TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 50/16
16.03.2016
1. Fear escalated in the occupied area of Cyprus after the recent
bomb attack in Ankara
2. Burcu comments on Anastasiades - Davutoglu meeting: The
negotiations are held between the community leaders
3. Ozgurgun: “Akinci told me he cannot agree with Anastasiades”
4. Tusk met with Davutoglu in Ankara; Tusk: 'We cannot accept
terrorism as new normal”
5. “On the way for implementing the Ankara Protocol; The next 48
hours are critical”
6. A “technical committee” of the so-called prime minister due to
Turkey to finalize the “economic program”
7. Representatives of the “Turkish Cypriot Hotelier’s union”
evaluated their participation in ITB Berlin Tourism fair
8. 805,422 registered subscribers of cell phones in the occupied area
of Cyprus
9. Erdogan: “Definition of ‘terrorists’ should be broadened to
include ‘accomplices’”
10. A British academic detained by Istanbul police over ‘PKK
propaganda’
1. Fear escalated in the occupied area of Cyprus after the recent
bomb attack in Ankara
Under the title “tension for terror in northern Cyprus”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.03.16) reports that the “terrorist
attacks” in Turkey and the recent bomb attack in Ankara have caused the fear
that such attacks could take place in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus as well.
Panic was created in the “country”, writes Kibris, after the allegation that the
British secret services had warned that crowded places in the occupied area of
the island should be avoided because danger exists.
While bags, packages and similar forgotten things in various places
had not been attracting attention in the past, now they are causing doubts
regarding the existence of a bomb. Such a fear was created yesterday in
occupied Famagusta by a rucksack forgotten behind a trash bin next to a bus stop
and in occupied Trikomo by a suitcase left in front of a market. In both
cases no bomb was detected after the “police” conducted a search in the area.
In occupied Morfou, however, an 81-millimeter mortal projectile was
found in a trash bin in the road where self-styled minister of education Kemal
Durust is located, something which caused questions and fear. No answer was given to
the questions “what would have been done with this mortal projectile and why it
had been abandoned in the trash”, notes the paper.
Meanwhile, the self-styled ministry of interior and labor denied
yesterday the information that the British secret services have warned people to
avoid crowded places in the occupied area of Cyprus due to the danger of a bomb
attack and called on the people not to pay attention to any other
information except for the “official statements”.
Finally, the chairmen of the two “coalition partners”, Mehmet Ali
Talat (Republican Turkish Party) and Huseyin Ozgurgun (National Unity Party),
stated yesterday that measures have been taken at the highest level in the
occupied area of Cyprus against “any internal unrest”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Burcu comments on Anastasiades - Davutoglu meeting: The
negotiations are held between the community leaders
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (16.03.16) reports
that Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, was called
to comment on the recent meeting between President Anastasiades and Turkish
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Brussels and said that the solution of
the Cyprus problem will be produced by the Cypriot leaders. In statements
yesterday, Burcu said the following on the issue:
“The subjects of the Cyprus problem are the Cypriots and the
solution process is being conducted under the guidance of the leaders and by the
negotiating teams. It is already conducted within the framework of the
principles of the agreement text of the 11th of February and this is
the substance of the issue. And this has a natural logic. The solution to be
found in Cyprus will interest all sides. Those who will be affected the most are
the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots”.
Burcu pointed out that the lifting of the veto of the Republic of
Cyprus on some chapters regarding Turkey’s EU accession process has been
discussed during the meeting and alleged: “The EU is also sick and tired.
When Turkey’s negotiating chapters will open, a veto by the Greek Cypriot side
is in question”.
Referring to the meetings between Turkey on the one hand and Greece
and Cyprus on the other, Burcu argued that “the indirect elements should never
get ahead of the main element” and “the main element is the overall solution
of the Cyprus problem”. He said that Turkey is the subject of its own
accession process to the EU and shares information with the Turkish Cypriots
on this issue, but “we may not be informed on every detail regarding
every process”.
Asked whether they had been informed regarding the above-mentioned
meeting, Burcu said that it might not be possible for them to be informed
regarding “sudden developments”, adding that “we also have the opportunity
to communicate a few days later”.
