TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.
81/14 06.05.14
1. Feltman’s contact in Cyprus
3. Ozersay: Property issue is not the only one we will
discuss today
4. Ertug: “The timing of Feltman’s visit is very
interesting”
5. The occupied fenced off city of Varosha is described as “a museum of
barbarity”
6. Deputy Chairman of CHP Lologlu: Erdogan aims to
resolve Cyprus problem in the period leading up to presidential and general
elections
7. CTP “deputy” will follow the PACE conference in
Athens
8. A couple from occupied Famagusta is appearing in “court” because it hung
the flag of the Republic of Cyprus in front of their shop
9. Mungan admits that the occupied area is a “dumping site” for
companies
10. The permission of the occupation military forces
is needed to construct a road
11. Evkaf promised to maintain the occupied church of
Agia Eirini
12. The 9th “National Allergy and Asthma Congress” was
organised in the breakaway regime
13. Turkey’s Parliament ratifies graft probe on
Ministers
1. Feltman’s contact in Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (06.05.14) broadcast that
the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey
Feltman is holding a variety of contacts on both sides of Cyprus. Fetlman met
with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the “presidential
undersecretary” Hasan Gungor, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay andthe
“presidential spokesman” Osman Ertug. Members of the Turkish Cypriot
negotiating team and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in
Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim were also present at the meeting.
Making a
statement after the meeting, Feltman said that he was very pleased to be in
Cyprus which is his first to the island. “We had an excellent meeting with Eroglu
and his team regarding the evaluation of the steps towards a comprehensive
solution in Cyprus” said Feltman and added that he had conveyed to Eroglu the
Secretary General’s strong determination to help the two leaders and their
peoples (sic) towards achieving a comprehensive solution within the framework
of the 11th of February joint statement.
“The General
Secretary believes that the joint statement has historical importance and
thinks that the joint statement would be a powerful foundation for the
progression of the substantive talks” said Feltman.
He also added
that he had exchanged views with the UN Secretary General’s Special
Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim and expressed his personal commitment
towards works to be carried out.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (06.05.14) reports thatFeltman also met with the self-styled foreign
minister Ozdil Nami. According to the written statement issued by the “Information
Office” Feltman and Nami discussed the negotiation process and the upcoming
phases
2. Eroglu’s statement after his meeting with
Feltman: Settlement can be reached within this year
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(06.05.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that several
headings that will be discussed during the substantive talks can close if the Greek
Cypriot side also comes prepared to the negotiation table.
“We mentioned
our proposal to the UN Undersecretary Jeffrey Feltman in which we propose that
each heading that negotiators reach a consensus on to be approved by the
leaders. We are now expecting Mavroyiannis to convey our proposal to
Anastasiades”, said Eroglu.
Speaking to BRT,
Eroglu said that he was very pleased with Feltman’s visit which took place soon
after Eroglu’s meeting with Ban Kİ-moon in New York. “Ban told us he was going to send the
Undersecretary to Cyprus and we are very pleased that it happened soon after
our meeting. This shows the UN’s interest
in the Cyprus issue”. Eroglu also alleged
that Feltman shares the same belief that the negotiations could be completed
and settlement can be reached within a year.
3.Ozersay: Property issue is not the only one we
will discuss today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(06.05.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay and the negotiating team met with UN United
Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman in the
Buffer Zone.
Speaking after the meeting which lasted approximately
an hour,Ozersay said that he
conveyed the headings which will be negotiated during the substantive talks due
to start today and also the areas that have potential for progress.
Ozersay also met
with Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis prior to today’s meeting.
“The most
important message Feltman gave is his personal engagement with the process”, he
said and noted that Feltman gave some very clear messages and that the most
important one was the expression of his personal engagement with the process. “The
fact that Feltman made his visit to Cyprus earlier than it was originally
planned and that his visit coincided with the beginning of the substantive
talks is an indicator of his personal engagement with the process”, said Ozersay.
The Turkish
Cypriot negotiator defined Feltman’s timing as a very positive development and
also said that the fact that during the period where there is an armed conflict
in Ukraine the Under-Secretary made the time to visit Cyprus is an important
move which proved that the Cyprus problem is among the priorities in the UN’s
agenda
Upon a question
regarding Feltman’s next visit Ozersay said: “It would be very beneficial if
Feltman visits Cyprus more often. That would contribute to sustaining the momentum
we achieved” and added: “Every step forward will build the walls of our new partnership, the
new house we are trying to build. As we
can’t keep rebuilding the house we have to put the bricks carefully one by
one. In that regard it is very important
that a top UN official is engaged with the process. Of course the main
principles are on the table. As it was stated in the joint declaration it is
the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots who will negotiate this but the UN’s
interest will definitely motivate both sides in reaching a settlement”.
