TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 135/15 21.07.2015
1.
Akinci and Erdogan statements during the press conference following their
meeting
2. Erdogan: Our priority is a
comprehensive solution which will secure the political equality and the
legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot side
3. Akinci: Greece’s and Turkey’s
strong support is needed for the solution in Cyprus
4. Various protests held in the
occupied area of Cyprus against Erdogan’s illegal visit
5. Davutoglu’s message to Akinci
6. Cavusoglu’s message to Akinci
7.
CHP Karayalcin visited Akinci
8.
AKP Deputy Chairman wishes the “TRNC” to be recognized by the world
9. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Turkey should take
determined steps for a solution in Cyprus
10. Coca-Cola will reportedly
open a factory and commence production in the “TRNC”
11.
Suspected ISIS suicide attack leaves 31 dead, 76 injured in Turkey’s border
town of Suruc
1. Akinci
and Erdogan statements during the press conference following their meeting
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.07.15)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci held one and a half hour
meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the latter’s illegal
visit to the breakaway regime yesterday on the occasion of the celebrations of
the 41stanniversary of Turkish invasion to Cyprus. According to the
paper, the Cyprus problem was the main issue of the meeting between the two
men.
Speaking after the meeting Akinci argued that Turkey
supports strongly a federal structure for the Cyprus negotiations and added
that Turkey has proved so with its stance both in 2004 and with the Common
Statement on February 11, 2014. He also stated that Turkey supports reaching a
peaceful solution in Cyprus and that they feel very proud for this. He went on
and said that if there was not for the July 15, 1974 coup, the Turkish invasion
would have not taken place.
On his part, Erdogan thanked Akinci for the invitation
addressed to him to visit the breakaway regime for the invasion celebrations
and stated that he agrees with Akinci that the July 20, 1974 invasion was a result
of the July 15 coup. He also said that they evaluated the developments of the
Cyprus negotiations and called on the two sides in Cyprus to show their
determination for the solution. He also expressed the hope that this
opportunity for solving the Cyprus problem not to be lost.
Referring to the Annan Plan, Erdogan argued that it
created a hope for a solution, but this effort was not completed. He also
expressed the hope this time the solution effort to bring results. He said that
they are taking this step under the condition that the result will be the two
sides in Cyprus to have equality: “I realized that the bureaucrats that are
conducting the negotiations are determined and I am very pleased to see this.
As a guarantor country we are ready to do everything possible for the solution.
As Turkish Cypriot administration and as Republic of Turkey will continue with
our efforts as a motherland country and as a daughter country. We will continue our efforts so that the TRNC
to become a modern country”, Erdogan said.
Referring to the water transfer project, Endogen said
that the project will be completed in a couple of months and said that after
this things will become easier for the “TRNC”.
(CS)
2. Erdogan: Our priority is a
comprehensive solution which will secure the political equality and the
legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot side
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.07.15)
reports that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has argued that their priority in the Cyprus problem continues
to be a comprehensive solution which will secure the political equality and the
legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot side. In his speech yesterday
before the military parade in the occupied part of Nicosia within the framework
of the celebrations on the occasion of the 41st anniversary from the
1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Erdogan claimed:
“Our wish is for this process to reach a result the
soonest. The Turkish Cypriot side has exhibited its will for a solution. The
Greek Cypriot side should now respond in a sincere manner and approach the
issue with an understanding based on reconciliation and focused on the
future”.
Erdogan argued that the Cyprus problem has been on the
agenda of the international community and the UN for half a century and alleged
that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have been always acting sincerely and
in good will. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriots continue having the same
stance based on principles on the issue of the solution in spite of the “fact
that they are the real victims of the problem”. Erdogan expressed his satisfaction with the resumption of the Cyprus
talks and said:
“We wish for
distance to be covered in the road for the solution without further delay by
making use of the positive climate which currently prevails in the negotiations”.
Referring to the project of bringing water from Turkey
to the occupied area of Cyprus with undersea pipelines, Erdogan alleged that this will be the “water of peace” and the symbol
of “the unshaken bond between Turkey and the TRNC”, as he described the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
“Our wish is for the water which we will bring from
Turkey to give life not only to the northern part of Cyprus, but to the entire
island”, he argued and said that only 1.5 kilometer long distance remained for
the pipeline’s construction to be completed.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci: Greece’s and
Turkey’s strong support is needed for the solution in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.07.15)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci has said that their aim is to reach a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal
solution with political equality and security as mentioned in the Joint
Declaration of 11 February 2014. In his speech yesterday before the
military parade in the occupied part of Nicosia within the framework of the
celebrations on the occasion of the 41st anniversary from the 1974
Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Akinci noted: “I want to say that in this process,
which we are carrying out in close consultation with Turkey, Greece’s strong
support will also be needed not only Turkey’s”.
