TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 199/14 24.10.14
1. Eroglu: Reaching a solution through mediators is not possible
2. The Turkish Cypriot political parties call for the resumption of the Cyprus talks
3. Erk: The Republic of Cyprus collapsed in 1963
4. Ozersay evaluated the recent crisis in Cyprus; “The Turkish Cypriot side should follow an active diplomacy”
5. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Turkey is actually the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriots
6. Akansoy accused Davutoglu of making statements which are not in favour of the solution
7. Eroglu due to Istanbul
8. Cirali criticized the production of halloumi cheese in Turkey
9. Plumer Kucuk on the issue of missing persons
10. An Israeli company continues its illegal activities in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
11. Erdogan: The real concern for the US is oil, not people
12. Turkey signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with Latvia
13. Davutoglu signals reconciliation process coming to an end; Pollmark survey shows that the majority supports the process
1. Eroglu: Reaching a solution through mediators is not possible
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.10.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has argued that reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem through mediators is not possible and that the solution could be achieved only at the negotiating table. In statements yesterday after meeting with the Turkish Cypriot political parties represented in the so-called assembly, Eroglu alleged that “adopting the shuttle diplomacy will be tantamount to playing with time” and described as “unacceptable” the demand of the Greek Cypriot side for Turkey withdrawing from Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone [where it is illegally and by violating the international law] holding explorations for natural gas.
Eroglu claimed that it is not possible for them to accept any precondition in order for the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table. “What is important here is for Anastasiades to unconditionally return to the negotiating table”, he alleged.
Referring to the content of their meeting yesterday, Eroglu said that they discussed the eight-paragraph-package of measures decided by the National Council and that the Turkish Cypriot political parties showed that “we are not in the position of accepting the preconditions of the south”, as he described the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
Eroglu accused the Greek Cypriot side of creating “artificial reasons” to abandon the negotiating table, something which “is important from the point of view of showing that it is not looking for an agreement”.
Eroglu also argued that in the past Turkish ships had also held seismic explorations in the area and warships that belong to the Turkish Naval Forces continuously go around in the area.
Referring to the statement made by the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who proposed “negotiations for agreeing on two states” in Cyprus, Eroglu noted: “I think that it is a very appropriate statement. If the South Cyprus Greek administration alleges that whatever there is in the sea belongs to my state, the seas in the north are mine. Then what shall we discuss? Then, the sharing has been made. What has remained is to carry to the negotiating table and discuss the two states chapter”.
Eroglu alleged that this is tantamount to a call for coming to a new negotiating table and added: “If you say that the seas in the south of the island are mine, under my sovereignty, I say to you come and let us change our mission at the negotiating table”.
Referring to his known allegations as regards what he describes as “Greek Cypriot demands” at the negotiating table, Eroglu said that he will hold meetings in various areas in order to share with the “people” the “Greek Cypriot demands as regard the territory issue. He argued that the Greek Cypriots want the entire Karpass peninsula, Morfou and southern Measoria plain and well as the half of northern Mesaoria. “And we will become renters of the Greeks on the lands we think that will remain to us”, he argued.
(I/Ts.)
2. The Turkish Cypriot political parties call for the resumption of the Cyprus talks
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 24.10.14), the leaders of the political parties with seats in the so-called assembly have all called on the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table.
They said that no matter what difficulties are being experienced in the talks, the place to solve these problems is the negotiating table.
The political party leaders commented on the latest developments following yesterday’s 2 hour meeting of the “parliamentary platform” at Eroglu’s “office”.
Speaking first, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party United Forces (CTP-BG) and self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu expressed the need for the resumption of the Cyprus talks.“The talks should restart. Whatever problems the Greek Cypriots might be having they must bring this to the negotiating table. Running away from the negotiating table is not the solution” he added.
Claiming that running away from the talks will only serve to make the Cyprus problem more permanent; Yorgancioglu said that a series of measures to improve relations between the two “peoples” were needed.
Reminded of the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s earlier statements regarding a two state scenario, Yorgancioglu said that his party and “government” remained committed to reaching a federal settlement.
