TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 90/15 16-18.05.15
1. Statements by Akinci after his first meeting with President Anastasiades and a bi-communal event in the occupied area of Cyprus
2. No more paperwork at crossing points
3. Columnist in Afrika comments on the change of the regulations at the check points announce by Akinci
4. Nami: The two leaders in Cyprus are sincere about a federal solution
5. Kotak on the land-mines map handed to the Turkish Cypriot side by President Anastasiades
6. Bilgic: “An early solution is our goal”
7. Ban invites Akinci to New York
8. Bozkir evaluated the Cyprus problem and Serdar Denktas’ resignation; Reaction statements by Denktas
9. Akinci: Building a nuclear plant in Mersin is highly dangerous
10. A new “citizenship law” and “draft-law” regarding the “work permit” of foreigners to be discussed today at the “assembly” of the regime
11. Statistics on the “export figures” for the first 3 months of 2015 in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
12. Akca: “Turkey is investing an important amount of funds to both the public and private sectors in the TRNC”
13. TDP to attend Socialist International’s meetings for first time
14. Gezici survey: Voting support for AKP at 38%
1. Statements by Akinci after his first meeting with President Anastasiades and a bi-communal event in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.05.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that a tough negotiating process exists ahead and added: “The approach should not be seeing the person sitting before you as your enemy. Our view is seeing the person sitting before you as ‘future partner’ and this is extremely important. ”.
Addressing a picnic organized in the occupied area of Cyprus by the Silikou Village Solidarity Association, Akinci noted: “All our efforts is for our young generations’ being able to have a happy future on these lands. Our generations and the generations before us shared pain, blood, tears and suffering on these lands. Let the future generations share the peace, the blessings and the beauties of this island. I believe that with this mentality our future will be better”.
Akinci greeted the participants in the event in the Greek language as well and underlined the importance of the unity and solidarity exhibited during the picnic.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (15.05.15, online) reported that in statements in the occupied area of Cyprus following the four and a half hour long leaders meeting held on Friday with President Anastasiades within the framework of the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that a number of Confidence Building Measures were discussed and agreed upon during the meeting and added: “While we are moving forward with CBMs we should never forget that our main focus is always the comprehensive settlement. Whatever we do in the meantime will serve for the final result and that is the comprehensive and permanent solution”.
Akinci noted that the two leaders have agreed to speed up the process by meeting at least twice a month for the talks and in addition to the formal meeting the leaders will also come together for social gatherings.
Akinci said that the negotiators will be meeting with each other more often than the leaders. “No one wishes to waste any time. Preferably if we find a way out of the Cyprus problem by the end of this year all parties will be pleased. We don’t aim to pressure for a calendar, however the negotiations have been ongoing for 47 years and no one can tolerate for the talks to go on longer”, he pointed out.
Touching upon the announcement regarding the change in regulation at the check points, Akinci said: “Mr Anastasiades handed the maps of 28 minefields and we announced the change of regulation at the check-points. No one will need to fill up visa forms from now on. There are many people from the Greek Cypriot side who were not crossing because of that reason. Therefore, one barrier is overcome. I spoke to the police this morning and requested them to make an arrangement in a way so that people crossing with their cars would not need to step out of their cars. Hopefully as of tomorrow that will also change”.
Akinci also announced that the two leaders have agreed to establish a “joint committee on culture”. Underlining how much he values this committee, Akinci said that one of the most important tools for reconciliation is culture and arts, adding that arts and culture know no boundaries.
(I/Ts.)
2. No more paperwork at crossing points
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 16.05.15), filling a “visa” slip will no longer be required by the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus at crossing points, it was announced on Friday, as the leaders of the two communities agreed to work “tirelessly” to resolve the island’s division.
The requirement was lifted as of Saturday, May 16th, 2015.
The announcement was made after a meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Anastasiades.
Commenting on the decision, the self-styled minister of interior and “acting foreign minister” Tebrreuken Ulucay said that the aim is to ease the daily lives of people who cross from one side to the other.
Explaining that people, who want to enter and exit the “TRNC” are no longer required to fill a “visa slip”, Ulucay said that tests of the last few months had allowed them to establish a system to ease traffic at crossing points.
“Some of these efforts include the introduction of optic scanners and readers which will be introduced as of the 1st of June”, Ulucay said.
