TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 36/15 21-24.02.15
1. Nami holds contacts in Saudi Arabia
with OIC officials and local businessmen
2. Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey’s strong
support to the breakaway regime
3. The “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Industry” wants the establishment of a supervisory committee on halloumi
registration
4. Eroglu: “It is not possible for the
Turkish Cypriot football federation to become member of KOP”
5. Akinci condemned Demiroren for not
visiting the “KTFF” first and then Eroglu; KTOS released a statement
6. Siber announced her manifesto
7. Turkish Cypriot daily refers to
possible “big complications” in the occupied area of Cyprus due to decisions
taken by the “Immovable Property Commission”
8. Reactions continue regarding the new
terminal and landing field of the illegal Tymbou airport
9. Gas stations in the breakaway regime
not in line with EU standards
10. Reactions over Turkey’s military
operation in Syria to retrieve the remains of Suleyman Shah Tomb
11. Veto to Turkey from Egypt and Libya
for its policy on Syria
1. Nami holds contacts in Saudi Arabia
with OIC officials and local businessmen
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.02.15) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has met in Jeddah, the capital of Saudi
Arabia, with the General Secretary of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) IyadAmeenMadani, the chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Dr
Ahmad Mohammed Ali Al Madani and the vice president of the Jeddah Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Ziyad Al-Bassam.
According to a statement issued by his office, during his meeting with
Madani, Nami claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side supports the solution of the
Cyprus problem and exhibits a constructive stance in this direction, as it
wants a solution to be reached the soonest. During the one and a half-hour
meeting held at OIC’s headquarters, Nami
told his interlocutor that they are expecting President Anastasiades to
unconditionally return to the negotiating table the soonest. He said that
the comprehensive solution in Cyprus will contribute in the cooperation among
the countries in Eastern Mediterranean and hydrocarbons could serve peace.
Referring to the breakaway regime’s relations with the Islamic
countries, Nami thanked Madani for the
support they offer to the Turkish Cypriot “people” and wished for the existing
relations between the “TRNC” [Translator’s note: The breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] and the OIC’s member states to further develop within the forthcoming
period.
On his part, Madani said that
their cooperation will further develop in various fields, the support they
offer to the Turkish Cypriot side will continue and they will be pleased to
prepare joint projects within the forthcoming period.
During his meeting with Al Madani, Nami thanked the IDB for the
activities it had organized in the occupied area of Cyprus and the support is
offered to various projects. In his reply, Al
Madani said that the good relations and the cooperation between the IDB and the
“TRNC” will be strengthened. Al Madani and Nami discussed joint projects which
could be materialized in the occupied area of Cyprus.
During his visit to the JCCT, Nami
briefed Al-Bassam on the investment possibilities in the occupied area of
Cyprus and the products produced and exported by the producers there. Nami
stressed the importance of the cooperation between the JCCT and the Turkish
Cypriot “chambers of commerce and industry” and invited Saudi Arabian investors and businessmen to the occupied area of
Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
2. Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey’s strong support to the breakaway
regime
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris (21.02.15), under the title “2015 will be a year for a solution”,
reported that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey is
determined to reach an agreement in Cyprus, adding that they will continue
their efforts so that 2015 to be a year for solution in Cyprus.
In a joint press
conference with self-styled minister of foreign affairs OzdilNami, who was in
Ankara for contacts, Cavusoglu called on the international community to lift
the “restrictions” imposed on the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and to end the
“injustices” on this issue.
Noting that they
made a list of issues during their previous meeting on January 14 in the
occupied part of Nicosia, Cavusoglu said that from that day they have covered
an important distance on discussed issues. He reiterated that Turkey will
continue to support “TRNC” and the Turkish Cypriot “people”. Cavusoglu said:
“Our desire is 2015 to be a year for solution in Cyprus and for this reason we
will continue our sincere efforts. On this issue, there are no differences in
view between Turkey and the TRNC. There is a harmony in the TRNC, there is a
consensus from the president (translator’s note: the Turkish Cypriot leader) to
the government and the opposition. Our desire is the return of the Greek
Cypriot side to the negotiating table in a sincere way.” Cavusoglu alleged that
the Greek Cypriot side with its several excuses did not pass the sincerity test
and withdrew from the talks.
Cavusoglu further
said that they oppose the one-sided drilling activities in the East
Mediterranean, adding: “We are against the one –sided drilling activities. We
support every kind of effort that will guarantee the rights of the Turkish
Cypriot people.” He claimed that their proposals, which are sincere and
constructive on this issue, are still pending, and added that they will never
give the permission for the “TRNC” and the Turkish Cypriot “people” to be
suffered.
Nami, for his part,
said that Turkey’s support to their “just” struggle carries a great importance.
