TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
75/15 24.04.15
1. Eroglu
accuses Akinci of having relations with FethullahGulen
2. Akinci
describes Eroglu’s accusations as “black propaganda” and an effort to “drag”
the Turkish government into the “elections”
3.
Ozgurgun: If there were “general elections” today, UBP would be the first party
4. Talat on
the 11th anniversary of the Annan Plan referendum: There is no solution if
Eroglu is elected
5. Kalyoncu
expresses strong support to Akinci
6. Various
organizations and political parties expressed their support to Eroglu and
Akinci
7. 176
thousands 980 electorates in the 2nd round of the “presidential elections”
8.
Cavusoglu met with Hammond; The Cyprus issue was discussed
9. Turkish
daily wrote that Nadir will be sent to Turkey
10.
Distress at AgiosDometios crossing point yesterday due to the occupation
regime’s strict control measures
11. German
President labels Armenian killings as genocide
12. Seven
world capitals now without Turkish ambassadors
1. Eroglu
accuses Akinci of having relations with FethullahGulen
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(24.04.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader and candidate in the second
round of the “elections”, DervisEroglu
has said that they have from time to time heard rumors that FethullahGulen
Community [which is described by some circles as the ‘parallel state” in
Turkey] and America are behind independent candidate Mustafa Akinci.
According to a statement issued by his office, Eroglu gave an interview
yesterday to Turkish journalists based in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus. Referring to the above-mentioned “rumors”, he argued: “We have also heard these rumors. Do you
call him parallel state, do you call him Fethullah supporter, I do not know
that, but the fact that he has connections with America came to my ears too.
…However, in the end, this is an allegation.
But we remember that there is a proverb saying ‘there is no smoke
without fire’ […]”
Eroglu alleged that he is the person who
signed a joint statement for the first time after the High Level Agreements of
1977-79. He claimed: “This joint
declaration is a kind of timetable. I am a person who brought Anastasiades
to the stage of bargaining. […] We have come until the stage of the bargaining.
In any case, after this Anastasiades abandoned the table […]”.
Eroglu accused again the Greek Cypriot side
of implementing delaying tactics and referring to statements made by Espen
Barth Eide, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, argued that Eide also “pointed out to the end of 2015”
for holding a referendum.Eroglu reiterated the allegation that after the
bargaining begins they could solve the Cyprus problem within a couple of years
and added that “it is possible to have an agreement as it is possible not to
have an agreement”. “I became a candidate in order to conclude an unfinished
business. This is my last election”, he added.
Referring to the support expressed by the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to Mustafa Akinci, Eroglu alleged that the two left-wing parties (the CTP and the Social
Democracy Party – TDP) will continue to be rivals after the “elections” and
claimed that in spite of the fact that Akinci says that he will be impartial, he will try to strengthen the one party
against the other after the “elections”. “And I think that the CTP will be
harmed from this”, he argued.
Eroglu claimed that contrary to himself,
Akinci never put forward his indispensable conditions. “He has no clear stance other than saying that we will give fenced off
Varosha to its former owners under UN control. For example, he never said that
Turkey’s active and effective guarantees will continue. For example, he has not
spoken as clearly as I did about our citizens coming from Turkey. He has not
spoken clearly on the issue of the rotating presidency. He has conducted
his campaign only by promising beautiful future to the citizens”.
Eroglu argued that three big foundations
exist in the occupied fenced off city of Varosha and alleged that Akinci talks
are ignoring the “properties of these foundations”.
Eroglu further claimed that President
Anastasiades has clearly stated who he wants to win the “elections” and argued
that the return of Varosha will benefit only the Greek Cypriots, while the
confidence building measures should secure benefit to both communities.
Arguing that the “elections” concern the
future of the “TRNC people”, Eroglu alleged: “If those who are in much more cooperation with the Greek Cypriots and
try to open a front against Turkey are at the negotiating table, this could
cause various results”.
