TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 141/14 31.07.14
1.
The so-called foreign ministry criticizes the UNSC’s Resolution
2. A
Turkish Cypriot wants to return Greek Cypriot property he had been granted to
its legal owners
3.
Candan: “The EU is looking for a new method to regulate its ties with the
Turkish Cypriots”
4.
Ozyigit confirmed that they will support Akinci
5. Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Eroglu has no
authority to open crossing points
6. Ballot boxes to open today in the occupied area of
Cyprus for THE Turkish Presidential elections; Akca: “Only 8,240 out of the
90,000 to cast their votes in the TRNC”
7. Ballot boxes opened abroad for Turkey’s
Presidential elections; Figures on the overseas electorate
8. Turkish women protested against Deputy PM's ‘no
laughing' comments; More statements by Arinc on the issue
9. CHP’ Deputy submitted a parliamentary question on
ISIL organization’s links with Turkey
1. The
so-called foreign ministry criticizes the UNSC’s Resolution
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen (31.07.14) reports that the so-called foreign ministry of the
breakaway regime issued a written statement regarding the Resolution of the UN Security
Council to extend the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in
Cyprus (UNFICYP) until31 January 2015, criticizing it of lacking important
elements.
In the
statement, the “ministry” notes that the lack of elements such as there is no
reference to the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the extension of
the mandate of the UNFICYP but only to that of the Republic of Cyprus, and that
there is no expression saying that the “unjust isolation” towards the Turkish
Cypriot people should be removed without any more delay, is unacceptable.
According to the
“ministry”, there is an important call in the Resolution regarding the
negotiations for a comprehensive solution. The call to both sides to intensify
the substantive negotiations on the unresolved core issues in the 5th
paragraph of the Resolution coincides with the call of the Turkish Cypriot
side, which has being doing this since
the first day of the election of President Anastasiades. The “ministry”, on
this matter, claims that the Greek Cypriot side has brought the process in a
remote point from the productivity by not implementing until today the
necessary things on it although it committed openly within the framework of the
Joint Declaration on the 11th of February to do so, and prevents the
flourish of the positive atmosphere, which was emerged after the joint
declaration, with new compromises.
In the
statement, the “ministry” notes that the Turkish Cypriot side calls one more
time on the Greek Cypriot side at this critical stage of the negotiations to
exhibit a sincere political will on the issue of moving forward the process by
respecting the convergences reached during the years 2008-2012. The statement
continues: “In this context, the Security Council notices the approach, which
coincides with our views on this matter and we expect the Greek Cypriot side to
fulfil without any more delay the call, which was done both at the report of
the Secretary- General on the 9th of July, 2014, (S/2014/461) and on
the above mentioned UN Resolution”.
The statement
concludes: “Taking into account the reality this year that the deployment of
UNFICYP in the island has been for 50 years, we wish the Greek Cypriot side to
listen to the expectations of the two peoples in Cyprus and to the
international community including the UN for an early solution and to make
sincere and constructive steps towards this.”
2. A Turkish Cypriot wants to return Greek Cypriot property he had been
granted to its legal owners
Under the banner front page title
“Come get your property”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (31.07.14)
reports that a Turkish Cypriot named
ErayOzer is looking for the Greek Cypriot owners of properties he had been
granted by the breakaway regime in occupied Voni and Palekythro villages in
order to return to them these properties without wanting anything for exchange.
The paper writes that this behavior
should be an example for everyone and points out that Ozer is doing something
that happens for the first time. Ozer
was born in occupied Epiho village, where he possessed 60 donums of land [a
land measure of about 1000 square meters] which he had inherited from his
ancestors. In return for this land,
which remained within the boundaries of a military zone and is used by the
army for many years, Ozer’s family had
been granted by the regime other land in occupied Voni and Palekythro villages.
“ErayOzer is looking for the real owners of these lands, the title deeds of
which were given to him in 2004, in order to give them back without waiting for
absolutely anything in return”, writes the paper.
