TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 141/15 29.07.2015
1.ATIP delegation held contacts in the occupied area
of Cyprus
2.
Ozersay expressed his concerns about the negotiation progress; Akinci’s
spokesman says that talks proceeds according to the Common Statement
3.
TDP and BKP do not support the newly “coalition government” of CTP-UBP
4. The newly appointed “Turkish
ambassador” to the occupied area of Cyprus presented his credentials to Akinci
5.
Talat met with the Russian Ambasaddor to Lefkosia
6. Erdogan demands lifting of HDP Deputies’
immunity; Bahceli calls on judiciary to close pro-Kurdish HDP
7. HDP’S Selahattin Demirtas accused Erdogan for
leading Turkey to a “civil coup”
8. Turkish columnist evaluates possible effects of
Turkey’s military operation against PKK
1.ATIP delegation held contacts in the occupied
area of Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak (28.07.15), a delegation from the Azerbaijan-Turkey
Business Association (ATIP) is holding a series of contacts in the “TRNC”.
The delegation
headed by its president Cemal Yangın met first with the Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akıncı, and afterwards with the “speaker” of the so-called assembly
Sibel Siber, so-called prime minister Omer Kalyoncu and “foreign minister”
Emine Colak.
Speaking
during the meeting with Akinci, Yangın said that Turkey, Azerbaijan and the
“TRNC” are all brother “countries”.
Yangın
said that they will be meeting with representatives of the business sector
during their stay in the “TRNC” to seek prospects for business and investments
in the “country”.
For his part, Akıncı
highlighted too the close relationship that exists between the two “countries”.
He
said that although Azerbaijan did not officially recognize the “TRNC”, this is
not an obstacle for developing business and friendship ties between their
respective “countries”.
Drawing
attention to the problems and difficulties experienced by the Turkish Cypriots,
Akinci said that Turkish Cypriot athletes are unable to compete in
international sporting events or even play friendly matches with Turkish teams.
“The only way of overcoming these problems is becoming part of the
international law which can only be achieved through a political settlement”, Akinci added.
The
delegation met afterwards with Siber. Speaking during the meeting, Yangın said that Azerbaijani
officials had always attached great importance and value to the “TRNC”.
“The TRNC is an
indispensable part of Turkey and Azerbaijan” Yangın alleged,adding that they
were looking into ways of exporting potatoes and citrus produce from the “TRNC”
to Azerbaijan. “We are here for concrete projects on this issue. We shall be
meeting with sector representatives tomorrow. Our hope is that our contacts
will yield positive results”, Yangin added.
Siber for her part said that the commercial and
business cooperation between the two “countries” surpassed political relations
on many occasions.
She also highlighted the strong bond and relationship
between the two “countries”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(29.07.15) reports that in its contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus,the delegation met also with Kalyoncu and
Colak.
Speaking during the meeting, Kalyoncu underlined how important is for the “TRNC” foreign businessmen
to carry out business and investments in the “country” and added that they will
be very happy to see the “TRNC products” to enter foreign markets.
Also, during the meeting with the so-called foreign
minister Colak, Yangın, explained the
purpose of their visit and stated that they came to the “TRNC” to develop
commercial cooperation, and to discuss with the trade associations. He said
that they intended to transport the most important products of the “TRNC”,
potatoes and citrus, to the Russian market.
The “representative of TRNC” in Baku Sadettin Topukcu
accompanied the delegation.
(AK)
2.
Ozersay expressed his concerns about the negotiation progress; Akinci’s
spokesman says that talks proceeds according to the Common Statement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper reports that
the former Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay expressed his concerns as
regards the progress of the Cyprus negotiations and said that although the
talks seems to continue in a positive atmosphere, some statements made by the
two Cypriot leaders create confusion.
Ozersay said that the statements made by UNSG Special
Envoy on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide who stated that he is doing whatever he can to
make sure that he contributes to a solution that is fully in compliance with
the European values and principles and human rights,may be a “dangerous
expression”, as he said which in the long run may not be to the best interest
of the Turkish Cypriots after a solution is reached.
