TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
233/15 08.12.2015
1. Akinci: The
Turkish Cypriots see their safety with Turkish guarantees
2. Akinci said that
he has not given a date regarding the Cyprus settlement
3. Critical document
on property revealed by Havadis
4. Statements by
Akinci on Havadis’ report regarding the property issue
5. The so-called
assembly launched discussions on the “TRNC’s 2016 budget”
6. YKP attended the
“Balkan Network Conference” of the EL in Sofia
7. Russian Ambassador
summoned by Turkish MFA over Bosphorus photograph
8. Turkey pulls out
350 troops from Turkish-Iraqi borders after tension with Baghdad
9. Columnist
SemihIdiz: “Turkey’s totally failed Middle East policy”
10. Turkey’s Deputy
PM: Turkish economy risks losing $9 billion over Russia crisis
1. Akinci: The Turkish Cypriots see their safety with Turkish
guarantees
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.12.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci stated that the Turkish
Cypriots see their safety with the continuation of the Turkish guarantees in
Cyprus and added that this request
should be respected.
Akinci made
these statements speaking to the illegal Turkish Cypriot agency (TAK) where he
evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.
He stated
that the efforts are continuing for reaching a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation
with political equality as it is was stated in the February 11, 2014 Common Statement. Stating that any settlement to
be reached on the island had to safeguard the EU principles and the political
equality of the two sides, Akinci said:
“In addition to the EU principles, the UN parameters are extremely important
for us”.
He went on
and stated that a necessary principle
for the Turkish Cypriot side is the bi-communal element which, as he said,
would allow the Turkish Cypriots to rule their own constituent state in their
own area and have clear majority in terms of population and land ownership.
He said
that the Greek Cypriots should not feel that they are under threat; however,
the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriots should also be respected. Akinci
stated that a solution in which the Turkish Cypriots will feel secured should
be reached and added that it is necessary to reach an agreement on the other
chapters first.
He said that a five party conference will be necessary when the
time comes for the issue of guarantees since this is an issue that concerned
the three guarantor powers. “This is one of the reasons why the issue
has been left to the end of the talks as it concerns the 3 guarantor countries.
Any changes in the system of guarantees
will above all require their approval” Akinci stated.
He repeated
his conviction that a solution could be reached in the coming months and a
referendum to take place, provided the current climate of goodwill continues.
Akinci
however pointed out that there are still issues which needed to be resolved,
including the territory issue which had yet to be discussed in detail. “But if there
is the will it is possible that progress can be made on this issue as well”, he
stated.
On the issue of citizenship, Akinci said that the “TRNC citizens”
would become citizens of a united federal Cyprus and the EU. “The number of
citizenships could not be limited by percentages”, he argued
(CS)
2. Akinci
said that he has not given a date regarding the Cyprus settlement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(08.12.15) reports that asked to evaluate Turkey’s EU Minister VolkanBozkir’s
statement that “until March, there will not be a state, or a Greek Cypriot side
(translator’s note: referring to the Republic of Cyprus) in a question whether
the Republic of Cyprus will prevent or not the law regarding the freedom of
movement after EU-Turkey summit, the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci
said: “In fact, I cannot give a date. I cannot say March”.
Replying to questions in a working
breakfast with journalists during the weekend, Akinci reiterated that in case
there is a political will and goodwill, a solution can be reached within
months. Akinci reminded that during his
election campaign he gave two promises; the first one was that he will
endeavour for solution and the second one was that he will protect the rights
of their Turkish citizens. He added that he will keep both his promises.
Asked to comment whether he will not meet
any other foreign officials who visit Cyprus if they do not meet him at his
office after the incident with Lavrov’s visit to Cyprus, Akinci said: “Of
course, this question is unnecessary”.
(DPs)
3. Critical document on property revealed by Havadis
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(08.12.15) reports that it has acquired a very critical document which combines
the proposals of the Greek Cypriot Property Committee with the Turkish
proposals on the issue. There is no consensus on the document, writes the
paper adding that the document came to the attention of the “presidency” and
the “deputies”.
According
to the document, it is envisaged that around 60,000 Greek Cypriots will return
to soil that it will remain in the state that will stay in the north while
100,000 Greek Cypriots will settle in the soil that will be returned. This
figure was included in the Annan Plan as well.
In
addition, in case a property which is located in the north is not demanded by
anyone, then after a certain period, it will be registered to the name of the
user of the property. For controversial properties, the fund of the
Compensation Property Commission will be activated. A property which will not
be demanded by anyone and it is not used by anyone, will come under the
jurisdiction of the Committee.
The paper
also writes that there are five critical articles on the document regarding the
use of soil in the northern state by Greek Cypriots:
- The Greek Cypriot owner of the property can use the choice of compensation and sell the property to the user.
- The owner of the property can choose to exchange his property.
- If the owner does not want to reclaim his property immediately, the user could have a long term rental deal.
- If the owner of the property applies for his property immediately, the user will be given an alternative.
- The user will be given compensation for the money he spent for improving the property of the owner.
