TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 114/14 21-23.06.14
1. Ozersay: The road map in the negotiations will bring flexibility
2. Ertug accuses again the Greek Cypriot side for problems in the negotiations
3. Nami met with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
4. Eroglu met with the Danish and Iranian Ambassadors
5. Twenty eight “mayors” and 272 “members of municipal councils” will be “elected” on 29 June in the occupied area of Cyprus
6. Eight organisations announced their “no” vote to the “constitutional amendments”
7. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce expects developments on the Green Line Regulation
8. Mehmet Davulcu is elected chairman of Cag-Sen
9. Davutoglu: Turkey has no link with any terror group
10. “The collapse of Davutoglu’s Pan-Islamist foreign policy”
11. Der Spiegel reporter said that the threats he received in Turkey are worse than the ones he received from the Taliban
1. Ozersay: The road map in the negotiations will bring flexibility
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.06.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay has alleged that if a road map regarding the Cyprus talks was determined and the next stage of the negotiations was known, the sides would be assisted in showing flexibility in the current stage of the process.
Responding to Kibris’ questions, Ozersay claimed that the two sides could agree on a road map and afterwards they could show flexibility on many issues. In his statements, Ozersay commented on an interview by President Anastasiades to Turkish NTV new channel in which the President of the Republic has reportedly said that the Turkish Cypriot side was not ready to submit proposals on all issues. Ozersay argued that the Turkish Cypriot side will submit proposals on all issues, as it had previously stated, and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side has also not submitted proposals on some issues.
Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot side finds the Greek Cypriot proposals on the issue of the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha proposals “balanced”, Ozersay replied, inter alia, the following:
“…Regarding the ports he says that he will lift the veto he puts on eight chapters of Turkey’s EU accession talks in case Turkey opens its ports to the Greek Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots are those suffering the actual difficulty here and we have also said it in the past. Since we are referring to lifting the restrictions, since it is something that creates difficulties in the relations, let us lift them all together. If Turkey’s ports will be opened, let simultaneously the ports in the north be also opened, including the Tymvou airport. He relates to Varosha the opening of Famagusta Port for direct trade. He refers to opening of chapters in return of Turkey opening its ports. Giving to the Turkish Cypriots the direct trade through the Famagusta Port in return for Varosha is not a balanced approach. If Anastasiades thinks that lifting the restrictions will be useful, if he believes that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots working together will be beneficial, if he believes that an environment of cooperation will be created in the area, all restrictions should be lifted for creating a field of economic and cultural cooperation that will create mutual dependency among all actors in the area. This is something that includes the isolations as well. If it is something which targets this, we are ready to discuss it”.
Ozersay referred also to the cross visits planned to be held by the negotiators to Ankara and Athens respectively in the beginning of June and argued that this could not be realized because Greece was not positive for such a development.
Replying to a question on the natural gas, he said that it could help in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, but in case the current situation on the island continues, the natural gas could be something preventing the solution.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ertug accuses again the Greek Cypriot side side for problems in the negotiations
Illegal Bayrak television (21.06.14) broadcast that Osman Ertug, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, alleged that the source of the problems and obstacles being confronted in the Cyprus negotiations process is what he called as “unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot side”.
He made these statements addressing the final session of a two day workshop on energy geopolitics organized by the illegal Near East University Institute where he said that no one had the patience to wait for another 46 years at the negotiating table.
Stating that the proceedings of the workshop could be used in the negotiations, Ertug reiterated his view that the hydrocarbon reserves found off the coast of Cyprus could be used as a catalyst for a settlement. He, however, alleged that the Greek Cypriot side showed no positive inclination towards efforts aimed at achieving this.
Underlining the need for good planning in order to achieve positive results in the negotiations, Ertug claimed: “We need to hold a multilateral conference. The issue of territorial adjustments is the issue of security and guarantees for us which are why the guarantor powers must sit with us at the table. The Greek Cypriots are rejecting all proposals to draw up a road map. We could also determine a date for a referendum if we have a multilateral conference. If not we could seek other alternatives”, he alleged.
Ertug also claimed that the Greek Cypriot side was rejecting all previous convergences reached during former Mehmet Ali Talat’s “term”.
3. Nami met with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (21.06.14) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has met in Jeddah with Abul Hassan Mahmoud Ali, Foreign minister of Bangladesh in the sidelines of the 41th Meeting of Organization for Islamic Cooperation Organization’s (ICO) Foreign Affairs Ministers. According to a statement issued by Nami’s “office”, during the meeting they discussed their political, economic, educational, cultural and commercial cooperation and advancing the existing friendly relations between the “two countries”.
Nami pointed out to the importance they attach to the development of their commercial relations with Bangladesh and mainly in the fields of education. Moreover, Nami briefed Ali on the Cyprus problem. Nami told his interlocutor that the Turkish Cypriot side “sincerely wants a solution” but the Greek Cypriot side is allegedly using delaying tactics and sabotages the process. Nami reiterated the Turkish allegation that the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots should be lifted.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eroglu met with the Danish and Iranian Ambassadors
Illegal Bayrak television (20.06.14) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met separately on Friday with the Danish Ambassador to Lefkosia Casper Kylnge and the outgoing Iranian Ambassador Ali Akbar Rezai. Eroglu informed the Ambassadors on the latest stage in the Cyprus negotiations process and the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions regarding a settlement. No statements were issued before or after the meetings.