He also wondered whether the UN parameters and the 11
February Common Statement are taken under consideration in the talks.
Commenting on Ozersay’s statements, Baris Burcu, the
speaker of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci stated that the
negotiations are continuing in the framework of the 11 February Common
Statement which provided for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution. “There
is no any change or any misunderstanding as regards this”. Burcu said adding
that European values and principles will assist the solution.
(CS)
3.
TDP and BKP do not support the newly “coalition government” of CTP-UBP
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan (29.07.15) reports that the leader of the Social Democracy
Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit criticized the programme of the “coalition
government” of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the National Unity Party
(UBP), adding that there are serious deficiencies in the programme. He stressed
that some “ministers”, without referring to names, do not even support the
position of the “government” on the Cyprus problem, they are against the single
sovereignty and the single international citizenship base on the political
equality of the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
On
the same issue, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah
Korkmazhan said that receiving a vote of confidence the “government” by the
“assembly”, which has lost its “legality” and not from the people, does not
change the reality. He added that the “people” do not trust or believe the
CTP-UBP “government”.
(DPs)
4.The
newly appointed “Turkish ambassador” to the occupied area of Cyprus presented
his credentials to Akinci
According to illegal BRT (28.07.15) Derya Kanbay who
has been appointed as the new “Turkish ambassador” to the occupied part of
Lefkosia, presented his “letter of credential” to Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akıncı.
Halil İbrahim Akca has been carrying out this post as
of the 1st of April 2011.
Kanbay’s last foreign duty was as the Turkish
Ambassador to Slovenia Ljubljana and before that he served as Turkey’s
Ambassador to Baghdad.
5.
Talat met with the Russian Ambasaddor to Lefkosia
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (29.07.15)
reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader and chairman of the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador
to Lefkosia Stanislav V. OSADCHIYwho visited CTP’s headquarters.
According to a statement issued by CTP, the Russian
Ambassador and Talat discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus’
negotiations.
(CS)
6. Erdogan demands lifting of HDP Deputies’
immunity; Bahceli calls on judiciary to close pro-Kurdish HDP
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (29.07.15) reports that as the government increases its attacks on the
Kurdish movement, Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Parliament must strip the immunity from
prosecution of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers and make them “pay the
price” for links to “terrorist groups”.
In
statements on July 28 prior to his visit to China, Erdogan stated: “Those who
exploit the people and the state’s tolerance and patience will receive the
answer they deserve as soon as possible. Any step back is out of the question.
This is a process and this process will continue with the same determination”.
Erdogan,
however, claimed that he rejected the closing of any political party,
suggesting that politicians should be the object of the cases, not legal
entities.
Erdogan
stated also that Ankara could not continue the Kurdish peace process amid
continuing attacks against Turkish targets that have come in response to the
government’s alleged complicity in crimes by the Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL), especially after last week’s suicide attack in Suruc that killed
31 members of a socialist youth group.
“It
is not possible to carry on the peace process with those who target our
national unity and brotherhood,” he said.
But the given rights for 78 million Turkish nationals
are abiding, he said, adding that it is “not possible” to take them back.
The
Turkish government is “sincere” on the peace process, but the process has been
“exploited”, Erdogan added.
Erdogan pledged the continuation of domestic and
cross-border operations against “terror groups” and underlined that it is time
to put into practice the legislation on security issues which was recently
adopted by Parliament.
Erdogan also said a “secure zone” in northern Syria,
which Turkey and the United States have spoken about establishing, free of
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) elements would help the return of
1.7 million refugees taking shelter in Turkey. “The clearance of those regions
and the creation of a safe zone there will lay the ground for 1.7 [million
Syrian] citizens here to return home,” he said.
(…)
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (27.07.15-online in
English) reported that the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli has called on the General Public
Prosecutor's Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals to act against the
"Qandil politicians who not only abstain from criticizing the terrorists,
but even praise their heinous acts."
