TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 151/14 14. 08.14
1. Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry wants to be a part of the halloumi PDO process
2. Protest in front of the “Turkish embassy” in occupied Lefkosia for the 40th anniversary of Turkey’s second phase invasion to Cyprus
3. Aid by the regime to students from Gaza
4. Veysel Eroglu: The transfer of water from Turkey will be completed within 75 days
5. Columnist says that the breakaway regime could benefit from the West’s embargo on Russia
6. Food that comes from Africa to the occupied area of Cyprus in packages is reportedly a threat for causing Ebola
7. Uncompleted occupied church of Apostolos Loucas, became a place for homeless persons
8. More on AKP internal developments after Erdogan’s election to Presidency
9. After resignation calls, CHP leader challenges intra-party opponents
10. HRW claims Turkey saw erosion of human rights as Erdogan gained power
11. US clears air missiles sales to Turkish army
1. Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry wants to be a part of the halloumi PDO process
Illegal Bayrak television (13.08.14) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (TCCI) over the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to register halloumi/hellim as a protected designation of origin (PDO).
According to BRT, TCCI Chairman Ali Cirali stated during the meeting that halloumi is a product of a joint culture of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, and an important product for North Cyprus. He also said that that halloumi production is a source of income for 17% of the “Turkish Cypriot economy” and its exports had earned over 30 million USD last year, making up a quarter of total exports.
“The Greek Cypriot government first registered the traditional cheese in South Cyprus under both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot name. They later applied to the European Union for registration. Once they succeed this registration will become international. If we fail to become part of this process then our producers will not be able to use the name hellim or halloumi when exporting our products abroad. This will end our hellim export” he stated.
On his part, Eroglu said that he too shared the chamber’s sensitivities on the issue. He said that his “undersecretary” Hasan Gungor was in charge of the work being carried out on this issue.
Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side continued to be persistent on the matter, Eroglu said that efforts to prove the Turkish Cypriot side’s case at the European Union, was continuing. “We are trying to explain to Brussels that this is a joint product of both peoples on the island, that awarding the registration to just one side will create economic difficulties and complications” he said.
2. Protest in front of the “Turkish embassy” in occupied Lefkosia for the 40th anniversary of Turkey’s second phase invasion to Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (14.08.14) reports that the Youth organisation of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Social Democracy Party (TDP) and New Cyprus Party (YKP) along with the Baraka Culture Centre and the Revolutionary Communist Union are going to carry out a protest marking the 40th year of second military landing and the occupation of Cyprus by Turkey on the 14th August 1974.
The organizations are going to gather at the Nicosia Kugulu Park today performing a protest march to the “Turkish ambassador” in Nicosia and the statements that are prepared will be shared with the media and public.
The organizations have called upon “all peace and democracy defenders to attend the protest against the imperialist Ankara government, protecting Cyprus’ unity, independence and peace”.
3. Aid by the regime to students from Gaza
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (14.08.14) reports that the self-styled council of ministers of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has decided to help a number of students from Gaza who study in the illegal universities in occupied Cyprus. According to the paper, 578 Palestinian students study in the above-mentioned “universities”. The families of 38 of them live in Gaza. The regime will pay half of the school expenses of these 38 students for a period of four months and the expenses for delayed registration of those who could not return from Gaza yet. Those who graduated and could not return to Gaza will be “granted” residence “permit”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Veysel Eroglu: The transfer of water from Turkey will be completed within 75 days
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (14.08.14) reports that Veysel Eroglu, Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, has said that the works of establishing the pipelines in the sea for carrying water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus are rapidly continuing and added that the assembling of the pipelines will start next week and be completed within 75 days.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday in Turkey, Eroglu noted that the 107-kilometre long pipeline will carry 75 million cubic meters of water to the island every year. He said that the dams both in Turkey and in the occupied area of Cyprus were completed in time within the framework of this project.
(I/Ts.)
5. Columnist says that the breakaway regime could benefit from the West’s embargo on Russia
Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.08.14), Turkish Cypriot columnist Akay Cemal refers to the embargo implemented by the USA and the EU on Russia and vice versa and reports that the breakaway regime could benefit from this embargo. Under the title “From the ‘embargoes TRNC to the embargoes Russia’”, Cemal writes that Russia will secure from other countries the products it had been buying from the Western countries. “The first of these countries is Turkey, which is not a member of the EU”, he notes and argues:
“The TRNC, which has been under merciless, inhuman, outdated and unjust embargoes, could also take its share from this situation. (…) For example with Turkey’s initiative Russian tourists may flow into North Cyprus. In parallel to this, a part of Russia’s needs in agricultural products and fruits and other needs may be met from the TRNC. (…) What should be done is to secure coordination among the ministries concerned and mainly the ministry of economy, consult on these issues with officials from the Turkish Embassy and take the necessary steps accordingly without any further delay (…)”
(I/Ts.)
6. Food that comes from Africa to the occupied area of Cyprus in packages is reportedly a threat for causing Ebola
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (14.08.14) reports that dried fish and food are included in packages coming especially from African countries to the occupied area of Cyprus. The employees at the “post office” have reportedly absolutely no safety against diseases, which could be contaminated through air or contact. “Food and clothes are continuously entering into the country from African countries”, notes Kibrisli.
