TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 186/14 04-06.10.14
1. Nami says they will first bring Barbaros vessel to Cyprus’ EEZ and then a drilling platform
2. Turkey’s MFA press release on the Republic of Cyprus drilling activities
3. Press release by the so-called foreign ministry describes as unacceptable and disconcerting development the Republic of Cyprus’ hydrocarbon exploration activities in parcel 9
4. Turkish warship continues watching the drilling activities in Cyprus’ EEZ
5. Ozersay said that they will connect the proposals for a Cyprus settlement
6. Bozkir: There are at least 5 thousand people who make a living from the Cyprus problem
7. Turkish Cypriot columnist assesses the Cyprus talks and next year’s “elections” in the occupied area of the island
8. Turkish businessman says that he would abandon the occupied area of Cyprus, if he could
9. Biden apologizes to Turkish President Erdogan over ISIL remarks
10. Bozkir: “Blocking the Twitter was a mistake”
11. Syrian Kurdish leader has reportedly held in secret talks in Turkey
1. Nami says they will first bring Barbaros vessel to Cyprus’ EEZ and then a drilling platform
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (06.10.14) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that they have determined a common stance with Turkey as regards the beginning of new drilling activities in parcel 9 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In statements to Kibris Postasi, Nami noted that their common stance is first to send Barbaros research vessel to the area and then, according to the results, to deploy a drilling platform there.
Clarifying the reference in the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s written statement to Turkey’s “support” on the issue of seismic researches and a drilling platform, Nami argued that the above-mentioned statement was issued in consultation with and as a result of the common policies determined with the “TRNC foreign ministry”. He argued that Turkey and the breakaway regime agree on all issues as regards what he called as “unilateral activities” on the hydrocarbon resources and added that they will not turn blind eye to the Greek Cypriots’ “unilateral activities”.
Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (06.10.14), Nami alleged that the warnings made on the natural gas issue are ignored by the Greek Cypriots and claimed: “We have said and warned that the natural resources belong to all Cypriots and that unilateral activities should be avoided. If they do not take this into consideration, Turkey will take its own steps to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people”.
Nami wished for the Greek Cypriot side to seriously evaluate their warnings, because no one wants such events to shadow the negotiating process. “What is fundamental here is the negotiating process, the comprehensive solution”, he said and alleged that the steps of the Greek Cypriot side now are not serving to the aim of finding a solution.
Referring to the attacks made by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Nami said that they are worried about the situation. Alleging that everyone should know that the Turkish occupation army maintains its existence on Cyprus as “guarantor power”, he claimed that any hand, which will be extended onto the “TRNC”, will face the “very strong reaction of Turkey”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Turkey’s MFA press release on the Republic of Cyprus drilling activities
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published in its website (www.mfa.gov.tr) on October 4, the following press release: “Turkey follows with concern the Greek Cypriot Administration’s (GCA) continuing unilateral research activities of hydrocarbon resources in its so called Exclusive Economic Zone without taking into account the Turkish Cypriots’ detailed and concrete cooperation proposals for a fair sharing. Turkey supports the remarks made in the press release issued on 3 October 2014 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the TRNC upon the initiation of a new drilling activity by the GCA in the block area called 9.
The common objective and priority of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side is to reach a just and lasting negotiated settlement to the Cyprus issue, which has been lasting more than 50 years, based on the inherent constitutive power of the two peoples, their political equality and co-ownership of the island. As a guarantor, Turkey is determined to maintain its constructive support, as has been the case up till now. Turkey, however, expects the GCA to refrain from acting as if it is the sole owner of the resources of the island, to halt its unilateral research activities and to adopt an understanding with a view to establishing a new partnership. We also hope that this irresponsible attitude of the GCA will not have repercussions on the comprehensive negotiation process, which has resumed on the basis of the joint statement made on 11 February 2014 and which we expect to have positive results soon. We hope that the objective of securing a more prosperous future for both sides through the water that will be transported to the TRNC by the end of the year, the natural resources of the island and other opportunities that will come up after the settlement is being shared by all parties. Nevertheless, as it was stated repeatedly, if the priority of the GCA is to act unilaterally over the natural resources, this will never be accepted.
