TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 236/14 17.12.14
1. Nami
evaluated the Cyprus problem and his “ministry’s work”; The occupation regime
to open more “representation offices abroad”
2. Affronts against Dogus Derya after her statement
saying that Greek Cypriot women were raped in 1974
3. Akinci and Izcan oppose the construction of a
nuclear power plant in Akkuyu
4. “Turkish Cypriot Businessmen
Association” (ISAD) calls for the re-launching of Cyprus negotiation
5. Open letter of the chairman of
the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” for the efforts for re-unification of
football in Cyprus
6. KTOS and KTOEOS: the newly
established National Justice Party an extension of AKP
7. Women’s organization of CTP
participated in the Women Council of the Socialist International in Geneva
8. Cavusoglu slams EU over
journalist detention criticism
9. Kilicdaroglu: “Turkey’s
current rulers aspire membership to Shanghai Five, not to the EU”
10. “Erdogan has no right to
deprive Turkish people of EU membership”
1.Nami evaluated the Cyprus
problem and his “ministry’s work”; The occupation regime to open more
“representation offices abroad”
According to illegal Bayrak television (16.12.14), so-called foreign minister Ozdil Nami
evaluated in a program broadcast by illegal BRT, his “ministry’s work” and the
crisis being experienced on the Cyprus problem.
Referring to his “ministry’s work”, Nami said that 2014 had been a very busy
year and this would continue in 2015, as he said, since “more representation
offices would open up abroad”.
On the Cyprus issue, Nami said that all circles must
stand by the joint statement that was agreed upon by the two sides and alleged that
the Greek Cypriot leader, as he called President Nikos Anastasiades, has come
to the negotiating table with strategic plans which had led to the crisis at
the talks.
He claimed that the fact that the Greek Cypriot leader
has not accepted previous convergences at the talks is also a part of his
mentality.
Referring to the issue of hydrocarbons, Nami said that
everything can be overcome through good will.
Explaining that the Barbaros
Hayrettin Pasa research vessel will complete its works at the end of this
month, Nami said that the Greek Cypriot side’s efforts at sea will also be
completed shortly and noted that the rise in tensions in the region should
decrease soon. “Therefore there is a possibility that the leaders may return to
the negotiating table”, said Nami adding that he believed a window of
opportunity existed to overcome the deadlocks that are being experienced.
He also called the international actors to say stop to
the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, and
persuade them to return to the negotiating table. He alleged that everyone,
apart from the Greek Cypriot side wants the negotiations to resume.
2. Affronts against Dogus Derya after her statement
saying that Greek Cypriot women were raped in 1974
Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper (16.12.14) reports that Dogus
Derya, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces
(CTP-BG), has suffered affronts by
“certain circles” in the social media because of the statement she had made the
day before yesterday at the “assembly” that so many Greek Cypriot women had
been raped in 1974 [during the Turkish invasion of the island] that the Greek Orthodox Church permitted
abortions for the first time.
Among those who affronted Derya are the chairman of
the Turkish settlers from Alexandretta, Bertan Zaroglu, the former “minister”
of agriculture of the regime, Kenan Akin [known for the murder of Solomos Solomou during the
incidents in Deryneia village in 1996]
and the chairman of continuing late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas’ ideas,
Latif Akca.
According to the
paper, Akin said for Derya on Facebook that “she is a poor woman who could not
have her share as a woman and wants to be raped”. A person named Rifat Yildiz
wrote for Derya that “How old was she then? If she had been raped, she would
not have talked like this”. Another person named Kemal Ozkan Cakiror wrote:
“This woman went beyond the line. I wish for one of the soldiers to rape her
and close her mouth”.
Meanwhile, Derya said that she is preparing to file a
lawsuit against some former “deputies” and representatives of nationalist
organizations who used all these insulting words for her.
Furthermore, persons and organizations expressed their
support yesterday to Derya. According to Havadis, CTP’s women organization condemned the attack against its member,
who, they said, “is not alone” in this. They said that they will not remain
silent in front of the circles, who call for war and are reminiscent of
fascism, pointing out that war brought suffering and pain to both communities,
which were actually defeated in that war.
Moreover, Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (17.12.14) reports that Mustafa Akinci, candidate in the
forthcoming “elections”, also expressed
support to Derya, noting that “we must not be afraid of facing the truth”
and described as “ugly swearwords” the insults against Derya. Akinci wrote on
his social media account the following: “Another traumatic reality of wars is
the raping of women. Wars have happened
in Cyprus and all these were experienced. Many Greek Cypriot women experienced
pregnancies which they did not want and were forced to make abortions. Those of
us who were grown-ups in the 1974 period know this reality”.
Meanwhile, Kibris Postasi announced that it has
decided that as of today it will not
publish statements made by persons who affronted Derya.
Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika newspaper (17.12.14) refers to the issue under the banner front-page
title “Rapists” and argued that those
who wroteall these about Derya must immediately be sent away from the occupied
area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci and Izcan oppose the construction of a
nuclear power plant in Akkuyu
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi newspaper (17.12.14) reports that Mustafa Akinci, candidate in the forthcoming “elections”, has said that the construction of a nuclear
power plant in Turkey’s Akkuyu area (Mersin) constitutes a great risk both for
the people living in Turkey and the inhabitants of Cyprus, because it will be
built in an area near to a fault line.
