TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 47/14 11.03.14
1. Nami holds contacts in Washington
2. Eroglu: “Our state is our security”
3. Ozersay: “Issues of derogation and EU primary law
were brought into the agenda”
4. Bryza: We could create a wonderful transformation
in Cyprus by securing cooperation between Israel, Turkey and Cyprus in energy
5. Another blow to the freedom of the press in the
occupied area of Cyprus
6. An effort of the Turkish Cypriot leftist parties to
form a union on left
7. Peter Stano: Turkey needs now more than ever the EU
8. Shot with tear gas canister during Gezi protests,
15-year-old Elvan dies
9. Ergenekon suspects released amid chaos over legal
authority between courts
10. LDP leader requests EU observers for local
elections in Turkey
1. Nami holds contacts in Washington
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (11.03.14) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has had the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus problem during high level
contracts in the United States of America. Namimet with the US Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns. He told
Kibris that the USA is interested in the solution process which has resumed in
Cyprus and supports the solution. Nami noted that his contacts were positive
and beneficial and that Burns expressed the wish for the negotiations that
started in a positive climate with the joint declaration to “be concluded with
constructive approaches”.
The Deputy
Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the USA,
Eric Rubin, the country’s Ambassador to Nicosia, John Koenig, the
“undersecretary” at the self-styled foreign ministry of the regime, ErhanErcin,
the “representative’ of the regime in Washington, AhmetErdengiz and the
“director” at the ‘foreign ministry”, HuseyinOzel participated in the meeting
between Burns and Nami.
Nami expressed
his satisfaction with the fact that the US interest in the Cyprus problem
continues in a period during which international problems and conflicts are on
the agenda. He said they had the opportunity to see the determination of the USA to
continue the dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side.
Replying to a
question, Nami said that they discussed
the positive influence of the solution of the Cyprus problem on the regional
stability, the relations between the EU and Turkey and the EU and NATO, and on
the cooperation in the region due to the efficient use of the hydrocarbon
resources surrounding the island.
Nami argued that
it is possible to reach a fair agreement based on the political equality of the
two sides. He claimed that the
expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side, which had voted ‘yes’ to the Annan
Plan, has not been materialized and alleged that using the argument that the
Turkish Cypriot side must give more concessions in order to reach an agreement
to which both sides will vote ‘yes’ “is not a correct approach”.
Referring to the
joint declaration, Nami argued that it includes “new elements” and therefore
this opportunity should be used and not be wasted. He noted that with the joint declaration issues which had not been
solved between the sides, such as the sovereignty, the citizenship and the
equal status of the two states, have reached a result.
Nami said that taking steps which will bring the two
communities closer to each other it would be useful, but noted that they told
their interlocutors that these steps should be planned in a manner that will
not disrupt the negotiations for finding a solution.
“We have put
forward our expectations from the USA and the international community”, he
noted adding that “we drew attention to the importance of the role of the UN”.
Nami said that
during his visit in Washington he expressed their views on the Cyprus problem
at various think tanks such as the Wilson Centre and the Atlantic Council. He
said that he drew attention to the role of the solution in the regional
cooperation. Nami gave also an interview to the Washington Times newspaper.
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (11.03.14) refers to the issue under the title “America
in action” and reports that Nami told its correspondent that it would be useful for the confidence
building measures to be discussed in a manner that will facilitate the life of
the two “peoples”, but this must not influence the main elements of the
comprehensive solution. On the
contrary, he added, this should
happen in a manner that supports and speeds up the comprehensive solution.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu: “Our state is our security”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Gunes newspaper (11.03.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has alleged that the biggest
security for the Turkish Cypriots is their “state”, which is an “expression of
sovereignty, freedom and safety”. Eroglu addressed yesterday the opening
ceremony of the “5th National Education Council” which started in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Eroglu said that
the national policies on education should be updated according to the
developing and changing conditions in the country and the world.
