TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
179/15 19-21.09.2015
1. Burcu: The Guarantee
issue will be discussed last
2. Milliyet reports that
Turkey’s official policy in Cyprus is the solution
3. Eroglu criticizes Talat for saying that if the
Turkish Cypriots vote “no” in a possible referendum their so-called isolation will become deeper
4. Turkes met with the so-called
ambassador of the occupation regime in Ankara
5. Self-styled foreign
ministry is in close cooperation with the UNCHR for facilitating the Syrian
refugees
6. The breakaway regime’s exports decreased by 8.46%
in the first seven months of 2015
7. Cirali: “An increase has been
observed in the exports of hellim/halloumi”
8. Shots fired against a hotel in occupied Keryneia;
The Islamic State is said to be behind the attack
9. The illegal GAU university
signed the Magna Charta Universitatum
10. The Venice Pilar in
occupied Lefkosia is restored
11. Erdogan asks nation to
elect 550 ’national’ deputies at anti-terrorism rally
12. Turkes to run with AKP
for the election.
13. Gezici survey: Public
holds Erdogan, AK Party responsible for recent chaos
14. More on journalism attack by the ruling AKP in Turkey
1. Burcu: The Guarantee
issue will be discussed last
Turkish
daily Milliyet (online, 21.09.15), under the title “Turkey is alone at the
guarantor issue”, reports that Cyprus Government Spokesman Nikos
Christodoulides, in a statement after the meeting of Cyprus President Nicos
Anastasiades with the British Prime Minister David Cameron in London, said:
“Great Britain does not wish to continue its role as a guarantor power and the
decision on this issue is on the Cypriots”.
Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s spokesman Baris
Burcu, in a statement to the paper, said that opening now for discussion the
“Guarantees chapter”, which is one of the chapters to be discussed last, will
damage the healthy progress of the negotiations. He added: “We, in Cyprus,
will determine first how we will reach the solution. We will discuss the
‘Guarantee’ issue by coming together Turkey, Greece, Britain, Turkish Cypriot
and Greek Cypriot community. This is our position”.
(DPs)
2. Milliyet reports that
Turkey’s official policy in Cyprus is the solution
According
to Turkish daily Milliyet (online, 19.09.15), the Turkish Chief of General
Staff General Hulusi Akar, during his illegal visits in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, said that they support the solution in the Cyprus
talks.
General
Akar, who met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the self-styled
assembly speaker of the breakaway regime Sibel Siber and the self-styled prime
minister Omer Kalyoncu, approached the on-going Cyprus talks positively. The
paper reported that Akar reportedly said
that Turkey’s official policy in Cyprus is the solution, that they want to
reach a good solution and that they attain importance to the security of the
Turkish Cypriots.
According
to the paper, it is reported that the messages that the Turkish Cypriots are
satisfied from Turkey’s support and that the guarantee issue is very important
for the Turkish Cypriots were given to Akar.
Akinci, during the briefing of the self-styled assembly on the Cyprus
problem, informed the self-styled deputies for Akar’s support on the
negotiations.
(DPs)
3. Eroglu criticizes Talat for saying that if the
Turkish Cypriots vote “no” in a possible referendum their so-called isolation
will become deeper
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.09.15) reports that former Turkish Cypriot
leader, Dervis Eroglu has criticized the
leader of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), Mehmet Ali
Talat for saying that the so-called embargo and isolation of the Turkish
Cypriots will become deeper if they vote “no” to a solution of the Cyprus
problem in a possible referendum.
Under
the title “The conclusion that the people are forced to say yes is wrong”, the
paper writes that in a written statement, Eroglu
argued that the Turkish Cypriot “people” should exert efforts for finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem, but first it is absolutely necessary to protect
their security and safety having a healthy dialogue and cooperation with Turkey.
Eroglu
criticized Talat for the statements he had recently made in occupied Morfou in
which he referred to what will happen in case the Turkish Cypriots vote “no” in
a possible referendum.