Meanwhile, in statements to a television
program, Eroglu said that the “citizens” did not go to the ballot boxes last
Sunday in order to punish the political parties and their “deputies”.
He argued that they have reached the final
stage and it is not the time now to give a lesson to anyone. “We are in a
period when the disappointments will be wiped away from the minds”, he argued
alleging that it is the time to take a
decision on the future of the “TRNC”.
Referring to his opponent in the second
round, Eroglu said: “I do not know what
is in Mr Akinci’s mind, but I know the question he had once asked the then
Prime Minister of Turkey. I know that the expression that ‘if a country
transfers population to another country which it has occupied, this is a crime
of war’ belongs to both himself and those who support him. […]’
Asked whether a gesture could be made prior
to the comprehensive solution, Eroglu replied that the fenced off city of
Varosha is a part of the chapter of the territory and that the Greek Cypriot
side had rejected a proposal submitted by the late Turkish Cypriot leader
RaufDenktas. He alleged that if you give it now to the Greek Cypriots, you will
enter into a deadlock when you ask yourself what the Greek Cypriots will want
afterwards in order to sit at the negotiating table. He said that the salami policy is not valid for the Cyprus problem, to
which a comprehensive solution should be found.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci
describes Eroglu’s accusations as “black propaganda” and an effort to “drag”
the Turkish government into the “elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(24.04.15) reports that Mustafa Akinci,
independent candidate in the second round of the “elections” to be held on
Sunday in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu’s accusations against
him that he is backed by the FethullahGulen Community, is a black propaganda,
slander and an effort to drag the Turkish government into the “elections” in
the occupied area of Cyprus.
In a statement issued yesterday, Akinci
noted that during his entire life he was committed to no one else than the
Turkish Cypriot “people” and that he never met with FethullahGulen.
Furthermore, Akinci said for Eroglu, inter
alia, the following: “In any case, everybody
knows how weak his understanding of democracy is. He is a politician who fears
of his people. Therefore, he is known of the fact that intrigues never
lacked from his political methods. DervisEroglu is a person who, for his
personal sultanate, denigrated the political level so much that he expects help
through making discriminations among the citizens, through spreading fear
instead of hope to the people, through oppression and through
intimidation”.
Meanwhile, Akinci also met with journalists
from Turkey to whom he stated that he will follow a pro-solution policy in the
Cyprus problem and he will carry out
negotiations in order to form a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal system on which
the sides agreed on 11 February 2014. He said that the Turkish Cypriot “people”
want to administrate their own institutions and they want to do it well.
“My wish is for incidents like the bankrupted Turkish Cypriot airlines not to
happen again”, he noted adding that “the Turkish Cypriots should become owners
of their own institutions and be able to stand on their own feet in this
island”.
Akinci
pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots have no real say in their own
institutions and added that the “police”, the “fire brigade” and the “security
forces” in the occupied area of Cyprus are still bound to the [Turkish Armed
Forces’] General Staff.
Akinci said that healthy and sound
relations should be established with Turkey and added: “I do not see the TRNC as a community which unilaterally receives aid.
Turkey helps us but we cover almost all of our imports from Turkey. We have
imports higher than 1-2 billion dollars every year. We have close cultural
relations with Turkey deriving from history. […] The relation that we will
establish with Turkey will be a relation based on mutual respect. […]”
Akinci argued that Turkey also favours a
solution in Cyprus and added that now the “natural gas” dynamic exists instead
of the EU dynamic that existed ten years ago.
Finally, Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper
(24.04.15) reports that in statements during visiting its premises Akinci said
that he will materialize change if he wins the “elections” and he will proceed
together with the Republican Turkish Party on the Cyprus problem. He noted that they might think differently on
some issues and tension may be created from time to time, but they should look
at the issue “from the point of view of the country’s future”.
Referring to President Anastasiades, he
said: “We know each other with Greek
Cypriot leader Anastasiades. We had a contact with him. We are both from
Limassol. The generations before us should have solved this problem. If our
generation cannot solve it as well, I really worry about the future generations”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozgurgun:
If there were “general elections” today, UBP would be the first party
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (24.04.15)
reports that the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun said
that this “presidential election” is very important for the fate of the “TRNC people”.
