TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
1.
Eroglu: Turkish side’s stance regarding occupied fenced city of
Varosha has not changed
2.
Izcan: Those rejecting the simultaneous opening of Varosha and
Famagusta port serve the status quo and implement embargo on the
Turkish Cypriots
3.
“National Existence Council” says it will struggle against the
return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal owners
4.
Ozgurgun: relations with Turkey are deemphasized in “government’s”
program; UBP will support “police” to be bound to civilian
“authority”
5.
Cakici: the views on the Cyprus problem are not clear in
“government’s” program
6.
Angolemli criticizes CTP-DP “government’s” program on the
Cyprus problem and the issue of occupied Varosha
7.
Tore criticized “government’s” program on the Cyprus issue
8.
The breakaway regime will participate in Frankfurt Book Fair
9.
Erdogan says Turkey undecided over type of support for possible
intervention
10.
Davutoglu: More massacres to come if al-Assad gains time
11.
PKK halts withdrawal from Turkey, maintains cease-fire
12.
CHP renews democracy vision
13.
22-year-old protester dies in Turkey protests
1.
Eroglu:
Turkish side’s stance regarding occupied fenced city of Varosha has
not changed
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.09.13) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has denied the information published
yesterday by Afrika, which alleged 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 as a result of instructions from
the USA to Turkey and from Turkey to Cyprus [Translator’s note: see
Turkish and Turkish Media Review, 07-09/09/2013, Item 2].
Eroglu
sent a written statement to Afrika arguing that the paper’s
information “has absolutely no relation with the reality”. Eroglu
said, inter alia, the following: “…The stance of the Turkish side
as regards Varosha has not changed. Our expectation is for Greek
Cypriot leader Mr Anastasiades to come to the table to continue the
negotiations from the point we remained with Mr Christofias. We are
ready for sitting at the table with good will for an overall solution
in Cyprus and for a solution on the basis of the existing realities
in Cyprus. If the Greek Cypriot side has the same will, there is
absolutely no reason for not reaching a solution in 2014…”
(I/Ts.)
2.
Izcan:
Those rejecting the simultaneous opening of Varosha and Famagusta
port serve the status quo and implement embargo on the Turkish
Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.09.13) reports that Izzet Izcan,
chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), has said that the return
of the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal owners and the
opening of the port of Famagusta for direct trade should be
implemented simultaneously. In a written statement issued yesterday,
Izcan noted that those who hide behind the comprehensive solution and
reject the return of Varosha and the opening of the port of
Famagusta, serve the existing status quo in Cyprus.
Izcan
expressed the view that the simultaneous opening of Varosha and the
port of Famagusta will gain acceleration to the solution process and
contribute in the cooperation between the two communities. He said
that with the return of Varosha to its legal owners and the opening
of the port of Famagusta, the Turkish Cypriots will have the
possibility of carrying out direct trade, the so-called embargoes
will end and the economic crisis experienced in both sides will cease
to exist.
“Those
who reject the return of Varosha and the opening of the port of
Famagusta are those who implement embargo on the Turkish Cypriot
community”, he noted.
Izcan
said that it is absolutely necessary for the negotiations, which will
start in October, to start from the point they were left and to show
respect to the agreements reached until today and to the federal
basis of the solution.
(I/Ts.)
3.
“National
Existence Council” says it will struggle against the return of the
occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal owners
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.09.13) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot so-called “National Existence Council - National Forces”
will organize a conference tomorrow on the issue of the occupied
fenced city of Varosha. In a statement issued yesterday, the council
expresses its “will and determination” to continue its struggle
for preventing the “surrendering of Varosha to the Greek Cypriots”.
The
statement says that the aim of the conference will be to inform the
“people” and raise their awareness and alleges that efforts are
exerted to “unjustly and unnecessarily steal Varosha from the
Turkish Cypriots people”. “Such a game is played by the Greek
Cypriots and the imperialistic powers the backing of which they have
secured”, claims the statement alleging that Varosha is a property
of the Evkaf religious foundations, something which had been decided
by the so-called court of occupied Famagusta in 2002.
(I/Ts.)
4.
