TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 103/14 05.06.14
1. Ozersay: The Turkish Cypriot side is ready to negotiate a geographical map as soon as both sides agree upon a road map
2. Nami: The Turkish side insists on the rotating presidency
3. Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots submit preconditioned proposals on the property issue; The communities proved that they can live side by side
4. “Fighter’s community” in occupied Kokkina warns that they will prevent the crossings from Limnitis-Pirgos crossing points
5. “Large-scale Islamic attack” in the occupied area of Cyprus
6. Turkey’s Deputy PM Arinc discussed with US Secretary of State Kerry the Cyprus problem
7. The Consumer Price Index for the first 5 months of 2014 in the occupied area of Cyprus
8. “International Eastern Mediterranean Yachts rally” participants cast anchor at the occupied Keryneia port
9. 730 students from 30 different countries will graduate from “GAU”
10. Turkey’s presidential election caught on OSCE radar
11. OSCE says press freedom in Turkey critically stifled
1. Ozersay: Turkish Cypriot side is ready to negotiate a geographical map as soon as both sides agree upon a road map
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (05.06.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay evaluated yesterday’s negotiators meeting and said that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to negotiate a geographical map as soon as both sides agree upon a road map which will lead to referenda.
Ozersay claimed that if the Greek Cypriot side is also wilful, the process leading to a referendum can start without any delay. “Some attitudes of the Greek Cypriot side was about diverting from the past convergences. We will not take those kinds of proposals into consideration” he said after yesterday’s meeting which lasted approximately five hours.
“Property and federal executive were discussed and new proposals on federal legislative and EU were put forward. “We evaluated several issues which were discussed during the leaders meeting and conveyed some of the questions we had regarding some issues. After that, several ideas regarding the timeline of the process and when and how we can proceed to the next phase were exchanged,” said Ozersay and added that during the second part of the meeting the teams negotiated the headings listed in the agenda.
Ozersay also said that during the meeting where several headings were negotiated, the two negotiating teams also evaluated the momentum of the process.
“We submitted a proposal on the property issue during our last meeting and today (yesterday) the Greek Cypriot side shared their opinions regarding that proposal and we asked some questions about their proposal. Today we agreed that the property experts meeting where the property issue will be elaborated in detail, is going to take place within next week” said Ozersay.
He also stated that the Turkish Cypriot side presented a proposal on federal legislative while the Greek Cypriot side put a proposal forward regarding the EU heading.
Stating that these two proposals were not discussed during the meeting Ozersay said that they briefly exchanged opinions at the end of the meeting.
“I would like to emphasize one general point which came forward during the leaders meeting as well. There is one basic logic in the framework of comprehensive negotiations which I can summarize like this: For a geographical map to come to the table there should be a road map. It’s like an equation which involves these two maps. So the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to negotiate the geographical map as soon as we see the road map. If there is a will towards that direction, we are ready to proceed to the next phase”
Ozersay said that as a half century old conflict, the Cyprus problem is a challenging one and that the process requires lot of goodwill and effort. “Presence of a road map is very essential in this process in order to achieve some progress. We have to move forward despite certain challenges”, he added.
Upon a question on political equality Ozersay said that political equality is not only about individual equality where everyone has equal rights but one in which two communities have equal status.
The next negotiators’ meeting will take place in June 14 but they will also get together this Friday for an unofficial gathering.
2. Nami: The Turkish side insists on the rotating presidency
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.06.14) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that it is not possible for them to accept the proposal that the president in a possible partnership state should only be coming from the Greek Cypriot community. In statements to illegal Bayrak television, Nami gave the message that the Turkish side insists on the rotating presidency. Nami also said that he became pessimist and feels concerned because of the picture created after the recent meeting between the leaders.
Nami argued that “extremely significant progress” had been achieved in the past in the chapters of the administration and power sharing, the EU and economy and claimed that the fact that the past convergences’ papers are allegedly not efficiently used by the sides at the negotiating table is an indication of the “deep disagreements between the sides”. “If new convergences cannot be achieved, the establishment that the current convergences are permanent should have been secured at the leaders’ level”, he argued and described as “tactical mistake” the fact that the Turkish side did not insist on this issue at the negotiating table.
Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side does not respect the convergences’ papers, Nami claimed that the Turkish side should approach the UN Secretary-General, convey to him the problem and ask for his direct and active participation. “The convergences had been formed under the UN supervision. Therefore, the UN should defend them”, he alleged. Nami claimed that if Eroglu had secured that the Americans exerted the necessary pressure on the Greek Cypriot side, the current problem would not exist.
Nami alleged that the submission of a proposal by the Greek Cypriot side saying that the president of the partnership state should be elected with simple majority is an indication that the climate formed at the negotiating table “is not good at all”.
Nami went on and claimed that US Vice President’s visit “was wasted in vain” because the Greek Cypriot side was directed towards issues such as the occupied fenced off city of Varosha.
Nami alleged that as long as President Anastasiades continues not accepting the past convergences it is not possible for the negotiations to go well.
Nami complained also that they have not established a good dialogue with Eroglu both before the meetings between the leaders and the visit of the US Vice President.
(I/Ts.)
3. Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots submit preconditioned proposals on the property issue; The communities proved that they can live side by side
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.06.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has alleged that the Greek Cypriot side submits proposals with preconditions on the property issue and added that it is not possible for the Turkish Cypriots to accept these preconditioned proposals.
Eroglu briefed yesterday a delegation from the Employers’ Trade Union headed by Hasan Sungur, who said that they had visited Eroglu to express their support to him in the negotiations and ask him to continue his “determined stance” on the property issue.
Eroglu said that they had discussed the property issue with former President Christofias and achieved convergences on some issues, but “the new Greek Cypriot leader is submitting preconditioned proposals on the property issue”. He noted that they could not accept this preconditioned proposals, but these will be discussed at the negotiating table.
Eroglu alleged that the problem is caused by President Anastasiades’ by not accepting the convergences achieved in the past and argued that “even in the joint declaration it was said that the negotiations should continue on the issues which have not been agreed”.
Eroglu said that they will examine the proposals brought to the table by the Greek Cypriot side on 23 June and see whether they could have a result and how they could get a result in the negotiations. He noted that they will try to conclude the negotiations over the six chapters “accepted by the UN Secretary-General and their sequence has been determined”.
Eroglu said that they have used all their influence in the direction of the acceptance of the convergences secured during the four years of negotiations and demanded this during the meeting they had with the UN Secretary-General last month. He described as wrong the criticism against him by the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami, who in statements to a TV station, has said that Eroglu had not discussed this issue with the UN Secretary-General or during the visit of the US Vice President to Cyprus. Eroglu noted that during the negotiations they insist on reiterating their view that efforts should be exerted for agreeing on new issues and not discussing again the issues on which convergences had been achieved in the past.
Meanwhile, in statements during a meeting with the Businesswomen’s Association, Eroglu said yesterday that with the opening of the barricades “the two peoples showed that they can live side by side” and added: “What is left? Reaching an agreement by which the two peoples will be able to live in peace. In the end, both peoples need an agreement”. He alleged that the Greek Cypriots are unwilling on the issue of reaching an agreement because they might want to “snatch away from the Turks more things”.
(I/Ts.)
4. “Fighter’s community” in occupied Kokkina warns that they will prevent the crossings from Limnitis-Pirgos crossing points
Under the title: “We will prevent the crossings from Limnitis Crossing point”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (05.06.14) reports that “the community of fighter’s in Kokkina” has alleged that the Greek Cypriots create problems during the crossings from and into the crossing point of Limnitis-Pirgos, since they do not implement the protocol signed between the two communities.
“The community of fighter’s in Kokkina” has called on the so-called ministry of foreign affairs to handle the issue in order for the protocol to be adopted.
