TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 212/13 08.11.13
1. Erdogan: let us form a Ban Ki-moon Plan for Cyprus
2. Eroglu: we have no information regarding a new plan
3. Nami and Downer are hopeful on the issue of an agreement on a joint statement
4. Davutoglu: Turkey had written history’ with the Turkish Cypriot representative’s visit to Athens
5. Talat: the efforts in Cyprus should continue until the problem is solved
6. Turkey’s MFA said that they will evaluate the agreement on Cyprus football after the decision of the “TRNC authorities”
7. Denktas: Turkish Cypriot teams should play in Turkey’s amateur football leagues
8. TDP and YKP give full support to Sertoglu
9. DP “deputy” Dincyurek asked the opening of the closed town of occupied Varosha under the control of the occupation regime
10. Atalay to visit occupied Cyprus for the celebrations of the breakaway regime’s establishment
11. Tension in CTP increased; Akansoy officially to be candidate for the party’s leadership
12. Fight between Grey wolves and Kurdish students in occupied Famagusta
13. Ayios Panteleiomonas monastery has been turned into a dumping site
14. Turkey examining British spying allegations
15. Swedish official says Sweden has conditions before fully backing Turkey's EU bid
16. Panel paves way for trousers for female deputies at Turkish Parliament
1. Erdogan: let us form a Ban Ki-moon Plan for Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.13) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that the Annan Plan has been shelved and put into the freezer and added that a “Ban Ki-moon Plan” will “certainly be formed” for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Referring to the Cyprus problem during a joint press conference with the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, Erdogan said the following:
“I actually want to start from Saint Petersburg the discussions to be made on the forthcoming period. There I had a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon on this issue. This time we said that ‘We as guarantor powers, Greece and Turkey and even Britain could undertake all together a more active role during the discussion in these negotiations and let us lead the issue to a conclusion. Let the delay not continue here’.
If south Cyprus gives assurances, if it is determined we could make the necessary suggestions to northern Cyprus in the same manner, as long as Greece makes the necessary suggestions on this point and we say let us end this issue the soonest under the presidency of the UN Secretary-General.
Of course my valuable friend Reinfeldt has a belief on this issue. He believes more in the current President of south Cyprus, he trust him more. And we, of course, trust and believe the president of the TRNC and all the government there on this point.
Then come and let us take the steps. We had an Annan Plan before us once, but the Annan Plan has almost been shelved now, it has been put into the freezer. Now a Ban Ki-moon Plan will certainly be formed. Then, let us form this plan, let us take the step quickly and arrive at a conclusion, we say”.
Asked whether some steps for advancing their relations with the Republic of Cyprus could be taken, Erdogan replied that chapter 22 in Turkey’s accession talks with the EU had been opened and now chapters 23 and 24 are on the agenda and added: “Now there is something else here. Especially the political obstacles on 16 chapters in the EU sadden us”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu: we have no information regarding a new plan
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.11.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that “emphasis was put on a Cypriot-led plan” and it was said that there could not be an imposed plan for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. Eroglu made this statement yesterday after a meeting with the UN Secretary-general’s special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer.
Asked to comment on Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s statement as regards the preparation of “a Ban Ki-moon Plan”, Eroglu noted that Erdogan did not say that he had asked for a Ban Ki-moon Plan, but said that such a plan will come.
Eroglu said that the Annan Plan is abolished after its rejection. He added that he does not know whether a new plan will come up and pointed out that such a proposal had not been submitted to them and they know nothing on this issue.
Asked to comment on Erdogan’s statement that Turkey could “make suggestions” to the Turkish Cypriot side if the Greek Cypriot side comes closer to an agreement, Eroglu replied that they are constantly in contact with Turkey and all the Turkish Cypriot leaders have been holding dialogue with Turkey during the Cyprus talks.
Asked whether the preparation of a UN plan is possible before the sides meeting at the negotiating table, Eroglu noted that when he started the negotiations he was told that there would be a “Cypriot-led solution” and therefore there would not be an imposed solution. He said that he heard this from the UN Secretary-General himself.
Eroglu went on and said that when they meet with ambassadors of foreign countries, they are told that Cypriots will find the solution to the Cyprus problem. He reiterated that he is not informed of Ban Ki-moon’s preparing a plan now and added that the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer did not tell him such a thing.
Eroglu invited Downer yesterday afternoon and evaluated the situation on the Cyprus problem. Eroglu said that he told Downer that the Greek Cypriot side has turned into pre-condition the issue of the joint statement and that no result was reached because of the allegedly increasing demands and obstacles put by the Greek Cypriot side.
Alleging that President Anastasiades is “playing with time”, Eroglu claimed that the President should know that “we could not save him from the political difficulties he is facing”. Eroglu argued that he has to think about his “people” and that he acts having this into consideration. He alleged that the time limit determined by UN Secretary-General’s statements is completed and that the “ball is in the Greek Cypriot side’s field”. Eroglu claimed that if President Anastasiades wants a solution, he should go to the negotiating table and if he does not want a solution, he should say it openly. He reiterated that the two sides could commence the negotiations without agreeing on a joint statement.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.13), Eroglu argued that no different proposal was submitted yesterday by the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the joint statement and added that their proposals are still on the table. Noting that the Turkish side submitted yesterday its sixth document of proposals on the joint statement, Eroglu added that it is not possible for the Turkish side to go further than this point.
