TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 26/14 07.02.14
1. Eroglu issues three statements within 24 hours on
the Cyprus problem; He had a telephone conversation with the US Deputy
Secretary of State
2. Reactions by Turkish Cypriot political parties to
the joint declaration
3. US push brings breakthrough closer on Cyprus talks
4. Eroglu discussed the hydrocarbon exploration and
the Cyprus problemwith the Israeli Ambassador
5. British diplomat of Turkish Cypriot origin alleges
that the best solution in Cyprus would be an exchange of land
6. A Turkish Cypriot at the EU Commission’s
Directorate General for Health and Consumers
7. Salamis Bay Hotel in occupied Famagusta has been
renovated
8. The cost of living in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus
9. The breakaway regime was represented at the Berlin
Fruit Logistica 2014
10. The Turkish government submits to Parliament
tutoring centres bill
11. Europe expresses serious concerns over the
Internet law
12. Today's Zaman journalist faces deportation over
critical tweets
13. Various polls for Turkey’s local elections;
Turkish daily claims some surveys are manipulated
1. Eroglu issues three statements within 24 hours
on the Cyprus problem; He had a telephone conversation with the US Deputy
Secretary of State
Under the title
“Successive statements by the palace”, Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper
(07.02.14) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu issued three written statements yesterday on the
Cyprus problem. In the first statement Eroglu said that he had received through
the UN another draft text as regards the joint declaration, which will lead to
the recommencement of the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem.
“As it is known,
the proposals mutually made by the Turkish and Greek sides regarding the ‘joint
statement’ are on the table”, noted Eroglu’s statement adding: “We are
continuing negotiations with the sides concerned within the framework of the
efforts exerted with the aim of bringing these proposals of the two sides to a
common point. Within this framework,
another draft regarding the ‘joint statement’ was conveyed to us this morning
through the UN”.
The second statement was issued in the evening and
said that the efforts for continuing the negotiations from the point they had
been left have come to their final stage. The
statement argued also that the Turkish
side was waiting for the clarification of the stance of the Greek Cypriot side
for the resumption of the negotiations the soonest.
The third statement noted that Eroglu continued his contacts with the “actors” on the Cyprus problem and
that within this framework he held a telephone
conversation yesterday at 18.30 hours with the US Deputy Secretary of State,
William J. Burns.
Moreover,
according to the paper, the activity on the issue of the joint declaration
caused a “tensed traffic” yesterday at Eroglu’s office. Yesterday morning,
after the statement that the Turkish side had received a new proposal by the
Greek Cypriot side, successive meetings were held.
On the other
hand, Eroglu’s special representative, Osman Ertug left his office yesterday
afternoon and questions were raised by
the fact that Eroglu’s former special representative KudretOzersay was also at
Ertug’s office and stayed there working even after Ertug left. The paper
writes that confusion was created by one of Ozersay’s tweets yesterday, saying
that the negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem “is
becoming serious” and that “I am trying to contribute”.
Ertug told Realist that Ozersay was helping them and
that he had never denied his help. He added that Turkish Cypriot leader’s
former representative Ergun Olgun is also helping them. Ozersay himself
told Realist that he did not return to the duty of Eroglu’s representative and
that “my help was needed and I am helping”.
Realist
publishes also the statements made yesterday by President Anastasiades under
the title “Anastasiades is ready for
negotiations”.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (07.02.14) refers to the developments under the title“Babel of
statements by Eroglu” and recalls that on Wednesday night at 22.15 hours
Eroglu had said that there was no agreement on the joint declaration, yesterday
morning at 11.15 hours he announced that he received a draft text for a joint
declaration and yesterday afternoon at 18.00 hours he said that “the end came
in the joint text, we are waiting for the clarification of the stance of the
Greek Cypriot side for the commencement of the negotiations”.
YeniDuzen’s editor-in-chief, CenkMutluyakali wonders
why Eroglu is sitting at his post if he will reject this proposal as well. Mutluyakali argues that Eroglu will either accept this last text of the
joint declaration or he will “withdraw”. Mutluyakali recalls how former
Turkish Cypriot leader RaufDenktas had withdrawn after saying that he did not
accept the Annan Plan.