Replying to a question on the influence on the Cyprus problem of the
overcoming of what the journalist called as “veto crisis” between Cyprus and
Turkey, Burcu argued that their priority is the solution of the Cyprus problem
and added that the opening of the ports will positively influence the Cyprus
problem. He said: “Turkey opening its ports to the south will benefit to
our being opened to the world. If such an environment could be achieved, it will
secure benefits to everyone. However, I think that this will not happen, because
I know the positions of the sides”.
Referring to some issues of the Cyprus negotiations, Burcu reiterated
that the past history of the “peoples” of the island has not been built on trust
and that Turkey’s guarantees are important for the Turkish Cypriot community.
“With this history of mistrust which we lived, Turkey’s guarantees are
absolutely necessary for the Turkish Cypriots”, he argued.
Asked on the point at which the Cyprus talks have come, Burcu said:
“I think that we have come close to the light, but the
acceleration of our approaching the light has slowed down. We have to
consider this to be natural. The needs of the elections process and the solution
process are different. I am not dreaming that we could achieve a progress,
the solution on the difficult issues in this process. […] On the issue of
governance and power sharing important agreements have been reached except for
the rotating presidency and some issues as such related to it. […] I think
that if the rotating presidency comes to a point of being handled in a manner,
it will be related to the cross voting. […] We have not entered into a
bargain on the land. The property will be discussed at the final
stage. We have achieved an agreement on some criteria on the
property. Some definitions should be made. For example what is the
‘essential development’? Because devil is hidden in the details. What is the
‘user’ expression encompassing and how? We need progress on these issues.
[…]”
Referring to the issue of the “citizenship”, Burcu said that the
Turkish Cypriot leadership’s effort is in the direction of all “TRNC citizens”
becoming citizens of the federal Cyprus. Noting that the sides have shared
information regarding their “citizens”, Burcu argued that “our population is
around 220 thousands and their [population] around 800 thousands. The details
are not important at all. The principles are important. We are seeking for an
arrangement by which all TRNC citizens to become citizens [of federal Cyprus].
This is our promise and we are backing it. […]”
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozgurgun: “Akinci told me he cannot agree with Anastasiades”
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (16.03.16) reports that
Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), has
alleged that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci had told him that he could
not agree with President Anastasiades on the Cyprus
problem.
Addressing a meeting of his party in occupied Goneyli last night,
Ozgurgun claimed that a solution to the Cyprus problem could not be reached
even after another 50 years, because “the Greek Cypriots having this
mentality do not intent to make an agreement”. He alleged:
“I am saying this based on what? I am informed about all the
developments both as party chairman and as former minister of foreign affairs.
Whoever the president is, not only the Greek Cypriot side has no intention of
an agreement, but no one who says ‘I am the leader’ in the Turkish Cypriot side
can sign an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side which has such an
approach. A TRNC president who will sign and accept these conditions will
only become submissive and will give a kind of a present to the Greek Cypriot
side. During the latest meeting at the president’s office, Mr Akinci also
said that they could not do that. ‘I cannot agree with Anastasiades’, he
said”.
Claiming that the information coming from the Greek Cypriot side is
different, he alleged:
“The Turkish army will be withdrawn, they say. During a telephone
conversation I had with Mr Akinci, he told me that the withdrawal of the Turkish
army from the island is not possible. The Turkish Cypriots will never accept
this. Therefore the Greek Cypriots lie, he said. And I asked from him to make
this statement. ‘You make it’, he said to me. Therefore, we can be relaxed on
this issue. No Turkish president can sign an agreement which does not include
Turkey’s active and effective guarantees. First we will not allow it. However,
president Akinci also told me that he would not sign it”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Tusk met with Davutoglu in Ankara; Tusk: 'We cannot accept
terrorism as new normal”
Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.03.16) reported that the European
Council President Donald Tusk emphasized on Tuesday his solidarity with
Turkey in the aftermath of the recent Ankara bomb attack that killed 37
people.