(I/Ts.)
3. Nami and Downer are hopeful on the issue of an agreement on a joint statement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.13) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, met yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, after the latter’s meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer.
In statements after the meeting, Nami said he had consultations with Eroglu on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem. “We are really experiencing important days. We hope that we will have a positive result soon”, he noted and added that the sides are at a better point on the issue of the joint statement than they had been in the beginning and that the differences between them decreased. However, he noted, it would not be correct to say that everything is finished before reaching the final point.
Moreover, in statements made after meeting with Eroglu, Downer said they discussed the efforts exerted by the two sides on the issue of the joint statement and added that yesterday he would meet with President Anastasiades to see how the process would proceed. He expressed the view that things are advancing to the right direction and added that he still hopes that an agreement will be reached on the joint statement today before his departure from the island.
(I/Ts.)
4. Davutoglu: Turkey had written history’ with the Turkish Cypriot representative’s visit to Athens
Illegal Bayark television (07.11.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has announced that special representatives of the two leaders in Cyprus will be visiting Ankara and Athens in the coming days. Davutoğlu, however, did not give an exact date for the visits.
Addressing the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Davutoğlu said that Turkey had written history’ with the Turkish Cypriot envoy’s visit to Athens.
5. Talat: the efforts in Cyprus should continue until the problem is solved
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.13) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the efforts in Cyprus should continue until the Cyprus problem is solved. In statements yesterday to a television station, Talat alleged that the Turkish side should be the “engine power” in the process.
Talat claimed that a joint statement is not necessary for the resumption of the process, but the Greek Cypriot side has put this issue on the table as if it was a necessity. He alleged that a joint statement could be prepared within a few hours and that the UN had prepared such a text, but the Greek Cypriots rejected it.
He said that the duty of the Turkish side is to exert a huge effort to launch the negotiations and alleged that President Anastasiades “is not the Anastasiades of the past”.
He noted that the Turkish Cypriot side should be flexible in the negotiations and that it is important to create a policy in harmony with Turkey.
(I/Ts.)
6. Turkey’s MFA said that they will evaluate the agreement on Cyprus football after the decision of the “TRNC authorities”
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (08.11.13) reports that the Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Gumrukcu said that they should wait first the authorities of the breakaway regime to complete their own announcements regarding the developments on the football activities in Cyprus and then to share their own evaluations on the matter.
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency, “It seems a very lively discussion is going on in TRNC. There are many open matters on the issue whether the document, which was signed, is an agreement or a draft. We think that the result of this issue is link with the TRNC authorities. So, we will share our evaluation after this,” Gumrukcu said during the weekly press conference at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
7. Denktas: Turkish Cypriot teams should play in Turkey’s amateur football leagues
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.13) reports that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and “minister” of economy, tourism, culture and sports of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that it is not possible to accept the so-called Turkish Cypriot Turkish football federation (KTFF) to become a member of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) like a football club. In statements to Anatolia news agency, Denktas assessed the agreement signed recently in Zurich between KTF and the CFA.
Denktas claimed that the chairman of the KTFF, Hasan Sertoglu has committed a mistake by signing the agreement. According to Denktas, the football in the “TRNC”, as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, is not ready yet to go out in the international arena. He alleged that professionalism does not properly exist, because of the so-called embargoes and added:
“In our view, the solution is for the Cyprus football [Translator’s note: he means the Turkish Cypriot football] is to find a way and be included in Turkey’s amateur leagues and secure the participation of our champion here in the leagues there”.
(I/Ts.)
8. TDP and YKP give full support to Sertoglu
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (08.11.13), the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici said that they support the process between the so-called Turkish Cypriot Turkish football federation (KTFF) and the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), adding: “We congratulate Hasan Sertoglu, we approve his signature.”
Cakici evaluated the criticisms of Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democrat Party – National Forces (DP-UG) and Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) against Sertoglu as “visionless”. He noted that the establishment of a committee and be member of CFA is important, adding that the communal rights of the Turkish Cypriots are depending on the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. Cakici claimed that this process will enable teams from Turkey and Europe to come to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, arguing that this will be a reason for their stadiums to be filled, their taxi drivers, restaurant owners and shops to have earnings. Cakici noted that as TDP, they have supported this process since 2008.
Moreover, the paper reports that the New Cyprus Party (YKP), evaluating also the agreement between the so-called KTFF and CFA signed in Zurich, said that a historic duty is on the backs of the football clubs and called on the sides to support this process along with the football clubs.
In a written statement issued yesterday, YKP announced that they support the signed agreement, and it makes sense, adding that the opponent sides instead of exaggerating the issue should look the text. YKP said that the signed text is a respectful, reasonable, simple agreement for the autonomous structures of the communities, according to the international law.