Ulucay also announced that they have launched work and preparations to open a crossing point at Deryneia but that any decision to open any new crossing points is an issue which ultimately can only be decided by the two leaders as part of the negotiations.
3. Columnist in Afrika comments on the change of the regulations at the check points announce by Akinci
Writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (18.05.15), Mehmet Levent comments on the change announced by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci regarding the regulations implemented by the breakaway regime at the barricades and reports that what has been removed in practice is a piece of paper and a seal and not what the breakaway regime calls as “visa”.
The “visa” continues to exist with the registration of those who cross over from the barricades in the computers, he says. What was happening before, he notes, is that you were parking your car in front of the people working at the Turkish Cypriot barricade in a manner that the car’s registration numbers were visible, you were coming out of the car, filling up a “visa” document, registering your identity card number in the computer and crossing over after your “visa” document was stamped.
The new practice, he says, is that you come with your car in front of the check point cabin, you do not have to come out of the car, the “police officer” takes your identity card, registers you in the computer and you continue your way. “The only change is that there is no coming out of the car, there is no stamping of a visa document, because the document was removed”, he reports adding: “The police officer gathers your identity cards and takes the visa for you”.
Levent writes also that the 90 day “visa” practice implemented for the Greek Cypriots has not changed and compares the situation with the rules which are valid at the check points of the Republic of Cyprus, noting: “The Greek Cypriot side registers your identity cards in the computer only during your going. During the return you pass without any procedure. There is absolutely no change on this issue at the Turkish barricade”.
“We are so thirsty for these things that they have moistened our lips with cotton. And we thought that our thirst would go away”, he concludes.
(I/Ts.)
4. Nami: The two leaders in Cyprus are sincere about a federal solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (17.05.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami stated that the two leaders in Cyprus share a common understanding regarding of how the Cyprus problem can be solved based on a federal solution in Cyprus. Nami made these statements during an interview he gave to the paper, which was the first interview after he was appointed as negotiator by the new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Nami said that during the meeting they held last Friday, the two leaders expressed this common understanding and added that the two leaders also referred to the Common Statement of February 11, 2014, agreeing that from now on their actions must be in accordance to this agreement. He also stated that the two leaders made a good step for an effective negotiation procedure in the spirit of the Common Statement.
“Everybody wish that the Cyprus problem will be solved the sooner possible and I hope that this goal will be reached in a short time”, Nami stated and said that everything experienced lately is a prove that both sides in Cyprus need the solution and added that this is a good thing because if only one side wanted the solution, this would not have been possible to be reached. “There is a higher expectation in both sides for a real solution and this will be used for the benefit of the procedure”, he stated.
As regards the Building Confidence Measures, he said that the two leaders exchanged views for measures that can facilitate the life of people and referring to the new measures announced on Friday said that from now on the two sides will announce new steps when is possible, without expecting anything in return in order to show their good intentions. Besides this, he said that new steps can be taken, which have been on the agenda for a long time, like the arrangement of all the cell phones in both sides to be able to operate, or the unification of the electric lines, or an agreement to be reached on the halloumi issue and a new barricade to be opened. He also said that some of these issues were discussed in last Friday’s meeting.
In a question on the opening of the Deryneia barricade and when this can be expected to take place, Nami said that studies have been made on the issue and they expect to have positive results. However he mentioned that there are some problems like the fact that the area is a first degree military area. The Turkish Cypriot side is supporting the opening of new barricades when this makes sense.
On the negotiations Nami said that they will not be launched from zero. Chapters like property, territory, administration and power sharing, EU and economy will be discussed but in order for a healthy dialogue to take place, all these must be discussed within a healthy framework.
For Varosha, he said that some think that practical steps must be taken in order to facilitate the people’s life. However, he said the general climate on the issue for the time being is for comprehensive negotiations to be made and these kinds of issues may come to the agenda later.
(CS)
5. Kotak on the land-mines map handed to the Turkish Cypriot side by President Anastasiades
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (18.05.15) reports that Serhat Kotak, the secretary of foreign affairs of the Democratic Party (DP) stated that the map handed over by President Nicos Anastasiades, in the framework of Confidence Building Measures, as regards land-mines which were laid in the occupied Pentadaktylos Mountain area must also be handed to the “people”.
He also stated that the “people” must also be informed on the issue and measures to be taken regarding possible dangers. “We do not even want to think that we have been walking over mines for the last forty years”, he stated.