Ozer visited
Afrika yesterday holding the title deeds of the above-mentioned properties in
his hands and said: “This property is not mine. It was taken by
force from its real owners. I cannot reconcile with my honor leaving this
property as inheritance to my children”.
Afrika’s
editor-in-chief, SenerLevent reports in his column that Ozer is ready to return
4.5 donums in Voni and 9.25 donums in Palekythro.
(I/Ts.)
3. Candan: “The EU
is looking for a new method to regulate its ties with the Turkish Cypriots”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(23.07.14) reports that ArmaganCandan,
so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) in
the occupied area of Morfou and chairman of the “EU Harmonization Committee”,
in statements to the paper said, inter alia, that the European Parliament is
looking for a new method in order to regulate its relations with the Turkish
Cypriots.
Stating that the
“assembly delegation” of the occupation regime held contacts the previous week
at the European Parliament,Candan explained that during their contacts they
exchanged views as regards the new method to be implemented for regulating the
relations of the Turkish Cypriots with the EP and added that they submitted a
proposal for the establishment of an office.
Explaining that during their contacts they also
conveyed their views concerning the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at
the EP, Candan stated that they have launched a systematic work together with
their “representation in Brussels” toward this issue.
Candan stated further that during their
contacts in Strasburg, they made clear once more the dissatisfaction of the
Turkish Cypriots as regards the European Parliament elections that took place
in the island on May. “The Turkish
Cypriots are not represented in any way by the elected Greek Cypriots”, said
Candan and referred to the importance of making this being understood.
Regarding the ongoing
Cyprus negotiations talks, Candan said that the time has come for the EU to
contribute more to the process and added that the EU could help on the issue of
how the elements of the solution to be found could be adopted by the EU.
(…)
Candan explained
further that during their stay in Strasburg they met with the new members of
the Foreign Affairs Committee and with a number of Italian MPs.
(AK)
4. Ozyigit confirmed that they will support Akinci
Turkish Cypriot
daily YeniDuzen (31.07.14) publishes an interview with the leader of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP) CemalOzyigit.
During the interview, Ozyigit confirmed that their candidate for the “presidential elections”
in 2015 will be Mustafa Akinci. He also made a call on the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) to support this time their candidate.
5. Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Eroglu has no authority to open
crossing points
Under the title “Has DervisEroglu
the authority to open gates?” Turkish Cypriot columnist BesimBaysal writes in
daily HalkinSesi newspaper (31.07.14) that the
Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu has no authority to open crossing points in
Cyprus. Referring to the rejection by Eroglu of President Anastasiades
proposal on this issue, Baysal reports
that Turkey has been administrating the Turkish Cypriot community since the
1950’s and that the period that followed was sealed by late Turkish Cypriot
leader RaufDenktas and his policies that “preserved the Turkish nationalistic
line and created the ‘gratitude to the motherland’ literature”. He notes that
Mehmet Ali Talat as well, who succeeded Denktas in the leadership of the
community, did not want to oppose to Turkey. Baysal gives as example for this
the developments prior to the opening of the crossing point in Ledra Street
area and other issues. He, inter alia, adds the following:
“In this sense, the decision for the unification of our country, for the development of
Lefka and its area, for determining a crossing point at the barricade in
Lurudjina, which is in any case full of holes at the moment, and for
determining new crossing points in order for the farmers and the workers living
a healthier and a more secure life is taken in Ankara and not in the
inter-communal negotiations held at the old airport in Nicosia or in the
Silihtar [Translator’s note: The area where the Turkish Cypriot leader’s
office is located in the occupied part of Nicosia].
The second dimension of the issue is
that DervisEroglu is one of the most
important characters of the regime established in the period after 1974. He has a finger and a signature in cutting
the community off the production, in the creation of property mafia, in the
swindle of looting, in legalizing the night clubs and the casinos and in giving
new licenses, in the ‘Economic Cooperation Protocols’ with Turkey which forced
the Turkish Cypriot youth to migrate, and in the ‘Turk comes Turk goes way’
policies.
