TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 133/14 19-21.07.14
1. Eroglu’s address on the anniversary of the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus
2. Gul: Turkey will always stand by the Turkish
Cypriots
3. Gul says that they will not allow the continuation
of the current status quo that allegedly victimizes the Turkish Cypriots
4. Eroglu: The Palestinian issue shows why the Turkish
Cypriots insist on the guarantees of Turkey
5. Erdogan and Cicek on their messages for the 20 July
celebrations: Solution based on two states and two people in Cyprus
6. A number of foreign delegations visited the
breakaway regime for the celebration of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974
7. Eroglu and Nami briefed foreign journalists on the
Cyprus problem
8. Eroglu: If the UN says that the UNSC’s Resolution
No 550 could be debated, the Greek Cypriots will be motivated for an agreement
9. Eroglu’s interview to a Turkish daily; “We cannot
give land for the settlement of 100 thousand Greek Cypriots”
10. Ozersay’s statements after the “special meeting”
11. Talat: Talks are in a deadlock; he accuses Eroglu
of not embracing past convergences
12. New violations of the airspace of Cyprus by
Turkish F16’s in the framework of the celebrations for the 1974 invasion
13. Voices in the occupied area of Cyprus against the
Turkish occupation
14. Tension between Turkey, US escalates over Gaza
offensive
15. Italy’s State Secretary for EU affairs vows to
revive Turkey’s bid for EU accession
1. Eroglu’s address on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion
to Cyprus
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.07.14), Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu has said that it is high time that
efforts aimed at solving the 46 year old Cyprus problem are concluded
successfully. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side recently submitted a
5-step road map proposal to that end, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side
continued to remain committed to the Joint Declaration signed by the two sides
on the 11th of February.
Eroglu’s
words came during his address to the “nation” delivered live at noon on
Saturday to mark the beginning of the celebrations of 20th July
Turkish invasion to Cyprus.
In
his address, Eroglu also said that it is not possible for the Greek Cypriots to
deceive the Turkish Cypriots and the rest of the world with open-ended
negotiations for another 46 years.
Stating that a settlement to be reached on the island will
contribute to flourishing hopes to bring peace and stability to the region,
Eroglu expressed his view that the Greek Cypriot side looks upon the Turkish
Cypriot side’s roadmap proposal positively and both to work achieving a lasting
solution to the decades long problem.
Claiming
that the Turkish Cypriots enjoyed freedom and security under the protection of
their own state, Eroglu said that their
ultimate aim when working for a solution is to make sure the Turkish Cypriot
people will never relive the bitter experiences of the past.
Expressing
the Turkish Cypriots endless gratitude to motherland Turkey for its undying
support to the “TRNC”, Eroglu said that strong relations between the two
countries will continue to grow in the future.
2. Gul: Turkey will always stand by the Turkish Cypriots
The
official website of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey published the
press conference by Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul during his illegal visit to
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Gul
in a joint press conference, pointing to the sincere approach of the Turkish
side toward the resolution of the Cyprus issue, declared that ‘Turkey will
always stand by the Turkish Cypriots and lend its support to their security and
development. Turkey will also continue to do its part sensitively in terms of
the establishment of peace and stability in the island.’
Gul
said that he discussed with the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu the level
the negotiation process has reached and the bilateral relations between Turkey
and “TRNC”. The Turkish side is doing its part so that a fair, permanent and
comprehensive resolution can be achieved in Cyprus and this is also appreciated
and recognized by the international community, declared Gul, saying: “It is
among Turkey’s priorities in its foreign policy that the Cyprus issue which has
remained unsolved for 51 years must reach a resolution. It is saddening indeed
that this issue existing in the middle of the Mediterranean has not been
settled yet.”
Gul
further suggested that the negotiations be concluded successfully according to
an established schedule, as he said, previous open-ended negotiations have
missed this opportunity. “A comprehensive political resolution that can be
achieved through negotiations and mutual conciliation will serve both countries
and the whole region. The recent tragic events occuring in and around the
Eastern Mediterranean necessitate that the Cyprus issue should be settled
without further delay. Such a resolution will make the Eastern Mediterranean an
island of peace, stability and cooperation, creating a great synergy and
opportunities not only for the island, but also for the whole region in many
areas ranging from the economy to security.”
