TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 10/15 17.01.14
1. Eroglu discussed the Cyprus problem and the
“Immovable Property Compensation Commission” in Ankara
2. Cicek alleges that precondition for a solution in
Cyprus is recognition of the “Turkish state”
3. Nami: The efforts on a joint declaration should not
be wasted, in case of deadlock the Cyprus problem will be shelved
4. Kayalp: 80% of Famagusta’s inhabitants are in favor
of the return of occupied closed Varosha to its legal owners
5. Talat alleges that time is wasted with “games of
words” on the issue of the joint declaration
6. Austrian Ambassador: Famagusta Eco-city project
will be an example of peaceful cooperation
7. Turkey Confederation Community aims to bring
investors from Europe to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
8. Forth candidate for the Democratic Party presidency
9. Police defy arrest order; Major reshuffle in
Turkish judiciary amid graft probe row
10. Council of
Europe concerned over Turkish government’s ‘hasty’ judicial bill
11. AKP moves to expel Deputy known for close ties
with Gulen movement
12. Davutoglu warns envoys not to speak to press
13. Ambassadors uneasy over Erdogan's orders
concerning graft probe
1. Eroglu discussed the Cyprus problem and the
“Immovable Property Compensation Commission” in Ankara
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (17.01.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu visited Ankara yesterday
upon an invitation by Turkish President Abdullah Gul. During his one-day visit Eroglu met with Gul, the Prime Minister,
RecepTayyip Erdogan and the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA), CemilCicek.
Eroglu’s meeting
with Gul lasted for one hour and after their face-to-face meeting, they
continued their discussion over a working dinner with the participation of the
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, BesirAtalay and
Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu.
In statements to
Kibris, Eroglu said that with Gul they
exchanged views on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, the steps
which will be taken from now on, the property issue and the “Immovable Property
Compensation Committee” [Translator’s note: established by Turkey in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus].
Eroglu noted
that they were “in harmony with Gul” and argued that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not possible with a joint
declaration. He noted that a solution could be reached only by sitting at
the negotiating table.
He said he could
not know whether a new proposal will come up in the light of the report which
the UN Secretary-General will submit to the Security Council and added: “I could not know whether Downer or the
person that will be appointed at Downer’s place will come to us, but the last
proposal we have submitted was a proposal adopted by the USA, Britain and even
some countries of the EU. And it has been said that it should be accepted
as it was, but when the Greek Cypriot side rejected it, it was said that this
was a ‘double-crossing’”.
In statements
before meeting with Erdogan, Eroglu said
he would discuss with the Turkish Prime Minister not only the Cyprus problem,
but also the economic problems which the breakaway regime faces and the
“expectations” of the Turkish Cypriot “people”.
Eroglu argued
that the importance attached by the AK
Party government to the Cyprus problem will not decrease, because of the
internal problems the government in Ankara faces after 17 December, 2013.
He said: “The AKP government, in spite of the problems it is dealing with,
gives weight to the Cyprus issue. (…) The states, the governments might have
problems, but it is not possible to ignore the Cyprus problem because they have
internal problems. Turkey has shown how sensitive she is on the Cyprus issue by
exerting intensive efforts regarding Cyprus, especially in a period like this”.
The paper writes
that Eroglu’s meeting with Erdogan was planned to last for one hour, but lasted
almost two hours. No statement was made after this meeting.
Eroglu returned last night to the occupied area of
Cyprus stating that his meetings in Turkey “were fruitful”. He said that they evaluated “thoughts about the future and the
path to be followed” in case the negotiations on the Cyprus problem begin.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (17.01.14) reports that evaluating his visit to Anatolia news
agency in Ankara, Eroglu said that
“we as TRNC have always stood on our feed with the support of Turkey”. He
added: “To the extent Turkey is strong, we are relaxed and in tranquillity both
at the negotiating table and in Cyprus. We defended our cause together… The
stronger the economy is in the motherland, the more the democracy is rooted,
the longer Turkey continues being powerful in the external world, the more
relaxed we are in the TRNC… Some negative developments are happening now in
Turkey. This influences stability. Of course, stability - especially the
political stability and the economic stability- are very important. The lack of political stability might spoil
the economic stability. The fact that Turkey is strong may of course annoy some
circles, but we as Turkish Cypriots always think that Turkey is strong…”.
Eroglu wished
for Turkey to overcome her problems and noted that yesterday he saw a very strong leader and very strong
teams around him. “I wish these problems are overcome soon”, he noted.
