TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 100/14 31.05-02.06.14
1. The negotiators preparing for the leaders meeting
2. Ozersay: “The pipeline between Greece-Cyprus is not feasible”
3. Diplomatic sources assess the first meeting between the community leaders after Biden’s and Meshkov’s visits
4. Towards consensus for the amendment of the breakaway regime’s “constitution”
5. Self-styled police interrupts religious ceremony at St. Antonis Chapel
6. Deputy Minister of Energy and Industry of Albania will give a lecture at “DAU”-He held a meeting with Eroglu
7. Serdar Denktas met with a Mongolian delegation
8. Toros’ statements on the issue of direct mobile communication across the divide
10. Yildiz: Any income obtained both in the south and in the north of Cyprus to be shared by the whole of Cyprus
11. Illegal European Lefka University signed a partnership agreement with Omani Mazoon University College
12. Turkish police crack- down on protesters on Gezi anniversary
13. Muslim group prays in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
14. CHP and BDP win mayoral posts in Yalova and Agrı elections
1. The negotiators preparing for the leaders meeting
Illegal Bayrak television (31.05.14) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Kudret Ozersay and the Greek Cypriot Negotiator Andreas Mavroyannis came together on Thursday for a three hour meeting.
Making a statement to the press afterwards Ozersay said that the meeting had been very fruitful and that they had discussed external relations and the federal executive of a future reunified Cyprus.
“Federal executive and political equality, these two issues are directly connected to the two peoples on the island. How the federal executive is going to be elected, how the decisions will be made, how the council of ministers will be are the kind of issues discussed during today’s meeting” said Ozersay and added that the Turkish Cypriot side put forward a proposal on this issue and that the Greek Cypriot side expressed its views regarding these proposals and asked related questions.
He also said that they held extensive discussions on external relation issues, that both sides put forward their views and that the property issue was also discussed and papers were exchanged. Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side presented proposals on property and the federal executive, he said that the Greek Cypriot side submitted documents on federal legislative powers.
Ozersay said that they also found the opportunity to discuss the issues that will be taken up during the leaders meeting but that the UN will hold a separate meeting with the sides to finalize preparations for Monday’s meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and President Nikos Anastasiades.
The Turkish Cypriot negotiator also announced that the leaders will be meeting on the 2nd of June but will hold a full day of talks on the 4th of June.
Meanwhile Ozersay announced that upon receiving an invitation he will be flying to London in June and will be meeting with British EU Minister David Lidington on the 9th of June. Explaining that a similar invitation had been sent to Mavroyannis, Ozersay said that as of the 9th of June not only will they be meeting with Lidington but with other officials as well, therefore this meeting is very important.
2. Ozersay: “The pipeline between Greece-Cyprus is not feasible”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (02.06.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, evaluating the feasibility project that Greece will start regarding the “East Mediterranean pipeline”, said that this project will be physically difficult to be built.
Ozersay commented on Greece’s energy strategy which was laid out by Greek Energy Minister Ioannis Maniatis during the international conference "The future of Greek Gas and Power Markets: Looking ahead with optimism and realism".
Evaluating the feasibility project to the paper’s journalist Osman Kalfaoglu, Ozersay said that the project is not something new, adding that this project was from the first day at the agenda, but everyone admitted that this project has a lot of disadvantages.
Noting that this project will not contribute to the regional cooperation than to bind “north Cyprus” with Greece, Ozersay said: “I don’t think it is an alternative. When you compare to other possibilities for Israel and Cyprus sources, then it (this project) does not have any advantage. The projects, which will contribute to regional peace and stability, are the projects that are on mutual dependency. The projects that will include many stakeholders are the more reasonable.” He noted that this project is very costly and risky, adding that the experts say that it is not feasible.
Ozersay claimed that the reason that this subject came again into the agenda is because it is part of a strategic effort in order for Greece to obtain advantages in other EU projects.
3. Diplomatic sources assess the first meeting between the community leaders after Biden’s and Meshkov’s visits
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.06.14) reports that President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are expected to meet today for the first time after US Vice President Joe Biden’s and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksei Meshkov’s visits to Cyprus.
“Diplomatic sources” told Kibris that this meeting will show whether especially Biden’s visit was influential. The same sources noted that during this meeting it will be seen whether achieving any progress that could be considered as “important’ ıs to be expected soon. “If Biden had some influence, I think that a tangible development should happen on the issue of concrete confidence building measures”, the sources said.
They also alleged that the United Kingdom, which is one of the three guarantor powers of the Republic of Cyprus, will not interfere in the negotiating process and wıll “exhibit a stance in favor of the Treaty of Guarantees remaining unchanged”, because it opposes to turning the existence of the British Sovereıgn Bases on the island into an issue of bargaining.
(I/Ts.)
4. Towards consensus for the amendment of the breakaway regime’s “constitution”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.06.14) reports that after debates that lasted for days regarding the amendment of the so-called constitution of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, some arrangements were made on Saturday in the “assembly” before the beginning of the “plenary session” with the aim of satisfying the wish of the National Unity Party (UBP), the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and therefore all parties accepted the discussion of the proposal for the amendment of the “constitution”, as their “sensitivities” were taken into consideration”.