Akinci said that in parallel to Turkey’s and Greece’s
support the two communities in Cyprus understanding and helping each other is
of vital importance. “We see ourselves as future partners and not as enemies
described by the separation, quarrels, hatred and enmity that lasted for
years”, he added.
According to Akinci, after a solution is reached, the
Turkish Cypriots will take their place in the EU with their founding state and
their communal rights having equal status with the Greek Cypriot community.
Akinci reiterated also the view that it is needed to advance the process of
preparing the Turkish Cypriot community for the EU.
He went on and said:“With the end of years of 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. […]”
Akinci noted that when he had said the same things the
day before yesterday during his opening address for the celebrations for the
invasion, the Greek Cypriot press
referred to these as “a confession”, but added that he “only said the
realities”. He argued that the real
confession was included in an article published by the “Cyprus Mail” newspaper
the other day which said that the coup’s so-called president Nikos Sampson had
received fifteen thousand congratulation telegraphs within three days. “If the 20th of July had not
happened, the law of the coup would undoubtedly be valid and the power of the
coup would be rooted.It is sad but it is true that in some period of the
history the communities show democratic weaknesses and the coups are applauded
instead of being damned. This happened in Greece, Turkey and south Cyprus in
some periods like in other places of the world”.
Akinci argued that the Turkish invasion prevented
Enosis and the establishment of the coup’s regime and prepared the infrastructure for a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution after
the Turkish Cypriots started living in the occupied northern part of the
island. Akinci alleged that if Greece and the Greek Cypriot side had accepted
the multi-zonal solution plan submitted by the Turkish side in the period
between the first and the second round of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, there
would be no need for the displacement of thousands of people. Akinci argued
that the Turkish Cypriots are living now in security in their own area and this
has been achieved with the Turkish invasion. He added: “From this point of view, we can say that the 20th of July
has achieved one of its important goals. However, there is another aspect of
the situation and this is that for 41 years it has not been possible to
establish a constitutional order which would be to bring the two communities
together in a new structure accepted by the international community. […]”
Noting that they have a new opportunity now and both
the leaders and their negotiators are working in an intensive manner with the
aim of reaching a federal solution.
(I/Ts.)
4. Various protests held in
the occupied area of Cyprus against Erdogan’s illegal visit
Under the title: “Shock
protest against Erdogan”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.07.15)
reports that the illegal visit of the
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the occupied area of Cyprus on the
occasion of the anniversary of the “20th of July” has been marked
with various protests.
According
to the paper, in the morning, unknown persons wrote on walls in the protocol
area where the parade was to take place, the expression “Assassin Tayyip” while
during the afternoon, a banner writing “You are not welcome Tayyip” has been
unfurled from the roof of an apartment which was located very close to the
“presidential palace”.
The so-called police took strict measures prior to the
“parade” and removed all the banners and placards.
Also,
yesterday at noon, balloons, posters, photos of Misiaoulis and Kavazoglu and
placards writing “Assassin Tayyip” and “Berkin is alive” were left flying in
the sky of the occupied part of Lefkosia.
(AK)
5. Davutoglu’s message to
Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (21.07.15)
reports that Turkish Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu expressed his wish that the newly-elected Turkish Cypriot
leader, Mustafa Akinci, will be able to maintain the same pace regarding the
Cyprus talks, given that negotiations have accelerated since his election.
According to a statement issued by the “presidency”, Davutoglu has sent a written message to
Akinci on the occasion of the anniversary of the 20th of July and
held also a telephone conversation with Akinci yesterday.
In his written message, Davutoglu reiterated Turkey’s
determination to continue providing any kind of support for the development and
strengthening of the “TRNC” in all sectors.
Referring
to the Cyprus negotiation talks, he praised the Turkish Cypriot side’s
constructive and favorable efforts towards the direction of finding a fair and
viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Joint Declaration
Agreement of February 11, 2014 and added that if the Greek Cypriot side show
the same political will and determination, the prolonged for half a century
issue is possible to be solved.
