TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 63/14 05-07.04.14
1. Self-styled presidency releases statement on the Cyprus
problem
2.
Eroglu: Everyone must know that I will never say
‘yes’ to the enforcement of an agreement that will increase our hardships
3. Ozersay evaluated Moscow visit
4. Ozgurgun: Morphou will always remain Turkish soil
5. Talat argues that there is no progress in Cyprus
negotiations
6. Cavusoglu: Turkey will leave its EU accession hope
to Italy's EU presidency period
7.
Nami: Varosha is part of the comprehensive solution
8. Cakici accused Eroglu of giving false hopes on the
Cyprus talks
9. All Party British Parliamentary Group for the
“TRNC” supports the recognition of the Turkish Cypriots’ rights
10. Siber asked the international community to listen
to the Turkish Cypriots
11. KAR-Is Trade Union
met with Nami
12. Caglar and Ertugruloglu
at PACE’s meeting in Strasbourg
13.
Turkish Cypriot press reports that a Turkish flag has been burned during a
Cypriot football match
14. Turkish daily writes that Gul wants UN post if
Erdogan is elected President
15. Election to be
re-held in Agri-CHP appeals to top board for cancellation of Ankara vote
16. The alcoholic beverage industry suffering from
prohibitive legislation in Turkey
1. Self-styled presidency releases statement on the
Cyprus problem
Illegal Bayrak television (05.04.14) broadcast thata statement
was released by the self-styled presidential palace regarding the policy
followed by the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu during the Cyprus
negotiations process.
According to the statement, the policy that was agreed
upon by all circles (in the Turkish Cypriot side) is being carried out at the
Cyprus negotiations process adding that this must be defended by all otherwise
it will seem as though there are two leaderships in the “country” and this will
be used against the Turkish Cypriots.It also added the importance given by Eroglu to
the protection of the “unity and solidarity of the Turkish Cypriots” and
underscored that different views should not be used to divide the community but
instead used to protect rights and “laws”.
Referring to the
joint declaration it is noted that Eroglu carried out a variety of contacts
with different circles before facilitating an agreement on the joint
declaration.
“The President
is only concerned about the Turkish Cypriot peoples interests so once the Greek
Cypriots return to the table and when the time is right, the President will
share the realities with the people”,the statement says.
2. Eroglu: Everyone must know that I will never say ‘yes’ to the enforcement of
an agreement that will increase our hardships
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.04.14) reports that the
Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has
said that everyone must know that he will never say yes to the enforcement of
an agreement which will not be “taking the Turkish Cypriot people forward, but
on the contrary, it will increase our hardships”.
Addressing the 34th Congress of the Turkish Cypriot
Farmers’ Union, Eroglu claimed that they are ready to accept an agreement which
will protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and added: “If an agreement will be made, both sides
must come out with gains. Such agreement is a good agreement, an agreement
which I will accept”, he argued.
Eroglu alleged that the time
has come for an agreement on the basis of the “realities” in Cyprus and
claimed that “no one has the right to ignore that the Turkish Cypriot side is
still victimized and lives under isolation and embargo, in spite of so many
realities that have been experienced and the fact that it has many times
exhibited its stance in favour of an agreement”.
He went on and alleged: “A big injustice is being committed against
our people in Cyprus. The world, which is regarded as civilized, by punishing
us ignoring the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side, serves the Greek
Cypriot dreams and not peace. We are
ready to accept with good will an agreement which will protect the rights of
our people. However, this does not mean that we will say yes to things that
will lead the Turkish Cypriot people, our farmers and peasants to misery”.
Eroglu
described as “unacceptable” for them an agreement which will deprive them from
land that will allow them to develop their agriculture and economy and cause
uncertainty within the people as to where they will settle and what will happen.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozersay evaluated Moscow visit
Illegal Bayrak television (04.04.14) broadcast that
the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay has met with officials from the
Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
As part of his contacts, Ozersay said that he had met
with the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s 4th Department in charge of
European Affairs AndreyMaslov as well as other high ranking officials dealing
with Cyprus Affairs. The Turkish Cypriot negotiator also evaluated his Moscow
contacts on a program aired on TRT-Turk.
Speaking in the
program, Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team “was conducting
an active and multilateral diplomacy with all international actors and parties
involved in the Cyprus peace process”.
