TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
105/16
07.06.2016
1.
Akinci had a phone conversation with Hammond
2.
Ozgurgun supports the “Youth coordination office”
3.
Reaction by CTP on the establishment of the “coordination
office”
4.
Turkish Cypriot trade unions: The AKP deceives the world by saying it wants
solution and peace in Cyprus
5.
Information about the population of the breakaway
regime
6.
“Caner Gonyeli Search and Rescue exercise” in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus
7.
The illegal DAU “university” signed academic agreements with 24 universities
since 2014
8.
A new “association” was established in the occupied area of
Cyprus
9.
Erdogan expected to approve immunity bill today
10.
Erdogan sparks outrage again after declaring childless women to be
“deficient”
11.
Eleven killed, 36 wounded in car bomb attack on police vehicle in
Istanbul
1.
Akinci had a phone conversation with Hammond
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.06.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci had a telephone conversation yesterday with UK’s Secretary of
State Philip Hammond.
According
to information by Akinci’s office, Hammond called Akinci. During the
conversation, Hammond reiterated Britain’s support for the negotiation process
and Akinci stressed the importance of Britain’s constructive approach to the
negotiation process.
(DPs)
2.
Ozgurgun supports the “Youth coordination
office”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (07.06.16) reports that the self-styled prime
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun stated that he fully supports the “Youth coordination
office”.
Ozgurgun
said that the “office” will mainly support sports and will make big investments
in the sport field in the breakaway regime.
He
went on and added that the “office” is the result of an agreement signed between
Turkey and the breakaway regime and this has to be approved by the “assembly”.
He went on and said that the issue will be presented before the related
“assembly committee” and called on the “attorney general” to participate in the
“assembly’s” meeting and comment on the issue.
The
paper further reports that the chairman of the “Keryneia American university-
Cetinkaya” Asim Vehbi also expressed his support towards the “Youth coordination
office” claiming that it will be very beneficial for the “Turkish Cypriot
youth”.
(CS)
3.
Reaction by CTP on the establishment of the “coordination
office”
Under
the front-page title: “It will interfere in all aspects of life”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.06.16) reports that the “deputy” with
the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Asim Akansoy, in exclusive statements to the
paper, criticized strongly the “agreement” signed between Turkey and the
occupation regime regarding the establishment of a “youth coordination office”
of the “ministry of youth and sports”.
Akansoy
explained that the establishment of such an office would mean mediation to all
aspects of life in the “TRNC” and argued that all policies of Turkey would have
a direct reflection on the “TRNC”.
Akansoy
added that the signing of the “protocol regarding the “coordination office” took
place in 2014 but it has not came into force since then. He explained that
the “protocol” which is composed by 7 articles, envisages the transferring of
“responsibilities and authorities” belonging to the “ministry of youth and
sports” to another state [Translator’s note: meaning Turkey] and this is
contrary to the “constitution”. He also added that the “protocol” is not
related only with the fields of sports and education but its real aim is to
bring the model of life in Turkey to the “TRNC”.
“The
signing of a protocol between a strong state, Turkey, and a weak and poor state,
the TRNC, is a sensitive issue. It is very important to preserve the balances
here so that the existence in Cyprus, the social identity and the organizational
structure not to be harmed but to be developed and safeguarded. (...). If no
attention is paid to all these, all kind of Turkey’s policies will reflect
directly the TRNC and this is unacceptable”.
Supporting
also that the “protocol” includes “insufficient articles”,
Akansoy stressed the need to be very careful, taking into account the policy
that Turkey follows on youth and culture. “The characteristic of this protocol
is that it is a different model proposed. Turkey supports that it implement this
model to different countries. The proposed model is unacceptable for us and
it is impossible to be implemented not only from the political point of view but
also socially and legally”, Akansoy further argued.
Expressing
his strong dissatisfaction over the implementation of the “protocol”, he
stressed the need for discussing the issue again in the “committee of the
assembly” and called all political parties in the “TRNC” to show the necessary
seriousness and sensitivity towards this matter.
