TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
85/15 09-11.05.15
2. Nami held contacts in Berlin;
“Germany bears historical responsibility for a solution”
3. Davutoglu describes the water project as “another
road from Anatolia to Keryneia”
4. A congress on oil and natural gas was held in the
occupied area of Cyprus
5.
The number of voters in the breakaway regime for the June 7 Turkish elections
6. Volkan argues that there is plan for dividing and
neutralizing the UBP
7. The “KTFF” has approved harmonization of its
charter with FIFA
8. Kerry to meet Cavusoglu in Ankara
9. Turkey to build its first LPD
10. Kenan Evren passed away
1.
Akinci: A new era will start on the Cyprus issue from May 11
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (11.05.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci said that he will try for an agreement, which will be accepted with
clear conscience by the Turkish Cypriot “people” at a referendum.
Speaking
yesterday at the “wild asparagus” festival in the occupied village of Agia
Eirini, Akinci said that the past generations have shared the pain and the
poverty, adding that the next generations will pass over it in order to share
the beauty in an equal way. He stressed that he will walk this path by
protecting all kinds of rights, including the Turkish Cypriots’ rights of
equality and security, without forgetting also that there is a community at the
other side too. He further said: “We will work for a solution which we will embrace,
adopt and which we will vote in support of a referendum. Whatever agreement we
will reach will not make any sense without your approval. What really matters
is the people and to reach a solution which will be adopted by the people. This
is also valid for the Greek Cypriot people. We will work for a new Cyprus which
will protect the legal rights and benefits of the two peoples of the island”.
Underlining
that the Cyprus problem will enter an important era from today, Akinci said
that they will take the first step with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades by
joining for dinner and resume the Cyprus talks shortly.
Noting
that he will not accept any agreement that will not be adopted by the “people”,
Akinci said that he will try for a new Cyprus, which will protect the
legitimate rights and interests of both “peoples”, will not reflect the past
and the future will be equally shared.
On
the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 09.05.15) broadcast that
Akinci made important statements regarding the Cyprus issue during an event he
attended.
He
said they would be working towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem but
emphasized that this cannot be a unilateral effort. “The solution has to be the
product of a shared vision by the two sides”, said Akinci.
Referring
to the social gathering that he will be attending with Anastasiades on Monday
the 11th of May, Akinci said that they would be discussing their
visions and how they together can carry the process forward. “I believe this is
possible and therefore I will work to make this possible”, said Akinci.
“Believe
me a federal solution is foreseen in Cyprus’ future and the most important
factor will be production. A productive community can take up its position more
comfortably in a federal structure”, said Akinci. He emphasized the fact that a
productive community can easily compete with EU institutions in the future and
succeed and added that Cyprus must become a country that produces quality goods
if it wants to have a competitive edge in the future.
(DPs)
2. Nami held contacts in Berlin; “Germany bears
historical responsibility for a solution”
According to illegal Bayrak television (09.05.15) the so-called foreign minister and chief
negotiator Ozdil Nami held a series of contacts in Germany.
In
the agenda of his meetings in Berlin were mainly the Cyprus negotiations
process and the “unjust embargoes and isolations” imposed against the Turkish
Cypriots.
Nami, who was accompanied by the “private secretary of
the ministry of foreign affairs”, Huseyin Ozel, held contacts on Friday at the
Office of the Federal Chancellery, followed by a series of important meetings
at the Federal Parliament (Bundestag).
After his meeting with Philipp Missfelder, Foreign
Policy Spokesman in the Bundestag of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany
and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CDU/CSU), Nami met with Gunther Krichbaum,
Chairman of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union within the
German Bundestag from the CDU/CSU.
Later, Nami met with Norbert Spinrath, Spokesman on EU
Affairs and member of the Social Democrat Party in the Bundestag, as well as
with Heinz Joachim Barchmann, Deputy Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee.
Nami
expressed his expectations pertaining to the resumption of the negotiation
process and indicated that if the process is expedited and both sides display
the necessary political will, it is possible to reach a solution within 2015.
Emphasizing
the importance of supporting the new hopeful environment with concrete steps,
Nami recalled that the EU acquis offers the necessary legal foundation for the
lifting of the” isolation” imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.
He pointed out that if the EU displays a more
embracing stance towards the Turkish Cypriots, it will contribute to the
establishment of a balance between the two sides, and added that such a stance
will have a positive effect on the negotiations.
Nami
further highlighted the importance of the support of Germany and other EU
countries in this regard.
At the round-table discussion titled: “A new round of
talks in a more realistic atmosphere” which was organized by the Science and
Politics Foundation, Nami came together with German bureaucrats, academicians
and NGO’s representatives.
