TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
125/15 07.07.2015
1. The
“Property Commission” cannot pay 94 million sterling pounds to Greek Cypriot
refugees; Vehicles of “ministries” are sequestered
2. Akinci
tasks Kalyoncu to form “government”; Talat says “coalition government” by next
Monday at the latest
3. Akinci
met with the International TurkologyCenter deputy chairman
4. Izcan
met with the Russian Ambassador in Cyprus
5. The
Turkish side puts obstacles for the opening of Deryneia crossing point in spite
of the leaders’ decision
6. The
Women Basketball team of the illegal YDU wishes to play its games in the “TRNC”
under the umbrella of the TBF
7. “British
university of Nicosia” enrolled 580 students from 15 countries in its first
academic year
8. Bozkir
set to visit Brussels and Strasbourg
1. The
“Property Commission” cannot pay 94 million sterling pounds to Greek Cypriot
refugees; Vehicles of “ministries” are sequestered
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(07.07.15) reports that the “Property
Compensation Commission” established by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus
decided to give compensation to a Greek Cypriot refugee for his occupied
property, but when it failed to do so the Greek Cypriot refugee registered the
decision in the “courts’ register” through his lawyer and launched a procedure
for confiscating vehicles used by “ministers” of the breakaway regime.
Sequestrators
were sent yesterday for vehicles used by the “ministries” of finance and
agriculture and a vehicle of the “ministry” of finance
was taken to a field near the Ledra Palace traffic lights. Procedure was
launched for sequestering all vehicles with numbers between 004 and 014 and if
the problem is not solved today more vehicles will be sequestered.
The “Commission” had decided to pay the sum
of two million and 150 thousand sterling pounds as compensation to the
above-mentioned Greek Cypriot for a property of 60 donums [Translator’s note: A
land measure of about 1,000 square meters] by the sea at occupied Vasileia
village. Three thirds of this property is located in a military zone and the
rest is used by a natural person. The Greek Cypriot had reportedly applied to
the “Commission” trying to transfer his property.
Murat
MetinHakki, the lawyer of the Greek Cypriot, told
Havadis that the “Commission” gave priority to the money “in an unfair manner”
and noted that “Turkey said that the Turkish Cypriot who takes the property
should pay”. He pointed out that the
problems in the “Commission” started when Turkey stopped conveying money. Hakki
said that the “Commission” paid 200 million sterling pounds until today and the
entire sum was paid by Turkey.
According
to the paper, there is an unpaid sum of 94 million sterling pounds, which the “Commission”
decided that should be given as compensation. There are
decisions that remain unpaid for 1.5 years and therefore the cases cannot be
completed. A decrease in the number of applications by Greek Cypriots was
observed in the last couple of years. The
number of Greek Cypriot applicants was 2,500 in 2011 and fell to 150 in 2015.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (07.07.15) reports that the chairman of the “Commission”, GungorGunkan has argued that the ownership
of all properties for which compensation is paid passes to the “TRNC”, but they
have to compare the value of the properties left by the Turkish Cypriots in the
government-controlled area of the island with the value of the properties which
they were given in the occupied area as equivalent and find out who has
taken such property as equivalent for his property in the government-controlled
area.
He noted: “I have been saying this for
years. When these properties pass to us, many Turkish Cypriots are living on
these properties and there are properties which they abandoned in the south and
came here. We have to evaluate these and bring them to a conclusion. For
example, Mrs Ayse said that ‘I have left a property of 50 thousand Turkish
liras in Limassol and was given a certain amount of points. In return of these,
she was given something in the north. Is the value of these two properties the
same or not? We must re-evaluate these the soonest and bring them to a
conclusion”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci
tasks Kalyoncu to form “government”; Talat says “coalition government” by next
Monday at the latest
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 06.07.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has appointed the
self-styled deputy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP-BG) Omer Kalyoncu to form the “new government” within
15 days.
Speaking during his meeting with Kalyoncu,
Akinci said that he tasked Kalyoncu to form the “new government” following his
meetings with the leaders and representatives of the political parties. He
added that his meetings had revealed that there was no other alternative
possible.
Explaining that almost all the political
parties expressed support to Kalyoncu’s appointment, he said there was no
objection from political parties with seats in the “parliament” to the name of
Kalyoncu. “I myself do not have any hesitation”, Akinci added.
Pointing out that the “country’s” domestic
problems cannot be stalled anymore, he said there are issues regarding the
Cyprus negotiations process which the Turkish Cypriot leader needs to act
together with the “government”.
Also speaking after his appointment,
Kalyoncu said that he has currently no scheduled meetings with any of the
political parties. Stating that their meetings with the political parties had
neither produced any government models nor did the CTP have a priority,
Kalyoncu announced that they will take new steps following their evaluation within
the authorized party organs today.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi Daily News (online, 07.07.15) reports that CTP party leader Mehmet Ali
Talat, speaking to illegal TAK news agency, said that a widened party assembly
meeting will be held on Wednesday followed by the party assembly committee
meeting on Thursday after which their coalition partner would become clearer.
Talat said that things would be clearer
after the meetings and they hoped to form formed the coalition by Monday the
latest.
