TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 100/16
31.05.2016
1. Akinci evaluates one year in “office” and says he will continue
representing the Turkish Cypriot “people” at international
platforms
2. Denktas proposed a “customs union agreement” with
Turkey
3. The breakaway regime will participate in the United World Games in
Austria
4. The trade within the Green Line regulation remains stagnant
5. Durust due to Pakistan for an OIC
meeting
6. Fifteen persons were “arrested” after the clashes between Kurdish
and Grey Wolf members in occupied Lefka
7. KTAMS condemned the so-called government for serving AKP’s
interests
8. Ankara warns Berlin over an Armenian
bill
9. Erdogan: “No Muslim family should engage in birth
control”
10. Quarrel within the MHP continues over the date for snap party
congress
1. Akinci evaluates one year in “office” and says he will continue
representing the Turkish Cypriot “people” at international platforms
Under the title “Four dimensioned policy in one year”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.05.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci has said that the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem are advancing towards the target of a solution on a correct, just and
realistic basis. Evaluating the one year since his “election” as Turkish
Cypriot leader, Akinci noted that he has materialized his policy on the basis
of principles having four dimensions: “a policy focused on the solution
of the Cyprus problem”, “sensitivity on social issues”, “a
relation with Turkey based on mutual respect” and “being an independent
and impartial ‘president’”.
Noting that they will work for new a united, bi-zonal, bi-communal
federal Cyprus based on political equality, Akinci said that in parallel to the negotiations they will not
neglect properly representing the Turkish Cypriot “people” at all platforms they
are given the chance to do so. Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, he noted:
“You want to take deep roots and exist in this country. You want to
be accepted as equal and free men on these lands, as people who live away from
worries for the future, in security, standing upright and in dignity. I
believe that I represent this just demand of yours openly in every level, every
platform. I have clearly expressed your demand and determination in Nicosia, in
the buffer zone, in Ankara, in Berlin, in Istanbul, in Davos and in New
York. […] The first sentence we wrote in the new page we have opened during
the new period is that all sides have now undoubtedly accepted the sincere
and strong demand of the Turkish Cypriot people for a solution. No one is left
anymore in doubt that the Turkish Cypriot people have shouldered the solution
process in Cyprus, that they try to promote it and that they sincerely want a
solution. In the end of the first year, all countries and sides
concerned, the international institutions have come to the point of having no
doubt about our sincerity. A new climate of trust was created during the new
period”.
Pointing out that during the past one year progress was achieved
on Confidence Building Measures (CBM), Akinci described the new
adjustments within the framework of the CBM as “the backbone of the solution” of
the Cyprus problem, adding, however, that no CBM could replace the just,
bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution. Akinci said that “serious
progress” was achieved on the issue of the radio and television frequencies
in the relevant committee and in the efforts for harmonizing their frequencies
with the international standards. He also noted that the electricity networks
were temporarily unified.
Referring to the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and
Apliki areas, Akinci said that the efforts in this direction are continuing with
the contribution of the UN and the EU, adding that their opening might have been delayed, but both
crossing points will open soon and that the works in this direction
are systematically continuing.
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (31.05.16) refers to the same
statements and writes that Akinci recalled of his recent visit to Istanbul
and his participation in a dinner, something which President Anastasiades has
allegedly used as an excuse for not participating in programmed meeting within
the framework of the Cyprus talks showing “exaggerated and unjust reaction”.
He argued: “Undoubtedly the fact that the solution process was interrupted
with such excuses was not good. Anyway, it was early understood that the created
crisis would not be prolonged. My wish is for this not to be repeated. We cannot
accept that the contacts which we are holding are not tolerated, when the
Turkish Cypriot people are determinedly and sincerely advancing in the way of
the solution”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Denktas proposed a “customs union agreement” with
Turkey
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (31.05.16) reports that self-styled
deputy prime minister and minister of finance Serdar Denktas, speaking to the
paper’s correspondent in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus Sefa
Karahasan, said that the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) wants with Turkey a similar practice of
the Customs Union agreement between Turkey and the EU. He added that this is
necessary for “TRNC’s” economy. Denktas explained that in order the Turkish
Cypriot economy to stand on its own feet, a free trade with Turkey should be
implemented, like the EU-Turkey Customs Union agreement.
Denktas further said that they should be able to sell their products,
which are produced properly accordingly to TSE (Turkish Standards Institute), in
Turkey duty-free, adding that at this moment they cannot sell what they are
producing. He asked from Turkey to open its doors to their products.
(DPs)
3. The breakaway regime will participate in the United World Games
in Austria
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (31.05.16) reports that the
breakaway regime will participate in the United World Games for young athletes
and children that will take place in Austria between 14-20 of June.
