TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 167/14 06-08.09.14
1. Eroglu met with the Eide; Leaders to meet on September 17
2. Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus’ negotiations and on settlers; “we make no discrimination between our citizens”
3. Ozersay: Within the federal construction, there will be two founding states
4. Nami due to London for contacts; He met with UK Minister of Justice
5. Yorgancıoglu met with TISIAD’s delegation
6. The “association of martyrs families and war veterans” sent letters to the UN and the EU
7. The breakaway regime is promoted to the Lebanon and Amman to launch direct flights
8. The breakaway regime has not yet decided on the distribution or the administration of the “water project”
9. The applications for the purchase of property by citizens of third countries in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus should be approved by the “security forces”
10. The occupation regime was represented in international events abroad
11. A settler’s organization issued threads against Afrika newspaper and its editor-in-chief Sener Levent
12. Davutoglu’s government received vote of confidence; Davutoglu promised to work hard
13. Kılıcdaroglu re-elected as chairman of the main opposition CHP
14. US Secretary of Defence to visit Turkey
15. Erdogan: Turkey in talks with France over missile purchase
1. Eroglu met with the Eide; Leaders to meet on September 17
According to illegal Bayrak television (06.09.14) a new date for the two leaders to meet has been fixed for September 17, arranged following separate inaugural meetings they both had last night with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s new Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.
The new UN envoy will chair the meeting which will be held before the two leaders head off to New York for the UN General Assembly.
The UN Special Adviser met on Saturday with the negotiators of the two leaders.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Mr Eide, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that he had an extremely good and sincere meeting with the UN Envoy, despite the fact that this was the first time they had met, as he said.
Stating that he had clearly conveyed the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions to Eide during the meeting, Eroglu expressed the hope that the negotiations to resume in the coming days will produce concrete results.
Eroglu explained that he will meet with Mr Eide and Mr. Anastasiades at a working dinner on the 16th of September followed the next day with a leaders meeting.
2. Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus’ negotiations and on settlers; “we make no discrimination between our citizens”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.09.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated that he has never liked the world “settlers” adding that Turkey is the motherland for both those who were born and raised in the Black Sea and those who were born and raised in Cyprus.
Eroglu made these statements speaking during a festival organized by the settlers groups originating by the Black Sea region.
Eroglu said that he does like the world settlers which is used during the Cyprus negotiations adding: ‘We made no discrimination between our citizens […]. We have all settled in the TRNC, we are speakers of the same language and believers of the same religion”, said, claiming that Turkey is the motherland of everyone since everyone is originated from Turkey.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (06.09.14) reported that speaking during the Carob festival in occupied Akanthou, Eroglu stated that the most challenging heading at the negotiation table is land.
“Since there cannot be an existing state without land, of course we are going to make a claim for our land, but for this to happen, firstly our citizens have to claim their own land, so that our decisions can be stronger on the negotiation table”, Eroglu alleged.
3. Ozersay: Within the federal construction, there will be two founding states
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (07.09.14) reported that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay met with the newly appointed Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on Saturday.
Speaking to “Turkish Cypriot news agency” (“TAK”) after the meeting, Ozersay expressed his satisfaction that Eide approached his new duty with devoutness and stressed that they should not waste more time. Ozersay added that he had the opportunity to explain to Eide the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriots regarding some issues from the UN parameters.
Ozersay said that they also discussed what steps should take so they will be able to reach in a result to the negotiations. He claimed that they, as the Turkish Cypriot side, think that if they could reach a consensus on a road map accepted by both sides, then they could proceed in a solution step by step, adding that it is worth to make an effort.
Ozersay said that they, as the Turkish Cypriot side, think whether a tripartite meeting to be held with both leaders and the UN Secretary-General in another place in New York, adding that this will be very useful in the light of the stage reached at the negotiation process.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (06.09.14) reports that Ozersay, participating in a television programme at the private channel Kibris TV, commented on the messages that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave during his illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Reiterating that a time table should be brought to the negotiation process, Ozersay said that Erdongan’s messages were not different from this direction. Underlining the importance of Erdogan’s messages, Ozersay said that everyone knows that the ongoing Cyprus talks are directed to establish a new federal partnership. Ozersay noted: “This negotiation process itself will not produce two states or a more different solution. The negotiations are continuing for a new federal partnership. Within this federal construction, there will be two founding states. This is a sine qua non.”
