TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 239/14 20-22.12.14
1. Derya: Oz is the one who
should be apologizing
2. Tension at the Ledra Street
crossing point
3. Cirali: According to the EU laws there could be two separate
competent authorities for the halloumi-hellim cheese’s production
4. Seventeen thousand foreigners purchased houses in the occupied area
of Cyprus during the last three years
6. Izmir Chamber of Commerce president Demirtas to
illegally visit the breakaway regime
7. The occupation regime to build
a hospital in occupied Morfou area
8. Davutoglu’s visit to Brussels may be cancelled
9. Bozkir to daily Milliyet: “EU
is not our supervisor; EU cannot afford to reject us”
10. A Turkish court issued an
arrest warrant for Gulen
1. Derya: Oz is the one who
should be apologizing
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(22.12.14) reports that Omer Faruk Oz, Turkish Grand National Assembly Prime
Ministry Council member, and Deputy with the Justice and Development Party
(AKP) who called on Dogus Derya “deputy”
with the Republican Turkish Party to apologize for her recent statement, gave
an interview to TRT and said that he was expecting Derya’s apology through the
press. Derya stated that the Turkish army committed rapes against Greek Cypriot
women in 1974.
Speaking to Kibris Postasi Derya responded to Oz’s
words and said” How dare he asks me to apologize while it is him who should be
apologizing to us”.
Derya went on to say that Oz’s words were a disrespect
against the dignity of the Turkish Cypriot community. “How a MP from another
country could cask an MP of another country to apologize for what they said in
their own parliament?” asked Derya who said Oz didn’t really comprehended the
meaning of her words. Derya said that Oz was either unaware of what she said in
the “parliament” or was intentionally manipulating her words in order to
provoke an attack against her.
On the other hand Oz said during the interview with
TRT that they were going to bring legal action against Derya through the
“Turkish Embassy in Nicosia”.
In addition, reporting on the same issue, the paper
writes that CTP issued
A Complain to the self-styled police against those who
insulted Derya.
On the other hand, Volkan (20.12.14) reported that the
“association of war martyrs” in the breakaway regime opened a file against
Derya for her statements.
Gunes (20.12.14) also reports that the chairman of the
National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun strongly criticized Derya’s
statements. He stated that despite “members of the assembly” have the right to
speak their opinion; attacks against the Turkish military which secures the
Turkish Cypriots are not acceptable.
2. Tension at the Ledra Street
crossing point
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(22.12.14) reports that scuffles broke
out between police and protestors at the Lokmaci (Ledra Street) crossing border
during an event organized by the United Cyprus – Bi-communal Peace Initiative.
Amongst the initiative participants was the Turkish Cypriot primary School
Teachers Trade Union (KTOS).
The self-styled police tried to prevent the
demonstrators who wanted to form a human chain using ribbons. The paper writes
that “foreign minister” Ozdil Nami who “happened to be at the Lokmaci crossing
point” indicated, that the human chain would not be allowed at the crossing
point. The demonstration ended after the scuffles ended.
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (21.12.14) reporting on
the issue writes that KTOS General
Secretary Sener Elcil was attacked and hit on the chest during the scuffles.
The paper also notes that the reaction of the
self-styled police against the demonstrators was a result of a decision taken by the
occupation regime with the instruction of Ankara, to harden its stance towards
similar actions.
Afrika’s editor-in chief, Sener Levent writes on the
issue the following: “How can we have
solution and peace in this country if we cannot put up with a ribbon that
unites the island? The message that the police sent yesterday was not a simple
one. The Turkish side is hardening its stance following instructions from
Ankara. It is obvious that they received instructions not to tolerate these
kinds of behavior anymore. They want to
do here what they have done in Turkey with their stubbornness. However, what
they are doing is not important, what is important is what we are doing”,
Levent notes.
3. Cirali: According to the EU laws there could be two separate
competent authorities for the halloumi-hellim cheese’s production
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(20.12.14) reports that Ali Cirali,
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry”, has argued that according to the EU laws, there could be two separate
competent authorities in one country on the issue of a product’s destination of
origin (PDO). Commenting on a statement made by the Government Spokesman, Nikos
Christodoulides that the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and
Environment is evaluating all options for the creation of an effective inspection
mechanism on the issue of the production of halloumi-hellim cheese, Cirali
described the Government Spokesman’s statement as “a very political one”.