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (01.06.14) reports that consensus was achieved to “an important extent” among all parties except on the “article 4” which concerns the “minority rights” and faces the opposition of the DP-UG and UBP. The TDP is the party that has submitted a proposal for extending the “minority rights”.
It is also alleged that some “deputies” from the UBP and DP-UG are against the “article” concerning the public declaration of their property, but the paper notes that there is no information yet on how this “article” will be amended.
The paper writes that the parties agreed on shortening the new “article 35A” regarding the children’s rights.
The parties reached also a consensus on “article 90”. An amendment would be made to this “article” saying that the “courts” in the occupied area of Cyprus “should interpret the provisions of the constitution regarding the fundamental rights and principles in harmony with the opinions of the European Court of Human Rights”. The DP and UBP wanted this expression to be removed. The revision of the “article” is on the agenda, according to the paper.
The proposals provide for amendment to 19 “articles” in the “constitution” of the regime which is allegedly valid since 1985 and the addition of four new “articles”. The discussion of the amendments “article by article” is expected to start today.
Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (31.05.14, online) broadcast that speaking after the meeting, the self-styled prime minister of the regime Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that the “constitutional” amendments will be put to a “referendum” on the 29th of June, alongside the “local elections”, and added that the “government” would not allow anything to endanger the process.
Furthermore, the leader of the DP and so-called deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas also said that the amendments would be taken to a referendum on the 29th of June, while the leader of the “main opposition” UBP, Huseyin Ozgurgun expressed the view that the “constitutional amendments” need to be put to a “referendum” during the “presidential elections” and not the “local elections”.
Moreover, Huseyin Angolemli, “deputy” with the TDP, said that the temporary “article” 10 is a red line for his party and added that it should be questioned why this “article” is not included in the amendments that need to be made.
According to Bayrak, in order for the “constitutional amendments” to pass, 34 “deputies” must vote in favor of the changes which then must be sent to Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu for approval. Eroglu will have 15 days to approve the amendments. If he does this, the “amendments” will be published in the “official gazette” so that the procedure for holding a “referendum” on the 29th of June will launch.
(I/Ts.)
5. Self-styled police interrupts religious ceremony at St. Antonis Chapel
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (31.05.14) reported that
Maronite’s St. Antonis Chapel in occupied Kythrea reopened for religious services and many Maronite Cypriots were there to attend the service which was interrupted by the self-styled police. According to the “police” the service was held without a "permission from the foreign ministry".
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus Youssef Soueif requested to be allowed to continue the service, however the “police” insisted to interrupt it.
Speaking to the press the Archbishop said: “We hold religious ceremonies in our village located in occupied Cyprus all the time; we didn’t know we had to get a new permission for this particular service. So we don’t have a special permission as we didn’t know we needed one." According to the report, the Archbishop pleaded to the police that the service was going to end in 10 minutes. "So let us complete it, show respect” pleaded the Archbishop, without result.
6. Deputy Minister of Energy and Industry of Albania will give a lecture at “DAU”-He held a meeting with Eroglu
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (02.06.14), Dorian Ducka - currently Deputy Minister of Energy and Industry of the government of Albania - who graduated from the “department of political science and international relations of the eastern Mediterranean university (DAU)” in 2005, will give a lecture today at “DAU” in a seminar entitled “Energy Diplomacy and Energy Security via Southern Gas Corridor”.
Ducka held a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. Speaking during the meeting he said that energy and natural resources in and around Cyprus became an important agenda item and also gave detailed information about European gas projects which will pass through Albania.
He also said that Albania will play an important role as regards the distribution of gas to Europe and said that it is important Turkey and the “TRNC” to play a role in the energy diplomacy of the Mediterranean. He also said that the Greek Cypriot side can become more flexible due to the economic logic as regards the issue.
Ducka will also hold meetings with the self-styled assembly speaker Sibel Siber and the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami.
7. Serdar Denktas met with a Mongolian delegation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.05.14) reported that a delegation from Mongolia composed by the Mongolian MP and Secretary of the Cabinet, Saikhanbileg Chimed and the chairman of the Mongolian Central Bank, N. Zoljargal held a meeting with the “deputy prime minister, minister for economy, tourism, culture and sport” Serdar Denktas.
According to a statement issued by the “deputy prime ministry office”, the meeting took place at the so-called ministry and no statements were made before or after it.
(AK)
8. Toros’ statements on the issue of direct mobile communication across the divide
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.05.14) reported on statements by the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade, Fikri Toros who has said that the reports regarding the unification of the telephone lines between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side, are groundless.
Stating that they have not made any statement towards this direction, Toros explained that this situation came out after a wrong report being published by a media organization because of an interpretation mistake.