Both
Turkey as a guarantor state and the Turkish Cypriots want an agreement which
will guarantee the equal status of the Turkish Cypriots, who are the co-owners
of the island. They also want a resolution as part of the UN which is based on
two founding equal states with equal position. “If an agreement on a resolution
based on commonality cannot be reached, it is possible to negotiate other
resolution options.”
President
Gul further declared that Turkey as the motherland and guarantor of the Turkish
Cypriots will not allow them to be made a minority in a Greek state of Cyprus,
adding: “Turkey will always stand by and lend its support to the security and
development of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will also continue to do its part
sensitively in terms of the establishment of peace and stability in the island.
The Turkish Cypriots, as long as they maintain their economic and political
stability and union and solidarity, will be able to make great progress each
year. They will find Turkey right beside them in this regard as well. Our
siblings in “TRNC’ should look to the future with confidence. The Republic of
Turkey will continue to fulfil its contractual and historic responsibilities in
terms of the protection of the freedom, rights and prosperity of the Turkish
Cypriots in the future as well.”
When
asked what he could say about how the deteriorating relations between Turkey
and Israel might have influenced any resolution scenarios regarding the Cyprus
issue, President Gul said that Israel is not a party to this issue,
maintaining: “We wholeheartedly wish that a permanent peace be established in
the Middle East. We cannot ignore the recent tragedy and agonies in the region.
Turkey is doing everything it can in order that a ceasefire can be established
there.”
Pointing
to the importance of the establishment of peace in the Eastern Mediterranean
and Cyprus, President Gul reiterated that “if peace can be established in the
Eastern Mediterranean and if a permanent conciliation can be achieved in the
island, the most viable project to transfer the energy resources of the Eastern
Mediterranean to the world is through Turkey. Therefore, the establishment of
permanent peace in Cyprus will make greater contributions not only to the
Turkish and Greek Cypriots, but also to the prosperity and other affirmative
developments in the whole region.”
3. Gul says that they will not allow the continuation of the
current status quo that allegedly victimizes the Turkish Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.07.14) reports that the Turkish President Abdullah Gul has alleged that they want a
solution in Cyprus and that the time for the solution has come. Addressing
the celebrations in the occupied part of Nicosia on the occasion of the 40th
anniversary from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Gul said that everyone should know that they will not
allow for the status quo, which allegedly turned the Turkish Cypriots into
victims, to continue forever.
He
claimed that forcing the Turkish Cypriots to pay the price for the non-solution
is “a big injustice” and called on the
world and mainly on the European Union to lift the so-called restrictions and
embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.
Gul
said that with the water which will be carried from Turkey to the occupied area
of Cyprus solidarity between the “two countries” will be strengthened with a
“new natural bond” and added that their sincere wish is for this water to bring
life to both the northern and southern part of the island, as he described the
occupied and government-controlled area of Cyprus, and “to be crowned” with a
just and lasting solution.
Gul
argued that the Turkish side had shown its will for a solution in 2004, but
“this was not realized because of the ‘no’ vote of the Greek Cypriot side”. “There might be some people who want to make
this forgotten, but we should not let this be forgotten and we should keep
alive in the memory of the whole world that we have shown our sincere behaviour
in the ballot box when this was necessary”, he added.
Gul said thatwith their faith and determination they have brought
their “national cause” to a certain point and
argued: “No one should expect from the
Turkish Cypriots to take a step backwards from this, to abandon being one of
the co-owners of the island and accept living as minority in a Greek Cypriot
state”.
He
alleged that the UN Peace Keeping Force has come to Cyprus 50 years ago to
protect the Turkish Cypriots from the Greek Cypriot attacks and claimed that
solving the Cyprus problem without knowing this so-called reality would be
difficult.
Gul
said that hope is created in the Turkish side by the expectation of the
international community that a solution will be found in the negotiating
process which started on 11 February this year. He noted that political will is
needed for this and alleged that the Turkish Cypriots have this will, something
which is allegedly seen by the support offered by the self-styled government
and all political parties to the “compromising efforts” exerted by the Turkish
Cypriot leader and his team.
