TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 131/14 16.07.14
1.
The content of yesterday’s Ozersay - Mavroyiannis
meeting leaked to HalkinSesi
2.
Ozersay: The issue of the citizenship is difficult but
can be solved
3. Eroglu stated that
the solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should be a Cypriot solution
4. Avci stated that
Lynn Pascoe is the right person for the position of the UN Special Adviser for
Cyprus and says that he visited the “TRNC foreign ministry” in 2008
5. Representatives of
the kingdom of Bahrain met with TalipAtalay
6. MHP Deputy Chairman
accuses AKP government for not protecting Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriots
“rights” in the Eastern Mediterranean region
7. Gul to pay an
illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus for the “celebrations” of the
Turkish invasion in Cyprus
8. The “Cooperative
Credit company” of the occupied NeochorioKythreas village accuses the EU
Commission for implementing a double standard policy
9. Erdogan calls on the
Italian EU presidency to open new chapters for Turkey’s EU negotiation
10. US nominee for
Turkey’s Embassy admits Turkey drifting towards authoritarianism
11. BBP becomes
seventh party to lend support to İhsanoglu
1.
The content of yesterday’s Ozersay - Mavroyiannis
meeting leaked to HalkinSesi
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesinewspaper (17.07.14) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, KudretOzersayheld
yesterday a six-hour meeting at the buffer zone in Nicosia with the Greek
Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis within the framework of the
negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.
According to the paper, during the meeting the “most
difficult” issues of the Cyprus problem were put onto the table. The arrangements during the transitional
period after the solution, the security and guarantees and the issue of the
citizenship were discussed. The Turkish Cypriot side submitted yesterday
two proposals on the issues of the transitional period and the security and
guarantees, while the Greek Cypriot side submitted what the paper calls “its
demands” on the issue of the citizenship.
Citing
information obtained from diplomatic sources by Ali Fahrioglu, its publishing
editor, HalkinSesi reports that the Greek Cypriot side demanded that only the
Turkish settlers, who are married to Turkish Cypriots and their children should
remain in the island while the rest of the settlers should go away after the
solution. Noting that the Turkish side “strongly opposed to this
demand”, the paper writes that the
Turkish reply was that “we can definitely not make discriminations among the
TRNC citizens” and that the Turkish side will make no step backwards on the issue of all the so-called citizens of
the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, becoming citizens of the “joint state”.
According to the same sources, the Greek Cypriot side demanded the termination of the Treaty of
Alliance and Guarantees and “put an unexpected proposal onto the table”.
The sources argued that while the Greek Cypriot side was asking the
demilitarization of the island and was stressing this on every occasion,
yesterday made a “surprising move” by
asking the presence of a small military unit on the island after the solution.
The Turkish side was reportedly not
positive to this proposal.
The Turkish Cypriot
delegation, which allegedly thinks that a “weakened security system” could be
risky, asked who will provide the security on the island. The reply it received
was that the security could be provided by the EU and that the UN Security
Council could also take action. The
paper reports that the Turkish Cypriot side has absolutely not accepted the
proposal of the Greek Cypriot side which says that the “Treaty of Alliance and
Guarantee” should not continue.To support its position, the Turkish Cypriot
side showed as example the situation in Syria, Palestine, Ukraine and Georgia where
the rights of the individuals are reportedly ignored and argued that we live in
a geographical area where people resort to violence.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Ozersay: The issue of the citizenship is difficult but
can be solved
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesinewspaper (17.07.14) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, KudretOzersay
has said that they are not satisfied with the proposal submitted by the Greek
Cypriot side on the issue of the citizenship, which he described as one of the
most difficult fields, but it could be solved.
In statements yesterday after his six-hour meeting at
the buffer zone in Nicosia with the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis
within the framework of the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem, Ozersay said that the Turkish
Cypriot side submitted two proposals on the issues of the transitional period
after the solution and the security and guarantees, while the Greek Cypriot
side submitted a proposal on the issue of the citizenship. He noted that
they discussed “issues which are difficult to be solved”. He said that they
took up the issues related to the federal public service, the Public Service
Commission and the number of the public servants. He added that both sides had
earlier submitted proposals on this issue and yesterday they discussed them in
depth.
