TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 07/16 13.01.2016
1. Explosion at Istanbul’s
Sultanahmet square
2. Erdogan: Turkey will stand
firm against terrorism
3. Davutoglu: Turkey resolves to
not step back from anti-terror fight
4. Turkish opposition says
government unfit to rule following deadly attack in İstanbul
5. Turkish daily argues that the
recent terrorist attacks in Turkey is result of ill-advised security policies
6. Akinci will accept a possible invitation by the
UNSG for tripartite meeting in Davos; He briefed the regime’s “assembly” on the
negotiations
7.
Talat in Brussels to meet with Schulz
8. Atun: The water from Turkey cannot be used because
of CTP’s indecisiveness
9. Eroglu: If I was in Ozgurgun shoes I would not
enter into a “coalition government” with the CTP
10. Ozyigit: “The Turkish Cypriots want to live in a
system of democracy, transparency and accountability”
11.
The Alevi Culture Centre sent a letter to Ban Ki-moon
12. “Court decision” orders T&T airport company to
pay to the occupation regime the amount of 18 million euro
13. Erdogan slams academics over
petition, invites Chomsky to Turkey
14. Erdogan files 93 criminal
cases for insult in 3 months
1. Explosion
at Istanbul’s Sultanahmet square
Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.01.16) reports that ten people were killed in a blast at
Istanbul’s Sultanahmet tourist district Tuesday morning.
The provincial governor’s office reported that 15
wounded in an explosion in the area around Sultanahmet Square at 10.20 a.m.
local time (08.20 GMT). The square lies between two of Istanbul’s most popular
tourist attractions, the Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) and Ayasofya (Hagia
Sofia).
Early speculation suggested a suicide bomb had been
detonated although there was no official confirmation. Police cordoned off the
square and closed down the local tram service while nearby attractions also
closed.
The
area, on the European side of Istanbul, is home to the city’s most popular
tourist sites and contains hundreds of hotels and restaurants. The square, which is dotted with gardens, fountains
and benches, is usually thronged with tourists throughout the day.
2. Erdogan:
Turkey will stand firm against terrorism
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.01.16) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking
to ambassadors at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, condemned the attack in
Istanbul and expressed his condolences for those who died in the explosion, and
wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
"I
strongly condemn the terror attack which was carried out by a suicide bomber of
Syrian origin," Erdogan said and added: "We do not see any difference between
terrorist organizations, be it ISIL or the PKK. The first target of every
terrorist organization in our region is Turkey because Turkey pursues each
terrorist organization with the same determination," he said.
3. Davutoglu:
Turkey resolves to not step back from anti-terror fight
Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.01.16) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
stated that the bomb attack in Istanbul that killed 10
people, including several Germans, will not deter Turkish security forces from
pursuing their ongoing counter-terrorism efforts,
In remarks made during a meeting at the Cankaya Palace
Davutoglu said: "We will continue our fight against terrorism with the
same resolve, and will never take a step back". Davutoglu said the suicide
bomber was a “foreign national ISIL member”, while the victims in the attack
included several foreigners. According to the Turkish Premier, a Turkish
citizen and several German nationals were among the injured.
Earlier, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus
told reporters that 10 people, including the bomber was killed and 15 others
were injured in the blast. "Two of those injured in the attack are in
critical condition while three others had left the hospital," Kurtulmus
said. He also revealed that the bomber was born in Syria in 1988, and had
recently entered Turkey illegally from Syria, adding that the authorities were
trying to “determine the identities” of those killed.
Later
in the evening, Davutoglu’s office said that the Turkish Premier made a phone
call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and offered his condolences over the
German deaths in the attack.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Davutoglu told
Merkel in a phone call that an investigation into the incident was being
meticulously carried out and “all necessary information will be shared with
German officials".
President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan also called Merkel to condole with families of the German
victims, according to sources at the Turkish presidency. During the phone conversation, Erdogan highlighted
that terrorism had no religion, nationality or identity; he assured Merkel that
the wounded would be given the best treatment.
4. Turkish
opposition says government unfit to rule following deadly attack in İstanbul
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (13.01.16)
reports that Turkish opposition leaders
have lashed out at the Turkish government for being incapable of ruling the
country following the deadly attack on Tuesday in İstanbul's historic
Sultanahmet neighborhood.
“This government is unqualified to govern Turkey [and]
is unable to govern,” said Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, the leader of the main
opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), as he called on the government to
resign.
