TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 101/14 03.06.14
1. Eroglu: Differences of opinion persist on administration and share of power”
2. Eroglu: The negotiations started from the scratch; The USA is interested more with the natural gas than the solution in Cyprus
3. The breakaway regime’s assembly decided to vote on Thursday on “constitutional amendments”
4. Lefkosia Economic Forum supports solution
5. “Martyr Tegmen Caner Gonyeli 2014 search and rescue exercise” to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus
6. E-coli and heavy metals were found in the water coming from Turkey
7. A workshop on writing news about refugees
8. A Greek Cypriot cemetery in occupied Varosha has turned into a stockyard
9. Almost everything in the occupied area of Cyprus is imported
10. A new illegal university is established in the breakaway regime
11. Public in Turkey believes Turkish press is not free, MetroPOLL survey shows
1. Eroglu: Differences of opinion persist on administration and share of power”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (03.06.14) reports about yesterday’s meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and President Nikos Anastasiades which lasted for three-and-a-half hours and publishes the statements Eroglu made after the meeting.
According to the paper, Eroglu stated that differences of opinion persist on the issues of administration and share of power, but these issues will continue to be discussed at the negotiation table.
Political equality and federal executive are sensitive issues for the Turkish Cypriot side, Eroglu said, adding that Anastasiades and his team have different opinions regarding powers and election.
In addition, reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (03.06.14) reports that Eroglu stated the following as regards the negotiation process: “We have sensitivities regarding federal executive and political equality. Some of these issues were already negotiated with the previous Greek Cypriot leadership and while some headings which were closed during the previous phase are accepted by Anastasiades and his team, several issues are being re-negotiated.”
We will negotiate the presidential elections and political equality, two issues that are yet to be agreed upon, in the upcoming period.
Technical committees were also discussed during today’s meeting. While the work of our technical committees are defined and ready to work, as the Greek Cypriot side has not defined their committees and joint work has not been possible. We shared our opinion on increasing the pace of work regarding the technical committees.
Confidence building measures were on the agenda, however we haven’t discussed them in detail and didn’t decide on which ones to evaluate as the issue will be negotiated more profoundly in the upcoming period.
The Greek Cypriot side wants the presidency to permanently be held by Greek Cypriots with a Turkish Cypriot deputy president. So there is a discussion on that issue.
Greek Cypriot side has put several proposals forward on property, governance and division of power, authorities of the central government and we also put proposals accordingly”.
2. Eroglu: The negotiations started from the scratch; The USA is interested more with the natural gas than the solution in Cyprus
Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (03.06.14, online) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has described as “extremely wrong” the conviction of Turkey by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to pay 90 million euro compensation to the Greek Cypriots due to the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.
In statements to Yeni Safak, Eroglu said that this is actually a result of the “1974 peace operation”, as he called the Turkish invasion and alleged that the Court ignored the so-called unjust treatments towards the Turkish Cypriots until 1974. “Our people were buried in mass graves in periods during which there was no war, while the dead Greek Cypriots died during war”, he alleged.
Referring to US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Cyprus, Eroglu noted that this visit was in their favor and added: “In spite of the fact that we are not a recognized state, he visited us at our office. It is important from this point of view. The Greek Cypriots had a big expectation at the negotiating table. They thought that with Biden’s visit, Varosha would be given to them or at least observations would have been made in Varosha. We did not accept this as well. This issue was closed after we put our justifications in front of Biden”.
Referring to the US Vice President’s statement that “Cyprus is our strategic ally”, Eroglu argued that the natural gas that has been found in Cyprus’ territorial waters could be carried to Europe through Turkey and become an alternative to what he called as Russia’s domination over the natural gas. “This was one of the reasons of Biden’s visit”, he said and alleged:
“We are partners in this natural gas. Therefore, this interests us. The natural gas is one of the facts that will encourage America to behave neutrally. Israel’s natural gas will definitely have to pass from our territorial waters to go over Turkey... If the issue is for the natural gas to be carried to Europe in the cheapest way with pipelines through Turkey, this is an important event. That is why I can say that the USA is interested more with the issue of the natural gas than the solution in Cyprus…”
Eroglu said that the USA has no intention to mediate between the two sides for a solution in Cyprus and recalled Biden’s statement that “the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are the ones that will find solution of the problem” and that the US has no formula as regards the solution.
Eroglu went on and referred to the water which will be carried from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with undersea pipelines and admitted that there have been some delays in the project which was not completed on 7 March, as it had been earlier announced. He noted that building undersea pipelines was not as easy as they thought it would be and added: “This is not an easy project. They could not work in the winter because the sea was very wavy. However, the water will hopefully flow in September”.
