TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
94/15 22.05.15
1. Akinci
met with foreign Ambassadors to Cyprus
2. Bozkir
stated that the Cyprus problem will be solved this year and that Turkey’s EU
chapters will open
3. AKP Deputy
called the 94,700 Turkish voters living in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus to cast a vote in the upcoming Turkey’s general elections
4. Ozgurgun
says that they do not accept the new “citizenship draft-law”; Discussion
started at the “assembly”
5. The
“Grey Wolves” organized a protest outside the occupied Famagusta “court”
against the Basdogrultmaci couple
6. Turkish
Cypriot writer: TMT organization has murdered Turkish Cypriots
6. Turkish
Cypriot writer: TMT organization has murdered Turkish Cypriots
7. The 33%
of the works for the pipeline project in the occupied area of Cyprus have been
completed
8. New
implementations at the crossing points
9.
Breakaway regime’s GDP will grow by 4.4% in 2015
1. Akinci
met with foreign Ambassadors to Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (22.05.15)
reports that Finland and Sweden announced that they are ready to support the
Cyprus talks. The Swedish Ambassador to Cyprus KlasGierov and the Finn
Ambassador to Cyprus AnuSaarela visited yesterday morning the Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci.
Following this meeting, the Belgian, Dutch
and Luxembourgian Ambassadors to Cyprus visited also Akinci.
Speaking to the press after the meetings,
the Ambassadors said that they had a very positive meeting.
Finn Ambassador Saarela said that they had
a very good meeting in a very positive atmosphere with Akinci. She also said
that Akinci is devoted to the process, adding that the negotiations will start
in a very short period.
Swedish Ambassador Gierov said that he
conveyed a congratulatory message of the Swedish government to Akinci.
Referring to the resumption of the Cyprus talks, he said that they will do
whatever they can to assist the process.
(DPs)
2.Bozkir
stated that the Cyprus problem will be solved this year and that Turkey’s EU
chapters will open
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper
(22.05.15) reports that Turkey’s EU
Minister and Chief Negotiator VolkanBozkir, in statements during a meeting
with held with Turkey’s Businessmen Association (TIKAD), referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem and said that the it will
be solved this year and that the 14blocked chapters of Turkey’s EU membership
will open immediately after the solution.
(AK)
3. AKP
Deputy called the 94,700 Turkish voters living in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus to cast a vote in the upcoming Turkey’s general elections
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
(22.05.15) reports that BulentGedikli, Deputy with the Justice and Development
Party (AKP) and key advisor of Turkey’s President RecepTayyip Erdogan, in an
interview with the paper, called the 94,700 Turkish voters living in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to cast a vote in the upcoming Turkey’s
general elections in June 7. Gedikli said: “There are 94,700 voters in Cyprus.
They may cast their vote until May 31.
Please, cast your vote. Casting a vote is a civil right. (…) One vote is
very important (…)”
Referring to the Cyprus problem and the
Cyprus talks, Gedikli claimed that they had a lot of restrictions and embargoes
in the international arena since 1974. He added that they are following the
ongoing negotiating process, which will bring results. He stressed that they want
these results to appear in a way that the gaining to be equal for the two
sides. He explained that the process is not only give-and-take but the rights
of all the people who live in this island should be protected.
Commenting on the relationship of motherland-daughter
land, Gedikli asked: “When the child earns his bread, will he turn his back to
his mother?” Gedikli added: “Of course, we want the TRNC to take from its hand
its bread, and to provide for its future. Which mother does not want this? But
when the child earns its own bread, and stand on its own feet, will he turn his
back to his mum?”
(DPs)
4. Ozgurgun
says that they do not accept the new “citizenship draft-law”; Discussion
started at the “assembly”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(22.05.15) reports that the new
“citizenship draft-law” was carried yesterday to the “plenary session” of the
“assembly” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus. Noting that heated discussions started on the issue, the paper
writes that self-styled interior minister TeberrukenUlucay
pointed out to the importance of having a controlled number of population,
adding that they are open to suggestions and they have prepared the “draft-law”
after taking the views of various circles.
Ulucay said that no problem exists as
regards the investors and added that those who want to come to the “country”
and make investments can do so. Recalling that a general migration amnesty was given in 2012, Ulucay noted that
his party was in the opposition then and supported this practice. Noting that
the period of acquiring the “citizenship” of the regime after a marriage was
extended to three years, Ulucay said that those
who have come to the occupied area of Cyprus to work are expecting to take the
“citizenship” and added that “we provide
for a white card” for these cases. He pointed out: “We say to those who will come from now on not to expect such a thing.
Another thing is that the citizenship will not be granted with a decision of
the council of ministers. What is important is to have a controlled number of
population”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi
newspaper (22.05.15) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National
Unity Party (UBP), has issued a written statement noting that it is not
possible for his party to accept the above-mentioned “draft-law” in its present
form. He argued that the mentality of the “draft-law” is “outside the norms
accepted both by the human rights and the international law”. He described as “unthinkable” to accept
especially a period as long as 15 years for acquiring the “citizenship”. He
said that some amendments could be made in the “citizenship law”, but “it is
not wise to disturb, or annoy the people” on such a sensitive issue.
