TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 226/13 29.11.13
1. The breakaway
regime alleges that it is their right to carry out explorations for natural gas
in the sea of Cyprus
2. Nami: The UN
resolutions state clearly the basis of the federal solution in Cyprus
3. Talat: The UN “is
far from accepting” the approach that two founding independent states will
unite to establish a federation in Cyprus
4. Denktas: it is said
that an improved Annan Plan is being prepared
5. Eroglu: We want a new state and not a
continuation of the Republic of Cyprus
6. Statement by the
regime on the violation of the buffer zone by the Turkish army and Turkish
Cypriot farmers in occupied Zodia area
7. TGP
starts again its political activity
8.
Taraf argues MGK ruled to eliminate Gulen organization in 2004
9. Arinc
said that the MGK decision on 2004 was only advisory
10.
Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan sign landmark energy contracts: Sources
1. The breakaway
regime alleges that it is their right to carry out explorations for natural gas
in the sea of Cyprus
According to a statement issued yesterday
(28.11.13) by the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs of the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, it is the regime’s right
to carry out explorations for natural resources in the island’s exclusive
economic zone. The full-text of the statement published on the “ministry’s”
website (http://mfa.gov.ct.tr/tr-tr/anasayfa/haberler.aspx) is the following:
“Based on the existing rights of the Turkish
Cypriot people on the island’s continental shelf, on 22 September 2011, the
TRNC Council of Ministers licensed the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to
explore/ extract oil/natural gas in determined fields. Within this framework,
the first seismic explorations were carried out in the end of 2011.
TPAO’s Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha vessel came to
the area in order to carry out more detailed explorations in the licensed fields
within the scope of the Agreement signed on 2 November 2011 with the TRNC
Government.
The Turkish Cypriots, who are co-owners of the
island of Cyprus, like on every issue, have equal and inseparable rights in the
exploring, extracting, and managing the natural resources, which are in the
island’s area of jurisdiction. Within this framework, it is natural for the
Turkish Cypriot side to carry out works in the licensed fields it had
determined. The reactions exhibited by the South Cyprus Greek Administration
based on the rejection of the existence of the TRNC are groundless and
unwarranted. When it is recalled that actually it is the Greek Cypriot side the
one that threatened stability by launching unilateral actions in the area, it
is once again evident that these reactions are deprived of reasoning.
The Turkish Cypriot side has been preserving
since the very beginning and is still preserving the belief that the sharing of
the island’s natural resources could be solved with mutual dialogue and good
will. The proposals, which the Turkish Cypriot side submitted to the Greek
Cypriot side and to the UN Secretary-General on 24 September 2011 and 29
September 2012 calling for the sharing of the island’s natural resources in a
fair manner, are still valid. The Greek Cypriot side, which did not give a
positive response to these proposals, is continuing its unilateral efforts for
exploring/extracting hydrocarbons in the area ignoring the rights of the
Turkish Cypriots.
The allegation published in the Greek Cypriot
press that it is not a coincidence that this initiative of the Turkish Cypriot
side coincided with the meeting held the day before yesterday between President
DervisEroglu and the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos
Anastasiades is far from being serious. Those who are interested with the issue
know that this kind of works is based on long lasting planning. Moreover, the
Turkish Cypriot side’s efforts in the direction of resuming the full-fledged
negotiations soon within the framework of the UN’s good offices mission and the
unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot side on this issue are very well known by
the international community.
The most correct road to be followed for being
able to secure peace and stability on the island and Eastern Mediterranean is
for the Greek Cypriot side to be directed towards the resumption of effective
negotiations aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem,
by putting an end to its policies of increasing tension in the area, and until
the comprehensive solution is reached to contribute in carrying out
exploration/extraction activities on a
common ground which will be determined with a mutual agreement until a
comprehensive solution is reached”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Nami: The UN Resolutions state clearly the basis
of the federal solution in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi (online, 29.11.13) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled
minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, has said that the UN Security Council Resolutions clearly
state the basis of the federal solution in Cyprus and added that the
negotiations process “could not be driven outside the framework drawn in the
Annan Plan”.
