TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 169/14 10.09.14
1.Nami evaluated his contacts in London; He announced that his scheduled visit to Brussels is postponed
2. Ozersay expressed support for Nami’s contacts in the UK
3. Davutoglu’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus reportedly to take place on September 16th
4. Interview by the EU Minister on Turkey’s EU accession process; “We will not accept demands about Cyprus that appear to be a blackmail”
5. Eroglu met with the occupied Lefka Platform; The Platform demanded the opening of occupied Apliki crossing point
6. Izcan: “Dervis Eroglu is spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs”
7. Turkish Cypriot daily says US diplomat’s references to Espen Barth Eide were “not good at all”
8. Israeli columnist argues that there should be direct flights from Israel to the breakaway regime
9. Turkey joins anti-ISIL coalition, opens Incirlik for logistics operations
10. Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to attend talks in Saudi Arabia on the rising of terrorism in the Middle East
11. New generation missiles to boost Turkey’s air firepower
12.The Turkish Parliament approves legislation expanding the Telecommunication Authority’ power
13. Pope Francis will reportedly visit Turkey at the end of November
1.Nami evaluated his contacts in London; He announced that his scheduled visit to Brussels is postponed
According to illegal Bayrak television (09.09.14) the so-called foreign minister Ozdil Nami completed his contacts in the British capital of London.
Evaluating his contacts to illegal BRT, Nami stated that he had an intensive program during the visit.
During his contacts in London, Nami gave information on the course of the negotiations process.
Explaining that he had a meeting with the British Justice Minister Simon Hughes on the first day of his visit, Nami said that he expressed the need for Britain to take on a more active role and contribute positively towards the settlement of the Cyprus problem.
He also asked the British Minister not to remain silent over the Greek Cypriot side’s activities which aimed, as he alleged, at manipulating the negotiations process.
Noting that as part of his contacts in London he also came together with the British Minister in charge of European Affairs David Lidington, Nami said that the reasons for the lack of progress achieved after the joint declaration were discussed during this meeting.
Explaining that they exchanged views on what are the responsibilities of Britain and the EU, Nami said that he had raised the issue of the EU’s failure to keep its promises to the Turkish Cypriots and the lifting of the “isolations” imposed on them during the meeting.
Nami added that he also held a fruitful meeting with the Foreign Minister of the shadow cabinet.
As part of his other contacts in London, Nami gave interviews to several media organizations.
Meanwhile, Nami announced that his visit to Brussels which was to take place after his contacts in London, is postponed to a later date, adding that the postponement was because his EU contacts were away on a visit to Ukraine.
2. Ozersay expressed support for Nami’s contacts in the UK
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (09.09.14-online in English) reported that the Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Kudret Ozersay, expressed support through social media to the so-called foreign minister Ozdil Nami regarding the criticism Nami received from the Greek Cypriot media regarding his international contacts.
Ozersay stated that he found it strange that the Greek Cypriot political parties and newspapers reacted to the Turkish Cypriots’ voice being heard. “I am worried about the fact that the Greek Cypriots are annoyed by the Turkish Cypriots international contacts”, said Ozersay adding: “Why the Greek Cypriots feel annoyed when we try to express our thoughts and desires to other countries by international contacts? I am annoyed by this disturbance of the Greek Cypriot political parties, spokesmen and without exception all their newspapers”, Ozersay said.
3. Davutoglu’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus reportedly to take place on September 16th
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.09.14) reported that Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will pay his first visit abroad to the “TRNC” and Azerbaijan later this month, in line with the country's state traditions.
Sources from the Prime Ministry office told the state-run Anadolu Agency that
Davutoglu will visit the “TRNC” on September 16 and then Baku, Azerbaijan, on September 19-20.
Also, in line with the same customs, Erdogan's first itineraries abroad were to the “TRNC” and Azerbaijan in early September.
4. Interview by the EU Minister on Turkey’s EU accession process; “We will not accept demands about Cyprus that appear to be a blackmail”
Istanbul’s Yeni Safak Online in Turkish (09.09.14) published an interview with Minister in Charge of EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir under the title: "We Actually Opened the Chapters in Turkey". Following is the full text of the interview:
[Q] The announcement of your name as Minister for the EU brought with it a rather positive atmosphere from the standpoint of the process [presumably the EU accession process].
[A] As someone who served for 15 years as an Ambassador, and who has had high-level positions, to be a Minister does not express any great change for myself personally. But I do consider it important here for a person such as myself, who has devoted years to the EU process, to be appointed as the Minister. I have the view that, in this way, a message is being conveyed. The reactions that have come in this regard, both from Turkey and from EU circles, have been very positive. This increases yet further the responsibility I am taking on.
