TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 135/14 23.07.14
1. Nami: Past convergences should be respected
2. Talat evaluated the Cyprus negotiation process
3. Candan: Eroglu has taken absolutely no positive step for the solution of the Cyprus problem
4. Ozgurgun claims that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be reached after 2025
5. Turkish Cypriots say that teaching about federation in schools is positive
6. The so-called draft-law on the “citizenship” of the breakaway regime has been conveyed to the “coalition partners”
7. The British who bought residences in the occupied area of Cyprus are selling their properties
8. The unemployment rate has rapidly increased in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
9. After Turkey, the occupation regime declares three days of mourning over Gaza
10. Turkish MFA denies claims of energy and defence cooperation with Israel
11. Turkish universities to boycott Israeli universities for not condemning the Gaza massacre
12. Ruling AKP vocal for presidential system in run-up to August vote
13. New opinion poll on the presidential elections in Turkey presents Erdogan to be elected from the first round with 56%
14. More arrests in Turkey’s 'wiretapping' sweep
1. Nami: Past convergences should be respected
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 22.07.14), self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami briefed civil society organizations regarding the latest phase reached on the Cyprus problem.
With this aim Nami came together with the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce, the “Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry”, the Young Businessmen’s Association and the Businessmen’s Association at his “office”.
Making a statement before briefing the civil society organizations, Nami said that his meetings with the organizations were very important as they were able to benefit from their views.
Explaining that the views put forward by the “ministry” at the beginning of the negotiations process had been very positive, Nami said that particularly the joint agreement being formed into a historical document is a great success.
“For years there have been issues where convergences have not been reached but in the joint agreement convergences were reached and this is being supported by political parties, civil society organizations, chambers and even religious leaders on the island”, Nami said.
Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of not respecting the previous convergences reached on the Cyprus issue and dragging the Cyprus negotiations process towards a negative atmosphere, Nami said that this situation needed to be rectified. “We can do this by working together and I believe that civil society organizations can contribute to this process”, he added.
2. Talat evaluated the Cyprus negotiation process
Under the title: “Turkey’s power should be used”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (23.07.14) reports on statements by the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
According to information acquired by his office, evaluating to a televised program several issues, Talat referred to the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks and stressed the need for Turkey’s power to be used, together with other diplomatic ways, in order, as he said, for the path of the negotiations to be broaden and to concentrate on the solution of the problem.
Answering to a question regarding news reports saying that “deputies” by the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) held a meeting at the so-called presidential palace, Talat said that Eroglu’s interest in the internal issues of the parties has affected many of them, adding that he even intervened to the internal affairs of the parties.
Stating that he does not find it strange that Eroglu held a meeting with two political parties that support him, Talat said that Eroglu had transferred all his duties related with the negotiations to the negotiator, since, as he said, he only deals with political parties’ internal issues.
Talat said that “in circumstances where the president is not directly being involved, serious development should not be expected. If the true owner of the problem is interested in other issues rather than the negotiations how will we ever achieve a solution?” he wondered.
Asked to comment on which stage the negotiation talks are, Talat answered that he believes that the negotiations have been blocked. He added that the fact that the meetings between the leaders are concentrated on CBMs in an indicator of this.
Stating that it is a waste of time to be concentrated on the discussion on CBMs, Talat proposed the discussion of CBMs in a technical committee.
Asked to comment on the US Vice President Joe Biden’s use of expression that “the key for the solution is on Erdogan’s hands”, Talat said that it is impossible Biden to have said this. Recalling that this “expression” was published in the Greek Cypriot press, Eroglu added: “We know that the key is in our hands”.
Regarding Israel’s attacks in Palestine, Talat said that this massacre should end. It is obvious once again, he said, how injustice is the international status and that we should take lessons from this, adding: “If the problem in Cyprus is to be solved, we will solve it with an agreement”.
(AK)
3. Candan: Eroglu has taken absolutely no positive step for the solution of the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.07.14) reports that Armagan Candan, so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) in the occupied area of Morfou, has said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has taken absolutely no positive step as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem in the last four and a half years. In statements to journalist Ali Baturay of Kibris TV, Candan wondered “what has Eroglu gained for this community in four and a half years” and said that the Turkish Cypriot “people” had acquired no gain with the contribution of Eroglu.
