TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
1. Akinci briefs civilian organizations on the
negotiating process
2. Akinci is leaving for New York on September 28th
3. Turkes illegally visited the occupied area of
Cyprus; Protest was organized against him by the Grey Wolves
4. Kutlay Erk lambasts visiting Turkish Minister Turkes
5. Colak: The EU process is
progressing well and positively
6. Talat and Ozgurgun discussed
with Harmanci the water transfer project
7. The remains of twenty
missing persons were found
8. Sertoglu: “Our membership to
KOP is in a blockage”
9. AKP officially launches election campaign with
candidate presentation; it has less
female candidates than the June 7 vote
10. HDP slams Erdogan and Davutoglu for ignoring Kurdish
issue
11. Probe opened for 94 people two years after Gezi
protests
1. Akinci briefs civilian organizations on the
negotiating process
Turkish
Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (22.09.15, online) reports that Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci briefed
Turkish Cypriot civilian organizations today on the ongoing negotiating process
aimed at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Akincisaid that the process is being held within
the framework of the joint declaration between President Anastasiades and
former Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and the high level agreements of 1977-79.
Noting that the joint declaration describes the existing situation as
unacceptable having negative consequences on both communities, Akinci said that
all issues are on the negotiating table and the chapters are interdependently
discussed.
Akinci
noted that united Cyprus will be a member of the EU with a single international
legal identity and a single citizenship. The powers of the government, he
added, will be determined in the constitution and there will be two founding
states, which will not interfere into each other’s powers. He said that the
solution will be bi-zonal and at the same time the principles on which the EU
is founded will be protected.
Akinci
reiterated that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and that after an
agreement is reached between the leaders, this agreement will be submitted to a
referendum. He said that the leaders
will be meeting as often as it is necessary as of November. He argued that they
will achieve a successful result if they reach an agreement and submit it to a referendum
before the parliamentary elections in the government-controlled area of Cyprus
in May 2016.
Referring to the natural gas resources in the Eastern
Mediterranean, Akinci argued that if they are not used
wisely they could constitute a threat, but if they are used wisely “they can
produce solutions, there can be a contribution to solutions”. Noting that
the amount found in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone is not very big, but
Egypt’s and Israel’s resources are very rich, he argued that all experts agree
that after a solution is foundin Cyprus, all these will be transferred to
Turkey and Europe through an energy corridor.
Pointing
out to the importance of improving the relations between Turkey and Israel,
Akinci argued that the trade relations between the two countries continue. He
claimed that some Turkish companies have met with President Anastasiades.
Referring to the agreement between the leaders on the
cell phones issue, Akinci said that some obstacles have not been overcome yet and that after some demands put by the regulator’s
office in the government-controlled area of the Republic are satisfied,
everybody will be able to use their cell phones on the entire island.
Akinci noted that they continue working on the
connection of the electricity network, that the issue of bringing electricity
from Turkey was discussed and that they provide for an infrastructure by which
all sides will benefit.
Noting
that they achieved progress on the chapter of governance and power sharing, Akinci said that they have not agreed on
the issue of the rotating presidency. Akinciexpressed the belief that the Greek Cypriot side will agree on this
point and noted that this was included in the Annan Plan and was approved
in the process that followed. He added:
“I
said that I see it as a result of our political equality. We will have an equal
number in the Senate. There will be some special laws which will require
autonomous majority. I am optimistic
that we will ensure a solution which will include our political equality.
There will not be a serious problem. There
are principles on which we must emphasize: The political equality, living
freely and living in security”.
Referring to the issue of guarantees, he said that this is one of the six chapters in the
negotiations, it concerns the guarantor powers as well and will be discussed by
all five parties together (the three guarantor powers and the two
communities). He said that this issue has been left for the very end. He added:
“Let us build the structure we want to be
guaranteed. Some guarantees will be discussed within this structure itself.
[…] The five parties will come together
and discuss this issue. It is meaningless to bring this issue onto the
agenda in a speculative manner from now. Greece
says ‘I am not interested’. Britain says something like ‘I am not interested,
but my bases will continue to exist’. The stance of these two countries is
important. The sensitivity of the Turkish Cypriot people is important. The
Turkish Cypriot people must feel secure. Formulas in which all sides will be
secure and not feel that they are threatened can be discussed”.
