TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
136/15 22.07.2015
1. Akinci briefed foreign journalists on the Cyprus talks
2. Akinci briefed foreign parliamentarians in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
3. Siber met with foreign parliamentarians and
delegations
4. Kalyoncu met with foreign parliamentarians
5. So-called foreign minister Colak briefed foreign
journalists
6. The electricity network connection between the two
sides in the island has been reportedly commenced
7. Cirali: Halloumi’s price will increase
8. The newly established “coalition government’s”
positions on the Cyprus problem
9. A protest in the occupied area of Cyprus against AKP
policies and the deadly bombing in Turkey
10. Protests rage across Turkey over deadly Suruc
bombing; Demirtas blame Erdogan for the situation; Davutoglu attacks HDP on
claims of supporting ISIL
1.
Akinci briefed foreign journalists on the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis
(22.07.15), under the title “The communities are tired of the efforts for a
solution”, reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said both
communities in the island, especially the Turkish Cypriots have been tired of
the pursuit for a Cyprus settlement and added that this may be the last
opportunity for finding a solution.
Briefing the foreign journalists, who
are currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to attend the
celebrations of the 41st anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus, on the
ongoing negotiation process, Akinci said that although there are a lot to be
discussed in the negotiations in order to reach a solution, in case of
continuing quickly the current talks, they may reach a solution within months.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriots do not
want a solution, which will be jeopardized in time and sue each other in
international courts, Akinci said: “We do not want a solution against the human
rights. This agreement should be harmonious with the EU acquis and the human
rights. In the agreement to be reached with the Greek Cypriots, every community
will dominate in its region and will be self-administered. We want to see that
these principles will be permanent. In other words, a balance should be formed
between the bi-zonal bi-community and the EU principles”.
Noting that the Turkish Cypriots and
Greek Cypriots had to move en masse from their places in 1974 (translator’s
note: due to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974), Akinci claimed that they
have created new lives after 41 years. Akinci explained that after the Cyprus
settlement, the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will be able to reside in
the place they want under certain conditions. He also said that the Greek
Cypriots, who will settle in the North and the Turkish Cypriots, who will
settle in the South, will have political rights and will be able to participate
in the local elections or the EU elections. However, Akinci explained that in
case they are residents of the other side, they will be able to be candidates
for the House of Representatives, but in the Senate, there will have to be
equal number of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots and added: “For this
reason, the political equality should be protected”.
Noting that guarantor countries’ support
for the Cyprus settlement is important, Akinci claimed that Turkey’s President
RecepTayyipErdogan’s messages at the celebrations of the 41st anniversary of
the Turkish invasion to Cyprus were important.
Replying to a question what will be the
name of the country after the agreement, Akinci said that the name, which is at
the agenda, is United Cyprus Federation, and added that the context of the
agreement is more important than the name. Akinci also said that he thinks that
in case of not finding a solution, then the young generations will forget the
model of reunification of the island and will focus on the model of two
separate states.
Akinci said that all the issues in
relation to the guarantors and the territorial issues were discussed, except of
the names and the quotas/percentages.
Asked about the NAVTEX, Akinci said that
they have reached a mutual understanding with the Greek Cypriot leader
NicosAnastasiades on the issue that it will not create any more problems. He
added that the natural gas found around Cyprus should be used as a tool to
assist the solution. Recalling the views of specialists, Akinci claimed that
the best method to transfer the natural gas to Europe is through Turkey. Akinci
also said: “We do not expect any new Navtex or exploration in the coming
months”.
Referring to the Federal Police, Akinci
said that the ratio will be 50-50 or 40-60, but they have not reached any
agreement with the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the army. He added that
an army may even not exist.
Noting that they should examine the
collapse of the Republic of Cyprus in1963 in order to understand the Cyprus
problem, Akinci said that the main target of the Greek Cypriots in that period
was the unification with Greece. However, he said that he believes that this
threat does not currently continue.
Asked to comment on Russia’s stance
regarding the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that Russia can play and should play an
important role. He added that during a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to
Cyprus, he gave his support at the efforts for a Cyprus settlement.
(DPs)
2.
