C O N T E N T S
No. 237/14 18.12.14
1. Olgun discussed with Eide the resumption of the Cyprus
talks
2. Derya filed a lawsuit against those who insulted her
3. Zaroglu, one of Derya’s insulters was granted the
“TRNC citizenship” in 2010
4. The “labour ministry” gave 14,500 work permits while
there are 12,000 unemployed persons in the breakaway regime
5. The Jerusalem Orthodox Church issued a warning that
the Hala Sultan mosque constructed in the occupied AgiaMilia village belongs to
the Church
6. So-called minister Dincyurek attends ECO’s meeting in
Turkey
7. Erdogan: EU cannot give 'democracy lesson' to Turkey
8. Political ban of pro-Kurdish politicians ends as they
seek to join HDP
9. Columnist: “Europe has to decide about Turkey”
1. Olgun discussed with Eide the resumption of the Cyprus talks
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 17.12.14), the UN Secretary-General’s
Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, who is currently in Cyprus, met
separately on Wednesday with the chief negotiators of the two communities.
The
Norwegian diplomat, who arrived on Tuesday held separate meetings with Andreas
Mavroyiannis and Ergun Olgun.
Speaking
earlier to “TAK news agency”, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Olgun said that the
purpose of the UN Special Adviser’s visit is to take stock of the current
situation in the Cyprus peace process, already faltering when the Greek Cypriot
leader Nikos Anastasiades walked out of the talks two months ago.
Reminding
that the Cyprus Turkish side is still at the negotiating table, Olgun said that
possibilities and opportunities regarding the return of the Greek Cypriot side
to the negotiating table will be discussed.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 17.12.14) reported
that following an hour long meeting with the UNSG Special Advisor in the buffer
zone, Olgun told “TAK News agency” that
they discussed the resumption of the talks in their meeting.
Olgun also
said that they conveyed their views to Eide regarding the unilateral
exploration of oil off the coast of the island by the Greek Cypriot side and
claimed that it is important that the Greek Cypriots refrain from this.
2. Derya filed a lawsuit against those who insulted her
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 18.12.14), the
self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) DogusDerya, who was
verbally attacked on social media for her speech during the “budget debate” in
the so-called parliament, has filed an official complaint to the “police”.
Derya went
to the “police department” in the occupied part of Nicosia with a group of
lawyers to file a lawsuit against BertanZaroglu, LatifAkca, Kenan Akin,
RifatYildiz, Ali Tekin, AbdulkadirTapinc, AydinliTayfun and KemanOzkanCakirgoz
for their “aggressive and obscene” insults against her.
Amongst the
lawyers accompanying Derya were TahirSeroydas, OngunTalat and Mehmet EkinVaiz.
Other lawyers also announced that they would be willing to volunteer to take
Derya’s case in “court”.
On the same
issue, the paper reports that the General Secretary of CTP-BG KutlayErk slammed
the obscene attacks directed against Mrs Derya and called for the
“denaturalization” of the chairman of the “Association of Solidarity and
Culture of People from Hatay” BertanZaroglu’s “citizenship”.
Moreover,
the paper reports that self-styled prime ministerOzkanYorgancioglu, speaking to
the press before a “council of ministers” meeting in the afternoon yesterday,
referred to the verbal attacks on Mrs Derya and added that this was unfair and
inappropriate. He condemned the attacks and said it was wrong that “deputies”
words were exploited in this way.
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika (18.12.14) reports that many Turkish Cypriot politicians
supported Derya’s case.
Mustafa
Akinci, “candidate” for the upcoming “presidential elections”, said that they
should not be afraid of facing the reality, adding that there was a war in
Cyprus and the rape of women is a traumatic fact of the wars. Unfortunately, he
added, during war periods, kids and children are the biggest victims.
KudretOzersay,
“candidate” for the upcoming “presidential elections”, convicted the verbal
attack against Derya, adding that it is wrong and dangerous to insult through
the social media those who have different opinion than you.
SenerElcil,
General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), said
that it seems that the persons, who have made a fortune with the Greek Cypriot
properties, have come to this country with the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots
and added that this community knows very well those who give lessons of
nationalism and manhood. Elcil also said: “If they believe that they can hide
the war crimes and the realities in Cyprus with outcries, they are mistaken.
These cheap leftists and fake nationalists cannot love Cyprus and people more
than Derya.” He concluded by saying that Derya is not alone.
3.Zaroglu, one of Derya’s insulters was granted the “TRNC citizenship”
in 2010
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (18.12.14) reports that BertanZaroglu, the chairman of the “Hattay (Alexandretta) Settlers
Association”, who insulted heavily the “deputy” with the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) DogusDerya for her statements, is social media and even issued
threats for her life is a person who was granted the “TRNC citizenship” in
2010, in the framework of the many “citizenships” that the breakaway regimes
was giving at the time.
