TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 194/13 12-14.10.13
1. Eroglu: discussion on the territory would harm the economic activity in occupied Cyprus
2. Yorgancioglu: 3-4 months are enough for a settlement to be reached on Cyprus problem
3. CHP criticizes AKP over its Cyprus policy
4. European diplomat on the Cyprus problem: The aims is referenda to be held in March 2014
5. Talat: the Turkish side could unilaterally open the crossing point at occupied Lefka area
6. Korkmazhan accused the AKP and the Turkish Cypriot side of playing the “one step forward” game
7. Gumrukcu said Ankara wants resumption of the Cyprus talks and swiftly conclusion under a timetable
8. Ozyigit accused the “coalition government” of not being sincere on the economic package
9. Eight billion US dollars have allegedly flown to Turkey from the government-controlled area of Cyprus
10. Cicek: he can understand the Greek Cypriot opposition to Turkey's full membership, but he has difficulty explaining France's unsupportive stance
11. Haberdar newspaper will stop its circulation
12. Turkey and India signed 11 agreements
13. Gul to perform Hajj alongside two million Muslim pilgrims
1. Eroglu: discussion on the territory would harm the economic activity in occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (13.10.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that they are looking for an agreement on the Cyprus problem that would satisfy the Turkish Cypriot people. Addressing on Saturday a ceremony on the occasion of the 38th anniversary from the establishment of the National Unity Party (UBP), Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey are determined to bring the issue to the point of being submitted to referenda in March or April next year.
Pointing out to the importance of the cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot parties on their “national causes” in spite of their different views, Eroglu said that the Cyprus negotiations continue for years and claimed that no one has the right to “waste Turkish Cypriot people’s time” any more.
Eroglu said that there are one or two issues which have not been discussed in the negotiations and added that one of them is the guarantees. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side has put forward its criteria for the territory issue, Eroglu reiterated the view that the territory will be discussed after an agreement is reached on all other issues and before the summit that will be held with the participation of the guarantor powers. Eroglu alleged that starting to debate the territory without agreeing on any other issue, would harm all the economic activities in the “country” and could create concern.
Eroglu noted that they could not even agree on a joint statement with the Greek Cypriot side before the beginning of the negotiations and added that he suggested the commencement of the negotiations without an agreed text for a joint statement is formed.
Referring to the internal affairs of the UBP, Eroglu said that the duty of the members of the party now is to “firmly stick together around chairman Huseyin Ozgurgun”.
In his address, Ozgurgun said that the intensification of the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is understood from the importance and the interest shown for the preparations. He noted that they fully support and trust Eroglu in the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.
(I/Ts.)
2. Yorgancioglu: 3-4 months are enough for a settlement to be reached on Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.10.13) reports that the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, stated that he is very hopeful for the solution of the Cyprus problem, noting that if there are good intentions, 3-4 months are enough for a settlement to be reached.
Yorgancioglu was speaking to illegal Bayrak television.
He went on and said that international interest on the Cyprus problem has been increased and added that a solution will help the economic situation of the Greek Cypriot side. “They must pay attention to this and come to the negotiation table with good intentions”, he claimed.
He also said that he is in great terms with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and that they meet every Tuesday to evaluate the developments on the Cyprus problem and internal issues.
3. CHP criticizes AKP over its Cyprus policy
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (13.10.13) reported that Faruk Logoglu, vice president of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has criticized the policy followed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on the Cyprus problem. “Our Cyprus cause is not a game in the hands of AKP and a life preserver for Mr Davutoglu”, said Logoglu in a written statement.
He noted that from Davutoglu’s recent statements, it is understood that important developments will happen on the Cyprus problem in the forthcoming period and argued that “it is not a coincidence that the AKP government, which has been keeping the matter in the lower tiers for a long time, is now putting forward the Cyprus issue”.
Logoglu said that the CHP has always been supporting a just and lasting solution based on the equality of the two “peoples” in Cyprus and alleged that as long as the Greek Cypriot side’s statements regarding its good will in the negotiations are not supported with concrete steps, these mean nothing for the process.
Referring to Davutoglu’s statements, he said that even though they are “pleasant to the ear” they are not “reassuring”. He noted that the benefit that will be secured for the “TRNC” from the visits of the Greek Cypriot representative to Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot representative to Athens is not obvious. He argued that while Greece preserves its stance regarding not recognizing the “TRNC”, “it is obvious” that Turkey might be exposed to pressures by the USA and the EU starting from the opening of its sea ports and airports for the Greek Cypriots. “Our concerns on this issue are strengthened by the fact that the proposal came from the Greek Cypriot side and that the details mentioned by Davutoglu on the issue have not been confirmed by the Greek Cypriot side”, he added.
