TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.
195/13 15.10.13
1. Eroglu claimed that a solution is not difficult to ne achieved
2. Ertug: the negotiations should start even without a joint
statement
3.
Koening: US is preparing to take on a more active role on the Cyprus problem
4. Cakici and Izcan accused CTP and DP of following the same policy
with UBP
5.
Hugh Pope: Cyprus settlement is a condition in order Israel gas goes to Turkey
through a pipeline
6. Yildiz:
Turkey to develop oil fields in Afghanistan
7.
Demirtas not among BDP delegation visiting PKK leader
8.
74% of the project carrying water to occupied Cyprus is completed
9.
Erdogan says surprised by resignations in Turkish navy
1. Eroglu claimed that a solution is not difficult to ne achieved
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (15.10.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu,
stated that the aim of the Turkish side is a solution to be reached until
March for the Cyprus problem and added
that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey are in consensus on this issue.
Eroglu who issued a message for the
KurbanBayram (Feast of Sacrifice), claimed that if the Greek Cypriots have the
intention, is not difficult for a solution to be reached if we are based on the
realities of Cyprus. “But if (the Greek Cypriots) dream of returning to the pro
1974 situation, they are wasting our time to no avail”, he alleged.
He went on and added that if we are
concentrated on the negotiations, is possible for the two sides to hold
referenda simultaneously until March 2014.
2. Ertug: the negotiations should start even without a joint
statement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(15.10.13) reports that Osman Ertug, special representative of the Turkish
Cypriot leader Eroglu, has alleged that the Turkish side will exert every
effort in order for the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem to start on 4 November.
In statements yesterday to illegal Bayrak
television, Ertug argued yesterday that the negotiations should start even
without a joint statement.
“The other side behaves as if the joint
statement is the negotiations itself. Negotiations should start even if the
preparation work does not produce the anticipated joint statement”, he claimed.
Explaining what the Turkish side wants to
be included in the joint statement, Ertug said: “The joint statement should be
related to the fact that the works, the negotiations will continue from the
point they were left. This is what happened in 2010 as well. The president has
even sent a letter to the [UN] Secretary-General”.
Ertug claimed that the Greek Cypriot side
tries to include in the joint statement issues that should be discussed at the
negotiating table and described this “demanding” stance as “putting the cart
before the horse”.
Ertug said that the time table of the
visits of the representatives of the two sides to Athens and Ankara has not
been determined yet. He noted that they think that these meetings will take
place in the second half of October and added that “the place of the negotiations
is Cyprus”. He said that the mutual visits will aim at “understanding each
other and softening the climate”.
Ertug alleged that taking into
consideration the elections in Turkey and the so-called elections in the
occupied area of Cyprus, “March is a natural time table”. He argued that the
international community has been tired of the Cyprus problem and that the UN
Secretary-General himself has said this.
“The target for a referendum in March is
realistic. Political will is enough for this to happen”, he claimed and alleged
that President Anastasiades is putting preconditions for the procedure with his
statements regarding the occupied closed Varosha, single identity and the
continuation of the Republic of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
3. Koening:
US is preparing to take on a more active role on the Cyprus problem
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 14.10.13), the US Ambassador to Cyprus John Koening in an interview to
the “BRT” gave important messages on the policies the US will carry out in Cyprus
in the coming period.
The US Ambassador said that the United
States is preparing to take on a more active role on the Cyprus problem in the
period ahead.
Reiterating US support for a solution in
Cyprus, Koening based the US’s position on Cyprus with its common interests
with its allies in the region. He added: “We play a political role in
encouraging the two sides to look hard as to where the opportunities might lie,
how they can adjust perhaps their position on a certain issue so that they can
gain an overall benefit of the settlement of the Cyprus problem”.
Evaluating the special representatives’
visits to Ankara and Athens as useful with respect to the opening of new
channels of communication, he said he does not agree with claims that the
Turkish Cypriots were alienated from the process. “We never think that the
Turkish Cypriots can be cut out of the process, to reach a settlement to the
Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cypriots are key players. They are one of the two
communities that need to build a united Cyprus”, Koening added.
