TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 130/14 15.07.14
1. Eroglu says that now it is not the time to submit a map at the negotiating table
2. Nami evaluated the Cyprus talks
3. Eroglu: All “TRNC citizens” will become citizens of the new partnership state
4. Ertug: A solution can be achieved within 2014
5. Talat replied to Biden’s statements: The key for the solution of the Cyprus problem is not in Turkey’s but in our hands
6. Interviews by several Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot politicians to Cumhuriyet
7. United Cyprus Party says that Varosha is the key for the Cyprus’ problem solution
8. The chairman of the KTSO sent congratulation letters to the 14 newly elected Vice Presidents of the EP
9. Technical issues for roaming agreement between the two sides in Cyprus are reportedly completed
10. Measures by the regime to promote the occupied area of Cyprus
11. Another casino license was given in a hotel in occupied Karavas village
12. Turkish columnist on the complaint at the ICC against Turkey
13. Ankara: The time is not right for an independent Kurdistan
14. Demirtas: Britain's and Turkey's military bases in the island should be evacuated
1. Eroglu says that now is is not the time to submit a map at the negotiating table
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has alleged that his target is to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem within this year, but the “Greek Cypriot leadership and the Greek Cypriot National Council” do not wish this. In statements to Turkish NTV, Eroglu was asked why he felt the need to submit a five-step road map and what the course of the negotiations will be in case the reply of the Greek Cypriots is negative to his suggestion.
Eroglu answered that their main goal was to put a road map, a target in the negotiations and to submit the agreement to a referendum on an agreed date. “A road map is needed for this”, he claimed arguing that carrying out open-ended negotiations would be tantamount to “being at the table” for another 40 years.
Asked what the next stage will be, in case the negotiating process fails, Eroglu argued that they had no other alternative when they suggested the road map and recalled a statement reportedly made by the Government Spokesman saying that in this case the Greek Cypriot side will put into effect its Plan B. “However, if we say that we have Plan B, some circles will say that Erolgu does not want a solution”, he alleged claiming that the Turkish side is focused on the solution now.
When he was recalled of the Greek Cypriot view that the issues are related but the Turkish side does not want to submit a map, Eroglu alleged, inter alia, the following:
“Why we do not accept this? Because we have put forward all the criteria regarding the territory. When we put forward our criteria regarding the territory during the last meeting in Geneva, Ban Ki-moon had said that ‘this satisfies us’. On the issue of the map, we said that only if we agree on the other issues and we are heading towards a point of holding referendum, let us carry out a five-party or a four-party meeting and let us put the issue of the map onto the table one week before this meeting. However, the Greek Cypriots did not accept the multilateral meeting anyway. It would not be correct to put the map onto the table now. Think the people living in these areas, if a map is put onto the table. All the economic activities in the areas will stop…”
Eroglu was asked how the Turkish side sees the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha, whether there is any change on this issue and what is the situation on the issue of opening the Port of Famagusta in return to giving Varosha to its legal owners. He alleged that the Greek Cypriots have deliberately brought the issue of Varosha onto the agenda aiming at weakening the Turkish Cypriots. He claimed that the confidence building measures will be useful if they are for the benefit of both sides and alleged that returning Varosha to the Greek Cypriots in this manner will weaken the Turkish Cypriots, because Varosha is a part of the territorial issue and a valuable territory.
Eroglu also alleged: “The Greek Cypriots think two things now. Mr Anastasiades has personally told me this. The one is that ‘Mr Erdogan is a powerful leader and if he is elected President tomorrow, he will help us in taking what we want’. The second is that ‘there will be presidential elections in April 2015 and if we cannot agree with Eroglu, we will agree with the person who will be elected afterwards’. There are some names and surely Anastasiades thinks that they will be more generous. It is not easy to reach an agreement with persons who have such thoughts. I am in favor of an agreement and I am sure that an agreement which I will sign will be digested by the TRNC people and be approved with a great majority. I think that this is a chance for the negotiations”.
Replying to a question on the natural gas, Eroglu alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot “people” have rights on the natural gas found in the Mediterranean.
(I/Ts.)
2. Nami evaluated the Cyprus talks
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online, 15.07.14), self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus Ozdil Nami said that everyone should make an extra effort to speed up the negotiations by standing solid to not lose ground with unacceptable opinions.