In statements
today during a meeting with a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce,
Nami claimed that the Cyprus talks could not resume at the level of the
leaders, because of what he called as “obstinate stance” of the Greek Cypriot
side on the issue of the joint statement.
Noting that the
UN Security Council Resolutions clearly state the basis of the federal solution
in Cyprus, Nami said that no side could act outside these Resolutions. He
pointed out that a joint statement which will stay loyal to this must
definitely come out. He went on and alleged:
“…Of course,
neither side could drag the process to a structure outside the framework drawn
in the Annan Plan, to which the majority of the people said ‘yes’…”
Nami said that
the federation which will be established will have a single international
identity and its sovereignty will equally originate from the Turkish and Greek
Cypriots. He noted that a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot founding state
with equal status will also exist together with the federal government. He
pointed out that the UN Security Council Rresolutions clearly refer to the form
of the solution stated in the agreements of 23 May 2008 and 1 July 2008. Nami
said that the sides should remain loyal to the convergences achieved after
these agreements and try to build something. He noted that the joint statement
should mention all these.
Nami said that
the EU principles and norms will be valid in the entire island in a federal
Cyprus, but bi-zonality will be protected. He argued that a joint statement
which will respect all these should be enough.
Nami claimed
that Turkey offers them a great support on this issue and added that a solution
in favour of everybody’s interests should be materialized.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (29.11.13) reports that Nami, commenting on
his participation in the ECO’s 21st Council of Minister meeting for the first
time under an observer status with the title of “foreign minister of Turkish
Cypriot state”, said that their foreign contacts are a result of a continuous
intense efforts beginning from the previous “government”.
Addressing the
“assembly” of the regime, Nami thanked the Iranian government for its interest
and said that during his contacts he had the opportunity to meet with the
Iranian President and high ranking officials.
Nami explained
that this kind of contacts is possible due to the ‘yes’ vote of the Turkish
Cypriots to the Annan Plan.
Commenting on
the process of the Cyprus talks, Nami said that the so-called ministry of
foreign affairs follows very close the negotiations. He added that he has close
relations with the so-called presidency.
3. Talat: The UN
“is far from accepting” the approach that two founding independent states will unite
to establish a federation in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.11.13)
reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, former Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that the
spokespersons of the Turkish side state from time to time that two “sovereign
states” exist in Cyprus and that these “states” will establish a federation.
According to his office, in statements to a television program, Talat argued
that if instead of the above position, it was said that “the two wings of the
federal state will be two founding states”, the reaction of the Greek Cypriot
side would be decreased. He added that this is necessary for the solution.
Talat went on and said that the UN is “far from
accepting” the approach that two founding states will come together as
independent states” and recalled that this position [of the UN] is strengthened
by the Resolutions of the Security Council [as regards Cyprus].
Talat commented also on the recent meeting
between President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leaderDervisEroglu and
argued that no result could easily be taken out from the negotiating processthrough
“social meetings”. He expressed the view that the efforts to advance or launch
the process with “social meetings” are “actually indicating deadlock”.
Talat went on and said that he sees no reason
in organizing social meetings to declare disagreement and alleged that “this
result at the very most was useful for Anastasiades’ having the opportunity to
complain about the Turkish side before his visit to Europe”.
Talat claimed that the Greek Cypriot side
exaggerates on the issue of agreeing on a joint statement. He alleged that this
has almost become an “obsession” for the Greek Cypriot side and it has been
turned into a “necessity” because the international community “plays this
game”.
(I/Ts.)
4.Denktas: it is
said that an improved Annan Plan is being prepared
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.11.13)
reports that SerdarDenktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and “minister” of
economy, tourism and culture of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged an “improved Annan Plan” is being prepared
for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
In statements yesterday during a meeting with a
delegation from Turkey’s War Veterans’ Association, Denktas alleged that this
plan would not be in Turkish Cypriots’ favor and that if they gave concessions
from their identity, rights, equality and sovereignty, a solution would be
achieved “tomorrow morning”.