Akinci briefed foreign parliamentarians in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 21.07.15), the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci briefed foreign
parliamentarians who are in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
attending the celebrations of the 41st anniversary of Turkish invasion to
Cyprus.
Akinci’s spokesman BarisBurcu, the
self-styled director of the “presidency” Gulden Ilkman and Akinci’s coordinator
for foreign relations DenizBirinci were also present at the briefing.
Speaking before the event, Akinci said
that he will be providing information about the past and present of the Cyprus
problem as well as the ongoing Cyprus talks. He said that it is important for
the foreign parliamentarians to learn and be informed about the Cyprus issue.
Pointing out that 41 years have passed
since the “1974 Peace Operation” (editor’s note: he refers to the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus), he gave detailed information about the experiences of
1974.
Touching upon the Cyprus negotiations
process during his speech, Akinci said that the stalled process had restarted
following his election.
Reminding that he was elected as the
“president of the TRNC” (editor’s note: the Turkish Cypriot leader) only 3
months ago, Akinci said that the Cyprus issue should be solved on the basis of
a federation based on the equal status of two constituent states. He stressed
that he was working towards achieving this goal.
Akinci also added that possible natural
resources to be found in and around Cyprus could contribute to building peace
on the island.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 22.07.15) reports that Akinci said that there is no issue which has not been discussed on
Cyprus and the only thing left it was political will and decisiveness.
He also said that it is the right time
for a solution and the whole of the island should be included in the
international law not just the one half. Akinci
indicated that there are only two choices for the Turkish Cypriots to be part
of the international law – one is recognition of the “TRNC” (editor’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) which has not
happened and will not in the foreseeable future and the other is through a
bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.
He noted that by solving the Cyprus
issue, they will become an example for the Eastern Mediterranean and wanted to
create a win-win situation. From a
settlement, ‘fantastic’ economic choices will be born, said Akinci and added
that the natural gas found off the coast of Cyprus can be exported to Europe
via Turkey. He concluded by saying that a settlement would need to harbour
political equality and take both communities under security.
3. Siber met with foreign parliamentarians
and delegations
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.07.15) reports that the “speaker” of the so-called assembly met
yesterday separately with foreign parliamentarians and with members of the
delegation of the “Turkish-Madagascar Friendship Group” who are illegally carry
out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus on the occasion of the 41st
anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
During the meeting with the
“Turkish-Madagascar-Friendship Group”, Sibel thanked the chairman of the group,
Deputy MalementLiahosoa for visiting the occupied area of Cyprus.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Siber said
that the island of Cyprus experiences for years the non-solution of it’s
problem and as a result of that the “TRNC” is not recognized by the
international community, as she alleged.
Supporting that in spite of the fact that the
“TRNC” is an “unrecognized state” it is an example of “democracy”, Siber stated
that they will be very pleased to establish close ties with Madagascar. She
also expressed hopes that the “TRNC” will become a part of the world one day.
In his
turn, Deputy Liahosoa expressed his
pleasure for visiting the “TRNC” and stated that they are exerting efforts to
develop more close ties with Turkey. He also added that they will be happy to
develop more close ties with the “TRNC” as well.
Liahosoa
referred also to the problems that exist between the “TRNC” and the “Greek
Cypriot administration” as he called the Republic of Cyprus and expressed hopes
that those problems will be solved and that the Turkish Cypriots will be
recognized by the international community.
The
paper reports also that Siber met also
with the former Foreign Minister of Kirgizstan, AskarAitmatov, the Swedish
politician of Turkish origin OzgurTasbas and the Hungarian former Deputy and
political advisor of the Hungarian government, HegedusTamas.
Moreover,
in a separate meeting with MuferraSinik
and FikirimDamka, both Deputies from Kosovo, Siber referred to the painful
incidents experienced by the Turkish Cypriots in the past, to the current phase
of the Cyprus negotiation talks and expressed hopes that the negotiations will
finally yield a positive result.
Siber referred also to the advantages that a
possible solution will bring to both “people” in the island and said that
Kosovo’s support to the Turkish Cypriot “people” is very important for the
“cause”.
