23/12/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



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


No. 245/15                                                                                        23.12.2015

1. Cavusoglu: On Cyprus talks, a progress has been made even in the difficult issues
2. Kibris: There is no planned five-party meeting for Cyprus in Davos
3. Sahali says that Turkey does not send resources for agriculture because the regime has not kept its “promises”
4. Statements by Demirtas prior to his visit to Moscow; He replied to Davutoglu’s criticism
5. Bahceli condemned Demirtas over visiting Moscow
6. Davutoglu: “Syria cannot be part of Russia’s imperial plans”
7. Investigation launched into HDP’s Demirtas for “inciting riot”
8.Cumhuriyet’s journalist faces three years in jail for publishing Erdogan’s MİT-trucks complaint
9. Germany is reportedly withdrawing its Patriot missile systems from Turkey

1. Cavusoglu: On Cyprus talks, a progress has been made even in the difficult issues
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (23.12.15) reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that the Cyprus talks are progressing and a progress has been made even in the difficult issues.

Cavusoglu, who took the floor at the general assembly of Turkey’s Parliament, noted that important developments involving Turkey in the foreign policy have occurred recently, Cavusoglu said: “Fortunately, they are not all negative. For example, an agreement to bring together the two sides in Libya was signed. A political process, which we support, has begun. The negotiations in Cyprus are progressing; even a progress in the difficult issues has been made”.

Cavusoglu concluded by saying that they want to benefit from the criticisms of Turkish Deputies, because it gives them strength.
(DPs)

2. Kibris: There is no planned five-party meeting for Cyprus in Davos 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.12.15) reports that the United Nations (UN) denied that efforts are being exerted for organizing an unofficial five-party conference for Cyprus in Davos during the World Economic Forum between 20 and 23 of January 2016.

In a written reply to Kibris’ question on the issue, the Office of the UN’s spokesman in Cyprus noted that President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci have been invited to Davos, but the issue of holding a five-party conference has not come onto the agenda.    
(I/Ts.)

3. Sahali says that Turkey does not send resources for agriculture because the regime has not kept its “promises”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.12.15) reports that ErkutSahali, self-styled minister of agriculture, natural resources and food of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the deficit of his “ministry” for 2015 was around 100 million Turkish Liras, including the costs of the cereals.

In an interview with Kibris TV, Sahali recalled that one third of the budget is covered by Turkey and noted that because the “economic protocol” for the period 2016-2018 has not been signed yet with Turkey, the items as regards the payments with Turkey’s aid are shown as zero.

Sahali said that covering the old debts would be possible, but this will happen only by implementing the reforms included in the “economic protocol” for the period 2013-2015.

Sahali argued that the necessary will and effort has not been exhibited on the issue of fulfilling the requirements of the “protocol” and added that Turkey does not accept to send resources “without a return”.  Admitting that they are deprived of the resources send by Turkey and took no steps towards making a structural reform, Sahali said that they are waiting for Turkey’s resources to meet their needs, but resources are not coming because the promises given to Turkey have not been kept.
(I/Ts.)

4.Statements by Demirtas prior to his visit to Moscow; He replied to Davutoglu’s criticism
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (22.12.15) reported that Selahattin Demirtas co-chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), has argued that residents in the southeastern Anatolia region have embraced the idea of “autonomy” as a way of resisting a “dictatorship” that has been imposed on them by the Turkish government.

The issue is not about the battle between security forces and “some 15-20 members” of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Demirtas said at a press conference on December 22 ahead of a visit to Moscow.

If the issue was about 15-20 PKK members, wouldn’t it have been resolved in such a long time by vandalizing? The government is deceiving particularly Turkey’s west. The region has embraced autonomy. The people are standing behind autonomy, they should see this well. In these [military] operations, especially the HDP’s Kurdish grassroots are forced to obey. They made a coup after June 7,” Demirtas said, referring to the parliamentary elections on June 7 which was followed by a snap election on November 1 as the vote didn’t produced a single-party government and coalition talks failed.
“Turkey’s west especially needs to understand this. The thing that you despise by saying ‘ditch’ and ‘barricade’ is actually a resistance against the coup. Should people act like lambs to the slaughter in the face of all pressures?”

Demirtas also responded to criticism levelled by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on his visit to Moscow who questioned timing of his visit, when Ankara is at loggerheads with Moscow over the downing of a Russian warplane.

“The Prime Minister is questioning our visit to Russia. He asks ‘Why didn’t he go there a year ago?’ I went to Russia last year too. Such ignorance,” Demirtas said, adding that the visit was planned before the crisis with Russia erupted.

He also said that the party’s executives had contacted Foreign Ministry Undersecretary FeridunSinirlioglu about the visit and received “an informational note” to make use of during the visit.

