TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 27/14 08-10.02.14
1. Davutoglu:
Cyprus talks may be last chance for solution
2. Eroglu: The issue of guarantees is a ‘red line’ for the Turkish
Cypriots
3. Turkish Cypriot political
parties support the re-launching of the negotiation process
4. Turkish Cypriot side appointed KudretOzersay as the new
negotiator
5. Turkish Cypriot columnists comment on KudretOzersay’s appointment;
Allegations that Eroglu is no longer part of the process
6. Columnist in Turkish Cypriot Vatan newspaper says “solution is appearing
on the horizon” in Cyprus
7. Nami met with EU Enlargement Commissioner Fule
8. Editorial: Cyprus reunification can change the political
geography of the region
9. US Ambassador Koeing met with Sibel
10. Turkish Foreign and EU minister to visit Brussels
for EU bid
11. IlhanIsbilen becomes ninth Deputy to resign from
AKP since 17 December graft probe
12. Poll shows ruling AKP winning elections with 48.5%
13. Turkey's fifth satellite to be launched from
Kazakhstan on 15 February
14. Turkey ranks second on Internet censors
1. Davutoglu:
Cyprus talks may be last chance for solution
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.14) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister AhmetDavutoglu stated that he is pleased with
a draft joint statement that will pave the way for talks between Turkish and
Greek Cypriots to reunite the island, implicitly signalling that if the talks
do not result in a breakthrough, the Turkish side will set out on its own
course.
“This [Cyprus] issue cannot last for years. The talks
should not be open-ended and cannot be dragged into a deadlock if one side
negatively responds to the talks. Deadlock should not be an alternative. There
should be a permanent solution for Cyprus,” said Davutoglu, adding: “If the Greek side again says no to the talks, this time a
referendum would not remain inconclusive.”
“I am pleased with the joint statement. I find it
satisfactory. It is a communique that is also in the interests of the Turkish
Cypriot side,” Davutoglu said in an
interview on the A Haber channel on Sunday.
Davutoglu also
noted that the joint statement agreed on by the two sides was the optimum
option, adding that “single sovereignty” should not be in favor of one side but
should equally favor both sides.
Davutoglu also noted that planned visits by the
Turkish Cypriot special representative to Athens and the Republic of Cyprus
special representative, to Ankara, would take place simultaneously after the
first meeting between Eroglu and Anastasiades.
He stated that
several countries played an important role in the acceleration of the efforts
to solve the Cyprus dispute. “The UN played an important role in this process.
I was also in contact with my British and Greek counterparts during this
process. Those countries and the US played a positive role,” said Davutoglu.
Meanwhile,
Davutoglu had a phone conversation with his Greek counterpart, Evangelos
Venizelos, to exchange views and express his pleasure over the progress on the
Cyprus problem.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
(08.02.14) reported that Davutoglu held
separate telephone conversations with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as
well as with his British counterpart, William Hague.According to diplomatic
sources, Davutoglu exchanged views with Ban and Hague on the latest
developments on Cyprus and the situation in Syria.
2. Eroglu: The issue of guarantees is a ‘red line’
for the Turkish Cypriots
Turkish daily
Milliyet (09.02.14) reported that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu said that
the issue of Turkey continuing as a guarantor power over Cyprus is a red line
for the Turkish Cypriots and non-negotiable. He explained: “In our assembly,
there is a decision regarding the guarantees. It is a decision that all parties
have supported. For us, guarantees hold the significance of life.” He also said
that he would have never acted contrary to the will of the “TRNC people” and
added that this is the reason why the Turkish Cypriots support and trust him.
In an interview
with the paper, Eroglu commented on the resumption of the Cyprus talks and
called on the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades not to waste time when they
will sit at the negotiation table. Eroglu claimed that if Anastasiades sits at
the negotiation table with good will and an earnest desire for a solution, then
they will sign an agreement very soon. He alleged that they have already missed
five months due to the insistence of Anastasiades for a joint statement.