Turkey calls on the international community to act in order to prevent the provocative and unilateral steps of the GCA. Until it is done, all kind of support to the TRNC’s future steps of conducting seismic research activities, acquiring a drilling platform and dispatching it to an area to be determined, which are necessary to protect its inherent rights over these resources, will be provided by us”.
3. Press release by the so-called foreign ministry describes as unacceptable and disconcerting development the Republic of Cyprus’ hydrocarbon exploration activities in parcel 9
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.10.14) under the title: “It is an unacceptable and disconcerting development” reported on a press release issued by the so-called foreign ministry of the breakaway regime which reacted strongly to the launching of hydrocarbon exploration activities by the Republic of Cyprus in parcel 9.
The statement said: “At a time when the negotiations are ongoing, the commencement of drilling activities by the Greek Cypriot Administration within the framework of its illegal hydrocarbon exploration activities carried out in the Eastern Mediterranean in Parcel 9, allegedly situated in its so-called Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and carried out by a Bahamas registered ship named SAIPEM 10000, in total disregard of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots over the island, is not only a disconcerting development but also unacceptable as the area overlaps with the areas which are licensed by our State to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Moreover, it is not possible to understand this confidence undermining behaviour since the Greek Cypriot side repeatedly highlights the importance of Confidence Building Measures.
Particularly at a time when the United Nations Secretary-General has appointed a new Special Advisor on Cyprus in order to assume an active role in the ongoing negotiation process and a new phase of the negotiation process has commenced, the provocative activities of the Greek Cypriot side, such as the commencement of drilling activities in Parcel 9 and the signing of a Framework Agreement on the joint exploitation and mutual use of hydrocarbon reserves within its maritime borders with Egypt, are indicative of the lack of will of the Greek Cypriot side towards reaching a settlement and that the Greek Cypriot side will continue its policies of exacerbating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has already underlined, through its previous press statements, that the Turkish Cypriot side will not condone the unilateral activities of the Greek Cypriot side aimed at creating a fait accompli and usurping the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, who are one of the co-owners of the island of Cyprus. The TRNC Government continues to take the necessary steps in this regard. Within this framework, the Turkish Cypriot side in cooperation with Turkey will send a seismic Exploration Ship with the necessary technical capacity to the areas in which TPAO was given exploration licenses by the TRNC to conduct exploration on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, the co-owners of the natural resources of the island. Based on the results of the data received from the seismic exploration, it is anticipated that drilling platforms will also be sent to the relevant areas.
As the Turkish Cypriot side, we are of the belief that until a comprehensive settlement is reached, the exploration, extraction and processing of the natural resources around the Island, which is co-owned by the two peoples, should be carried out through the mutual cooperation of the two sides rather than through unilateral initiatives. In this connection, it is necessary to recall that the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side made through the UN Secretary-General on 24 September 2011 and 29 September 2012 constitute the outline of a constructive cooperation. We invite the Greek Cypriot side to cease its unilateral activities bearing in mind that the negotiation process is at a sensitive stage.
It is the expectation of the Turkish Cypriot side that the Greek Cypriot leadership abandons its unilateral and illegal activities and focuses on the UN negotiation process, which resumed with the agreement of the two leaders on the Joint Statement of 11 February 2014, with the aim of finding a settlement”.
4. Turkish warship continues watching the drilling activities in Cyprus’ EEZ
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.10.14) reports that a warship of the Turkish Naval Forces continues to “closely watch” SAIPEM 10000 vessel, which is holding drilling activities for oil and natural gas in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to a statement issued by the Turkish Armed Forces, a Turkish frigate named TCG Gelibolu (F-493) has been closely watching for a few weeks SAIPEM 10000 vessel, which is under the flag of Bahamas. The statement says that the frigate continued following SAIPEM during the Moslem feast of the sacrifices as well.
It is noted that, according to a statement published on the Turkish Armed Forces’ website on Friday, 04 October, 2014
(http://www.tsk.tr/11_haberler_olaylar/11_9_gunluk_faaliyetler/gunluk_faaliyetler_2014.html) under the title “Daily Activities”, SAIPEM 10000 platform is followed by the Turkish warship named TCG Mizrak, which participates in the so-called Mediterranean Shield Operation.
