TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 187/15 01-02.10.2015
1.
Akinci continues his contacts in New York
2.
Colak met with the Foreign Minister of Qatar; Nami met with US and UN officials
3.
Davutoglu: Turkey supports Cyprus solution process
4.
Colak indicates water will bring more projects for doing business
5.
Self-styled minister of tourism sampled the water coming from Turkey
6.
Disagreement between Ankara and the breakaway regime on the administration of
the water transferred from Turkey
7.
Pilgrims visit LarnakaTekke Mosque
8.
An Antique burial site of the Hellenistic era was found in occupied Lapithos
9.
Self-styled tourism ministry take part in IFTM Top Resa Tourism Fair in Paris
10.
One of Turkey’s most influential columnists and TV commentators, was severely
beaten
11.
HDP Deputies leave Parliament in protest against President Erdogan
1.
Akinci continues his contacts in New York
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 01.10.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is continuing his
contacts in New York. He met with the Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström
on Wednesday, where the Cyprus negotiations process topped discussions during
the meeting which was held at the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN in New
York. The meeting lasted about half an hour.
As part of his contacts, on the same day
Akinci also met with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The Cyprus
issue and Akinci’s New York contacts were taken up during the 45 minute meeting
which was held at the Plaza Hotel.
During the meeting, Davutoglu pointed to
the importance of Akinci’s high level contacts in New York. He also reiterated Turkey’s support to the
negotiations process and the ongoing efforts towards finding a solution to the
Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot “people”
and their legitimate rights. The Turkish Cypriot delegation also stressed that
the meeting with Davutoglu was fruitful.
Turkish Cypriot Negotiator OzdilNami,
Akinci’s spokesman BarisBurcu, Akinci’s private secretary CenkGurcag,
self-styled foreign ministry undersecretary ErhanErcin, and the
“representative” of the breakaway regime New York Mehmet Dana accompanied
Akinci. Davutoglu was accompanied by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister
CevdetYilmaz and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek at the meeting.
Within the framework of his contacts in
New York, Akinci also met with a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot Society
which is based in New York. During the meeting which was held at the Plaza
Hotel, the delegation headed by Ali Sencer was briefed by Akinci on the ongoing
Cyprus negotiations process and his contacts in New York.
Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television in
Turkish (online, 01.10.15) reports that Akinci met with New Zealand’s Foreign
Minister MurryMcCully on Thursday. During the meeting, which lasted for 40
minutes, they discussed the ongoing Cyprus talks.
Akinci briefed the New Zealand Foreign
Minister on the latest stage reached at the Cyprus talks and asked that all
concerned sides regarding the Cyprus problem to show respect to the
sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side.
Minister Mccully, for his part, asked
the opinion of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding some chapters of the talks.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 01.10.15), Akinci had also a meeting with
the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica
Mogherini. In his short statement following the meeting, Akinci stressed that
peace and prosperity to be provided by a solution in Cyprus will be a positive
example for the region. Akinci informed Mogherini regarding the stage reached
at the Cyprus negotiations and expressed the Turkish Cypriot side’s views.
Furthermore, Akinci stated that they
discussed the EU’s role and contributions in case of a possible solution.
Stressing that they also discussed the
issue of preparations which should start as soon as possible for EU’s
fulfilling the requirements of a solution; Akinci said that the views of the
Turkish Cypriot side about the precautions which should be taken to preserve a
bi-communal, bi-zonal character of a comprehensive solution were also
discussed.
Akinci noted that it was underlined
during the meeting that some factors of a solution need to be protected within
the EU as a primary law.
Stating that the issues regarding the
cost of a solution were also discussed, Akinci said that they discussed what
the EU can do on the issue of meeting the expenses of a solution.
During the meeting, Akinci expressed the
view that the EU institutions should ensure more cooperation with the Turkish
Cypriot side for the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriot side to the EU.
Akinci added: “In brief, we gave information about the current stage of the
negotiations and stressed that a solution to be reached in Cyprus should have a
legal certainty within the EU. We talked about the positive role of the EU for
meeting the expenses of a solution. It was a positive meeting.”
2.
Colak met with the Foreign Minister of Qatar; Nami met with US and UN
officials
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (02.10.15)
reports that while Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci continues his contacts
with officials in New York, the self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway
regime EmineColak met yesterday with Foreign Minister of Qatar Al
AtiyahKhalitMuhammet at the UN Permanent Representative Office of Qatar in New
York. Colak said that they discussed the Cyprus problem and the on-going
negotiations, adding that they also discussed how they can develop the
relations between Quatar and the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus.
Colak also met with the Secretary
General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and the former “Turkish
ambassador” to the occupied part of Nicosia Halil Ibrahim Akca. Colak is also
going to attend the Foreign Ministers Coordination Meeting of the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation in New York, where she will deliver a speech.
