TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 184/15 26-28.09.2015
1. Akinci’s schedule in New York
2. Colak will hold various
contacts in New York
3. BKP asked European leftist
parties’ support for the solution of the Cyprus problem
4.
British expats demand equal property rights in the occupied area of Cyprus
5.
Self-styled minister of tourism said that their tourism revenue in 2016 will be
800 million TL
6. More than 40 thousand persons are paid every month
from the breakaway regime’s “treasury”
7.
A disputable six 10-storey apartment blocks are under construction near
occupied village Templos
8. Davutoglu’s contacts in New York
9.Kilicdaroglu accused PKK of hurting HDP
1. Akinci’s
schedule in New York
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (27.09.15)
reports about the schedule of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci who is
visiting New York to meet with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
as well as to hold a series of contacts within the framework of the 70th
session of the UN General Assembly between September 28 and October 4.
Akinci will meet with the US Secretary of State John
Kerry on October 1st and with Ban on October 2nd.
According to the paper, in the framework of his visit Akinci will also hold
“high level meetings”.
Akinci, who is going to New York with his wife Meral
Akinci, will be accompanied by the Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Ozdil Nami, his
spokesman Baris Burcu, his private secretary Cenk Gurcag, the self-styled foreign
ministry undersecretary Erhan Ercin and the member of the negotiating team
Sertac Guven.
(CS)
2. Colak
will hold various contacts in New York
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.09.15)
reported that Emine Colak,
self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, has said that during
the visit of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to the USA, she will
also hold various contacts in New York and other places as of 30 September.
In statements to Kibris, she noted that during these intensive contacts she
will explain to her interlocutors the ongoing negotiating process, the stance
of the Turkish Cypriots, their “determination” and “worries”. Colak noted that she will explain what she
called as the determination of the Turkish Cypriots on the issue of the
solution and added that we should be hopeful for finding a solution.
She
said that she wishes to meet with all the highest ranking officials at the
places she will be visiting and
added that the most important reason for accepting the post of the “minister”
is the activity that exists in the Cyprus negotiations.
As regards her future program, Colak said thatbefore the end of the year she will hold various contacts
in Europe, because “the EU countries are very important” and “we attach
great importance to them”.
She noted that in case the solution process in Cyprus
advances, we should know that a cost will come up and this cost is being
discussed from now, as we are trying to see whether our guarantors could at the
same time be our financers and to find other resources.
Referring
to the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas, Colak said
that the works are continuing and that there is no back stepping from this
commitment, but some time is needed for the completion of the works.
She argued:
“From our point of view there is no situation such as
‘we have changed our mind and we will not open Deryneia’. Our stance is not
‘let us do whatever we can to prevent it’. There is an effort for how we will
do the best, the rightest thing. There is a need for time and we have to be
patient”.
(I/Ts.)
3.BKP
asked European leftist parties’ support for the solution of the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (27.09.15)
reports that the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Abdullah Korkmazhan
participated in the Third Mediterranean Conference of the European Left which
took place in Vienna.
In a speech addressed in the conference Korkmazhan
informed the participants of the conference about the latest developments on
the Cyprus problem and asked for their support for the solution efforts. He also gave information about the political
and economic situation in the breakaway regime and stated that by voting for
the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci the Turkish Cypriots showed their
will for a solution in Cyprus.
He also said that following Akinci’s election, the
Cyprus talks were re-launched and positive steps were taken in a very short
period. He also said that his party is exerting efforts towards reaching a
solution and called on all the European leftist parties to present their
assistance and support towards this direction.
(CS)
4.
British expats demand equal property rights in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot weekly Cyprus Today (26.09.15), in its front page with the above title,
publishes the following article:
“Hundreds
of British expats attended a meeting on Thursday in Girne (editor’s note: the
occupied town of Keryneia) to learn about developments in the Cyprus peace
talks – with demands made that they are treated equally with Cypriots on the thorny
issue of property rights. The meeting was organised by the British Residents
Society (BRS) following discussions with president Mustafa Akinci (editor’s
note: the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci) earlier this month.
BRS
officials told a grim-faced audience that, contrary to the previous position of
Turkish Cypriot negotiators, Mr Akinci had insisted that ‘no global approach
would take place’ to resolve the property issue.
Government
liaison officer Mike Maternghan said: ‘Property is at the centre of our hearts
and is the centre of negotiations. We had a meeting with Mr Akinci at great
length and put forward our concerns, on behalf of all property owners.
We
asked whether all would be treated equally in resolving the property issue, to
which Mr Akinci reassured us that non-TRNC nationals (editor’s note: TRNC is
the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus recognized
only by Turkey) would be treated in the same manner.’