(I/Ts.)
5. Ozersay said that they will connect the proposals for a Cyprus settlement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.10.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay said that there are two solution proposals on the negotiation table. In an interview to Osman Kalfaoglu, Ozersay said that the proposals include the six of the 6 articles without a map and they will try to connect them.
Asked to comment on UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide’s statement after his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that he will come to the island with some “bridging proposals”, Ozersay said that he thinks that Eide would rather bring bridging ideas and not proposals. He explained that there is huge difference between ideas and proposals. You can accept or reject a proposal, but you can discuss the idea without accepting or rejecting it.
Ozersay said that his impression is that at the first step, some chapters will be defined, then some chapters will be selected that they contain some headings with priority. One of these may be the property chapter and another one may be the governance and power-sharing chapter.
Noting that the international actors who are interested in the Cyprus problem have accepted as a natural timetable next April due to the upcoming “presidential elections”, Ozersay however, said that it is not correct to say that it is the last chance.
6. Bozkir: There are at least 5 thousand people who make a living from the Cyprus problem
Turkish daily Milliyet (online, 05.10.14) reports that Volkan Bozkir, the Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator, has alleged that unfortunately there is no other problem in the world which is unsolved for 50 years now.
Asked to comment in the paper why do they have difficulties to open new chapters in Turkey’s EU accession process, whether Cyprus problem is one of this difficulties and why there is no progress in the Cyprus talks, Bozkir claimed that as a man, who is in diplomacy for 40 years, he has difficulty to explain the fact why the Cyprus problem has not been solved yet. He added: “Unfortunately, there are at least 5 thousand people in the world who sustain their lives from the continuation of the Cyprus problem.” He explained that in the UN, they know in fact very well this issue and in order not to lose their living they say “let the problem continue”. He accused them of knowing very well all the documents and knowing even better how it cannot be solved.
Bozkir noted that a new acceleration has been gained now at the Cyprus talks, adding: “The transportation of potable water with pipelines from Turkey there (translator’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) is a very important factor.” Bozkir repeated that the natural gas founded in “South Cyprus” should be shared with the “North”, claiming that there is no other way to transfer the natural gas to the Western countries other than through Turkey. He also said that the USA has intervened now into the process due to these elements, because of its interests. He said that the USA is interested how to extract the natural gas from this territory and how to establish stability in the region. He noted that with this intervention the process will go forward, adding that he hopes that this process will bring results
Bozkir also accused the EU of making a mistake on the Cyprus issue, adding that no country with a “territory problem” should be accepted in the EU. Referring to the opening of new chapters to Turkey’s accession process, Bozkir claimed that in total 17 chapters have been blocked due to the Cyprus problem. He alleged that if the Cyprus problem is not solved then there is no potential of opening chapters, adding that there is no benefit to make any preparation. He also said that they have not given any permission to move the elements of the Cyprus negotiation process to the EU negotiation process, that say: “Open the port of Famagusta and we will open a chapter or give Varosha and we will open a chapter”.
7. Turkish Cypriot columnist assesses the Cyprus talks and next year’s “elections” in the occupied area of the island
Writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.10.14), Basaran Duzgun expresses the view that the Cyprus talks have “died”, not because of the stance of the Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay’s statement that he would run as candidate in next year’s “presidential elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus or even not because of Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu’s possible candidacy in the same “elections”. “On the contrary, this will be good”, he notes referring to the possibility of both Ozersay and Eroglu running in the “elections”, “as they will debate the details of the negotiations and thus we will also be informed”.
He added: “They are the ones who know the details of the issue. Given that they will be candidates against each other, this means that they do not like each other’s policies. Or at least Ozersay, who officially announced his candidature, does not like Eroglu’s policies, who has not yet officially clarified the issue, and that is why he became candidate. If he liked them, he would support him. Anyway, these are details. The actual point is what Eroglu says, and the statements made by the National Unity Party (UBP) during the past few days.
