TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 52/16
18.03.2016
1.Akıncı: “The road to a solution in Cyprus does not pass through
Brussels but through Nicosia”
2. Kalyoncu condemned the recent terror attack in
Turkey
3. Talat: “If Turkey opens its ports, no possibility will be left for
us being saved from isolations”; Avci: “Turkey opening its ports will prevent
the comprehensive solution”
4. Angolemli supported that there are serious housing problems in the
occupied area of Cyprus
5. Columnist assesses Akinci’s statement: The decisions of “northern
Nicosia” in the negotiations will be taken in
Ankara
6. Bozkır: “Turkey will not accept partial agreement in Brussels”; He
reiterated that Turkey will not make any concessions to the Republic of
Cyprus
7. Tension in illegal DAU due to simultaneous activities of Grey
Wolves and Kurdish students
8. Broad security measures in the occupied area of Cyprus due to
Newroz celebrations; HDP’s Co-chairman might participate
9. Former Turkish Cypriot negotiators accused the Republic of Cyprus
of activating a policy of threats and blackmailing in
Brussels
10. Tacoy resigned from DP
11. Davutoglu called for the lifting of all Deputies’ immunities
without any discrimination; Reaction statement by opposition parties
officials
12. New regulation in Turkey against human
trafficking
1.Akıncı: “The road to a solution in Cyprus does not pass through
Brussels but through Nicosia”
According to illegal Bayrak television (17.03.16) Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akıncı argued that the road to a solution in Cyprus does not pass
through Brussels but through Nicosia.
Issuing a written statement yesterday, Akinci drew attention to
the importance of Turkey and Greece in reaching a settlement but reminded that
the ongoing process is a Cypriot led process.
Pointing out that the refugee crisis in Europe had created the
possibility of new opportunities in Turkey’s EU membership process, Akinci said
that the matter had once again turned the spotlight on the issue of opening up
Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot traffic. “We from the very beginning have supported Turkey’s full membership
to the European Union. We are, however, aware that as long as the Cyprus
problem remains unresolved, this will not be fully possible. Despite the fact
that there are numerous obstacles for Turkey’s full membership, it is the
settlement of the Cyprus problem which will ease EU-Turkey relations to a
certain degree”, said Akinci.
Akıncı also pointed out that it would be a mistake to think that the
principles so carefully upheld by Turkey and the “TRNC” on the issue of opening
ports will be abandoned.
“Those who believe that the Turkish Cypriots will be sidelined in the
solution process are dreaming” Akinci said, adding that any attempts to sideline
the “TRNC” in the talks will be unsuccessful.
2. Kalyoncu condemned the recent terror attack in
Turkey
According to illegal Bayrak television (17.03.16), so-called prime
minister Omer Kalyoncu, in statements yesterday, said that the Turkish Cypriots
are very uncomfortable by the recent rise in terror attacks in Turkey.
Kalyoncu condemned the recent terror attack in Turkey and argued that
the stronger Turkey is, the stronger the Turkish Cypriot side’s hand is at the
negotiating table.
“When there is instability in Turkey this weakens our position.
The death of people and the attempts to create chaos within Turkey makes us
uncomfortable. We do not approve of those carrying out terror attacks”, Kalyoncu
stated.
Reminding that he and other “TRNC officials” had sent messages of
condolences to his Turkish “counterpart” Davutoglu for those killed in the
recent terror attack in Ankara, Kalyoncu expressed the hope that such incidents
will not take place again.
3. Talat: “If Turkey opens its ports, no possibility will be left
for us being saved from isolations”; Avci: “Turkey opening its ports will
prevent the comprehensive solution”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (18.03.16) reports
that Mehmet Ali Talat, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and
former Turkish Cypriot leader, and Turgay Avci, former self-styled foreign
minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,
have commented on the possibility of Turkey opening its ports to the Republic of
Cyprus and the lifting of the blockade on negotiating chapters in Turkey’s
EU accession talks during the summit between EU and Turkey, which is being held
today.