He added that he had found the opportunity to conduct
productive meetings with officials from the Russian Federation,Ozersaystressed
the importance of conveying the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side to
international actors. He said that it was very important
that international actors perceived these positions correctly. He also said
that it was “disturbing and disappointing” to see that the Greek Cypriot leader
NicosAnastasiadis complained to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about the
Cyprus Turkish side.
In addition
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.04.14) reported that Ozersay told AA that
Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security council was closely following
the developments on the Cyprus issue.
“It would be possible to say that especialy
in the past three years the relationship between Russia and the TRNC in respect
to the comprehensive solution efforts on the island, has become
institutionalised. Thanks to this the TRNC has found the opportunity to explain
what it wants directly to Russia”, said Ozersay. “What’s important is to
establish a diplomatic initiative that will overcome the prejudice that has
been created as regards to us’”, said Ozersay.
4. Ozgurgun: Morphou will always remain Turkish
soil
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper
(05.04.14) reported that the leader of the National Unity Party(UBP) HuseyinOzgurgunstated
that “Morphou will always remain Turkish
soil”.
Speaking during a ‘solidarity ball’ organized by UBP
Guzelyurt (Morphou) District Headquarters, Ozgurgun said: “In 2012 we
had a helicopter tour above Lefka and Morphou with our mainland’s Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan and he said ‘Morphou will never be
returned’.”Ozgurgun also added that the day they
toured with Erdogan was the day when the construction of the double-lane road
between Morphou and Lefka started. “Mr. Prime Minister’s words are clear. He
said ‘this area will always remain as Turkish soil’”.
5.Talat argues that there is no progress in Cyprus
negotiations
Illegal Bayrak television (05.04.14) broadcast that
the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat made statements about the
Cyprus negotiations process and his hopes towards a solution.
Talat strongly criticised the current management of
the Cyprus negotiations process describing it as a disaster and said that if it
continues in this manner an outcome won’t be reached. “There is no such thing as
the leaders’ coming together”, said Talat and added that the negotiators were
doing all the work.
He argued that
due to the fact that the negotiators of the two sides are carrying out meetings
and not the leaders on the island, the negotiations process had been brought
down a level. He also argued that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay
is not only carrying out the negotiations process but he is also carrying out
international contacts and travelling around the world. “It looks like Ozersay
has taken on the role of President”, Talat said, adding that this is a faulty
approach. He also referred to the benefits of the international contacts that
are being held by the “foreign minister”OzdilNami will have for the country.
Touched upon the state of affairs of the Cyprus
negotiations process, Talat said that “it is a calamity”. “With the way it is
going, forget about this June it won’t even be concluded by June ten years from
now”, said Talat. He said that the subjects on convergences that have been
reached upon, have not been announced, and added that the reason behind this is
because no convergences have been reached’.
Noting that he
has no hope that a solution will be reached this year, Talat said “hopefully I
will be wrong and the Cyprus problem, with a surprise will be on the path
towards a solution”.
6. Cavusoglu: Turkey will leave its EU accession
hope to Italy's EU presidency period
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (06.04.14) reportedthat
speaking to journalists at an EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Athens, Turkey's
Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator MevlutCavusoglu touched on talks
over Turkish-Greek bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU
accession process.
Cavusoglu said
that Turkey's expectations to open the EU chapters appear to have not been met.
He said that even though Greece showed it psychologically supports Turkey's EU
path, the EU does not seem eager to open these chapters ahead of the EU
Parliament elections. Referring to
Italy's taking over the presidency of the EU in the second half of 2014, Cavusoglu
said that Turkey will leave its EU accession hope to Italy's EU presidency
period.
Alleging that
the chapters Turkey aimed to open are blocked by Cyprus, Cavusoglu said: "There is common ground towards opening
the chapters, but who will persuade Southern Cyprus on this issue? With all this
in consideration, the issue appears not to be solved ahead of May elections [EU
Parliamentary elections]."
Claiming that
the Cyprus problem was brought to the agenda during the meetings, Cavusoglu
said that the reconciliation process which had begun between Turkey and Cyprus
was praised and supported in the meeting.
7. Nami: Varosha is part of the comprehensive solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.04.14) reports that the
self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, OzdilNami
has commented on information published
in the Greek Cypriot press that the issue of the occupied fenced city of
Varosha and confidence building measures will be discussed during the visit of
the US Assistant Secretary of State, Eric Rubin to Cyprus. In statements to Kibris, Namidescribed as “speculations” the information
published in the Greek Cypriot newspapers and added: “We have absolutely no
issue regarding Varosha on our agenda. Varosha is part of the comprehensive
solution”.
