TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
63/15 04-06.04.15
1.
Nami hopes that the negotiations will resume after 19
April
2. Yıldız: "Cyprus seismic research activities
around the island of Cyprus have ceased"
3. Turkey and the occupation regime reacted over the
approval of a bill by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus on
the Armenian genocide
4. Yorgancioglu: “The Greek Cypriot side’s excuse for
abandoning the talks has been lifted”
5.
Eroglu: “The most important property of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC”
6. The CEO of Russian Sberbank has secretly carried
out an illegal visit to the occupation regime to carry out contacts
7. Metropoll’s survey presents Eroglu first and Siber
second in the first round of the “presidential elections”
8. The so-called municipality of Komi Kepir applied to
become member of Cittaslow
9. Information
about the 1,875 organizations that are activated in the breakaway regime
10. Erdogan approved the controversial Domestic
Security bill into law
11. Erdogan due to Iran for contacts
1. Nami hopes that the negotiations will resume
after 19 April
Turkish Anatolia news agency (03.04.15) reported that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign
minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
has expressed the hope that President
Anastasiades will return to the Cyprus negotiations after the “elections” to be
held in the occupied area of Cyprus on 19 April.
In statements to Anatolia, Nami alleged: “The Greek
Cypriot administration has seen the international community’s reaction when
they left the negotiation table. We expect the Greek leader to return to the
table after reevaluating developments on the ground”.
Referring to the hydrocarbons issue, Nami claimed: “We
will not allow the issue of hydrocarbons to be used as a trump card against the
Turkish people. I think the Greek leader has understood this point clearly”.
Nami
accused President Anastasiades of not abiding by the agreement reached between
the two community leaders on Feb. 11, 2014, and alleged that the main reason
for the halt of the progress in the talks is that President Anastasiades did
allegedly not respect the convergences reached so far.
Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibrisli newspaper (06.04.15), Nami said that since he has come on duty he
exerted intensive efforts to increase their contacts abroad and added that
during these contacts they discussed the issue of how they could further
develop their economic, social and cultural relations with foreign countries.
Responding to a question, Nami noted that the foreign countries want to hear from the Turkish
Cypriots how the so-called isolation could be overcome and whether the UN
Security Council Resolutions constitute an obstacle to this. He said that the
foreigners ask them how the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with other third
countries are so that to take similar steps. Nami argued that there is a
lack of information in the world about the Cyprus problem.
Asked about the Turkish Cypriot football
“federation’s” (“KTFF”) application to become a member of the Cyprus Football
Association (CFA), Nami said that if the
agreement reached between the “KTFF” and the CFA is implemented as a whole, the
issue will continue, but if the Greek Cypriot side says that it accepts only
some elements of the agreement and do not accept others, it would be more
appropriate to hold back the agreement.
(I/Ts.)
2.Yıldız: "Cyprus seismic research activities
around the island of Cyprus have ceased"
According to illegal Bayrak television (04.04.15) Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Taner Yıldız has announced that all seismic research activities around
the island of Cyprus have ceased following a coordinated effort between all the
sides concerned.
Speaking to the Anatolian News Agency, Yıldız said
that the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic
research ship is currently undergoing repairs at the port of Mersin and
would set out for new seismic research off the coast of Iskenderun on the 6th
of April.
Yıldız
said that Turkey was opposed to the idea of conducting unilateral exploration
activities in the Eastern Mediterranean because of the fact that there was ambiguity
regarding EEZ’s of countries in the region.
“The situation involving Greece, the south Cyprus and
the north Cyprus was not sustainable. I am convinced that all sides will be
showing the necessary care and sensitivity on this issue. The Barbaros is
currently in Mersin undergoing repairs. We are extremely pleased with the work
it has carried out. It will be embarking for İskenderun on April 6 where it
will conduct new seismic research there”, Yildiz added
Asked whether or not Israel’s natural gas could be
transported via Turkey, Yıldız said: “It’s obvious that this is the most
feasible way. This is known by us and it is known by them. As it seems,
Turkey’s geography is the most suited for the purpose of transporting this
natural gas, it will pass over Turkey and we will have to oversee our relations
accordingly”.
3.Turkey and the occupation regime reacted over the
approval of a bill by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus on
the Armenian genocide
According to illegal Bayrak television (03.04.15) Ankara
has rejected the Republic of Cyprus law banning denial of Armenian claims over
the 1915 incidents.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgicin a written
statement on Thursday said:"Greek
Cyprus' decision is null and void for Turkey and not worthy of comment.It is
without doubt that those who try to exploit the 1915 incidents at every
opportunity by using simple political ambitions cannot get any result,"
Bilgic said.
Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television
(04.04.15) the “TRNC presidency” issuing
a written statement on the issue condemned the “Greek Cypriot Administration”
as it called the Republic of Cyprus for passing a law that criminalizes the
denial of allegations over the so-called Armenian genocide involving the
Ottoman Empire during World War I.
