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C O N T E N T S
No.178/13 19/09/2013
1. Turkish Cypriot press: Trabzonspor arrived in Cyprus flying directly to Larnaca
2. Eroglu says they are looking for an agreement having as starting point the “realities” in Cyprus
3. Ozersay confirms the preparation of a Turkish plan on unilaterally opening occupied fenced Varosha
4. Akansoy: opening Varosha should have a triggering contribution to the solution
5. Nami and Talat exchanged views on the Cyprus talks
6. “Mayor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia attends “Mediterranean Cities for Peace conference”
7. The college of theology in occupied Mia Milia opened for the new school year
8. Davutoglu: Syria will face consequences if it retaliates
9. Davutoglu and Tuomioja discussed bilateral relations and the Cyprus problem
10. Gul to meet Biden and Rouhani in New York
11. CHP due to Washington
12. Erdogan to environmental activists: Go and live in the forest
13. Schoolbook in Turkey praises Taliban leader and calls children to go to war
1. Turkish Cypriot press: Trabzonspor arrived in Cyprus flying directly to Larnaca
Under the title “Trabzon’s airplane landed
directly to Larnaka”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper
(19.09.13) reports that an airplane, which was carrying Trabzonspor
football club’s team to the government-controlled area of the Republic
of Cyprus in order to play with Apollon Limassol football club’s team
within the framework of UEFA Europa League, landed yesterday in Larnaka
after flying directly from Trabzon. The airplane which was carrying the
team and journalists from Trabzon belongs to a Greek company named Astra
Airlines. The airplane would stop at the island of Rhodes, but the
pilot announced to his passengers that their route had changed.
According to the paper, in previous years
airplanes from Turkey could not fly directly to the
government-controlled area of Cyprus. This was reportedly realized for
the first time as a result of an initiative by the Turkish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper
(19.09.13) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs,
Ozdil Nami held a contact with the Turkish Foreign Ministry as soon as
he was informed on the issue. In statements to Yeni Duzen, Nami said
that Turkish Foreign Ministry officials told him that the Greek pilots
of the plane had changed the route upon their own initiative while they
were on air. The officials said that the incident did not happen upon an
initiative from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, as some media argued.
Commenting on the issue in his column in
Yeni Duzen (19.09.13), Sami Ozuslu writes that flying directly from
Trabzon to Larnaca “was definitely good news for the group, because the
road would be shortened very much and it would not be necessary to wait
at Rhodes”.
Noting that since 1974 there has been no
direct flight between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, Ozuslu writes,
inter alia, the following: “Actually the change of route in
Trabzon-Izmir-Rhodes line is not something unknown to us. The Turkish
Cypriots had witnessed similar ‘by passes’ in the
Tymvou-Izmir/Antalya/Dalaman- London route. When there were no
passengers to get on or off the plane in Turkey, the pilots continued
their way without making ‘touch down’, because this was not violating
the international civil aviation rules. Violation of the rules could
cause trouble for Turkey.
It is highly possible that the incident
yesterday was realized in a similar manner. In any case, according to
information having as source members of the group, the Turkish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs played a role in the issue of the direct flight. This
means that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a contact with
the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demanded change of route in
order for the team having a relaxed journey. Athens discussed the issue
with Nicosia and the issue was arranged…”
Ozuslu alleges that this move might not be
recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, but it should be
perceived “as a sign of approach” between Turkey and Cyprus.
Many Turkish Cypriot newspapers cover the
issue on their front page, noting that this is the first time that a
direct flight is held from Turkey to the government-controlled area of
Cyprus since 1974.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu says they are looking for an agreement having as starting point the “realities” in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(19.09.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has
argued that long time passed since 1974 and many things changed both in
the occupied and in the government-controlled area of Cyprus. In
statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Eroglu claimed that
they know that many things changed during the past 40 years, and alleged
they are looking for an agreement having as starting point the existing
realities on the island.
Eroglu called on President Anastasiades to
negotiate with him unconditionally and alleged that they want to
continue the negotiations with good will and solve the Cyprus problem
within this or the next year. Eroglu argued that it is important to pave
the way for an agreement which will be guaranteeing the future of the
Turkish Cypriots. “We want to solve this problem and erase it from the
world’s agenda” he alleged.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot side, Eroglu claimed, inter alia, the following:
“We are inviting them to a negotiating
process without preconditions, but they continuously try to gain time
with demands which could not be materialized. In our view, the last
chance in the Cyprus issue should be used well…”
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozersay confirms the preparation of a Turkish plan on unilaterally opening occupied fenced Varosha
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper
(19.09.13) reports that Kudret Ozersay, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu’s former special representative and current leader of the
“Toparlaniyoruz” (We are Gathering Strength) Movement, has said that a
unilateral step by the Turkish side on the issue of the occupied fenced
city of Varosha seems “realistic” to him. In a written statement,
Ozersay argued that such unilateral step in accordance to human rights
would help the Turkish side to gain psychological superiority in the
Cyprus negotiations, revive its economy and break the pessimistic
phycology in the society.
