TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 126/14 09.07.14
1. Ozersay says that he will resign if he sees no hope in the negotiations process and that both sides’ Plan B should be common
2. Nami met with Fule and Stanishev
3. Nami: We hope the Greek Cypriot side will reply positively to Eroglu’s proposal on the road map
4. The British High Commissioner to Lefkosia: “I think that there are some objective reasons which make the framework agreement an attractive approach”
5. Izcan: “Varosha should be returned to its lawful owners and Famagusta port and Ercan (Tymbou) Airport should be opened under EU’s control”
6. Kibris on the content of the discussions in the Cyprus talks
7. “LEKAD” demands the opening of Apliki-Lefka crossing point
8. The so-called “Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu state hospital” in the occupied area of Cyprus attended the European Epileptology Congress
9. Three candidates to run for the Presidency in the Turkish Republic
10. Turkey's presidential race
11. ECHR finds Turkey guilty of violating freedom of speech in cases of jailed journalists Sik and Sener
1. Ozersay says that he will resign if he sees no hope in the negotiations process and that both sides’ Plan B should be common
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (09.07.14) reports that Kudret Ozersay, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, has said that if he sees no hope in the negotiations process he will resign. In statements yesterday to illegal Bayrak, Ozersay said: “I will not carry out this duty only for the capacity of the negotiator. If I believe that there will be no result in the process, I will not hesitate to resign at that moment”.
Ozersay noted that he has hope as regards the negotiations, even though this is little, and added that the issue will be clarified in the next few months.
Ozersay said that the United Nations may appoint a new special adviser and drew attention to the importance of the increase of the UN role in the process.
Referring to the road map submitted by the Turkish side, Ozersay noted that this includes the order by which the issues will be discussed by the sides, until which date the give and take will be carried out, when a meeting with the UN Secretary-General will be held, when the guarantor powers will enter into action, when the next cross visits will take place, what the role of the guarantor powers will be, and how the rest of the issues upon which agreement is not reached could be discussed in a next meeting.
Ozersay alleged that the road map submitted by the Turkish side at the beginning of the negotiations included different dates and timetables, but due to the stance of the Greek Cypriot side the negotiations “somewhat retrograded”. Therefore, he argued, in the light of the changing conditions, the need of putting onto the table a different version of the road map was created.
Ozersay alleged that such a road map is necessary from the point of view of the sides’ being able to go to a referendum. “The important thing is to agree on a common road map, we do not insist that it is absolutely necessary to accept exactly what we said”, he argued.
Ozersay said that during yesterday’s meeting, they discussed approximately 20 issues which they believe could help in finding a comprehensive solution and could be described as confidence building measures. Ozersay alleged that for the Turkish Cypriots, the comprehensive solution is most important than the confidence building measures, that the confidence building measures should support the solution and that it would be more appropriate to discuss measures beneficial for both sides.
Ozersay argued that the negotiations are not advancing in the effective way the Turkish Cypriot side wants, but we are not at a point to say that there is absolutely no hope “because we are discussing the substance of the issues”. He added: “Soon changes in the role of the UN may come onto the agenda. The UN Secretary-General may appoint a new adviser in the position of Downer”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.07.14), reports that Ozersay also said that even if there is a deadlock in the “Plan A” on which efforts are exerted for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, the “quest” should not end. In statements to Kibris, Ozersay argued that a common “Plan A” exists for the solution in Cyprus and noted that if the two communities can reach nowhere for so many years, they could come up with a way out together. He expressed the following view: “We do not have a hidden agenda. Everyone knows that the thing called ‘Plan B’ will not work out unilaterally from the point of view of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. It is evident that this should be a common ‘Plan B’.”
Ozersay argued that in case the five-step road map suggested by the Turkish Cypriot side is implemented, a referendum could be held in January 2015. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is not against the five-step road map submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side during the last meeting between the leaders, but added that they do not expect a yes or no answer to this suggestion. He further said that they want to have the views of the Greek Cypriots in order for a common road map to be determined.
(I/Ts.)
2. Nami met with Fule and Stanishev
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.07.14), talks over the future of Cyprus and efforts to harmonize the Turkish Cypriot side to the EU after a possible reunification of the divided island were held on Tuesday between the self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime Ozdil Nami and Stefan Fule, Head of EC Enlargement Policy.
"We discussed the future of Cyprus peace talks and exchanged views over how to clear the hurdles posed by the Greek Cypriot side regarding EU harmonization projects conducted in the Turkish side of the island," Nami told the press following the one-hour meeting in Brussels.