Furthermore,
according to the paper, Siber met also
with foreign parliamentarians. Amongst them were the coordinator of the
“Turkish-Gana Friendship Group” and Deputy in Gana, Alhassan D. Dandaawa,
Migadde R. Nduqwa and Iddi I. Sabirye, Deputies in Uganda and Maria Mussini,
Senator in Italy.
(AK)
4. Kalyoncu met with foreign
parliamentarians
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (22.07.15) reports that foreign parliamentarians, composed by the coordinator of the
“Turkish-Gana Friendship Group” and Deputy in Gana, Alhassan D. Dandaawa,
Migadde R. Nduqwa and Iddi I. Sabirye, Deputies in Uganda and Maria Mussini,
Senator in Italy, within the framework of their illegal contacts in the
occupied area of Cyprus, met with the so-called prime minister Omer Kalyoncu.
Speaking
during the meeting, Kalyoncu briefed the
foreign parliamentarians about the celebrations for the 20th of July
and the Cyprus negotiation talks.
Kalyoncu thanked first the Deputies for their
visit to the “TRNC” and said: “Yes, the 20th of July was a military
intervention, but as you can understand, the 20th of July brought
peace to both sides. […]”. We support justice deriving from peace and we are in
favor of freedom. I consider that we will finally reach to a solution in
Cyprus”, Kalyoncu said.
Recalling
that the Turkish Cypriots said “yes” in the past to the 2004 referendum,
Kalyoncu said that they continue to show constructive stance at the talks.
Explaining that the solution to be found will
benefit both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, the so-called prime
minister said that it will also contribute to Turkish-Greek ties.
In his
turn, Alhassan D. Dandaawa said, inter alia, that prior visiting the “TRNC”
they had different views about the Cyprus problem since they were thinking that
it is the Turkish Cypriot side which is not in favor of the solution and added
that now they changed their mind.
Also
speaking, Italian Senator Mussini said, inter alia, that the time has come for
progress to be achieved at the talks. She condemned also the EU for the policy
it follows in Eastern Mediterranean.
Moreover,
Kalyoncu held a separate meeting with delegations from Kosovo and FYROM.
(AK)
5.So-called foreign minister Colak briefed
foreign journalists
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (22.07.15) reports that the so-called foreign minister EmineColak briefed foreign media members
who are illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus within the framework of
celebrations for the anniversary of the 20th July.
Informing the media members concerning the
ongoing negotiation process and the Cyprus problem, Colak
stated that there is a more positive and better atmosphere in the negotiation
process comparing with the past and added that the social activities between
the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the “leader of the Greek Cypriot
administration” as she called the President Nikos Anastasiades, gave positive
messages to both “people” in the island.
Pointing
out that the different languages, religions and races of the Turkish Cypriots
and Greek Cypriots do not constitute an obstacle for the solution,Colak
expressed the belief that it is possible for the two communities to establish a
future for themselves with a soul of cooperation.
Referring to the issue of natural gas, Colak
underlined that this issue should not be one of conflict and called the sides
to focus on cooperation opportunities.
As
regards the issue of guarantees, Colak stressed the need for both sides to
reach to a solution that will safeguard their security and added that Turkey
and Greece can contribute to a solution with a vision for common cooperation.
Colak stated also that the time has come to
reach a solution on the Cyprus problem which lasted for many years and stressed
the need for the positive atmosphere to continue, in order both Turkish
Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to be able to look confidently to the future.
(AK)
6.The electricity network connection
between the two sides in the island has been reportedly commenced
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.07.15) reports that, as it was made known, the electricity network between the two sides in
the island has been already interconnected.
Invoking reliable sources, the paper writes
that measures for the connection were already taken and the connection was made
in two stages for the security of supply.
The paper adds that the works for the third
stage of the connection continue and is expected to be completed within the
next days.
With the
electricity connection between the two sides, the “south” will provide electricity to the “north” in emergency cases
or in cases when a trouble shooting is experienced and as a result, the
“citizens” will not be affected by possible electricity power cuts.
Also, with the electricity connection, the two
sides will reduce their risks; they will have connection with electricity
permanently and will succeed the security of supply. The electricity network connection
aims also to achieve the stability of the systems of production, communication
and distribution and to increase the quality of the network.
