TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 23/14 04.02.14
1. Turkish Cypriot political parties describe as
“unacceptable” the decision of facilitating the participation of the Turkish
Cypriots in the EP elections
2. Levent: The political parties which oppose to the
participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP elections have the mentality of
TMT
3. The “Property Compensation Commission” is
reportedly “far from being an effective institution”
4. Self-styled mfa on the latest UN Resolution on
extending the mandate of UNFICYP
5. Akansoy explained CTP’s aims for the Cyprus problem
solution during a conference in Ankara
6. CHP’s Logoglu reacted against the joint military
exercise to be conducted by Cyprus and Israel
7. The DP assembly is formed; Positions distributed
between Democratic and National Forces
8. The tower of Othellois closed for two years
9. Berlin urges EU to keep doors open to Ankara
10. Cavusoglu: We will bring the issue of opening the
chapter of energy onto the agenda
1. Turkish Cypriot political parties describe as
“unacceptable” the decision of facilitating the participation of the Turkish
Cypriots in the EP elections
Turkish Cypriot
daily Realist newspaper (04.02.14) reports that
the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), the Democratic Party –
National Forces (DP-UG) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) held a press
conference on Monday during which they described as “unacceptable” the decision
of the Republic of Cyprus to facilitate the participation of the Turkish
Cypriots in the forthcoming European Parliament elections (EP).
In a joint
statement read out by SibelSiber, self-styled speaker of the so-called
parliament of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, the three
parties argue that what they call as the
representation right of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP could be materialized
with a “democratic election which will be reflecting the will of the Turkish
Cypriot people”.
“It is obvious
that this decision regarding the representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the
EP elections will not reflect the political will of the Turkish Cypriots”, the
statement claimed and alleged: “It is very well known today by the
international community that the Turkish
Cypriot people is a separate political entity from the Greek Cypriot people.
The two peoples on the island of Cyprus
have always held elections with two separate voters’ lists and candidates’
lists. This is one of the most fundamental elements in the 1960 Constitution.
Again, the voting during the Annan Plan in 2004 was held separately by the two
peoples with their own voters’ lists with the approval of the UN Security
Council. Therefore, this arrangement, which the Greek Cypriot side will put
into effect for the European Parliament elections, has been found unacceptable
by the political parties represented in our Parliament and have signed at the
end of this statement…”
The paper writes
that the joint statement was signed by OzkanYorgancioglu, chairman of CTP-BG
and self-styled prime minister of the regime, SerdarDenktas, chairman of the
DP-UG and self-styled deputy prime minister of the regime, and CemalOzyigit,
chairman of the TDP.
During the press
conference at the presence of the above-mentioned party leaders, Siber told the
media that she regrets that the so-called main opposition National Unity Party
(UBP) has not signed the joint statement. She added that Huseyin Ozgurgun, the
chairman of the UBP, told her that they agree with the content of the
statement, but “the issue has come with delay to their knowledge”. Siber noted
that the UBP could evaluate the issue in its “parliamentary” group and make its
own statement.
(I/Ts.)
2. Levent: The political parties which oppose to the
participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP elections have the mentality of
TMT
Under the title
“Mentality of the organization”, Turkish Cypriot columnist SenerLevent comments in daily Afrika newspaper (04.02.14) the joint
statement issued yesterday by three Turkish Cypriot political parties
describing as “unacceptable” the decision of the Republic of Cyprus to
facilitate the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the forthcoming
European Parliament elections (EP). Levent notes that the stance of these parties show that they fear that the Turkish
Cypriots will participate in the EP elections and this is why they launched
“propaganda and agitation” this early.
Levent expresses
the view that this is the same mentality
that existed in 1950’s during the period of terrorist TMT organization,
which is also called as “organization”. He writes, inter alia, the following:
“…They make a
call on the people saying ‘this is a Greek Cypriot trick, do not become an
instrument for the Greek Cypriot dreams’. This
mentality has absolutely no difference from the mentality in the 1950’s. It
is the mentality of the organization. It
has absolutely no difference from the mentality which murdered the biggest
patriots among our people by stigmatizing them as ‘traitors of the country’.
It is the mentality which, with the
‘from Turk to Turk campaign’, fined our people to pay two shillings for every
Greek word they were using. It is the mentality which removed the Greek
language from the syllabus in our lyceums by calling it the ‘language of the
enemy’. Behold, this is the mentality we have before us. They say that the
Turks should elect the Turks and the Greeks the Greeks… Are all the Turks right
and all the Greeks wrong? Are all the Greeks right and all the Turks wrong? If
so, why they are angry for the Nazi mentality? This mentality is a racist, fascist mentality! …
It seems that the parties in our assembly are still
not aware of the situation in Cyprus. The island has been divided for 40 years.
We have 40,000 troops over our head. And the population transferred from
outside is by many times bigger than our population. We have chased 200
thousand Greek Cypriots away to the south depriving them by the force of arms
of their land and property. We have carried our people in the south to the north by deceiving them
with great many promises. We have
crowned the victory we won by panting the biggest flag in the world on
Pentadaktylos mountains. We have offered Varosha, one of the most attractive
corners of the island, to the snakes and centipedes. They force us playing
the theatre of cease fire for 40 years. Turkey has hung over us with her entire
weight. We have become her back garden, her rectum. They are trying to
annihilate our feelings for living together with our Greek Cypriots compatriots.