He reiterated that they will continue their efforts so the Greek Cypriot leader
will return to the negotiating table without preconditions, adding that this
responsibility should not be encumbered only by the Turkish side. Nami also
said that the international dimensions of the Cyprus problem are known and the
international community should indoctrinate the Greek Cypriot leader without a
delay. Nami claimed that if the international community is unable to give the
Greek Cypriot side the necessary warnings, 2015 will not be a solution year.
(DPs)
3. The “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” wants the establishment
of a supervisory committee on halloumi registration
Turkish Cypriot
daily Volkan (24.02.15) reports that the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Industry” Ali Cirali, in a press conference, said that they are
against the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and
Environment (translator’s note: as he refers to the Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus) to be the
registration authority for the halloumi/ hellim. He added that a supervisory
committee should be established which the EU will appoint for the registration
and Turkish Cypriot NGOs will also take part. Cirali claimed that if the
Republic of Cyprus is the authority for the registration, then this may result
in abuses.
Cirali said that
the export of halloumi holds the one fourth of the total exports of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, adding that
the income of the 17% of the population comes from the halloumi trade.
(DPs)
4. Eroglu: “It is not possible for the
Turkish Cypriot football federation to become member of KOP”
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (21.02.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader and candidate for
the “April 2015 presidential elections” DervisEroglu stated that it is not
possible for the “Turkish Cypriot football federation” (TCFF) to become member
of the Cyprus Football Federation (KOP).
Eroglu made these statements speaking during a meeting, in the framework
of his “election campaign” where he commented on the recent visit of the
president of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), YildirimDemiroren.
Eroglu stated that he called Demiroren 20 days ago after the issue of
the transfer of Turkish Cypriot footballers to the regional championship of
Turkey occurred by the chairman of the “TCFF” Hasan Sertoglu. Eroglu stated
that Demiroren promised to help in solving the issue and that after some other
developments occurred, he personally invited Demiroren to visit the breakaway
regime. He also said that during his visit,
Demiroren met with the “minister of
sports” and with the chairman of “TCFF” and that an agreement was
reached on the issue, which was announced both by the “ministry” and by the
“TCFF”.
He went on and stated that as a
“president” he follows closely and takes steps regarding issues related to the
Cyprus problem. “This is a part of my duties. I know very well what some people
try to do. Their provocation is to put our federation under KOP. There were
some issues and with discussion we found out that these can be solved”, he
stated and added that they saw the danger and they did what was necessary to
solve the problem. “There is no show involve on this issue, we did what we had
to do”, he stated.
(CS)
5.Akinci condemned Demiroren for not visiting the
“KTFF” first and then Eroglu; KTOS released a statement
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (21.02.15) reported that
Mustafa Akinci, “independent presidential candidate”, issued a written
statement over the recent “visit” to the occupied area of Cyprus of the
chairman of the Turkish Football Federation, YildirimDemiroren, where he
condemned his “visit” and his contacts in the “TRNC” and said that “Demiroren
should had first visited the “Turkish Cypriot Football Federation” (“KTFF”) and
not the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu.
Criticizing the
fact that Demiroren did not visit the “KTFF” but instead he attended a meeting
at the so-called presidential palace, Akinci said: “He came hurriedly for three
hours and then returned to his country.
In my opinion, a lot of negative things came up after this visit.
Firstly, the president of the Turkish Football Federation of the Turkish
Republic, which recognizes the TRNC, did not even visit the Cyprus Turkish
Football Federation which is its interlocutor. Instead of this, he went to the
president. And the president hosted this
meeting aiming to create the impression that ‘he could solve this issue in the
eve of its election campaign’. Of course this kind of meetings could take
place, but first, he should meet with the Cyprus Turkish football federation
and then with the president; his main interlocutor should be the Cyprus Turkish
football federation”.
Pointing out
that Demiroren in his short visit said that the solution to be found should be
in the framework of FIFA’s regulations, Akinci said that Hasan Sertoglu,
“chairman” of the “KTFF” has exerted great efforts for the Turkish Cypriot
football players to make openings in the international arena and added that it
is expected that Sertoglu will take more decisive steps towards the membership
to KOP.
Stressing the need for efforts to be exerted in order
to reach to an appropriate formula for solving the problem with football,
Akinci said that all these problems have shown how important is the solution of
the Cyprus problem.
Meanwhile,
Afrika newspaper (21.02.15) under the title: “One more support to Sertoglu from KTOS”, reports that the Turkish
Cypriot Primary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOS) in a written statement,
evaluating Demiroren’s recent “visit” to the “TRNC, described it as an “attempt
aiming to exclude the Turkish Cypriot community from the International law”.
According to the
paper, KTOS’ secretary general
SenerElcil stressed the need for KOP and the “KTFF” to come to an agreement in
order for the Turkish Cypriot youth to be able to make openings abroad.
