TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
124/15 04-6.07.2015
1. Akinci:
No traces of landmines have been found in 25 of the 28 minefields
2.
Yorgancioglu resigns; The most likely is reportedly a CTP-UBP “coalition
government”
3. Akinci
met with French Minister Désir
4. The
“Property Compensation Commission” might stop being a “local remedy” because it
cannot pay compensations
5. TDP will
participate in the meeting of the Council of the SI in NY
6. Cerkez
on the efforts exerted for the establishment of a common GSM communication
network in Cyprus
7. Toros
calls for reform in the economy of the breakaway regime
8.
Settler’s association reacted against the statements of the Archbishop
9. Vehicles
in the breakaway regime have been increased by 60% in the last ten years
10. A
rented fire helicopter from Turkey at the occupied airport of Tymbou
11. AKP
Deputy compared the possible Turkish intervention to Syria with the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus
12.
Military increases presence on border as commanders summoned to Ankara
1. Akinci:
No traces of landmines have been found in 25 of the 28 minefields
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 04.07.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has announced that no
traces of landmines have been found in 25 of the 28 minefields presented by the
Greek Cypriot leader NicosAnastasiades at their first meeting on the 15th of
May.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday,
Akinci said that inspections were held by teams from the United Nations Mine
Action Service (UNMAS) and the “Cyprus Turkish security forces” (editor’s note:
the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus) within the areas of which coordinates
were provided by the Greek Cypriot side.
He reminded that the UNMAS teams had
carried out the inspections in line with a request he had made to the UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during his meeting with him on the 4th of June.
Pointing out that there are landmines
suspected in three of the areas provided, Akinci said that all three areas have
been fenced off and pose no direct risk to the public.
Akinci also said: “No traces of landmines
were found in 25 of the 28 reported coordinates. We only have suspicions in 3
areas. The first coordinated is located within a military zone in Gungor
(editor’s note: the occupied village of Koutsoventis). Since there is no
civilian access to the location in question, the area does not pose an
immediate threat. The second coordinates are located in Alemdag (editor’s note:
the occupied village of Agridaki). Part of the plot is private property while
the remaining part is accessible to the public. The third area is on the side
of the road near Omerli (editor’s note: the occupied village of Galini). All
three areas have been fenced off and marked, posing no risk at all. Necessary
work to screen and if needed clear the plots has begun.”
Akinci further said that there is no longer
a need for this issue to occupy the public’s agenda, particularly now that it
is high season for tourism and added: “I would like to thank both the UNMAS
teams and the Cyprus Turkish security forces for the work they have carried
out. Let everyone be assured that the areas fenced off will be checked and
cleared in no time”.
2. Yorgancioglu
resigns; The most likely is reportedly a CTP-UBP “coalition government”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper
(04.07.15) reported that OzkanYorgancioglu,
self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, submitted on Friday his resignation to the Turkish Cypriot
leader, Mustafa Akinci. Yorgancioglu said that he had resigned to give the
opportunity to the establishment of a new formation. On his part, Akinci stated
that he would separately meet with the party leaders and assign with the duty
of establishing a “government” a “deputy”, who could form a “government” that
will secure the majority in the “assembly”.
The paper writes that the second round of
meetings for the establishment of a new “government” was held on Friday. A
delegation headed by the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG)
leader, Mehmet Ali Talat visited the National Unity Party (UBP) and the
Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG).
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(05.07.15) reported that Akinci met on Saturday with the political party
leaders within the framework of the efforts of establishing a new “government”.
Today Akinci is expected to assign Omer
Kalyoncu, CTP-BG “deputy” of occupied Keryneia, with the duty of forming a
“coalition government”. The efforts for establishing a new “government” are
expected to begin this week.
