TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 229/13 04.12.13
1. Eroglu alleges that the Turkish side does not demand two independent states in Cyprus
2. Turkish Cypriots will reportedly
exert pressures for being represented at the European Parliament
3. Denktas on Varosha:
“We proposed that the Guardianship Law be approved in order to open the land to
its rightful owners”
5. Yorgancioglu says they should trust Sertoglu’s
team; Sertoglu publishes a letter sent to Blatter
6. Turkish Cypriot representative at PACE refers to
the issue of football on the island
7. Four “mayors” are
holding contacts in Brussels
8. Protest against the
“Turkish embassy” in occupied Lefkosia
9. Eroglu met with a
students of a Turkish School and said that the breakaway regime is a Turkish
state
10. Three amphora were
discovered in occupied Keryneia during construction works
11. Yildiz calls Iraqis to use the
existing pipeline fully
12. CHP leader Kilicdaroglu meets Jewish groups in Washington
13. Davutoglu delays NATO trip to Brussels for health reasons
12. CHP leader Kilicdaroglu meets Jewish groups in Washington
13. Davutoglu delays NATO trip to Brussels for health reasons
1. Eroglualleges that the Turkish side does not demand two independent states in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (04.12.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader,
Dervis Eroglu has argued that what he called as allegation of the Greek Cypriot
side that the Turkish Cypriot side demands two independent sovereign states in
Cyprus is “completely groundless”.
According to a
statement issued from Eroglu’s office yesterday, “the Turkish Cypriot side
clearly notes that it is committed to a solution on the basis of abi-communal,
bi-zonal federation with political equality as defined by the UN Security
Council’s relevant resolutions, in the way it is included in the drafts of the
joint statement”. “Actually, all the parameters and the convergences to which
the Turkish Cypriot side continues to be committed are based on such a
solution”, the statement alleges.
The statement argues also that time has come for negotiations to
start unconditionally and to use the window of opportunity for reaching a
solution without delay. “We are expecting from the Greek Cypriot side to adopt
such a constructive and outcome-oriented approach”, it claims alleging that the
Greek Cypriot side blocks all the exercises of agreeing on a joint statement
“by trying to change the established UN parameters”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish Cypriots will reportedly exert pressures
for being represented at the European Parliament
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (04.12.13) reports that Sener Levent, editor-in-chief of
Turkish Cypriot Afrika newspaper, has stated that he is considering of becoming
a candidate in the European Parliament (EP) elections, which will be held on 25
May 2014.
Kibris writes that Levent said that he had not decided yet and added
that it should at least be examined whether the Greek Cypriot community would
vote for a Turkish Cypriot candidate in a mix election. Levent noted that in a
public opinion poll conducted by Greek Cypriot Politis newspaper in 2004, his
candidacy then received 11%, surpassing the votes received by Greek Cypriot DIKO
and EDEK parties in the same poll.
Meanwhile, Mehmet Harmanci, general secretary of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP), stated that “the non-representation of the Turkish
Cypriots in the EP is a deficiency” and added that “we are considering of
exerting pressure on this issue”. He said that their individual rights should
not be prevented because the acquis communautaire of the EU is not implemented
in the occupied area of Cyprus. He added that Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot
political parties could cooperate and this model could be a very good example
for the solution (of the Cyprus problem). He also said that the issue will be discussed
at the organs of his party, but when the stance of the party is taken into
consideration, it is difficult for a different view to come up.
The paper writes that the National Unity Party (UBP) and the
Democratic Party (DP) have not expressed a view on this issue, but the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) argues that two out of the six Cypriot seats at
the EP should be taken by Turkish Cypriots, who will be elected in “elections”
held in the occupied area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
3. Denktas on
Varosha: “We proposed that the Guardianship Law be approved in order to open
the land to its rightful owners”
Illegal Bayrak television (03.12.13) reports
that the Social Democratic Party is paying visits to political parties with the
aim of discussing the steps that may be taken to aid the solution process on
the Cyprus problem. Within this framework the TDP paid a visit to the Democrat
Party - National Forces.
Speaking during the visit the TDP leader Cemal Ozyigit
touched upon the election of President Nicos Anastasiadis and alleged that
despite coming to power for some months now only shuttle diplomacy had taken
place.
