TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
133/13
17/07/2013
1.
Environmental disaster in occupied Gastria could not be cleaned even
in ten years; the regime asks assistance from Turkey and the UN
2.
Eroglu: the forthcoming negotiations is the last chance for a
solution in Cyprus
3.
Cicek alleges that the international community is ill-proportioned on
the Cyprus problem
4.
KTOS: the decision on Varosha carried to Brussels by CTP “MPs”
belongs to Turkish Foreign Ministry
5.
Turkish Cypriot columnist says returning occupied Varosha to its
legal owners could trigger the solution in Cyprus
6.
Serdar Denktas promised he will grant “citizenships” to all the
Turks who grew up in the occupied part of Cyprus
7.
Celebrations for the 1974 invasion with new violations of the
airspace of Cyprus; foreign journalists will be briefed on the effect
of oil search on Cyprus talks
8.
Erk: We attach a great importance to “city diplomacy”
9.
Gezi operation in full force as forces raid over 100 locations
1.
Environmental disaster in occupied Gastria could not be cleaned even
in ten years; The regime asks assistance from Turkey and the UN
The
Turkish Cypriot press gives extensive coverage today (17.07.13) to
the environmental disaster experienced in the sea of occupied Gastria
village as a result of a leak of around 100 tons of oil from a ship
which was unloading its cargo at AKSA company’s electric power
station in the area.
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (17.07.13) covers the issue under
the banner front-page title “It is a crime, not negligence” and
reports that “AKSA drowned into oil the only sea area of Cyprus
that was clean”. According to the paper, “the biggest
environmental disaster in the history of the country” was
experienced near Gastria.
The
leak spread to an area of three kilometres within a short period of
time due to the wind and reached occupied Vokolida and the fish farms
established in the area. A five-kilometer barrier was established in
the area for preventing the leak from spreading, but this effort was
unsuccessful, writes the paper adding that the regime formed a
“crisis desk” and asked help from Turkey and the United Nations.
According
to the paper, experts said that this disaster could not be cleaned
even in ten years. The Biologists’ Association stated that only 20%
of the leak could be cleaned even if the most advanced technology is
used.
Under
the banner front-page title “Disaster”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (17.07.13) reports that the sea and the coast in the
area have become a “terrifying” sight and that the oil in the sea
has spread into an area of seven kilometres between the area known as
AKSA area and the lighthouse of Agios Theodoros village.
The
self-styled minister of foreign affairs Kutlay Erk and his colleague
responsible for tourism, environment and culture, Mehmet Harmanci
stated that they have launched initiatives asking for help from
Turkey and the UN. They said that they asked a crush barrier and
equipment from Turkey adding that this help is expected to arrive
today.
Erk
noted also that this was not the first time that such an incident is
caused by AKSA. “This means that they have weaknesses”, he said
adding that in case AKSA does not overcome these weaknesses the
regime should examine the contract they have signed and use the
rights deriving from this contract.
Self-styled
prime minister Sibel Siber said that the effort to clean the area has
started and that the firm which is responsible for the tragedy is
brining ships from Turkey. She argued that this incident shows how
right they were when they prevented the building of an oil storage
facility at the seaside and added that taking measures before an
environmental disaster to happen is important.
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.07.13) reports that a leak of two
tons of oil into the sea of occupied Gastria had also happened four
months ago. The paper writes that then it had covered the issue under
the title “A tragedy almost to happen”, but now the tragedy
happened.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Eroglu: the forthcoming negotiations is the last chance for a
solution in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot Star Kibris newspaper (17.07.13) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has argued that the negotiations for
reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem which are expected to start
in October will be the last chance for the solution. In statements
yesterday during a visit to Turkish occupation army’s war veterans’
association in occupied Famagusta, Eroglu said: “If we reach a
result with the negotiations which will start in October, the Cyprus
problem will be solved. If it could not be reached, the realities
which exist today will continue”.
Eroglu
alleged that the “TRNC state”, as he described the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, exists even though the world
does not recognize it. He claimed: “The EU implements embargo on
us, but it also knows that there are people who live freely here and
that we have a state even though they do not recognize it. What is
remaining is the lack of an agreement or if there will be no
agreement, there is a lack of recognition”.
Eroglu
reiterated the view that the negotiations could not continue forever,
because the Turkish Cypriot “people” have allegedly no more
patience. “What we want now from newly elected leader Anastasiades
is for us to solve this problem within one and a half – two years”,
he alleged.
Reiterating
the view that the Turkish Cypriot “people” will never abandon
Turkey’s active and effective guarantees, Eroglu claimed: “We are
not interested in the guarantees of the EU, because no one except the
Turks will send their children to a military expedition for the
protection of the Turks of Cyprus and sacrifice their lives”.
He
said that the Turkish guarantees are sine qua non for them and
claimed that the so-called realities on the island should be taken
into consideration in a possible solution.