Ozgurgun:
relations with Turkey are deemphasized in “government’s”
program; UBP will support “police” to be bound to civilian
“authority”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (10.09.13) reports that Huseyin
Ozgurgun, chairman of the main “opposition” National Unity Party
(UBP), has said that they will vote against the program of the
Republican Turkish Party – Democratic Party (CTP-DP) “coalition
government” during the voting which is expected to be held
tomorrow.
Addressing
yesterday the “assembly” of the regime, Ozgurgun criticized the
fact that no reference is made to “motherland Turkey” in the
program of the “government”. Ozgurgun argued that the
“government” tries to “deemphasize” their relations with
Turkey and asked for the strengthening of these relations. He
recalled that addressing the Council of Europe the former Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat had also underlined Turkey’s
importance for their “country”. According to Ozgurgun, Talat said
the following in his speech: “If there had not been for Turkey I
would not have been here, we would not be able to even speak on the
phone”. Ozgurgun alleged that Turkey is the biggest guarantee for
continuing to live in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Referring
to the views included in the program as regards the Cyprus problem,
Ozgurgun said they would support the efforts for an agreement in
which bi-zonality, two “peoples” and two “states” exist
within the framework of the UN parameters and which will include
Turkey’s active and effective guarantees. Ozgurgun noted that they
will not support any agreement outside this and added that the Greek
Cypriot side should be studied very well. He alleged that the Greek
Cypriots do not want an agreement and described as “dangerous
approach” what he called as campaign of the Greek Cypriot side as
regards the return of occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal
owners.
Ozgurgun
expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot side should develop a
policy on this issue and put forward its indispensable conditions. He
argued that the “government” has not shown a good image until now
and added that this should be corrected.
Referring
to the amendments of the “constitution”, Ozgurgun said that the
political parties want the “police” to be bound to civilian
authority” and added that this could be done by “law”. He noted
that the “government” could bring to the “parliament” a “law”
on this issue and the UBP will support it.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Cakici:
the views on the Cyprus problem are not clear in “government’s”
program
Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (10.09.13) reports that Mehmet Cakici,
chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said that the
program of the Republican Turkish Party – Democratic Party (CTP-DP)
“coalition government” on the Cyprus problem and the foreign
policy, is not clear. Addressing yesterday the “assembly” of the
regime, Cakici asked what the plan of the “government” was on
this issue and criticized some chapters of the program regarding this
issue.
Referring
to the views included in the program on the issue of granting the
“citizenship” of the regime, Cakici said that problems existed in
the past because those who lived for five years in the occupied area
of Cyprus had the right to apply for the “citizenship” and added
that the fact that the same system continues in this program is not
correct.
Cakici
noted also that “no clear and concrete expressions” were used in
the program as regards the economic “protocol” signed with
Turkey. He recalled that the “coalition partners” had been saying
that they want to revise this “protocol”, but no reference was
made to this in the program.
Describing
the program as “ambitious”, Cakici said he does not find right
the wish to amend “article 162” of the “constitution”, which
gives the right of referendum to the Turkish Cypriot “people”.
(I/Ts.)
6.
Angolemli
criticizes CTP-DP “government’s” program on the Cyprus problem
and the issue of occupied Varosha
Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (10.09.13) reports that Huseyin
Angolemli, “MP” of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said
that the program of the Republican Turkish Party – Democratic Party
(CTP-DP) “coalition government” includes “very good things”
and that his party will be the “watchdog” of the implementation
of this program. Addressing yesterday the “assembly” of the
regime, Angolemli criticized the expressions included in the program
on the Cyprus problem.
Noting
that the program said that “the negotiations on the Cyprus issue
could not continue forever and that other measures will be taken”,
Angolemli argued that the “government” should be active on the
Cyprus problem and added that the “assembly” should also be
active because the representatives of the “people” are there.
Angolemli
noted that the issue of the occupied fenced city of Varosha is not
included in the program and added that the “government” must say
what it thinks on this issue.
(I/Ts.)
7.
Tore
criticized “government’s” program on the Cyprus issue
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (10.09.13) reports that the
“deputy” of the Democracy Party – United Forces (DP-UG) Zorlu
Tore reacted to the “government’s” program on the Cyprus issue,
with the consent of Serdar Denktas, leader of the DP-UG.
