TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 76/14 26-28.04.14
1. Eroglu: The negotiations might enter into deadlock
2. Ozersay denounces information that Meyer will be
appointed in as Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus
3. US Ambassador: Solution is too important to be left
to politicians
4. Nami is due to Istanbul for a series of contacts
5. Akinci warns that the energy resources in the
island might cause clashes in case of no solution
6. Turkish Cypriot political parties assess the change
in the “law’ for the “Immovable Property Commission”
7. The occupation regime to approve a new “law”
allowing expats couples to buy property in the occupied area of Cyprus
8. Yorgancioglu: Everyone who is born here will be
granted “citizenship”
9. Ali Erel: Turkey’s policy to divide Cyprus has been
always the same
10. Siber met with Lord Michael John Brougham
11. Illegal YDU hospital signed a protocol with the
Iraq NPC for human rights
12. A “forest action plan” agreement between Turkey
and “TRNC”
13. Erdogan indirectly slams top judge of protecting
the ‘parallel gang’
14. Gul approved controversial MIT law
15. Pro-Kurdish BDP to change name to DBP with goal of
autonomy
1. Eroglu: The negotiations might enter into
deadlock
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (28.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has alleged that the
negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem might enter into
deadlock in case the Greek Cypriot side attempts to ignore the 40 years which
have passed since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.
Addressing an event yesterday, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side is
the side from which concessions are always expected in the negotiations, but
the Turkish Cypriots do not see in front of them a side which thinks of making
any concessions in the negotiations.
Eroglu said that they will enter into the stage of
give and take in the negotiations, but it is not possible to negotiate with a
side which thinks only of taking. Eroglu argued that they are expecting the
Greek Cypriot side to change its attitude in the forthcoming stage of the
negotiationsand alleged that the Greek Cypriots should give concessions.
Eroglu claimed
that the Greek Cypriot side should take into consideration the 40-year period
which passed since 1974 and argued that during this period the Turkish Cypriot
side has turned into its homeland the northern part of the island, where it has
settled down and took roots. He alleged that the whole world should see
this.
Meanwhile,
Kibris (27.04.14) reported that addressing another event on Saturday, Eroglu said that the substantial
negotiations will start in May and that an agreement which will be approved by
the Turkish Cypriot “people” will be secured, but the stage of holding a
referendum has not yet come in the negotiating process. He reiterated the
allegation that the Turkish side pursues an agreement without delay, but
reaching an agreement does not depend only on them.
Referring to the
meeting he had held last week with the UN Secretary-General in New York, Eroglu
said that he shared with Ban Ki-moon the “elements on which the Turkish Cypriot
side is right” and “registered once more its just position”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ozersay denounces information that Meyer will be
appointed in as Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (28.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, KudretOzersay has said that the allegation
that Roelf Meyer, former Chief Negotiator and one of the main architects of
peace in South Africa, will be appointed
in the place of Alexander Downer as
Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, is not accurate.
In statements to
illegal TAK news agency from South Africa where he is visiting together with
the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis, Ozersay said that Meyer himself told the two negotiators that
he does not find correct and useful an appointment of anyone in Downer’s place.
“Only you will achieve this, not the
mediators”, Meyer was quoted as saying to the Cypriot negotiators.
Ozersay said that
they have started to understand each other better with Mavroyiannis and
described as “positive development” their visit to South Africa during which
they are having the opportunity to examine for many hours the positive and the
negative elements of other peace processes.
Ozersay pointed out that the substance and the sides
of the dispute in South Africa are very different than the ones of the Cyprus
problem and this dispute could not be taken as an example for Cyprus. However, he added, it is
very useful for the negotiators in Cyprus to have the opportunity of closely
examining the methods developed by the South African negotiators for
establishing confidence and the models of engaging different parts of the
society in the process.
Ozersay said
that establishing confidence between the negotiators is not enough for reaching
a successful result, but no one can deny that this confidence is an important
and necessary element for a successful result.
(I/Ts.)
3. US Ambassador: Solution is too important to be
left to politicians
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 28.04.14), US
Ambassador to Cyprus John M. Koenig, speaking to Turkish daily Milliyet
regarding the Cyprus talks, called the two communities to act together with the
actors in the process, adding: “The solution is too important to be left to
politicians”.
