TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 134/15 18-20.07.2015
1. Akinci for the 1974 Turkish
invasion: It was a war even though we call it peace operation and the biggest
victims were the Greek Cypriots
2. Kalyoncu’s message for the
anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus
3. Ozyigit commented on the
formation of the “coalition government” between the CTP-UBP
4.
The Speaker the Turkish Assembly and the Turkish Deputy PM illegally visit the
breakaway regime for the Turkish invasion celebrations
5. Akinci comments on the
hellim/halloumi agreement
6.
Turkish air acrobatics team put on display for the celebrations of the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus
7. Titina Loizidou’s house in
occupied Keryneia to become a tavern
8.
Turkish PM orders local party headquarters to be ready for possible snap
election
1. Akinci for the 1974 Turkish
invasion: It was a war even though we call it peace operation and the biggest
victims were the Greek Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (20.07.15)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci has said that the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus was a war even though
the Turks call it “peace operation” and “one of its biggest victims were the
Greek Cypriots”.
In his address yesterday that launched the
“celebrations” for the 41st anniversary from the 1974 invasion of
Cyprus, Akinci argued that the 20th
of July 1974, “in spite of everything, symbolizes the beginning of a new era
for the Turkish Cypriot people”. He further claimed that their security problem
as community was overcome to a great extent thanks to this invasion.
Referring to their aim in the Cyprus negotiations,
Akinci said that this is to reach a
bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution with political equality and security.
He added: “We are exerting sincere efforts in the direction of achieving this
goal. I hope our efforts to give results
within a reasonable period of time and to result in an agreement which will be
able to take the approval of both communities this time in simultaneous
referenda. All our effort is to achieve an environment of lasting peace in
our island without giving concessions from our freedom, equality and security
and thanks to this to pave the way for being unified with the modern world.
[…]”.
Expressing the belief that a solution in Cyprus will
be an example for the entire region, Akinci noted: “However, the solution is undoubtedly something that
we need the most and something that the other half of the island needs the
most. Having as starting point this common need, reaching a solution in the
basis of the common benefit with a common vision will be a positive result for
all sides concerned”.
He pointed out that the old generations shared the
pain of all that happened and added that they want the new generations to share
the “blessings” of the island and to live a better life by being rescued from
the uncertainty for the future.
In the beginning of his speech, Akinci referred to the
difficult period after the end of the Second World War and said:
“With the end of the years of the colonial rule, peace
unfortunately did not come to our island. The 1960 Republic of Cyprus could not
survive as a ‘partnership’ republic as the provisions were. This period, during
which many innocent people were mercilessly killed, was written in our history
as a short but searing period. The military fascistic coup held by the Greek
junta on 15 July 1974 has turned everything into a more complicated situation. The wish to demolish the Republic of Cyprus
with the insane demand of enosis [Translator’s note: Enosis means
‘unification’ in the Greek language and this word had been used for demanding
the unification of Cyprus with Greece], which belonged to a period of two
centuries ago, could not be accepted of
course by the Turkish Cypriots.This military coup could be prevented only with
a military operation. And this is what happened on 20 July 1974. […]
Even though we call it ‘peace
operation’, this was undoubtedly a war. And the conditions of war were
undoubtedly difficult and hard. Some of us lost their lives; some of us lost
their relatives. […] Families were scattered. Furthermore,
thousands of us we had to deal with the trauma of being a refugee. I want to
say the following with realism: After the big pains experienced by the Turkish
Cypriots in the 1950’s and the 1960’s, the Greek Cypriot community was one of
the biggest victims of the 1974 tragedy caused by the Greek junta. […]”
(I/Ts.)
2. Kalyoncu’s message for the
anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (19.07.15)
reported that the so-called prime minister Omer
Kalyoncu, issuing a message on the occasion of the anniversary of the Turkish
invasion in Cyprus, pointed out to the fact that no viable and fair solution
was possible to be found in Cyprus yet and added that their aim is for the
establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal Federal Republic of Cyprus with the
continuation of Turkey’s guarantees.
