TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 196/14 21.10.14
1. Barbaros launches exploration activities; it sails towards the 9th parcel
2. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Barbaros is not the way of proving that we want a solution
3. BKP: The tension in the Eastern Mediterranean should be ended
4. Eroglu: One day the “embargoes” will be lifted
5. Talat on the Cyprus problem and the so-called presidential elections
6. Israeli firm constructs villas next to the sea in occupied Trikomo area
7. Sinay’s resignation was rejected by the “assembly”
8. Turkey allows Kurdish fighters to cross into Kobani
9. Barroso: Turkey’s EU bid has not developed correctly
10. EU Commission releases its first report on Turkey’s progress
1. Barbaros launches exploration activities; it sails towards the 9th parcel
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 20.10.14), the status of the Barbaros is switched from “underway using engine” to “restricted manoeuvrability” which means the vessel is engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations. The term "vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre" means a vessel which from the nature of its work is restricted in its ability to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
The term "vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre" shall include but not be limited to:
(i) a vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline;
(ii) a vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations;
(iii) a vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions, cargo while underway;
(iv) a vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;
(v) a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
(vi) a vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course.
On the same issue, the paper (online, 21.10.14) reports that Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha has advanced towards the 9th Parcel. Turkish seismic exploration vessel Barbaros along with two other smaller supporting vessels has entered the Cyprus’ EEZ yesterday morning at 6.30, and before arriving to the 9th parcel had manoeuvred backwards, commencing the explorations.
The boats which are being observed by Kıbrıs Postası during these moments have now advanced towards the 9th parcel. It has been observed that the Gibraltar flagged “Bravo Supporter” which is under the control of Great Britain and which accompanied the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha vessel during its journey yesterday, is still in the area along with the Turkish flagged Deep Supporter.
While the Bravo Supporter remains stable, the Deep Supporter exploration boat has been remaining behind Barbaros. The Barbaros and Deep Supporter boats which have been performing activities in the 2nd and 3rd parcels for a period of time during these moments are in motion.
Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 21.10.14) the Barbaros vessel approaches the 8th parcel.
2. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Barbaros is not the way of proving that we want a solution
Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.10.14), Turkish Cypriot columnist Tumay Tugyan refers to the illegal presence of Turkish Barbaros vessel in the Republic of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for seismic explorations and reports that the way of the Turkish Cypriot side proving its will for a solution to the Cyprus problem is not this. Under the title “Barbaros”, she writes, inter alia, the following:
“…Even though both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side are trying to ‘crown’ Anastasiades’ leaving the table with an accusation by the international community to the Greek Cypriots and not to us, the issues are not very much developing like we were hoping. This is obvious, because the reason for Anastasiades’ leaving the table is valid in front of the international community! […] Yes, everyone is making calls on Anastasiades saying that ‘the negotiations must continue’, but no one is putting and no one will put the Greek Cypriot side to sit at the seat of the accused. Because, either we like it or not, the right and authority of the Republic of Cyprus, which legally continues to exist and is accepted to be the only legal state on the island, to carry out hydrocarbon explorations in this area is accepted by the international community. And without an agreement, we, the Turkish Cypriots, will not be able to benefit from these rights and authorities. As long as we are not reconciled with this reality, absolutely no political step taken by both us and Turkey will return back as a ‘right’.
Our only interest is the solution. And the place where the solution will be found is the negotiations table. Sending Barbaros to the area as retaliation for the Republic of Cyprus’ drilling works is a ‘satisfaction’ at the very most and it has no gain that returns back to us, it is a loss. Because, every activity, which TPAO will carry out in the area, will lead us a little bit far away from the solution table. […]
Anastasiades is committing a mistake by leaving the negotiations table. And we, as Turkish Cypriot side, are obliged to do not only what we can, but more than we can to correct this mistake and make him sit at the negotiations table again. We have to do this. We are not proving our will for a solution by saying ‘we want a solution, see we did not leave the table’. The way to prove this passes through constructive steps in the real sense. And this way is unfortunately not ‘Barbaros’”.