He went on and added that the relations between the two sides in Cyprus must be normalized in order for a solution environment to be created as the situation may be proceeding towards a solution. He also said that humanitarian issues must be included in the negotiation procedure and called on President Anastasiades not to avoid discussing these kind of issues.
(CS)
6. Bilgic: “An early solution is our goal”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (16.05.15) reported that the spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Tanju Bilgic has stated that their goal at the Cyprus negotiation talks is the solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible.
Bilgic made the above statement in a press conference at the “ministry” and added: “We will continue to provide the necessary support in the framework of the steps to be taken by both sides towards the Cyprus negotiation process”.
Recalling the statements made by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during the joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias, that the Cyprus problem should be ended the soonest possible and that their expectation is for 2015 to be the year of solution, Bilgic stated that Turkey’s goal is the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Bilgic also stated that Turkey wants a fair, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and added that Turkey will continue to support the negotiation process which is taking place in the framework of the 11th February Joint Declaration agreement.
(AK)
7. Ban invites Akinci to New York
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 18.05.15), UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has invited the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to New York for a meeting.
According to a statement issued by Akinci’s office, Ban telephoned Akinci and informed him of his desire to meet with him face to face in New York. However, the date of the Ban-Akinci meeting will be determined in accordance with the two men’s working program.
During the telephone conversation, Ban, within the framework of information obtained by the UN Special Adviser to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, expressed his pleasure at the resumption of the Cyprus talks and reiterated his support to efforts aimed at ending the division of the island.
Expressing delight at the Confidence Building Measures that were agreed upon by the two leaders, Ban called on the two leaders to take advantage of this unique opportunity to build a future for the island and its people. “If this opportunity is used well you can show the world that political will, vision and leadership can solve everything”, said Mr Ki-moon. He also reiterated his strong support to the process that has begun.
According to the statement, Akinci thanked the UN Secretary General for the congratulatory messages he sent either via telephone or via mail and noted that a window of opportunity has emerged.
Akinci noted that with the assistance of the General Secretary and the Good Offices Mission in Cyprus a result oriented process was foreseen and added that in order to be successful a disciplined work procedure needed to be adopted.
Akinci expressed the hope that with determination and political will, within a framework of a concrete road map, the necessary progress will be made in the coming months.
8. Bozkir evaluated the Cyprus problem and Serdar Denktas’ resignation; Reaction statements by Denktas
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (15.05.15) reported that Turkey’s EU Minister and chief negotiator Volkan Bozkir, in statements to A Haber correspondent in Ankara Murat Akgun, replied to question related to Turkey’s EU bid and the Cyprus negotiation process.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Bozkir said that the Cyprus negotiation talks did not start from scratch since the parameters for the solution were set forward with the joint declaration agreement signed by the two sides last year on February. “There was a lot of progress. The hopes are more than ever and we expect that finally a solution on the Cyprus problem will be reached in the framework of those parameters, maybe, by September or in few months”, said Bozkir.
Referring to Turkey’s EU bid, Bozkir expressed Turkey’s readiness to open all chapters in two months. “If the Cyprus problem is solved and if we say ‘we will open 10 chapters’; then we are ready to open them in two months. (…) The negotiations will be accelerated. As soon as the political obstacles are lifted, Turkey will be ready to conclude the negotiation process in two years. We are ready to open and close all chapters by 2017”.
Referring also to the resignation of the “deputy prime minister, minister of economy, tourism, culture and sports”, Serdar Denktas, Bozkir said: “The father of Serdar Denktas, the late Rauf Denktas was ‘the TRNC’s hero and a historical name’. However, the late Denktas was the reason for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. For many years and in several phases that the solution was very close, he was showing a stance against the solution. I can say that he is his father’s son. He had always shared the same views. So, I consider his resignation as timeless, since it is taking place in a period when the Cyprus negotiation talks are resumed and in a period when an opportunity for a solution has arisen.
Of course, everyone has the right to resign, and make his political choices, but the timing is very important. This resignation is a resignation which gives the images that a negative result will come up from the talks. I wish he wouldn’t resign”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (18.05.15) under the front-page title: “Huge political gaffe”, reports that Serdar Denktas reacted strongly to Bozkir statements, describing them as a “huge political gaffe”.