“If Turkey opens its ports, no possibility will be left for us being
saved from the isolation”, alleged Talat in statements to the paper, claiming
that the Greek Cypriot side’s motivation for reaching a solution in Cyprus will
end.
Talat argued that the EU “has lost the momentum” of exerting
pressure on the Greek Cypriot side during the period when the Republic of Cyprus
had taken loans from the IMF and the World Bank. He alleged that the
pressure which will be exerted from now on will give “limited results”.
Noting that exaggerated comments and assessments are being made
regarding the developments, Talat said:
“Some think that everything has ended. It is an unnecessary panic.
Turkey meets with the EU. What is happening this time is no different than what
had happened many times. The Greek Cypriot side is asking for the ports again
and Turkey is resisting. After the solution, it says. That is, there is no new
position”.
Talat argued also that the Republic of Cyprus will not lift its veto
on Turkey’s negotiating chapters upon pressure by influential EU countries,
because this is an issue of “national interest” for the Greek Cypriot side.
Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue Avci alleged that the
opening of Turkish ports to the Republic of Cyprus will prevent the
comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem and will weaken the Turkish Cypriot
side at the negotiating table. “If Turkey opens its ports, this situation
will weaken us at the negotiating table, because the situation from our point
of view until now was that ‘Turkey does not accept the Greek Cypriot side as its
interlocutor”, he argued.
Asked whether he is satisfied by Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci’s
stance, Avci replied that politicians whose relations with Turkey were “at
a totally different point could turn into totally different persons as soon as
they come to power”, adding that “these friends are different when they are in
the opposition and different when they are in the government”. He added:
“Those who then had been saying to me ‘Mr Turgay you will continuously visit
Ankara’ and were harshly criticizing me when I replied ‘what shall I do, shall I
visit Athens?’ are going to Ankara today. Both our prime minister and our
president are in close cooperation with Turkey. I am happy for this”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Angolemli supported that there are serious housing problems in
the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.03.16) reports that
Huseyin Angolemli, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP), delivering
a speech yesterday during a meeting of the so-called assembly, referred, inter
alia, to the problems exist on the housing issue in the occupied area of
Cyprus.
Supporting that for a long time the problems on the housing issue
continue, Angolemli pointed out to the example of the Turkish Cypriots who left
their properties in the “south” and settled down in the “north” after 1974, and
argued that those people disclaimed their property rights in the “south”.
Stressing that the issue of those who left their properties in the
“south” will be an important matter of discussion during the Cyprus negotiation
talks, Angolemli argued that the so-called housing department is distributing
title deeds disregarding that some of these properties belonged to the “church”
and they were later given to the “Vakif foundation”.
Angolemli stressed the need for the establishment of a “committee”
that will be responsible to solve such problems.
Referring also to the problems that exist in the “TRNC” with the
distribution of “rural plots of land” since the value of these plots has been
increased in some regions, Angolemli called the “ministry of interior” to
examine this issue.
(AK)
5. Columnist assesses Akinci’s statement: The decisions of
“northern Nicosia” in the negotiations will be taken in
Ankara
Under the title “Daydreaming”, Turkish Cypriot columnist Serhat
Incirli in daily Kibris newspaper (18.03.16) comments the statement issued
yesterday by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci regarding the Cyprus
problem upon the recent meeting between President Anastasiades and Turkish Prime
Minister Davutoglu in Brussels. The columnist reports, inter alia, the
following:
“President Mustafa Akinci issued a written statement yesterday. He
said: ‘The way of the solution in Cyprus will pass through Nicosia, not
Brussels. Those who are dreaming of a situation in which the Turkish Cypriot
people will be left outside the solution process are only daydreaming’.
[…]
I endlessly respect everyone’s views on this issue. I do not have the
same view. The Turkish Cypriot people have since a long time been outside the
solution process, they have never been inside. In fact it is as if the Turkish Cypriot people ‘exist’ in or are
‘inside’ the solution process. However, they are not and have not taken place
[in it].
