TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH
MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 195/15 14.10.2015
1. NTV: The
Turkish Cypriots start technical work to adopt the Euro
2. Akinci: The Greek Cypriots should get rid of their
“obsession” that cooperating with the Turkish Cypriots will help in the
recognition of the “TRNC”
3. Contradictory reports in the press on a possible visit of Erdogan and
Davutoglu to the occupation regime on Saturday
4.
Burcu: We planned and set goals on the property issue, but there is no
timetable for determining the property criteria
5. Colak in Istanbul for contacts
6.
A protocol on the mutual recognition of the Turkish and the “TRNC universities”
was signed
7. The crisis in the UBP deepens every passing day
9. Davutoglu: Evidence show two terror organizations
behind Ankara massacre
10. Turkey warns US, Russia over arms supply to Syrian
Kurds
11. Authorities attempt to silence memorial marches in
Ankara
12. Confidentiality order on deadliest suicide
bombings in Turkey raises concerns of cover-up
1. NTV: The
Turkish Cypriots start technical work to adopt the Euro
Under
the title “Technical work for the TRNC’s passing to European Union’s monetary
unit Euro has started”, Turkish NTV news channel (13.10.15) broadcast that within the framework of the preparations
for a possible solution to be reached in Cyprus, European Union experts will
come to the island and start working with Turkish Cypriot
“officials”.Simultaneously to the efforts for adopting the Euro, the customs
union process will also be carried out, notes NTV adding that within this
framework the harmonization of the breakaway regime’s “customs’ laws” with the
EU is aimed.
Noting
that the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots will be materialized after the
solution, NTV’s correspondent Selim Sayari says that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci told him that during the
leaders’ meeting the day before yesterday they decided the establishment of a
technical committee which will be carrying out the economic harmonization work.
Akinci said that by bringing experts from the EU the
aim is the completion of the Turkish Cypriots’ preparations for passing to Euro
as soon as possible. He noted that the preparations aimed at the solution
and added that the procedure of the one
year long period for Turkish Cypriots passing to the Euro will begin after the
agreement is approved in the referendum and within that period the Turkish lira
will be in force.
Pointing
out that adopting the Euro, the customs union and other harmonization
preparations are issues which could be left for the period after a “yes” vote
comes out in the referendum, Akinci said: “This is a process. Passing to the
Euro and the customs union will constitute the first stage. Afterwards
harmonization with the EU in the health, environment and other issues will come
to the agenda”.
Akinci
stated that the issue of passing from
the Turkish lira to the Euro will be carried out in consultation with Turkey
and added thatthe aim is the amendment of the customs legislation without delay
and the abolishment of the Green Line.
Noting
that during his contacts in Brussels and New York the issues of passing to the
Euro and the customs union came onto the agenda, Akinci said that the EU officials have promised to intensify their
efforts and added that during the leaders’ meeting yesterday they agreed with
the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the establishment of an ad hoc
committee.
Meanwhile,
citing information acquired by EU Commission officials, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (14.10.15) reports that the
work of the above-mentioned ad hoc committee is expected to begin by the end of
October and regular meetings in the direction of institutionalizing the
Commission’s support to the preparations for the reunification of Cyprus will
be carried out.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci: The Greek Cypriots should get rid of
their “obsession” that cooperating with the Turkish Cypriots will help in the
recognition of the “TRNC”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.10.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has called on the
universities in the occupied and the government-controlled area of Cyprus to
cooperate. Speaking at the first lecture of the illegal Near East
University (“DAU”) for the academic year 2015-16, Akinci alleged that the Greek Cypriots should get rid of what he called
as “obsession” that cooperating with the Turkish Cypriots will help in the
recognition of the “TRNC”, the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus. Akinci claimed that
the cooperation to be carried out between the communities in the cell phones
field is also encountered with the “obsession for recognition”.
Referring
to the process prior to the Annan Plan referendum in 2004, Akinci argued that
if the process had been administrated in more wisely, “both sides would be members
of the EU or the accession of the one side only would have been
prevented”.
Recalling
the views that are in favour of other options outside the federal solution in
Cyprus, Akinci showed the example of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabah and said
that special situations exist for every country. He argued that there are people within both the Greek Cypriot and the
Turkish Cypriot community who will reject even the best solution.
Akinci
said that when he had recently stated that negative consequences may come up if
the natural resources are not wisely used, some circles in the Greek Cypriot
side misunderstood this warning. He
noted that if the natural gas is wisely used, it will contribute to the
development of the relations between the countries of the region. He
further argued that bringing water [from Turkey] which could be used by both
communities of the island could “very seriously” contribute in their relations.