Also speaking, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun criticized the Greek Cypriot side for only addressing Turkey on the latest crisis and trying to side-line the Turkish Cypriots in the process.
“Anastasiades must return to the table without any preconditions”, said Ozgurgun, claiming that the Greek Cypriot leader’s demands were totally unacceptable.
The leader of the Democratic Party National Forces (DP-UG) and self-styled Deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas criticized also the Greek Cypriot side for abandoning the talks and its attempts to see Turkey as its collocutor. He said that they had no intention of giving any concessions to the Greek Cypriot side to persuade it to return to the negotiating table.
The leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit shared the view that the talks should resume from where they were left off. He also proposed that all issues, including the issue of hydrocarbons be discussed at the negotiating table.
3. Erk: The Republic of Cyprus collapsed in 1963
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 23.10.14), the Secretary General of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk has claimed that the suspension of the Cyprus negotiations process is due to the Greek Cypriot leader’s intention to drag the solution to a crisis
Evaluating the suspension of the talks during a program on “BRT”, Erk claimed that Anastasiades has tried to leave the negotiating table twice. He added: “This time he left the table for a reason which was not related with the negotiations and it is not even known whether his decision to pull out was temporary or permanent”.
Alleging that the crisis created by the Greek Cypriot leader is not a coincidence, Erk claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is using Turkey’s crisis with its neighbours for political gains.
He said that the issuing of its latest exploration tender to an Italian company is aimed at heating up relations between Turkey and Italy, adding: “The Greek Cypriot strategy is very well read by Turkey and therefore the ground for the Turkish Petroleum Corporation to enter the exclusive economic zone is created”.
The CTP Secretary General also pointed out that despite all the ongoing crises, the two sides has no other option but to return to the negotiating table.
Evaluating Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s latest statements on the issue, he said: “This was a strategic mistake on part of the Turkish Prime Minister; the first statements on the issue should have come from the Turkish Cypriot political leadership.”
He said shuttle diplomacy is a right strategy to overcome the crisis and added that the dialogue between the two sides should continue.
Also criticizing the stance adopted by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Erk said it was a mistake for Eroglu to accept the suspension of the talks and added that the Turkish Cypriot side could continue to meet with the UN separately.
Erk also said: “If there was a problem related with the Exclusive Economic Zone this should be discussed at the negotiating table” said Erk, reminding that the Turkish Cypriots are founding partners of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus. “Therefore, the Greek Cypriot side should not be allowed to exercise these sovereignty right so fearlessly and blatantly”.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (24.10.14) reports that Erk said that the Republic of Cyprus collapsed in 1963, but if it exists, then the Turkish Cypriots are founding partners of this Republic and they have sovereign right as partners.
Noting that Turkey continues its hydrocarbon exploration activities with the Turkish Cypriots’ willing, Erk said that the Greek Cypriot side should have remained at the negotiating table and looked for a way to solve the problem.
4. Ozersay evaluated the recent crisis in Cyprus; “The Turkish Cypriot side should follow an active diplomacy”
Under the title: “The Turkish Cypriot side should follow an active diplomacy”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.10.14) reports on statements by the “presidential candidate” Kudret Ozersay who in a written statement yesterday evaluated the crisis occurred on the issue of oil and natural resources in the island.
Ozersay said in his statement that the Turkish Cypriot side should follow an active diplomacy on the issue of the natural gas resources and the naval authority it exercises.
Ozersay stressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot side, instead of following a defensive approach, to show a positive approach and make it visible that it is one of the real actors which have rights and interests in this conflict.
Ozersay accused the Greek Cypriot side of not being ready to share with the Turkish Cypriots the oil and natural resources in the island. He said that the Greek Cypriot side used as an excuse the NAVTEX note issued by Turkey in order to suspend the negotiation talks and added that this proves on the one hand that it is not ready to share with the Turkish Cypriot side the “power and wealth” and on the other hand it proves itsunwillingness for a solution.
“If they will follow an attentive policy we can turn the current crisis into an opportunity”, Ozersay said.