This was made known during a meeting between “prime minister” Huseyin
Ozgurgun and a delegation of the “north Cyprus water sports
federation”.
During the meeting, Ozgurgun said that the “government” always
supports the participation of sports teams in international organizations and
congratulated the “north Cyprus water sports federation” for its participation
in the United World Games.
The paper writes that more than 800 athletes from 40 countries will
participate in the games.
(CS)
4. The trade within the Green Line regulation remains stagnant
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (31.05.16), on its front
page under the title “A stagnant export to the South”, reports that the
stagnation at the exports towards to the “South” (translator’s note: the
government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) within the framework of
the Green Line regulation is continuing. The “export figure”, rising to 7
million 172 thousands euro in 2008, has regressed to 3-4 million euro in recent
years.
Cigdem Aksu, responsible for trade and business development of the
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO), speaking to the paper, said that the
figures have reached to the aimed level, adding that the prohibition on crossing
of the heavy duty vehicles to the “South” constitutes the biggest obstacle for
the trade.
The top selling products to the “South” are fresh fish, scraps and
plastic products.
The paper publishes the total “export figures” in euro per year from
2005 until today:
2005: 1,673,000
2006: 3,228,000
2007: 4,125,000
2008: 7,172,000
2009: 6,000,000
2010: 5,909,000
2011: 5,304,000
2012: 4,195,000
2013: 3,928,000
2014: 3,911,000
2015: 3,933,000
(DPs)
5. Durust due to Pakistan for an OIC
meeting
According to illegal BRT (30.05.16), so-called minister of public
works and communications Kemal Durust went to Pakistan in order to take part in
the Organization for Islamic Cooperation’s standing committee on Scientific and
Technologies Cooperation meeting.
According to a statement released by the “ministry”, Durust will
attend the two days meeting that will discuss the 10 year plan for science and
technologies development within the OIC.
Durust who is “representing” the “TRNC” at the meeting with an
observer status will address the general assembly.
Durust will return to the “TRNC” on Wednesday the 1st of
June.
6. Fifteen persons were “arrested” after the clashes between
Kurdish and Grey Wolf members in occupied Lefka
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.05.16) reports that the
self-styled police has increased the security measures that is taking in
occupied Lefka, after the clashes that took place during the weekend between
Kurdish origin students and members of the Grey Wolfs who study at illegal
universities in the breakaway regime.
According to the paper, 15 persons were arrested for the weekend
events in occupied Morfou, Lefkosia and Lefka and among them is the chairman of
the Grey Wolfs organization, Adem Yurtagul. The paper also notes that the
persons arrested will be brought in front of a so-called court in occupied
Morfou today.
(CS)
7. KTAMS condemned the so-called government for serving AKP’s
interests
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (31.05.16) reports that
the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Civil Servant’s Trade Union” (KTAMS) Ahmet
Kaptan, in a written statement yesterday, condemned the so-called government of
the National Unity Party-Democratic Party for not serving the rights of the
“people” and for subcontracting the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP).
Kaptan argued that the “government” in the occupied area of Cyprus
which was established by the AKP, continues to cause disappointment and distress
to the “people” and workers in the “TRNC”, who expect the solution of the Cyprus
problem, the increase of the purchasing power and solutions to the problems
related with the minimum wages.
Kaptan criticized also the “government” for hiding from the “people”
the provisions of the “economic protocol” to be signed with Turkey. He
reiterated that anti-democratic practices and impositions are unacceptable for
KTAMS and underlined that they will continue their struggle in order to
serve the people’s rights and interests.
(AK)
8. Ankara warns Berlin over an Armenian
bill
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.05.16) reported that Ankara
has warned Berlin over a bill regarding the century-old killings of Anatolian
Armenians during World War I, asking legislators not to jeopardize
Turkish-German relations by passing a motion in the Bundestag on June 2 that
declares the killings as “genocide.”
“Turkish-German relations have continued since World War I with
extreme sincerity, leading to the intermingling of the peoples”, Turkish Deputy
Prime Minister and government spokesperson Numan Kurtulmus said on May
30.
“I believe that the German Parliament will not destroy this
relationship out of respect for a few politicians,” he said about the bill which
will go to a vote in the Bundestag on June 2 and which condemns the century-old
killings of Anatolian Armenians during World War I, as
genocide.
“If they do such thing, it would consist solely of a text which has
no scientific value; a text which has no value,” Kurtulmus said after a Cabinet meeting.
“We would do whatever we do when other Parliaments adopt such
Resolutions; we would do the same thing and proceed on our way,” he added.
