TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 48/16
11.03.2016
1. Colak on the Cyprus talks
2. Ozgurgun and Denktas call on Akinci to reveal the minutes of his
agreements with President Anastasiades
3. Director of Gezici Research Center said that Ozersay’s party can
reach 30%
4. Ozgur: If the “economic protocol” with Turkey is not urgently
signed, we will be obliged to implement bitter recipes
5. Akansoy met with the Turkish Minister of Social Security and
Labor
6. Problems at the dam in occupied Panagra village
area
7. U.S. Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs
visited the Hala Sultan Teke mosque
8. Turkes rules out terrorist link to “TRNC”
9. Bozkir reiterated that Chapter 24 should be opened before
June
10. Erdogan slams ‘unjust’ Russian interventions in Syria,
Ukraine
11. Total of 464 probes opened against Turkish academics over ‘peace
petition’
1. Colak on the Cyprus talks
Turkish daily internet newspaper T24 (online, 11.03.16) publishes an
interview of the self-styled foreign minister Emine Colak evaluating the latest
developments on the Cyprus talks to Germany’s Deutsche Welle in
Turkish.
Asked to comment on the latest situation of the negotiation process,
Colak said that there has been substantially progress in the four of total six
chapters of the Cyprus talks. She noted that the most difficult chapter is the
property one, adding that the issues of “guarantees and security” as well as the
“territorial adjustments” will be discussed last. Colak argued that due to the
upcoming parliamentary elections in “south Cyprus” (translator’s note: as she
refers to the Republic of Cyprus), there is an election campaign before the
elections, and she hopes that the Cyprus talks not to become an election
material.
Colak said that they wish that the political parties who support the
Cyprus settlement to win the elections and therefore to strengthen Anastasiades’
hand in the Cyprus talks.
Asked to comment on how the discovery of hydrocarbons is reflected in
the Cyprus talks, Colak reiterated that with the Cyprus settlement, it is very
important to improve the relations with Turkey in order to export the natural
gas to Europe through Turkey.
(DPs)
2. Ozgurgun and Denktas call on Akinci to reveal the minutes of
his agreements with President Anastasiades
Turkish Cypriot daily Demokrat Bakis newspaper (11.03.16) reports
that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party – National Forces
(DP-UG), has called on Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to urgently
reveal together with President Anastasiades everything on which they agreed
during the Cyprus negotiations. Addressing yesterday the “assembly” of the
regime, Denktas referred to the Cyprus negotiations and raised the issue of the
disclosure of the minutes of the National Council by the president of Socialist
Party EDEK, Marinos Sizopoulos.
Denktas said referring to Akinci:
“They should urgently announce together with Anastasiades everything
on which agreement is reached and not different things to us and different
things to the Greek Cypriot side. If Anastasiades is not willing to agree on
this, Akinci is in the position to share all the agreements. This is an
obligation by the president to his people. Let us know what is happening
before it is too late, what the agreements are, so that we raise our
voice as people”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (11.03.16) reports
that Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), has
called on Akinci to clarify the points of consensus, which the chairman of EDEK
alleged that Akinci has reached with President Anastasiades. In a written
statement issued yesterday, Ozgurgun argued:
“[…] The statement by Anastasiades, who described as
‘unacceptable’ the disclosure of the minutes of the National Council by
Sizopoulos and showed a great reaction to this, that this action gives a trump
card to the Turkish side is far from being sincere and aims at deceiving.
The fact that the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades has not denied the
achievement of agreements on various issues on the way to the solution has not
escaped attention.
In this situation, starting from the reality that the Turkish Cypriot
people have the right to learn the truths regarding their fate in this
geographical area from the president, who is assigned with the duty of
protecting their rights and interests, as UBP we urgently demand from him to
clarify the issues on which consensus has allegedly been reached and relax our
people”.
Finally, Ozgurgun criticized statements reportedly made by the Member
of the European Parliament (MEP), Eleni Theoharous that the Turkish Cypriots are
a minority of 17% in Cyprus which is a Greek island.
(I/Ts.)
3. Director of Gezici Research Center said that Ozersay’s party
can reach 30%
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (11.03.16) reports that
Murat Gezici, the general director of Gezici Research Center stated that the
newly established People’s Party (HP) could establish a single-party
“government”.
Evaluating the political strength of HP, Gezici said that it could
receive around 30% if elections were to be held and stated that the party’s
leader, Kudret Ozerzay has won the trust of the “people”. He went on and added that the 30% that the party could win does not
come as a surprise because by voting for Ozersay during the last “presidential
elections” the “voters” showed that they are sick of the status quo supporters.
