TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 26/15 07-09.02.15
2.
Cavusoglu: Turkey as a motherland and guarantor country will continue to defend
the rights of the Turkish Cypriots
3. Turkish Cypriot
columnist explains why the lifting of the so-called isolations is both positive
and risky
4.Nami met with MUSIAD’s
delegation
5. The occupation regime in a
Food fair in Dubai
6. Halloumi cheese and other
dairy products detrital of bacteria were taken
away from the Turkish Cypriot market places
7. Three globally famous hotel
chains to get active in the occupied area of Cyprus at the beginning of 2016
8. The
Evkaf director resigned over the issue of
opening of all tender restoration of historical buildings in the
breakaway regime for Turkey
9. Illegal GAU university signed
an academic cooperation agreement with the Middle East University of Jordan
10.
Erdogan wants 400 Deputies for his former AKP at Turkish elections
11.
Commentary views Davutoglu's political future ahead of the general elections
12.
Turkey’s Deputy PM: AK Party’s divisive, bitter rhetoric not good for society
13. Intelligence
chief in Turkey resigns to run for Parliament
14. Turkey’s Cavusoglu pulls out
of Munich conference due to Israel’s attendance
15. Twenty-one police officers
were detained for wiretapping probe
1. Eroglu
accuses President Anastasiades of lying
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (09.02.15) reports that Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has alleged
that during the press conference recently organized for the Turkish Cypriot
media at the Presidential Palace, President Anastasiades continued what Eroglu
described as “his lies”.In statements during his “pre-election campaign”, Eroglu argued that President Anastasiades
said that “the Turkish Cypriot side submitted no proposal to us regarding the
natural gas”. Eroglu claimed that the proposals which the Turkish Cypriot side
submitted in 2011 and 2012 to the UN and former President Christofias on this
issue are still there.
Eroglu argued that it is out of the question for the Turkish Cypriots to
enter under the roof of the Republic of Cyprus, which has allegedly been turned
into a Greek Cypriot state. He reiterated the Turkish view that a new
partnership will be established in Cyprus.
Eroglu said that the important
thing for them is to “register the existing situation in the world” and
added: “They say that no one recognizes the TRNC. Every country in the world
knows that there is a state called TRNC. It
may be non-recognized, but it exists. I am sitting at the table as leader of
the TRNC. What we do not have is being recognized. Everything which a state
should have exists. We have land, we have people, we have democratic
institutions, we have army. That is, they know that we are a state, but they do
not recognize us. Because the negotiations have been continuing until today, we
did not go out for recognition. However, if the negotiations enter into a
deadlock with these caprices of the Greek Cypriots, we will sit and evaluate
the situation with you and the motherland. We will choose our own way […]
The TRNC is what strengthens me at the negotiations. […] If I did not have a
state, I would ask for minority rights from the Greek Cypriots. Now I am
telling you that I am an equal state. I am referring to two founding states of
equal status. We are referring to one of the UN parameters, a bi-zonal,
bi-communal federation which will be formed by two founding states of equal
status based on political equality. What is Anastasiades referring to? To the
Republic of Cyprus. That is, he says
that we will enter under the Republic of Cyprus. This will not happen. A new partnership state will be established”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Cavusoglu:
Turkey as a motherland and guarantor country will continue to defend the rights
of the Turkish Cypriots
Illegal Bayrak television (07.02.15) reported that the
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that Turkey as a motherland
and guarantor country will continue to defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
Speaking in a live interview to Turkish State
Television in Berlin Germany, Cavusoglu stated that there is currently “a blocked
negotiations process in Cyprus”.
Highlighting the need for the immediate resumption of
the negotiations process, Cavusoglu alleged that both Turkey and the breakaway
regime wanted to resume talks from where they were left off and that “the
Turkish Cypriot side was waiting at the table”.
Referring to the change in government in Greece and
its impact on the Cyprus problem, Cavusoglu said: “We are not concerned with differences in
ideologies. We are working with numerous governments, administrations or
political parties in the world, all of which have different and at times
conflicting ideologies. We know that Tsipras is looking at problems from a more
global or international perspective. It is only natural they will be defending
their own interests. And so we as Turkey will be seeking to look out and defend
the interests of the Turkish nation as well as the rights of the Turkish
Cypriots.”
