TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.
07/15 13.01.15
1.
Nami: Parcel 9 in Cyprus’ EEZ belongs to the Turkish Cypriots, not to
Turkey
2.
Ertug criticized Christodoulides statements
3. Merkel met with Davutoglu in
Germany; Merkel: “We want to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem”
4.
Siber: “I desire a federal solution based on the Turkish proposal of 1977”
5.
İzcan: "Eroglu and AKP sacrificed the negotiations"
6. KSP “presidential candidate”
Mustafa Onurer
7.
The calendar for the “presidential elections” in April 2015
8.
Afrika continues publishing information of a crime committed in 1963
9.
Union of Development Bank has organized a seminar entitled “Financial Analysis
and Forecast”
10.
RaufDenktas’ passing three years ago remembered in the breakaway regime
11. Davutoglu discussed with Merkel the issue of
terrorism and racism; Davutoglu: “Terrorism cannot be associated with religion”
12.
Erdogan accuses the West of hypocrisy over Paris attacks
13.
Ankara Mayor Gokcek: Mossadwas behind
Paris attacks
14.
Turkish court says slogans against Erdogan are slander
1. Nami:
Parcel 9 in Cyprus’ EEZ belongs to the Turkish Cypriots, not to Turkey
Under the title “Parcel 9 belongs to us, not Turkey”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (13.01.15)
reports that OzdilNami, self-styled
foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus, has argued that no NAVTEX had
been declared within the period between 30 December 2014 and 6 December 2015,
during which the Turkish side allegedly waited for the Greek Cypriot side to
exhibit good willand return to the negotiating table.
In
an interview with Havadis, Nami alleged that in spite of this, the Greek Cypriot side showed its “dominant
stance” with the statement issued by President Anastasiades, whose decision
not to return to the negotiating table was described by Nami as “an approach
far from being sincere”. Nami alleged
that the above-mentioned statement blew up the so-called opportunity created
with the “withdrawal” of the NAVTEX. Pointing out that the message given by
the Turkish Cypriot side in that period was that the NAVTEX had ended and that
they will not extent it as “a sign of good will”, Nami claimed that if the Greek Cypriots were sincere they should have
returned to the negotiating table within the period of one week during which
there was no NAVTEX or any ship in the area.
Referring to the statement issued by President
Anastasiades, Nami described it as an evaluation “far from stepping on the
ground’ and “lacking of good will”.Nami accused
the Greek Cypriots of “having an obsession as regards the hydrocarbons issue,
of deterring a policy saying that they will not discuss this issue with the
Turkish Cypriots and of putting themselves in a situation from which they
cannot come out because of this. Expressing his view on every point of this
statement, Nami alleged that the Greek
Cypriot side chose to “relieve some internal circles” and not the negotiations,
adding that this statement is unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.
Namifurther alleged that issuing a NAVTEX and waiting
for one week of its extension was a decision jointly taken by the Turkish
Cypriot side as a result of consultations between the “government”, Turkey and
the “presidency”. Nami expressed his sorrow for the fact that a
decision allegedly expressing the Turkish side’s common will is presented as
being a decision taken by Turkey. He added: “There is no such difference
between us. In any case, Turkey does not
claim any right on the parcel in question there. Turkey has absolutely no claim
for rights on this parcel which we call parcel 9. We as Turkish Cypriots have.
Under the agreements we made with Turkey, we told Turkey ‘go and carry out
explorations there on our behalf’. Has the Greek Cypriot side signed
agreements now with international companies? And are these companies not
carrying out the explorations? Which country owns the vessels which are
carrying out explorations there? Is it the Republic of Cyprus? […] And the Turkish Cypriot side is forced to carry
out these activities with Turkey because we have no exploration vessels of our
own. The NAVTEX issue is a similar one, because we have no right to issue a
NAVTEX. Therefore, Turkey had to issue this on our behalf”.