Eroglu
referred also to the early so-called parliamentary elections of the
28th
of July, 2013 and argued that the date of the “elections” is
wrong, because July is the hottest month of the year, it is a month
for vacation and this year coincided with the Muslim month of
Ramadan. Wishing for the people to go to the “ballot” and vote,
Eroglu said: “However, I am not very optimistic”.
(I/Ts.)
3.
Cicek
alleges that the international community is ill-proportioned on the
Cyprus problem
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (17.07.13) reports from Ankara that the Speaker
of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Cemil Cicek has
alleged that the international community is ill-proportioned on
Cyprus problem.
In
statements after his meeting with Mustafa Lakadamyali, the
self-styled ambassador of the breakaway regime to Ankara, and a
delegation of Turkish Cypriot war veterans’ association, Cicek
argued that Turkey and the breakaway regime “strived hard for
permanent peace on the island” and that they continue to face
difficulties on this issue.
He
claimed: “The door to peace has been opened on July 20 [Editor’s
note: He refers to 20 July 1974 and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus,
during which thousands of Cypriots have been displaced and became
refugees in their own country. Moreover, thousands of Cypriots were
killed and many are still missing. Since then Turkey occupies almost
40% of the island, maintaining 40.000 troops here.] TRNC founded its
own state with an independent Turkish community on the island as a
part of the homeland. There are two states and two peoples on the
island. Turkish people are not a minority there”.
Cicek
also alleged that international community is biased on Cyprus issue,
and “blocks the way towards peace”. He claimed: “Unfortunately,
the international community is ill-proportioned on Cyprus issue. It
doesn't make a righteous evaluation regarding the incidents, but
seeks its own interests even on this issue. We are the party that
desires peace but the Greek party, not wanting peace, receives
protection”.
(I/Ts.)
4.
KTOS: the decision on Varosha carried to Brussels by CTP “MPs”
belongs to Turkish Foreign Ministry
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (17.07.13) reports that Sener Elcil,
general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot primary school teachers’
trade union (KTOS), has criticized those who consider the return of
the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal owners as part of
the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem. Elcil referred to
“efforts to hide the Cyprus problem” and the “move for Varosha”
which is related to it in this climate created prior to the
“elections”.
He
added: “The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and circles in
Cyprus who act upon instructions by Turkey have started acting in
order to prevent the initiatives towards reaching a comprehensive
solution by discussing the return of Varosha to its legal owners, the
opening of Famagusta port under the control of the EU and confidence
building measures related to this…”
Elcil
described as “clear indication of the establishment of a national
council” the agreement observed in the statements made on the issue
of Varosha by self-styled foreign minister, Kutlay Erk, the Turkish
Cypriot leader’s spokesman, Osman Ertug and the self-styled MPs of
the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) who have
visited Brussels.
He
noted: “The CTP has not taken a decision saying that ‘Varosha is
a part of the comprehensive solution’. It is obvious that the
decision carried by these MPs to Brussels, in spite of CTP’s
decision to support confidence building measures, is a decision that
belongs to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs… With the Annan
Plan it has been revealed that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved
with instructions taken by Turkey, because AKP ‘seems like wanting
a solution’ but follows a policy for the non-solution”.
Elcil
said that they protest against these “MPs” of the CTP and express
their support to the efforts exerted by the Famagusta Initiative.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Turkish Cypriot columnist says returning occupied Varosha to its
legal owners could trigger the solution in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot columnist and editor-in-chief of Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper (17.07.13), Basaran Duzgun reports that the
question as to whether the occupied fenced city of Varosha should
open now or wait until the comprehensive solution is a “strange
question”, because “no one is interested” for its answer. Under
the title “I wish we start from Varosha”, Duzgun writes, inter
alia, the following:
“…It
is correct that confidence building measures cannot substitute the
solution of the Cyprus problem. As a matter of fact, it will be a
disaster for the Turkish Cypriots to continue with confidence
building measures and postpone the solution. What the Turkish
Cypriots need is to be legally included in the international law and
the international system. Nothing must substitute this. Therefore, we
must focus on the solution. However, we must not ignore the power of
the confidence building measures. We must use the confidence building
measures as a step for reaching the solution. Within this framework,
if Varosha is returned to its former owners under the control of the
United Nations, if Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot companies and
workers are employed in the development of Varosha, if Varosha is
turned into a zone which will be freely used by both sides, if
Famagusta Port and Tymvou Airport are made appropriate for
international traffic within this framework and if the Republic of
Cyprus opens the chapters it blocks for Turkey, it does not seem like
a bad plan. Perhaps it will trigger the solution. Will everybody not
gain in the end from the solution of the Cyprus problem? I say, I
wish we start from Varosha”.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Serdar
Denktas promised he will grant “citizenships” to all the Turks
who grew up in the occupied part of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberdar (17.07.13) reports that Serdar Denktas, leader
of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), in a press
release, said that their “election programme” titled “The road
map of the future” focus on 3 issues, health, education and
economy.