[Q] For years, the process of accession to the EU was on the agenda of politics. But with the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government, the process gained momentum. Why is EU membership so important?
[A] The issue is actually not just membership in the EU. This is, at the same time, a civilizational project. It is a matter that shows itself in every area of daily life, impacts people's quality of life and level of education, enables them to look with more hope toward the future, and brings important criteria in terms of democracy, human rights, and freedoms. For us to become a member would certainly be very wonderful. But even if membership does not eventuate in the next few years, the continuation of this process has made, and is going to make, contributions in our daily life, our economic life, and indeed in every area, ranging from the air we breathe to the food we eat, from education to health, and from agriculture to the water we drink.
[Q] How important is the issue of opening up chapters, or rather, what is the essentially important point?
[A] For the moment, rather than topics that make up the parts of the main scene, such as the date on which we will become an EU member or whether or not a given chapter is going to be opened or not, I want to work in connection with all the various aspects of this process. In the event of Turkey's coming to the level of being able to become a member, and we are definitely going to come to it within a few years, the EU will not have any such luxury as looking at the true picture of Turkey and then rejecting its membership. Because this is a question of mutual interests.
Subtitle: Young Population Our Greatest Advantage
[Q] You speak of mutual interests; what is the benefit that Turkey is going to derive from EU membership?
[A] In the past, the dream of Europe was a center of attraction. It was a platform that provided incredible economic advantages to those that became members. But the EU has now lost its character of being a center of attraction. If Turkey becomes a member of the EU, it will provide a serious contribution with its population, which is both young and industrious. There is no other country that could contribute as much as Turkey to the EU's ability to get over its own stagnation. This is in Europe's interests. The EU acquis is, in my view, one of the best bodies of law in the world. And Turkey is working to reach this acquis and this level. Turkey's interests, and the benefits it will gain, lie in this.
Subtitle: We Are Looking at Our Own Timing
[Q] Although 14 chapters are officially open, Turkey has in reality opened more chapters. What is the point that has now been reached in terms of the work on the chapters?
[A] When the opening of eight chapters was prevented for political reasons in 2006, we opened all the chapters in Turkey at the directive of our Prime Minister at the time, and our current President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan]. In the real table, Turkey has opened 28 chapters, and has finished 13 or 14 chapters. Tomorrow, if the EU says "let us open these chapters that were blocked for political reasons," we can open them within a few months because we have completed our work on them. We have both gained time and also, Turkey continued the negotiations process with its own timing, without regard to the timing of the EU.
[Q] What have the contributions of President Erdogan and Prime Minister [Ahmet] Davutoglu been in the EU process?
[A] They have been the locomotive of the EU process.
Subtitle: Visa-Free Travel Our Priority
[Q] When is travel without visas going to become possible?
[A] The visa issue is very much a priority issue for me. The Turkish people, having tripled their level of prosperity, now want to tour and see the European countries, and they want their children to get better education, and they want to promote their business relations. But they confront the visa wall. There is an image in terms of visas that the Turkish people do not deserve, and this needs to be remedied quickly. With the Readmission Agreement, an agreement was reached on the path to a complete lifting of visas. And the three-year period has begun. When the period is over, the visas will be completely eliminated.
[Q] Well, what if they are not eliminated?
[A] If the visas are not eliminated within six months after the completion of the period, it will be possible for us to cancel the Readmission Agreement.
Subtitle: We Will Not Accept Demands That Appear to be Blackmail
[Q] One of the ill-omened issues is the Cyprus issue. Every time the EU process comes onto the agenda, this topic also comes up. How is this issue going to be resolved?
[A] The Cyprus issue is a problem that has continued for about 50 years. But I sense that, this time, there is a strong desire for the elimination of the problem. Two important steps have been taken in this direction. Drinking water has been provided to the island from Turkey via a pipeline. This is also of great importance for the Greek Cypriot sector as well. In addition, if the natural gas reserves said to have been found are as rich as has been claimed, the distribution to world markets will only be possible via Turkey. These have appeared as new important factors. On the other hand, there stands, in the face of a bankrupt Southern Cyprus Greek Cypriot administration, a gigantic Turkey with all its resources and the contributions it can make to the island. I think that these three factors will be very important in terms of bringing about a solution.
[Q] How do you assess the linkage of the Cyprus issue to the EU process?
[A] We have always kept the EU process and bringing the Cyprus issue to a solution in separate baskets. Those who seek to establish such a connection have no rational grounds for it. We have fallen into the situation of being unable to open 18 chapters for so many years, and we are not in any position to be able to accept any demand henceforth in the EU process that appears to be blackmail related to Cyprus.
