TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
210/15 05.11.2015
1. Akinci said agreement is reached with the occupation
army for excavations in 30 places in military zones for finding missing
persons
2. Akinci: November and December are critical for the
Cyprus problem
3. Akansoy: 40 thousand persons will be granted a “white
card”
4. The “association from Alexandretta” opposes the “white
card”
5. SerdarDenktas claimed that their “red lines” are not
anymore on the negotiating table
6. A signature campaign by SODEP for the return of Asil
Nadir in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
7. Presidential system, new charter back on agenda in
Turkey
8. Davutoglu: Military operations against PKK to continue
in winter
1. Akinci
said agreement is reached with the occupation army for excavations in 30 places
in military zones for finding missing persons
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (05.11.15, online) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said today that an agreement
has been reached with the occupation army authorities for permitting the
Committee for the Missing Persons to carry out excavations in 30 places in
military zones, where it is believed that missing persons have been buried.
Akinci met this morning with the Turkish
Cypriot member of the Committee, Gulden PlumerKucuk and the foreign member Paul
Henri – Arni, whom he informed that the Turkish occupation army has given
permission for excavations in places in military zones where it is assumed that
missing persons are buried.
In statements during the meeting, Akinci
reiterated the call they had jointly made with President Anastasiades that
anyone who knows anything as regards the missing persons issue should share
this information with the Committee without delay and contribute in healing
this “bleeding wound as soon as possible”, because “this bleeding wound is a wound
of both communities and helping in closing it the soonest is a humanitarian
duty”.
Akinci added: “In the list of the Committee on the Missing Persons there are 30 places
of burial in military zones in our area and in which it is hoped that remains of
missing persons are located. The Committee was demanding permission by the
military authorities on this issue. It wanted for these permissions to be
speeded up. It is not that such permissions were not given. They were given in
small numbers. I invited the committee today to convey to them a positive
development we have achieved as a result of the work we had been carrying out
with the military authorities. […] Permission
has been given for these 30 places simultaneously. All 30 of them cannot be
opened within a year, but depending on the performance of the Committee, it is
estimated that around 10 places could be opened every year. However, the
necessary facilitation was offered by the military authorities. Within this
framework, I would like to thank them for their close interest and
cooperation”.
Moreover, Akinci announced that his so-called presidency has decided to donate 75
thousand dollars to the Commission and argued: “We think that this is an
important move and I am expecting for
the unnecessary accusations to end now, because accusations have continuously
been made by the Greek Cypriot side on this issue. The issue had been
raised on the agenda saying that there is no cooperation, the military zones
are inaccessible, no permission is granted. We are expecting these accusations
to end from now on […]”
In his statements, Arni said that taking
permission to hold excavations in the military zones in the occupied area of
the island is a very important development and a great progress. Therefore, he thanked
Akinci, Kucuk and everyone who worked for taking this permission.
Finally, in her statements, Kucuk also
thanked Akinci for his help and contribution.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci:
November and December are critical for the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper
(05.11.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that November and December will be critical
from the point of view of seeing on which of the rest of the chapters of the
negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem agreement could be
reached.
In statements yesterday during several
meetings, Akinci argued that the political equality is one of the essential
elements for the Turkish Cypriots and added: “It is the time now to face the realities. The status quo cannot
continue any more. It cannot be continued. We have the right to take the place
we deserve in the international community”.
Replying to the criticism that he does not
respond to the attacks allegedly made against him in the Greek Cypriot press,
Akinci said that “we have not entered into this process for the game of blaming
each other”.
“The
months of November and December will be very critical. We will see what kind of agreement we will secure on the chapters that
have been left”, he noted adding that within ten days the Foreign Ministers
of three important countries such as the USA, the UK and Germany will visit the
island, something that shows the importance attached to Cyprus. Akinci said
also that the AK Party leader, Ahmet Davutoglu will pay his first visit abroad
to the occupied area of Cyprus as soon as he establishes his new cabinet.
Akinci
noted that the issues of political equality, bi-zonality and security are on
the top of the “indispensable essential issues” and argued that if there is no
justice it will not be possible for the agreement to function.
