8/9/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S


No. 170/15                                                                                        08.09.2015
1. Sinirlioglu: The guarantor powers should interfere in Cyprus in order for the “new order” to be sustainable 
2. Self-styled minister of health will meet Turkey’s Minister of Health in Ankara
3. Durust met with “Abkhazia’s education minister”
4. Ozgurgun: “If we do not come to power in the first elections, I will quit from my duties”
5. Reliable sources of a Turkish Cypriot columnist say that Ozersay intends to announce the establishment of his party very soon
6. Narin Sefik to be appointed “chief justice” of the breakaway regime
7. No Turkish Cypriot political party attended the opening ceremony of a monument for all Cypriot missing persons built by a well-known Turkish Cypriot writer and peace activist
8. Violence escalated between PKK and the Turkish army in southeastern Turkey
9. Erdogan dismisses delay of snap polls, signals openness to idea of coalition gov’t
10. Davutoglu: “Turkey will be cleaned of terrorists at any price”
11. Turkish opposition reacts against the clashes between PKK and the Turkish army
12. HDP offices attacked by protesters
13. Prosecutor launches probe into Hurriyet for ‘insulting Erdogan’
14. Turkey deports VICE News journalists


1. Sinirlioglu: The guarantor powers should interfere in Cyprus in order for the “new order” to be sustainable 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.09.15) reports that Turkish interim government’s Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirliogluhas argued that the sustainability of the solution which will come up in Cyprus and the new order which will be established here can be secured with the guarantor powers’ interfering in the issue again. Responding to a question yesterday during his joint press conference with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci in the occupied part of Nicosia, Sinirlioglu claimed:
The Turkish Cypriot people’s security need is there. The security of the Turkish Cypriot people is above everything for us as Turkey. The sustainability of the solution which will come up and the new order which will be established here can be secured with the guarantor powers’ interfering in the issue again. This issue is discussed at the negotiations”.
In his statements, Akinci wished for Greece to contribute to the negotiating process in Cyprus as guarantor power “just like Turkey contributes”. “I hope that after the 20 September elections, Greece will find itself in this position”, he added.  
Sinirlioglu said that they observe that political will exists in both sides for the advancement of the process which proceeds positively and for the materialization of the common future which the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot “peoples” will construct together. 
Sinirlioglu argued that Turkey as guarantor power will continue offering any kind of support for making use of the positive atmosphere in the ongoing negotiating process and for progressing towards the solution without wasting any more time.
Sinirlioglu alleged that both Turkey’s and the “TRNC’s” basic target is for a just and lasting solution to be reached the soonest securing the political equality and the “legitimate rights” of the Turkish Cypriots.
Noting that they will continue their “cooperation” in all fields and mainly their efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Sinirlioglu claimed:
Our expectation is for this process to reach a solution the soonest in which the political equality of both sides on the island will be secured and the Turkish Cypriot people will feel safe. We hope that the Greek Cypriot side will this time respond sincerely to the Turkish Cypriot people, who have many times put forward their will for a solution”.
Referring to his meeting with Akinci, Sinirlioglu said that they discussed their effort to further increase the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots and added that they will continue to work together on these issues. “The water provided by Turkey and will soon start flowing, will be a strategic gain for the TRNC”, he argued.
On his part, Akinci said that they have evaluated the negotiating process, which “is passing through important thresholds” and which they are carrying out “in consultation with Turkey”.
Akinci argued that Turkey and the “TRNC” sincerely want a solution and their target is to submit to the people for approval a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal structure accepted by both sides and formed by two founding states as mentioned in the 11 February 2014 agreement.
Recalling that elections will be held in Greece and Turkey on 20 September and 1 November respectively, Akinci wished for both countries to enter into a period of peace and stability after the elections.
Replying to a question as regards information published in the Greek Cypriot press that the Turkish Cypriot side might vote “no” to the solution in a possible referendum, Akinci said that the discussions for the “no” and the “yes” votes started too early and added that there is no text to which “yes” or “no” could be said.  He recalled that according to the 11 February 2014 joint declaration, the text to be submitted to the approval of the people should be agreed by the leaders.
He argued: “Our target is firstly to establish a structure which both sides would easily digest and will not lead us again to periods experienced in the past and in which we will live in equality, freedom and safety. And after establishing this structure, when we submit it with a clear conscience, I have absolutely no doubt that our people will approve it. The approach that the Turkish Cypriots will say no is an extremely speculative approach […]”
Asked what Turkey’s stance will be on the compensations to be paid on the property issue and on the acceptance of a new state formed by the Republic of Cyprus, Siniriloglu replied that the negotiations are held by the “TRNC president” and the “negotiator appointed by him”. He noted that the negotiations are held in consultation and coordination with Turkey and concluded: “However, these issues are among the fundamental issues of the properties. Our stance on these issues is not and cannot be different. All we want is the achievement of a just and viable solution. Its parameters are there. We offer any kind of support for the success in this direction of our negotiating team under the leadership of the esteemed president”.
(I/Ts.)