Self-styled ministry of foreign affairs undersecretary ErhanErcin and general
director Kemal Koprulu were also present at the meetings.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot negotiator
OzdilNami met yesterday with Amanda Sloat, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Later, Nami met with David Pressman,
the US Ambassador to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs and
Jeffrey Feltman, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. No statement
was issued after the meetings.
(DPs)
3.
Davutoglu: Turkey supports Cyprus solution process
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 01.10.15), Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, addressing the 70th
UN General Assembly in New York, touched upon the Cyprus issue and the Syrian
refugee crisis among other topics.
Davutoglu once again underlined Turkey’s
determination to find a just, permanent and comprehensive solution to the
Cyprus problem and added: “Within this framework we will continue to support a
solution to the Cyprus problem based on the two people of the island being
equal partners with political equality”.
He also expressed the hope that the
current Cyprus negotiation process will be concluded shortly. Davutoglu further
said that Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Cypriot “people’s”
effective and constructive efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem.
4.Colak indicates
water will bring more projects for doing business
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (02.10.15) reports that the so-called foreign minister EmineColak
addressing in New York members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
(EIT) indicated that their potential for doing business in the breakaway regime
would increase when the water project is finalised as more agricultural
products will be produced and the sector will become more developed.
Calling on the EIT members to support
investment in the breakaway regime and help in lifting “isolations” on sectors
such as tourism and education, Colak said that a sustainable solution would
undoubtedly contribute as well.
Speaking at the gathering, Colak noted
that the “TRNC” would be more than happy to host the EIT future events and
their members. She said that as the ‘observer country status’ of the breakaway regime
hadbegun; their aim is to strengthen relations with the other members.
5.
Self-styled minister of tourism sampled the water coming from Turkey
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 01.10.15), the self-styled minister of tourism FaizSucuoglu held
inspections at the occupied coastline of Keryenia where the water from Turkey
via a suspended pipeline is being discharged to. Sucuoglu who tasted the water,
expressed his heartfelt gratitude to motherland Turkey for undertaking such a
project.
Speaking to reporters, Sucuoglu claimed
that the water that is currently flowing from Turkey can solve the whole
island’s water problem. He added that the water from Anamur will change the
fate of “North Cyprus” (editor’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus) as well as the island. “We are extremely happy to see that the project
has been completed after a two year wait”, Sucuoglu said.
Pointing out that the project is one of
a kind in the world; he said that the water earns the Turkish Cypriots an
important strategic advantage. “If you ask me this is more precious than any
oil or natural gas”, he said. Sucuoglu also highlighted the positive impact the
water will have on the Cyprus negotiations process.
6.
Disagreement between Ankara and the breakaway regime on the administration
of the water transferred from Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (01.10.15) writes that the issue of the administration of the water
to be transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus creates tension
between Ankara and the breakaway regime.
According to the paper, despite the fact
that the technical works as regards the water transfer have been completed, the
issue of administration has not been solved yet since Turkey on one hand
insists on giving the administration to a private firm while the breakaway
regime on the other hand insists on the establishment of an autonomous
administration.
Speaking to Kibris Postasi (01.10.15) on
the issue, CTP chairman and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat
stated that “it is out of the question for the water to be brought from Turkey
and all other public water resources, to be given to a private firm to be
administered”, adding that the right thing to do is to establish an independent
water administration which would take care of the water from Turkey as well as
all resources on the island.
Responding to a question on whether or
not privatizing the water ‘was an order from Turkey’, Talat said it would be
unjust to say this was an order; however Turkey did believe it would be better
if a private organization administered the water on the island however this was
not a new issue.
Talat pointed out that the official
inauguration ceremony for the water project will take place on October 28
but no official contact with Turkey and
himself had been made yet on the issue since until now all contact was at
technical level. Asked if they would take a step back from the independent
water administration idea if Turkey insisted, Talat said he did not want to say
whether or not they would take a step back but the important thing here was
“our own values:, as he stated.
On his part, the chairman of the
Communal Democratic Party CemalOzyigit stated according to HalkinSesi
(02.10.15) stated that the water transferred from Turkey should be
administrated by the local “authorities” and called on the “government” to take
a clear stance on the issue. He also said that despite the fact that the water
issue came to the agenda in 2008 neither of the Turkish Cypriot parties, who
have come to “power” since that date managed to take a decision on the issue.
(CS)
7.
Pilgrims visit LarnakaTekke Mosque
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 01.10.15), around a thousand people from the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus paid a special pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke on Wednesday.
The pilgrimage marked the Muslim feast
of Eid Al Adha or KurbanBayram and was organised by the Office of the Religious
Track of the Cyprus Peace Process which is under the auspices of the Swedish
Embassy.
It was the first time that a Greek
Cypriot priest, assigned by the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos II,
visited the mosque for the occasion.
Worshippers toured the mosque grounds
and prayed during the visit.
The head of the self-styled department
of religious affairs of the breakaway regime Prof. Dr TalipAtalay and the
Archbishop’s representative priest SavvasHadjionnas who spoke during the visit
gave messages of peace and reconciliation.
