TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 128/14 11.07.14
1. President Gul will reportedly illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus for the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island
2. The breakaway regime's “presidency” condemned statements by Cyprus government officials against Turkey
3. Yorgancıoglu is travelling to Turkey to meet Erdogan
4. Ozersay: “It is not improbable to be a presidential candidate”
5. Talat evaluated the “local elections”, the Cyprus talks and the possibility to be candidate in the next “presidential elections”
6. Eroglu intervenes in UBP issues
7. A public opinion on the Cyprus problem
8. A protocol on the telecommunications
9. Akgunler Tourism and Borajet Airlines to carry out direct flights to the occupied area of Cyprus
10. Quarrel between the Imam in the Republic of Cyprus and the “chairman” of the “executive board” of Vakif Foundation
11. Turkish Parliament adopts Kurdish reform bill
12. Erdogan: Israel-Turkey ties will not normalise unless Gaza assault stops; Erdogan talks to Palestinian leaders
13. Ihsanoglu announced his election campaign programme
14. Turkey seeks to renew Customs Union deal with the EU
15. Kilicdaroglu: We'll take up arms in case of a Kurdistan
1. President Gul will reportedly illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus for the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.07.14) reports that the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul will illegally visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus within the framework of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of the island.
The paper’s columnist Vatan Mehmet writes that Gul will stay in the occupied area for three days and notes that this will probably be his last visit abroad as President of the Republic. He argues that “three days are a long period of time in this situation”.
(I/Ts.)
2. The breakaway regime's “presidency” condemned statements by Cyprus government officials against Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (11.07.14) reports that the so-called presidency of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, in a written statement issued yesterday, condemned statements by Greek Cypriot officials against Turkey, saying: “First, we want to remind them that their interlocutor is not Turkey but the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (Translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus)”.
The “presidency” claimed that on the eve of the anniversary of the 15th July coup d'état Greek Cypriot officials have increased their accusations against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side. The “presidency” also claimed that the statement by Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasoulides “Turkey has in her hands half Cyprus” is nothing else than an effort to blame Turkey for their own crimes.
The “presidency” rejected the “threatening” statements by Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides to use unilaterally “their veto right as a weapon” during the possible opening of new chapters in Turkey’s EU membership negotiations. The “presidency” claimed that Kasoulides is using words like he is going to launch a propaganda war against Turkey, and that he had also attempted to question Turkey’s UN membership.
The statement further alleges that if there was a side that should be questioned for its membership both to the EU and to the UN, it should be the Greek Cypriot side, claiming that the Greek Cypriot side has occupied the position of the “Republic of Cyprus” by the force of arms since 1963 and has unilaterally become a full member of the above mentioned organizations.
The “presidency” also accuses the Greek Cypriot officials of poisoning the positive and constructive atmosphere between the two communities with such kind of statements. It concluded by alleging that these kinds of statements are also undermining hopes for a Cyprus settlement.
3. Yorgancıoglu is travelling to Turkey to meet Erdogan
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.07.14, online), the so-called “prime minister” Ozkan Yorgancıoglu is travelling this afternoon to Istanbul for a day visit in order to meet with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Replying to a question during a reception today, Yorgancıoglu said that the agenda of their meeting with the Turkish PM will be the economy and the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations.
Yorgancıoglu will be accompanied by the so-called minister of finance Zeren Mungan and the “minister of food, agriculture and energy”, Onder Sennaroglu.
4. Ozersay: “It is not improbable to be a presidential candidate”
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (11.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay in statements to a program broadcast by ADA TV, evaluated the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations talks as well as the possibility to be a “presidential candidate” during the next “presidential elections” that will take place in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Referring to the possibility to be a “candidate” at the “elections”, Ozersay said that this is not impossible and added that his duty is to serve the Turkish Cypriot “people” from every post he will undertake. “(…) I have never been a member of any political party. I have worked with every president but I have not done this in order to have a personal profit. I have created my name. I came and did my best to contribute for the benefit of this country. If I consider that this contribution could be more by becoming a president, then why would I not do it? This possibility is not improbable, I am thinking of it”, Ozersay said.
Concerning the Cyprus negotiation talks, Ozersay said that both positive and negative developments are taking place during the Cyprus negotiation talks. “I am trying to present to the Turkish Cypriot community in a correct manner how the real situation is. Because, if you try to pump the hopes and present the situation in an artificial way, then the disappointment is much more. The Cyprus negotiation process is a long path and we should determine the method to be followed in order to be able to put forward the common goals. We have reached to a joint text and this is positive. It was positive to reach to a joint text after a long period of time, but at the same time there are a lot of deficiencies. The joint declaration text lacks a road map”, Ozersay added.