(CS)
4. Statements
by Akinci on Havadis’ report regarding the property issue
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 08.12.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that there is no
clear picture regarding the property issue.
Explaining that the negotiating teams of
the two sides are continuing to work on determining the criteria for settling
the property issue, Akinci called on the public not to pay attention to such
reports in the press regarding the property issue.
Speaking during a meeting this morning,
Akinci clarified reports that emerged in the press regarding a formula for
settling the property dispute. “We are trying to do what is best for our
people. The people should listen to what we have to say. In the end it will be
the people who will decide”, he added.
Stating that such documents are frequently
exchanged as part of the negotiations process, Akinci said that he cannot
comment on the press reports since he did not find the opportunity to examine
the documents published in the press and added: “I need to examine if the
documents published are in fact genuine. We send copies of these documents to
the parliament but we are not under any obligation to explain them to anyone”.
Akinci also argued that ‘first application’
is different from ‘first right of say’. “Of course the first application will
be made by the owner of the property. This is only natural. I believe that some
will be demanding compensation at the very beginning. But it doesn’t mean that
when the first title deed owner wants his or her property back that there will
be restitution. This issue will be solved entirely through the criteria to be
determined”, Akinci added.
Akinci also claimed that the Turkish
Cypriot side from the very beginning has been insisting that the majority of
property ownership in the Turkish Cypriot constituent state should belong to
the Turkish Cypriots and added: “This is clearly stated in standing UN
parameters agreed at the beginning of the 90s”.
5.The
so-called assembly launched discussions on the “TRNC’s 2016 budget”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen
newspaper (08.12.15) reports that the
so-called minister of finance, BirikimOzgur presented yesterday to the
so-called assembly the “budget for 2016”.
Speaking during the meeting, Ozgur said that the discussions for the
“TRNC’s 2016 budget” will continue until December 18 and added that the
“budget” envisaged to be 4 billion 515 million TL.
Stating
that in the next days they will proceed to the signing of the new economic
protocol for 2016 together with Turkey,Ozgur
explained that the new economic protocol will include reforms aiming to create
an economic structure in the “TRNC” which will be able to stand on its own feet
and at the same time to reduce the budget deficit.
Ozgur
said that the budget deficit for 2016 will be 373 million 312 thousand 880 TL
and added that their goal is to cover it through indigenous resources.Ozgur
added that 24.36% of the foreseen revenues in the “2016 budget” derive from
investments and credits from Turkey.
Commenting on the speech made by the
so-called minister of finance, “prime
minister” Omer Kalyoncu said that the “TRNC budget” is the “people’s budget”
and its aim is to increase their prosperity.
Stressing the need to produce policies
which would take into account the present situation and the realities in the
“country”, Kalyoncu said that they should not take temporary measures.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) SerdarDenktas said that they
are distressed over the goals of the “2016 budget” and added that although his
party will support the steps of the “government” to make reforms, they will
vote against the approval of the “budget”.
Moreover, Mehmet Cakici, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said that
the “2016 budget” constitutes the continuation of the status quo and added that
his party will oppose to the price hikes. “We will oppose to the budget since
its aim is not the growth”,Cakici said and criticized the so-called
government for not making reforms and for following wrong policies.
(AK)
6.YKP
attended the “Balkan Network Conference” of the EL in Sofia
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper
(08.12.15) reports that the member of
the “executive committee” of the New Cyprus Party (YKP) Murat Kanatli
represented the party at the Balkan Network Conference which was organized by
the European Left Party (EL) in Sofia, Bulgaria. According to the member, the YKP attended the conference as an
observer member of the EL.
Other political parties and
organizations from Slovenia, Serbia and Bulgaria attended also the conference.
Issuing
a written statement about the issue, the YKP said that the party will attend
also the next meeting of the EL which will take place in Greece next year.
The
statement added that Kanatli made a presentation during the conference under
the title: “The recent political and socio-economic developments in the Eastern
Mediterranean and the Middle East”.
(AK)
7. Russian
Ambassador summoned by Turkish MFA over Bosphorus photograph
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(07.12.15), Russia's Ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the Foreign Ministry
on Monday over a photograph showing a Russian serviceman holding a missile
launcher as his warship passed through the Bosphorus.
In an hour-long meeting, AndreyKarlov was
told the incident -- in which the Russian sailor appeared to aim the
shoulder-fired launcher as the ship passed through the Bosphorus -- was a
breach of the Montreux Convention.
According to a Turkish diplomatic source,
BurakOzugergin, the general director of bilateral political affairs with
responsibility for maritime matters, told Karlov acts "which are not in
line either with the letter or spirit of the Montreux Convention or international
law and that have nothing to do with the passage itself" are not to be
repeated.
Karlov said that he will convey the message
"in full" to Moscow.
8.
Turkey pulls out 350 troops from Turkish-Iraqi borders after tension with
Baghdad
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(07.12.15) reported that Turkey has
pulled 350 troops back from the Turkish-Iraqi border after reactions from
Baghdad over the deployment of more Turkish soldiers in Mosul.
