TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
38/16 25.02.2016
1. Akinci briefed the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot
political parties on the latest stage of the Cyprus negotiation process
2.
AKP approved the changes in the water agreement submitted by the CTP and the
continuation of CTP-UBP “coalition”
3. The “water platform” protested
against the privatization of the water transferred from Turkey
4. Siber said that they
should strengthen their “institutions” prior the Cyprus settlement in order to
be able to integrate with the world
5.
Tunali: “Chaos is created so that a positive outcome at a referendum”
6. The Public Affairs
Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia visited “Keryneia university”
7. An academic cooperation
between “DAU” and ASU
8. Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi to suspend its printed version as of February 29
9.
Erdogan urges Turkish Parliament to remove HDP Deputies’ immunity
10.
Erdogan and the Turkish Foreign Ministry on US-Russia agreement on Syria
11.
MHP Bahceli’s aide resigns, calls for extraordinary convention
12.
Rights and freedoms in Turkey regressed further in 2015, Amnesty says
13.
Columnist argues that Turkey–EU deal not just about Syrians
1.Akinci briefed the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot
political parties on the latest stage of the Cyprus negotiation process
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (25.02.16)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci briefed yesterday the
leaders of the Turkish Cypriot political parties represented at the so-called
assembly, on the latest stage of the ongoing Cyprus negotiations aiming to
reach to a solution on the Cyprus problem.
In statements after the briefing, Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces
(CTP-BG) said that the meeting went well since they had the chance to evaluate
the latest developments on the Cyprus negotiation process.
“The
negotiation process progress well but there is a deceleration due to the
elections in the south. I hope the process to be intensified”, said Talat.
Speaking
about progression in the process, Talat said that the important is for the same
progress to be achieved also in fullest extent of the negotiations.
Talat
stressed also that it is important to complete the discussion of all issues the
soonest and added that the core ones that is the territory and security issues
should be also concluded by May.
Also speaking, Huseyin
Ozgurgun, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) described the briefing by
Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci as very fruitful.
Pointing
out that the negotiation process experiences some difficulties and a delay due
to the forthcoming “parliamentary elections” which are to take place in the
“south”, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, Ozgurgun spoke about a
“postponement” of the negotiations. He, however, said that this is not prodigious
for them since they will have the chance to make an evaluation of the
situation.
Stating
that they consider that the process will speed up after the elections in the
“south”, Ozgurgun said that it is a preparation time for them.
Ozgurgun
added that they cannot say if the Cyprus problem will be solved by the end of
the year or the beginning of 2017, but added that it seems that the process
will be prolonged.
Also speaking, Serdar
Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) described the
briefing as fruitful and said that the result of the talks will be set in a
referendum. He added that the real agreement on the Cyprus problem is not on
the negotiating table but the importance of the agreement is on its
implementation. “It is for this reason that we should be sensitive. The two
peoples should respect and trust each other, otherwise, we will probably bog
down again”, Denktas said.
Supporting
that it is easy to reach to an agreement but it is difficult to make the
agreement viable. Denktas
said that they had the opportunity to convey to Akinci their worries. He added
that Akinci exerts efforts to protect the Turkish Cypriot’s rights at the
negotiating table with goodwill. He also argued that they cannot say that the
Greek Cypriot side shows the same goodwill.
In his turn, Cemal
Ozyigit, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said that they are hopeful
after the briefing about the process by Akinci and added that they still hope
that a solution is possible to be reached within 2016.
Stressing
the need to be more sensitive towards the issue of the Confidence Building
Measures (CBM), Ozyigit said that TDP will speed up its work towards this
direction.
(AK)
2. AKP
approved the changes in the water agreement submitted by the CTP and the
continuation of CTP-UBP “coalition”
Under the title “AKP said the coalition to continue”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (25.02.16) reports that the Justice and Development Party (AKP)
government approved the demands submitted last night to Ankara by the
self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu on behalf of the regime’s “government”
for changes in the draft agreement regarding the administration of the water
transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus through undersea
pipelines.
The paper writes that with Ankara’s positive reply the collapse of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) – National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled coalition government
because of the water issue was avoided.
Recalling that the deadline given by the UBP to the
CTP to solve what was described as “water crisis” ended yesterday, the paper
notes that during the day Kalyoncu
called Tugrul Turkes, Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs,
and managed to take a positive reply from Ankara to his requests. Kalyoncu
decided to call a meeting of the “cabinet” today for taking its approval on the
new agreement text.
Under the title “The water and the government crisis
was overcome”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (25.02.16), reports
that Kalyoncu told the paper’s reporter
that their demands for change were mainly regarding the “municipalities”, which
do not want to enter into the system.