Touching upon the issue of the closed city of Varosha
Ozyigit said that “it should be returned to their rightful owners and in
exchange for this the opening of the Magusa Port and Ercan Airport to
international use should be brought to the agenda”.
The leader of the DP and so-called deputy Prime
Minister and Minister for Economy, Tourism, Culture and Sport Serdar Denktas
for his part said that equality was important for his party when it came to
talks taking place on the Cyprus negotiations process and contacts in the
international arena.
“Gas and
petrol issues should also be catalyst for the solution process in Cyprus”, said Denktas
Referring to the proposal put forward by the
DP-UG on the closed city of Varosha Mr.
Denktas: “We proposed that the Guardianship Law be approved in order to open the
land to its rightful owners”.
4. Turkish Cypriot columnist: the formula of the
returning occupied Varosha to its owners is put forward by those who want a
solution
Writing in Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.12.13), columnist Dervis Dogan comments on
a statement made recently by Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, who had alleged that the
proposal for returning the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal owners “could not
be a project for people who have set the target of reaching a comprehensive
solution in the following spring”, but “a the project of those who have not the
target of a comprehensive solution”.
Under the title
“Will Varosha really prevent the comprehensive solution?” Dogan writes that he
would expect to hear this approach by the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, former
Turkish Cypriot leader Talat or the chairman of the National Unity Party
Ozgurgun. He goes on and says, inter
alia, the following:
“…However, Nami is the one who mentions it. To tell you the truth,
this does not seem like an objective approach to me. Yes, Mr Ozdil Nami is TRNC
foreign minister today. And it is natural for him, as a responsibility of the
post he possesses, to be in harmony with the tradition of continuing policies
that have become inflexible and cliché, and turned into state policy. It is
possible to call them national policies as well. However, the issue of Varosha
is a part of this process. And perhaps it is the key of the door which could
reveal an alternative policy in the direction of the solution of the problem
which continues for half a century. Of course the comprehensive solution is
sine qua non for us. And of course the efforts for this must continue. However,
until where? … Has the time for following different methodsnot come? For
example, will the opening of Varosha, and of the port of Famagusta and the
Tymvou airport in parallel to this, not be a concrete experiment for this? …
Contrary to Mr Nami’s prediction who said that those who have put
forward the formula of Varosha are those who do not wish a comprehensive
solution in Cyprus, those who have put forward the formula of Varosha are those
who believe that this problem which continues for 40 years should reach a
solution now. And they exhibit a stance in favour of trying different methods
in this process. And when they do this they put forward a position. They submit
a concrete basis. Of course this position could also be discussed. A synthesis
of different positions could even come up...”
(I/Ts.)
5. Yorgancioglu says they should trust Sertoglu’s
team; Sertoglu publishes a letter sent to Blatter
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (04.12.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, self-styled
prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, has said
that he supports the Turkish Cypriot so-called football association (TCFA),
which “exerts efforts in order for the Turkish Cypriot football to become a
part of the international football”. In statements during a meeting yesterday
with “TCFA’s” chairman, Hasan Sertoglu, Yorgancioglu noted that he fully
believes that Sertoglu and his team “love their country” and added: “We must
trust these friends, we must know that they will not commit a mistake”.
Yorgancioglu
argued that a change was observed in the views of some political circles which
were having a negative approach on this issue. He said that he did not feel the
need to gather the football clubs and advise them, and added that as “prime
minister” he supports the process.
Sertoglu thanked Yorgancioglu for his support and recalling that on
Friday the Turkish Cypriot football clubs approved the continuation of the
process which started with UEFA, FIFA and the Cyprus Football Association
(CFA), he described the process as “difficult”. He noted that some persons, who
are against the process, tried to create confusion after the voting. He added
that these persons had put forward some allegations as regards the letter he
had sent to the president of FIFA and pointed out that if there are some clubs
which want to withdraw their support to the “federation”, they could do this as
of today.
“We have held the voting in order to take the view of the clubs on
the issue of what was done until today and what they want to be done”, he said
adding: “They gave support to what was done and supported our continuing the
road we are walking. The draft text will be completed later”.
