TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 146/14 07.08.14
1. Ozersay: Some problems exist in the Cyprus talks,
but finding a way out is possible
2. CTP’s “deputy” Abbas Sinay resigns from the party
3. Measures by the breakaway regime against the Ebola
virus
4. Bakirci allegedly not knew the problems of visiting
Marseille on the expenses of a private firm; AKP is believed to be behind him
5. Participation of the breakaway regime in events
abroad
6. A plot in the occupied part of Nicosia was given to
Ankara Anatolia news agency
7. GalipMendi is appointed as the commander of the
Aegean Army
8. 1,600 persons will visit the occupied village of
Kokkina
9. Erdogan complains of being called 'even uglier
things, Armenian'
1. Ozersay: Some problems exist in the Cyprus talks, but
finding a way out is possible
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.08.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
negotiator, KudretOzersay has said that
some problems exist in the negotiating process for finding a solution to the
Cyprus problem, but finding a way out is possible. In statements to Kibris,
Ozersay argued that the second stage in
the negotiations has ended, and alleged that President Anastasiades puts some
conditions for the commencement of the third stage and refrains from announcing
the agreements reached between the negotiators on the issue of the Confidence
Building Measures (CBM).
The
paper writes that the negotiations came into deadlock after the meeting held
between the leaders on 24 July and that no development is expected on the
Cyprus problem until the UN General Assembly opening session in September.
Ozersay alleged that a precondition which leads the process into deadlock
is the Greek Cypriot side’s allegedly not accepting the convergences achieved
between the two sides until today and wanting to list the issues on which the
sides think that convergence exists, instead of passing into the give and
takeprocess which is the third stage of the
negotiations. “It is not possible for
the Turkish Cypriot side to accept such a precondition”, he said and argued that the principle that “nothing is
agreed until everything is agreed” does in no way provide a basis for the Greek
Cypriot side to reject the convergences of the past. “Efforts are exerted
to present the precondition which the Greek Cypriot side wants as something
procedural, but it is definitely not such a thing”, he claimed.
Ozersay
alleged that what the Greek Cypriots want is for the sides to be able to
unilaterally change the agreements of the past, choose among them whatever they
like and put aside whatever they do not like.
Ozersay
argued that negotiating by putting preconditions will be useful in nothing else
except for delaying the process and it is an approach which should be
questioned.
Ozersay
said that the UN is now trying to overcome the difficulties through various
channels and added that the UN’s and the negotiators’ duty is to overcome these
difficulties. “We are trying to overcome
this problem with an agreement that could be reached without losing the
agreements of the past”, he argued.
Ozersay
noted that it is out of the question for
the Turkish Cypriot side to accept the accumulation of so many years spent in
the negotiations to come to a zero. “Therefore, we have to find a way out”, he
said adding that “a finding a mid-point, a way out somehow is possible”.
Meanwhile,
in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi newspaper (07.08.14), in
case it is decided, the crossing point in occupied Apliki area near Lefka could
open in 15 days. He argued that this
crossing point should be evaluated as a CBM alone and added that opening the
crossing point unilaterally could harm the negotiating process. Ozersay
said this is one of the first issues raised by the Turkish Cypriot side and
argued that when they did this they came face to face with the precondition
that they should accept the opening of other crossing points in return of
opening Apliki.
(I/Ts.)
2. CTP’s “deputy” Abbas Sinay resigns from the party
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (07.08.14) reports that Abbas Sinay, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party –
United Forces (CTP-BG) in occupied Keryneia area, has surprisingly resigned
from his party.
Under
the title “Shocking resignation”, the paper writes that Sinay submitted yesterday his resignation directly to the “speaker’ of
the “assembly” and not to the chairman of the CTP. Sinay made no official
statement on the issue. After Sinay’s resignation, the number of CTP’s “seats” in the “assembly” will fall to 20.
KutlayErk, general secretary of the CTP, stated that no
resignation by Sinay reached the competent organs of the party.
“We love and respect Mr Abbas”, he said and added: “There is dissatisfaction.
We are discussing with our colleagues how we can solve this dissatisfaction and
we are trying to solve the crisis”.
Turkish
Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (07.08.14) reports that according to some
sources from the CTP, Sinay is very
annoyed from the incidents that happened within the party during the “municipal
elections”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Measures by the breakaway regime against the Ebola virus
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 06.08.14), the Ebola virus which has
become a big threat in Africa was evaluated by a working group formed by the
so-called health ministry.
Officials
from the “health ministry”, experts on infectious diseases, members of the
infection control committee and academics from the “Near East University’s
Clinical Microbiology and Infection Department” evaluated the risks of an
outbreak of the Ebola virus in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The
working group agreed on taking several precautions on the issue.