Reiterating his
earlier remarks regarding their will for a result oriented process,Ozersay said
they met with his counterpart prior to
today’s meeting in order to save time.
Noting that as
opposed to the reports on the Greek Cypriot media regarding the property issue
being the sole heading that will be discussed during today’s meeting,Ozersay
said that“federal public service” and “federal authorities” will also be
discussed. Reminding their proposal in which the Turkish Cypriot side requested
to have meetings twice a week Ozersay said: “As that proposal was not accepted now we will
try to have longer, full day meetings.”
4. Ertug: “The timing of Feltman’s visit is very
interesting”
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (06.05.14)
reports that Osman Ertug, the special
advisor and spokesperson of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, stated
that the timing of the United Nations Undersecretary-General for Political
Affairs Jeffrey Feltman’s visit to Cyprus is very interesting, referring to
Feltman's visit having come just before the talks scheduled for May 6.
Speaking to
Today’s Zaman, Ertug stated: “I cannot say [whether] there is a deadlock [in
the negotiation process]. Feltman's visit will add momentum to the talks. This
is his first visit and his first meeting. We hope that Feltman will come to the
island more often,”. He also said that the Turkish Cypriots would like to reach
a solution before the end of this year.
The paper also invoking diplomatic sources, writes
that, there are deep differences between the two sides as regard to issues of
property, territory and security. “These differences pose a serious risk for
the future of the negotiations. Despite the hopeful start of the negotiations,
there has been no significant progress in peace talks”, the paper writes.
5. The occupied fenced off city of Varosha is described as “a museum of
barbarity”
Under the title “’Fenced off Varosha is a museum of barbarity’”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (06.05.14) reports that Mete Hatay, researcher of Norwegian
International Peace Research Institute (PRIO), has compared the occupied fenced off city of
Varosha to the “negative function” of the so-called “Museum of Barbarity”,
which the Turkish Cypriots have established in the occupied part of Nicosia.
In statements to the paper, Hatay noted that the Confidence Building Measures should not take the shape of a
bargaining included in the negotiations in a reciprocal manner. “We gain
nothing by abandoning Varosha to lizards. On the contrary every day is
registered against us as ‘loss of use’ and it will be paid”, he said.
Hatay went on and added that all
properties in the occupied northern part of Cyprus reach 2.5 million donums
[translator’s note: A land measure of about 1000 square meters], 1.5 million donums are Greek Cypriot
properties, 500 thousand donums are Turkish Cypriot properties and 500 thousand
donums are vacant land. He pointed
out that only 500 thousand donums of Turkish Cypriot properties exist in the
government-controlled area of the island and added: “That is, we have to
give one million donums more. Yes, it is more expensive, but Varosha is not
even 20 thousand donums. The property we are keeping for bargaining is that
much”.
(I/Ts.)
6. Deputy Chairman of CHP Lologlu: Erdogan aims to
resolve the Cyprus problem in the period leading up to presidential and general
elections.
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (04.05.14)
reports that the Deputy Chairman of Republican People's Party (CHP) Faruk Logoglu,
stated that the Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government aims
to evade further criticism of a lack of press freedom, a tighter grip on the
judiciary and other human rights violations coming from the US and European
countries with a number of reforms ranging from steps on the Armenian issue to
resolving the Cyprus dispute, to normalizing relations with Israel in the
period leading up to presidential and general elections.
“Erdogan issued
a surprise statement on April 23 acknowledging the pain of Armenians who were
killed under Ottoman rule at the end of World War I and extending condolences
to their grandchildren, a first such statement in the history of the Turkish
Republic. […] According to experts and
various other sources, a comprehensive solution to the long-divided island of
Cyprus and normalizing ties with Israel are the next agenda items”, writes the
paper.
“There are two
imminent dangers with huge consequences for Turkey now lurking in the recesses
of Erdogan's mind. One is to resolve the Cyprus issue, no matter what. He will go for a solution regardless of
Turkey's or Turkish Cypriot interests. The other is the Armenian issue.
Erdogan offered condolences to the Armenians to pave the way to an eventual
apology,” said Logoglu.
“The Cyprus step will probably come first,
followed by an Armenian apology, all before the general elections in 2015. Then
he will turn around and entice the Turkish people by claiming: ‘Look, I am a
brave statesman. I resolved two long-standing issues that nobody even dared
approach before. One has been going on for 100 years, and the other has
been a burden on our back for more than 50 years. We now are a better and
stronger nation,” Logoglu added.
“Foreign
statesmen have gotten used to Erdogan's abusive language. They prefer to
dismiss and ignore his personal attacks. Erdogan wants to stay in power. These
virulent attacks on foreign countries are his domestic investment in both the
presidential and general elections in order to make him look good in the eyes
of the Turkish public. His foreign
investments are the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the Armenian apology. What he does not
know is that this strategy will backfire because the Turkish people will not
stand for it and accept a sell-out on Cyprus and Armenia,” he added.
