TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
60/15 31.03.15
1. Reactions to “KTFF’s” decision to apply for becoming a member
of the Cyprus Football Association
2. Eroglu: We will put a time limit and go to referendum
3. Nami: Absolutely no progress was achieved during the past five
years in the Cyprus negotiations
4. Turkish Cypriot daily says that tension in the Mediterranean
decreased
5. Durduran: If Eroglu remains as a negotiator, the Cyprus talks
will come to a deadlock
6. The number of registered voters for 19 April’s “election” is
176 thousand 912
7. The regime registers traditional zivania alcoholic
beverage
8. Disagreement emerged between the companies which operate
illegal Tymbou airport
9. A “union of universities” has been established in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus
1. Reactions to “KTFF’s” decision to apply for becoming a
member of the Cyprus Football Association
Under the
front-page banner title “Football sealed the agenda”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (31.03.15) refers to the statements made yesterday by Hasan
Sertoglu, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot “football federation” (“KTFF”)
regarding the decision of the “federation” to apply for becoming member of the Cyprus
Football Association (CFA or KOP) and to the reactions that followed this
announcement.
Kibris
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu
stated that he has discussed the issue with Sertoglu and told him that the
“federation” cannot join KOP, since it is contrary to its “statute” and
“regulations”. Noting that an amendment may be needed to the “statute” and the
“regulations” for joining KOP, Eroglu expressed the view that “KTFF” cannot
join KOP before taking the necessary steps within its own structure. He also
argued that “entering under KOP will bring no benefit to Turkish Cypriot
football”. The Turkish Cypriot leader claimed that the “federation” and the
clubs must evaluate this well, especially in a period during which the Cyprus
talks will intensify.
He
alleged:“As far as I know, anyway the
church does not allow the Greek Cypriot clubs to play matches in the north
[Translator’s note: This is how he called the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus]. The chairman of KOP made a speech to convince his clubs for this
cooperation with the Turks. In his speech he said that ‘with this move I
prevented the Kosovo example being implemented for the Turks’. This must have
escaped the majority of the sporting editors. I cannot say that I see sincerity in the Greek Cypriots”.
Meanwhile,
Kibris reports that SerdarDenktas,
self-styled deputy prime minister and “minister” of economy, tourism, culture
and sports of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus, noted that they will reexamine
their relations with the “KTFF” to which they allocate a “significant part” of
the so-called sports ministry budget. “Our ministry is determined to freeze its
relations with the KTFF as long as the process continues [Translator’s
note: The process of “KTFF” accession to KOP]”, Denktas stated yesterday, arguing that the “TRNC” has been
established after many difficulties and it helps its “institutions” with the
contribution of Turkey. Referring to Sertoglu’s statements, Denktas claimed:
“With the statements that have been made, it is understood that the
contribution of our state to football is underestimated and the effort we exert
both politically and financially when this is asked from us is ignored”.
Furthermore,
commenting on the same issue, OzkanYorgancioglu,
self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime and leader of the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP), described as
“unacceptable” the fact that Denktas ignores his own institutions, does not
trust them and freezes the relations with them”. Yorgancioglu noted that
Denktas’ stating his own views and unilaterally announcing the freezing of the
relations with the “KTFF” “does not comply with the way a state is
administrated”. Referring to the process launched with the agreement
reached between “KTFF” and KOP in the presence of FIFA and UEFA, Yorgancioglu said that after the completion
of this process FIFA will establish relations with “KTFF”, which is “a correct
approach”.
Finally, HuseyinOzgrugun, chairman of the
National Unity Party (UBP), said yesterday that “KTFF’s” joining KOP will not benefit Turkish Cypriot football. In
a written statement, he claimed that for the creation of the ground that will
weaken the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot “people” and for not solving mainly
of the financial problems of the clubs, the “coalition partners in the
government” are equally responsible as the “KTFF’s” administration which
insists on being on a wrong path”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu: We will put a time limit and go to referendum
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.03.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu has reiterated the allegation
that the Cyprus negotiations have been going on for 47 years, all chapters have
been discussed and all views are known. In an interview with Kibris TV, Eroglu said yesterday that they intend to
complete the negotiations within a time limit and go to referendum. He claimed
that their target with the demand for a time limit is to measure the sincerity
of the Greek Cypriots for a solution.