Describing Eroglu’s initiative to invite the chairman
of the Turkish Football Federation to the occupied area of Cyprus as an
“attempt towards protecting the current status quo”, Elcil said that this
attempt is “separatist”.
(AK)
6. Siber announced her manifesto
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (24.02.15) reports that SibelSiber, candidate of the Republican
Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) in the forthcoming so-called
presidential elections in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, announced her manifesto last night during a
meeting in the occupied part of Nicosia.
According to the paper, Siber’s
firstfive targets are:
1. A bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on political equality.
2. “Revolution in the mentality” for solving the problems of the
community that have been accumulated for years.
3. Establishing relations with Turkey on a healthy basis of mutual
respect.
4. A brand new administration mechanism that will keep equal distance
from everyone.
5. A “presidency” without a stain, integrated with the “people”,
participatory, transparent and accountable.
Siber stated that she will
establish the following five working groups at the “presidency”: 1.
Breakthrough in Cyprus working group, 2. Safe life working group, 3. Economic
development working group, 4. Working group for the Youth and 5. Working group
for women.
Siber said that on the one hand she will exhibit a strong will for
finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and on the other she will seek for the
Turkish Cypriot communal rights. Noting
that the so-called president has the internationally recognized status of the
“community leader”,Siber said that thanks to this status she will achieve
“active contacts” with the world and argued that it will be possible for the
so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots to be lifted
only with a leadership actively working with a team spirit, struggling and
making their voice heard in the world. “The period of the passive leadership
has ended”, she argued.
(I/Ts.)
7. Turkish Cypriot daily refers to
possible “big complications” in the occupied area of Cyprus due to decisions
taken by the “Immovable Property Commission”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi newspaper (24.02.15) reports that due to the cases settled by the “Immovable Property Commission”
[established by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus] “big complications”
could be expected as regards the “title deeds” given by the breakaway regime,
which will be void. Under the title “To whom your house will belong?”
writes that if someone in the occupied
area of Cyprus lives in an occupied Greek Cypriot house which has been subject
in a case at the “Commission”, it is possible that one day this person could
become either tenant or debtor in that property without any prior notice.
The paper notes that after the application of the Greek Cypriot owner of
a property is accepted by the “Commission”, the “ownership right” of the person
who possesses that Greek Cypriot property holding an [illegal] “TRNC” title
deed “is endangered” and adds that it is
not known to whom the properties “for which money were paid within the
framework of the Turkification project of Greek Cypriot properties” will belong.
All “officials” accept the “complications” which come up because of the
contradictions between the “Immovable Properties Commission law” and the
“constitution” of the regime, writes the paper pointing out that the possible
procedures regarding the cases concluded with compensation or exchange of property
are assessed as “couriers of a big social crisis”.
MahmutDemirci, former general director of
Turkish ZiraatBankasi, the bank which gives the money for the compensations
decided by the “Commission”, said: “If our bank has paid compensation, the property
belongs to the bank. Our bank will give long-term credit to the person living
[in the property] and mortgage the property. Of course, in case the person who
lives in wants to take it…”
According to the paper, even though the chairman of the “Commission”,
GungorGunkan has stated that properties for which applications are submitted
are transferred to the “TRNC”, some
former “high ranking officials”, who wanted to stay anonymous, have said that
Turkey will become the owner of the properties for which it pays compensation
and that currently the title deeds of
some properties have been transferred to Turkey. They also note that Turkey
opened the way for the Turkish Cypriots to apply to the “Commission”, in which
exchange of property could be made, and thus Turkey will get hold of the title deeds of Turkish Cypriot properties
which are in the government-controlled area of the island.
A former “minister” of the breakaway regime, who also wanted to stay
anonymous, said that the “banks consortium model” had been produced by an
American expert upon suggestion by the UN Secretary-General’s former Special
Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer. Due to the fact that the “commission”
faces problems in paying the money for compensations, the banks from Turkey
have come forth as financing source.
(I/Ts.)
8. Reactions continue regarding the new
terminal and landing field of the illegal Tymbou airport
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (24.02.15) reports that the
“deputy prime minister” SerdarDenktas commented on the developments regarding
the illegal Tymbou airport and the reactions created for the cutting of 20
thousand trees for the new terminal and the new landing field.
Denktas stated that the procedures
regarding the illegal airport were speeded up and added that the privatization
of Tymbou airport was wrong and that he tried to prevent it: “”I have done
everything I could do, my authority was up to this”, he stated.
In addition, the paper also writes that
the Biologists Association (Bio-DER) of the breakaway regime commenting on the
same issue stated that the building of the new terminal is “uneconomical,
unstudied and against the law”. According
to the Association, the necessary permissions and advices followed in similar
developments were not taken into consideration since neither the environmental
impact not the increase of the number of tourists visiting the breakaway regime
were calculated.