Pointing
to the importance of civil authority, Serdar Denktas said that the
DP-UG has never used or will use during his term elements like
anti-riot forces, attacks, battering or toma, but their term will be
based on tolerance. They won’t accept anything else than dialogue.
Commenting
on the “citizenship” issue, Denktas said that for them the issue
is clear, adding: “There are plenty of young people, who live at
this moment in this country (Transl. note: the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus) and maybe they have never visited Turkey. Either
they were born here or came here with their swaddling clothes; they
were raised here. When we will be in power, we will grant
citizenships to all the applications of these young people. Because,
these young people are part of this country. I cannot send them in
another place. Their parents will have permanent residence
permission.”
Noting
that they live the worst relations period with Turkey, Serdar said
that they are obliged to strengthen again the historical and
affection binds with Turkey
7.
Celebrations
for the 1974 invasion with new violations of the airspace of Cyprus;
foreign journalists will be briefed on the effect of oil search on
Cyprus talks
Turkish
Cypriot midweek Cyprus Today (17.07.13) reports that a spectacular
air show, colourful parade and yacht event are among the highlights
of the celebrations on the occasion of the 39th
anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island.
The
parade will be held at Dr Fazil Kucuk Boulevard in the occupied part
of Lefkosia on Saturday, at 9.30am.
The
official opening of “celebrations” will be done with a 21-gun
salute on Friday at noon followed by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu’s address, which will be broadcast by illegal Bayrak.
At
6pm, the Turkish Stars aerobatic team of eight Canadair NF-5s will
put on a display at the occupied harbour of Kyrenia.
At
the time of going to print, there was no confirmation about whether
Turkish Prime Minister Recept Tayyip Erdogan would be coming to the
celebrations, although Turkish high-level officials and foreign
dignitaries were expected to take part.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot news portal Kibris Postasi (online, 17.07.13) reports
that the self-styled deputy speaker of the “TRNC assembly”
Mustafa Yektaoglu will brief the foreign journalists and politicians,
who have been invited for the celebrations on the occasion of the
39th
anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island, on the “effect
of the search for natural gas, on Cyprus talks” tomorrow (Thursday)
at the occupied municipality of Geunyeli at 16.00.
8.
Erk:
We attach a great importance to “city diplomacy”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (17.07.13) reports that the self-styled
minister of foreign affairs Kutlay Erk, during a visit to the
self-styled mayor of occupied Kyrenia Sumer Aygun, said that the
“ministry” cares about the affiliations that “local
administrations” have made in the international arena, adding that
it attaches great importance to all levels diplomacy including that
of civil society diplomacy, as well as “city diplomacy”. Erk
explained that because they cannot establish direct contacts on a
ministerial level reportedly due to their political isolation,
municipalities can reach local authorities through “city
diplomacy”. For this reason, Erk said that he carries out meetings
with the municipalities of occupied Lefkosia, Famagusta and Kyreneia.
Furthermore,
Erk said that in meetings he has with the aforementioned
municipalities as the resumption of Cyprus talks is being prepared,
they discuss how they can explain to third parties the rights, the
expectations and the proposals of the Turkish Cypriots as regards the
Cyprus problem and how they can work with the “municipalities” in
order to coordinate in this sort of “city diplomacy”.
9.
Gezi
operation in full force as forces raid over 100 locations
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 17.07.13) with the above title
reports that police forces launched raids at over 100 locations in
Istanbul in accordance with the ongoing operations on Gezi
supporters, including student dormitories, detaining at least 30
people.
Istanbul
counter-terrorism squads took the streets from early hours of July
16, raiding locations ranging from foundation buildings to students
dorms under accusations of violent behaviour against shopkeepers and
police officers during protests.
Turkish
Youth Union (TGB) Istanbul provincial head Olgu Özdemir and some
members of TGB were among the detainees, most of whom are university
students. Those detained were taken to the counter-terrorism security
branch at Vatan.
Forces
conducted searches in all apartments in set destinations, since no
number was specified in the search warrants, allowing whole building
to fall within the warrants, according to lawyer Mehmet Ümit Erdem,
who told daily Hurriyet yet several irregularities were present at
the time of the searches.
Erdem,
who represents detained Bircan Birol, a member of the Student
Collective, added that police forces told lawyers that they lacked
proper equipment to copy the confiscated digital evidence, which the
law requires to be handed to lawyers as well to prevent any risk of
tempering with the evidence.
The
officers also confiscated all books and movies that included words
like “strike” or “resistance”, Erdem told daily Hurriyet.
There
are high school students among the detainees as well, daily Hurriyet
reported.
Scores
of people have been detained in ongoing operations nationwide, with
number of those arrested reaching as high as 48. The latest of the
waves of arrests came when 11 people were arrested by court in Izmir,
days after 15 were detained over charges related to the use of
Molotov cocktails during demonstrations.
--------------------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