“It
is obvious that the ones committing mass murder and ethnic cleansing against
the Turkish Cypriots, the architects of the Akritas Plan, have no right to say
anything on this issue,”the
statement said.
“It is also
remarkable that the House of Representatives passed the law during a time when
efforts for a more just and permanent agreement on the island is intensifying”,
the statement added.
The move by the “Greek Cypriot Administration” comes
as Armenia is planning to hold a mass commemoration ceremony on April 24 in
Yerevan to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1915 incidents.
The new law imposes a five-year prison sentence and a
€10,000 fine on anyone who denies allegations about the 1915 events.
“We
strongly condemn the law that does not take notice of the sensitivities of the
region and our island when it comes to historical facts,” the statement also
added.
4.Yorgancioglu: “The Greek Cypriot side’s excuse
for abandoning the talks has been lifted”
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (05.04.15)
reported that the so-called prime minister Ozkan
Yorgancioglu evaluating to Ankara Anatolia’ news agency correspondent the
latest phase of the Cyprus negotiation talks, said that the excuse provided by
the Greek Cypriot side for abandoning the talks has been lifted and added that
it is expected that the Cyprus negotiation talks to resume the soonest
possible.
“The
announcement by the Turkish Cypriot side of the ending of NAVTEX and the withdrawal
of Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel would create a new opportunity for peace in
the island”, Yorgancioglu said and added that it is necessary for this
opportunity to be evaluated appropriately. “I hope that the Greek Cypriot side
leader Nikos Anastasiades will evaluate appropriately this opportunity in order
for the negotiations talks to be resumed”, he added.
Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot side and the
so-called government are the sides which want the solution of the Cyprus
problem, Yorgancioglu stressed the need for the resumption of the talks and
stressed that the solution is possible to be found only at the table.
Referring to the chapters being discussed at the
negotiating table, Yorgancioglu said that a remarkable progress has been
achieved on the chapters of “governance and power share” and the “EU”. He however, added, that the territory issue
should be discussed first at the talks in order to reach to a result that will
satisfy both “peoples” in the island.
Pointing out that he had never lost his hopes towards
the issue of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Yorgancioglu stated that the solution of the Cyprus problem will
contribute to the peace in the region and will also constitute an example for
the solution of other problems in the Middle East, like for example the
Palestine-Israel problem.
Referring to the hydrocarbons in the island,
Yorgancioglu recalled that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on the
natural resources in the Mediterranean.
Commenting on the forthcoming “presidential elections”
that are scheduled to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus on April 19,
Yorgancioglu said that there is no possibility for the “elections” to affect
negatively the talks.
(AK)
5.
Eroglu: “The most important property of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC”
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (05.04.15)
reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader and candidate for the “presidential
elections” Dervis Eroglu stated that the most important property of the Turkish
Cypriot “people” is the “TRNC”, as he called the breakaway regime.
Eroglu who made these statements in the framework of
his election campaign, stated that along with the efforts for finding a
solution of the Cyprus problem the advocate of the “TRNC” must continue as well
and added that he continuously says that the factor that strengthens his hands
at the negotiation table is the “TRNC”. “The federal solution will also
originate from the two founding states”, he alleged.
Eroglu also claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side does
not want a plan like the Anan Plan “for which US dollars and euro were poured”,
as he alleged.“We are looking for a plan that will be approved at a referendum
with ease and trust”, he argued.
(CS)
6.The CEO of Russian Sberbank has secretly carried
out an illegal visit to the occupation regime to carry out contacts
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (06.04.15-online in
Turkish) writes that according to a report by the paper’s correspondent in the
occupied area of Cyprus Sefa Karahasan, the CEO of Sberbank of Russia, and
former Economy, Development and Trade Minister German Gref,has carried out a
secret visit to the “TRNC” to attend the ‘Captains meeting’ of Turkey’s
Denizbank of which they are a shareholder of.
The meeting took place at the Kaya Artemis Hotel in
the occupied area of Cyprus and lasted for three days.
Gref who attended the last day of the
meeting,postponed several times the scheduled time and date of his arrival in
the island in order to avoid possible tension and reactions by the Greek
Cypriot side because of possible business ventures.
Gref has finally arrived in the island with his private
jet landing in Larnaca and then proceeded secretly to the occupied area of
Cyprus where he was welcomed by the “general director” of DenizBank and the
“director” and other members of the “administration board” of Kaya Artemis
Hotel .
The paper adds that Gref, who delivered a speech at
the “Captain’s meeting”, has sent very important messages about the future.
According to the “director” of Kaya Artemis Hotel,
Nihat Berkan, Gref has reportedly told him that he considered that “north
Cyprus” would become one of the most important tourist destinations in the near
future.
(AK)
7.Metropoll’s survey presents Eroglu first and
Siber second in the first round of the “presidential elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kıbrıs Postası (04.04.15)
reported on the results of a poll
carried out by the Metropoll Strategic and Social Research Company from Turkey
for the 2015 “presidential elections” that are set to take place on 19th of
April.