Addressing the opening ceremony of a festival in the area, Dervis Eroglu had said: ‘The Greek Cypriots want Lapathos village as well. They stopped [wanting only] the down side of the road and they passed to the upper side’. His words meant that ‘they are expecting more territorial concessions from me’. It was obvious that he was preparing to build his campaign on the [slogan] that ‘we will not give concessions’.
The UBP officials get enthusiastic during the meetings organized to tell Eroglu ‘please be our candidate’. […] During the recent meeting they organized in Morfou for ‘Eroglu becoming a candidate’, they shouted that ‘we will never give Morfou’. And in this manner they openly exhibited their intentions. As you understand, we are returning to the ‘we are not giving even a single small stone’ days. Eroglu and the UBP are preparing together to take us to the past. The days of saying ‘the country is honor, he who gives it is dishonest’. […]
This is not a problem for us. We are used to it. I am very curious about what Anastasiades will do. Of course, last week in New York the UN Secretary-General was visited and it was said in his presence that the give and take in the negotiations should now begin. The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser has also made statements which confirmed that such a period would start. That is, everyone says now ‘let us start the give and take’, but our Eroglu and UBP are returning to the ‘we are not giving even a single small stone’ style. This is the picture. If now Anastasiades sees this picture and says ‘what bargain will I make with those who do not give even a single stone’, and withdraws from the negotiations saying ‘we will meet after April, what will happen? Those, who have prematurely and unnecessarily brought the presidential elections onto the community’s agenda, will gloat. Because they have poisoned the community’s agenda first and the Cyprus negotiations afterwards. This is what will happen”.
(I/Ts.)
8. Turkish businessman says that he would abandon the occupied area of Cyprus, if he could
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (06.10.14) reports that Turkish businessman Besim Tibuk, chairman of the administrative board of Net Holding, which owns the Merit Hotel in the occupied area of Cyprus, has said that he would sell everything and leave the occupied area of the island, if he could. In an interview with Halkin Sesi, Tibuk noted: “There are countries which invite us for investments. We have used the company’s resources in a wrong manner by coming to northern Cyprus. If I could, I would sell everything and leave. You cannot sell them. When you cannot sell, you should increase the capacity in order to make them profitable”.
Referring to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the hydrocarbon resources found in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Tibuk argued: “Three years ago I was hopeful for a solution. Gas was found in the south [Translator’s note: “South” is the word he uses to describe the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus]. I was thinking that this issue would be solved within 1-2 years. However, nothing will happen in Cyprus. Even if gas comes out, there will be no solution, because the EU encourages south Cyprus [Translator’s note: This is how he describes the Republic of Cyprus].
Strongly criticizing the European Union (EU), Tibuk said that if he could, he would not allow the entrance of EU officials to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He added: “EU officials stay at Nicosia Merit Hotel sometimes. Next year I will forbid this. I do not accept EU officials in my hotels”.
Referring to his investments on the island, Tibuk said that he started investing in the occupied area of Cyprus in 1996, that he currently employs 3,000 persons and that his investments reached 400 million US dollars. He noted that a couple of years after their first investment, they wanted to sell it and go away, but they could not find a buyer, even at half price.
Tibuk said that the banks do not give credits for investments in the occupied area of Cyprus, because of the island’s political problem and added that he does not see any risk on this issue and he does not think that there is a risk for the Greek Cypriots “seizing” these investments he has made in Cyprus.
Responding to a question, he said that in case a casino opens in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, the casinos in the occupied area will benefit from the tourists coming to the island for gambling, because they offer high quality services in this field.
Asked whether he would invest in a hotel in Greece or in the buffer zone in Cyprus, Tibuk replied negatively.
(I/Ts.)
9. Biden apologizes to Turkish President Erdogan over ISIL remarks
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (04.10.14- online in English) reported that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has apologized to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the comments he made at Harvard University, accusing Turkey and other allies for paving the way for the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"The Vice President apologized for any implication that Turkey or other Allies and partners in the region had intentionally supplied or facilitated the growth of ISIL or other violent extremists in Syria. The Vice President made clear that the United States greatly values the commitments and sacrifices made by our Allies and partners from around the world to combat the scourge of ISIL, including Turkey," a White House statement said on Saturday.
According to the statement, Erdogan called Biden to clarify recent comments made at Harvard University. "The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of Turkey and the United States working closely together to confront ISIL”, the statement added.
