16/7/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW




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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