27/6/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

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


No. 118/16                                                                                        25-27.06.2016
1. The Turkish Cypriot side is reportedly annoyed by the use of the “provinces” concept outside the negotiations and “founding states” concept in the negotiations  
2. Akinci argues that the Turkish Cypriots should continue seeing their future in the EU  
3. Ozgurgun and Denktas on BREXIT  
4. The Turkish Cypriot opposition on Bretix
5. Turkish government on Brexit
6. Turkey and Israel reached deal to normalize ties; Abbas welcomed the deal
7. Ertugruloglu suggested including the guarantor states of Turkey, Greece and the UK in the Cyprus talks
8. Akinci condemned the attack against Turkish Cypriot youth in Agia Napa; Afrika reportedly supports that there is misinformation about the incident
9. Statements by Turkish Cypriot politicians about the return of occupied Morfou
10. Measures at preventing forest fire in the occupied area of Cyprus
11. Sucuoglu: We aim to have the inauguration ceremony for the new hospital on the first trimester of 2017
12. The number of the illegal universities to be increased from 13 to 15 by next year
13. German Minister says will visit base in Turkey after Ankara criticism
14. Pope refutes Turkish criticism on ‘genocide’; Turkey says Pope’s genocide words show ‘unconditional commitment to Armenian narrative’
15. Four more journalists face probe over ‘editor-in-chief on duty’ campaign for Turkish daily
16. Police fired tear gas in Istanbul to disperse LGBT Pride activists

1. The Turkish Cypriot side is reportedly annoyed by the use of the “provinces” concept outside the negotiations and “founding states” concept in the negotiations  
Under the title “’What is discussed at the table is ‘founding states’”, Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper (26.06.16) reports that “the Turkish Cypriot side is feeling annoyed by the use of the ‘founding state’ concept at the negotiating table and the ‘province-canton’ concept outside the negotiating table” for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. 

The paper writes: “Even though Greek Cypriot officials and the Greek Cypriot press are recently broadly using the ‘federal provinces-cantons’ expression instead of the ‘founding states’, it is noted that the concept used both on the Joint Declaration which is the basis of the negotiations and in the agreement papers which came up during the negotiating process is the ‘founding state’ and not the ‘federal province’. 

It is also noted that in the intensified negotiations the cooperation agreements which will be made between the two equal founding states themselves and between these states and the federal government are being discussed.

According to diplomatic sources who are closely watching the negotiating process, while the negotiators are intensively working as regards on which issues the two founding states will make agreements between themselves and the federal government, the leaders will discuss the result which will come up in the efforts exerted by the negotiators and give to the issue its final shape.

In the deliberations concerning in which areas cooperation agreements will be made, the starting point is the fundamental principle that the joint federal government established by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will not be able to dominate over the founding states as a higher organ and it will not be able to interfere in the powers of the founding states.

The diplomatic sources drew attention to the fact that in federations the federal governments are not ‘the highest organ’, but the federal government is based on the principle of equality with the founding states and of not having hierarchy between them.

The diplomatic sources, who noted that in the speculative news published in the Greek Cypriot press it is alleged that ‘it is accepted that the federal government is the highest organ’, said that this and similar news have absolutely no relation with the agreements reached at the negotiating table”.

The paper cites statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on 13 June during a meeting organized by the “Cyprus Academic Dialogue” on the “Life in Federal Cyprus” and writes that Akinci had then expressed his view on this issue and argued that in federations the powers are not concentrated only in the federal government, but they are divided between the federal government and the founding states and the full cooperation between all the organs of the federation is needed in order for the federal government to function as required.

The sources referred to a reply given by President Anastasiades to journalists’ questions after his last meeting with Akinci and argued that the President of the Republic said that “we have made significant progress on the issue of the internal cooperation between the federal government and the federal provinces”. The sources argued that “the province concept” used in this statement is not included in the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014, which is signed by President Anastasiades and expressed the annoyance of the Turkish Cypriot side because of the use of the “province concept” outside the negotiations and the “founding state concept” in the negotiations.

The paper refers also to the provisions of the Joint Declaration on this issue.
(I/Ts.)      

2. Akinci argues that the Turkish Cypriots should continue seeing their future in the EU  
Under the title “The Turkish Cypriot people should continue seeing their future in the EU’”, Turkish Cypriot Kibris newspaper (27.06.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that the whole of Cyprus will be influenced by the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) and added that the Turkish Cypriot “people” should continue seeing their future in the EU.

