TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 43/16 04.03.2016
1. Akinci describes the current negotiating process as
the “last chance for federation”
2. Akıncı met with Turkey’s Minister Isik
3. Tusk discussed the Cyprus problem with Davutoglu
4. Kalyoncu evaluated the water agreement
5. Turkish Minister said that
third countries asked them for water
6. Ozyigit condemned the so-called government for the
signing of the water agreement
7. The land on which a university in occupied Morfou
area will be built allegedly belongs to the self-styled minister of education
or his family
8. Angolemli and Durust talked
about Morfou’s return at the “assembly”
9. Applications for the establishment of more
“universities” in the occupation regime are waiting for “YODAK’s permission”;
statements by Durust
10. Dincyurek resigned from DP; Serdar Denktas
preferred not to comment the resignation
11. Havadis media Group and
Phileleftheros Media Group launched cooperation
12. Tacoy: “State policy cannot
be conducted only with Bayrak”
13. CHP to sue the AKP government for “aiding
terrorism”
14. Berkin Elvan’s murderer identified almost three
years after shooting
15. Columnist assesses the situation in Turkey
regarding the change of political system
1. Akinci describes the current negotiating process
as the “last chance for federation”
Under the title “The last chance for federation”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.03.16) reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has
argued that if the Cyprus problem is not solved in the current negotiating
process, “this will not only be the last experiment of our generation, but it
could be assessed as the last experiment for the federal system”.
In a joint interview with reporters of Havadis and
Phileleftheros / Cyprus Weekly newspapers, Akinci said that the negotiations
for establishing a federation have lasted for a long time and added that with
President Anastasiades they share the view that if they could not find a
federal solution, the next generations “will put the emphasis on other solution
models”. Akinci said that a solution in
2016 is possible and added that President Anastasiades also shares this view.
Noting that a will for a solution is now existing at
the table, Akinci reiterated his belief that “we do not need years for finding
a solution in Cyprus”.
Arguing that we are passing through a sensitive period
now because of the parliamentary elections to be held in May in the government-controlled
area of the Republic of Cyprus, Akinci
said that after May “speedy developments are possible”. “Until then we will try to achieve more
progress on the four chapters on which we made progress until now”, he said,
adding that progress has been achieved on the chapters of Governance and Power
Sharing, the EU, Economy and Property. He noted that in the above chapters
there are also issues that remain open and they will try to reduce their number
as much as possible.
Asked what is expected in the next stage, Akinci
replied: “I am suggesting the discussion
of the Territory and the Security/ Guarantees in a different format where the
map, the percentages and the names of the places will be discussed.No concrete
decision has been taken yet on these issues. However, on the territory issue we
do not want a situation like now to go, talk, to come back, to go back in ten
days, and meanwhile these issues to become front-page news in the papers. […]
We want to discuss the territory in a continuous process. And right after the
territory we want to complete the Security and the Guarantees with the
participation of the guarantors”.
Replying to a question on the confidence building
measures, Akinci argued that the Turkish Cypriot side has done whatever it
promised, but the Greek Cypriot side says that a law is an obstacle on the
connection of the cell phones networks. He argued that if the obstacle was in
the “laws” of the breakaway regime he would meet with the parties and overcome
the problem.
Asked
about the other factors which make the solution possible, Akinci said that the
most important issue is energy and reiterated the view that the energy
resources in the Eastern Mediterranean will either be turned into a field of
cooperation or into a means of conflict. He argued that the most “simple, quick and cheap”
route for transferring energy from Israel through Cyprus to Europe is Turkey.
Referring to the water which was transferred from
Turkey to the occupied area of the island, Akinci said: “Water came from Turkey here. This water came with a new technology.
This is an important project. Currently 75 million cubic meters will come. In
the future, when Cyprus is united, it is possible to create the capacity for the
whole of Cyprus to benefit with this technology.Therefore, this is a factor as
well, the electricity-water-natural gas and the mutual dependence which they
will create, the dependence in a positive direction. It is a dependence
which will create possibilities for cooperation. And the last factor is the following: The international community is
really supporting this solution. Turkey, Greece, the UN and the EU need
such an example. […]”
(I/Ts.)
2.Akıncı met with Turkey’s Minister Isik
According to
illegal Bayrak television (03.03.16) the Turkish
Minister for Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Isık who is illegally
visiting the “TRNC” to attend the “1st Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME)
Summit for the TRNC”, met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Speaking during
the visit, Isık expressed support to
Akıncı at the negotiations process, stating the following: “We are closely
following and supporting president Akıncı’s works towards a just and
comprehensive solution on the island. Hopefully, we will reach a lasting solution
as a result of the negotiations. But, Turkey will continue to stand by the TRNC
under any circumstances”.