Addressing the war veterans, Denktas claimed:
“You came to Cyprus in 1974 and fought for these lands. The Greek
administration of south Cyprus has never supported an equal agreement. It is
said that an improved Annan Plan is being preparedthese days. This improvement
will not be for us, of course. If we give concessions from our identity,
rights, equality and sovereignty in order for being opened to the world, the
solution will be achieved tomorrow morning. However, we are protecting these
rights of ours”.
Denktas went on and referred to the provisional
agreement signed in Zurich between the Cyprus Football Association, the Turkish
Cypriot so-called football association, UEFA and FIFA and argued: “This text is
not appropriate for the sports of our country. I am opposing to this agreement,
because it will abolish our equality rights. This agreement would be tantamount
to zeroing the struggle given for years. We have to work for improving the text
of the agreement for the Turkish side”.
(I/Ts.)
5. Eroglu:
We want a new state and not a continuation of the Republic of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Star Kibris (29.11.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu
said that Turkish Cypriots want a new state and not a continuation of the
Republic of Cyprus. He claimed that they haven’t yet seen any compromise from
the Greek Cypriot side.
During a meeting
with a delegation from the War Veterans Society in Turkey, Eroglu argued that
they have been carrying out negotiations for an agreement since 1964
adding that neither the Turkish Cypriots nor the world has the patience
to wait another 50 years for a solution.
6. Statement by the
regime on the violation of the buffer zone by the Turkish army and Turkish
Cypriot farmers in occupied Zodia area
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (29.11.13)
reports that RamazanBiryilmaz, director of the so-called housing and
rehabilitation department of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, has said that around three thousand donums of land
[Translator’s note: a donum is a land measure of about 1000 square meters] had
been leased to 55-66 Turkish Cypriot farmers in the occupied areas of Zodia,
Kutrafas and Petra villages and added that these farmers cultivate fields “in
the area north of the UN”.
He said that Greek Cypriots cultivate fields in
the area “south of the UN” and argued that the Turkish Cypriot farmers grow
their plants “in their own area with permission given by the army” and there
“is absolutely no violation”.
Noting that tension exists in the buffer zone
in Zodia, the paper writes that on Saturday, 7 December the Cyprus Farmers
Union (EKA) will organize a protest at the barricade of occupied Zodia under
the slogan “Together United”. According
to the paper, the general secretary of EKA, PanikkosHambas has issued a
statement noting that after the agreement of demining the buffer zone in the
area, the Greek Cypriot farmers could not cultivate their fields 200 meters in
front of the positions of the Turkish army and that Turkish Cypriot farmers
started using these fields. He said that during their protest, they will return
to their land with tractors. EKA points out that the property rights in the
buffer zone belong to the Greek Cypriots and that the Turkish army violated the
agreement of demining the buffer zone by giving the fields to Turkish Cypriot
farmers, notes YeniDuzen.
(I/Ts.)
7. TGP starts again its political activity
Turkish Cypriot
daily Volkan (29.11.13) reports that EnverDincoglu, chairman of the “association
of the settlers”, in a press conference yesterday, announced that the Social
Evolution Party (TGP), which was suspended 9 years ago, has launched again its
political activities since 15 November, 2013.
Dincoglu, who is
again the leader of TGP, said that the aim of the party is to prevent the dirty
politics and to erase the victimization, which is a result of the double
standards policies. He argued that the current political parties cannot
contribute to the economic, cultural and social development of the breakaway
regime.
8. Taraf argues MGK ruled to eliminate Gulen
organization in 2004
Turkish daily
Taraf (28.11.13) reporter Mehmet Baransu, under the title “Decision to end
Gulen made by MGK in 2004”, wrote that at the National Security Council's (MGK)
meeting in August 2004 the government was informed of the advisory decision
"to draw up a plan of action against the Community" under the
headline: "Measures Needed to be Taken to Counter Activities by the
FethullahGulen Group."