5. Twenty eight “mayors” and 272 “members of municipal councils” will be “elected” on 29 June in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.06.14) reports that 28 “mayors” in five “districts” and 272 “members of municipal councils” will be elected in the “municipal elections” which will be held in the occupied area of Cyprus on 29 June 2014. Moreover, the “voters” will have to choose 237 “mukhtars” [Translator’s note: Head of villages]. In 64 villages there is only one candidate for the post and therefore “elections” will be held only for 173 “mukhtars”.
For the first time in the occupied area of Cyprus 670 transparent ballot boxes will be used during these “elections”. Only three women are included in the 106 candidates for the post of the “mayor”: Basak Tekerek, candidate with the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) in occupied Keryneia, Bilen Sayili Bozkirli, candidate with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) in occupied Trikomo and Vijdan Karagozlu, “independent candidate” in occupied Chattoz.
CTP-BG’s local administrations’ secretary, Hakan Kuntay said that his party has designated candidates in 26 “municipalities”, while in occupied Akanthou and Sinda villages it supports independent candidates. He noted that they have 174 “candidates” for members of “municipal councils”.
Huseyin Cobanoglu, National Unity Party’s (UBP) press officer, said that they are running in the “elections” with 24 candidates for “mayors” and they support four independent candidates. He noted that they have 272 candidates for members of “municipal councils”.
Mehmet Erol Aktoprak, deputy general secretary of the DP-UG, said that his party will run with 17 candidates for the post of the “mayor” and it will support independent candidates in six places.
The chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Cemal Ozyigit said that his party will cooperate in these “elections” with the United Cyprus Party (BKP) and Baraka Cultural Centre in occupied Nicosia, Famagusta, Keryneia, Morfou and Lefka. He noted that in three “municipalities” they will support independent “candidates” and that they have candidates in fourteen “municipalities”.
Kibris reports that in the “municipal elections” held in 2010, the UBP won 13 “municipalities”, the CTP-BG 9, the DP 4 and independent candidates two.
(I/Ts.)
6. Eight organisations announced their “no” vote to the “constitutional amendments”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.06.14) reported that eight organisations in the breakaway regime announced their “no” vote to the “constitutional amendments” during a joint press conference held at the KTOS premises.
The joint statement was read by President of Cag-Sen Mehmet Davulcu in which the eight organizations said that they will say no to “TRNC constitution” because it creates a “separatist political structure” in Cyprus.
The eight organizations are namely: Cyprus Turkish Teachers Trade Union (KTÖS), Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Trade Union (Cag-Sen), Cyprus Turkish Contractors Association, Cyprus Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, Baraka Culture Centre, New Cyprus Party (YKP), and United Cyprus Party (BKP).
The organizations also stated that together with the recent amendments they are rejecting the 1985 “constitution” all together. At the end of the statement the organizations called everyone to say “no” during the referendum.
7. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce expects developments on the Green Line Regulation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.06.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce is expecting that some difficulties experienced in the trade between the occupied and the government-controlled area of Cyprus will be overcome within the forthcoming period. Under the title “There will be concrete developments in the Green Line”, the paper writes that the expected positive developments are the free crossings of Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles and the inclusion of processed food into the scope of the Green Line Regulation. Institutions and experts who will be able to give EU certificates will reportedly come to the occupied area of Cyprus in order for the above-mentioned products to be included into the Green Line Regulation.
In statements to Kibris, Fikri Toros, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce evaluated the “2013 Green Line Regulation” Report and argued that the EU Green Line Regulation is not sufficient for the development of the economy. He expressed the view that the main element of the problems experienced in the trade is the fact that the Turkish Cypriot commercial vehicles cannot cross over freely to the government-controlled area of Cyprus and that the processed food is not included in the Green Line Regulation.
He noted that last week they met with Stefan Fule, the EU Commissioner responsible for the Enlargement together with the chairman of the Cyprus Chamber of Industry and Commerce (KEVE). He added: “In that meeting I brought the issue onto the agenda. I found out with satisfaction that on the issue of the crossing of the commercial vehicles some developments which will meet our expectations happened”. Toros said that they are undertaking an initiative for the inclusion of processed food into the scope of the Green Line Regulation.
He said that EU officials told him that food products which are imported into EU member states should fulfill certain standards and added that the institutions which will certificate that such standards are fulfilled do not exist in the occupied area of Cyprus today. “They said that first these certificating institutions will come somehow here, bring the necessary expertise with them and they will accept applications from the producers, the manufacturers”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)
8. Mehmet Davulcu is elected chairman of Cag-Sen
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.06.14) reports that Mehmet Davulcu has been elected chairman of the Turkish Cypriot “State Employees Trade Union” (Cag-Sen). In a statement issued yesterday, it is noted that the new competent organs of the union were determined after its 7th Regular General Assembly which was held recently.
