TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 132/13 16/07/2013
1.
Ertug: it would be wrong for Turkey to unrequitedly sell off Varosha only as
confidence building measure
2.
Nami and Ulucay told Fule that occupied fenced Varosha is part of the
comprehensive solution
3.
Famagusta Initiative sends letter to Fule supporting the return of occupied
fenced Varosha to its legal owners
4.
Ertug says he met with Russian Foreign Ministry officials in Moscow last week
5.
Eroglu commenting on Anastasiades’ interview said that he should sit at the
negotiation table with the same approach
6.
Turkish so-called embassy divides into parcels a coastline in occupied Vokolida
and forbids entrance to the people
7.
Davutoglu warns of Egypt “reverse domino effect”
8.
A bill on appointing non-diplomat ambassadors to Turkey’s MFA received criticism by the opposition parties
9.
Bagis signals end of his term
10.
More than 100 tons of oil leaks into the sea off the coast of the occupied
village of Gastria
1.
Ertug: it would be wrong for Turkey to unrequitedly sell off Varosha only as
confidence building measure
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(16.07.13) reports that Osman Ertug, special representative and spokesman of
the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, has argued that it would be wrong for Turkey
to unrequitedly sell off the occupied fenced city of Varosha only as a
confidence building measure. In statements to illegal TAK news agency
yesterday, Ertug reiterated the Turkish view that the issue of the return of
the occupied fenced city of Varosha is “an important element of the overall
solution” of the Cyprus problem.
Ertug accused the Greek Cypriot side of
trying to create an artificial agenda by noting that Varosha could be taken up
separately as an element outside the comprehensive solution and that a proposal
could be made to Turkey through the European Union (EU).
Ertug alleged that the so-called delay
of the Greek Cypriot side to come to the negotiating table and the issue of
when and how it will come to the table should be discussed. “Bringing the issue
of Varosha onto the agenda by creating some artificial issues and trying to
present them as being outside the comprehensive solution, is an effort to completely
distort the agenda, we should not be deceived”, he claimed.
Ertug argued that the “correct address”
for submitting any proposal is the Turkish Cypriot side and the place of
submitting such proposal is the negotiating table.
Referring to Foreign Minister
Kasoulides’ statement that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to start
negotiations without any conditions, Ertug alleged: “Then I want to ask: why do
you not come to the table and you almost turn the issue of Varosha into a
precondition? Is it not a precondition to ask Varosha to be given
unconditionally as a gesture? Why do they not make a gesture? They are the ones
that should actually make a gesture”.
Ertug said that Alexander Downer, UN
Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, is expected to come to the
island in the end of the month to discuss how the negotiations will begin. He
claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to start negotiating the
soonest, but the Greek Cypriot side moved the date of the commencement of the
negotiations into October allegedly showing as pretext the economic crisis in
the government controlled area of the island.
He went on and argued: “Unnecessary
discussions are being made such as whether there will be a special
representative or a negotiator. The important thing is what authorities will be
given to the person who will be appointed, what he will be doing and whom he
will be representing”.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Nami and Ulucay told Fule that occupied fenced Varosha is part of the
comprehensive solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(16.07.13) reports that a delegation from the self-styled assembly of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus met yesterday
in Brussels with Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner Responsible for the Enlargement.
Ozdil Nami and Teberruken Ulucay from the Republican Turkish Party – United
Forces (CTP-BG) informed Fule on Turkish Cypriot views as regards the issue of
the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha. They also expressed the
views of the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue of the negotiations for finding
a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, which are expected to resume in
October, the moves that could make EU’s Financial Aid and Green Line
Regulations more influential and the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at
the European Parliament.
According to the paper, Nami and Ulucay
explained to Fule the “sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side” noting that
Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution in Cyprus. “An approach outside Varosha
being a part of the comprehensive solution will not bring the desirable
result”, they alleged.