According to Ozersay, the two sides have generally “a difference of understanding” on the
issue of the transitional period, but the Turkish Cypriot side thinks that
there is no difficulty which cannot be overcome. Ozersay said that the Turkish side wants the “new
partnership” to emerge right after the solution is approved by the communities
in a referendum and it is not positive to having an interim period. He
noted that it might not be possible for
the institutions to be formed within a short period of time and added that they suggested the establishment of a
special committee which will carry out preparations in this direction.
Ozersay said that they want the “new
partnership” to emerge both internally and in the international field within 24
hours.
Ozersay said that on the issue of the security and
guarantees they discussed many topics and not only the “Treaty of Alliance and
Guarantee” and its future. He noted that they
discussed “what kind of demilitarization” will be held after the comprehensive
solution, the issue of whether Cyprus will be used in some international
military operations and to what extent and how united Cyprus will take its place
in the security and defense of the EU. He said that the Turkish Cypriot
side submitted a document with its positions on this issue and that the Greek
Cypriot side is expected to submit its proposals in a next meeting. Ozersay argued that he was surprised by a
proposal submitted yesterday by the Greek Cypriot side which said that a small
military unit should remain on the island after the solution and that it is not
positive to the demilitarization of Cyprus.
According to Ozersay, tomorrow they will hold a special meeting during which each
negotiator will be accompanied by two persons. During this meeting they will discuss the issue of where the
negotiations are heading to, their methodology and confidence building measures.
Referring to the cross visits of the negotiators to
Ankara and Athens, Ozersay said that they have agreed that these would be held
in the beginning of August, but they are facing a problem deriving from Greece. He argued that they do not know when and how this
difficulty will be overcome and alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot
side have absolutely no problem as regards the materialization of the second
cross visits and they are always ready for them.
(I/Ts.)
3.Eroglu stated
that the solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should be a Cypriot
solution
Under the title: “I hope we will reach to an
agreement”, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (17.07.14) reports on
statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu
who has said that they are exerting efforts at the negotiating table in order
to reach to an agreement that will reflect the Turkish Cypriot “people’s rights
and legitimacy”.
Eroglu made the above statement during a visit
paid to him by “Beden Education Teachers association”.
Expressing hopes that an agreement will be
reached on the Cyprus problem, Erogly stated that the “Turkish Cypriot people’s
rights” should not be oppressed.
Referring to the
ongoing negotiation process, Eroglu said that the solution to be found should
be “a Cypriot solution”, something that both Turkish Cypriots and Greek
Cypriots reiterated in the past.
Recalling yesterday’s meeting between the
negotiators and the leader’s meetings that will take place on July 24 and in
August; Eroglu said that both sides
support the continuation of the negotiation until the end. “Still, there is a
difference between us, we support that the negotiations should not continue
open-ended, the Greek Cypriot side insist on open-ended talks”.
Pointing out that the negotiation talks
continue for 40 years and that no agreement has been reached yet, Eroglu alleged that it is for this reason
that they insist on a road map in order as he said to reach to an agreement
within a time limit.
Streesing the need for the agreement to be
found to reflect the “Turkish Cypriot’s rights and legitimacy”, Eroglu added
that they are exerting efforts for an agreement that will not ignore “the
existing realities”.
“An agreement that
will not rid us of the embargoes is not an agreement. We are looking for an
agreement that will not ignore the existing realities and the fact that since
1974, 40 years have passed”, Eroglu alleged.
(AK)
4. Avci stated that
Lynn Pascoe is the right person for the position of the UN Special Adviser for
Cyprus and says that he visited the “TRNC foreign ministry” in 2008
Turkish Cypriot daily
KibrisPostasi newspaper (17.07.14) reports that the former “foreign minister”,
TurgayAvci stated that Lynn Pascoe is the right person for the position of the
UN Special Adviser for Cyprus, a position that has been remained empty since
April 20.