Speaking to Cihan news agency on the issue, Toros said that their aim is for a “roaming” agreement to be reached between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot mobile phone operators in order to ease the telephone circulation (roaming) across the island, adding the following: “This statement has been unfortunately been conveyed in a mistake way. A mistake was done in a human condition. I have done all the necessary regulations in order for this to be corrected. (…)”.
Toros went on and recalled on the meeting that Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen held last October in Malta and said that during that meeting, they discussed how the chambers of trade could contribute to the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, and how the two communities could get closer.
Toros added that in this framework, the chambers of trade discussed several projects including the issue of reaching to a roaming agreement aiming to ease the telephone circulation across the island. Toros added that in case this agreement is to be reached, the people who cross to the “south Cyprus” and those who cross to the “north” will be able to use their telephones freely.
Toros stated that they had conveyed to the two leaders the prepared project in order to approve it. He added that as soon as they got the approval, the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots GSM operators held a meeting with technical committees at the buffer zone. According to Toros, until today a total of three series of meetings were held and consultations were made on issues related to how this investment will be implemented, how the mutual bills will be, in which framework the agreement to be signed will be e.t.c.
Toros said that the consultation meetings are at their final stage and added that as soon as they will conclude to a formula, they will announce it to the press.
(…)
10. Yildiz: Any income obtained both in the south and in the north of Cyprus to be shared by the whole of Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (02.06.14) broadcast that the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural resources Taner Yildiz stated that Turkey will continue to conduct seismic research in northern Mediterranean.
Yildiz who was participating in a conference organized by his Ministry under the title “Industrial Energy Efficiency and Management", replied to a question by BRT journalist on hydrocarbon deposits around Cyprus and Turkey’s seismic research in the area.
Yildiz said that the seismic ship of Turkey continue conducting its researches in the area. He also said that they believe that all natural resources in the area must be a reason for peace.
“We are saying the same things in Cyprus the same dialectic within the same logic with the sharing model of the oil which was determined in Iraq. We believe that it will be correct for any income which will be obtained both in the south and in the north of Cyprus to be shared by the whole of Cyprus”, he stated.
11. Illegal European Lefka University signed a partnership agreement with Omani Mazoon University College
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (31.05.14) reported that the Illegal European Lefka University (LAU) signed an academic partnership agreement with Mazoon University College of Oman.
With the partnership agreement the two universities will hold joint scientific research projects, student exchange programs and joint certificate programs.
Present during the signing ceremony were LAU “officials” and Mazoon University Collage, University Director Dr Juma S. Al Ghailani and Jehad I. S. Jabarin.
12. Turkish police crack- down on protesters on Gezi anniversary
Turkish daily Zaman newspaper (31.05.14) reported that the Turkish police used tear gas and water cannon on Saturday to push back crowds of protesters who defied a warning by Turkey's Prime Minister and gathered in İstanbul and Ankara on the anniversary of last year's nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
Riot police fired tear gas on hundreds of protesters on a main pedestrian street leading to İstanbul's main square, Taksim, following a stand-off with police. Clashes also erupted in the capital Ankara, where police used water cannons against a group of stone-throwing protesters.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned activists to keep away from the square, saying authorities were under strict orders to prevent protests. "I am calling on my people: don't fall for this trap. This is not an innocent environmental action," Erdogan said.
In addition, Ankara Anatolia (31.05.14) reported that ahead of the protests, CNN correspondent Ivan Watson said he was detained briefly during a live broadcast. He said that police had kneed him and that an officer later apologized.
Moreover, a freelance journalist and photographer Piero Castellano was hit in the chest by a tear gas canister fired by the police, according to a report published on the news site sendika.org. The report said Castellano was in good condition.
Dogan News Agency (31.05.14) also reported that prosecutors in the southern province of Antalya have demanded up to 98 years in prison for five Gezi protesters who participated in demonstrations held after the death of a protester in Hatay last September, while their presented a public transportation card as part of their key evidence.
13. Muslim group prays in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (31.05.14) reported that a large group of people, who demand Istanbul’s monumental Hagia Sophia to be turned into a mosque again, gathered in front of the museum in the early hours of May 31, before offering their morning prayer there.
Anatolia Youth Association (AGD) had made a call for the event that came at a time when several radical groups have been discussing the status of the museum.
Prominent imams, including Saudi Arabian reciter Shaykh Abdullah Basfar, were present at the event. The crowd left the area after the prayer chanting slogans that say Hagia Sophia should be a mosque.
14. CHP and BDP win mayoral posts in Yalova and Agrı elections
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (02.06.14) reports that the tension on Sunday in Yalova and Agrı where voters went to the ballot box to cast their votes for local and mayoral candidates for a second time after previous results in certain areas were cancelled due to rigging or other major violations of election rules.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate in Yalova, Vefa Salman, won the elections in the province near İstanbul, CHP Deputy Chairman Muharrem İnce announced, according to unofficial results. Sırrı Sakık, pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)'s candidate, won the elections in the eastern Turkish province of Agrı. Based also on unofficial figures, the mayoral candidate of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) won the election ahead of the AK Party candidate in Aydıntepe district.
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