Arguing that the comprehensive solution will be possible on the
basis of the existing realities on the island,
Gul expressed the view that “new
positive conditions” for a solution exist now contrary to the past.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eroglu: The Palestinian issue shows why the Turkish Cypriots
insist on the guarantees of Turkey
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu has alleged that the
developments in the Palestinian issue are one of the “clearest indications” of
why the Turkish Cypriots insist on “the continuation of the active and
effective guarantees of motherland Turkey”.
Addressing
the celebrations in the occupied part of Nicosia on the occasion of the 40th
anniversary from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Eroglu said that Cyprus’ importance for the area and Turkey
increases and added that Cyprus is at a key point in the marketing to the world
of the energy resources of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. He
noted that a big part of the world trade
passes through Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus bears great importance from
this point of view. Arguing that economic power could be maintained only if
it is backed by military power, Eroglu said that Cyprus, because of its position, has very serious advantages for
military operation from the sea, land and air.
He
claimed that he wants an agreement in the Cyprus problem and works with his
team in this direction. He added,
though, that wanting peace and agreement does not mean that he will ignore the
“rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, the sensitivities of motherland Turkey
and its special position regarding Cyprus”.
He
added: “We are ready for an agreement on
the basis of the existing realities in Cyprus and within the framework of the
leaders’ joint statement of 11 February 2014, but we can never say ‘yes’ to demands which could cause return to the
pre-1974 period”.
Eroglu
noted that during the meeting of the leaders on 24 July, he expects from
President Anastasiades to reply to the five-step road map submitted by the
Turkish Cypriot side as regards the course of the negotiations.
(I/Ts.)
5. Erdogan and Cicek on their messages for the 20 July
celebrations: Solution based on two states and two people in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (20.07.14) reports that the Turkish Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan sent a congratulation message to the Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu for the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion
to Cyprus.
Erdogan said in his message that Turkey wants a permanent solution
to the island based in the political equality of the two “peoples” in Cyprus
adding that the agreement in Cyprus should be mutual. He also said that
together with the Turkish Cypriots they maintain the stance that they will
always be a step ahead as regards the Cyprus problem.
“We expect that the negotiations which were launched on February 11 under the
UN auspices to end up the sooner possible after a referendum to a just and
permanent solution”, Erdogan said.
On his part, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey,
CemilCicek on his message stated that an environment of trust must be created
in Cyprus so that the two “peoples” of the island to live in peace and freedom.
He went on and said that the July 20 anniversary is a day of
pride, joy and trust not only for the “TRNC” but for Turkey as well.
6. A number of foreign delegations visited the breakaway regime
for the celebration of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (19.07.14) reports that
a number of foreign delegations visited the breakaway regime for the
celebrations of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974 and held contacts with
various “officials”, among them, Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, the
speaker of the “assembly” SibelSiber, the self-styled prime minister
OzkanYorgancioglu and the self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami.
The
paper writes that the following foreign officials visited the breakaway regime:
Edith Harxyi, former deputy foreign minister of Albania and current chairman of
the Albania Political Center, MihailFormuzal, President of Gagavuz and
DimitriConstantinov, speaker of Gagavuz assembly, Azeri Deputies Musa Gasimli
and Sahib Aliyev, Pakistan Deputies SemaMohiuddinJameeli and Imran ZafarLeghari,
a delegation of Turkish Assembly Deputies consists of Omer Faruk Oz, Mehmet
Erdogan, Ali Halaman and RamisTopal, and Burundi Deputy, Melchior Nankwahimba.
The latter asked during his meeting with Yorgancioglu for the breakaway
regime’s assistance for his country, which he said is extremely poor.
7. Eroglu and Nami briefed foreign journalists on the Cyprus
problem
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.07.14), Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu met on Saturday with a group of foreign journalists who are in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to observe the celebrations marking the
40th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion to Cyprus.
During
the meeting, Eroglu briefed them on the history of the Cyprus problem and the
ongoing Cyprus negotiations process.
Underlining
the importance of the 1974 Turkish invasion, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish
Cypriots would have been subject to a genocide had it not been for the timely
intervention of the Turkish Armed Forces. He claimed that the ethnic cleansing
of the Turkish Cypriots had been planned in advance by the Greek Cypriots as
outlined in the Akritas plan.
Eroglu
alleged that “Turkey’s timely military intervention on 20th of July 1974
following the coup carried out by the Greek Junta brought peace to this island
and freedom to the Turkish Cypriots. This why we celebrate today the ‘Peace and
Freedom Day’” he said.