Kılıcdaroglu strongly criticized the government at his
party's parliamentary group meeting saying, “Turkey can't be governed by
third-class people.”
Recalling that following another deadly suicide attack
in Ankara in October last year he had offered the government a blank check for
it to eradicate terrorism in the country, the CHP leader argued that the
government can no longer come up with excuses.
Selahattin Demirtas, the leader of the pro-Kurdish
Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), has vowed his party will do its best for the
perpetrators of the attack to be brought before justice. Condemning the bomb
attack in Sultanahmet, Demirtaş added, “We hope these attacks will not remain
unresolved like the previous attacks”.
Demirtas also criticized the Parliament for failing to
convene to discuss terrorism.
CHP Deputy Chairman Veli Agbaba has put the blame for
the bomb attack on the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), claiming that
potential suicide bombers are all over the country.
Mustafa Destici, the leader of the Grand Unity Party
(BBP), said those in power need to act in a more careful way given that Turkey
will also apparently be targeted by terrorist organizations in the future.
5. Turkish
saily argues that the recent terrorist attacks on Turkey is result of
ill-advised security policies
Today’s Zaman newspaper (13.01.15) reports that Turkey
has been targeted in the past year by a series of terrorist attacks in which
dozens of people have been killed, with the latest one in İstanbul's
Sultanahmet, as its security policies have failed to recognize the regional
realities, many security experts have agreed.
Speaking with Today's Zaman on Tuesday, retired Lt.
Col. Mithat Isık, who formerly headed the Bordo Bereliler (Crimson Berets), an
elite unit of the army, said the government's problematic foreign policy
towards Syria has played a key role that turned Turkey into an open target for
many terrorist organizations, such as ISIL, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
and the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), both operating in Syria and
Turkey.
Speaking to Today's Zaman on Tuesday about the suicide
bombing, Armağan Kuloğlu, a former commander of the air cadet school of the
land forces, stated that the attack points to deficiencies in security.
Mesut Ulker, a retired colonel and strategist, told
Today's Zaman on Tuesday that the failure in the country's security is due to
the massive dismissals and reassignments of skilled members of the National
Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the security forces who had previously
dealt with planned acts of terrorism.
Nihat Ali Ozcan, a security analyst from the
Ankara-based Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), told
Today's Zaman that the attack doesn't come as a surprise since Turkey has been
fighting against ISIL and the PKK for over a year.
6. Akinci will accept a possible invitation by the
UNSG for tripartite meeting in Davos; He briefed the regime’s “assembly” on the
negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.01.16)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa
Akinci has said that he did not receive any invitation by the UN
Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon to meet with him in Davos later this month
together with President Anastasiades. Asked by Kibris to comment on the
issue, Akinci noted that if he receives
such an invitation, his reply will be positive.
Akinci said that he had been positive for such a
meeting while visiting New York [few months ago], but the Greek Cypriot side
was not positive. Noting that he will be pleased if he receives such an
invitation, Akinci recalled that the
Cyprus negotiations are being held under the auspices of the United Nations and
such an invitation would be good from the point of view of making an
evaluation.
Meanwhile, the paper reports also that Akinci participated yesterday in a 7-hour long extraordinary
session of the breakaway regime’s “assembly” and briefed the “deputies” on the
latest situation in the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem. Akinci replied to “deputies’” questions and listened to their
views.
In joint statements after the briefing with the
“assembly speaker” Sibel Siber, Akinci
said that all their efforts in the Cyprus negotiations are directed towards a
“happy and peaceful future for the people”. He noted that within this
framework, the briefing of the
“deputies” yesterday is described as “one of the important steps in the
intensified negotiating process in the road towards this end”.
He said that regardless of their political views and
the party they represent, their common denominator is the happiness of their
“people”. “It is their peaceful future and tranquility, it is rescuing the
future generations from the uncertainty and reaching much more beautiful days
in our country”, he added pointing out that he will continue briefing the “deputies” when this is necessary.
On her part, Siber
recalled that this was Akinci’s second briefing to the “assembly” and added
that in the way for the solution they will try to find what is best for their
“people”.
(I/Ts.)
7.
Talat in Brussels to meet with Schulz
Turkish
Cypriot daily Diyalog (13.01.16) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader and
leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat flew yesterday to
Brussels in order to meet with the President of the European Parliament Martin
Schulz.