[Q] Can you expand a bit on this?
[A] In the past, when we were unable to open a chapter, the economy would be impacted, and there would be the worry that interest rates would rise and that the stock market would fall. We have opened one chapter in the past three years, and neither interest rates nor the market have been affected. This connection has now been broken. We opened the chapters in Turkey. The EU can open them if it wants, or not open them if it doesn't want. If, when we have finished them all, there are still chapters that the EU hasn't opened, that is up to the EU. There is nothing that Cyprus can get us to do through pressure in the EU process.
Subtitle: Societal Support Has Not Diminished
[Q] What is the stance of society in terms of the EU? What is the trend of support for it?
[A] In public opinion surveys, the proportion of those who absolutely do not want to join the EU is always less than 10 percent. The changing proportion in terms of those who support it is on account of those who are undecided. And the reason for being undecided can be understood, and remedied, very easily. When a positive step is taken, there is a decrease in the undecided group, and the supporters increase. For instance, following the positive messages that [EU Commission President Jose Manuel] Barroso gave during his Turkey visit, support rose by 17 percent in one day.
Subtitle: Lesson For Parallel Structure
[Q] The media extensions of the parallel structure [referring to the movement of Islamic sect leader Fethullah Gulen] have for some time now been seeking to portray Turkey in a negative light, particularly outside the country.
[A] An effort has been made by some people to put, rather than an accurate picture, other pictures before the Western and world community. I think that incidents that are not true last only as long as a burning matchstick. Indeed, this has been the case, and the facts have come out. Turkey has shown that it has the strength, with its nation, its democracy, and its established structures, to be able to withstand even this sort of an attack. There is a good side to everything. The fact that this well-planned attack has failed has been a lesson to those behind the attack in terms of not stooping to a similar thing again.
Erdogan Will Definitely Be Included in That Photograph
[Q] What is your road map? What sort of schedule of contacts and meetings will there be?
[A] I am going to hold meetings with representatives of the member countries and Commission officials in the coming days. I am going to assess which topics we can move ahead on, and how rapidly. We have made plans for these. I am going to Portugal 11-13 September. Next week, 16-17 September, I am going to Strasbourg at the invitation of EU Parliament President [Martin] Schultz. I will meet there with the leading Parliamentary Deputies and groups of the EP. Afterwards, on 18 September, I will go to Brussels and meet with Stefan Fule, responsible for expansion, and other high-level EU officials.
[Q] Will there be contacts in the period ahead in which the Prime Minister and the President will also be involved?
[A] I very much want our respected President and Prime Minister to go to Brussels. The fact that they have not been included in the family photograph for a while has been assessed as a deficiency, and I personally have seen this as a very great injustice. I see bringing about their return to the scene in that photograph with the EU leaders as my first target. But in November, the EU Council President and Commission Chairman and Commissioners are changing. It would be more appropriate to establish this contact following the changes”.
5. Eroglu met with the occupied Lefka Platform; The Platform demanded the opening of occupied Apliki crossing point
According to illegal Bayrak television (09.09.14) members of the occupied Lefka Platform, composed by a number of civil society organizations and headed by Vehit Nekipzade met yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
Speaking during the meeting, the chairman of the Platform Nekipzade asked Eroglu to raise the issue of the opening of Apliki crossing point in occupied Lefka, during the Cyprus negotiations process.
The occupied Lefka Platform delegation also demanded that Lefka’s coastal strip should not be given away as part of concessions in the likelihood the talks move into the next phase of give and take.
Speaking on behalf of the platform Nekipzade said: “Should Lefka’s coastal strip be given away, this would cut us off from other villages in the area. We cannot live cut off from the coast. Please convey this to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades”.
Stating that by not opening Aplıc (Apliki gate), this creates difficulties for people living in the area, Nekipzade added that this crossing point should open as soon as possible.
For his part, Eroglu reminded that the Greek Cypriot side had rejected the Annan Plan.
He said that the Greek Cypriot side is even refusing to accept the past convergences and added: A roadmap which takes into account both sides demands should be created”.
Stating that he understood the sensitivities regarding Lefka’s coastal strip very well, Eroglu said that he shared these sensitivities too.
Pointing out that initiatives had been taken in the past for the opening of the occupied Aplıc crossing point, Eroglu repeated that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready to do its part for the opening of the crossing point.
He however, stated that the “Greek Cypriot Administration” as he called the Republic of Cyprus was demanding the opening of 5 other crossing points in exchange for the occupied Lefka Aplıki gate.