Commenting on the 2nd round of
the “presidential elections” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
which will be held on April 26 in a TV programme, Ozgurgun reiterated their
full support to the incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu.
Referring to rumours that if Akinci wins
the “elections” then the “flag” of the breakaway regime on Pentadaxtylos range
would be removed, Ozgurgun said that no one has such strength to remove the
“flag”.
He also claimed that if there were “general
elections” today in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, there would be
a serious change in the ratio of the “parliament structure” and for this reason
the issue of the “government” has ended. He added that the UBP is ready for an
“elections” in any moment, claiming that if there were “elections”, UBP will be
the first party, because there are many internal problems in the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) and therefore will lose a lot of votes.
(DPs)
4. Talat on the 11th anniversary of the Annan Plan
referendum: There is no solution if Eroglu is elected
Turkish
Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (24.04.15) reports that former Turkish Cypriot
leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that if
the Turkish Cypriots do not get rid of DervisEroglu, they should forget the
solution of the Cyprus problem.
Talat was
speaking to the paper on the 11th anniversary of the Annan Plan
referendum.
He said that the biggest opportunity for the solution of the
Cyprus problem was lost in 2004. He also said that the efforts for the solution
continue and that important developments were safeguarded. However, he said,
the procedure was obstructed after Eroglu’s election and the non-solution of
the problem was cemented. Finally, he said that the Turkish Cypriots were outcast
from the world after Eroglu got in “power”.
(CS)
5. Kalyoncu expresses strong support to Akinci
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (24.03.15) reports that Omer Kalyoncu, “deputy” with the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) expressed his strong support to the candidacy of Mustafa
Akinci for the second round of the “presidential elections”. He also said that
if the party was not to support Akinci for the “elections” it would throw its
own throat” as he said.
Commenting
on the results of the first round of the “elections”, Kalyoncu stated that his party experienced an important trauma and
said that this must be examined and evaluated after the second “election” round
is over. He also said that there was not
bargaining between the party and Akinci and they did not discussed with him
what is going to take place after the “elections”. However, CTP wants to assist
as regards the developments on the Cyprus problem, he noted.
Finally, on
the latest statements regarding the opening of Varosha, Kalyoncu said that only
time will show the developments that will take place on this issue.
(CS)
6.Various
organizations and political parties expressed their support to Eroglu and
Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspasper (24.04.15) reports that two
political parties in the occupied area of Cyprus, the Social Democrat Party
(SDP) and the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP),issued yesterday separate statements
expressing support to the “presidential candidate” Mustafa Akinci in the
second round of the “elections” to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus on
Sunday.
According to the paper, the Social Democrat Party (SDP), said in the
statement that they decided to support Akinci since they consider him to be the
only one that can bring the change in the “country”.
Also, the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP) said in its statement that the
socialist stance is clear and that no vote should be given to the status quo
and the supporters of the status quo.
The paper writes also that the “Kibris Pir Sultan Abdal cultural
association”has openly expressed support to Akinci, while the chairman of the “Chambers of Tradesmen and Handicrafts” (KTEZO)
MahmutKanber said in a statement that the chamber will continue to support
those who exert efforts and their goal is a federal solution in Cyprus.
Moreover
“the Turkish Cypriot’s national existence council”, the “fighter’s association”
and the Hizmet-Sen trade union announced their support to Eroglu, writes the
paper.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (24.04.15) reports that the general
secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers` Union (KTOS) SenerElcil, in a
written statement yesterday, has stated that the second round of the
“elections” into which Eroglu and Akinci will run for the “presidency” has been
turned into a “referendum”.