(AK)
7.
Cirali: Halloumi’s price will increase
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (22.07.15) reports that Ali
Cirali, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry”, has said that the price of halloumi/hellim
cheese will increase after its registration as product of geographic origin,
according to the demand.
In statements to Kibris TV, Cirali noted
that after the registration, only
halloumi produced in Cyprus will be sold in the international markets and this
is why the price of the product will increase. In parallel to this, he added,
depending on the demand, new investors will come and the livestock breeding
sector will be developed.
Cirali said that they should fulfill the
conditions of halloumi’s registration and within ten years the percentage of
the sheep or goat milk in the halloumi production should increase to 50%. He
noted that support and education is needed to reach these goals.
Responding to a question, Cirali said that the firms which produce
halloumi in Turkey will have to stop doing this and recalled that his “chamber”had filed lawsuits in Turkey
against two of the above-mentioned firms and it is preparing to file a lawsuit
against a third Turkish firm. He
said that 2-3 tons of halloumi are produced in Turkey and if these 2-3 tons
were produced in the occupied area of Cyprus and exported to Turkey, this would
have been an important number for them. He noted that the firms in Turkey could
produce cheeses similar to halloumi under other names.
(I/Ts.)
8.
The newly established “coalition government’s” positions on the Cyprus
problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (22.07.15) publishes the full text of the “coalition program” agreed between the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP) and the National Unity Party (UBP). The paper reports that the
“program” is expected to be announced today at the “assembly”. On the Cyprus problem, the CTP-UBP
“coalition government” says that it “actively supports the efforts to be
exerted for a comprehensive solution in the negotiating process and the
initiatives to be undertaken on the issue of confidence building measures
without deviating from the target for a comprehensive solution”. It also notes:
“The
conditions included in the Eroglu – Anastasiades Joint Declaration of the 11th
of February 2014 constitute the basis of the form of the solution adopted by
the government. United Cyprus will have a single international personality
as member of the United Nations and the European Union and a single sovereignty
described as the form of sovereignty which all the UN members enjoy within the
framework of the UN Charter and (this sovereignty) will equally derive from the
Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. There will be a single Cypriot
citizenship regulated by the federal laws. All citizens of united Cyprus will
at the same time be citizens of the Greek Cypriot founding state or the Turkish
Cypriot founding state. This status will be internal and will complete the
united Cyprus citizenship and will in absolutely no manner replace it.
[…]”
The “program” says also that the
“government” will fulfil the duty of organizing a referendum in the occupied
area of the island in case the leaders reach a solution and separate
simultaneous referenda should be held.
On the relations with Turkey, the EU and
other countries the “program” says that great importance will be attached to
these relations and their basic targets
are the development of the EU’s Financial Aid and Green Line Regulations, the
implementation of the EU’s Direct Trade Regulation, the preparation of
regulations which will secure the free trade between the Turkish Cypriots and
the EU, the development of their relations with the Islamic States and
countries outside the EU and the establishment of direct relations in the
fields of economy, culture and sports with all the countries of the area.
Within the framework of achieving the
above-mentioned goals, the number of the
“missions” of the breakaway regime abroadwill beincreased and they will
become more active, especially in the field of the “enlightenment” regarding
the positions of the Turkish Cypriots on the Cyprus problem during this period
in which “a momentum exists in the Cyprus talks”.
Furthermore, the “coalition government”
says that it will exert efforts in the direction of ending the so-called
isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and hold intensive contacts with representatives
of foreign countries and institutions. It will also give priority to holding
regular contacts and consultations with the representatives on the island of
the international players who are closely concerned with the Cyprus problem.
Moreover, it will continue the
“intensive efforts” of the Turkish Cypriots in the Parliamentarian Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE) and will accelerate the efforts of hosting in the
occupied area of Cyprus some activities with the participation of members of the
Organization for Islamic Cooperation and the Organization for Economic
Cooperation.
(I/Ts.)