The file of the
crimes we have committed on the island is very swollen. And we have started now to ask privileged
representation in Europe without looking at our situation with this satellite
‘state’, this ‘puppet government’!They ask Varosha. You do not give it.
Withdraw troops, they say. You do not withdraw. You keep saying ‘after the
solution’. However, when the turn of the European Parliament elections comes,
you want two seats. So, since you postpone everything for the period after the
solution, why this should be before the solution?...
The following is
said in the yesterday joint decision taken by our leftist and rightist parties,
among which no difference remained: ‘It is obvious that this arrangement made
by the Greek Cypriot side will not secure the representation of the Turkish
Cypriot people’. That is, if devil suddenly breaks his leg and a Turkish
Cypriot is elected, they will say ‘he does not represent us’, is it not? Why? Is it because he is elected by Turkish
Cypriots with mainly Greek Cypriot voters and not mainly voters from Turkey?”
(I/Ts.)
3. The “Property Compensation Commission” is
reportedly “far from being an effective institution”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Realistnewspaper (04.02.14)
reports that the so-called property Compensation Commission established by
Turkey in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus “seems to be far from
being an effective institution today”.
The paper
publishes statements by lawyer Hakan
Sonya,who said that “no matter
how good intended the Property
Compensation Commission is from the day of its establishment and even
though it continues its works within the framework of the duties given to it, it seemsfar from being an institution that
works effectively in the situation created today”.
Sonya noted that there are many reasons for this and
added that one of them is the fact that the number of the applications which
have been filed until the beginning of 2014 exceeds the capacity of the
“Commission”. On the other hand, he said, the
“Commission” lacks an automation system and a “disconnection” exists among the
“institutions” in the occupied area of Cyprus. He also argued that the decision
by the Republic of Cyprus not to issue new title deeds for the occupied Greek
Cypriot properties “completely stopped the procedures” of the “Commission”.
He went on and
said that the “Commission” does not pay compensation without the presentation
of an up-to-date document and therefore “the Greek Cypriots, who wait a payment
for months, even if they are invited today, will not be able to take the
compensation they have the right to take, because, due to the delay, they will
not be able to secure the necessary document”.
Asked whether
the “community of the lawyers” in the occupied area of Cyprus is dissatisfied
from the “Commission”, Sonya replied
that “it is undeniable that dissatisfaction exists among the lawyers regarding
the procedures of the Commission”. He added: “Justice, which is established with delay, is not justice. If a Greek
Cypriot has filed his application in 2011 and he has still not received a reply
today, we cannot refer to a Commission which works here anymore”.
According to
Sonya, another problem is that some persons who are not lawyers file applications
in the name of some property owners or follow the affairs of Greek Cypriot
property owners at the “Commission” like a lawyer.
Sonya said also
that he has a client who has accepted a proposal submitted to him by the
“Commission” 14 months ago and today they are still waiting for the procedure
to be completed and receive the compensation. He noted that the “Commission”
told them that the payments are made by the self-styled ministry of finance and
if they were not satisfied with the situation they could apply to “court”.
“Think, an official proposal is submitted to our client and the most of the
times, the payment is not made without showing any pretext”, he said.
According to the
paper, 5,704 applications have been
submitted to the Commission since 2006 and only 594 were concluded. The
paper draws attention to the fact that, in 2013, during which 1,337
applications were filed, only two applications were concluded. Most applications were filed in 2011, when
their number reached 1,926. The most applications were concluded in 2010, when
165 cases were completed. Since 2006 the “Commission” paid 142.366.621 pound
sterling for compensation and loss of use of property. In 2013, during which
the lowest number of cases were completed, 33.952.775 pound sterling were paid.
(I/Ts.)
4. Self-styled
mfa on the latest UN Resolution on extending the mandate of UNFICYP
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis (04.02.14) reports that the self-styled ministry of foreign
affairs of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,
evaluating the UN resolution for extending the mandate of the United Nations
Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2014, drew the attention
to paragraph 4, in which the resumption of the Cyprus talks is considered as
different from the previous UN resolutions.
In a written
statement issued by the self-styled information office of the ministry, it is
said that the above mentioned paragraph encourages both sides to mutually
safeguard the continuation of the talks and not to call the negotiation process
as failure yet.
Referring to the
latest Turkish Cypriot proposal submitted to the UN on the 14th of
December, the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs claimed that the reply of
the Greek Cypriot side on this proposal was far from being constructive. It
alleged that it is sad that this diversity of the stances between the two sides
in the island is not reflected in the UN Resolution.
Meanwhile, the
paper reports that self-styled minister of foreign affairs OzdilNami briefed
yesterday the trade union Turk-Sen on the latest stage of the Cyprus problem.
Noting that the
UN continues the dialogue with both sides in the island and exert efforts in
order to surpass the deadlock on the text of the joint statement, Nami claimed
that he hopes that these efforts will be positively concluded in the very near
future. He argued that there are huge masses in both sides that ask the
positive conclusion of these efforts.