3. Turkish
Cypriot columnist explains why the lifting of the so-called isolations is both
positive and risky
Writing in her daily column in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
newspaper (09.02.15), columnist Tumay
Tugyan refers to information published in the Greek Cypriot press, according to
which foreign diplomats are working on the resumption of the Cyprus talks in
the beginning of the summer, reaching an agreement until the end of the year
and holding a referendum in 2016. Under the title “The lifting of the
isolations and the solution”, the columnist reports that the same
information says that if the decisiveness for a solution matures within the
above-mentioned period, the
international community will head towards other solutions which will include
the lifting of the so-called isolations allegedly imposed on the Turkish
Cypriots.
She goes on noting:
“[…] Even though at the first
glance this seems like a positive stance for the Turkish Cypriots, I think that
it is equally risky, because even if it is a ‘fear’ which ‘could push’ the
Greek Cypriot side towards a solution, the
lifting of the isolations has the potential of creating an influence in the
opposite direction from the Turkish Cypriot side’s point of view. It would
be useful not to forget that the most ideal solution to the Cyprus problem is
the solution! And this is valid for all the inhabitants of the island, mainly
for the Turkish Cypriots. Even though,
in the way towards the solution, I find important and necessary every
initiative which will support the conditions of the solution and create and
increase trust between the communities, I am frankly concerned by the
possibility of steps that have the character of ‘substituting the solution’
will be turned into an escaping corridor in the hands of political leaderships
which do not sincerely want a federal solution.
Even though the isolations are like a foreign body which prevents us
from breathing and their lifting constitutes a vital need for us, when their
direct consequences are taken into consideration, it is important for the
efforts for this kind of significant steps to be exerted cautiously and in a
controlled manner in the name of the anxiety of the solution. Because the possibility of the Turkish Cypriot
politicians degrading the Cyprus problem only to the isolations’ level and say
‘is this not what we wanted anyway?’ is, unfortunately, high”.
(I/Ts.)
4.Nami met with MUSIAD’s
delegation
According to illegal Bayrak television (07.02.14) the
so-called minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami met with a delegation from the
“TRNC” branch of the “Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association”
(MUSIAD) headed by Oktay Sadikoglu.
According to the “press department” of the so-called
ministry, possible efforts by MUSİAD to help the Turkish Cypriot “people” on
the issue of the “isolations” imposed to them were discussed during the
meeting.
An exchange of views was also held on what could be
done in terms of activities for 2015.
5. The occupation regime in a
Food fair in Dubai
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (09.02.15-online
in English) reports that the so-called “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” is
taking part until the 12th of January in the Gulfood 2015 Food and
Services Fair in Dubai with the participation of 9 firms.
The fair is the biggest in the world and according to
information released, the “TRNC” is taking part with its own stand promoting
and offering several products such as hellim/halloumi, milk products, coffee,
carob and tahini helva sweet.
6. Halloumi cheese and other
dairy products detrital of bacteria were taken
away from the Turkish Cypriot market places
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi
newspaper (07.02.15) after health inspections which were carried out by the
team of “health services” of the so-called municipality of occupied Lefkosia
and after the results of the veterinary analyses, halloumi cheese products and
other dairy products detrital of bacteria were
removed from the Turkish Cypriot market places.
Meanwhile, control inspections were also carried out
in 43 different working places in occupied Trikomo writes the paper and added
that totally 357 expired products were removed.
(AK)
7. Three globally famous hotel
chains to get active in the occupied area of Cyprus at the beginning of 2016
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (08.02.15)
reported that the chairman of the
“Turkish Cypriot Hotelier’s Union” Huseyn Aktig, in statements to the paper,
has alleged that three globally famous hotel chains will get active in the
occupied area of Cyprus and particularly in occupied Keryneia at the beginning
of 2016.
Refraining
to give the names of the hotel chains, Aktig described the hotel projects as
very important projects which would contribute to the occupation regime’s
tourism and the promotion of the “TRNC”. He avoided giving further information
on the names of the hotels in order for the Greek Cypriots, as he said, not to
be able to prevent these investments.
Aktig stated that the names of the hotels will be
announced as soon as they will open their complexes.
(AK)
8. The
Evkaf director resigned over the issue of
opening of all tender restoration of historical buildings in the
breakaway regime for Turkey
Illegal Bayrak television (07.02.15) broadcast that
the chairman of the “Board of Directors of the Evkaf Foundations
Administration” Rauf Ersanal resigned from his post.
