TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 163/14 02.09.14
1. Erdogan’s press conference in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
2. Questions and replies during Erdogan and Eroglu’s press conference
3. Eroglu’ statement during the joint press conference with Erdogan
4. Erdogan’s statements upon his arrival to illegal Tymbou airport
5. How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press covered Erdogan’s illegal visit to Cyprus:
6. Three persons were arrested during the protests against the Turkish President’s illegal visit; reactions for the “assembly’s meeting postponement
7. Davutoglu as well to visit the occupied area of Cyprus
8. The Cyprus problem a priority on Davutoglu government’s program
9. Davutoglu announced Turkey's 62nd government program: Reconciliation, EU and reforms among his priorities
10. Nami to hold contacts in Britain, Brussels and New York
11. So-called minister Kasif due to Istanbul
12. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said is looking into the allegations about the intelligence activities of the US government on Turkey
1. Erdogan’s press conference in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to the official website of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey (online, 01.09.14), Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the joint press conference he held with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, declared that Turkey, from the beginning, has endorsed a fair, permanent and comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue, adding: “The resolution of the Cyprus issue will benefit both sides in the island and greatly contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity in the whole region.”
Displaying his pleasure for visiting “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), Erdogan, pointed out that he is paying his “first state visit to TRNC” right after taking office and said that he had conducted fruitful talks with Eroglu and the so-called TRNC cabinet members with whom he noted they discussed the Cyprus issue. “The Turkish Cypriots have not been rewarded for their long lasting patience. We continue our determination; we believe in the saying ‘patience leads to salvation.’
“It is impossible for us to accept any unfair projects”
Declaring that Turkey from the beginning has supported a fair, permanent and comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue, Erdogan reiterated: “Accepting unfair projects toward this issue would mean denying our history as a whole. It is not possible to accept such a thing. From this point of view, Greece and Britain should also demonstrate a genuine effort to our sincere efforts as guarantor countries. Apart from these, all the efforts of those who are in an attempt to find guarantor countries or international institutions as guarantor are in vain, they are wasting their time. It is not possible for us to say yes to such thing.”
President Erdogan reiterated that Turkey maintains its good will stance towards a resolution in the island and announced that Turkey’s aim is to carry the ongoing negotiation process to a point where simultaneous referenda can be held. He further referred to their efforts to reach a decision for referenda during the term in office of the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and added: “We said ‘Let’s start this process, Turkey and the TRNC will always be one step ahead from the Greek Cypriots,’ Annan said that ‘Unfortunately every initiative I took, it was unsuccessful, I cannot enter on this once more.’ When we insisted, he told me this time: ‘Ok, let’s start’. We started as you know. In the end, we wanted at Burgenstock in Switzerland to take out the fog from the room. My Foreign Minister, personally, we worked there together with all the technocrats and bureaucrats. Unfortunately, at that day there the decision for a referendum emerged hardly with the pressure of esteemed Annan.” Erdogan also claimed that the “TRNC” did its part during the meeting held in Burgenstock, but he noted that the Greek Cypriot side did the wrong thing and it almost undermined all of Turkey’s efforts there.
The approach of Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides at the referenda
Erdogan later said that he would share a historic fact with his audience, saying: “This is of great importance in terms of exposing who is sincere and who is not indeed. The EU told us that ‘we will stand by the TRNC for its stance to the referenda.’ However, the EU could not and did not take the necessary steps in the financial and administrative process. In the same way, the UN Security Council did not take any positive steps on this issue as general secretariat. In the meantime, as you know, the EU admitted the ‘South Cyprus’ into the club. At the time when they became a member of the EU, there were only 15 members in the club. After that, even their leaders said: “This is a political decision; otherwise, it is not that the South Cyprus was admitted into the club because it deserved the EU acquis.’ As a matter of fact, there is this at their writing works/memoirs. Those who follow closely these know very well if this exists.”
President Erdogan added that he still hopes to find response to his sincere efforts and said: “Resolving the Cyprus issue will obtain great profits to both side in the island and it will also contribute greatly to the peace and stability in the region. Finding a solution to the issue, it will be an important step from the point of transforming the East Mediterranean into a region of peace, stability and cooperation.”