Eroglu
described as “a wrong attitude” to say that the “embargo” and the “isolation”
will become deeper if the Turkish Cypriots vote “no” in the referendum and to
conclude that the “people” are forced to say “yes”, while there is no clear
information on what kind of agreement will be reached.
Eroglu claimed that Talat’s approach leads to the
conclusion that the Turkish Cypriots should say “yes” even if a “bad agreement”
is put before them. He
argued that it is not possible to describe this mentality as a “correct and
realistic” one.
Eroglu
accused Talat of trying to cause fear to the Turkish Cypriots and alleged that
he has not established that the Greek Cypriot side “has come to a more positive
point” during the negotiations between President Anastasiades and Turkish
Cypriot leader Akinci.
(I/Ts.)
4. Turkes met with the
so-called ambassador of the occupation regime in Ankara
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.09.15)
reported that Turkey’s Deputy Prime
Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes who is carrying an
illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus today for a series of contacts,
met the other day with the so-called ambassador of the “TRNC” to Ankara Fazil
Can Korkut, ahead of his visit to the occupied area of Cyprus.
Speaking
during the meeting with Korkut, Turkes reminded of the fact that it is the
first time in the Turkish Republic that a Deputy with a Turkish Cypriot origin
is appointed as Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs.
Underlining the intense cooperation between Turkey and
the occupation regime in several fields such economy, education and others,
Turkes reminded that his visit in the occupied areas of Cyprus is a tradition,
since all Turkish government officials who are elected or appointed, carry out
their first visit abroad to the “TRNC”.
“We
want the TRNC to be independent and the people living there to live in peace
and prosperity. This visit is really important in showing that”, Turkes said.
(…)
(AK)
5. Self-styled foreign
ministry is in close cooperation with the UNCHR for facilitating the Syrian
refugees
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (21.09.15) reports that the self-styled foreign ministry
announced that the “ministry” makes the
maximum effort in order to provide the necessary conveniences within their
limited potentials to the refugees who apply to the “TRNC” (translator’s
note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) for
immigrating to Europe.
In
the announcement, it is reported that the
“ministry” is in close cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the “government” of the breakaway regime
has in the agenda the “laws” which project the amendments regarding the
refugees. The “government” will be able to follow a more active policy when the
“laws” come into force.
It
is also reported that the self-styled foreign ministry follows very closely
what is going on in Syria and in the neighbouring countries as well the problem
of the refugees which has emerged due to this situation.
(DPs)
6. The breakaway regime’s exports decreased by
8.46% in the first seven months of 2015
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.09.15) reports that the exports of the breakaway regime decreased by 8.46% in the period
January-July 2015 comparing to the same period of last year. Exports
reaching 91.2 million US dollars were made in the aforementioned period of
2014, while this number fell to 83.4 million dollars in 2015.
According
to statistics obtained from the so-called trade department, the imports of the regime also were
decreased by 12.28% for the period January - May 2015 comparing to the same
period of 2014. Imports fell from 673 million dollars in 2014’s
aforementioned period to 590.3 million dollars in the same period of 2015.
Meanwhile,
according to Turkey’s Statistical Institute (TUIK), the breakaway regime’s imports from Turkey decreased by 3.11% in the
period January-July 2015 comparing to the same period of 2014. Furthermore,
a decrease of 14.24% is observed in the
breakaway regime’s exports to Turkey for the same period of 2015 (in
comparison to the first seven months of 2014).
(I/Ts.)
7. Cirali: “An increase has
been observed in the exports of hellim/halloumi”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.09.15) reported that the process of the geographical
protection of the hellim/halloumi and its registration in Turkish and Greek, as
well as the lawsuits filed by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade against some
Turkish companies which produced hellim/halloumi in Turkey, reflected
positively and resulted to the increase of the exports of hellim/halloumi
cheese in Cyprus.
In statements to the paper, the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot chamber of industry” Ali Cirali,
stated that an increase has been observed in the exports of hellim, since as he
pointed out, some companies in Turkey, as a result of the lawsuits against
them, gave up from the production of hellim/halloumi and started to sell the
product from Cyprus.
