TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.148/13 07/08/2013
1.
Siber: Turkish Cypriots could apply to the “Immovable Property Commission” for
getting occupied Greek Cypriot property
2.
Akca’s statements cause eactions
3.
UBP boils again; Kucuk insists on staying until 26 October
4.
Serdar gives signs of a possible “coalition” between CTP-DP
5.
Turkish columnist on the Court Ruling in Ergenekon Case
6.
Turkish Military Calls for calm over Ergenekon verdict
7.
Erdogan held a telephone conversation with
his British counterpart on Syria
8.
Eighteen Turkish soldiers injured after fire was opened on army troops in
village bordering Syria
9.
Controversial mosque project kicks off in Istanbul
10.
Turkey halts Iranian spy's extradition to Germany
11.
Pre-qualification tender for Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline announced
1. Siber:
Turkish Cypriots could apply to the “Immovable Property Commission” for getting
occupied Greek Cypriot property
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.08.13)
reports that SibelSiber, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that all Turkish Cypriots
could apply to the so-called Immovable Property Commission in order to exchange
Greek Cypriot property they possess since 1974 with property they abandoned in
the government-control area of the island or to be compensated for these
properties.
In statements yesterday before the meeting of the
“council of ministers”, Siber referred to the application submitted to the
above-mentioned “committee” and recalled that last year Acapulco Hotel’s land
had been purchased after compensation was paid to its “pre-1974 owner, as she
described the hotel’s Greek Cypriot owner. She added: “I want to share the
information with our people that natural or legal persons, who want to benefit
from similar situations by following the same method and way after they reach
an agreement with the pre-1974 owner of the property which they are using in
the north, the Immovable Property Commission could approve this [agreement]”.
Siber alleged that in this manner they could prevent
the congestion at the “Commission”, support bi-zonality on the island, prevent
the sale of Turkish Cypriot properties in the government-controlled area at
prices lower than their value, and increase the value of the property which
will be turned into “original Turkish property” [in the occupied area of the
island], something which will have “great contribution” to the economy of the regime.
Siber said that 5.188 applications have been submitted
to the Commission until today, that 544 of these applications have been
concluded and that 133 million pound sterling is paid. She noted that an area
of 8.843 square meters of land was turned into property with “original Turkish
title-deed”. Siber alleged that exchanges of property such as the one happened
in the case of Acapulco Hotel are the solution of some problems which the
regime is facing thought-out the world.
Siber claimed that as a result of Greek Cypriot
propaganda some internet sites, such as www.booking.com, do not accept the
inclusion of occupied Cypriot hotels in their lists because they are stolen
properties. She alleged that if they could prevent such problems through
exchange or compensation of property, they will positively contribute to their
tourism. Siber said that she had held contacts on this issue with the property
law unit at Turkish Cypriot leader’s office and found out that everyone who
wishes could apply to the Commission regarding occupied Greek Cypriot
properties.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akca’s
statements cause eactions
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.08.13)
reports that Izzetizcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) issued a
written statement yesterday accusing Halil Ibrahim Akca, Turkey’s so-called
ambassador to the occupied part of Nicosia, of ‘exceeding his power and
responsibilities by trying to give orders to the Turkish Cypriot community and
its government”. Commenting on “The Report for TRNC’s Economic Situation in
2012” prepared by Turkish “embassy’s” Aid Delegation, Izcan said that Akca’s
statement saddened them [Translator’s note: See Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media
Review, No.147/13, Date: 06.08.2013].
Commenting on the same issue, AhmetKaptan, chairman of
the Turkish Cypriot “Civil Servants’” Trade Union (KTAMS) also criticized
Akca’s statement noting that this statement “ignored the will of the Turkish
Cypriot community”. He said that their trade union does not accept imposition
of economic packages which the people do not want. He argued that the
“so-called package of measures” prepared for improving the economic situation
in the occupied part of Cyprus caused poverty, unemployment migrationand
bankruptcy.
Moreover, GuvenVaroglu, chairman of the Turkish
Cypriot Primary School Teachers’ trade Union (KTOS), criticized Akca’s
statements noting that these statements, made during a period when preparations
for establishing a new “government” are made, showed where the regime is
heading to.