Cirali, who is currently in Brussels for contacts, claimed that the “Greek Cypriot
Ministry”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus’ Ministry of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Environment”, has
no authority in the north occupied part of the island and that the EU
Commission could authorize an organization from the occupied area of Cyprus to
inspect the production of halloumi there, just like it happened in the case of
the Green Line Regulation. However, a new regulation should be prepared for
this at the EU Council, he added.
Cirali was asked to comment on a statement
made by the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Nikos
Kouyialis that the halloumi cheese producers in the occupied area of Cyprus
will be inspected by an “independent organization”. Replying to a question as
regards the Turkish Cypriot reaction in case the cost for this inspection is
covered by the government of the Republic of Cyprus, Cirali said: “We do not want this to be under the
initiative of the government in the south. They have the opportunity to use
this issue as a trump card. The issue could be politicized. The current
administrators may speak with good intentions, but will these administrators
remain there?”
Cirali said that they might apply to the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) in case the EU Commission’s decision is against the Turkish Cypriot producers.
According to the paper, Cirali is carrying
out lobbying activities in Brussels. At the same time, the “chamber’s” lawyer is holding contacts regarding the legal aspects
of the issue.
(I/Ts.)
4. Seventeen thousand foreigners purchased houses in the occupied area of Cyprus during the last three
years
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspaper (22.12.14) reports that 17,000
foreigners have purchased immovable property in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus during the last three years.The majority of these foreigners
are Russians and Germans. According to information acquired by the Turkish
Cypriot Real Estate Agents’ Union 2014 was the “brightest” for the real estate
sector during the past seven years. Twenty
five thousand inert houses were sold, except for those residences which
“legal proceedings” have been launched.
It is said that Russians started investing in the real estate sector in
the occupied area of Cyprus after the Russian government’s decision providing
that its citizens should declare their property. During the past three years
6,000 Russians purchased property in the occupied area of Cyprus, writes the paper adding that thanks to the “state incentives” given to
the German tourists as of 2014, the
number of Germans who purchased property in the occupied area exceeded the one
of the Russians in one year.
In statements to the paper, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Real
Estate Agents’ Union, Hasan Sungur said that measures should be taken in
order for not losing the foreign investments in this sector. He recalled that British citizens had been
deceived during the past years and abandoned the occupied area of the island.
He said that hundreds of “illegal real estate agents” exist in the occupied
area of Cyprus, adding that no inspection is held. He warned that in case measures are not taken, the Russians and Germans
may also be deceived and run away like the British citizens.
(I/Ts.)
5. Siber visited the chairman
of the “KTFF”; She called both leaders to be more sensitive on the issue of
sports
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.12.14) reported that the “speaker” of the
so-called assembly, Sibel Siber visited the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation”
(“KTFF”) and met with the “chairman” of the “federation” Hasan Sertoglu and the
members of the “executive board”.
Speaking during the meeting, Sertoglu thanked Siber for her visit and asked for efforts to be exerted for openings to be made on the field of
sports as well as for the “lifting” of the “embargoes”.
Also, speaking, Siber said that the fact that the
“TRNC” is not a part of the international community creates psychological and
social problems to the people’s lives.
Referring to the field of sports, she reminded that
sport teams cannot play international matches. “Carrying out lobby activities, is a precondition in order to overcome
these difficulties”, Siber said, stressing also the need for the two leaders to
be more sensitive towards the fields of sports, culture and art, within the
framework of the Confidence Building Measures”.
(AK)
6. Izmir Chamber of Commerce president Demirtas to
illegally visit the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (22.12.14)
reports that the Head of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Ekrem Demirtas, will
illegally visit the breakaway regime as a guest of the self-styled foreign ministry.
Demirtas
will meet with the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami and will deliver a
speech at a gathering in the “foreign ministry”
on“trade relations between Turkey and the TRNC”.