Koenig pointed out that Turkey and Greece play a
“positive role” during the talks, noting that he urged the Greek Cypriots to
extend their dialogue with the Turkish policy makers.
The US
Ambassador also mentioned that the Cyprus problem has often been brought to the
agenda during the meetings between Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and
the US Secretary of State John Kerry.
“USA is closely watching the process. But the ones who
are claiming that USA is dominating the talks are wrong. Our role is a
supportive role and we hope that our role can make positive contribution to the
process” added Koenig. Speaking about the USA’s motivation while
supporting the negotiations, Koenig said
that the USA’s motivation for a solution in Cyprus is not because they want to
control the hydrocarbons in Eastern Mediterranean. “We want solution for the
same reasons that Cypriots want”, added Koenig.
“President Obama
made a statement following the joint declaration and Vice President Joe Biden
is also very interested in the issue. However we are aware that any solution
which would be perceived as one imposed from outside would not be supported by
the Cypriots. USA will be supportive but solution is something that the
Cypriots will find”, said Koenig.
Speaking upon
Kerry’s possible visit to Cyprus, Koenig said that there isn’t any set date for
his visit. “Kerry’s agenda is very busy but I do know that Cyprus is one of the
top issues on his agenda”, he said.
Koenig also said
that they repeatedly put emphasis on the importance of all layers of society
who have an interest in solution engaging the process. “We encouraged Greek Cypriots to extend the
dimension of their contacts with Turks and Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots
should do the same with Greece and the EU. Solution is too important to be left
to politicians and it is important to discuss the aftermath of a possible
solution and how it will be applied in practice. This very important discussion
should also take place”, said Koenig.
4. Nami is due to Istanbul for a series of contacts
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 28.04.14), the
self-styled minister of foreign affairs OzdilNami is flying to Istanbul
tomorrow morning for a series of contacts.
According to his
press office, Nami will attend a meeting at the Strategic Research Centre of
Wise Men at 14.30 and he will also visit several media organizations in the
framework of his trip.
Nami will be
accompanied by his executive assistant HuseyinOzel and his political advisor
IpekBorman during his contacts in Istanbul.
5.Akinci
warns that the energy resources in the island might cause clashes in case of no
solution
Under the front-page title: “Serious warning”, Turkish daily Diyalog
newspaper (27.04.14) reported on statements by an experienced politician,
Mustafa Akinci who has warned that the energy resources in the island might
path the way for new clashes, in case no agreement is reached to the Cyprus
problem.
Speaking to the paper about the Cyprus
problem, Akinci said: “The energy
resources in the region were always like Pandora’s Box and were always causing
clashes. Even if it is not discussed at the moment, this possibility exists in
the case of Cyprus as well”.
Underlining the fact that nobody gives
voice to this possibility, Akinci said that he feels the need to make a warning
towards this issue and he pointed out to
the problems that exist between Turkey and “south Cyprus” as he described the
Republic of Cyprus on the continental shelf issue. He went on and said: “At
the moment this issue is not brought into the agenda in order not to destroy
the positive atmosphere. But in case where no agreement is reached, this
problem could cause clashes”.
(AK)
6. Turkish Cypriot political parties assess the
change in the “law’ for the “Immovable Property Commission”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (27.04.14) reports that representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties assessed the
“legal arrangement” decided by the “cabinet” of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of Cyprus with the aim of paving the way for the Turkish Cypriots
who had abandoned property in the government-controlled area of the island to
apply to the “Immovable Property Commission” established by Turkey and exchange
their property with occupied Greek Cypriot property.
KutlayErk, general
secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has argued that this amendment will put an end to the “unjust treatment”
against the Turkish Cypriots, who will be able to apply to the
“Commission”. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriots will make use of their
property in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and carry out the same
procedure for the Greek Cypriot property they occupy. Erk described the
“draft-law” as an “important move”.
Mehmet Harmanci,
general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), recalled that the
“Commission” is a “practice implemented by Turkey” according to the Greek
Cypriots and that the Turkish Cypriots could apply to the European Court of
Human Rights, but in the end Turkey was the one that had been convicted. He said that the current “government’ and the
Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu reject the “step by step solution” to the Cyprus
problem, but the exchange of property is a part of this [kind of solution].