Elcil
stated that the 26 April “elections” had been turned into a referendum between
Akinci who supports a federal solution in Cyprus, peace, democracy, respect to
human rights, equality and social justice and his opponent Eroglu, who has
brought the Turkish Cypriot community to this situation, who in his whole
political life was a supporter of the non-solution, was a plunderer, and was
acting with partisanship.
(AK)
7. 176
thousands 980 electorates in the 2nd round of the “presidential
elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (24.04.15)
reports that the 2nd round of the “presidential elections” will be
held on Sunday, April 26, 2015, where the incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu will compete with the independent “candidate” Mustafa Akinci. 176, 980 electorates will cast their vote in
693 ballot boxes set up across the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
The chairman of the “High Election Board
(YSK)” SafakOneri announced that the voting will be held between 08.00-18.00
and the unofficial results will start coming in around 7pm, an hour after the
voting ends with final results to be announced by 10pm the latest.
In statements to the “Turkish Cypriot news
agency” (TAK), Oneri said that the “voters” will be voting in the same polling
stations as in the first round. He also said that 64 new voters had been added
to the voting list in the past week, explaining that these individuals are
either persons who turned 18 in the past week or who had accidently removed
from the “voting registry”.
He also said that the results will be
announced through the “High Electoral Council’s” website at www.mahkemeler.net .
(DPs)
8. Cavusoglu
met with Hammond; The Cyprus issue was discussed
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 24.04.15), the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has met
separately with the Secretary General of the Council of
Europe ThorbjornJagland and his British
counterpart Phillip Hammond.
The meetings took place on the side-lines
of the Peace Summit in Istanbul held as part of activities marking the 100th
anniversary of the 1915 Battle of Canakkale (Gallipoli).
According
to diplomatic sources, the Cyprus issue was discussed during the meeting
between Cavusoglu and Hammond.
Expanding cooperation between Turkey and
the Council of Europe was amongst the issues discussed during the meeting
between Cavusoglu and Jagland.
9.Turkish
daily wrote that Nadir will be sent to Turkey
Under the title: “Asil Nadir to be sent to Turkey”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (24.04.15) reports that the
Turkish Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir who was arrested and jailed in the UK
since 2012 for embezzling his company Polly Peck, will be sent to Turkey.
According to a report issued by Vatan
newspaper in Turkey, initiatives were
undertaken for Nadir’s return to Turkey after he abdicated his British
citizenship. Meanwhile, it has been stated that steps were taken by both Turkey
and the UK which in the framework of their agreement for Nadir, came to an
understanding that the citizenship of Nadir and his spouse should be abdicated.
The
paper writes that the UK, is expecting to send Nadir to Turkey after the
general elections which are scheduled to take place in the UK on May 7, since
it does not want to take the risk of this decision.
Also, according to the paper, a close source near to the British Prime
Minister David Cameron, said that everything is ready for sending Nadir to
Turkey, however, he added that they are waiting the UK elections in order for
the Conservative Party not to lose votes.
(AK)
10.Distress
at AgiosDometios crossing point yesterday due to the occupation regime’s strict
control measures
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(24.04.15) reports that a lot of Turkish
Cypriot “citizens” who wanted to cross to the free areas of the Republic of
Cyprus yesterday since it was a festive holiday both in the “TRNC” and Turkey,
[Translators note: April 23 is the National Sovereignty and Children's Day] had
to wait for hours and long queues at AgiosDometios crossing point.
According
to the paper, the strict control measures followed at the AgiosDometios
crossing point by the occupation regime’s “authorities”, caused distress to the
“TRNC citizens” who wanted to pass their day in the free areas of the Republic
of Cyprus.
Speaking to the paper, a lot of Turkish Cypriots expressed their
disappointment over the implementation followed in the crossing points and
asked for efforts to be exerted from both sides to ease the practices followed
at the crossing points.
(AK)
11. German
President labels Armenian killings as genocide
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 23.04.15), German President Joachim Gauck on Thursday condemned the
massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces a century ago as
genocide, a term that the Berlin government had long rejected.
