TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
28/15 11.02.15
1. Eroglu: The
permanent solution in Cyprus passes through the acceptance of the Turkish
Cypriots as a “sovereign people”
2. Izcan: The
Turkish Cypriot side’s and Ankara’s stance prevents the implementation of EU’s
Direct Trade Regulation
3.
Turkish Deputy PM Bulent Arinc to participate in the foundation ceremony of the
first stage of new terminal at illegal Tymbou airport
4. Turkish warship
continues watching the drilling activities for natural gas in Cyprus’ EEZ
5. Interview by KSP’
“presidential candidate”
6.
One thousand nine persons were benefited by the “foreigners and migration law”
7. The “KTFF” gave a deadline for
finding solution to their problem and warned that otherwise it will apply to
KOP for membership
8. A second mosque to be
constructed in occupied Agios Sergios village
9.
TC local councils take part in EU council meeting in Portugal
10.
YKP to hold protest in support of Greece
11. "Cyprus
will be affected from Akkuyu's routine operations"
12.
Agreements signed between Turkey, Colombia to boost relations
13.
Turkey announces new acting national intelligence chief
14.
Only Christian and Jewish children exempt from Turkey’s religious education
1. Eroglu: The
permanent solution in Cyprus passes through the acceptance of the Turkish
Cypriots as a “sovereign people”
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (11.02.15) reports that Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has alleged
that reaching a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem passes through the
acceptance of the Turkish Cypriots as a “sovereign people” and their political
equality. In statements the night before yesterday during “pre-election”
meetings at villages in the occupied area of Nicosia, Eroglu argued, inter
alia, the following:
“[…] We have absolutely no difference with the Greek Cypriot people. It
is not true that Eroglu was elected and time was lost and that during
[Translator’s note: Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali] Talat’s period
self-confidence and respect existed, like some candidates are saying. And
[these statements] have no other use than describing wrongly and harming us in
the world. If we say that the
establishment of the TRNC [Translator’s note: The breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] was
wrong, the world will not want to understand us. Behold, now we have in front
of us a candidate who finds that the establishment of the TRNC was correct and
against him there is a candidate supported by those who say that they cried
with sorrow the night the TRNC was established […]”.
Eroglu claimed also that a solution in Cyprus is possible if the Greek
Cypriot leadership wants a just agreement in the light of “today’s realities”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Izcan: The
Turkish Cypriot side’s and Ankara’s stance prevents the implementation of EU’s
Direct Trade Regulation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.15) reports that Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United
Cyprus Party (BKP), has said thatthe
demand of Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, as regards the lifting of the so-called isolations allegedly
implemented on Turkish Cypriots by placing the [EU’s] Direct Trade Regulation
into effect “aims at misleading and deceiving the people”.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Izcan criticized Nami’s
statements on this matter [Translator’s note: See Turkish Cypriot and Turkish
Media Review, 10/02/2014, Item 1] and recalled that the European Council’s
legal service decided that the above-mentioned Regulation is not legal. Izcan
argued that it is not possible for this Regulation to be implemented or come
onto the agenda.
Pointing out that
the obstacles in front of the Turkish Cypriot community’s conducting direct
trade will be lifted with the return of the [occupied fenced off] city of
Varosha [to its legal owners] and the simultaneous opening of the Famagusta
port and the illegal Tymbou airport within the framework of Confidence Building
Measures, Izcan said:
“The Turkish
Cypriot side and Ankara reject the implementation of the above. They are
interested in the separatist structure becoming permanent and upgrading its
status”.
Arguing that the EU, the UN and the Greek Cypriot side accepted the
opening of Famagusta Port and Tymbou airport with the return of Varosha, Izcan noted:
“The reason of the isolation we
experience and of not being able to conduct direct trade before the
comprehensive solution is the separatist policies”.
Izcan said that the comprehensive solution is the only way out for the
Turkish Cypriot community and all quests outside this will have no result.
(I/Ts.)
