TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 118/15 26.06.2015
1. Akinci: A solution to the Cyprus problem could be
reached within months, not years
2. Tomova has reportedly apologized to UBP for
introducing Alexis Galanos as mayor of Famagusta
3. TDP to attend the SocialistInternational
meeting
4. The occupation army withdraws from Tymbou and the
obstacle for a “new airport” is lifted
5.
Two water resources were discovered in the occupied Trikomo district
6. Commentary views possible effect of coalition without
AKP on foreignpolicy and Cyprus
7. HDP’s Demirtas wants to believe Turkey does not
support ISIL
8. Twitter ‘closely watches’ suppression in Turkey
1.Akinci: A solution to the Cyprus problem could be
reached within months, not years
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (26.06.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci, said yesterday that the field of
tourism in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will be improved when a
solution to the Cyprus problem is reached and pointed out to the importance of
expanding the tourism period throughout the whole year.
In statements
during a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot hoteliers’ union, Akinci underlined
the relation of tourism with the existence of peace, adding that tourism in
Cyprus will be improved in both sides the day a solution is reached. “We are
working for this, we are exerting every effort we can”, he said.
Arguing that it has always been dangerous to give a date
for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Akinci noted that they have seen this
in the past. He recalled that they had been declaring almost every year as “the
year of peace”, but disappointment was experienced as soon as this was not
achieved. Therefore we are cautious, he added.
He noted that he
does not want to give any final date as regards the solution, but argued that
“everyone thinks that enough negotiations have been held, discussions have been
going on for 47 years since 1968 and all issues have been discussed”. “What remains is the political determination
and will which the two sides will show and those who will assist in this to be
able to behave within the scope of this will”, he claimed and concluded:
“Therefore, I
have referred to months, not years. I have said that the issue could reach a
solution within months not years, if there is the will. I believe this. We are
determined on this issue to continue our efforts and reach a solution within
the next months”.
(I/Ts.)
2.Tomova has reportedly apologized to UBP for
introducing Alexis Galanos as mayor of Famagusta
Turkish Cypriot
daily Volkan newspaper (26.06.15) reports that OskonaTomova, Ambassador of Slovakia to Nicosia visited the National
Unity Party (UBP) yesterday and met with Ersan Saner, UBP’s “deputy” in
occupied Famagusta.
According to a
statement issued by the party, the visit was asked by Tomova after the reaction
by the UBP to what has been experienced during the visit of political parties
from both communities to occupied Famagusta within the framework of bi-communal
activities organized by the Slovakian Embassy. After the above-mentioned visit the UBP had sent a letter to Tomova
expressing “the Turkish side’s sensitivities” and reacting to the fact that
Tomova introduced the Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos as ‘Mayor of
Famagusta”.
According to the statement issued by the UBP
yesterday, Tomova expressed her sorrow noting that they “understand very well
the issues which the UBP takes into attention and know very well the
sensitivities of the Turkish people”. She said that from now on they will take
any kind of measures for not exhibiting a stance that ignores the realities
during the activities which will be organized in the future.
She underlined
the importance of the participation of the UBP in the bi-communal activities
and said that “taking your sensitivities into account is our duty”.
(I/Ts.)
3. TDP to attend the SocialistInternational
meeting
Illegal Bayrak television (26.06.15) broadcast that a delegation
from the Social Democratic Party headed by the party leader Cemal Ozyigit will
be travelling to New York next week to attend the meeting of the Socialist International.
The TDP’s membership to the organisation will be discussed at the meeting which
will be held at the UN Headquarters.
4.The occupation army withdraws from Tymbou and the
obstacle for a “new airport” is lifted
Under the title
“The obstacle for ‘New Tymbou Airport’ is lifted, the projects are being
examined”, Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (26.06.15) reports that no
obstacle is left for the construction of
the new building of the illegal airport in Tymbou. While the preparation of
projects for the construction of the “airport” is continuing, a part of the Turkish occupation army’s
regiment which was in Tymbou has been relocated to the military area in Beykoy.
The regiment of Tymbou is trying to settle in Beykoy in two stages in an area
which will encompass the north part of the military zone there.