During the discussion, Nami stated that there is a new
positive atmosphere regarding the negotiations following the “presidential
elections” which took place in the “TRNC”. “The stance which will be taken by
the Greek Cypriot side in this new era may have a determining effect on the
outcome of the negotiation process. It is not acceptable for the negotiations
to start from scratch”, said Nami.
Meanwhile, Ankara Anadolu news agency (08.05.15)
reported that Nami called Germany on
Friday to encourage the Greek Cypriots to find a political solution to the
50-year division of the island.
“Germany
bears historical responsibility because it played a key role in the EU’s
decision in 2004 to accept the divided island as a member to the union,” Nami told
Anadolu Agency on the final day of a two-day visit to Berlin.
Nami said that the EU lost an important opportunity in
achieving a settlement by granting the EU membership to the “Greek Cypriot
administration”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus.
“We believe
that Germany bears historical responsibility to put an end to the isolation of
the Turkish Cypriots and to use its influence over the Greek Cypriots for a
solution,” Nami added, underlining the EU promise not to leave Turkish Cypriots
isolated.
“Today the
Greek Cypriots are using all the advantages and facilities of EU membership,”
Nami said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots are deprived of them.
Nami asked for Germany to push for initiatives such as
direct trade with “northern Cyprus”, direct flights to illegal Ercan airport
and the Turkish Cypriot’s representation in the European Parliament.
(…)
He also accused the Greek Cypriot side of refusing to
make any political concessions. He however, expressed hopes for a change in
this attitude under international pressure. “The international community is now
demonstrating a strong political will towards a final solution after more than
50 years of conflict,” he said, adding that the election of “president” Mustafa
Akinci on April 26, could give the talks fresh momentum.
Moreover,
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.05.15) under the front-page title:
“Same old story” reported on Nami’s contacts in Berlin and writes that in the
new era, nothing has changed from the former approach of the Turkish Cypriot
side.
(AK)
3. Davutoglu describes the water project as
“another road from Anatolia to Keryneia”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (11.05.15) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has referred to the
project of carrying water from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus. During a speech within the framework of the Justice and Development
Party’s (AKP) election campaign, Davutoglu said:
“We are connecting another road from
Anatolia toKeryneia. We are carrying Anatolia’s water to Cyprus with pipelines,
with tunnels under the sea. Behold new Turkey’s power. When Mr Bahceli, Mr
Kilicdaroglu come here ask them whether they could [even] dream about carrying
water to Cyprus with pipelines […]”
Davutoglu argued
that before 1994 and Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s election as Mayor of Istanbul, “the
Republican People’s Party (CHP) mentality”, as he called it, had left people in
that city without water, as they could not find any even for washing their
hands.
(I/Ts.)
4.A congress on oil and natural gas was held in the
occupied area of Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak television (08.05.15) a
two days congress on the issue of oil and natural gas was organized in the
“TRNC” by the Chamber of Mining, Metallurgical and Geological Engineers.
Several issues from environment to geology and from
energy policies to the Cyprus negotiations process were being discussed during
the congress.
Delivering an opening speech at the congress, the
so-called minister of environment and natural resources Hakan Dincyurek said
that there were many hydrocarbon and natural gas layers around Cyprus and added
that “as it was stated by important world actors like the UN, the EU and the US
on many occasions from past to present, everyone living in Cyprus has the right
to natural resources around the island”.
For her part, the “speaker” of the “assembly”, Sibel Siber expressed the desire that instead of
causing conflict, the natural gas and hydrocarbons in Cyprus to bring peace and
a solution to the island.“We hope that the natural gas and hydrocarbon
resources would play the role of a catalyzer for a solution and will be shared
equally among the peoples of the island”, Siber added.
Also, delivering an opening speech at the congress, former
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriot side
started working on oil and natural gas before 1983 and continued these works
until today.
Warning
that if the Turkish Cypriot side did not finalize its technical and legal
preparations it will be obliged to accept anything the Greek Cypriot side will
put forward in case of a solution, Talat expressed the need for finalizing
technical and legal works immediately.
5.
The number of voters in the breakaway regime
for the June 7 Turkish elections
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.05.15)
reports that there are 94,000 persons
who can vote in the General Elections to be held in Turkey on June 7.
The paper writes that the voting procedure, in the
framework of the Turkish law according to which Turkish voters can cast their
vote from abroad, has started on May 8 and will continue until May 31. It will
take place at the “Turkish Embassy” building in the occupied part of Lefkosia.
The paper also writes that the “Turkish ambassador” Halil Ibrahim Akca has
already cast his vote on May 8.
(CS)
6. Volkan argues that there is plan for dividing
and neutralizing the UBP
Turkish Cypriot
daily Volkan newspaper (11.05.15)
reports that there is a “three stage plan” for dividing and neutralizing the
National Unity Party (UBP) during this period when a change of “government”
and a possible early “elections” are on the agenda in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus. According to the paper, a “change strategy” has been prepared to force the UBP administration
to resign. A so-called “National Democratic Forces Movement” will be
established with this aim and some persons have allegedly been paid to do this
job.