(I/Ts.)
3. BKP: The tension in the Eastern Mediterranean should be ended
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.10.14) reports on statements by the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Izzet Izcan who in a written statement yesterday asked for the withdrawal of Turkey’s warships from the Eastern Mediterranean and the suspension of the military exercises which is carried out by the Greek Cypriot side together with Israel.
Underlining that both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have rights in the natural gas and energy resources in the island, Izcan stated: “The path for the Turkish Cypriot community to obtain its rights which derive from the natural gas and energy resources, is an early and comprehensive solution. The entire [Turkish Cypriot] community should be focused on this. The showdown and the military threat policy will not lead anywhere, on the contrary, all sides will be damaged by this”, Izcan said.
(AK)
4. Eroglu: One day the “embargoes” will be lifted
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (21.10.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu participated in the opening ceremony of the “11th Football-tennis championship” which is taking place in the breakaway regime between 20-24 of October with the participation of 27 countries. The championship is organized by FIFTA (Federation International Football-tennis Association).
Speaking during the ceremony, Eroglu said that it is an honour that the championship is organized in the “TRNC” and added that “embargoes” should not be applied to youth in anyplace in the world. He also stated that with events taking place in the breakaway regime, “embargoes” are becoming weaker and expressed the hope that one day soon they will be totally lifted.
In addition, speaking during the ceremony for the launching of the first academic year of the new illegal Keryneia University, Eroglu said that the breakaway regime needs the people to make their voice heard, adding that this is very hard to be done. He also said that the “TRNC” is not recognized by any other country than Turkey but the fact that many students from various countries study at their universities is very useful towards this direction.
5. Talat on the Cyprus problem and the so-called presidential elections
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.10.14) reports on statements by the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat who has said that the “election campaign” in the occupied area of Cyprus for the forthcoming “presidential elections” that will take place in 2015, has started very early.
Speaking to a televised program in the occupied area of Cyprus which was broadcast by Kibris TV, Talat said that the National Unity Party (UBP) acts in harmony with Eroglu’s demand. “This is the situation”, Talat said adding that the Turkish Cypriots are in the position to decide and stated that if Eroglu decides to continue, then this will mean the continuation of the non-solution, as well as the decrease of the Turkish Cypriots’ prestige and the returning to the pro-1974 situation.
Commenting on the Greek Cypriot sides’ decision to suspend the Cyprus negotiation talks, Talat said that it was wrong and accused the Greek Cypriot side for unwillingness on the efforts to find a comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem.
Referring to the period of the Annan plan, he alleged that the Turkish Cypriots’ prestige was high and pointed out that with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision on the property issue in 2010; the Turkish Cypriots’ rights were surrendered.
Talat went on and said that the situation today is going in the wrong direction and added that the Turkish Cypriots situation goes from bad to worse.
(AK)
6. Israeli firm constructs villas next to the sea in occupied Trikomo area
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.10.14) reports about an Israeli firm under the name Afik Group which has been constructing villas and apartments in the Gastria area in occupied Trikomo.
According to the paper, for the last two years the Israeli firm has been constructing residences just 30 meters away from the shores, violating the “laws” of the breakaway regime, however it continues to do so without being stopped.
The paper writes that the firm was also constructing villas in the area five years ago but its works were stopped due to various complains.
7. Sinay’s resignation was rejected by the “assembly”
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 20.10.14), the so-called parliament of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has rejected the resignation of the “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) Abbas Sinay from the “assembly”.
The motion was rejected by 28 votes against 3. Twelve deputies abstained.
While “deputies” from the CTP-BG and DP (Democratic Party) “coalition government” voted against Sinay’s resignation, the 12 “deputies” from the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) voted in abstention. The 3 “deputies” from the Social Democratic party (TDP) voted to approve Sinay’s resignation.
Sinay had submitted his resignation after falling out with the party over various issues.
Commenting on the issue before the vote took place, the leader of the main opposition UBP Huseyin Ozgurgun said that it was not right for the “parliament” to determine whether a “deputy” could resign or not.