Meanwhile, Kibris recalls that in earlier statements to the paper
the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, KudretOzersay
had said that the issue of Varosha could come onto the table within the
framework of confidence building measures. However, the paper notes that sources close to the Turkish Cypriot
leader’s office have not confirmed whether an issue regarding Varosha will be
discussed during Rubin’s visit.
Moreover, the self-styled mayor of
occupied Famagusta, OktayKayalpstated
that if Varosha opens today, a period of five years is needed for people being
able to settle in the city and therefore it
would be positive if such work started before the solution from the point of
view of gaining time. “What is important is the comprehensive solution and
no argument which will postpone, delay or prevent the comprehensive solution
must find no value”, he added.
(I/Ts.)
8. Cakici accused Eroglu of giving false hopes on
the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot
daily Detay (07.04.14) reports that Mehmet Cakici, former leader of the Social
Democratic Party (TDP) and “deputy” of the TDP, said that contrary to what is
said to the people, there is no development on the Cyprus problem.
Commenting on
the Cyprus talks in an interview to the paper, Cakici said that the aim of the
Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu is not to finish the talks. Referring to
Eroglu’s briefing at the “assembly”, Cakici said that he is offended when
Eroglu gives hopes to the people with false information.
9. All Party British Parliamentary Group for the
“TRNC” supports the recognition of the Turkish Cypriots’ rights
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (07.04.14) the All Party British Parliamentary
Group for the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus, supports a Cyprus settlement and the
recognition of the Turkish Cypriots’ rights.
The member of
this group, Lord Sheikh, Lord QurbanHoussein and Jeanne Marie Douglas – member
of the Executive Committee of the Conservative Muslim Forum at Melton Borough
Council – replied to “TAK” correspondent in London on what they think on the
representation of the Turkish Cypriots on the international arena.
Lord Sheikh said
that the international community may play an important role on finding a just
solution in Cyprus, adding that the time for solution has arrived. Especially,
now with the resources of oil and natural gas, as well, as the water coming
from Turkey, he said. He added that it is important that the voice of the
Turkish Cypriots to be heard in the international platforms.
Lord Hussain
stressed that it is important to give equal rights to the Turkish Cypriots,
adding that “the Greek Cypriots should accept the reality in the island, which
is the existence of two communities”. He
also said that the EU should include in its organization representatives from
the Turkish Cypriot community. He noted: “The seats in the European
Parliamentary were given to all Cyprus, and not only to South Cyprus. This
island contains also the Turkish Cypriots. We should continue to announce in
every level the right demands of the Turkish Cypriots. Our group is getting
stronger. New parliamentary groups have been added.”
Jean Marie
Douglas said that she participates in an embargo NGO organization in order to
fight the reportedly embargoes that are imposed to the Turkish Cypriots. She expressed her hopes that things will be
better for everyone in Cyprus very soon, giving importance to the protection of
the culture heritage in the island.
10. Siber asked the international community to
listen to the Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis (05.04.14) reported that self-styled assembly speaker SibelSiber
stressed that during this negotiation process, they want the international
community to listen to the voice of the “elected representatives” of the
Turkish Cypriots, adding that the political will of the “assembly” is towards
this direction.
In a press
conference held yesterday at the representative office of the breakaway regime
in London, Siber, evaluating her contacts in London, said that they want the
“committee of foreign affairs of the assembly” to be effective on the lobby activities,
because it reflects the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Noting that the
solution will be found at the table of the negotiations but the communities are
the ones that will make peace, Siber said that for this reason, the two
communities should solve their problems by meeting face to face and
understanding each other.
Siber repeated
that the Turkish Cypriot community has the right of two seats as an observer
member of PACE, reminding that the Turkish Cypriot community is an observer
member of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC and that she addressed the latest
meeting in Tehran.
Noting that for
the first time the Orthodox Church has supported the negotiation process, Siber
stressed that there are a number of factors and parameters which can encourage
a settlement on the island. Siberconcluded by underlining the importance of
voicing the positions and views of the Turkish Cypriots in the international
arena.
11.KAR-Is Trade
Union met with Nami
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(05.04.14) reports that the newly
elected executive board of the “Public Vehicles Operators’ Union” (KAR-Is), met
with the so-called foreign minister OzdilNami.
According to the paper, during the meeting, the
board has conveyed to Nami the general problems the union confronts, as well as
their demands.