Avci claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is
against Pascoe’s appointment because they consider him to be “a friend of the
Turks” and alleged that they tried to stop it. He also said that in 2008, while Avci was “foreign minister” Pascoe
visited the “TRNC foreign ministry”. “It is the 2ndrankingname
in the UN. Of course the relation with Turkey will become better. Pascoe knows
the views of the Turkish side very well. It is the right person for the
position of the Special Adviser. The Greek Cypriots are saying the same things
for every person to be appointed, they want to build a psychological wall”,
Avci claimed.
5. Representatives
of the kingdom of Bahrain met with TalipAtalay
Turkish Cypriot daily
KibrisPostasi newspaper (17.07.14) reports that TalipAtalay the
"chairman" of the "Religious affairs department" in the
occupied area of Cyprus held a meeting with representatives of the kingdom of
Bahrain who are visiting the breakaway regime upon an invitation.
According to the
paper, Atalay met with Mohammed TharwatAtiya, Parliament press counselor and
journalist NohaFathy and they discussed the Cyprus problem, the meetings of
religious leaders and Cyprus’ relations with Islamic countries.
6.MHP Deputy
Chairman accuses AKP government for not protecting Turkey’s and Turkish
Cypriots “rights” in the Eastern Mediterranean region
Under the title: “The Government should protect
our rights in the Mediterranean”, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper
(17.07.14) reports on statements by the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman Sefkat Cetin who in a written statement
yesterday, accused the AKP government in Turkey for not protecting “Turkey’s
and Turkish Cypriot resources rights in
the region of the Eastern Mediterranean”.
Referring to the
agreements signed by the “Greek Cypriot administration” as he called the
Republic of Cyprus, since 2003 with several countries like Lebanon, Egypt and
Israel and in connection with these, with the EU, Greece, the UK and the US in
order to extend its economy in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cetin added: “It is unacceptable the fact that Turkey
which has the biggest offshore zone in the Eastern Mediterranean, is not
protecting at all none of its resources and of the Turkish Cypriots’ in the
region”.
(AK)
7.Gul to pay an
illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus for the “celebrations” of the
Turkish invasion in Cyprus
Under the front-page title: “Gul is coming”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Bakis newspaper (17.07.14) reports that the
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will pay an illegal visit to the occupied area
of Cyprus in order to attend the “celebrations for the July 20”.
According to a statement issued by the “press
office of the foreign ministry”, Gul
will arrive to the occupied area of Cyprus on Saturday and depart on Sunday.
(AK)
8.The “Cooperative
Credit company” of the occupied NeochorioKythreas village accuses the EU
Commission for implementing a double standard policy
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper
(17.07.14) under the title: “Reaction by
the Minarelikoy Cooperative Credit Company to the EU Commission” [Translator’s
note: Minarelikoy is the occupied village of NeochorioKythreas], reports that
the “administration board” of the above mentioned “Cooperative company” issued
a written statement yesterday, alleging that the “TRNC’s cooperatives are not
benefiting from the grant programs of the EU”. The “administration board” of occupied NeochorioKythreas Co-op Company,
accused the EU Commission for implementing double standards towards the Turkish
Cypriot Cooperatives.
Referring to the
application made by the olive oil-producers in the village to the “cooperative
company” in order to have a grant by the EU for “dripping-watering” within the
framework of the “EU Commission -Grant program for rural development”, the
“administration board of the co-op” criticized strongly the EU Commission for
rejecting their application.
The “administration board” stressed that the
Greek Cypriot’s Co-ops were given a grant while the Turkish Cypriot
Cooperatives applications were rejected and accused the EU Commission for
implementing “double standards” towards this issue.
(AK)
9. Erdogan calls on
the Italian EU presidency to open new chapters for Turkey’s EU negotiation
Turkish Hurriyet Daily
News (17.06.14) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan speaking
during an iftar dinner [TR. Note Dinner for breaking the Ramadan feast]called
on the current Italian term presidency to provide momentum to the negotiations
by opening a negotiation chapter, and called on EU countries to pressure Greek
Cyprus to accelerate the ongoing reunification talks.
According to the paper, envoys from diplomatic
missions represented in Ankara, mostly chargé d'affairs, along with
representatives of various religious groups and Ankara bureau chiefs of
selected media outlets, were gathered at the headquarters of Justice and
Development Party (AKP) late on July 15 for the seventh traditional iftar
dinner. Erdogan sat Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey Nabil Maaroof to his left
at the table, in a bid to display his attention to what's going on in
Palestine.