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (07.08.13)
publishes Varoglu’s reaction under the title “We want neither Akcanor his
money”. According to the paper, he said that Akca’s statements continued to
confirm, without leaving any doubt, that the northern part of Cyprus is
Turkey’s “subordinate administration”.
Afrika reports also that CaglayanCesurer, chairman of
the employees in the “electricity authority” (El-Sen) commented on Akca’s
statements and said that Akca seemed determined to continue his habit of interfering
in the internal affairs of the “country” in a direct and reckless manner. He
said that during the recent “elections”, 74% of the people voted for parties
which oppose to privatizations and added that the way out in the electricity
sector is autonomy. (I/Ts.)
3. UBP
boils again; Kucuk insists on staying until 26 October
Under the title “UBP is boiling”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (07.08.13) reports that after the resignations form the
National Unity Party (UBP) before the recent early “parliamentary elections”
and the party’s disappointment from the result of the “elections”, the problems
in the UBP have not ceased to exist. New tension occurred this time due to the removal from their
dutiesof the chairmen of UBP’s organizations in Nicosia, FaizSucuoglu and in
Famagusta, SunatAtun,. Both Sucuoglu and Atun strongly reacted against this
decision.
Yesterday a group of UBP members organized a meeting
against its chairman, Irsenkucuk in front of UBP’s headquarters in the occupied
part of Nicosia. Addressing the meeting, Atun recalled that Kucuk has not even
been elected as “MP” and added that Kucuk must resign. Noting that Kucuk has
lost the competence of being chairman of the party, Atun gave Kucuk one week to
think about the issue.
Meanwhile, it was decided that Kucuk should stay at
his post until the party’s extraordinary congress, which is planned for 26
October, 2013. According to Kibris, Kucuk made a very hard statement about the
protest held against him yesterday. He described it as “so-called protest” and
argued that this activity was an insult against him personally, the post of UBP
president and the competent organs of the party. He said he could not accept or
digest insults against him or his post by some “friends” whom he had appointed
to their places. He noted that he will continue until the congress and that he
would take the “strongest measures” against those who held and planned the
protest.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(07.08.13), Sucuoglu stated said that Kucuk tried all ways in order for not
resigning and added that in case Kucuk does not resign, their protests will get
bigger in all areas as of Monday.
(I/Ts.)
4. Serdar
gives signs of a possible “coalition” between CTP-DP
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (07.08.13)
reports that Democratic Party (DP) chairman SerdarDenkras evaluated the results
of the 28 July “elections” during a meeting he held with the tradesmen and
craft union and gave signs for the establishment of a “government coalition” between his party
and the Republic Turkish Party.
Denktas who said that they received the message of the “voters” that no
quarrels are needed stated that DP-CTP are “sentenced to be together”. He went
on and stated that time should not be wasted and the parties must get together
the sooner possible and to decide for the establishment of a new “government”.
5. Turkish
columnist on the Court Ruling in Ergenekon Case
Under the title “How Should We Look at the Ergenekon
Convictions?”,SedatErgin writes the
following in Hurriyet (06.08.13)
“The first waves of the Ergenekon investigation began
with the uncovering of large quantities of explosives in Istanbul and Eskisehir
during the summer months of 2007.
It later became understood that these police
operations were the first step in the great political case that occupied the
agenda of the country through the succeeding six years.
The basis of justification for the investigation was
not much questioned during the initial period.
The 11 kilograms of C-3 explosive found in the mother of a retired
Special Operations Major, for instance, hardly indicated an innocent hobby
activity like stamp collecting.
Likewise, the fact that the investigation, in the
first waves, was directed at individuals connected with the deep state
structure kept the basis for support within the public for the Ergenekon file
strong.
It can be said that the investigation, as of its
initial stage, served a useful function from the standpoint of keeping
democratic stability in Turkey away from explosives. During those days, a good many people saw the
legal process that was beginning as a historic opportunity from the standpoint
of settling accounts with Turkey’s deep state.
Likewise, seeking an accounting for coup attempts was in a sense also an
important legal process from the standpoint of creating an effective
deterrence.
But then as the Ergenekon waves broadened, a dimension
that tended to silence circles opposed to the government, and to cut off the
influence of these circles over the public, also began to become evident.