Speaking during the meeting, the “chairman” of
KAR-Is MentesAyatas, said that the most
important problem they face is the “obstacles” imposed by the Greek Cypriots since
2003, regarding the access of their commercial vehicles to the
government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Ayatas said that there is a huge uneasiness
among the members of KAR-Is regarding crossing into the “south”, adding that
despite the fact that several “governments” in the “TRNC” has exerted many
efforts on this issue, no progress was made.
Speaking on his part, Nami said that he discussed the issue of
the access of commercial vehicles to the “south” a lot of times with EU
officials and added that he will bring the issue into the agenda, during the
forthcoming visit of the European Commissioner Stefan Fule in Cyprus.
AK
12.Caglar and
Ertugruloglu at PACE’s meeting in Strasbourg
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(05.04.14) reports that Mehmet Caglar, “deputy” with the Republican Turkish
Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) in occupied Morfou, and TahsinErtugruloglu,
“deputy” with the National Unity Party in occupied Lefkosia will go to
Strasburg in order to participate (under the observer status) in the Spring
session general meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) which will take place between 6-11 of April.
Caglar and Ertugruloglu are expected to return
to the occupied area of Cyprus on April 11.
AK
13.
Turkish Cypriot press reports that a Turkish flag has been burned during a
Cypriot football match
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli
and many other Turkish Cypriot newspapers today (07.04.14) report that a
Turkish flag was burned on Saturday by APOEL Nicosia football club’s supporters
during the football match of their team with OmoniaNicosia FC, the fans of
which are allegedly considered as “sympathizing the Turks”, within the
framework of Cypriot league. The paper argues that the burning of the flag
“sealed the game” and “fell like a bomb into the agenda”. The paper publishes
two pictures showing an APOEL fan holding a Turkish flag and burning it, while
behind him some other fans are holding a Greek flag.
The paper describes these as “shocking
images” and writes that the Turkish sports fans reacted very strongly against
this behaviour and that the reaction of the “state” is expected. According to the paper, it would be interesting to see whether the
Turkish Football Federation and Turkish officials will apply to UEFA on the
issue.
(I/Ts.)
14. Turkish daily writes that Gulwants UN post if Erdogan
is elected President
Turkish daily Yenicagnewspaper (04.04.14) cites
information according to which during a private meeting at the Cankaya
Presidential Mansion Prime, which took place the day after the elections and
was held between Turkish MinisterErdoganand President Gul, Erdogansaid that he
would be running for president and offered Gul the positions of prime minister
and the party head, but received
"No" for an answer.
According to the paper, Gul said that he did not wish
to become prime minister or party chair, and instead asked Erdogan to use his
international reputation to secure Gul a high-level position at the UN. On his
part Erdogan promised that he would make an effort.
15. Election to be
re-held in Agri-CHP appeals to top board for cancellation of Ankara vote
Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.04.14) reported
that the result of March 30's local
election voting in Agri, a city in Turkey's east, has been overruled by the
provincial election body after appeals from rival parties.
The board made the decision to re-hold the
elections on June 1 during a recount of votes after appeals from the ruling
Justice and Development (AK) Party and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). BDP provincial head had announced their
candidate's victory, by only 10 votes ahead of the AK Party contestant, on
Monday.
In addition, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(07.04.14) reports Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)
appealed to the country’s top election authority April 6, asking for the cancellation
of results of the contested local elections in the capital city of Ankara.
Speaking on the issue, CHP’s candidate for Ankara Mansur Yavas, said at a press
conference: “We are after each and every vote. If the Supreme Election Board (YSK)
rejects our appeal, we will take the issue to the Constitutional Court and the
European Court of Human Rights,” Yavas said.
16. The alcoholic beverage industry suffering from
prohibitive legislation in Turkey
Turkish dailyToday'sZamannewspaper (04.05.14) reported
that producers of alcoholic drinks in Turkey are reeling from the effects of
legislation passed last year restricting the sale and advertising of alcohol,
with total sales of alcohol plummeting 10%in 2013.
Legislation went
into effect last year prohibiting the retail sale of alcohol between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and also restricted alcoholic beverage companies'
advertising. Festivals sponsored by alcohol drink companies were banned as were
promotional giveaways. Turkey's largest beer producer, Efes, closed down one of
its factories in the province of Luleburgaz recently due to a major decline in
sales. The company reported a 12% drop in sales in 2013.
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