TDP “deputy” Mehmet Cakici, who also commented on the issue, said that no one should interfere against an individual, who is exercising his free will to resign.
8. Turkey allows Kurdish fighters to cross into Kobani
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 21.10.14), Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Turkey has been assisting Kurdish peshmerga (fighters) forces by allowing them to cross into Kobani, and added that Ankara and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are cooperating and talks are ongoing regarding the issue. Speaking in a news conference held in Ankara following the Tunisian Foreign Minister Munci Hamdi's official visit, Cavusoglu reiterated, "We [Turkey] have no wish to see Kobani fall" to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) fighters in the region. He said that Turkey is demonstrating great efforts to prevent Kobani from falling, including offering humanitarian aid and medical assistance. Government sources, speaking to Daily Sabah, stated that a corridor to help Kurdish peshmerga enter into Kobani was open last night, but they did not give further information over the mobilization and the route of the corridor.
Hours before Cavusoglu’s statement, American military officials said that U.S. aircraft dropped weapons, ammunition and medical supplies to Democratic Union Party (PYD) fighters - an arm of the outlawed PKK in Syria - to help them in their fight against ISIS.
The Foreign Minister said that Turkey is aware of the U.S. resupply of the PYD forces in Kobani. Regarding the issue, Cavusoglu was quoted as saying, "Turkey is in full cooperation with anti-ISIS coalition led by the U.S."
Yet, Cavusoglu added that Ankara saw the move in a wider context of all regional threats, as the President expressed on Sunday that the Syrian Kurdish PYD is no different from the outlawed PKK. Cavusoglu shed light on Ankara's stance towards the U.S. arming of PYD fighters by saying, "The PYD will not gain Turkey's support as long as it continues its aim of controlling a specific area in Syria just like ISIS."
Noting that the goal pursued by the PYD is completely different than the aim of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), which opposes the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, the Foreign Minister highlighted that it creates a threat for the future, particularly the democratic structure of Syria.
Cavusoglu further urged the PYD to change its policies in the region and abandon these goals. He echoed Ankara's statements that the Assad regime is behind the latest development in the region and said that the only forces combatting the Assad regime in Syria is the FSA.
The Foreign Minister said, "We [Turkey] agree with the U.S. and other allies that the FSA is the only group which should be supported, as it is battling both ISIS and the Assad regime."
9. Barroso: Turkey’s EU bid has not developed correctly
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 20.10.14), during an address to the Chatham House think tank on Oct. 20 in London, former European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that Turkey’s EU accession bid has not progressed properly, holding both parties responsible for the lack of progress.
“The move toward Turkey joining [the EU] has not evolved as it should, partly because of what has happened in Turkey and partly because of what has happened in the EU,” Barroso said.
However, he asserted that “we should keep the door open to Turkey’s joining,” underlining that the EU would benefit from strong relations with Turkey.
Although he said he could not give a guarantee that Turkey would become an EU member, Barroso said he was hopeful, while also admitting that "many things had happened in Turkey over the summer" that caused concern in some EU capitals.
10. EU Commission releases its first report on Turkey’s progress
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.10.14), a European Union Commission report has stated that Turkey has been "effective" in its efforts to meet the bloc's requirements for allowing Turkish citizens to be able to travel to the 28-nation bloc without a visa.
The comment by Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström came as the EU's first progress report on Turkey’s visa liberalization "roadmap" was released Monday, which acknowledged the progress the country has made in developing its civil registry system and reforms adopted in the field of migration and international protection.
Malmström said in a statement: ''I am convinced that Turkey will keep a steady pace towards the fulfilment of the benchmarks by bringing forward several essential legislative and administrative reforms." However, more steps were needed to be taken in order for Turkey to achieve its goal, such as the ones for issuing passports with biometric data and developing cooperation with EU member states in detecting forged and fraudulent travel documents, the statement added.
The report also said that Turkey needed to adopt national legislation in line with Europe and to continue to enhance its justice system while safeguarding its independence.
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