Mutluyakali
writes that Eroglu’s first reaction was
that “this text is the position of the Greek Cypriot side”. He goes on and
writes that this ‘position’ provides for the use of the powers of the “founding
states” without interference by the federal government and for a federal
constitution which will be saying that United Cyprus will be formed by two
founding states with equal status and that none of the sides will have
authority and administrative power over the other.
(I/Ts.)
2. Reactions by Turkish Cypriot political parties
to the joint declaration
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen newspaper (07.02.14) publishes statements by Turkish Cypriot
political party leaders and representatives as regards the joint declaration
that will lead to the resumption of the negotiations aiming at solving the
Cyprus problem.
KutlayErk, general secretary of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) told the paper that “it is understood
that reconciliation has been achieved
with a joint text”. He added: “The
content and the text is valuable and important. However, this text is not
the solution itself. The solution will
be found at the negotiating table”.
The chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP),
CemalOzyigit described as “positive” the text and
added that “a solution should be reached by starting substantial
negotiations”.
The chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP),
IzzetIzcan argued that “the joint text is a mystery, the text has not been
clarified yet” and added that “the joint text will
not solve the basic problem, negotiations should start the soonest”.
Finally,
according to illegal Bayrak television (07.02.14, online), SerdarDenktas, chairman of the Democratic Party – National Forces
(DP-UG) and self-styled deputy prime minister of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, argued
that Eroglu’s performance is good on the issue of the joint declaration, but
“some things are being done without the knowledge and the approval of the
negotiator”. He said that everybody agreed with the text prepared during
Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu’s illegal visit to the occupied area of
Cyprus. He added however, that he has
some reservations as regards the current text, which he described as “not
sufficient”.
Denktas alleged that absolutely no federation could
have single sovereignty from the point of view of the internal politics. He argued that the current
text includes contradictions and added that they will evaluate what stance
they will exhibit. He claimed that it
would be “naivety” to expect something positive to come out from the
negotiations under the current conditions.
(I/Ts.)
3. US push brings breakthrough closer on Cyprus
talks
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 06.02.14)
reported that a move forward in the Cyprus peace talks, which have been stuck
for a prolonged time over differences on a “joint statement” that would set out
the rules for the start of negotiations between Turkish and Greek Cypriots on
the long-divided island, seems to be very close, as Washington has pressured
the two sides to find a solution.
Diplomatic sources say that Washington's push was
critical in overcoming the deadlock on the joint statement issue. US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Victoria Nuland visited the island on Tuesday and met with Anastasiades and
Eroglu. According to sources who talked to Today's Zaman on condition of
anonymity, Nuland delivered a message from US President Barack Obama to the
leaders of the island, saying that it is important to overcome the joint
statement issue and start negotiations.
Ankara has been
working with US officials very closely to overcome the disputes over the joint
statement, sources said to Today's Zaman. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
visited the island on Dec. 14 of last year to push for a solution. The US Ambassador to Cyprus, John M.
Koenig, has been carrying messages between Ankara and the Greek Cypriots.
A veteran
diplomat who has worked on the Cyprus issue closely told Today's Zaman on
Thursday that what is important for the
US at the moment is to see progress on the issue. “The US is not interested
in the issue of sovereignty in Cyprus. What is important for the US is to
manage the problem. Cyprus is not a priority, and honestly I don't think I will
see a solution in my lifetime,” said the former diplomat, speaking on condition
of anonymity, stating that the leaders of the island do not believe the
negotiations will bring a solution either, but they are going forward just to
please the US.
On the same
issue, columnist Yusuf Kanli, in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
07.02.14), under the title “Cyprus cacophony, writes the following:
“(…) Turkish
Cypriot Foreign Minister NamiOzdil and many Turkish Cypriot friends are united
in saying, ‘I was wrong of thinking
Turkey bypassed the Turkish Cypriots and contacted through U.S. good offices,’
the Greek Cypriot side. Indeed, they were correct. The Turkish Cypriot side was not left in the dark by Ankara, informed
on every move it undertook together with the U.S. Embassy in southern Cyprus.
