TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 152/14 15-18. 08.14
1. Eroglu: “We want for the TRNC to be permanent”
2. Ozersay: "Give-Take" phase should start in September
3. Erdogan to hold his first trip abroad as Turkey’s President, in the occupied area of Cyprus; Comments by Eroglu, Nami and Ozgurgun
5. A book written by the late Turkish Cypriot leader Dr Fazil Kucuk in 1957 shows the Turkish plans for the division of Cyprus
6. “The “students’ contribution” to the economy of the occupation regime is totally 2 billion 243 million TL”
7. The profitability of the banking sector increased by 8.88% in the occupied area of Cyprus
8. Objects dated from the Bronze age were found during excavation near occupied Galinoporni
9. Next Turkish PM and AKP leader to be announced on August 21
10. Commentary argues that Davutoglu will be the next Prime Minister of Turkey and views potential members of his Cabinet
11. Turkey's main opposition to decide future leader
12. Ocalan reportedly stated that the 30 year old conflict between Turkey and the PKK is about to come to an end with recent talks
1. Eroglu: “We want for the TRNC to be permanent”
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (17.08.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has argued that the Greek Cypriots want Agios Sergios village and another four villages in the same area in order for agreeing to a solution. In statements on Saturday during a festival in occupied Agios Sergios village said that he does not carry out the negotiations on the Cyprus problem by ignoring their so-called state. “We want for the TRNC to be permanent”, he added pointing out that Cyprus “hosted a lot of kingdoms” and today the island is passing through what he calls the “TRNC period” which they want to be permanent.
Eroglu argued: “There are some realities now. Given that an agreement ignoring these realities will not be possible, we will [continue] putting the realities onto the table just like we have been doing until now”.
Eroglu alleged that the demands of the Greek Cypriots continuously increase at the negotiating table and addressing the inhabitants of occupied Agios Sergios village said: “They want your village too and four villages in this area. They left the south part of the road and they want the northern part as well”.
Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriots should act “by seeing the realities of the island” and argued that the Turkish Cypriot side acts by taking into consideration the rights of the two “peoples” and the “realities” on the island.
Eroglu said that in case the negotiations have no result, they will evaluate the situation with the Turkish Cypriot “people”, the “government” and “motherland Turkey” in order for determining a way of action. “However”, he alleged, “the final target today is reaching an agreement”.
Meanwhile, Halkin Sesi reports also that addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the occupation of Lefka village, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots “prolonged their hand of friendship and peace and we are waiting for the Greek Cypriot side”. “Let them either come and let us agree and solve this issue, or let them stop putting obstacles in our way and being unfair to us”, he claimed.
Eroglu said that they are in favor of strengthening with an agreement with their Greek Cypriot neighbors the existing peace environment on the island. He also alleged that hopes that the Greek Cypriots will choose the path of an agreement, if the UN and the EU “follow the right path” and say that they could take some decisions. Otherwise, he claimed, if the Greek Cypriot side is left alone, if the realities are not shown and said to it, expecting that an agreement will be reached soon in Cyprus, is tantamount to daydreaming.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ozersay: "Give-Take" phase should start in September
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (16.08.14) reported that Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay has stated that the appropriate time is September for the “give and take” phase which he refers to as the “real negotiation”.
Speaking to Kibris Postasi, Ozersay stated that in September the negotiations could reach the “give and take” phase, alleging the following: “No matter how slow the south side takes it, active participation of the United Nations and international actors will bring the negotiations smoothly to a conclusion. Both sides’ requests are obvious. Which side will not abandon which parts and which parts would be approached with flexibility is bluntly visible. If there is going to be a “give and take” phase the most appropriate time will be September.”
“In short notice it might seem that the time is for the benefit of south Cyprus but in the middle/long run we are all going to lose, “ said Ozersay, adding that too much time has already passed. “The Greek Cypriots should communicate this view to the different sections of the Greek Cypriot society. As long as the Greek Cypriot leaders refuse to give this message, and behave in a populist way, there will be no positive steps taken towards confidence building measures and a comprehensive solution,” he said.
3. Erdogan to hold his first trip abroad as Turkey’s President, in the occupied area of Cyprus; Comments by Eroglu, Nami and Ozgurgun
Under the front-page title: “It is an important gesture”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.08.14) reported that Turkey’s Prime Minister and chairman of the Justice and Development (AKP) Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been elected as the 12 President of the Republic of Turkey, has stated during a ceremony organized in Turkey for the 13rd anniversary of the establishment of the AKP party, that the first trip he will hold abroad as soon as he will undertake his duties, will be in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Evaluating to the paper Erdogan’s statements, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said: “This visit is an indicator of the worth given to our people. As a tradition, all Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Minister of our motherland, carry out their first visit in the TRNC. In this manner, they want to show to the international community that they recognize the TRNC. They show their esteem. We are honored by this and we are pleased. (…)”.