In a statement as regards the result of the recent referendum in the UK, Akinci argued that not everything is perfect in the EU, but “for us taking part in the EU with our communal and institutional rights is tantamount to becoming a part of mainly the international law and the EU law”.

Recalling the relations which both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have with the UK for many years, Akinci noted that “Cyprus as a whole will definitely be influenced by the development”. “It is absolutely necessary to quickly work as TRNC on [establishing] what especially the negative economic influences of this [development] will be and how they could be compensated”, he added arguing that the future of the EU has suffered a serious blow because other member states may attempt to leave and secessionist tendencies in the UK itself may be strengthened.

Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriots have to work for reaching the EU standards of living and that “it is our duty towards the future generations to exert efforts in order to turn the TRNC into a place in which modern democratic norms are valid and value is attached to human life”.

Akinci reiterated that their target is for the Turkish Cypriot “people” reaching the place they deserve in the international and EU law and live in political equality, freedom and security. 
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozgurgun and Denktas on BREXIT  
Turkish Cypriot Kibris newspaper (27.06.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that they respect the UK’s decision to leave the EU, noting that “thousands of our brothers live in the UK”. In a written statement on the result of the recent referendum in the UK and the BREXIT decision, Ozgurgun noted that “questioning of the fundamental values on which the EU has been built in a country which has been an EU member for 43 years caused great disappointment”.

“The EU which our people want is not an EU in which islamophobic, racist anti-Turkish and anti-Turkey statements dominate”, he argued noting that one of the priorities of his “government” is to “objectively” brief the “TRNC people” on the EU and develop an EU policy, a new EU vision and an “EU communication strategy” with the participation of all the stakeholders.  

Ozgurgun alleged that instead of the values of the human rights, democracy and the rule of law, the EU is correlated to islamophobic, anti-refugee and racist movements and policies during the last years. He further claimed that the accession of the Republic of Cyprus into the EU did not prevent the development of racist movements in the Greek Cypriot community.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Kibris newspaper (25.06.16) reported that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minster of the breakaway regime, referred to the same issue and said that everyone should respect the people’s decision. “We have to evaluate whether there are positive or negative effects on us”, he noted adding: “However, the obligation to abide by the EU Court of Justice decisions will be abolished within two years. We also know that the possibility of being saved from sequestering the properties of the British citizens who own property in the TRNC and similar problems is there. Of course we have to examine all these”.

Denktas alleged that his late father Rauf Denktas had predicted that the EU would collapse one day and now he is proved to be right.
(I/Ts.)       

4. The Turkish Cypriot opposition on Bretix
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (27.06.16) reports that the chairman of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay, commenting on Brexit stated that the new relation that will be established between the EU and UK after the recent developments, will create some opportunities for the breakaway regime.

“If we undertake an initiative and exert efforts without any delay it is possible to overcome the problems we are facing regarding the exports of citrus fruits, he stated.

He went to add that the 1994 European Court decision can be lifted adding that this decision was the basis of all the trade restrictions, which were transformed into a kind of embargo of the “TRNC products” to the EU country-members.

He added that before 1994, potatoes and citrus fruits from the breakaway regime were sold to the UK with the presentation of some certificates. “If,  without any delay we put on a strategy and follow some diplomatic initiatives with the help of Turkey, we can turn the current uncertainty into a chance”, he stated adding that this is an opportunity that cannot be lost by the Turkish Cypriot side.

In addition, Kibris (25.06.16) wrote that evaluating Brexit, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) stated that the referendum results should be received as a lesson by everyone and added that the EU must re-evaluate its social and economic policies.
(CS)


5. Turkish government on Brexit
According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 27.06.16), Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Friday that Turkey stands by the unity of the EU as it is an important factor for the stability of the union and the region after the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom.

Speaking to reporters after the Friday prayer in Ankara, PM Yıldırım underlined that Turkey supports a unified and strengthened future for the EU, saying, "This is an important issue for peace within the union and the stability of the region."

"The EU must leave a mentality that isolates itself from the other countries in the region. They should be in search of a more embracing vision and a future," the Prime Minister added.

Commenting on the Brexit decision, Yıldırım said, "I hope that this decision is a right step for the people of Britain."

Yıldırım added that the addressee of the Brexit decision is the EU, and that the union must revisit its plans for the future. "It shows that its inclusivity is not at an ideal place which encompasses all the members. With the referendum, such dissatisfaction has also been revealed. Turkey has been a country working towards becoming a member in the EU. We, too, have shared our observations and findings on the same matters with the authorities," he stated.