Davutoglu
alleged that Turkey, in the framework of its responsibilities, rights and
obligations deriving from its quarantorship status, will not allow the Turkish
Cypriots who have equal rights in the island to be further isolated and suffer
from the “inhuman embargoes”.
Referring to the “peace operation” in Cyprus, as he
called the Turkish invasion, Davutoglu claimed that this has secured the
existence of the Turkish Cypriots in the island. Concerning the 1974 tragic facts, Davutoglu
said that Turkey will not permit the Turkish Cypriots to continue to be the
victims of the non-solution In Cyprus.
Referring
to the water transfer project from Turkey to the “TRNC”, Davutoglu said that
the Turkish Cypriot “people” will be able to develop an exemplar agricultural
production system via this project of bringing water. He added that Turkey will
continue in the future to implement large scale projects for the development of
the “TRNC” and alleged that the “TRNC” has become a center of attraction in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
(AK)
6. Cavusoglu’s message to
Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (2107.15)
reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister
Mevlut Cavusoglu, in a message he sent to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Turkish
invasion in Cyprus, said, inter alia, that within the framework of the efforts
towards reaching a viable and sustainable solution, they consider as historic
and conventional the responsibility they have to ensure the peaceful and
secured existence of the Turkish Cypriot “people”, granting at the same time an
equal status to them.
According to a statement issued by the “presidency”,
Cavusoglu in his message thanked the “TRNC authorities” for their invitation to
attend the celebrations in the “TRNC” and said: “As Foreign Ministry, we share our joy and enthusiasm with the Turkish
Cypriot people who celebrate the anniversary of the 20th of
July-Peace operation in Cyprus, which secured the existence and a brighter
future for the Turkish Cypriots”.
(AK)
7. CHP
Karayalcin visited Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (21.07.15) reports that
Murat Karayalcin, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul District Chairman,
visited yesterday the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci within the framework
of the celebrations on the occasion of the 41st anniversary from the 1974
Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
During the meeting, Akinci said that the day of July
20 prevented the “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), adding that this event brought them security of life,
attained the right to live as a whole in the region, and formed the
infrastructure for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal structure.
Commenting on the Cyprus talks, Akinci said: “We hope
that we don’t take the stone to the top of the mountain, in order to see it
tumble down again”. Akinci noted that they want positive result and today’s
status quo is unacceptable. He claimed that there are serious injustices
inflicted upon in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Explaining that their basketball women’s team, who got
the right to play at Turkey’s basketball league, cannot play in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus, Akinci said that because of the Cyprus problem,
the team was told to find a field in Turkey.
Karayalcin conveyed to Akinci greetings by CHP’s
leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and added that they, as CHP, follow closely the
developments in the “TRNC” and they are pleased with the positive developments
in the Cyprus talks. He explained that the foreign diplomats, who are visiting
them, also said that they hoped “this time will happen”.
(DPs)
8. AKP
Deputy Chairman wishes the “TRNC” to be recognized by the world
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli
(21.07.15), the Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP)
Oznur Calik, who is currently illegally visiting the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, said: “The citizens, who live in the TRNC, as the 81
districts of Turkey, are also our hearts, blood and nation”.
In statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Calik
wishes that all the problems that have lived until today in the “TRNC” to be
removed, adding that they will eliminate all the problems they have with “North
Cyprus” (translator’s note: the Republic of Cyprus).
Calik wishes that the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) to be
recognized by the world, adding that he also desires that “North Cyprus” to
join the EU as “South Cyprus” did.
(DPs)
9.Turkish Cypriot columnist: Turkey should take
determined steps for a solution in Cyprus
Writing in his
daily column in Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.07.15), Turkish
Cypriot journalist Basaran Duzgun refers to the statements made yesterday by
the Turkish President Erdoganduring his illegal visit to the occupied area of
Cyprus, within the framework of the celebrations on the occasion of the 41st
anniversary from the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.
Under the title
“Putting the full stop”, Duzgunreports, inter alia, the following:
“[…] Turkey cannot ignore the developments
experienced during the last period in Cyprus. And cannot face these
developments with the lesson memorized in the past. There are some important
points which Turkish President Erdogan underlined after his meeting with
President Akinci. The first was his
statement that ‘I saw that the sides are determined’.It is obvious that
during the meeting, Erdogan was briefed on the course of the negotiations and
wish for a solution was exhibited. Erdogan should have been influenced by this
in order to say ‘I saw them determined’. This determination is actually the
common will of the Turkish Cypriots.