Akinci noted that the technical work for
interconnecting the electricity networks in Cyprus is continuing and argued
that the electricity which will come from Turkey could reach to the Middle
East.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said that they are
committed to a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution adopting the EU principles and
added: “I have repeatedly explained what I understand of bi-zonality. This is a
structure in which the Turkish Cypriots will have the clear majority of
property and population, they will be the masters of their own area and
administrate themselves within the framework of the rules of the constitution”.
Expressing
the view that the cooperation between the universities and education should be
discussed in the negotiations, Akinci
alleged that the education especially in the government-controlled area of the
island is alienating the communities and showed as example the situation in the
English School in Nicosia. He argued
that the curricula should be discussed with a “new point of view”.
Akinci said that the preparations for the Turkish
Cypriots passing to the Euro together with the solution will start.
He added that upon demand submitted by the Turkish Cypriots, the establishment
of a committee composed by persons appointed by the EU Commission was decided.
He noted that the experts will primarily come for the issues of passing to the
Euro and the customs union and will work together with “TRNC officials”.
Explaining
that they have launched the procedure for harmonizing the Turkish Cypriot
founding state with the EU laws, Akinci said that they have convinced both the
EU and the Greek Cypriots on this issue.
(I/Ts.)
3. Contradictory reports in the press on a possible visit of Erdogan
and Davutoglu to the occupation regime on Saturday
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.10.15) reports that Turkey’s Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu, in
statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency yesterday, announced that the
inauguration ceremony at the Alakopru Dam in Turkey for the water transfer
project, which envisages the transferring of 75 million cubic meters of water
to the “TRNC”, will take place on Saturday October 17 by Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
According
to the paper, in parallel to the
inauguration ceremony which is to take place in Anamour in Turkey, another
inauguration ceremony will take place in the Gecitkale [Panagra Dam] in the
occupied area of Cyprus on the same day. The paper adds that in this framework,
it was made know that Erdogan is possible to visit the “TRNC”.
According to the paper, in spite of the fact that some
websites in the occupation regime announced that both Erdogan and Davutoglu
will come, this is not true. Invoking circles from the “TRNC’s foreign
ministry”, the paper writes that only Erdogan will visit the “TRNC” and not
Davutoglu.
After the completion of the ceremony in Anamour in
Turkey, Erdogan, is expected to travel to the occupation regime with a private
helicopter and go directly to Panagra to hold the inauguration ceremony there,
together with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci and other “government
officials”, writes the paper.
Afterwards,
according to the same sources, Erdogan
and his accompanied delegation will attend a working launch together with
Akinci. Erdogan is expected to depart from the “TRNC” in the night.
Meanwhile,
the sources from the “foreign ministry”
have not made known the time both inauguration ceremonies will take place.
The paper concludes and writes that the possibility
for Erdogan, or Davutoglu not to visit the occupation regime is also very high
due to the uncertainty that prevails in Turkey after the recent terror attacks.
On
the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi newspaper (14.10.15) reports in its front page title that Erdogan
and Davutoglu are expected to visit the “TRNC” on Saturday, October 17.
Invoking diplomatic reliable sources, the paper writes
that Erdogan and Davutoglu will attend first the inauguration ceremony in
Anamour which is to take place at 13.00 and afterwards will pass to Panagra Dam
in the occupied area of Cyprus for the second ceremony.
(…)
4.
Burcu: We planned and set goals on the property issue, but there is no
timetable for determining the property criteria
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris (14.10.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s
spokesman Baris Burcu said that as there are agreements on all issues and
sub-headings, there are also disagreements.
Burcu noted that the
meetings to determine the property criteria will be on Friday and if it needs
to be continued on Monday and Wednesday in the next week. Burcu further said that the negotiators will
meet tomorrow for preparatory work and will have an evaluation meeting
regarding the works for determining the property criteria. He added: “We
planned and set goals on the issue of property”, however, he said that they
haven’t created a timetable for determining the criteria. Burcu further said
that as soon as they solve the issue, then they will move
to another.
(DPs)
5. Colak
in Istanbul for contacts
Illegal Bayrak television (14.10.15) broadcast that
the self-styled foreign minister Emine Colak is in Istanbul to attend the 8th
meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development being held under the
Chairmanship of the Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu.
Colak is also expected to carry out various contacts
in the Turkish city.
Colak will be attending the summit held under the
theme “Strengthening Partnerships: Migration and Human Mobility for Sustainable
Development.”
Around 900 delegates from governments, international
organizations and civil society as well as other high level officials,
including UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, EU Commissioner
for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, UN Alliance
of Civilizations High Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, and around 30
Ministers and Vice Ministers from all regions of the world are attending the
8th GFMD Summit.
