes, inter alia, the following:
“…The parties had been defined in the
past according to their point of view to the Cyprus problem, the electors had
been voting according to this, and the oversea centres had been taking position
towards the parties according to the Cyprus problem. Now no one bothers about
the Cyprus problem. Therefore, not even a single reference is made during the
propaganda for the election.
There is a will which is emasculated by
cunning policies like the one that says ‘whoever comes in the same, the control
is in Ankara’s hands’… This is the vanity of showing that it is reasonable for
a person who does not believe in the solution at all and therefore does nothing
for the solution to sit at this post. However, that post is the symbol of the
will of the Turkish Cypriots and it is assigned with the duty of defending the
interests of the Turkish Cypriots. Not only against the Greek Cypriots, but
against everything that is in contradiction with the interests of the Turkish
Cypriots...
Very well, what about the Cyprus
problem? Are we going to spend this period with persons who are waiting for the
Greek Cypriot side or Turkey to undertake initiatives? Has the time for
creating a leadership in the direction of the interests of the Turkish Cypriots
not come?
This election will end, a new government
will be established and the debates as to whether the economic protocol will be
implemented or will change will start… This system will continue in a vicious
circle. However, in the solution of the Cyprus problem the Turkish Cypriots
will both gain economically and be included into the international system. In
the past we had been the side that gained even in the possibility of a
solution. Now we are being deceived with the ‘absolutely nothing will change’
fairy tales and we are being fooled with the economic package. Even during the
elections which will determine the fate of the Turkish Cypriots”.
(I/Ts.)
6.
KTOEOS accuses of Turkish diplomats to distribute instructions at the
“ministry of education”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (13.07.13),
in its front page under the title “A rule by embassy to the ministry’s
employee”, reports that the Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School
Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) Tahir Gokcebel, in a written statement, said
that the Quran lessons, which have started, are contrary to the “regulations
and laws of the TRNC constitution”.
Gokcebel also announced that advisers of
the so-called Turkey’s embassy to the occupied part of Lefkosia, who have taken
advantage of the change of the new “government”, are running to the corridors
of the so-called ministry of education giving constantly orders and
instructions to the bureaucrats of the “ministry”.
7.
Turkey has send over $4 billion to breakaway regime’s budget since the 1970’s
Under the title “The debt is big”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.07.13) reports that the self-styled
finance minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus, Zeren Mungan has said that the money sent by Turkey to the “TRNC”
for so-called defense purposes and investments is a donation, but Turkey’s
contribution to the “public” sector and the real sector of the economy are a
loan. In statements to Kibris, Mugan referred to the 2013-15 “protocol” signed
between Turkey and the regime and claimed that this “protocol” is an
international agreement and it has been approved by the two “countries”.
Economists told Kibris that the money
given for many years by Turkey to the regime reached four billion dollars.
According to economst Zeki Besiktepeli, this money could be asked by Turkey in
case of an agreement. Economist Mustafa Besim noted that these credits are
treated as foreign debt and that the Turkish Cypriots have always had a debt to
Turkey, but they paid nothing until now. Associate professor Erdal Guryay
pointed out that “if the money is taken by a single place, this place could
impose on you many things”. Associate professor Okan Safakli expressed the view
that the period of taking and distributing money from Turkey has ended.
(I/Ts.)
8.
Turkey will offer 2 million euro for constructions at “BRT station”
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 13.07.13), the so-called director of Bayrak radio television corporation
Mete Tümerkan has announced plans for the construction of a 300 meter square
fully equipped studio as part of a cooperation protocol to be signed with
Turkish State Television-TRT on
the 20th of July. Tümerkan also said that the corporation, which was preparing
to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, will be undergoing fundamental
changes and a general overhaul.
He said that the aim of the changes will
be create a state broadcaster with a sustainable financial structure and modern
technical infrastructure which will enable the broadcaster to compete with
other channels.
“We have reached an agreement with
Turkish State Television-TRT to
restructure BRTK on its 50th anniversary and to completely change its
infrastructure. This means that BRT
will change a 100% as it celebrates its 50th anniversary” Tümerkan added.
Announcing plans to construct a state of
the art, 300 meter square TV recording studio with 6 cameras and sitting stands
for audiences with the support of 2 million Euros from the Turkey, the “BRT director” said that the current BRT 2 studios will also be renewed.
Tümerkan added that the cooperation
protocol with the TRT will be
signed on the 20th of July with a ceremony to be attended by the Turkish Deputy
Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Beşir Atalay.
9.
Music festivals in the occupied Cyprus were cancelled
According to illegal Bayrak television
(13.07.13), the Sandance Reggae Festival, which was planned to have taken place
between the 31st of July and the 1st of August, has been cancelled after it
emerged that the organizers had planned the event without getting the necessary
permits. The venue of the festival, the beach at occupied Davlos, which is a
natural protected area where sea turtles come to nest, was deemed inappropriate
to hold such an event.
Pointing out that the festival was
organized without obtaining the necessary permits, the so-called environmental
protection department under the ministry of tourism, environment and culture
said that the “ecological impact and assessment regulations” clearly stated
that such events could not be organized in naturally and environmentally
protected areas.
On the same issue, another event, the
Silk route festival, which was initially planned to take place on the occupied
Golden Sands beach but had later been relocated to the occupied tourist area of
Vokolida, following fierce opposition from environmental groups, was cancelled
by its organizers.
Speaking to the “BRT”,
the organizers said that they had postponed the event to September next year
because of being unable to sufficiently promote the concert following changes
in the venue.
10.
Turkish Parliament approved change in Article 35
According to Ankara Anadolia news agency
(13.07.13), Turkish Parliament approved change in Article 35 of Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK) Internal Service Act,
which had long served as coup pretext to justify past juntas.
Article 35 which says “TSK is responsible for protecting the Turkish land
and the Republic of Turkey as defined in the constitution," was replaced
with the new version which says, "TSK
is responsible for protecting the Turkish land against external dangers and
threats, ensuring the protection and strengthening of the army forces in a
deterring way, performing the duties abroad as assigned by Turkish Parliament,
and helping to provide international peace."
President Abdullah Gul had previously
said the law "should be amended in a way that would prevent any
misunderstandings and exploitation that might take place in the future."
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