Nami noted that he is building contacts with East and West in order to open up to the world and suggested that if the Greek Cypriot side is bothered by his contacts then “they should work harder for a comprehensive settlement so that the island can be united”.
According to a press release by his “office”, Nami evaluated his international contacts and the recent developments in the negotiations where he also touched upon inter communal education and sports.
Referring to the Cyprus talks, Nami said that there is a backwards trend in the negotiations which started with the joint declaration which was prepared with the “significant contribution of Turkey’s Foreign Ministry”.
Nami said that no one remained faithful to past convergences and that the agenda had changed.
According to Nami, the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and the “road map” are only secondary issues and that the real issue is being neglected due to the discussions around these secondary issues.
Commenting on both negotiation teams, Nami claimed that they lack discipline and they are far from focusing on the settlement.
Speaking upon a question on the issue of the fenced off town of Varosha, Nami claimed that the reason for not agreeing on a preliminary examination in Varosha and Famagusta Port despite the Americans' “balanced approach” was due to Greek Cypriots' negative reaction. Nami also alleged that Varosha has remained closed because of the Greek Cypriots' “no” to the Annan Plan
According to Nami, there is an international pressure on the Turkish Cypriot side that he doesn’t approve of.
Mentioning the projects that can contribute to a settlement Nami said that the project of Chambers of Commerce and Football Federations are good examples of bi-communal projects that would have direct impact on peoples’ lives. “Regarding the sport activities our government put a proposal forward. That proposal included the formula for cooperation in sports with respect to Cyprus' single international identity”, said Nami.
Nami also said that the Turkish and Greek language courses for children were also included in one of the proposals for CBMs. According to Nami, the negotiating teams should not only focus on these proposals and forget about the real aim. Nami claimed that Turkey is also ready for a solution in the Island and continues its solution policy for Cyprus since 2003. “It is for Turkey's benefit to support the Cyprus solution”, added Nami.
Criticizing the Greek Cypriots for disregarding the past convergences, Nami called for all Turkish Cypriot actors to “spoil the Greek Cypriot's game” and prevent them from killing the clock.
As it is done every year, 20th of July will be celebrated this year as well said Nami and suggested that the Greek Cypriot side respects the Turkish Cypriot side's special days and vice versa.
3. Eroglu: All “TRNC citizens” will become citizens of the new partnership state
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online, 14.07.14), “All the TRNC (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) citizens will become citizens of the new partnership state if a settlement can be reached”, claimed the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during a meeting with Midyat unity and cooperation association (MBYD) (editor’s note: an association of Turkish settlers in the occupied area of Cyprus).
Speaking during the meeting, the president of the MBYD Faysal Dagdelen said: “We are all in fear of being sent away from Cyprus where we have been living for the last 40 years. The Greek Cypriots don't want us. They don't want the army or guarantorship. So how a solution can be?”
Responding to Faysal who also asked if there was any effort going on in order to solve the travel limitations of people from Turkey, Eroglu alleged: “We are working for an agreement where none of our citizens would suffer. A TRNC citizen is a TRNC citizen regardless of their origin. We cannot accept others to form different opinions on TRNC citizens.”
Commenting on the guarantors issue, Eroglu said that if an agreement can be reached on other issues, there will be a meeting with the guarantors. “As far as we know Turkey is not planning to give up on its guarantorship status and we also have a congressional resolution for continuation of Turkey's de facto guarantorship”, Eroglu concluded.
4. Ertug: A solution can be achieved within 2014
Under the title “TRNC still hopeful for a solution within 2014”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 14.07.14) reported that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu’s special advisor and spokesperson, Osman Ertug, is optimistic that a solution to the issue of a long-divided Cyprus is achievable within this year.
In an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman, Ertug said he is hopeful for a solution this year since, in the long history of negotiations, all the issues related to the Cyprus problem have been discussed over and over again.
When asked about the roadmap and the prospects and differences between the two communities, Ertug said: “The Turkish Cypriot side believes that a roadmap is necessary for structured and results-oriented negotiations for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question, as envisaged by the joint declaration of the two leaders on Feb. 11, 2014. To that end, it has proposed a five-step roadmap as the way forward.”
“We hope that the response of the Greek Cypriot side to our proposal will be positive so that we may consign the 50-year-old Cyprus problem to the history books,” said Ertug.