Ozersay said that they have reached agreements on some chapters on the issue of the Confidence Building Measures, but the Greek Cypriot side did not share this with the public. He added that the Greek Cypriot side only highlights the issue of Varosha.
4. Nami due to London for contacts; He met with UK Minister of Justice
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.09.14) reports that the so-called minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami within the framework of his contacts in London which were launched yesterday, met with UK Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Rt. Hon. Simon Hughes.
Among the issues discussed during Nami’ meeting with Hughes, were the Cyprus problem and the Cyprus negotiation process.
Speaking during the meeting, Nami alleged that the reason of deadlocks at the negotiation process is that the past convergences adopted by Talat-Christofias are accepted by Turkish Cypriot side but not by the “leader” of the Greek Cypriot side Anastasiades, as he called the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Nami came also together with representatives of the “Turkish Cypriot civil society organizations” based in London.
Nami briefed the NGO representatives on the latest developments on the Cyprus negotiations process and on the occupation regime’s economy and underlined the importance of the continuation of the support of the Turkish Cypriot community based in London to the “TRNC”.
Nami is expected to continue his contacts today.
5. Yorgancioglu met with TISIAD’s delegation
According to illegal Bayrak television (05.09.14) a delegation of the “members of the board of directors of the Turkish-Iraqi Industrialist and Businessmen Association” as part of their contacts in the “TRNC” met on Friday with the so-called prime minister, Ozkan Yorgancioglu.
In statements during the visit, Yorgancioglu said that Iraq is a new and growing market with a high demand for goods and expressed the desire to export products produced in the “TRNC”.
Stating that “incentives” are provided to producers, particularly to citrus fruit growers, dairy goods producers and potato exporters, he added that the “government” is prepared to offer the same incentives offered to producers, if they were interested in importing goods from the “TRNC”.
“Having Turkish Cypriot businessmen visit Iraq and bringing Iraqi businessmen to the TRNC so that they can establish cooperation between themselves, is important because our businessmen need to open up to the world. Your contributions in this direction would be very valuable and would help strengthen us”, said Yorgancioglu.
6. The “association of martyrs families and war veterans” sent letters to the UN and the EU
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (06.09.14) reported that the “Association of martyrs families and war veterans” has announced that it has sent separate letters to the UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon and the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Niznieks.
According to the paper, the “association” points out in the letters that it is not clear for the Turkish Cypriot relatives of missing persons in which international platforms they should apply for compensation in order to maintain their rights and thus it demands for the EU and the UN’s contribution on this issue.
According to a statement made by the “chairman” of the “association” Ertan Ersan, the letters were sent to the EU and the UN on August 30, on the occasion of the International Missing Person Day.
Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of utilizing the issue of the missing persons for political purposes, Ersan added that the Turkish Cypriot relatives of missing persons are disappointed by the European Court of Human Rights for not taking into consideration their demands.
Stating that the Committee of Missing Persons is the only organization that they Turkish Cypriot relatives of missing persons can apply to meet their rights, Ersan called the UN and the EU to help them on this issue.
(AK)
7. The breakaway regime is promoted to the Lebanon and Amman to launch direct flights
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.09.14) reports that Reha Arar, the chairman of the Administrative Board of the Merit Hotels evaluated tourism in the breakaway regime and said that Turkey must do everything it can for the promotion of the breakaway regime, since this could create a lot of touristic potentials in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Alleging that the hardest issue as regards the breakaway regime is how to reach it, since there are “embargoes” which prevent tourism to reach the occupied area of Cyprus, Arar said that the flights are conducted with the touch down method. Arar said that they have promoted Cyprus as a tourist destination to the Lebanon, with large outdoor signboards and by organizing conference and this led Bora Jet Airlines to establish twice a week flights to the occupied area of Cyprus. “The Lebanon discovered Cyprus and the island […]. Now we are getting ready to do the same with Amman and I am sure that this will have good results. Of course we must follow the same procedure with other countries as well”, he stated.