Referring to the negotiations process, Eroglu said that the leaders agreed to meet once every two weeks and that the previous Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders discussed all chapters in the negotiations except for the issue of the guarantees. He went on and alleged: “Therefore convergences have been achieved on other chapters as well. Anastasiades has stated that he does not accept the negotiations we had held with the president before him and we started negotiations again on some issues. For example, on the property issue there were some proposals we had submitted, proposals submitted by the previous leaders and convergences we had achieved with bridging proposals. These started again from the scratch. We had agreements on the foreign relations, we had by 90% agreed on the internal security, judiciary with the previous leaders. We had agreed on the chapter of the economy. Some minor details had remained on the chapter of the European Union. We started negotiating from the beginning on these. It is a waste of time”.
Eroglu reiterated the accusation against the Greek Cypriot side that it uses delaying tactics and argued that it will be difficult to have a positive result in case of open-ended negotiations.
(I/Ts.)
3. The breakaway regime’s assembly decided to vote on Thursday on “constitutional amendments”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (03.06.14) reports that the “assembly” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus approved after a 10-hour meeting yesterday a “joint draft-law” regarding “constitutional amendments”. They agreed on 23 “articles” and they will vote on them on Thursday. The new “constitution’ will be submitted to “referendum” on 29 June, in parallel to the “municipality elections”, after it is approved by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu.
According to Yeni Duzen, the parties could not agree on issues such as including in the “constitution” a provision saying that the “courts” in the occupied area of Cyprus will have to take into consideration the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The Democratic Party –National Forces (DP-UG) and the National Unity Party (UBP) did not accept the inclusion of an “article” regarding the minority rights and therefore the “article” did not pass in spite of the support of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP). The proposal of the TDP as regards the “conscientious refusal” was not discussed and was not included in the new “constitution” because of the fact that only the CTP supported it.
The paper writes that the parties agreed that if the so-called deputies and their families do not declare their wealth, the former will not be able to take the “oath” and become “MPs”. They also agreed, inter alia, on the following: 1) The establishment of “children’s courts” and “children’s jails”, 2) the lifting of the ban to “civil servants” to participate in politics, 3) the partial lifting of the “immunity” of the “deputies” in case of committing a crime that requires a severe punishment, 4) the “election” of the so-called ombudsman by the “assembly” and his subsequent approval by the “president of the republic” and 5) termination by the “high administrative court” of the duties of “local administration organs”, if, upon an application by the “attorney general” and the “court of auditors”, it is established that they have caused damage to the “municipality”.
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (03.06.14) refers to the same issue and reports that the parties agreed on 19 “amendments”, four new “articles” and one transitional “article”.
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (03.06.14) refers to statements by the self-styled prime minister, Ozkan Yorgancioglu who said that the “amendments” are important either some persons like them or not. He noted that until next June, when the so-called presidential elections will be held, they will discuss “articles” in the “constitution” which are insufficient and if by that date the Cyprus problem is not solved, the “articles” on which agreement is reached will be submitted to “referendum”.
Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minster referred to the demand of abolishing transitional “article 10” and binding the “police” to non-military “authority”. He said that abolishing this “article” is not possible as long as the Cyprus negotiations continue. He argued that “article 10” could be abolished and a “defense agreement” could be signed in case the Treaties of Alliance and Guarantee are abolished. He alleged that the presence of the army is necessary as long as the negotiations continue and that this has absolutely no relation with democracy and the non-military life. “The day you sign a mutual defense agreement, you will be securing guarantees only regarding the northern part of the island”, he argued. Denktas said that if the Cyprus problem is solved this “article” will be abolished anyway and added that “if there is no agreement, this article will again not remain because other ways will be taken”.
The demand for the abolishment of the above-mentioned article has been expressed by Mehmet Cakici, “deputy” with the TDP, who said that there is no need for “military mentality” and added that they want the “government” to sign a “defense and cooperation agreement” with Turkey. He noted that “there is no war in the country anymore but a process leading to an agreement”. He admitted that TDP’s power is not enough to change this “article”, but he noted that they will bring the issue onto the agenda again.
Finally, Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the “main opposition” UBP, said that they were against these amendments initially and expressed his satisfaction with the consensus that was created as a result of consultations. He thanked the “government” and all the parties which showed “understanding”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Lefkosia Economic Forum supports solution
Illegal Bayrak television (02.06.14) broadcast that the Lefkosia Economic Forum consisting of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce, the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey and the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Greece have made a joint statement after a meeting in the buffer zone in Lefkosia.
The statement expressed support to the solution process of the Cyprus problem and said any necessary contributions will be provided to the process.
The joint statement was read out by the President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Fikri Toros and the President of the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Industry and Commerce Phidias Pildes.
The statement which expressed support to the joint declaration on the Cyprus problem noted that a solution will make great financial contributions and bring wealth and prosperity to both sides in Cyprus.
“A permanent, just and viable solution to be found to the Cyprus problem will increase the strength, security and stability of Eastern Mediterranean, will create great opportunities for cooperation and trade between regional countries” read the statement.