Ozersay alleged that the comprehensive
solution in Cyprus is prevented by the approach of the Greek Cypriot
side saying “give me Varosha in order for a climate of trust to be
secured”. He said, though, that some “courageous, rational and
compatible with the international law steps” are needed in the Cyprus
problem.
Ozersay said it is true that during the
period he was serving as Eroglu’s special representative, as he was
doing with many other issues, he had prepared a proposal for a solution
on the issue of occupied fenced city of Varosha which he believed that
was “outside the established molds, different and really functional”.
Ozersay noted that the news broadcast the day before yesterday by
Turkish NTV channel “was reflecting a part of this work”.
Recalling that the official Turkish side has
been for years that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution,
Ozersay argued that “if you are going to bargain Varosha with the Greek
Cypriot side, your statement that it is part of the comprehensive
solution is understandable”. He added, however, that instead of
negotiating the issue with the Greek Cypriot side, the Turkish side
could take a unilateral step, which will be in harmony with the
international law and the human rights, bring the two communities closer
to each other and revive the economy.
Noting that in this case it would have no
meaning to say that “Varosha is part of the comprehensive solution”,
Ozersay explained that he is not talking about “giving Varosha away”. “I
believe that the Turkish side should realize creative ideas which would
break the existing status quo, even though partly”, he argued.
He said that his personal view is that
Varosha could be opened under Turkish Cypriot administration and be
bound to occupied Famagusta “municipality”, that the demands of the
Greek Cypriot owners regarding the return of their property could be
evaluated at the “Immovable Property Commission” and that the so-called
rights of EVKAF religious foundation could be protected in the area
believed to be EVKAF property. He added he did not find strange that the
Turkish side states that they have no proposal on the issue of Varosha,
because what he had tried to put forward was a unilateral step by the
Turkish side, not a proposal to the Greek Cypriot side.
(I/Ts.)
4. Akansoy: opening Varosha should have a triggering contribution to the solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper
(19.09.13) reports that Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the
Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), has said that the
news broadcast the day before yesterday by Turkish NTV channel that the
Turkish side had prepared a plan regarding the occupied fenced city of
Varosha does not reflect the truth.
In statement during a television program,
Akansoy argued that the proposals mentioned in the news “were not
realistic”. He claimed that seeing Varosha as “a pilot area” for the
solution of the Cyprus problem, would be more rational. He expressed the
following views on the issue:
“Varosha is a very important issue. It is an
issue that has a role for revealing Greek Cypriots’ expectation for the
solution. As CTP the comprehensive solution is of course our priority.
Any step taken towards the comprehensive solution could be an issue to
be discussed with priority. It is not possible to ignore the steps that
have been taken and open Varosha. Varosha can be opened, but this should
have a triggering contribution to the solution. It is more rational to
see it as a pilot area for the federal solution. Varosha could be
opened only with a specific status”.
(I/Ts.)
5. Nami and Talat exchanged views on the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (19.09.13)
reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami
visited the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, where he
briefed him on the process of the Cyprus problem and they exchanged
views.
During the meeting, Nami and Talat evaluated
the Greek Cypriot stance as well as what the Turkish Cypriot side
should do in order to reach a Cyprus settlement on the talks expected to
resume on October. They came into the conclusion that it would be
useful to be in consultation.
6. “Mayor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia attends “Mediterranean Cities for Peace conference”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni
Duzen (19.09.13), the Turkish Cypriot municipality of the occupied part
of Lefkosia, which is member of the organization Mayors for Peace, is
going to participate in a “Conference of Cities for Peace in the
Mediterranean” near Marseille, in France, from September 19 to September
21, 2013, organized by Mayors for Peace.
Kadri Fellahoglu – “mayor” of the Turkish
Cypriot municipality in the occupied part of Lefkosia - and Ozmen
Birinci – “municipality officer”- flew to France on Wednesday and they
will return in the occupied areas of Cyprus on the 21st of September.
Fellahoglu has been invited to the
conference by the Chairman of the Mayors for Peace, Daniel Fontaine.