The
statement issued by the “health ministry” pointed out that no one carrying the
Ebola virus or any suspicious death with symptoms of Ebola virus has been
reported in the “TRNC” so far. It also said that those who came to the
“country” from epidemic regions of West Africa and who made contact with
persons who had the virus could be infected. It however stated that the risk of
infection was quite low if general measures were adopted.
“Only
those who have had close contact with infected people or wild animals are under
risk. On the other hand, not everyone who comes from Africa is under risk” the
statement added. The “ministry” also advised “citizens” not to visit these
countries unless truly necessary.
On
the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.08.14) reports that the
Turkish Cypriot medical association (KTTB), in a written statement yesterday,
proposed to the breakaway regime what measures should be taken in order to
protect against the Ebola virus.
The
association suggested that thermal cameras should be installed at all the
illegal entries of the breakaway regime. These should monitor the travellers
from the African countries, because the virus can appear later.
4. Bakirci allegedly not knew the problems of visiting
Marseille on the expenses of a private firm; AKP is believed to be behind him
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (07.08.14) reports that OzkanYorgancioglu, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the so-called minister of environment and natural
resources, HamitBakirci visited him yesterday and reported on his recent visit
to Marseille on the expenses of a private company.
Yorgancioglu
said that Bakirci told him that he had
“no bad intentions”, but now he is experiencing the result of accepting an
invitation, which he did because he is new in politics and did not know the
problems that would be caused by this. Yorgancioglu noted that Bakirci told
him that his contacts had a positive result and that he found out how the
damage caused by the stone quarries could be rehabilitated. According to Bakirci, this company will
visit the occupied area of Cyprus in September-October, inspect all the stone
quarries and rehabilitate one of them free of charge.
Yorgancioglu
replied to the allegations that the “permits” of this company will be extended.
He said that the previous “government” had given permission to this company to
export 250 thousand tons of gypsum annually. He noted that when they came to
“power” they said that they would not renew this “permit”. “The company concerned said it had
connections and asked for the extension of its permit for a while for
fulfilling its obligations”, he noted adding that after this, they renewed the company’s “permit” six
months ago on the condition that the production would remain under 250 thousand
tons.
Meanwhile,
the reactions against Bakirci continue. Afrika reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, general secretary of
the United Cyprus Party (BKP), asked for the removal of Bakirci from his duties,
due to his visit to Marseille. He
described as an “unacceptable scandal” and “bribery” the fact that the expenses
of Bakirci’s delegation were covered by a private company.
In its “Afrika’danMektup” [Letter from Afrika] column,
the paper writes that the permit to this foreign company was granted by the
former National Unity Party (UBP) “government” and wonders which this firm is.
“Why does its name is not mentioned
anywhere”, wonders Afrika pointing out that both Yorgancioglu and Bakirci
referred to “the firm” without mentioning its name. Referring to the
possibility of HamitBakirci being removed from his duties, the paper argues that Bakirci, just like TurgayAvci in the past, is
“Ankara’s favorite”. “Who can touch him, since he is the favorite of Tayyip
Erdogan, who is preparing to declare his Sultanate in Ankara”, wonders the
paper adding: “OzkanYorgancioglu’s power
is not enough for removing Bakirci from duty. Since he could not settle even
the issue of a police general director, will he settle this?”
Moreover,
Turkish Cypriot columnist TayfunCagra
also refers to Bakirci in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (07.08.14) under the title “The new politician Bakirci!” Cagra
recalls of an allegation about Bakirci he had published on 10 September 2013,
ten days after the establishment of the current self-styled government. According to this allegation, the AK Party
government supported five persons in occupied Trikomo area during the
“parliamentary elections” held in the occupied area of Cyprus last year. “It is
said that one of them is the current environment minister HamitBakirci.
Bakirci did not remain only at entering into the parliament, but with AKP’s
wish, he was appointed environment minister, in a manner that directly
interests Karpasia”, wrote Cagra then.
(I/Ts.)
5. Participation of the breakaway regime in events abroad
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (07.08.14), the so-called gazette of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, in its latest
issue, writes that the “director of police forces” SenayKepabci” will attend
the international Women Police Conference hosted by the Ministry of Interior of
Pakistan from October 13-15, 2014 at Islamabad in collaboration with the Gender
Responsive Policing (GRP) Project, jointly implemented by the National Police
Bureau (NPB) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur InternationaleZusammenarbeit
(GIZ).
Meanwhile,
the paper also reports that the self-styled ministry of economy, tourism,
culture and sports will represent the breakaway regime at the IFTM Top Resa
2014 (International French Travel Market), which will be held in Paris from
September 23 to September 26, 2014.
