25/2/14

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW




TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S


No. 38/14                                                                                           25.02.14
1. Ozersay: We clearly saw on which issues we will face difficulties and on which we will agree more easily
2. Matthew Kidd says solution in Cyprus is more likely now
3. Eroglu insists on two peoples in Cyprus
4. Eroglu met with the German Ambassador to Lefkosia
5. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State discussed Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign Ministry during a surprise visit to Turkey
6. Bahceli on the Cyprus problem: “Turkey cannot make concessions towards Cyprus”
7. Elcil accuses Eroglu of trying to undermine the Cyprus talks
8. Progressive Alliance supports the Cyprus talks
9. The property of the Greek Cypriots, who were compensated, would belong to Turkey
10.Self-styled minister of foreign affairs and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade are organizing a workshop
11. Siber’s contact with foreign delegations during the OIC 9th Parliamentary Union Conference
12. TGP will hold its general assembly on May 2015
13. Murat Kanatli is detained after so-called military court ruling

1. Ozersay: We clearly saw on which issues we will face difficulties and on which we will agree more easily
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.02.14) reports that Kudret Ozersay, negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot community in the Cyprus talks held a two and a half hour meeting yesterday at the buffer zone with the Greek Cypriot negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis.In statements to illegal Bayrak afterwards, Ozersay said that the climate was positive during the meeting in which they discussed the method and the procedure of the negotiations.
“However, we basically discussed together some issues under the main chapter of Governance and Power Sharing and some issues related to the EU”, he noted adding that “moreover in the meeting we saw more clearly on which issues we will face difficulties to agree and on which issues we will agree more easily”.
Ozersay said thattheir next meeting will be held on 4 March and that during the meeting they will discuss issues under the chapter of Governance and Power Sharing such as the powers, the formation and the election of the federal government, and in relation to this the list with the powers of the federal state and the residual powers of the constituent states. He noted that the Greek Cypriot side has suggested that the property issue should be discussed in relation to the Governance and Power Sharing and the Turkish Cypriot side accepted this suggestion. He reiterated, however, the view of the Turkish side that the territorial issue and the map should be discussed in the end of the negotiations. He added: “Therefore, we will listen to their views on the property in relation to the territory, except the map and the numbers, and we will put forward our own views on the property issue”.
Meanwhile, referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (25.02.14) reports that the spokesman of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Michel Bonnardeaux said that UN experts provide assistance to the negotiators on issues such as the property, security/military matters, the EU, the constitutional law and political affairs. The paper writes that the negotiators agreed yesterday on the method of the negotiations.
(I/Ts.)

2. Matthew Kidd says solution in Cyprus is more likely now
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.02.14) reports that the British High Commissioner, Matthew Kidd, who will leave Nicosia in the end of April, has said that the momentum for reaching a solution in Cyprus is higher than in many other periods. In an interview with Kibris, the British High Commissioner expressed the view that it is not easy to reach an agreement from the point we are today and added that the people in both sides of the island must take very difficult decisions, if an agreement is to be reached. “None of the sides will be able to take all it wants”, he noted.
Kidd said that the sides should trust each other in order for an agreement to be reached on the island and argued that “this time it is more likely to reach the end of the road, that is, to have two ‘yes’” votes in the referendum. He went on and gave the message to the inhabitants of the island to be calm and work in this direction.
Replying to a question, Kidd said that the United Kingdom has contributed in the process for reaching an agreement on the joint declaration and that the hopes for a solution increased after the signing of the declaration by the community leaders. Kidd described the declaration as “a good basis” adding that it clarifies a little bit how the sides will approach some issues which are waiting to be solved.
Asked whether an agreement could be reached within 4-5 months, Kidd noted that this is very ambitious and a very limited period of time for solving matters, among which “big issues” also exist. He went on and pointed out that the referendum should be prepared carefully.
Asked whether the solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation contradicts the acquis communautaire of the EU, the British High Commissioner said that we have always known that “a careful method is needed” to “match” the acquis with the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and added that in some areas short-term or long-term derogations might be needed.
Replying to another question, he said that he would not be surprised if the negotiators of the two communities included London in their future visits. “This would be very reasonable”, he said adding that both negotiators could visit London at the same time and hold either separate or joint meetings at the Foreign Ministry.
Asked whether the United Kingdom would be willing to abandon its status as “guarantor power”, the British High Commissioner noted that if both sides agree on how the treaty of guarantee should be, the UK will not say “no”. He said that the reason of guarantees is to create safety for the Cypriots, but a model imposed from outside would not be as good as something agreed upon between the communities.
(I/Ts.)

3. Eroglu insists on two peoples in Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (24.02.14) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met with a delegation from the “Martyr Families and Disabled War Veterans Association”.

Speaking during the visit, Eroglu stated that he is working towards finding a permanent and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and added: “If the other side has the same intentions and acts with the realization that there are two peoples on the island then there is no reason why we cannot find a solution to the Cyprus Problem”. 

He went on and added the following: “We want to find an agreement that will not allow us to return to pre 1974 conditions. We are searching for a solution that will not make us experience what we did during the 1960 republic. Whether it’s possible or not we will find out at the negotiations table” he stated.

4. Eroglu met with the German Ambassador to Lefkosia
Illegal Bayrak television (24.02.14) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met with the German Ambassador to Lefkosia Gabriela Guellil.The latest developments on the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus negotiations process topped the agenda of the meeting. No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

5. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State discussed Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign Ministry during a surprise visit to Turkey
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (25.02.14) reports that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns paid a surprise visit to Turkey and met with the Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu.