Noting that it
will announce the details of the plan tomorrow, the paper claims that the UBP’s regular congress and the congress
for amending the party’s statute will be used to destabilize the party. It
also argues that according to the plan, lack of confidence against the
administration of the party should be created and there should be 3-4 candidates for the presidency of the UBP during the
congress. It is also said that the resignation of the heads of UBP’s some
local organizations would help in the achievement of the target set in the
plan.
(I/Ts.)
7.The “KTFF” has approved harmonization of its
charter with FIFA
Turkish daily Kibris Postasi (09.05.15) reported that
the “Turkish Cypriot Football Association” (KTFF) approved on Friday the harmonization
of its charter with that of the world football governing body FIFA.
Reports said that 40 out of 42 clubs took part in the “KTFF’s
assembly, with 38 voting in favor of the changes.
In a statement on the issue, Hasan Sertoglu, chairman
of the “KTFF” said: “A journey has started for the future of football, youth,
and the country”.
8.Kerry to meet Cavusoglu in Ankara
Turkish daily Sabah (10.05.15-online in English)
reported that the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be traveling to
Turkey and will meet with Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday,
according to official sources from the Ministry.
During Cavusoglu’s visit to the U.S. in late April,
the two officials discussed the crisis in Yemen, the latest developments in
Syria, the ongoing fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)
and Turkey's contribution to a possible ground operation in Mosul, the
resumption of the peace talks in Cyprus, Ukraine and energy security.
In the meeting, Cavusoglu is expected to discuss the
latest developments in the train-and-equip program as well as the extradition
of U.S.-based imam Fethullah Gulen, who is listed as a prime suspect in three
different legal cases and is accused by Ankara of leading a terrorist
organization.
(…)
Sources from the Foreign Ministry spoke to Daily Sabah
and said that Kerry may also meet with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, however,
it has not been confirmed by the Prime Ministry.
9.Turkey to build its first LPD
Turkish daily
Sabah (09.05.15) reported that Turkey's
Undersecretariat of Defense Industries (SSM) and Turkish shipyard Sedef
Shipbuilding Inc. have signed a contract on Thursday to build Turkey's first
landing platform dock (LPD).
This move was interpreted as 'alarming' for Israel,
Greece and “Greek Cyprus” as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the
paper, as it would change the whole
security balance in Eastern Mediterranean.
The LPD, expected to be completed by 2021, is a part of
Turkey's national ship (MİLGEM) project and the country's recent moves to
develop and improve its own defense industry. Weighing 27,436 tons, 231
meter-long, the ship will be able to carry 1,200 personnel as well as tanks,
helicopters, drones and warplanes with capability of vertical landing and
take-off. If built with a 'ski-jump' ramp flight deck, the LPD can also be used
by some airplanes with horizontal landing and take-off capability. The ship
will also include a full-fledged hospital.
The
contract was signed during IDEF'15 defense fair, which acted as a show-off
venue for Turkey's booming defense industry.
(…)The LPD will be able to sail non-stop for 50 days,
while having a range of up to 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 kilometers), which
would allow the Turkish Navy a strong presence even in the Atlantic and the
Indian oceans.
10.Kenan Evren passed away
Turkish daily Sabah (09.05.15) reported that Kenan Evren, the leader of the 1980 coup,
died late on Saturday at the military hospital GATA in Ankara from multiple
organ failures linked to old age.
Evren, who was 97, had been undergoing treatment for
chronic back pain since March 2012 at the hospital.
Evren was born in Manisa in 1917 and graduated from
the military academy in 1949. After
serving as the Land Forces Commander, he was promoted to Chief of General Staff
in 1978.
He is principally known for leading the Sept. 12, 1980
military coup. With the coup he assumed Presidency and the head of the National
Security Council (MGK) along with being the head of the military. The era that
began with the coup is known for gross human rights violations, suspension of
the political process and tens of thousands being detained and tortured.
Several prisons, including one in Diyarbakır, became infamous for the
systematic torture of inmates. Diyarbakır Prison is seen by many as the place
where the terrorist PKK was born.
Last
year, Evren, alongside the only other surviving member of the 1980 coup, former
Air Forces Commander Gen. Tahsin Sahinkaya, was convicted of crimes against the
state and sentenced to life imprisonment. They were the first generals to be tried and
convicted of leading a coup in Turkey. The court decision stripped him of his
military title and demoted him to the rank of private. The court's decision was
yet to come into effect when he died because of an appeal lodged by his
lawyers. His trial was made possible after the 2010 referendum that introduced
several changes to the Constitution.
Evren will be buried with a state funeral because he
is a former President.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/
AM)
