TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.170/13 7-9/9/2013
1. Self-styled government reads its 50-page program at
the “assembly”; What are the targets on the Cyprus problem
2. Turkish Cypriot daily argues that the occupied
fenced city of Varosha
is expected to be returned by the end of the year
3. The population in the occupied area of Cyprus
increased by 11% within six years
4. Nuremberg municipality reportedly establishing
contacts with occupied Lefkosia municipality
5. FYROM Saray municipality is participating in carob
festival held in occupied Akanthou village
6.
Erdogan: Turkey
willing to make ideal contribution for peace
7.
Main opposition leader slams Turkish PM over Syria
8.
Turkey sends more reinforcements to Syrian border, builds military base
9.
Survey: Majority of Turks against Syria intervention
10.
Erdogan said “disappointed” over IOC’s decision
11.
Turkey
police intervened in a group of protesters in Ankara
1. Self-styled government reads its 50-page program
at the “assembly”; What are the targets on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (07.09.13) reported that the 50-page program of the
“coalition government” established recently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus between the Republican Turkish
Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) and the Democratic Party – National Forces
(DP-UG), was read out at the “assembly” of the breakaway regime last Friday.
CTP-BG’s chairman and self-styled prime minister, Ozkan Yorgancioglu read the
first 29 pages of the program and DP—UG’s chairman and so-called deputy prime
minister, Serdar Denktas read the rest of the pages. The program is expected to
be discussed today at the “assembly” and be voted one day after the discussions
are completed.
They said that
their “basic vision is to create a sustainable economic and social structure”
and noted that “the Turkish Cypriots’ taking the decisions which concern them
and their country by using their free will, is considered as primary condition
of democracy for the government”.
Some of the main
points of the program are: submitting the amendments of the “constitution”,
upon which agreement will be reached, to “referendum” together with the “local
elections” in June 2014, limiting the “legislative immunity”, turning the
“country into a single election area”, lifting the ban on the “civil servants”
for participating in politics, bringing an obligation to the “MPs” who resign
from their parties to remain independent until the next “elections”, making
autonomous strategic “institutions” such as the electricity and the
telecommunication “authorities”, launching efforts to establish a new “airline”
based on private-public partnership and establishing a reform group at
“ministerial level” for the harmonization with the EU and the reform in the
“public” administration.
Noting that it
attaches great importance to the relations with Turkey and the EU, the program
said that they would do whatever is necessary for the development and
implementation of the Financial Aid Regulation, the development of the Green
Line Regulation, the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, the
preparation of regulations which will secure free trade between the EU and the
Turkish Cypriots, the development of their relations with the countries that
are members of the Islamic Organization and other countries except for
EU-member countries and establishing direct relations with all the countries of
the area in the fields of economy, culture and sports.
Referring to the
Cyprus problem and the foreign policy, the program said that they will follow a
proactive policy aiming at “being united with the world so that the Turkish
Cypriots to be able to make their voice heard in the world, their just demands
and expectations to be correctly understood by the international community and
take the place they deserve in the international field”. The program noted that
the “government” will follow a “constructive and productive” policy supporting
the negotiating process held under the UN umbrella on the Cyprus problem
and make every effort for reaching the target of a bi-communal, bi-zonal
federal solution based on political equality.
Noting that the
“government” will be in close consultation with Turkey as regards the policies that
will be followed in the negotiations, the program said that they will follow
“an active policy in the direction of reaching a federal agreement which
includes the equal sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, their political
equality and the continuation of the guarantees”.
“In case the
negotiating process, which cannot continue being open ended, does not reach a
positive result in spite of all our effort and good will, our government, which
believes that the international community should make a new evaluation of the
situation together with the two sides on the island, will mobilize all its
possibilities for the Turkish Cypriots being united with the world”, noted the
program, adding that they will hold intensive contacts with representatives of
foreign countries and institutions both inside and outside Cyprus, with the aim
of lifting the so-called isolations. The program also said that they will
intensify their efforts at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
and the European Council, the Islamic countries and the Turkic Republics.