2. Self-styled minister of health will meet Turkey’s Minister of Health in Ankara
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (08.09.15), the self-styled minister of health Salih Izbul is flying today to Ankara as guest of Turkey’s Minister of Health Mehmet Muezzinoglu.

According to a press release by the “ministry of health”, Izbul will meet with the Turkish Minister tomorrow morning, and they will discuss cooperation issues on the health field.

Meanwhile, Izbul will also invite Muezzinoglu in the inauguration ceremony of the oncology centre in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
(DPs)

3. Durust met with “Abkhazia’s education minister”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (08.09.15) reports that the so-called minister of education Kemal Durust met with the “minister of education of Abkhazia”, Adgur Kakoba and his accompanied delegation.
The so-called deputy with the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) Mehmet Caglar and the Turkish Ambassador in “Abkhazia”, Inor Gitsbo attended also the meeting.
According to the paper, during the meeting, Durust stated that the “TRNC” is ready to cooperate with “Abkhazia” in the field of “universities”. He also thanked so-called deputy Caglar for arranging the meeting and stated that they are ready to support the mutual cooperation agreement between the “universities” of both “countries”, which both struggle as he said for “independence”.
For his part, Kakoba underlined that “Abkhazia” is not a recognized country and stressed the need for an “agreement” to be reached between the “TRNC” and “Abkhazia” regarding the mutual recognition of their “universities”. 
Also speaking, Gogua stated that the “TRNC” and “Abkhazia” have common problems deriving from their non-recognition and underlined the need for them to cooperate in the fields of culture and politics. 

4. Ozgurgun: “If we do not come to power in the first elections, I will quit from my duties”
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (08.09.15) reports that the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun, attending a television programme at Turkish Cypriot private channel Ada TV yesterday morning, criticized the candidates for the UBP leadership that their aim is to hit the integrity of their party and they do not contribute to the in-party democracy.

Ozgurgun gave the first signals that in case he does not bring the UBP in power in the first “general elections”, he will resign from his duty.

Commenting also on the Cyprus issue, Ozgurgun said that the decisions that the two parties took in their own parties are valid. He also said that the sine qua non for the UBP is that they will not make concessions on the issues of the two founding states, the equality of the two “people”, the continuation of the de facto guarantees and the active presence of the Turkish occupation forces. He stressed that these are their red lines and the UBP’s views on this are clear.
(DPs)

5. Reliable sources of a Turkish Cypriot columnist say that Ozersay intends to announce the establishment of his party very soon
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (08.09.15) reports that the paper’s columnist Gokhan Altiner writes in his column today that according to information he acquired from sources close to Kudret Ozersay, the latter plans to form a political party together with a very close friend of him.
Altiner supports that he is hundred per cent sure that Ozersay will announce the formation of his party after the National Unity Party’s (UBP) congress which is scheduled to take place on October 31. He further added that a possible name for Ozersay’s party is “Reform Party”.
(AK)

6. Narin Sefik to be appointed “chief justice” of the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi newspaper (08.09.15) reports that “supreme court judge” Narin Ferdi Sefik is being appointed “chief justice” following the retirement of Safak Oneri.