After meeting with Akinci, Talat said that they informed him that
their party organs decided to establish a “government” under Kalyoncu. On
his part, UBP leader, Huseyin Ozgurgun
stated that they agreed with Akinci that the “country’ should not remain
without a “government” for a long time and that the new “government” should
be established the soonest. The chairman of the DP-UG, SerdarDenktas said that they have expressed a positive view for
Kalyoncu, while the general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), SuphiHudaoglu stated that they are seeing
Kalyoncu positively.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis
newspaper (05.07.15) reported that the CTP discussed once more in its central
administrative committee the issue of the party with which it will establish a
“coalition government”. The majority of
the party’s competent organs and “deputies” were in favor of establishing a
“government” with the UBP. According to the paper, this majority reached 55%. In
case of a “coalition” with the DP-UG some “deputies” will resign in case they
do not get a “ministry” and thus the party concerns that the “government” will
numerically face difficulties in the “assembly”. It is said that three
“deputies” will resign in case they do not become “ministers”. The CTP and the UBP have reportedly agreed
on many issues except on the “privatizations”.
Referring to Havadis’ above-mentioned
information, CenkMutluyakali,
general publishing director of Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper
(06.07.15) expresses the view thatthe
possibilities for the establishment of the CTP-UBP “government” are currently
around 70% and not 55% as Havadis has argued. “Of course, we could not know what will happen
when the timetable, the details and the sharing of the ministries will come to
the table”, he notes.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci
met with French Minister Désir
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (04.07.15)
reported that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met on Friday with Harlem
Désir, the French Minister of State for European Affairs.
The meeting, which was held in Akinci’s
office, was attended by the self-styled undersecretary of the foreign affairs
ministry ErhanErcin and Akinci’s spokesperson BarisBurcu.
According to the paper, the progress, which
has been obtained in the ongoing Cyprus talks for the reunification of the
island, was discussed during the meeting. Désir said that the election of
Akinci as a Turkish Cypriot leader has opened an opportunity window for the
strengthening of the prosperity and stability of the island and to give an end
to the division of the island in a way that will benefit the two communities in
the island and the region as a whole with the EU. He also said that France is
satisfied with the positive atmosphere of the Cyprus talks as well as the
determination and courage that both leaders have exhibited.
Noting that France has given a strong
support to the talks, Désir wished success to both leaders and the UN Special
Adviser on Cyprus of the Secretary-General Espen Barth Eide.
Désir further said that the Cyprus
settlement, which should be beneficiary for both communities, should also be
agreeable to the EU fundamental principles.
(DPs)
4. The
“Property Compensation Commission” might stop being a “local remedy” because it
cannot pay compensations
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(05.07.15) reports that the “Property
Compensation Commission”, established by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus,
might stop being a “local remedy” because it cannot pay compensation to the
persons who acquired this right after applying to the “Commission”. It is
said that the “Commission” has no money to pay compensations.
The chairman of the Social Democracy Party
(TDP), CemalOzygit said that certain
amount for compensating Greek Cypriots for their occupied properties has been
secured by Turkey and added that in case the problem of securing resources is
not solved, the “danger” of the ‘Commission” stop being a “local remedy”
exists.
Referring to the request by the self-styled
speaker of the “assembly”, SibelSiber to the political parties to submit their
view on how this problem will be overcome, Ozyigit noted that his party will
submit its views, but they do not support any step which will be contrary to
the negotiating process, because the
property issue is a part of this process.
“It
is known that the compensation for the land on which big hotels and the Middle
East Technical University (ODTU) had been constructed was paid by Turkey”, he
said adding that “our work will be related to the way by which compensations
will be paid from now on and to the exchange [of property]”.
The paper recalls that HamzaErsan Saner,
“deputy” with the National Unity Party (UBP), had prepared a “law” providing
that if the Greek Cypriot owner of an occupied property and its Turkish Cypriot
user agree, they could solve the problem through the “Commission”. The Turkish
Cypriot could pay the money to the Greek Cypriot, the property will become
“Turkish property” and the Turkish Cypriot’s points for “property of equivalent
value” will be disengaged.
According to Ozyigit, however, in order for
the “legal provisions” to be implemented, the following questions should be
replied first: “Will a territorial concession be given? Are there places which
will be returned? Which places will be returned? How the compensation mechanism
will work in the places which are returned?”