The program
noted that they will establish a new mechanism for granting the “citizenship”
of the regime and, inter alia, secure a quota which will be determined for every
year taking into account the “normal increase of population”. It also said that
they will give the right of applying for getting a “white identity card” to
those who live in the occupied area for a period longer than five years. The
holders of “white identity card”, who live in the occupied area for a
continuous period longer than five years, will have the right to apply for the
“citizenship”.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.09.13) referred to the issue
under the title “Promise for radical reforms” and noted that the program of the
CTP-DP “government” included the abolition of “temporary article 10 of the
constitution”, which regulates who has the power on security issues as regards
defense and cooperation. The program also provides that the administration of
the “central bank” will be appointed by the “competent authorities” of the
“TRNC”, the commanders of the so-called security forces and the “civil defense
organization” will be “citizens” of the “TRNC” and the “police” will be bound
to “civilian authority”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish Cypriot daily argues that the occupied
fenced city of Varosha
is expected to be returned by the end of the year
Under the title
“Varosha is ok”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.09.13) alleges that
the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha
has become definite and that this is expected to happen before the end of the
year. The paper argues that the initiatives of the Greek Cypriot side towards
the USA
and the EU have given results.
“After an
instruction from the USA
to Turkey
and from Turkey
to Cyprus,
the Turkish side started to prepare itself for the return of Varosha”, claims
Afrika adding that “Eroglu, who has informed his close circle regarding the
issue, is in the mood of ‘let us snatch whatever we can’”.
The paper
writes, inter alia, the following: “The return of Varosha will be the issue
which will be urgently discussed at the very beginning of the negotiations that
are expected to begin in October. The words of those who say that ‘Varosha is a
part of the comprehensive solution’ were left in suspense. The target is to
reach a comprehensive solution through a step by step resolution of the various
aspects. Just like it could contribute to the comprehensive solution, the
opening of Varosha will be useful for the revival of the economy of both sides
which are in crisis”.
Afrika comments
on the issue in its column “Letter from Afrika” under the title “Varosha is
being opened on conditions like the convicted who is set free on conditions”.
(I/Ts.)
3. The population in the occupied area of Cyprus
increased by 11% within six years
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (09.09.13) reports that when the results of the
population censuses held in the occupied area of Cyprus in 2006 and 2011 are
examined, it is observed that the total population increased by 11% and the
population of the women by 13% within six years. The paper notes that the
number of the population continuously living in the occupied area of Cyprus [Translator’s
note: which the occupation authorities call de-jure population] was 256.644 in
2006 and increased to 286.257 in 2011. The number of women was 118.076 in 2006
and increased to 135.774 in 2011. In spite of this increase, the number of
women did not exceed the number of men, who were 138.568 in 2006 and became
150.483 in 2011, showing an increase of 8.5%.
The biggest
increase was observed in occupied Keryneia, where the population increased by
19.4%, as from 57.902 in 2006 it reached 69.163 in 2011. The following increase
was observed in the population in the other occupied districts: occupied Nicosia 11.8% (84.776 in
2006 and 94.824 in 2011), occupied Famagusta
9.6% (63.603 in 2006 and 69.741 in 2011), occupied Morfou 2.6% (29.264 in 2006
and 30.037 in 2011) and occupied Trikomo 6.6% (21.099 in 2006 and 22.492 in
2011).
(I/Ts.)
4. Nuremberg municipality reportedly establishing
contacts with occupied Lefkosia municipality
Turkish Cypriot
daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.09.13) reports that the “Lefkosia municipality”,
which according to the paper is very active regarding the efforts for
establishing foreign relations, has opened a new page in its relations with the
German Nuremberg municipality.
Dr Norbert
Schurgers, foreign relations director of Nuremberg municipality, who illegally
visited occupied Cyprus last year for the opera days, is visiting again the
breakaway regime these days and met with the “Lefkosia Mayor”, Kadri
Fellahoglu.
According to the
paper, during the meeting Schurgers suggested the establishment of a good
cooperation between his municipality and “Lefkosia municipality”. Schurgers
also stated that his municipality is sister city with Antalya municipality and
therefore they are not strangers to the Turkish culture. On his part, Fellahoglu
said that the basis for further cooperation was set during their meeting.
5. FYROM Saray municipality is participating in
carob festival held in occupied Akanthou village
Turkish Cypriot
daily Gunes newspaper (07.09.13) reported that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu met on Friday with the mayor of the FYROM Saray Municipality Bekim
Murati, who is currently illegally visiting the breakaway regime to participate
in the carob festival held in occupied Akanthou village.
Speaking during
the meeting, Eroglu said that he is very happy for the launching of cooperation
between Akanthou “municipality” and Saray municipality, adding that this will
be beneficial for the two “countries’ .
6.
Erdogan: Turkey
willing to make ideal contribution for peace
According to news portal World Bulletin
(08.09.13), upon his arrival in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan said on Sunday: "We would strive for the ideal contribution that
Turkey can make in a process intended to achieve peace (in Syria)".