7. No Turkish Cypriot political party attended the opening ceremony of a monument for all Cypriot missing persons built by a well-known Turkish Cypriot writer and peace activist
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.09.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot writer and peace activist Leyla Kiralp has built a monument for her late husband Ahmet Mustafa and all Cypriot missing persons at her village, Mari in the government-controlled area of the island. Mustafa had been assassinated at Tohni village on 14 August 1974.
Kiralp told Kibris that she built the monument with money she earned from a book and that no Turkish Cypriot political party responded positively to her invitation to attend the opening ceremony. She said that only representatives from Greek Cypriot AKEL left-wing party attended the opening ceremony, while Greek Cypriot DISY right-wing party sent flowers. She noted that she had also invited Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci.  
(I/Ts.)

8. Violence escalated between PKK and the Turkish army in southeastern Turkey
Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.09.15) reports that at least twelve police officers were killedand others wounded in a roadside bomb attack staged by the PKK terrorist organization on Tuesday, security sources said.Police were escorting customs officials during their work commute in eastern Igdir province when PKK members detonated the explosives, according to
sources.

The incident comes after Sunday's bomb attack by PKK that resulted in 16 soldiers being killed in Hakkari, in what was the deadliest such attack since the PKK renewed its armed offensive at the end of July.


9. Erdogan dismisses delay of snap polls, signals openness to idea of coalition gov’t
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (08.09.15) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strictly dismissed the possibility of postponing the early elections scheduled for Nov. 1 due to the ongoing spiral of violence in the country, while he has also indicated his openness to the idea of a coalition government if the results of the snap polls don’t offer a chance for single-party rule.

“I wish the picture which appeared after the June 7 election doesn’t appear [again] because it leads Turkey to lose blood,” Erdogan said late on Sept. 6, when asked about his prospects for the results of the Nov. 1 election.

“Look at what they are saying: ‘Elections may not be held.’ Look at that approach. You are supposed to believe in democracy and you display such a stance as saying ‘Elections may not be held.’ Could there be such nonsense? The only way out is the ballot boxes,” Erdogan said, in an interview with A Haber news channel, as he underlined the steadiness of Turkey’s fight against attacks would also be secured by an election.

“The election will of course be held. No matter what the conditions are, it will be held,” he said.

Meanwhile, Erdogan, who has constantly argued a coalition government would lead to instability, acknowledged conditions after the Nov. 1 vote might force parties to agree on a power-sharing government.

“I wish there will be no quest for a coalition. But if such a will [for a coalition] is manifested [by the people during the Nov. 1 election], then everybody should bear the result of such manifestation,” Erdogan told A Haber.

10. Davutoglu: “Turkey will be cleaned of terrorists at any price”
Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.09.15) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu speaking at a news conference in Ankara the day after the attack by PKK he stated said: "These mountains will be cleaned of terrorists. Whatever happens these will be cleaned”.

Davutoglu said that  Turkish security forces had taken the control of the area around the highway and evacuated the casualties. "The goal is clear -- to establish public order and the dominance of the legitimate security forces in every corner and every centimetre of Turkey," Davutoglu said.

11. Turkish opposition reacts against the clashes between PKK and the Turkish army
The Turkish press (08.09.15) reports about the Turkish opposition’s reactions regarding the clashes between PKK and the Turkish army which were escaladed recently.