Eroglu argued
that when Turkey is strong, her power is felt on the Turkish Cypriots as well
and added that Ambassadors of many
countries, such as the USA and Britain, hold meetings with them, even though
they do not recognize the breakaway regime.Eroglu alleged that especially after
the Turkish Cypriots submitted their positions in the last negotiations, those
who had said in the past that the Turkish Cypriot side was intransigent, now
they see that the Turkish Cypriots “are right and establish that we are in
favour of an agreement”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Cicek alleges that precondition for a solution
in Cyprus is recognition of the “Turkish state”
Under the title
“’Precondition for the solution is the acceptance of the TRNC’”, Turkish
Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (17.01.14) reports that the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), CemilCicek
has alleged that the “Turkish existence and state on the island” must be
accepted in order for the Cyprus problem to be solved and argued that “the TRNC
has been established by paying heavy costs”.
In statements
yesterday before a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu in
Ankara, Cicek claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have allegedly
exerted a great effort for the solution of the problem, but in spite of this,
no solution could be achieved.
Cicek said thatCyprus is one of the most important
problems in Turkey’s foreign policy and argued that
“if there is going to be peace, this should be a lasting and just peace”. He
said that the solution should be established on the basis of political
equality.
“As TGNA we
support every decision you will take”, he said referring to Eroglu.
Cicek accused
the Greek Cypriot side of not taking a step in the direction of the solution
until today and of following “delaying tactics”.
Referring to the news that the UN Secretary-General’s
special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer would resign from his duties, Cicek
argued that such a development would show that the process that continues since
2008 is unsuccessful.
Cicek argued
that all the developments could not be
depended on the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that everything should be done for the “TRNC” to
develop in all fields and prosper.
In his
statements, Eroglu said that they
have been friends for years with Cicek and that
they have always agreed on the Cyprus problem. “The views he put forward today are views adopted by the Turkish Cypriot
people”, he alleged.
(I/Ts.)
3. Nami: The efforts on a joint declaration should
not be wasted, in case of deadlock the Cyprus problem will be shelved
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen newspaper (17.01.14) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the efforts exerted on the issue of the joint declaration
must not be wasted and added that in
case of a deadlock in the Cyprus problem, the UN Secretary-General will not
appoint a new special adviser for Cyprus, his mediation will be degraded and the Cyprus problem will be shelved.
In statements
yesterday, Nami argued that the text of the joint declaration “satisfied the
sensitivities” of both sides and alleged that the letter sent by President Anastasiades to the UN Secretary-General
“has no buyer in the international community”.
“If the Greek
Cypriot leader has regretted about the point to which the joint declaration
came and experiences difficulties with his coalition partners, the UN must not
permit this”, he claimed adding that the sides must sit at the negotiating
table and focus on the solution with good will and the leaders should “respond
to the demands of the peoples and the civilian organizations in both sides”.
Claiming that Turkey supports the solution of the
Cyprus problem and that the Turkish side has done its bit, Nami alleged that
the actual responsibility is on the Greek Cypriot side.
Meanwhile, under
the title “The UN might not insist further”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis
newspaper (17.01.14) publishes statements made by Nami to its correspondent.
According to the paper, Nami said that even if the effort on a joint statement text fails because of “a couple of
words”, the “important issues on which agreement has been reached could not be
thrown into the garbage”.
Nami noted that he had had dinner with the UN
Secretary-General’s special adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer the night before
yesterday and exchanged views on the issue of the joint declaration.
Nami argued that
“we are at a serious turning point” in the Cyprus problem and that “we are playing in the extra time”. He
expressed the view that the UN might not
insist further on the Cyprus problem.
Nami said that disappointment exists at the UN because
the efforts for reaching an agreement on a joint declaration had not been
concluded. He alleged that the statements reportedly made by President Anastasiades against
Alexander Downer cause discomfort.
Nami described
Downer’s recent visit to Cyprus as “extremely important”, because “the replies
he will receive from the sides during these 1-2 days will influence what he
will write in the report he will submit’ to the UN Security Council.
(I/Ts.)
4. Kayalp: 80% of Famagusta’s inhabitants are in favour
of the return of occupied closed Varosha to its legal owners
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (17.01.14) reports that the so-called mayor of occupied Famagusta, OktayKayalp has said that
half of occupied Famagusta, that is Varosha, has been closed for 40 years and
added that since then “they have been trying to fly with one wing because of
political reasons”.
Addressing
yesterday a group of teachers and students from South Florida University as
well as students from the occupied and the government-controlled area of
Cyprus, Kayalp said that since 1975 the
United Nations has determined the status of Varosha as “closed area under the
control of the Turkish Armed Forces”. He noted that since 2009 developments have been happening within the Turkish Cypriot
public regarding the return of Varosha to its “old owners”. He said that he
also believes this and added that 80% of
the inhabitants of Famagusta support this view.