Cirali
stated that while the number of companies in Turkey which produced the product were
70, after filing lawsuits, they have being reduced dramatically.
Explaining
that the “chamber of industry” demands compensation from the Turkish companies
which produced hellim/halloumi in Turkey, Cirali said that that the “court”
will determine the amount of the compensation.
The paper writes that the exports of hellim/halloumi product have been increased mostly after the
increasing demand by several Arab countries.
(…)
(AK)
8. Shots fired against a hotel in occupied
Keryneia; The Islamic State is said to be behind the attack
Under
the title “Hail of bullets with Kalashnikov”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (21.09.15) reports that unknown
persons carried out an attack yesterday in the early morning hours against the
Savoy hotel in occupied Keryneia. The
attackers fired more than 51 bullets against the hotel. According to the
paper, no one was injured and it is believed that the aim was to “warn and
threaten” the owners of the hotel. The press was not allowed by the breakaway
regime’s “police” to approach the hotel.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (21.09.15) reports that the Islamic State terrorist organization
has been threatening some hotels which have a casino in the occupied area of
Cyprus with the aim of getting money from them.
According
to information obtained by the paper, it
is said that the attack against the Savoy hotel in occupied Keryneia may be
related with this. The information regarding the Islamic State’s threats
had come onto the agenda one month ago and the regime’s “security forces” have
allegedly been discussing the issue intensively, but said nothing because they
were not sure and they did not want to cause panic.
(I/Ts.)
9. The illegal GAU university
signed the Magna Charta Universitatum
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli newspaper
(21.09.15) reports that the illegal
American University of Keryneia (GAU) has signed the principles of the Magna
Charta Universitatum, which is known globally in the academic world as the
“constitution of universities”.
According to the paper, the “rector” of the illegal GAU and “chairman” of the “administrative
board” Serhat Akpinar, represented the illegal GAU and the occupation regime’s
higher education sector in general in an event organized in the Bologna
University in Italy by the Magna Charta Observation Council for 2015.
According to the paper, the Magna Charta Universitatum is a document that was signed by 388 rectors
and heads of universities from all over Europe and beyond on 18 September 1988,
the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna.
It contains principles of academic freedom and
institutional autonomy as a guideline for good governance and
self-understanding of universities in the future.
(…)
10. The Venice Pilar in
occupied Lefkosia is restored
Illegal
Bayrak television (21.09.15) broadcast that the “department of antiquities” of
the breakaway regime has begun the restoration of the Venice Pillar found in
the occupied part of Lefkosia. The restorations will be completed in a short
time.
11. Erdogan asks nation
to elect 550 ’national’ deputies at anti-terrorism rally
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (21.09.15) reports that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan has asked the nation to elect 550 "national" and
"domestic" lawmakers to the Turkish Parliament in the elections
scheduled for Nov. 1 during a rally held in İstanbul to condemn terrorism.
"I
want you to send -- no matter what their party is -- 550 domestic and national
deputies who will work for this country with wholeheartedly to Parliament in
the Nov. 1 elections. I think you understand what I am trying to say, don't
you? The only thing Turkey needs today is that. There is no solution other than
nation's will. Everything will be easy if you send national and domestic
deputies to Parliament. I trust my nation on this issue," Erdogan said
addressing thousands of people who gathered for a government-sponsored rally
held to condemn recent acts of violence by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
It
was not clear what Erdogan meant by referring to "national and
domestic" deputies, but his statements were interpreted to target the
pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP), which is accused of having close
links with the PKK. The HDP entered Parliament in the June 7 parliamentary
elections after passing the 10% election threshold, thwarting Erdogan's
ambitions for a switch to presidential system.
Ahead
of the June elections, Erdogan held a series of rallies when he asked his
supporters to vote for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), without
giving its name, and to elect 400 deputies from the AK Party.
Erdogan
strongly supports a shift to a presidential system and wants the AK Party to
have a parliamentary majority sufficient to amend the Constitution, which would
clear the way to replace the current parliamentary system with a presidential
one.