On
the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.06.16) reports
that the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhuman,
in a striking statement, argued that the problem with the “agreement” is not
about the rejections of aids that Turkey may provide to the education, culture,
youth and sports sectors through the “coordination office”, but rather to the
provisions and the transfer of authority, which is incompatible to the “TRNC
constitution”.
In
statements regarding the establishment and the activities of the “foreign
coordination office” of the “youth and sports ministry” between Turkey and the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Erhurman
stressed that it is a mistake that the authority of projects and programs that
will be carried out by the “prime ministry” or “ministry” of the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to be transferred to this
“foreign coordination office”.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.06.16), on its front page under
the title “Members of the embassy make propaganda”, reports that former “finance
minister” and self-styled deputy with CTP Birikim Ozgur argued that members of
the illegal Turkish embassy in the occupied part of Nicosia are making
propaganda regarding the establishment of the “youth coordination office
Turkey-TRNC”, adding that this is an interference to
democracy.
Ozgur,
who was guest at the televised program of Sami Ozuslu at the private channel
Kanal T, claimed that Turkey is next to them in the sense of auditing the budget
discipline and prevent the thieves. However, Ozgur added that Turkey should
abstain from interfering to their domestic policy and democracy.
Ozgur
further said: “If we are pleased with the dissolution of the ‘aid committee’,
but Ankara will still decide for our projects, then we are damned. If the
government sends a draft bill to the assembly, it is not the business of
Turkey’s officers to wander around and make propaganda on the
issue…”
(AK
/ DPs)
4.
Turkish Cypriot trade unions: The AKP deceives the world by saying it
wants solution and peace in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (07.06.16) reports that Ahmet
Kaptan, chairman of Turkish Cypriot “public servants’” trade union
(KTAMS), has said that the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development
Party (AKP) “uses the statements that it supports the solution and peace in
Cyprus for deceiving the world”. In a written statement issued yesterday,
Kaptan noted that AKP’s main aim is to ensure that the “public-owned domains”
in the occupied area of Cyprus are transferred to the “green capital”, as he
called the businessmen who are closely connected to the AKP.
According
to Kaptan, the National Unity Party (UBP) – Democratic Party (DP) self-styled
government was established by the AKP and does not care what the “people” want.
“The important thing for them is to literally implement the instructions”, he
said adding that KTAMS and other organizations and political parties will oppose
to these impositions.
He
noted that the price of the water was first imposed without the “people” knowing
how much they will pay for this water and then it was said that electricity will
be brought from Turkey with the signing of the “economic protocol”. Kaptan
wondered what will happen with the employees in the “electricity authority” and
the “telecommunication authority” and what will be the price of the services
that the “people” will be getting. He also said that the illegal Tymbou airport
was given away and they did not learn their lesson. “With the liberalization of
the ports, the connection of the people with the world will be cut off”, he
noted.
Meanwhile,
Ortam (07.06.16) refers also to statements made by Tahir Gokcebel,
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot secondary school teachers’ trade union
(KTOEOS), who said that the image that the AKP wants a solution in
Cyprus is false. Gokcebel said that the fact that this image is false has more
clearly come to light with the steps taken regarding the water, the “economic
package” and the “coordination office”.
Gokcebel
argued that the content of agreement for establishing a “coordination office”
[by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus] “bears the signs of a mistrust” which
ignores the work carried out for years in the field of youth, culture and
sports.
“What
is the aim of forming alternative youth centers and administrations with
employees from Turkey”, he wondered and pointed out that the policies followed
for so many years have turned the occupied area of Cyprus into a centre of money
laundering and a paradise of gambling, casinos, cathouses, mafia and
narcotics.
He argued that today the “universities”, the hotels and other companies have
started importing crime and not development.