“If we had been
given the power, Varosha would have become the most modern city of tourism in
the Mediterranean”, he argued.
Kayalp recalled
that Varosha is important for the comprehensive solution as regards the Turkish
Cypriots and added that “the issue of
Varosha should not prevent the comprehensive solution”.
Kayalp said that
if the opening of Varosha was decided, the settlement in the city would be
achieved in five years.
(I/Ts.)
5. Talat alleges that time is wasted with “games of
words” on the issue of the joint declaration
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (17.01.14) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot
leader Mehmet Ali Talat has alleged that
time is wasted with “games of words” on the issue of the joint declaration and
added that the words which express meanings are important, but from now on we
should seriously focus on finding a solution.
In statements
yesterday during a television program, Talat argued that the history of the
Cyprus problem is full of this kind of “games of words” and alleged that President Anastasiades “is slowing down the
beginning of the negotiations with the aim of satisfying his coalition partners
who are distanced from a solution”.
Talat expressed
the view that the deadlock on the joint
declaration could be overcome within a couple of hours, in case
determination exists, a meeting between the leaders is held and flexibility is
shown.
Talat described as “wrong” the view that “if Turkey
wants, the Cyprus problem will be solved”. He
claimed that the solution could be achieved “with our will”. Talat alleged that
Turkey “has not committed any serious mistake since 2004”, that it wants to
solve the problem and that the world
does not accuse Turkey about Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
6. Austrian Ambassador: Famagusta Eco-city project
will be an example of peaceful cooperation
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (17.01.14) reports that the Austrian Ambassador to Nicosia, Dr Karl Mueller has said that the
Famagusta Eco-City project, [which concerns the occupied closed city of
Varosha], will encourage the creation of
the biggest construction site in Cyprus and there will be cooperation between
the two communities in this context.
In an interview
with Kibris, the Austrian Ambassador noted that he had been informed about the
project last May and added that because he is one of the first persons
interested with the organization and the preparation of the project, he was
given the opportunity to present the project during its opening ceremony
yesterday.
Ambassador Mueller
said that Austria did not contribute financially to the project, but like other
EU countries, they support the peaceful and comprehensive solution of the
Cyprus problem. He added that the project will facilitate and encourage the
solution. “The solution will secure a
great benefit for the economy of both sides”, he noted and added: “Let us accept that Famagusta and especially
its closed part, has in a way become the monument of stagnancy and of an unused
potential”.
(I/Ts.)
7. Turkey Confederation Community aims to bring
investors from Europe to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen (17.01.14) reports that "speaker" of the self-styled
assembly SibelSiber, during a meeting with the Chairman of Turkey Confederation
Community NezaketEmineAtasoy, stressed the importance of the lobbying
activities to lift the “embargo” imposed to the Turkish Cypriots. She added
that the contribution of the lobbying activities by people living in different
places in the world is undeniable. She also informed that for the first time a “committee of foreign affairs” under the roof of
the self-styled assembly has been established, in order to contact the Turkish
Cypriots, who are at efficient positions abroad.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi (17.01.14) reports that Atasoy, in a
meeting with Hur-Is trade union, said that there are a lot of businessmen, who
want to make investments in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. She
added that they also carry out lobbying activities in order to lift the
“embargoes” imposed on the “TRNC” (trans. Note: the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). She explained that they aim to bring investors from Europe in
order to develop the economy of the “TRNC”.
8. Forth candidate for the Democratic Party
presidency
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen (17.01.14) reports that Abdurrahman Omeroglu will be the fourth
candidate for the Democratic Party (DP) presidency at the DP’s election
congress, which will be held on February 2. Current chairman SerdarDenktasis
also a candidate for the position.
9. Police defy arrest order; Major reshuffle in
Turkish judiciary amid graft probe row
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 16.01.14) reportedthat
Istanbul police have reportedly refused to comply with a prosecutor's order to
carry out raids as part of a third corruption and bribery operation,
several Turkish media reported on Thursday.
The new
police-judiciary confrontation came as many Istanbul prosecutors were removed
from their posts and reassigned to other cities on Thursday, while Justice
Minister BekirBozdag granted the necessary permission to launch an inquiry into
three prosecutors involved in the corruption and bribery investigation.
The order to
carry out the raid was issued early on Wednesday and police forces finalized
most of their preparations for a pre-dawn raid. But at 3 a.m., the Istanbul
Police Department ordered to halt the raid for unknown reasons. When the
prosecutor realized that the operation was not being carried out, Baytekin
reportedly sent a letter to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to
complain about the judicial police who refused to comply with the order.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 16.01.14) reported that Turkey’s Supreme Board of Judges and
Prosecutors (HSYK) reassigned the Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul,
TurhanColakkadı, from his office to a passive position on Jan. 16, as a
part of a reshuffle move involving some 20 prosecutors in critical positions.