Candan noted that Eroglu might be candidate again in the so-called presidential elections of 2015, but he should not be preferred by the “people” because of his performance, rather than his age. Candan expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriots want a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem and that they will elect a so-called president who will secure again that they are more understood by the world. He alleged that there is a difference between Eroglu and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat adding that Talat had secured a document with convergences on more than 30 issues in the negotiations.
Referring to the contacts of the Turkish Cypriot so-called parliamentary delegation at the European Parliament (EP), in which he participates, Candan said that their works are very useful. He alleged that the elected six Greek Cypriot MEPs do not represent the “real political will” and added that during every visit, the Turkish Cypriots participate in 20-25 face to face or group meetings. He argued that “there is a changing profile” with the newly elected Deputies in the EP and added that they should make use of it.
He said: “We will not stop pursuing this issue. We must brief the parliamentarians for a period of five years. We want direct meetings”.
Referring to the cooperation among himself and the other two members of the Turkish Cypriot delegation, Ersan Saner from the National Unity Party and Hasan Tacoy for the Democratic Party – National Forces, Candan said that they work in harmony. He noted that they are trying to gain whatever they can.
(I/Ts.)
4. Ozgurgun claims that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be reached after 2025
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (23.07.14) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) evaluated the Cyprus problem and the negotiation process and claimed that the negotiations are continuing with the same style for almost 50 years now, slowly and without showing any real progress.
“There will not be a solution until 2020”, Ozgurgun alleged adding that maybe a solution can be reached after 2025. “But for this to happen the Greek Cypriots must change their minds”, he claimed, alleging that the Greek Cypriots must think seriously that they have to accept a solution in which they will live with the Turkish Cypriots on an equal basis.
Ozgurgun further criticized the “government” in the breakaway regime, saying that it has no results to show and added that early “elections” must be conducted the soonestpossible.
5. Turkish Cypriots say that teaching about federation in schools is positive
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.07.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot politicians, trade union leaders and academicians have expressed the view that the various systems of political administration and mainly the federation could be taught in schools in the occupied area of Cyprus. They were commenting on a proposal for this lesson to be included in the curriculum of the lyceums in the government-controlled area of the island.
In statements to Kibris, Mustafa Arabacioglu, self-styled minster of education of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, said that this issue is not on their agenda but they could evaluate it if this practice is implemented in the government-controlled area of the island. He argued: “There are two peoples on the island and if this will contribute to friendship in the future, why should we avoid it?”
Kutlay Erk, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) has claimed that the Turkish Cypriot community has the basic knowledge as regards what federation is. He argued that teaching this issue in the schools of the government-controlled area of the island will be something good and will contribute in the students being more conscious and the people taking decisions in a more conscious way.
Serhat Kotak, general secretary of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) said that they have not discussed the issue in their party but this is not a complex matter. He noted that teaching the forms of administration within the educational system could be useful and added that such a development should not be related to the Cyprus negotiations.
Ahmet Sozen, chairman of the Political Science and International Relations Section of the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) has said that implementing such a practice will be important from the point of view of showing that the will of the Greek Cypriot side is not only in words.
Finally, Tahir Gokcebel, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOEOS), said that “this must be a part of the preparation for the federation which seems as the only achievable solution” in Cyprus. He noted that this step, which is taken in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, is important for changing the negative picture created during the Annan Plan process.
(I/Ts.)
6. The so-called draft-law on the “citizenship” of the breakaway regime has been conveyed to the “coalition partners”
Under the title “Criteria for the citizenship”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (23.07.14) reports that the self-styled ministry of internal affairs and local administrations has prepared a “draft-law on the citizenship” and sent it to the “coalition partners” for evaluation”. The self-styled minister of interior Teberruken Ulucay told Yeni Duzen that the “draft-law” aims at paving the way for investments and investors in the occupied area of the island. Foreigners who make an investment of at least three million euro or buy a business the value of which is three million euro or started an investment the value of which is at least 100 thousand euro having taken the opinion and the approval of the so-called ministries in the fields of education or health and pay a tax of 100 thousands euro for a period of three years, could be granted the “citizenship” upon a decision of the “council of ministers”.
The paper writes that upon a decision of the so-called parliament, the “citizenship” will also be granted to persons who have offered or will offer “extraordinary services” to the breakaway regime in the fields of sports, science, politics and culture and to those who had participated in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, their spouses and children and the spouses, the children and the parents of those who died during the invasion.