Logoglu argued that it is understood that Davutoglu will want to try his luck in Cyprus by doing the “strong political will trick”, but Turkey is alone today. He added that on the one hand there are not many circles which would support Turkey in Cyprus and on the other Turkey has lost its strength in the Mediterranean because of Davutoglu’s policy. He added: “The conditions are not in favor of the Turkish side. As for the Turkish side, it will not adopt a solution which will be reached by giving concessions only for the sake of gaining political points…”
(I/Ts.)
4. European diplomat on the Cyprus problem: The aims is referenda to be held in March 2014
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.10.13) writes that CNN Turk television channel citing information by a European diplomat, broadcast that there is light at the end of the tunnel as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and that the aim is for referenda to be held in March 2014.
According to the same source, important developments are expected to take place in the coming months and the intention is the negotiations to be completed soon so that referenda to be held in March.
5. Talat: the Turkish side could unilaterally open the crossing point at occupied Lefka area
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (14.10.13) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has argued that a “more optimistic environment” comparing to the past was created for the Cyprus problem after the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) came to “power” in the occupied area of the island. In statements on a television program, Talat recalled of President Anastasiades’ recent meetings in the USA, and especially the one with President Obama, and said that “this was done for no one else during the last years”.
Noting that having all these as starting point, he believes that a solution is possible in Cyprus, but “timing is needed”. Talat went on and said that this “timing” should not be wasted by saying that “if nothing happens after this, everyone will go his own way”. He said that the timing or the time table should be planned for the solution and that we have two alternatives before us: the one is the solution and the other is the current environment.
Responding to the opening of a barricade in Apliki village area near occupied Lefka, Talat said that it is normal for this issue to come onto the agenda, but stressed the importance of being concentrated on the solution. He noted that the inhabitants of occupied Lefka should be saved from the so-called isolation and added that in case the Greek Cypriot side puts forward other conditions regarding the opening of Apliki crossing point, the Turkish side could unilaterally open the barricade, just like it did with the crossing point at Ledra Street area in Nicosia.
(I/Ts.)
6. Korkmazhan accused the AKP and the Turkish Cypriot side of playing the “one step forward” game
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (14.10.13) reports that the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan accused the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Turkish Cypriot side of playing the “one step forward” game” as regards the Cyprus problem.
Korkmazhan criticized the statements made by various Turkish and Turkish Cypriot politicians who say that a solution could be reached and a referendum could be conducted in March 2014, noting that they are not realistic since the negotiations have not even started yet and the ground in which they will be conducted is not even clear yet.
7. Gumrukcu said Ankara wants resumption of the Cyprus talks and swiftly conclusion under a timetable
Under the title “Hopes high for revival of Cyprus peace talks”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 13.10.13) reported that talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus are set to restart soon as diplomats eye a settlement to an issue that has long poisoned Turkey's attempts to become an European Union member.
Brussels froze negotiations in 2006 on eight of the chapters following Ankara's failure to open its ports to shipping from member Cyprus. "Cyprus remains the main obstacle on the road toward Turkey's integration. Several chapters are blocked because of this issue," a European diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"We are hopeful that the process can start all over again by the end of October," the diplomat added, despite thorny issues that need to be addressed like the sharing of the island's energy wealth.
"We want talks to resume as soon as possible and to be concluded swiftly under a timetable," Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Gumrukcu told AFP. "We are not rediscovering the wheel. The Cyprus problem remains unresolved for 50 years and the issues to be addressed as well as settlement parameters are clear-cut," he said.
"We are not naively optimistic, but we receive positive signals from the other side. There's an important window of opportunity for a settlement," said Gumrukcu. "If we can utilize this chance, many issues considered risky today such as energy resources will create an opportunity for peace and cooperation in the entire eastern Mediterranean."
8. Ozyigit accused the “coalition government” of not being sincere on the economic package
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (14.10.13) reports that the general secretary of the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit stressed that the “coalition government” of the Republican Turkish Party and Democratic Party (CTP-DP) says one thing to Ankara and another thing to the Turkish Cypriots.
While the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas were saying directly to the people that there is no privatization in the agenda, at the same time they were giving promises orally and written to Ankara that they will implement the economic programme, Ozyigit said, adding that the economic programme envisages privatizations. Ozyigit accused Yorgancioglu and Denktas of saying one thing to Ankara and another thing to the people.