Meanwhile,
in statements to illegal Bayrak television (12.01.15, online), Nami referred to
the illegal visit which the Turkish Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will pay to the
occupied area of the island tomorrow. He
said that they will evaluate the recent phase of the Cyprus problem and the
situation created after they issued a new NAVTEX. He noted that they will
discuss the next steps which they will take, reiterating that their policy is
that the negotiations should unconditionally resume.
Asked
whether Cavusoglu will meet with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on
Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide during his stay on the island, Nami replied: “I do not
think so, there is no planned meeting”.
Referring
to the report which Eide will submit to the UN Security Council, Nami said that
they will demand for the experienced developments and what he called as “the
truths and the realities” to be included in this report. He noted that they
will also discuss the issue of the extension of UNFICYP’s term of duty.
Referring
to the statement of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regarding the Turkish
NAVTEX as published in the Greek Cypriot press, Nami alleged that the Greek
Cypriot side is always trying to use the press in order to influence the
content of the reports. He alleged: “There are elements which both sides do not
like. We have in any case shared these with the UN, but whatever they do they
cannot cover the reality that they were the ones that abandoned the negotiating
table”.
Noting that the copy of the report which they possess
writes that the NAVTEX has been issued by Turkey on behalf of the Turkish
Cypriots and this is allegedly a big “deficiency”, Nami claimed that the report
should say that Turkey claims no rights on parcel 9, that all the steps it
takes aim at protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and that the Greek
Cypriots do not protect the Turkish Cypriot rights. “We think thatno reference to these and
presenting the issue as being a problem only between Turkey and the Greek
Cypriot side is wrong and we asked for the correction of the mistakes”, he alleged claiming that the report should
include more clear expressions on the issue of the so-called isolations
allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ertug
criticized Christodoulides’ statements
Illegal Bayrk (13.01.15) broadcast that Osman Ertug,
the spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, criticized the
recent statements of the Republic of Cyprus Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides
Christodulides had stated in the interview that the NAVTEX issued by
Turkey was not aimed at protecting the rights and interests of the Turkish
Cypriots and that it was not Turkey but the “Cypriot people” who paid the price
for the absence of negotiations.
Ertug claimed that Christodulidesmust have in mind that
there are two “peoples” on the island and that the “Greek Cypriot leadership had
neither the right nor the authority to speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot
people”.
He alleged that there would have been no such thing as
the Cyprus problem had there only been one people on the island which shared
the same views.
He also called on Christodoulidis“ to respect the
Turkish Cypriot peoples’ separate identity, political structure, its equal
sovereign rights as well as its special national and historical ties with
Turkey”.
Ertuğ also claimed that the reason why Turkey has issued
a new NAVTEX was obvious. He said that “it was the Greek Cypriot side’s
insistence to resume hydrocarbon exploration activities unilaterally, its
decision to abandon the negotiating table in response to the Turkish side’s
retaliatory moves, its refusal to return to the negotiating table and the
preconditions it insists on being met in order to resume talks that had
prompted Turkey to renew of the marine advisory”.
“The whole world knows the realities and third parties
whom we have met with are telling us that they do not approve of the Greek
Cypriot side’s withdrawal from the talks. The Greek Cypriot side’s attempts to
use our NAVTEX to cover their intransigence are pointless. Was it not
Anastasiadis himself who announced on January 5th that he would not return to
the negotiating table even in the absence of Turkey’s NAVTEX which had expired
on the 30th of December 2014? Christodulides’s statements are clearly in
contradiction with the facts” Ertuğalleged.
He finally claimed that “it was not Turkey but the
Greek Cypriot Administration which was forcing the Turkish Cypriot people to
pay the price for the non-solution by having them suffer under isolation and
international embargoes for the past 50 years”.
3.Merkel met with Davutoglu in
Germany; Merkel: “We want to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.01.15)
under the title: “We want to contribute to the solution”, reports that the
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in statements yesterday during a joint press conference with Turkish
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem and
said that Germany in all the way would like to contribute to the solution of
the Cyprus problem.