8. The breakaway regime has not yet decided on the distribution or the administration of the “water project”
Turkish Cypriot daily Dialog newspaper (07.09.14) reported that Kutlay Erk, the General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) which according to the paper is the “party on power” stated that the “government” has not made any preparation as regards how and where the water that will be transferred from Turkey will be used in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Commenting on the “water project”, which is expected to be completed soon, according to Diyalog, Erk admitted that it has been decided by the “government” that 50% of the water transferred to be used for tourism and agriculture; however further details have not been made. Asked by the paper which body will be responsible for the water distribution “the government, the municipalities or a private firm”, Erk stated that it is not clear yet if the administrative body of the water project will be private or public. He went on and added that it is also not known which area will get a bigger amount of water, adding that agriculture is of a great water need in the occupied area of Cyprus.
9. The applications for the purchase of property by citizens of third countries in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus should be approved by the “security forces”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.09.14), in its economic insert, reports that the self-styled minister of interior of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Teberruken Ulucay said that the necessary period for the “permissions” to buy property in the “TRNC” by citizens of a third country has been shortened. He explained that the citizens, who apply to buy a property, will have results for their application at the latest within three months.
The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Constructors’ Union (KTIMB) Cafer Gurcafer, in a written statement, said that the applications by citizens of third countries in order to be able to purchase property in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, should be examined also by the “securities forces”, adding that this process is time consuming and sometimes they could wait for 5 or 6 years to get an answer. He added that the “security forces” do not give permission to citizens of a third country, who want to buy property near a military area, but, he added that they don’t know under which criteria they are referring to for their decision.
10. The occupation regime was represented in international events abroad
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli (06.09.14) reported that the so-called ministry of economy, culture and sport represented the occupation regime at the Tour-Natur 2014 tourism fair which took place between September 5-7 in the town of Dusseldorf, in Germany.
According to the paper, the occupation regime was represented at the fair by Sahap Asikoglu, “undersecretary of the ministry” and Emrah Gunen, “staff” of the “tourism office” of the occupation regime in Berlin.
The occupation regime attended the fair with its own stand writes the paper.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.09.14) reports that the “Turkish Cypriot Federation of Cyclists” has represented the occupation regime at the 16th World Championship Games which took place in Saalbach Hinterglemm area in Austria.
The paper does not refer to the exact date of the championship, it however, points out that the Turkish Cypriot athletes received awards.
AK
11. A settlers’ organization issued threads against Afrika newspaper and its editor-in-chief Sener Levent
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (07.09.14) writes that Bertan Zaroglu, the chairman of the Alexadretta settlers’ organization in the breakaway regime issued threads against Afrika newspaper and its editor-in-chief Sener Levent via social media.
According to the paper, Zaroglu, called on various cases Levent “a Greek Cypriot dog” and “a homeland traitor” who loves Greek Cypriots and threaten to make him stop talking and to put him in the grave.
12. Davutoglu’s government received vote of confidence; Davutoglu promised to work hard
Turkish daily Today's Zaman Online in English (08.09.14) reports that the 62nd Turkish government, which has been formed under Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, received a vote of confidence and the government program was announced in Parliament on Saturday.
During the voting, 439 of the total 550 Deputies participated in the vote of confidence session in Parliament, with 306 of them voting “yes,” while 133 voted against the newly formed government.
Six deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) did not take part in the vote.
In his vote of thanks after his government was approved, Davutoglu pledged to work indefatigably, adding that no one shall manage to dissuade the government from pursuing its goals.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli was the only leader from the opposition parties who participated in the session, and he congratulated Davutoglu on receiving the approval of Parliament.
In a short speech he made after the vote of confidence, Davutoglu said: “History moves quickly. Big countries which have a big vision are responsible for understanding the dynamics of the quick change and should develop national policies in accordance with the change. The main philosophy of our government is to read this momentum correctly and make our Republic a global power over the coming years, especially in the 100th anniversary of the [founding of the Turkish] Republic. Our main tool to reach the goal is to deepen democratization and to build state-public cooperation."
Continuing to focus on the government's renewed targets for the next period, Davutoglu went added: “Humane and sustainable economic development is among the top priorities of our government. We will connect this to a more developed defense industry based on our national capacity as a part of our government's influential foreign policy in order to make it the source of our country's international dignity."
13. Kilicdaroglu re-elected as chairman of the main opposition CHP
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (07.09.14) the Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu was re-elected as the party's chairman on the first day of an extraordinary congress on Friday, in spite of receiving less support than expected from the party's delegates.
Kılıcdaroglu experienced similar disappointment in the face of eroding support in the election of CHP party council members on Saturday.