Eroglu said that he has submitted the proposal to UN
Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide for the UNSG
heading the first meeting within the framework of the negotiations which will
be held after the 19 April “elections” in the occupied area of the island.
Referring
to the hydrocarbon explorations in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),
Eroglu said that the company ENI has not found anything and argued that in case
the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, does not issue
another NAVTEX and launch a drilling, the Turkish Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa
seismic exploration vessel will return to Turkey. He alleged that Barbaros
anchored in occupied Famagusta port with the aim of showing that the Turks have
no bad intentions.
Eroglu said that he does not think that President Anastasiades is
sincere, as he has excessive demands at the negotiating table.
Referring
to the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners,
Eroglu reiterated his view that this issue is a part of the comprehensive
solution and argued that those who promise the opening of Varosha, do this for
securing votes in the “elections”. He
argued that opening Varosha is not easy and it is wrong to say that this
development will create an activity in the business community, wondering why
someone should prefer buying building materials from occupied Famagusta when
the choice of buying them from “south Cyprus”, as he described the government
controlled area of the island, exists.
Ergolu said that in case Varosha opens under Turkish
administration, the negotiations will be torpedoed and noted that those who say
this do not want a solution.
Referring
to the criticism about his age and health, Eroglu said that those who deal with
his age should be dealing with his mind instead. “Every white strand on my head
is an experience”, he argued noting that “people want an experienced person”.
He noted that he had undergone a heart surgery, but he is active and he can
compete with young persons. He said that he had visited all occupied villages
except for four within the framework of his “election campaign” and soon he
will visit all of them.
Eroglu
alleged that all six “candidates” are candidates for the “presidency of the
TRNC” and claimed that the expression that “the non-solution is a solution” in
Cyprus belongs to late President Clerides. Eroglu
noted that he also said that “the non-solution is also a solution” and pointed
out that if an agreement is not reached, the “TRNC state” will live.
(I/Ts.)
3. Nami: Absolutely no progress was achieved during the past
five years in the Cyprus negotiations
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (31.03.15) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that absolutely no progress was achieved during the past five
years in the Cyprus negotiations. In an interview with Havadis, Nami described this period as “lost”.
Nami alleged that the return of Turkish Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa
seismic exploration vessel to Turkey is a sign of the good will of the Turkish
side and indicated that the negotiations could resume after the
“presidential elections” of 19 April in the occupied area of the island.Nami said that it is not possible for the
negotiations to resume before the “elections” and underlined the importance of
having a “president” who believes in the solution after the “elections”.
“We as government are ready to strongly support the solution process”, he
argued.
Noting that
the vessel Barbaros will leave the area, Nami wished for this development to be
received positively in “south Cyprus”, as he described the government
controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, and after the “elections” to lead to
the resumption of the negotiations. Nami reiterated that they have decided to
send Barbaros to Turkey because the Greek Cypriot side has, allegedly, send the
vessel SAIPEM 10000 away. He said that they have taken this decision in
coordination with the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
(I/Ts.)
4. Turkish Cypriot daily says that tension in the Mediterranean
decreased
Under the
title “Tension in the Mediterranean decreased”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (31.03.15) reports that the Turkish Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic
exploration vessel has left the occupied area of Cyprus, after the departure of
the vessel SIAPEM 10000 from the area.
According
to information acquired by the paper from the regime’s “ports’ department”, Barbaros asked for permit to leave the
occupied Famagusta port at around 15.30 yesterday, stating that its route would
be “the open sea”. The captain of the ship is expected to decide the port, in
which Barbaros will anchor, notes the paper, adding that changing route and
anchoring in an occupied Cypriot port could not be excluded in case the weather
conditions are bad.
The paper
publishes also a statement by the self-styled foreign ministry expressing the
hope for the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table after the
departure of the vessels from the area and for the negotiations to resume from
the point they were left.
(I/Ts.)
