TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 178/15 18.09.2015
1. Akinci briefs the self-styled assembly on the Cyprus problem for seven hours
2. Talat: If the Turkish Cypriots say “no” in the referendum, they will be led into “deep isolation”
3. Ozgurgun: We are not close to a solution as regards the Cyprus problem
4. YKP says that property issue is used by media to create problems at negotiations
5. Explosives were found in the occupied part of Nicosia
6. Turkish deputy Prime Minister will pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus on Monday; Turkes resigned from MHP
7. So-called minister of health held contacts in Turkey; Turkey to support the Oncology Centre in the occupied area of Cyprus
8. TURKSOY’s general secretary to attend the “18th TURKSOY Opera Days” event in the occupied Bellapais Monastery
9. Lavrov: Turkey and Russia differ over Assad’s future
10. Hurriyet files criminal complaints against AKP lawmaker; more journalists probed for “insulting” President Erdogan
11. Istanbul Prosecutor seeks 34-year jail term for Gulen
12. Gul predicts that Turkey will go to a third round of early elections
1. Akinci briefs the self-styled assembly on the Cyprus problem for seven hours
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.09.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci briefed yesterday the self-styled assembly of the breakaway regime on the Cyprus problem. In statements after the seven-hour-closed-door session, Akinci said that their aim is to hold a referendum which will satisfy all parties and the “people” will vote “yes” with “a clear conscience”.
Akinci noted that he is not carrying out alone the negotiating process, but together with the “assembly”, the “government”, the political parties and the civil society. He said that he will continue this kind of meetings and on Tuesday he will brief the civil society organizations on the negotiating process.
Referring to the briefing of the “assembly”, Akinci described it as a “long and useful meeting”, adding that he shared the developments [with the political parties] and they exchanged views.
In her statements after the briefing, the self-styled speaker of the “assembly”, Sibel Siber said that their aim is for the Turkish Cypriots to reach, with the solution of the Cyprus problem, better days in the future.
The leader of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), Serdar Denktas noted that they expressed their views during the briefing and these views have been noted in the minutes. “As DP-UG we are not very relaxed”, he clarified.
Huseyin Angolemli, self-styled deputy with the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said that the “people” have some concerns on the property issue and added that no agreement has yet been reached between the sides on this issue. Recalling that the sides are now determining the criteria, Angolemli noted that the “people” should not be worried.
Referring to the issue of governance and power sharing, Angolemli said that a big progress has been achieved on this issue and added that the issue is agreed by 80%.
Angolemli argued that a solution to the Cyprus problem should be reached without the conjuncture to change and added that the course of the negotiating process is good.
Finally, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that Akinci gave the “assembly” important information and that the meeting was useful and contributed to the creation of a “common mind”. Soyer argued that the developments in the area show that the power relations in the Eastern Mediterranean will change and pointed out the importance of reaching a mutually accepted solution to the Cyprus problem in this situation. Soyer expressed the belief that a “fruitful result” will be achieved.
(I/Ts.)
2. Talat: If the Turkish Cypriots say “no” in the referendum, they will be led into “deep isolation”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.09.15) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has argued that the solution of the Cyprus problem is of vital importance for the Turkish Cypriots and that if the Turkish Cypriots say “no” in the referendum “we will be pushed into a deep isolation”.
Talat visited occupied Morfou yesterday within the framework of the regional meetings he has launched in order to brief the “people” regarding the ongoing negotiating process.
Talat claimed that the “no” vote of the Turkish Cypriots is not the same with the “no” vote of the Greek Cypriots, because “the Turkish Cypriots are outside the international law and no one except Turkey recognizes the TRNC”. He argued that the isolation allegedly implemented the Turkish Cypriots had become very heavy after the unilateral declaration of independence of the breakaway regime, which was described as illegal by the UN Security Council. He said that the “isolation” started to soften after the Turkish Cypriot voted “yes” to the Annan Plan and thus they could export some products to Europe through Turkey, started holding more international contacts and the European Court of Human Rights took decisions in their favour.
Referring to the ongoing negotiating process, Talat argued that a “natural time limit” came up because of the parliamentary elections to be held in May 2016 in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus. He noted that the understanding that the solution of the problem will benefit all sides has been established and if there is no solution by May, things will become more difficult. He said that serious progress has been reached on important issues and described the property as the “more complex issue on the agenda”.