Eroglu noted: “We,
as sides, adopted the latest proposal. A hope for agreement has emerged again.
I will be enthusiastic for a viable, permanent solution. I will put a lot of
effort into achieving an agreement. Greek Cypriots should have the same stance
too. Anastasiades should not play with time after we will sit at the
negotiation table. We should work for an agreement without wasting any time.
Anastasiades should take into account the Turkish Cypriots’ proposals.” He went
on: “Our intention is to reach agreement. For this reason, we sit at the
negotiation table. If we had started the talks on September 2013, we had aimed
for an April referendum. However, we have missed this period now. If there is
zeal for an agreement at the negotiation table, then referenda may be held
within three to five months.”
Meanwhile,
Eroglu said that US Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns thanked him for
the resumption of the Cyprus talks, adding that it is natural for the USA to be
very interested in the Cyprus talks because it is an important state in the
region. He noted that a Cyprus settlement will bring stability to the Middle
East.
The paper also
reports that KudretOzersayhas been appointed as the new negotiator for the
Cyprus problem and that he is known as bringing ‘bad luck’ to negotiations.
Ozersay, speaking to the paper, said: “We will sit at the negotiation table in
order to produce positive results”.
3. Turkish Cypriot
political parties support the re-launching of the negotiation process
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
(08.02.13) the Turkish Cypriot political parties represented at the so-called
assembly, were briefed yesterday (Friday) by the Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu about the content of the text of the “joint declaration” sent to
Eroglu by the UN.
During the meeting which lasted
about an hour, the party leaders expressed their support to the launching of
the negotiation talks.
In statements after the meeting, the so-called prime
minister and chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP-BG),
OzkanYorgancioglou reminded that it’s been a long time that efforts are exerted
on the “joint declaration”, adding that they evaluated with Eroglu the final
content of the text. He added that the text could constitute the appropriate
basis for the re-launching of the comprehensive negotiation talks.
Also, the so-called deputy prime minister,
“minister” of economy, tourism, culture and sports and chairman of the
Democratic Party (DP), SerdarDenktas
said that they discussed about the content of the “joint declaration” text;
adding that, there are some difficulties and sensitivities related to its
content, which could be overcome with the re-launching of the negotiation
talks, as he said.
Denktas went on and said that the “joint
declaration” is not the basis of the negotiation process, he, however, said
that it could be accepted as an instrument for the re-launching of the
negotiations.
In his turn, the chairman of the main
opposition National Unity Party (UBP), HuseyinOzgurgun said that they realize
that serious difficulties that exist on the content of the document, but added
that his party had always supported the start of the negotiations talks.
Ozgurgun added that they do not consider the
“joint declaration” text as a sufficient document but they consider this as a
document for the launching of the negotiation talks.
Also, the chairman of the Social Democratic
Party (TDP) CemalOzyigit said that the “joint declaration” document can be
consider to be a good basis for a positive beginning of the negotiations talks.
He said that they conveyed to Eroglu their views related to the positive steps
that should be taken for the start of the talks and expressed hopes that the
talks will be launched the soonest.
(AK)
4. Turkish Cypriot side appointed KudretOzersay as the
new negotiator
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (08.02.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot side has appointed
KudretOzersay as the new negotiator for the Cyprus problem.
Ankara Anatolia
news agency reported that the “TRNC” issued a written statement on Friday in
which it was noted that the Turkish and Greek Cypriots have agreed on a “joint
statement” that paves the way for the resumption of U.N.-sponsored negotiation
talks to reunite the island.
Meanwhile,
Ozersay, in an article at the Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (10.02.14), wrote
that the reasons he abandoned two years ago his duty as a special
representative at the Cyprus talks are first, because the Cyprus talks at those
days were stalled, claiming that he did not want to be part of a process that
the Turkish Cypriots were mocked. Secondly, but not so important as the first
reason, Ozersay said that it was his political movement “Toparlinoyoruz”. He
added that he preferred to promote his social movement.
