TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 78/14 30.04.14
1. Eroglu: Substantial talks will start on 6 May;
Territory will be discussed in the very end
2. Akca: “Whatever the result of the Cyprus
negotiation talks will be, the Turkish Cypriots need an institutionalized
state”
3. Talat: “95% of the Turkish Cypriots want the
existence of the Turkish troops on the island”
4. Nami: The reason for increased interest of the
international community in Cyprus problem may transform regional dynamics
5. Serdar: An agreement will be signed by force
6. Ozgurgun: The expectations that some have on the
natural gas will prove to be “a fool's paradise”
7. Erk: Negotiators’ visit to South Africa was a waste
of time; Ozersay utilizes only experts from Turkey in the negotiations
8. The company that lays down the pipeline for brining
water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus went bankrupt
9. VeyselEroglu: The water project will be completed
shortly
10. The “gross domestic product” for 2016 will be
increased by 3.8% in the breakaway regime
11. Turkey expects US to extradite FethullahGulen
12. Ankara and Abril will start exporting oil without
waiting for Bagdad’s consent
1. Eroglu: Substantial talks will start on 6 May;
Territory will be discussed in the very end
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (30.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has said that substantial
negotiations will start on the Cyprus problem during the meeting between the
negotiators of the two communities on 6 May, but the issue of territory and
especially the map and the numbers will be brought to the table after an
agreement is reached on all the other chapters.
Eroglu made
these statements yesterday during separate meetings with delegations from the
Mersin Journalists’ Society and the Turkish Cypriot Farmers’ Union.
Eroglu
reiterated the view that the negotiations could end this year with a decision
for a referendum, if both sides have a will for a solution. He recalled that
six chapters exist in the negotiations, that these chapters have been discussed
before and that some convergences have been achieved. He alleged that “the
Greek Cypriot leader does not want to accept these convergences and undertake a
commitment to resume the negotiations from the point they had been left”.
Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot side would have
to re-examine its so-called bridging proposals submitted during the
negotiations with former President Christofias, if the Greek Cypriot side said
“let us start from the beginning”.
“I think that
what [President] Anastasiades has to do is to accept that convergences exist
between the former Greek Cypriot leader and us and if he has a new proposal to
submit it”, he claimed.
Eroglu said that
one of the first issues they consider
discussing after the screening process, which has ended, is the “Governance and
Power Sharing”. Reiterating the view that territory will be discussed in
the very end, Eroglu argued:
“We had put our criteria on territory onto the table
during the meeting we held in Geneva. The map and the numbers are in the very
end”.
Eroglu alleged
that discussing the map before reaching
an agreement on the other issue would create unrest in the “country” and this
is why they are in favour of discussing the map and the numbers in the very end.
Referring to the project of bringing water to the
occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey with undersea pipelines, Eroglu said that
this had been their dream for years. He noted that the construction of the
project is continuing and that the water will come in September, but they want
to bring it on 20 July. Noting, however, that the
important thing is for the water to come, Eroglu added that some of this water
will be used in agriculture and some of it for drinking purposes. He argued
that if needed they could sell some of this water to the Greek Cypriot
side.
(I/Ts.)
2.Akca:
“Whatever the result of the Cyprus negotiation talks will be, the Turkish
Cypriots need an institutionalized state”
Under the title: “Interesting message
by Akca”, Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper (30.04.14) reports on statements
by Halil Ibrahim Akca, the so-called
ambassador of Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus who in statements during an
inauguration ceremony in occupied Trikomo, referred inter alia, to the Cyprus
problem and the Cyprus negotiation talks.
Speaking about the negotiation talks, Akca alleged that the Turkish sides’ goal
is a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. He said that in order for
this goal to be achieved, the negotiators should fulfill their responsibilities
and what is necessary at the negotiation table.
Akca went on and said that whatever the result of the Cyprus
negotiation talks will be, the Turkish Cypriots, in any case need an
“institutionalized state”. He added that it is for this reason that they are
exerting efforts for the reinforcement of the “Turkish Cypriot state” and its
“institutionalization”.
(AK)
3.Talat:
“95% of the Turkish Cypriots want the existence of the Turkish troops on the
island”
Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper
(30.04.14) reports on statements by the
former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat who has said that If Turkish
Cypriots had said “yes” to a solution one year before the Annan plan, instead
of saying “yes” to the Annan plan in 2004, the situation would be very
different, as he claimed.