EC President Jose Manuel Barroso announced that the intensified efforts towards advancing the Turkish Cypriot side's accession to the EU was a sign of their "will for a solution" to end the decades-long division of Cyprus.
"We have already launched efforts to bring our country in conformity with the EU in a bid to accelerate the normalization of life after a comprehensive solution on the island. We're in cooperation with the EU Commission to make the required legal preparations, establish related infrastructure and educate our bureaucrats. There are certain areas where the EU cannot provide the necessary support due to pressure from the Greek Cypriot side. We have decided to continue the EU harmonization process together with Turkey," Nami said.
Nami maintained that they have already begun benefiting from Turkey's experiences in their path to EU harmonization.
Nami claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is blocking EU projects aimed at preparing “TRNC” to draw closer to the EU as if it will "give them leverage on the EU negotiation table". He termed the Greek Cypriot attitude as "outdated and not serving a comprehensive solution on the island."
However, the more the “TRNC” prepares for EU accession, the easier a comprehensive solution will be attained, Nami claimed.
Nami suggested that the Greek Cypriot authorities, especially at high level, must embark on future-oriented policies by reviewing their "slummed policies" after the historic joint declaration.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online, 09.07.14), Nami and his delegation returned to the occupied area of Cyprus last night after completing his contacts in Brussels.
According to a press release by his “office”, Nami also met with the leader of Party of European Socialist (PES) Sergei Stanishev and exchanged ideas on how to carry the negotiations to success.
Nami briefed Stanishev on the views of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the European Parliament and asked his support on the issue.
According to the press release, Stanishev said that he will continue to support the ongoing Cyprus talks and he will continue to cooperate with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on this issue.
3. Nami: We hope the Greek Cypriot side will reply positively to Eroglu’s proposal on the road map
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (09.0714) publishes an interview with the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami to the Ankara Anatolia news agency during his visit to Brussels.
Referring to the road map, which was proposed by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during the leaders meeting, Nami said: “We hope the Greek Cypriot side to reply positively, but unfortunately no signal has come to us yet”. He claimed that the difficulties they have at the negotiations are due to the lack of a political will by the Greek Cypriot side.
Reiterating the view of the Turkish Cypriot side that the Cyprus talks cannot continue as open-ended, Nami referred to the statement by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the new efforts of the Cyprus talks cannot continue open-ended and this should be the last effort.
Noting that the Greek Cypriot side focus more on the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) than to Cyprus a settlement, Nami said that the necessary element that everyone should focus more is neither the CBMs nor the road map. He added that the main issue that the UN remained silent is the submission of positions at the negotiation table contrary to the joint declaration and not to stick to the existing convergences. Nami also said that to find other invigorating projects without overcoming the real problems is not a realistic approach.
4. The British High Commissioner to Lefkosia: “I think that there are some objective reasons which make the framework agreement an attractive approach”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (09.07.14) publishes an interview with Mathew Kidd, the British High Commissioner to Lefkosia who completes his duties in Cyprus. According to the paper, Kidd evaluated the process of the Cyprus negotiations during the interview and said that he supports a “framework agreement”.
Referring to the negotiations, Kidd said that they do not proceed as smooth as hoped and added that both the negotiators and the political leaders are facing difficulties. “They do not proceed as easy and as fast as we hoped. However, it does not make sense to call this a deadlock”, he stated.
He went on and said: “I think that there are some objective reasons which make the framework agreement an attractive approach”.
He also said that the agreement must be addressed within the EU dimension without losing its elements.
He also said that the price of a non-solution will be heavy for both sides in the island. “It will be a great loss if this opportunity is not appraised, it will be a great failure”, he noted.
5. Izcan: “Varosha should be returned to its lawful owners and Famagusta port and Ercan (Tymbou) Airport should be opened under EU’s control”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 09.07.14), the leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan said that they support the implementation of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) parallel to the negotiations.
In a written statement evaluating the latest developments in the negotiations, Izcan noted that in order to achieve substantive progress the two leaders have to take determined and radical steps forward.
According to Izcan, his party supports the implementation of the CBMs parallel to the negotiations. He added that this process should not allow approaches which aim to kill the clock. “The most important thing is to reach a settlement as soon as possible. The implementation of the CBMs in this process is very significant as long as they target to increase the quality of life of both communities as well as helping the reconciliation porcess”, Izcan said.