“With
the change the municipalities will be given water from Turkey and a purchase
guarantee will also granted”, he said adding that with an amendment in article
6 of the agreement the water will first be given to the regime and afterwards a
tender will be invited in the occupied area of Cyprus for determining the
operator. Kalyoncu noted that
the underground water will not be given
to the private sector as their owner is the “state”. According to the
agreement, he added, the underground water resources should be taken under
control and the aquifers should be strengthened.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(25.02.16) reports that the water crisis
“was solved to a great extent”, adding that the disagreement between the
CTP and the UBP influenced the meeting of the “cabinet” yesterday that lasted
for only half an hour.
In statements to Kibris, UBP’s chairman Huseyin Ozgurgun said that they have given to the CTP
additional time until Monday. Speaking after a meeting with the “ministers”
of his party yesterday, Ozgurgun noted
that the party committee gave him full authority to deal with the issue. He
added that he would start his efforts since yesterday morning and on Monday he
will call a meeting of the party committee on the water issue.
Ozgurgun said that he does not want to enter into the
details as to which articles of the agreement will change and that his concern
is the end of the crisis, which should be solved by the “two governments”.
Furthermore, Kibris writes that a problem was created in the regime’s “ministry of finance” as Turkey
gave no money in January and February 2016 due to the water crisis. The
general secretary of the UBP, Dursun Oguz said that the “government” cannot pay the salaries and the pensions.
The “ministry of finance” issued a statement
confirming Oguz. The “ministry” said that the
pensions will be paid today and that it is continuing its intensive efforts for
paying the full salaries of the “civil servants” on Monday. The statement noted also that no money was
transferred from Turkey in January and February 2016.
(I/Ts.)
3. The “water platform”
protested against the privatization of the water transferred from Turkey
Under the title: “We
will not hand over the Turkish Cypriot’s right to live and produce”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (25.02.16) reports that the members of the “water platform” which was
established recently in the occupied area of Cyprus by several trade unions,
NGO’s and political parties, organized yesterday a protest in front of the
“prime ministry” to express its reaction against the “draft agreement on the
water” signed between Turkey and the “TRNC”.
According to the paper, the protesters condemned the “text of the agreement” and described the
water transferred from Turkey as the “water of death” instead of the “water of
life”, as it is described in the “TRNC”.
Speaking on behalf of the platform, Irfan Celik, “chairman” of the “olive
producers union”, explained that the “platform” is against the “draft
agreement” prepared by Turkey and the “TRNC” concerning the water management
and supply and described the articles 2 and 7 of the agreement as unacceptable.
Pointing
out that by accepting the “agreement” it would mean the privatization of the
water, Celik explained that a private company will have the right to manage and
administrate all the economic activities of the Turkish Cypriots, including
their right to live.
Celik
underlined that the “platform” is determined to struggle and will not accept to
hand over its right to live and produce.
The “water platform” is composed by Dev-Is, BES,
KTAMS, EL-Sen, Turk-Sen, KTOEOS, KTOS, BASIN-SEN trade unions, the Turkish
Cypriot political parties: New Cyprus Party (YKP), United Cyprus Party (BKP),
Social Democracy Party (TDP), Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP), the Famagusta
Initiative, the Feminist Association, the “municipalities” of the occupied part
of Lefkosia, Lefka, and Gialousa, the Kibris Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural
Association and other organizations.
(AK)
4. Siber said that they
should strengthen their “institutions” prior the Cyprus settlement in order to
be able to integrate with the world
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (25.02.16) reports that the self-styled assembly
speaker of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
Sibel Siber argued that the “Greek Cypriot administration” (translator’s note:
as she refers to the Cyprus government) should not prevent the “TRNC assembly”
to have meetings with diplomats at the international level and to abandon the behaviour
of ignoring the Turkish Cypriot “people” in every opportunity.
In
an announcement to Radyo Guven, Siber claimed that the education system in the
government controlled area of Cyprus stirs the feeling of enmity against the
Turks. She added that in order to be able to have peace, then this hostility
feeling should be extinguished among the young generations.
Siber
noted that the Turkish Cypriots desire to be part of the world with their own
identity, adding that they want to reach a just and viable solution of the
Cyprus problem based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political
equality as defined in the UN Resolutions. Siber argued that they want a
settlement that will establish the happiness of the future generations and not
to repeat the pains of the past.
Siber
further said that during the Cyprus talks, they should strengthen their own
domestic organization structures at every level of the “TRNC state” in order to
be able to integrate with the world prior to the solution.
(DPs)
5. Tunali:
“Chaos is created so that a positive outcome at a referendum”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.02.16)
reports that Tozun Tunali, the chairman
of the Social Democrat Party (SDP) stated that efforts are exerted so that
chaos to be created in the breakaway regime in order for a positive outcome at
a referendum.