Later
the group met with the self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami who informed them
on the latest stage reached in the Cyprus negotiations process.
Speaking
during the visit, Nami said that the
Turkish Cypriot side is working to achieve a bi-communal, bizonal partnership
federation based on the political equality of the two sides. He claimed
that Turkey had intervened in Cyprus 40 years ago based on its rights stemming
from international treaties against an attempt by Greece to annex the island.
8. Eroglu: If the UN says that the UNSC’s Resolution No 550
could be debated, the Greek Cypriots will be motivated for an agreement
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu has alleged that if
the United Nations says that the UN Security Council’s Resolution No 550 could
be debated, the Greek Cypriots will be motivated for an agreement on the Cyprus
problem.
Speaking
during a meeting with Turkish and foreign guests who were visiting the occupied
area of Cyprus within the framework of the celebrations on the occasion of the
40th anniversary from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Eroglu claimed that “in case it is said
that this Resolution could be lifted, the Greek Cypriots will be more
motivated”.
Eroglu
argued that he could not say that he sees a will for a solution in the Greek
Cypriot side, but in spite of this “we have an expectation”. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side “produces a policy
taking into consideration the changes happened after 1974”, while the Greek
Cypriot side does not think in this way.
As
regards the interest of the USA in the Cyprus problem, Eroglu said that Turkey
asked from the USA to enter into action on this issue and added that the US
Ambassador to Nicosia exerted an influence in reaching an agreement on the
joint declaration.
(I/Ts.)
9.Eroglu’s interview to a Turkish daily; “We cannot
give land for the settlement of 100 thousand Greek Cypriots”
Turkish daily
Cumhuriyet newspaper (20.07.14) under the title: “Greek Cypriots are good horse dealers” published an interview of the
Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu to the paper’s journalist LeylaTavsanoglu.
Evaluating in
his interview the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process, Eroglu reiterated his known positions on the Cyprus problem accusing
the Greek Cypriot side for following delaying tactics at the table with the aim
to lead the talks at an open-ended stage.
Stating that the negotiations went backwards 20 years
with the discussion again of the CBMs, Eroglu accused the Greek Cypriot side
for presenting the CBMs to be a foreground and alleged that it is because they
want to spend the time.
Alleging that
the Turkish Cypriot side is the side which has the will for a solution, Eroglu
said that the Greek Cypriot side’s aim is to force them to leave the table.
Criticizing the
Greek Cypriot side for its insistence to present the issue of Maras
[Translator’s note: fenced off city of Varosha] as a Confidence Building
Measure (CBMs), Eroglu said that the Greek Cypriot leader, as he called
President Anastasiades, has used during his election campaign the slogan “We
will take back Varosha”, and thus, as he said “he compromises that the Varosha
issue is a CBMs in order for the Greek Cypriot people to trust him”.
Reiterating that the Varosha issue is a part of the
comprehensive solution, Eroglu added that Varosha will be discussed under the
“Territory” chapter only. “If you would like to reach to an agreement with us,
lets finish in a limited time the next six chapters”, said Eroglu. He went on adding that except from the “guarantees issue”, the
other four chapters were discussed by him and the former Greek Cypriot leader,
DemetrisChristofias in two years and by Christofias and Talat in other two
years.
Referring to the “guarantees issue”, Eroglu alleged
that this should be discussed together with the guarantor countries which are
Turkey, Greece and the UK. “This means that we will discuss the guarantees
issue in a five-partite meeting at the final stage”, Eroglu said, adding that
maps and figures will be discussed at the final stage as well.
Asked to reply to the journalist’s comment: “As we
know, you have rejected to give land for the settlement of 100 thousand Greek
Cypriots…”,Eroglu said: “ We cannot give land for the settlement of 100
thousand people. We have agreed that the territory issue and the maps will be
discussed at the final stage. We said that this means you do not want an
agreement. Look, the CBMs should in no circumstances overshadow the solution”,
he argued.
(AK)
10. Ozersay’s statements after the “special meeting”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.07.14), the Turkish Cypriot and Greek
Cypriot negotiators KudretOzersay and Andreas Mavroyiannis met for a nine-hour
marathon session on Friday, in an attempt to decide upon low-level confidence
building measures and methodology, before the two leaders’ meeting on July 24.