YKP claimed that the Greek Cypriots, with this signed agreement, accept and acknowledge the football federation of the Turkish Cypriots, as a separate structure, meaning that they accept to work with KTFF.
YKP said that the agreement signed between the two football federations in Zurich gives important hopes for the ongoing Cyprus talks.
9. DP “deputy” Dincyurek asked the opening of the closed town of occupied Varosha under the control of the occupation regime
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.11.13), the self-styled deputy with the Democrat Party – National Forces (DP-UG) Hakan Dincyurek made a proposal regarding the fenced off town of Varosha at the so-called parliament.
Dincyurek argued that the closed town of occupied Varosha should gain an economic life according to the international law and under the control of the occupation regime. He said that while he was evaluating the applications at the “Immovable Property Committee” regarding the closed town of Varosha, he proposed to start returning the properties, saying: “Let’s not give compensations regarding the applications for Varosha, let’s return to them their properties”.
Dincyurek explained that while the danger is displayed due to the neglected of the existing structures and that occupied Varosha should be opened, he proposed that a guardianship system should operate for those Greek Cypriots, who do not want to come, although they are invited to take their property back. He underlined that a provision for the appointment of a local and a foreigner guardian is provided by the international law.
10. Atalay to visit occupied Cyprus for the celebrations of the breakaway regime’s establishment
Illegal Bayark television (07.11.13) reports that Turkish Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay announced that he will pay an illegal visit to occupied Cyprus for the celebrations of the breakaway regime’s establishment with a large delegation on the 15th of November.
He made these statements during a meeting he had with the self-styled finance minister Zeren Mungan who is holding contacts in Ankara.
11. Tension in CTP increased; Akansoy officially to be candidate for the party’s leadership
Under the title “Tension in CTP increased”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.11.13) reports that today is the last day for submitting candidates for the position of leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) for the forthcoming CTP’s election congress on December 8.
The paper writes that general secretary of CTP Asim Akasnoy announced officially that he will be a candidate for the leadership and that the current leader and self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu will also be a candidate.
The paper further writes that CTP “MP” Mehmet Caglar, who in the past expressed interest for the same position, stated that he did not decide on the issue yet and that he will discuss it with Akansoy.
12. Fight between Grey wolves and Kurdish students in occupied Famagusta
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.11.13) reports that a fight took place yesterday between Grey wolves and Kurdish students in occupied Cyprus and notes that the fight started at the illegal Near East University but soon was transferred at the streets.
According to the paper, the cause of the fight was allegations by the Grey wolves’ organization that some Kurdish students broke the windows of the Grey wolves organization’s building. Around 500 students went out on the streets holding clubs and rocks and the so-called police asked for reinforcement in order to put them under control. Twenty three persons were “arrested” regarding the issue.
13. Ayios Panteleiomonas monastery Myrtou has been turned into a dumping site
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.11.13) reports that the church and the monastery of Ayios Panteleiomonas in occupied Myrtou has been turned into a dumping site.
The paper writes that the area around the church has been started to be used as a garbage dump and notes that those who visit the area face a chaos. The paper published various pictures where the garbage can be seen at the area.
14. Turkey examining British spying allegations
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (08.11.13) reports that a Foreign Ministry official said on Thursday that Turkey is looking into the allegations of the British secret service spying on Middle Eastern countries, including Turkey, via undersea cables through a British military base in Cyprus.
“If the allegations are true, we will take the necessary initiatives, depending on the result of our examinations," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Gumrukcu.
The United Kingdom's military base in Cyprus has tapped into undersea cables and accessed tens of millions of phone calls and e-mails in Middle Eastern, North African and European countries, including Turkey, according to media reports.
“Such things are unacceptable between friends and allies," said Gümrükçü during the weekly press conference at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
15. Swedish official says Sweden has conditions before fully backing Turkey's EU bid
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (08.11.13) reports that Swedish Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg said Turkey mustn't have any deficiency in its democracy and human rights record if it wants to secure backing of Sweden's full support for its decades-long EU bid.
Westerberg said Sweden has two conditions before giving a strong support to Ankara for its EU goal; having a positive record in fields of democracy and human rights.
Speaking prior to a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has been in the Swedish capital for an official trip, Westerberg insisted that Turkey has a great importance not only for Sweden but also for the European Union.
He asserted that Turkey must show that it belongs to Europe by fulfilling its democratization reforms. Noting that Ankara has strong backing of the Swedish Parliament in the EU process, Westerberg concluded that Turkey must complete EU criteria to be part of the union.
16. Panel paves way for trousers for female deputies at Turkish Parliament
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.11.13) reports that Parliament's Constitution Conciliation Commission has approved an amendment paving the way for female deputies to wear trousers during General Assembly meetings following a call from a prominent main-opposition deputy.
The commission passed a proposal to change Article 56 of Parliament's internal regulations to state that "Women shall wear jackets and skirts or jackets and trousers" instead of the previous "Ladies shall wear tailleur." The amendment is expected to be approved by the General Assembly next week.
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