3. Akinci met with the President of the International TurkologyCentre
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.07.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci met withProf. Dr YerdenKazhybek, the President of the
International Turkology Centre and Vice President of Kazak Language Institution.
The rector
of the illegal Keryneia American University (GAU) SerhatAkpinarwas also present
at the meeting.
During the
meeting, Kazhybek congratulated Akinci for his election victory and offered him
a congratulation document and a metal.
(CS)
4.Izcan
met with the Russian Ambassador in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (07.07.15) reports that the chairman
of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) IzzetIzcan met yesterday with the Russian
Ambassador in Cyprus StanislavOsadchiy.
According to a statement issued by the
BKP, the general secretary of BKP Abdullah Korkmazhan and the secretary for
foreign relations SalihSonustun were also present at the meeting.
In statements after the meeting, Izcan stated that he exchanged views with
the Russian Ambassador on the recent developments of the Cyprus problem and the
region in general. He added that Russian Federation’s support on the Cyprus
problem is very important since it is a member of the UN Security Council.
Pointing
out to the need for the positive atmosphere which was created on the Cyprus
problem to be continue, Izcan added that the policy to be followed ahead of the
discussions of the basic issues: (the Treaty of Guarantee and Alliance, the
territory, the property, the Constitution and Power Sharing) is also extremely
important.
Stressing the need for the leaders to
specify their goals for the solution, Izcan
said that the solution to be found should be submitted to simultaneous
referenda in order as he said for both communities in the island to approve and
accept it.
Izcan went on and stated that the solution to be found on the Cyprus
problem should comply with the International Law and the EU acquiscommunautaire.
Izcan assured
that the BKP will continue to exert efforts in order for a federal solution to
be found and said that it will continue to cooperate and have close ties with
all the involved parties.
(AK)
5. The
Turkish side puts obstacles for the opening of Deryneia crossing point in spite
of the leaders’ decision
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(07.07.15) reports that after the
Famagusta Initiative, Deryneia’s Mayor Andros Karayiannis has said that they do
not want an alternative road for the opening of the crossing point in the area,
adding that they want to use the existing one-kilometer long road going
from Deryneia to occupied Famagusta. However, an official, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Kibris that they have
suggested an alternative road to the Greek Cypriot side for the opening of the
crossing point in Deryneia and are waiting for the Greek Cypriot side’s reply. This
alternative road, he added, is located
one kilometre in the west of the existing road. He argued that this has
nothing to do with the security, but they have suggested an alternative road so
that the Greek Cypriot houses which are on the original road not to suffer any
damage during the works for broadening the road.
Karayiannis, however, noted that the
existing road could be fixed and become ready for crossings, adding that “the
demonstration we held in May together with Turkish Cypriots was for the opening
of this one kilometer long road”. He said that they acquired the information
that a minefield exists in the right side of the road and therefore the opening
of the crossing point may delay for about a month and it is estimated that it
will be materialized in October. “The
materialization of an alternative road does not seem possible. To start with,
it will cause a delay of months for the opening of the crossing point”, he
pointed out.
(I/Ts.)
6.The
Women Basketball team of the illegal YDU wishes to play its games in the “TRNC”
under the umbrella of the TBF
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (07.07.15) in its sports pages and under the title: “We want to play
the games in Cyprus”, reports on statements by AyhanOzgumus, Director of the
Turkish Basketball Federation League (TBF), who gave information concerning the
basketball team of the illegal Near East University (YDU) which competes under
Turkey’s Women Basketball Super League for this season.
According to Ozgumus, the TBF wishes to
play its games in Cyprus, but as he said due to the fact that it is bounded to
FIBA rules, it does not want to take unilateral actions and decisions and thus
it expects from FIBA to take its final decision.
Stating that they held contacts and
discussed this issue with the President of FIBA Europe and the President of the
Turkish Basketball Federation, TurgayDemirel, Ozgumus said that Demirel shares
the same thoughts with them on this issue, however, he added that the political
situation that exists, should be taken into consideration. Ozgumus stated that
in 15-20 days they might have concrete answers.
(AK)
7. “British
university of Nicosia” enrolled 580 students from 15 countries in its first
academic year
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
(07.07.15), in its front page under the title “A new breath in the education”,
publishes an interview with the general secretary of the illegal British
university of Nicosia (“BUN”) Hasan TuncerTuncergil.
Noting that “BUN” is a new breath among the
“universities” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Tuncergil said that from their first academic
year, they have enrolled 580 students from 15 different countries.
(DPs)
8. Bozkir
set to visit Brussels and Strasbourg
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 06.07.15), Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator
VolkanBozkir will pay an official visit to Strasbourg and Brussels to discuss
Turkey's EU accession process as well as the Syrian crisis with EU officials.
Bozkir will attend an iftar organized by
the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) on Tuesday in
Strasbourg, where he will meet with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner For European
Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement negotiations, Kati Piri, the European
Parliament's (EP) Rapporteur for Turkey, and ElmarBrok, chairman of the EP
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Bozkir, who will also have talks with
Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah, will attend the
ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the massacre in Srebrenica to be held
at the EP.
Bozkir will then move on to Brussels, where
he will attend an iftar hosted by the Justice and Development Party's (AK
Party) Brussels branch. He will have talks with European Commissioner in charge
of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Vera Jourova and EU Commissioner for
Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