Take whichever ‘starting date’ you want, ‘Turkishness’ ‘Turkey’ exist
in the negotiations but the ‘issues of impasse in the basis or ‘the issue which
cannot be overcome’ are definitely not related with the Turkish Cypriots. The
way of the solution will pass through Nicosia. I agree only by 50% with Mr
Akinci on this point, Nicosia in question will not be ‘northern’, but ‘southern
Nicosia’. If a decision will be given or taken for northern Nicosia, it will be
taken in Ankara.
The ‘weight’ of the negotiations in Cyprus has been disappeared
because of the fact that the Turkey-EU relations have come to an urgent
phase. I wrote it yesterday as well: I believe that there is no need for a
‘negotiating model’ called ‘negotiations for finding a comprehensive solution to
the Cyprus problem’. The table has been bombed. And the perpetrators are
evident. The negotiations between Anatasiades and Akinci or Nami and
Mavroyiannis or the ‘two sides in Cyprus’ should continue now with the model of
‘piece by piece solution’. The urgency of the relations between Turkey
and the EU has necessarily carried the ‘bargaining for Cyprus’ to that center.
Saying that Turkey asked this or the Greek Cypriots wished this to happen is
not correct. However, what Mustafa Akinci described as ‘daydreaming’ is that
he does not accept that the issue slid to that center. If we express it more
correctly, the Cyprus problem has in the one way or the other entered into the
scope of the relations between the EU and Turkey and not seeing this is
tantamount to daydreaming itself. […]
Turkey has directly or indirectly, mediated or not mediated started
the bargaining with the Greek Cypriot administration. […] For this reason, I
assess Akinci’s accusation for ‘daydreaming’ as ‘the indignation of our being
humiliated’. And I think that this is a very sad situation. Why? Because
he had been alleging that he is ‘different’ from our community leaders who had
been ‘negotiating’ before. Rauf Raif Denktas was a Turkish nationalist who
has been totally struggling for Turkey’s interests. Mehmet Ali Talat was a ‘shop
window’ component for the AKP, which had come to power with projects such as
‘opening for a solution, opening for democratization, and opening for zero
foreign policy problems’. Six minutes after his elections, everyone had
understood that he could not take absolutely any step that was different from
Denktas’ stance and policy. It would be engaging in futile to associate Dr
Dervis Eroglu to the ‘solution’ or expecting him to embrace the ‘line of Turkish
Cypriot community’s interests’ independently from Turkey. However, Akinci was
different when he was elected and very ambitious, he was even the last
chance!!! And this is sad. […]
Of course, Akinci was different and would be different, but defeating
the system or the status quo was something totally separate. For example even his spokesman Baris Burcu started making
‘daydreaming’ statements such as that ‘the Greek Cypriots are annoyed by the
fact that Turkey wants a solution very much’.
In his written statement yesterday, Akinci says that ‘the Greek
Cypriot side’s wish to continuously getting the TRNC out of the way and making
Turkey as its interlocutor is something which will not be realized. […] Who is
daydreaming? For God’s sake, are there not two states currently (the Republic of
Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus) which are interlocutors? Akinci says that
‘Turkey will not do that’. It has done it already. […]
I am sure that I am not daydreaming. I am really very certain,
because behold the EU, behold the Republic of Cyprus and behold Turkey. In all
the news, the comments of the entire world these three names exist. However,
‘the Turkish Cypriots’, the ‘Turkish Cypriot community’, ‘the Turkish Cypriot
people’ […] do not exist!”
(I/Ts.)
6. Bozkır: “Turkey will not accept partial agreement in Brussels”;
He reiterated that Turkey will not make any concessions to the Republic of
Cyprus
Turkish daily Sabah (17.03.16) reported that Turkey’s EU Minister
and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkır said that Ankara will not accept the partial
adoption of their proposition submitted at the Turkey-EU summit on March 7 and
that in such a case, Turkey will continue its way with the terms agreed to on
Nov. 29, 2015.
Speaking to Daily Sabah on the eve of the resumption of the Turkey-EU
summit in Brussels on Friday, Bozkır said that Turkey's offer to the EU aims to
end the illegal migration flow to Europe and make migration safe and can only be
applicable if the EU accepts all of Turkey's terms. "We proposed our offer as a package to the EU on March 7. In our
previous meetings [with EU leaders we] already expressed that this deal can be
implemented only if all the terms are accepted by the EU. In case of partial
acceptance the deal will be off the table and Turkey will continue its way with
the terms of the previous deal agreed to on Nov. 29," Bozkır said on
Thursday.