Ozersay
explained that the reason he returned to the negotiation table is that this
time there are a lot of signs that it would be a serious process, adding that
all the international actors have been engaged.
He explained that he doesn’t mean that the foreigners will solve the
Cyprus problem, because at the end the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots
will agree and live to this new partnership. He noted that when he left from
his position, he was giving lessons at the “universities”, carrying out
diplomatic contacts and trying to help for the resumption of the Cyprus talks.
5. Turkish Cypriot columnists comment on KudretOzersay’s appointment;
Allegations that Eroglu is no longer part of the process
Under the title “Why Ozersay”, columnist LeventOzadam assesses in Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper (10.02.14) the appointment of KudretOzersay to
the post of the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side in the talks with the
aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Ozadam reports, inter alia, the following:“While hopes had been
totally lost on the issue of the Cyprus problem, suddenly impressive developments started happening. The reappointment of
KudretOzersay as negotiator is undoubtedly in the lead of the developments
during this process… Very well, is this
appointment made with president Eroglu’s will? Or has Eroglu appointed Ozersay
to his former duty for the sake of his beautiful eyes? Of course not!
Even I, as a person who generally avoids writing on issues regarding
Cyprus, can easily write the following: Some
developments are happening outside of our will and some solution plans are
being prepared in the backstage without us knowing it. And because with the DervisEroglu – Osman Ertug
duo it was not possible to turn these into a solution, KudretOzersay has been
once again brought to the post of the negotiator with the support of Turkey and
especially of the Minister of Foreign Affairs AhmetDavutoglu…
Let me now convey you a development which has not been heard at all
within the public opinion. Did you know that Osman Ertug had submitted his resignation from the post of the
negotiator two months ago? That he had given his resignation to president
Eroglu, but it was not accepted?
Very well, he had resigned, what was the
reason for this? [It was] the issue
of ‘sovereignty’ of course! Because Ertug
was always opposing to the single sovereignty and he did not bow, he did
not bend. However, in the end Ozersay
was put in his place because he is one of the pawns.
Actually much more important
allegationscame to us on the Cyprus issue. [They are] in the direction that
Eroglu is no longer part of the process!
That he is staying at the duty of
‘negotiator’ only for the show and the
actual negotiations are held between Davutoglu and Anastasiades. That is,
exactly like the Greek Cypriot side wanted! …In my view, Eroglu is continuing his duty as negotiator only for the show at the
moment, but together with the inclusion of Ozersay in the staff he will be fully
neutralized and Ozersay will lead
alone the negotiations with the great support of Ankara, as it was happening in
the past…”
Meanwhile, writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis
(10.02.14), BasaranDuzgun, the
paper’s general director and general publishing administrator, reports that he was surprised with the return of
KudretOzersay to the post of the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side.
Under the title “KudretOzersay and OzdilNami”, Duzgun says he was surprised
from two points of view.
“The first is related to his
criticism against the presidential palace when he was leaving the post of the
negotiator”, he notes wondering “what kinds of changes happened in that
criticism he had made”. Pointing out that Ozersay should explain this, Duzgun
notes that the second point is the
statement made by Ozersay then that he could undertake the duty again if he
would contribute to the solution.
“Given that he took the duty
again, it means that he received a sign in the direction of the solution”,
he says adding that Ozersay should share these “signs” with the people.
Duzgun goes on and expresses the view that a person, who plays “an
extremely positive role” in the “difficult and tensed bargaining”, was
OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of Cyprus.
Arguing that Nami “motivated the sides with the broad relations
network he had established”, Duzgun
claims that Nami should participate in the negotiating process actively and
participate in the negotiating team of the Turkish side. The reasons he
gives to justify this view are two:
“The first is that the international
relations he has established can secure that the process results are in our
favour. And the KudretOzersay operation
has shown to us that the presidency is extremely weak on this issue. The
second is that Nami is a representative of the major partner in the
government”.