In statements during a press conference,
Erdogan said that the world could not ignore the chemical attack in Syria which
killed hundreds of people.
"It is clearly impossible for
whoever is a mother or father to forget the lifeless bodies of little children.
But those who do not appreciate the compassion that a mother or father feels,
turn a blind eye to such graphic scenes. If there are still politicians, both
in Turkey
and around the world, who can ignore the situation (in Syria), it is a
reflection of their share in human compassion," Erdogan said.
Regarding Turkey's role in a possible
military operation in Syria, Erdogan said: "We would strive for the ideal
contribution that Turkey can make in a process intended to achieve peace."
7.
Main opposition leader slams Turkish PM over Syria
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(08.09.13, online) reported that Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu has slammed Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his recent remarks about taking part in an
international coalition to intervene in Syria.
Kılıcdaroglu said no leader on Turkey’s
soil had stated the will to be part of an intervention against a Muslim country
since the first crusade.
“Look at the history of 900 years. No
leader has used this sentence since the first crusade - the sentence in which
he [Erdogan] said that they were ready to launch a military attack against a
neighbouring Muslim country,” the CHP
leader said, addressing his party assembly on Sept. 8.
The criticism came after Erdogan said
last week that Turkey
was ready to participate in an international coalition led by the U.S. against Syria over
alleged use chemical agents on civilians by the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Such statements go beyond “willing to be
a contactor” and have nothing to do with moral, religious or national values,
Kılıcdaroglu said, criticizing the Prime Minister for “lacking principles.”
“Saying, ‘I’m ready for any coalition’
really means, ‘I’m ready to be a triggerman,’” said Kılıcdaroglu. He stated
that Erdogan owed an apology to the Turkish people and accused the government
of forming policy “based on hate and revenge.”
Meanwhile, citing a recent report by the
Journalist’s Association of Turkey, the CHP
head also touched on the issue of journalists fired due to pressure by the
government.
“Who is the biggest media boss?” he
said, referring to Prime Minister Erdogan and accusing him of “deciding who
will be fired, appointing chief editors, and seizing media groups.”
8.
Turkey sends more reinforcements to Syrian border, builds military base
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(08.09.13, online), Ankara continues to increase its security by sending
reinforcements to the Syrian border, with Ankara supporting a US strike on the
Bashar al-Assad regime, although the international community remains split on
intervention in the war-torn country.
The Turkish military dispatched
additional units to Suruc, in the southern province of Sanliurfa, on Saturday.
Semi-trailer trucks loaded with armoured vehicles and tanks were sent at midday
from a command post in Gaziantep, and the Tugay military division in Sanliurfa
was relocated to the nearby village of Mursitpınar, which borders Syria.
Last week other military convoys
travelled to the southern provinces of Kilis and Hatay, also bordering Syria.
Meanwhile, Turkey has begun constructing
a military base on Kel Dagi, a hill in Hatay facing Syria's western province of
Latakia, to house the military units that have been transported to the border
district of Yayladagi. The military base, which includes infantry
accommodation, is situated close to the town of Ras al-Basit, a coastal city of Latakia, where Syrian air
defences shot down a Turkish aircraft last year. This incident forced Ankara to take a tougher
stance against Damascus,
although relations with its once-close ally were already worsening since the
uprising against President Bashar al-Assad broke out in March 2011.
Coast guard boats off the shore of
Hatay's Samandag district, the place where the explosives used in the
Syria-linked Reyhanli blast that killed 53 and injured many in May were
initially transported, keep a sharp outlook for the country's naval security.
Over the weekend, the Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK) also stationed
anti-missile defence systems, including radar equipment, in a police station in
the Ceylanpinar area of Sanliurfa to protect against Syrian threats.
The anti-missile defence system and
radar were reportedly posted on the border to counter the threat caused by
continuing clashes between the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a Syrian political
offshoot of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and the
al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front. These defense systems monitor the Syrian border
24 hours a day.
Turkey scrambles F-16s over Syrian
threat
Turkey
has scrambled F-16 jets after “movements” were reportedly spotted on the
Turkish-Syrian border.
It was not immediately clear whether
there was an unusual aerial movement near the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey's
private Ihlas news agency reported that the Turkish jets are fully armed and
have been ordered to fire if Turkish airspace is violated.
The report noted that a number of
Turkish jets took off from Diyarbakır
air base in southeastern Turkey
and headed towards the Syrian border on a reconnaissance mission.