Noting that they discussed the issue of
Varosha which has recently been brought onto the agenda by the Greek Cypriot
side, Nami argued that the main target is the comprehensive solution and all
steps to be taken should be steps serving to the finding of a comprehensive
solution and approved by both sides on the island.
In statements to Kibris, Nami said that
they told Fule that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution and that a
different approach would not bring the desirable result. Nami argued: “Border
adjustments will be discussed in the negotiations under the chapter of
territorial adjustments. What should be done is the speedy commencement of
comprehensive negotiations. In the initiatives that it will undertake regarding
the Cyprus issue, the EU will look for the positive view of both sides”.
Nami said that their meeting with Fule
was positive and that their close cooperation and consultations with the EU
Commission will continue and increase within the framework of mutual
respect.
Erhan Ercin, chairman of the so-called
EU Coordination Centre and Gizem Alpman, breakaway regime’s “representative” in
Brussels also attended the meeting. Hasan Tacoy, so-called MP with the
Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), did not travel to Brussels in spite
of the fact that it had been announced that he would be participating in the
Turkish Cypriot delegation.
(I/Ts.)
3.
Famagusta Initiative sends letter to Fule supporting the return of occupied
fenced Varosha to its legal owners
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(16.07.13) reports that the so-called Famagusta Initiative has sent a letter to
Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner Responsible for the Enlargement, expressing its
support to the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal
owners. The Initiative said it believed to the return Varosha to its legal
owners according to UN Security Council’s Resolution No 550. In parallel to this
it expressed support to the restoration and protection of all historic and
cultural heritage of the within the walls area in Famagusta by foreign experts.
The Initiative said it supported the
proposal of the EU which has recently come onto the agenda as regards the issue
of Varosha and the illegal Tymvou airport. The initiative noted also that it
“encouraged” the opening of the Famagusta Port under the control of the
EU.
The spokesman of the initiative, Mustafa
Ongun informed Fule about the organization and called for cooperation on the EU
Commissioner’s “innovative proposal” on the Cyprus problem. He said that the
Famagusta Initiative was established in 2010 by some citizens with the aim of
contributing to the peace process in Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
4.
Ertug says he met with Russian Foreign Ministry officials in Moscow last week
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(16.07.13) reports that Osman Ertug, special representative and spokesman of
the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, has referred to news published in the press
according to which the Republic of Cyprus would give military air and naval
base in Cyprus to the Russian Federation. In statements to illegal TAK news
agency yesterday, Ertug said that he discussed the issue during a visit to
Moscow last week with officials from the Russian Federation’s Foreign Ministry,
who told him that this information was not correct.
He said that his visit to Moscow was a
part of the dialogue they hold with the Russian Federation and pointed out that
the Greek Cypriot side also visits Moscow frequently.
Ertug said that the aim of his visit to
Moscow was to explain the recent developments on the Cyprus problem and take
the Russian views. Arguing that the Russian Federation needs to keep a balance
while forming its policies by taking the views of both sides in Cyprus, he
claimed: “Every country determines policies within its own national interests.
The policy we follow having the win-win mentality takes into consideration the
interests of the island in the whole of Cyprus, the interest of the motherlands
and the entire region as well as the international sensitivities. We explained
these views of ours to the Russian Federation”.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Eroglu on President Anastasiades’ interview: “He
should sit at the negotiation table with the same approach”
Sefa Karahasan, correspondent in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus of the Turkish daily Milliyet
(15.07.13), commenting on the latest interview of the Cyprus President
Anastasiades to the paper, wrote that President Anastasiades used a different
language from the previous Presidents. Karahasan explained that Anastasiades
made comments without criticizing or offending, while the previous Presidents
used to start their sentence “Turkey invaded here”.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu,
commenting also on Anastasiades’ interview, said that he is a leader, who
doesn’t forget his past. He added that Anastasiades tries to give the
impression that he owns a debt to the Turkish Cypriots for helping raising his father.