(…)Bozkır further stated that they are ready for hard bargaining
and hours-long negotiations. "Negotiations will likely to continue until
early Saturday and the EU joint declaration will be released if we reach an
agreement. But it depends on the acceptance of Turkey's terms offered on March
7," he said.
Bozkır also criticized the Greek Cypriot President Nicos
Anastasiades's remarks that “Greek Cyprus”, as the Republic of Cyprus is called,
would block Turkey's EU accession if it does not recognize the country.
Commenting on this issue, Bozkır drew attention to the upcoming
election in “Greek Cyprus” in May and contended that Anastasiades's comments
were due to domestic pressure. However, Bozkır argued that “Greek Cyprus” is not an immune
member of the EU and cannot act as if the refugee crisis is not their problem
while other EU countries are taking steps to shoulder the responsibility. "Even
though there is public pressure to the refugee deal, all EU countries are taking
important steps to shoulder the responsibility. Greek Cyprus is not exempt from
it. During our meeting with European Council President [Donald] Tusk in Ankara
we stressed that the European Union must not allow Greek Cyprus to spoil the
deal," Bozkir added.
Bozkır also said that it is out of the question for Turkey to make
any concessions to “Greek Cyprus” such as opening Turkey's sea ports to Greek
Cypriot vessels.
7. Tension in illegal DAU due to simultaneous activities of Grey
Wolves and Kurdish students
Under the title “Tense day in DAU”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi
newspaper (18.03.16) reports that tension existed yesterday at the illegal
Eastern Mediterranean University (“DAU”) due to two simultaneous activities by
the Hearths of the Ideal (known as Grey Wolves) and students coming from the
eastern part of Turkey, as the Kurdish students are described by the paper.
A crowd of Grey Wolves supporters was gathered to welcome the
president of Turkey’s Hearths of the Ideal, Olcay Kilavuz, who visited the “DAU” students’ council and the occupied Famagusta
Hearths of the Ideal organization upon an invitation by Adem Yurdakul, chairman
of the so-called “TRNC Hearths of the Ideal”.
The “students from the East” were gathered to commemorate those who
lost their lives in the “Crime in Halepce” on the occasion of the
28th anniversary from the incident, which is described as a crime by the Saddam Hussein regime against
the Kurdish people.
No incident happened during the two activities because of the
“intense measures” taken by the regime’s “police” all day long.
(I/Ts.)
8. Broad security measures in the occupied area of Cyprus due to
Newroz celebrations; HDP’s Co-chairman might participate
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (18.03.16) reports that the
self-styled police of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus will take broad security measures so that the “Cyprus Big Newroz”
celebration, which will take place on Sunday 20 March in occupied Trikomo
village, to be held peacefully. If necessary, the entire “police force” will
be called on duty during the weekend, writes the paper noting that Newroz is the
celebration for the “waking up of the nature and the coming of spring”.
The paper recalls that the Newroz celebrations in Ankara and Istanbul
have been prohibited by the Turkish state due to the recent bomb attacks in the
country.
It is expected that this year, Selahattin Demirtas, Co-chairman of
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) will come from Turkey and participate in the
Newroz celebrations in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Asim Akansoy, self-styled minister of interior and labor, told Detay
that measures have been taken for the celebrations of Newroz on 20 March, in
which it is possible HDP’s Co-chairman to participate.
(I/Ts.)
9. Former Turkish Cypriot negotiators accused the Republic of
Cyprus of activating a policy of threats and blackmailing in
Brussels
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.03.16) reports that
the former Turkish Cypriot negotiators Ergun Olgun and Osman Ertug in a joint
statement yesterday, accused the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as they
described the Republic of Cyprus of activating a new policy during the summit in
Brussels between EU and Turkey, a policy of threats and blackmail, providing as
an excuse the Cyprus problem.