Siber, on
the other hand, said that in case the exchange of property is successfully
implemented as a solution, the illegal title deeds given by the occupation
regime will be internationally valid and in this way, “bi-zonality”, which is
one of the parameters of the solution of the Cyprus problem will, allegedly, be
guaranteed. Siber argued that if the “Commission” cannot pay compensations,
the benefits gained from its establishment will be lost.
(I/Ts.)
5. TDP
will participate in the meeting of the Council of the Socialist International
in NY
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (05.07.15)
reported that a delegation from the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) headed by
its leader CemalOzyigit will participate for the first time in the meeting of
the Council of the Socialist International (SI) to be held at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York on 6-7 July, 2015.
According to a press release issued by TDP,
the General Secretary of SI Luis Ayala sent an official invitation to the TDP
on May and expressed his expectation from the TDP to accept and participate in
the meeting.
(DPs)
6.Cerkez
on the efforts exerted for the establishment of a common GSM communication
network in Cyprus
Under the title: “There are no technical
difficulties but financial issue are under discussion”, Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (06.07.15) reports on
statements by GunayCerkez, former chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Commerce and chairman of the “Technical committee related with the GSM
operators”.
Speaking
to the paper about the efforts exerted for the “establishment of a GSM
connection communication network in Cyprus” which is a measure announced
amongst others in the framework of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for
the unification of Cyprus, Cerkez stated that the contacts between the 2
operators from the “north” and 3 GSM operators from the “south” continue.
Cerkez
said that all the involved parties met twice and added that there is no
technical problem on the issue of the connection network but as he said the
discussions continue on “financial aspects”.
Cerkez said that all things will be clarified in a few weeks.
He pointed out that the operators will
meet again next week in order to discuss financial issues and added that in
spite of the fact that progress was achieved during the meetings, there is not
a clear decision yet.
Cerkez underlined that the meetings on
this issue from the political point of view will continue as well. He said that they will inform the “president”
about the developments concerning the discussions on this matter.
(AK)
7. Toros calls for reform in the economy of the breakaway regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (06.07.15) reports that the chairman of the
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce FikriToros stated that reforms must take
place so that the “TRNC economy” to come in balance with the economy of the
Republic of Cyprus.
Toros made
these statements regarding his expectations on the new “government” to be
established in the breakaway regime soon, after the change of leadership in the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP).
He said
that in the framework of the new economy program to be announced, investments
must be encouraged and reforms should take place so that the “TRNC economy” to
be strengthened and to be balanced with the economy of the Republic of Cyprus.
“If this is not safeguarded, the Turkish Cypriot economy will be dependent on
the Greek Cypriot economy after a possible solution”, he argued.
(CS)
8. Settler’s association reacted against the statements of the
Archbishop
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (05.07.15) reported that the members of the
“existence movement” which consists of settlers protested against the
statements made by Archbishop Chrysostomos B who speaking to a Turkish
newspaper stated that the settlers who came to Cyprus after 1974 must be sent
back to Turkey.
The paper
wrote that various settlers gathered in a park in the occupied part of Lefkosia
and marched holding flags of Turkey and of the “TRNC” towards the Ledra Street
barricade. They also held banners in which it was written “we are not leaving”
and chanted slogans like “We are not
going back, we came here to die”.
Later a
delegation of the protestors went to the Archbishop palace and handed a letter
with the position and the reaction of the movement.
(CS)
9. Vehicles in the breakaway regime have been increased by 60%
in the last ten years
Turkish
Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (04.07.15) reported that vehicles in the
breakaway regime have been increased by 60% in the last ten years and now go
beyond 200.000.
According
to statements of the “director of traffic” of the so-called police,
AhmetBeserler, the increased number of vehicles is related to the increased
number of fatal accidents in the occupied area of Cyprus and the lack of a
sufficient number of “police officers”. Beserler said that the number of
“traffic policemen” is 220 and added that there is only one “police officer”
for every thousand persons in the breakaway regime while the analogy in the UK
is one for every 500 persons.