Earlier in the week, the Cyprus Turkish Building
Contractors Association slammed the Foundations Directorate for his statements
in support of the protocol signed with Ankara which envisages the opening of
all tender calls for restoration of historical buildings in the breakaway
regime belonging to the “Administration” to be opened in Turkey.
Turkish DeputyPrime Minister Bulent Arinc last week
had stated that all buildings and sites belonging to the Evkaf would be
renovated or restorated by Turkey.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (08.02.15) reports that the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Building
Contractors Union Cafer Gurcafer commented on Ersanal’s resignation as follows:
“He was the main architect of the protocol signed with Turkey. Let us hope for
the best”.
According to Gurcafer, Ersenal’s stance on the
protocol conflicted with the “government’s” position and that was the main
reason for his resignation. “We had a very positive meeting with the
government. We are expecting a positive decision from the council of ministers”
said Gurcafer.
9. Illegal GAU university
signed an academic cooperation agreement with the Middle East University of
Jordan
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (07.02.15) reported that the illegal American
University of Keryneia (“GAU”) has signed an academic cooperation agreement
with the Middle East University of Jordan (MEU).
According to a statement issue by the illegal GAU, the
agreement was signed by the “Deputy director” of the “administration board” and
CEO of the occupied university, Dr Asim Vehbi and the “Deputy chairman” of the
“board of trustees” of MEU, responsible for foreign relations and dean of the
Faculty of Architecture and Design, Dr Sanaa Shiqwarah.
The
agreement envisages the mutual exchange of students between the two
“universities”, writes the paper.
(AK)
10. Erdogan
wants 400 Deputies for his former AKP at Turkish elections
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (06.02.14) reported that disregarding
opposition criticism of his direct involvement in politics, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again
appealed for votes for his former Justice and Development Party (AKP) without
explicitly giving the party's name, declaring that "400 lawmakers"
are needed for a "new Turkey."
"If we want a new Turkey at the June 7 elections,
we will give it 400 lawmakers," Erdogan said, speaking at a public rally
in the northwestern province of Bursa on Feb. 6.
He linked several key issues to this newly set goal,
including his desired shift to the presidential system. At least 330 Deputies in parliament are
needed to change the Constitution.
Erdogan also slammed opposition criticism that the
nominally impartial President should not hold partisan public meetings ahead of
elections. He repeated his wish for a change to presidential system from the
current parliamentary system, labeling those who oppose this as
"ignorant."
11. Commentary
views Davutoglu's political future ahead of the general elections
Turkish daily Milliyet (08.02.15) publishes an article
by Kadri Gursel under the title “Davutoglu's Sacrifice for the Cause” and notes
the following:
“Depending on
the results of the elections on 7 June 2015, there are three possibilities
according to which Ahmet Davutoglu's political future will be shaped.
If
his party, the AKP [Justice and Development Party], receives more than 330
seats, a Constitution that introduces the "presidential system" Recep
Tayyip Erdogan is after will be drafted and put to a referendum. A
"Yes" vote will end Davutoglu's job of "executing the
government's general policies" on paper as well. In short, any election
success that paves the path for Erdogan to become the all-powerful will mean
the ultimate loss of his title for Davutoglu.
If the opposite happens, for instance, should the AKP
remain in power while sliding below "300 seats", which is a
psychological limit, Davutoglu will somehow be held accountable for this
failure.
In
such a situation, the first thing that comes to mind is that Erdogan will ask
somebody else other than Davutoglu to form the new government, that is,
Davutoglu will still lose his title.
In the meantime, given the current circumstances and
data, one needs to note that there is no real possibility that on 7 June the
AKP will fail to get the majority required to form a government by itself. The
third possibility is that the AKP will achieve a position close to the present
one by winning between 300 and 330 Deputies.
In
all cases where the AKP remains below 330 seats, Erdogan will not be able to
draft the constitution that provides for the presidential system he set his
eyes on. Since he will not be able to do that, he will continue to rule the
country and his party from the palace as he is doing now by violating on a
daily basis the current constitution that places him in an unaccountable and
impartial position.
What concerns us, as far as Davutoglu is concerned, is
whether he will be able to maintain his title in a country where Erdogan acts
as the de facto president or the de facto Prime Minister. Since the day he was
assigned to the post of Prime Minister, Davutoglu was not able to see thorough
any move that Erdogan did not sanction. Erdogan did not allow Davutoglu to
realize himself as the Prime Minister.
[…]
Davutoglu did not voice a view that departed in
content or was different from those who warned that the presidential system favored
by Erdogan would drag the country into a dictatorship.