Today’s Zaman reports that main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman and spokesperson Haluk Koc has condemned the attacks stressing that despite the PKK attacks, public peace will be established in Turkey. Koc said Turkey does not belong to any particular community and the nation should raise its voice louder and louder to be able to live together as brothers.
The leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli, has said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) are responsible for the recent attack in  Daglica.  Releasing a written statement condemning the fatal bomb attack, Bahceli said: “The separatist PKK terrorist organization struck at the heart of the Turkish nation once again. Our police officers and our soldiers have been victims of malicious attacks since July 20.” Commenting that the death toll of the attack is not yet certain, Bahceli said the number of slain soldiers “might be horrific," adding, “Although there has not yet been any official statement that can satisfactorily eliminate our question marks, it is clearly understood that the number of martyrs is at a horrific level.”

In addition Turkish Hurriyet Daily News  reports that the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has offered its condolences over the killing of an undisclosed number of Turkish soldiers on Sept. 6 in a major attack in the south-eastern province of Hakkari while it reiterated its call for a mutual silencing of arms both by the PKK and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

“Turkey is rapidly sliding into a disaster. The fire is growing. Each passing hour and each passing day is drawing all of us closer to the opening of wounds which are difficult to heal and living with great polarization and disintegration,” said the HDP’s Central Executive Board (MYK) on Sept. 7.

12. HDP offices attacked by protesters
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (07.09.15-online in English) reported that dozens of buildings belonging to the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) local branches were attacked in several cities across Turkey after the General Staff confirmed that 16 soldiers were killed in a terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) ambush on Sunday.
In Nigde, a group of nearly 500 protesters, who gathered in the Cumhuriyet square, attacked HDP Nigde provincial branch building with stones. Similar attacks were staged in the Manavgat, Antalya, Mersin, Sakarya, Corlu and Kayseri province, with protesters stoning the party’s local headquarters and hanging Turkish flags on the buildings.
(…)

13. Prosecutor launches probe into Hurriyet for ‘insulting Erdogan’
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (08.09.15) reports that a Turkish prosecutor has launched a probe into daily Hurriyet for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

İdris Kurt, deputy chief prosecutor in Istanbul’s Bakirkoy district, initiated the process himself Sept. 7 over claims that daily Hurriyet “twisted Erdogan’s words to conduct a perception operation.”

Speaking on the pro-government A Haber TV station about the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) deadly attack on a military convoy in the southeastern province of Hakkari on Sept. 6, Erdogan was asked by the presenter: “You said in the inauguration of a metro line that you ‘wanted 400 Deputies’ [for the AKP]. It is said that these words played a role in the coming of this conflict period.” In response, Erdogan said: “If a political party could have gotten 400 Deputies or [a parliamentary majority] to write a new constitution, the situation would be different today.”  As headline, Hurriyet tweeted, “Daglica comment from Erdogan: ‘This would not have happened if 400 Deputies had been given,” while reporting the full text of the interview, leading to accusations among pro-government social media users.

In addition, On Sept. 7, daily Hurriyet filed a criminal complaint against protesters and their leader Abdurrahim Boynukalin, a parliamentary deputy and the head of the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) youth organization.

14. Turkey deports VICE News journalists
Turkish Today’s Zaman newspaper (08.09.15) reports that Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury, two VICE News journalists who were arrested in southeastern Turkey last week on charges of having links to a terrorist organization and later released from prison, have been deported from Turkey, according to Turkish media reports.

Hanrahan and Pendlebury were reportedly sent to Dusseldorf after formal procedures were completed by the Adana Migrant Administration office.

Tahir Elci, head of the Diyarbakir Bar Association, had said on Friday that it was expected that the two Britons would be deported after formal procedures were completed. They were being held at a local migration administration office.

Hanrahan and Pendlebury, a correspondent and cameraman, respectively, were detained in Diyarbakir where renewed fighting between Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish security forces has killed scores of people recently. A Turkish court freed the two British journalists but ruled to keep their assistant, Iraqi national Mohammed Ismael Rasool, in custody pending an investigation, after assessing an appeal from the trio's lawyers.

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)