In addition Ozersay appears to be a good alternative that is in line with the
world. Of course, Gezici stated, the other “candidates” of the party will also
play an important role to the percentage that HP will receive when elections
will be held.
(CS)
4. Ozgur: If the “economic protocol” with Turkey is not urgently
signed, we will be obliged to implement bitter recipes
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.03.16) reports that
Birikim Ozgur, self-styled minister of finance of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the “public”
finances are facing big problems and are “walking on a thin rope”, because the
“economic protocol” with Turkey has not been signed.
Addressing the “assembly” of the regime yesterday, Ozgur noted
that the “minister of finance” was not assigned with any duty on the issue of
the “economic protocol” that will be signed with Turkey and added that there
is no “coordinating minister” within the “government” on this issue. He said
that it would be correct to ask the self-styled prime minister the questions
as regards the “economic protocol”.
Ozgur expressed the view that the “economic protocol” must urgently
be signed and explained the difficulties which his “ministry’ is facing.
Ozgur said that they are struggling to fix the “public finances” and that
they want support to this struggle, otherwise they will be obliged to implement
“bitter recipes”. He argued that they have been able not to implement these
bitter recipes because of Turkey’s aid and donations, which he described as
“a big advantage”.
Ozgur said that the payment of the salaries is possible with this
support, but investments are also needed in the “country” and the private sector
needs to be supported for developing the economy. However, he added, with this
budget and structure only the salaries can be paid and no investment can be
made.
(I/Ts.)
5. Akansoy met with the Turkish Minister of Social Security and
Labor
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (11.03.16) reports that a
delegation headed by the “minister of interior and labor” Asim Akasony held a
meeting with the Turkish Minister of Social Security and Labor Suleyman Soylu in
Ankara.
According to the paper, Soylu stated during the meeting that the
project for the establishment of a “Labour and Social Security Joint Permanent
Council” which aimed to increase the administrative capacity of the breakaway
regime and to take up the problems experienced between the two “countries” in
the field of labor and social security will be completed soon. “We are ready to
sign this agreement which envisages the exchange of information through experts
and the establishment of a joint working group between our ministries” Soylu
said.
Akansoy on his part stated that they are restructuring the “TRNC” and
at the same time they are trying to reach a permanent and admissible solution on
the island. He also stated that the strong support, contribution and experience
of Turkey is significant for the Turkish Cypriots. “It is our priority to place
our relations to an institutional dimension with Turkey and to further develop
relations between the ministries of the two countries”, he stated.
(CS)
6. Problems at the dam in occupied Panagra village
area
Under the title “Fracture”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(11.03.16) reports that many “scandals” exist at the dam of occupied Panagra
village, into which the water which comes from Turkey to the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus is pumped. The paper writes that the injection of
cement for overcoming the fractures in the tunnels under the dam has stopped,
adding that only half of this work was completed within five months. The workers
of the Akeli-NVS-Gursesler partnership, which had been assigned with this duty,
abandoned their jobs because they were unpaid.
According to Afrika, the last two workers returned to Turkey the day
before yesterday. Around 60 workers of the company in the occupied area of
Cyprus are unpaid for more than three months.
In the beginning floods were caused because of leak of the water
pumped from Turkey in the tunnels, writes the paper adding that even occupied
Panagra village was flooded.
After the dam was emptied, everyone thought that this was a tension
between Turkey and the “TRNC”, notes the paper adding that the complaints
made by the workers to the so-called embassy of Turkey in the occupied part of
Nicosia, the “labor department” and the “ministry of interior” had no
result.
The Akeli-NVS-Gursesler partnership owes a big amount of money in the
market. Afrika describes as “nonsense” the statements that the water
from Turkey will start flowing to the households within three weeks.
(I/Ts.)
7. U.S. Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs
visited the Hala Sultan Teke mosque
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (11.03.16) reports that Shaun
Casey, U.S. Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs visited the
Hala Sultan Teke mosque.
The paper, citing information by the Religious Affairs Department,
writes that Casey met with the Imam of the Hala Sultan Teke, Sakir Alemdar, who
informed him about the mosque’s history and replied to his questions.
Casey who expressed his admiration for the mosque’s history and
beauty said to Alemdar that the use of the mosque is a natural right for the
Turkish Cypriots.
(CS)
8. Turkes rules out terrorist link to
“TRNC”
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 11.03.16), the
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes has said
that a terrorist killed in an attempted attack to a police station in Bayrampasa
Istanbul last week had no links to the “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).