Colak is being accompanied by “executive assistant” Huseyin
Ozel, the “director of the department of immigration under the ministry of
interior”, Orhan Cagansel from the “state planning organization” and “deputy
director of the police department on immigration-chief inspector” Fevzi Oztumende.
6. A protocol on the
mutual recognition of the Turkish and the “TRNC universities” was signed
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 14.10.15), the self-styled minister of
national education Kemal Durust, who is carrying out a series of contacts in Ankara, met separately yesterday
with the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ismet Yilmaz and the
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes.
Speaking
during the meeting, Turkes said they are aware of the importance of the
“ministry of education” in educating the future generations of the “TRNC”
(editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus) and added that they will provide the necessary support on this issue.
Stressing that they want to
see a strong “TRNC”, Turkes expressed Ankara’s desire for the “TRNC” to
continue to exist as a Turkish state and to integrate with the rest of world
with the lifting of the reportedly embargoes.
“We
see that the meetings between Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the
Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades are going well. We hope that the
current positive atmosphere will not fail for any reason or more clearly, the
Greek Cypriot side will not resort to its usual tactics and behaviour”, Turkes
claimed.
For
his part, Durust said that they have been working continuously for children in
the “TRNC” to have a good education and the latest means to carry out their
education. “We need the support of the motherland in order to achieve this. We
will sign a protocol with the Turkish Education Ministry regarding this issue”,
Durust added.
As
part of his other contacts in Ankara,
Durust then met with the Turkish Education Minister Nabi Avci, with whom they
signed an additional protocol within the framework of the agreement concerning
the mutual recognition of the Turkish and the “TRNC universities”. Speaking
during the meeting, Turkish Minister Avci stressed that the agreement will
resolve the uncertainty of the status of the Turkish students studying in “TRNC
universities”. “We are working on new arrangements which will make TRNC
universities more attractive”, he added.
Also
touching upon the protocol, Durust said that “with this protocol every year
thousands of Turkish students will have the same rights as TRNC students
studying at the TRNC universities”.
With
this protocol students who will graduate from the universities of both
“countries” will no longer need to go through a process of accreditation.
7.
The crisis in the UBP deepens every passing day
Under the title: “The
congress’ quarrel has been launched from now”, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay
newspaper (14.10.15) reports that the quarrel within the National Unity Party
(UBP) ahead of its general congress which is scheduled to take place on October
31, continued yesterday as well.
According to the paper, the five candidates for the party’s leadership, Nazim Cavusogl, Hamza
Ersan Saner, Ersin Tatar, Unal Ustel, Oguz Ceyda and Zorlu Tore went yesterday
to the party’s headquarters demanding form the party’s leader Huseyin Ozgurgun
and candidate as well, the lists of the party’s members.
However, according to the paper, the lists of the
party’s members were not given to the candidates, providing as an excuse that
it was necessary to be approved and sealed first. This has caused the reaction
of the UBP’ candidates.
In statements to the press, the five candidates
condemned strongly Ozgurgun for the incident occurred, calling him to resign.
On the other hand, in statements to the press,
Ozgurgun said inter alia, that the preparatory works within the party continue
in order for a party’ congress to be held in a healthy way and added that it is
natural for some difficulties to exist. Ozgurgun then distributed to the media
the CDs which included the candidates’ list. The CDs were also given to the
five candidates who refused to take them.
(…)
(AK)
8. Illegal
GAU signed a co-operation protocol with the German Allensbach University
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (14.10.15)
reports that the illegal Keryneia American University (GAU) signed a
co-operation protocol with the Allensbach University which is located in
Stuttgart, Germany.
The protocol was signed by the deputy chairman of the
administration board of GAU Asim Vehbi who is currently in Germany holding
contacts. Vehzi stated that this is one more agreement added to the nearly 200
agreements signed by the “university”.
(CS)
9. Davutoglu:
Evidence show two terror organizations behind Ankara massacre
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (14.10.15) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
informed journalists in Turkey that there are evidences about the involvement
of two terror organizations in Ankara bombing last Saturday.
Davutoglu said that the probe for the Ankara bombing
was being run on two different traces: “There are some findings on the DNA
examination of the first suicide bomber. […] All evidence indicate the
existence of two different terror organizations. We are trying to find out
whether there was collaboration between these two gangs.”
Although he named the first terror organization as ISIL,
Davutoglu refrained to name the second because of concerns that this could
affect the conduct of the probe. “We will not leave this incident unresolved.