Meanwhile, Havadis reports also that Sertoglu published yesterday on
the “federation’s” website the letter he had sent to the president of FIFA
Joseph S. Blatter. In the letter, Sertoglu said that the clubs, members of the
“TCFA”, fully supported the steps taken so far and added that he is ready for
the establishment of the four-member team as agreed before in order for filling
in the gaps of the draft-text. He also said that they are excited and happy
that they will be able to play football at international level and thanked
Blatter for his contribution in this. He argued that it is evident that the process
of determining the points which especially interest them and annoy them,
because the gaps were not filled in, will be very difficult. “Because the other
side does not face much difficulty as regards these issues”, he argued.
(I/Ts.)
6. Turkish Cypriot representative at PACE refers to
the issue of football on the island
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (04.12.13) reports that Mehmet Caglar, “MP’ with the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and head of the so-called assembly’s delegation
at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) attended the
first meeting of PACE’s Committee on Culture, Education, Science and
Mediayesterday in Paris.
According to a
statement issued by the “assembly” of the regime, Caglar took the floor during the
discussion of a report on the issue of “The Reform of Football Governance” and
expressed his views on the agreement signed in Zurich between the Cyprus
Football Association (CFA), the Turkish Cypriot so-called football association
(TCFA), FIFA and UEFA regarding the future of football in Cyprus. According to
the paper, the report had been prepared by Anne Braseur, Deputy from Luxembourg
member of ALDE Group.
Caglar alleged that the Zurich agreement was received with joy
within the Turkish Cypriot community, and that the Turkish Cypriot football
clubs approved the agreement unanimously, contrary to the Greek Cypriot clubs
which approved the agreement with 19 positive votes, two negative and three
abstentions. He argued that they wish to see the materialization of football
events which will bring the two communities closer to each other and secure
that the Turkish Cypriots will meet with athletes from other countries.
Braseur thanked Caglar for his contribution in the discussion and
said she fully agreed with him on this issue, adding that this could influence
“the political will” and could constitute an example for solving political
problems.
(I/Ts.)
7. Four “mayors”
are holding contacts in Brussels
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(04.12.13) reports that four self-styled mayors of the breakaway regime went to
Brussels. These are the “mayors” of occupied Lefkosia, Kadri Fellahoglu, Morfou
Mahmut Ozcinar, Gonyeli Ahmet Benli and Famagusta Oktay Kayalp.
According to the paper they will hold contacts
in Brussels with officials of the European Commission and give information
about EU related projects. They will return to Cyprus on December 6.
8. Protest against
the “Turkish embassy” in occupied Lefkosia
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (04.12.13)
reports that various Turkish Cypriot civil society organizations protested
yesterday in front of the “Turkish embassy” to Lefkosia.
Turkish Cypriot Primary and Secondary School
Teachers' Trade Unions, KTOS and KTOEOS respectively, along with Barak,
Revolutionary Communist Union and Communist Labor Movement were among the
organizations participated in the protest.
The organizations protested against the extreme
increase in the price of electricity in occupied Cyprus and against the
statements made recently by Mevlut Cavusoglu, Justice and Development Party’s
(AKP) vice president and responsible for AKP’s foreign policy. Cavusoglu stated
among other things,that it is not correct to talk about a “Plan B’ for Cyprus
for now.
The protestors carried banners calling on
Turkey to stop interfering in occupied Cyprus. In statements during the event,
KTOS chairman Senel Elcil said that they are making this protest aiming to
mobilize the Turkish Cypriot community and to inform Turkey about the political
will of Turkish Cypriots.
9. Eroglu met with
a students of a Turkish School and said that the breakaway regime is a Turkish
state
Illegal Bayrak television (03.12.13) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, held a meeting with a delegation
from Edirne Yildirim Beyazit High School from Turkey and Namik Kemal High
School in occupied Cyprus which are “sister schools”. Speaking during the visit
he said that cooperation between schools in the breakaway regime and Turkey is
very important.
“The TRNC is a Turkish state, Turkish Cypriot
came from Turkey and the Republic of Turkey is our motherland” said Eroglu and
added:“The common feature between the two countries is that they are both
Turkish”.