Speaking at a news conference with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,
Tusk expressed his condolences to the victims and families affected by another
appalling terrorist attack in Ankara and said: “We cannot accept terrorism as
the new normal”.
“No matter how many times it has happened, we will never get used to
it and we will always fight it,” Tusk said. “Let me reiterate this pledge and
stress that we stand together in the fight against terrorism, yesterday, today
and tomorrow”, he added.
Tusk is in Ankara ahead of a second EU-Turkey summit later this week
that will focus on migration as Europe seeks to seal an agreement that will stem
the flow of refugees from Turkey to Greece.
Turkey has also demanded 6 billion euro ($6.66 billion) to help it
care for refugees, increased progress on its EU bid and visa-free travel for
Turkish nationals in the EU.
Tusk said the summit would “put together the elements needed to make
this proposal legally sound, in line with EU and international law, practically
implementable and, of course, acceptable to all 28 EU member states as well as
to Turkey.”
However, much work remained, he told reporters. “Today we established
a catalogue of issues that we need to address together if we are to reach an
agreement by Friday.”
Davutoglu in his turn said that the essence of Turkey's proposal was
the “human dimension”. “Turkey suggested a proposal, within its moral
responsibility, to make more people not die in the Aegean Sea and to decrease
illegal crossings and to finish them completely, if possible”, stressed
Davutoglu, adding: “We have never negotiated about money. We have never
regarded this issue as a financial matter. This issue is a humanitarian issue.”
5. “On the way for implementing the Ankara Protocol; The next 48
hours are critical”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(16.03.16) reports that according to some allegations, the possibility of
reaching a formula for lifting the veto of the Republic of Cyprus on the opening
of negotiating chapters in Turkey’s EU accession negotiations is very high while
the summit of 17-18 March in Brussels on the refugees’ issue is approaching.
Citing a “high ranking diplomatic source”, the paper writes that
Turkey will implement the Ankara Agreement for all 28 EU member states and in
return for this the Republic of Cyprus could open the five chapters it had
frozen in Turkey’s accession negotiations.
The source said the following to the paper: “The next 48 hours are
very critical. Such a climate had been created ten years ago. We are really
experiencing dazzling developments and an unbelievable diplomatic traffic is
being conducted. The issue is the refugees issue between Turkey and the EU and
as Turkish Cypriot side we are also an important element in this process”.
The source disagreed with the news published in the press that the
Turkish Cypriot side had been by-passed during these
developments. The source added: “Lifting the veto in return to ports has been
on the agenda for a long time and there have been 4-5 initiatives for its
solution but unfortunately these initiatives were not materialized. The
possibility of being materialized this time is high, but in such sensitive
issues as these anything can happen until the last moment”.
Meanwhile, according to the paper, after the meeting he had yesterday
in Ankara with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, who visited
Turkey after holding a meeting with President Anastasiades in Nicosia, Turkish
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: “Tusk conveyed to us their views
after meetings they held with member states. And we also expressed our views”.
(I/Ts.)
6. A “technical committee” of the so-called prime minister due to
Turkey to finalize the “economic program”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.03.16) reports that
a “delegation of the technical committee”, of the occupied regime, headed by the
“undersecretary” of the “prime ministry”, will visit today Ankara with the aim
to put into final form the “economic protocol” to be signed with Turkey.
According to information given by illegal TAK’s correspondent, the
“delegation” will carry out contacts with the Turkish delegation, in order to
put the final touches on the 70-pages draft document of the “economic program”.
The “delegation” is composed by the “minister of finance”, the
so-called minister of economy, industry and trade, the so-called minister of
agriculture, natural resources and food and bureaucrats from the “state planning
organization” (“DPO”).
(AK)
7. Representatives of the “Turkish Cypriot Hotelier’s union”
evaluated their participation in ITB Berlin Tourism fair
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.03.16) reports on
statements by several “representatives” of the “Turkish Cypriot Hotelier’s
union”, who attended the ITB Berlin Tourism fair which took place in Germany
recently.
According to the paper, the “representatives” in the sector
exerted efforts during their stay in Germany to turn the negative atmosphere
exist in the region in the sector of tourism, as positive and promote the “TRNC”
as the right alternative for tourists.