In a written statement issued yesterday, Turkes evaluated claims that
one of the attackers had ties to “North Cyprus” and that the PKK terrorist
organisation was using the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus as a base of
operations.
“It is true that one of the terrorists involved in the Bayrampasa
attack had migrated to Cyprus from Turkey. The individual however had not been
in contact with her family for a very long time and her family in no way
approved of the attack. It’s been understood that the attack and the attackers
had nothing to do with the TRNC”, he argued.
Pointing out that there are around 85 thousand students studying in
the “TRNC”, 45 thousand of them from Turkey, Turkes said that it is a known fact
that terrorist organisations such as the PKK are keen on infiltrating
institutions of higher education, not only in Turkey and abroad but to the
“TRNC” as well.
He however added that “universities in the TRNC” provide a safe
environment for students and that there is no way such organisations can hold
ground within those institutions of higher education.
Stating that the “TRNC security forces are always taking necessary
precautions against possible activities of terrorist organisations, Turkes
called on everyone to refrain from making claims which would stigmatize or label
students studying in “universities in the TRNC”.
9. Bozkir reiterated that Chapter 24 should be opened before
June
Turkish daily Milliyet (11.03.16) reports that the EU Minister Volkan
Bozkir, evaluating the negotiations with the EU, argued that the Greek Cypriot
administration (translator’s note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus)
unilaterally blocks the opening of five chapters. He noted that they should open
and evaluate these extraordinary conditions that are included in the chapters,
which are blocked unilaterally by a country.
Speaking to the state-run Anatolia news agency on March 10, Bozkir
reminded that issues like border security and illegal immigration are all
included in the 24th chapter on “justice, freedom and security”. He
added: “We are discussing all these. We are organizing summits. We are taking
steps. We cannot open this chapter due to the capriciousness of one country.
Because of this, this chapter should be open absolutely and absolutely before
June”.
Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.03.16) reported that
Turkey will not readmit refugees who have already reached Greek islands under
a deal agreed with the EU earlier this week, Bozkir said on
Thursday.
“Turkey's readmission proposal to the EU will not apply to the
existing refugees on Greek islands but to those who will come starting from a
certain date after their evacuation,” he told Anadolu Agency’s Editors’
Desk.
The Minister, who also serves as Turkey’s Chief Negotiator on EU
affairs, said that the number of returnees would run into “maybe tens of
thousands of refugees” if the readmission plan with EU is
enacted.
Despite insisting on the relaxation of visa regulations for Turkish
nationals wanting to travel to the EU, Bozkir indicated that the deal would not
be reciprocal. “Even after visas [for Turks] are all abolished and become a visa
with work permit, we might [still] need to require visas from EU countries’
citizens because the main flow will not be from Turkey into Europe but from
Europe to Turkey,” he told the meeting of senior Anadolu Agency
editors.
(DPs)
10. Erdogan slams ‘unjust’ Russian interventions in Syria,
Ukraine
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (11.03.16) reports that Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed Russia’s “unjust” interventions in
Syria and Ukraine while reiterating Turkish support for the latter’s government
during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro
Poroshenko, in Ankara.
The Turkish President called for the removal of foreign troops from
Ukrainian territory and the re-establishment of control over the country’s
border with Russia. In return, Poroshenko expressed his appreciation for Turkish
support in the face of the “brutal violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity” by Russia. “Turkey
is a friend and partner,” he said.
The leaders also expressed agreement over the “illegal annexation” of
the autonomous region of Crimea in 2014. While Erdogan told reporters that
Russia had been “trampling over international law,” Poroshenko defined the
“transformation of Crimea into a military base” as unacceptable. They pledged to
act in cooperation in order to end the “temporary invasion” of Crimea.
11. Total of 464 probes opened against Turkish academics over
‘peace petition’
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (11.03.16) reports that a total of 464
investigations have been launched by public universities against academics who
signed a petition calling for an end to military operations in Turkey’s
southeast since the controversy erupted in January. In addition, nine of the
signatory academics have been fired and five others have left their jobs amid an
angry public campaign over the petition, according to a statement issued on
March 10 by a group of leading academics.
“Regarding academics at public universities there have been 464
investigations, nine firings, five resignations, 27 suspensions, 153 criminal
proceedings opened, and 33 detentions. At foundation universities there have
been 21 firings, one forced retirement, and 43 administrative investigations
[into terrorism-related allegations] since Jan. 11,” said a statement read out
at a press conference in Istanbul on March 10 by Esra Mungan, from Bogazici
University’s Psychology Department.
The press statement said a “legal and verbal war” had been waged
against signatory academics, even including death threats.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