Reminding that they have insistently called on Yorgancioglu several times to reveal the context of the letter he sent to Ankara, Ozyigit stressed that he has not announced yet what they have accepted and what they haven’t accepted from the economic package. Ozyigit wondered where Yorgancioglu’s transparency on the economic package is and accused him of not being so different from the National Unity Party (UBP).
9. Eight billion US dollars have allegedly flown to Turkey from the government-controlled area of Cyprus
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (14.10.13) reports that the “traces” of eight billion US dollars, which according to the current deficit data of last July and August had flown into Turkey from an unknown source, have become clear. According to allegations discussed nowadays in Ankara’s backstage, the money belongs to so-called “Russian oligarchs”, who abandoned the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus looking for a new address for their money.
The debates on Turkey’s “record” in current deficit, which was 4.8 billion dollars in July and decreased to 2.8 billion dollars in August, are continuing, writes the paper. According to some speculations, this money was “money kept under the pillow”, or it belonged to Iraqi wealthy people or it came from the war in Syria or due to the embargo implemented on Iran. The latest allegation is that the money belongs to Russians, who took them away from Cyprus, due to the measures taken because of the economic crisis.
(I/Ts.)
10. Cicek: he can understand the Greek Cypriot opposition to Turkey's full membership, but he has difficulty explaining France's unsupportive stance
According to news portal World Bulletin (online, 11.10.13), the lack of progress in Turkey's EU accession bid has disappointed its people the Speaker of Turkish Parliament Cemil Cicek said on Friday.
Cicek received the EU Ambassador to Turkey Jean-Maurice Ripert in a bilateral meeting during which he complained of obstacles the French government placed in the way of better negotiations.
"Turkey has all but run out of chapters to negotiate in," Cicek told Ripert. "If France doesn't lift its blocking, as well as other countries, how are we going to move the accession process forward?"
Cicek said that while he could understand the Greek Cypriot opposition to Turkey's full membership, he had difficulty explaining France's unsupportive stance given the unique historic ties between the two states.
Ripert on his part said progress had been slow but present since 2006 when Turkey and the EU began membership negotiations in earnest.
He said there were changes in France's perspective on Turkey's accession to the 28-member bloc following Francois Hollande's election into the presidency. France was not against Turkey's membership, he added.
11. Haberdar newspaper will stop its circulation
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (14.10.13) reports that as of today it will stop its circulation. No reasons are mentioned at the report for the decision. The paper was published in the occupied area of Cyprus for four years.
12. Turkey and India signed 11 agreements
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 13.10.13), under the title “India-Turkey relations set to take off”, reported that the recent visit by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee may well represent a new stage in bilateral ties between Turkey and India as two of the world's emerging economies move to strengthen their relations, analysts agree.
On Monday, Turkey and India signed 11 agreements, five of which are intergovernmental, to enhance cooperation between the two nations. Mukherjee's visit is the first by an Indian head of state in 15 years.
Mukherjee's visit came after Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's three-day visit to Ankara in July, during which the two countries agreed to draw up an action plan for the years 2014-2016 to boost cooperation in various fields, including trade, investments, defense, science and technology, education, culture and sports.
“[This visit of mine] will open a new, meaningful chapter [in bilateral relations],” Khurshid, who was received by Turkey's President and Prime Minister as well as his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, told Sunday's Zaman before leaving Turkey.
Mukherjee's visit saw extensive discussions on bilateral, multilateral and global issues, and India and Turkey agreed to initiate comprehensive dialogue mechanisms to exchange their perspectives on all areas of mutual interest. The scope of cooperation could cover the UN, the G-20 economies and other multilateral groups, as well as global issues like climate change, sustainable development, food security and energy security.
Before leaving for Turkey, the Indian President said in an exclusive interview with Sunday's Zaman that Indian construction companies are open to cooperating with Turkish firms on projects in Central Asia. Energy projects and regional transportation corridors may also be areas of cooperation between the two countries.
13. Gul to perform Hajj alongside two million Muslim pligrims
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 13.10.13) reported that Turkish President Abdullah Gul departed for Saudi Arabia today to perform the Hajj, becoming the first President of Turkey ever to have performed the duty while still in office.
Gul will join some 2 million pilgrims at the Muslim holy city of Mecca Oct. 13 to begin the annual Hajj.
Elected as President in August 2007, Gul's term in office will end in August 2014. He is also scheduled to meet senior Saudi officials during his visit, which will end on Oct. 17.
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