Supporting that he does not consider that there is a possibility for an armed conflict to take place, Ozersay said that the other developments in the region and especially the situation in Syria, indicate that the international actors will not permit for a conflict related with the Cyprus problem to take place, especially in this period.
Stressing the need for the Turkish Cypriot side not to be limited with the letter it has sent to the UN’s Secretary-General, but also to exert diplomatic efforts in all levels in international organizations.
Referring to the “Continental Shelf Delimitation Agreement” between Turkey and the “TRNC”, Ozersay said that the statements on the direction that authorities” were given to Turkey “to carry out explorations activities is not appropriate with the Turkish Cypriot side’s stance, since as he explained, they did not gave “authority” to Turkey but to TPAO to carry out explorations.
Ozersay stated further that in spite of the fact that it is not included into the responsibilities of the UN’s Secretary-General Special Advisor Espen Bath Eide the issue of the crisis, they would ask for Mr Eide to be assigned to carry out shuttle diplomacy between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot side.
(…)
AK
5. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Turkey is actually the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriots
Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (24.10.14), Turkish Cypriot columnist Tumay Tugyan reports that the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side is actually Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriots. Under the title “Who is the interlocutor, we or Turkey?” the columnist refers first to statements made yesterday by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the Turkish Cypriot former negotiator Kudret Ozersay and reports that Eroglu has said that Turkey is carrying out explorations in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, while Ozersay described Eroglu’s statements as “not being in harmony with the Turkish Cypriot positions”, because the Turkish Cypriots had authorized the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and not Turkey to carry out explorations.
Noting that Ozersay said that “transferring the problem to Turkey” will “ossify the perception” that the problem is between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus.
She goes on and says:
“That is, Ozersay is actually saying that what Eroglu has said should not be said. However, the bitter truth is that we as Turkish Cypriot side we have transferred the issue to Turkey since a long time. Therefore, even if now we are careful about the language we use or we are not careful, is there a chance for this to make a difference as regards the result? Because our problem is more than the ‘language’. In any case, Turkey is always at the scene as ‘main player’. What if we say that we are the interlocutors! Until today, what have we done at the negotiating table without asking Turkey? Do we not sit to bargain with Turkey before doing it with the Greek Cypriot side even for the slightest move? Do we not mobilize in order to persuade Turkey first? I am not the one who says these things, the politicians themselves say these things to us at various times during informal meetings we have. Therefore, let us not deceive ourselves. Especially [let us not deceive] the community! If there is a wish for not creating the ‘perception’ that the problem is between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey (if it is sincerely believed that such a perception has not yet been created) and if it is believed that this is related to the ‘language issue’, come then and start from correcting Turkey’s ‘language’. For example, Turkey’s saying with the ‘owner’s’ language that ‘we will not return Varosha’!”
(I/Ts.)
6. Akansoy accused Davutoglu of making statements which are not in favor of the solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (24.10.14) reports on statements by Asim Akansoy, “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces in occupied Famagusta, who evaluated to the paper the Cyprus negotiation process and the latest developments.
Referring to the Cyprus negotiation process, Akansoy said that the process was interrupted several times in the past and added that Cyprus, is an island with its own legal strategy.
He stressed the need for a federal solution to be found on the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN’s parameters.
On the issue of the natural gas, Akansoy said the Greek Cypriots could carry out oil exploration activities and say that they are the owners of the resources that will be found, adding, that Turkey which considered those activities wrong, responded by sending the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha vessel and caused a stir.
Stating that it was not necessary to response to a mistake with a mistake, Akansoy underlined that a stir situation was created in the island.
Akansoy also stated that he recognizes the choice of the Greek Cypriot side to leave the table, he, however stressed the need for this dispute to be solved through diplomacy.
Evaluating Davutoglu’s latest statements about the crisis occurred, he said that when a tension exist, statements which do not abide with the UN’s parameters, escalate more the tension and this is an approach which is not in favour of the process.
