TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
161/15 26.08.2015
1.
Cavusoglu: There is a positive atmosphere for a solution in Cyprus and
determination in both sides
2. Colak:
Both sides in Cyprus show good will for a solution; Bozkir: Turkey’s priority
is the Turkish Cypriots’ freedom
3. Burcu:
Intense programme for the negotiators up to the leaders’ meeting
4.
Columnist: The army prevents the opening of the crossing point in Deryneia
area; Akinci cannot remain silent on this issue
5. The
Turkish Cypriot municipality of the occupied part of Nicosia will reactivate
its membership to the OICC
6. A
folklore dance group from occupied Trikomo participated in the International
Folklore Festival in Romania
7. Major
political parties boycott interim power-sharing government ahead of election
8.
Demirtas: Self-rule claims in eastern Turkey are legitimate
9. Poll
shows AKP short of votes needed to form government alone
10.
Gendarmerie command to open disciplinary proceedings against mourning
lieutenant colonel
1.
Cavusoglu: There is a positive atmosphere for a solution in Cyprus and
determination in both sides
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(26.08.15) reports that EmineColak,
self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, met yesterday in
Ankara with Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister.
In
statements after signing a “memorandum of understanding” for cooperation in the
field of information technologies, Cavusoglu reiterated
the Turkish allegation that Turkey has always been supporting the negotiating
process in Cyprus and a just and lasting solution. He said: “We wish for the positive atmosphere we are seeing on the island
to be used well and we hope that this will be reflected to the solution. We
wish for this process to be intensified and continue. We are seeing this
determination in both sides and we are happy for this”.
Cavusoglu noted that during their
meeting they discussed the ongoing negotiating process in Cyprus and pointed
out that for the first time the two sides on the island are working intensively
in spite of the summer vacations. Arguing
that “important distance” has been covered during this work, Cavusoglu said
that their hopes increase by the fact that issues on which agreement had not
been reached were discussed and progress was achieved on these issues.
The Turkish Minister underlined the
importance of the support of the international community, the EU and Greece to
this process and argued that this support should be “visible”.
Cavusoglu said that their economic and
political support to the “TRNC”, as he described the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, will continue and that they are
offering technical support for strengthening all the “institutions” of the
breakaway regime. He described the “memorandum” signed yesterday as an example
of this support.
Cavusoglu further announced that the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, Naci
Koru will illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus within the forthcoming
days to discuss the details of the support Turkey will offer to the self-styled
foreign ministry.
Recalling Colak’s meetings with
President Erdogan, Prime Minister Davutoglu and EU Affairs Minister Bozkir,
Cavusoglu said that they will together
continue their efforts for the lifting of the so-called isolation of the
breakaway regime. He noted that the
regime has 24 “representation offices” in 20 countries and leaders or
politicians from third countries visit the occupied area of Cyprus. He
added that Turkey’s “cooperation and
support” will continue in all fields internationally and especially in the
breakaway regime’s membership in international organizations.
Colak, on her part, said that a “new
Cyprus”, which will be created after the solution, will be a member of the EU.
“Even though the Greek Cypriot side has completed its efforts in this
direction, we as Turkish Cypriots have a lot of work to do”, she argued adding
that they see Turkey’s experience on this issue as a “point for cooperation”.
Referring to the “memorandum of
understanding” signed between Turkey and the regime, Colak said that this is a
product of their solidarity and consensus. “We need such contributions and
openings either there is a solution [to the Cyprus problem] or not”, she added.
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (26.08.15) reports that Colak met also with
Davutoglu and Erdogan yesterday.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Colak: Both sides in Cyprus show good will for a solution; Bozkir: Turkey’s
priority is the Turkish Cypriots’ freedom
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(26.08.15) reports that EmineColak,
self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, met yesterday in
Ankara with VolkanBozkir, Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator.
In her statements, Colak said that an important opportunity for finding a solution has
been created and that “both sides of the island show an approach of good
will”.“Determination and political will for a solution is seen in both sides”,
she noted adding that “we see that an important opportunity for the
solution of the Cyprus problem is created after many years”.