Speaking
to reporters after the “special meeting”, which was outside the framework of
the negotiators’ regular encounters on the core issues of the Cyprus question,
Ozersay said that the session had witnessed some serious negotiating on how to
proceed with the process.
Noting
that the meeting had nevertheless passed in a cordial atmosphere,Ozersay said:
“There are already a number of proposals on the table. Our discussions focused
around these proposals, stating that all proposals submitted had been examined
one by one. “We agreed to present to the leaders the outcome of the work we
did. After all, all these convergences or agreements are subject to their
approval. As a result I’m not in a position to explain in detail one by one all
the issues that have been discussed in the past 9 hours.”
Pointing
out that next Tuesday meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Ozersay said
that the process of presenting proposals on all issues and discussing these had
been completed. He also reminded that next Thursday’s leaders’ meeting will be
the last meeting before a short summer break.
Responding
to a question on a possible second round of parallel visits to the respective
capitals of Turkey and Greece by the negotiators, Ozersay said that all they
knew is that there is an obstacle regarding the visit from Greece.
Stating
that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for a second round of parallel visits,
Ozersay said that it is necessary to discuss what kind of a role the guarantor
powers will play in future steps and at what level or stage they will be
involved in the process. “This is why the parallel cross visits are very
important”, he said.
11. Talat: Talks are in a deadlock; he accuses Eroglu of not
embracing past convergences,
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.07.14), former Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the
current negotiations process has entered a deadlock. “What we are seeing in the
negotiations process is a deadlock. The two sides are locked in theoretical
discussions, exchanging general positions and papers. This is what is being done”,
he said.
Speaking
on “BRT” on Friday, Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot side had truly put
forward a concerted effort to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem during his
term as “president”.
Stating that convergences had been reached for the first time
during his term in office with the drafting of convergence papers, Talat said
that these convergences had been pushed to the backburner and shelved after
2010. Accusing his “successor” Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu of not
embracing these past convergences, Talat said: “Taking all these into account,
we really see that the talks are in a deadlock”.
Talat also said that the fact that the negotiators are conducting
the talks on behalf of the leaders is also part of the problem.
“The leaders have already withdrawn themselves from the negotiations. So once
the actual negotiators who are the leaders don’t meet frequently then it is
very difficult to achieve any progress”, he added.
Expressing his view that the Turkish Cypriot side does not possess
the sufficient will for a settlement, Talat said that the important thing is
achieving convergences and drafting them into papers.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 21.07.14) reports that
Talat said that Cyprus is no longer as a
top agenda topic for Turkey, adding that this is due to the “serious crisis”
that Turkey is having on the foreign policy front.
Noting
that his hopes for a solution have faded, Talat said: “Turkey is in the ring of
fire and they are also in the elections process. In this atmosphere, I can't
see any solution on the horizon”.
Reiterating
his criticism about the current round of negotiations where the past
convergences are not taken into consideration, Talat said that it’s not only
the Greek Cypriot side who ignored them but also Eroglu created this situation
by taking the “cross voting” out of the package and giving the impression that
past convergences could be ignored.
According
to Talat, the Turkish Cypriots are deeply affected by the fading hopes due to
the problems with the negotiations and that they are in a risk of losing their
identity. “We are experiencing an identity loss. The Turkish Cypriot’s
existence is wearing down because of a leader who doesn't understand this. You
can be nationalist but if you don’t calculate the outcomes this can cost you a
lot. We will lose our identity by doing nationalism”, said Talat.
12.New
violations of the airspace of Cyprus by Turkish F16’s in the framework of the
celebrations for the 1974 invasion;
All Turkish
Cypriot dailies (21.07.14) report on the various “celebrations” which took
place in the occupied area of Cyprus on the occasion of the “40th anniversary”
of the Turkish invasion in the island.
In this
framework, an air show of the “Turkish Stars aerobatic team” of the Turkish Air
Forces, together with the “Soloturk show team” of the Turkish Air Forces was
presented in a “ceremony” which took place in front of Dome Hotel in occupied
Keryneia.
Afterwards the
“aerobatics team of the Turkish stars” presented a show in front of the Ataturk
monument in occupied Keryneia.