He noted that the “structure of the
commission which cannot be supervised and is not transparent” caused
allegations saying that “go-betweens emerged”. He said that the
“commission” could secure benefits to some persons, but no one can predict what
will happen with the “global exchange” of property. He argued thata similar “commission” was provided for in the Annan Plan
and claimed that an international observer might be appointed in order for the
“commission” becoming “more transparent”.
Murat Kanatli,
organizational secretary of the New Cyprus Party (YKP) said that the “commission’s” method is still defective, that the Republic of Cyprus is the only
authority for issuing title-deeds and no procedure carried out without its
approval could be official. Referring to the way by which the breakaway
regime acts, Kanatli said that it acts according to the “commercial mentality
saying that if you use the property, you will buy it, Turkey will provide the
money”. “This is heading towards the
global exchange of property expressed by Denktas”, he noted.
HasanTacoy, general
secretary of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), said that the individual exchange of property may
cause some problems and alleged that the solution could be secured with global
exchange of property.
SunatAtun, general
secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), said thatthey will examine the issue together with their lawyers and
afterwards they will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu as this
arrangement directly concerns the Cyprus problem. He argued that this kind
of “political moves” should be discussed with Eroglu, who is conducting the
negotiations.
On the same
issue, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 26.04.14), the
self-style minister of interior TeberrukenUlucay has said that the amendments
made to the “immovable property commission law” was aimed at making exchange of
properties more functional and to allow property exchange possible between
individuals, should conditions be met.
Speaking on
“BRT” on Friday, Ulucay said that the
amendments will in no way have an impact on past or current practices of the
commission.
“With these
amendments, the scope of the Immovable Property Commission has been expanded.
The changes have been made to incorporate people who possess exchange value
properties. Those who left property in
South Cyprus and who were unable to receive property in exchange will be able
to benefit from the amended law” he said.
“If a person
owns property in the South he or she will be eligible to exchange it with its
pre-1974 owner if they reach an agreement. The changes basically allow
individuals the right to agree amongst themselves”, Ulucay said, adding that the “commission” will not act as a mediator
between two individuals who hold exchange property and want to swap between
themselves.
He also said that the breakaway regime will provide
low interest loans to exchange property owners in case there is a difference
between the values of the property to be exchange.
(I/Ts.)
7.The
occupation regime to approve a new “law” allowing expats couples to buy
property in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the front-page title: “Foreign
spouses can each buy a property”, Turkish Cypriot daily “Cyprus Today”
newspaper (26.04.14, in English) reported that foreign husbands and wives may
now buy one property each in the “TRNC”, under a new law enacted by the
“government”.
The paper continues and writes: “The
measure came into force following a decision by the Cabinet and is part of a
draft on property-related moves aimed by ministers at ‘facilitating’ life in
the country for expats-which could even include the scraping of the current
requirement for a homebuyer to obtain Permission to Purchase.
Previously married couples were viewed
as a single entity under the laws governing foreign property purchases, but the
change now gives an individual right to each spouse to buy on a plot of up to
one donum.
They will still need government
permission to purchase, but recent figures show a speeding up of approvals,
with fewer than 400 applications pending.
Interior minister TeberrukenUlucay said
the amendment had come about after expat couples expressed a wish to build a
bigger house on an area larger than the one donum they were previously jointly
allowed”.
Ulucay added the following: “Our
government’s policy is to facilitate the life of expats on the island. In
parallel with this, we decided to move ahead with the request and made a legal
change to the regulation after getting the green light from the Attorney
General. (…)That measure, is backed by ministers and awaiting parliamentary
approval. It is expected to come into force within about two weeks”.
(…)
8. Yorgancioglu: Everyone who is born here will be
granted “citizenship”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (26.04.14) reports that OzkanYorgancioglu, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has said that everyone who is
born in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will be granted the
citizenship of the breakaway regime, according to a “draft-law” which they
are preparing. In an interview with Havadis, Yorgancioglu noted that those who
complete continuous five years with “work permit” in the occupied area of
Cyprus will be given a “white card” and those who complete ten years in general
will be granted the right to apply for the so-called citizenship.
“We are definitely providing for a citizenship
for those who are born here”, he said adding that the “citizenship” will not be granted automatically and that it will be
granted according to the order by which the application is submitted. He
noted that they have almost finished the preparations of the “draft-law”, which
they have distributed to the parties. He said that they have prepared a list with the names of those who have been living
in the occupied area of Cyprus for the past 20 years.