The “draft-law” provides that foreigners who are married to a “TRNC citizen” will be granted the “citizenship” provided that they stay married for three years. Those who are born and lived in the occupied area of Cyprus until their adulthood could also be granted the “citizenship”.
Those who worked for five years with a “permit” to work or establish a business in the occupied area of Cyprus will be granted a “white card”.
Foreigners who purchase houses and have a certain income will also be granted a “white card” after five years. After five more years these foreigners could apply for the “citizenship”.
According to the “provisional articles” of this “law”, those who have completed eleven continuous years living in the occupied area of Cyprus with a “permit” to work and/or establish a business could be granted the “citizenship” in case they apply within a period of six months from the date they possess the necessary conditions and the “law” has entered into effect.
According to the “draft-law”, those who had made an investment of at least ten million euro in the occupied area of Cyprus before the “law” enters into force or after an approval by the “central bank” and the “ministry of finance” had purchased a business the worth of which is ten million euro could be granted the “citizenship” upon a decision of the “council of ministers” in case they fulfil the necessary conditions.
(I/Ts.)
7. The British who bought residences in the occupied area of Cyprus are selling their properties
Under the title “The British interest came to an end”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (23.07.14) reports that thousands of British who bought houses in the occupied area of Cyprus and considered Cyprus as their dream island started to leave and to sell their residences due to the rise of the cost of living and the bad image of the “country” (the breakaway regime).
The paper, reports that 95% of the foreigners who live in the occupied area of Cyprus are British and notes that 12 thousand houses were sold to foreigners until now, but 40% of these were put on sale in the last five years and adds that 15% of them are already sold. It also writes that the houses are selling 20% below their original price.
According to Halkin Sesi, the majority of the selling took place between 2005-2007. The paper adds that the Orams case affected negatively the selling and many persons started to leave the breakaway regime after the case occurred.
8. The unemployment rate has rapidly increased in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 22.07.14), the rate of unemployment in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus— a place that has many problems in its employment industry such as workers without work permits and social insurance— is rapidly increasing.
According to the “north Cyprus labour market activities and analysis” the unemployment rate is rapidly increasing. The 10% unemployment rate of the year 2004, has risen to 11.9% in 2010.
The unemployment rate in “north Cyprus” rapidly increased after 2006 with the long-term unemployment rates significantly higher compared to rates in Turkey and in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Vast numbers of educated people who are also unemployed in “north Cyprus” outscore both Turkey and “southern Cyprus”. When it comes to the issue of gender, statistics show that women are the disadvantaged group in “north Cyprus” as they have an increasing unemployment rate, contrary to the situation in Turkey and the “south”.
According to a survey which was carried out with the mutual efforts of the so-called work and social security ministry and the Turkish Republic Aid Committee and prepared by the PG Global World Consultation and Education Services Trading Limited located in Ankara, in comparison to Turkey and “south Cyprus”, “north Cyprus” is experiencing a period where the unemployment rates are hastily increasing.
In “north Cyprus” where unemployment rates are increasing, the period of finding employment is lengthening.
In the report which emphasizes the percentage of citizens who have been unemployed for more than a year in “north Cyprus” as 60% in 2010, it is underlined that it was 28% in both Turkey and “south Cyprus”.
In the report the lengthened period of unemployment has been linked to the fact the unemployed are having difficulty in finding jobs as the number of available jobs in the market are dramatically lower than Turkey and “south Cyprus”. In addition to that the lack of effective mechanisms in “north Cyprus” is also a major factor causing prolonged periods of unemployment.
9. After Turkey, the occupation regime declares three days of mourning over Gaza
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (23.07.14) reports that the so-called prime ministry office in a written statement yesterday has announced three days of mourning as of yesterday, in order to show the Turkish Cypriot’s solidarity with Palestinians against the Israeli campaign on Gaza.
According to the statement, all “flags” of Turkey and the occupation regime will flow at half-mast in all “official organizations”.
(AK)
10. Turkish MFA denies claims of energy and defence cooperation with Israel
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.07.14), the Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly denied claims that there is an ongoing bilateral cooperation between Turkey and Israel in the fields of energy and defence.
“We observe that there are various unfounded allegations both in the media and in some quarters, regarding Turkey’s relations with Israel in a period that Turkey engages in intensive efforts to stop Israel’s attacks against Gaza without delay and to establish a lasting cease-fire. In this context, some speculative allegations are being raised, asserting that Turkey is cooperating with Israel in the fields of defence industry and energy,” a written statement released July 22 by the Foreign Ministry said.