In statements in Istanbul on Saturday after the morning prayer for Eid al-Adha – (the festival of sacrifice observed by Muslims all over the world), Erdogan had demanded an apology from Biden. "If Biden said these words, then he will be history for me. I never uttered such remarks, Erdogan said.
"President Erdogan told me, he is an old friend, said you were right, we let too many people through, now we are trying to seal the border," Biden had said during a speech on foreign policy at Harvard Kennedy School on Oct. 2, while complaining about the conduct of his country's regional allies that led to the rise of the ISIL.
However, the Turkish President vehemently denied these claims. "I was Prime Minister at the time. We absolutely didn't provide even the smallest amount of support to any terrorist organization, including the ISIL. Nobody can prove it. Foreign fighters never crossed from Turkey to Syria. There were people coming to Turkey as tourists and went to Syria, but nobody can suggest that they were armed while crossing the border," Erdogan said.
He also stressed that Ankara's "sensitivity" over the issue continues, as do its measures to prevent the jihadist flow into Syria.
"I view [Biden's remarks] regretfully. I never admitted any mistake, nor did we tell them that they 'were right' during my visit to the U.S. If Mr. Biden uttered these remarks at Harvard, he should apologize. I'm saying this clearly. We won't accept slender, indirect explanations," Erdogan added.
(…)
10. Bozkir: “Blocking the Twitter was a mistake”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.10.14) reported that Turkey’s EU Minister Volkar Bozkır in an interview to Haberturk on Sunday said that Turkey made a mistake in blocking access to Twitter.
“I wish we had not closed Twitter. It was wrong. Everybody accessed [the site] anyway. Now we’re trying to restore a wrong perception [about Turkey],” Bozkır said.
Turkey blocked access to Twitter on March 20, hours after then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vowed to close down the social media platform, triggering both domestic and international reaction.
On April 3, the micro blogging site was unblocked, 24 hours after the Constitutional Court ruled that the ban was a violation of free speech. The company is now in talks to open a Turkey office.
Erdogan admitted that he was “increasingly against the Internet every day,” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who met with the President in Ankara on October 2.
Bozkır also said that Turkey does not have the luxury to announce that it does not need to be a full member of the European Union, stressing that the bloc is still a very big economic player.
11. Syrian Kurdish leader has reportedly held in secret talks in Turkey
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (05.10.14) reported that the Syrian Kurdish leader Saleh Muslim has held talks with Turkish officials during a secret visit in Turkey during the weekend.
According to reports by Hurriyet daily and Al-Jazeera Turk news portal, Muslim, who heads the largest Kurdish Syrian group, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), has met with officials from the National Intelligence Agency (MİT) and other institutions but has not directly met with any government official.
Muslim's visit, which Hurriyet said took place on Friday, follows a meeting between Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Selahattin Demirtas, leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) last Monday.
Demirtas has called on the Turkish government to help Syrian Kurds defending the border town of Kobani, which has been attacked by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and have talks with the PYD to coordinate help efforts.
Following that meeting, Davutoglu said Turkey will do what it can to prevent Kobani falling to ISIL, although he stopped short of committing to military action.
Turkish officials who met with Muslim reportedly repeated Turkish demand that PYD take a clear stance against the Syrian regime and align itself with the anti-regime opposition. They also told him that the PYD should avoid any steps that could put Turkey's efforts to end its Kurdish problem through secret talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan.
(…)Speaking before his meeting with Davutoglu, Demirtas said it was time to take steps for the future of the peace process, which he said cannot be based solely on talks.
In remarks last week, Prime Minister Davutoglu said there were contacts with the PYD last week in which the Turkish officials told them to take a stance against the Assad regime and act together with the opposition Free Syrian Army, adding: “Syrian Kurds in Kobani are now paying the price for the mistakes that were made then”, Davutoglu said.
In remarks on September 30, Muslim said that his calls for arms to defend Kobani had so far been rebuffed by the United States and European nations and blamed Turkey for obstructing his efforts.
He also said that Turkey was preventing some fighters from entering Syria and that there were no Turkish Kurds in Kobani.
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