Yıldırım also criticized the British Prime Minister David Cameron's rhetoric during the Brexit campaign, which included Turkey's EU accession process. Cameron had made comments implying that Turkey is far away from joining the union in the near future. "With this decision, British voters have also shown Cameron that his thoughts on Turkey were not right," he said.

Responding to a question on whether Turkey will hold a referendum on resuming the talks on accession to EU process, Yıldırım answered that there is nothing more natural than allowing people to decide, once the process is completed on full membership.

On the same issue, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu, speaking to reporters Friday, said that the European Union is in need of serious introspection after Britain's decision to withdraw from the bloc. He added that all EU "policies have been unsuccessful", pointing to integration, expansion, security and economic-related policies as examples.

The EU, the Foreign Minister added, has failed to address the rise of several negative trends such as extremism, Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia.

He said that Britain's withdrawal hinders the EU's capacity to be a powerful global actor and that Ankara would have preferred it stayed in the bloc.

Cavusoglu said that this development underscores Turkey's importance for EU stability and security.

Turkish EU Minister Omer Celik also commented on Britain's decision to leave the union, saying it could create a domino effect, triggering racial segregation and civil wars across Europe. "This referendum could not only trigger the same exit reflex in several other countries, but it could also lead to extremely dangerous processes such as racial segregation and civil war just like we have seen long before World War II," Çelik told a news conference in Ankara on Friday.

The Minister argued that the U.K. vote to leave the bloc was related to mainstream politicians caving to a far right movement.

Moreover, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 27.06.16) reports that Brexit will not affect Turkey’s exports to the EU and the U.K., Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkçi has told Anadolu Agency, adding that what matters most in trade was mutual interests.
Tüfenkçi also said the EU could increase its power by granting membership to Turkey, which he noted had fulfilled most of the criteria outlined in its accession negotiations. “We are expecting a sincere approach from the EU while we have been sincerely working to fulfil the criteria in our EU accession process,” he said.

6. Turkey and Israel reached deal to normalize ties; Abbas welcomed the deal
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 27.06.16) reports that Turkish and Israeli authorities reached a consensus in Rome over the weekend after an exhausting six-year diplomatic struggle, meaning that the Gaza blockade will be lifted. A deal between the two countries is expected to help solve problems in the region.

Ankara has succeeded in receiving an apology from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, compensation for the Mavi Marmara raid victims and the lifting of the Gaza blockade after six years of diplomatic struggle.

Under the agreement, Turkey will deliver humanitarian aid and other non-military products to Gaza and make infrastructure investments in the area. Along with new residential buildings, Turkey will complete the construction of a 200-bed hospital in Gaza.

The senior Turkish official said that concrete steps will be taken to address the energy and water crisis in Gaza as part of the deal. The amount of electricity and drinking water to Gaza residents will increase and new power plants will be constructed.

The Turkey-Israel agreement will make it possible for Turkey to launch major projects in the West Bank including the Jenin industrial zone.

The Turkish official also said that there are no references to Hamas in the agreement and added that Turkey will continue supporting the Palestinian state and the people of Palestine. "The agreement represents a diplomatic victory for Turkey, which assumed a principled and determined stance after the Mavi Marmara attack", he said.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.06.16) reports that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas late Sunday on a recent push for normalization in Turkish-Israeli ties.

Erdogan told Abbas that Ankara reached a deal with Tel Aviv on improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza, according to Turkish presidential sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Abbas said his government welcomed the developments, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 27.06.16) reports that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has extended an invitation to the embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Amira Oron, for the iftar to be hosted on June 27, Hürriyet Daily News learned from reliable sources.

Oron accepted the invitation and will attend the iftar, officials from the Israeli Embassy in Ankara said. The event on June 27 is the ninth such iftar the ruling AKP has hosted at their headquarters.

Israel, which had already offered its apologies - one of Ankara’s three conditions for a deal - for the deadly raid on the Mavi Marmara activist ship, agreed to pay $20 million to the bereaved and injured, an Israeli official told Reuters news agency.


7. Ertugruloglu suggested including the guarantor states of Turkey, Greece and the UK in the Cyprus talks
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.06.16), all Greek Cypriots are trying to do is leave the current negotiation process hanging, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Tahsin Ertugruloglu argued.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ertugruloglu claimed that the whole negotiation process was based on “inequality”. He referred back to the Annan Plan, which was a United Nations proposal to resolve the Cyprus dispute, through restructuring of the divided island as a federation of two states under the name "United Republic of Cyprus".