“Turkey downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel to the minimum level and suspended all military ties between the two countries following the attack carried out by Israel in the international waters against a humanitarian aid convoy by nongovernmental organizations to Gaza on May 31, 2010, in which 10 Turkish civilians lost their lives. No official agreement has been concluded in these fields, including the defence industry, between Turkey and Israel during the said period,” it added.
“There has not been any cooperation between Turkey and Israel in the field of energy. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz responded to the claims in his statement related to the issue yesterday,” the statement also said.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has similarly dismissed claims that Turkey is selling jet fuel to Israel, saying the rumours are “plain lies and slander.”
11. Turkish universities to boycott Israeli universities for not condemning the Gaza massacre
Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (21.07.14, online in English) reported that the rectors of 87 Turkish universities issued a joint statement saying that they will cut off all academic, cultural and social relations with the Israeli universities, if these do not condemn the Gaza massacre.
Stating that the world is deaf and blind to the massacre in Gaza, the statement said: “The whole world, the Islamic in particular, must have a common attitude and solidarity against the Israeli government, which targets our Muslim brothers and Islamic values”.
The academics said that Israel will not extrapolate through these cruel attacks, but we will be listening to more sad stories of Palestinian kids losing their lives, if the international community is silent to this tyranny.
The academician group made decisions to mold international public opinion against the atrocity in Gaza, to initiate support and donation campaigns, to seek every legal way to have Israel pay compensation for the losses in Gaza, and cut off all relations with Israeli universities, which do not condemn the Gaza massacre till it finishes and sanctions are lifted on Gaza.
12. Ruling AKP vocal for presidential system in run-up to August vote
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.07.14), a leading member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), who is also the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has once again repeated the party’s aspirations to implement a presidential system in Turkey.
“I am a deputy of the party. The presidential system exists both in our party program and in our discussions. It is not a recent idea; we had the idea of bringing the presidential system in the past too,” Deputy Parliament Speaker Sadik Yakut said on July 22, in response to a question from a member of a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The PACE delegation is in Turkey for a visit ahead of the first round of the presidential election on Aug. 10, and is assessing the country's current electoral framework and official campaigns.
Yakut’s remarks came after a member of the delegation asked whether a proposal to formally change Turkey into an "executive presidency" could receive enough support when brought to the floor of Parliament.
“It can be installed without the need for a referendum if it receives a two-thirds majority at Parliament. To bring it to referendum, it needs to have a three-fifths majority. Our thought and target with regard to the 2015 parliamentary election, if a three-fifths majority is provided by winning 330 deputies, is of course to consider installing the presidential system,” Yakut replied.
13. New opinion poll on the presidential elections in Turkey presents Erdogan to be elected from the first round with 56%
Under the title: “56% to Erdogan according to the latest poll”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper reports that the latest poll conducted by MAK Consultant Company regarding the Presidential elections in Turkey that will take place on August 10, presents Erdogan to be the winner of the elections from the first round with 56%. Second comes the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) joint candidate former Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu with 37.34% and third the Pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) candidate Selahattin Demirtas with 6.6%.
The Company’s poll interviewed 5,400 people with the face to face method in 41 city centres and 140 different regions in Turkey, from July 16-19.
(AK)
14. More arrests in Turkey’s 'wiretapping' sweep
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.07.14), the total number of arrests in Turkey on a probe into alleged wiretapping across several police departments rose to 103 on Wednesday.
The Istanbul-based operation, which began early Tuesday, saw detentions take place in several Turkish cities as part of an anti-graft probe.
Thirteen more suspects have been issued with arrest warrants by the Istanbul chief public prosecutor's office. They are currently being sought by police.
Suspects detained so far underwent medical examination and have been brought to the Istanbul police headquarters. The operation is continuing.
These latest detentions follow two high-profile Istanbul-based anti-graft operations launched in December last year, which led to the arrest of high-profile figures including the sons of three government ministers as well as several businessmen.
All those detained in the probe were later released pending trial.
The Turkish government has denounced the probes as a "dirty plot" constructed by a "parallel structure" group of bureaucrats embedded within the country's key institutions, including the judiciary and police.
This group, allegedly run by a movement led by the U.S.-based Turkish Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, has been accused of conducting thousands of illegal wiretapping operations in Turkey.
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