Noting that the first two steps regarding the implementation of CBMs should be on the fenced off town of Varosha and the occupied airport of Tymbou, Izcan reminded that with the joint statement both leaders had declared that they would work on the implementation of CBMs and that the leaders should stay committed to their statements. “Varosha should be returned to its lawful owners as soon as possible and Famagusta port and Ercan airport (editor’s note: the occupied airport of Tymbou) should be opened under EU’s control. In addition to that Turkey- Republic of Cyprus relations should be normalized by the implementation of the additional protocols to open their ports. Parallel to these steps vetoes in Turkey’s EU membership process should be lifted”, said Izcan.
Izcan said that the reconstruction of the fenced off town of Varosha would contribute to the development of international cooperation, federal culture and mutual trust adding that both side’s economy can benefit from the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha. Izcan also said that the opening of the occupied airport of Tymbou and the occupied port of Famagusta to international trade and flights will help the Turkish Cypriots’ integration with the rest of the world.
6. Kibris on the content of the discussions in the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and President Anastasiades submitted approximately 20 confidence building measures (CBM) during their meeting the day before yesterday, that the negotiators of the communities have been assigned with the duty of discussing these measures and that the UN Secretary-General will appoint a new Special Αdviser for Cyprus within the next few days.
Citing information from a well-informed source, the paper writes that the name of the person which will be appointed to the post will not become official without the approval of both community leaders. It is noted that the Turkish Cypriot community will prefer a person who is familiar to the Cyprus problem, knows the UN well and has a strong character.
According to the same information, President Anastasiades did not oppose to approximately ten proposals put onto the table by the Turkish Cypriot side. The source argued that concrete results could be achieved on some points. It is said that the leaders, who assigned the negotiators with the duty of discussing the CBM are aware of the fact that time has come for concrete results to be taken in the direction of the two communities’ expectations.
It is alleged that the Greek Cypriot side submitted some proposals knowing that they could not be accepted. The withdrawal of some Turkish troops from the island and the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha are reportedly among these proposals. The source said that it had been repeatedly said that the issue of Varosha is part of the comprehensive solution, but the withdrawal of troops could be evaluated “under some other situations and conditions”.
The “well-informed source” argued that President Anastasiades did not reject the Turkish Cypriot proposals on the lifting of the restrictions regarding the issues of tourism, sports and culture, the demining and the common use of the water which will come from Turkey in relation with the natural gas, but asked some time to evaluate the issue with the Cabinet and the army. It is said that the Turkish Cypriot side suggested that tourists from Turkey and Greece should be able to move freely in the whole island and that the Greek Cypriot side was considering the issue because of the economic difficulties it is facing. It is noted, however, that the Greek Cypriot side is not positive to tourists from Turkey entering into Cyprus from illegal ports. The Greek Cypriots, though, did not reject to discuss the issue, writes the paper.
It is said that the Greek Cypriot side rejected a Turkish Cypriot proposal on some arrangements regarding the hydrocarbon resources found in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone in Eastern Mediterranean, showing as an “excuse” issues of sovereignty.
The source said that in case the Greek Cypriots ask for more barricades to open in return of the opening of the barricade in occupied Lefka area, no progress could be achieved on this issue. It is also said that both sides are positive to the establishment of a health Committee which will carry out researches for cancer in the whole island and to the organization of bi-communal contests between disabled persons.
(I/Ts.)
7. “LEKAD” demands the opening of Apliki-Lefka crossing point
Turkish Cypriot daily Dialog newspaper (09.07.14) reports that Hakan Oran, “chairman” of the “Turkish Cypriot Association for Solidarity and Development of Lefka and the Surrounding Villages” (LEKAD), in a written statement yesterday, called President Nikos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to open the Apliki crossing point in occupied Lefka.
Pointing out to the importance of the opening of Apliki crossing point in occupied Lefka for the economic development of the region, Oran recalled that as an “NGO”, together with other “NGOs” in the area, established several committees and held a lot of contacts for the opening of Apliki crossing point. He added that this crossing point is one of the most important crossing points that could contribute to the Cyprus negotiation process.
“The opening of the crossing point will bring brightness to the region, it will contribute for the re-building of the relations between the inhabitants of Lefka and Maratsa villages, and also will bring both economic and social development”, Oran said.
(AK)
8. The so-called “Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu state hospital” in the occupied area of Cyprus attended the European Epileptology Congress
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.07.14) reports that two expert neurologists at the “Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu state hospital” attended the 11th European Epileptology Congress which took place in Stockholm, Sweden.
