TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 39/16 26.02.2016
1. Cavusoglu: “An important
progress was achieved at the Cyprus negotiation talks”
2.
Eide met with Akinci and said that the procedure must be speeded up
3. Eroglu: “Turkey’s guarantees
is a sine qua non for us”
4. Akinci met with the French
Minister of State for EU Affairs
5.
The water crisis has been solved; Atun says that it is the biggest
privatization project
6. Reaction statements by Turkish
Cypriot opposition parties on the “text agreement on the water management”
7. Turkey’s Minister of Custom
and Trade to illegally visit the occupation regime today
8. A cooperation protocol was
signed between Turkey and the occupation regime on the environment
9.
The rights of journalists Dundar and Gul were violated, Turkey’s top court says
10.
Davutoglu: Turkey will defend itself if threatened
11.
CHP leader nets 10,000 legal complaints for naming Erdogan 'sham dictator'
12.
Saudi warplanes to arrive at Turkish base on Friday
13.
Survey: Domestic violence hits impoverished Turkish women more
1. Cavusoglu: “An important progress was achieved
at the Cyprus negotiation talks”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.02.16)
reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister
Mevlut Cavusoglu, in statements yesterday while briefing the Committee of
Foreign Affairs of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly (TBMM) on Turkish Foreign
Policy, referred, inter alia, to the latest developments on the Cyprus problem
and expressed hopes that a solution will be reached within the year.
“Both sides
achieved an important progress on the negotiation talks but still there are
some thorny issues that needed to be solved”, Cavusoglu said, adding, that
there is a consensus in the “TRNC” toward the solution.
“I
hope that a viable solution will be found on the Cyprus problem within the
year”, Cavusoglu added.
(AK)
2. Eide
met with Akinci and said that the procedure must be speeded up
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (26.02.16)
reports that UN Secretary-General's
Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide met yesterday with the Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Speaking
after the meeting, Eide stated that there is good progress in issues like the
constitution the economy and the EU; however the procedure must be speeded up. He also stated that they discussed with Akinci about
the agenda of today’s meeting between the two Cypriot leaders.
The meeting lasted around one hour. Chief of the UN Peace Keeping Force Mission,
Lisa Buttenheim, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami and the member of the
Turkish Cypriot negotiation team Erhan Ercin were also present at the meeting.
(CS)
3. Eroglu: “Turkey’s guarantees is a sine qua non
for us”
Under the title: “Turkey’s
guarantees is a sine qua non for us”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (26.02.16) reports that the former
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in statements from Turkey where he
attended a meeting of the “cooperation society between Turkey and the TRNC”, referred to the Cyprus problem and replied
to the allegations saying that we are nearing to a solution on the Cyprus
problem.
“We
are not close to a solution at the moment. South Cyprus has excessive demands”, stated Eroglu.
Referring
to the recent statement made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos
Anastasiades who has said that “we will reach an agreement so that both sides
will not lose”, Eroglu argued that Anastasiades speaks craftily and alleged
that Anastasiades speaks like this in order to become accepted that it is his
side which lost during 1974, so that it will gain what it has lost. “The cost
for this would mean territory, the return of Turkish settlers and the
withdrawal of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) from Cyprus”, Eroglu said.
Eroglu underlined also the importance of the
continuation of Turkey’s effective guarantees. Comparing their situation with
that of the Palestinians, he said that “having a motherland is a great fortune
for them”.
(AK)
4.Akinci met with the French Minister of State for
EU Affairs
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (26.02.16)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci met with the French Minister of State for EU Affairs, Harlem
Desir.
According
to a written statement of the so-called presidential palace, the latest
developments in the Cyprus negotiation talks, as well as EU and regional issues
were discussed during the meeting.
Desir
was accompanied during the meeting by the French Ambassador to the Republic of
Cyprus Rene Troccaz.
(AK)
5. The
water crisis has been solved; Atun says that it is the biggest privatization
project
Under the title “The water crisis has been solved”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.02.16) reports that the problem regarding the water brought to
the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey and endangered the future of the
self-styled government ended yesterday. The self-styled council of ministers approved the text of the agreement
upon which they have been working for a long time and authorized self-styled
prime minister Omer Kalyoncu to sign it.
After the meeting held at the “assembly”, Kalyoncu said that he will talk with the
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu within the next few days and sign
together the agreement, which afterwards will be submitted to the regime’s
“assembly”.
Kalyoncu said that three articles were creating
discomfort on the water issue and added that changes have been made regarding
these articles. He argued: “The very last issue on which we gave emphasis was
our administration to be considered as administration and the municipalities
which will not participate in the system not to be punished. Important steps
were taken on these issues. …”.
Replying to a question on the issues they agreed with
Turkey, Kalyoncu said that the problem
was that no water would be given to the “municipalities” which would not
participate in the system. He added: “In
this agreement we will give water from Turkey to these municipalities as well.
These municipalities will not only take the 10% share. No investment will be made in them. They will make their own investments
themselves. No procedure will be made regarding their personnel. They will
employ their own personnel and pay the salaries themselves”.