Talat noted that the only thing agreed on this issue is the establishment of a Property Commission composed of equal number of Greek and Turkish Cypriots which will evaluate the issues according to some criteria. He said that the criteria have not been agreed and thus the allegations heard now are only rumours.
“The property is on the table”, he said and added: “When it is completed the map will come onto the table and the borders of the Turkish and the Greek Cypriot founding states will be determined with that map. The security and guarantees is an international dimension and it will be discussed at an international conference with the participation of the guarantor powers. The situation is continuing on a positive basis”.
Responding to a question, Talat said that there will be a new constitution which will be submitted to referendum. “The property regime will be regulated accordingly”, he noted and added that the “title deeds” given by the breakaway regime are valid and have been registered according to the “internal law” and will be taken into consideration in the new adjustment. “They will be a valid document, perhaps not for the continuation of the use of the property, but for covering the losses in case it does not continue”, he explained.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozgurgun: We are not close to a solution as regards the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (18.09.15) reports that the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun stated that he does not believe that the solution of the Cyprus problem is as close as the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci says it is.
“It is not that I see things from a negative prospective, I am saying that solution is not easy”, he stated, adding that we are in a phase where all the Turkish Cypriots must act together. He also said that the parameters of the solution must be taken into consideration seriously and not have a solution just for the sake of a solution.
Finally, referring to the crisis within UBP, Ozgurgun stated that the election congress of the party can be postponed for six months.
(CS)
4. YKP says that property issue is used by media to create problems at negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (18.09.15) reports that the New Cyprus Party (YKP) stated that the property issue is used by various media in order to create a problem at the negotiations.
According to the paper, the party noted that it is not wise to provoke on the issue of property and added that the aim of those who react this way is to turn the “people” against the solution.
(CS)
5. Explosives were found in the occupied part of Nicosia
All of today’s Turkish Cypriot newspapers report on the explosive devices, which were found yesterday morning by workers of the “municipality” in a waste container in a side street in the occupied part of Nicosia.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi, in its front page, under the title “We have seen this film before...” reports that two suspicious packages were found in the waste container containing 12 sticks of dynamite bounded together.
At a time when hopes for a solution are increasing, on a day when a protest march was planned to demonstrate against the terror acts in Turkey, ahead of a bi-communal concert, Nicosia woke to the news of a suspected bomb threat. This is the same story we heard during the Annan plan period.
The workers of the “Turkish Cypriot municipality” in the occupied part of Nicosia, Menderez Gurbudak and Abbut Biricik came across the suspect packages which were wrapped in a “TRNC flag”. The devices were immediately disabled by a police bomb squad of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (18.09.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, following his briefing at the “assembly” answered the questions of the press regarding the incident. He stressed that only peace and prosperity is desired in the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and not violence. Noting that the incident should be investigated thoroughly and not to be taken lightly, Akinci said: “If there are people who believe they can achieve their goals through violence, they should cease doing so”.
On the same issue, the self-styled mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia Mehmet Harmanci said that this incident may be part of an effort of some circles to create fear in the community.
Columnist Hasan Hasturer, in his daily column in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (18.09.15), wonders where the explosive dynamite was found. Because as he writes, there are only two places in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus that explosives can be found, the army and the quarries. Hasturer believes that every kind of weapons and arms are going under a serious inspection at armed forces. “If there is a leakage in the system, then it means that the situation is serious and it should be investigated,” he adds.
Hasturer writes also that the quarries are taking permission from the “geology and mineral department” in order to import explosives. When they use all their dynamites apply for more, but there is no control in the stock. He further writes: “I tried to collect information before writing this article. I talked to some workers at the quarries and it seems that there is no serious control”.
(DPs)
6. Turkish deputy Prime Minister will pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus on Monday; Turkes resigned from MHP
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 18.09.15) reports that Turkish deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes will pay an illegal visit to the occoupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on Monday.
According to a press release by the Turkish Ministry, Turkes will be conducting an “official visit” to the occupied area of Cyprus on Monday. The statement said that Turkes held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Davutoglu regarding the visit.
No other statement was made as the outline of his programme.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 18.09.15) reports that Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) Ankara Deputy and party founder's son, Tugrul Turkes resigned from the party on Friday.
Turkes was referred to a disciplinary committee and was expelled from the party last week following his decision to take part in Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Ahmet Davutoglu's interim cabinet which would govern Turkey until the November 1 snap elections.