Replying to a
reporters’ question whether she changed her stance on the issue of Turkey’s
full membership to the EU, Merkel said: “I
have not changed my mind. I support the continuation of the negotiation process
and of course the full membership. I express hopes that these negotiations will
continue. Still, the Cyprus problem is a big problem which stands in front of
Turkey’s EU bid. The solution of the Cyprus problem is in our agenda”.
Also speaking, Davutoglu in response to
a question about Turkey's EU accession, said that Turkey is part of Europe and
that Turkey's Asian identity would not threaten its European identity, but
would "add color to it”.
He further argued that if Turkey was a
member of the EU, it could be possible that terrorism would not appear in such
extend.
(AK)
4. Siber:
“I desire a federal solution based on the Turkish proposal of 1977”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (13.01.15) reports
that the self-styled speaker of the “TRNC assembly” and “candidate” for the
upcoming “presidential elections” SibelSiber said that although the Cyprus
problem is important, the “people” want to see a “president” who is interested
in their domestic problems as well.
During a visit to the occupied Rizokarpaso village
within the framework of her “election campaign”, Siber stressed that there is a
need for a leader, who is accepted by the whole community and not only by
groups or parties.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Siber said that she
wishes to reach a federal solution, which was a Turkish proposal and has been
discussed since 1977 in the Denktash-Makarios talks. She added that the solution should carry the
meaning that they should have their own identity abroad and will not mean that
their rights will be represented by the Greek Cypriots. Siber noted that in
every passing day the need for a permanent, viable solution is increased.
5. İzcan:
"Eroglu and AKP sacrificed the negotiations"
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(13.01.15) reports that the leader of
United Cyprus Party (BKP) İzzetİzcan criticized the Turkish Cypriot leader
Dervis Eroglu and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government in Turkey
for their stance on Cyprus problem which İzcan described as “tension politics”.
According
to İzcan, Eroglu and the AKP government are intentionally increasing the
tension in an attempt to gain advantage in the “April presidential elections”.
“Negotiations
were sacrificed for the sake of the upcoming presidential elections in April.
With this tension politics they are aiming to secure Eroglu’s victory” said
İzcan.
6. KSP “presidential
candidate” Mustafa Onurer
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(12.01.15) reported that the Cyprus
Socialist Party (KSP) has announced its candidate for the upcoming “april
presidential elections”.
Mustafa
Onurer has been announced as the candidate for the KSP party. An announcement
was made at the “Turkish Cypriot Teachers Trade Union” (KTOS) this morning
bringing the “total official candidate” to 5.
In the press conference, Onurer announced his party’s
vision and reasons for “candidacy”.
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Star
Kibris (13.01.14), speaking during the press conference, Onurer said that he will be KSP’ candidate under the slogan: “Sovereign
people, independent Cyprus”.
Onurer said further that if he will be elected, the
first thing he would do for this “country”, is to terminate the ties with the
imperialists. He added that a “state” cannot be an independent “state” if it
does not have its own economy, army, police force, and fire services.
Onurer continue and said that as a candidate will
exclaim KSP’ “realities”, will try to change the current structure with the
power which derives from the “people” and also will struggle in order to create
a “country” which its “people” will be able to dominante.
(AK)
7. The
calendar for the “presidential elections” in April 2015
According to Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
(13.01.15), the “Supreme Election Board (YSK)” announced its calendar for the
“presidential elections”. According to the calendar, the “election period” will
start on February 22 and the “campaign period” on March 24. The candidates
should submit their “candidature” applications” until March 13 and the final
list of candidates will be announced on March 23. The “vote day” will be April
19.
According to the “election calendar”, any complaint or
objections regarding the “candidacies” should be filed by March 15.
8. Afrika continues publishing information of a
crime committed in 1963
Turkish
Cypriot columnist SenerLevent continues
publishing in Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.01.15)information regarding the so-called “crime
of the bath” committed in 1963 with victims the family of a major of the
Turkish army and has been used since then as symbol of the official Turkish
propaganda to prove what they describe as “Greek Cypriot barbarity”.
