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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