In a statement issued
yesterday, Akinci noted that he is in favor of the use of renewable energy
sources instead of being dependent on oil and recalled that some countries,
such as Germany for example, are planning to stop using nuclear power plants
after a certain period. Akinci reminded also of the tsunami that occurred in
Japan and caused a leak from a nuclear power plant and many people lost their
lives.
Meanwhile, Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United
Cyprus Party (BKP), issued a statement yesterday asking from the Republican Turkish Party – Democratic Party self-styled
government of the regime to undertake an initiative for stopping the
construction of the nuclear power plant in Akkuyu. Noting that the entire Cyprus will be under a “great
danger” in case the nuclear power plant is built there, Izcan said that an area
of 300 kilometers may suffer a catastrophe as a result of a possible accident.
Underlining the threats for the environment by the nuclear wastes, Izcan called on all local and international
environmental organization to carry out a common struggle against this threat.
He also reminded of the accident at Fukushima power plant in Japan on 11 March
2011, and the price which Turkey had paid after the accident in Chernobyl in
the 1980’s.
(I/Ts.)
4. “Turkish Cypriot
Businessmen Association” (ISAD) calls for the re-launching of Cyprus
negotiation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.12.14)
reports that the “Turkish Cypriot
Businessmen Association” (ISAD) calls on Turkey, Greece, the UN, the European
Union and the USA to exert creative and forceful efforts so that the Cyprus
negotiation is re-launched the earliest possible.
Speaking on behalf of ISAD, Metin Sadi stated that if
the hydrocarbons that were discovered in the region are used in cooperation
between the two sides, this will be beneficial for both of them. He also
expressed the belief that if the two leaders return to the negotiation table a
solution can be reached within six months.
5. Open letter of the chairman
of the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” for the efforts for re-unification
of football in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (17.12.14)
reports that Hasan Sertoglu, the
chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” (KTFF) sent an open
letter “to all Cypriots and to all members of the Cypriot football community”.
Sertoglu noted in the letter that the basiswas set of ending the isolation of
football in Cyprus, which is going on for the last sixty years, with the
agreement signed between KTFF and the Cyprus Football Federation (CFA/KOP).
Sertoglu writes in his letter the following: “After 60
years of separation, the ambition is clear since the Turkish-Cypriot football
community clearly expressed its goal to regain the position it had in the
CFA/KOP before 1955, with all our obligations and all our rights. The CFA/KOP
is also ours! Everyone should know that the CFA/KOP, whose founders we are,
does not only belong to Greek Cypriots. It is ours as well! Far from me to ignore or to forget the
past, its sufferings, its injustices, its lingering sour memories, the lack of
trust – on both sides – but football with its general trans-generational appeal
can and should play its role to bridge the gaps between our two communities and
restart the relations which existed”, he stated.
He also noted in his letter that he cannot ignore the resistances or all the political and legal issues
which represent so many hurdles, so many “red lines”, blocking the two communities
from doing things together again or even slowing down the best initiatives
from both sides. “But we have no choice
other than overcoming them. Our duty is to contribute to the rapprochement of
our youth by spreading seeds of peace”, he stated.
6. KTOS and KTOEOS: the newly
established National Justice Partyan extension of AKP
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.12.14)
reports that the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Union (KTOS) and the Cyprus Turkish Secondary School Teachers' Union (KTOEOS)made a statement regarding the
establishment of the National Justice Party (UAP) which was recently
established in the breakaway regime.
The two trade unions noted that
the newly established party is an extension of AKP and called on it to reveal
its financial sources.
7. Women’s organization of CTP
participated in the Women Council of the Socialist International in Geneva
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.12.14)
reports that the women’s organization of
the Republic Turkish Party (CTP) participated in the Women Council of the
Socialist International which took place in Geneva, between 15-16 December, under
the title “The women’s vision of Socialist International and the women in
politics”.
The paper writes that the general secretary of CHP’s
women organization Sibel Sorakin and CTP’s educational secretary Emel Kisi
represented the party in the council.
8.Cavusoglu slams EU over
journalist detention criticism
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.12.14) reported
that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut
Cavusoglu in statements yesterday during a joint press conference with his
Norwegian counterpart, Borge Brende, said that Ankara cannot accept “heavy
criticism” from the European Union about mass detentions targeting the media
and accused the EU of "not being sincere" in its approach to Turkey’s
fight against the "parallel state”.
“The EU harshly criticized the
legal process after seeing that some journalists were taken into custody, and
there were some threats directed against us about stopping the negotiation
process. The EU’s approach is not sincere. It’s at variance with the candid process we have
established recently [between Turkey and the EU]", Cavusoglu said.
“Everyone can express dismay over
the arrest of journalists and wish to see a transparent judicial process. But
we cannot accept such heavy criticism against Turkey and its government after
the beginning of a judicial process,”Cavusoglu added.