9. A protest in the occupied area of Cyprus
against AKP policies and the deadly bombing in
Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (22.07.15) reports about a protest which was organized
yesterday by several political parties in the occupied part of Lefkosia, NGO’s
and other organizations in order to condemn the deadly bombing in Turkey’s south-eastern town of
Suruc and AKP policies.
The protesters gathered yesterday night at the Kugulu Park in
the occupied part of Lefkosia and marched to the “Turkish embassy”.
The protesters were shouting
slogans against the AKP and ISID and were holding placards writing “A massacre
took place in Suruc”, “Together we supported Kobani and together we will
reconstruct it”.
Among the organizations attended
and supported the protest were KTOS trade union, KTAMS, BASIN-SEN, KTOEOS, the
Communist and Revolutionary Union, the youth organization of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP), the United Cyprus Party and other.
The protesters read out a common
declaration accusing Turkey and AKP for supporting the international
imperialist powers for their policy in the Middle East.
(AK)
10.
Protests rage across Turkey over deadly Suruc bombing; Demirtas blame
Erdogan for the situation; Davutoglu attacks HDP on claims of supporting ISIL
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 22.07.15), protests have continued across Turkey after a
suicide bombing attack in the south-eastern border town of Suruc on July 20
which left at least 32 people dead and more than 100 others injured.
Forty-nine protesters were detained in
multiple locations in Istanbul on July 21 for staging protests against the
deadly Suruc bombing.
The Suruc bombing elicited sorrow and
rage from several parties and spurred protests across the country, with people
taking to streets to protest the deadly attack.
The suicide bomber, who has been
tentatively identified as Seyh Abdurrahman Alagoz, detonated explosives on July
20 at Suruc Municipality’s Amara Cultural Centre as members of the Federation
of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) prepared to travel to Kobane in Rojava
to aid in the town’s reconstruction following its liberation from ISIL forces
in January.
Meanwhile, the paper reports that the
Prime Minister’s and the President’s offices have taken aggressive stances in
their remarks refusing charges of neglect in the face of potential threats
posed by militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as both
offices attacked the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) for its belief in the
government’s tacit support of ISIL militants.
“I’m calling on those who attempt to
score political goals through the very young while their ties with terrorist
organizations are obvious. It is enough now that you have contaminated politics
with blood,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the leader of the incumbent
Justice and Development Party (AKP), said late July 21.
“There is no cooperation with terror,
arms and murder gangs in the AKP’s history,” Davutoglu said on his Twitter
account.
Earlier on July 21, delivering a speech
in front of the culture centre in the Suruc border town of Sanlıurfa where a
suicide bombing killed at least 32 people, HDP’s
co-chair Selahattin Demirtas had bitterly criticized both Davutoglu’s
government and President RecepTayyip Erdogan for turning a blind eye to
activities of ISIL.
“Thirty-two
young people were torn to pieces, yet the President does not bother to cancel
his trip to Cyprus. The President has virtually declared the HDP a ‘terrorist
organization.’ Yet he has nothing to say against ISIL.
No
operations, no detainments, no arrests,” Demirtas said, recalling that on the
day of the attack, Erdogan went ahead with his scheduled “official visit” to
“Turkish Cyprus” (editor’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).
“Mr Davutoglu, if you’re not aware of
the support given to ISIL in Turkey, you have yet to become a Prime Minister.
It’s worse if it’s all happening within your knowledge,” Demirtas also said, reiterating his call for an extraordinary assembly
of Parliament and asking for the support of 30 Deputies in addition to the
HDP’s 80 Deputies in order to reach the required number for declaring such a
meeting.
The HDP co-leader’s remarks also
prompted presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalin to deliver exclusive remarks
to the state-run Anadolu Agency late on July 21.
Turkey’s determination to fight against
all terrorist organizations including ISIL is obvious, Kalin told the agency.
“On the other hand, the situation of those who don’t oppose the PKK’s [the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] terrorist actions, on the contrary, who
exert effort for trying to show it as ‘cute’ and legitimizing it, is obvious”,
Kalın said.
“It is not acceptable that HDP co-chair
Selahattin Demirtas tried to wear out our President RecepTayyip Erdogan with
imaginative claims and deliberate distortions in his speech delivered in Suruc
today,” Kalin added.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