Tunali, who issued a written statement, said that the
“environment of chaos” that is seen in many aspects at the “country” is related
to the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem. “The main reason behind
all these non-positives issues and problems we see in many sectors is to
increase the ‘yes’ votes”, he said adding that recently they have witnessed
“impossible and very difficult conditions” in the breakaway regime for which the
only explanation that could be given is this.
(CS)
6. The Public Affairs
Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia visited “Keryneia university”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis (25.02.16) reports that Ingrid D. Larson, Public
Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, visited yesterday the illegal
Keryneia university (“GU”). She was briefed on academic life of the
“university”, the on-going projects and donated books to the library.
The
U.S. officer met with the general secretary of “GU” Assist. Prof. Dr Hurmus
Refiker and the “deputy founding rector” of “GU” Tumer Garip. Dr Refiker said that the visit of Mrs Larson
honours them.
(DPs)
7. An academic
cooperation between “DAU” and ASU
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis (25.02.16), an academic cooperation between the illegal Eastern Mediterranean
University (“DAU”) and the Arizona State University (ASU) has started.
Prof. Dr Gary M. Grossman,
Associate Director for Programs in the School for the Future of Innovation in
Society and Associate Professor in the Global Technology and Development (GTD)
graduate program, with an accompanied team visited in the past few days “DAU” and
met with the “rector” of the “university” Prof. Dr Necdet Osam. During
the meeting, they exchanged information and discussed the cooperation among the
two “universities”.
The
cooperation agreement was signed by Prof. Dr Ahmet Sozen on behalf of “DAU” and
Prof. Grossman, on behalf of ASU.
(DPs)
8. Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris Postasi to suspend its printed version as of February 29
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (25.02.16)
reports that Rasit Resat, editor-in chief of the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi newspaper, one out of the sixteen Turkish Cypriot dailies published in
the occupied area of Cyprus, announced
yesterday in a written statement their decision to suspend the paper’s printed
version and added that the paper will continue functioning in digital form.
The paper will suspend its printing as of February 29.
(AK)
9. Erdogan
urges Turkish Parliament to remove HDP Deputies’ immunity
Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.02.16) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
called on Deputies to remove the parliamentary immunity of the Kurdish Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) Deputies, who he said are “mouthpieces” for the
separatist terrorist organization PKK.
Erdogan’s remarks came Wednesday in the Turkish
capital as he addressed a large group of mukhtars (local administrators) from
11 provinces.
The Turkish President slammed an HDP Deputy in particular
who recently visited the family of a suicide bomber -- who killed 29 people in
last week's terrorist attack in Ankara -- to offer their condolences.
“Nowhere in the world can you see a politician, a
political party or a lawmaker backing suicide bombers targeting civilians,” he
said, and called on the Parliament to take the necessary action regarding the
recently submitted motions to strip the HDP lawmakers of their immunity.
10. Erdogan
and the Turkish Foreign Ministry on US-Russia agreement on Syria
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (25.02.16) reports that
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
stated that Syria’s Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the People’s Protection
Units (YPG) should be excluded from a recently declared cessation of
hostilities in Syria, just like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
“The PYD and the YPG need to be out of the scope of
the cease-fire, just like Daesh is,” Erdogan argued during a speech to village
headmen in Ankara on Feb. 24. “Everybody should accept that the PYD and the YPG
are offshoots of the PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party],” he said.
A U.S.-Russia joint cease-fire deal announced on Feb.
22 is to take effect in Syria on Feb. 27, but the “cessation of hostilities” does
not include ISIL and the al-Nusra Front, the main jihadist factions, causing
Erdogan’s reaction.
In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.02.16)
reports that Foreign Minister Mevlut
Cavusoglu greeted the "cessation of hostilities" agreement that aims
to end the five-year conflict.
"We
welcome the steps taken to end the conflict in [Syria]. The U.S. and the
Russian Federation have carried out works on this issue. The U.S. has informed
us and has received our opinion”, he stated and added: "Turkey
has always supported ending the conflict in Syria. The cessation of the conflict
depends entirely on compliance with the commitment given by Russia, the
[Syrian] regime and all other allies on ending airstrikes and military
operations."
11. MHP
Bahceli’s aide resigns, calls for extraordinary convention
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (25.02.16) reports that Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy
leader Umit Ozdag has announced his resignation from his position, while also
calling for the holding an extraordinary convention, in a move which would
further fuel in-house tension between MHP chair Devlet Bahceli and his
opponents.
Ozdag said he submitted his resignation from his
position to the MHP headquarters on Feb. 24, adding he was not making a
statement in support of any candidates willing to replace Bahceli.
Since
the Nov. 1, 2015, election, in which the MHP only collected around 11% of the
votes and 40 lawmakers in Parliament, party dissidents have called for the
holding of an extraordinary convention to change the party’s leadership. Former MHP lawmakers Meral Aksener, Sinan Ogan and
Koray Aydın have already expressed their intention to run for the party
leadership but their attempts to hold a convention were stopped by party
headquarters. The call for an
extraordinary convention was recently taken to court for a final decision.