For his part,
Akıncı said that the support expressed by Isık on the Cyprus issue was very
important. “All our efforts are aimed
towards creating a bi-zonal, bi-communal atmosphere in Cyprus. We are working
towards reaching a just and lasting solution which will not make our people
suffer again and which will not harm our equality, security and freedom.
Turkey’s support on this is so important for us and we will continue to work
with good will in order to achieve this goal”, Akinci said.
“I hope 2016 will be a year which a new political
climate will be created and instead of regional conflicts regional cooperation
will be on the agenda. We should continue working in order to be prepared for
the future”, added Akinci.
3.Tusk discussed the Cyprus problem with Davutoglu
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.03.16)
reports that European Council President
Donald Tusk who is currently in Ankara for talks on the refugee action plan,
held a face to face meeting with Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Davutoglu,
Tusk said that among the matters discussed during the meeting was also the
Cyprus problem.
Tusk
expressed the view that a solution on the Cyprus problem that will be on the
benefit of both sides in the island is very important for the security and the
stability of the region.
(AK)
4.Kalyoncu evaluated the water agreement
According to illegal Bayrak television (04.03.16) the so-called prime minister Omer Kalyoncu
evaluated his Ankara contacts and the water agreement signed with Turkey to the
illegal BRT and TAK news agency.
Kalyoncu
announced that the management of the water will be the responsibility of the
“TRNC”.
Describing
the water agreement signed with Turkey as satisfactory for both “countries”, he
said that “as a result of uphill struggles we managed to make changes in line
with the expectations of our people and obtained gains on the control and
management of the water”.
Kalyoncu also provided information about the changes
made on 13 articles of the agreement as a result of long negotiations with
Turkey.
Stressing
that the water project should be used in the direction of peace and
convergences, Kalyoncu expressed the hope that the water will open a new era in
relations between the two “countries” and bring peace, stability and mutual
benefit.
“We need a
positive relationship with Turkey during a time when our government is
preparing for new investments and for the implementation of many reforms and
projects” Kalyoncu added.
“A
bright future and establishment of a federal Cyprus in equality and peace will
depend on these good relations” he stated.
Evaluating
also the economic protocol to be signed with Turkey, he said the final
technical arrangements in the protocol were made during his visit in Ankara.
5. Turkish Minister said that third countries asked
them for water
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.03.16)
reports that the Turkish Forest and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu
evaluated the water project and stated: “This glory is ours”.
Eroglu, who was speaking at the Turkish Assembly,
about his Ministry’s annual budget, went on and added that this is the first
time that such a project took place and said that the water transferred will
meet the needs of the population in the occupied area of Cyprus for the next
fifty years.
He also stated that other countries which saw the
success of the project started asking for water from Turkey as well.
(CS)
6.Ozyigit condemned the so-called government for
the signing of the water agreement
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (04.03.16)
reports on statements by Cemal Ozyigit,
leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) who in a written statement
yesterday, condemned the so-called government for the signing of the water
agreement with Turkey and said that the “agreement concerning the management and
water supply” envisages articles which enable a private company to administrate
the water.
Accusing
the “government” for the signing of the agreement, Ozyigit said that together
with the “economic protocol”, the privatization of “electricity, telecommunication
and ports” will come into the agenda.
“In
what way those who approved the privatization of the water, will oppose to the
privatization of KIB-TEK, the Telecommunication department and all the other
institutions in the country”, wondered Ozygit.
(AK)
7. The land on which a university in occupied
Morfou area will be built allegedly belongs to the self-styled minister of
education or his family
Under the title “Is this allegation true”, columnist
Mert Ozdag reports the followingin Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper
(04.03.16):
“There are very
serious allegations regarding the land on which it is said that the Turkish
Nisantasi University will be built in Morfou. What it is mostly said is that
the land, on which the university buildings will be constructed, belongs to
education minister Durust or his family. In other words, according to the
allegations, the minister of education has sold land to the aforementioned
university. Of course, the duty of confirming such information belongs to the competent
authorities, but if it is true, this is not good. Because, how come the
minister of education sells his own land to a university to which he gave a
permit? Perhaps there is an illegal situation. However, in your view, is such
an alleged sale procedure ethical? In my view it is not. I hope it is not true
and I hope it is a lie. We will see”.