Those who opposed the presidential system favored by
Erdogan were already making the point that "given the presence of
authoritarian political culture and inclination in the government, this will
lead to blatant dictatorship if sufficient checks and balances are not put in
place."
In the end, by using his intellectual capacity,
Davutoglu evaded Erdogan's expectation that he needed to make a statement
regarding the topic and acted as if he were an advocate of the presidential
system […].
12. Turkey’s
Deputy PM: AK Party’s divisive, bitter rhetoric not good for society
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (08.02.15) reported that DeputyPrime Minister Bulent Arinc has
criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) for the harsh
and divisive rhetoric it uses against opposition groups and expressed concern
about the social polarization that has ensued.
Speaking to CNN Turk on Saturday, Arinc criticized his
own party and complained about the lack of a harmonizing approach from the AK
Party toward dissenters in society. He stressed that in earlier periods of the
AK Party's 12 years in power, citizens who voted for parties other than the AK
Party, who correspond to some 50% of all voters, treated the AK Party with
respect.
Arinc also said problems could arise within the state,
lamenting that proximity to the ruling party is valued more than merit in the
recruitment for positions within the state bureaucracy. He also urged Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu not to adopt bitter and inflammatory language during
his speeches.
13.Intelligence
chief in Turkey resigns to run for Parliament
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (08.02.15) reported thatTurkey's top intelligence figure, has
resigned to run for Parliament on the ruling party list in the upcoming
elections. Hakan Fidan, the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization
(MİT) and a trusted confidant of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, submitted his
resignation to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, effective as of Feb. 10.
Opposition
parties have described the resignation as proof that MİT has acted up until now
like the intelligence agency of the ruling party rather than that of the state.
MİT has faced harsh criticism on a number of
occasions since Fidan was appointed as undersecretary of MİT in May of 2010.
One of the major failures is the killing of 34 Turkish citizens in Uludere on
the country's Iraqi border.
Various scenarios about MİT's Fidan's future in
politics were published in the Turkish media in the past couple of weeks.
According to some, Fidan is the person whom President Erdogan wants to see as Prime
Minister instead of Davutoglu after the elections.
However, Erdogan said on Sunday that he is not in
favor of Fidan's running for Parliament. Erdogan also dismissed criticism from
the opposition against Fidan's bid to enter Parliament, saying he has every
right to resign to run for Parliament.
Fidan,
47, is known to be one of the key architects of Turkey's regional policy,
especially Syrian policy, since the start of a vicious civil war four years
ago.
14. Turkey’s Cavusoglu pulls
out of Munich conference due to Israel’s attendance
Istanbul Daily Sabah Online in English (06.02.15)
reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has decided not to
attend the 51st Munich Security Conference because of Israeli participation at
a session on the Middle East.
Cavusoglu made the announcement at a press conference
in Berlin on Friday after participating in Turkey's West Europe
Consul-Generals' meeting.
The Foreign Minister planned to attend the conference
where around 20 heads of states, 60 Foreign and Defense Ministers gathered.
"But, we have decided not to participate in the Munich Security Conference
because they have subsequently invited Israeli representatives to the Middle
East session," Cavusoglu said.
He also said that relations between Turkey and Germany
were not restricted to the conference. "This is not an approach against
Germany," the Foreign Minister stressed.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pawlo Klimkin are among participants of the
conference.
15. Twenty one police officers
were detained for wiretapping probe
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (08.02.15) reported that
the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a new operation
which targeted 21 former anti-terror policemen across nine cities, including
İstanbul, Zonguldak, Nevsehir, Kirsehir and Afyon.
According to Siddik Filiz, a lawyer of the policemen,
the detainment orders were issued on charges of forming an armed terrorist
organization, being members of the organization, being involved in the
organization's activities, military and political spying and attempting to
stage a coup to destroy the Turkish Republic and hinder its activities.
“We are facing a new charge, attempting to stage a
coup,” Filiz said.
In his remarks to Cihan, Filiz claimed that no new
evidence has been presented and Sunday's operation does not fall under due
process of the law.
(…)
At least 100 high-ranking police officers have been
detained in a series of synchronized raids in more than 20 provinces since
July. These officers were involved in an anti-corruption operation that went
public on Dec. 17, 2013, as well as investigations into Balyoz (Sledgehammer),
Ergenekon, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) and Tawhid-Salam.
(…)
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