"It does not suit the Greek Cypriot side’s interests to say yes to a proposal such as the Annan Plan. They know that they won’t approve an agreement which puts the Turkish Cypriots on an equal basis with them. They also know that saying no a second time will not benefit them either. Therefore, their policy is to avoid going to another referendum, and just leave this process hanging, by suspending it now and then. We should not let this happen. It is clear that the current process is no longer sustainable”, he argued.

“Despite attempts to prove otherwise, we are dealing with a process where the Greek Cypriot side is recognized as Republic of Cyprus, whereas the Turkish Cypriot community is being portrayed as an ethnic minority within this Republic, whose political identity and sovereignty are being refused. We are not sitting on equal terms”, he added.

He further argued that the proposal of uniting the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation “would carry the possibility of leaving the future of Turkish Cypriots at the mercy of the Greek Cypriot side” if the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side were ignored.

Ertugruloglu suggested including the guarantor states of Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom in the process, saying meetings should also be held with these countries.

“Turkey’s guarantorship is indispensable to us. It is something which is not even open to discussion”, he said, adding that the tell-tale sign of guarantorship is Turkey’s right to unilateral intervention.

“We are the equal owners of the Cyprus Island. We are not a nation that will be brought under the yoke of the Greek Cypriots, or left at their mercy. Our only assurance and guarantor in this matter is of course our motherland [Turkey],” he claimed.

8. Akinci condemned the attack against Turkish Cypriot youth in Agia Napa; Afrika reportedly supports that there is misinformation about the incident
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.06.16) under the title: “The attackers should be arrested and stand trial”, reported that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci condemned the attack which took place on Friday night in Agia Napa against five Turkish Cypriots and asked for the necessary measures to be taken in order for the attackers to be punished.

Issuing a written statement on the issue, the so-called presidential office condemned the incident and demanded that the Greek Cypriot officials arrest those responsible as soon as possible and bring them to justice.

The statement said that the incident and the legal process launched had been followed closely by the Turkish Cypriot members of the Bi-communal Technical Committee for Crime and the Prevention of Crime since the early hours of the morning.

It added that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to pursue the matter until the attackers are caught and tried.
Pointing out those incidents seriously harm relations between the two communities, the statement added: “the material compensation of our citizens is not enough on its own. The attackers must be caught and tried. It is the responsibility of the Greek Cypriot administration to ensure that similar attacks are prevented in the future”.

Also, on the same issue and under the title: “This is the reality about the attack against our youth in Agia Napa”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (27.06.16) reports that according to information acquired by the paper, the incident which occurred in Agia Napa did not happen the way the Turkish Cypriots youth described it. The paper argues that the Turkish Cypriot youth were not attacked because they are Turkish Cypriots but because they run riot and caused troubles while they were being entertained in a night club.

According to the paper, after showing a rowdy behaviour, they were asked politely by the security staff of the club to leave. While they were driving away from the club, they reportedly started throwing bottles against the security guards of the club and that was the reason the incidents occurred. The paper points out that the incident occurred was immediately evaluated by the “north” as “racism by the Greek Cypriots” against the Turkish Cypriots, without researching the incident.

Referring to the statement issued by the so-called presidential office, Afrika newspaper condemned the statement providing that the “presidential office” reacted without considering necessary first to verify the information it acquired.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (27.06.16) reports that the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit condemned in a written statement the attack against the Turkish Cypriots which took place in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and stressed the need for the punishment of those responsible the soonest possible.
Pointing out that similar incidents occurred in the past, he called President Nikos Anastasiades and the Greek Cypriot officials to arrest the attackers and punish them, and otherwise as he argued, similar incidents will be experienced again in the future.

Supporting that those incidents cause damage to the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process, he called both communities to undertake steps and strengthen the peace powers in order to avoid similar incidents in the future.
(AK)

9. Statements by Turkish Cypriot politicians about the return of occupied Morfou
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (27.06.16) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu stated that the investments  taking place in occupied Morfou show that the issue of Morfou’s return to the Greek Cypriots  must be taken off the negotiation table.

Eroglu made these statements speaking at the “orange festival” that took place during the weekend at the area.

Eroglu went on and added that the area is developing fast and that three new “universities” will be established in the region soon.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (27.06.16) reports that “independent deputy” Mendes Gunduz, stated that the issue of occupied Morfou’s return to Greek Cypriots has been discussed since 1974. However, he said that the recent developments on the Cyprus talks made him lose any hope that a solution could be reached. He made these statements speaking to Kibrilsi newspaper.

