TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 97/16
26.05.2016
1. Eide expresses the view that the developments during the past
couple of days will not shadow the progress in the negotiations
2. Akinci had a telephone conversation with Biden; “Anastasiades
behaved impulsively”
3. Burcu argues that no one can put an embargo to Akinci
participating in any dinner he wants
4. Talat alleges that President Anastasiades has reacted
“exaggeratedly”
5. Reactions on President Anastasiades’ stance in Istanbul
continue
6. Afrika: Racism is escalating after Ertugrulogu taking “office”
7. Turkes continues as Cyprus Affairs
Minister
8. New Turkish EU Minister: EU is not sole option for
Turkey
9. «Yildirim whistling in the wind»
10. MHP says Party to hold extraordinary convention on 10 July
–Bahceli will be a candidate again
11. CHP leader rules out possibility of referendum on presidential
system
12. Amnesty International Secretary-General: “EU turned blind eye to
Turkey’s human rights violations”
1. Eide expresses the view that the developments during the past
couple of days will not shadow the progress in the negotiations
Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak television (26.05.16, online)
broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci met this morning in the
occupied part of Nicosia with Espen Barth Eide, UNSG’s special adviser for
Cyprus.
In statements after the 1,5 hour meeting, Eide evaluated the
postponement of the meeting between the leaders planned for tomorrow and
said: “This is not a desired situation. I do not want to overestimate or
underestimate the issue”.
Noting that they should work together on this issue, Eide
expressed the view that it will not be allowed to the developments of the past
couple of days to shadow the progress achieved until now in the negotiations
and recalled the commitment of the two leaders for a solution within
2016.
Referring to the telephone conversation of the US Vice President Joe
Biden with the community leaders, Eide underlined the importance of the
international community’s support to the process.
Describing his meeting with Akinci as “useful”, Eide said that he
also raised the issue of the decision taken by the breakaway regime to limit the
access to the religious places of worship in the occupied area of the
island. Eide noted that there is a concern because of the above-mentioned
decision and added that the limitation of the access to churches will be
contrary to the spirit of the rapprochement between the two communities. He
said that he asked for Akinci’s support in the direction of changing this
decision.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci had a telephone conversation with Biden; “Anastasiades
behaved impulsively”
Under the title “Anastasiades behaved impulsively”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (26.05.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci had a half-hour-conversation last night with the US Vice
President, Joe Biden. During the conversation they discussed the latest
developments regarding the Cyprus problem and the crisis created after the visit
of Akinci to Istanbul to attend the dinner hosted by Turkish President
Erdogan for the heads of states and governments within the framework of the
Humanitarian Summit of the United Nations.
According to the paper, the conversation had been planned before
the above-mentioned crisis for evaluating the results of the parliamentary
elections in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.
“Reliable sources” told the paper that Biden praised Akinci for his “sincere
and determined stance” in the negotiations and expressed his satisfaction with
Akinci’s “effective decisions”.
As the paper claims further, the two men discussed also the decision
of President Anastasiades not to participate in the meeting with Akinci planned
for Friday, 27 May, within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations, and
agreed that “this impulsive behavior” by President Anastasiades derives from
his stress because of the results of the parliamentary elections.
Akinci explained in detail the latest developments in the negotiating
process and told Biden that he was ready to achieve a solution the soonest by
intensifying the process.
(I/Ts.)
3. Burcu argues that no one can put an embargo to Akinci
participating in any dinner he wants
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.05.16) reports that
Baris Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s spokesman,
has said that the time should be used well for finding a solution to the
Cyprus problem by the end of 2016 and alleged that Akinci is ready to double the
efforts he is exerting for reaching a solution the soonest. In a written
statement issued yesterday, Burcu claimed:
“Our president is ready to double the effort exerted aiming at
reaching a solution the soonest in Cyprus. He calls on the Greek Cypriot
leadership to act with the same manner and not with impulsive reactions […]
It is in our esteemed president’s discretion in which dinner invitations he
will participate. No one has the right to put embargo to this”.
Furthermore, Burcu described as “very important” every day and hour
of the process until the end of 2016, noting that this is a time period of seven
months for taking a result in the ongoing negotiations with the aim of
establishing a federal Cyprus and materializing the target which the two
community leaders announced to the public.
(I/Ts.)
4. Talat alleges that President Anastasiades has reacted
“exaggeratedly”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.05.16) reports that
Mehmet Ali Talat, former Turkish Cypriot leader and chairman of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP), described as “exaggerated” the reaction of
President Anastasiades to the invitation addressed by Turkish President Erdogan
to Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci to attend a dinner for the heads of states and
governments within the framework of the Humanitarian Summit of the United
Nations in Istanbul.