BRS
members met with Mr Akinci earlier this month after expressing their ‘grave
concern’ over an announcement that a new independent ‘property commission’
would be established in the event of a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Mr
Maternghan continued: ‘We informed the president of the German example
following World War II, where property issues were settled primarily through
compensation over a period of 20 to 30 years, which was facilitated by the
German government.
I
also found it interesting that he continuously referred to ‘Turkish Cypriots’
and ‘Greek Cypriots’. There are no derailed detailed criteria yet for
non-Cypriots on both sides of the island. We are asking for equal rights and
treatment.’
Describing
Mr Akinci as a ‘very generous and honest man’, Mr Maternghan told BRS members
that he had emphasized to the president (editor’s note: the Turkish Cypriot
leader) the ‘major contribution’ British residents had made to the TRNC
economy. He said that Mr Akinci had reassured him that all TRNC title deeds
would be ‘honoured’.
He
added: ‘Who will fund a settlement? Billions of dollars will be needed. It will
not be us. Mr Akinci made it very clear that the money must be found before a
referendum – these are his words, not mine. It is imperative that the finances
of a settlement are calculated properly and found before a referendum.’
BRS
deputy chairman and Cyprus Today columnist Stephen Day said the two sides in
Cyprus ‘were still in deep disagreement’ over the property issue.
‘It
is true that agreement has been reached to form a new property commission. But
the Turkish Cypriots want it to operate as the current immovable property
commission, which successfully handle Greek Cypriot applications and provides
adequate remedies in compensating them’, he stated.
‘But
the Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, want the new property commission to
accept the former Greek Cypriot owner as having the first right of say. The
sides are completely miles apart.
‘The
president assured us that he will not accept this and we are thankful for that.
But it doesn’t bring the sides any closer to unification.’
Mr
Day added: ‘The Turkish Cypriots believe the settlement will bring about a new
Cyprus Federation with two zones. But the Greek Cypriots say the currently
internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus will continue.
‘We
told the president that you cannot maintain a long-term existence of a Turkish
Cypriot zone if the Accession Treaty signed by the Republic of Cyprus continues
in the absence of permanent derogations – or exemptions – from EU law.
‘The
Turkish Cypriots have to understand this very important issue.
‘Then
what will happen? We go back to 1963 and the mayhem will start all over again.
‘The
UN should look at the countries surrounding Cyprus which have war, violence and
mayhem. Cyprus right now is a peace beacon in this region. The UN should leave
Cyprus alone and recognise the Turkish Cypriots’.”
5.
Self-styled minister of tourism said that their tourism revenue in 2016 will
be 800 million TL
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (28.09.15) reports that the self-styled minister of tourism
Faiz Sucuoglu said that they aim 800 million TL from the tourism in 2016, a 20%
increase.
In
an interview to the paper, Sucuoglu claimed that they have promoted “North
Cyprus” (translator’s note: the occupied area in the Republic of Cyprus) in a very
good way. He added that it is the very first time that the “government” of the
breakaway regime has a “state policy” on tourism.
Sucuoglu
further said that the breakaway regime will participate in the World Travel
Market, which is the 2nd world biggest fair, in London in November
with 32 companies. He explained that their aim is the human factor, and they
will send to London a group of 8-10 persons with Turkish Cypriot national
costumes. He stressed that they will run an extended tourism campaign for the
British market. He also said that they are planning for more advertisements in
London and Britain.
(DPs)
6. More than 40 thousand persons are paid every
month from the breakaway regime’s “treasury”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.09.15) reported
that according to data from the self-styled ministry of finance’s website, 40,186 persons are paid every month from
the breakaway regime’s “treasury”. In July 2015, the regime paid 170 million 67
thousand and 870 Turkish liras (TL) for salaries and pensions.
The paper recalls that according to the census held in
2011, the population in the occupied area of Cyprus was 294,906 persons. It
writes that every month 15,446 permanent and temporary “public servants” are
paid 90 million 993 thousand and 958 TL. In addition, 3,044 workers are paid by
the regime 24 million 664 thousand and 565 TL. The number of the pensioners
reaches 13,094 and their monthly cost to the regime is 44 million 746 thousand
and 210 TL. The majority of these pensioners (11,002) were “public servants”.
(I/Ts.)
7.
A disputable six 10-storey apartment blocks are under construction near
occupied village Templos
Turkish
Cypriot weekly Cyprus Today (26.09.15), in its leading front page under the
title “Work starts on Girne high-rise”, reports that the biggest ever high-rise
development in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus is now under
construction near the occupied village of Templos after receiving planning
approval earlier this month.
The
paper reports, inter alia, the following:
“Set
to dominate the skyline at a height of 57 metres, the six 10-storey apartment
blocks are on a 14-donum site close to residential areas.
Foundations
have already been excavated for the mammoth project that will dwarf existing
buildings on the edge of Girne’s pre-1974 boundary, dubbed the ‘White area’,
which has been regulated by a series of planning decrees since 1993.