Pointing out that a road map is very important for the talks to continue, Ozersay said that the Cyprus negotiations talks will be the most important material for the “presidential elections”. He however, added, that nothing will be made clear until January.
(AK)
5. Talat evaluated the “local elections”, the Cyprus talks and the possibility to be candidate in the next “presidential elections”
Under the title: “The ball is to the CTP”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (11.07.14) reports on statements by the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat who evaluated to the paper the “disputes” experienced in the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) especially regarding the results of the so-called local elections which were held in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Participating to a program broadcast by ADA TV in the occupied area of Cyprus, Talat commented on these disputes and said that at this stage, there is no any problem with the leadership of the party but the party lacks of “administration”, as he said.
Referring to the results of the “local elections” and the referendum on the “constitutional amendments”, Talat said that it was a mistake that the “elections” were held together with the referendum.
Asked to reply to a question whether he will be a “candidate” at the next “presidential elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus, Talat said that the “ball is on the CTP” to decide for this.
Evaluating the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks, Talat said that it is not possible for a result to be reached at these talks. About the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), he alleged that it is a waste of time.
(AK)
6. Eroglu intervenes in UBP issues
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (11.07.14) reports in its front-page that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu invited yesterday at the so-called presidential palace the “deputies” of the National Unity Party (UBP) and as it was made known he said to them that “it would be better to postpone the UBP congress in order to avoid possible new quarrels inside the party prior to the presidential elections”.
According to the paper, some “deputies” who gave information to the paper on the issue, described this situation as an “intervention to the party” and expressed their uneasiness.
(AK)
7. A public opinion on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (11.07.14) publishes the results of an opinion poll conducted for the Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies – EDAM by TNS throughout Turkey on the “Turkish public opinion on the Cyprus dispute, 40 years after the intervention (Translator’s note: as the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974 is referred)”.
The public opinion poll shows that the Turkish public opinion remains divided concerning the approach to the Cyprus dispute. 24% of the participants to the survey said that a solution should be reached “no matter what the conditions are”, whereas another 26% has argued that “there is no need to insist for a solution”.
According to the public opinion survey, the share of the Turkish public favouring any solution regardless of the conditions, and the share of the public supporting a two state solution are almost the same. While 18% support a united and EU member Cyprus, those that link EU’s sovereignty to Turkey’s full membership rate at 19%. When the two options are aggregated, it can be stated that a EU linked solution remains the favoured outcome for 36 % of the Turkish public opinion.
In the public opinion survey that was conducted between the dates of May 2nd and June 1st 2014, a sample of 1,502 people representing the voters that live in Turkey were inquired about which of the potential outcomes of the ongoing negotiations in Cyprus they preferred the most. The question was asked in the following manner: “After a long while, the Turkish and Greek sides have restarted negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue. Which among the following outcomes that I will read out would you like to see reached at the negotiations?”
24% of the participants agreed that the Cyprus issue has lasted for too long and that any solution is acceptable at this point; whereas the opposite view – the two-state solution – attracted a similar percentage.
The view that Turkish and Greek Cypriots should live under the same roof in a united Cyprus that is a member of the EU was chosen by 18% of the surveyed people. On the other hand, 19% of the participants agreed to the formation of a common state but tied EU’s sovereignty over the island to Turkey’s full membership to the Union. When taken together, an EU linked solution gathered the support of 36 % of the Turkish electorate. This result should therefore give some encouragement to the negotiators that are currently engaged in UN sponsored negotiations to elaborate a solution to the Cyprus problem at a time with the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus an EU member state since the botched Annan plan referendum in 2004.
The results of the survey have shown that there are meaningful differences of opinion both within and among different constituencies. The “two-state solution” is the clearly favoured outcome for the more nationalist MHP electorate with a support of 31%.
Meanwhile, the fact that 27% of the MHP voters that participated in the survey agree to “any solution regardless of the conditions”, suggests that MHP voters are also divided on the Cyprus issue. 27% of AKP voters also favour this approach, suggesting that the two constituent groups are congruent in this respect.
The top choice for CHP voters is the “two-state solution” with 26%. Meanwhile, participants among the CHP electorate that have favoured the common state solution are considerably higher compared to other constituents. Those that prefer this choice unconditionally weigh at 22%. Another 21% presented Turkey’s full membership to the EU as a precondition.
The same question was posed to a panel of foreign policy experts, more than half of the 922 experts chose a Cypriot state in which Turks and Greeks would live together and be a part of the EU. When we add the 24% which tied EU’s sovereignty over the island to Turkey’s full membership to the EU, we can see that the foremost choice of the EDAM Foreign Policy Experts Panel is a common state. While only 17% chose the “two-state solution”; only 8% preferred any solution irrespective of the conditions.