(AK)
7. Eroglu due to Istanbul
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 23.10.14), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is going to Istanbul on Friday morning as the guest of the Federation of Trabzon Associations based in Istanbul.
Eroglu will speak this afternoon about the Cyprus problem during an event organized by the Federation of Trabzon Associations at the Feshane International Exhibition Congress and Culture Centre.
Eroglu is accompanied by his “military assistant” colonel Sertac Kayalar.
8. Cirali criticized the production of halloumi cheese in Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.10.14) reports that the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” (KTSO) Ali Cirali in a written statement yesterday, pointed out that the name of “Halloumi” product can be used only by the producers in Cyprus who pass from control and criticized the production of halloumi in Turkey. “If the production of halloumi in Turkey continues, then the cost of proceedings should be paid by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB)”, Cirali stated.
Cirali further said that he had the chance to meet and discuss with Turkey’s Minister of Development Cevdet Yilmaz and the chairman of TOBB, Rifat Hisarciklioglu who visited the chambers’ stand at the “Local products Fair” which took place in Antalya.
Cirali added the following: “The geographical registration of halloumi was made by Patent Institutes in Turkey and the TRNC. According to the geographical registration, the name “halloumi” can be used only by producers who pass under control in Cyprus. However, we see with sorrow that there are firms which produce halloumi cheese and use its name within Turkey’s geography and export it either both in the internal and external markets. It is not legal for the producers in Turkey to use the name of halloumi within Turkey’s geographical borders. The KTSO which is the owner of halloumi’s geographical registration will take legal actions in order to protect the Turkish Cypriot producers’ legal rights”, Cirali said.
(AK)
9. Plumer Kucuk on the issue of missing persons
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (24.10.14) under the front-page title: “Hopes are getting lost on the issue of the missing persons” reports that the issue of the missing persons which is an issue of the Cyprus problem with tragic dimension, is entering into a deadlock.
As the paper writes, the percentage of success in the excavations of the missing persons is reducing day by day since conveyances witnesses dies and because of the geographical changes. The paper adds that the percentage of success in the excavations has been reduced to 12% comparing with 50% which was in the previous years. Only the 26% of the Turkish Cypriot missing persons and the 31% of the Greek Cypriot missing’s remains were identified until today, writes the paper and stresses that the hopes of the families of the missing persons who are waiting for half a century for the remnants, are getting low every day past.
Speaking on the issue, Gulden Plumer Kucuk, Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons, said that their job is getting difficult day by day and added that it is not possible all the missing persons to be found. He added that excavations were made to around one thousand burial places in the island and added that there are still 200 other places that excavations should be made. “It is impossible to find all the missing’s remains. No patience is left to the families”, said Kucuk.
(AK)
10. An Israeli company continues its illegal activities in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 23.10.14), the Israeli construction company Afik Group has been continuing its operations by ignoring the “law” in the occupied area of Trikomo despite the two illegal construction attempts in the past. The construction company, who has made a series of violations of the “laws and regulations” of “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), this time has built a villa just 30 meters from the shore.
According to “Article 38” of the “constitution”, it clearly restricts any private building activities within 100 meters from the coastline. AFİK Group, however disregarded all the “laws” and “regulations” five years ago by constructing a villa, which was sold to the British citizen John Greenway for 450.000 pounds while the villa was still under construction. The villa construction was stopped and the “government” decided for its demolition. The buyer of the villa took the case to the “court” and won the case. The company was ordered to pay compensation.
The firm’s second illegal action was the 14-story construction project planning permission, which they acquired with cover-up documents in 2011. The company after receiving two negative environmental impact assessment reports, re-applied to the “authorities” with an old version of the map ignoring the recent developments in the area known as “Sarcon villas”. The new application went through positively, however after complaints the “authorities” cancelled the planning permission because the corruption was unveiled. Currently, for a third time this firm is breaking the “law” again by constructing villas 30 meter from the coastline.
The 250 unit project first started in line with the “law”, however the 100 meter rule was broken once again and villas have been built and sold to Russian and Israeli citizens for prices up to 750,000 pounds. Observers ask if the “authorities” are going to act upon the illegal development in the area and wonder whether the “authorities” will spot the irregularities and decide to demolish the building as they did in the past.