(CS)
9. Gas stations in the breakaway regime
not in line with EU standards
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (22.03.15) reports that “there
are 145 gas stations in the breakaway regime for a population of 296,000
persons” and notes that only 45 stations follow the standards of the occupation
regime.
According to statements by the chairman of the gas stations owners
union, LeventCagdal, 100% of the gas stations do not follow the EU standards
Cagdal stated that if the EU rules regarding their regulations were to be
followed, then every single gas station in the breakaway regime should have
been closed down.
(CS)
10.Reactions over Turkey’s military operation in
Syria to retrieve the remains of Suleyman Shah Tomb
All Turkish
dailies (21-24.02.15) cover extensively Turkey’s weekend military operation in
Syria in which Turkey sent hundreds of troops and scores of tanks across Syrian
territory to retrieve the remains of Suleyman Shah from his tomb, and the
reactions from several circles in Turkey regarding the operation.
Suleyman Shah
was the grandfather of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. His tomb,
and about 40 Turkish soldiers who guarded the Turkish territory inside war-torn
Syria, were relocated on Saturday during the "Shah Firat" military
operation.
Speaking about the operation, Turkish Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey's policy on Syria did not change following
Saturday's military operation into Aleppo to retrieve the remains of Suleyman
Shah.
"The reason is to protect our rights designated
by international law, ensure the safety of our soldiers and preserve our
historical heritage," he told a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga
Airport after the Council of Ministers meeting and before his departure to
Hungary for an official visit on Monday.
Davutoglu also said that the operation was a strategic
step to prevent any exploitation of the tomb and Turkish presence there, in
addition to other possible attempts to use it as a threat or a way to blackmail
Turkey.
The Turkish Premier said that the Shah Firat operation
displayed Turkey's power and set a good example of its "deterrent
force" before the eyes of all related parties of the Syrian war and the
whole world.
"Just as on Saturday night, we will not hesitate
to take any unilateral step in the context of our national strategy when it
comes to our national security," Davutoglu added.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet (24.02.15) reports
that Turkish President Erdogan, commenting on Turkey's military incursion into
Syria to relocate a tomb surrounded by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) militants and evacuate the soldiers guarding it, said that it was a
temporary move to safeguard their lives and not a retreat.
"The SuleymanSah
tomb operation is not a retreat, it is a temporary move in order not to risk
soldiers' lives," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara.
"The game of those who tried to use the tomb and
our soldiers to blackmail Turkey has been disrupted”, Erdogan added.
Meanwhile, the main
opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal
Kilicdaroglu reacting to Turkey’s government decision to carry out a military
operation in Syria, in a post to his Twitter account condemned strongly the
government’s decision describing this attempt as shameful. “Bowing before terrorists and parceling off
the homeland piece by piece, the government has shown how it’s first reaction
against other threats in the future will be ‘to flee’” Kılıcdaroglu tweeted.
“You don’t become a strong state by abandoning your
soil at the first threat, he continued, but rather by punishing the
terrorists”.
HDP co-chairman, SelahattinDemirtas, also criticized
the government, saying that the government's presentation of the military
operation as a “victory” is not right. “As we have seen once again on the SuleymanSah
issue, the government's Syrian policy has been built on faulty foreign
policies,” said Demirtas, speaking to journalists on Monday. He also criticized
the government for not taking a clear position against ISIL as they are a
threat to Turkey.
“It is clear now
that ISIL is in a position to threaten Turkey. I believe it will be even a
bigger threat to Turkey from now on. The Turkish government should take a
healthy stand against ISIL,” said Demirtas.
Also, commenting on the operation, DevletBahceli,
leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (M) described the operation as
“vulgarity”.
(AK)
11.Veto to Turkey from Egypt and Libya for its
policy on Syria
Under the title:
“Veto to the Turks from Egypt and Libya”, Turkish daily Hurriyet (24.02.15)
reports that Turkey’s regional countries, Libya and Egypt which are bothered
with Turkey’s policy on Syria, have taken strong decisions against Turkey.
According to the
paper, the Egyptian governmentdecided not to renew the Ro-Ro agreement signed
between Turkey and Egypt in 2012, after it ends in April 2015. This was decided
after a meeting that involved all the concerned parties to this agreement,
which included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who will be
informing the Turkish government of the decision of non-renewal.
The agreement
envisaged the establishment of a Ro-Ro line between the ports of
Alexandretta-and Port Said for the ease of exports of textile products,
electrical devices and aliment products between Turkey and the Gulf
countries.
Based on the
memorandum of understanding between the two countries, Ro-Ro ships transported
trucks between the Turkish ports of İskenderun and Mersin and Alexandria of
Egypt.
The route not
only allowed Turkish exporters to reach Saudi Arabia in three-and-a-half days,
but also paved the way for easy access to the African market through Egypt.
As the paper
underlines, Libya has also called all Turkish companies to leave the country.
(AK)
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs / AM)