Sunday marked the final day of the CHP's 18th extraordinary congress, in which both the party's leader and members of the council were elected. On the first day of the congress in Ankara, Kilicdaroglu was re-elected as the party's chairman by obtaining 740 votes out a total 1,181 votes from party delegates.
Muharrem İnce, a CHP Deputy and Kılıcdaroglu's rival, received a surprising 415 votes in the election for party chair. Prior to the congress, İnce was nominated as a candidate for party chair by only 177 delegates, while Kılıcdaroglu received nomination signatures from 944 out of a total of 1,218 delegates. This indicates that some of the delegates who offered support to Kılıcdaroglu in his nomination actually voted for İnce in the election.
The results of the party council elections were also slightly disappointing for Kılıcdaroglu, who did not receive the level of delegate support for the candidates he advanced as potential members of the council.
The CHP, which boasts about being a social democrat party, came under sharp criticism when Kılıcdaroglu nominated Ekmeleddin İhsanoglu, a conservative figure well known in Islamic circles in Turkey, as the party's candidate in the August presidential elections.
The CHP leader dismissed claims that the party has shifted towards the right in recent years by explaining the party's stance on a number of issues.
14. US Secretary of Defence to visit Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (07.09.14) reported that the US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel will visit Turkey early this week for further discussions on the US-led 10-nation core coalition in which Turkey is likely to take part against the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The coalition against ISIL -- which calls itself the “Islamic State” -- is initially planned to consist of 10 countries: the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Italy, Poland, Denmark, as well as the US and Turkey.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Hagel held a private meeting with the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the nine other countries on Friday, on the side-lines of the NATO summit in Wales to discuss the possible contribution that each country could make.
US President Barack Obama's administration has been working on building an international coalition against ISIL for some time. The US-led coalition will pursue ISIL in Iraq militarily as well as financially, and hopes to build a plan by the time of the UN General Assembly in New York in about two weeks. Many countries are not willing to engage in military strikes, but they are expected to provide intelligence, equipment, ammunition or weapons.
Obama sought to use the NATO summit in Wales last week to enlist allied support in the fight against the Islamist militants, but it is unclear how many nations might join the US in air strikes in Iraq.
Turkish officials have been wary of saying anything supportive about the US airstrikes on ISIL targets that began last month, partly due to still not knowing the fate of 49 Turkish citizens who were kidnapped by ISIL militants in June. ISIL militants kidnapped the group of Turks, including diplomatic staff, Special Forces members and dependents, from the Turkish Consulate General in Mosul on June 11. Turkish government officials have avoided doing or saying anything that might put the hostages' lives at risk.
Hagel's visit will be an opportunity to discuss what Turkey's contribution would be in the fight against ISIL. A Turkish Foreign Ministry official would not comment on Turkey's involvement in the 10-nation coalition against ISIL on Friday.
The visit will be the first official visit to Turkey by Hagel as Secretary of Defense. Hagel's previous intended visit to Turkey was cancelled in January, even though his meetings with Turkish officials had already been arranged, and he skipped Turkey in his visit to the region in May.
15. Erdogan: Turkey in talks with France over missile purchase
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (07.09.14) reported the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated on September 7 that Turkey has resumed talks with France on purchasing a new missile system after negotiations on a controversial deal with a US-blacklisted Chinese company hit a rock.
According to private television NTV, Erdogan told reporters as he returned from the NATO summit in Wales that some disagreements have emerged with China on the issues of joint production and technology transfer during negotiations over a missile defence system, and added: "Talks are continuing despite that, but France which is second on the list has come up with a new offer. Right now we are holding ongoing talks with France”, Erdogan said.
Last September, Turkey reached a deal with China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corporation (CPMIEC) for its first long-range anti-missile system, but the contract has sparked concerns in Washington.
Turkish officials had since said that the deal with China was not finalized and that Ankara was open to new offers from other bidders.
CPMIEC beat competition from a US partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Russia's Rosoboronexport, and Italian-French consortium Eurosam for the deal, estimated at $4 billion (2.9 billion euro).
The Chinese group, which makes the HQ-9 missile system, is under US sanctions for selling arms and missile technology to Iran and Syria.
The Turkish move also irritated its allies in NATO, which they said that missile systems within the transatlantic military alliance must be compatible with each other.
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