He
added: “It has been understood now that these policies are an attack against
the existence of the Turkish Cypriot community. Supporting these policies is
tantamount to treason”. He said that approving the “youth and sports
ministry’s coordination office abroad” is a treason against the Turkish Cypriot
community.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Information about the population of the breakaway
regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (07.06.16) reports that the population of the
breakaway regime is 299,514 persons according to data selected by the “state
planning organization” (DPO) after conducting a research on household labour
force for 2015. The paper notes that this data refers to “non-institutional
population”.
According
to the results of the survey, the number of unemployed people is 9,043 (7,4%).
This percentage is up to 8,9% among women and 6,5% among men. Unemployment
among young people between 15-24 years old is 19,6%. There are 112,811 who
currently work in the occupied area of Cyprus.
(CS)
6.
“Caner Gonyeli Search and Rescue exercise” in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 07.06.16), the “Martyr Lieutenant Caner
Gonyeli 2016 Search and Rescue Exercise” began yesterday.
A
press briefing for the annual search and rescue exercise which will be completed
on Thursday, the 9th of June will be held at the “Bogaz military headquarters”
of the Turkish occupation forces on Tuesday, the 7th of
June.
The
sea phase of the exercise will be conducted off the occupied coast of Famagusta
at 10am on Wednesday, the 8th of June.
According
to a press release by the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus, the “Martyr
Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2016 Search and Rescue exercise” will be conducted with
the participation of civilian and military units from Turkey and the “TRNC”.
The
exercise will be conducted in the occupied Saint Hilarion area, in the Eastern
Mediterranean, off the coast of Famagusta, on land and territorial waters of the
“TRNC” as well as Turkey’s search and rescue area.
7.
The illegal DAU “university” signed academic agreements with 24 universities
since 2014
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.06.16) reports that the illegal Eastern
Mediterranean University (“DAU”) has signed academic agreements with totally 24
universities from different regions of the world since 2014.
According
to the paper, among those universities are the Arizona State University, the
State University of New York at Fredonia, the Southern Denmark University, the
University of Bologna, the School of Law and High School of Legal Studies of the
“Alma Mater Studiourum”, the Sapienza University of Rome, the Polytechnic
University of Tiran, the Sharif University of Technology-International
Campus-Kish Island from Iran, the Tehran University of Medical Science and the
Lebanese University.
(AK)
8.
A new “association” was established in the occupied area of
Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli newspaper (07.06.16) reports that a new
“association” called “association of Cyprus businessmen, investors and economy”
(KIYAD) has been established in the occupied area of Cyprus last month.
In
a press conference organized yesterday, the “chairman” of the “association”
Erdil Nami presented the goals and the aim of their
association.
Nami
explained that among their goals are the prosperity and the increase of
production of the Turkish Cypriot community. He also stressed the need for
making openings in the private and business sectors.
Nami
stated further that their aim is to give incentives to both employees and
employers in the private sector and also to prepare the private “companies” to
become harmonized with the EU standards.
(AK)
9.
Erdogan expected to approve immunity bill today
According
to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 07.06.16), following the
Constitutional Court's rejection of petitions filed by the Republican People's
Party (CHP) and members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) calling for the
annulment of a law that allows lifting of deputies' legal immunity, all eyes are
now on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is expected to approve the law at
latest by Tuesday, as the 15-day legal term ends.
After
President Erdogan's approval, the decision will be published in the official
Gazette and will come into effect immediately. Within the 15 days following the
announcement, the dossiers situated in Parliament, the Prime Ministry and the
Ministry of Justice will be sent to the assigned prosecution
offices.
Thus,
many Deputies including HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş and CHP leader Kemal
Kılıçdaroğlu will be interrogated and put on trial just like ordinary
citizens.