Water project for “TRNC”
Referring to Turkey’s projects to carry the water of life to “TRNC’s” fertile land, Erdogan said: “The works are continuing quickly, if there is not any extraordinary situation, then I estimate that in 2-3 months, the water will be transferred from Turkey to the ‘TRNC’. When this work is concluded then we will continue with the works of providing to ‘TRNC’ electricity.” He added that this will enable the people of “TRNC” to enjoy a cleaner environment.
These projects, he reiterated, can be beneficial for the whole island as long as he said, the Greek Cypriot side affirmatively responds to the peaceful, heartfelt and sincere efforts of Turkey and the “TRNC” toward a resolution. Turkey is determined to be one step ahead through its full cooperation with all the relevant countries and organizations including the UN, Greece, England and the US, noted Erdogan.
“The current situation cannot continue for long”
Erdogan continued as follows: “The status quo cannot continue as it is permanently. Our common objective is that a permanent agreement which will ensure the equal status of the co-owners of the island, the Turkish Cypriots, must be achieved without further delay. To this end, we stand by the efforts being displayed by the Turkish Cypriots toward a resolution based on the established parameters of the UN such as new partnership which includes two founding states with bizonal, equal political equality and equal status. Our wish is that the efforts having been made since 2008 are not be wasted. Everyone should understand that the current window of opportunity will not be open forever. No one has the right to stall the Turkish side and the international community by extending the UN process.”
Erdogan further underscored that they will not allow any effort to victimize the Turkish Cypriots, who he said explicitly demonstrated their will toward a reconciliation and partnership through many means including the referenda held back in 2004. We will never allow the Turkish Cypriots to be a minority in a “Greek Cypriot state” in the island.
The economic growth of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
Stressing that Turkey is proud of the development and the economic growth of the “TRNC” achieved through Turkey’s contributions in recent years, President Erdogan alleged: “The TRNC today is a modern and democratic state that has left 30 years behind and that can stand on its feet. It is necessary that while the steps are being taken to enhance the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots, an understanding of a transparent, efficient, pro-active and accountable administration be dominant. It should be our common aim to double the national income per capita in TRNC by making it a centre of attraction in the Eastern Mediterranean. Both the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot peoples have the resoluteness toward this objective.”
Turkey’s solidarity with the “TRNC”
As it has done so far, Turkey will continue to do its part to protect the legal rights of the Turkish Cypriots and to provide for their peace, prosperity, development and security, declared President Erdogan, saying that a developing and growing Turkey will always be in an unshakable solidarity with its Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters.
Predicting that a brighter, more secure and more peaceful future is awaiting “TRNC”, President Erdogan shared his happiness with the fact that many countries have sent 63.000 children to study at the “universities” in the occupied area of Cyprus, as he said. It demonstrates that the “TRNC” has become a centre of attraction for these countries indeed.
Erdogan further noted that the Cyprus issue has always been a priority on his agenda during international meetings he has attended and informed his audience that through the offices opened abroad, they are trying to forge the “TRNC’s” infrastructure.
2. Questions and replies during Erdogan and Eroglu’s press conference
According to the website of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey (http://www.tccb.gov.tr/) on 01.09.14, following the joint news conference he held with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, replied to journalists questions and claimed that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are doing their parts as to the resolution of the Cyprus problem and said that the other parties involved in the process should do the same.
When asked what is the sine qua non for Turkey, as a guarantor country regarding the resolution in the island, Erdogan said: “We are not spectators in a stadium. Turkey will always have a say regarding the developments in KKTC and it will always stand by KKTC.”
He went and said that it is not possible for Turkey to accept any options but a two-state solution regarding the Cyprus issue and said they could accept a federal structure based on that, pointing to the importance of political equality. “No one has the right to impose anything like ‘you come after us, we will be in front of you.’ We can never approach affirmatively toward such an option at all. Turkey will continue to maintain its resoluteness as a guarantor country in this regard.”
When asked about what he thinks of the fact that when the Turkish Cypriots are at the negotiation desk, Greek leaders constantly try to address their remarks to Turkey, President Erdogan said: "Is the Greek Cypriot administration dealing with its own issues? Do you think it does not receive signals from Greece? Do you believe they do not discuss issues with Greece, the US and even Germany? The Foreign Ministers of the US and Germany talk to the Greek administration and us about these issues. Do Prime Ministers, foreign ministers or diplomats of the international community visit KKTC? No, they don’t. They just ignore KKTC. Instead, they come visit us. We always suggest to them that they should visit that country. They insist on doing that in a buffer zone. Such an option has not worked at all so far. I hope this time it will be useful.”