Such a character, through his relation with the capital, the mafia and
the nationalist circles, represents the general interests of the capital and
not the general interests of the people (...)
Having
more crossing points in this country will annoy those who carry out trafficking
of humans and goods, those who carry out money laundering, the nationalist and
chauvinistic circles. Everything that
annoys them will also annoy Turkey and Eroglu. They do not care at all about
peoples coming together, about the increase of the farmers’, peasants’ and
workers’ possibilities and incomes, about the flourishing of the hopes for
peace”.
(I/Ts.)
6.Ballot boxes to
open today in the occupied area of Cyprus for THE Turkish Presidential
elections; Akca: “Only 8,240 out of the 90,000 to cast their votes in the TRNC”
Under the front-page title: “The appointment
system collapsed”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (31.07.14) reports
on statements by the so-called Turkish ambassador in the occupied area of
Cyprus, Halil Ibrahim Akca who in a press conference yesterday, announced that
the “ballot boxes” in the occupied area
of Cyprus for the Turkish voters who have the right to cast their vote for
Turkey’s Presidential elections will open today.
In statements during the press conference, Akca gave details on the Presidential
elections to take place in Turkey on August 10, on the voting process for the
Turkish citizens living abroad, including the Turkish settlers in the occupied
area of Cyprus and other.
Explaining that the
“ballot boxes” in the occupied area of Cyprus will be opened as of today and
until August 3, Akca recalled that the “Turkish citizens” living in the occupied area of
Cyprus would be able to cast their vote
providing that they had first obtained an appointment through the internet
website of Turkey’s Election Board (YSK) in the address: www.ysk.gov.tr. He then called on the voters to be careful not to lose their date of
their appointment for casting their vote and explained that in case they do so,
then, they will be able to cast their vote at the border gates in Turkey.
According to Akca, the number of “Turkish voters” living in the occupied area of Cyprus is
90,000; however, only 8,240 out of them, as he stated obtained an appointment
for voting.Akca went on adding that those who did not obtained an
appointment via the Internet, can vote at ballot boxes the system automatically
assigns.
(AK)
7.Ballot boxes
opened abroad for Turkey’s Presidential elections; Figures on the overseas
electorate
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.07.14)
reported that the Turkish citizens living abroad have not been rushing to the
ballot box for Turkey’s Presidential elections, as only a small number of
citizens have obtained an appointment to cast their vote.
In the past, Turks living abroad could vote in
polling stations at border gates. But on average, only 7% of the 2.6 million
potential overseas voters voted in previous elections. With recent changes to
the Election Law, however, the overseas electorate can vote at embassies,
consulates and other designated areas in their country of residence between
July 31 and August 3.
However, the amendment failed to significantly
raise the expatriate voter turnout as only
around 180,000 Turkish nationalS have registered to vote overseas.
A majority of the more
than 2.7 million eligible voters living abroad may not be able to cast ballots
in the Presidential elections as they failed to make an appointment to vote
through the website of the High Election Board (YSK). A total of 178,959 Turkish voters have taken an online appointment to vote abroad
in the first round of the Presidential elections.The exact number of voters who
have obtained an appointment for both the first and a possible second round of
the elections is 248,285.
T
The total number of
Turkish electorate living abroad is 2,734,429, according to the YSK’s data, constituting 5% of
the total number eligible to vote.
The number of Turkish voters living in Germany is 1,380,909. However, only 92,092 voters have registered to vote
in the first round of the elections.
The low expected turnout has been attributed to
the fact that many Turkish nationals were not informed that they had to
register their addresses at the embassies or consulates in their cities of
residence in order to obtain an appointment. Some voters also did not know how
to use the Internet system, resulting in their failure to register.