Colak said that Turkey’s experience in
its EU accession process is important for the Turkish Cypriots and added that
“our priority has always been the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots with
the EU, either a solution [to the Cyprus problem] is reached or not”.
Bozkir, on his part, argued that the
Cyprus problem has reached a “more hopeful point” than the other problems of
the region and added that with Colak they would evaluate the EU accession
process and the latest developments in the occupied area of Cyprus. Bozkir alleged that the freedom of the
Turkish Cypriots, taking the place they “deserve” in the world and finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem are Turkey’s first priorities. “We attach
importance to the position that the solution of the Cyprus problem has come
today after many years”, he said.
Bozkir
noted that Turkey has always been exerting efforts in the direction of the
“elements necessary for the solution of the Cyprus problem not being
transferred” into its EU accession process. He argued: “If the elements which
will make the solution in the island possible were transferred into out EU
accession process, the 14 chapters would not have been blocked today.
Perhaps the process would have proceeded more quickly today, but our priority
is our Turkish Cypriot brothers, it is Cyprus. If reference is made to the solution in Cyprus today, this derives from
the fact that Turkey has never sacrificed the Cyprus problem”.
(I/Ts.)
3.
Burcu: Intense programme for the negotiators up to the leaders’ meeting
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (26.08.15)
reports that the preparation works for the next leaders’ meeting which will
take place on the 1st of September have started. The Turkish Cypriot
negotiator OzdilNami and the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis met
again yesterday following a 15-day summer break. The negotiators had a
“preparation meeting”, which lasted approximately 3 hours. The timetable of the
meetings in the coming days has been scheduled. According to the programme, the
two negotiators and their teams are set to meet every day this week in the
lead-up to the next leaders’ meeting.
According to the paper, Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci’s spokesman BarisBurcu, in statements to the Turkish
Cypriot news agency “TAK”, announced that the UN Special Adviser of the
Secretary-General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide will arrive in the island on the
August 31.
Burcu noted that an intense timetable
for the meetings of the negotiators has been scheduled. He added that an
intense process in the level of both the negotiators and the technical
committees is expected. Meanwhile, the negotiators are set to meet every day
until Monday apart from the weekend.
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 25.08.15), the agenda of the leaders’ meeting will be determined
according to the outcome of the five meetings to be held between the
negotiators. The negotiators, who will focus mainly on the property issue, may
also discuss issues related to other chapters if time permits.
(DPs)
4.
Columnist: The army prevents the opening of the crossing point in Deryneia
area; Akinci cannot remain silent on this issue
Writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (26.08.15), journalist
UlasBaris reports that the opening of the crossing point in Deryneia area is
being obstructed by the Turkish occupation army. Under the title “Deryneia
gate and political will”, Baris writes
that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci “knows that the issue is this, but
cannot openly explain the situation”.
Noting that according to the press, a
problem as regards the route of the road exists,Baris recalls that the Greek
Cypriots say that the existing road is appropriate, while the Turkish side
proposes “alternative roads”, because of “security and other reasons”. Pointing
out that Dr.OkanDagli, member of the Famagusta Initiative, has recently stated
that the existing road is appropriate and that political will is needed for the
opening of the crossing point, Baris writes:
“[…] Who is [needed to show] this political will? President Mustafa Akinci
himself. Very well, where this political will is deriving from? From the
approximately 60% which he secured in 26 April’s elections. That is, the only thing needed for president Akinci
opening this gate is the political will. Let us stand here. Is the TRNC a normal system? No, it is not.
Why? Because, regardless of how much this is denied here, there is another
political will over the known political will. If you like you can call it
Ankara, if you like you can call it the army, but this is the situation in
which we are. In my view, if the esteemed
president is prevented in the manner I have tried to explain in the very
beginning of this article by the above-mentioned political will, he has no
other option than coming out and explaining this openly to the people. Or
when this issue came onto the agenda from the very beginning, he should have
said to his interlocutor ‘I do not have the authority to open this gate my
friend’ [...]. However, he spoke and said that the gate would open the soonest.