During the meeting Burns conveyed the appreciation of U.S. President Barack Obama for the new solution procedure regarding the Cyprus problem. The paper notes that the meeting was held after the telephone conversation between with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Feb. 19 and Obama.

In addition, Sabah writes that the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden and United States Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel are planning to visit Turkey soon.

6.Bahceli on the Cyprus problem: “Turkey cannot make concessions towards Cyprus”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (25.02.14) the chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli has evaluated the re-launching of the Cyprus negotiation talks.

Replying to a reporter’s question during a visit paid to him yesterday by Istanbul’s Chamber of Commerce, Bahceli referred to the visit the Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns will pay to Turkey and said that Burns, during his contacts in Turkey, will discuss several issues including the Cyprus problem.

As regards the Cyprus problem, Bahceli said that the USA is exerting efforts with a different approach, for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Pointing out that the USA has exerted efforts to persuade Turkey on the Cyprus problem, Bahceli added: “Turkey’s traditional approach towards the Cyprus problem is that it is not possible to accept any political or social change that will eliminate Turkey’s existence there. The existence of the TRNC should be protected there, together with the two sovereignties and two communities. Turkey cannot make concessions towards this. (…)”.
(AK)

7. Elcil accuses Eroglu of trying to undermine the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (25.02.14) reports that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), has stressed that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu behaves against the principle of not making provoking statements, which was in the context of the “framework agreement” which was signed prior to the Cyprus talks, adding that Eroglu’s statements “Varosha will not be returned, the Turkish army will not be withdrawn, the population will not be dispatched” are the finest examples of his provocation.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Elcil noted that the fake nationalists, who are nourished with blood, tears and loots in order to cause collapse of the on-going negotiation process intended for a solution of the Cyprus problem, have appeared again to the stage.

Elcil accused Eroglu of starting a campaign to sabotage the Cyprus talks, by putting his “dynasty” Tahsin Ertugruloglu and Zorlu Tore to make the statements. He added that Ertugruloglu is known for what he did with the Annan plan.

Elcil said that Eroglu has harmed this communityenough; adding that they know very well that he doesn’t want a solution. He accused him of trying to remove from the negotiation team those who want a solution.

8. Progressive Alliance supports the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (25.02.14) reports that the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) participated in the Progressive Alliance Conference in Tunis, which was held between 21-22 February. CTP is one of the founder members of the Alliance.

According to a press release issued by CTP-BG, the self-styled deputy of CTP-BG Armagan Candan represented CTP at the conference.

The paper reports that the Progressive Alliance accepted unanimously the proposal by Candan for support on the Cyprus talks. The decision of the Progressive Alliance on the Cyprus talks is the following:

“Progressive Alliance welcomes the resumption of the negotiations aiming to unite the island of Cyprus under a bizonal, bicommunal federation with the political equality of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Progressive Alliance is convinced that the joint statement agreed by the two leaders on the island on 11 February 2014 lays a solid foundation for result oriented talks and a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the United Nations. We wish all the success to the Cypriots in their effort to unite the island and call all the related parties to work with good will for an early solution of this half a century long problem in the East Mediterranean.”

9. The property of the Greek Cypriots, who were compensated, would belong to Turkey
Column “A letter from ‘Africa’”, in Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (25.02.14), writes that it has been decided that there will be a new note attached behind the title deeds given by the Greek Cypriots, who had applied to the “immovable property commission”, to get compensation for exchange of their property in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to the paper, the note “It is paid by the Republic of Turkey” will be written behind the title deeds. This was discussed between the Turkish Cypriot lawyers, who visited Turkey, and Turkish officials.

The paper wonders what this means and concludes that it means that this property belongs now to Turkey. 

The paper adds: “why then do officials tell us very often that a solution in Cyprus will save us?”The paper further says that this situation is unbearable and it is very difficult to get out of this swamp.

10.Self-styled minister of foreign affairs and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade are organizing a workshop
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.02.14) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), are organizing a workshop in the breakaway regime under the title: “Export promotion and investment strategies in the context of globalization”.

The workshop will take place between 3-6 March 2014 at the illegal Near East University.

11. Siber’s contact with foreign delegations during the OIC 9th Parliamentary Union Conference
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (25.02.14) reports that the self-style speaker of the “assembly”, Sibel Siber who addressed the general assembly of the 9th Parliamentary Union Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Tehran,gave information about her contacts with foreign delegations during the conference.

Speaking during a press conference, she said that she met with many assembly speakers among them the assembly speakers of Jordan, Sudan, Libya, Azerbaijan, Uganda, Tadzhikistan and Malaysia and also with the deputy speaker of the assembly of Pakistan.

12. TGP will hold its general assembly on May 2015
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (25.02.14) reports that the leader of the Social Evolution Party (TGP), Enver Dincoglu, in a statement yesterday, said that the party is formed by honorary members of its administrative council until its general assembly which will be held on May 2015.Dincoglu announced that the work for registering new party members continues.

13. Murat Kanatli is detained after so-called military court ruling
Turkish daily Kibris Postasi news site (25.02.14) broadcast that the member of the Board of Directors of New Cyprus Party (YKP) Murat Kanatli who declared his conscientious objection and refused to do “military service” since 2009 is detained by a so-called military court.

The case which has been running since 14 June 2011 had its final “ruling” today and fined Kanatli 500 TL. According to the “ruling”, Kanatli would face “military imprisonment” for 10 days if he refused to pay the fine. Reports say that Kanatli refused to pay the fine and is detained by the “military court” and is taken to the “military prison”. 


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