Tore
criticized harshly the fact that world of “TRNC” is not included
at the UN Security Council resolutions, which are included at the
program of the “government”, adding that he is against of some
chapters of the program, which will prevent the prosperity and the
freedom of the “country”.
Tore
explained that he cannot accept the expressions in the UN
resolutions, which see only the Republic of Cyprus as legitimate
state and asks the withdrawal of Turkey from the island. He also said
that he cannot support such decision, adding that he took an oath, as
“deputy”, to protect the existence of the “state”. He
criticized the UN resolutions asking the withdrawal of the Turkish
army from the island, adding that no previous “government” has
ever accepted these resolutions.
However,
Tore said that he supports the Cyprus talks under the auspices of the
UN.
8.
The
breakaway regime will participate in Frankfurt Book Fair
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.09.13) reports that a stand named
“North Cyprus Publications’ Stand” will be opened at the book
fair which will be organized in the German city of Frankfurt between
9 and 13 of October, 2013. According to a decision taken by the
former “government” under Sibel Siber, a delegation from the
so-called department of culture will present a collection of books
from the occupied area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
9.
Erdogan
says Turkey undecided over type of support for possible intervention
According
to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 09.09.13) Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey has not yet decided the type of
support it would provide in a possible US-led military strike against
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's administration, saying that Turkey
will join in efforts that will target “peace” in the country.
Speaking
to reporters at the airport upon returning from Buenos Aires late on
Sunday, Erdogan said the circumstances of a possible military strike
will determine the role Turkey will play.
"Whether
it would be as an opposing force or supplying forces to provide
logistical support, all this would be determined by circumstances. No
decision has been made at the moment," Erdogan said. He had
previously said Turkey was ready to join any coalition against Syria.
10.
Davutoglu:
More massacres to come if al-Assad gains time
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.09.13) reports that Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated once again Turkey's
uncompromising stance against the regime of Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad over the use of chemical weapons in Syria, in an interview
with the private broadcaster Haberturk.
Davutoglu
stressed once again that the government had "no doubt" that
a chemical attack was carried out by the regime, after long
evaluations with experts on the matter.
"Such
an attack can only be performed with missiles by experienced experts,
that kind who are only held by the Syrian regime," he stated
regarding the chemical attacks in Homs and Damascus.
Davutoglu
added that if the al-Assad regime gained time with a months-long
inventory taking of weapons, this would amount to a "green
light" for more massacres, Anadolu Agency has reported.
The
attack was conducted to punish the civilian people and stop them
supporting the opposition, Davutoglu said.
Asked
about possible threats that Turkey might face in the event of an
attack against Syria, Davutoglu said the presence of a regime that
could use chemical weapons did constitute a threat, but refrained
from giving a timetable for an operation.
"Despite
harsh criticisms during the installation of Patriot missiles in
Turkey, we have taken all necessary measures to protect our people,"
Davutoglu said, adding that the refugee situation in the country was
also being handled well.
"Turkey
has managed the refugee crisis quite well, in a way that other
countries admire," he said. The official number of Syrian
refugees in Turkey recently surpassed 200,000, but the total number
is estimated to be in excess of 400,000.
Davutoglu
also said the Turkish government had made efforts to mediate between
the al-Assad regime and the opposition for about 10 months, while
rejecting that the government had become excessively involved with
the opposition. "We have never provided any kind of support to
the al-Nusra front in Syria," he said, while reiterating the
government's support for the "moderate" and civil
opposition, the Syria National Coalition (SNC).
11.
PKK
halts withdrawal from Turkey, maintains cease-fire
According
to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 09.09.13), following
off-cited criticism in the past couple of months towards the
government for failing to take the necessary steps as part of the
settlement process launched to settle the Kurdish issue, the
Kurdistan Communities' Union (KCK) -- an umbrella organization
encompassing the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- has announced that
PKK have stopped withdrawing from Turkey.
“While
the withdrawal of guerrillas has been halted, cease-fire will be
kept,” said the KCK in a statement published on Monday by a news
agency affiliated with PKK. “The reason why the cease-fire is being
respected is to offer the AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party
or AKP] the opportunity to take steps in line with the project of Apo
[Abdullah Ocalan],” the statement read.