(CS)
10. A
rented fire helicopter from Turkey at the occupied airport of Tymbou
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 04.07.15), the fire helicopter finally arrived in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus on Friday.
The fire helicopter rented for the summer
season is stationed on standby at the occupied airport of Tymbou.
A mock exercise was also held in occupied
Famagusta to test the helicopter. Speaking at the event, self-styled minister
of environment and natural resources HakanDincyurek said that the renting of
the fire helicopter is an important step towards preventing devastating
destruction caused by forest fires. He added that the presence of a helicopter
in the “TRNC” has made them stronger and more confident.
Dincyurek also pointed out that the
helicopter will be standing ready to assist “South Cyprus” (editor’s note: the
government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) or Turkey in the event
such a request is made.
11.AKP
Deputy compared the possible Turkish intervention to Syria with the Turkish
invasion to Cyprus
Under the title: “AKP Deputy Sahin compared Cyprus with the operation in Syria”, Turkish
daily Zaman (05.07.15) reported on statements by Ali Sahin, Deputy Prime
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs with the Justice and Development party
(AKP) who via his twitter account commented on a possible Turkish operation in
Syria.
Sahin
stated that a possible Turkish intervention to Syria is Turkey’s right which
derives from the international law. Sahin supported also that a possible
operation in Syria will have similar effects with that of the “Cyprus peace
operation”, as he called the Turkish invasion in Cyprus.
(…)
Sahin
alleged that a possible intervention to Syria by Turkey will put forward the
unification of their rights like it happened with the “operation in Cyprus”.
(AK)
12. Military
increases presence on border as commanders summoned to Ankara
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 05.07.15), the Turkish military has deployed additional missile
launchers and artillery units to reinforce its troops along the Syrian border,
raising the likelihood of an incursion amid the media buzz of a long-debated
military intervention in Syria, as senior military commanders visit the border
area to inspect the readiness of forces stationed there and draw out plans for
an operation.
The commanders of troops deployed along the
border will take part in a high-level meeting to hammer out all contingency
plans for a possible intervention in Syria, a Turkish daily reported on Sunday.
According to Hurriyet newspaper, Land
Forces Commander Gen. HulusiAkar and Commander of the 2nd Army AdemHuduti sent
an order to attend the meeting to the commanders of armoured brigades of border
troops, after they conducted inspections on Turkey's border with Syria last
week.
The military will discuss which steps will
be taken during a possible operation and how many troops will be deployed in Syria
if the government finally gives the go-ahead. The meeting will take place this
week in Ankara.
Advanced weaponry, including missile
launchers and other heavy weaponry, from Ankara were sent to the border in the
southern province of Kilis on Saturday, in the latest dispatch of equipment to
the region.
On Sunday, the commander of Turkish elite
Special Forces Gen. SezaiAksakal inspected commando units that arrived in
Sanliurfa last week. On Saturday, a unit from the Tunceli 4th Commando Brigade
was deployed to the border. A total of 54,000 members of Turkey's land forces
have reportedly been deployed on the country's Syria border.
A plan to have more than 400 armoured
vehicles, which will carry military personnel and be protected by jammers, to
combat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by planting mines across
Syria's border with Turkey is expected to be assessed. The role of Turkey's air
forces in a possible intervention is also among the topics to be discussed
during the meeting.
Members of the Special Forces Command --
also known as the Maroon Berets -- which are deployed in the southeastern
province of Sanlıurfa are also assumed to be a part of the operation plan. The
Maroon Berets were involved in a military incursion into Syria to evacuate the
tomb of SuleymanSah in northern Syria in late February.
The scale of the recent mobility of troops
and equipment unleashed expectations that the military will make a move in
northern Syria. Turkish officials told media that ISIL's advances in the
northern Syrian town of Azaz, a critical town that sits 10kms away from the
border and links Kilis with Aleppo, would trigger a new wave of refugees
flowing towards Turkey.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