Participants will address a wide range of peace related issues, among
them the role of cities to promote nuclear disarmament and peace, and
how to develop Mayors for Peace's activities in this region.
7. The college of theology in occupied Mia Milia opened for the new school year
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi
(19.09.13), under the title “Quiet and voiceless opening”, reports that
the Hala Sultan College of Theology, which is constructed in occupied
Mia Milia area upon an initiative by the Cyprus Foundation of Science
Morals and Social Mutual Aid (KISAV), has opened for the new school year
quietly without any ceremony.
8. Davutoglu: Syria will face consequences if it retaliates
Under the title “Turkish FM Davutoglu, Kerry
brief each other on Syria”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
18.09.13) reported that The Turkish and American top diplomats briefed
each other over developments regarding Syria after a Turkish jet downed a
Syrian helicopter on Sept. 16, amid ongoing efforts for the U.N.
Security Council to adopt a strong resolution.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu informed
Secretary of State John Kerry about the downing of a Syrian helicopter
by a Turkish jet and repeated that the Syrian chopper had violated
Turkey’s airspace.
For his part, Kerry updated Davutoglu on the
efforts of France, the United Kingdom and the United States to convince
Russia to adopt a strong resolution about the elimination of Syria’s
chemical weapons arsenal, through the insertion of Chapter VII of the
U.N. Charter that allows for the use of force in the case of
non-compliance with the deal brokered by Washington and Moscow on Sept.
14 in Geneva.
The two Ministers also reviewed the U.N.
report on the Aug. 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb, which
allegedly stated that the regime was responsible. Davutoglu and Kerry
are expected to meet in New York next week, where both will attend the
U.N. General Assembly. New York will observe important meetings on
Syria, with expectations that the much-anticipated Geneva 2 talks could
be realized.
In the meantime, Turkish diplomats conveyed
information to both the office of the U.N. Secretary-General and NATO
over the helicopter attack. The information provided was no different to
what Turkish authorities told the Turkish media, according to sources.
Turkey warned Damascus Sept.18 it would
"face the consequences" if it sought to avenge the downing of the Syrian
military chopper this week, but said it did not believe a border attack
was a retaliatory strike, AFP has reported.
A car bomb exploded at Syria's rebel-held
Bab al-Hawa border crossing into Turkey on Tuesday, wounding at least 12
people, according to a monitoring group, a day after Turkish warplanes
shot down a Syrian helicopter which Ankara claimed violated its
airspace. Davutoglu said Tuesday's bombing did not appear to be a
revenge attack.
"Our security and intelligence units have
been working on this, but one should not reach an early conclusion that
it was retaliation," Davutoglu told a press conference in Ankara.
"Such retaliation against us within the
Syrian territory cannot be considered," he said, warning: "The Syrian
regime should know that it will face the consequences even if it thinks
of retaliation."
9. Davutoglu and Tuomioja discussed bilateral relations and the Cyprus problem
Under the title “Turkey, Finland to discuss
EU bilateral ties”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 18.09.13)
reported that Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja paid an official
visit to Ankara on Wednesday to have talks with his Turkish counterpart,
Ahmet Davutoglu, and discuss bilateral and regional issues, with a
focus on Turkey's EU bid and the UN-backed initiative of Mediation for
Peace (MfP).
“Finland supports the enlargement of the EU
and within this scope we have always supported keeping the EU door open
for Turkey. If we contribute to keeping Turkey's candidate process
alive, we will be glad,” Tuomioja said.
Davutoglu praised Turkish-Finnish relations
despite the fact that both countries are far from each other
geographically and thanked his counterpart for Finland's open support
for Turkey's EU bid.
Tuomioja said the MfP initiative launched by
Finland and Turkey would help speed up issues of mediation and peace.
Stating that the two countries will discuss cooperation in the fields of
peace and mediation next week, the Finnish Foreign Minister said for
peace issues, more financing and time is needed.
During Tuomioja's visit, which was upon the
invitation of Davutoglu, the two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral
relations, Turkey's EU candidacy process, the economic crisis in Europe,
Cyprus and exchanged views on current regional and international
issues.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Helsinki in November as a sign of enhancing relations.
10. Gul to meet Biden and Rouhani in New York
Turkey daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
18.09.13) reported that Turkey will have a lot of work on next week’s
U.N. General Assembly meeting, as the forum will provide Turkey an
opportunity to convince allies that Syria’s war requires a more
comprehensive strategy and that merely dismantling Damascus’ chemical
weapons is unlikely to end the bloodshed.
Turkey will be represented at the United
Nations by a high-level delegation led by President Abdullah Gul and
will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and diplomats
that will depart for New York on Sept. 21.