Replying to a
question regarding the text of the joint statement, Nami said that the
fundamental joint statement should be done by the leaders. He noted that the
resumption of the Cyprus talks should be done without any delaying, adding that
this is also the concrete demand of the “people” by both sides.
5. Akansoy explained CTP’s aims for the Cyprus
problem solution during a conference in Ankara
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (04.02.14)
reports that AsimAkansoy, “MP” with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
participated in a conference in Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem.
The conference
was organized in Ankara by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
Speaking at the
conference, Akasoy gave information about the latest developments on the Cyprus
problem and said that the federal
solution is CTP’s basic issue. He said that CTP supports Cyprus’ integrity and
added that the island’s population is not calm and happy. He went on and added
that one of their primary aims is the unification of the island and noted that
their aim is a bi-communal bi-zonal federal solution.
6. CHP’s Logoglu reacted against the joint military
exercise to be conducted by Cyprus and Israel
Turkish Cypriot
daily Volkan newspaper (04.02.14) reports that FarukLogoglu, the deputy general secretary of the main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Turkey, alleged that the joint exercise to
be conducted bythe Republic of Cyprus and Israel, targets Turkey.
Logoglu, who was speaking at a press conference
organized at the Grand Turkish National Assembly alleged that the military
exercises is a public demonstration carrying a political meaning for the
Republic of Cyprus which according to Logoglu’s allegations violates the rights
of the Turkish Cypriots, the “TRNC” and Turkey. He also criticized the ruling
in Turkey Justice and Development Party for not reacting against this
development.
7.The DP assembly is formed; Positions distributed
between Democratic and National Forces
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen newspaper (04.02.14) reports that the members of the Democratic Party- National Forces (DP-UG) assembly
were determined during the 9th ordinary party congress which was held on Sunday
February 2 and notes that the positions were distributed between older members
of DP and National Forces, former members on the National Unity Party (UBP) who
jointed DP a few months ago.
The paper also
writes that following the election of the assembly members and of the leader of
the party, SerdarDenktas the DP-UG will now elect its general secretary. The
paper also reports that the main candidate for the position is HasanTacoy, who
is a former UBP member and who helped greatly towards Denktas’ election to the
leadership.
(CS)
8. The tower of Othello is closed for two years
Under the title
“The door of Othello tower is locked”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (04.02.14)
reports that the tower of Othello in occupied Famagusta is closed for two
years, for restoration works. However, the paper reports that no restoration
work has been done yet, adding that the tower is in danger of collapsing.
Self-styled
mayor of occupied Famagusta OktanKayalp said that the tender for the restoration
works is still open and when the tender offer concludes, the restoration works
will start.
9. Berlin urges EU to keep doors open to Ankara
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (04.02.14) with the above title reports that the opening of EU chapters 23 and 24 would
benefit Turkey the most in the interest of keeping the country on track in its
EU bid, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said yesterday
following talks with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu.
Steinmeier said
it was important to keep the European Union’s door open to Turkey following
turbulence over the corruption probe, saying he advocated the opening of two
new chapters of Ankara’s membership talks, Chapter 23 on the judiciary and
fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security.
Davutoglu, for his part, said the opening of the
chapters would be crucial in ensuring that the Turkish judiciary would fall in
line with the European one. “EU-Turkish ties are
very important. We trust Germany’s leadership on this topic. We believe that
the initiatives taken by Germany will create reactions in the bloc,” Davutoglu
said.
Steinmeier’s
call came as he was to meet Erdogan, who was also set to convene with
Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Vice Chancellor and Social Democratic Party
(SPD) leader Sigmar Gabriel.
Merkel’s
spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said that the domestic politics of Turkey would be
on the agenda during the meeting between Erdogan and Merkel. Syria will be
another item on the agenda of the meeting, as the two are expected to discuss
the Geneva peace talks and humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.
10. Cavusoglu: We will bring the issue of opening
the chapter of energy onto the agenda
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 03.02.14), under the title “Turkey eager to open
multiple EU chapters”, reported that Turkish EU Minister MevlutCavusoglu, ahead
of a key official visit to Germany, said that opening one negotiation chapter
with Turkey during each six-month rotating presidency of the European Union is
not acceptable.
Cavusoglu said that such
slow progress would mean that Turkey can only become an EU member within a
decade at the earliest. “Chapters 23 and
24 [judiciary and fundamental rights; and justice, freedom and security] are
very important and we want chapters related to the judiciary, security and
freedom to be opened. As a matter of fact, EU countries also want this, but
Greek Cyprus [editor’s note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus] has
blocked these two chapters. These should be lifted,” he told reporters on
Feb. 3, as he hosted Hacettepe University rector Murat Tuncer.
“During our meetingsin Germany, we will also bring the
issue of opening the chapter on energy onto the agenda,” he added.
“But in general
terms, we wish to have as many chapters as possible opened at once. Because
when we assume one chapter is opened during each presidency term, just opening
the chapters will take 10 years. This is not an acceptable process,” Cavusoglu
said.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