7. The occupation regime to
build a hospital in occupied Morfou area
Under the title: “Morfou
to become a hospital center”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(20.12.14) reported on statements by the so-called
minister of health Ahmet Gulle, who in a written statement issued by the
“press office of the ministry”, said,
inter alia, that the “government” continue its efforts for the restructuring of
several sectors in the “country”, including the sector of health and added that
within this framework, they are planning to build a hospital in occupied
Morfou. “Our goal is to put a halt to the flowing of patients to Lefkosia”.
Pointing out that the health
services in occupied Morfou area are not developed, Gulle said that they will continue their efforts
within the framework of their vision to restructure the health sector. Gulle added that the possible building of a
health center in the region of Morfou will contribute to the further
development of the region in general.
(AK)
8. Davutoglu’s visit to Brussels may be cancelled
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (21.12.14) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's January visit to Brussels may
be cancelled due to the strong criticism by the European Union over the Turkish
government's recent media crackdown, the BBC's Turkish Service has reported.
According
to the story, Ankara is considering
sending Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir
to the EU instead of Davutoglu.
The
BBC report said that Ankara has acknowledged the negative atmosphere in
Brussels, especially following the heavy criticism made during the European Parliament's
session on Turkey last week and the concern EU officials have expressed over
the Dec. 14 raid against Turkish journalists. Given these developments, Davutoglu
is understood to be reluctant to go to Brussels.
9. Bozkir to daily Milliyet:
“EU is not our supervisor; EU cannot afford to reject us”
Istanbul Milliyet Online in Turkish (20.12.14)
publishes an interview given by Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir,
to the paper’s columnist Serpil Cevikcan.
Responding to criticism that "Turkey
has turned its face toward the Middle East”, Bozkir said: “There is no such
thing. This has never been the case. Whether the EU likes it or not, Turkey
will face that direction”.
(…)
Following is an abstract of the interview:
“Subtitle: ‘EU is not our
supervisor’
‘Turkey has always conducted its affairs with the EU
in its own way. It will continue to do so from now on. This relationship cannot be like that between a supervisor and
supervisee. This has to be about mutual respect, to advance together
towards a goal based on joint interests. This is how this relationship should
be. This is a relationship between two
equals. If it turns into a
relationship between a teacher and a student, a supervisor and a supervisee,
then there will be a strong reaction from Turkey. It is only natural that there
will be reactions when an attempt is made to teach [Turkey] manners’.
Subtitle: 'EU should see the big
picture'
Our President is justified to
react the way he did:I
understand our President's reaction. What he is saying today is not different
to what he said is the past. We wish to
pursue this process because it is in the interest of both sides. Turkey has got
to this point by taking the EU by surprise. Numerous hurdles were put in
place. When eight chapters were suspended, Turkey took a decision. Our
President was the Prime Minister at the time. He took that decision: ‘We opened
all the chapters in Ankara’, he said. In two years' time, we will have opened
and closed all the chapters. Our President is pursuing this process. Within a
decade, Turkey changed 2,000 laws. The work we did during the last 100 days
could have taken five years. Our
President, our Prime Minister are the architects of this process. While we are
doing all these, not only the EU is doing nothing but it has also the
inclination to criticize this and that.
Subtitle: ‘EU cannot afford to
reject us’
This relationship is based on
huge common interests. When these are present, no one can sever this
relationship with the EU, they do not have the power to do that and the efforts
of those who seek to do that will fail. This is because today the EU has huge
difficulties. For it to move forward, Turkey is its only hope. Resilient
economic markets, a working and educated population, strong military power, all
needed by the EU, are in Turkey.If it is to become a super power, Turkey has
the military power. Turkey is the remedy for the security of energy channels.
The EU cannot afford to reject a country like Turkey. The EU should see the big
picture.
(…)
Subtitle: ‘There will be no
vacuum; there is no cancellation of official visits’
Since there was a vacuum regarding the EU, an
opportunity appeared to create such a perception about Turkey. Yet, from now on, there will not be such a
vacuum. Our Prime Minister will go to Brussels in January and our President in
April. Postponement or cancellation of these official visits is out of the
question. We are talking about history. Erdogan will address the plenary
sitting of the European Parliament. Once these relations are restored to their
proper level and solid platforms are established for correct information, such
spins will not have the power they used to.