Yet, the Turkish Cypriots were bypassed, as Turkey has told the Americans that
should they receive a ‘yes’ from the Greek Cypriot side on a modified Turkish
offer, Ankara would get the Turkish Cypriot ‘yes’ with no problem.
That is, Ankara
has not bypassed the Turkish Cypriots, but promised a ‘yes’ to the Americans on
behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side to a proposal the Americans would develop,
based on an earlier proposal crafted by the Turkish Foreign Minister. Which is
better? Being bypassed by Ankara or Ankara giving your ‘yes’ to the U.S. even
without consulting you?Well, but at
Turkey’s every move, the Turkish Cypriots are ‘adequately informed’ and indeed
they know well how the ball is rolling. (…)
In the meantime,
in the north, junior coalition partner Democrat Party (DP) re-elected
SerdarDenktaş at its convention last weekend and moved on to bickering as to
whether to continue the left-right coalition or forge a three-way new coalition
with the conservative National Unity (UBP) and the social democratic Communal
Democracy parties (TDP). Even though a government crisis might not be imminent,
it is very likely a serious one will brew by the summer or at the latest before
the presidential elections campaign starts in the fall. (…)”
4. Eroglu discussed the hydrocarbon exploration and
the Cyprus problemwith the Israeli Ambassador
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 06.02.14), as diplomatic efforts to restart
the stalled Cyprus negotiations are intensifying, Turkish Cypriot DervisEroglu
continues to exchange views and convey the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions
regarding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Eroglu met with the Israeli
Ambassador to Cyprus, Michael Harari, on Thursday morning.
The latest
developments on the Cyprus problem and the issue of hydrocarbon exploration
were discussed at the meeting. Eroglu’s undersecretary HasanGungor, and
Eroglu’s special representative Osman Ertug were also present at the meeting.
No statement was
issued to the press before or after the meeting.
5. British diplomat of Turkish Cypriot origin
alleges that the best solution in Cyprus would be an exchange of land
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (07.02.14) publishes statements by Alper Mehmet, British ambassador of Turkish Cypriot origin, who said he
has no hope that the Cyprus problem will be solved and argued that the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus “is insufficient in explaining
itself”.
According to
Kibris, Mehmet noted that the
explorations for hydrocarbon resources in the sea of Cyprus have changed many
things and added that this wealth
might make finding an agreement more difficult.
Mehmet expressed the view that the best solution
formula for Cyprus passes through the exchange of land, the payment of
compensation by both sides and security. He went on
and argued: “At the same timeTurkey’s
army should get out of the island and the Turkish Cypriots should have
their autonomous administration, their elections and economy”.
He said that the
Turkish Cypriots living abroad could help in the lobbying activities of the
regime, but financial problems exist on this issue.
Mehmet was born
in 1948 in occupied Louroudjina village, went to London in 1956 and he is,
inter alia, member of the so-called “Embargoed Group”.
(I/Ts.)
6. A Turkish Cypriot at the EU Commission’s
Directorate General for Health and Consumers
Under the title
“The success of a Turkish Cypriot in Brussels”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (07.02.14) reports that a
Turkish Cypriot named ErdemErginel has been promoted to the post of the
responsible of EU Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers’
relations with third countries. He participates in meetings with third
countries on health issues and contributes in the decision making, writes the
paper. In statements to Kibris, Erginel said that he participates in meetings
with Turkey as well. Erginel will also be responsible for the development of
the relations of the EU on health issues with countries such as Chile and
Brazil.
(I/Ts.)
7.Salamis
Bay Hotel in occupied Famagusta has been renovated
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (07.02.14) reports that Salamis
Bay Conti Resort Hotel in occupied AgiosSergios area in Famagusta has been
completely renovated. According to
the general coordinator of the hotel, Mehmet Kiral, approximately 25 million TL
[around 8 million euro] have been expended for the hotel’s renovation,
which begun in 2012.