Armenia charges that as many as 1.5 million of its kin were victims
of genocide during World War I under the Ottoman
Empire.
Ankara rejects the “genocide” charge, countering that 300,000 to
500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians
rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian forces.
The bill, which was prepared by the coalition partners Christian
Democrat Union/ Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD),
while the Greens say Armenians and other Christian minorities were subject to a
genocidal campaign 101 years ago.
The debate over the Resolution also comes at a hugely sensitive time
in Berlin-Ankara relations.
Turkish authorities are angry over the failure to grant citizens
visa-free travel to the European Union and Germany is worried by the worsening
rights situation in Turkey.
9. Erdogan: “No Muslim family should engage in birth
control”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.05.16) reported that Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again expressed his support for
procreation, stressing that no Muslim family should ever consider birth control
or population planning.
“I am saying this clearly, we will increase our posterity and
reproduce generations. As for population planning or birth control, no Muslim
family can engage in such a mentality. We will follow the road that my God and
dear Prophet [Muhammad] say,” Erdogan said in an address to the foundation of
the Service for Youth and Education Foundation of Turkey (TÜRGEV) in Istanbul.
In his remarks, Erdogan also praised TÜRGEV in its efforts to raise
an “exemplary” generation of youth in terms of spiritual education in addition
to regular schooling.
Erdogan underlined the new term of Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım’s
freshly formed Cabinet would focus on restructuring school curricula in order to
eliminate the troubles of the youth.
He outlined three vices: being recruited by the “divisive terror
organization,” referring to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), joining
the ranks of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or being carried
away by “earthly pleasures” – as part of which he included “addiction to
technology.”
Erdogan stressed the importance of a homegrown effort in tackling all
these issues, stressing the need to establish and improve “national
institutions” in education. “We need to take matters into our own hands, there
is no other way. Do we want to raise an ideal youth? We need to found and
improve our own institutions starting from parental education to pre-school
education, all the way to graduate and postgraduate studies,” he added.
Erdogan’s statements also drew criticism from Ozgur Ozel, the Deputy
parliamentary leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), who
said decisions relating to women’s bodies should be of no concern for a
country’s President.
“It is not up to the President, or other persons, to discuss
decisions that should be made based on scientific criteria by scientists or
decisions that relate to women’s bodies,” Ozel said, adding that the President
was “talking nonsense” in an area beyond his sphere of
influence.
Erdogan’s remarks are in line with his long-term policy of
encouraging “at least three children per family” while describing abortion as
“murder” and railing against Caesarian sections.
“One or two children mean bankruptcy. Three children mean we are not
improving but not receding either. At least three children are necessary in each
family, because our population is at risk of aging,” Erdogan said in February
2013.
According to recent reports, Turkey has paid over 450 million Turkish
Liras since May 2015 as part of a government incentive to encourage women to
have more children.
Women’s rights activists and lawyers have criticized the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) government, which was led by then-Prime Minister Erdogan
from 2003 until he was elected to the Presidency in August 2014, for the
increasingly conservative and authoritarian political culture they say it is
fostering, especially against women.
10. Quarrel within the MHP continues over the date for snap party
congress
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.05.16) reported that the
trustee panel appointed by a court to organize an extraordinary congress for
the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) amid dissidents’ efforts to unseat the
party’s long-time chair, has once again created controversy by announcing a
different date for the snap congress than the one previously declared by the
party’s sitting leader.
“At this stage, our panel has decided, as the sole authorized
functionary on deciding and executing a congress, to hold the grand
extraordinary congress in Ankara on June 19, 2016” the official statement
released by the three-member panel announced yesterday.
The announcement came less than a week after MHP leader Devlet
Bahceli issued a written statement on May 25 declaring that the party will hold
a congress to elect its leader on July 10 and Bahceli would run for
re-election.
Bahceli said that the MHP administration had made the decision to
“put an end to the debate” and “prevent any harm to party
unity.”
His announcement was preceded by a statement by the party’s Deputy
leader, Semih Yalcın, on May 24, saying a party congress was set to be held in
July, hours after Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals approved a local court’s
decision for the MHP to hold a congress.
The MHP administration, however, swiftly responded to the decision of
the three-member panel, consisting of Mehmet Bilgiç, Ayhan Erel and Ali Sağır,
and said they did not recognize its ordinance.
“We do not recognize the date, June 19, as announced by the trustee
panel. The date of our congress is July 10. We will hold the congress on July
10,” Yalcın said, contributing to the confusion that has been continuing for
weeks, as courts and politicians failed to reach an agreement on the matter.
(…)
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
(AK / AM)