“Equality, security and freedom are very
important concepts”, he argued adding that these should be clarified and time
should be given to the people to find out how everything will happen.
Underlining
the importance of reaching a solution the soonest, Akinci described as “satisfactory” the fact
that President Anastasiades had made a statement in this direction the day
before yesterday.
Akinci said that the signature of the
leaders will not be sufficient for the solution and wished for the leaders
coming to the point of signing an agreement. He further underlined that “the
peoples will decide”. Akinci further
noted that they are not seeking for a “no matter what solution”, but a solution
which will safeguard equality, freedom and security.
He also argued that they are cooperating
with Turkey on every issue and described Turkey as an important country not
only for the Turkish Cypriots, but for the area as well and alleged that Turkey
also wishes a solution in Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
3.
Akansoy: 40 thousand persons will be granted a “white card”
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper
(05.11.15) reports that AsimAkansoy,
self-styled minister of interior of the breakaway regime in the occupied area
of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that
the population which is foreseen for the Turkish Cypriot side in the
negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is 220
thousand persons and that this number was given to the United Nations. In
statements to Diyalog TV, Akansoy argued that the progress in the Cyprus talks
should be taken into consideration when the “citizenship” issue is discussed
and added:
“These efforts should be held in
parallel. If a referendum will be held
in this country after six months or after one year, there are certain numbers.
We are making these arrangements simultaneously. The negotiating table is
essential for us. There are some numbers
submitted to the UN. It is out of the question for us making any
arrangement which will spoil the negotiations. There is a number foreseen on
the issue of the citizenship excluding the natural ways. […] This number is around 220 thousands. The
number of those living in the TRNC and those who are citizens of the TRNC is
anyway 220 thousands. There will be the issue of citizenship of the new
state after the solution over this number. The
persons who will remain outside this will take white card and if they have not
become citizens they will gain the status of the permanent resident of the new
state. They have to remain for a certain period of time for the citizenship and
in the end they will become citizens of the new state”.
Replying to a question, Akansoy noted that the regime will give a
“white card” to around 40 thousand persons who will be granted a permanent
residence “permit”. “The white card holders will have the right to apply
for the citizenship when they complete the period determined in the new citizenship
law which will be prepared”, he said.
(I/Ts.)
4.
The “association from Alexandretta” opposes the “white card”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
HalkinSesi (05.11.15), the chairman of the “solidarity and culture association”
of the settlers coming from Alexandretta Mehmet Ipek announced that they will
not encourage anyone to apply for the “white card” in case it is put into
practice.
In a written statement issued yesterday
regarding the efforts to grant “white card” to foreigners living in the
occupied area and “permanent residence permit law” to those who have “working
permission”, Ipek said that “they will not allow to their citizens to take the
white card”, claiming that the persons, who were born in the “TRNC”
(translator’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and were
raised there to become “citizens” of the “TRNC”.
(DPs)
5.
SerdarDenktas claimed that their “red lines” are not anymore on the
negotiating table
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli
(05.11.15) reports that SerdarDenktas, leader of the Democratic Party -
National Forces (DP-UG) has alleged that the red lines consisted in the
on-going negotiations for years now are not anymore on the negotiating table.
Speaking to the residents of the
occupied villages of Assia, Lyssi and Vatili within the framework of his
“enlightening visits” on the Cyprus talks, Denktas stressed that they will try
to enlighten the people with the information they have regarding the
negotiation process. He explained to them the necessary elements, which should
be included in an agreement to be reached for a viable solution. Denktas added
that the greatest mistake is to spread fear or to bombard them with hopes and
wrong information.
Denktas said that the aim of his visits
along the way of the Cyprus talks is to transfer a significant part of the
people’s sensitivities to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and to
progress the aspects that the people definitely want to see in the context of
the plan, which will be submitted for referendum to reach a viable solution.
Finally, Denktas warned that the people
will not approve an agreement that will put their future under threat, will
affect negatively their lives and will drag the Turkish Cypriot “people” to
uncertainty.
(DPs)
6.