Levent
writes that after his recent articles on the issue, he received a lot of
messages and that one of these messages came from a person who knew an
eyewitness in that incident. The reader said that he knew a woman from occupied
Mora village who died 6-7 months ago and lost her hand during this incident. According
to the reader, this woman, who was named MrsNovber, had told him the following
on this incident:
“[…]
I discussed once more with aunt Novber how this incident happened. She had come
from the village to spend the New Year with her sister. Some information was
spread that night that the Greek Cypriots would raid the houses. They thought
that the major’s house would be safe and 3-4 families, I think, were gathered
there. When the armed Greek Cypriots raided into the house everyone hid in some
places. Some crouched down behind an armchair and the spouse of the major in
the toilet in the bathroom taking her children and the one and a half year old
daughter of her sister between her legs. When they started raking with the
guns, she put her finger in the keyhole of the door. (I did not understand why,
maybe because of fear). The child was hid on the knee. […] Because aunt Novber
was hid on the hand they cut her hand from the wrist. The woman described me the incident as if she was living it that
moment, in spite of the fact that many years had passed. When the soldiers were
leaving the house, a child cried. They returned and raked again. According to
what the woman said and I have never forgotten these words since the 1980’s, ‘the
Greek Cypriot soldiers were speaking very well Turkish’ […]”.
(I/Ts.)
9. Union
of Development Bank has organized an international seminar entitled “Financial Analysis and
Forecast”
Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi newspaper (13.01.14)
reports that the “TRNC Development Bank”
in cooperation with the Union of Development Banks has organized a seminar
entitled “Financial Analysis and Forecast.”
The Development Banksare hosting an international
symposium for the 10th time within the framework of cooperation on education
activities.
Bank
managers from Turkey, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sudan and Azerbaijan as well as
academics from e illegal universities are attending the 3 day seminar.
10. RaufDenktas’
passing three years ago remembered in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(13.01.15) reports that the former
Turkish Cypriot leader RaufDenktas will be remembered on the 3rd anniversary of
his death today at a ceremony to take place at his grave.
Illegal Bayrak (13.01.14) broadcast that speaking
during a ceremony held at the illegal Keryneia university, SerdarDenktas stated
that the Turkish Cypriots reached where they are today thanks to the state that
was established due to RaufDenktas’ efforts.
11. Davutoglu discussed with Merkel the issue of
terrorism and racism; Davutoglu: “Terrorism cannot be associated with religion”
Turkish daily Sabah (12.01.15-online in English)
reported that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that it is not right to relate terrorism with religion and
underscored that putting a label on terrorism allows people to exploit it.
Speaking at a joint press
conference held with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday, he
urged everyone to refrain from associating terrorist organizations with any
religion. Leaders from both
countries have stated that they share the same stance in response to terrorism
and Islamophobic attacks in Europe.
"Islam and terrorism cannot
be uttered at the same time," Davutoglu said, noting that
terrorist organizations that claim to conduct terrorist attacks in the name of
Islam, kill more Muslims than non-Muslims. He continued, saying that the
exploitation of religious sentiments by terrorist organizations would result in
serious religious conflict.
"Following the terrorist shooting in Norway in
2011, we never thought of this as 'European terrorism' or 'Christian
terrorism,' nor have we identified racist attacks against Turks in Germany as
'German' or 'Christian' terror," Davutoglu emphasized.
Stressing that there are over 3 million Turkish people
living in Germany, Davutoglu described these people as serving as a bridge
between the two countries, and said that Turkey and Germany should take joint
action against Islamophobic attacks against mosques and Muslims.
Davutoglu highlighted that Turkey takes great effort
to protect its 911-kilometer-long border. "We support every kind of intelligence
not to accept foreign fighters", he said, adding that Turkey hosts 35
million tourists every year and only prohibits entry to individuals when it
receives intelligence from the relevant country that they should not be
admitted to the country. He explained that Turkey has deported 1,500-2,000
people and put restrictions on a further 7,000 people from entering the country
in order to prevent terrorism.
Davutoglu also said that he was
proud to be a part of the unity rally in Paris on Sunday, in which he walked
side-by-side with others to commemorate the victims of the Paris attacks. He
added that Turkey expects the same kind of sensitivity from Europe when there
is terrorist activity in Turkey.