For instance, the fact that even Professor
TurkanSaylan, a cancer patient being treated in her home, was included in a
terrorist organization investigation, and that a raid was carried out against
her residence, was one of the most important breaking points that wounded
people’s consciences and showed that the process was taking on a political
character.
Additionally,
as new waves came, the violations of rights in the investigation began to
increase. There were no limits in terms
of the violations. Although some
suspects investigated were in the end not even made defendants, all their
telephone conversations were dumped into the supplements to the indictments and
their private lives exposed to the public, which were illegal implementations
such as could be encountered only in Third World regimes.
The investigation turned into a process that was taken
hostage by other efforts to settle accounts as well. The revelation that journalist AhmetSik, a
journalist arrested in 2011 on charges of having aided the Ergenekon terrorist
organization, had in fact written a book totaling 1,116 pages entitled Ergenekon’da
Kim Kimdir [“Who’s Who in Ergenekon”] was evidently yet another important point
of fracture in terms of the case in the eyes of the public.
The problem did not just consist of the expansion of
the various Ergenekon waves. Other
investigations conducted by the specially authorized courts, and the cases
opened, were also added to this case file, and in the end, a very motley legal
riddle in which 23 cases were joined together was born.
The inclusion of the “Internet Memorandum” case as
well in Ergenekon was the most significant step within this framework. For the former General Staff Chief, General
IlkerBasbug, to be made an Ergenekon suspect as a “terrorist organization
leader” dealt a heavy blow to the credibility of the case. Included among those who reacted against it
was Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan, who said: “I do not consider the imputations regarding
our General Basbug to be proper at all.
I find the approach of treating him as if he were an illegal
organization member to be very ugly. I
consider the use of this comparison for someone who has come to the General
Staff Chairmanship of the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] to be unfair.”
As a result of the forms of behavior and judicial
practices that prevailed in the specially authorized courts, these courts were
eliminated due to a law that the government passed in 2012. But they would remain at work until the cases
they had begun to try were over.
Looked at from this aspect, the guilty verdicts handed
down yesterday were the work of a court the government had decided to close
down, because its practices had been seen as problematic.
The Ergenekon trial in this way has come before
society as a virtually insoluble legal conundrum in which rights and wrongs
have been mixed together, and in which the legal errors and injustices committed
cast a serious shadow over the concept of justice.
The decisions announced yesterday contain within them,
in this context, serious dilemmas and contradictions. No matter how much the initial period of the
investigation was based on just and legitimate reasons, there are sufficient
reasons to think that there are a good many defendants who have suffered
injustice as a result of these verdicts.
And with yesterday’s decisions, only the first phase
of the Ergenekon judicial process has been concluded. Ahead of us are three separate appeal
stages: the Supreme Court of Appeals,
the individual application to the Constitutional Court, and the European Court
of Human Rights. This being the case, we
are going to debate Ergenekon, and to live with this case, for long years to
come.
The truth will emerge before us at the end of this
process.”
6. Turkish
Military calls for calm over Ergenekon verdict
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.08.13) reports
that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have called for calm and restraint following
the verdicts handed down to a number of active and retired army personnel by an
Istanbul court Aug.5 in the Ergenekon coup plot case, in a written statement on
its website.
Although the TSK follows closely investigations
regarding its personnel it avoids misunderstandings by acting with patience,
calm and restraint.
The TSK believes that the case will end up with a fair
final judgment within the scope of a fair trial, as it is required by the rule
of law.
The statement added that “the Army shared the pain of
their colleagues and their families”.
7. Erdogan
held a telephone conversation with his
British counterpart on Syria
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.08.13) reports Turkish
Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan held a phone conversation with his British
counterpart David Cameron on Tuesday, sources in Erdogan's office said.
Erdogan and Cameron exchanged views on the latest
developments in Egypt and Syria and in the wider region.
Erdogan stressed that the international community and
United Nations (UN) Security Council must take concrete steps for a solution in
Syrian civil war.
He also called for an urgent return to democracy in
Egypt with the participation of all segments of the Egyptian society. The
Turkish Prime Minister urged the release of Mohamed Morsi, the first
democratically elected President of Egypt, who has been kept in an undisclosed
place by the Egyptian army, along with other detained politicians, since his ouster
by the military on July 3.