In statements during a meeting with journalists yesterday, Talat
alleged that with this reaction President Anastasiades is possibly pursuing “new
gains”. Talat said that he would understand the reaction, if it was
limited only to not participating in the dinner, but the postponement of the
negotiations is “an exaggerated reaction”. Talat argued that President
Anastasiades had an aim for behaving in this manner and this aim will be
revealed within the forthcoming days. “The possibility of making an attack for
obtaining an advantage is very high”, he claimed alleging: “Some will enter into
action. I think that he is considering that he will obtain a new gain. I also
lived these things many times in the past”.
Arguing that Erdogan invited Akinci to a dinner and not to the summit
through the back door, Talat said that UNSG is the head of an organization which
works for the solution of the Cyprus problem and meets with all sides.
Talat alleged that the invitation was announced in the last minute
because they most probably wanted to keep it secret and added: “If it had been announced beforehand, it would have many impacts.
Once, there were elections in the south. Therefore, problems could be
experienced. If Akinci’s visit was known beforehand, the Greek Cypriot side
could have made high level initiatives and would have prevented him”.
Replying to a question, Talat said that it would be better if
Akinci called President Anastasiades before visiting Istanbul and informed him
that he would go there. He added that during his term at the leadership of
the Turkish Cypriot community, he had telephone conversations with former
President Christofias in various times.
Replying to another question, he argued that Ahmet Davutoglu had been
very interested in the Cyprus problem when he was Foreign Minister and Prime
Minister and wanted the solution very much. Pointing out that Davutoglu had a
great contribution in the preparation of a package of proposals submitted by the
Turkish side in the negotiations in 2010, Talat alleged that there were many
things which the Turkish side could not accept then, but they accepted them and
forced Turkey to accept them as well. Referring to the possibility of Turkey
changing its Cyprus policy, Talat recalled that before 2004 Turkey had been
following a different policy. He said that because of the Cyprus problem, Turkey
is facing difficulties not only as regards its accession process to the EU but
in its relations with the whole world.
Evaluating the results of the parliamentary elections in the
government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus, Talat said that ELAM
is a party which should have been banned during the solution process of the
Cyprus problem. He noted that racist parties should not be active in the United
Cyprus and added that “we will be divided until the establishment of peace
is completed and the discrimination that ‘this is Turk and this is Greek’ is not
applied”. “Under these conditions the action of racist parties should be
prohibited”, he argued.
Referring to the issue of the withdrawal or the decrease of the
number of the Turkish occupation troops, he alleged that it is dangerous to
discuss such issues now and added: “The army will in any way go away as soon as
a solution is reached. It is best if we focus on the solution”.
(I/Ts.)
5. Reactions on President Anastasiades’ stance in Istanbul
continue
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (26.05.16) reports that
the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit, in a
written statement yesterday, supported that the tension arisen from the fact
that President Anastasiades did not participate in the dinner hosted by Turkish
President Erdogan for heads of states and governments within the framework of
the Humanitarian Summit of the United Nations in Istanbul, on the ground that
Akinci was invited, is a development which will affect negatively the solution
process.
Ozyigit added that what are important, is the negotiation process and
the solution and for this reason as he said, it is of vital importance to stay
away from any kind of behaviors that could affect negatively the
process.
Ozyigit described also as a mistake the suspension of the scheduled
leaders’ meeting and argued that in the current process, tensions should be avoided.
He also called all sides to prevail common sense and added that they
should not forget that the non-solution brings damages to all Cypriots.
Also, in a written statement, the leader of the United Cyprus
Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan, described as unacceptable and distressing the fact that
the Global Humanitarian Summit which took place in Turkey and which should
supposed to be “an opportunity for the peace and solution in Cyprus”, had
eventually turned to a crisis.
Izcan called the two leaders to be sincere between each other and
avoid giving opportunities to those who are against the solution.
Izcan called further the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to
behave more carefully. “Both leaders of the sides should behave sincerely and be
committed to the goal for the establishment of a United Federal Cyprus, since,
the circles which support the status quo and are against the solution, try to
create chaos and prevent the unity with provocative actions”, added Izcan.
Moreover, the New Cyprus Party (YKP), commenting on this situation
also in a written statement, argued that the “deep state in Turkey and the
foreign ministry exert efforts again to sabotage the negotiation process”.
The statement added that this move by Turkey is “an operation which
aims to force Anastasiades to walk away from the negotiating table”. It also
added that Akinci’s visit to Turkey has taken place under instructions.
The statements also condemned the leaders of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) for supporting Akinci in this
development and described their stance as unacceptable.
Also, commenting on the development, Ersin Tatar, “deputy” with
the National Unity Party (UBP, evaluated in a written statement the results
of the parliamentary elections which took place in the government controled
areas of the Republic of Cyprus and the incidents occurred in Istanbul and
argued that the “goal of the Greek Cypriot leadership is to take out Turkey from
Cyprus and to dominate the Turkish Cypriots”.