(I/Ts.)
6. Columnist in Turkish Cypriot Vatan newspaper says “solution is appearing
on the horizon” in Cyprus
Under the title “Solution is appearing on the horizon”, columnist ErdoganNaim in Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (10.02.14) argues that the Turkish Cypriot leader,
DervisEroglu has behaved “properly” on
the issue of the agreement on a joint declaration and when “it was understood
that many sides of the issue agreed on the case, he immediately stated that he
could not oppose”. Naim continues writing, inter alia, the following:
“…Eroglu surprised many with his stance, but not me. If you ask why,
it is because I know his ‘love for the
motherland’. Moreover, it was not
possible for him to adopt an opposite behaviour in front of everybody on an
issue on which Ankara had given its consent. This stance of Eroglu is
really important. And I think that with this stance he has entered in the path with no return for a solution …
Do you know what I am surprisedwith? With the situation of the
National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party – National Forces
(DP-UG)…They remind of Don Quixotism. Are they not aware of how the point of a
joint declaration was reached? Let us hope that the day of the referendum is
close and let them see what their size is. Do you know which sides in the
Cyprus issue are? The two peoples on the island. Then it is Turkey, Greece, Britain,
America, the UN, the EU and, in brief, the whole world. And it has been evident
that the solution in Cyprus is pounding
at the door. Because the solution
will be first of all in favour of the Turks of Cyprus. The Turks of Cyprus
will become [citizens] of the EU…”
Naim goes on and refers to the changes, which will take place due to
the acquiscommunautaire and notes that the Turkish Cypriot side will be able to
benefit from EU funds. He points out that the
EU is a partnership in which “no one’s rights are lost”.
He concludes by saying: “The EU is a world
in which no crime remains unpunished. The EU will be a benefit for us. And with
the solution, Turkey’s way both in the path towards the EU and in its relations
with America and the world will be paved. It
should not be our place to put obstacles in the way of a 75-million country.
The minds must be used and we must go beyond the ordinary. And, be careful,
this opportunity must not be wasted”.
(I/Ts.)
7.Nami met with EU Enlargement Commissioner Fule
Illegal Bayrak
television (08.02.14) broadcast that self-styled
foreign minister OzdilNami met with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan
Fule.
The Cyprus problem was discussed during the meeting attended also by the heads of all departments under the EU
Enlargement Commission and the EU Commission President Barrosso’s Assistant.
Evaluating his
meeting,Nami said that the positive news
regarding the joint statement was welcomed in Brussels. “As the process to
reach a settlement moves forward, we shall need to speed up the Turkish side’s
harmonization process with the EU acquiscommunitaire. There is already some
work being carried out but we will need to intensify these efforts” he said.
Nami also explained that he had found the opportunity
to discuss developments and problems experienced with the implementation of the
Green Line Regulation and the Financial Assistance Regulation. As part of his other contacts in Brussels, Nami also met with the
Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
8. Editorial: Cyprus reunification can change the political
geography of the region
Under the title “Hopes for the last chance in Cyprus”,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.14) publishes an article by Murat
Yetkin who notes that a solution in Cyprus can change the political geography
of the area:
“ […] If it
works this time, a Cyprus reunification could change the political geography of
its region in the following ways:
1- A major
border dispute in the strategically critical East Mediterranean region, also
affecting the Middle East, will be solved.
2- The lifting
of mutual embargoes and vetoes could give impetus to Turkish-EU relations.
3- It may also
boost trade in the region, possibly enabling the transfer of Greek Cypriot gas
resources to European markets with a pipeline through Turkey, and also helping
the bankrupted Greek Cypriot economy. With a possible Turkish rapprochement
with Israel on the horizon, there could also be a transportation path for Israeli
gas.
4- It would also
mark another achievement for the EU, which is the most successful peace and
development project in history.