7. So-called minister of health held contacts in Turkey; Turkey to support the Oncology Center in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.09.15) reports that the so-called minister of health, Salih Izbul and his delegation held contacts in Turkey and met with the Turkish Minister of Health Mehmet Muezzinoglu.
In statements during a press conference organized after the meeting, Muezzinoglu referred to the Oncology Centre to be constructed at the “Dr. Nalbantoglu state hospital” in the occupied part of Lefkosia, and said that the Centre will be ready by the end of the year. He also added that Turkey will provide any kind of support including sending specialist-oncologists to work at the centre.
Also speaking, Izbul stated, inter alia, that they have decided to implement in 9 months the general health security system in the “country”, adding that this system will be similar to that of Turkey’s.
Explaining that they carried out a visit to Turkey in order to meet with the newly appointed Turkish Minister, Izbul said that the cooperation existing between Turkey and the “TRNC” in the field of health will continue and added that they wanted to take advantage of Turkey’s experiences in the field of tourism.
(AK)
8. TURKSOY’s general secretary to attend the “18th TURKSOY Opera Days” event in the occupied Bellapais Monastery
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.09.15) reports that the self-styled minister of public works, environment and culture Kutlu Evren met with the general secretary of TURKSOY (International Organization of Turkic Culture), Dusen Kaseinov.
Kaseinov is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus on the sidelines of the “18th TURKSOY Opera Days” festival which will take place in the occupied Bellapais Monastery, currently used as a concert hall.
According to a written statement issued by the so-called ministry, during the meeting with Kaseinov, Evren said that their aim is to share with the whole world the cultural wealth.
Referring to the TURKSOY organization, Evren said that as a “ministry” they pay a great importance to their ties with TURKSOY adding that the organization has an important mission for the whole Turkic world.
Referring to the problems they experience with regards to making openings abroad due to their “isolation”, Evren said that TURKSOY’s support to the “country’s art workers” is also very important.
For his part, Kaseinov expressed pleasure over visiting the “TRNC”, adding that the organization of the Opera event is also very important.
Kaseinov recalled that the TURKSOY organization has cooperation agreements with some “universities in the TRNC” and added that the organization carries out works for the promotion of the “TRNC’s culture”.
(AK)
9. Lavrov: Turkey and Russia differ over Assad’s future
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 17.09.15), Russia's Foreign Minister said that Moscow and Ankara think differently over the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and differences make a common approach between Turkey and Russia implausible.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov acknowledged persisting differences in Turkey and Russia's approaches to problems in the Middle East, but said both countries want a stable and democratic region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and Lavrov met in the Black Sea city of Sochi on Thursday. Syria topped the agenda during the meeting, sources said.
Sinirlioglu said that he discussed the Syrian conflict and other regional problems with his counterpart during the meeting.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference after the meeting, Lavrov said that both countries favour a stable and democratic Middle East, despite having different approaches to the matters in the Middle East.
Lavrov underlined that both Turkey and Russia would make joint efforts to combat terrorism in the Middle East.
"Turkey has been one of our critical partners in the international arena. We constantly exchange views about any international conflict, including Syria, North Africa and the Middle East," he said.
Lavrov also claimed that both countries are preparing to hold the sixth High Level Cooperation Council (ÜDİK) meeting in the context of marking the 95th year of commencement of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Russia.
10. Hurriyet files criminal complaints against AKP lawmaker; more journalists probed for “insulting” President Erdogan
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.09.15) reports that Hurriyet Editor-in-Chief Sedat Ergin and columnist Ahmet Hakan filed a criminal complaint on September 17 against Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmaker Adnan Boynukalin on charges of making insults, issuing threats and praising crime and criminals.
Also on September 17, Dogan Holding Honorary Chairman Aydin Dogan, Hurriyet, Dogan News Agency (DHA) and Doruk Television and Radio Broadcasting filed criminal complaints against a tabloid and its executives on the grounds of slander and defamation.
In the complaint, the complainants demanded Ethem Sancak, owner of the tabloid Gunes; its editor-in-chief, Turgay Guler; and editor Mustafa Dolu face trial for a widely derided front-page story in the pro-government daily.
A prosecutor launched an investigation into the Dogan Media Group for “terrorist propaganda” on Sept. 15 based on the tabloid’s front page.
Some of the claims in the Gunes story had already been declared unfounded by the Turkish judiciary, which had refused to launch a case. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Idris Kurt, however, took Guneş’s allegations seriously and initiated the probe.