Sources
told the paper that the troops were waiting on the border and will be sent to
Iraq if Ankara and Baghdad agreed on the issue.
The United States has reiterated its
opposition to the deployment of any military forces inside Iraq without consent
from the Iraqi government.
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu sent a letter to his Iraqi
counterpart on December 6 informing him that his country would halt further
transfers of troops to an area near Mosul, which is controlled by ISIL, after
Baghdad threatened to appeal to the United Nations to force Turkey to withdraw
its soldiers.
In his letter to Iraqi Prime Minister
Haider al-Abadi, Davutoglu stopped short of agreeing to al-Abadi’s demand to
withdraw the currently deployed soldiers, although senior U.S. officials
welcomed the “reported” withdrawal of Turkish forces.
9. Columnist
SemihIdiz: “Turkey’s totally failed Middle East policy”
Columnist SemihIdiz, writing in Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.12.15), argues in the following
commentary that Ankara’s recent decisions on the foreign policy have lead
Turkey to totally failed Middle East policy:
“President RecepTayyip Erdogan is putting
on a brave face and saying that Turkey has alternatives to Russia, both in
terms of trade and energy supplies, not to mention the millions of Russian
tourists who will most likely refuse to come to Turkey now.
‘Who cares if they buy from us or not,
other doors will open to us, as they already are’, Erdogan said defiantly after
Turkey downed the Russian jet and destroyed the delicately poised relationship
between Ankara and Moscow.
Market
analysts and energy experts, however, are not so sure that the confidence
Erdogan is trying to project is justified. Whether they are vegetable farmers
or contractors, Turks who are engaged in some form of business with Russia, for
their part, are in a state of near-panic as a result of the crisis in
Turkish-Russian ties. One only has to read what they are saying
to the Turkish press to see this.
Meanwhile
the pro-government media is full of reports about how Ankara is successfully
establishing alternative energy sources to Russia, especially from Azerbaijan
and Qatar, but analysts say these will take time to secure and will not meet
Turkey’s requirements even when they have been secured.
Let us assume for a moment, however, that
Erdogan is right, and that Turkey will easily overcome the problems resulting
from the crisis in ties with Russia. One
has to question then why the government did not have the strategic foresight to
establish these links in the past, rather than putting all its eggs in the
Russian basket.
Despite the vast economic interests between
the two countries, Ankara and Moscow have rarely been on the same page
politically in terms of many international issues. They were always at odds over the Cyprus issue, for example, which is a
national cause for Turkey. Recently the two countries have been in deep
disagreement over sensitive issues like Crimea and Syria.
A sensible foreign policy would have been
to reduce Turkey’s dependence on Russia, which supplies no less than 54% of its
natural gas, and to diversify its export markets given that the political
problems between the two countries had the potential to boil over.
Previous governments, including the Justice
and Development Party (AKP) for quite some time, ensured that relations with
Moscow were kept relatively well, regardless of political differences, because
it was clear that things were never as simple as Erdogan is trying to make them
look now.
Blinded by
their limited understanding of foreign policy and regional calculations
grounded on their Islamist/Sunni outlook, Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu walked into traps they set internationally, by quixotically chasing
after pipe-dreams, not the least of which was the assumption that Turkey was a
natural leader for the Middle East.
Today,
though, Turkey has no ties with Israel, no ties to speak of with Egypt, has alienated
Iran and - as the last verbal sparring between Ankara and Baghdad over Turkey’s
deployment of troops north of Mosul shows - has strained ties with Iraq.
Until the AKP came to power Ankara also had
a policy based on non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,
let alone working for regime change in other countries. Erdogan and Davutoglu
pulled all that down, arguing that Ankara’s past foreign policy was based on a
‘servile’ understanding of Turkey’s regional capacities.
They ended up ‘poking out an eye while
trying to trim an eyelash’, as the Turkish saying goes. It soon became apparent
that they never understood the basic
dynamics of this part of the world and how the region views Turkey.
Having set
out to reduce Turkey’s ‘servility’, they increased Ankara’s dependence on
outside support for its security from regional threats. They also left Turkey
hanging on the coattails of other powers in an effort to regain some of its
lost regional influence.
All of this
points to one thing: A totally failed Middle East policy.”
10. Turkey’s
Deputy PM: Turkish economy risks losing $9 billion over Russia crisis:
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
07.12.15) reported that tensions with
Russia could cost Turkey’s economy nine billion dollars in the worst case
scenario of “zero relations”, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said
December 7at private NTV television. The
current tension is likely shave 0.3 to 0.4% off Turkey’s GDP, Simsek added.
Simsek said that the number of Russian
tourists visiting Turkey and construction contracts with Russian companies had
also significantly reduced. “There are 603,000 fewer [Russian] tourists,” he
said.
“We have always seen Russia as an important
partner and have no intention to escalate the tensions any further,” he said.
“But if Russia continues to maintain this attitude.... all kinds of dissuasive
measures will be taken,” he warned.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AM)