As
of May 15, the number of dossiers for the lifting of immunity reached 667 and
138 parliamentary Deputies has dossiers drafted against them. A total of 51
dossiers were drafted on CHP Deputies, 50 on HDP Deputies, 27 on the Justice and
Development Party (AK Party), nine on the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and
one for the independent deputy Aylin Nazlıaka. A total of 405 dossiers were
drafted against Deputies from the HDP, 192 from the CHP, 46 from the AK Party,
20 from the MHP and five dossiers against the independent deputy
Nazlıaka.
A
total of 216 of the dossiers were filed concerning terror crimes, in addition to
201 dossiers on libel offenses. Additionally, 11 dossiers for bodily injury, 38
for work crime, and six for forgery and 18 for making threats. Eleven more
dossiers were filed for violation of confidentiality, 55 for praising crime
and/or criminals, 54 for goading the public to hostility and 119 dossiers for
opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations. In the final vote on the bill,
376 deputies out of the chamber's 550 seats approved the bill, 140 were against,
five abstained, seven were declared invalid and three were empty. The first
clause of the bill to remove Deputies' immunities passed with 373 votes, and the
second clause saw 374 Deputies voting in favour. The bill was presented to
President Erdogan for his final approval without holding a referendum, as the
367-vote threshold was passed on May 20.
10.
Erdogan sparks outrage again after declaring childless women to be
“deficient”
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 06.06.16) reports that Turkey’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has attracted criticism once more after
controversially claiming that women who prefer not to have children or manage
their households are “deficient”, regardless of their successes in the area of
business.
Main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Ankara Deputy Gulsun Bilgehan
addressed three questions to the new Minister of Family and Social Planning,
asking whether the Ministry has any plans to prevent discrimination against
women with no children following the President’s words.
“Doesn’t
it contradict social gender equality, which is central to many projects led by
your Ministry, to describe women as ‘deficient’ or ‘lacking’ due to their gender
or personal choices?” Bilgehan said, adding that the statement was also
troubling as there are thousands of women who are physically unable to bare
children.
Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Figen Yuksekdag also slammed Erdogan’s
controversial remarks as the product of a “deficient mentality” that cannot
accept women’s increasing role in society and politics. “A
society is deficient so long as its women are not a part of life, not on the
streets but locked up in homes. We, as women, have never obeyed Tayyip Erdogan’s
mentality and we never will”, Yuksekdag added.
“Women
will not surrender to this rhetoric; they will respond through legal means and
demonstrations”, said Dr Gulsum Kav, the general representative of the We Will
Stop Femicides Platform, which is set to hold a protest in Istanbul on June 6
against the President’s statements.
The
coordinator of Istanbul Women and Women’s Establishments Association (İKAD-DER),
lawyer Nazan Moroglu, called on the President to read the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Turkey
ratified in December 1985.
The
secretary general of Turkey’s Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK),
Arzu Cerkezoglu, also reacted to the President’s remarks, saying Erdogan was
extending an “invitation to fight” the women.
It
was the second time in a week that Erdogan had sparked outrage with socially
conservative remarks, having previously railed against the use of birth control
by Muslim families.
11.
Eleven killed, 36 wounded in car bomb attack on police vehicle in Istanbul
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 07.06.16) reports that eleven people,
seven of whom were police officers, were killed while 36 others were wounded in
an attack targeting a police vehicle in Istanbul's Vezneciler neighbourhood at
around 8:35 a.m. on June 7. A bomb-laden car was detonated as the police bus was
passing near a police station, according to Istanbul Gov. Vasip
Şahin.
On
the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 07.06.16) reports that
Istanbul Governor Vasip Şahin said that seven police officers and four civilians
were killed in what appears to be a car bombing terror attack. Şahin added that
36 others were also injured in the blast, including three in critical
condition.
A
number of gunshots were reportedly heard after the explosion but it has not been
confirmed whether there was a clash or not. Meanwhile, police evacuated the area
and the exams at the nearby Istanbul University campus were postponed. The
strong blast also caused material damages to the nearby buildings and
vehicles.
There
has been no claim of responsibility for the blast.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AM)
