15/6/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S


No. 111/16                                                                                        15.06.2016
1. Akinci discussed the “coordination office” with the political party leaders in Ozgrugun’s absence
2. Burcu says that Akinci will do what is required by the “constitution” as regards the “coordination office”
3. Ozersay asked from Akinci to send the “draft bill regarding the coordination office” to the “constitutional court”
4. “Re-rising Movement” congratulated the “government” for the approval of the “youth and sports coordination office” agreement
5. Columnist says that Turkey’s invasion and occupation policy in Cyprus continues
6. Harmanci: Water issue to be put to referendum
7. Turkish citizen high schools students in the occupied area of Cyprus will be able to enroll at the “universities” with the same criteria as the “TRNC citizens”
8. Information about the population in the breakaway regime
9. “YDU” participated in the “World Conference on Designs and Arts” at FYROM
10. The son of Bob Marley will perform at the “20th international Famagusta culture and arts festival”

11. Yildirim: Turkey could forego visa-free Europe for sake of terror law: PM
12. Deputy PM Kurtulmus:  President Erdogan’s words could ease Turkey-Russia strain
13. CHP criticizes politicization of mosques

1. Akinci discussed the “coordination office” with the political party leaders in Ozgrugun’s absence
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.06.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci discussed yesterday at his office with the political party leaders the issue of the “draft-law” approved by the breakaway regime’s “assembly” as regards the establishment of a “youth and sports coordination office abroad” by Turkey in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. The leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and self-styled prime minister of the regime, Huseyin Ozgurgun did not participate in the meeting, something which has reportedly caused Akinci’s reaction.
The “speaker” of the “assembly”, Sibel Siber, the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) and “deputy prime minister”, Serdar Denktas, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Mehmet Ali Talat and the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Cemal Ozyigit attended the meeting. 
In statements after the meeting, Denktas said that Ozgrugun could not participate due to his heavy schedule. He added that he represented the “government” and therefore what he said were views of the “government”. 
Denktas noted that the “agreement” had been prepared during the period of an UBP “government”, was signed by a CTP-DP “government” and was approved by an UBP-DP “government”, which followed a CTP-UBP “government”. He said that Turkey had approved the “agreement” when it was signed.
Describing as “wrong” the view that the Turkish Cypriots are losing the powers they allegedly have, Denktas claimed:
Let me say the following as a minister the signature of whose is under the protocol: We are transferring in absolutely no manner, no power to anyone. Let everyone be sure about this […] If you trust yourself and do what falls on you, no one can come and do anything in your name”.
Denktas further alleged that the “agreement” will ensure that Turkey finances projects, which cannot not be implemented due to insufficient resources in the “TRNC’s budget”. He noted that this is an “agreement” providing for the administration by the “office” of two campuses bound to Turkey’s Credit and Campuses General Directory.
Denktas described the concerns of the young protesters against the “agreement’ as “worries which will not be materialized and deriving from wrong perceptions”. He added that some arrangements could be made for overcoming the “sensitivities” of the entire community and embracing the entire community. 
Denktas said that during the past 6-7 years the perception that Turkey does not want the wellbeing of the Turkish Cypriots and that the Turkish Cypriots could accomplish nothing has been strengthened and added that their duty is to abolish this perception.
Referring to Akinci’s call on the “government” not to submit the “draft-law” to voting, Denktas argued that it would be better if it came a week earlier and that if they accepted it the “government” would seem weak and indecisive.   
Clarifying the main target with the “agreement”, Denktas said that this was to “create an environment which determines what the ministries will do and how they will do it”.
In his statements, Talat said that they have made a “general assessment” of the issue with Akinci and shared their views. Replying to a question, he noted that his party had been considering as problematic the voting on the “draft-law” and recalled that according to the “constitution”, Akinci has the “power” not to sign the “draft-law” and send it back to the “assembly” or ask for the opinion of the “constitutional court”. Talat said that Akinci did not tell them of his decision and he has probably not decided yet what to do.
In his statements, Ozyigit said that the meeting should have taken place before the voting at the “assembly” and recalled that the TDP had taken to the “high court” the “agreement” approved by the “cabinet” in 2014. “We are determined to follow the same path”, he noted adding that they oppose to the content of the “agreement”. Pointing out that “attempts are made to mortgage the future of the country”, Ozyigit expressed the view that Akinci should not sign the “law” and take the issue to the “constitutional court”.
(I/Ts.)   