Referring to Bozkir’s statement that the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas was the reason for the lack of solution in Cyprus, Denktas stated that he cannot understand why a Turkish Minister said such things when the Greek Cypriot side’s stance was obvious and two more “presidents”, Talat and Eroglu had followed Denktas and still there was no solution.
Denktas also reacted to Bozkir’s statement since he indicated the Cyprus problem as the obstacle ahead of Turkey’s EU process, and stated that Turkey had economic, political and other issues with the EU other than the Cyprus problem. “It is a shame to provide the Cyprus problem as an easy excuse. Unfortunately this is coming from a Turkish Minister”.
(AK)
9. Akinci: Building a nuclear plant in Mersin is highly dangerous
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 15.05.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that Akkuyu nuclear plant, which is being built in Mersin, will pose serious risks to the region and its people.
Addressing the 1st Environment Workshop organised by the “environment and natural resources ministry” on Thursday, Akinci drew attention to the risks of nuclear energy stating the disadvantages of building a nuclear plant in Mersin which is located on a fault line.
Akinci also said that the environment is a global issue and that all countries are bound to prioritize this reality first and foremost.
Referring to the nuclear disasters of Chernobyl and Fukushima, Akinci said: “The nuclear plant in Mersin town is very risky as it is in the earthquake zone. This nuclear plant can cause serious harm to environment and all living beings”.
10. A new “citizenship law” and “draft-law” regarding the “work permit” of foreigners to be discussed today at the “assembly” of the regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.05.15) reports that a new “citizenship law” and a “draft-law” regarding the “work permits” of foreigners will be submitted at the “assembly” of the breakaway regime today. According to the paper, the aim will be for the foreigners coming to the occupied area of Cyprus to work with a “work permit” not acquiring the right of taking a “citizenship”. Those who are currently working in the occupied area of Cyprus with a “work permit” will be granted a “permanent residence permit” in six years and will acquire the right to take the “citizenship” in 15 years.
The paper writes that the “law” will provide the following changes:
- The haphazard distribution of the “citizenship”, upon a decision by the “council of ministers” and the approval of the “ministry”, is prevented.
- For acquiring a “citizenship” due to marriage, there is a condition for living together at least for three years.
- Those born and live in the occupied area of Cyprus are granted a “citizenship”.
- The foreigners who have come to the occupied area of Cyprus before the age of seven are granted the “citizenship” right
- The foreigners who have a “work permit” and/or a “permit” to establish a business are granted a “white card” after six years.
- The “white card” holders are given the right to apply for “citizenship” after nine years.
- An arrangement is made so that those who have permanent residence “permit” or a migration “permit” are granted “citizenship”.
- The investors are granted “citizenship” based on some criteria and with a decision by the “council of ministers”. (They should make a three million euro investment or at least 100 thousand euro donation).
- Persons who have offered to the regime “outstanding services” in the scientific, technical, political and cultural fields will be granted “citizenship” with a decision of the “assembly” and not the “council of ministers”.
(I/Ts.)
11. Statistics on the “export figures” for the first 3 months of 2015 in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 15.05.15), statistics released show that the “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) has exported $40 million 261,510 dollars’ worth of products in the first 3 months of 2015.
57.3% of these products were exported to Turkey; 42.7% to third countries.
Milk products top the bill of exported products worth $14 million 970,000. Citrus products follows with $11 million 787,445 and raki is in 3rd place with $2 million 824,894 dollars.
The “trade department” said that exports in March had increased 17% compared to last year.
12. Akca: “Turkey is investing an important amount of funds to both the public and private sectors in the TRNC”
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 16.05.15), the foundations of a new health centre in the occupied village of Yialousa in the Karpasia peninsula were laid yesterday.
The 911 square metre health centre which will house 5 examination rooms, 1 emergency room, an X-Ray room, a registration and archive room as well as a kitchen is expected to be completed in a year.
The new clinic will cost 1.570.800 million Turkish Liras to complete.
The foundation laying ceremony was attended by the self-styled speaker of the parliament Sibel Siber, self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, the self-styled minister of health Ahmet Gulle and the illegal Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca.
Delivering the opening speech, Gulle said that the region requires new investments in order to develop. He added that similar investments to improve health services in occupied villages of Galatia, Rizokarpaso and Komi Kepir will also be made.
A strong health network with a 24 hour emergency service room in occupied Trikomo will be created in the period ahead.