(I/Ts.)
9. Davutoglu: Turkey has no link with any terror group
Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.06.14) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says Ankara has no relation with any kind of terror organization.
He flatly rejected accusations that Ankara has relations with the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) at a meeting with his German counterpart in Istanbul.
“Turkey has not supported terror. We have no direct or indirect relations with any terror organizations. We reject violence,” Davutoglu said adding that Turkey also rejects any link between Islam and terror. He urged the international community not to show any kind of weakness against terror as “all kinds of terror is a threat,” he said.
10. “The collapse of Davutoglu’s Pan-Islamist foreign policy
Under the above title, Behlul Ozkan writes the following article in Hurriyet Daily News (23.06.14):
“Neo-Ottomanism has been a prominent issue in Turkish foreign policy debates over the past decade. However, contrary to the claims of certain journalists in the West and in Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu does not espouse a doctrine of neo-Ottomanism. Ottomanism emerged in the second half of the 19th century, aimed at preserving the Ottoman Empire by two methods: First, by Westernizing the country and becoming part of Europe; second, by abolishing the dominant status of Muslims as a “millet system,” thus integrating non-Muslim communities into the state, and preventing the emergence of nationalist movements. Davutoglu opposes both Ottomanism’s tendency toward Westernization and its removal of the privileged position enjoyed by the Islamic identity. […]
Davutoglu believes that the end of the Cold War also marked the end of a hiatus that began with the Ottomans’ withdrawal from the Middle East in 1918. In his view, this change represents a historic opportunity for Turkey to take up a leadership role in the Middle East. Turkey should put aside its “dream” of becoming part of Europe, and redefine its own identity in Islamic terms. […]
There are two important reasons why Davutoglu’s predictions have not come true, and why Turkish foreign policy during the Arab Spring has been unsuccessful, to say the least. The first is the fact that Davutoglu’s Pan-Islamist foreign policy is ideologically ill-suited to the realities of today’s Middle East. The Islamism practiced under Abdulhamid II was a defensive reaction aimed at averting the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire; Davutoglu’s Pan-Islamist foreign policy, on the other hand, is based on principles of expansionism, seeking to create a new political order in the Middle East under the hegemony of Turkey. […]
The second serious problem with Davutoglu’s foreign policy strategy stems from the theoretical underpinnings of Strategic Depth. Theories that sought to legitimize Western imperial expansion prior to 1945 are taken as a reference point in this book, and in Davutoglu’s foreign policy in general. In laying out a strategy for Turkey’s future hegemony over the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus, Davutoglu refers to proponents of British colonialism such as Mackinder, as well as strategists of American and German expansionism such as Mahan and Haushofer. In a sense, Davutoglu bases his Pan-Islamic ideology on theories of Western imperialism. One should note that terms such as “Lebensraum” and the “Hinterland,” which are frequently employed in Strategic Depth, were also repeatedly used by Haushofer, the architect of German expansionism in the 1920s and 30s, and the notion of a “central state” was inspired by the concept of the Mittellage, which exerted a great influence on German foreign policy during the same period. While it may be packaged together with concepts such as the “foundational actor” or a “proactive foreign policy,” Davutoglu’s foreign policy is a synthesis of Pan-Islamic ideology with archaic, long-outdated Western expansionist theories.
The foreign policy of the Republican era steered clear of adventurism and partisanship; it succeeded, even if only to a limited extent, in upholding Turkey’s position of respect. However, Davutoglu regards this as insufficient. He has claimed that if Turkey insists on remaining on the level of a nation-state – within its national borders – in its foreign policy, it will be erased from history. Either Turkey will become a regional leader and a global power, or it will disappear entirely. According to Davutoglu, the Middle East is an indispensable Lebensraum for Turkey, which has no choice but to dominate the region.
Although Davutoglu claims to have a local’s knowledge of Cairo and Damascus, under his aegis Turkey has lost its way, so to speak, in Egypt and Syria. With its partisan foreign policy, which takes no heed of the historical experience of the Turkish Republic, the Davutoglu era represents a serious break with the past. The latest crisis at the consulate in Mosul shows that this era has now come to an end.”
11. Der Spiegel reporter said that the threats he received in Turkey are worse than the one he received from the Taliban
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (23.06.14) reports that Der Spiegel reporter Hasnain Kazim has said that the death threats he has received in Turkey were even "worse than from the Taliban."
Kazim, who used the headline "Go to hell, [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan," quoting a mourner in his report on the Soma mine disaster last month, faced a huge backlash from supporters of the prime minister after the piece was published in Der Speigel. He said he had received more than 10,000 messages, including death threats against him and his family and profane insults, before Der Spiegel withdrew him from Turkey out of concerns for his safety.
"I was concerned but I wasn't scared. The main issue for me was to understand how big or real the threat was," Kazim told daily Hurriyet.
"I received many death threats while working in Pakistan. But over four years I had come to know many people from the Taliban and learned how to deal with the threats. Even the threats there were not as intense and heavy as the ones here," he added.
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