In January, we are going to
announce a package on freedom of expression. The EU did not tell us to announce it nor is there
any pressure from anyone. Our Prime Minister will announce it. On the one hand,
there is Turkey that is being misrepresented and misperceived; on the other
hand, there is Turkey that wishes to announce a package on freedom of
expression, which has been in the pipeline for months. There will be numerous
laws with social and political content. These will be the most effective
factors that will remove these misperceptions.
Subtitle: ‘Turkey did not do
anything wrong’
Turkey's determination goes back to 50 years. When
this is the case, we cannot make a decision regarding this based on one
incident. Turkey is not doing anything
wrong. Turkey has implemented whatever decision taken by the judiciary.
Therefore, it has nothing to be ashamed of. I think, the only mistake, if there
is one, is made by various EU units that made a huge fuss by releasing
statements two hours after the event took place [referring to the police
detention of the journalists]. We will expose the mistake and talk about new
modalities. I do not think Turkey lost anything.
(…) In response
to criticism that Turkey turned its face away from the EU toward the Middle
East, Bozkir said: ‘This is a spin doctoring attempt. If that was the case, why
would there be an approach that uses such strong expressions in Turkey's new
vision that sees the EU membership as a strategic goal? There is no such thing
and this has never been the case. Our President has always been at the
forefront of this enterprise and the direction has always been toward [the EU].
Whether the EU likes it or not, Turkey will be facing that direction."
Subtitle: ‘Journalists cannot get
special treatment’
‘Imprisonment of journalists may not come to mean the
restriction of press freedom. Being a journalist cannot lead to anyone get a
special treatment in the legal system. The whole issue is whether they are
prosecuted because of what they write or not. Yet, people should heed their
consciences. In Turkey, there are 36 million Internet users, 11 million send
Twitter messages; there are hundreds of television channels. I really find it
difficult to understand when people talk about the curtailment of freedom of
press and expression. This is an attempt at spin doctoring. We will naturally
fight against this’”.
10. A Turkish court issued an
arrest warrant for Gulen
Turkish daily Sabah (19.12.14-online in English)
reported that a Turkish criminal court
issued an arrest warrant on Friday for Gulen Movement's leader Fethullah Gulen
following a request filed earlier by Istanbul's chief public prosecutor.
“The suspect
Fethullah Gulen, the leader of a criminal organization known as
"Hizmet" movement, which was structured unlawfully in the economic
and bureaucratic institutions, has not returned to the country since he left in
1998”, the request said.
The official request also states that sufficient solid
evidence has been discovered, proving Gulen's crimes in accordance with the
criminal penal code and added that it is currently impossible to reach Gulen
since he lives overseas.
The court's decision enables the
judge to issue a Red Notice and potentially prompt a search by Interpol since Gulen
currently resides in Pennsylvania, United States in self-imposed exile and
cannot directly be reached by Turkish officials.
The Gulen Movement, led by Fethullah Gulen, has over
140 private schools and charity organizations around the world including the
U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa. It has been accused of infiltrating state
institutions to gain control of state mechanisms, illegal wiretapping, forgery
of official documents and spying.
According to the written
statement sent to the court for the issue of the arrest warrant, it was written
that the Gulen movement has taken steps in discord of the laws and regulations
of media, economy and bureaucracy.
A treaty entitled "The Treaty on
Extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters between the United States
and the Republic of Turkey" was signed in 1979 and is effective as of
January 1, 1981.This treaty
states that: "The Contracting Parties undertake to surrender to each
other, in accordance with the provisions and conditions laid down in this
Treaty, all persons who are found within the territory of the Requested Party
and who are being prosecuted for or have been charged with an offense, or
convicted of an offense, or are sought by the other Party for the enforcement
of a judicially pronounced penalty for an offense committed within the
territory of the Requesting Party."
In a recent press statement,
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had signaled that a Red Notice may be issued for
Gulen and noted that all necessary legal measures would be taken in the case
that judicial authorities believe a crime has been committed.
Meanwhile, four Gulenist suspects, including Hidayet
Karaca and former police chief Tufan Erguder, have been arrested on Friday as
part of the December 14 Tahsiye Operation, while eight Gulenist suspects
including Ekrem Dumanli -- the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily -- have been
released.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
