22/5/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



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)