According to Metropoll’s poll results,Eroglu is in the first place followed by
theRepublican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG’s) candidate Sibel Siber.
The
survey’s results has shown further that the “presidential elections” will not
end in the first round as none of the candidates are likely to get more than
50% of the votes.
Eroglu
who is listed as the leading candidate for the first round in almost all of the
surveys, will be getting 39%, Siber will be the second with27.6%, Akıncı 22.6%
and Kudret Ozersay 9%.
These results were given after the “undecided” votes were
distributed.
8.The so-called municipality of Komi Kepir applied to
become member of Cittaslow
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (05.04.15)
reported that the occupied municipality of Komi Kepir has submitted an
application to the International Union of Cittaslow (quiet cities) to become a
member.
A press statement released yesterday said that “mayor”
of Komi Kepir Ahmet Sennaroglu and members of the “eco-tourism association”
handed over the letter to occupied Agios Sergios municipality which is the town
heading the Cittaslow.
(…)
9. Information
about the 1,875 organizations that are activated in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.04.15)
reports that there are 1,875 organizations that are activated in the breakaway
regime and adds that the number of the organization was 1,590 just four years
ago.
According to information obtained by the “ministry of
interior”, there are organizations on health, culture, women, occupations,
sports, religion, “martyrs”, environment and pensioned persons. Most of these
organizations are related to sports and have their headquarters in the occupied
part of Lefkosia.
(CS)
10.Erdogan approved the controversial Domestic
Security bill into law
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (04.04.15) reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signed the controversial Domestic
Security bill into law, which grants more powers to the police and governors,
despite objection from opposition parties.
The bill that regulates the authority of the police,
was renamed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as "Legal Package
To Protect Freedoms," as it triggered fist-fights in parliament during its
debate in February.
Erdogan
approved the bill on April 3, after it passed the parliament floor with votes
from the AKP, despite vows from all opposition parties to prevent it from
becoming law.
Published
in the official gazette on April 4, the domestic security law consists of 69
articles.
The
government says that the police need more powers to preserve public order and
the safety of citizens, particularly on the eve of elections scheduled for June. They claim that more peaceful protests turn violent
with the increasing use of Molotov cocktails and are also concerned about the
recent spread of bonzai, a synthetic drug.
All
opposition parties, on the other hand, had argued that the bill would give
draconian powers to the police.Their criticism is focused on the claim that the
government designed the bill to suppress free speech rights by justifying
future crackdowns on secondary threats.
President Erdogan himself was involved in the debate,
taking a staunch line on February 20, vowing that the bill "will pass one
way or another," after some ruling party Deputies signaled that the bill
might be "moderated."
One
of the most controversial articles of the bill that Erdogan has signed into law
gives the police the right to detain a person if it deems the situation as in
flagrante delicto.Officers are now able to keep him or her in custody for 24
hours without seeing a judge. This period will be extended to 48 hours, if the
police deem that there is a "collective crime."
Previously in Turkey, only the judiciary could detain
a person to take him or her into custody.
With the new law, a police chief will also be able to
order a strip search or a car search. From 2007 until today, Turkish police
have not had the legal authority to conduct strip searches or searches on a
car's trunk and interior without the approval of a judge or prosecutor.
The
new law also gives the police the authority to use firearms against those who
"use or attempt to use Molotov cocktails, as well explosives,
inflammables, incendiaries, suffocating devices, or injurious or similar
arms," revoking previous limits.
With the new law, slingshots, iron pellets and
fireworks are classified as arms, making their use during demonstrations as a
crime that would be punished with up to four years in prison.
Another change stipulates a prison sentence of up to
three years for those who participate in a demonstration with the emblem, sign
or uniform of an "illegal organization."
Covering the face partly or fully during a
demonstration, on the other hand, could bring a prison sentence up to five
years.
The
new law also grants the police to engage in wiretapping for intelligence
purposes initially without a court order and also transfers some powers of
prosecutors to administrative chiefs who are appointed by the government, such
as governors.
A far less controversial article of the law classifies
synthetic cannabinoid drugs, such as bonzai, as illegal, bringing heavier legal
sanctions against their use and sale.
11.Erdogan due to Iran for contacts
Turkish daily Sabah (04.04.15) reported that presidential
sources said on Saturday that Turkey’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will make an official visit to Iran on Tuesday.
Erdogan was given an official invitation by Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani to visit the country. The two leaders are expected to discuss in their meeting bilateral ties
apart from regional and international issues.
During
his visit to capital Tehran, which will be the first presidential visit to Iran
from Turkey in the last four years, Erdogan will also attend the second
Turkey-Iran High Level Cooperation Council, the sources added.
The first meeting of the Council was held on June 9,
2014, in capital Ankara, and was co-chaired by Erdogan -- then Prime Minister
-- and Rouhani.
Erdogan is also expected to hold in Tehran separate
meetings with the Iranian President and the country's highest religious authority,
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AC/
AM)