Kalyoncu said also that the contract will be prepared
within one year after they sign the agreement with Turkey.
Meanwhile, Kibris also reports that in statements
during one of his meetings yesterday, self-styled minister of economy, industry
and commerce, Sunat Atun said that the
water is the biggest privatization project carried out until today by the
“TRNC”, the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus. He described
as a “detail” the issue of the distribution of the water by the private sector
or the “municipalities”.
Furthermore, Huseyin
Ozgurgun, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), the minor “coalition
partner”, expressed his satisfaction
that Kalyoncu stated that the water crisis is over, but added that he does not
approve the “unpleasant debates” which took place as a result of
“administrative weakness”. He argued that debates and “artificial crises”
have been experienced for some months on the water issue.
Finally, Mehmet
Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the major
“coalition partner”, said that the
solution of the water problem in a manner accepted by both “countries” will be
very good for the “country”. He noted that the “municipalities” will join
the system upon their own will and by using their capacities. “I think that this was a result we wanted
to achieve”, he argued. Asked whether the disagreements within the CTP have
ended, Talat replied that the disagreements within the CTP will never end, but
his complaint is the discussion of these disagreements through the press.
Kibris
publishes the full text of the agreement.
(I/Ts.)
6. Reaction statements by Turkish Cypriot
opposition parties on the “text agreement on the water management”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(26.02.16) reports that Serdar Denktas,
leader of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG), in statements yesterday
during the meeting of the so-called assembly, reacted over the “text agreement on the water management” which was
approved by the so-called council of ministers and asked from the so-called
prime minister Omer Kalyoncu to brief them on the “amendments” made on the
“text agreement”.
“We
consider as a disgraceful the result of the prolonged crisis occurred on the
water with a spell amendment. No amendment was made in fact. The municipalities
will try to deliver the water without being ready and without having the
necessary infrastructure. The pipes will burst”, Denktas said.
Also speaking, Huseyin
Angolemli, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP) demanded from
so-called prime minister Kalyoncu to speak openly about the issue.
Supporting
that no amendment was made concerning the “municipalities” in the “text
agreement” comparing with the “draft agreement”, Angolemli stressed the need
for the so-called government to enlighten the “public” about the cost of the
water and the details of the “agreement”.
Moreover, Izzet
Izcan, chairman of the “United Cyprus Party” (BKP), in a written statement
yesterday called the “government” to publish the soonest possible the details
concerning the “text agreement” on the water management.
“How will you proceed to the approval of such an
important agreement on the water without informing the people about the context
of the agreement and without asking them first?”, Izcan wondered.
Izcan
went on and condemned the so-called government of CTP-UBP for carrying out
contacts behind the scenes and for keeping the context of the agreement secret.
Izcan reiterated that they are against the
privatization of the water transferred from Turkey and recalled that the “water
platform” and his party will continue their struggle to protect the Turkish
Cypriot’s rights and against the privatizations.
Also, in
statements to his personal account in social media, Kudret Ozersay, leader of
the newly established People's Party (HP), called the “government” to announce
the amendments it has made from the past until today.
(AK)
7. Turkey’s Minister of Custom and Trade to
illegally visit the occupation regime today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.02.16)
reports that the Turkish Minister of Custom and Trade Bulent Tufekci will pay
an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus today.
According to the paper, Tufekci will meet with
so-called minister of finance, Birikim Ozgur and the so-called minister of
economy, industry and trade, Sunat Atun with whom they will sign two different
agreements. The agreements envisage the establishment of a “joint custom
committee” between Turkey and the “TRNC” and the protection of consumers.
Tufekci will also meet later with so-called prime
minister Omer Kalyoncu.
(AK)
8. A cooperation protocol was signed between Turkey
and the occupation regime on the environment
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.02.16)
reports that the “ministry of public
works, environment and culture” of the breakaway regime signed a two year
cooperation protocol with Turkey’s Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
According to information acquired by the so-called
ministry, the protocol will be valid for
two years (2016-2017) and envisages the donation from Turkey to the “TRNC” of
32 garbage vehicles, street sprinklers, and sweeping machines.
The protocol was signed in Ankara on February 18 by
the “undersecretary of the ministry of public works, environment and culture”,
Gurkan Kara and the Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry, Mustafa Ozturk.
Commenting on the protocol, so-called minister Kutlu
Evren said that Turkey is always by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and
thanked the Turkish Ministry for its support and contribution.
Evren went on and said that they will continue with
new projects in the field of environment and in other fields as well.
(AK)
9. The rights
of journalists Dundar and Gul were violated, Turkey’s top court says
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (26.02.16) reports that in a decision that paves the way for the
release of two journalists imprisoned for 92 days, Turkey’s top court ruled on
Feb. 25 that the rights of daily Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Can Dundar and
Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul have been violated.
Dundar and Gul’s application to the court on Feb. 17
had argued that their rights were violated and the earlier ruling on their
arrest lacked sufficient justification.
Reviewing the appeals, which asked for the two men to
be tried without arrest, the top court referred them to the 17-seated Plenary
of the Constitutional Court, which issued its decision on Feb. 25.