Akca, for his part, praised the importance and success of infrastructural investments taking place in the “TRNC” and argued that Turkey is investing an important amount of funds to both the public and private sectors in the “TRNC”.
13. TDP to attend Socialist International’s meetings for first time
Turkish daily Kibris Postasi (18.05.15) reports that the Social Democracy Party (TDP) has received its first official invitation to the Socialist International Council meeting.
A statement from the party said that the General Secretary of the Socialist International Luis Ayala sent a letter to the party inviting it to attend the Socialist International Council in New York on 6-7 July.
The council meetings will look at ‘security’, ‘sustainable development targets’, and ‘climate change’.
14. Gezici survey: Voting support for AKP at 38%
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 17.05.15), the percentage of those who said they would vote for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the upcoming election is at an all-time low at 38.2%, according to the latest public opinion survey.
In response to the question “Which party would you vote for if the [general] elections were to be held today?” only 38.2% of those surveyed said that they would vote for the ruling party, according to a survey conducted by the Gezici Research Company.
The main reason for the loss in support for the AK Party, which has been in power since the end of 2002, is problems on the economic front, according to the survey, maintaining that loss of public confidence in the party has led to a significant decline in popular support for the party in the past seven to eight months.
A total of 66.4% of the respondents said they have a hard time making ends meet. The survey, conducted on May 9-10, revealed that unemployment, which is over 10% according to official data, is a major reason for the ruling party's diminishing public support.
Among young people, the unemployment rate is as high as 20%.
Turkey will have its parliamentary election on June 7.
According to the survey, 30% of those who said that they would vote for the AK Party would do so reluctantly as they believe there is no other alternative to the ruling party.
According to the poll, 14% of the respondents said that they may vote for the alliance formed by the Grand Unity Party (BBP) and the Felicity Party (SP) for the elections next month.
Twenty-four percent of those who vote for the ruling party said that they feel close to the SP after the AK Party. The synergy created by the alliance of the two conservative parties may potentially get more votes from the AK Party, the poll said, but noted that 62% of the population is unaware that the SP and the BBP have joined forces for the election.
The Gezici survey was carried out in 36 provinces and 189 districts with 4,860 respondents. In a previous survey in late February, the polling company had said those who declared support for the ruling party went down to 39.1%.
The ruling party got 43% of the votes in the latest local elections last year.
According to the survey, some of the other leading reasons for the decrease in votes for the ruling party are a lavishly built presidential palace, the problems caused by the almost 2 million refugees from Syria in Turkey, the AK Party's insistence on transforming the country's parliamentary system into a presidential one, the government's initial resistance to help Kurds fighting against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), pressure placed on the media, and government intervention in the judiciary.
According to the poll, 76.2% of the people in Turkey are against the presidential system. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was the head of the AK Party until he was elected President in August of last year, has been aggressively seeking for a shift to a presidential system where the president is all-powerful, with few checks and balances.
Confidence in the judiciary is as low as 22.5%, according to the poll. Of those polled, 77.5% said they do not believe they would be tried in an impartial way in a court of law.
A total of 66.7% think the government and the President apply pressure on the judiciary.
Noting that 50 to 55% of the Kurds who went to the ballot box in the last general election in 2011 voted for the ruling party, the survey said some Kurdish voters want to punish the AK Party because of Erdogan's remark about Kobani, the Syrian town on the Turkish border which Kurds defended against ISIL. When the town was under ISIL siege for weeks, Erdogan said, “Kobani is about to fall”.
The survey indicates that the ruling party is losing considerable votes to the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). Seventy-eight percent of the votes shifting to the HDP ahead of the upcoming election are coming from those who previously voted for the ruling party, the survey said.
According to the polling company, Kurds make up 18 to 19% of all the voters in Turkey.
Noting that nearly 80% of the Kurdish voters describe themselves as “religious,” the survey said the HDP, a secular party with links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), should not have any rhetoric that will upset the conservative population if it wants to retain the newcomers.
According to the poll, 93% of those surveyed do not think that a military operation in Syria is necessary. Only 6.8% answered “yes” for a military operation, but 68% of the people believe that the Turkish government may declare war on Syria.
At the beginning of the month, several other polling companies said voters support for the AK Party was around 42%, while others that are close to the ruling party said it was at 45 to 47%.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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(DPs/ AM)