Also, a parade
was held at Dr FazilKucuk Boulevard in the occupied part of Lefkosia on Sunday
attended by the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, the Turkish President
Abdullah Gul and several Turkish and Turkish Cypriot politicians. The official
opening of celebrations begun with a 21-gun salute.
Moreover, the
ships of the Turkish Naval Forces: Gaziantep frigate, Bordrum corvette,
PoyrazHucumbotu and GurDenizaltisi docked at the occupied port of Keryneia
between July 19-20 and will remain open for visits from the public.
(AK)
.
13. Voices in the occupied area of Cyprus against the Turkish
occupation
Under
the title “The guardians of the ‘plundering system’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.07.14) compares the 1974 Turkish invasion of
Cyprus and the developments that followed with the actions of Israel in Gaza
and reports the following:
“You,
who are so-called by the side of Gaza, who support Palestine and the
Palestinians while cursing on Israel, you are so-called ‘supporters of peace’. You, who are running to celebrate under the
name of ‘Watch of the Dawn’ for blessing a war while Gaza is bombed, are the
guardians of the plundering system created in the northern part of Cyprus
together with 1974. Israel is building settlements on the Palestinian lands
and settles Israelis there and you find this inhuman and illegal. Is that so? You clowns, do you think that there is a
difference between what Israel does and carrying population from Turkey to
Cyprus after 1974, settling it in the Greek Cypriot houses and building hotels,
mosques and complexes of buildings adjacent to mosques on the land of the Greek
Cypriots?”
Meanwhile,
Afrika reports also that the Communist
Labor Party organized yesterday a protest against the Turkish invasion of
Cyprus. Members of the party marched towards the so-called embassy of
Turkey in the occupied part of Nicosia. They shouted slogans in favor of a
united Cyprus, the brotherhood of the peoples and against the USA, the EU and
the guarantors powers in Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
14. Tension between Turkey, US escalates over Gaza offensive
According
to Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 20.07.14), Prime Minister RecepTayyip
Erdogan responded to a US statement that his strong rhetoric against Israel's
deadly attacks on Gaza are “offensive and wrong,” saying the US is the one
making offensive statements by insisting Israel is exercising its right to
self-defence.
During
a press briefing on Friday, US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said,
the US believes Erdogan's statements are “offensive” and his “provocative
rhetoric is unhelpful and distracts from urgent efforts to bring about a
ceasefire” between Palestinian group Hamas, which governs Gaza, and Israel,
following Erdogan's statements that
Israel is committing genocide.
During a televised interview on the private
TGRT television station on Sunday, Erdogan rejected Psaki's claims.
“… I
first call on America to evaluate themselves. The US is the one who has made
offensive and saddening statements up to now. ... If America still says ‘Israel
is exercising its right to self-defence' in face of these [developments], now
America has to engage in some self-criticism here. America is the one who is being offensive,” he said adding the US,
as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, "should act in a fair
manner."
Erdogan was apparently referring to Friday's
remarks from US President Barack Obama that the US supports Israel's right to
self-defence, even though he encouraged the Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to
minimize civilian deaths in its ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
"No nation should accept rockets being
fired into its borders or terrorists tunnelling into its territory," Obama
told reporters at the White House after a phone conversation with Netanyahu.
On Saturday Erdogan also rebuked the US for criticizing his
remarks, saying Israel's attacks on Gaza have surpassed Hitler in barbarism.
“Some
Americans ask why Mr Prime Minister [Erdogan] made such a comparison. What's
that to you? You're America, what's Hitler have to do with you?" he said
during a presidential campaign rally in the Black Sea port city of Ordu and
added: “The people will be killed, you, huge America, say Israel has the right
to self-defence instead of seeking justice. What defence? It is using
disproportionate force.”
During
the interview on Sunday, Erdogan reiterated his criticism of the US, asking how
they can turn a blind eye to children being killed on a beach.
“Just
like we feel offended when they make their statements, they should have no
problem with us speaking our minds. Should they send us a text so that we can
read it as our statement?” asked Erdogan.
"[Israelis] have no conscience, no honor, no pride. Those who
condemn Hitler day and night have surpassed Hitler in barbarism," Erdogan
said during a presidential campaign rally in the Black Sea port city of Ordu.
In his remarks on Saturday, Erdogan also
criticized women's rights associations, alleging that they have the same
mentality as Shaked, who was accused of inciting violence after posting a quote
saying, "mothers of the martyrs should also be killed."