A signature campaign by SODEP for the return of Asil Nadir in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli
(05.11.15) reports that the leader of the Social Democrat Party (SODEP)
TozunTunali announced that they have launched a signature campaign in order to
bring back in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus the convicted Turkish
Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir.
Tunali argued that the “TRNC”
(translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus) needs Asil Nadir, who is important for the Turkish Cypriots.
(DPs)
7.
Presidential system, new charter back on agenda in Turkey
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 05.11.15), Turkish
President RecepTayyip Erdogan has overtly presented the creation of a new
Constitution that would pave the way for a transition to a presidential system
as the number-one item on the agenda of the newly elected legislature.
“Turkey’s need to solve the issue of a
new Constitution was one of the most important messages of Nov. 1. The nation
is waiting for this”, Erdogan said on Nov. 4, during a group of neighbourhood
and village heads (muhtars) at the first of such regular meetings held at his
presidential palace since the Nov. 1 snap elections.
Although
Erdogan this time did not directly referred to his long-held, naked ambition to
create an executive presidential system, earlier in the same day, his
presidential spokesperson, Ibrahim Kalın, said that Turkey is considering
holding a referendum on changing from a parliamentary to a presidential system.
“I hope that they won’t fail to make
contributions for preparations for a new Constitution in the new period and sit
down at the table and solve this issue”, Erdoğan said, calling on all political
parties that will be represented in parliament after the Nov. 1 snap elections.
Erdogan also noted that he had already
discussed the issue at a meeting with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Nov. 3.
As a matter of fact, Davutoglu already
raised the issue publicly early on Nov. 2, addressing thousands of people who
waited for hours in the cold to hear him speak from the balcony of the
headquarters of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara.
Hailing the result of the Nov. 1 vote
which endowed his party with a legislative majority sufficient to form a
single-party government as a “victory for democracy”, Davutoglu urged Turkey’s
political parties to work together on a new Constitution, which Erdogan, the
founding leader of the AKP, has said he would like to see include executive
powers for the presidency.
“An
issue like the presidential system can’t be decided without the nation. If the
mechanism requires a referendum, then we will hold a referendum,” Kalın told
reporters, adding that the change was not simply a personal issue for Erdogan.
“The executive presidency is not a
question of our President’s personal future. He has already entered the history
books. The basic motivation is to make the system in Turkey as effective as
possible.”
According to unofficial results, the AKP
secured 317 seats in the 550-member parliament. For a constitutional change in Parliament in favour of the presidential
system in line with Erdogan’s aspirations, the AKP needed to win 367 seats,
though 330 seats would be enough to take the issue to a referendum.
On Nov. 3, the AKP’s appeal found
conditional support from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which has clear
reservations about a presidential system – a stated goal of the AKP.
8.
Davutoglu: Military operations against PKK to continue in winter
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(05.11.15), the operations against terrorist organization PKK will continue
even during the winter, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on
Wednesday.
According to a written statement from
the Prime Minister's office, Davutoglu gave orders to continue military
operations against the PKK during a security meeting on Wednesday. The Prime
Minister reportedly congratulated the armed forces for their “extraordinary
effort”.
“It
is decided to continue the operation against separatist terrorist organization
by Turkish armed forces without slowing down," said the Prime Ministry
statement. "Our respected PM gave orders to proceed with the operations
during the winter too.”
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister FeridunSinirlioglu, addressing a
conference on the future of Middle East in Erbil in northern Iraq’s Kurdish
region on Wednesday, said that Turkey
has plans to launch a military operation against Daesh (ISIL) in the near
future. "Daesh threatens our way of life and security. [...] We have
plans to act militarily against them in the coming days. You will see. We
should all stand together against this danger", he said.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also said
that Turkey would continue supporting Iraq and the Iraqi Kurdish region in the
fight against Daesh. "We will continue our efforts to eliminate all
terrorist organizations. We will act in a responsible manner so that the
Kurdish region and Iraq can be successful in the fight against terror. This is
a very clear message to Iraq and the Kurdish region for a bright future,"
he said.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
AM)