“The opening of additional 5 other crossing points must be investigated and researched carefully. Anastasiades is dragging his feet and has put forward an extreme demand. The opening of the Aplıc (Apliki) crossing point would also be highly beneficial for the Greek Cypriots”, Eroglu said.
6. Izcan: “Dervis Eroglu is spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.09.14) reports that Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) has said that during next year’s “presidential elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus, his party will act for the “election” of a candidate who will protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots, will show the courage to materialize confidence building measures, and create a new acceleration and a motivation for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Izcan argued that the sides have no intention of solving the problem and that their real intention is to “play with time” and blame each other.
Izcan said that during his recent illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to a “two state solution” and it was once again proved that the policy of the Turkish ministry of Foreign Affairs on Cyprus is not different from the one implemented in the past.
“President Eroglu and his team is the spokesman of the policy determined by the Turkish Foreign Ministry”, noted Izcan arguing that those who compete with each other for becoming candidates in the next year’s “elections” are “representatives of the same policy”. “Neither Mr Ozersay nor Mr Nami follow a different policy on the issue of the solution of the problem”, he said adding: “They are defending the policy determined by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue of the Confidence Building Measures and Varosha. No faith and motivation is left in the Turkish Cypriot community for the solution”.
Izcan pointed out that reaching a solution is not possible with these policies and added that they want a candidate who will protect the Turkish Cypriots’ interests and not implement the policies determined by Turkey.
(I/Ts.)
7. Turkish Cypriot daily says US diplomat’s references to Espen Barth Eide were “not good at all”
Under the banner front page title “Sly, profiteer, unreliable”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.09.14) reports that the UN Secretary-General’s newly appointed Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide is strongly criticized in messages sent by the former US Ambassador to Oslo in 2008, Benson Whitney to the CIA and the US State Department.
According to a document revealed by Wikileaks, Eide is described as sly, profiteer and unreliable, notes the paper adding that in his “classified” messages Whitney said that Eide is a talented and capable politician and a US supporter, but he should not be trusted on the issue of defending the US interests.
Whitney argued that Eide wanted to be appointed to a high ranking position at the UN and this is why he replied positively to the UN’s call on Norway to send troops to Haiti in spite of the objections of the government and the army. Eide has reportedly exerted pressures for sending a battalion to Haiti.
Eide is described as Norway’s most powerful and influential politician.
(I/Ts.)
8. Israeli columnist argues that there should be direct flights from Israel to the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (10.09.14) reports that Rachel Avraham, a columnist of the Jerusalem On-line newspaper wrote an article on September 5 under the title “Why there should be direct flights to Northern Cyprus”.
According to the paper, Avraham argues that there are not many places nearby that Israelis can visit that are inexpensive and not hostile adding that “northern Cyprus” as she calls the breakaway regime is one of them: “There should be direct flights so Israelis can more easily visit Northern Cyprus”, she writes. Arguing that “the Greek side of Cyprus” as she calls the Republic of Cyprus is very expensive for Israelis, she says that the breakaway regime is an attractive destination with beautiful beaches castles and monuments.
“There is only one impediment that might prevent Israelis from visiting Northern Cyprus and that is the fact that there are no direct flights. When you are flying from Israel, it is very silly to need to fly to Istanbul just to reach Northern Cyprus, which is geographically closer. Many Israelis don’t want to have to waste so much time reaching a vacation destination that is so close. For this reason, the Israeli government should seriously consider initiating direct flights to Northern Cyprus, so more Israelis can take advantage of this prized tourism destination without having to fly via Turkey. Political calculations related to Israeli policy on the Cyprus conflict should not have to block Israelis from enjoying such a wonderful and affordable travel destination”, she claims.
9. Turkey joins anti-ISIL coalition, opens Incirlik for logistics operations
Writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.09.14) columnist Murat Yetkin comments on Turkey’s participation to the coalition against ISIL and reveals Turkey’s functions:
“(…)Turkey is now a part of the coalition against ISIL, along with the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary from Europe, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and Bahrain from the Arab geography. ‘The number is tending to increase’, a Turkish source said.
Turkey takes its place in the coalition with three functions for the time being:
1)Logistical and humanitarian-purpose use of Incirlik and other Turkish military bases.
2) Opening up the Turkish air space for humanitarian and logistical flights to support the anti-ISIL fight in Iraq (“But no armed flights, including drones,” the official underlines.)
3) Extra measures on border security. Turkey has a 910 km border with Syria, and a 384 km border with Iraq; both of which are rough terrains. Turkey has already been cooperating with its NATO allies against “foreign fighters” - those carrying American or European passports travelling via Turkey to join either ISIL or al-Qaeda - for the last few months. It seems now that the cooperation will expand to include more effective law enforcement measures.