Girne
mayor Nidai Gungordu (editor’s note: the self-styled mayor of the occupied town
of Keryneia) – who is also a civil engineer – has consistently opposed the
project. ‘We now have no choice but to accept it or face legal action,’ he told
Cyprus Today after the development was approved, with the number of apartments
being reduced to 345.
He
earlier cited his main concerns about the project as water shortages, rubbish
disposal, traffic issues and the ability of TRNC emergency services to deal
with fires in such high-rise buildings.
Owners
Fark Yatirim Gelistirme Insaat Tic Ltd, a partnership between Akacan Group and
Istanbul mall developers Hasirciler AS, promised a ‘first stage handover’ to
apartment owners by October 2017.
Azmi
Oge, head of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects, also spoke out against
the project earlier but declined to comment on his organisation’s alleged
‘rubber-stamping’ of the project
‘Cyprus
Turkish Construction Contractors’ association head Cafer Gurcafer labelled the
move as ‘the first of a stampede to get high-rise approval which will ruin
Girne before stricter zoning laws are finalised.’
At
least 30 developments that are 10 storeys high are currently awaiting approval,
with around 200 more of up to eight storeys. Town planning office head Ertan
Oztek was unavailable to comment as to whether the latest high-rise approval
had set a precedent.
At
a public meeting for stakeholders on June 16, local residents said that while
they had always accepted that the land was to be developed, the legal building
height limit had been suddenly upped to 10 floors by a cabinet decision
(editor’s now: the self-styled cabined of the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus) in 2011.
A
local woman, whose house is on the edge of the site, declined to be named but
warned: ‘Girne will be hemmed in by high-rise buildings, unable to see the sea
or mountains for a project which is being marketed in Turkey and not even for
local people.’
The
developers describe their project as ‘a jewel glittering in Kyrenia city with
its breath-taking views’, offering single or family apartments, glass lifts,
indoor and outdoor pools, sports fields, a green area, sauna, hairdressers,
grocery store, drycleaners, children’s playgrounds and parking.”
8.Davutoglu’s contacts in New York
Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.09.15) reported that Turkey’s
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held meetings on Saturday with world leaders
including the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Palestinian leader
Mahmoud Abbas.
In a closed-door meeting with Merkel at Germany's Permanent
Mission to the UN, sources said that Davutoglu and Merkel discussed the
European Union's response to the ongoing refugee crisis and Turkey's recommendations
to address the issue.
(…)Another issue raised was the Syrian civil war. The
Turkish Premier stressed the need to protect Syrians from attacks by Bashar
al-Assad’s regime and terrorist groups, sources said.
During his meeting with Palestinian leader Abbas,
Davutoglu condemned Israel's illegal practices against Palestinian civilians,
including violations committed by Israeli security forces at the Aqsa Mosque
compound -- the third holiest site for Muslims.
Abbas accused Israel of sabotaging the Mideast peace
process and sparing no effort to keep the West Bank and Gaza separated,
according to Turkish sources.
Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and
National Intelligence Organization chief Hakan Fidan were also present during
Davutoglu's meetings with Merkel and Abbas.
Also on Saturday, the Turkish Premier held meetings
with Senegal's President Macky Sall and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The leaders are in the U.S. for the 70th meeting of
the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (27.09.15-online in
English) reported that Davutoglu met also on Saturday in New York with Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani with whom he discussed bilateral relations, as well as
the regional conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
According to Turkish Prime Ministry sources, during
the meeting, the leaders agreed to deepen economic ties and continue dialogue
on regional conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq despite disagreements over a
range of issues.
(…)
During the meeting, Davutoglu voiced concerns to
Rouhani about false news reports published by Iranian media about Turkey,
sources said.
The meeting was also attended by Turkey's Deputy Prime
Minister Cevdet Yılmaz, Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and National
Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Hakan Fidan.
Following the meeting, Davutoglu joined an informal
working lunch of world leaders on the upcoming climate change conference that
will be held next December in Paris.
9.Kilicdaroglu accused PKK of hurting HDP
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.09.15) reported
that the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıcdaroglu
reiterated in an interview with the BBC’s Turkish Service that the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) is hoping to ensure the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
under the 10% electoral threshold by fighting Turkey’s security forces.
“The address
for resolution should be the parliament”, said Kılıcdaroglu, adding also the
following: “I believe [the PKK] is complicating the solution of the issue. In
my opinion, terror acts launched by the PKK have entirely put the HDP into a
difficult position. I personally believe that [the PKK] has a goal to leave the
HDP under the threshold”.
“In a way, the PKK’s policy has emerged as a policy
which runs parallel to the policy of [President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s]
palace,” Kılıcdaroglu said.
(…)
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/ AM)