On Saturday night a mortar shell landed
close to the Turkish-Syrian border, near Reyhanli in Hatay. The mortar round
fell by the Syrian border gate of Bab al-Hawa, opposite the Turkish border gate
of Cilvegozu in Reyhanli, leaving many injured. After the incident, the
Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and emergency teams moved
to the scene. The injured victims were taken to the Reyhanli State Hospital,
according to the Ihlas news agency. Panic ensued among residents of Reyhanli,
causing people to pour towards the Cilvegozu border gate, where security
measures have been tightened and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
9.
Survey: Majority of Turks against Syria intervention
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(06.09.13) with the above title reported that the majority of Turks disapprove
of any potential military intervention in Syria, much like their European and
American counterparts, a survey has revealed.
In Turkey, 72% of respondents to the
Transatlantic Trends 2013 survey, which was conducted by the German Marshall
Fund of the United States (GMF), said their country should stay out of Syria, up 15%
points from last year, while only 21% – down 11% points – favoured
intervention.
The respondents were told that there had
recently been discussion about intervening in Syria, where the government has
been using military force to suppress an opposition movement. They were then
asked whether their government should stay out completely or intervene.
Apart from Turkey, 11 European Union member
states were surveyed: France,
Germany,
Italy,
the Netherlands,
Poland,
Portugal,
Romania,
Slovakia,
Spain,
Sweden,
and the United Kingdom,
as well as the United States.
Polling was conducted between June 3 and June 27.
In a separate question on recent
developments in North Africa and the Middle East, respondents to the survey were asked to
choose between two propositions: “stability is more important even if it means
accepting non-democratic governments” and “democracy is more important even if
it leads to a period of instability.” A majority in Europe,
58%, and a plurality in the United
States, 47%, preferred democracy over
stability.
A majority of Turkish respondents, 57%,
preferred democracy in North Africa and the Middle East, 25% said they preferred stability, while 18%
said they did not know or refused to answer.
10.
Erdogan said “disappointed” over IOC’s decision
According to news portal world bulletin
(08.09.13), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that
he was "disappointed" over the decision of the International Olympics
Committee (IOC) to choose the Japanese capital of Tokyo, "which had hosted the Olympics
before."
Speaking after the International
Olympics Committee (IOC) members voted for Tokyo to host 2020 Olympics, Erdogan
stated that the IOC decision to choose Tokyo over Istanbul, reminded him of its
previous decisions for Athens and London.
"I have been disappointed that a
country, which had hosted the Olympics before, has been elected," he said.
He noted that Turkey, with its Istanbul 2020 bid
via the motto "Bridge Together", hoped for "something
different" at this time in the voting for 2020 Olympics.
"Istanbul is a city where different cultures
and civilizations meet, connecting the continents of Asia
and Europe. With several investment projects,
due within the framework of the 7-year program, the existing investments in Istanbul, both as
infrastructure and superstructure, were far enough to meet the requirements of
hosting the Olympics," he added.
Turkish Premier Erdogan stated that
"We should respect the result," stressing that running in the final
voting is also a great success for Turkey.
"Turkey is a country that
successfully hosted a number of international sports events. The Committee has
made such a decision as, probably, they thought that we are not yet
ready," he further said. Erdogan concluded that the sole target of Turkey is now
to achieve better results in the Olympics and increase the number of the medals
from now on.
Istanbul
has lost out to Tokyo
on late Saturday at the final voting by International Olympic Committee
convened in Argentinian capital Buenos
Aires to decide the city to host 2020 Olympics.
11.
Turkey
police intervened in a group of protesters in Ankara
Under the title “‘Cemevi with mosque’
project starts amid protests in Ankara”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 08.09.13) reported that Ankara
police intervened in a group of protesters in Ankara during the ground-breaking
ceremony for the construction of the first ever cultural centre containing an
Alevi cemevi and a Sunni mosque side by side.
The Mamak Mosque and Cemevi is planned
to be a first in Turkey,
but a group opposing the project blocked the path to the ceremony and built a
barricade.
The group did not disperse, despite
police calls, and threw stones at the Alevi Cem Foundation’s bus, reports said.
Riot police then used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the group.
Labor Minister Faruk Çelik, President of
Alevi CEM Foundation İzzettin Dogan,
main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
Ankara deputy
Sinan Aygün, and a number of Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies
attended the ceremony.
The project, which is the first of its
kind in modern Turkish history, is expected to be completed within a year and
opened in the Alevis’ holy month according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
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