Both Turkish and Western sources say that the framework of the cooperation might change regarding the “new” U.S. strategy expected to be announced by Obama”.
10. Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to attend talks in Saudi Arabia on the rising of terrorism in the Middle East
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (09.09.14-online in English) reported that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will participate in talks about militant violence in the Middle East scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, amid intense US-led efforts to include Turkey into fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
In a statement released on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Cavusoglu will pay an official visit to some Gulf countries to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues and is scheduled to participate also in a panel discussion to be held on the topic of threats and risks in the Middle East in Jeddah on Thursday.
(…) Cavusoglu, who started his tour of the Gulf countries from Jordan on Tuesday, will also travel to Bahrain and Qatar. US Secretary of State John Kerry will also travel to Saudi Arabia and Jordan for talks with Gulf leaders to determine whether they are prepared to back up their anti-jihadist rhetoric with action.
Meanwhile, according to reports in the Turkish media citing diplomatic sources, Cavusoglu and Kerry talked over the phone on Monday evening. The two reportedly discussed the new government formed in Iraq and the developments in Libya.
11. New generation missiles to boost Turkey’s air firepower
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.09.14) reports that according to Air Force officials a new generation of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) that Turkey will acquire from the United States, will significantly upgrade and boost the country’s aerial firepower.
“Perhaps the most important feature about the new weaponry is that they will be used both in our F-16 fighters and the future F-35s,” one senior official said.
A defense official said the new version features more sensitive guidance, adding to a fleet’s firepower.
This will be Turkey’s third order of the AMRAAM family of missiles. The first deliveries were made about a decade ago, while the second order is presently being delivered. A procurement official said the deliveries of the new-generation missiles could take a few years. Last month, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved a possible sale to Turkey for 145 AIM-120C-7 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and associated equipment. That sale would be worth an estimated $320 million.
Those missiles will be used on the Turkish Air Force’s fleet of F-16 fighters, although the DSCA notice adds that they could also be used on the country’s eventual F-35 fleet.
The weapons will help “maintain the TAF’s air-to-air capability to defend its extensive coastline and borders against future threat,” according to DSCA. Raytheon would produce the equipment.
The State Department’s clearance for the sale is subject to congressional approval and further negotiations between Turkey and the United States.
(…)
12.The Turkish Parliament approves legislation expanding the Telecommunication Authority’ power
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.09.14) reported that the Turkey's Parliament passed a law tightening Internet controls and expanding the powers of its Telecoms Authority late on Monday, weeks after a new government took office pledging the beginning of a "new Turkey".
The move comes on top of a legislation passed in February that made it easier for the authorities to block access to web pages without a prior court order, prompting public anger and raising concern about free speech.
The new law expands those powers, allowing the TIB telecoms authority to block sites if it is deemed necessary for matters of "national security, the restoration of public order and the prevention of crimes". The February law limited these powers to cases of privacy violations.
The new legislation also gives the TIB, which reports to the Prime Minister's office, access to individuals' browsing history without a court order.
The reforms are part of the first package of legislation passed by Parliament since Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister for more than a decade, was sworn in as President last month.
(…)February's law was seen by government critics as part of a bid to stifle the corruption investigations after alleged recordings of Ministers and Erdogan were leaked on social media.
Erdogan cast the scandal as a plot orchestrated by his ally-turned-foe, U.S.-based Fethullah Gulen, whose followers wield influence in the police and judiciary.
Following the leaked recordings, Turkey blocked access to Twitter in March, drawing international criticism.
The text of the new law, which must now be approved by Erdogan, said it aimed to prevent delays in acting against violations of national security and public order threats.
(…)
13. Pope Francis will reportedly visit Turkey at the end of November
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.09.14) reported that Pope Francis has confirmed during a private audience with the Turkish Ambassador to the Holy See, Kenan Gursoy that he hopes to travel to Turkey in the near future.
The 77-year-old pontiff's comments came on Monday as Gursoy visited him to bid farewell, as the Ambassador is due to leave Rome following the end of his assignment.
According to media reports, Pope Francis is expected to visit the Turkish capital of Ankara on November 29 and then Istanbul, in order to celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew the following day.
He is expected to use the visit to call for an end to the killing of Middle Eastern Christians in Iraq and Syria.
Diplomatic sources said that the Pope told the Turkish Envoy that he was looking forward to visit Turkey, adding that he will also visit Armenia.
(…)The visit is expected to be announced officially once Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issues a formal invitation to the Roman Catholic leader to come to Turkey.
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