The MGK ruling
reads: "Legislation that introduces heavy sanctions needs to be passed and
an action plan needs to be drawn up" in order to block "Nurist
activities and the activities of institutions belonging to the FethullahGulen
group." The MGK ruling, dated 25 August 2004, was signed by the then
President of the Republic AhmetNecdetSezer, Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan,
Chief of the General Staff HilmiOzkok and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as well
as by five other Ministers. That same document was signed by MGK members
AytacYalman, OzdenOrnek, Ibrahim Firtina and M. SenerEruygur.
The topic of
"Nurist activities in Turkey and FethullahGulen" was addressed at the
MGK meeting on 24 June 2004. The meeting made 15 separate decisions relating to
ending the Gulen Group's activities. The ruling was turned into a two-page
document, given a heading and passed on to the relevant people. On 25 August
2004 it was signed by all the Council members and presented to the then
President of the Republic AhmetNecdetSezer.
Prime Ministry to enforce
In the ruling,
which is on record as MGK Decision Number 481, it underscores that a decision
was made "to come up with a plan of action" while listing each and
every step to be taken by official institutions. It is also stressed that
attention needs to be paid to the "psychological operation aspect" of
the topic. As for the measures to be applied to the Gulen Community, the
Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry and MIT [National Intelligence
Organization] Undersecretary's Offices were tasked with this under the
coordination of the Prime Ministry Enforcement and Coordination Board
(BUTKK)."
Community schools to be monitored
Here are some of
the item headings in the MGK ruling made as an advisory decision in 2004:
"The activities both foreign and domestic of the F. Gulen group should be
monitored closely by the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the MIT
Undersecretary's Office and other pertinent agencies under the coordination of
the BUTKK. If the F. Gulen group needs to be closely followed by the state's
officials serving abroad additional measures will need to be developed by the
Foreign Ministry. The activities of private schools belonging to the F. Gulen
group need to be examined and kept track of by the Interior Ministry and the
Education Ministry. The suspicious and illegal activities going on in schools
belonging to this group should be reported periodically to the BUTKK."
Student homes needs to be obstructed
The MGK ruling
reads: "Legislation introducing heavy sanctions needs to be passed."
The ruling also places emphasis on "student homes." The MGK ruling
emphasized the need to make legislation effective and says: "The
activities of the F. Gulen group to gain sympathizers and supporters by means
of its 'Student Homes' should be carefully monitored by the Interior Ministry.
The practice of 'Student Homes" which give religious education using
illegal means and which are a system for gathering supporters by making
religion a kind of tool should be obstructed."
Donators should be monitored
The ruling of 25
August 2005 says this about MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board)
monitoring businessmen who make donation to the Community: "Improper
monetary activities and money laundering practices through donations need to be
tracked by the Ministry of Finance and MASAK."
Circulars to be withdrawn
One other
important detail in the document that grabs the attention is the call to have
the circular relating to aid for the National View to be withdrawn. The
decision is made to pull two circulars sent by Abdullah Gul as Foreign
Minister. In the ruling it calls for the circulars numbered 3846 and 3847,
which Gul had sent to the embassies calling for the Gulen schools and the
National View to be given assistance, to be recalled.
Reported in Taraf
AlperGormus was
the journalist who first drew attention to the existence of the action plan
[decision] made at the MGK to counter the Community. In his "Media
Ironic" column in Taraf on 24 February 2012, Gormus wrote an article with
the headline: "MGK Rules in 2004 to Monitor the Community." He wrote:
"The question is this: If the allegation is true that the decision to
purge those cadres within the state that are thought to be connected to the
Community was made before MIT Undersecretary HakanFidan was compelled to give a
statement, just how far back does this decision go? Or, just how long has the
rift between the government and the Community existed?" Gormus implied
that MIT was working to the detriment of the Community and he quoted the MGK
details in the Coup Diaries: "Since 2006 more or less I have been hearing
sentences to the effect of the government being uncomfortable with the
Community's weight within the state and that it is going to take steps. But
just like everybody else I too was unaware that the National Security Council
back in 2004 had ruled to have the Gulen Community put under surveillance. Yet,
it was. This situation is explained in OzdenOrnek's diaries in the sections
detailing the MGK rulings in June and August 2004:
"24 June
2004: The Chief of the General Staff gave a rather weighty talk on the topic of
FethullahGulen and he accused the government. He said that unless the political
will was applied and the matter dealt with there would be a disaster.