Referring to the
Cyprus problem he reiterated the view that this is a “national cause” and
added, inter alia, the following: “If we want to live freely as Turkish Cypriot
people on these lands, if we want to administrate ourselves, we must know our
recent history well…We must be proud of our history, of the struggle given by
the generations before us and of what we have done together with motherland
Turkey… Let no one worry about the
future. We have our state which is your creation, the creation of our people…We
must be aware of the fact that living freely and sovereignly on these lands
could only be possible by correctly establishing our educational policies…”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (11.03.14) refers to the same issue and reports that during Eroglu’s address, representatives of
trade unions of the employees in education (KTOEOS, KTOS and DAU-SEN) raised a
placards saying “We do not want an education enemy to peace”.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Turkish
Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (11.03.14), Eroglu argued that if the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution “the
material is on the table”. He went on and alleged, inter alia, the
following: “…If they do not want, if they pursue a delay and if they have the
intention to use the natural gas and the EU membership as trump card and think
that ‘when the day comes Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will be cornered and
we will benefit’, it will not be possible for us to reach anywhere… I wish that this time things are different
and our Greek Cypriot friends will pave the way for peace and agreement with
reasonable and rational proposals by taking into consideration the existing
realities in Cyprus, and we will reach a result. The important thing is the
will. The sides know each other’s views well…
We asked for our
negotiators to meet twice a week and the leaders every 15 days, but our
interlocutors did not accept this. Surely
they are not in a hurry. I wonder,are
they waiting for something else? We do not know... Starting the give and
take does not depend on us, but we are ready…
If our Greek Cypriot neighbours stay committed to the
text of the ‘Joint Declaration’ without distorting it, without diversions, our
job will be easier and this text will be turned into an instrument. Otherwise,
the Turks of Cyprus might be forced to take new decisions…
It is known
which political views I and Mr Anastasiades represent. When this is taken into
consideration, it will not be possible not to agree with those who make
interpretations such as that the signing of an agreement between Mr
Anastasiades and me will give the feeling and the confidence that a lasting and
viable peace has been secured and the ‘yes’ votes of the two peoples in the
referenda will be increased…”
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozersay: “Issues of derogation and EU
primary law were brought into the agenda”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (11.03.14)
reports that Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay, said that he and Greek
Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis discussed at a Brussels seminar how the
different sectors in economy both in north and in south will be affected by a
cooperation between the two sides or by a comprehensive solution.
Speaking to Turkish Cypriot news agency
“TAK” about the meeting that was hosted by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO),
Ozersay said that he also had separate meetings with the Ambassadors of Sweden,
Finland, Denmark and Norway to Cyprus. He added that apart from the meeting, he
met separately with the German, French and the EU Ambassadors. He also
discussed with officials from the British Embassy, Turkey’s Ambassadors to the
EU and NATO, as well as with the officials from the EU Commission the Cyprus
talks and different issues related to the Cyprus settlement.
Moreover, Ozersay exchanged views with
representatives of different sectors from the north and the south, who
participated in the meeting.
Ozersay said that in general terms, during
the meetings in Brussels, they discussed issues including derogations from the
EU law as well as the EU primary law, adding that he briefed them on the
Turkish Cypriot side’s views.
4. Bryza: We could create a wonderful
transformation in Cyprus by securing cooperation between Israel, Turkey and
Cyprus in energy
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (11.03.14) reports that Mathew Bryza, former US diplomat who is currently member of TURCAS
Oil administrative council, has evaluated the reasons for the American interest
in Cyprus.
The paper covers
an exclusive interview by Bryza under the title “The USA does not want problems”
and reports that Bryza said that
geopolitical factors and NATO are the reasons which led America to take action
in the Cyprus problem. He noted that NATO’s
structure could not be considered to be “fully healthy” as long as there is no
peace between Greece and Turkey, which have a key importance for the alliance’s
south wing.
Bryza reiterated
the view that “if you examine the area, the policies in the area, the relations
of Israel with the Arab countries and natural gas’ export costs, the most reasonable method is building a
pipeline from Israel, or more correctly, from Israel and Cyprus to Turkey”.
Bryza went on
and said, inter alia, the following: “Think of the geopolitical picture which
the cooperation on the issue of energy will create. Think of the magnificent
transformation which this will create. There will be an outstanding result…”
(I/Ts.)
5. Another blow to the freedom of the press in the
occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (11.03.14) reports that the “public service” of the press in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus has been sacrificed for the sake of the protection of the
private life and the freedom of communication. According to the paper, a “law”, under the title “law for
protecting the private life and the secret spectrum of life”, which has been
signed by the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, paves the way for the
imprisonment of journalists because of news they have published.
The paper writes
that the punishment of up to seven years
in prison is included among those provided in the “law” for “crimes committed
through the press”. The “law” caused reactions by press organizations and
it is criticized because it will push the press to implement self-censorship.
The chairman of the journalists’ union (KTGB), HuseyinGuven said
that this “law” includes articles which prevent the journalists from freely
executing their profession and abolish the right of not disclosing their source.
The chairman of the “Media Ethics Council”, Dr
SuleymanIrvan noted that the “law” in its current form makes investigative
journalism impossible. “It is not possible for us
as journalists to accept this”, he said.
The general secretary of the journalists’ trade union
(BASIN-SEN), CananOnurer argued that for the sake of political interests effort
is exerted to disrupt the freedom of the press and the right of the journalists
to take information and use a source.
The “law”
provides, inter alia, that a person who discloses the content of a
communication among people without acquiring the consent of all the sides that
participated in the communication will be considered as having committed a
serious crime and will be punished with up to five years in prison and pay a
fine. Committing the same crime through the press or the social media will be
punished with up to six years in prison and a fine. The “civil servants”, who
find out such information from a decision given by a “court” and disclose it,
will be punished with up to six years in prison or pay a fine. The same crime
will be punished with up to seven years in prison if committed through the
press.
(I/Ts.)