(I/Ts.)
8. Angolemli
and Durust talked about Morfou’s return at the “assembly”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.03.16)
reports that a discussion about occupied Morfou took place at the “assembly”
between Huseyin Angolemli “deputy” with the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) and
“minister of education” Kemal Durust.
Angolemli criticized the recent statements of Durust
about Morfou saying that statements like “we are not giving Morfou back, or we
are giving it back” at a time when the Cyprus negotiations are taking place are
very wrong and they put a burden on the Turkish Cypriot side.
Replying to Angolemli’s comments, Durust stated that
the stance of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci does not concern him
and added that the fact that the area needs investments is a reality. He went
on to add that he tries to reply to questions and problems occurring in the
area and while doing so he does not have in mind whether Morfou will be given
back to the Greek Cypriots or not.
Angolemli took again the floor after Durust’s
statements and said that even the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on
the Turkish Cypriots “Not to give Morfou back”.
“But he did not say; you shall not give Morfou”, Angolemli noted. He went on and wondered why after all these
years a new university is to be constructed in the area now.
(CS)
9.Applications for the establishment of more
“universities” in the occupation regime are waiting for “YODAK’s permission”;
statements by Durust
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.03.16) reports that the so-called minister of
education Kemal Durust, in statements during the meeting of the so-called
assembly, said that 5-6 applications were sent to the so-called Higher
Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (“YODAK”)
for permission for the establishment of new “universities” in the “TRNC”.
Commenting on this, Durust said that the “authority” for “giving permission” for the
establishment of a “university” should be given to the “parliament”. He
added that since there are already 12
“universities” in the “country”, it would be better instead of increasing the
number of the “universities”, to increase the quality of education that the
existing ones provide.
(AK)
10.Dincyurek resigned from DP; Serdar Denktas
preferred not to comment the resignation
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (04.03.16), Hakan Dincyurek, so-called deputy with the
Democratic Party- National Forces (DP-UG) has resigned from his post. .
Dincyurek’s official letter regarding his resignation
was read out during the plenary session of the so-called parliament.
Dincyurek
will continue as an independent “deputy” at the so-called parliament.
Speaking
to the paper about Dincyurek’s resignation, Serdar Denktas, chairman of DP-UG
stated that he preferred not to comment on this. He said that he does not know
the reason of this resignation and added that it would be better to ask
Dincyurek for this.
The
number of seats at the so-called parliament after Dincyurek’s resignation has
been formed as follows:
-Republican Turkish Party (CTP): 21
-National Unity Party (UBP): 18
-Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG): 7
-Social Democracy Party (TDP): 3
-Independent: 1
11. Havadis media Group and Phileleftheros Media
Group launched cooperation
Under the title “Havadis and Phileleftheros hand in
hand for Cyprus”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.03.16) reports
that within the framework of a strategic
cooperation between Havadis Media Group and Greek Cypriot Phileleftheros Group,
as of today the Cyprus Weekly newspaper
and the in-cyprus.com news portal in English are uniting their power to cover
developments happening in the whole of Cyprus seeing the island as a one single
country.
The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa
Akinci has described this cooperation as “a historic step for correct
communication”.In his message President Anastasiades applauded this
cooperation, noting after the lack of communication and the decades of
division, there are still serious problems in the two communities understanding
each other.
(I/Ts.)
12.
Tacoy: “State policy cannot be conducted only with Bayrak”
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (04.03.16)
reports that Hasan Tacoy, the secretary general of the Democratic Party (DP)
said that “state policy cannot be conducted only with Bayrak” but the help of
private channels is also needed.
Tacoy stated that private channels in the breakaway
regime face various problems mainly due to “unjust competition”. As he said,
the Turkish channels that broadcast in the occupied area of Cyprus are more
influential and have a bigger audience therefore get more commercials than the
Turkish Cypriot ones.
He went on and noted that the “state policy” should
not be left only to Bayrak since all the private channels can be very helpful
towards this direction and called the “state financial aid” to be increased. On
the contrary he said the aid is to be cut after June and this leaves the private
channels to survive only by their own means, which will be impossible under the
current circumstances.
(CS)
13.CHP to sue theAKP government for “aiding
terrorism”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (04.03.16) reports
that Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, the leader of
the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), will sue the government
for supporting terrorism. “This government and its predecessors have been the
ones which support and abet terrorist organizations”, said Kilicdaroglu and
added that their provincial heads of the party will take necessary steps in the
following days”.