6. A plot in the occupied part of Nicosia was given to Ankara
Anatolia news agency
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (07.08.14), the so-called gazette of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, in its latest
issue, writes that the so-called council of ministers has decided to give for
use for a period of 20 years a plot in the occupied part of Nicosia to the
Ankara Anatolia news agency.
7. GalipMendi is appointed as the commander of the Aegean Army
According
to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 07.08.14), the Supreme Military Council
(YAS), which meets every August to decide dismissals and promotions in the
military, has completed its convention this year with no unexpected decisions.
Thirty-seven
generals and admirals were promoted; 43 generals were retried and the term in
office of 34 generals and admirals was extended in the YAŞ meeting chaired by
Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan on Tuesday. Fifty-one colonels were promoted
to general or admiral.
The
promotions of 192 generals to admirals were discussed at this year's YAS, which
ended its work after meeting for 10 hours.
ServetYoruk,
head of the Gendarmerie General Command, was replaced by Gen. Abdullah Atay,
formerly the commander of the Aegean Army.
Chief
of General Staff Gen. NecdetOzel is due to retire in 2015. Land Force Commander
Gen. HulusiAkar, Air Force Commander Gen. Akin Ozturk and Naval Forces
Commander Adm. BulentBostanoglu will continue their duties.
Commander of the 2nd Army Gen. GalipMendi was appointed as the
commander of the Aegean Army at this year's YAS.
SalihZekiColak, the commander of the Education and Doctrine Command (EDOK), was
appointed as the 1st Army commander. Gen. KamilBasoglu, head of the 9th Army
Corps, was appointed to head EDOK. AdemHuduti, the logistics commander of the
Land Forces Command, was appointed as the commander of the 2nd Army. Gen. Abdullah
Recep was promoted as commander of the War Academies from his former post as
the commander of the 7th Army Corps.
AbidinUnal,
head of the 1st Air Force, was appointed to head the Combat Air Force and Air
Missile Defence Command.
Eleven
generals who were tried and released in the trial regarding the Sledgehammer
coup d'état plot were all retired, although Adm. Deniz Cora, Air Gen. Turgut
Atman, Adm. AhmetSinanErtugrul, Gen. AyhanGumus, Gen. Gurbuz Kaya, Air Gen.
BulentKocababuc, Adm. Abdullah Gavremoglu, Adm. Ali SadiUnsal, Adm. Fahri Can
Yildirim, Air Gen. Mehmet Erdem and Air Gen. KubilayBaloglu were awaiting
promotions. Another person who had been released in the Sledgehammer trial was
KubilayBaloglu, an air force general, who had earlier asked to retire.
8. 1,600 persons will visit the occupied village of Kokkina
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (07.08.14), 1,600 persons from the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus will cross tomorrow to the government controlled
area of the Republic of Cyprus to visit the occupied village of Kokkina to
“celebrate” the bombing of the north-west area of Tylliria by Turkish military
jets in August 1964.
During
the ceremony, Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, self-styled mayor of
KokkinaMesut Yikici and the chairman of “Kokkina fighters association”
KutlayKeco will deliver speeches.
9. Erdogan complains of being called 'even uglier things,
Armenian'
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
06.08.14) with the above title reported that Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan has sparked a fresh debate while
trying to defend himself for labelling his opponents according to their
minority religious or ethnic identity.
“They
have also said a lot of things about me. One of them came and said I was a
Georgian. Then another came up and, I beg your pardon, called me uglier things,
saying I was Armenian,” Erdogan said during a live interview on August 5,
adding that he was a purebred Turk.
“What
I have learned from my grandfather, my father and all of them is that I am
Turk. That’s it,” he said in remarks that have caused great controversy.
The Turkish Prime Minister has repeated several times during his
campaign that main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal
Kilicdaroglu is an Alevi, Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) candidate
SelahattinDemirtas is a Zaza-origin Kurd, and the CHP and other parties’
candidate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is “not even a native” for being born in Egypt,
albeit to Turkish parents. During his speeches, Erdogan has
consistently reminded the nation’s populace that he is a “Sunni.”
His
comments triggered accusations of sectarianism, causing a backlash on social
media and prompting the left-leaning daily BirGun to bitingly respond with the
front-page headline: “Kilicdaroglu is Alevi, Demirtas is Zaza, Ihsanoglu is
Egyptian and you are a thief.”
But
Erdogan argued during his interview that no one should hesitate to unveil his
identity.
“Let
everyone say what he is. An Alevi citizen can come to me and say, ‘I am Alevi,’
without any problem. Why it is considered discrimination when Sunnis say ‘I am
Sunni.’ Kurds could not say so for years. Can’t now my Kurdish brother say, ‘I
am a Kurd?’ So let the Turks say, ‘I am a Turk,’” Erdogan said.
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