TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 104/14 06.06.14
1. Ozersay: Discussing a map means freezing life in occupied Cyprus; Consensus exists within the Turkish Cypriots in the negotiations
2. Turkish Cypriot reactions on the issue of the map on the territory issue
3. Arinc: The Cyprus problem should be solved urgently due to energy policies
4. The so-called “assembly” approved the “constitutional amendment bill”; BKP launches a “no” campaign
5. The fourth summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Language-Speaking Turksoy Countries took place in Turkey
6. The Cooperation Council of Turkic-Language-Speaking Turksoy Countries welcomes the resumption of the negotiation process in Cyprus
7. Ricciardone stressed the need for Turkey-US cooperation for the solution of the Cyprus and other problems in the Middle East
8. Thermal power plants produce half of Turkey’s wastewater
1. Ozersay: Discussing a map means freezing life in occupied Cyprus; Consensus exists within the Turkish Cypriots in the negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (06.06.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay has reiterated the Turkish view that they are ready to discuss a map on the property issue in return to a road map that leads to a referendum. In statements to Kibris Postasi, Ozersay argued, inter alia, the following:
“We are ready to discuss the map in return for a road map which will lead to a referendum. If we see that we are heading towards a solution, we will discuss the map as well. Discussing the map in an environment in which everything leaks to the Greek Cypriot press, even the jokes said in the negotiations, the coffees we drink and the cigarettes we smoke, will cause freezing of life in the north [Translator’s note: this is how Ozersay describes the Turkish occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus]. Our life has somehow been postponed with postponing the EU law. And if we discuss the map without a road map going towards a solution, life in the north will freeze. We will not allow this. We are ready to agree on a road map that will make the solution visible and put everything onto the table…”
Meanwhile, addressing a meeting at the illegal Near East University (“YDU”), Ozersay expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriots are living a period during which they need “communal consensus” and added, inter alia, the following: “…As a person who served during the period of three presidents of the republic, I can easily say the following: In spite of all that is said, a joint consensus or a denominator exists from the Turkish Cypriots’ point of view in the negotiations and the Turkish Cypriots have a common denominator on different issues… I think that further strengthening this in the forthcoming period is, from our point of view, the most important tramp card in the hands of the Turkish Cypriots, it will be a power…”
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkish Cypriot reactions on the issue of the map on the territory issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (06.06.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot politicians have assessed the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay’s statement that they are ready to discuss a map on the property issue in return to a road map that leads to a referendum.
In statements to Kibris Postasi, Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister of the breakaway regime and leader of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), complained that they are not informed enough on the negotiating process aiming at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.
He argued: “First of all, I want to find out the latest situation regarding the past convergences’ papers. Recently, because of the elections and the constitutional amendments that are on the agenda, we could not get enough information regarding the Cyprus problem. However, if we are at the point of putting a geographical map onto the table, this means that there is a development. The president must call us and brief us. However, I do not believe that we have come to the stage of putting a geographical map onto the table”.
Furthermore, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), said that from the statements made, he understands that the Cyprus problem entered into deadlock again, because the Greek Cypriot side says that “the concessions which will give depend on the territory which you will give us” and the Turkish Cypriot side says that “the territory which we will give, depends on the concessions which you will give”. Arguing that from Ozersay’s statement it was clear that the Turkish side will put a map onto the table “if there is a ground that leads to a referendum”, Soyer expressed the view that “we have not entered into a give and take process yet”.
Finally, Zorlu Tore, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) said that the issues of territory and property are very important for the Greek Cypriot side, but “they constitute a great danger” for the Turkish Cypriots. He alleged, inter alia, the following: “…The formation of both a road map and a geographical map is out of the question. What will be formed with foreign interventions will soon enter into deadlock. There might be a speeding up of the negotiations process with the EU’s entering into action, but the EU’s stance does not coincide with the historical realities of Cyprus”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Arinc: The Cyprus problem should be solved urgently due to energy policies
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (06.06.14), Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, commenting on the Cyprus talks, said that nowadays a positive process is being handled, and added: “Despite of what has happened, we still support a solution on the Cyprus problem. The EU could not pass very well the test on the Cyprus issue, but it is not too late. Cyprus expects a solution as one of both global and internal tests of the EU and Turkey.”
Arinc said that he believes that an EU with Turkey will produce permanent solutions towards global crises, adding that he looks the future with hope.
In a speech in Warsaw, Arinc said that the Cyprus issue is one of the global tests of the EU and Turkey, reminding what has happened with the Cyprus problem in 2004. Noting that the Annan plan was the headmost solution that has been put forward until now in the island, Arinc claimed that despite all the political risks the Turkish Cypriot side said “yes” to the solution with a huge difference, contrary to the Greek Cypriot side, who voted “no”. He repeated that Cyprus became member of the EU, despite the results of the Annan plan, claiming that the Greek Cypriot side turned its EU membership into a political position against Turkey. Arinc said that 6 chapters are still blocked due to the Cyprus veto. Noting that the Greek Cypriot side had a huge financial harm of the financial crisis, Arinc claimed that if the EU did not reward the negative stance of the Greek Cypriot side and if the EU compelled a solution, now they would be able to see a much different Cyprus and a Mediterranean sea.
Commenting on the visit of the US Vice President Joe Biden to Cyprus, Arinc said that he believes it was useful. He also said that from another point of view, Cyprus is not only a political problem, but for Turkey and the EU it is an issue that should be solved urgently due to energy policies.
Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.06.14) reported that Arinc said the EU turns a blind eye to the tragedy in Syria in an interview to a Polish radio.