Bahceli
was implying that the Office should close the Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP)
in his written statement Sunday.
On Monday, responding to Bahceli, HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas said: "The MHP should first
consider their blood-stained history before bashing us. In addition, the people
are the only ones who have a say in the opening and closing of political
parties”, Demirtas added.
The
recent argument between the two aforementioned leaders has rekindled the
discussions regarding political party closure. During a 60-year period of Turkey's political
history, a total of 28 political parties were closed, while many have also
faced closure. Similar to the Democrat Party's situation in 1960, the Justice
and Development Party (AK Party) faced closure as the ruling party in 2008,
while narrowly avoiding it by just one vote.
7.HDP’S Selahattin Demirtas accused Erdogan for
leading Turkey to a “civil coup”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (28.97.15) reported that Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
co-chair Selahattin Demirtas said that 80 Deputies from his party will submit
petitions to the Parliament for their immunity from prosecution to be lifted.
“It’s
the people who open and close the parties. People who voted for the HDP 13%
today can give 1% tomorrow. We’ll respect and assume our party is closed. Do
you say immunity? Tomorrow, we’ll file a petition to the Parliament with 80
other colleagues in order to strip us of our immunity from prosecution,”
Demirtas said at his parliamentary group meeting on July 28.
Demirtas
asked the ruling party members if they would do the same. “Are you in? Let’s
strip [our] immunity all together if you are not afraid of it,” he said.
Demirtas
stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has staged a “palace coup” against
the national will after the June 7 elections.
A
“civil junta” has seized the state in Turkey, Demirtas said, questioning the
government’s authority to make decisions that “carry the country into war.”
“Where do they get the authority to make high level
appointments and expenses from discretionary fund?” he asked.
Demirtasadded that the Justice and Development Party
(AKP) is not a single government and cannot make decisions
single-handedly. He also criticized the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of being a
partner in “the coup.”
8.Turkish columnist evaluates possible effects of
Turkey’s military operation against PKK
Under the title: “Turkey’s operations focused more on
PKK than ISIL”, Serkan Demirtas, columnist in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(29.08.15) expresses his concerns over
the effects of Turkey’s military operation in northern Iraq and PKK targets.
(…)
“- The
military’s offensive in northern Iraq will make a peaceful settlement of the
Kurdish issue nearly impossible. It
will toughen the positions of the two sides, the Turkish government and the
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)-PKK, which would cause the resumption of the
armed conflict. An end to the Kurdish process would also slow down Turkey’s
democratization process and potentially deteriorate its relationship with its
Western partners.
In addition, bombing
PKK positions in northern Iraq under the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
authority would complicate the position of Masoud Barzani and other Kurds in
the region, known to be the strongest allies of the U.S. in the field.
Thus, it’s highly likely to hear from these countries that these attacks on the
PKK should cease.
- The second
concern is that Turkey’s military offensive will shift the country’s focus from
ISIL to the PKK. The fight against ISIL is seen as the primary objective of
the anti-ISIL coalition and Turkey joining it was applauded by many of the
coalition partners. Turkey paving the way for coalition countries’ warplanes to
use Turkish bases is of course very important and is seen as game changer by
many. But the detention of hundreds of ISIL sympathizers across the country in
only the last week sparked questions on why these measures had not been taken
earlier.
As a
matter of fact, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made very clear on July 28 that
his primary concern is the HDP, as he suggested pro-Kurdish lawmakers should
pay the cost of pro-PKK statements. He openly called on Parliament to strip
some of HDP lawmakers’ immunity so they can be prosecuted.
This
toughening position expressed by Erdogan accompanied with intensified military
action on cross-border PKK targets clearly shows the real motivation behind
this campaign is to discredit the HDP in the eyes of the Turkish public opinion
before a potential early election.
Time
will tell the cost of this plan by Erdogan and the government, and to what
extent it will work”.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/ AM)