Ozgurgun claimed: “How do you ignore a 15
year long period in the life of a human being, what kind of a human mentality
is this? Moreover, with the generous
behavior of south Cyprus, it is obvious that the ratio of population on the
island has been changed against us. This negative [development] will be brought
onto the agenda when the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are given in a possible
agreement”.
(I/Ts.)
5.The
“Grey Wolves” organized a protest outside the occupied Famagusta “court”
against the Basdogrultmaci couple
Under the front-page title: “They got
furious”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (22.05.15) reports that the “Grey Wolves” in the occupied area of
Cyprus organized yesterday a protest in front of the “Famagusta district
court”, where the trial of the Turkish Cypriot couple, KorayBasdogrultmaci and
his spouse CinelSenem was about to take place.
The
Turkish Cypriot couple is facing charges for displaying the Republic of Cyprus’
flag outside their shop in occupied Famagusta in June, 2013.
As
the paper writes, a group of “Grey Wolves” gathered yesterday outside the
“court”, in order to protest against the couple.
The protesters
were holding the flags of Turkey and the “TRNC” and were shouting slogans such
as “Cyprus is Turkish and will remain Turkish”, “The flag is our honor”,
“Bastards of the Greek Cypriots go to the south”, “We may come again one
night”, “We are Turks, we are brave, we came, we took” and other.
The paper adds that the “police” took
strict measures and the protest ended, while the trial has been postponed for
today.
Meanwhile, as the paper points out, the
issue has been covered with great interest by the Greek Cypriot press. Also, another protest took place yesterday
night near the Ledra crossing point by a group of people who wanted to express
their support to the Basdogrultmaci’s struggle. A lot of Greek Cypriot
politicians, organizations and Deputies attended the event, writes the paper.
(AK)
6. Turkish
Cypriot writer: TMT organization has murdered Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(22.05.15) reports that Mete Hatay,
writer of Poli magazine (which is published together with the paper on
Sunday) has acquired very important
documents from the British Archive, which had been described as “top secret”
until now. According to the documents, the
Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) [Translator’s note: A Turkish Cypriot
underground organization established in the 1950’s] have murdered two Turkish Cypriots named FazilOnder and SadiErkut in
1958.
One of the documents is a statement made by TMT on 26 May 1958
by which it undertakes the responsibility for the murder of these two persons.
The statement said: “SadiErkut and Fadil
(Fazil) Onder, who have been declared traitors of the country and instrument of
the communists, have received the punishment they deserved. Their sold comrades
will be immediately punished in the same manner”.
Onder was murdered on 22 May 1958 during an
attack at the Nicosia market. Even his burial was prevented. He was buried secretly
at night by a few persons in Kaymakli area’s cemetery.
SadiErkut was heavily injured together with
his wife, who had shielded him with her own body.
(I/Ts.)
7.The
33% of the works for the pipeline project in the occupied area of Cyprus have
been completed
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspaper (22.05.15) reports that the works for the “project of the century”, which foresees water being transferred from
Turkey to the “TRNC” via underwater pipelines, are progressing speedily.
According
to the paper, the 33% of the works for the pipeline project which is
constructed over 80km of sea, have been completed.
The
paper writes that the works in all districts in the occupied area of Cyprus for
the installation of the underwater pipelines are moving very speedily and
underlines that the water supply project will provide the “TRNC” with water for
the next 50 years.
(AK)
8. New
implementations at the crossing points
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 22.05.15), after the removal of the “visa papers” at the
crossing-points, changes will be made to the crossing point of AyiosDometios in
order to simplify procedures at the gate which is the busiest crossing point.
In the first phase changes will be made to
the cabins in order for people to be able to carry out transactions without
leaving their cars.
The first
“e-identity card” that will allow for optic readers to be used at crossing
points will be issued on the 28th of May with a ceremony to be attended by the
Turkish Minister for Transport, Maritime and Communications FeridunBilgin.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 22.05.15) reports that 5 of the “immigration
cubicles” will be set up so that people will not have to get out of their
vehicles. The public will show their IDs and drive through.
Self-styled interior minister
TeberrukenUlucay said that following the removal of the papers, they find that
there was a time saving of around 20-30 seconds per person. He said that they
are working together with the “Nicosia district office” and “police migration”
as well as the “planning department” so that cars are able to approach the
cubicles. Ulucay also said they are working on setting up optical readers for
the checkpoint and noted that they will be implementing this on the 4th of
June.
According to statistics, 1 million 053,004
people crossed into the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in the first 4
months of the year; 1 million 051,730 people exited. 439,863 people crossed over
at AyiosDometios crossing point and 442,778 exited.
9. Breakaway
regime’s GDP will grow by 4.4% in 2015
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(22.05.15) reports that according to predictions of the so-called state
planning organization (“DPO”), the
“Gross Domestic Product” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus will grow by 4,4% in 2015, by 3,6% in 2016 and 3,8% in 2017.
According to the macroeconomic predictions
of the “DPO”, in comparison with December of the past year, inflation is
expected to increase by 3,3% in 2015, by 4,6% in 2016 and by 4,5% in 2017.
The numbers and tables of “DPO’s” study for
the period 2014-2017 can be found at the following webpage address: http://dpo.gov.ct.tr.
(I/Ts.)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