The Istanbul 14th Heavy Penalty Court was expected to
later rule for the release of Dundar and Gul from Istanbul’s Silivri Prison.
The two journalists’ lawyers argued their clients
“freedom of expression, freedom of the press and personal liberty security and
freedom” had been violated.
Dundar
and Gul are accused of espionage, threatening state security, and supporting an
armed terrorist organization over two stories published in Cumhuriyet about
National Intelligence Agency (MİT) trucks allegedly filled with weapons and
bound for Syria. The two were arrested by an Istanbul court on Nov. 26 last
year, triggering reactions from press organizations, NGOs, and many Western
states.
According to the ruling, Article 19 of the Constitution,
which states that “Everyone has the right to personal liberty and security,”
was violated. The AKP has long insisted
that no journalists currently jailed in Turkey are being prosecuted due to
charges related to their profession.
10. Davutoglu:
Turkey will defend itself if threatened
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (26.02.16) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
stated that the Syria cease-fire plan will not be binding if Turkey's security
is threatened, adding that Ankara would take "necessary measures"
against the People's Protection Units (YPG) and DAESH if needed.
"The cease-fire is not binding for us when there
is a situation that threatens Turkey's security, we will take necessary
measures against both the YPG and DAESH when we feel the need to," Davutoglu
said in the central province of Konya. "Ankara is the only place that
decides actions regarding Turkey's security," he said.
On
his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that “YPG terrorists
would like to divide Syria just like Daesh”.
Speaking
at Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.02.16)
Cavusoglu said that the main goal in Syria should be to ensure the
country's territorial integrity rather than giving it to a single entity.
"The PYD and YPG's aims are obvious. They want to
split Syria, to establish administrations for them each and they do not hide
their goals."
Cavusoglu also said that the U.S. was being betrayed
by the PYD. Referring to the group's recently opened bureau in Moscow he said,
"The PYD has started to sell out the U.S. and has opened an office in
Moscow."
Reporting on the same issue, Hurriyet Daily News (26.02.16) writes: “Washington will re-evaluate its
assistance to Syria’s Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the event Turkey provides
detailed information on the party’s direct support to outlawed PKK elements
operating in Turkey, a U.S. official has said”. The paper goes on and
reports that a senior U.S. official told the HDN on Feb. 25. The
following: “We have very strong concerns
about PYD actions in northwest Syria … And of course we are very concerned
about potential YPG military support from Syria to PKK elements operating in
Turkey,”
11. CHP
leader nets 10,000 legal complaints for naming Erdogan 'sham dictator'
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (26.02.16) reports that the number of legal complaints against main
opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaorglu for "insulting President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan" during two recent speeches and in his Twitter postings has
reached 10,000.
Kilicdaroglu named Erdogan a "sham dictator"
during a speech at the Jan. 16 Republican People's Party (CHP) congress, a
weekly address to his party Deputies three days later and postings the same
day. The Parliamentary Crimes Department of the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's
Office keeps receiving complaints on the matter, according to data gathered by
Anadolu Agency. Complaints mainly come
from ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputies, party members and
some civil society organizations.
12. Saudi
warplanes to arrive at Turkish base today
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (26.02.16)
reports that airplanes from Saudi Arabia
are expected to arrive at Turkey's İncirlik base today to take part in missions
in Syria.
Two C-130 military cargo planes, carrying about 30 Saudi Air Force personnel and military
equipment had already arrived at İncirlik on Tuesday to prepare for the
deployment of fighter jets, the private broadcaster CNN Turk reported,
citing diplomatic sources.
Four
F-15s will arrive at the base on Friday.
With the arrival of the Saudi jets, there will be five
foreign countries with aircraft at İncirlik for military missions in Syria.
This will also mark the first time Saudi warplanes have been deployed at a
Turkish base for military operations.
13. Survey:
Domestic violence hits impoverished Turkish women more
Turkish daily Sabah (26.02.16) reports that a survey released at a parliamentary
committee investigating the causes of domestic violence showed that women in
poor families are more inclined to be subject to violence. It also found that
the highest rate of domestic violence is in central Turkey.
The Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), a Turkish
nongovernmental organization for women's rights, shared the findings of a
survey on domestic violence at a parliamentary committee on Wednesday. The
survey presented to the Committee for Research on Familial Integrity showed that
the economic status of families is proportionate to the cases of domestic
violence. Women from poor families are more exposed to violence, according to
the survey announced by KADEM President Emine Sare Aydin Yilmaz, and the highest rate of domestic violence cases
recorded last year were in central Anatolia, with 43%.
The
survey titled "Woman in Changing Turkey" found that the rate of
exposure to physical and sexual violence among women in well-off families
remains at 31% while it is as high as 43% among women in low-income families.
Along with central Anatolia, the country's northeast
also experiences a high rate of domestic violence at 27%. The KADEM survey
showed one in every four women in Turkey is a victim to domestic violence while
the figure is one in every three for women in Europe. Women were also asked
about their opinion about divorce, with the majority saying they would fight to
save their marriage.
A total of 413 women were killed by their spouses and
relatives between February 2015 and February 2016, according to a nonprofit
organization.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