Gauck used the word in a speech to mark the
100th anniversary of what most Western scholars and two dozen governments
regard as genocide against an Armenian population that flourished in what is
now modern Turkey. Turkey vehemently denies the charge.
Gauck, a former East German pastor with a
penchant for defying convention, also suggested Germany itself might bear some
of the blame because of its actions during World War One. "In this case,
we Germans must still come to terms with the past, as to whether there is in
fact a shared responsibility, possibly even complicity, in the genocide of the
Armenians," said Gauck, adding that German armed forces were involved in
planning and even implementing deportations.
His determination to use the controversial
word prompted members of parliament to overcome long-held resistance from
Chancellor Angela Merkel's government, which until Monday had steadfastly
refused to use the term.
Analysts say it was previously reluctant to
apply the description in the case of Turkey for fear of upsetting Ankara and
the 3.5 million people in Germany who are Turkish nationals or of Turkish
origin.
The reversal of Germany's stance is
significant because it is Turkey's top trading partner in the European Union.
France, the European Parliament and Pope Francis are among others who have used
the term, condemned by Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan.
"Questioning these claims is not up to
parliaments or politicians, but rather to historians," Erdogan said on
Thursday, before Gauck's speech. "The Armenian diaspora should ask the
40,000 Armenians who are citizens of our country whether they face any persecution,"
he told a peace conference in Istanbul, organised as part of the centenary of
the Gallipoli campaign during World War One.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told
parliament: "Those who develop hateful sayings against Turkey will feel
ashamed and be held accountable in front of history and humanity".
11. Seven
world capitals now without Turkish ambassadors
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 24.04.15), after recalling its ambassador to Austria on April 22,
Turkey has now recalled seven
ambassadors to Ankara over the last few years for various reasons, including
bilateral political strain or security concerns in those foreign capitals.
Currently,
Turkey has no ambassadors in Syria, Egypt, Israel, Libya, Yemen and the Vatican,
in addition to Austria, as bilateral relations between Ankara and
the aforementioned countries have become strained or due to security concerns
over the past five years.
Turkey withdrew its ambassador in Tev Aviv,
OguzCelikkol, in 2010 after Israeli commandos boarded Gaza-bound aid ships
resulting in the deaths of 10 Turks, bringing the already strained relationship
between the Jewish state and Turkey to a breaking point. Diplomatic relations
between the two states have been reduced to the second-secretary level.
In 2013, Egypt expelled Turkey’s ambassador
to Cairo on Nov. 23, declaring him “persona non grata”, amid tension between
the two countries, which has escalated since the military takeover that toppled
former president Mohamed Morsi. Since then, Turkey has not appointed a new
ambassador to Cairo.
In 2012, Turkey recalled its ambassador to
Syria, Omer Onhon, and closed its embassy in Damascus, citing the worsening
security situation in the country. The move came two days after then-Prime
Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan said Ankara was on the brink of breaking
diplomatic ties with Syria and withdrawing its ambassador. Shortly after,
Turkey declared that it did not recognize Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s
government as the legitimate administration in the country.
Turkey also recalled its ambassador in
Libya, as bilateral ties strained between Ankara and new administration in
Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Turkey wanted to appoint as a new
ambassador to Tripoli AhmetDogan but the Libyan government did not approve him.
Turkey does not have an ambassador in Tripoli at the moment. Libya’s Parliament
recalled the country’s ambassador to Turkey in 2014.
In February, Turkey suspended the
operations of its embassy in Yemen and evacuated all of its diplomats,
including ambassadorFazlıCorman, because of the worsening situation in the
capital Sanaa due to intensified clashes between Shiite militia and Sunni
groups.
Turkey’s ambassador to the Vatican was
summoned to Ankara for consultations on April 12, after Pope Francis called the
1915 incidents involving Armenians genocide.
Austria was subject to a similar reaction
by Ankara, as Turkey recalled its ambassador in Vienna on April 22 after
parties represented in the Austrian parliament signed a declaration recognizing
the massacre of Armenians a century ago as genocide.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)