Talat made the above statements while
delivering a speech on the Cyprus problem at Adnan Menderes University in
Turkey.
Asked to reply to the question: “Are the Turkish Cypriot people biased
about the Turkish troops?”,Talat said the following: “Opinion poll showed that
95% of the Turkish Cypriots want the existence of the Turkish troops on the
island. Despite of what they say. (…)There is no prejudice against the army.
The army is in the barracks, it is not inside the social life”.
(AK)
4.Nami: The reason for increased interest of the
international community in Cyprus problem may transform regional dynamics
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (30.04.14) reports that the self-styled foreign
minister of the breakaway regime OzdilNami made statements on the Cyprus
problems and the progress of the
negotiation procedure during a round table meeting at Wise Men Center of
Strategic Studies in Istanbul.
Nami said that
regional cooperation in Eastern Mediterranean and sustaining energy safety
would be among the most critical topics in the upcoming period.
“It is
unquestionable that the reason for increased interest of the international
community, especially of US in Cyprus problem may transform regional dynamics.
The discussion that started around natural gas shows the geopolitical
importance of Cyprus and its potential to play a strategic role in reaching a
global cooperation”, he stated.
Nami also said
that a settlement to the Cyprus problem could contribute to stability in the
region which covers the area from Russia, Israel, Lebanon, Greece, Egypt,
Turkey, Europe and US. “For this to
happen Cyprus problem should be solved immediately. In that regard it is very
important that everyone involved considers the current dynamics and issues
directly or indirectly effecting Cyprus problem and cooperatively open the way
for a solution” added Nami.
5. Serdar: An agreement will be signed by force
Under the title
“The Greek Cypriots’ view has not changed”, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis, in its
front page, reports that the self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of
economy, tourism, culture and sports SerdarDenktas claimed that the Greek
Cypriots’ views on the Cyprus settlement haven’t changed yet, adding: “They
don’t say that they will share anything with the Turkish Cypriots. They will
convert us to EU citizens, who can speak Turkish in a Hellenic island. This is
their aim. And they say it clearly.”
During a meeting
with a delegation from the Mersin Journalists’ Society, Denktas, noting that
half a century has passed without finding a solution to the Cyprus problem,
said: “We have established different lives, the Greek Cypriots on that side, we
on this side. We have a state even if it is not recognized politically.
Commenting on
the Cyprus talks, Denktas said that although both sides give positive messages
abroad, like “there will be a solution after 3 months”, or “we are on the verge
of a huge opportunity”, he doesn’t see anything like this on the negotiation
table.
Reiterating the
view that the Turkish Cypriots continue to live reportedly in isolation and
economic difficulties and that there is also a financial crisis in “South
Cyprus”, Denktas said: “The USA, UN and the EU try to use the negativities of
both sides. They will sign an agreement with pressure. Maybe with different
methods they will make the people say ‘yes’.”
Referring to the
demands of the Greek Cypriot side on the territory issue at the Cyprus talks,
Denktas said that these demands will force their “people” to change their place
again and a huge part of the population to be refugee for a third or a fourth
time again.
Commenting on
the “water project” that water will be transferred from Turkey to the occupied
area of Cyprus, Denktas said that this project is politically important,
because with this project the binding of the island with Turkey will be
materialized with a cordon binding.
6. Ozgurgun: The expectations that some have on the
natural gas will prove to be “a fool's paradise”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Gunes newspaper (30.04.14) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, the chairman of
the National Unity Party (UBP) made statements regarding the latest development
in Cyprus.
Ozgurgun, who
was participating in a television program, said that the expectations that some
have on the natural gas will prove to be “a fool's paradise”. He also alleged
that while the Turkish Cypriot side wants a solution, the Greek Cypriot side
does not share the same vision and claimed that the economic crisis increased
the percentage among the Greek Cypriots that are against a settlement from 75%
to 85%.
He also said
that there are some persons in the Turkish Cypriot side who want to prove the
existence of good will for a solution in the Greek Cypriot side but, as he
claimed this is not enough. “Today, despite the existence of the Turkish army,
it is difficult even to go out in the street. The action taken against [the
former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali] Talat is a prove for this”, he
claimed and added that this kind of incidents as well as the existence of ELAM
organization should not be ignored.