“Not only do we expect further cross visits to Ankara and Athens by the two negotiators, but we have also pushed for such visits as soon as possible,” Ertug underlined. The second set of these visits were supposed to take place last month according to Ertug, but there were difficulties arising from the Greek Cypriot side, he claimed.
“The Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have let it be known that they are ready for this at the earliest opportunity. The ball is thus in the Greek and Greek Cypriot court in this regard,” he said.
Commenting on the US Vice President Joe Biden to Cyprus, Ertug said that it was useful in raising the international visibility of the Cyprus question and adding momentum to the negotiating process.
“It was agreed during the visit that the leaders, who used to meet only once a month, would meet at least twice a month, which is what they are doing now,” said Ertug.
Ertug also emphasized the importance of Biden crossing to the “Turkish side” (editor’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader, a move which has caused concerns on the Greek Cypriot side, “as the meeting could be interpreted as US recognition of the TRNC (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus”.
“The visit was also historic in the sense that it was the first at such a high level in 52 years, and it was the very first time that an American Vice President crossed over to the Turkish Cypriot side to meet with President Eroglu,” said Ertug.
“As we have repeated on many occasions, Maras or Varosha is part of a comprehensive settlement and cannot be treated as a mere confidence-building measure. In order for something to be a confidence-building measure, it has to be perceived as such by both sides and benefit both equally,” said Ertug.
He alleged that “as far as a survey of the area is concerned, we responded positively to the idea during Vice President Biden's visit, provided a reciprocal survey of Turkish Cypriot ports and airports would be carried out. The Greek Cypriot side rejected this and, thus, no agreement was reached.”
5. Talat replied to Biden’s statements: The key for the solution of the Cyprus problem is not in Turkey’s but in our hands
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (15.07.14) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat replied to the statements made by the US Vice President Joe Biden who during his visit in Cyprus said that Turkey is the key for the Cyprus problem solution and that with (Turkish Prime Minister) Erdogan this business will be finished.
Talat, who was speaking at a television program, stated that he has not heard a similar statement before and added that Turkey plays a supportive role for the solution of the Cyprus problem, noting: “The key is in our hands, it is not in Turkey’s hands”.
He went on and added that the solution of the Cyprus problem is inevitable and added that the continuation of the identity and the existence of the Turkish Cypriots, as well as their development and the efforts to become a contemporary community are connected to this; otherwise he said they will continue to be as outsiders of the international law and their future will be uncertain. Talat also claimed that for some time now the negotiation process came to a deadlock.
6. Interviews by several Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot politicians to Cumhuriyet
Turkish daily Cumhuriyet newspaper (12-13-14.07.14) publishes a series of interviews given by several Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot politicians on the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus negotiation process to the paper’s journalist and columnist, Leyla Tavsanoglu.
The journalist who visited the island recently, has taken interviews by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the so-called prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay and from the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, she interviewed AKEL’s Secretary-General Andros Kyprianou and the independent Deputy of the House of Representatives Nikos Koutsou.
Following are the most worth mentioning points of the interviews:
In an interview to Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (12.07.14), Yorgancioglu referred, inter alia, to the issue of Maras [Translator’s note: fenced off city of Varosha] and stated that the issue of Varosha is not possible to be discussed separately from the solution package. “At the very most, a topic title could be included into the solution package”, Yorgancioglu said.
Evaluating the issue of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) Yorgancioglu said: “During the period of the 2nd president Mehmet Ali Talat to some extend a progress has been achieved. This progress was recorded by the UN. Still, since our side has not shown a decisive stance during that period, the new process was very short. It is not possible for a progress to be achieved while the issues where convergences where achieved in the past are not accepted now. Also, the fact that Anastasiades has not assumed a clear stance is an important issue as well.
Referring to the ongoing negotiation process, Yorgancioglu said that what is important is the solution of the Cyprus problem. Explaining that there is a situation at the moment at the negotiation table which revolves round the CBMs, Yorgancioglu said that of course the CBMs should be into the agenda, but added that it is not right the CBMs to be the preliminary issue. “The essential issue is to reach to a solution in Cyprus. Because, there is no other chance than this for the Turkish Cypriot people to become a part of the international law. Even if you achieve progress on the CBMs, even if you open new crossing points and you open Maras, without a solution, you will continue to be exempted by the international law”, Yorgancioglu added.