Referring to the natural gas resources on
the island, the US Ambassador said the natural resources must be shared equally
on the island.
On the issue of the opening of the fenced
off town of Varosha and the occupied airport of Tymvou, Koening said: “The
logic is that Cypriots need hope to carry them through this settlement process,
therefore this is very important”.
4.Cakici and Izcan accused CTP and DP of following the same
policy with UBP
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi
newspaper (15.10.13) reports that Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP) and IzzetIzcan chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP)
issued statements for the KurbanBayram (Feast of Sacrifice) accusing the
coalition “government” of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Democratic
Party (DP) of following the same policy followed by the National Unity Party
(UBP).
Cakici said that the “people”
gave a very important lesson to UBP with the “elections”; however the CTP-DP
“government continues from where UBP left. He said that the new “government”
continues with the chaos left with UBP and gave no hope to the Turkish
Cypriots.
On his part, Izcan said that
there is no difference between UBP and CTP. He also said that the cultural,
economic and political enforcement of the Turkish Justice and Development Party
is applied step by step by the CTP-DP “government”.
5. Hugh
Pope: Cyprus settlement is a condition in order Israel gas goes to Turkey
through a pipeline
Under the title “Forget the Israeli gas
without a solution in the island”, Turkish daily Hurriyet (15.10.13) reports
that Hugh Pope, Project Director, Turkey/Cyprus of the International Crisis
Group, commenting on the issue of carrying the natural gas found in the open of
Israel to Turkey through a pipeline, said that this project is very difficult
to be materialized without a solution on the Cyprus problem, adding that if
there is not a solution, then Turkey will lose out.
Noting that the problem actually is
political, Pope wonders if Turkey wants to do this project with Israel. Another
reportedly just danger of Ankara on this issue is that the pipeline to Turkey
would have to go through the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. There is
no other route. Pope added that he does not think that they will build it
(pipeline) without the permission of the Cyprus government.
The huge natural gas reserves of Tamar and
Leviathan found in the opening of Israel may be a landmark from the point of
geopolitical balance in the Mediterranean, Pope noted.He added that while it is
appeared as a condition the cooperation between Turkey and Cyprus for Israeli
gas exports, Turkey’s approach will determine the gas route.
Stressing that in an ideal world the most
natural place of the Israeli gas to go is Turkey, however, he said, the pain
reality of this area is that the populist approaches of all the countries in
this region is everyone keeps to his own line. They never work together.
According to Pope, if the Israeli gas goes
to Turkey, there are three options:
1)
It can be joined directly to
Turkey’s national grid.
2)
It can be joined to the TANAP
(Trans-Anatolia Natural Gas Pipeline)
3)
It will link directly to the
TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline)
6. Yildiz:
Turkey to develop oil fields in Afghanistan
According to Turkish daily Sabah
(15.10.13), Turkey will take part in the development of oil fields in
Afghanistan, Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister TanerYildiz said.
Yildiz said that the Afghan government has
approved the participation of the Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) in the
development of the country's oilfields. He also noted that in the near future
TPAO and the Dragon Oil company from the UAEwill start drilling exploration
wells at the Afghan-Tajik oil field, located in the north of Afghanistan.
7. Demirtas
not among BDP delegation visiting PKK leader
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online,1410.13), with the above, title reported that the pro-Kurdish Peace and
Democracy Party (BDP) co-Chairperson SelahattinDemirtas, who has been a part of
almost every BDP visit to the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah
Ocalan, was not among the BDP delegation that left to visit Ocalan on Monday.
BDP parliamentary group deputy chairman
IdrisBaluken and parliamentary group deputy chairwoman PervinBuldan went to
visit Ocalan on Imralı, an island prison in the Sea of Marmara, on Sunday.
Furthermore, Demirtas has recently denied
claims that he has decided to resign from his post after his party
administration rejected his request for an extraordinary congress.
“There is no crisis in the party. There is
also no dissidence in our party. I have no plans to resign. Such [elected]
positions are temporary duties given to us by our people. When the time comes,
we will also leave our posts,” Demirtas said, adding that there is no
extraordinary congress issue on the party's agenda for now.