Furthermore, Eroglu said that it is correct to remember the things that
happened in the past, adding that if he continues to remember the past like
this, then a solution in the Cyprus problem can be reached.
Noting that Anastasiades’ interview was positive,
Eroglu said that Anastasiades presents himself as a peaceful friend of Turks.
He went on saying that he should exhibit the same behaviour at the negotiation
table; he should behave with the same mind in order to reach an agreement. This is the way that friendships strengthen.
Commenting on Anastasiades’ statement
that the Annan plan belongs to history and a plan that was rejected by the 65%
cannot be accepted, Eroglu said that they should focus on a new agreement and
on a new plan for a solution. Commenting on the news report that Anastasiades
will withdraw from the negotiations and will appoint a negotiator, Eroglu said
that he follows the news, but it is too early to make any comment.
6.
Turkish so-called embassy divides into parcels a coastline in occupied Vokolida
and forbids entrance to the people
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(16.07.13) reports that the Turkish so-called embassy to the occupied area of
Cyprus has divided into parcels a land at the seacoast of occupied Vokolida area
in Karpasia Peninsula, describing it as “private property”. The “embassy”
surrounded the area with wires and put a gate. It has also placed signs noting
that “this is a private property of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey” and
that entrance is prohibited.
According to the paper, this enraged the
inhabitants of the area, who in spite of the fact that they live by the sea
cannot enter into the sea because of the hotels which had been built there and
the fact that the “embassy” has divided the coastline into parcels. The
inhabitants called Afrika and complained about this situation.
(I/Ts.)
7.
Davutoglu warns of Egypt “reverse domino effect”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 15.07.13) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has
warned of a “reverse domino effect” in the Arab Spring countries if approval is
ultimately extended to the Egyptian coup d’état.
“People or institutions from the old
system could say ‘in some way, the army staged a coup and it has been justified
by foreign countries – or at least they have remained silent about declaring it
illegitimate – so we can do the same then,’” the Foreign Minister told private
broadcaster NTV on July 15.
“There are some elements that have
remained from the old system in Yemen, Tunisia and Libya. Our foremost mission
is to eliminate the possibility of making a reverse domino effect over external
legitimacy. If we all allow something wrong in Egypt, there will be a reverse
domino effect.”
Stressing that Egypt was the spine of every
development in the Middle East, Davutoğlu said the country was facing a serious
crisis. “There are two ways to legalize the political system: internal and
external legitimacy. The source of internal legitimacy is the people and the
sovereignty of the nation. A country should obtain its power from the people if
it wants to be stable. If this [taking power from people] ends, the debate over
legitimacy starts. This is the main problem Egypt now,” the top diplomat said.
The Foreign Minister also warned of the
possibility of radicalization in Egypt if political parties are pushed out of
the system and barred from participating in politics.
“It is not clear where the tendency of
radicalization will stop. Therefore, once the Muslim Brotherhood or any other
political groups are barred from politics, the results will increase the spiral
of violence in the region,” Davutoğlu said.
Davutoğlu also criticized the stance of
the European Union and shared the view that African Union (AU) reacted in a
more democratic way than the EU. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior
government officials have criticized the EU for not calling the military’s move
a coup. However, the latest statement from the EU “compensated” for the first
stance of the bloc, Davutoğlu said. EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton
said July 14 that the 28-member bloc was following developments in Egypt with
“deep concern,” deploring recent violence and calling for prompt elections.
8.
A bill on appointing non-diplomat ambassadors to Turkey’s MFA received criticism by the opposition parties
Under the title “Main opposition to
appeal against Foreign Ministry law in Turkey”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 16.07.13) reports that the main opposition Republican People’s
Party (CHP) is preparing to appeal
to the Constitutional Court over a bill outlining radical changes in the
customary appointment procedures of non-diplomat ambassadors to the Foreign
Ministry administration. The bill is said to have led to a serious uneasiness
among career diplomats within the Ministry as well.