Also, speaking to Cumhuriyet (13.07.14), Eroglu referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus negotiation process and accused the Greek Cypriot side for implementing tactics at the table in order to force them to leave the talks.
Alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side was always the side wanting a solution, he, criticized the Greek Cypriot side for delaying the process and stated that the international community does not see this reality.
Moreover, in his interview, Ozersay compared the period of the Annan plan in 2004 with the present negotiation process and said that one of the reasons that led the process during 2004 to failure, was the fact that no road map existed.
Stating that the current status quo is painful for the Turkish Cypriots, Ozersay pointed out that a road map is a necessity for the negotiation process in order to be successful.
Furthermore, Talat has stated in his interview that the Cyprus problem has not been solved yet, because of the false policies followed until today.
(AK)
7. United Cyprus Party says that Varosha is the key for the Cyprus’ problem solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (15.07.14) reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) stated that Varosha is the key for the Cyprus’ problem solution.
Korkmazhan stated that Varosha is not a part of a comprehensive solution but the key of the solution and added that with the return of Varosha at the same time the Famagusta port and the Tympou airport must be opened. He went on and added that in order for a comprehensive solution to be reached there is a need for increasing the Building Confidence Measures by taking radical steps and noted that the solution road must be built with the adoption of Building Confidence Measures. He also said that the foreign countries interest for the solution of the Cyprus problem, especially USA, adding that the solution will not be reached for the benefit of foreigners but for the benefit for all Cypriots.
8. The chairman of the KTSO sent congratulation letters to the 14 newly elected Vice Presidents of the EP
According to the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (15.07.14), the chairman of the “Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry (KTSO)” Ali Cirali sent congratulation letters separately to the 14 newly elected Vice Presidents of the European Parliament (EP).
According to a press release by KTSO, Cirali in his letters said that they, as a chamber, will continue to support the efforts for a Cyprus settlement and they will continue the works for taking forward their relations with the EU. He added that recognizing the difficulties and the opportunities in the efforts of the Cyprus talks and the reunification of the island, they will continue their mission to strengthen their relations with the European Parliament and other EU institutions.
9. Technical issues for roaming agreement between the two sides in Cyprus are reportedly completed
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.07.14) reports that “the technical issues are regards the GSM operators for the roaming agreement for the unification of the telephone lines between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side, are completed”.
According to the paper, the technical issues were concluded by the end of May and now the political decision from the two sides is expected for the launching of the project.
10. Measures by the regime to promote the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (15.07.14) reports that according to a decision of the “council of ministers” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, 32 tour agents will be granted the sum of 160.892 euro for bringing tourists from abroad to the occupied area of the Republic. The decision was published in the “official gazette” of the regime on 2 July.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.07.14) reports that the regime will give 20.000 Turkish lira (TL) to Dervis Zaim, a film producer, for his film under the title “Balik” [The fish], which promotes the “TRNC”, the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus. For the same reason, the amount of 60.000 TL will be paid to a film under the title “Seni Seviyorum Adamim” [I love you my man]. The decision is published in the “official gazette’ of the regime on 8 July.
(I/Ts.)
11. Another casino license was given in a hotel in occupied Karavas village
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.07.14) reports that according to the so-called official gazette of the breakaway regime, a casino license was given to Merit Royal Hotel which is located in occupied Karavas village. The license will be valid as of July 16 until the end of 2016.
12. Turkish columnist on the complaint at the ICC against Turkey
Under the title “Cyprus, Turkey and the ICC”, columnist Gunak Kursun, writing in Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 14.07.14) commented on the war crimes complaint, which was filed by a group of Greek Cypriots on Monday, against Turkey at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over what they say is its policy of settling Cyprus' breakaway north with mainland Turks, as follows:
“(…) They claim that Turkey committed a crime of aggression in 1974 and it is still continuing the crime as of today and according to the continental sense of criminal law, it is accepted that the completion time of a continuous crime is the ending time of the relevant action. Since the violation of Cyprus is not completed, it can be claimed that Turkey is still committing the action by means of continuing to commit a crime according to international criminal law.
There has been a known, significant and remarkable claim of Greek Cypriots against the Turkish troops regarding missing persons and confiscated properties on the island, but this time another issue is emerging: The continuing growth of Turkish settlements in the occupied territory.