8. A protocol on the telecommunications
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.07.14), the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) have signed an important protocol paving the way for convergences and cooperation between the two communities of the island.
According to the protocol signed between the two chambers, an agreement has been reached allowing for telecommunications roaming to take place between the two communities and a bi-communal market will be established at the buffer zone.
These projects will be financed by the European Commission.
The group, which is formed by businessmen of both sides and convened in Malta 10 months ago, held a press conference at the buffer zone to inform the public regarding the details of the protocol.
Speaking at the press conference the EU Commission’s Head of the Unit Task Force for the Turkish Cypriot Community Michaela Di Bucci congratulated the two chambers for signing the protocol as this will increase trust between the two “peoples” on the island and will strengthen the cooperation.
The President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Fikri Toros said that the protocol signed between the two chambers is a great example of how an agreement must be reached in order to assist the comprehensive solution process on the island. “With the sustainability of the project that will last nearly 2 years, we believe that a future can be built on the foundation of peace and security in Cyprus”, said Toros.
The President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Phidias Pilides, for his part, informed the press regarding the telecommunications roaming agreement and said that all technical problems regarding this issue have been overcome.
He also said that the group that was formed in Malta will come together on the 14th of September in Istanbul with the Chambers of Commerce of Turkey and Greece.
9. Akgunler Tourism and Borajet Airlines to carry out direct flights to the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.07.14) reports that after the cooperation between Akgunler Tourism and Borajet Airlines, direct flights will be launched as of today to the occupied area of Cyprus from Kayeri, Bursa and Trabzon.
The launching of the direct flights was announced yesterday at a press conference, by the director of Akgunler Tourism and Culture Tour Operations, Coskun Odabas. The flights will be held under the slogan “Fly directly and discover with pleasure”.
Odabas said that the flights will be carried out three times a week, on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. “In the framework of the schedule flights, the passengers will be able to fly to “north Cyprus” directly without losing time to stop to Istanbul and Ankara” said Odabas.
According to Odabas, Akgunler Tourism Company sponsors fully the direct flights to be carried out and added that they are very close to achieve the launching of direct flights to the occupied area of Cyprus from Batman and Diyarbakir as well.
Odabas went on adding that Borajet Airlines will transport tourists to “north Cyprus” from third countries and pointed out that tonight a plane carrying 114 passengers from France is expected to land on “north Cyprus” via Antalya.
(AK)
10. Quarrel between the Imam in the Republic of Cyprus and the “chairman” of the “executive board” of Vakif Foundation
Under the front-page title: “Iftar quarrel”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (11.07.14) reports that a big quarrel was launched between the Imam Sakir Alembar who is accepted as the religious authority in “south Cyprus”, as the Republic of Cyprus is called, by the Greek Cypriot government, and the “chairman” of the “executive board” of the Vakif Foundation, Rauf Ersenal.
As the paper writes, the dispute between the two which started in social media and is related with the issue of the financial aid which is provided by the Vakif Foundation to the Imam about the “iftar meals” [Tranlsator’s note: Iftar is the evening meal organized by Muslims during Ramazan Feast].
According to the paper, Imam Alemdar accused the Vakif Foundation for not providing help to the mosques and to the “community” for the iftar meals.
Responding to Alemdar’s accusations, Ersenal stated that last year they sent 50 thousand T.L to “south Cyprus” for the “iftar meals”, and never sent him the invoice or informing him where those money were spent. Ersenal criticized strongly Alemdar for his demands saying to him “Look your business” and added: “This year, with this amount of money we gave an iftar for 5 thousand people. You should find sources from the Arab Embassy for the Arabs in the south”.
(AK)
11. Turkish Parliament adopts Kurdish reform bill
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.07.14), the Turkish Parliament has passed a bill to support the country's ongoing "solution process" to end terrorism.
The draft bill comprises the following measures:
- The government to determine the necessary political, judicial, socio-economic and cultural steps to be taken in its bid to end terrorism and strengthen social cohesion.
- If necessary, it will have the authority to assign any individual, group or institution both from Turkey and abroad to maintain contact, dialogue and talks with any individual, group or institution.
- It will take the necessary measures to ensure that those who lay down their arms will return home and participate in social life.
- It will provide the public with fast and accurate information regarding the measures taken as part of the process.
- It will monitor the outcome of the measures taken and maintain coordination with relevant groups and institutions.
- Necessary works will be done in terms of introducing new legislations regarding the process.
12. Erdogan: Israel-Turkey ties will not normalise unless Gaza assault stops; Erdogan talks to Palestinian leaders
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.07.14), relations between Turkey and Israel will never normalize as long as Israel continues its offensive against the Palestinians, Turkish Prime Minister and presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.