8. Eighteen
Turkish soldiers injured after fire was opened on army troops in village
bordering Syria
Turkish daily today’s Zaman newspaper (07.08.13)
reports that eighteen soldiers were injured in clashes on the Turkish-Syrian
border in the southern province of Hatay after fire was opened on army troops
in a border village in the early hours of Aug. 6.
The incident came only hours after a confrontation
between the army troops deployed along the frontier and smugglers trying to
enter Turkey.“Our personnel tasked at the border located a group of 2,500-3,000
smugglers in the zone between the border posts at 2 a.m. [Aug. 6],” the Armed
Forces said in a written statement.
The soldiers used to tear gas when the group did not
disperse following warnings in Turkish and Arabic. A second clash ensued a few
hours later around 5:30 a.m. as a group of 300 soldiers were sent to the border
village of Kuşaklı, in the Reyhanlı district, to conduct searches.
“The residents burned fuel cans and threw stones to
prevent our unit from entering the village. Molotov cocktails were thrown at
our armored vehicles with the intention of setting them on fire; around 7 a.m.
fire was opened against our troops from some houses in the village,” the army said
in the statement. “Following the fire, 18 of our soldiers were wounded in their
arms or legs and around their faces and necks,” the statement also said, adding
that the soldiers had been transported to the hospital and none of them were in
serious condition. Clashes between soldiers and smugglers in Hatay province
have increased recently, prompting the Turkish Armed Forces to return fire in
some cases, killing some attackers.
9. Controversial
mosque project kicks off in Istanbul
Turkish daily today’s Zaman newspaper (07.08.13)
reports that a controversial mosque project on Uskudar'shighest hill, Camlica,
on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, kicked off on Tuesday with a ceremony.
Environment and Urban Planning Minister
ErdoganBayraktar and other top state figures attended the ceremony to mark the
beginning of the construction of the mosque.
The project is the latest of a series of rows between
government and its opponents, including conservative figures, over lack of
enough deliberation and consultation with people over mega public projects
concerning the wide segments of the society and people of Istanbul.
The Çamlıca Mosque project has led to fierce divisions
and debates in the public over the site of the project with many people
expressing their distaste and disapproval of the plan, citing the reason that
the mosque could harm Istanbul's silhouette.
Speaking to the audience at the ceremony, Minister
Bayraktar said that “the government will leave its mark on history with
finalizing the project”.
With completion of the project, he said, the mosque
will be a symbol across the Islamic world. Bayraktar also stated that
government will launch a large campaign to green the hill through planting
thousands of trees.
The mosque, which will occupy a nearly 15,000-square-meter
plot and will hold approximately 30,000 people, has been designed to be visible
from every corner of Istanbul and plans include cultural and social facilities
in its vicinity. Additional facilities will be constructed in a total area of
57,511 square meters, including the mosque, a tourist area with cafés and
restaurants, a recreation area, a children's park and facilities where courses
on Ottoman calligraphy, gilding and ebru (paper marbling) will be offered.
10. Turkey
halts Iranian spy's extradition to Germany
Turkish daily Zaman newspaper (07.08.13) reports that
in a move that would prevent the lawful extradition of HosseinTanideh, an
Iranian spy, to Germany, Turkey has opened its own case against Tanideh, thus
obliging the spy to remain longer in Turkey, a Turkish news outlet has
claimed.
Turkey filed charges against Tanideh for customs
violation and forgery of documents in order to halt the Iranian spy's
extradition to Germany, according to the Taraf daily.
Turkey's reasons for not declining to send Tanideh to
Germany are not stated in the report.
Revealing details of the spy crisis on Tuesday, Taraf
stated that by request of National Intelligence Organization (MİT) head
HakanFidan, MİT officials held “a secret meeting” with officials from the
Ministry of Justice's International Law and Foreign Affairs Directorate at the
Foreign Ministry on March 6, 2013. The MİT officials proposed a plan enabling
Tanideh to stay in Turkey. According to the plan, a case would be opened
against the Iranian spy, and Tanideh would be released pending trial. The idea
was approved and officials agreed to enact it.
After the meeting, as demanded by the Ministry of
Justice, a case was opened at İstanbul's Küçükçekmece court on charges of
customs violation and forgery of documents. Tanideh could not be extradited to
Germany until the case is concluded, at which point Tanideh's departure from
Turkey would be possible.