Also, commenting on Erdogan statements, the so-called foreign minister Ozdil Nami said that Erdogan’s statement that his first trip abroad will be the “TRNC” is not only of symbolic importance but also “is an important gesture showing the extend of the importance given to the Turkish Cypriots”.
Meanwhile, in his statements on the issue, the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), Huseyin Ozgurgun said that beside of being a tradition, Erdogan’s first trip visit to the “TRNC” is very important for them and also an honor. “This visit indicates that the motherland is always by our side, it is an important message”, Ozgurgun said.
Furthermore, a known source close to the occupation regime’s “government”, commenting on the issue, stated that this kind of visits, besides of being traditional, are also very important from the point that they show the importance that Erdogan gives to the “TRNC” and to the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Also, a retired diplomat has stated to the paper that Erdogan’s first trip to Cyprus is important because it shows the importance that Turkey gives for the Cyprus problem and the Turkish Cypriots and also it sent an important message for the “Greek Cypriot administration”.
(AK)
4. So-called interior minister announced the preparation of the “Immigration amnesty law”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (15.08.14) reported that the so-called minister of interior and local administration Teberruken Ulucay, in statements to a program broadcast by Kibris TV, has said, inter alia that they will implement the “immigration amnesty” for the unregistered foreigners who are living in the occupied area of Cyprus and stressed that they will reduce to the minimum wage the debts of those who have to pay penalties.
Stating that the “citizenship law” has been dispatched to the “assembly”, he added that they are planning to launch this implementation on October, as soon as it is approved by the “assembly.
Explained that they had already prepared a new “draft bill” on the “citizenships”, Ulucay said that the “bill” will bring a new system concerning the “citizenship” issue.
According to Ulucay, those who have completed the fifth year of their “working permission”, will be given in the sixth year the “white card”. Also, those who use the “white card” for five years will be able to take the “citizenship” while completing 11 years in the occupation regime. An addition provision in the “draft bill” indicates that those who stay in the occupied area of Cyprus for more than 11 years will become automatically “citizens” of the “TRNC”.
Ulucay added that according to the accounts they made taking into consideration the 10 annual increases of the number of “voters”, every year, 700-750 persons will be able to become “citizens” of the “TRNC”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.08.14) in its column “Afrika’dan mektup-Letter from Afrika”,commented on statements by the so-called interior minister regarding the preparation of the “Immigration Amnesty law” and writes that it is undoubtedly prepared under the instructions of Ankara.
According to the paper, all the unregistered and illegals in the “TRNC” will be given the legal status on condition that they will pay the minimum wage that is 1,530 TL. At the same time, writes the paper, they will have other rights and advantages, since they will be legalized without being necessary for them to go abroad. Also, those who have left the “country” will have the right to return back and bring their families as well.
In other words, writes the paper, with the implementation of the “law” a chance will be given to everybody in exchange for money to be granted the “citizenship”.
(AK)
5. A book written by the late Turkish Cypriot leader Dr Fazil Kucuk in 1957 shows the Turkish plans for the division of Cyprus
Under the title “The map of 1957”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (17.08.14) reports that a book published in October 1957 by the late Turkish Cypriot leader Dr Fazil Kucuk under the title “The Cyprus question, A permanent solution” is the proof that the dividing line in Cyprus was actually drawn in 1957 and not in 1974.
Noting that Cyprus was divided in 1957 and not in 1974, the paper writes that Kucuk published the book under capacity of “the chairman of the Cyprus is Turkish Party”. In the introduction of the book, Kucuk writes that the book is dedicated to those who want a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, which had allegedly been artificially created by Greece “with the aim of expanding its borders by ignoring the rights of its neighbors”.
In the introduction of the book, the British Colony Minister writes that the Turkish Cypriots are right to worry about their future and that they are a minority, but their “motherland” is only 40 miles away, while Greece, the “motherland” of the Greek Cypriots, is hundreds of miles away.
Afrika publishes on its front page the map included in the above-mentioned book.
(I/Ts.)