The occupation regime was represented at the congress by Dr Duygu Aksoy and Dr Pinar Gelener. As the paper writes, famous names in the field of neurology attended the meeting.
(AK)
9. Three candidates to run for the Presidency in the Turkish Republic
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.07.14) reports that the Supreme Election Board (YSK) in Turkey has published in the official gazette of Turkey, the temporary list of the three candidates that will run for the presidential elections in Turkey which are to take place on August 10.
After the publication of the candidates list to the official gazette, the YSK will start accepting objections towards the three candidates.
The three candidates are, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, candidate with the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Ekmelletin Ihsanoglu, common candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Selahattin Demirtas, candidate with Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).
(AK)
10. Turkey's presidential race
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.07.14), Turkey's main opposition party has claimed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not competing fairly in the country's upcoming presidential elections.
A week after Erdogan declared his candidacy for the 10 August polls, Republican People's Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu stated at a party group meeting on Tuesday that the fact Erdogan was head of the ruling AK party gave him an unfair advantage in the polls. Kilicdaroglu said: "You (Erdogan) have not quit your post. If you trust yourself, race on equal terms with (opposition candidate Ekmeleddin) Ihsanoglu."
Arguing that the presidential office did not belong to any political party leader, Kilicdaroglu said: "The President should be impartial, embrace the whole nation and treat all political parties equally. A statesman is generally thinking of national interests, not selfish ones. But you (Erdogan) are not like that."
Meanwhile, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairman, Figen Yuksekdag said that the Prime Minister was exploiting the advantages of being in government. "All presidential nominees benefit from the state treasury except us," he said.
On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.07.14) reported that Yuksekdag has also accused Erdogan of pursuing a “dictatorship” and warned him about making the “wrong calculations”.
“What Erdogan claims in the name of change is to establish an authoritarian leadership for the sake of his political future,” Yuksekdag said yesterday addressing her parliamentary group.
Moreover, Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.07.14) reported that Presidential candidate Erdogan has again stressed that he will be partial if elected to the presidency next month, arguing that no Presidents in Turkey's history have ever actually been impartial, as required by law.
Arguing that throughout the history of the republic, the country was usually ruled according to the wishes of an elitist class who had held the political and military power of the state, Erdogan indicated that it was his AKP government which changed the course of affairs when they came to power after being elected for the first time in 2002.
“But we are coming from within the nation. We are the nation itself. The nation has established the AK Party and its fabric is woven by the nation,” Erdogan said. “Just as the nation is able to elect its deputy and designate its government, it will much more easily and much more comfortably elect its president; it designates him too,” he said, claiming that the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) still held the conviction that “the nation cannot make a good choice,” noting that it once presided over a one-party state.
“Now, they have been insisting on something like ‘the President above and out of politics.’ So to speak, they are trying to elect a ‘vase,’ a ‘flower pot,’ for the showcase of the Republic of Turkey, but not a President,” Erdogan said, using a phrase that is widely used in Turkish to describe a person who does not take the initiative. He indicated that the Turkish people will not be electing “an ornamental president” when they go to the ballot boxes next month.
Erdogan’s remarks were an unveiled reference to the portrayal of his main competitor Ihsanoglu as an impartial statesman.
11. ECHR finds Turkey guilty of violating freedom of speech in cases of jailed journalists Sik and Sener
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.07.14), the European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) on July 8 found Turkey guilty of violating freedom of speech and the right to a free trial in the prosecution of journalists Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener, who were jailed as part of the controversial OdaTV case.
Both Sik and Sener spent more than a year in prison while awaiting trial before the publication of Sik’s book, titled “The Imam’s Army,” which focused on the organization of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen’s followers within the police and the judiciary. Their long detention had sparked global outcry and many campaigns were launched by international rights groups for their release. They were eventually freed on March 12, 2012.
In two separate ECHR rulings for both Sik and Sener, Turkey was found guilty of violating Article 5-3 of the European Convention of Human Rights on the “length and reasonableness of pre-trial,” Article 5-4 on “procedural guarantees of review,” and Article 10 on “freedom of expression.” The Strasbourg-based court also fined Turkey to pay 10,000 euro in compensation to Sik and 20,000 euro to Sener.
Sener hailed the EHCR’s decision as a ruling that shows journalism is not a crime, noting that the court had accepted their application even before the trial commenced.
In its July 8 decision, the ECHR also rejected the Turkish government’s argument that the case was reviewed before the exhaustion of internal legal paths.
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