TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
66/16
09-11.04.2016
1.
Akinci
reiterates that the target is achieving peace and solution in Cyprus
within 2016
2.
Akinci: “2016, year for a Cyprus solution”
3.
Ozgurgun stated that nothing has been finalized on the efforts to
form a new “government”; Statements by Serdar Denktas
4.
Small parties call on for early “elections”
5.
Turkey will try to upgrade the status of the breakaway regime at the
Istanbul summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
6.
Kalyoncu evaluated the “economic protocol”
7.
Yeni Duzen reports that UBP has been in power more than the other
political parties
8.
Occupied churches are falling into ruins
9.
King of Saudi Arabia due to Turkey for an official visit
10.
Survey in Turkey showed that 93% favor reintroducing the death
penalty
1.
Akinci
reiterates that the target is achieving peace and solution in Cyprus
within 2016
Under
the title “The target is solution this year”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (11.04.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa
Akinci has reiterated that their target is to achieve peace and
solution in Cyprus within 2016.
Akinci,
who is
departing for a three-day visit in Germany today as guest of the
German Foreign Minister,
said yesterday that they
are working with all their power for creating a new period which will
protect their equality, freedom and security, will not lead them back
to the past and save the future generations from uncertainty.
Akinci
noted that they want to fulfill this important responsibility for the
future generations and argued that no
community can remain outside the international law forever.
According to Akinci, the Turkish Cypriots wish to build a better
future by safeguarding their rights and added that this wish can be
realized with the efforts of both sides.
Commenting
on the view that the effort today is to turn into “yes” the vote
of the Greek Cypriot community which had voted “no” by 75% in the
referendum held twelve years ago, Akinci said: “This
is the half of the picture. Of course I want the 75% of the no vote
to be turned into yes. This is necessary for the solution. Another
issue which is needed is to be able to preserve the 65% of the yes
vote of the Turkish Cypriots”. Noting that this is difficult,
Akinci said that no solution which is not based on the “people”
can be a solution.
Akinci
pointed out that the
leaders have not yet come to the day of presenting an agreement to
the “people”.
Referring
to the internal issues of the Turkish Cypriots, Akinci said that it
is not his duty to say who is right and who is wrong for the collapse
of the CTP-UBP self-styled government, adding that this is “at
people’s discretion”. Akinci argued that he kept the promise he
had given to keep equal distance from all political parties and be
impartial and independent.
After
his three day visit to Germany, Akinci
will travel to Istanbul where he will attend the 13th
Islamic Conference Summit of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation
to be held between 14 and 16 April.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Akinci: “2016, year for a Cyprus solution”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (09.04.16) Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci prior to his visit to Germany gave an
interview to Germany’s International broadcasting corporation
Deutsche Welle where he gave his evaluation regarding the Cyprus
problem, Turkey and the EU relations.
Akinci
pointed to the importance of 2016 and noted that the Greek Cypriot
leader Nicos Anastasiades, the UN, the EU, Turkey and Greece all
agreed that this year could be the year of a solution.
Despite
all the difficulties, Akinci said there were no major problems that
prevented a solution from being realized and added that the situation
on the island was neither all lavender and roses nor complete
darkness.
“Out
of the 6 chapters, serious progress has been achieved on 4, but of
course we do have some serious problems but we aim to overcome these
problems and gain momentum in the second half of the year”, said
Akıncı.
Referring
to the local elections that will take place in “south” Cyprus, as
he called the Republic of Cyprus next month, Akinci expressed the
belief that momentum will be gained after the elections have been
completed and they will work so that 2016 will be the year of a
solution on the island.
“As
long as the Turkish Cypriot people are not an equal part of a federal
structure to be formed, then the EU will continue to be short and
unfulfilled. We want the EU to be rid of this wrong and we believe
that a Cyprus that has no boundaries within itself and the formation
of a united federal Cyprus will be beneficial to all’, Akinci
added.
Explaining
that experts from the European Union had come to the island to aid in
preparing the Turkish Cypriot “people” for EU harmonization once
an agreement is reached, Akinci said that up until now this level of
contacts had not taken place and for the first time such intense
contacts had been held between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot side.
Referring
to the contacts he will be holding in Germany next week, he
reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s desire to find a solution to
the Cyprus problem and added that he wanted to reach an agreement
that would protect the “peoples’” rights on the island and
allow them to take their rightful place within Europe and the world.
He
said that a solution to be found should be assimilated by the two
leaders on the island, accepted and approved by the majority of the
“people” on the island when taken to a referendum.
“Of
course Turkey has some weight on the island we can’t deny this. The
military is here and it has economic contribution to the island. And
a subject where Turkey will be involved is the issue of security and
guarantees that is why we will take up that issue last. If we get a
good outcome from the other chapters I believe we can reach an
agreement on this issue as well”, Akinci argued.
3.