Furthermore, under the title “PKK leader
Ocalan says still hopeful of Turkey peace deal”, HDN reported that Ocalan said
on Monday he was still hopeful a peace deal with the Turkish state was possible
but argued that Ankara needed to shift the process into a new gear. "The
process that we started last year has great meaning," Ocalan said in a
statement relayed by Peace and Democracy lawmakers who visited him in prison.
"I have presented my proposals to the
state both in writing and verbally. I am waiting for the state's response for
meaningful, deep negotiations," Ocalan said, without elaborating.
In exchange for a withdrawal of its forces
to bases in Iraq, the PKK had demanded changes to the electoral system, right
to education in the Kurdish language and a degree of regional autonomy. On
September 30, Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan announced a package of democratic
reforms, many of them aimed at enhancing the rights of the sizeable Kurdish
community. However the PKK argued that the reforms fall short, accusing Erdogan
of trying to buy time and being focused solely on the next election.
8. 74%
of the project carrying water to occupied Cyprus is completed
According to Turkish daily Zaman
(15.10.13), the project to transport water to the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus via a system of underwater pipelines from the Alakopru Dam in
Mersin's Anamur district is expected to boost the region's economy by reviving
the agricultural sector.
The project is very close to completion as
the construction of the dam is almost finished. The project manager for the
building of the dam, Ali Cakmak, recently told reporters that 74% of the work
is done. The wall of the dam will be finished in two weeks.
The land on which the dam is constructed
and over which the water distribution pipeline passes was bought by the
government, Cakmak said, adding that TL 67 million was paid for the land. The
Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning will put the building of new
residences for the families who lived on the land out to tender on April 14.
In a recent event, Mersin Governor
Guzeloglu called the project the “pride of Turkey” and the prestige of the
country. He said the construction of the dam is one of the phases of the
project.
The plan, which is called the “dream
project” and is the first of its kind in the world, aims to carry 75 million
cubic meters of water annually from the Dragon River to the occupied Panagra
dam near the occupied town of Kyreneia through a pipeline 78 kilometres in
length. Around 15 million cubic meters of this water will be used as tap water,
whereas the remaining 60 million cubic meters will be designated for irrigation
purposes.
9. Erdogan
says surprised by resignations in Turkish navy
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
15.10.13) reports that Turkey's Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan said he is
surprised and deeply saddened by resignations of several senior commanders from
Turkish navy in what appears a protest against a court verdict that upheld the
convictions of leading members of Turkish military.
Speaking after Eid al-Adha prayer on
Tuesday, Erdogan wished for a happy and peaceful Eid for all Muslims in the
world. He also touched upon several issues regarding Turkish politics and
regional affairs.
Erdogan said he was surprised by a series
of resignations in the Turkish navy, expressing his fury over timing of the
move of commanders.
Turkish Coast Guard Commander Vice Admiral
AtillaKezek, Coast Guard Commander Rear Admiral Sami Orguc and several other
high-ranking members of the Turkish navy have allegedly resigned from their
posts in protest against the decision of a Turkish appeals court that upheld
the convictions of leading members of the Turkish military charged with
plotting to overthrow the civilian government.
Erdogan said a commander who loves his
nation and state, should put his country's interests and priorities above
anything else.
He also lamented the fact that many
countries in the Middle East region, namely Syrian and Egypt, entered the Eid
with prolonged conflicts that risk tearing the region apart.
When asked about the remarks of imprisoned
leader of the PKK on a new round of talks to accelerate the peace process,
Erdogan declined to comment and said his government will assess the latest
meeting between the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) delegation and
PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan on Monday.
Erdogan also warned the BDP deputies to
avoid inflammatory remarks if they don't want to risk losing right of meeting
with the PKK chief in the island.
According to the Turkish Penal Code, a
convicted prisoner can't meet with outsiders other than his lawyer and family,
if he serves life in prison. Ocalan is able to meet with the BDP deputies with
a special permission from the Justice Ministry.
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