In statement on the issue, Esra Celikeri, “director of the office
of the union”, explained to the paper that within the framework of their
participation in the fair, they held contacts with hoteliers and agencies in
Germany and signed several agreements.
Celikeri referred also to the figures published by the so-called
ministry of tourism according to which Germany ranks second on the number of
tourists visiting the “TRNC”, with Turkey comes first and the UK third.
Also speaking, Suleyman Kansu, “director” of Salamis Bay Hotel in
the occupied area of Cyprus, stated, inter alia, that they had decided to take
radical decision to promote the “country’s tourism”.
Referring to the crisis occurred in Turkey’s tourism sector and
especially in Antalya as a result of the crisis with Russia, Kansu stressed
the need to make long-term plans and promote Cyprus to the European tourists as
“the rightest alternative at the right time”. He further added that their
aim is to give incentives to tourists who will be transferred to the “TRNC” with
charter flights.
Moreover, Ufak Caga, “general director” of Chato Lambousa hotel,
said, inter alia, that they will try to turn the negative atmosphere in the
region as an advantage and attract as more tourists they can.
(AK)
8. 805,422 registered subscribers of cell phones in the occupied
area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (16.03.16) reports that
according to figures given by the “Information technologies and communication
organization” on the electronic information sector in the occupied area of
Cyprus, the number of registered subscribers of cell phones in the “TRNC” until
the end of 2015, was 805, 422.
According to the figures, 413, 392 are active subscribers with
“north Cyprus Turkcell” mobile operator while 243,002 are active subscribers
with Telsim mobile network.
The figures have shown also that “Turkcell” holds 61.3% of the market
share while Telsim holds 38.7%. Moreover, the total registered mobile
subscriptions which are active are 656,394.
(AK)
9. Erdogan: “Definition of ‘terrorists’ should be broadened to
include ‘accomplices’”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.03.16) reported that Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has argued in the aftermath of the third
major suicide bomb attack in Ankara in the past five months that the
definition of “terrorists” needs to be broadened to include supporters of
terrorism, who are equally guilty.
“Their titles as an MP, an academic, an author, a journalist do not
change the fact that they are actually terrorists. An act of terror is
successful because of these supporters, these accomplices,” Erdogan told reporters during a dinner to celebrate Doctor’s Day on
March 14.
“It’s not only the person who pulls the trigger, but those who made
that possible who should also be defined as terrorists”, Erdogan added.
“Some circles, at home and abroad, are at a junction. They will
either side with us, or with terrorists. There is no middle way,” Erdogan also
said.
10. A British academic detained by Istanbul police over ‘PKK
propaganda’
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.03.16) a
British academic has been taken into custody on suspicion of making propaganda
for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), after distributing leaflets inviting
people to Nevruz holiday celebrations on March 21.
Chris Stephenson, a lecturer in computer science at Istanbul’s Bilgi
University, was taken into custody in Istanbul on March 15, after he went to the
Istanbul Police Department in a show of support for the three Turkish academics
detained on March 14. The three academics had been detained in relation to an
investigation into signatories of a petition calling for an end to clashes
between security forces and PKK militants in January, and they were set to
appear at court on March 15.
Commenting on the incident, officials from the British Embassy in
Ankara told the Hurriyet Daily News that they are aware of the detention of a
British national and that they are providing consular
assistance.
Stephenson was taken to the Istanbul Police Department upon a
prosecutor’s instruction on accusations of “making propaganda of a terror
organization,” as the leaflets he distributed included messages and pictures
aimed at making PKK propaganda, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
The case into the petition was opened after 1,128 academics from 89
different universities - including foreign scholars like Noam Chomsky, David
Harvey and Immanuel Wallerstein - signed a declaration titled: “We won’t be part
of this crime,” which called on Ankara to end the “massacre and slaughter” in
southeastern Turkey.
Universities and prosecutor’s offices across the country subsequently
opened probes into many of the 1,128 Turkish and foreign academics and
intellectuals who fall within the Turkish state’s jurisdiction, arguing that the
petition exceeded the limits of academic freedom.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/AM)