Meanwhile,
the paper reports that Talat made a statement via a post on social media on the
water issue. He said that the discussions on the water crisis issue complicate
the political atmosphere, the Cyprus talks and affect them all. He added that
on Thursday night he will attend the meeting of CTP’s party assembly and will
evaluate the stance of the National Unity Party (UBP).
(DPs)
8. Atun: The water from Turkey cannot be used
because of CTP’s indecisiveness
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.01.16)
reports that Sunat Atun, self-styled
minister of economy, industry and commerce of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has
argued that in order for the “people’s” prosperity to increase and the
agricultural sector to be revived, the water from Turkey should be used,
claiming that this water could not be transferred to the network because of the
“indecisiveness of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the “major coalition
partner”.
In statements to a television program, Atun said that
the National Unity Party (UBP), the “minor coalition partner”, is preserving
the same views on the issue since 2010.
Atun
noted that on the water issue they could establish a model such as the
“Competition Council” within a structure which will implement what it considers
to be correct without taking orders from any political “authority”. “A private company will make the distribution of the
water and collect the revenues making the necessary investments for this and
the state with the municipalities will secure the necessary control and order”,
he added.
(I/Ts.)
9. Eroglu: If I was in Ozgurgun shoes I would not
enter into a “coalition government” with the CTP
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.01.16)
reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader and honorary president of the
National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis
Eroglu has said that if he was in UBP’s chairman Huseyin Ozgurgun shoes, he
would not enter into a “coalition government” with the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP).
In statements to a television program, Eroglu argued that the “government” should
reach a consensus the soonest on the water issue and the economic protocol and make
an agreement with Turkey. “Otherwise, either another governmental model will be
established or early elections will be held”, he added.
Noting that he
opposes to the “coalition” with the CTP, Eroglu said that he had not
discussed the issue with the administration of the party and did not feel the
need to express his views on the issue because he had not been asked to do so.
Replying
to a question regarding the recent statement issued by the so-called embassy of
Turkey to the occupied part of Nicosia on the water issue, Eroglu expressed the
view that it would be more correct if the statement had been made by a Minister
from Turkey or by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tugrul Turkes. “Just as Mr Turkes made a statement later”, he
added.
Eroglu
described as wrong and not complying with the political ethics the fact that a “minister”
of the “government” reached an agreement with Turkey on the water issue and the
CTP assembly rejected this agreement afterwards. He argued that the debates and the statements on the
water issue have reached a dimension which could harm the Turkish Cypriots and
“this is saddening”.
(I/Ts.)
10.Ozyigit: “The Turkish Cypriots want to live in a
system of democracy, transparency and accountability”
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (13.01.16)
reports that the leader of the Social
Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit, in a written statement yesterday, stated
inter alia, that the Turkish Cypriots want to live in a “system” of democracy,
transparency and accountability.
Stressing the need for everyone to struggle for the
above principles, Ozyigit added that the
Turkish Cypriots want to be “masters of their house” and called everyone to
support their efforts for reforms and change.
Pointing
out to the recent quarrel between the “government” and the so-called Turkish
embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus as regards the issue of the water
management, the recent statements made by the National Movement Party’s Deputy
Ozdag on the Cyprus negotiation talks, the scandal which came to light with the
illegal Tymbou airport and the quarrel between the so-called minister of
transportation, Tahsin Ertugruloglu and the so-called “ombudsman”, Ozyigit said
that all these issues prove the need for the system to change.
Referring
especially to the recent statement by the “Turkish embassy” on the issue of the
water management, Ozyigit described it as unacceptableand said that the
statement expressed the uneasiness of the Turkish Republic on the water issue.
Underling the responsibilities of the two “coalition
parties” in the “government” towards the crisis occurred with the water
management; Ozyigit accused the “government” of being unable to produce
decisions by its own.
He added also the following: “As Turkish Cypriots we
demand, together with the solution to be, the common state to be established to
administrate our institutions. However, in this period and until the solution,
we demand by all to respect our demand to be self- administrated on water,
electricity and telecommunication”.
(AK)
11.
The Alevi Culture Centre sent a letter to Ban Ki-moon
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (13.01.16), a delegation from the Alevi
Culture Centre in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus headed by its
chairman Metin Kaya handed over to the UN officers at the Ledra Palace crossing
point a letter to be conveyed to the UN Secretary-General Bah Ki-moon.