During a press
conference on the event, Kiral indicated that despite the fact that there are
no direct flights to the occupied area of Cyprus, they have succeeded to bring
tourists with charter flights via Turkey. He further stated that a possible
solution to the Cyprus problem will make a great contribution to the tourism
sector.
As Kiral said, the occupancy rate of the hotels in
occupied Cyprus increased during the last three years and reached 70%, in
comparison to 35% in previous years.
Furthermore,
Kiral noted that in March 2014 they plan to have completed “Salamis Park”,
which is unfinished and in a skeleton phase for years. He pointed out that
“Salamis Park” will be a 7-storey-building having 84 rooms, with 5-star
standards and with 750 square meters of outer spaces.
Kiral also said that 70% of their hotel’s personnel are “TRNC citizens” and
described this as “a record” if the number of the “local staff” in the other
hotels in the occupied area of the island is taken into consideration.
(E/A)
8. The cost of living in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 06.02.14), the self-styled state planning
organization (DPO) announced figures relating to the cost of living for the
month of January. According to the “DPO”, the cost of living in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus has gone up by 2.09%.
The highest rise
in the cost of consumer spending was experienced in transportation with a 4.87%
rise, followed by private education at 4.67% and 2.67 in other goods and
services.
According to the
“DPO” the cost of living over the past year has risen by 11.41%.
9. The
breakaway regime was represented at the Berlin Fruit Logistica 2014
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris Postasi (07.02.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO) participated in the Fruit
Logistica 2014 in Berlin between February 5 and 7. It is noted that the
Fair is considered as a leading fresh produce trade show in Europe.
As the paper
reports, KTSO is participating in the
Exhibition for its 7th time with six companies operating in the
occupied area of Cyprus, using a stand of 105 square meters under the name
“North Cyprus”. It is further noted that the permanent secretary of the
so-called ministry of agriculture and natural resources AkayInce also attended
the Fair.
(E/A)
10. The Turkish government submits to Parliament
tutoring centres bill
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.02.14), Turkey's government on Thursday
submitted to Parliament a bill which proposes transforming private tutoring
centres, known as “dershane” in Turkey into conventional private schools by
September 1, 2015.
Of those
becoming private schools, they will be supported by the government.
Student study
centres will only serve students aged 12 and under, and the teachers working at
dershanes might be employed at public schools.
The draft bill
aims at enabling the transformation of dershanes into private schools to adopt
the necessary legal regulations both for functional reasons and the
institutional organization of the Turkey's educational system, and to provide
more efficient educational services.
It is noted that
government's decision to transform dershanes in Turkey has been a source of
controversy in the country.
11. Europe expresses serious concerns over the
Internet law
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 06.02.14) reported that the European Commission and the European Parliament (EP) have
criticized, in separate statements, a newly adopted Internet law in Turkey,
saying that the law has raised concerns that the government is tightening its
grip on the Internet and people's access to information.
EP President
Martin Schulz tweeted on Thursday that the Turkish Parliament's approval of the
bill tightening control over the Internet is a step back in an already
suffocating environment for media freedom.
Also on
Thursday, Peter Stano, spokesperson for EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan
Fule, told reporters in Brussels that the new Internet law raises serious
concerns. “Turkish people deserve more
information and transparency, but not more restrictions,” he said. He added
that the law needs to be revised in line with European standards since Turkey
is a candidate for EU membership. Stano also said Brussels is very closely
monitoring how Turkey is lining up with membership criteria.
Council of
Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils
Muiznieks said in a written statement that the regulations approved by the Turkish Parliament toughen restrictions
on the Internet that are already in place and further limit channels for free
expression in the country. "I urge the Turkish authorities to
reconsider [the restrictions] and amend the Internet legislation in a way that
would foster freedom of expression online, not limit it further,"
Muiznieks said.
Furthermore, the
paper reported that the Ambassadors of several European Union countries on
Thursday met with Turkish EU Affairs Minister MevlutCavusoglu at a lunch meeting
in which they raised their concerns over a newly adopted controversial law on
the regulation of Internet news portals and websites.