“The Turkish Cypriot people and the president are not
Anastasiade’s puppets”, Tatar claimed and added that they should themselves seal
their fate.
Tatat alleged also that Anastasiades withdrawal from the negotiating
table indicates that the “picture is not rosy”, as it is presented in the
Turkish Cypriot side.
Meanwhile, Osman Ertug on behalf of the “Pentadaktylos group”
expressed support to the Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci to attend the dinner
hosted by Erdogan, describing, at the same time his meeting with the UN’s
Secretary General as a “right initiative”.
Ertug argued that Anastasiades decision not to attend the dinner
hosted by Erdogan and the scheduled meeting with Akinci, is contrary to the
diplomatic customary practices and does not comply with goodwill.
(…)
(AK)
6. Afrika: Racism is escalating after Ertugrulogu taking “office”
Under the title "This is racism”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (26.05.16) reports that the so-called police prevented a group of
Greek Cypriots to attend an event for the memory of Fazil Onder who was
assassinated in 1958 together with other Turkish Cypriots by TMT.
According to Afrika the “police” threatened to arrest the Greek
Cypriots who gathered at the place that the event was organized and forced them
to leave.
Senel Elcil, member of the organization committee of the event asked
for Akinci to step in on the issue but the paper writes that even the efforts of
the Turkish Cypriot leader to the so-called security forces were without
result.
According to Afrika, racism was escalated after Tahsin Ertugruloglu
took over the post of the “foreign minister” in the new “coalition government”
between the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party and notes that similar
restrictions against the participation of Greek Cypriots in events in the
occupied area were usual in the past but were lifted in recent years. “But these
practices came back”, the paper notes.
(CS)
7. Turkes continues as Cyprus Affairs
Minister
Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.05.16) reports that Deputy Prime
Minister Tuğrul Türkeş will continue to coordinate the relationship with the
breakaway regime and conduct works in regards to the Alliance of Civilization.
The announcement of the distribution of roles within the new Turkish
government came late May 25 after the first meeting of Prime Minister Binali
Yıldırım that was held under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at
the presidential office. The decision was later published in the Official
Gazette early May 26.
8. New Turkish EU Minister: EU is not sole option for
Turkey
Hurriyet Daily News (26.05.16) reports that Turkey’s new
Minister for EU Affairs Omer Celik stated that Turkey’s relationship
with the European Union is important but it is not the “only option” for Ankara.
Celik, who replaced Volkan Bozkir in the new cabinet named by Prime
Minister Binali Yildirim, also told reporters that Turkey wanted the EU to drop
its “double standards” in the fight against terrorism.
Celik made the comments in a ceremony in which he took over the post
from Bozkir. Turkey-EU ties have been tense over the bloc’s demand that Ankara
fulfill all 72 agreed criteria – including a controversial one on terrorism – in
order to lift visa obligations for Turkish citizens, as part of the deal on
Turkey readmitting refugees to Europe.
Commenting on the issue, Hurriyet’s columnist Murat Yetkin writes
the following under the title: “Does the EU have another option on
migrants?
“Turkey’s new European Union Affairs Minister Omer Celik said on May
25 that integrating with the EU was “not Turkey’s only option.” This does not
mean that Turkey could get integrated with or form other unions similar to the
EU: There isn’t one in sight anyway. […] Still, becoming a member of the EU
remains Turkey’s official strategy. In fact it is the only strategy that has
been approved by Parliament as a “national program” for
years.
[…] Turkish governments (not just this one) and a majority of
Turkish citizens are fed up with new problems being raised by the EU whenever
progress is made on the Turkish side, ever since the first accession agreement
in 1963. No one in Turkey truly believes that the EU will take in Turkey any
time soon, including those who support the idea for the good of Turkish
democracy, rights and freedoms, and the economy. But even some in Turkey who
are against full integration with the EU are in favor of being anchored by it.
Around half of Turkish exports, particularly those with high added value, go to
EU member countries. What’s more, since the EU started to go cold on Turkey from
the mid-2000s, moves taken for the democratization of politics and the economy
started to shatter.
It is true that Turkey has survived so far without being a member of
the EU, so it is also true that the EU is not the country’s only option. But it
is true that the EU remains Turkey’s best option.
[…]
The fact is that there is no alternative option in sight for the EU,
other than implementing the deal with Turkey on immigration. German Chancellor Angela Merkel can see that. It is obvious from her
statements after meeting with Erdoğan in Istanbul on May 23 that she does not
want to break the ties between Turkey and the EU. She wants a solution, knowing
that if the agreement falls through EU governments are likely to face much
bigger problems than providing visa-free travel to Turkish
citizens.”