When asked if he believes that the oil and natural gas to be extracted in the region will bring peace to the island, Erdogan said that the people of the whole island have rights to these resources. “The people of the whole island will benefit from these resources that can be extracted, that this is an international rule” Erdogan said.
3. Eroglu’ statement during the joint press conference with Erdogan
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (02.09.14) reports on statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during the joint press conference he gave yesterday with Erdogan.
According to the paper, Eroglu described Erdogan’s visit to the occupied area of Cyprus as “sincere and constructive” and alleged: “Erdogan’s visit is a message to those who are trying to violate the Turkish Cypriot people’s right and law despite the fact that it is the side which supports all the peace efforts which are taking place in this historical process”.
Eroglu also pointed out that important steps were taken during Erdogan’s term in the “prime ministry office”, and said that a strong Turkey means a strong “TRNC” as well.
Stating that “Turkey-TRNC” have strong friendship ties, Eroglu said that nobody can break these ties.
Underlining the “existing realities” in Cyprus, Eroglu alleged that “an agreement is possible to be reached in Cyprus as long as our Greek Cypriot neighbors will withdraw from the vision to return back to the pro-1974 condition in Cyprus”.
Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side is determined to reach to a peaceful result on the Cyprus problem without any other delay, Eroglu described as a “big unfairness” the “embargoes and isolations” imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, despite their peaceful stance, as he said.
Criticizing the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, Eroglu “read out the UN’s parameters” and continued by stating that in order for the negotiations talks to continue, a timetable is a precondition. He added that the negotiations process has started but its pave was not as they wished.
Eroglu went on and alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has made openings at the negotiation talks and submitted “constructive and compromising proposals” and added: “We will continue to do this, but, I want to state that the Turkish Cypriots have no more patience. And nobody has the right to evaluate us in a bad way”.
Regarding the water transfer project from Turkey, Eroglu said that it is because of Erdogan’s determination and under his instructions that the project will be implemented.
Referring to the economic developments in the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu said that it will be useful for the “government’s projects” to be set into force with “motherland’s Turkey support”.
At the end of his speech, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot “people” always pray for the success of “motherland Turkey” and wished for Turkey’s path and their path to be open.
(AK)
4. Erdogan’s statements upon his arrival to illegal Tymvou airport
According to the website of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey (http://www.tccb.gov.tr/ ) on 02.09.14, the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan stated upon his arrival to illegal Tymvou airport: “ I have initiated the official diplomatic process in KKTC […]. As part of my schedule, we will discuss KKTC’s sincere and resolute stance in the international arena. There are the NATO Summit and the UN General Assembly ahead of us. KKTC will be an important item on our agenda as part of our meetings there.”
He went on and said that in two months, Turkey’s water will be carried under the sea to the occupied area of Cyprus adding that electricity will also be transferred from Turkey in the same way. “I would like to underscore that if the Greek Cypriots need electricity, they will receive the peace message from the steps we are taking here. We wish that as a guarantor country, Greece, will do its part like Turkey. If such duties are performed, I believe that the Cyprus issue can be settled”, he stated.
On his part, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu who welcomed the Turkish President together with many Turkish Cypriot “officials” stated that “the fact that Erdogan is paying his first foreign visit to KKTC carries a message, which should be received by others like we have”.
5. How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press covered Erdogan’s illegal visit to Cyprus:
Today’s Turkish Cypriot and Turkish newspapers give an extensive coverage of yesterday’s illegal visit of Turkish President Erdogan in the occupied area of Cyprus, the first one abroad, after his election to the Presidency of Turkey.
Following are the front-page titles of the Turkish Cypriot papers:
KIBRIS: “Full support from Erdogan”. Erdogan who carried out his first visit abroad, sent important messages on the “Cyprus negotiation talks” and the “prosperity of the TRNC”.