Those who did not
obtain an appointment via the Internet can vote at ballot boxes the system
automatically assigns. However, it is expected that these voters will again
hesitate to vote as such polling stations could be far from their residences.
Meanwhile, Turkish
nationals living abroad began casting their ballots on July 26 at border gates
in Turkey.
Election officials set up 42 polling stations
at land crossings, airports and ports that will remain open for arriving Turks
until August 10, the date that voters living in Turkey will go to the polls for
the first round of the election.
Most of those travelling to border gates to
vote are Turkish citizens living in nearby countries or passing through the
country on their way to another destination.
(…)
8.Turkish women
protested against Deputy PM's ‘no laughing' comments; More statements by Arinc
on the issue
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (30.07.14) reported
that hundreds of women in various parts of Turkey staged protests on Wednesday
against comments by
Deputy Prime Minister BulentArınc, who has
urged women not to laugh in public to "protect moral values".
Hundreds of Turkish women posted pictures of
themselves laughing on Twitter.
MeldaOnur, a lawmaker from the main opposition
party Republican People's Party (CHP) said on Twitter that Arınc's comments
portrayed laughing as a dishonorable act and left women exposed to violence.
Opponents accuse Prime Minister TayyipErdogan's
government of ruling in an increasingly authoritarian manner and meddling in
people's private lives, which has long been a source of conflict between the
country's secularists and Erdogan's conservative supporters.
Meanhwile, Arincmade further comments on the
issue on Wednesday.
He said that a part of his speech had been
tweezed out, misrepresenting the sense of his actual words; but this time, he
also expressed his opinion that women should not travel alone. Arınc said:
“They have taken a part of that speech. If I had only said women shouldn't
laugh, that would have been irrational. But I was making a speech regarding
moral values. There are those [women] who leave their husbands [at home] and go
on holiday; those who find it hard to resist climbing a pole when they see one.
You might live your life like that. Rather than being angry, I pity you”
Arınc said his entire speech had been
one-and-a-half hour long, adding: “Thankfully, some networks broadcast the
entire speech.”
9.CHP’ Deputy
submitted a parliamentary question on ISIL organization’s links with Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (30.07.14) reports that the Republican People's Party (CHP)
Deputy Chairman SezginTanrikulu submitted a parliamentary question demanding to
know if a terrorist organization, claimed to be an offshoot of the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization, has been provided
with one or more pieces of land in İstanbul for military training.
“Is it true that one
or more training camps have been allocated in İstanbul to the group claimed to
be an offshoot of the ISIL terrorist organization? What is this group? Of whom
is it composed of?” Tanrıkulu, Deputy chairman of the CHP, said in the
parliamentary question he submitted.
The terrorist group ISIL, following its advance
in Iraq, changed its name to the Islamic State at the end of June.
In the question for
Minister of Interior EfkanAla, Tanrıkulu demanded to know if the claim about
allocating a training camp to the terrorist group is true and where the
campsites are in İstanbul, referring to photographs recently published in some
Turkish dailies that displayed a large crowd of members of the supposed
terrorist group in an open area.
Photos of hundreds of people gathered for prayer
in an open area appeared in dailies at the beginning of the week.
“Where is the area the
group, which is claimed to be an offshoot of ISIL, used to celebrate one
another's holiday on July 28, 2014?” Tanrıkuluasked.
“Is it true that the group which is claimed to
be an offshoot of the ISIL terrorist organization declared a jihad [holy war]
on July 28, 2014?” Tanrıkulu further demanded to know.
Asking if the group
used the area where it gathered for military training, CHP Deputy Chairman said: “Was the
[Ramadan] holiday used as a guise when official permission was sought [from
authorities] by this group? Is it true that the İstanbul Security Directorate
and the provincial gendarmerie command were instructed not to intervene while
the group, an offshoot of the terrorist organization ISIL, called for a jihad
in İstanbul?”
(…)
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