Referring
to the property issue, Akinci said that
the territory and names of villages or percentages have not been discussed. He
noted that no map has been put onto the table. He said that there was an
attempt to put a map on the table, but they did not accept it. “This issue
will come onto the agenda, but it did not come yet”, he added pointing out that
progress was achieved on the governance
and power sharing, the EU and the economy.
“There are still three important and thorny
chapters: the property, the territory and the security-guarantees”, he said
adding that there was a categorization on the property issue and that 22
categories of properties were determined.
Noting
that confusion was caused by a statement they had made, Akinci pointed out that
some persons tried to use this statement saying that the Greek Cypriots’
property right was recognized and all of you will be thrown out. He said that what was recognized is
something which had been recognized for years. “The reason for the
establishment of the Property Compensation Commission derives from the
recognition of the individuals’ property right”, he argued adding that there
are five ways of using this right: compensation, exchange, alternative
property, or partial return.
He
added:“[…] There is a new development helping the solution. While time does not contribute to the
solution, the time that passes helps. 75% says that I will either sell [the
property] or I will be compensated. This was an issue solved by time.If 160
thousand persons had really migrated from the north, a part of those who
migrated are not alive 41 years later. Their children are around 50 years old.
They have established a totally different life in the south and are not
thinking of returning to the north. They want compensation and exchange. Just
like we want for the property we have left in the south. […] If we are able to
solve the property issue, in case we form criteria which will ensure that the
Turkish Cypriots will be the majority in the sense of population and property
in the north, we will have eliminated a very important obstacle. The devil will
be hidden in the criteria. A commission will be established. […] The
individuals will not settle this issue between them […]”
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci is leaving for New York on September 28th
Illegal
Bayrak television (22.09.15) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will be leaving for New York on
Monday 28th of September for meetings with UNSG Ban Ki Moon and to hold
contacts within the framework of the UN General Assembly meetings.
Akinci
will be in NY until Sunday 4th of October. Akinci will also hold a meeting with the US Vice President John Kerry
as well as others.
3. Turkes illegally visited the occupied area of
Cyprus; Protest was organized against him by the Grey Wolves
Under
the title “We attach great importance to Cyprus”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (22.09.15) reports that Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible
for Cypriot Affairs, TugrulTurkes has
said that undertaking the duty of the minister responsible for Cyprus is
important for him and added that he is proud and happy because he is of Cypriot
origin. In statements yesterday during his illegal visit to the occupied
area of Cyprus, Turkes recalled that he paid his first visit abroad after
undertaking his duties to the occupied area of Cyprus as it is the custom in
Turkey. He added that this is a gesture to show the big importance they attach
to “Cyprus and the problems of its people”.
Turkes claimed that the “issue of the Turks of Cyprus”
is a priority for Turkey and that “this priority and interest does not intent
to interfering, but to the Turkish Cypriot people living prosperous and free”.
Referring
to the situation in the occupied area of Cyprus Turkes alleged that the
“coalition” between the two biggest parties is a “good sign of democracy” and
added that they could not do this in Turkey and therefore they will hold
elections.
During
his visit, Turkes met with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, the
“speaker” of the “assembly”, SibelSiber, self-styled prime minister, Omer
Kalyoncu and the two former Turkish Cypriot leaders, DervisEroglu and Mehmet
Ali Talat.
Akinci said that he is pleased with the fact that a
person of Cypriot origin was appointed responsible of Cypriot affairs and
wished for Turkes’ candidature in the elections to be successful. Pointing out to the importance of tranquility and
stability in Turkey, Akinci said that Turkey’s becoming strong and that
developing in peace and democracy is of great importance for the Turkish
Cypriots.
Both
Siber and Kalyoncu also wished success to Turkes in the elections and expressed
the hope for him to continue being at this duty and meet them more often.
In
his statements, Talat told Turkes that Cyprus is an important place for Turkey
due to the Cyprus problem and all the other economic, social and political
activities and expressed his satisfaction with Turkes’ visit, describing him as
“a Cypriot”.
Finally,
Eroglu told Turkes that there has always been a “good dialogue” between Turkey
and the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that
they have always been showing Turkey “as “the motherland” to the youth, but
“recently some “different voices” are heard.He wished for the new “authorities”
of the regime to act realizing that “some things cannot happen without Turkey”
and that no one at the negotiating table can act saying that “let a solution be
reached regardless of what kind of a solution will be or let me solve the
problem and the world to applaud me”. He said that he will submit a note to
Turkes regarding his view on the Cyprus problem.