“We
will be partners in this federation to be and we give a friendly hand to the
Greek Cypriot people for the continuation of the peace talks which are still
going on”, Kalyoncu said.
Pointing out that the two leaders in Cyprus have great
responsibilities and must work for peace, the friendship and the welfare of
this country in order not to come across again with one more war and
enslavement, Kalyoncu expressed the “government’s readiness” to cooperate and
provide any kind of support to the efforts aiming to find a solution to the
Cyprus problem.
(AK)
3. Ozyigit commented on the
formation of the “coalition government” between the CTP-UBP
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (19.07.15)
reported that Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of
the Social Democracy Party (TDP), commenting on the formation of a “coalition
government” between the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) and the
National Unity Party (UBP), said that they have passed into a new era in the
“country” and added that still, what is important, is not the “governments” but
the change of the rooted and crooked system and of the mentality in general.
Ozyigit
pointed out that it is not the new “governments” or the change in their names
that will bring solutions to the problems of the “community” or will bring a
real change in “country”, but these can be achieved with real determination and
political will.
Referring
to the Cyprus problem, Ozyigit stressed to the importance on the stance that
the two parties will follow. Explaining that there are “ministers” of the UBP
which are opposed to a bizonal, bi- communal federal solution in Cyprus based
on a single sovereignty and single international identity, Ozyigit stressed
that it is very important not to make even one step backward from the UN
parameters and all the elements agreed in the Joint Declaration Agreement of
February 11.
Ozyigit
called the two parties which formed the “coalition government” to take this
message, otherwise as he said the “people’s response” will be very harsh.
(AK)
4. The
Speaker the Turkish Αssembly and the Turkish Deputy PM illegally visit the
breakaway regime for the Turkish invasion celebrations
Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.07.15)
reports that Turkish Grand National Assembly SpeakerIsmet Yilmaz and Turkish
Deputy PM Bulent Arinc are illegally visiting the breakaway regime for the
celebrations of the 41st anniversary of the Turkish invasion to
Cyprus. Yilmaz and Arinc arrived by
private jet.
Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.07.15) reports that
during a visit he paid to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Yilmaz
said that theTurkish and Greek communities in Cyprus should have a permanent agreement
on the divided island. “The Turkish Cypriots deserve a permanent solution on
the island. Turkey will provide every kind of support for peace”, he stated.
On his part Akinci stated: “We hope to prepare the
ground for an agreement, which both sides will say ‘yes’ to and will protect
the rights and laws of both sides."
5. Akinci comments on the
hellim/halloumi agreement
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (19.07.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci said that he is pleased with the provisional agreement on the hellim which
is also accepted by the European Commission and added: “In the near future, we
hope that after the solution, all these will not be longer a problem. This is
always an arrangement of the interim period”.
According
to a press release issued by Akinci’s office, Akinci, in statements to the
press after the meeting with the British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, said
that the meeting was constructive. Noting that Britain is both an EU member and
one of the guarantor countries, Akinci added that Britain has a long history
regarding Cyprus. He also said that this visit was important at the level of
foreign ministry. Akinci noted that their meeting lasted an hour and he
informed the Foreign Secretary on the stage reached regarding the Cyprus
problem. Akinci further said that they also listened to the British views,
adding that within this framework, it was a good meeting.