2. Burcu says that Akinci will do what is required by the “constitution” as regards the “coordination office”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.06.16) reports that Baris Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s spokesman, has said that Akinci will do what is required within the framework of the “powers vested to him” by the “constitution” on the issue of the “draft-law” approved by the breakaway regime’s “assembly” as regards the establishment of a “youth and sports coordination office abroad” by Turkey in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
In a written statement issued yesterday after Akinci’s meeting with the leaders of the political parties represented in the regime’s assembly, Burcu noted that even though a voting took place at the “assembly”, the problem and the unrest were not abolished. He added:
Because the law has not been signed yet, the process has not been completed. Our president will do what is required within the powers vested to him by the constitution and will complete his assessment within the period of time given to him again by the constitution and share this with the public”.
According to Burcu, Akinci has always believed that they need social peace and reconciliation more than ever and undertook this initiative by taking into consideration the existing disagreements and the social unrest. He described as unfortunate the fact that the majority of the “assembly” did not pay attention to Akinci’s call to postpone the voting.
(I/Ts.)


3. Ozersay asked from Akinci to send the “draft bill regarding the coordination office” to the “constitutional court”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.16) reports that the leader of People’s Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay said that he believes that “the (approval) draft law concerning the approving of the agreement on establishing an overseas coordination office between Turkey and the TRNC ministry of youth and sports and its activities” should be sent by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to the “constitutional court”.

Speaking to the paper regarding this issue, Ozersay said that according to him, the “constitutional court should make a constitutional inspection on this law” and added: “A minister signed this agreement; an assembly approved it, however the ratification should be done with the signing of the assembly approval by the president and the publication of it at the official gazette…. Since this process has not been completed, this agreement cannot be in force even if Turkey’s Assembly approves it”.

Ozersay stressed that Akinci should take this issue to the “constitutional court”, in order to make an inspection whether it is in compliance with the “TRNC constitution”.
(DPs)

4. “Re-rising Movement” congratulated the “government” for the approval of the “youth and sports coordination office” agreement
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (15.06.16) reports that the newly established “Re-rising Movement” (DH) [TR. Note: a movement established by settlers], congratulated the self-styled government for the determination it showed on  the approval of the “agreement” for Turkey establishing a “youth and sports coordination office” in the breakaway regime.

The movement said in a written statement that the agreement has been signed on March 12, 2014 by the “government” of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), was approved by the then “Council Ministers” and published at the “official gazette” and criticized CTP for reacting and voting against the approval of the agreement at the “parliament”.
(CS)

5. Columnist says that Turkey’s invasion and occupation policy in Cyprus continues
Writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.06.16) Mert Ozdag comments on the recent developments in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and notes that Turkey’s invasion and occupation policy continues. Under the title “Welcome to the time of the tariqas” [Translator’s note: ‘Tarikat’ is a dervish fraternity/order], Ozdag reports, inter alia, the following:
The integration policy, which has been actually implemented for a long time, is being moved forward step by step. This stance, which slowed down and even came to the point of stopping during the period of the CTP in the government, has gained acceleration with the new government coming to power.
The minority government linked arms with the tariqas in Turkey, which ignore the community, and their bureaucratic extensions and are carrying the social engineering to a new dimension in all fields, cultural, economic and social.
We have experienced and are experiencing the same problem in the debates on the ‘water’. And we saw that the aim was apparently different
It seems that the country, which uses the ‘motherland’ adjective, has activated its ‘expansionary’ policy in the 21st century and continues its invasion and occupation policy parcel by parcel.
The Coordination Office is actually an indication, a means of intention. It is now very clearly evident that the issue is to totally put the Turkish Cypriot people and the northern part of the island under Turkey’s control.   […]
Now we are being dragged into a dead-end that has no return. Youth and sports camps in which the female and male differentiation is made under the guidance of the tariqas are not far away. These tariqas, which have anyway been active since some time, now are much more powerful, much more authorized. Because our brand new government, which ‘fully paid the salaries’, yesterday surrendered the country to these tariqas. Imams with gray moustache will coordinate the youth camps. These imams will decide which club will be granted resources and how much. And these imams will control us! The process, which started with the Hala Sultan Divinity College, is being speeded up now. The tariqas that were made there will use the powers they possess within the forthcoming period. […] We will move towards very bad days. […]
Very well, have we lost? Yes, for now we have, but we have no other alternative than resisting. […] This dirt will be cleaned up by a leftist government. […]”   
(I/Ts)

6. Harmanci: Water issue to be put to referendum
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (15.06.16) reports that Mehmet Harmanci “mayor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia, stated that the issue of the use of the water transferred from Turkey, which is administrated by a private Turkish company, will be put to referendum for the persons living in the occupied part of Lefkosia to decide.