Referring to the decision taken by the “cabinet” regarding
the right of the Turkish Cypriots to apply to the “immovable property
commission” for exchanging their properties in the government-controlled area with the properties they occupy in the occupied area of the island,
Yorgancioglu alleged that they do not
intend to solve the property issue in this manner, but this will facilitate the
solution of the property after the solution.
(I/Ts.)
9. Ali Erel: Turkey’s policy to divide Cyprus has
been always the same
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 26.04.14), Ali Erel,
member of the EU Association’s supervisory board and chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Commerce during the Annan Plan period, said that the ‘yes’ vote on one side and
the ‘no’ on the other was a result of a
“fine operation”. He added: “The
Cyprus problem is a tiny problem because both sides are small. However there
are major fronts outside and as long as they see an incentive in defending
either side, this problem will remain. The discussion about natural gas is all
artificial.”
Erel evaluated
the 10 years after the Annan Plan as a guest of a program on “BRTK radio”.
Erel said: “Turkey’s policy on Cyprus is still the same
as it has always been; I don’t think it has changed. Their politics are based
on division (taksim) and on separation with the Greek Cypriots… ‘You
Cypriots are just tiny flies’ policy of Turkey has been successful… Despite the
international public pressure their politics have been successful and the ones
who did not want solution, namely Papadopoulos and Turkey collaborated with the
anti-solution fronts in the north and Greece…”
10. Siber met with Lord Michael John Brougham
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 25.04.14), the self-styled assembly speaker SibelSiber
met with Lord Michael John Brougham, a member of British Parliament’s Friends of Turkish
Cypriot Group.
According to a
press release by Siber’s office, Lord Brougham who is the Deputy President of
the House of Lords thanked Siber for meeting with him.
Lord Brougham
said that Siber’s contacts in UK were very influential and productive.
“Especially the speeches she gave at the House of Lords on Cyprus and
Empowerment of Woman were very influential", added Lord Brougham.
Siber also
thanked the House of Lords for the attention they gave to the “parliamentary”
delegation during their UK visits and said that these kinds of contacts are
important for the Turkish Cypriot community and should take place more often.
11. Illegal YDU hospital signed a protocol with the
Iraq NPC for human rights
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 25.04.14), a cooperation protocol was signed
between the “hospital of Near East University (YDU)” and the National Peace
Centre of Human Rights of the Republic of Iraq.
According to the
press release by the public relations office of “YDU”, the General Director of
the Iraq Centre, Mohammed Abed Al-Hamadini, addressing the signing ceremony,
noted that they were in great need for both medical care support and
specialised doctor training in Iraq.
Al-Hamadani
stated that they heard about the reputation of the “hospital of YDU” in the
region and they visited the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in order to
have a more adequate idea about the hospital. He claimed that the “hospital of
YDU” is a fully high-tech equipped facility beyond their expectations.
Al-Hamadini stated that they placed “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus) on their health
provider list and noted that they would make use of the “YDU hospital” in
diagnosing and treating intractable diseases. He also said that they were
planning to benefit from the “YDU hospital” in receiving short-term specialized
training for Iraqi doctors. Al-Hamadini noted that seeing Iraqi students at
the campus made them feel happy.
Upon signing the
protocol, the “Chairman of the Board of Trustees”, AsstProf. Dr Irfan S. Gunsel
stated that it was a sublime event for the “hospital of YDU” to provide
services not only for the people of the island but also for neighbouring
countries in need of help.
12. A “forest action plan” agreement between Turkey
and “TRNC”
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 26.04.14), the
self-styled forestry department of ministry of environment and natural
recourses of the breakaway regime signed a “forest action plan” with the
Forestry Department of Republic of Turkey’s Forestry and Water Ministry.
The agreement
covers a 4 year period between the years of 2014-2018 and includes a series of
actions that will be taken in the framework of the “forest action plan”. Some
of these actions are: Forestation, forest tending, fight against forest fires,
forest planning, improvement of plantation centres, creation of picnic areas,
construction of forest roads and fight against forest pests.
13. Erdogan indirectly slams top judge of
protecting the ‘parallel gang’
According to
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 28.04.14), Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan indirectly accused Turkey’s top
judge of being either part of what he calls “the parallel structure” or of
protecting it for his future personal ambitions.
The attack comes
two days after his government was severely criticized by the head of the
Constitutional Court.