Claiming that
despite the fact that a high percentage of Greek Cypriots does not want a
solution, the “prime minister” OzkanYorgancioglu talks about discussing the
property issue in the negotiations. “In which island does Yorgancioglu live?”,
Ozgurgun stated.
7. Erk: Negotiators’ visit to South Africa was a
waste of time; Ozersay utilizes only experts from Turkey in the negotiations
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (30.04.14) reports that KutlayErk, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party –
United Forces (CTP-BG), has argued that
the visit of the negotiators of the communities to South Africa was a waste of
time. In statements to Kibris TV yesterday, Erk said that this kind of negotiations could not be held
“in a climate of vacations”. He noted that many differences and few similarities exist between the Cyprus problem
and the problem in South Africa.
Noting that the dissatisfaction between the CTP-BG and
Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu’s office continues, Erk said that differences
exist between the sides regarding the solution process. “Neither we will be
satisfied with Eroglu nor Eroglu will be satisfied with us”, he added pointing
out that Eroglu is carrying out the negotiations with his team without
informing the self-styled foreign ministry.
Erk said that “Eroglu’s experience” is built on the
two separate states and the confederation and added that “this has absolutely
no value at the table he is now”.
Erk noted that
he is not sure even as to whether the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay
is using the experience of the former negotiator, Osman Ertug, and accused Ozersay of not using Turkish
Cypriot experts. When no Turkish
Cypriot experts are used, it is understood that, only staff from Turkey is
utilized, he said, noting that Turkish experts could be used “of course”,
but “the entire process could not be carried out with them”.
Referring to the
Cyprus problem, Erk said that ‘aggressive groups’ such as ELAM should be taken
into consideration during the solution process and that the life safety should also be a confidence
building measure. Erkrecalled the
recent attack against the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat during a speech
in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and criticized the fact that those
who had attacked Talat were not brought to justice.
Erk argued that life safety is a more important confidence
building measure than the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha,
which he described as “part of the comprehensive solution”. He noted that the
leaders are negotiating now at the table and claimed that parallel discussions
on the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha could not be held.
(I/Ts.)
8. The company that lays down the pipeline for
brining water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus went bankrupt
Turkish Cypriot
daily HalkinSesi newspaper (30.04.14) reports thatKutayInsaat [Constructions] Company, which lays down the pipelines for
bringing water from Turkey’s Mersin Anamur area to the occupied area of Cyprus
within the framework of the project which the Turks call “The Project of the
Century” “has come to the point of going bankrupt”. Citing information
published in Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper, HalkinSesi writes that the company has asked for suspending
bankruptcy. A trustee has been
appointed for the company, which up to now had undertaken construction
works worth over 500 million Turkish liras (TL).
After an application by the lawyer of the company,
SerkanYelgin demanding suspending bankruptcy, the Istanbul Court of First
Instance decided on 3 February that the company went bankrupt and that measures
should be taken. A trustee was appointed for
protecting the company from its payees. The
next hearing of the case between the company and its many payees will be held
on 9 May.
The company is
active in the construction sector for twenty years. Recently KutayInsaat came
onto the agenda in Turkey because it
could not pay its employees.
Referring to the
issue, Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (30.04.14) reports that BirolCinar, Project Director of the Turkish
State Water Affairs Department responsible for the project of bringing water to
the occupied area of Cyprus, has said
that KutayInsaat was not the company that had undertaken to build the pipelines
in the sea and onshore in the occupied area of Cyprus. He noted that the
company is only one of the firms that had undertaken the construction of the
part of the project in Turkey. He added: “As
far as I know, a big part of the construction in Turkey has ended. I do not
think that there will be a problem, even if KutayInsaat asks for suspending
bankruptcy”.
Meanwhile, Ali Cakmak, director of Anamur’s Branch
Office of the directorate of the project in Adana, said that a trustee has been appointed for the company and the works
are continuing. He said that no change has been made in the project, the
building-up of the pipelines has been completed and the works have come to the
end. The situation of the company did
not influence the course of the project, he argued.
(I/Ts.)
9. VeyselEroglu: The water project will be
completed shortly
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (30.04.14) reports that Turkey’s Minister of Forestry and Water
Affairs VeyselEroglu said: “God willing, this year will be historical from
every point of view for Cyprus”.
