TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 62/16
05.04.2016
1. Akinci criticizes President Anastasiades for the third round of
tenders alleging that it constitutes a potential risk for the Cyprus
negotiations
2. Kalyoncu’s “government” tabled its resignation
3. Talat on search for new patterns to form a “government”
4. The “draft law” on the water management was approved by the
“parliamentary committee”
5. Columnist: “Ankara’s team in Nicosia” carries out a coup whenever
the Turkish Cypriots do not abide by its wishes
6. Turkish Cypriot daily: “If the negotiating process will be harmed,
it means that the Ankara government wants to harm the process”
7. Columnist: Turkey demands the regime’s “citizenship” to be
massively granted to another 26,000 settlers
8. Ozersay said that the old political understanding of the
political parties makes the “citizens” dissatisfied with the
“state”
9. Incidents between Kurds and Grey Wolves students in occupied
Keryneia; Twenty students arrested by the so-called
police
10. Fikri Toros re-elected as chairman of the
KTTO
11. The Turkish Minister of Tourism expressed optimism over tourism
in Turkey
1. Akinci criticizes President Anastasiades for the third round of
tenders alleging that it constitutes a potential risk for the Cyprus
negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.04.16) reports that
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the potential income from
the newly found natural gas reserves in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
could contribute in the financing of the agreement for reunifying the island.
In statements to Associated Press (AP), Akinci argued that the
natural gas could contribute to peace in our turbulent area by increasing
cooperation among Israel, Turkey and Cyprus. However, the “unilateral
drillings” could cause tension again, he claimed, arguing that the natural gas
could be turned into an “asset” as long as it is used wisely in a manner that
does not (further) trigger tension in the area.
Akinci criticized the launching of the third round of tenders by the
Republic of Cyprus in spite of an agreement they had allegedly reached on the
issue with President Anastasiades in the beginning of the negotiating
process. Recalling that the debates over the island’s natural resources have
been continuing for years and that the negotiating process for finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem was interrupted allegedly because of drillings in
the southern sea of the island, Akinci claimed that “when starting the
negotiations last year with Anastasiades, we had agreed that this issue will not
negatively influence the negotiating process”. Akinci reiterated the
allegation that the launching of the third round of tenders for natural gas
constitutes a potential risk for the negotiating process.
Akinci said that they have come very close to the solution during the
negotiating process they are holding with President Anastasiades for the last
ten months. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots should constitute the majority
in the north part of the island which will be under their administration in a
possible bi-zonal solution and that the method of exchange of property would
guarantee respect to the property rights.
(I/Ts.)
2. Kalyoncu’s “government” tabled its resignation
Turkish Cypriot Bayrak (05.04.16) broadcast that “prime minister”
Omer Kalyoncu presented this morning the resignation of the “government” to the
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. According to Bayrak, Akinci will hold
meetings with the parties that are represented in the “assembly” today in order
to safeguard that a new “government” will be established the sooner possible.
In addition, the Turkish Cypriot press reports today (05.04.16) about
the scenarios for the formation of a new “government”.
Diyalog writes that the key for the new “government” is again at
the hands of the Democratic Party (DP). The paper argues that the issue of a
coalition between the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), DP and the Social
Democratic Party (TDP) came into the agenda. Speaking yesterday at a meeting of
the “assembly”, DP’s leader Serdar Denktas sent the message that DP will demand
more than 3 “ministries” in order to co-operate with a party. On his part, TDP
leader Cemal Ozyigit stated to Diyalog that the party’s priority is early
“elections”, not to be a part of a new “government”.
Star Kibris writes that the four “independent deputies” are
playing a key role to the formation of the new “government” since CTP may
form a new “government” with the support of the “independent deputies”.
Under the title “Someone to sigh is needed”, Detay reports that
following the collapse of the “promising coalition” between CTP and the National
Unity Party (UBP) Turkey is now looking for a new “government” that will be
willing to sign the “economic protocol”.
Finally, Kibris Postasi writes that a coalition between UBP and DP is
very possible and argues that in this case the economic protocol with Turkey
will be signed right away without any questions.
(CS)
3. Talat on search for new patterns to form a “government”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.04.16) reports that the
leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the
party will not escape from its responsibilities.
Talat who was commenting on the collapse of the “coalition
government” between CTP and the National Unity Party (UBP) after the latter’s
decision to leave the cooperation, stated that CTP will start meetings with all
the parties that are represented in the “assembly’, as well as with the
“independent deputies” in order for a new “government” to be established.