“I said it
yesterday and I repeat it today: They [the parallel structure] listened to the
head and the members of the Constitutional Court. I think some people will
understand what I mean,” Erdogan said in his party’s rally in Kayseri on April
27.
On April 25, HasimKilic, the head of the top court,
harshly slammed the government for interfering with judicial independence and
of accusing judges and prosecutors of trying to undermine the government.
Kilic urged the
government to document all its claims against justice and take all of the
necessary measures against those involved in such illegal affairs, but to give
up a massive offensive against the entire justice system.
“Those who ask
us to document or ask where this parallel structure is: are these eavesdropping
cases not the document to you? Those who ask this question are either part of
the parallel [structure] or protecting this structure to get something in
return,” Erdogan said without directly referring to Kilic.
“The
oppositional parties declare they will appoint candidates. We will do so as
well. I am confident that our people will elect our candidate for the
presidency at the first leg of the election on Aug. 10,” Erdogan stressed. “The
people will elect their leader. The people will elect Turkey’s new president.”
14. Gul approved controversial MIT law
Under the title
“Gul fails democracy test by approving controversial MIT law”, Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 27.04.14) reported that President Abdullah Gul is likely
to suffer a loss of prestige in the eyes of the public, as his declared respect
for the rule of law and personal rights and freedoms were weakened when he
swiftly approved a much-contested law on the National Intelligence Organization
(MIT).
The President approved the law on April 25, three days
after the law was referred to him for his approval following its adoption in
Parliament. The law was published in the Official Gazette on Saturday and
immediately entered into force.
Comments emerged
in the Turkish press on Sunday saying that Gul approved the MIT law in order
not to upset Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development
Party (AK Party) government and that he dealt a fatal blow to a “belief that he
serves as an independent and impartial power in politics.”
The MIT law has been harshly criticized for giving
sweeping powers to MIT, and many say it will turn Turkey into an “intelligence
state.”
After approving
the law, Gul said he had the AK Party government make a few changes to it but
acknowledged that there may still be contentious points. “If there are
objections, it is clear to which institution to take the law,” he stated,
implying that critics may take the law to the Constitutional Court for annulment.
On Saturday, Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman
Kemal Kilicdaroglu said Turkey has been turned into an intelligence state with
the MIT law. According to Kilicdaroglu, people are facing a totalitarian
regime in Turkey and Erdogan and his government are to blame. “We are putting
up a fight for justice and democracy against tyrants, a fight against
dictators,” Kilicdaroglu added.
15. Pro-Kurdish BDP to change name to DBP with goal
of autonomy
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 27.04.14) reported that following its predecessors in
its decision to pursue ethnicity-based politics, the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) is to change its name to the
Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in the party congress in June.
With this name
change, the BDP will become the latest in a long line of similar
ethnicity-based parties such as the People's Labour Party (HEP), the Freedom
and Equality Party (OZEP), the Freedom and Democracy Party (ÖZDEP), the
Democracy Party (DEP), the People's Democracy Party (HADEP), the Democratic
People's Party (DEHAP) and the Democratic Society Party (DTP).
In accordance
with the change in the Kurdistan Communities Union's (KCK) administration,
Kurdish politics is expected to witness a revision within the Kurdish
movement's legal wing, the BDP. The new
party, the DBP, is expected to become a “cadre party” and will focus on
developing policies in the areas of law, self-defence, economy, culture and
diplomacy with the goal of autonomy in mind. Those in charge of these policies
will not run for office but will rather be responsible for the implementation
of the party's policies.
On April 28, BDP Deputies will be transferred to the
Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP), which was established on the instructions of
jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. However, the HDP
is a source of conflict within the Kurdish political movement. Those who want
to capture the Kurdish conservative vote criticize the HDP for pursuing a
socialist policy. Diyarbakır Deputy Altan Tan, for instance, argues that the
HDP does not have much appeal in Turkey, stating that at least half of HDP
cadres should consist of conservative people.
In the new era,
the candidates for the co-chairman positions of the Kurdish political
movement's organizations are another subject of debate. The co-chairman of the BDP, SelahattinDemirtas, had announced that he
would leave the post. However, a significant number of people within the
party want Demirtas to continue. As far as the other co-chairman post in the
HDP is concerned, PervinBuldan, IdrisBaluken, ErtugrulKurkcu and
SirriSureyyaOnder are among the likely candidates.
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