During
the rally, Interim Prime Minister and AK Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoglu also
asked those who attended the gathering to vote for his party in the elections
to grant it the parliamentary majority it lost in the June elections.
"You
will work hard until Nov. 1 and you will give the AK Party, which is the symbol
of unity in Parliament, the single-party government again," Davutoglu
said.
12. Turkes to run with
AKP for the election
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (18.09.15) reported that Tugrul Turkes, who is currently
Deputy Prime Minister, Responsible for Cyprus Affair and has resigned from the
membership of his Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the party's
parliamentary group membership early Friday, took a place in the AK Party list.
On
Sept. 5, the MHP's central disciplinary committee said that it had expelled
Turkes after he accepted an offer to join the country's caretaker Cabinet in
defiance of his party's instructions to do otherwise.
13. Gezici survey: Public
holds Erdogan, AK Party responsible for recent chaos
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (21.09.15) reports that a recent survey by the
Gezici Research and Polling Company has found that most respondents hold
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
responsible for the chaotic atmosphere that grips Turkey.
Information
gathered between Sept. 13 and 15 revealed that religion and social issues will
likely play a key factor in voters' candidate preferences and party
affiliations in the Nov. 1 elections. To gain more insight from voters,
pollsters asked AK Party supporters a few questions regarding controversial or
“hot button” issues.
First,
the polls revealed that most AK Party supporters would immediately withdraw
their support for the party if Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the terrorist
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), were to be released from prison.
Secondly,
voters reported feeling uneasy regarding the recent attacks on the Hurriyet
daily, implemented by AK Party sympathizers under the direction of AK Party
deputy Abdurrahim Boynukalın.
Many
voters worry that the recent increase in “terror attacks” is a direct result of
serious concessions recently made to the PKK.
On
the other hand, most of those who voted for the Republican People's Party (CHP)
and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) believe the settlement process
should resume with a practical approach taken from both sides.
Furthermore,
30% of AK Party supporters do not agree with Erdogan's attempts to connect the
recent “terrorist activity” with the impending election. In fact, the majority
of people polled rejected that such a link even exists.
The
majority of individuals polled seek a coalition government as a result of the
upcoming snap election; an option that the AK Party had ruled out after the
June 7 general election.
In
a recent survey, the company found the AK Party is losing public support, with
its percentage of votes falling from 40.8% in the June 7 general election to
39.2% in August.
14. More on journalism attack by the ruling AKP in
Turkey
Ankara
Anatolia news agency reports that the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV)
in Turkey has said the interim Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
government is trying to silence its opponents with increasing pressure on the
media.
"Recently,
people who have no kind of connection with terrorism are being tried to be
silenced by showing them as if they are linked to terrorism. The government,
which is obviously unsuccessful in its fight with terrorism, is trying to
silence opponents by making use of the current atmosphere. In this regard,
managers of Zaman, Taraf, Cumhuriyet, STV, İpek and Dogan media groups are
being openly threatened," the GYV said in a statement released on Sunday. "All
other freedoms of a society which has lost its freedom of expression are under
threat as well. We are sorry to note that every article and TV program which
criticizes the government has been risky and being objective and being an
opponent require more courage than ever," it added.
In
addition, Today’s Zaman (21.09.15) reports that Gultekin Avcı, a former
prosecutor who has since turned to journalism, was arrested by an İstanbul
court on charges of attempting to overthrow the government in seven columns he
had written.Fikret Duran, the lawyer representing Avcı, tweeted on Sunday that
Avcı has been in custody since Friday and that the prosecutor had referred him
to court for arrest without taking his testimony over the alleged offenses of
"plotting to bring down the government” and “being a member of a terrorist
organization."
The
paper also reports that τhe
Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into journalist
Ahmet Altan for insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Altan was a
guest on a TV program on Sept. 2, a day after police carried out a raid on the
İpek Media Group in a government-orchestrated operation. Altan criticized the
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and President Erdogan on the program,
which pro-government media outlets reported as threats against Erdogan. Altan
also condemned the raid on İpek and the government for conducting it.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ LF)