Cavusoglu said that according to the chief prosecutor,
the detained senior media figures were not being investigated for their
journalistic activities, but rather for allegedly being part of a "crime
syndicate."
He also denounced a letter penned
by a representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE), which called for the release of the detained journalists.
“You are talking about the separation of powers and
independence of the judiciary, but at the same time you order the executive branch
to release the detainees”, he said.
(…)
Meanwhile, according to a statement from Turkey's EU
Affairs Ministry, EU Minister Volkan
Bozkır informed Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn about the recent
detention wave during a phone call on December 15.
The statement said that Bozkır told his counterpart that the detained persons were not being
investigated because of their written or oral expressions, stressing that
freedom of the press in Turkey must not be harmed.
9. Kilicdaroglu: “Turkey’s
current rulers aspire membership to Shanghai Five, not to the EU”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.12.14) reported
that main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu in statements yesterday during a gathering
with executives of the Young Businessmen Association of Turkey (TUGİAD), has said that Turkey’s current rulers are
actively aspiring for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO), instead of the European Union, adding that the government has already
declared its will to "abandon democracy and move toward
dictatorship".
“Which one of these countries has democracy? Is there
democracy in China, in Russia? A will to disclaim democracy is being openly
declared [in Turkey]. Changing this grave picture is in our hands” Kılıcdaroglu
said. “Turkey is on a different route now. We are in a process during which
corruption is being legitimized. The European Union is out, the Shanghai Five
is in", he added.
“There is a big game played with Turkey. It is in
front of our eyes, but we can’t see it", Kılıcdaroglu stated and repeated his
call for people, regardless of their political views, to unite under the CHP to
"save democracy."
The CHP head urged TÜGİAD to speak out against the government’s
"undemocratic moves".
“A country where the press is not free will not a have
a free society either. Your door will be knocked on in the early morning and
you will be taken into custody by the police. The private sector is timid.
Turkey can grow only if the private sector can move freely”, he said.
“If you say 'recent legal amendments are correct,
arresting people just on the grounds of reasonable suspicion is right, and the
Middle East is enough for us,’ then this current order will continue. But if
you embrace the rule of law, a social state and a free media, then your address
is the EU. We will continue to speak up on all these issues”, Kilicdaroglu
said.
He added that the responsibility to protect democratic
achievements did not solely fall on the shoulders of the opposition, stressing
that business leaders also had a share in the struggle.
“You also have the responsibility. We’ll fight all
together. There are elections in 2015 and we should make our democracy, a
first-class democracy”, he said.
10.“Erdogan has no right to
deprive Turkish people of EU membership”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (17.12.14) publishes a commentary by columnist Serkan Demirtas who writes
the following: “The year-long fight
between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Fethullah Gulen
community entered a new phase after the detentions of daily Zaman
editor-in-chief Ekrem Dumanlı and Samanyolu TV station editor Hidayet Karaca,
along with more than two dozen others, mainly from the police department.
Government officials repeatedly underline that this was a judicial process and
has nothing to do with the government, but they are hardly convincing.
For many, the operation launched
against the Gulen community on December 14, only three days before marking the first anniversary
of the commencement of a massive corruption and graft probe that dealt a huge
blow to the government’s credibility, is
a pure attempt to take revenge against its one-time closest ally.
One of the objectives of this
operation would be to distract public attention from corruption-related
developments on the first anniversary of December 17and to shift the country’s
agenda to the so-called threats against national security. The detention of Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of one
of Turkey’s leading newspapers, would also serve to intimidate other dissident
journalists, (while further damaging freedom of expression).
The operation would also help the
government build its pre-election campaign once again, basing it on the fight
against the so-called “parallel structure” by highlighting the Gulen
community’s alleged threats against national security. From this perspective, one could argue that December 14 marked the launching of the
AKP’s election campaign, which will continue in due course with other waves of
operations.
This is not the first time that
the AKP has done something similar. It is just repetition of what it did before
the March local elections.
Citing a virtual threat against national security, the government imposed a
blanket ban on Twitter, YouTube and other use of social media, while also
amending a number of laws that would effectively end the implementation of the
principle of separation of powers.
These moves have drawn serious
criticism from the European Union and the United States, but this criticism has
had little leverage on the government, because quarreling with the EU is in
fact to the advantage of the AKP, whose grassroots feel no immediate need to
reach contemporary democratic standards.
Erdogan and the AKP government
are doing the same thing again. They are wasting Turkey’s democratic
achievements over the last two decades for their own domestic political
purposes, at the expense of
degrading the country’s status to a league of countries ruled by authoritarian
leaders.
Turkey has become a country where media offices are
raided, prominent journalists are arrested on arbitrary charges, the rule of
law is often ignored, and democracy is under serious threat.
One of the few remaining links that connects Turkey to
the real, contemporary world is the country’s direction toward EU membership. Erdogan might feel that it’s useless,
but he has no right to speak on behalf
of the entire nation and its future generations. He has no right to deprive the
Turkish people of EU membership, even though this membership will not happen
under his rule”.
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