3. Turkish
Deputy PM Bulent Arinc to participate in the foundation ceremony of the first stage of new terminal at illegal Tymbou
airport
Turkish Cypriot Star Kibris newspaper (11.02.15)
reports that the self-styled
ministry of transport and works, Hasan Tacoy
stated that the foundations for the
first stage of the new terminal building of the illegal Tymbou airport will be
laid on Thursday in a ceremony.
He
also stated that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc will participate in
the foundation ceremony.
4. Turkish
warship continues watching the drilling activities for natural gas in Cyprus’
EEZ
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.02.15) reports that according
to information published on the Turkish General Staff’s website under the title
“daily activities”, the TCG Gelibolu warship continued watching SAIPEM-10000
drilling platform, which is carrying out drilling activities for natural gas in
the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the sea area south of
the island. The Turkish warship has reportedly watched the platform from a
distance of five nautical miles (nine kilometers) within the framework of its
duties during the “Mediterranean Shield Operation”.
(I/Ts.)
5. Interview by KSP’
“presidential candidate”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (11.02.15)
publishes an exclusive interview by the “presidential candidate” of the Cyprus
Socialist Party (KSP) Mustafa Onurer, who evaluated several internal and
external issues and developments as well as his decision to be a “presidential
candidate”.
In his statements, Onurer said, inter alia, that in case he is be elected, that will mean
that the “people will stand up on their own feet”. He said that the first thing
he would do for this "country", is to terminate ties with
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.
Supporting
that all the “presidential candidates” besides him are in favor of the
continuation of the current status quo, as it was formed after 1974, Onurer
pointed out that he opposes to this status quo and stressed that he is the
“candidate” who together with the “people” will resist that.
Asked to comment on the allegations that his political
positions are close to those of Akinci, Onurer said that this is not true and
explained: “Mr. Akinci does not support and cannot support the concept of
democracy, sovereignty and the struggle against the imperialist capital. Akinci
refers to the protection of the rights of occupying forces like all the others.
Turkey has no rights in the north part of the island as well as in the whole of
the island”.
Supporting
also the view that the “country” is not administrated by the “people” but by
Turkey, Onurer explained that this is one of the most important reasons for
being a “presidential candidate”. He said that he would 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 dominate.
(AK)
6. One
thousand nine persons were benefited by the “foreigners and migration law”
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (11.02.15)
reports that according to the self-styled minister of interior, 1,009 persons
benefited by the "law of foreigners and immigration", known as
"immigration amnesty law" in the breakaway regime.
The results came out after all the applications
regarding the "law” were completed on the last day which was on February
8.
7. The “KTFF” gave a deadline
for finding solution to their problem and warned that otherwise it will apply
to KOP for membership
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (11.02.15) reports in
its sport-pages that during the extraordinary meeting of the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” (KTFF) which took place
last night, the members of the
“federation” gave a 45-day deadline to Turkey and the “TRNC” to find a solution
on the problems experienced with players who want to play in the Turkish
league.
According to the paper, the “KTFF” has decided unanimously that in case no solution is found to
their problem soon they will apply for membership to the Cyprus Football
Association (KOP) in order for their players and clubs to gain international
recognition.
(AK)
8.A second mosque to be
constructed in occupied Agios Sergios village
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (11.02.15) reports that
the occupation regime has launched works
for the construction of a mosque in the occupied village of Agios Sergios, the
second one in the village.
According to the paper, the new mosque is to be constructed in the plot of land where the Agios
Sergios Vakhos church is located. The construction of the mosque will be
financed by the “Turkish embassy” in the occupied area of Cyprus.
The paper wonders what the reason for the construction
of a new mosque in occupied Sergios village is since there is already one and
describes this decision as though-provoking.
Agios Sergios Vakhos church has been used for some
period as the headquarters of the “Agios Sergios Cultural and Environment
Association” and in spite of the fact that the “association” demanded its
restoration, it has not been restored yet.