The paper
publishes documents that prove that Zaroglu was granted the “TRNC citizenship”
with a “decision” of the “council of ministers” of the “National Unity Party
(UBP) dated 20.1.2010 and adds that Zaroglu arrived in occupied Cyprus as a
student and then was granted the “citizenship” without obtaining a work permit
first.
The paper
writes that the general secretary of CHP KutlayErk stated that Zaroglu’s
“citizenship” must be cancelled.
4. The “labour ministry” gave 14,500 work permits while there
are 12,000 unemployed persons in the breakaway regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (18.12.14) reports that according to the annual report 2013-14 of the “labor and social
security ministry”, there are 14,500 persons with work permit it the breakaway
regime while there are 12,000 unemployed persons.
The paper
reports that unemployment consists one of the biggest problems in the occupied
area of Cyprus and adds that during the last few years the numbers of
unemployed persons has increased. At the same time, the paper notes it is
“striking” that while so many persons have no job, the “ministry” is giving so
many “work permits” to foreigners.
5.The Jerusalem Orthodox Church issued a warning that the Hala
Sultan mosque constructed in the occupied AgiaMilia village belongs to the
Church
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.12.14) reports that the Jerusalem Orthodox Church issued a warning that the Hala Sultan
mosque and the complex of buildings adjacent
to the mosque which is constructed in
the occupied AgiaMilia village, is built
in one of the plots that belongs to it.
Citing
information, Havadis writes that the Church asked either for a compensation to
be given or for the plot to be returned to it. The paper writes that the Evkaf
Foundation stated that the 100 donum plot is among the land that belongs to the
Church and that they researched the issue in a great depth.
The
chairman of the administrative office of the Evkaf Ibrahim Bentler stated that
he personally researched the issue. The paper also writes that the “Jerusalem
Orthodox Church” will for the first time send a representative in Cyprus to
discuss the issue.
6.So-called minister Dincyurek attends ECO’s meeting
in Turkey
According
to illegal Bayrak television (17.12.14), the so-called minister of environment and natural resources HakanDinyurek
is attending the 5th Economic Cooperation Organization Ministerial meeting on
Environment in Istanbul.
The
Ministerial meeting is focusing, among others, on the state of play of ECO
environmental agenda; national environmental policies and efforts to enhance
regional cooperation and synergy; the emerging regional and environmental
challenges; and strengthening ECO cooperation with relevant international
organizations.
Dincyurek
attends the meetings as a guest of the Turkish Minister for Environment and
Urban Planning, İdrisGulluce who delivered a speech.
The
Climate Change and Green Economy Istanbul Declaration are also expected to be
approved at the meeting which started on Monday.
Meanwhile,
according to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (18.12.14), in statements
while delivering a speech at the meeting, Dincyurek,
referred inter alia, to the water project envisaging the transferring of water
from Turkey and said that the infrastructure works for the completion of the
project will be completed very soon.
Dincyurek
added that as soon as the infrastructure works are to be completed, they will
proceed with the issue of the management of the water.
Referring
to the Cyprus problem, Dincyurek said that the Turkish Cypriot “people’s” desire is for a fair solution to be found to
the Cyprus problem, adding that they would also like to take their place in the
world.
Dincyurek
added that within the framework of the meeting, he had the opportunity to meet
and have contacts with Ministers and representatives of more than 10 countries.
(AK)
7. Erdogan: EU cannot give 'democracy lesson' to Turkey
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 17.12.14), Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan launched a new attack against the
European Union on December 17 over its condemnation of recent raids on the
local media, saying that Brussels has no right to give Ankara a "democracy
lesson".
"They
say they will give a democracy lesson to Turkey. Take the trouble to come here,
so that Turkey can give you a lesson in democracy," Erdogan said at a
rally in the Central Anatolian city of Konya.
He told Brussels to "look in the mirror," particularly
in its dealings with Egypt and Syria, vowing that Turkey would never be the
EU's "doorman."
The weekend
detention of journalists and television staff linked to U.S.-based Islamic
scholar FethullahGülen earned Turkey severe criticism from the European Union,
which denounced the raids as "incompatible with the freedom of the
media."
But Erdogan
on Dec. 15 lashed out at the rebuke and told European leaders to "mind
their own business," in a diatribe that raised new doubts about Turkey's
stalled bid to join the bloc.
On Dec. 17,
the Turkish President further stepped up his rhetoric, on the 10th anniversary
of the EU "green light" for the start of formal membership
negotiations with Ankara. "They've been dragging their feet over the last
decade ... Sorry, but we are not the EU's doorman", Erdogan said.