In statements this morning to Bayrak (05.04.16) Talat further said
that UBP’s decision came as a shock to him since he had a meeting with UBP’s
leader Huseyin Ozgurgun a few days ago and he did not mentioned that leaving the
“government” was on his agenda. He went on and added that following the
meetings he will hold with the parties it will be determined if a new
“government” will be established or new “elections” will be held.
He also said that in the framework of his duty he will assist the
Cyprus negotiations and added that the aim is the establishment of a
“government” that will help towards this direction and aim towards the solution.
(CS)
4. The “draft law” on the water management was approved by the
“parliamentary committee”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (05.04.16) reports that the “law draft
of the agreement regarding the management and the supply of the water between
Turkey’s government and the government of the TRNC (translator’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus)” was
unanimously approved by the “committee on law, political and foreign affairs” of
the so-called assembly.
(DPs)
5. Columnist: “Ankara’s team in Nicosia” carries out a coup
whenever the Turkish Cypriots do not abide by its
wishes
Under the title “The package and the policy which ended the
government”, columnist Sami Ozuslu writes in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen
newspaper (05.04.16) that some details of the draft of the “economic
protocol” between Turkey and the breakaway regime which is “kept secret” and
caused the end of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) – National Unity Party
(UBP) self-styled government were revealed last night by Kanal Sim
television.
“The known reality of this country has once more been
confirmed when the details of the Draft of the Turkey-TRNC Economic Program
came to surface last night on a special program of Kanal Sim”, reports the
columnist recalling that UBP’s “ministers” and officials have been stating on
the one hand that they were not aware of the economic program’s content and on
the other they were demanding the immediate signing of the “protocol”.
The columnist notes:
“Ankara’s team in Nicosia does not refrain from administrating the
TRNC as they know and carrying out a political coup when their wishes are not
followed! Even though it is not known to what extent the center, that is,
the political circles in Ankara are aware of these issues, it is very evident
that the reports and the information sent from here are full with
‘misguidances’”.
In spite of some “correct provisions”, argues Ozuslu, the documents
obtained by Kanal Sim include also some “unacceptable demands” which will lead
the Turkish Cypriot community to “the point of losing everything”.
Except for the issues of the electricity, the ports and the
“municipalities”, the “protocol” includes some “new demands by Ankara which will
influence very seriously the life and the future of the individuals, writes the
columnist noting that the increase of the retirement age to 65 is one of these
issues.
(I/Ts.)
6. Turkish Cypriot daily: “If the negotiating process will be
harmed, it means that the Ankara government wants to harm the process”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (05.04.16) refers to the
worries expressed that the resignation of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) – National Unity Party (UBP)
self-styled government will harm the negotiating process for finding a solution
to the Cyprus problem and reports that if the negotiating process will be
harmed, it means that Ankara wants to harm the process.
“It is as if there are people among us who do not know that the
TRNC governments have a button and as soon as Ankara presses the button
governments can be established and collapse. Do not make fun of us gentlemen
by alleging that the continuation of the process depends on the TRNC government.
If the solution process will be harmed, it means that the Ankara government
wants to harm the process. It is so simple. The fact that the TRNC is
administrated by the Turkish government through blackmails and threats is
evident. If you do not privatize the electricity, the water, I will spoil
the government. If you do not privatize the ports, I will cut your salaries and
spoil the government. There is no need to become comical by referring to the
‘process’ in these conditions. Those who spoiled the government can destroy
the negotiating table as well. […]”
On the other hand, columnist Mert Ozdag in Turkish Cypriot daily
Yeni Duzen newspaper (05.04.16) argues that after the collapse of the
“government” the “federal Cyprus alliance” has become weaker [in the
occupied ara of the island], because there will not be a “prime minister”
believing in the “federal Cyprus”, unless a surprise is experienced and the
Republican Turkish Party will participate again in the “coalition”.
(I/Ts.)
7. Columnist: Turkey demands the regime’s “citizenship” to be
massively granted to another 26,000 settlers
Under the title “Critical threshold for the citizenship”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper’s (05.04.16), general director and general
editing director, Cenk Mutluyakali reports that Turkey demands the
“citizenship” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus to be
massively granted to another 26,000 Turkish settlers.