KIBRIS POSTASI: “Give up from the buffer zone!”. According to the paper, Erdogan has proposed the negotiation talks to take place once in the “north” and once in the “south”, due to the fact that no result has been yield until today from the meetings and the negotiations talks which are taking place in the Buffer Zone, which is under the control of the UN.
HALKIN SESI: “Two states, a condition for the solution”. As the paper points out, Erdogan has sent important messages during his historical visit to Cyprus and underlined the “two states” for the solution.
YENI DUZEN: “We are not observers, we are guarantor powers”. Reporting on the important highlights of Erdogan’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, the paper publishes photos taken from the protest organized by a group of Turkish Cypriots during Erdogan’s stay in the occupied area of Cyprus and writes that 4 people were taken into custody by the so-called police.
HAVADIS: “Our will for the solution continues”. Under this title, the paper reports that Erdogan, during his one-day trip to the “TRNC”, made important statements towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and pointed out to the lasting solution.
VOLKAN: “Motherland’s President Erdogan sent important messages to the world: Impositions are unacceptable”.
VATAN: “Historical visit”.
BAKIS: “Two states solution is a condition”. Erdogan pointed out during his one-day visit to the “TRNC” that it is not possible to see positively any agreement that will not shelter the political equality and the two states in Cyprus.
STAR KIBRIS: “We are not observers, we are a guarantor power”. The paper highlights that Erdogan has said during his visit in the “TRNC”, that they will not accept the continuation of the current situation in Cyprus forever”.
GUNES: “First the water and then electricity”. As the paper writes, Erdogan has stated during his first visit in the “TRNC” as Turkish President that in two months water from Turkey will be transferred to Cyprus and afterwards, electricity. He asked from “south Cyprus”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus to consider these steps as messages for peace.
DIYALOG: “Last statement”. The paper writes that Erdogan has stated that the window opportunity for a “two state” solution which will be based on the political equality, will not remain open forever and proclaimed that the “TRNC’s per capital income” in 10 years will reach to 30.000 dollars”.
HABERAL KIBRISLI: “Important messages from Erdogan: Water, Electricity, Solution”.
ORTAM: “Erdogan brought with him protests as well”. “Tension in the ‘assembly’, protest in the streets”. According to the paper, Erdogan who insulted the Turkish Cypriot “people” while being a Prime Minister of Turkey, has broken out violence while paying his first trip in the “country” after his election as President.
AFRIKA: “In your orders our Sultan”. “Those who provide nourishment and those who are nourished”.
Turkish press:
SABAH: “Window opportunity will not remain open forever. Turkish daily reports that Erdogan has sent important historical messages during his visit to the “TRNC”:
-The current status quo in the island cannot continue. A fair solution is essential.
- It is not very difficult for the Theological School to open.
HURRIYET: “The Intelligence hears those who are strong”.
AK
6. Three persons were arrested during the protests against the Turkish President’s illegal visit; reactions for the “assembly’s meeting postponement
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper reports about the protests organized regarding the illegal visit of the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to the occupied area of Cyprus and writes that three protestors were arrested for “behaving improperly” during the protests.
The paper also writes that among the persons arrested was communist Labour Movement and Cyprus Dev-Genç member Fatih Çoker, who opened a banner with “Down with Fascism” written on it. Çoker was detained by the “police” for protesting without permission. The paper writes that various organizations and trade unions gathered carrying banners in which some of the following were written: “You are not welcome Tayyip”, “You are not wanted here Erdogan”, “Ankara pull your hands off our collar’,
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (02.09.14) writes that there were reactions when the first meeting of the “parliament” was postponed yesterday after argued about Erdoğan's illegal visit.
The “assembly” met yesterday under the chairmanship of the “speaker” Sibel Siber. When the meeting started, all groups agreed to postpone the meeting to be held with the same agenda for the 4th of September. During the meeting “deputy” with the Communal Democratic party Mehmet Cakici made the first address, stating that he does not agree with postponing the meeting: “As if the Sultan is visiting” he said.
Nazim Cavusoglu “deputy” with the National Unity Party and “deputy” Zorlu Töre, reacted harshly to Çakıcı's comments. During his speech Tore stated that it is vital that “motherland” Turkey’s president is visiting us”
7. Davutoglu as well to visit the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli (02.09.14) reports that after Turkish President Erdogan’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus yesterday, Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as well will also illegally pay his first trip abroad in the occupied area of Cyprus and then to Azerbaijan.