Replying
to reporters’ questions regarding the halloumi/hellim issue, Akinci said: “As you
know, the two sides cannot be members together to the EU at the same moment
with the solution. Unfortunately, we could not join the EU although we said yes
to the solution and to the EU membership ten years ago. We stayed out of this,
with the no vote of the Greek Cypriot side. Although the Greek Cypriot side
voted no, it has become a member of the EU on behalf of the whole Cyprus. For
this reason, only the Greek Cypriot side is authorized on the issue,
unfortunately it has official relations with the EU. However, the authority of
the Greek Cypriot side has no validity in the North Cyprus (translator’s note:
the occupied area in the Republic of Cyprus). Thereby, an interim formula has
been produced. Also on the issue of halloumi/hellim, the product controls are
carried out by the Agriculture Ministries of the member countries, which is
normal in other countries. But in our country, under the conditions of
non-solution, it is clear that the Agriculture Ministry of South Cyprus
(translator’s note: the Agriculture Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus) has no
authorization or influence in the
North. Therefore, the inspections will have to be carried out by the
international audit company Bureau Veritas.”
Stressing
that this company will be in direct contact with the producers in “North
Cyprus”, Akinci said that the aforementioned company will send reports also to
the EU. Akinci explained that Bureau Veritas will be the authority regarding
the inspection of the products in “North Cyprus” and will also work in contact
with the EU Commission. Akinci added: “This is the issue that concerns us”.
Akinci
went on: “I want to underline one point. We hope after the solution in the near
future, all these will no longer be a problem. This is always an arrangement of
the interim period. However, we are obliged to protect our producers here. We
have to protect a product that belongs to us. We succeeded this. In the end, it
was something, which had been discussed for years. I am satisfied for producing
this solution. This registration will not be only with the name ‘halloumi’, it
will also be ‘hellim’ and it will be produced also in the ‘North’ and not only
in the ‘South’. Receiving the approval of the inspection company under the
supervision of the EU, the ‘hellim’ will then be exported to international
markets. This point is the most important. After this registration, hellim will
be a product belonging only to Cyprus. Because, hellim is produced also in
other countries under the same name. (…)”.
Akinci concluded by saying that their halloumi/hellim is of good quality
but if after inspections there are deficiencies they should take the necessary
steps to protect the quality and pass the controls.
(DPs)
6. Turkish
air acrobatics teams put on display for the celebrations of the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.07.15)
reports that the Turkish air acrobatics team which are part of the Turkish
Armed Forces, put on a display yesterday evening in occupied Keryneiaas part of
the celebrations of the 41st anniversary of the Turkish invasion to
Cyprus.
The Turkish Stars and Solo Turk acrobatics teams put
on separate displays for spectators in occupied Keryneia. The Solo Turk F-16
‘fighting falcon’ flew for 25 minutes after which the Turkish Stars put on a
display for half an hour.
7. Titina Loizidou’s house in
occupied Keryneia to become a tavern
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.07.15) reported that the house of Titina Loizidou
in occupied Keryneia is to become a tavern.
According to the paper, the house which was rented to the MaviDoruk Tourist, Trade, Industry
and Investment Company LTD, will be transformed into a tavern-famous restaurant
called Kolcuoglu Restaurant, one of the most famous restaurants in Turkey.
The
current inhabitant of Loizidou's house Kemal Hifzioglu who is the owner of the
above company and of the house after 1974, has stated that until today he has
spent totally 3 million dollars for its restoration, adding that he is planning
to spent another 1,5 million.
Speaking to the paper, Hifzioglu said that Loizidou’s relatives visited
occupied Keryneia last week and inspected the works at the house. Hifzioglu
said that Loizidou’s family thanked him for the investments he made at the
house. He then clarified that all the money he spent were of his own resources.
(AK)
8. Turkish
PM orders local party headquarters to be ready for possible snap election
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (20.07.15) reports that
the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called every provincial AKP
chairperson to give his wishes for the Eid al-Fitr holiday and to tell them to
be prepared for early elections:
“We are carrying out coalition talks and will continue
negotiations until the last moment. But you should be alert that we may run for
elections. You should not give any break in your work ... You should always be
together with local people,” the Prime Minister reportedly told them.
Davutoglu completed the first round of talks with
leaders of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party
(MHP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) last week.
He is expected to hold new round of coalition talks
this week.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