Harmanci, who made these statements speaking during a meeting yesterday, said that the referendum will be conducted after an-one-year transition period.

He also stated that the  issue could be brought again in front of the “municipality council”, which rejected a few days ago the use of the water by the “Lefkosia municipality”, if the conditions are different.
(CS)

7. Turkish citizen high schools students in the occupied area of Cyprus will be able to enroll at the “universities” with the same criteria as the “TRNC citizens”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.16) reports that the Turkish citizens who are students in the high schools at the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and attended the school uninterrupted and lived in the occupied area of Cyprus, then they can enrol at the “universities” in the occupied area of Cyprus with the same conditions as the “TRNC citizens”.

The “committee of law, political and foreign affairs” of the “TRNC assembly” approved an “amendment draft law” in order the “international agreement” of mutual recognition of the “universities” to be suitable according to the law of Turkey and “TRNC”.

The “draft bill” was approved unanimously yesterday at the “assembly” and it will be put in effect after being approved by the Turkish Assembly.
(DPs)


8. Information about the population in the breakaway regime
Under the title “All eyes to the government”, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (15.06.16) writes that the Republic of Cyprus has granted citizenship to 2,277 persons in 2014 and criticizes the breakaway regime for not granting the “TRNC citizenships” to more than 3,000 persons who live in the occupied area for ten years.

The paper, referring to data by Eurostat, writes that the Republic of Cyprus granted citizenship to 2,277 persons in 2014, 27,7% of them were Russians  and 15,5% were Greeks, who are either foreign investments of foreign workers. However, it says, the breakaway regime does not give citizenship to  3,090 persons who have been living in the occupied area of Cyprus for ten years and to 9,170 persons who have been living there for five years.
(CS)
9. “YDU” participated in the “World Conference on Designs and Arts” at FYROM
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.16), the “dean of the architecture faculty” of the “Near East university” (“YDU”) in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Prof. Dr. Ugurcan Akyuz, and the “dean of the education faculty” Prof. Dr Huseyin Uzunboylu participated in the “World Conference on Design & Arts”, which was held at the South East European University at Skopje, FYROM. 
(DPs)
10. The son of Bob Marley will perform at the “20th international Famagusta culture and arts festival”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.16), Julian Marley, Bob Marley’s son, will perform in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus during the “20th international Famagusta culture and arts festival”.

Julian Marley will perform on July 13 with a 14 person group. 
(DPs)


11. Yildirim: Turkey could forego visa-free Europe for sake of terror law: PM
Turkish daily Sabah (15.06.16) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that Turkey has no intention of changing its anti-terrorism laws, even if that means the deal on visa-free travel collapses.

“We are fighting for our country’s unity and solidarity. Amendments to the Anti-Terror Law under these conditions are out of question for us, even if changes would lead to visa exemptions being granted,” Yildirim said, addressing his party Deputies on June 14.


12. Deputy PM Kurtulmus:  President Erdogan’s words could ease Turkey-Russia strain
Turkish daily Sabah (15.06.16) reports that Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's congratulatory message to Russia could be a step toward normalizing relations between the two countries.

Kurtulmus said that Turkey and Russia had deep relations -- economic, political and cultural -- and cannot discard each other.

Erdogan congratulated his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Russia Day, marked June 12 as a national holiday to commemorate the proclamation of Russia's sovereignty.  In the message sent Sunday, Erdogan wished for the Turkish-Russian relations to "rise to the level they deserve" in the future, sources said.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister said Erdogan's remarks did not mean Ankara and Moscow agree on political issues or will solve all regional issues.  "Our opinion differences on many issues including Syria may remain. But the bottom line is that it is essential to maintain peace between the two neighboring countries. I hope that a similar signal will come from the Russian side. Russia has already revealed attitudes of this kind," Kurtulmus concluded.

13. CHP criticizes politicization of mosques
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (15.06.16) reports that Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu stated that somebody is trying to turn the mosque courtyards of Turkey into the personal preserve of a single party.

“My dear friends; today, Mr. Binali [Prime Minister Binali Yildirim] stated that ‘We will provide security for Kilicdaroglu.’ Provide it or not. We will provide our security on our own. Somebody wants to turn mosque courtyards into the backyard of a political party,” Kilicdaroglu said June 14 at his party’s parliamentary group meeting.

Kilicdaroglu’s remarks came after he was subjected to attacks and protests during an appearance at the funerals of police officers killed in recent terror attacks in the country.

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