Bahceli launched a counterattack on party dissidents,
as he dismissed more than two dozen provincial MHP organizations which
supported calls for an extraordinary convention. Ozdag, a professor of
international relations, has become the highest level MHP official joining the
in-house opposition.
12. Rights
and freedoms in Turkey regressed further in 2015, Amnesty says
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (25.02.16)
reports that Amnesty International
Turkey Campaigns Advocacy Director Ruhat Sena Aksener stated that "It is
unfortunate but it is impossible to say that 2015 has been a progressive year
for Turkey". She made these statements during a press conference held
in İstanbul on Wednesday morning.
An
annual report was released by prominent rights watchdog Amnesty International
(AI) that showed there was a dramatic decline in human rights, particularly
freedom of the press, in Turkey over the course of 2015.
Encroachments on press freedom were heavily stressed
by the Amnesty representative, who said: “While all human rights hold
importance, the violations against the press were unprecedented" adding:"Freedom of the press in 2015 in
Turkey has fallen victim to pressures in a way that it has never before."
The report explained that one of the most targeted
groups by the government was the Hizmet movement, affiliated with Turkish Islamic
scholar Fethullah Gulen, in particular the movement's media organs.
Turkish and foreign journalists who were sent to
prison or deported, such as Mehmet Baransu, Can Dundar, Erdem Gul, Canan Coskun,
Frederike Geerdink and Mohammed Rasool for allegations of insulting a state
official or for terrorism charges, were also mentioned in the report.
Hundreds
of people including journalists, academics and even teenagers are facing
charges of insulting the President in Turkey. People are even being prosecuted for critical
messages they have posted on social media platforms.
Beyond
the press, freedom of expression for all citizens came under fire over the
course of 2015, according to
the rights organization. Aksener stated that blows to the right to express
oneself are in large part due to the ambiguous framework of the Turkish Penal
Code (TCK), particularly Articles 299 and 125, which deal with “insulting the
president” and “terrorism,” respectively.
13. Columnist
argues that Turkey–EU deal not just about Syrians
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (25.02.16) publishes the
following article by Barcin Yinanc
under the title “Turkey–EU deal not just
about Syrians”:
“Where do we stand on the Turkey–EU deal? Will it
succeed or fail?
First of all, it is still work in progress. There is
an understanding on the general framework and now both sides are working on the
details to make it concrete.
[…]
Europe’s most urgent priority is to see an immediate
drop in the numbers. In particular, German Chancellor Angela Merkel needs to
see concrete results in order to face down mounting criticism at home and also
to convince other EU members on the merits of the deal, facilitating their
contribution.
“The Turks, on the other hand, need to manage their
disappointment about the fact that 3 billion euros cannot come as a check in
one day,” said the same diplomat.
European officials in the Turkish capital tell me that
part of the money has already been unlocked and - despite initial resistance
from Turkey – Ankara has started to come forward with projects catering for the
needs of Syrian refugees, such as health and education infrastructure.
Part of the money will also be dedicated to improving
controls over the Aegean. […] That is
one of the reasons why Turkey has accepted NATO’s presence in the Aegean to
conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions. […]
Meanwhile, Turkey’s European allies are pressuring
Ankara to change its visa regime with certain countries. […] Most are believed
to be economic migrants rather than refugees. Although they come from many
different countries, Moroccans seem to be high on the agenda and were even
discussed during Merkel’s last visit to Ankara.
Turkish officials tell me, however, that the number of
Moroccans whose whereabouts are not known after they entered Turkey is
negligible.
It seems that the fact that Moroccans were among the
prime suspects over the New Year’s Eve harassment attacks in Cologne pushed
Merkel to bring this issue to Ankara’s attention.
Benefitting from the visa-free visit of 80,000
Moroccans every year, Turkey will probably drag its feet. The number is tiny
compared to the nearly 30 million overall tourist arrivals in Turkey, but in
view of the sharp drop among European and Russian tourists, Ankara would not
want to jeopardize the arrival of other tourists - however small the number.
Work is also underway on how the Turkish government
and the EU will work together for the latter to take Syrian refugees from
Turkey and settle them in different European countries. While the Turkish
government insists that European countries’ burden-sharing should not be
limited to financial assistance, its reluctance contributes to the EU’s
proposal to establish hotspots in Turkey where officials from both sides decide
on the “fate” of the refugees. No doubt, reaching an agreement on the specifics
of the issue will prove challenging.
These are issues on the agenda in the short term. In
the medium term, work will continue on the implementation of the readmission
agreement and other criteria that Turkey will have to fulfill in order to
secure visa-free travel to Europe for Turks.”
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
