TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 45/16
08.03.2016
1. Burcu says that they are ready to discuss the system of
guarantees, but not Turkey’s guarantees
2. Colak: “Mersin has always been a vessel for
us”
3. Columnist argues that Eroglu is getting ready to return to
politics
4. Akansoy: The number of applications for “white cards” increased
since 17 February 2016
5. Caglar and Berova are taking place in PACE meeting in Paris
6. Turkish MIT issued a warning to the breakaway regime for the
possibility of a Turkey like bomb attack
7. EU pushes for 'breakthrough' Turkey migrant deal next
week
1. Burcu says that they are ready to discuss the system of
guarantees, but not Turkey’s guarantees
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (08.03.16) reports that
Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that
the Turkish Cypriots are ready to discuss the system of guarantees, not Turkey’s
guarantees.
In statements to Ada television, Burcu argued yesterday that the
Turkish Cypriots need Turkey’s guarantees and added:
“We need Turkey’s guarantees. […] Turkey’s guarantees are
important for us. When we discuss the system of guarantees, we are ready to
discuss the system, not Turkey’s guarantees. This is what we are trying to
explain. […] In parallel to this, we are aware of the fact that the content
of the solution will be different than the content in the 1960’s.That is, in
the content of the solution itself we will obtain some security elements. For
example, in 1960 we did not have a separate police force. We did not have
separate courts. Bi-zonality did not exist. All these new concepts will bring
new security elements to us. While creating a new system of guarantees we
could take these into consideration […]
If in the future we write a new security history, if Turkey
obtains a new status in which we could be all together at the same ground like
the EU, the new generations may then discuss whether there is a need for these
guarantees in that conditions. However, today we do not have the luxury of being
able to conduct this discussion […]
When we say that the Turkish Cypriots’ security need should be
respected, we are not saying that the guarantees issue should remain the same.
We are taking into consideration the changing conditions. What we want is
Turkey’s active guarantee. In parallel to this, we are open to an arrangement which will
not constitute a threat for the Greek Cypriot community by taking into
consideration the changing conditions. I think that the same should be
expected by the Greek Cypriot side in the property
regime”.
Burcu said that developments will be happening in the negotiations,
but not as quickly as in the past. He argued that they are very cautious when
replying to some views and alleged:
“[…] We are not looking for replying everything, make accusations on
everything. However, there some issues sometimes that you cannot remain
silent and you are obliged to make a bold statement. For example, the issue as
to whether the solution will be continuation of the Republic of Cyprus or a new
situation will come up is very important. You cannot remain silent to this.
For example, the issue that no agreement can be reached if Morfou is not given.
We want to overcome this as well”.
Referring to the elections in the government-controlled area of the
Republic of Cyprus, Burcu argued:
“They could cause wrong perceptions and spoiling of the atmosphere a
little bit. By exhibiting a decisive stance in the beginning we made them
understand that we would not permit this and prevented this from being turned
into an endless debate. Therefore, I can say that we are experiencing a
controlled trouble. Let them overcome the elections without any problems
and after the elections a more intense negotiations timetable will begin. It
is true that we will not sit back and wait until the elections. The negotiators
are meeting three times a week and a good job is done […]”
(I/Ts.)
2. Colak: “Mersin has always been a vessel for
us”
Illegal Bayrak television (07.03.16) broadcast that “foreign
minister” Emine Colak is in Mersin to attend the 8th of March International
Women’s Day event of the Mersin Bar Association.
As part of her contacts in the city, Colak paid a visit to the
Governor of Mersin Ozdemir Cakacak at his office.
“There are important relations between the TRNC and Turkey. Mersin
has an important bond with the TRNC. It is the closest point to the country.
Although we have had many problems and embargoes for many years, we could always
travel to Mersin. Mersin has always been a vessel for us and is always an
important point”, she stated during the meeting.
For his part, Mersin Governor Cakacak said that there were rooted
relation between Turkey and the “TRNC” and added that Turkey had always
supported a just and permanent solution in Cyprus.
3. Columnist argues that Eroglu is getting ready to return to
politics
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (08.03.16) publishes
information by the paper’s columnist Gokhan Altiner who citing information in
his daily column “Kulis” (Backstage) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader
Dervis Eroglu is getting ready to return to politics.
According to Altiner, Eroglu will get back to those “deputies” of the
National Unity Party (UBP) who did not previously support him and will start a
struggle against them.