Boynukalın, meanwhile, delivered a controversial speech addressing a group that attacked Hürriyet’s headquarters in Istanbul on Sept. 6, which was captured on video. In the speech, he vowed to “make Recep Tayyip Erdogan the President” with extended powers – regardless of the result of the Nov. 1 election, while describing media organizations as “terrorists”.
Another piece of footage also emerged earlier this week, in which he can be heard threatening Hurriyet journalists and expressing his regret that they “never beat them in the past”.
“They had never had a beating before. Our mistake was that we never beat them in the past. If we had beaten them...” Boynukalın said in the video, mocking Ergin and Hakan for their reactions as approximately 200 assailants smashed the newspaper building’s front windows with stones and clubs. He also revealed in the video that he mulled waiting for Hakan in front of his house to confront him.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into veteran journalist Hasan Cemal over his recent article titled “The Sultan in the Palace is culpable for the bloodshed”, Cemal has told daily Hurriyet.
Cemal was summoned to testify on Sept. 17 and the probe was launched purportedly on the charge of “insulting the Turkish President” in his article published on news website T24 on Aug. 12.
“We as journalists have been through hard times thus far with juntas, military coups, state of emergency, martial law. But, what hurts at this point is this was the first lawsuit filed against me since March 12,” Cemal said, recalling Turkey’s second military coup on March 12, 1971, which is known as the “coup by memorandum.”
On the same issue, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 18.09.15) reports that journalist Aytekin Gezici has been handed down a prison sentence of five years, nine months over charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and former Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag on social media.
The journalist's trial took place at the Ankara 29th Penal Court of First Instance where his ruling was given on Thursday. The court also imposed a punitive fine for each day of and in lieu of a sentence of one year, nine months on the journalist. The court gave Gezici a 69-month prison sentence for insulting Erdogan and Bozdag, while the punitive fine was imposed on the journalist for allegedly insulting Arinc.
Gezici was also accused of insulting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. However, the court ruled that his remarks were within the limits of criticism and the journalist was acquitted of these charges.
Gezici's conviction exemplifies the recent intensification in political pressure being placed on Turkey's journalists. His prosecution serves as a reminder that the press is being placed under increasing restrictions.
11. Istanbul Prosecutor seeks 34-year jail term for Gulen
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.09.15), an Istanbul prosecutor has demanded a jail term of up to 34 years for U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen on charges of "conspiracy, forgery of official documents and slander" as part of a probe on what is known as "parallel state" in Turkey.
The prosecutor also sought prison sentences of up to 26 years for 32 other suspects each including Samanyolu Media Group chairman Hidayet Karaca and several police chiefs on charges of "membership to an armed organization, forgery of official documents and slander."
The jail terms are related to a probe over a 2011 complaint filed by Mehmet Nuri Turan, the founder of the Istanbul-based publishing house "Tahsiye", who had claimed that he had been targeted by Gulen.
The prosecutor's office also said a separate probe was underway into Ekrem Dumanli, columnist and editor-in-chief of the Zaman newspaper, in relation to the Tahsiye case.
Turan had said Gulen first targeted the Tahsiye Publishing House in 2009. In a speech, the preacher had alleged that Tahsiye and its "Tahsiyeciler" group had links with extremist organizations -- including an al-Qaeda-affiliated group -- Hezbollah in Turkey, and the Islamic Great Eastern Raiders Front.
Turan also said that Ali Fuat Yilmazer, a former head of police intelligence department, had also submitted a report in 2009 which alleged that Tahsiyeciler supported extremist groups like al-Qaeda because of which the group was systematically targeted.
The same Tahsiyeciler group was also allegedly defamed as a shadowy organization in the "One Turkey" TV series that used to broadcast on the private Turkish TV network Samanyolu. Samanyolu TV chairman was also detained in the parallel state probe for allegedly having ties with the Gulen movement.
12. Gul predicts that Turkey will go to a third round of early elections
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (18.09.15) publishes an interview by the former President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul to NTV news.
Replying to journalist questions, Gul referred, inter alia, to the forthcoming early elections which are scheduled to take place in Turkey on November 1st and expressed the belief that the table-result of the elections will be similar to that of the June 7 elections.
Stating that he cannot say that the AKP party will achieve to gain enough votes in order to be able to establish a single party government, Gul expressed the belief that Turkey will go to a third round of elections.
(AK)
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(DPs/ LF)