Gunduz stated that the talks in Cyprus are conducted in a different way, compared to the talks in Brussels or Strasbourg, since, as he said, there is a great difference between the issues that are discussed “behind the doors and in front of the doors”.

He went on to add that big investments started to be made in the occupied Morfou area, like the construction of a new hospital and the establishment of a new “university” and added that motivation must be offered to young people who started returning to occupied Morfou to live again in the area. He also said that residences must be built in the area to support young persons who want to live in occupied Morfou.
(CS)

10. Measures at preventing forest fire in the occupied area of Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 25.06.16), a series of measures aimed at preventing forest fires in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus were agreed upon at the “high level meeting” held on Friday following the devastating fire that ripped through the Troodos Mountains over the past week.

Preventative measures against the risk of forest fires were put on the table at a meeting attended by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas, relevant “ministers” and other “government officials” at Akinci’s office.

Speaking after the meeting, Akinci said that the meeting has been productive and useful in terms of assessing the “TRNC’s” response capabilities in the event of an outbreak of a big fire.

Pointing out that their assessment has revealed that there is a lack of vehicles, manpower and a coordination centre to tackle a large scale forest fire, Akinci said that legislation dating back to 2013 will be put into force immediately. He said that a series of decisions have been taken to repair or upgrade existing fire fighting vehicles.

Explaining that there are 16 cameras to monitor the “TRNC’s forests”, none of which is functioning, Akinci said that steps will also be taken to ensure that the cameras become operational.

Reminding that it was announced that a fire fighting helicopter from Turkey would be stationed on the island, Akinci said that keeping such a helicopter on standby on the island is important not only because it will give people a sense of security but will also allow a quick response to a possible fire.

Akinci added that changes will be introduced to exercises held for natural disasters to accommodate drills for forest fires. In addition, Akinci said that more frequent inspections will be held along the mountain range; particularly in areas were picnic fires are not allowed and that public service announcements will be made to raise public awareness.

Akinci called on the public to be more careful when lighting picnic fires, particularly during the hot and dry summer months.

11. Sucuoglu: We aim to have the inauguration ceremony for the new hospital on the first trimester of 2017
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (27.06.16) reports that the self-styled minister of health Faiz Sucuoglu who completed his contacts in Istanbul stated that the construction of the new hospital of the breakaway regime was the main issue during his talks in Turkey.

He stated that they aim to have the inauguration ceremony for the new hospital in the first trimester of 2017.
(CS)

12. The number of the illegal universities to be increased from 13 to 15 by next year
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.06.16) reports that the number of the illegal “universities” which are operating in the occupied area of Cyprus will be increased from 13 to 15 as of next year, while, the number of “universities” will be increased to 20 as of the next five years.

In statements to the paper on the issue, Prof. Dr Mehmet Hasguler, member of the so-called higher education planning evaluation, accreditation and coordination council ("YODAK") in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, evaluating the remarkable increase on the number of “universities” in their “small country”, as he called the occupation regime, argued that this is worrisome and underlined that what is important is not the number of the “educational institutions” but the quality of the education they provide.

The paper writes that the number of “students” at the illegal universities in the “TRNC” has reached to 84, 663 from a total of 60 different countries.
(…)
(AK)

13. German Minister says will visit base in Turkey after Ankara criticism
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 26.06.16), German Defence Minister said June 26 that she would personally visit an air base in Turkey after Ankara barred a German political delegation from making the trip next month.

Germany’s Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, told the German “Bild am Sonntag” newspaper that she would go to the İncirlik Air Base in southern Turkey which is used to launch coalition air raids against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadists in Syria and Iraq. 

She blasted a decision announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu June 23 that Germany’s State Secretary for Defence, Ralf Brauksiepe, and other lawmakers would not be welcome at İncirlik for a July visit because it would be “not appropriate”.

“I have never experienced anything like this. It goes without saying that the leadership of the defence ministry should be able to visit German soldiers in the field”, she said. “That is why I will be travelling to İncirlik in the coming days to discuss the situation on the ground with our soldiers.”

A German Defense Ministry spokesman declined to provide further details on von der Leyen’s travel plans.

The Minister said she would also use her visit “to explain to Turkey what it means to have a military under parliamentary control”.