The daily said that Turkey's refusal to extradite a
criminal, thus enabling his escape to Iran, would create a political crisis
between Germany and Turkey. Within the scope of the European Convention on
Extradition, Turkey will be placed in a compromising position concerning terror
charges in the international arena. Turkey has signed the treaty, which was
adopted by the Council of Europe in 1957.
Tanideh's extradition process was started in March;
however, Turkey changed its mind and decided not to extradite Tanideh, who has
been working for Iranian intelligence and Iran's Revolutionary Guards to aid
Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
German prosecutors determined that materials with
nuclear applications obtained in Germany and India were transported to Iran
through Turkey and opened an investigation into the issue in 2012. Germany's
Federal Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant on Aug. 6, 2012, by means
of an Interpol Red Notice, for Tanideh due to alleged violations of the Foreign
Trade Act and Control of Weapons Act.
Launching an extensive probe into Tanideh's business
dealings, Interpol Ankara found that the last time Tanideh entered Turkey was
through SabihaGökçen Airport in İstanbul on June 18, 2012. Tanideh's location
was uncovered in a joint operation between Turkey's Interpol office and the İstanbul
Police Department's organized crime unit. He was taken into custody on Jan. 19,
2013, after which the extradition process was initiated by Interpol officials.
11. Pre-qualification
tender for Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline announced
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.08.13) reports that the tender notices for the pre-qualification stage of the construction of the TANAP project have been announced. The entities interested in being pre-qualified need to submit a letter by August 15
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.08.13) reports that the tender notices for the pre-qualification stage of the construction of the TANAP project have been announced. The entities interested in being pre-qualified need to submit a letter by August 15
The TANAP project intends to enable transportation of
the gas of the Shah Deniz 2 field and other fields in Azerbaijan through Turkey
to Europe.
The tender notices for the pre-qualification stage of
the onshore pipeline and block valve and pigging stations construction of the
Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) were announced this week. The invitations
to bid will be made in the first quarter of 2014 and contracts are expected to
be awarded in the third quarter of 2014, according to the notice. The construction
period is expected to start at the end of 2014.
The TANAP, a natural gas pipeline system running from
the Georgia-Turkey border to the Turkey-Greece border, will mainly consist of
steel pipe with a diameter of 56” (alternatively 48”), including a short
offshore section and interconnecting lines that may have reduced diameters,
block valve stations, pigging stations, metering stations, pressure reduction
stations, compressor stations and related SCADA and telecommunication
facilities, according to the notice.
The onshore pipeline can be split into different
construction contracts of as yet unspecified lengths, the notice said. Entities
interested in being pre-qualified are requested to submit a scanned copy of
expression of interest letter to the authorities on Aug. 15, 2013. The
pre-qualification package will be distributed to all interested applicants on
Aug. 16, 2013, and the receipt of applications is scheduled for Sept. 27.
The TANAP project intends to enable the transportation
of the gas of the Shah Deniz 2 field and other fields of Azerbaijan (and other
possible neighboring countries) through Turkey to Europe. A Memorandum of
Understanding was signed between the governments of Turkey and Azerbaijan on
December 2011 in the Turkish capital Ankara. SOCAR owned 80 percent and Turkey
20 percent share in the TANAP project at the beginning, but SOCAR sold later 29
percent of its share to BP, Statoil and Total, all of which have shares in the
Shah Deniz 2 Consortium. The Shah Deniz field is expected to cost around $40
billion with the accompanying pipelines, TANAP and Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline
(TAP).
The operators of the Shah Deniz 2 field – BP, Statoil,
Azeri state energy firm SOCAR, Total, and others – officially announced June 28
in Baku that they had chosen the Trans-Adriatic-Pipeline (TAP) to carry Azeri
gas to Europe across Greece, Albania and Turkey.
The TANAP is planned to be completed in 2018 and will
be connected to the TAP. First 16 billion cubic meters [bcm] of gas is expected
in the initial stage in 2019, gradually hitting 23 bcm in 2020 and 31 bcm in
2026. During the first period, 10 bcm of Azeri gas will be sold to Europe and 6
bcm to Turkey.
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