“[…] This demand has repeatedly been submitted at all levels
starting from Turkish President Erdogan to Prime Minister Davutoglu, from
ministers to permanent undersecretaries, and it was rejected”, writes the
columnist adding that the reply given to the Turkish authorities was that
“this will happen within the framework of the new law”. The columnist adds
the following:
“Now it is once more asked that this law and the criteria to be ‘a
dead letter’. The reason for the so little interest towards the white identity
card practice is actually the message sent by some places that ‘you should
wait’, because Turkey’s Cyprus policy has not accepted the ‘white identity card’
from the very first day. ‘Direct citizenship’ is asked. And this is one of
the elements which ended the CTP-UBP coalition government.
Twenty six thousand new and massive citizenships! Yesterday, one of the newspapers of the big capital which came to
the island from Turkey, known with its ‘pro-non-solution’ stance on the Cyprus
problem, put forward an ‘UBP-DP coalition’ giving the message for ‘ten thousand
new citizenships immediately’. It presented this as action of priority for
the UBP-DP government!
The number of the Turkish Cypriots who possess identity card or
passport of the ‘Republic of Cyprus’ is around 100 thousands. The latest data says it is 98 thousand and 287. There is also
the number of 114 thousands additionally accepted at the negotiating table.
Basically it is provided for all the citizens in the north to become ‘United
Cyprus’ [citizens] with the solution. If another adventure is not attempted
again. That is, an irresponsible step will cause serious damage both to the
negotiating process and especially to the status of the people who have taken
citizenship by coming to the island from Turkey.
This danger is very serious. Let no one try to present it over ‘the
good relations between Turkey and north Cyprus’. On the contrary, it cannot
be a bigger injustice than this for the families which migrated to the island
from Turkey after 1974, for their children born here and even for their
grandchildren. And for all Cyprus and Cyprus’ future”.
(I/Ts.)
8. Ozersay said that the old political understanding of the
political parties makes the “citizens” dissatisfied with the
“state”
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (05.04.16), The People’s party (HP)
announced that the old political understanding, which is conducted by
cooperating on the basis of the political party interests, makes the “citizens”
who live in the occupied area of Trikomo-Karpasia to be dissatisfied with the
“state”..
According to a press release by HP, the leader of HP and former
Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, in meeting with the inhabitants of
the occupied villages of Tavros, Rizokarpaso, and Galinoporni, said that the
economic and social collapse encountered in the occupied regions of Rizokarpaso,
Varosha and Morphou brought along also the problems of a certain
marginalization.
(DPs)
9. Incidents between Kurds and Grey Wolves students in occupied
Keryneia; Twenty students arrested by the so-called
police
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (05.04.16) reports that a
fight occurred yesterday at the illegal American University of Keryneia (“GAU”)
between a group of Kurdish students and a group of ultra-nationalist “Grey
Wolves”.
According to the paper, the so-called police intervened and after
an operation it carried out at student’s dormitories, it arrested around 20
students.
The arrested students will be sent to the occupied Keryneia district
court today, writes the paper.
(AK)
10. Fikri Toros re-elected as chairman of the
KTTO
Turkish Cypriot daily Democrat Bakis newspaper (05.04.16) reports
that Fikri Toros has been re-elected as the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Trade (KTTO) during the ordinary general congress of the Chamber
which took place during the week-end.
(AK)
11. The Turkish Minister of Tourism expressed optimism over
tourism in Turkey
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.04.16) reports that the
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mahir Unal has optimistically suggested
that Turkey would manage to close this year’s tourism season only with 20%
loss amid rising security concerns and a significant decline in the number
of Russian tourists visiting Turkey.
Delivering a speech at Parliament, Unal said: “I am hopeful about
the tourism sector. We have just received the latest figures for this season.
There is only a 10% of decrease in the number of tourists visiting Turkey in
February compared to the same month of 2015. The reservations for this year have
been slow as people are cautious. We believe the reservations will rebound again
by the end of April,” he said.
“The reservations for Italy and Spain have already been full…I
believe the reservations for Turkey will rebound again by the end of April and
we will close the year with only 20% of loss compared to the previous
year,” he said.
According to data released by the Tourism Ministry, the number of
foreign visitors coming to Turkey tumbled 10% in February, the biggest drop in a
decade. The decline was the biggest since October 2006. The industry is also
suffering from a chill in relations with Russia as Russian visitors fell by more
than half during the month.
Unal supported that there has been some recovery in the number of
Russian tourists visiting Turkey. “Some 4.5 million Russians visited Turkey last
year. I believe around 2.5 million Russians will visit Turkey as the ties with
Russia have already started to recover. We will try to close the gap by luring
more Iranian and local tourists. I do not expect such a big loss, contrary to
several estimates,” he noted.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