We will identify the perpetrators of this attack and will go until the end. We
will also find out their links, if there is any. Whatever is necessary, it will
be done,” he said.
Another issue intensely discussed was whether there
was negligence on the part of the security forces in preventing this attack. He
explained that this was something he also looked into right after the incident
and informed that he asked relevant questions to the ministers of the interior
and justice.
As Turkey is healing its wounds, now it’s time to take
Turkey to elections in full comfort and security, the Turkish Prime Minister
said, adding that the timing of this attack also aimed to cast a shadow on the
elections, its results and on Turkey’s overall democracy. “The objective of
this attack is to threaten democracy in Turkey. That’s why the AK Party is
under attack even before the incident in a bid to influence the election results”, he stated.
10. Turkey
warns US, Russia over arms supply to Syrian Kurds
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (14.10.15) reports thatTurkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has
lashed out at both the United States and Russia for supplying weapons and
support to the Democratic Union Party (PYD) of Syria in its bid to fight
extremist jihadists, raising concerns that the arms could be used against
Turkey by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an affiliate of the PYD.
Turkey
summoned the United States’ Ambassador to Turkey, John Bass, on Oct. 13 to the
Foreign Ministry to convey Ankara’s strong reaction over the airdropping of
ammunition to the PYD late Oct. 11. A similar message was scheduled to be
conveyed to Russia later on Oct. 13.
“We have expressed this to the U.S. and Russia in the
clearest way. This is an issue of national security for us. Everybody perfectly
knows how we take action when it’s about our national security, just like we
did on the night of July 23, when we attacked the PKK and Daesh,” Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Ankara bureau chiefs of newspapers on Oct. 12.
Davutoglu used the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) as he recalled Turkey’s launch of a comprehensive military operation
against ISIL and the PKK.
Davutoglu’s reaction came as the U.S. Department of
Defense confirmed that a U.S. cargo plane airdropped some logistical material
to the PYD late Oct. 11 in line with Washington’s plans to reinforce the Syrian
Kurds in their fight against ISIL in Syria.
“The aircraft delivery includes small arms ammunition
to resupply the local forces” to enable them to continue operations against ISIL,
Pentagon spokeswoman Elissa Smith told Anadolu Agency on Oct. 13. Smith said
the “successful” airdrop was conducted by a “U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft
flying from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility” and added that all
aircraft exited the drop area safely. Like the U.S., Russia is also in close
contact with the PYD, but there are no confirmed reports about arms supplies
from Moscow.
“I
have instructed the Foreign Minister on this. Necessary diplomatic initiatives
are being taken and our message is that ‘We don’t and never will approve of
such a thing,’” Davutoglu said.
11. Authorities
attempt to silence memorial marches in Ankara
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (14.10.15)
reports thatmourners who wanted to
commemorate the victims of the recent
deadly bomb attack in Ankara with memorial ceremonies have faced obstacles from
governor's offices and the police.
In a statement on Tuesday, the İstanbul Governor's
Office refused to grant permission to a march planned to be held in Beyazit
Square that day, saying that the planned route of the demonstrators was heavily
used by the public, that the square is not defined as a demonstration venue in
the relevant law and that “the governor's office doesn't find the march and
rally planned to be held to be appropriate given the sensitivity of the current
period.”
12. Confidentiality
order on deadliest suicide bombings in Turkey raises concerns of cover-up
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (14.10.15)
reports that a Turkish court has imposed a confidentiality order on the probe
investigating Turkey's deadliest terrorist attack on Saturday, raising doubts
that the government, heavily criticized for an intelligence failure, may seek
to cover up details of the bloody attack in an effort to avoid responsibility.
The Ankara 2nd Criminal Court of Peace decided on
Monday that the investigation into the twin suicide attack in the capital
should remain confidential upon a request filed by the Bureau for Crimes
against the Constitutional Order of the Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to Altan Tan, a Deputy of the pro-Kurdish
Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the confidentiality order reveals an attempt
to cover-up the incident, rather than carry out an effective investigation into
it.
Noting that no progress has yet been made in some
previous investigations that have had a confidentiality order slapped on them,
Tan told Today's Zaman: “Bombs explode all over Turkey. Two conclusions can be
made on this -- either the government is behind those attacks or it failed to
prevent those attacks. The government is the culprit in both cases as it failed
to provide for its citizens' security. So, it has to resign.”
According to the court's decision, lawyers will not be
able to see the details of the probe, with some exceptions. As part of the
investigation, lawyers will be denied access to any documents other than those
which contain a suspect's statement, expert's opinion or official reports
related to judicial procedures in which the people in question are authorized
to be present.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ AM)