However, Erdogan did warn
his supporters against taking their anger out on the country's Jewish
population. "I don't approve of any [bad] attitude towards our Jewish
citizens in Turkey, despite all this. Why? They are the citizens of this
country," he said.
Netanyahu's
remarks, calling Erdoğan's statement anti-Semitic came after the Israeli
Foreign Ministry advised Israelis to "avoid non-essential visits" to
Turkey or to be especially vigilant and steer clear of anti-Israel
demonstrations in the country.
Israel also ordered the
families of Israeli diplomats in Turkey to return on Friday following protests
outside the Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and İstanbul.
Israel further decreased the number of its diplomats in Turkey
according to a statement from Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's
office, Israeli media reported on Friday.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel were already downgraded after an
Israeli raid of the Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara in 2010. The Israeli
Ambassador in Ankara was expelled during the course of the crisis.
Turkish media reported an explosion of pro-Hitler tweets, and some
liberal Turks reacted with outrage on Twitter when a pro-government newspaper
published a Hitler-themed crossword.
Meanwhile,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 20.07.14) reported that Turkish and U.S. officials are set to meet
in Washington D.C. in the coming days to continue consultations on regional
issues, at a time when the Middle East is going through turmoil from
Israel-Palestine to Iraq.
The
visit also comes at a time when Erdogan has increased his criticism of the U.S.
administration over its alleged tolerance of Israeli operations in Gaza.
“A
delegation headed by Ambassador Feridun H. Sinirlioglu, the undersecretary of
the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Turkey, will pay a working visit to the
United States on July 21-13, 2014 to discuss current bilateral, regional and
global issues,” the ministry said in a written statement on July 20.
“As
part of the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet with senior counterparts
from various agencies, notably the United States Department of State and the
National Security Council,” the statement said.
Sinirlioglu’s visit marks his second trip to Washington D.C. since
early June, after he went there to discuss developments in Iraq on June 8-10.
15. Italy’s State Secretary for EU affairs vows to revive
Turkey’s bid for EU accession.
Under
the title “Middle East turmoil makes Turkey’s EU membership more crucial:
Italy”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 21.07.14) reports that recent developments in the Middle East ramp
up the importance of Turkey’s membership for the EU, Italy’s State Secretary
for EU Affairs SandroGozi said, vowing to revive Turkey’s stalling membership
process.
Speaking
in an exclusive interview with Hurriyet, Gozi said that the real motivation
behind granting membership candidacy to Turkey was external security and
economic interests between the EU and Turkey, as well as support to the
transformation and modernization of the Turkish society.
According
to the Italian parliamentarian recent geopolitical developments in the Middle
East has made Turkey’s membership bid even more crucial.
“[Turkey’s]
membership is much more important than 10 years ago because of [the recent
turmoil and violence in] Syria and Iraq and the strong economic integration
between the EU and Turkey,” Gozi said, whilst being interviewed by
Hurriyet’sCansuCamlibel.
The EU should “think how and why we have granted candidate status
to Turkey,” according to Gozi, who repeatedly asserted that Italy is “probably
the most convinced country [in the EU] that Turkey should become a member
state.”
However,
the politician stressed there are crucial steps that need to be taken by Turkey
to assure the EU over some issues, with the accession strategy being one of
them. “We also still need to favour the modernization of Turkish democracy and
society, because we have [recently] seen some signs of instability in Turkey.
We think that the re-launch of the accession strategy could also help the
country to tackle these issues,” he said.
Regarding
the issues that need to be tackled, Gozi said, “We want to have a clear idea
over the independence of the judiciary and prosecutors [and] the freedom of the
media and social media [in Turkey].”
He
said this is why Italy believes that Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental
rights) and Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) should be opened.
Gozi
also preserves his optimism regarding the Turkish government’s determination
for the EU bid, which has been criticized by civil society actors.
“We
know that Turkey has been going through a very difficult internal phase. But we
fundamentally believe that there is still an interest,” he said.
He said Turkey’s recent attempts to warm relations with Greek
Cyprus and Armenia are signs of Turkey’s EU commitment. “We interpret this
progress as not only corresponding to a national interest of Ankara but also
for Turkey to play a new role for better relations with the EU. Because for us,
the Armenian and the Cyprus issues are important,” he said.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