5. Durduran:
If Eroglu remains as a negotiator, the Cyprus talks will come to a deadlock
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniBakis (31.03.15)
publishes an interview with AlpayDurduran, member of the executive committee of
the New Cyprus Party (YKP) which boycotts the upcoming “presidential elections”
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Durduran said that if the Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu remains as negotiator, then the Cyprus talks will come to a
deadlock. Commenting on Eroglu’s statement that he needs two more years to
reach a final outcome in the negotiations, Durduran said that leaders in the
past have announced that they could not do anything, not even go to the negotiations
because Turkey did not support the process. He added that nothing has changed.
(DPs)
6. The number of registered voters for 19 April’s “election” is
176 thousand 912
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (31.03.15) reports that the number of the registered voters in the so-called presidential
elections which will be held in the occupied area of Cyprus on 19 April is
176,912. The paper writes that according to SafakOner, chairman of the
so-called high election board (“YSK”), 55,763 voters are registered in occupied
Nicosia, 456,912 in occupied Famagusta, 35,397 in occupied Keryneia, 20,809 in
occupied Morfou and 18,951 in occupied Trikomo.
(I/Ts.)
7. The regime registers traditional zivania alcoholic
beverage
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.03.15) reports that the breakaway regime’s “authorities” have registered traditional
alcoholic beverage “zivania” or “zivaniya” at “TRNC’s registrar” as a product
of geographical indication and traditional specialty in the occupied area of
Cyprus. The registration certificate was handed over yesterday to Ali
Cirali, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry”.
The document is not valid in Turkey and within the European Union,
notes the paper, but the development is considered as a step for filing an
application to the Turkish Patent Institute and for launching an initiative in
the EU. It is reported that zivania should be produced at a certain
standard and in order to import zivania from the government-controlled area of
the Republic of Cyprus, the permission of the Zivania Audit Council should be
acquired.
Ali Cirali, chairman of the “chamber of industry”, said that
zivania is the third product, after halloumi-hellim cheese and whisky, which is
registered as a product of protected geographical indication. He noted
that they are continuing their efforts for registering tsakistes olives
(crushed olives which are harvested when green), sheftali kebab and carob
molasses.
(I/Ts.)
8. Disagreement emerged between the companies which operate
illegal Tymbou airport
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (31.03.15) reports that after the tender [for
privatizing] the occupied Tymbou airport, a
quarrel emerged between the partners, as Terminal Yapi Company, which had
acquired the right of constructing and operating the terminal, was excluded
from the project. The chairman of Terminal Yapi’s administrative board, Mehmet Alp Delimollaoglu said that
currently the owner of Tasyapi Company, EmrllahTuranli is administrating the
“airport” alone.
According
to Delimollaoglu, Tasyapi has until now gained a profit of at least 100 million
euros from the illegal airport and within four years this amount will reach 200
million euros. Delimollaoglu accused
Tasyapi of not behaving according to the contract and called on the “state” to
interfere because “the damage is big”.
(I/Ts.)
9. A
“union of universities” has been established in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(31.03.15) reports that 6 illegal universities in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus have established a “union of universities”. The “union”
consists of the “international Cyprus university” (“UKU”), the “Girne American
university” (“GAU”), “Mediterranean Karpasia university” (“AKU”), the “British
Nicosia university” (“BNU”), the “Cyprus American university” (“KAU”) and the
“Metropolitan university” (“MU”).
In a press conference held yesterday in the
occupied Keryneia, the so-called board of managements was announced. The
“chairman” is SerhatAkpinar, the “vice chairman” Mete Boyaci and the “general
secretary” Ali Ozok.
Meanwhile, it was also announced that the
“east Mediterranean university” (“DAU”), the “Lefka European university”
(“LAU”) and the “Istanbul technical university” (ITU”) may participate in the
“union”. However, the “Middle East technical university northern Cyprus campus”
(ODTU KKK) will not participate and the “Near East university” (“YDU”) has not
yet clarified its position.
Speaking in the press conference, Akpinar
said that the aim of the “union” is to develop higher education, to solve the
problems of the “universities” and to gain international acceptance. Akpinar
also said that in this process they will contribute to the development of
higher education by keeping in touch with the “government”, the “ministry of
education” and the “YODAK” (higher education planning evaluation, accreditation
and coordination council).
(DPs)
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
LF)