6. “The “students’ contribution” to the economy of the occupation regime is totally 2 billion 243 million TL”
Under the front-page title: “The “students’ contribution” to the economy is totally 2 billion 243 million TL”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (17.08.14) reported on figures published by the “Aid Delegation of the embassy of the Turkish Republic in Lefkosia”, concerning the “2013 Economic situation report” of the occupation regime, and writes that according to the figures, the total expenditure for the students coming from third countries, together with the students from Turkey and the students from the “TRNC” during 2013 in the Higher Education Sector, which contributes seriously to the economy of the occupied regime, has reached to 2 billion, 243 million TL.
According to the report, the total contribution to the economy by students coming from abroad during 2013 has reached to 1 billion 800 million TL.
Also, the annual expenditure of a student has defined to be 37 thousand 759 TL.
Meanwhile, according to the paper, the number of students who study in the “universities” in the occupied area of Cyprus during the 2013-2014 academic year was 62 thousand 726. This figure has been increase by 13% compared with the number of students of the previous academic year. Students from totally 108 different countries besides Turkey follow their studies at the “universities” of the occupation regime, writes the paper.
In the report it is underlined the need for the “improvement of the education quality” in order for the Higher Education Sector’s contribution to the economy of the occupation regime, to be increased.
(AK)
7. The profitability of the banking sector increased by 8.88% in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.08.14) reports that the profitability of the banking sector in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus increased by 8.88% in the first half of 2014 compared with the same period of 2013. According to data of the so-called central bank, the total profit of the banks in the occupied area of Cyprus reached 117 million 781 thousand Turkish liras (TL). The profits of the banks in the end of the second half of 2013 had been 108 million 168 thousand TL.
The profits of the banks before taxation increased by 10.81% in the second half of 2014 comparing with the same period of 2013 and reached 147.7 million TL from 133.3 million TL.
The income of the banks from the interest rates increased by 19.66% in the above-mentioned period. It rose to 603.5 million TL in the first half of 2014 from 504.3 million TL in the first half of 2013. The expenses from the interest rates also increase by 21.41% reaching 345.6 million TL.
The income of the banks from other sources except for the interest rates was around 125.2 million TL showing an increase of 17.86% in the first six months of 2014. The total expenses of the banks, excluding the interest rates, increased by 17.79% comparing to the same period of the past year and reached 210.1 million TL.
(I/Ts.)
8. Objects dated from the Bronze age were found during excavation near occupied Galinoporni
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (15.08.14) reported that objects, dated from the Bronze age were found during excavation taking place in an area near occupied Galinoporni village.
The excavations are conducted by a team consisted of students from Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey. The excavations are organized by the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) and the German Tubingen University and are co- headed by Dr Martin Bartelhaim and Bulent Kizilduman.
9. Next Turkish PM and AKP leader to be announced on August 21
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (15.08.14) reported that President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will conclude his consultations regarding the party’s future leadership with Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials next week.
Erdogan also said that the next chairman and Prime Minister will be announced August 21, nearly a week before the presidential handover.
“We are going to hold our Central Executive Board [MYK] meeting next Thursday [Aug. 21]. We’ll discuss this issue again there. We’ll declare the common individual to be determined by our party’s relevant bodies after this meeting,” Erdogan told journalists late August 14 on the side-lines of a reception held at the AKP headquarters on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the foundation of the party. August 21’s meeting will be decisive in selecting the AKP’s next chairman, and thus the next Prime Minister. The party will hold its extraordinary convention on August 27 to officially elect the next chairman, a day before Erdogan takes the office from outgoing President Abdullah Gul.
Erdogan will take his presidential oath on August 28 and said he will give the mandate for the formation of the new government to the new Prime Minister on August 29. The next chairman will take the party to the 2015 parliamentary elections and then the party’s ordinary convention will be held in late 2015, Erdogan stressed. Replying to a question, Erdogan dismissed concerns regarding the party’s future in his absence, but said there could always be an attempt to weaken the party, adding “Measures should be taken not to give any chance to those attempts.”
10. Commentary argues that Davutoglu will be the next Prime Minister of Turkey and views potential members of his Cabinet
Turkish daily Milliyet (17.08.14) publishes and article by Nagehan Alci under the title: “The new names of the Davutoglu Cabinet” and writes that the current Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will be the next Prime Minister of Turkey. The article goes as follows:
“[…] The AKP [Justice and Development Party] will hold a special convention on 27 August to elect Ahmet Davutoglu as the next general chairman of the party and the next Prime Minister. Senior figures in the AKP have agreed that “Tayyip Erdogan will be the leader of the party and Davutoglu will be its general chairman.” The question before us is this: Who will be the new names in Davutoglu’s cabinet?
Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus
Numan Kurtulmus will be one of the new members of the new cabinet. His appointment as Deputy Prime Minister is considered certain. Mr. Kurtulmus is a politician who may assume important responsibilities in Turkey’s future.[…]
Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan
Yalcin Akdogan’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister is also considered certain. Akdogan is a politician who took a very straight stand during the 17 and 25 December process. He was attacked for this reason but he never gave up. Now there is a very high probability that he will be included in the new cabinet. My opinion is that this will be an extremely correct choice.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
Hakan Fidan is the most talked about MIT [National Intelligence Organization] Undersecretary in Turkey’s history. His status is very important. Fidan has been serving as the de facto implementer of the policies of the Foreign Ministry. He is also the only charismatic personality who can fill the void that may be left by Davutoglu. No one in the state wants Fidan to step down as MIT Undersecretary. MIT, the General Staff, and the bureaucracy of the Foreign Ministry value Fidan very highly. This raises two possibilities: Fidan will either retain his strong position as MIT Undersecretary or he will be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for MIT or foreign minister. Fidan will retain control of all coordination related to the solution process. In some sense, he will be the No. 2 man in the new government. I think that the second option is more likely.
These are the new names in the cabinet. So who will be removed? […]
Besir Atalay
Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay argued most strongly and insistently that Abdullah Gul must immediately succeed Erdogan as Prime Minister. The truth is that, technically, Gul has no chance of becoming Prime Minister until fresh elections are held. Also, the idea of Gul qualifying to serve as Prime Minister [by being elected to parliament in] Bayburt is unbecoming for Gul’s ethics. (In any event, Mr. Gul never favoured this option.) Atalay has reportedly taken a position of “not serving in the cabinet if Gul does not become Prime Minister.” If this is the case, Atalay may not be included in the cabinet at his own wish.
Ali Babacan
Babacan is one of the rare persons who has had a cabinet position in the AKP government since the party took office. He is known for his honesty and hard work. Recently, a rift developed between the Prime Minister and Babacan over their perspectives for the economy. Regardless, Babacan still enjoys the trust of both Erdogan and the business world. He is also highly respected across the world. Because his departure from the economic management team would create many problems, Babacan will not lose his seat in the cabinet. On the other hand, Babacan will have to work harmoniously with the economic policy Erdogan has in mind. […]”
11. Turkey's main opposition to decide future leader
Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.08.14) reported that Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), will hold an extraordinary congress on September 5-6 to decide who will take the helm of the party after its poor performance in the August 10 presidential election, the party's spokesman said Sunday.
Haluk Koc, who is also the party's Deputy Chair, said the central executive board decided to meet following a call by Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the party. The decision came five days after several lawmakers in the party held a press conference to suggest the removal of Kilicdaroglu as chairman.
CHP's Ankara lawmaker Emine Ulker Tarhan called on Kilicdaroglu to resign and to call an extraordinary party meeting, citing their candidate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu's poorer-than-expected performance in the first-direct presidential election. On Friday, Kilicdaroglu agreed to hold the congress at which his future is likely to be top of the agenda.
Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (17.08.14) reported that former CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal, who is orchestrating the moves of the dissidents, is believed to be pushing Yalova Deputy Muharrem İnce, an outspoken and ambitious politician, for the leadership.
“A new executive team that has not made mistakes in the past should be appointed. A fresh management should be brought forward,” Baykal said over the weekend.
12. Ocalan reportedly stated that the 30 year old conflict between Turkey and the PKK is about to come to an end with recent talks
Turkish daily Sabah (18.08.14) reports that the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan has reportedly told a delegation of pro-Kurdish Deputies that the 30 year old conflict between Turkey and the PKK is about to come to an end with recent talks,
Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) parliamentarians Pervin Buldan, Idris Baluken and Sirri Sureyya Onder, visited Ocalan on Imrali island on Friday, where Ocalan reportedly said, according to a written statement by the HDP that "the 30-year war is at a phase of an ending via democratic talks."
Ocalan's statement came on the same day that the Turkish Deputy PM Besir Atalay said that the reconciliation process, which aims to disarm the PKK and end the decades-long conflict, is rapidly developing and the Turkish government intends to complete the road map for the process by September. "We are experiencing a phase with large effects and results. This period is offering historic opportunities based on peace and freedoms that could create a model for solving heavy problems not only in Turkey but also the region," Ocalan said, adding that nearly 10% that HDP candidate Selahhadin Demirtas received in the presidential election, was a "warranty for peace and brotherhood."
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