"25 August
2004: After the talks held at the meeting that discussed FethullahGulen and his
organization the decision was made to have this man's activities monitored
closely. The decision to have him removed was signed today. I do not know how
useful this will be."
OzdenOrnek says,
"I do not know how useful this will be' but given the MGK ruling who can
assert with confidence that MIT has not be running an operation since
then?"
9. Arinc said that the MGK decision on 2004 was
only advisory
Under the title
“Row between Turkish government and Gulen heats up with new document”, Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 28.11.13) reported that the row between
followers of the Islamic scholar FethullahGulen’s movement of and the Turkish
government took another dimension after a daily revealed Nov. 28 that a
decision from the National Security Council (MGK) recommending an action plan
against the Gulen movement be signed by the government in 2004.
Government
officials, however, wasted no time in making statements about the MGK decision
and said it has never been enforced.
Tension between
the government and the Gulen Movement, known in Turkish as “Cemaat” (community)
or “Hizmet” (service), escalated recently after Erdogan announced plans to
abolish private examination prep schools (dershane), many of which are financed
and run by Gulen’s followers. Erdogan describes the group’s loud objections to
his government’s plans as “a smear campaign.”
Although the
Gulen Movement is thought to have had close relations with the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) until recently, the daily Taraf claimed the MGK
document proved that a decision to “finish” the movement had already been made
in 2004.
However, Deputy
Prime Minister BulentArinc told reporters in the northwestern province of Bursa
Nov. 28 he was not present in the meeting at the time, but added, “even if such
a decision was made, it was only advisory.” He also stressed the government
definitely did not follow through with the recommendations.
“In 11 years,
none of the issues assumed to have been agreed in the MGK document happened and
we didn’t do anything to hurt these people either,” Arinc said.
Prime Minister
RecepTayyipErdogan’s chief political adviser, YalcinAkdogan, took to Twitter to
also deny that the government had taken any steps following the MGK decision.
“The 2004 MGK decision was declared void by the government and no Cabinet
meeting decision or action was taken,” he tweeted Nov. 28.
The paper also
reported that some had claimed the Prime Minister’s recent criticisms of
mixed-sex student houses were in fact targeting the Gulen Movement, which is
known to provide dormitory-style private accommodation for young people.
10. Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan sign landmark energy
contracts: Sources
According to
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 29.11.13), Turkey and Iraqi
Kurdistan signed a package of landmark contracts earlier this week that will
see the semi-autonomous region's oil and gas shipped to international markets
via pipelines through Turkey, sources close to the deal told Reuters Nov. 29.
The sources said
the deals were signed during Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister
NechirvanBarzani's three hour-long meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan Nov. 27.
The move is
likely to further infuriate Baghdad, which claims the sole authority to manage
Iraqi oil and which said late on Thursday that any energy deal with Kurdistan
would be "an encroachment on the sovereignty of Iraq."
The Turkish
Energy Ministry declined to comment.
Crude flow in
the KRG's new pipeline will start very soon, and will link up with the 40
inch-line of the existing Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline to be exported to world
markets.
The state-backed
Turkish Energy Company (TEC), which Ankara set up to operate in northern Iraq,
has also signed a contract to operate in thirteen exploration blocks, in about
half of those it is teaming up with U.S. giant ExxonMobil.
The contracts
also envisage the building of a new oil pipeline and a gas pipeline, aimed to
help the region's oil exports to climb to 1 million bpd by 2015. The gas flow
is likely to start by early 2017.
Under the deal,
payments for KRG's oil will be collected in an escrow account at a Turkish state
bank. Once the contractor fees are paid, the balance will remain untouched
until KRG and Baghdad reach a deal on the revenue sharing.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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