Altiner also writes that following the recent resign of Hakan
Dincyurek, “deputy” with the Democratic Party (DP), more “deputies” of DP will
leave the Party. He also writes that Hasan Tacoy, Ozdemir Berova and Mentes
Gunduz are some of the DP “deputies” who are said that will resign from DP.
Altiner also writes that it is very possible these “deputies” to ask to return
to UBP. However; UBP’s chairman Huseyin Ozgurgun is not willing to take them
back for the time being.
(CS)
4. Akansoy: The number of applications for “white cards” increased
since 17 February 2016
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (08.03.16) reports that Asim
Akansoy, self-styled minister interior and labor of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the number of
applications for acquiring a “white card” increased since 17 February 2016,
when the fee for filing an application decreased from 2,000 Turkish liras (TL)
to 1,000 TL.
In statements to the paper, Akansoy noted that by the end of 2016,
the gains of the “white card” holders will increase, adding that they are
working on the issue of the “white card” holders obtaining all the rights of a
“TRNC citizen” except for the right to “vote and be elected” and that they are
expecting to conclude this work by 2017.
He also said that they have prepared a television spot for
encouraging people to take “a white card” and the broadcasting of this spot will
start soon.
Akansoy noted that the number of the persons working in the
occupied area of Cyprus having a “work permit” is around 40 thousand and that
ten thousand persons have currently the right to file an application for a
“white card”, which is not obligatory now, because according to the existing
“legislation” one can live in the occupied area of Cyprus having a “work
permit”.
With the “legal arrangements” which will be made, he added, only
those persons who possess a “white card” will be obtaining the right for the
regime’s “citizenship”.
(I/Ts.)
5. Caglar and Berova are taking place in PACE meeting in Paris
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (08.03.16) reports that
Mehmet Caglar “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Ozdemir
Berova “deputy” with the Democratic Party (DP) will participate in the Council
of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) which is taking place between 7-8 of
March in Paris.
They will attend the “Political Affairs, Democratic, Law and Human
Rights Committee”.
(CS)
6. Turkish MIT issued a warning to the breakaway regime for the
possibility of a Turkey like bomb attack
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (08.03.16) reports that
the National Intelligence Service of Turkey (MIT) issued a warning to the
“national intelligence service” of the breakaway regime that a bomb attack,
similar to the attack that took place in Turkey some time ago, could take place
in the occupied area of Cyprus.
The paper citing trusted information, writes that the “police” is
alarmed for any suspicious movement and measures are taken towards this
direction.
(CS)
7. EU pushes for 'breakthrough' Turkey migrant deal next
week
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (08.03.16) reports that European Union
leaders on March 7 hailed a "breakthrough" in talks with Turkey on a deal to
curb the migrant crisis but delayed a decision until a summit next week to flesh
out the details of Ankara's new demands.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stunned his 28 EU counterparts
in Brussels when he suddenly asked for an extra three billion euro ($3.3
billion) in aid and visa-free travel for Turks to the bloc by
June.
In return he proposed to take back all illegal migrants landing on
the overstretched Greek islands, and suggested a one-for-one deal under which
the EU would resettle one Syrian refugee from camps in Turkey in exchange for
every Syrian that Turkey takes from Greece. Davutoglu said that the one-for-one
Syrian refugee swap deal was "game-changing" and denied that Turkey was
"demanding" money, urging the world to share the burden of hosting Syrian
refugees.
In addition, Turkish daily Sabah (08.03.16) reports that Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the European Union for a four-month
delay in disbursing a promised 3 billion euro fund for refugees agreed under a
readmission deal signed in November.
"It's been four months. They are yet to deliver," Erdogan said in a
speech in Ankara, as Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held summit talks on the
refugee crisis with EU leaders. "Mr. Prime Minister is currently in Brussels. I
hope he will return with the money," said Erdogan.
The EU has pledged to provide 3 billion euro [$3.2 billion] in aid
for refugees hosted in Turkey, visa liberalization for Turkish citizens and
speeding up of the candidate country's EU accession process. In exchange, the EU
is expecting Turkey, which hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees in the
world, to stop migrants and refugees from entering Europe via its neighbor
Greece. Erdogan also noted that Turkey has spent 10 billion dollars on 2.7
million Syrian refugees in the country.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