I and people who think like me had
actually understood months earlier that problems would have been experienced in
this gate, when Varosha was burning and our authorities were watching from far
away. […]
Varosha is a military zone under the
army’s control. […] The political will has no say in the military zones. Therefore, the army is the main competent
authority in the Deryneia gate issue. […]”
Baris notes that since the expectations
[in the Cyprus problem] have been increased so much, they have to face some
issues and expresses the view that Akinci could behave in the manner similar to
which the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat had acted prior to the opening of
the Ledra Street crossing point. He concludes saying: “Mr Akinci must urgently decide: he will either open the gate giving
the message to his Greek Cypriot interlocutors that ‘I have political will’ or
he will shelve the issue with a move that will be tantamount to ‘I cannot
disobey the higher authorities’. It is not possible to remain silent on this
issue”.
(I/Ts.)
5.
The Turkish Cypriot municipality of the occupied part of Nicosia will
reactivate its membership to the OICC
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 26.08.15), the self-styled mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia
Mehmet Harmanci met with the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic
Cities and Capitals (OICC) Omar Abdullah Kadı at a working lunch on Tuesday.
The reactivation of the “Nicosia Turkish
Municipality’s” membership to the Organisation was discussed at a meeting.
According to a press release by the
“Nicosia Turkish Municipality’s”, Harmanci and Kadı discussed the
municipality’s membership to the organisation.
An agreement was reached at the lunch to
reactivate the municipality’s membership.
Harmanci also briefed Kadi on the
economic difficulties experienced by the “municipality” and asked for concrete
support from the OICC in overcoming these problems.
For his part, Kadi said that he will be
dealing with the issue closely and will take up the issue with OICC members
once the “Nicosia Turkish municipality’s” membership is reactivated.
The Organization of Islamic Capitals and
Cities is an international non- governmental and non-profitable Organization
which is an affiliate member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC).
6.
A folklore dance group from occupied Trikomo participated in the
International Folklore Festival in Romania
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (26.08.15)
reports that the folklore dance community of the occupied municipality of
Trikomo represented the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) in the 13th International
Folklore Festival in Luboj, Romania, which is included in the festivals of the
International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts
(CIOFF) between 10-16 August. Folk groups from Turkey, Slovakia, FYROM, Serbia,
Hungary and Poland have also taken part.
(DPs)
7.
Major political parties boycott interim power-sharing government ahead of
election
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 25.08.15), as Turkey heads for an early election on November 1, the
interim power-sharing government to be formed by Prime Minister-designate Ahmet
Davutoglu has been dealt a major blow when two opposition parties have declined
to participate over what they call a fait accompli by the President.
Two
of the three opposition parties represented in Parliament -- the main
opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party
(MHP) -- once again announced on Tuesday that they would not be part of the
government to be in place until the early election.
After being given the mandate by the
President, Davutoglu urged the opposition to take part in the government.
In a call to the opposition party leaders,
Davutoglu said at a press conference at his party's headquarters that he is
ready to discuss the issue with the party leaders. “I invite all to act
responsibly,” he said.
CHP spokesman HalukKoç said at a press
conference the same day that the AK Party dragged the country to a snap
election under Erdogan's tutelage despite the CHP's efforts to join forces with
the AK Party in a coalition government.
According to the Constitution, all
parties in Parliament should be represented in an interim government in
proportion to the number of Deputies each party has in Parliament.
The AK Party is expected to receive 11
ministries in the interim government, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party
(HDP) three, while the CHP will get six ministers and the MHP three, if they
were to agree to be part of the government.
If no CHP and MHP Deputies accept to be
part of the interim government, then impartial persons -- that is, independent
figures from within or outside Parliament -- will be appointed in accordance with
the quota granted to the two parties.
Davutoglu said that he will request
those Deputies to whom he offers a post in government to get back to him with
an answer within a “reasonable period of time” as the government needs to be
formed within five days.
With
the President's call for an early election having been published in the
Official Gazette late on Monday, a power-sharing interim government has to be
formed within five days, that is, by Saturday night.
Davutoglu said that he is required to
offer individual deputies to take part in the interim power-sharing government
despite some opposition parties' refusal to be part of the government.
“As per the Constitution, I cannot
assign independent figures [in the government] without first proposing the Deputies
of the political parties [to be part of the government] ”, Davutoglu said.