“These are the same members of parliament who raised their hands for the Patriot mission of the German military to protect Turkey from Syrian missiles,” she said, referring to a three-year deployment of NATO anti-missile systems in southern Turkey that ended last year.  

Cavusoglu refrained from linking the government’s denial of the visit with the genocide resolution, although German media reported that Turkey had said it blocked the visit because of the Armenia vote.

14. Pope refutes Turkish criticism on ‘genocide’; Turkey says Pope’s genocide words show ‘unconditional commitment to Armenian narrative’
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 26.06.16), the Vatican has refuted Turkey’s remarks that Pope Francis had a “Crusader mentality” after he used the word “genocide” to describe the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces a century ago.

“The pope is on no crusade. He is not trying to organize wars or build walls but he wants to build bridges,” Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told reporters. “He has not said a word against the Turkish people.”

The Pope on June 24 denounced the World War I killing of Armenians as genocide, prompting Turkey’s anger.

“Sadly this tragedy, this genocide, was the first of the deplorable series of catastrophes of the past century,” the pope said at the presidential palace in Yerevan.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on June 25 that it was “very unfortunate” the Pope had used the word, adding: “It is unfortunately possible to see all the reflections and traces of a Crusader mentality in the actions of the papacy and the Pope.”

On June 26, at the last main event of his three-day trip to Armenia, Pope Francis again made reference to the killings, paying homage to “the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith.”

Moreover, HDN (27.06.16) reports that Ankara has criticized Pope Francis’ description of the mass killing of Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as genocide, saying it shows his “unconditional commitment to the Armenian narrative”.

“The fact that Pope Francis went to the ‘genocide monument’ during his visit to Armenia between June 24 - 26, made unfortunate statements on the 1915 incidents, made unacceptable references to the 1915 incidents in a joint statement with the Armenian Catholicos, and made statements proven to be lies and slander while returning, showed Pope Francis’ unconditional commitment to the Armenian narrative. This does not comply with historical facts or the law regarding the 1915 incident,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

15. Four more journalists face probe over ‘editor-in-chief on duty’ campaign for Turkish daily
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 26.06.16), four more journalists are set to testify at a local court on June 27 over charges of “making terror propaganda” after supporting a solidarity campaign with Turkish daily Özgür Gündem, less than a week after the arrests of three campaigners sparked outrage from Turkish and international human rights advocates.

Journalists Faruk Balıkçı, Tuğrul Eryılmaz, Nadire Mater and Yıldırım Türker will appear before a court at the Çağlayan Courthouse in Istanbul at 10 a.m. on June 27 in order to testify in a probe launched against them for “making terror propaganda,” news portal Bianet has reported.

They are charged over their reports during their one day of service as editor-in-chief of Özgür Gündem as part of the daily’s “Editor-in-Chief on Duty” campaign.

A total of 44 prominent journalists - including Hasan Cemal, Şeyhmus Diken and Ayşe Düzkan - served as one-day editors-in-chief during the campaign. Some 37 of them have been investigated.

16. Police fired tear gas in Istanbul to disperse LGBT Pride activists
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 27.06.16), Turkish police detained 19 people and fired tear gas in central Istanbul on June 26 to disperse dozens of LGBT activists attempting to gather to mark the annual Gay Pride week after authorities banned their march.


A German lawmaker and a member of the European Parliament were also briefly detained while police chased activists into side streets and blocked them from gathering and reading out a statement, saying it was banned.

Organizers called off the annual Gay Pride march, carried out largely peacefully since 2003, after authorities refused to permit the event, deploying instead hundreds of riot police near Taksim Square.

Volker Beck, a member of the German Bundestag and a veteran gay rights activist, was among those briefly detained. Two other German citizens were also detained.
“They did nothing wrong. They were put into a police car,” he told Reuters as police officers once again tried to force him into a taxi telling him he should hold his news conference in his own country.

Beck said Turks in Germany freely demonstrated in the streets of Berlin, Hamburg and other German cities for or against the German and Turkish governments.

“It is a fair and democratic right in Turkey as well as Germany and I cannot understand that such threatening of an MP can happen in front of the police,” he said.

In another instance, police issued a death threat against Alberto Tetta, an Italian journalist who was covering the crackdown. Tetta said that as he was showing his press pass, a police officer told him, “Don’t report anything negative about Turkey, or I will shoot you.”

The Istanbul Governor’s Office last week said the march had been banned out of concern for public order. Security in the city is already tight after a series of bombings in recent months blamed on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants.

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ ICh)