5- Turkish foreign policy would be able to use the
energy it has been allocating for Cyprus in other fields, providing EU-guaranteed
security to Turks on the island.
Thus, all
parties should be careful in order not to miss this last chance for the
reunification of the island.”
9. US Ambassador Koeing met with Sibel
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (10.02.14) reported that self-styled speaker of the parliament SiberSibermet with the US
Ambassador to Lefkosia John M Koeing.
No statement was issued before or after the meeting. According
to the paper, this was the first time that a US Ambassador in Cyprus “officially
visited the TRNC Parliament”.
10. Turkish Foreign and EU minister to visit
Brussels for EU bid
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.14) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister AhmetDavutoglu and EU Affairs Minister MevlutCavusoglu
will meet EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and EU foreign policy chief
Catherine Ashton today in Brussels for a Turkey-EU political dialogue meeting. A
new law adopted by Turkish lawmakers last week, which will tighten Internet
controls, is expected to be a topic during the meeting since the EU has
criticized the legislation.
11. IlhanIsbilen becomes ninth Deputy to resign
from AKP since 17 December graft probe
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (07.02.14) reported that IlhanIsbilen,
an MP from Izmir province announced his resignation from Turkey's ruling AK
Party on Friday.The resignation brings to nine the total
number of Deputies who have resigned from the AK Party since the December 17
anti-graft operation was launched.
After the
resignation of Isbilen, the number of seats in the Turkish Parliament stands
as:
Name of Party Member
Number
AK Party: 318
Republican
People's Party (CHP): 134
Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP): 52
Peace and
Democracy Party (BDP): 26
Independent
Deputies: 14
Peoples'
Democracy Party (HDP): 4
Total: 548
12. Poll shows ruling AKP winning elections with
48.5%
Turkish daily YeniSafak(06.02.14) published an article
by HamdiKocoglu, under the title “AKP: 48.5%”, regarding a survey carried out
by the Denge Polling Company. According to the paper, Justice and Development
Party (AKP) has made a significant increase in its share of the vote in the
local elections, which stood at 38.8% in 2009. Some 48.5% of those who took
part in the survey said they would vote for the AKP
while 29.7% stated that they would vote Republican People's Party (CHP), 14.1% said
they would vote Nationalist Action Party (MHP),5.5%Peace and Democracy Party
(BDP) and 1.9% others.
The
"Current Turkey" survey was carried out by the Denge Polling Company
in 25 provinces with the participation of 5,01%between 1-5 February. The survey
asked, "If there were a general election today which party would you vote
for?".
13. Turkey's fifth satellite to be launched from
Kazakhstan on 15 February
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (08.02.14) reported that Turkey's
TURKSAT 4A Communication Satellite - Turkey´s fifth satallite - will be
launched on 15 February 2014 from Baykonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan.
The Turksat 4A
telecommunication satellite was produced jointly with Turkish and Japanese
engineers. Television broadcasts and satellite communication signals will be
able to reach all of the African continent with TURKSAT 4A.
Turkey´s other satellite TURKSAT 4B, Turkey´s sixth
satellite, will be launched on the second quarter of this year. Officials says that with TURKSAT 4B, Internet services provider
fees will be so cheaper in the country
14. Turkey ranks second ion Internet censors
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.02.14) reports
thatTurkey ranks second after China in demands to ban Internet content,
according to a new report by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey
(TEPAV), amid a controversial new Internet law
increasing restrictions and the government's power over the Internet.
The report comes at a time when protests have been
held in several cities against a controversial Internet law that allows a
government agency, the Telecommunications Communications Presidency (TİB), to
block access to websites without a court order if the site is deemed to violate
privacy or has "insulting" content.
The Internet law
was approved by Parliament on February 6, and gives the authority to block
access to web pages to the head of the TİB. It has been widely seen as a
government move to increase control over citizens' online activities.
Earlier on Feb.
8, Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan had vehemently rejected criticism of the
new curbs.
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