Also, under the title: “One flag in each hill and one mosque in each neighborhood”, the
paper commenting in its inside column called “Kalay” on the same issue,
condemns the construction of a second mosque in the occupied village of Agios
Sergios and asks for an answer on the reasons why a second mosque is necessary
in the village and why it is constructed in the yard of the church.
“What will finally happen in this country? Are those
who are sitting at the seats of the “assembly” aware about this?”, the paper
adds.
(AK)
9.TC
local councils take part in EU council meeting in Portugal
Turkish Cypriots Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.01.15)
reports that the “Turkish Cypriot
Municipalities Union” attended a meeting of the European Council Committee of
Local Administrations and Authorities in Portugal for the first time.
The “TC union” attended the meeting as representatives
of the “Turkish Cypriot Local Administrative Representatives”. “Gonyeli mayor”
and president of the Union Ahmet Benli and “Famagusta mayor” Mahmut Ozcinar
represented the “TC local councils” at these meetings.
10. YKP
to hold protest in support of Greece
Turkish Cypriots Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.01.15)
reports that the New Cyprus party (YKP)
is planning a protest on Sunday, on the week the Eurogroup and European Council
are to hold official meetings. The YKP is holding the protest in solidarity
with the Greek public.
11. "Cyprus
will be affected from Akkuyu's routine operations"
Turkish Cypriots Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.01.15)
reports that Cyprus will be affected
from the nuclear plant which is being built in Mersin Akkuyu said the final
declaration of the “Nuclear Plants and Their Effects” conference which took
place last month in occupied Lefkosia.
In
the declaration it is stated that a possible accident at the plant would cause
environmental damage in Cyprus, however it was added that even routine
operations of the plant would can environmental and health hazards in Cyprus.
According
to the declaration
which cites a study conducted by the Turkish Chamber of Architects and
Engineers (TMMOB) assessing Akkuyu’s risks, Cyprus is listed as the first place to be affected negativelyby the
routine operations of the plant. In the report of the study it is also said
that Cyprus would be the first place to be affected by radiation in case of an
accident.
12. Agreements
signed between Turkey, Colombia to boost relations
Turkish Sabah newspaper (11.02.15) reports that in a joint press conference following their
meeting on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Colombian
President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon announced a number of agreements signed
between the two nations.
"We have signed cooperation agreements in various
fields including in the agricultural, livestock and fishing industries"
Calderon said, adding that Turkey has become Europe's leading nation in these
fields.
The
agreements include the Turkey-Colombia Cooperation Framework Agreement, a plan
for cultural cooperation, a memorandum of agreement in the tourism sector and a
memorandum of understanding in the agricultural field.The Turkish president also said that the Turkish
Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) will establish a branch in Colombia
soon.
13. Turkey
announces new acting national intelligence chief
Turkish Sabah newspaper (11.02.15) reports that former MIT deputy secretary İsmail Hakki
Musa has become the new acting head of the Turkish National Intelligence
Organization (MIT), the prime minister's office announced, after ex-chief Hakan
Fidan resigned a few days ago. Fidan resigned from his post, effective
Tuesday, in order to run in the June 7 general elections, the prime minister's
office said.
14. Only
Christian and Jewish children exempt from Turkey’s religious education
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (11.02.15) reports that Turkey’s compulsory religious education
classes in schools are again being debated, with the authorities saying that
only Christian and Jewish students will be exempt from compulsory Sunni Islam
courses at school.
According to the directive sent by the Education
Ministry’s Religious Education Directorate, the “religion” field of a child’s
identity card will be checked to decide whether they are allowed to opt out of
religious education classes. If the
field is left empty, or if any religion other than Christianity and Judaism is
written, then the student will be obliged to take the class. The European
Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) had ruled
in a Sept. 16, 2014 decision that the Turkish education system was “still
inadequately equipped to ensure respect for parents’ convictions” and violated
the “right to education,” in a case stemming from Alevi complaints about
compulsory religious classes. Turkey appealed to the ECHR’s Grand Chamber, the
court’s office of appeal, on Dec. 18, 2014, the last day available to do so,
requesting that the case be reviewed.
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