Ozgurgun stated that nothing has been finalized on the efforts to
form a new “government”; Statements by Serdar Denktas
According
to illegal Bayrak television (09.04.16), the
leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun, who’s
party was given the mandate to form a new “government”, said that
although he may be able to form a “government” that has 26 seats
in “parliament” it would be wrong to say that the “government”
has been formed 100% or that it was formed in this way.
Making
a statement regarding his efforts to form the new “government”,
Ozgurgun said that he is working to form the next “government”
but that nothing had been finalized yet.
He
explained time was needed to carry out some meetings but indicated
that by the 16th of April a certain list may be formed. “We must
sit down and discuss how a coalition will be formed. Yes, we may be
able to reach the 26 seats needed but how this will be done is yet
unclear- by
next weekend something will emerge” Ozgurgun stated.
According
to the “constitution”, Ozgurgun has 15 days to present the
“president” with the new “cabinet”.
Currently,
in the 50 seat “parliament” the Republican Turkish Party-United
Forces (CTP-BG) has 20 seats, the National Unity Party (UBP) has 18,
the Democratic Party (DP) has 5, the Social Democratic Party (TDP)
has 3 and there are 4 independent candidates.
Meanwhile,
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.04.16) reports that Serdar
Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) in
statements on Friday night after the meeting of the central committee
of his party, announced that they had decided to support the efforts
by the National Unity Party (UBP) to establish a coalition
“government”.
Stressing
the need for the establishment of a long-term “government” in the
“TRNC”, Denktas said that the party’s central committee has
decided to give priority to carry out discussions with the UBP for
the establishment of a new “government” and added that in case
that those would yield no result, then they continue with CTP.
Asked
to comment on the scenarios saying that the UBP had proposed to his
party some certain “ministries”, Denktas said that he would not
make bargaining on the “ministries” and added that their priority
is for the problems of the “country” to be solved.
Referring
to the Cyprus negotiation talks, Denktas said that they have no
doubts about Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s good intention
and goodwill at the talks. “We have no doubts on Akinci’s
goodwill. The one which we do not trust due to its insincerity is the
Greek Cypriot side”, Denktas argued.
(AK)
4.
Small parties call on for early “elections”
The
Turkish press writes that smaller parties in the breakaway regime
criticized the efforts for establishing a new “government”
between the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP)
and called on for early “elections”.
Kibris
(10.04.16) reported that the chairman of the United Cyprus Party
(BKP) Izzet Izcan stated that he does not believe that a
“government” that will be useful for the “people” will be
established and called on for early “elections”, noting that the
decision should go to the “voters”.
Yeni
Duzen (11.04.16) reports that on his part the chairman of the newly
established People’s Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay stated that the old
parties were unable to keep the promises they gave to the “people”
and said that calling for early “elections” is the only answer to
the recent developments.
Finally,
Kibrisli (10.04.16) reported that the member of the New Cyprus Party
(YKP) Alpay Durduran stated that the same chorus has remained in the
political scene since 1980 and said that early elections will give
the chance to new persons to act.
(CS)
5.
Turkey will try to upgrade the status of the breakaway regime at the
Istanbul summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
Under
the title “Quarrel over Cyprus in the summit”, Turkish daily
Cumhuriyet newspaper (11.04.16) reports that the status of the
breakaway regime will come again into the agenda at the Summit of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which will take place on
April 13-14 in Istanbul.
According
to the paper, in 2006 when Turkey was hosting the OIC meeting, the
breakaway regime was accepted as “Turkish Cypriot state” at the
summit, but this was cancelled after an initiative by Egypt. The
paper notes that during the new summit Turkey will try to undertake
the same effort so that a similar decision for the breakaway regime
to be taken. (TR. Note: the breakaway regime participates in the
summits under the “observer” status).
Cumhuriyet
also notes that the Saudi Arabia King Selma Bin Abdulazizi, who is
currently visiting Turkey and paid a visit to Egypt a few days ago,
is aiming to revive the relations between Turkey and Egypt. Citing
information the paper argues that the difficulties faced for the
normalization of Turkey-Egypt relations is making the normalization
of the relations between Turkey and Israel difficult as well.
(CS)
6.
Kalyoncu evaluated the “economic protocol”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (09.04.16), so-called
prime minister Omer Kalyoncu evaluated the “economic protocol”
that is to be signed with Turkey to the BRT and said that the
“protocol” is not only an economic one but one that assists in
structural transformation.
“It
is a structural transformation protocol alongside an economic
protocol and Turkey informed us that the judiciary must also be
included in this.
They wanted programs to be prepared for some of the state organs that
will be going through structural transformations, that was the first
request. The second request was that for whatever was included in
previous protocols to also be included in this new protocol. This
protocol was prepared within this framework”, argued Kalyoncu.
He
added that negotiations took place on the “protocol” and a
reciprocal problem emerged and stressed that one of the problems was
with “KIB-TEK”, electricity authority and the other was with the
judiciary.