Olgun and Ertug condemned both President Anastasiades and Foreign
Minister Kasoulides for their recent statements that the Republic of Cyprus will
veto the opening of any new chapters in Turkey’s EU accession talks, if Turkey
does not implement the Ankara Protocol and alleged that Turkey and Turkey EU
Minister Volkan Bozkir will hold out on those threats.
(AK)
10. Tacoy resigned from DP
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (18.03.16) reports that
after the rumors of the recent days that Hasan Tacoy, “deputy” with the
Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) intended to resign from the post of the
general secretary of the (DP-UG), Tacoy announced yesterday after the meeting of
the central committee of the party, that he does not want to continue his duties
at the party.
As the paper writes, Serdar Denktas, chairman of DP-UG have said to
Tacoy that he could return back to his post whenever he wishes. Tacoy, however,
replied that he renounces his rights.
(AK)
11. Davutoglu called for the lifting of all Deputies’ immunities
without any discrimination; Reaction statement by opposition parties
officials
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (18.03.16) reports that Turkish
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has proposed Parliament to lift the immunity from
prosecution for all lawmakers and collectively review the 506 outstanding
dossiers, likely in a move to alter an ongoing fierce debate over stripping the
legislative immunity of members of Turkey’s Kurdish problem-focused party (HDP).
Davutoglu’s proposal found swift support both from the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Kurdish problem-focused
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) which has long called for the removal of
immunities for all members of the National Assembly, except for “podium
immunity,” meaning members of Parliament shall not be liable for their votes and
statements during parliamentary proceedings and for the views they express
before the assembly.
Replying to questions from reporters on March 17, referring to the
fact that there are summaries of proceedings sent to Parliament for lifting the
immunities of his ruling AKP Deputies too, Davutoglu said, inter alia, the
following: “Come, let’s all together lift all immunities. Namely, our call
today [is about] lifting all immunities regarding 506 files of summaries of
proceedings waiting at Parliament without making any distinction between any
party. AK Parti [the ruling Justice and Development Party - AKP] does not have
any file to avoid. We don’t get cold feet at all”.
CHP Deputy chairmarn Bulent Tezcan, in a press conference within
hours of Davutoglu’s call, responded positively.
“Let all immunities be lifted except podium immunity,” Tezcan
said. “The office of a legislator is not an office for protecting anybody and it
is not an office for hiding crimes either,” Tezcan
said.
During the same time, HDP spokesperson Ayhan Bilgen told the
state-run Anadolu Agency that Davutoglu’s call, which he said was “positive,”
was in line with what their party has long proposed.
“Since the beginning, we didn’t approve dealing with the immunity
issue on the basis of parties or one by one in regards to alleged crimes,”
Bilgen said. “The President should not put pressure on the Parliament where the
society’s will is represented,” he also said, citing Turkey’s agenda loaded with
“risky” items.
Nonetheless, the MHP took a cautious line vis-à-vis Davutoglu’s
proposal.
“Our leader will share our party’s stance on this issue
openheartedly. We don’t accept immunity armor on a lot of issues that don’t
comply with legislators’ duties and are against the Constitution,” MHP Deputy
Parliamentary Group Chair Oktay Vural told reporters, leaving the delivery of
their final say to MHP leader Devlet Bahceli.
12. New regulation in Turkey against human
trafficking
Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.03.14) reported that Turkey has
officially put into effect a new regulation against human trafficking, as part
of measures to try to stem the flow of refugees heading to Europe through
illegal means.
The regulation, prepared by the Interior Ministry and published in
the Official Gazette on March 17, aims to designate principles and procedures to
prevent human trafficking, as well as issue residency permits to some foreign
victims and provide support services.
The regulation has been prepared in line with the Council of Europe’s
“Action Plan against Migrant Smuggling,” targeting Turkish and foreign victims
of human trafficking.
As part of the regulation, a commission will be formed to conduct
work on creating policies and strategies for fighting and preventing illegal
trafficking, and to prepare an action plan and maintain coordination between
public institutions, international institutions, and
NGOs.
(…)
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