‘The complaint demonstrates that Turkey is in blatant and systematic violation of article 8(2) (b)(viii) of the Court's Statute, which prohibits an occupying power from directly or indirectly transferring its civilians into the occupied territory,’ the Cypriots Against Turkish War Crimes' (CATWR) statement said.
The Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the court since its establishment in 2002, but Turkey has neither signed nor ratified the convention's Rome Statute and thus does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. However, the statute includes a clause allowing for cases to be tried ‘where the crime was committed in the territory of a state party’. Therefore, it will be another legal discussion whether northern Cyprus will be considered as ‘the territory of a state party’ or the land of ‘TRNC’ as a non-state party territory. Another problem is the fact that the ICC is mandated to prosecute of individuals, not groups or states. Therefore a prosecution would face the added difficulty of identifying individuals responsible for the crime in question, and then building a case against them specifically.
In my opinion, Turkey should accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC and sit on the table, instead of standing beside a table that it has no chance of influencing. The best solution would be along the lines of the Annan plan, including a solution for all the divided families on both sides, compensation for properties and missing persons. (…)”
13. Ankara: The time is not right for an independent Kurdistan
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 15.07.14), while Iraq's Parliament has failed to overcome differences and form a new government to end the country's political deadlock, officials from Turkey and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are continuing to work closely. Last November KRG President Massoud Barzani paid a historic visit to Diyarbakır. Yesterday's visit was his first to Ankara amid the ongoing uncertainty in Iraq. Barzani and his delegation visited Ankara yesterday and met with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Barzani also met with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at an iftar meal. According to sources, Iraq's political future, the situation of Turkish hostages kept by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and energy cooperation between Turkey and the KRG topped the agenda during meetings between Turkish and Kurdish officials.
Moreover, last week Barzani stated that he believes Turkey is unlikely to oppose an independent Kurdistan state if a pledged referendum for independence goes ahead. Besides this several Kurdish lawmakers announced last week that Barzani had asked the parliament to choose a date for the vote to organize a referendum. Whereas, according to sources from the Prime Ministry , Turkish officials told Kurdish leader Barzani that the territorial integrity of Iraq is still Turkey's priority and encouraged the Kurdish delegation to continue their efforts in forming a new inclusive government in Iraq. Turkish officials believe that declaring an independent Kurdistan may increase conflicts in the region and may even cause a regional sectarian war and these potential developments may put the KRG region in the middle of sectarian conflicts.
Therefore Turkish officials shared their view with the Kurdish delegation that the idea of an independent Kurdistan has not yet fully matured and pushing for independence may destabilize the region further. The situation of Iraqi Turkmens and abducted Turkish citizens by ISIS militants was also discussed with the Kurdish delegation.
Energy was also another important issue of the agenda. Kurdish media outlet Rudaw reported on Sunday that the Kurdish delegation came to Turkey to collect the Kurdish share of revenues from the sale of Iraqi oil, deposited in Turkey's state-owned Halkbank.
However, Turkish Energy Minister denied the allegation and said that the Kurdish delegation wants to turn temporary bank accounts opened for that purpose into permanent accounts. Yildiz also added that Turkey is not working on a new formula that would open the way for the Kurds to take their share from the entire Iraqi oil sale.
14. Demirtas: Britain's and Turkey's military bases in the island should be evacuated
Turkish private channel CNN Turk TV (08.07.14) broadcast an interview of the co-chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas.
During the interview, Demirtas mentioned the following regarding the Cyprus problem and Turkey’s EU membership:
“I view the EU membership as an opportunity in terms of human rights law and I believe that the talks for Turkey's full membership in the union should continue”, said Demirtas and added that if he is elected President, he will make efforts in this regard. “
“As for Cyprus, I want a bi-communal constitutional solution based on the approval of the ‘peoples’ of the island, Demirtas noted and continued: "Currently Turkey is not there as an actor that makes efforts for the solution of the problem. It pursues policies that aim at stabilizing the non-solution. This is wrong. I believe that Britain's and Turkey's military bases in the island should be evacuated and Turkey should take confidence-building steps that support a bi-communal solution. Cyprus has turned into a centre of money laundering and it is necessary to solve this problem without any delay."
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