10. US nominee for
Turkey’s Embassy admits Turkey drifting towards authoritarianism
Turkish daily Today's
Zaman (17.07.14) reports that John R. Bass, who was nominated to be the new Ambassador
to Turkey by US President Barack Obama, said Turkey is drifting toward
authoritarianism while responding to a Senator's persistent questions on recent
steps taken by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding social media and
the Constitution.
After delivering his testimony along with four
other ambassadorial nominees during a hearing at the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Bass, who was nominated to the position of Ambassador
to Turkey in early June, started taking questions from Senators. Following a
few questions on Turkey's relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government
(KRG), reunifying Cyprus and US-Turkey cooperation regarding conflict areas,
Senator John McCain asked if Turkey is moving toward authoritarianism.
McCain asked Bass, "Are you concerned
about Prime Minister Erdogan's desire to change the Constitution and other
actions that we've seen on the part of Erdogan as a drift towards
authoritarianism?" Obama's nominee for Ambassador to Turkey avoided
providing a direct answer to McCain's question, saying Erdogan is "the leader
of a democratically elected parliamentary democracy" and that he will look
closely at whatever steps he takes. Without
giving Bass an opportunity to circumvent the question, McCain clearly stated
that he wanted a yes or no answer and that Bass would be putting his nomination
in jeopardy by not answering the question. "It's a drift in that
direction, yes," Bass admitted.
During his testimony, Bass mentioned the
growing security threats around Turkey in the region and said that Turkey faces
"very real challenges on its own borders. "The instability along Turkey's southern border gives renewed urgency
for Ankara to build stronger relationships with other neighbors -- Israel,
Armenia and Cyprus. We continue to encourage Turkey and Israel to restore
positive official relations by completing the normalization process, which
would enhance regional stability and complement their continued strong trade
and investment relationship," Bass said.
Commenting on the
issue, columnist Murat Yetkin writes in Hurriyet Daily News (17.07.14) the following under the title:
“Tough days ahead for Turkish-US relations”.
“[…]The exchange between
Bass and McCainseems to be part of a Republican plan to block the Obama
administration in the legislative house. […] The testimony scene is likely to
have an adverse effect on Turkish-U.S. relations, at a time when critical
developments are unfolding in and around Turkey.
During the testimony, Bass was also asked
whether he was planning to go to Ankara before the presidential elections.
There was, of course, no answer to that question, as it is in the hands of Senators
to approve the nomination. However, after McCain, another source of strain in
Turkish-American relations could be whether Bass will present his credentials
to Turkish President Abdullah Gul, whose term expires on Aug. 27, or to the
next President. This next President might well be Erdogan, about whom Bass said
his way was “a drift toward authoritarianism” upon Senator McCain’s persistent
stance.
It is clear that McCain was trying to give a
strong message to Erdogan about what they think of him in the U.S. capital by
beating up his own to-be-Ambassador with words.
In Bass’ testimony, it
is clear that promoting media freedom, the independence of the courts, the
rights of free assembly, louder minority voices, civil society and the Kurdish
peace process will be among the top priorities of the new Ambassador. On security issues, Bass said
“Turkey faces very real challenges on its own borders,” including the threat
from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Priorities also included
supporting Turkey for better relations with its neighbors (including Israel,
Armenia and the Republic of Cyprus), as well as the Syria, Iraq and Iran
conflicts.
The difficulties of
the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey (if Bass is approved) have already started
even before day one, promising a tough time ahead.”
11. BBP becomes
seventh party to lend support to İhsanoglu
Turkish Hurriyet Daily
News (17.06.14) reports that the Great Union Party (BBP) which is a minor
nationalist party that is not represented at the Turkish Parliament has become
the seventh political party to so far to declare support for presidential
candidate Ekmeleddin İhsanoglu.
Nominated by the two major opposition parties
at Parliament - the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) - İhsanoglu has also received support from the Democratic
Left Party (DSP), the Democrat Party (DP), the Independent Turkey Party (BTP),
and the Liberal Democrat Party (LDP), all of which are not represented at
Parliament.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