According to an
EU Ambassador, who attended the meeting and wished to remain anonymous, the
Ambassadors have expressed their uneasiness about the Internet bill that led to
concerns over Internet freedom and people's right of access to information.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 06.02.14), under the title “Turkish Parliament approves Internet bill despite
concerns”, reported that the Turkish
Journalists’ Association (TGC) has called on President Abdullah Gul to vetothe
bill, saying it violated a number of rights, including freedom of speech and
freedom of the press.
The EP President
Schulz was joined by Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and Swedish Foreign
Minister Carl Bildt in criticizing the law.
12. Today's Zaman journalist faces deportation over
critical tweets
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 06.02.14) reported that in a move that is set to exert
further strain on the already-battered freedom of press, the government has ordered the deportation of MahirZeynalov, a Today's
Zaman correspondent and blogger, over tweets that were critical of the
government.
Zeynalov, a
national of Azerbaijan, has been put on a list of foreign individuals who are
barred from entering Turkey under Law No. 5683, because of “posting tweets
against high-level state officials,” Today's Zaman has learned. The decision,
dated Feb. 4, is signed by Deputy Police Director Ali Basturk on behalf of the
Interior Minister.
Article 19 of
Law No. 5683, which covers foreigners' residence in Turkey, allows the
deportation of foreigners “whose residence in Turkey is considered detrimental
to public security and political and administrative requirements.”
13. Various polls for Turkey’s local elections;
Turkish daily claims some surveys are manipulated
Turkish daily
Sabah (07.02.14) publishes a survey conducted by MAK polling company reveals
that 80% of the respondents said that the corruption scandal of December 17 has
not changed their political party preference.
The survey was
conducted with the method of face-to-face interview by asking 5,200 persons in
31 provinces between 26 December and 30 January.
In the question:
“If a general election were to take place this Sunday, whom would you vote
for?” 50.2% of the voters taking part in the survey answered the AKP [Justice
and Development Party]," while 26.1% said the CHP [Republican People's
Party]. According to the survey, the
votes of the MHP [Nationalist Action Party] were 12.6%, the votes of the BDP
[Peace and Democracy Party] 6.1%, the votes of the Islamist Felicity Party (SP)
2.3% and those for the Grand Unity Party (BBP) 2%.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 07.02.14), under the title “News editor
manipulates survey results in favour of ruling AK Party”, reports that a new
voice recording reveals that the editor-in-chief of a mainstream newspaper
manipulated findings of a survey that was conducted to measure voting
tendencies of the public as the country is braced for a series of elections
scheduled for the next 18 months.
On the same
issue, Turkish daily Milliyet (04.02.14) reported that as the local elections
approach, varying public opinion poll results are being reported by different
polling companies, which have drawn attention with their polls and forecasts.
So where do the
parties stand in terms of their electoral shares based on the latest polls?
Below are the
widely varying results of different polls and the projected voter share of the
parties as compiled by Radikal.
According to the
latest opinion polls, the projected vote share of the AKP ranges between 49%
and 36.4%. The projected electoral support rates for the AKP are as follows:
GENAR: 49%; Konda: 47.7%; SONAR: 42.3%; Konsensus: 41.7%; Cihan: 36.4%.
In contrast,
projected voter shares for the CHP fall within the narrow range of 29.8% and
26.5%. Specifically, the CHP is projected to win 29.8% of the vote according to
SONAR, 29.5% according to Konsensus, 28.85 according to Cihan, 28.2% according
to Konda, and 26.5% according to GENAR.
The projected
voter shares for the MHP vary in the broad and inconsistent range of 20.5% to
13.5%. The party scores the highest in the Cihan poll, which projects a share
of 20.5%. The other projected figures for the MHP are: SONAR: 18.7%; Konsensus:
15.4%; Konda: 14.4%; GENAR: 13.5%.
Voter support
figures for the BDP vary within a narrow range of 2% points. Specifically, the
party is projected to win 7.4% of the vote according to Cihan, 6.5% according
to Konsensus, 6.4% according to GENAR, 5.9% according to Konda, and 5.6%
according to SONAR.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