5.Bahceli condemned Demirtas over visiting Moscow
Turkish daily Sabah (22.12.15) reported that the leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli has accused the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) of collaborating with the country's enemies.

Bahceli’s remarks came during his party's group meeting at the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday. He was speaking after details emerged of a planned visit by the HDP's co-chairman, Selahattin Demirtas, to Moscow this week.

"The HDP is working with Turkey's enemies and does not see a drawback in leaning its back to countries whose aims are clear, so as to take their support for autonomy and Kurdistan," Bahceli said.
Bahceli also accused HDP politicians of "scattering enmity, blessing ditches and praising PKK militants" and called on Turkish prosecutors to investigate them.

The MHP leader also voiced his backing for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party "as long as [Prime Minister Ahmet] Davutoglu is sincere in fighting terrorism and discord".

"Do not be worried, the MHP will not leave the political will alone... Do not stop, do not be fearful, eradicate these traitors from mountain, rock, plain and city and retrieve Turkey from this bottleneck unharmed," Bahceli added.

6.Davutoglu: “Syria cannot be part of Russia’s imperial plans”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.12.15) reports Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated on December 22 that Syrian soil will not become part of Russia’s “imperial goals”, adding that those who oppress the Syrian people will have to face Turkey.

Addressing his parliamentary group, Davutoglu said: “Russia has to approach other peoples with friendship and mutual respect by abandoning Soviet-style lies and allegations. Syrian soil is not and will not be part of Russia’s imperialistic goals”. He also condemned Russia’srecent military attacks in Aleppo and Idlib that killed dozens of unarmed civilians. 

“The Syrian people are friends and brothers to us. We have always tried to stand by them in every of their problems. Afterwards, those who tyrannize, those who take on Syrians will have to face us,” Davutoglu said. “We strongly condemn the Russian Air Force’s strike in the morning of December 20 on the centre of Idlib”, Davutoglu added. “This is shameful for humanity.We observe these attacks with dismay. It’s obvious that civilians were [targeted] during these attacks.”

Questioning the presence of Russia on Syrian soil, Davutoglu stated: “What is the basis of your presence in Syria? Why are 90 % of your air operations targeting civilians and moderate opposition groups? Why are you bombing the Turkmen mountains, Idlib, Aleppo and innocent civilians even though you say you are there to fight DAESH?”

Davutoglu also called on the international community to move against attacks on civilians.

Davutoglu also criticized a Resolution adopted by the U.N. Security Council last week, saying it lacked a realistic perspective while acknowledging that Turkey regarded the move as a positive development for a peaceful solution to Syria’s unrest.

7.Investigation launched into HDP’s Demirtas for “inciting riot”
Turkish daily Sabah (22.12.15) reported that the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched on Tuesday an investigation into the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas, the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair KamuranYuksek, the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) spokesperson ErtugrulKurkcu, and the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chairs HatipDicle and Selma Irmak over their remarks in a press meeting held on Dec 18.

The press meeting was organized at the administrative center of the DTK, a network of Kurdish parties and civil society organizations.

Demirtas, along with other four people are being accused of "supporting ditches [dug in southeastern in Turkey] and barricades as well as those behind them" and "encouraging people to stage riots."

The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will also send a summary of proceedings to the Ministry of Justice demanding a "permit for investigation" and an "abolishment of legislative immunity" for HDP Deputies Demirtas, Kurkcu and Irmak, in line with 83th article of the Constitution.

8.Cumhuriyet’s journalist faces three years in jail for publishing Erdogan’s MİT-trucks complaint
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (22.12.15) reported that Cumhuriyet daily journalist AlicanUludag faces up to three years in prison for publishing a copy of the criminal complaint lodged by President RecepTayyip Erdogan against Cumhuriyet editors Can Dundar and ErdemGul regarding an alleged transfer of arms by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) to Syria.

Uludag pointed out on Twitter that he recently gave a statement at the Ankara Police Department saying he covered the petition concerning the investigation six months ago and noting that the Anadolu news agency (AA) had also reported on the complaint.

He emphasized that public prosecutor KursatKayral did not even allow Uludag to fully defend himself.

9.Germany is reportedly withdrawing its Patriot missile systems from Turkey
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.12.15) reports that sources from the Turkish port of Iskenderun [Alexandretta] said that a Danish ship with the German patriot missile systems left Turkey on Tuesday. The ship is headed to Germany.

The German government has previously said that the mandate of the mission would end on January 2016.

Germany had deployed Patriot batteries in the southern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras in January 2013, as part of a NATO mission to counter possible threats from Syria.
Germany provided two of five NATO batteries and around 250 personnel for the mission.
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(AK / AM)