The
move by the KCK is an attempt to force the government to make public
the democracy package it has prepared in line with the settlement
process. “The organization is pressuring the government to take a
step,” Mehmet Ozcan, chairman of the Ankara Strategy Institute,
told Today's Zaman, noting that the role the PKK leader will play
from now on will be important, as it's widely accepted that neither
the BDP nor the PKK would act against Ocalan's instructions.
The
BDP has signalled that the settlement process will continue if the
government agrees to take concrete steps towards settling the Kurdish
issue. “Halt of withdrawal can easily be stopped. If the government
takes concrete steps, then the problem is resolved,” Gulten
Kışanak, co-chair of the BDP said on Monday. Noting that they
continually warned, in past months, the government against not doing
its part in the process, “We desire the process to move ahead
without any interruption. The announcement that the withdrawal has
been stopped may block the settlement process,” Kışanak said at a
meeting in Istanbul.
The
KCK statement has put the blame on the government for the PKK's
latest move, accusing the government of trying to buy time till the
elections -- local (end of March) and presidential (summer) -- which
are to take place next year. “… The AKP government, which has
been tackling the issue [of settlement] in such a way as to ensure
that [the country] enters the period of local elections with the
cease-fire [still] in force, is responsible for this state of
affairs," the KCK announcement said.
12.
CHP
renews democracy vision
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.09.13) reports that
establishing a democratic society where tolerance, respect, equality
and other contemporary norms prevail, leading to a social and rule of
law-based state, is the fundamental target of the Republican People’s
Party (CHP), which celebrated its 90th
anniversary on Monday.
The
party issued a 33-article manifesto on Sunday, outlining its vision
for the future of Turkey. Apart from some basic pillars of democracy,
human rights and rule of law, the vision also renews the party’s
policies on many areas from freedom of religion to education.
Here
are some aspects of the CHP’s “new democracy” vision:
-
Universities will run themselves autonomously and the Supreme
Education Board (YOK) will be abolished. Education policy will be
overhauled in accordance with contemporary Turkey’s needs and
targets.
-
Lifestyle is the choice of individuals and the state cannot impose
lifestyle on its citizens. The press is free and cannot be censored.
We will free the press from the political party’s pressure. The
right to free assembly is complimentary to the freedom of expression.
-
Secularism is the guarantee of freedom of religion and faith. Freedom
of religion will be protected against political interventions.
-
We will re-install Turkey as a country which has a weight in regional
and global issues through a respectful, serious and stable foreign
policy prioritizing national interest, reconciled with the principles
of the Republic of Turkey, and coherent with the principle of ‘Peace
at home, peace in the world.’ We will make Turkey a full member of
the European Union and we will have good relations with all our
neighbours.
-
Pluralism and participation will be the main pillars of our political
life.
-
We will continue to produce a collective mind with all segments of
society for the solution of the Kurdish question. We will insist that
a solution must be endorsed by Parliament and should be provided
through dialogue and social conciliation, on the basis of maintaining
our national unity.
-
We will reduce the election threshold for a healthier reflection of
the people’s will at Parliament. We will empower the parliamentary
system. We will limit the immunity of lawmakers.
-
Science will be supported as a value and will be put at the centre of
our industry and development policies. Research and development will
be supported and science and scientists will be provided with an
autonomous environment. Arts and culture will be given support.
13.
22-year-old
protester dies in Turkey protests
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.09.13) reports that a
22-year-old protester in the southern province of Hatay has died in
continuing protests tied to the Gezi Park demonstrations, reportedly
after being struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired by
police.
Ahmet
Atakan passed away at around 2 a.m. on Sept. 10 in Antakya’s
flashpoint neighbourhood of Armutlu after taking part in a march that
was called to show solidarity with students and locals in Ankara
resisting against the construction of a road through Middle Eastern
Technical University (ODTU), as well as to commemorate Abdullah
Comert, another Armutlu local that was killed by police in early June
at the beginning of the Gezi protests.
Atakan
was allegedly hit by a gas canister in the head by the police.
State-run
Anadolu Agency, however, claimed that it had footage showing Atakan
falling and rolling on the ground, as well as footage of stones and a
water tank being thrown on police vehicles from the roofs.
Atakan
is the sixth protester killed in anti-government protests in Turkey
this summer.
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