"If
they let us in, they do. If they don't, they don't. You may speak against
Turkey as much as you like. We will draw our own route," he said.
"Let
me repeat it, those who try to advise Turkey by shaking their finger, just like
a governess, must understand that they are no longer facing the old
Turkey," Erdogan added.
"They say they will give Turkey a lesson in freedoms. You
first go and give an account of rising racism, Islamophobia and discrimination
in Europe. Those who close their eyes to what happens in Syria, who turn their
back on the massacres in Palestine, cannot preach to us about freedom,
democracy and human rights," he said.
8. Political ban of pro-Kurdish politicians ends as they seek
to join HDP
Turkish
daily Sabah (online, 17.12.14) with the above title reports that pro-Kurdish Deputies LeylaZana and
AyselTugluk, who received a five-year political ban by the Constitutional Court
in 2009 following the closure of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), will now
be able to join political parties and participate in political activities. Both
Deputies have stated that they will be joining the pro-Kurdish Peoples'
Democratic Party (HDP).
"Political
bans are a serious violation of rights" said Tugluk according to reports
and said that she hopes political bans and closure of political parties will
not occur in the future. She stated that they are in favour of resolving the
Kurdish issue through democratic and political means rather than violence and
noted that the Kurdish people have elected them as representatives. Tugluk
argued that the right to participate in political activities should be
guaranteed by the state.
LeylaZana
and AyselTugluk, along with 30 other politicians, were banned from politics for
five years in 2009 for being members of DTP, which allegedly had links with the
PKK. While the decision banned their affiliation with political parties, Zana
and Tugluk were re-elected to the Parliament in 2011 as independents.
Their transfer to HDP will
increase the party's seats in the Parliament to 29.
9. Columnist: “Europe has to decide about Turkey”
Columnist
SemihIdiz, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.12.14),
reports, inter alia, the following:
“It is
ironic that it is only at times like these that the EU starts waving the big
stick, warning Ankara that if it does not fulfil its obligations in terms of
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law it will endanger its membership
prospects.
I am
convinced, however, that President RecepTayyip Erdogan expressed the view of
the majority of Turks when he blurted out, in response to the reactions from
Europe to the operation against the Gulen movement’s media outlets, that
‘Turkey does not have an EU problem’.
His remark suggests that he personally couldn’t care less whether
Turkey’s EU dimension progressed, stalled, or fell by the wayside. In other
words, the EU stick just doesn’t work on Turkey anymore, and more’s the pity.
It is very
unlikely, despite the small flurry of recent diplomatic activity between Turkey
and the EU, that Ankara’s membership bid will emerge from the stagnation it is
currently in and make fresh strides any time soon.
It is not
just that Turkey’s democracy is heading for the sinkhole that is the problem.
Opposition to Turkey’s membership remains at the highest level in Europe,
despite the optimism that European diplomats try to inject into the subject
with lofty remarks.
This is the
main reason behind Erdogan’s ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude, which has a lot of
public support. When Turks look to Europe they see very few, if any, partners,
potential or otherwise, that they genuinely believe their country can rely on.
This also feeds into their inbred sense of victimization.
It also works to Erdogan’s advantage, given that he has made it
amply clear that if he could he would turn Turkey in a different direction and
away from Europe. It is the insurmountable facts of international relations,
which in effect force Turkey to maintain the appearance of continuing its
commitment to the EU perspective, that are preventing him from doing so.
Europe,
however, is also faced with insurmountable facts concerning Turkey. It can’t do
with it, but it can’t do without it in terms of its long term strategic interests.
If it is as concerned with Turkey’s fate as it claims to be at time such as
this, then it has to decide what it is willing to give Ankara to keep it truly
‘anchored in Europe’. This will, of course, have to be meaningful for Turkey;
otherwise it will only be more of the same.
(…)
Unfortunately,
the criticism from the EU and individual member states today rings hollow to
the same Turks who appear keen on EU membership again. This criticism from
Europe comes only days after it became clear that key chapters in Turkey’s
membership talks will remain blocked by certain members, and not just Cyprus.
The overall
picture today suggests that Turkey is drifting away from Europe. Lowest common
denominator interests will obviously ensure that ties are somehow maintained at
some level. But the day when Turkey does not see a strategic value in pursuing
its European vocation does not appear such a dim prospect anymore.
Therefore,
Europe has to go beyond rhetoric and decide what its meaningful response will
be to Erdogan’s dismissive attitude about the EU, and his increasing
authoritarianism at home. This will have to be accompanied by the promise of
concomitant rewards for returning to the correct path.
A nagging
voice inside me says this will not happen and that Europe will continue to
muddle through with empty warnings, hoping somehow to keep Turkey tethered to
Europe even as it drifts away.”
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