9. “Yildirim whistling in the wind”
Under the above title, Semih Idiz writes the following in Hurriyet
Daily News (26.05.16):
“After having been appointed Turkey’s new Prime Minister by President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in what will no doubt go down in history as Turkey’s first
civilian coup, Binali Yildirim suggested it was time to start improving Turkey’s
seriously damaged ties with the world.
“Turkey has a lot of problems. We have regional problems. The
conflicts taking place in our region and the EU, Cyprus, Caucasus increase the
importance of our country in our region. We are aware of it. So what will we do?
Very simple: We’ll increase the number of our friends and we’ll decrease the
number of our enemies,” Yildirim told Justice and Development Party (AKP)
Deputies after Erdoğan approved his cabinet.
There are a couple of problems with Yildirim’s remarks, though.
First, they suggest that Turkey is on the verge of a new era in its
international relations, which clearly is not. Second, his remarks suggest that
his government has the power to do “increase the number of Turkey’s friends,”
which clearly does not.
[…]
The whole world also knows what Yildirim’s role as the new Prime
Minister will be, and how much influence he will have in determining policy.
He was brought in, after all, not to put forward new ideas and take
fresh initiatives, but to carry out Erdoğan’s directives to the letter.
Otherwise there would be no point to getting rid of Ahmet Davutoglu. Put
bluntly, whatever Yildirim may say, the world’s eyes will not be on him, but on
his boss, Erdoğan, to see if Ankara is really on verge of a serious change in
the foreign policy domain.
[…]
We have to take Yildirim’s words after Erdoğan endorsed his cabinet,
therefore, with a big pinch of salt. He was probably trying to simply create the
impression that Turkey is about to enter a new and better era, in order to
inject some hope in a public wary of Ankara’s international isolation.
He must know, though, that this is not going to happen unless Erdoğan
decides it should and openly start promoting this line. Otherwise, Yildirim is
merely whistling in the wind.”
10. MHP says party to hold extraordinary convention on 10 July
–Bahceli will be a candidate again
Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.05.16) reports that Turkey's
opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will hold its extraordinary congress
on July 10 in capital Ankara, weeks after dissident party members were
barred from organizing such an event, the party chairman
announced.
In a written statement, Devlet Bahceli said: "Our party will hold an
extraordinary congress along with an election on July 10, 2016, Sunday, at the
Ankara Arena Sports Hall." Bahceli also made it clear that he will remain in
the race for the top slot. "Whoever declares to run for the MHP chair, he or she
will have to compete with me," he said.
11. CHP leader rules out possibility of referendum on presidential
system
Hurriyet Daily News (26.05.16) reports that main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroğlu has said that the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will not be able to win enough votes
in Parliament to go to a potential referendum regarding a switch to a
presidential system or a partisan president.
“I don’t think it will pass. Nationalist Movement Party and Peoples’
Democratic Party is against it. We have already declared that we were against
it. Therefore, I don’t think they have a chance to see 330 [votes],”
Kilicdaroğlu said during an interview on news channel NTV on May 25.
Kilicdaroğlu also dismissed suggestions that such a referendum would
attract popular support.
Kilicdaroğlu said his party was ready for any snap election if the
government opts for such a move, vowing it is “ready for all circumstances.”
“If the government wants, it can call for an early election. We are ready for
all circumstances,” Kilicdaroğlu said.
12. Amnesty International Secretary-General: “EU turned blind eye
to Turkey’s human rights violations”
Hurriyet Daily News (26.05.16) reports that Amnesty International
Secretary-General Salil Shetty has said on the sidelines of the World
Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul that Europe has turned a blind eye to human
rights problems inside Turkey to tackle the global refugee crisis.
“Europe particularly has double standards. Now that they want
something from Turkey, they have turned a blind eye to human rights problems
inside Turkey,” Shetty said in an interview with Doğan News Agency (DHA) on May
24.
“The overall concern on the refugee problem is less with Turkey; it
is much more with Europe which is outsourcing its problem to Turkey,” he said,
reiterating that Europe was a signatory of the refugee convention. “Europe has
to take each asylum seeker case by case... They lecture the whole world about
human rights and the first time there is a real test for them, they are not
living up to all their claims,” he said.
Shetty also noted that Turkey had been “generous” by keeping borders
open for several years. However, he said the country’s policy had changed. “The
problem started in the last part of 2015, when the policy on Syrian refugees
completely changed,” he added.
“Now the borders are closed, they in fact shoot at people who are
coming across; pushing people back and if anybody gets through, they put them
into detention centers, even after the refugee deal… The EU is pushing refugees
to Turkey but you can no longer say that Turkey is a safe country for refugees,”
Shetty said.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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(CS / AM)