In
the letter, the Alevi Culture Centre asks from the UN and from every community
especially the EU and the USA to be more determined and give a loud voice to
their vital requests like to stop conflicts, to stop violence and cease fire
without wasting time.
In
the letter, the Alevi Culture Centre describes that in the last period in
Turkey, the radical Islam continues to be increased more with each passing day
and dictates every field of their lives with armed conflicts, terror actions,
arrests of politicians, journalists, mayors and violations of the individual
rights and freedoms.
(DPs)
12.“Court decision” orders T&T airport company
to pay to the occupation regime the amount of 18 million euro
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.01.16) under the title: “18 million euro have
passed to the ‘state treasury’”, reports that the “lawsuit process” between the
T&T Airports Operation, Construction, Industry and Trade Company Ltd and
the “state” which was continuing since 2012, has been completed recently.
According to the paper, the “state” has signed an agreement with the T&T company on
December 2012, envisaging the transfer of illegal Tymvou airport’s “operating
rights” to the T&T company for a period of 25 years. According to the
paper, in spite of the fact that T&T company paid the contract price which
was 100 million euro, it did not paid the VAT which was 16 million euro.
After the completion of the “lawsuit process”, the
“court” ordered the company to pay to the “state” the amount of 18 million
euro.
In statements to the paper on the issue, so-called minister of finance Birikim Ozgur
verified the “court’s decision” and said that as soon as this amount of money
is transferred to the “account of the ministry”, this will cover their cash
requirements and the “state” will be able to pay the 13 salaries.
(AK)
13. Erdogan
slams academics over petition, invites Chomsky to Turkey
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.01.16) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has
strongly reacted to a petition signed by more than 1,000 local and
international academics calling on the Turkish government to end the security
operations being committed in southeastern Anatolia and to return to table for
talks to resolve the Kurdish issue, describing the signatories as “ignorant.”
After
an urgent meeting on Jan. 12, the Supreme Education Board (YÖK) announced that
legal action would be taken over local academics who have signed the petition.
Some 1,128 academics from 89 different universities -
including foreign scholars like Noam Chomsky, David Harway and Immanuel
Wallerstein - signed the petition titled “We won’t be a part of this crime,” which
called on Ankara to end the “massacre and slaughter.”
Erdoğan, in an address to Turkish ambassadors gathered
for an annual conference, lashed out at the signatories and said human rights
violations in the southeast were being committed by terrorists, not by the
state.
“Hey,
you so-called intellectuals! You are not enlightened persons, you are dark. You
are nothing like intellectuals. You are ignorant and dark, not even knowing
about the east or the southeast. We know these places just like we know our
home addresses,” he said, reiterating his position that Turkey’s problem is
“not a Kurdish one, but one of terror.”
The Turkish President also said he wanted to invite
all foreign signatories to Turkey. “Let
them come to Turkey. They shouldn’t sign such declarations in vain. We are
ready to tell them what is happening in the southeast from A to Z. […] Let our
ambassador from the United States invite Chomsky, who has made statements about
Turkey’s operations against the terrorist organization. Let’s host him in the
region,” Erdoğan added.
Immediately after the speech, YÖK also issued a
statement on the academics’ declaration.
“The declaration issued by a group of academics that describes our
state’s ongoing struggle against terror in the southeast as ‘massacre and
slaughter’ has put our entire academic world under suspicion,” read the
statement issued by YÖK.
“This declaration cannot be associated with academic
freedom. Providing the security of citizens is the primary responsibility of
the state,” it said, adding that all rectors and an inter-university council
would soon meet to discuss the issue.
Turkish Daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (13.01.16)
reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has been the complainant in 93 criminal complaints for cases of insult
in the three-month time frame of October to December 2015, according to a
recently released report on news portal bianet.org.
Of the 93 people accused under Articles 125 and 299 of
the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), 42 are journalists.
Article 125 reads, “Anyone undermining the honor,
dignity or respectability of another person or who attacks a person's honor by
attributing to them a concrete act or fact, or by means of insult shall be
sentenced to imprisonment for a term of between three months and two years or
punished with a judicial fine.” As for Article 299, it mandates that anyone
convicted of insulting the President serve a jail term of between one and four
years.
In the months from October to the end of December, 34
journalists were in prison. Since then, several have been released.
Television suffered from the most censorship with 18
channels being cut off from broadcasting. Access to 13 websites was also
blocked, four magazines were censored and books by four authors were removed
from circulation.
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