The CHP’s
Osman Korutürk announced over the weekend that his party would take the
controversial bill to the high court. Korutürk, who is a former career diplomat
at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said, “If I were on duty, I would resign if
this proposal became law.”
In a televised interview yesterday,
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu defended the legislation as necessary progress
and part of an ambitious Turkish foreign policy. Turkey has opened 34 new
embassies in four years and the ministry is in need of new ambassadors due to
the increasing number of newly opened embassies, Davutoğlu said.
Not every non-diplomat ambassador will
be appointed to ministry headquarters after he or she serves at embassies
abroad, the Minister said, adding that any appointment would be done according
to the non-diplomat ambassador’s qualifications.
According to the new law, which was
integrated into the “omnibus bill” voted on at Parliament last week upon the
insistence of Davutoğlu, ambassadorial posts at ministry headquarters will not be
reserved only for career diplomats.
The law allows individuals appointed as
ambassador or permanent representative without being a member of the Turkish
Foreign Service to work in the Foreign Ministry and to have the same rights as
career diplomats when they return to Turkey.
The system in place permitted only
diplomats who had served a certain number of years to obtain the position
allowing them to be appointed as ambassadors.
The new law gives the same status and
privileges to ambassadors from outside after the end of their assignment, such
as being entitled to be nominated to a senior post inside the ministry.
The law proposal received criticism from
opposition parties, former diplomats and serving diplomats concerned about the
penetration of domestic politics into foreign diplomacy, political polarization
in foreign affairs, problems of sufficient employment opportunities and lack of
appropriate experience.
The government has already designated
nearly 10 non-career diplomats as ambassadors, including the former head of
Higher Education Board (YÖK), Yusuf Ziya Özcan, who represents Turkey in
Poland. Gov. Mehmet Niyazi Tanılır was named ambassador to Montenegro, while
Ömer Faruk Doğan of the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat was named ambassador to Cameroon.
The bill’s impact will not be limited
only to the Foreign Ministry’s structure. The bill sets the minimum period of
time required for holding the positions of deputy inspector, actuary,
supervisor and expert is down to two years, instead of three.
The obligation of speaking a foreign
language and of preparing a thesis for transiting to the position of expert
from assistant expert, is being abolished.
It will be enough to work five years in
the public sector, private sector or self-employed after university graduation
for assignments of director generals, institutions’ presidents or
undersecretaries.
9.
Bagis signals end of his term
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 15.07.13) reported that Turkey’s European Union Minister Egemen Bağış
gave a cryptic speech July 15 during his annual iftar dinner, stating this may
be his last iftar as “the EU Minister,” according to daily Hurriyet.
“This perhaps is my last iftar with you
as the EU Minister,” Bağış said, adding that he would continue to work within
the accession process no matter what his future titles would be. When asked
about reporters whether or not he was signalling the end of his term, Bağış
said, “You never know what tomorrow brings.”
10.
More than 100 tons of oil leaks into the sea off the coast of the occupied
village of Gastria
Turkish Cypriot news portal (16.07.13)
reports that more than 100 tons of oil leaks into the sea off the coast of the
occupied village of Gastria. The oil spill has spread in area of 5km.
According to the report, the oil leaked
into the sea, due to an explosion to the pipes, while a ship was discharging
fuel to the AKSA electrical power station in the occupied village of Gastria.
Mehmet Harmanci, the self-styled
minister of tourism, environment and culture, said that the accident occurred
around 2 o’clock in the morning.
On the same issue, Murat Captug,
director of the AKSA electrical power station, said that the equipment will be
transferred tomorrow with a ship from Mersin to the occupied Gastria in order
to aid for the cleaning of the oil spill. Captug also said that barriers will
be put in the sea in order to prevent the spill to spread, especially in the
tourist area of occupied Vokolida.
Moreover, he said that he asked for help
from a private company in Turkey, and the company will send a crew this
afternoon.
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