6. An effort of the Turkish Cypriot leftist parties
to form a union on left
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen (11.03.14), under the title “A signal for cooperation”, reports
that a “surprise meeting” was held last night between CTP-BG (Republican
Turkish Party – United Forces) and TDP (Social Democracy Party) after the
decision of UBP (National Unity Party) and DP-UG (Democrat Party – National
Forces) to cooperate in the upcoming “local elections” on 29th of
June.
According to the
paper, KutlayErk, the General Secretary of CTP-BG and Mehmet Harmancı General
Secretary of TDP met last night over dinner. It was reported that the
possibility of collaboration for local elections was evaluated, during the
dinner.
Speaking to the
paper, HakanKuntay, member of the central committee of CTP, said that the
general secretaries of the parties exchanged views regarding the politics, the
Cyprus problem and the “local authorities”, adding that an important meeting
was held from the point of a social dialogue between the two parties.
CemalOzyigit,
leader of TDP, said that they are ready to exhibit any kind of political will
in order to have a wide base cooperation of the leftist parties.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 11.03.14) reports that
another election collaboration has been formed among TDP and two parties
outside the “parliament”, BKP (United Cyprus Party) and YKP
(New Cyprus Party). Baraka Culture Centre may also join to the partnership.
(New Cyprus Party). Baraka Culture Centre may also join to the partnership.
Abdullah
Korkmazhan, General Secretary of BKP stated that they were holding official and
unofficial meetings with TDP and YKP for the past two weeks, adding that the
committees are discussing collaboration and union of forces and the meetings
are close to be completed.
YKP's Organizing
Secretary Murat Kanatlı said for YKP the process of union on left has begun in
last October, adding: “In Nicosia we will join the elections as YKP so we will
have a separate list as we couldn’t agree on Nicosia with TDP. But the platform
of groups against the regime which is being formed will be ready to stand
together soon”.
7. Peter Stano: Turkey needs now more than ever the
EU
Turkish daily
Milliyet (10.03.14) reported that Peter Stano, spokesman for EU Enlargement
Commissioner Stefan Fule, evaluating the accession process of Turkey into the
EU to the paper, said that the allegations that the recent developments will
affect negatively Turkey’s EU accession process do not reflect the reality.
Noting that
there is no possibility that Turkey’s accession process will be slowed down by
the EU, Stano said: “The EU has repeatedly said that Turkey needs now more than
ever Europe and the EU accession process. The best way to introduce Turkey to
the EU standards is through a reliable accession process.”
8. Shot with tear gas canister during Gezi
protests, 15-year-old Elvan dies
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 11.03.14), under the above title, reports that Berkin Elvan, 15, who was shot with a tear
gas canister during last summer's Gezi Park protests, has died after a
nine-month battle for his health.
Berkin was on
his way to buy bread on the evening of June 16 when he was hit at close range
with a tear gas canister fired by riot police in Istanbul's Okmeydani
neighbourhood.
On the same
issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.03.14) reports that the
mother of Berkin, Gulsum Elvan, said: “It is not Allah who has taken my son
away. It is [Prime Minister] Tayyip Erdogan.”
The family has
repeatedly slammed officials for protecting the perpetrators and announced that
they would be starting a legal process
at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), as no effective domestic
investigation had been carried out over the last seven months. The officers who
took part in the crackdown that cost Elvan's life are still on duty.
9. Ergenekon suspects released amid chaos over
legal authority between courts
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.03.14) reported that Turkey has seen the release of prominent suspects in the Ergenekon coup
plot case from a prison in Silivri. However, controversy has emerged over
the legal authority for the releases as the court overseeing the Ergenekon case
rejects the release decisions.
A total of 20
suspects were released by rulings in separate courts, including journalist
TuncayOzkan, alleged gang leader SedatPeker, retired Col. LeventGoktas, retired
Col. DursunCicek and Prof.YalcinKucuk.
The releases
were made possible with the change in the country’s anti-terrorism laws, which
reduced the maximum pre-trial detention period from 10 years to five years. The
lawyers applied to the Istanbul 21th High Criminal Court for the releases,
instead of the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court, after Parliament recently
abolished the special authorized courts.
The Istanbul
13th High Criminal Court, which handled the Ergenekon trial, rejected this
decision, saying Parliament did not have the authority to abolish the special
courts and adding that an application to the Constitutional Court had been
filed for the annulation of the legal arrangement. It also claimed, as the
court that dealt with the case, that it still maintained authority on deciding
about the detentions of the convicts. Meanwhile, the Supreme Board of Judges
and Prosecutors (HSYK) slammed the Istanbul 13th Criminal Court for “extorting
authority.”
10. LDP leader requests EU observers for local
elections in Turkey
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 10.03.14), Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP) leader CemToker has sent a letter to the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe (COE) in which
he emphasized the need for Turkey's
local elections on March 30 to be observed by an independent party and for
precautions to be taken to ensure fair and secure voting.
Despite growing
concerns regarding election security in the country amid a large, ongoing
government corruption investigation, Turkey has not issued an invitation to any
international institutions to monitor the upcoming local elections on March 30.
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