Upon the selection of Nov. 1 as the
early election date, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli has accused the top election
authority of acting on instructions by President Erdogan.
Only
the pro-Kurdish HDP has accepted to be part of the interim government.
AyhanBilgen, HDP spokesperson, once again confirmed on Tuesday that his party
would be part of the interim government.
“We see taking part in the interim Cabinet as a responsibility for our voters,
[although] we see plans to exclude us [from Cabinet]. We consider being part of
Cabinet as our responsibility towards peace in society,” Bilgen said at a press
conference.
8.
Demirtas: Self-rule claims in eastern Turkey are legitimate
According to Turkish daily Sabah
(online, 26.08.15), pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair
Selahattin Demirtas, speaking to Firat News Agency, said that the self-rule
claims by some Mayors in eastern Turkey is the declaration of a political will
and the HDP respects it.
"There
is nothing more legitimate than the nation's self-rule. It is also part of our
party's program: If we come to power, or proceed a negotiation with a ruling
party, we suggest autonomy as a political model officially," Demirtas said.
Mayors of some provinces in eastern Turkey have recently declared
"self-rule" in violation of the constitutional order. The Mayors of
two districts in south-eastern Diyarbakır province, Sur Co-Mayor SeyidNarin and
Silvan Co-Mayor YukselBodakci, were arrested for the autonomy declarations they
made.
Demirtas added that to call the nation's
demand of autonomy as illegal is against the HDP's program. He said: "Our
difference is that no guns should be used. The HDP's peace resolution is on
this democratic political approach. So, the autonomy announced by the public
[in eastern Turkey] should be respected."
9.
Poll shows AKP short of votes needed to form government alone
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 26.08.15), Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP) is seen falling short of the votes needed to form a single-party
government in a snap election on Nov. 1 with 41.7% of votes, up from 40.9% in
the June election, pollster Metropoll found in its latest survey.
According to the Metropoll survey,
backing for the secular main opposition CHP was at 25.5%, the nationalist MHP
at 15.7% and the pro-Kurdish HDP at 14.7% - a rise in its support from 13.1% in
June.
"It seems like the snap elections
will not generate a different political situation from the election on June
7", OzerSencar, the chairman of Metropoll, wrote in the survey report.
Metropoll said the survey was carried
out between August 14-16 and involved 2,520 people.
10.
Gendarmerie command to open disciplinary proceedings against mourning
lieutenant colonel
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 26.08.15) reports that Turkey’s gendarmerie general command is set to
initiate disciplinary proceedings against the uniformed lieutenant colonel who
blasted senior politicians during the funeral ceremony of his killed soldier
brother, according to sources.
Lieutenant Colonel Mehmet Alkan, the
elder brother of slain soldier Ali Alkan, directly targeted politicians during
the funeral, questioning the reasons behind the latest outbreaks of violence.
“Why do those who have been saying ‘solution’ since yesterday now say war?”
Alkan asked. “Who is his [Ali Alkan’s] murderer?”
Following
the outburst, which was caught on camera, sources told Hurriyet that the
Gendarmerie General Command is set to start disciplinary proceedings in
accordance with internal procedures. “Initiating
disciplinary proceedings is standard operating procedure. Testifying during
proceedings does not imply that a person is guilty. The lieutenant colonel will
explain what happened. It is wise to wait until the proceedings are over,” one
source stated.
When asked for his opinion, Mehmet Alkan
said there “wasn’t much more to say. I am leaving the rest to God. What more
can I say?” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking to Hurriyet,
Interior Minister SebahattinOzturk suggested that the lieutenant colonel’s
reaction was “understandable but wrong”. “We need to see his brother as a
martyr. When I consider his comments in that light, I understand. But it is
still not right for a person in uniform to make such political comments,”
Ozturk said.
On Aug. 25, Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu also commented on Alkan’s protest during a press conference, shortly
after President RecepTayyip Erdogan formally appointed him to form an interim
government.
“I believe he uttered those words in
pain, which is a humane response. Although we understand the pain, we must
still preserve dignity during these hard times”, Davutoglu said.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