11. Erdogan: The real concern for the US is oil, not people
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.10.14), the US acted despite opposition from Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, adding: "I told him (Obama) Kobani is not currently a strategic place for you, if anything it is strategic for us" .
"The terrorist group could barely agree to allow the peshmerga in. After that, they said they want no more than 200 soldiers. Why? Because they fear to lose their monopoly of power in Kobani," Erdogan explained at a news conference while on a visit to the Latvian capital, Riga.
Turkey criticized the U.S. for its military aid to the outlawed Kurdish Democratic Union Party on Monday, saying that would mean arming "terrorists," Erdogan recalled at the press conference.
“There are no civilians left in Kobani, only about 2,000 PYD fighters," he added, using an abbreviation for the Kurdish party.
The Turkish President also criticized the West's long-term inaction with respect to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, pointing out that when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant threat arose, it was too late to intervene.
"Neither the UN, nor the EU, nor other countries, nor any international organizations took any precautions while [former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-] Maliki was applying sectarian policies. The same groups ignored the situation in Syria as well. But as soon as ISIL started capturing the oil-wells, the fight started. One can't help but think that the real concern was oil, not the people. And the largest part of the Iraqi oil belongs to the West", Erdogan said.
Erdogan, while noting that U.S. airstrikes against ISIL have been partially effective, noted that "ISIL is still dominant in Iraq, still controls one third of its territory."
"It is impossible to capture any territory so long as you don't support your air campaign with a ground operation. And you cannot permanently keep the territories that you own only through airstrikes," he said.
Turkey has on several occasions criticized the structure of the UN Security Council for its failure to act in severe crises such as the one in Syria. The UN Security Council has five permanent members: U.S., U.K., France, Russia and China.
"The world is bigger than five," Erdogan reiterated in his speech, criticizing the extraordinary powers the UN Security Council permanent members were donated.
"World War II has been left behind. The UN needs reforming. Permanent members do not really represent the global voices," Erdogan said.
12. Turkey signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with Latvia
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 23.10.14), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of his visit to Latvia has met with the Latvian President and other officials as Turkey and Latvia signed numerous agreements to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
Thanking the Latvian President Andris Berzins for his hospitality, President Erdogan said that he has held meetings with his counterpart to determine how both countries can improve their cooperation and exchanged ideas about several issues. Erdogan noted that he was pleased about Latvia's support for Turkey's EU accession process and stated that Turkey's membership in the EU would socially, economically, strategically and culturally contribute to the Union.
13. Davutoglu signals reconciliation process coming to an end; Pollmark survey shows that the majority supports the process
According to Turkish daily Sabah (online, 24.10.14), after claiming thousands of lives, the three-decade-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state, is about to come to an end according to political actors who signalled that the reconciliation process between Ankara and the Kurds would yield results in the coming months.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in a recent interview with Arabic media outlets said that the reconciliation process, which started between Ankara and the Kurds will reach the desired point in a few months if all sides fulfil their responsibilities and obligations. Evaluating the current situation of the process, Davutoglu underscored that it is not possible to reach a resolution unilaterally and called on the Kurdish side to "take concrete steps."
He continued by underscoring how crucial it is to reach a mutual understanding on protecting public order and development.
A poll conducted right after the recent protests showed that support for the reconciliation process was 55.4% while 37.3% of those surveyed showed no support for it. Of those survey respondents 7.4%, refrained from answering. A total of 50.1% of Turkish citizens said they supported the process while the percentage increased to 81.2% among Kurdish citizens.
Meanwhile, under the front-page title: “55.4% the support to the peace process”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (24.10.14) publishes the result of the poll by Pollmark research company in Turkey, and writes that the poll was conducted between the dates 10-14 of October with a sample of 5,071 persons.
According to the poll, in the question, if elections were to take place today, which party will you vote: AKP received 50.4%, CHP 24.4%, MHP 13.1% and HDP 8%.
(AK)
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