“The EU cannot assert that Syria is far away”, Arinc said. “There should be a military intervention against Syria for humanity. They would be interested in Syria if 900 000 Syrians migrated to Germany, Italy or France.”
4. The so-called “assembly” approved the “constitutional amendment bill”; BKP launches a “no” campaign
According to illegal Bayrak television (05.06.14) the “parliament” has approved the package of “constitutional amendments” in a vote which took place at a plenary session.
On Tuesday, all 4 political parties represented in the “assembly” had reached a consensus on the package made up of amendments to “23 articles in the TRNC constitution”.
The amendments include the lifting of immunity of “mayors” whilst in public office, changes on the formation of the “supreme court”, the lifting of a ban on “public servants” participating actively in politics, the legalization of organ transplants, as well as new regulations regarding children’s rights, decisions taken by the “court of audits” and the environment.
The “bill” was unanimously passed by the “parliament”. The “amendments” will be put to the vote in a referendum to be held alongside the “local elections” on the 29th of June.
Reporting on the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.06.14) under the front-page title: “No to the last stake constitution which was thrown to our community”, writes that the new constitutional amendments which were approved unanimously yesterday by the “assembly”, fetters more the “community” on the issue of Turkey’s intervention to the occupied area of Cyprus.
As the paper points out, with this “constitution”, the Justice and Development Party’s power is entrenched in Cyprus and adds that by approving again the “provisional article 10”, the Turkish Cypriots will announce worldwide that the Turkish Cypriots do not have any axe to grind with Turkey’s administration. “Everybody agrees with the view that this constitution was imposed to our community with the “Alo Besir” telephone, writes the paper. [Tr. Note: Besir Atalay’s instructions].
Meanwhile, the United Cyprus Party (BKP) chairman Izzet Izcan, in statements during a press conference yesterday, announced that his party will launch a “no” campaign and will call the “people” to vote against the “constitutional amendments” at the referendum to take place in June 29.
The BKP described the “constitutional amendments” as a “make up which aims to deceive the community” and stressed the need to have a new, contemporary, democratic “constitution” which will be based on international law and will respect the human rights and freedoms.
(…)
5. The fourth summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Language-Speaking Turksoy Countries took place in Turkey
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (06.06.14) reports that Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated that tourism is important to countries along the Silk Road in terms of the economy and humanitarian concerns. He made these statements on June 5 at the fourth summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Language-Speaking States held in Turkey.
Gul joined Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the summit, holding bilateral talks with the other leaders. The leaders agreed to enhance their cooperation in the field of energy, tourism and culture, stressing the importance of building transport facilities along the historical Silk Road which connects them.
Gul stressed the importance of greeting visiting Presidents personally, adding that he attaches great importance to reinforcing the bonds with Turkic countries “with whom we share common language, culture, faith, values and history.”
6. The Cooperation Council of Turkic-Language-Speaking Turksoy Countries welcomes the resumption of the negotiation process in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (06.06.14) reports that “the Council of Heads of State of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States”, which met on June 5 In Bodrum, Turkey, welcomes the resumption of a comprehensive negotiation process in Cyprus on 11 February 2014.
The Council of Heads of State also confirm their strong support for a negotiated and mutually agreed just and lasting political settlement in Cyprus under the auspices of the United Nations based on political equality of the two “peoples” in the Island, and express their solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot “people”, an equal and constituent partner in Cyprus, in their aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous future.
7. Ricciardone stressed the need for Turkey-US cooperation for the solution of the Cyprus and other problems in the Middle East
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (06.06.14) reports that Frank Ricciardone, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara made important remarks regarding “national security” of both countries in the farewell lunch given to him by Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) in Istanbul on June 5.
Mentioning the need of working together, Ricciardone listed the area’s need the cooperation of both countries as Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran in the context of nuclear program, are seeking a lasting solution for Cyprus and the normalization in Turkish-Israeli relations for “peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean”.
Then he said that work on these fields is carried out with the means of “diplomacy, law enforcement [for example Turkey’s borders], intelligence and security.”
8. Thermal power plants produce half of Turkey’s wastewater
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (06.06.14) reports that the latest report by the state’s statistical institute TUİK has revealed that some 52.3% of the wastewater discharged into nature in 2012 came from coal power plants, a leading energy source for energy-hungry Turkey, surpassing public water waste at 34%.
In 2012, municipalities, villages, manufacturing industry establishments, thermal power plants, industrial zones, and mining firms discharged 12 billion cubic meters of wastewater into the environment, said the report, which was released yesterday to mark World Environment Day.
The country produced some 4.1 million tons of dangerous waste over the year, adding to the 982 million tons of non-hazardous waste. Some 947 tons of the total waste came from mines, with some 3.2 million tons being hazardous. Most of the discharged wastewater, some 77.1 %, was poured into the sea, while 18.6% was mixed with rivers.
In 2012, a total amount of 14.3 billion cubic meters of water was abstracted from the environment in order to be distributed via water supply networks by municipalities and villages and used in the manufacturing industry, thermal plants, industrial zones and mining facilities. Out of the total amount, 52.1 % was abstracted from the sea, 18 % from dams, 15 % from wells, 11.9 % from springs and 3 % from other sources.
The total greenhouse gas emissions in 2012 of a CO2 (carbon dioxide) equivalent was calculated as 439.9 million tons, up 133.4 % from 1990. The CO2 equivalent emissions per capita was calculated at 5.9 tons, while the emission intensity was calculated at a 0.31 kg CO2 equivalent per GDP in Turkish Liras.
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