During a meeting
with the self-styled minister of environment and natural resources
HamitBakirci, who is in Ankara for contacts, Eroglu said that as Ministry they
will give every kind of support to the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). Eroglu said that the
main sections of the “TRNC water supply project” have been completed and the
Alakopru dam in Turkey, as well as, the occupied dam of Panagrahave been built.
Referring to the
installation of water pipelines, Eroglu said that the works will be completed
in a short time, adding that within this year 75 million m3 of water
will be transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus. He also said at this
moment, both the pipelines of the refined water facility and the main water
distribution are on the island and the works of building these have started.
The water will be transferred to occupied Lefkosia, Famagusta, Keryneia and
Rizokarpaso.
Bakirci, for his
part, confirmed that Turkey has given them all the technical support for this
project. He repeated that if conditions are suitable, the project is expected
to finish on the 20th of July.
10. The “gross domestic product” for 2016 will be
increased by 3.8% in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot
daily Star Kibris newspaper (30.04.14) writes that according to information by
the so-called state planning organization (DPO) the “gross domestic product”
(GDP) of the breakaway regime for the year 2014 will increase by 2.5%.
In addition GDP
will increase by 3.8% for 2015 and 3.8% in 2016. As regards inflation, it will
rise up to 8.9% for the year 2014 compared to last year.
11. Turkey expects US to extradite FethullahGulen
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.04.14), Turkey’s
Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he expected the U.S.,
as Turkey's strategic partner, to extradite U.S.-based scholar FethullahGulen
because Gulen threatened Turkey’s national security.
Erdogan,
speaking with PBS’s Charlie Rose, said that bureaucrats and officials linked to
Gulen had tapped the phones of top officials of the government, including Prime
Minister and government Ministers, in an attempt to make a civil coup against
the elected government.
Erdogan claimed
that Gulen-linked elements had seized power through Turkey’s security forces
and judiciary. “We were aware of their efforts, but we were blindfolded and did
not expect any bad faith,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan said
that his Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Gulen movement had good
relations leading up to the 2010 referendum to amend the Turkish constitution.
Erdogan added
that the first step that the Gulen movement took against the government was the
release of records of an Oslo meeting between agents of the Turkish National
Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Kurdish separatists, working towards the
resolution process.
“The Oslo talks
were steps in good faith, and the intelligence agency of any country can be
expected to take such steps if they lead to peace,” Erdogan said.
When asked about
the normalization of Turkish-Israeli relations, Erdogan thanked U.S. President Barack Obama for arbitrating between the
two states and urged Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize to Turkey for
the attack by Israeli forces on the Mavi Marmara humanitarian aid ship,
which killed eight Turkish citizens and a U.S. citizen of Turkish origin.
“There remain
two conditions for normalization, compensations for the Mavi Marmara attack and
for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to Palestinians from
Turkey or through Turkey,” Erdogan told Rose.
Erdogan added
that the first step for normalization would be the appointment of ambassadors.
Responding to the allegation of authoritarianism in
Turkey, Erdogan asked how he could be considered a dictator given that he
received 45.5% of the votes in the municipal elections, while opposition
parties received only 27% or 15%.
Erdogan said
that in a dictatorship, no-one can insult the dictator, while in Turkey
opposition party leaders, journalists and social media users regularly insult
the Prime Minister, whom they describe as a dictator.
Concerning
Turkey’s campaign for full membership of the EU, Erdogan said that Turkey could
be a bridge between Europe and the Islamic world and added that despite
accepting this, the EU has not acted sincerely towards Turkey.
12. Ankara and Abril will start exporting oil
without waiting for Bagdad’s consent
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 29.04.14) reported that Ankara and Arbil have announced plans to sell Kurdish oil stored in the
Turkish point of Ceyhan as of the beginning of May, without waiting for
Baghdad’s consent.
Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister NechirvanBarzani said they will start
exporting oil as of May 2 – with or without the central Iraqi government’s
consent, speaking in an interview with Iraqi news outlet Rudaw.
Turkish Energy Minister TanerYildiz on April 29, one
day after Barzani’s interview, confirmed the announcement, saying the Kurdish
government may start selling oil in May. “This oil
belongs to Iraq; they may begin its export in May,” he said, answering
reporters’ questions in Norway, where he went to meet with several
representatives of the energy sector.
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