Describing
the support a legitimate government gives to an outlawed terrorist organization
as a crime, Kılıcdaroglu implicitly said that his party would file a criminal
complaint against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
“A legitimate
government cannot support nor abet an illegitimate terrorist organization. This
is a crime. However, this crime has been committed in Turkey and is still being
committed,” Kilicdaroglu also said, adding that there was no terrorism when the
AKP came to power in 2002.
“Turkey
is now a lake of blood today. They ordered governors, ‘Do not touch
terrorists.’ They made the east and the south east warehouses of weapons. We
hear news of soldiers’ deaths every day,” he said and added that Turkey is one
step away from catastrophe.
14.Berkin Elvan’s murderer identified almost three
years after shooting
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (03.03.16) reported that a legal investigation has
revealed the identity of the police officer who shot the youngest victim of the
Gezi Park protests, 15-year-old Berkin Elvan, almost three years after a tear
gas canister that fatally injured Elvan was fired on June 2013.
A
report by daily Milliyet said that the police officer who caused Elvan’s death
has finally been identified, almost two years after the teenager succumbed to
his wounds following a 269-day coma on March 11, 2014.
Camera
footage from the incident displayed two police officers shooting tear gas at
the spot where Elvan, then 14, sustained his wounds.
The
footage was retrieved from the camera of a riot control vehicle with water
cannon, popularly known as a TOMA, and was sent to the gendarmerie criminal
laboratory for investigation.
An expert report identified a police officer and a
police superintendent as suspects, but it was later determined that only the
police officer’s position matched the direction from where Elvan was shot.
According to reports, the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s
Office has since been searching for the suspect and finally identified the
officer – some two years after the footage was retrieved.
The officer was transferred to a different province
and will testify in the coming days, daily Milliyet reported.
15.Columnist assesses the situation in Turkey
regarding the change of political system
In a commentary entitle: “Will the AK Party be able to change the Constitution?”, columnist
Ismet Berkan in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (04.03.16) writes the
following:
“We have
reached the stage where Turkey no longer has a Constitutional Conciliation
Commission. Indeed, it was never a very realistic prospect in the first place.
A
minimum of 367 votes are required to change the Constitution in a vote in
Parliament; 330 votes are required to hold a referendum. Anything below that
has no meaning.
The
biggest party in Parliament, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), does
not have 330 votes. What’s more, in a secret vote there is no guarantee that
all 316 votes of the AK Party will be positive. The Parliament Speaker cannot vote either. Even if all ruling party Deputies were
convinced and voted as a bloc, they would need at least 14 outside votes.
Could
these votes be found? Of course they could; this is what conciliation means. The three other parties in Parliament could reconcile
with the AK Party on several constitutional articles. But a political system change
is not among these articles.
The
fact that there is no climate of reconciliation for a constitutional change
introducing the presidential system does not seem to have led the AK Party to
postpone its plans. In the coming period, we should expect the party to form
its own commission and write a Constitution that includes the presidential
system.
AK Party officials will likely visit other parties and
look for reconciliation only after the drafting of this text is completed.
What
will happen if no agreement can be reached and the AK Party’s constitutional
proposal does not receive 330 votes in Parliament? At this point, there is a
strong opinion among many that early elections will be called, in order for the
AK Party to reach 330 Deputies to take a constitutional change toa referendum.
This opinion is thought to be supported by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
several AK Party members.
This
desire for an early election is based on the calculation that the Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) may not be able to cross the election threshold and the
AK Party would receive more than 50% of the votes. Whenever this is openly suggested it is immediately
denied: First Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denied it and then Presidential
Spokesman İbrahim Kalın.
It would truly be a weird and extraordinary
development for a country to hold elections once again after holding two
consecutive elections in the previous year. But this is Turkey. Holding two
elections last year was extraordinary enough in itself.
Indeed, for an opposition that opened the way for
President Erdogan and the AK Party to hold a second election last year, a
similar performance would not be extraordinary.
Unfortunately,
at this moment politics and political struggles in Turkey are only being
conducted within the AK Party - covertly and shyly.
Although it is not reflected much on the outside,
inside the AK Party there are those who automatically support President Erdogan’s
desired presidential system and there are those who hesitate to support it.
We
are all watching this political struggle from the outside. That “outside”
includes the opposition parties. Probably the opposition is just waiting for
the debate in the AK Party to settle and for clarity to arise. They also waited
just like this after the June 7 election last year, and we know what happened
next”.
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AFFAIRS SECTION
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