Gul, who will address the General Assembly
on Sept. 24 after Brazilian President Dilma Roussef and U.S. President
Barack Obama, will have two important meetings on Sept. 25 with Vice
President Joe Biden and Iran’s newly elected President, Hassan Rouhani.
The Gul-Rouhani meeting will be the highest-level encounter between
Turkish and Iranian officials since Rouhani won June elections.
Gul will attend a reception to be held by
Obama and a lunch by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the
side-lines of the General Assembly. In addition, Gul is expected to
conduct more bilateral meetings in New York but there is no confirmed
meeting yet.
Davutoglu will also hold meetings with his
counterparts, with the Syrian crisis expected to be at the core of his
agenda. With expectations that the deal brokered by the U.S. and Russia
to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal will be discussed in New
York with the participation of key countries, Turkey wants to use the
opportunity to conduct a meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People and
its core group.
Apart from Syria-oriented talks, Gul will
address forums to be organized by the U.N. General Assembly, especially
on sustainable development. While in New York, Gul will give interviews
to leading international media, attend a Turkish-American Business
Council meeting and give a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations.
11. CHP due to Washington
Under the title “Main opposition CHP
delegation set to depart for Washington”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 19.09.13) reported that a senior delegation from the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will depart for the U.S.
capital on Sept. 22 in order to hold a series of talks, ahead of an
anticipated visit to the U.S. by party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The CHP’s two deputy chairs, Faruk Logoglu
and Umut Oran, will be holding talks in Washington on Sept. 23 and 24
before proceeding to New York, where they will also engage in talks with
several contacts during a Socialist International (SI) meeting. The
meetings in Washington will be held with officials from the White House,
the State Department and Congress, Logoglu told the Hurriyet Daily News
on Sept. 18.
They will also be meeting with a number of
think tank organizations in order to make the required arrangements for
Kilicdaroglu to deliver speeches, he added, declining to give more
details. The exact date of Kilicdaroglu’s visit to the United States
will apparently be set after the CHP delegation’s talks.
The SI meeting in New York will coincide
with the U.N. General Assembly’s 68th Assembly, where scores of heads of
state and governments will take to the podium next week. The SI meeting
will be held at the “presidium” level, meaning that only party leaders
will be able to attend. Kilicdaroglu, however, preferred not to attend
the meeting as he does not want to be abroad at a time when there are
domestic problems in the country, officials said.
12. Erdogan to environmental activists: Go and live in the forest
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 18.09.13), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
strongly criticized environmental activists opposing the construction of
a road through Ankara's Middle East Technical University (ODTU)
forested campus, advising them to go and live in forests if they did not
want roads to be built.
“I noticed a placard today. ‘We want
forests, not roads.’ Can something like that be? There are so many
forests. You can’t get to your university if you have no roads. But if
you want, we can send you to the forest. Go and live in forests,”
Erdogan said, in an address to his Justice and Development Party (AKP)
provincial mayors on Sept. 18.
The road the Prime Minister mentioned is the
disputed project passing through the ODTU campus, which caused
opposition from both university students and residents of the Cukurambar
district of Ankara. Police had intervened repeatedly with tear gas and
water cannon against demonstrators last week.
“Roads made civilization. Whatever they say, we will not give up building roads. Because roads connect people,” Erdogan said.
“On March 30, we will have local elections.
We have passed through three general and two local elections in the last
11 years, but I can assure you that this election on March 30 is the
important one,” Erdogan said, asking his mayors to work relentlessly to
"prove once again the power of the people’s will." “We will write
another page of history on March 30,” he added.
13. Schoolbook in Turkey praises Taliban leader and calls children to go to war
Under the title “Book praising Taliban
leader Hikmediyar was distributed to primary school students”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (19.09.13) reports that the Turkish
Minister of National Education, Nabi Avci has distributed a book that
caused a “scandal” during the opening of the new school year 2013-14.
The book was distributed to the students of the second class of the
primary schools and reportedly includes a poem calling Muslim children
to go to war.
Citing information published by Turkish
Milliyet newspaper, Afrika reports that the book describes as “our
leader” Gulbeddin Hikmetyar, leader of the Afghan Hizbi Islami
organization, who is shown kneeling down next to Prime Minister Erdogan.
The paper writes that this is a book of poems by Cahit Zarifoglu having
on its cover a child holding a gun. The paper publishes excerpts of
some poems, saying, inter alia, the following: “Muslim children from far
away countries, I beg you, come to war. At least send us your pocket
money to buy bullets. I beg you, do something from there and come to
war”.
(I/Ts.)
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