“We
sent a note to Turkey informing them that we did not want the
judiciary to be included in the protocol but that if it was necessary
then it should be included in a certain way, but of course this was
not accepted by Turkey”, Kalyoncu explained.
Referring
to the “state planning organization” (“DPO”), Kalyoncu said:
“The “DPO” is formed of 4 departments and carries out
statistics, planning, cooperation and monitoring. The removal of the
statistics department is given room in the government program as it
will become a separate institution”.
“The
rest will go through a structural transformation, these will never be
closed down and this has been given room in the protocol. So, the
news that is being reflected in the media is aimed at blurring the
atmosphere so that the newly formed government can easily sign the
protocol”, said
Kalyoncu and added that news was being written in a way that made it
seem as though the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) had given up on
“DPO”.
7.
Yeni
Duzen reports that UBP has been in power more than the other
political parties
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.04.16) reported how many
“governments” have been established in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus until today and how many times the political
parties have been in power.
According
to the paper, since 1976, 38 “governments” were established in
the occupied area of Cyprus. The National Unity party (UBP) was the
political party, which has “governed” and took part in “coalition
governments” the most times in “North Cyprus”. UBP has been in
power for 27 years out of 40. From 1975 until 1994, UBP has always
been in the “government”.
It
is reported that the UBP was in power for 27 years, 52%, the
Democratic Party (DP) was for 12 years, 23%, the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) for 10 years, 19% and the Communal Liberation Party (TKP)
for 2,5 years, 5%.
(DPs)
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (09.04.16) reported that the illegal
Keryneia University will restore the church of Ayios Vasileios in
occupied Karakoumi village which is in a bad condition.
According
to the paper, the church, which is dated on the 19th
century, is located at the campus of the illegal University and its
restoration will take place in the framework of “Historical value
claiming and protection project”.
Speaking
to the paper, the “rector” of the illegal Keryneia University
Cemre Gunsel Haskasap, stated that the church is part of Cyprus
culture heritage and a very important building for the island of
Cyprus. She also said that the restoration works will be completed
soon.
In
addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.04.16) reports
that the church of Panayia Kanakaria in occupied Lythrangomi village
is falling into ruins due to the lack of interest by the “officials”.
The paper writes that the church was restored in the past; however
it needs constant care and attention. It also writes that the church
is locked despite having Greek Cypriots and tourists visiting very
often.
(CS)
9.
King of Saudi Arabia due to Turkey for an official visit
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (11.04.16), Turkey
and Saudi Arabia will seek to further deepen bilateral relations on
the occasion of Saudi King Salman’s two-day visit to Ankara, who
will observe the meeting of a high-level strategic cooperation
council with the participation of a number of Ministers from both
sides.
Accompanied
by an extended delegation, Salman is expected to arrive in Ankara to
pay his first official visit to Turkey on April 11 upon the official
invitation by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After concluding
meetings in Ankara, the Saudi delegation will move to Istanbul to
attend the 13th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit
which will take place on April 14 and 15.
The
two leaderships are expected to review ongoing cooperation in number
of different fields, including trade and the economy, as well as to
coordinate mutually concerning foreign policy issues.
With
Salman coming to Turkey after concluding a trip to Egypt, it’s
believed that strained Ankara-Cairo relations will also be on the
agenda, as Erdogan had already commented that the Saudi leadership
was pressing on both sides to reconcile their relations. Egypt will
also be present at the OIC summit at the Foreign Minister level.
(…)
King
Salman and Erdogan are also expected to evaluate recent developments
in the field, as the cessation of hostilities continues in Syria amid
U.N.-led efforts to reach a political settlement to the problem. Both
countries support the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other Arab armed
groups as the main military ground forces fighting ISIL and the
regime.
10.
Survey in Turkey showed that 93% favor reintroducing the death
penalty
Turkish
daily Sabah (08.04.16) reported that a
public survey conducted with 4,176 people found that 92.6% of the
respondents supported reintroducing the death penalty for crimes such
as rape, terror and treason. The survey was conducted from March 2 to
March 6 in 36 provinces using the method of computer assisted
telephone interviewing (CATI).
The
survey also asked participants who they would vote for if an election
was to be held, and 54% said they would vote for the Justice and
Development Party (AK Party). The closest rival to the AK Party in
the results of the poll was the Republican People's Party (CHP) with
the support of 21.7% of participants while the Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) had support from 11.6%. The Peoples' Democratic Party
(HDP) received the support of 7.8% of survey participants, below the
nation’s electoral threshold.
The
survey further found that 57% of the respondents support a
Presidential system while 43% thought it was not necessary to abandon
Turkey's current Parliamentary system.
The
poll results also showed that 62% of the participants disagreed with
the Constitutional Court's decision concerning the violation of
rights in the Can Dundar and Erdem Gul case.
(…)
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/AM)