10. Council of Europe concerned over Turkish
government’s ‘hasty’ judicial bill
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 17.0.14) reports that Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks,
in an interview, has expressed serious
concerns over a “hasty” judicial bill under which the government plans to
change the structure of the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).
“I am seriously
concerned by the speed with which these proposals are making their way to the
Parliament. Anything that is affecting
the impartiality and self-governance of the judiciary should be done in a very
careful and measured way, [with consultations] not only domestically but
internationally”,Muiznieks said.
“It is shifting powers from the general assembly of
the HSYK to the Minister of Justice,” he said,
noting that the CoE believes that issues under discussion such as disciplinary
powers, the power to set the timetable, the composition of different sections
of the body and the organization of its work were best left to the judiciary
itself.
According to Muiznieks, Turkey is sending mixed
signals, starting with its response to the Gezi Park or June resistance and now
proceeding with corruption allegations. “Turkey has
been sending contradictory signals for a good time now. During my visit to
Turkey following the Gezi events, we were expressing serious concerns over
police violence in demonstrations. On one hand, you have democratization packages with very progressive elements being
proposed, on the other hand, you have proposals that, if implemented, will
seriously undermine the progress that was made for the independence of the
judiciary. So, the picture is a mixed and contradictory one. We would like
to see a more consistent and human rights-oriented image projected,” he said.
On the same
issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.01.14) reported that European Parliament Foreign Relations
Commission Chairman ElmarBrok has said an independent and impartial judiciary
is a key factor in Turkey's EU accession negotiations.
In a written
statement, German Christian Democrat Brok said the establishment of a Higher
Council of Judges and Prosecutors, with the constitutional amendment of 2010
was an important step to the right direction.
Brok also called
for harmony with the Venice Commission criteria through close consultations
with the European Union and the European Council in judiciary related reforms.
11. AKP moves to expel Deputy known for close ties
with Gulen movement
According to
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 16.01.14), the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) has moved to
expel yet another of its lawmakers, sending Istanbul Deputy Muhammed Cetin to
its disciplinary board.
Cetin, who was
among the small group of AKP Deputies who criticized the government’s position
on the test prep schools (dershanes) row, is known to be close to the movement
of the Islamic scholar FethullahGulen, according to daily Hurriyet.
With Cetin’s
departure, the number of Deputies who have parted ways with the AKP will rise
to six since the graft scandal broke and to eight since the test prep school
row erupted, in a wave of defections unprecedented in the party’s history.
12. Davutoglu warns envoys not to speak to press
According to
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 16.01.14), Turkey’s Foreign Minister
AhmetDavutoglu has cautioned Ambassadors
of Turkey not to leak information from closed door meetings to the media,
noting such leaks would lead Ministers to avoid briefings to envoys at annual Ambassadors’
conferences.
The warning from
the Minister came Jan. 15 at a morning session during the ongoing Sixth
Ambassadors’ Conference. After Davutoglu’s remarks, a scheduled briefing to be
delivered by the country’s top intelligence official to its ambassadors was
cancelled in an apparently last minute decision.
On the same day,
several media outlets reported Deputy Prime Minister BesirAtalay’s remarks during a closed-door session with Ambassadors on
Jan. 14 when he said countries like
Germany and Iran are complicating Turkey’s efforts to end a militant Kurdish
insurgency at perceived injustice.
Foreign Ministry
spokesperson LeventGumrukcu told Anadolu Agency on Jan. 15 that some reports in
the Turkish media about Atalay’s remarks addressing the ambassadors’ conference
did not reflect the truth.
13. Ambassadors uneasy over Erdogan's orders
concerning graft probe
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 16.01.14) reported that Turkey's Ambassadors have
expressed displeasure over Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan's remarks that
called on them to "tell the truth" to their foreign interlocutors,
saying that defending the government
against corruption allegations is not the Ambassadors' business.
A number of Ambassadors,
speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Today's Zamanthat they are disturbed by the Foreign Ministry being used as an
instrument for current political issues and stressed that defending the
government over abstract allegations is not their job.
“We represent
the Republic of Turkey and our discriminating between Turkish citizens is out
of the question,” an Ambassador said, stressing that the remarks of Prime
Minister Erdogan are based on abstract accusations.
Speaking to
Today's Zaman, a diplomat said that if a
written statement is issued, they will have to put it into action, but stressed
that they will have a hard time explaining the situation that followed the
corruption and bribery probe.
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