Atalay stressed the importance of peace
and brotherhood and further expressed the hope that there will be end to
terrorism and discrimination. He also underlined the importance of the
Archbishop of Cyprus for accepting the presence of “Turkish origin TRNC
citizens” by sending a representative to the mosque.
Priest SavvasHadjionnas, for his part,
wished all Muslims a happy KurbanBayram and conveyed the Archbishop’s good
wishes. He said that the cooperation and dialogue between the two religious
institutions will continue in the future.
SalpyEskidjianWeiderud Executive
Coordinator of the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process
under the auspices of the Embassy of Sweden who also spoke during the visit
said that she personally witnessed the positive effects of dialogue between the
two leaders. Pointing out that several churches in the “North” (editor’s note:
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) had also been opened to worship;
Eskidjan said that this was a sign that there was mutual respect for religious
freedoms.
8.
An Antique burial site of the Hellenistic era was found in occupied Lapithos
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 01.10.15), an antique burial ground was
found in the occupied village of Lapithos.
The burial site believed to date back to
58BC to 325AD in the Hellenist era. Self-styled minister of tourism
FaizSucuoglu visited the burial site on Wednesday where he spoke to
archaeologists there. “Antiquities and museums department manager” FuatAzimli
told the press that pieces dating back to the Hellenist era were discovered;
once the dig will be completed they will be able to give more information
relating to it he said.
9.
Self-styled tourism ministry take part in IFTM Top Resa Tourism Fair in
Paris
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 02.10.15), the self-styled tourism ministry
is participating in the IFTM (International French Travel Market) Fair Top Resa
2015 in Paris.
A press release from the “ministry” read
that the fair is running from 29 September to 2 October; self-styled head of
the tourism promotion and marketing department PembeKanatli and self-styled
department personnel Mustafa Koprulu are participating in the event this
year. Brochures and maps of the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus were distributed to visitors.
10.
One of Turkey’s most influential columnists and TV commentators, was
severely beaten
Under the title “Attacks mount on the
free Turkish press”, Murat Yetkin writes the following in Hurriyet Daily News
(02.10.15):
“AhmetHakanCoşkun, one of Turkey’s most
influential columnists and TV commentators, was severely beaten by four persons
in front of his house in Istanbul on Oct. 1, right after completing his debate
show, “The Neutral Zone,” on CNNTürk. The attackers have been detained by the
police, with at least one of them an infamous Twitter personality who trolls
users who are critical of the government. It appears that they were using a
hired car and chased Coşkun from the CNNTurk building to his house for over 20 kilometres.
Both CNNTürk and daily Hurriyet, which
AhmetHakanCoşkun writes for, are part of the Doğan Media Group. The attack of
Coşkun was the third physical attack on Hürriyet in the past month – all of
which came following remarks against the media group, either by President
TayyipErdoğan or by the Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) government of
Prime Minister AhmetDavutoglu, which is not evidence itself that the attacks
were inspired by them but nevertheless presents a pattern.
[…]
It is not clear whether the attackers
were inspired by a statement by President Erdoğan a day before when he once
again slammed AydınDoğan, the founder of the Dogan Media Group, for
manipulating governments in the past, even though it is something that Doğan
has denied numerous times.
What DoğanSabancı was talking about when
she mentioned threats were not only Twitter trolls who are not very easy to
follow, but also pro-government commentators in pro-government newspapers and
TV stations who have continued their insults and threats – including statements
to Coşkun like “If we want, we could smash you like a fly. If you are still
alive, it is because of our mercy” by CemKucuk.
So far, no probe has been opened by prosecutors despite numerous
applications by lawyers to courts about insults and threats of violence against
the Dogan Group and its members.
There was still no condemnation or
expression of sorrow by either the President or the Prime Minister by 6 p.m. on
Oct. 1 as this article was being completed. Are political and legal authorities
waiting for something worse to happen before taking steps?
Turkey is going to a re-election on Nov.
1 amid a tense atmosphere with the resumption of acts of terror that have
widened the political polarization in the country.
The attacks on independent media which
refuse to become part of the political show or fall into line with the
government’s policies will neither ameliorate the political situation in Turkey
nor boost Turkey’s image abroad, especially when Erdogan is preparing to host
the prestigious G-20 summit on Nov. 15-16 in Antalya.
A free press is an inseparable part of a
working democracy, and the government should be well aware of that.”
11.
HDP Deputies leave Parliament in protest against President Erdogan
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (02.10.15)
reports that Turkey’s Parliament hosted a collective protest by Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) Deputies against President RecepTayyipErdogan, as the
national assembly gathered for its procedural opening ceremony on Oct. 1.
HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and
Figen Yuksekdag were not present at the session, which began with introductory
remarks by Parliament Speaker IsmetYilmaz. As Yilmaz presented Erdogan’s
entrance in the general assembly hall, the HDP Deputies in the hall refused to
stand up, as required by custom, and when Erdogan began delivering his speech
all HDP Deputies present left the hall in a show of protest.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)