The statement also emphasized that the current status quo is unacceptable and that the non-solution of the Cyprus issue has negative repercussion for the two sides.
The statement continued stressing that the right opportunity exists for a solution to be found on the island and that this opportunity should not be missed.
The statement concluded by noting that the Lefkosia Economic Forum agreed to meet again in İstanbul on the 14th of September 2014.
5. “Martyr Tegmen Caner Gonyeli 2014 search and rescue exercise” to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (03.06.14) reports that a search and rescue exercise named: “Martyr Tegmen Caner Gonyeli 2014 search and rescue exercise” will be performed offshore of occupied Famagusta between June 9-12.
According to a statement issued by the “Commander of security forces” in the occupied area of Cyprus, the exercise will be launched on June 11 at 14.00 offshore of occupied Famagusta in the Eastern Mediterranean. The exercise will be organized with the participation of civilian and military elements of the “Search and Rescue Organizations” of both Turkey and the occupation regime and with the participation of the “search and rescue coordination center of the ministry of transportation, maritime and communication”, writes the paper.
(AK)
6. E-coli and heavy metals were found in the water coming from Turkey
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (03.06.14), the results of a workshop on “the distribution and project designing of the water coming from Turkey” organized by the self-styled ministry of environment and natural resources were announced yesterday.
According to the report, E-coli and some other heavy metals were shown in the water of the Dragon River that will be carried to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. For this reason, the report says that the drinking water as well as the water for irrigation purposes should be analysed continuously by the “ministry responsible for water affairs”, adding that an accredited laboratory should also be established.
7. A workshop on writing news about refugees
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (03.06.14) reports that a workshop on writing news regarding refugees was organized yesterday by the cooperation of the “Refugee Rights Association” and the “media ethic council” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami and the representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Damtew Dessalegne addressed the opening of the workshop.
In his speech, Nami said that the Turkish Cypriots had also their share of traumas of the war and they had to emigrate too, adding that although 50 years have passed the efforts to obtain peace on the island are still going on. Noting that he cares about the efforts by the association, Nami expressed the importance of the increasing awareness in the community and added that they are ready to do their part.
Dessalegne, for his part, explained the significance of the workshop, expressing his satisfaction for being invited. Stressing the important duty of the media regarding the refugee rights, Dessalegne said that the cooperation with media is important from the view of briefing the community and protecting the rights of the refugees.
8. A Greek Cypriot cemetery in occupied Varosha has turned into a stockyard
Under the title: “Shame for the humanity”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (03.06.14) publishes photos of a Greek Cypriot cemetery in occupied Varosha area and writes that the cemetery’s situation is displeasing since it lacks of care.
According to the paper, citizens expressed their dissatisfaction to the paper and stated that the cemetery is used as stockyard. They also stated that Greek Cypriots who visited the cemetery and realized its bad condition tried to fix their relative’s graves.
Speaking on the issue, Serdar Atai, spokesman of the occupied Famagusta Initiative stated to the paper the need for the leaders of the two communities to show sensitivity on the issue and undertake initiatives in order to find out solutions.
(AK)
9. Almost everything in the occupied area of Cyprus is imported
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (02.06.14) reported that almost every product in the occupied areas of Cyprus is imported, according to the numbers given by the “trade office”.
According to the import data for 2012 and 2013, the total value of imports was over 3 billion TL. The leading import is in the energy field.
The numbers show that the total amount of imports were 3 billion 71 million 724 thousand and 335 TL for 2012 and increased by 200 million TL in 2013.
Second on the list after petrol and diesel fuel were textile products and medicine.
According to the data, more than 60 million TL worth of textile products were imported from Turkey in 2012 and this number increased by 9 million in 2013.
Medical imports are also very high on the list by 50 million TL.
10. A new illegal university is established in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (03.06.14) reports that a new university called “British University of Nicosia” announced its establishment.
According to its announcement the “university”, which is just been established, has already started to accept registrations. On the website there is a mention of 6 faculties and 4 colleges to which the “university” accepts registration.
11. Public in Turkey believes Turkish press is not free, MetroPOLL survey shows
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (03.06.14) reports that a recent survey has shown that 59.4%of respondents believe that the press in Turkey is not free, while only 35.6% believe the contrary.
The remaining 5% declined to comment in the survey, which was carried out by the MetroPOLL Strategic and Social Research Centre.
The survey seems to confirm the findings of a recent report by US-based watchdog Freedom House, which found a significant decline in press freedom, had taken place recently in Turkey and downgraded Turkey from “Partly Free” to “Not Free.” In its “Freedom of the Press 2014” report, which was shared with world media in early May, the biggest decline in Europe took place in Turkey.
The MetroPOLL survey also showed that a majority of the public thinks the Turkish judiciary is not independent. According to 62.1% of respondents, the judiciary is not independent while 29.4% favor the opposite perspective. The remaining 8.5% declined to comment.
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