The
“undersecretary” of the self-styled ministry of public works and transport,
SuatYeldener told YeniDuzen that the projects for the construction of the new
building of the “airport” had been submitted and are being examined at the
moment. He said that after seeing whether they are in harmony with the
contract, the construction will begin, adding that no obstacle was left.
Yeldener noted
that together with the terminal building, other projects were examined
including a landing field, an apron, a pick up spot for taxis, a tunnel and the
stream bed.
(I/Ts.)
5. Two
water resources were discovered in the occupied Trikomo district
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (26.06.15)
reports that two water resources were discovered in the occupied Trikomodistrict,
after an initiative taken by the so-called ministry of environment and natural
resources.
Commenting on the issue, “minister of environment and
natural resources”, HakanDincyurek stated that the two water resources will
meet the need of the area until the “water project” which will transfer water
rfrom Turkey to the breakaway regime, is completed.
(CS)
6. Commentary views possible effect of coalition
without AKP on foreign policy and Cyprus
Turkish
Today's Zaman (25.06.15) published a commentary by Yasar Yakis: under the title: “The 7 June Election in
Turkey”
“[…]
Even
if the foreign policy issues were not to be raised at the stage of forming the
government, important changes could be expected in terms of foreign policy if a
coalition could be formed after all. There were many common points in the
opposition parties' criticisms of the present government's foreign policy.
Both
the CHP and MHP are opposed to Turkey's current level of involvement in the
Syrian imbroglio. However, there are nuances between their position and that of
the HDP, which is opposed to Turkey's treatment of Syria's strongest Kurdish political
party, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), as being on equal footing with the
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization in Turkey. This issue has
now become all the more important after the fall, on June 16, of the Syrian
border town of Tel Abyad to the hands of the PYD.
[…]
Turkey's Cyprus policy may be affected because the CHP
and MHP believe that the AK Party was too generous to the Greek Cypriot side.
This question has now become all the more important because of the new
prospects opened after the election of Mustafa Akinci as the president of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC). A lack of full support for Akinci
from the motherland Turkey may make his task difficult.
[…]
Turkey's
EU accession process may be affected positively if the opposition parties form
a coalition because all seem to be willing, to varying degrees, to revive
Turkey's accession process, which had slowed down in recent years.
No
meaningful changes could be expected in Turkey's policy under a CHP led
government towards the US and Russia because the opposition parties did not
express any major disagreement on this subject.”
7. HDP’s Demirtas wants to believe Turkey does not
support ISIL
Turkish
Today's Zaman (26.06.15) reports that Pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party
(HDP) Co-chair Selahattin Demirtas has said he really wants to believe that the
Turkish government cut its support for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL).
“I
want to believe with all my heart that ISIL militants did not penetrate into
Syria [and attacked Kobani] from Turkey. We hope Turkey cut its support for ISIL.
We want to believe that,” Demirtas said during a live interview aired on Bugun
TV on Thursday night.
His
remarks came in the wake of a deadly assault by ISIL on the Syrian border town
of Kobani, which left at least 35 people dead. After the attack, senior HDP
officials voiced claims that the ISIL militants who attacked Kobani came from
the Turkish territory.
The
allegation was strongly denied by the AK Party government and President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, who on Thursday warned
the HDP not to portray the government as a supporter of terrorism.
8. Twitter ‘closely watches’ suppression in Turkey
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (26.06.15) reports that a top Twitter executive has said
the company “knows and is closely watching” pressure on Twitter from Turkey,
speaking during a visit to Turkey’s Press Council on June 24.
Twitter’s
Public Policy Director for Europe Sinéad McSweeney said Turkey currently ranked
first in the world in censorship on Twitter, with Ankara demanding the
confidential information of some Twitter users in Turkey. McSweeney vowed that
the company would not share any IP addresses with third parties.
“We
know and are closely watching on-going pressure through Twitter,” McSweeney
told the Press Council, also referring to the fact that last year Turkey became
the third country in the world to ban access to Twitter, tarnishing the country’s
international reputation. She added that censorship in Turkey is featured
prominently in a transparency report that the popular micro blog releases twice
a year.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