7. CTP “deputy” will follow the PACE conference in
Athens
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (06.05.14), the self-styled deputy with the
Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) Mehmet Caglar will follow the
deliberations of a conference, which will be organized by the PACE (Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe) Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy,
in Athens from 7-8 May 2014. Caglar will return to the occupied area of Cyprus
on May 9 after completing his contacts in Athens.
8. A couple from occupied Famagusta is appearing in “court” because it hung
the flag of the Republic of Cyprus in front of their shop
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.05.14) reports that a Turkish Cypriot couple named Koray
Basdogrultmaci and Cinel Senem, which
had been arrested on 21 June 2013 because they hung a flag of the Republic of
Cyprus in front of their shop in occupied Famagusta and were prosecuted, they
are appearing in “court” today. The paper writes that this is the fourth
time they appear in “court” and that they
are accused of “improper behaviour” and “disturbing public order”.
During the “hearing” on 9 April 2014, the couple was asked to apologize for its behaviour, but it rejected
this demand. The couple has stated
that in case they are fined with a pecuniary punishment, they will reject to
pay the fine and they will prefer going to jail.
Afrika reports that the couple is prosecuted in the occupied area of
Cyprus because it hung the flag of the Republic of Cyprus in front of its shop,
while the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan saluted this flag during the
Mediterranean Olympic Games in Mersin.
(I/Ts.)
9. Mungan admits that the occupied area is a “dumping site” for
companies
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.05.14) reports that Zeren Mungan, self-styled finance minister
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has
said that the “TRNC”, as he described the regime, has been turned into a
“dumping site” of companies. In statements yesterday, Mungan noted, inter
alia, the following: “The TRNC has been turned into a dumping site for
companies, because people establish companies. When they face difficulties they
put an end to the activities of the company, company A becomes company B and
continues its life without implementing its responsibilities towards the state.
We must not allow this to happen”.
(I/Ts.)
10. The permission of the occupation military
forces is needed to construct a road
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (06.05.14), self-styled minister of public
works and communications Ahmet Kasif
said that the efforts of constructing the road route between occupied
Louroudjina and Mia Milia villages are continuing. He added that they carried
out meetings with the occupation army units on the subject. He explained that
they expect the written views by the occupation military forces, in order to be
able to submit the project on the “project and planning directorate”.
Kasif said that
it is not possible to give a precise date when the project will be realized,
but they will try for it the soonest
possible.
Meanwhile, the
self-styled mayor of occupied village of Louroudjina Hasan Barbaros said that
the inhabitants of the village have been waiting for 40 years to construct this
road. Noting that they have difficulties due to the lack of a road, Barbaros
said: “We, as everyone, want to reach our house easily without going through
military areas.”
11. Evkaf promised to maintain the occupied church
of Agia Eirini
Turkish Cypriot
daily Detay (06.05.14) reports that their yesterday’s report regarding the
church of Agia Eirini at the occupied village Agia Eirini, which has been
turned into a pen, mobilized the Turkish Cypriot religious foundation Evkaf.
The
administration of Evkaf said that the aim of leasing the plot next to the
church was different and that they did not know that the church would have been
turned into a stable. They promised that they will evacuate the place and they
will do the necessary things for cleaning and maintaining the church.
12.The 9th “National Allergy and Asthma Congress”
was organised in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(05.05.14) reported that the 9th “National Allergy and Asthma Congress” that is
organized annually by the Allergy and Asthma Academy Association of Turkey, was
held in Acapulco Hotel, in occupied Kyrenia this year. The congress was hosted
by the Department of Paediatrics of the illegal
Near East University and over 100 Spokespersons and 500 scientists from
Turkey, Europe and US participated in the congress.
13. Turkey’s Parliament ratifies graft probe on Ministers
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.05.14) reported that
the Turkish Parliament has voted to set up a parliamentary inquiry committee to
investigate four former Ministers accused of corruption.
It comes nearly five months after the sons of three of
the Ministers were arrested on suspicion of corruption during a raid.
A total of 469 lawmakers cast their votes on a secret
ballot on Monday’s voting, 453 of which were in favor, 9 against, 6 abstentions
and one empty.
The committee to
look into claims against the former Ministers will consist of 16 lawmakers and
issue a report at the end of a two-month investigation.
Former Economy
Minister Zafer Caglayan, Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Urbanization
Minister Erdogan Bayraktar resigned from their posts after an anti-graft probe
was launched on December 17 last year. EU Minister Egemen Bagis was discharged
in a cabinet reshuffle. Caglayan, Bagis, and Guler on Monday addressed the
general assembly in defence.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS
SECTION