10. Three amphora
were discovered in occupied Keryneia during construction works
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper
(04.12.13) reports that three amphora were discovered in Bedreddin Demirci
Street in occupied Keryneia during construction works in the area.
The paper writes that the historical date of
the amphora is not yet known.
11. Yildiz calls Iraqis
to use the existing pipeline fully
Ankara Anatolia news agency (04.12.13) reports
that Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Taner Yildiz said in
response to reporters' questions about the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline,
following the ceremony held on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the
Energy Market Regulatory Authority: “The ball is in the court of Northern Iraq
and Iraqi Central Government now. The results of the negotiations between the
two will be the determining factor”.
"We were in Baghdad and Irbil, and
discussed this issue at length with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy
Hussain al-Shahristani. We also met with Nechervan Idris Barzani (the prime
minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraqi Kurdistan), and Massoud
Barzani (the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region). I'd like to repeat once
more that we have always adopted a positive approach. Nonetheless, from now on,
the final result will be up to the negotiations between Northern Iraq and
Central Iraqi Government. .... I believe that our Iraqi brothers will reach a mutual
consensus within December, " Yildiz noted.
Yildiz also stated that the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik
oil pipeline agreement has been renewed for 20 years, and the pipeline's daily
output is 300 to 400 thousand barrels despite the fact that it has a daily
capacity of 1,5 million barrels.
Regarding the financing of this new pipeline,
Yildiz stated that Turkey could easily finance both its construction and
assembly, and stressed that the important matter is that all this work is done
with the consent of all parties concerned.
Yildiz said that a working group was
established with the Central Iraqi Government regarding the transfer of crude
oil from Basra to Kirkuk-Yumurtalik, and the construction of a new pipeline.
"This working group will first work on a
project regarding the unassembled pipeline of 400 km. Then they will perform a
feasibility study, and keep contributing towards the completion of this
project. Then we will join these pipelines together. I would like to emphasize
that we support the Central Iraqi Government's project of taking the oil from
southern Iraq to world markets via northern Iraq.
Yildiz said that the negotiations between Iraqi
Central Government and Northern Iraq would soon begin, and they would be
monitoring the situation closely, and make new evaluations accordingly.
12. CHP leader Kilicdaroglu
meets Jewish groups in Washington
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (03.12.13) reports that Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu met with representatives of leading Jewish organizations during his time in Washington, including groups such as the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (03.12.13) reports that Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu met with representatives of leading Jewish organizations during his time in Washington, including groups such as the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.
Kilicdaroglu attended an event on Dec. 2, at
which he discussed the current state of bilateral ties between Turkey and Israel,
stating that the crisis between the countries "needed to be overcome"
and that both countries carried a responsibility to contribute to regional
peace. He was also frequently asked about Hamas, which the Turkish government
is known to have relations with.
Alan Makovksy from the U.S. House of
Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, was also in attendance during the
event.
Meanwhile, Kilicdaroglu also met with figures
from the Fethullah Gulen Movement over breakfast during his time in the city.
However, no details were released of the meeting. The CHP leader has been conducting a series
of meetings in Washington since Nov. 30, including a recent appearance at the
Washington-based Brookings Institution.
13. Davutoglu
delays NATO trip to Brussels for health reasons
Turkish daily Today's Zaman (03.12.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday delayed a trip to Brussels, where he was scheduled to attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, for reasons of health, diplomatic sources said.
Turkish daily Today's Zaman (03.12.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday delayed a trip to Brussels, where he was scheduled to attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, for reasons of health, diplomatic sources said.
The meeting, in which foreign ministers are
expected to discuss the agenda for next year's summit and ways to strengthen partnerships
NATO has with other countries, is set to take place Dec. 3-4. A senior Turkish
diplomat who spoke to Today's Zaman on condition of anonymity noted that
Davutoglu will leave Ankara for Brussels either on Tuesday night or Wednesday
morning to attend the second day of the meeting. The diplomat also noted that
the foreign minister did not have a serious health problem but that illness had
prevented him from taking his planned flight.
NATO Permanent Representative Mehmet Fatih
Ceylan and Deputy Undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry Ahmet Muhtar Gun
attended the NATO meeting on Tuesday to represent Turkey, said the diplomat.
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