"First you have to stop this cruelty; otherwise it is impossible to achieve normalization," Erdogan told a packed crowd of supporters during a rally in the central Anatolian city of Yozgat.
Erdogan's remarks came after Israeli forces launched a large scale military offensive on the Gaza strip since late Monday.
"If the world is longing for peace, here is an Israel which has been assaulting with hundreds of thousands of bombs by using disproportionate force against innocent and oppressed people," Erdogan said. "For how long will you continue to remain silent on this?"
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.07.14) reported that Erdogan has called Palestinian leaders amid Israeli military operations in Gaza, calling on the international community to act for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Erdogan discussed the developments in Palestine with President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaleed Meshaal on July 10, private broadcaster CNN Turk reported.
He reportedly called on the two leaders to stand in unity against the Israeli attacks, also stressing the need for action from the international community for Gaza in order to stop the Israeli attacks and provide humanitarian assistance.
Erdogan has also reportedly instructed relevant Turkish institutions to launch an aid campaign for Gaza in a bid to supply necessary humanitarian needs to the Palestinians.
13. Ihsanoglu announced his election campaign programme
Under the title “Opposition presidential candidate Ihsanoglu kicks off with unity message”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 10.07.14) reported that Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has unveiled his official presidential election campaign, sending messages of “unity” to the public while vowing to defend “rights and democracy”.
“I am the presidential candidate of all parties. I am not close to one party more than any other. I have a handful of seeds in my hand that I wish to plant,” said the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) joint candidate at the launch of his campaign in Istanbul on July 10, indirectly accusing the government of not showing enough respect to either state institutions or society.
The former head of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also strongly criticized the government’s foreign policy, ruling out claims by his rival Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that he had campaigned for remaining neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He recalled that he mediated for a 2006 deal between Hamas and Fatah in 2006 and added that he played a role in the question of Palestine’s representation at the United Nations and affiliated organizations, even receiving a prestigious award from the Palestinian authorities for his efforts.
Responding to questions from reporters, Ihsanoglu said Turkey’s relations with its neighbours had recently become “problematic”. “If today your pilots and diplomats are being taken hostage, if you are a target both outside the country and in the homeland, then you must be having problems with your neighbours,” he said, in an open reference to the 49 Turkish diplomats still being held by militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq.
Loyalty to parliamentary democracy has become one of the main themes of Ihsanoglu’s campaign, and he again stressed that executive power belongs to the Cabinet, rather than the President, in contrast with Erdogan’s calls for a “strong President” and a hands-on approach to decision-making.
Ihsanoglu’s campaign slogan pairs his name with the word “ekmek,” which in Turkish means “bread” when used as a noun and “to plant” when used as a verb. The main motto chosen or the campaign is “Ekmek için Ekmeleddin” – which means “Ekmeleddin for bread” – accompanied by a logo showing the Turkish map represented as a wheat field.
The campaign of Ihsanoglu also has four sub-slogans derived from the meaning of the verb “ekmek,” – to plant “love,” “respect,” “livelihood” and “unity” – targeting the voters of each of the four parties.
14. Turkey seeks to renew Customs Union deal with the EU
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.07.14), Turkey is working to renew its customs union agreement with the EU, Turkish EU Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.
Cavusoglu stated that Turkey has started to review the Customs Union Agreement that came into force on Dec. 31, 1995. Turkey is the only non-EU country which has a Customs Union Agreement, which was a keystone to prospective EU membership for Turkey.
“As the EU negotiation process lingers, the negative impact on the economy grows. It is injustice for the Turkish economy,” he said during an Economic Development Foundation function. As a signatory of the agreement, Turkish officials argue that free trade agreements signed by the EU with other countries effectively opens Turkey's market to exports from them, but also blocks Turkey from the tax advantages associated with exporting goods to the same states, since Turkey is not a party to the deals.
15. Kilicdaroglu: We'll take up arms in case of a Kurdistan
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 10.07.14) reported that the leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, yesterday disappointed his constituents, who expect major shifts from the CHP's Kemalist roots to a new agenda that embraces greater individual liberties, enhances press freedom and reinforces rights for Turkey's minorities, such the Kurds and the Alevis.
Kilicdaroglu, who pledged to make "fundamental changes" in the party and begin discourse on the "new CHP," said in a live TV interview on Wednesday night that they would take up arms in the event an independent Kurdish state is formed amid the ongoing crisis in Iraq.
Responding to the question, "What would you do in case of the establishment of a Kurdish state and danger of dividing Turkey?" Kilicdaroglu replied that they would arm themselves to protect Turkey's unity. "If necessary we would get arms in our hands to avoid the division of Turkey," Kilicdaroglu said.
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