According to information acquired by the “Prime Ministry office”, Davutoglu will take a confidence vote on September 6 and afterwards is expected to proceed to Konya.
The paper adds that the exact date of Davutoglu’s visit to the occupied area of Cyprus and Azerbaijan is not decided yet.
(AK)
8. The Cyprus problem a priority on Davutoglu government’s program
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.09.14) reports that Cyprus will be among the priorities of the 62nd Government of Turkey, the program of which was announced yesterday by the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
«The solution of the Cyprus problem and the efforts the Turkish Cypriot people to take their rightful place in the international arena are among the priorities of our government. We will continue with determination the steps we have taken until today to ensure the strengthening of the economic base of the TRNC and the increase of prosperity”, is stated in the program. It also says that Turkey as a guarantor country will continue the efforts of the UN for reaching a just and permanent solution based on the fundamental establishing rights of the two “peoples” of the island, their political equality and their right to be the co-owners of the island.
9. Davutoglu announced Turkey's 62nd government program: Reconciliation, EU and reforms among his priorities
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (02.09.14) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu presented the program of Turkey's 62nd government to the Turkish Parliament.
Advanced democracy, humanitarian development, public welfare, a strong economy and a value-based foreign policy were announced as the main pillars of the program, while he stressed the continuation of the Kurdish reconciliation process, boosting the EU accession talks and maintaining social and economic reforms as the new government's priority areas.
The program specially focuses on the EU membership bid in a systematic manner. It was indicated that the "National Course of Action for Joining the EU" will be put into practice including a timeline of 2014-2017 for accelerating the EU process and reforms in all fields. Being a full-member of the EU by 2023 was emphasized as an objective in the Program.
In the Program, it is underscored that the Reconciliation Process with the Kurds will be carried out pertinaciously. The Program also stated that in "New Turkey's" New Constitution, social legitimacy will be at the heart of rights and freedoms, democracy, the rule of law and the freedom of thought and belief.
10. Nami to hold contacts in Britain, Brussels and New York
Illegal Bayrak television (01.09.14) broadcast that the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami stated that he will be holding a total of 9 day visits in Britain and Brussels and will be meeting with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.
He also said that at the end of September he will be going to New York to take part in the Organization for Islamic Cooperation meeting. “The time has come for Turkish Cypriot voices to be heard more at these platforms and we will be working to achieve this”, Nami claimed.
11. So-called minister Kasif due to Istanbul
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli (02.09.14) reports that the so-called minister of transportation and communication Ahmet Kasif will travel today to Istanbul in order to attend a High Level Leader’s Meeting and a conference called “Capacity development for the Economic Development”. Kasif will further carry out a meeting with Turkey’s Minister of Transportation, Maritime and Communication Lutfi Elvan. Kasif will be accompanied by his “undersecretaries” Suat Yeldener and Feriha Nurluoz.
(AK)
12. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said is looking into the allegations about the intelligence activities of the US government on Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (02.09.14) reports that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic issued a statement saying that the relevant Turkish authorities are looking into the allegations that were published in the German press about the intelligence activities of the US government on Turkey. “If the allegations are true, clearly such activities cannot be accepted in any way between two friends, or indeed any countries,” said Bilgic.
He also said that Turkey expects the US to investigate these allegations and if they are true, then end the activities directly targeting Turkey's state institutions and foreign missions. Bilgic said that Turkey's expectation of receiving a satisfactory explanation on these allegations had been relayed on Monday at the Foreign Ministry.
The UK is also alleged to have been eavesdropping on Turkey, especially on the energy sector, according to Der Spiegel's article. However, British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore told journalists on Monday: “We have a very simple policy in the UK which we have had for many decades. And that is that on any intelligence matter, any question relating to intelligence matters, we don't comment. We have a neither-confirm-nor-deny policy.” When asked if he had discussions with Turkish Foreign Ministry officials concerning the eavesdropping allegations, Moore said, “I haven't had a meeting up to this point.”
In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınc stated that the outgoing chargé d'affaires at the US Embassy in Ankara, Jess Bailey, was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry early on Monday morning to discuss the allegations of eavesdropping on Turkey.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