The chairwoman of the Turkish Cypriot Physicians’ Union, Filiz Besim said that the issue has come to their agenda for the first time and could not hide her surprise. She noted that the Ebola virus could be spread through food and added that they will immediately get into action.
The so-called director of the “post office department”, Dogan Emiroglulari told the paper that the packages from Africa and Nigeria come to the occupied area of Cyprus through Istanbul, where these are opened. He expressed the view that it is not possible for the Ebola virus enter the occupied area of Cyprus through the post.
Emine Gulluelli, director of the so-called basic health services department, said that they are continuing their meetings regarding the measures to be taken against Ebola. She noted that the employees at the post office should wear gloves for security reasons and added that new measures could be taken on this issue.
(I/Ts.)
7. Uncompleted occupied church of Apostolos Loucas, became a place for homeless persons
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.08.14) reports that the Church of Apostolos Loucas, located in the area of occupied Famagusta, which was not completed due to the 1974 Turkey’s invasion to Cyprus, became a place for homeless persons.
According to the paper, various Greek Cypriots who visit the area are disturbed by this, adding that the persons living in the area say that there are garbage and grass inside the church.
8. More on AKP internal developments after Erdogan’s election to Presidency
Under the title “Erdogan starts reshaping politics from his party”, Murat Yetkin writes in Hurriyet Daily News (14.08.14):
“[…] The latest indications in Ankara show that the emergency congress of the Justice and Development party (AKP) on Aug. 27 will be a stage for a conceptual shift in the administrative layers of the Party, where the Party’s veterans will be replaced by a younger generation who will be more loyal to Erdogan himself and the “cause.”
[…]
Erdogan’s plan was to pick the chairman on Aug. 27, take the office from Gul on Aug. 28 and immediately give the position to the newly elected chairman to form the new Cabinet and become the new Prime Minister with the new President. And Gul’s move, who stated that it was natural for him to return to AKP, was indirectly asking him if he could have the Congress after Aug. 28, so that he could be a member of the Party, be a candidate in the congress with the chance of being elected chairman and perhaps Prime Minister afterward.
There are reports that Gul’s statement had immediate echoes in the Party meeting and some members of the old guard, including Bulent Arinc and Besir Atalay, Deputy Prime Ministers, raised concerns about the way the “rookies” treat veterans like Gul. Those members are among some 70 MPs who cannot be a candidate to be re-elected from the AK Party list in the next parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2015, because of a three-term rule. When asked during one of Gul’s farewell receptions on the evening of Aug. 12 at the Presidential Palace, to be Erdogan’s new place soon, he said Gul would be welcomed to the Party, but after the congress; an indirect and polite way of saying “No, not now.”
Will Gul try to join the Party again after the congress, will he be able to urge them for another before the parliamentary elections and could he be elected chairman if that congress takes place, or will he simply set up a new party together with those to be off of Erdogan’s new list? […]”
9. After resignation calls, CHP leader challenges intra-party opponents
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (14.08.14) reports that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has entered another troubled period after their failure in presidential election. Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu harshly criticized Deputies who are calling on him to immediately resign.
Speaking to the Cumhuriyet daily on Wednesday, Kilicdaroglu described the intra-party opposition, led by Ankara Deputy Emine Ulker Tarhan, as people with sick mind-sets, adding, "The CHP's grassroots is uneasy with their roaring. I should state with sadness that I am the one who brought most of these colleagues into politics. If a mistake is to be sought, then the mistake should be sought with me as the person who brought them [to the party]."
"They are not the ones who brought me to the leadership of the CHP, why should I have to resign at their request? It is written in our charter under what conditions a congress can be assembled. If they are strong enough to collect a sufficient number of signatures, I am here to be challenged by them," Kilicdaroglu said.
10. HRW claims Turkey saw erosion of human rights as Erdogan gained power
Turkish Today’s Zaman (14.08.14) writes that the international rights watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday that Turkey has seen a very real erosion of human rights and the rule of law over the past two years as President-elect and incumbent Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has consolidated power.
“If the days of military tutelage in Turkey are thankfully over, that doesn't yet mean that Turkey has a government that is fully accountable to the people or a justice system that is independent and can guarantee that the law applies to everyone,” Emma Sinclair-Webb, a senior researcher on Turkey from HRW said in a written statement.
Sinclair-Webb said that since a corruption scandal broke out in Turkey in December 2013, Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) have sought to change laws to suit their own agenda and muzzle social media.
11. US clears air missiles sales to Turkish army
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (14.08.14) writes that the US State Department has cleared the way to sell $320-million air-to-air missiles to Turkey, as part of latter’s efforts to boost its security amid rising regional threats
Turkey has requested 145 advanced medium- range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment from US arms maker Raytheon.
The U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced that the State Department has approved a possible sale to Turkey for AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM missiles from Raytheon and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $320 million, a statement released by the agency on its website said.
Turkey has requested 145 AMRAAMs, 10 missile guidance sections, and 40 LAU-129 launchers, containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, integration activities, publications and technical documentation, test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor logistics, engineering and technical support and other related elements or logistical and program support.
The statement said the sale was consistent with the “U.S. national interests of assisting its NATO ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense.”
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