Turkes
replied that because Eroglu is a person who closely knows the issues concerning
the Turkish Cypriots, he believes that
his “sensitivities’ will be taken into consideration.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (22.09.15) reports that the Grey Wolves in the occupied area of
Cyprus protested against Turkes, because he resigned from the Nationalist
Action Party (MHP) and joined the Justice and Development Party (AKP). They
held placards accusing him of selling their “cause” and betraying his father
AlpraslanTurkes’ name [Translator’s note: AlparslanTurkes is the founder of MHP
and the Grey Wolves].
(I/Ts.)
4. Kutlay Erk lambasts visiting Turkish Minister
Turkes
Illegal
Bayrak television (22.09.15) reports thatthe former general secretary of the Republican
Turkish party (CTP) Kutlay Erk has made condemning statements on his personal
social media account with regards to the Turkish Minister for Cyprus Tugrul
Turkes who paid a visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus yesterday for contacts.
Akinci
stated during the meeting that he found
it positive that a Turkish Minister with Cypriot roots was on island. Erk
criticised this by saying that he was unable to find anything positive about
Turkes being the minister responsible for Cyprus and having Cypriot roots. He
said he was opposed to the ideology that Turkes held close and would continue
to be opposed to fascism. Erk added that he would never forget the Turkish
Cypriot revolutionary students who had been killed by such fascists. FinallyErk
apologised if he had failed in respect of Tugrul Turkes.
5. Colak: The EU process
is progressing well and positively
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (22.09.15) reports that a panel entitled “Sustainable
Transportation and Mobility in the European Union and in the Turkish Cypriot
Community”, within the framework of the European Commission’s “European
Mobility Week” activities was held yesterday at the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Commerce.
The
opening speeches were delivered by the Head of the EU Programme Support Office
MichelaForesti and the self-styled undersecretary of the transportation
ministry SuatYeldener and the self-styled foreign minister EmineColak.
Addressing
the panel, Colak said that transportation is important in many areas of life
and the efficiency of transportation influences the understanding of the
commercial life, the quality of daily life, the environment, as well as the aesthetic
of urbanism.
Explaining
that they see such activities which aim at the increasing of sensitivity to the
EU as part of the aim to the EU harmonization, Colak added that the EU
harmonization is not only amending the laws but also internalizing the rules of
the EU and understanding the standards of the EU.
Noting
that adopting the philosophy and understanding of the EU is an urgent need,
Colak explained that the “EU harmonization group” is established and continues
its work towards this direction.
Noting
that the process, which started for the full accession of Cyprus as a whole to
the EU, is progressing well, Colak said that this process encourages great
hopes for everyone. She also said that undertaking the EU requirements as tasks
and taking advantage of the EU is also a part of the job.
(DPs)
6.Talat and Ozgurgun discussed
with Harmanci the water transfer project
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (22.09.15)
reports that the leader of the
Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) Mehmet Ali Talat met yesterday
with the “mayor” of the occupied Lefkosia municipality, Mehmet Harmanci with
whom he discussed the issue of the water to be transferred from Turkey to the
occupation regime.
According to information given by the press office of
the (CTP-BG), Talat stated during the
meeting that a new independent and autonomous organization will be formed for
the control of the water to be transferred from Turkey and for the other water
resources.
Concerning
the administration of the water from Turkey, Talat stated that the “government”
has in its agenda a comprehensive water policy. Explaining that the new
organization would be independent and not a “state organ”, Talat added that the
“water affairs department” will continue to control the catchment areas,
planning of reclamation areas and improve underground water resources.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Gunes newspaper (22.09.15)
reports that the leader of the National
Unity Party (UBP) HuseyinOzgurgun met also yesterday with Harmanci.
According to statements issued by the UBP’s press
office, Ozgurgun emphasized the
importance of the water transfer project and said that the water to be
transferred from Turkey to Cyprus is a great project which could benefit not
only the Turkish Cypriots but the whole of Cyprus.
Referring
to the administration of the water, Ozgurgun said that preparatory work should
be made and added that this issue should be solved between Turkey and the
“TRNC”.