The second point in his statement, and the most
important one in my view, was what he said that ‘a full stop should finally be
put’. Erdogan, who
referred to the past unsuccessful efforts for finding a solution, said that a
full stop should be put in the Cyprus problem and an agreement should be
reached. Yes, a full stop should be put
finally. Everyone should do his own bit.
Turkey should also do this. With steps which Turkey will take, the negotiations
process in Cyprus could gain enormous acceleration and the leaders, whom
Erdogan finds ‘determined’, will be able to reach a solution by the end of the
year just like they promised to their peoples. However, Turkey must also take
determined steps for this. We will all together see what Turkey will do.
The process advances with determination. This is the time to put the full
stop…”
(I/Ts.)
10.Coca-Cola will reportedly
open a factory and commence production in the “TRNC”
Turkish daily Milliyet (21.07.15-online in Turkish)
reports that the global giant company of
soft drinks Coca-Cola, gave the green light for investments in the “TRNC” and
is planning to start its production in the occupied area of Cyprus as of next
month.
According to the paper, the CEO of Turkey’s Coca-Cola Muhtar Kent, stated, inter alia, to the
paper, that the company has already found a factory in occupied Karavas and is
planning to commence production next month since there are no objections from
the Greek Cypriot side. This investment has cost approximately 10 million TL,
writes the paper.
Kaner Grup was until so far responsible for the
imports of the drink via Turkey and the distributor of Coca-Cola in the “TRNC”.
Speaking to the paper about the Coca-Cola investment, so-called minister of economy Sunat Atun described as a very big step the decision of a
globally known firm to make investments in the “TRNC”. “This investment is very important and it
causes us pleasure. North Cyprus is the appropriate place for investments”, he
alleged.
(AK)
11. Suspected
ISIS suicide attack leaves 31 dead, 76 injured in Turkey’s border town of Suruc
Turkish daily Sabah (21.07.15) reports that an
explosion took the lives of at least 31 people and injured 76 more on Monday in
the Suruc district of Turkey's southeastern province of Sanliurfa, which is
located some 10 kilometers north of Syrian town of Kobani. The terrorist attack
has been caused by a suicide bomber according to Sanliurfa governor.
Three members of the cabinet, namely Deputy Prime
Minister Numan Kurtulmus, Interior Minister Sebahattin Ozturk and Labor
Minister Faruk Celik went to Suruc to coordinate the investigation efforts.
The explosion targeted dozens of people from the pro-Kurdish
group, Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF), who gathered at the
culture center before their journey to Kobani, according to various sources. The
youth participating in the SGDF campaign were going to help restructure Kobani.
Meanwhile, many government officials condemned the
incident, urging people to unite in such difficult times. Additionally, a
'crisis desk' has been established by the Prime Ministry.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Monday's
deadly attack in Suruc as an "act of terror."We are drowning in grief
that 28 citizens died and a large number of people were injured as a result of
an act of terror," Erdogan said during a visit to the occupied area of
Cyprus. "On behalf of my people, I curse and condemn the perpetrators of
this brutality," he added.
The Turkish Interior Ministry also released a
statement shortly after the attack. "We are calling on everyone to show
common sense in the face of this terrorist attack targeting our country's
unity," the statement read. Meanwhile, many government officials condemned
the incident, urging people to unite.
Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan condemned the
"despicable" incident on Twitter, saying such terrorist attacks on
Turkey's integrity and peace would never reach their goal.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, chairman of the Republican
People's Party, or CHP, also condemned the "insidious" attack, saying
that the party sent an investigation
team to the area. The CHP also called on its local members to donate blood to
the people wounded in the blast.
Turkey's pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP)
said, their central executive committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the
aftermath of the incident.
Terror attack comes after Turkey's intensified anti-ISIS
fight. Speaking to Daily Sabah, Foundation for Political, Economic and Social
Research (SETA) foreign policy coordinator, Ufuk Ulutas, said that the prime
suspect in the attack is ISIS, which simultaneously conducted another bomb
attack in Kobani, which is just on the Syrian side of the border from Suruc.
The strongest motive behind the attack is Turkey's intensified efforts in
fighting ISIS with the U.S.-led coalition.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