During the question and answer session, Merkel said that Islam is part of Germany
and everyone who respects the German law is respected by the country. She
emphasized that as Chancellor, she represents everyone in Germany, regardless
of their ethnic, national or religious backgrounds and identities.
"We have many Deputies who are originally from
Turkey and we should also support interfaith dialogue among different
religions," Merkel said, adding that it is important for Muslims to
express a solid stance against terrorism.
Merkel said that she will join a rally for an
"open and tolerant Germany," called by Muslim leaders on Tuesday in
Berlin, alongside participating German Ministers.
The two leaders also addressed the issue of Iraq
during the conference. "Turkey and Germany have similar ideas about the
newly formed government in Iraq," Merkel said, and added that Turkey is
exerting great efforts to host Syrian refugees.
12. Erdogan
accuses the West of hypocrisy over Paris attacks- He condemned Netanyahu for
participating in Paris march
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (13.01.15) reports that Turkish President RecepTayyipErdogan
accused the West on Monday of hypocrisy for its stance over the attack on
satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and hostage-taking at a Jewish supermarket in
Paris, while failing to condemn anti-Muslim acts in Europe.
Speaking alongside visiting Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan said the West's hypocrisy is obvious. "As Muslims,
we've never taken part in terrorist massacres. Behind these lie racism, hate
speech and Islamophobia," Erdogan said. "Please, the administrations
in those countries where our mosques are attacked need to take measures." "Games
are being played with the Islamic world, we need to be aware of this,"
said Erdogan, who traces his political roots to a banned Islamist movement, he
stated. Erdogan did not attend the Sunday march, though Turkish Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu participated.
In addition, Erdogan
condemned Netanyahu for participating in Paris march. Erdogan questioned why
Netanyahu was participating in the march and even "waving hands"
while he committed "state terrorism by killing 2,500 persons in Gaza.
"As if people in platforms are impatiently waiting for him to wave
hands," Erdogan said, adding that it is difficult for him to understand
how Netanyahu is not ashamed of participating in the march.
13. Ankara
Mayor Gokcek: Mossadwas behind Paris attacks
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (13.01.15) reports that Ankara Mayor MelihGokcek has alleged that
last week's deadly attacks on a French satirical magazine and a kosher
supermarket in Paris that left 17 people dead are the result of France
expressing support for Palestine, and that theIsraeli intelligence is behind
the attacks, the semi-official Anadolu news agency reported.
Gokcek attended the Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) Golbasi youth branch fourth ordinary district congress on Sunday and
mentioned the terrorist attacks in France. He said Israel was annoyed with the
Lower House of the French parliament for voting for the recognition of a
Palestinian state and with France's vote in favor of a United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) Resolution calling for the same recognition. “Israel certainly
doesn't want this sentiment to expand in Europe. That's why it is certain that
Mossadwas behind these kinds of incidents. Mossad enflames Islamophobia by
causing such incidents,” Gokcek said.
He claimed that after the Paris attacks, around 50
mosques and some Muslim individuals had been targeted but such incidents were
not reported on by the international media. “Palestine being recognized as a
state is why these [attacks] have taken place,” he concluded.
14. Turkish
court says slogans against Erdogan are slander
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.01.14) reports that a Turkish court has said that “slanderous
and insulting” slogans cannot be considered as freedom of speech, in a ruling
on the 11-month jail sentence given to an academic for chanting slogans against
then-Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan during a rally.
ElifhanKose was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in
prison and denied probation, unlike many similar cases. In its reasoning for
the length of the jail term, the judge said “the offense of slander is outside
the limits of freedom of speech as defined by the Constitution and the European
Court of Human Rights.”
“The
perpetrator’s right to freedom of speech and the victim’s fundamental rights to
honor, respect and religion conflict here. It is clear that an action that aims
to slander and has no connection to the declaration of an opinion or thought
cannot be regarded as freedom of speech. The criticism cannot be made if it
harms the people’s rights to honor and respect,” said the reasoning of the
court.
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