(…)
(AK)
7. The remains of twenty
missing persons were found
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (22.09.15) reports that the number of human remains found
at the excavation, which is carried out in a military area behind the “new
prison” in the occupied part of Nicosia, reached twenty.
Murat
Soysal - Assistant to the Turkish Cypriot Member of the Committee on Missing
Persons in Cyprus (CMP) – said that they think that the human remains belong to
the Greek Cypriot soldiers which were inside the first truck.
Soysal
said that despite finding the remains of twenty people the excavations are
carried out, following information for the place. He stressed that on this site
Greek Cypriot soldiers, who died in the war, were transferred with two trucks
and buried there. He added that the remains found belonged only to the one
truck and they continue their efforts to find the remains from the second
truck.
(DPs)
8.Sertoglu: “Our membership to
KOP is in a blockage”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.09.15)
under the title: “They said that they
cannot make us a member”, reports that the chairman of the "Turkish
Cypriot Football Federation" ("KTFF") HasanSertoglu has stated
yesterday during a meeting he held with sport media representatives in the
occupied area of Cyprus that the process towards their membership to Cyprus
Football Association (CFA or KOP) has reached to a blockage.
Stating
that during the meeting they the day before with the chairman and other
officials of KOP, they conveyed to them their readiness to become members of
KOP, Sertoglu added that the chairman of KOP, Mr. KostakisKoutsokoumnis has
said for the first time that the “KTFF” cannot be accepted as a member of KOP
since they do not have any documents that certify that the “KTFF” has been
established in 1955.
Sertoglu
said that they are thinking to carry out a trip to the UK after the Bayram
feast, in order to make the necessary search in the UK’s archives and find
proofs towards the establishment of the “KTFF”.
(AK)
9. AKP officially launches election campaign with
candidate presentation; it has less
female candidates than the June 7 vote
Turkish
Hurriyet newspaper (22.09.15) reports that Turkey’s Justice and Development
Party (AKP), which failed to form a single-party government in the June 7
election for the first time after winning three consecutive elections since
November 2002, has presented its candidates for the Nov. 1 snap elections with
a mass gathering in Ankara.
“In
three months, we have encountered a lot of obstacles. As of the morning of June
8, a ‘bloc’ debate was launched. They said that ‘The anti-AK Party bloc seized the
majority in parliament andthe AKParty’s
years in power ended.’ The 258 brave men stood tall in the face of these
blocs,” Davutoglu said, addressing the gathering on Sept. 21 while referring to
the 258 seats his party won in the June 7 elections.
When
compared to the AKP’s candidate list for the 550-seated parliament in the June
7 election, only 312 of those who were nominated on June 7 were nominated again
for the Nov. 1 snap elections. Meanwhile, the AKP, which nominated 99 women in
the June 7 vote, this time nominated 69 women.
10. HDP slams Erdogan and Davutoglu for ignoring
Kurdish issue
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (22.09.15) reports that the Kurdish problem-focused
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has bitterly criticized both President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for the stances they
displayed during a mass “anti-terrorism” rally aimed at supporting the on-going
offensive against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), calling the
president “irresponsible” and the prime minister “unauthorized.”
“If
Turkey doesn’t have a Kurdish issue, then only one thing remains: There is the
problem of an irresponsible president and an unauthorized prime minister,” HDP
spokesperson Ayhan Bilgen told reporters on Sept. 21, after he was reminded of
certain controversial remarks delivered by both Erdogan and Davutoglu during
the rally.
Reporters
recalled that Erdogan had said, “No matter which party they are from, I want
you to send 550 local and national deputies to parliament on Nov. 1,” referring
to the Nov. 1 snap elections, and also, “We have arrived at a point where we
can say there is no longer a Kurdish issue in Turkey; the current issue is a
terror problem.”
11. Probe opened for 94 people two years after Gezi protests
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (22.09.15) reports that a probe has been opened into 94
people for participating in the Gezi Park protests more than two years after
the events, with the suspects facing up to six years in prison.
Public
Prosecutor Cevdet Aydemir opened a probe for 94 people who attended a protest in the
western province of İzmir in June 2013, seeking prison terms up to six years
for each with charges of violating assembly and demonstrations laws.
The
Gezi Park incidents began as a peaceful protest against a shopping mall
construction project in Istanbul’s central Taksim neighbourhood before turning
into country-wide protests against the government.
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