Speaking during a press conference on the issue, the chairman of the “community of fighter’s in Kokkina” Kutlay Keco recalled the protocol signed is an agreement between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side regarding the crossing to Kokkina and said that this envisages that crossing from the Limnitis-Pirgos crossing point to Kokkina will take place on Tuesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s. He however, pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side is not giving permissions for crossing during the weekdays.
Keco warned that in case no measures are taken on the issue, they, as a “community” will take measures and prevent the crossings from the Limnitis crossing points.
Keco added that they are concerned and unpleased with the Greek Cypriot side for showing this stance especially during a period where the peace talks are in progress.
(…)
(AK)
5. “Large-scale Islamic attack” in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the title: “Large scale Islamic attack in the TRNC”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (05.06.14) reports that a large-scale Islamic attack has been launched yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus since a groups of the “Ismailaga association” and the “Irsad unit” distributed yesterday to the streets procures of Islam, the Quran and were making announcement in the streets with megaphones.
At the same time writes the paper, an event was organized last night at Ataturk Sport Center by an Islamic association where they distributed again freely the Quran.
(AK)
6. Turkey’s Deputy PM Arinc discussed with US Secretary of State Kerry the Cyprus problem
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet (05.06.14), Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Warsaw during Poland’s celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the end of Communism on May 4.
“Mr Kerry and I discussed Syria and other border countries’ latest developments, the Cypriot issue and the Turkey-U.S. relationship during the ceremony dinner,” Arinc said.
7. The Consumer Price Index for the first 5 months of 2014 in the occupied area of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (05.06.14), the so-called state planning organization (DPO) announced the Consumer Price Index for the first five months of 2014 in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Consumer Price Index per month is the following:
January: 2.09%
February: 2.29%
March: 0.57%
April: 0.34%
May: -0.78%
According to the report, the total rate of change of the consumer price index for the first five months of 2014 is 4.56%.
8. “International Eastern Mediterranean Yachts rally” participants cast anchor at the occupied Keryneia port
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.06.14) reports that 32 yachts which are participating in the “International Eastern Mediterranean Yachts rally” cast anchor yesterday at the occupied Keryneia port.
According to the paper, the yachts, which came from Mersin, Turkey, will remain anchored port for three days and then will move to the occupied Karpaz Gate Marina. After this thy will sail for Israel.
9. 730 students from 30 different countries will graduate from “GAU”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis (05.06.14), 730 students from 30 different countries of the academic year 2013-14 will graduate on the 6th of June from the illegal Girne American University (“GAU”).
Meanwhile, during the graduation ceremony Gunther Meinel - Chairman of the European Diplomats Association– will be given an honorary doctorate.
10. Turkey’s presidential election caught on OSCE radar
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (05.06.14) reports that irregularities and controversies that forced the Turkish authorities to cancel some of the March 30 local election results in Turkey have moved Europe’s security body to announce that a mission will observe Turkey’s upcoming first direct presidential election.
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to Turkey between May 7 and 9 upon an official invitation from the Turkish authorities to observe the presidential election which will be held in two rounds in August.
“The majority of OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors expressed a certain level of confidence in the electoral process and referenced the country’s long-standing tradition of democratic practices,” said a report, drafted after this mission and dated June 3, in its “Conclusions and Recommendations” section. “However, they also raised particular concern with the new legal framework and its possible gaps and shortcomings and noted a recent weakening of general public confidence in the authorities, particularly following the recent local elections,” added the report.
11. OSCE says press freedom in Turkey critically stifled
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (05.06.14) reports that Dunja Mijatovic, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) representative on freedom of the media, has said freedom of expression is severely limited in Turkey while media freedom has become critically stifled.
In an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman, the OSCE's point woman on media freedom underlined that concerns over how to better protect media freedom in Turkey have long existed, adding: “What I find alarming is that the latest developments in Turkey point towards more restrictions instead of a gradual progress toward increased media freedom.”
Stressing that she has been following the laws in Turkey that may have an impact on press freedom, Mijatovic criticized recent legislation that gave the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) sweeping powers while providing blanket immunity for members of the spy agency against prosecution.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
