TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 139/16
23-25.07.2016
1. Akinci: Progress marked at Cyprus talks
2. Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that the Greek Cypriot side is
sounding the ground for postponing the Cyprus negotiations
3. Cavusoglu says that the members of Gulen’s organization in the
occupied area of Cyprus will be found and taken to Turkey
4. Turkish Cypriot press reports on arrests and activities of Gulen’s
organization in the occupied area of Cyprus
5. The Turkish “ambassador” to the breakaway regime: “TRNC will not
be affected by state of emergency declared in Turkey
6. Talat argued that if the military coup attempt in Turkey was
successful the Cyprus problem would never be solved
7. “Retired army officials” in the occupation regime evaluated the
military coup attempt in Turkey
8. Akıncı on the issue of freedom of worship in the breakaway
regime
9. Kilicadoroglu on the big CHP rally: We need to restructure state,
stick to rule of law
10. Erdoğan to meet leaders of three main parties in Parliament after
failed coup attempt
11. Erdogan: 13,165 detained over failed coup
attempt
12. Turkish Government introduces strict legal measures against
plotters in initial State of Emergency decree
13. Cavusoglu vows to clean Foreign Ministry of Gülenist
diplomats
14. EU Minister Çelik calls EU institutions to visit Turkey and
voice their support
1. Akinci: Progress marked at Cyprus
talks
Illegal Bayrak television (23.07.16) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akıncı has announced that significant progress has been reached
on matters related to the executive, judicial and legislative powers which fall
under the Chapter of Governance and Power Sharing.
He said that the issues have been practically solved with a few
essentials remaining.
Speaking after the meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos
Anastasiades, Akıncı said that among the issues which remained to be solved was
the matter of rotational presidency which he added could most likely be settled
in the later stages of the talks.
“Everyone knows that we perceive the issue of rotational presidency
as an indispensable component of our political equality which is why we are
optimistic that we will be able to arrive to an agreement on this issue in the
later stages of the talks.
Akinci also warned that time was running out to reach an agreement.
“There is a general understanding that 2016 will be a year for a settlement. We
are working with all our strength to make this happen as there might be new
dynamics in 2017 which may work against a settlement. As I have said before we
have the preparations for the 2018 Greek Cypriot Presidential elections which
will start next year, the appointment of a new UN Secretary General as well as a
new US President” he added.
2. Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that the Greek Cypriot side is
sounding the ground for postponing the Cyprus negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (25.07.16) alleges that
the Greek Cypriot side is sounding the ground for postponing the Cyprus
negotiations after the military coup attempt in Turkey.
Citing information obtained by ABHaber news portal, the
paper reports that the Greek Cypriot side is conveying to its EU and UN
interlocutors the view that the military coup attempt contains many elements for
the postponement of the negotiations for a certain period of time on the grounds
that the coup is creating the concern that some problems might come up regarding
the Cyprus problem.
The paper argues that according to the Greek Cypriot side, the
developments in Turkey include elements which will “influence Turkey’s positive
support as guarantor power to the Cyprus problem”. The Greek Cypriot side is
allegedly also worried that the decision for declaring a state of emergency in
Turkey could negatively influence the negotiations.
(I/Ts.)
3. Cavusoglu says that the members of Gulen’s organization in the
occupied area of Cyprus will be found and taken to Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (24.07.16) reported
that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that the measures
implemented in other countries as regards the members of Fethullah Gulen
Organization (FETÖ) will be taken in the occupied area of Cyprus as well.
In statements to Turkish NTV channel, Cavusoglu noted that the FETÖ
supporters in the occupied area of Cyprus will be identified and taken back to
Turkey. He recalled that they have closed all Gulen’s schools in Somalia and
stopped all the activities of the organization in Jordan, Azerbaijan and
Nigeria. He added: “The TRNC has also included FETÖ in the terrorist
organizations group. There are some who escaped there. We will bring them back
as well”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Turkish Cypriot press reports on arrests and activities of
Gulen’s organization in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (23.07.16) reported
that ten officers of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus have been arrested
and taken to Turkey within the framework of the sweep operations started after
the coup attempt in Turkey. Colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, captains
and noncommissioned officers were among the persons taken into custody.
It is reported that three of the officers were arrested in
occupied Keryneia area and two in occupied Yerolakkos village area. No
further information could be obtained on this issue, notes that paper adding
that it has been said that the operations in the occupied area of Cyprus will
be intensified and will be carried out in other “institutions”.
Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(24.07.16) reported that the information obtained by Turkey after the coup
attempt has been the reason for turning all attention to the breakaway regime’s
“police organization”. According to information obtained by Kibris Postasi,
Gulen’s organization nested within the “police” and the Turkish officials say
that a retired sergeant has been the “imam” of Gulen’s organization within the
regime’s “police”.
According to the same information, Gulen’s organization also nests
within the so-called police’s “anti-riot forces” and has a significant position
within the “police officers” who work at the illegal airport in occupied
Tymbou. Many Gulen supporters have escaped to the occupied area of Cyprus
before the implementation of measures at Turkey’s airports, writes the paper
adding that these are the persons which the Turkish Foreign Minister referred to
when saying that some Gulen supporters escaped to the occupied area of Cyprus
and “we will bring them back”.
Meanwhile, under the title “’FETÖ supporters leaked into the
Religious Affairs’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper
(24.07.16) reported that Mehmet Bahadir Kurumanastirli, chairman of
Hizmet-Sen [trade union of the employees in the religion field], has said that
the activities of Fethullah Gulen’s organization had intensified in the occupied
area of Cyprus within the period 2008-2013. He noted that the members of
the “religious affairs department” which did not wish to join the organization
had been subjected to intimidations, threats and pressure and some employees
in the field of religion had illegally been moved to other places. Hizmet -
Sen’s chairman expressed the view that a sweep operation is absolutely necessary
in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Furthermore, the paper writes that two Gulen supporters have been
arrested in the occupied area of Cyprus and sent back to Turkey. It is said
that the operation may be broadened within the next few days and some
organizations to be closed down.
In statements to Star Kibris, Ozan Ceyhun, German of Turkish
origin former member of the European Parliament (MEP), said that some
“members of FETÖ in uniform and without uniform exist” in the occupied area of
Cyprus and added that Turkey will do whatever is necessary. According to
Ceyhun, Turkey possesses a list of the persons who are FETÖ members in the
occupied area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
5. The “Turkish ambassador” to the breakaway regime: “TRNC will
not be affected by state of emergency declared in
Turkey
Illegal Bayrak television (23.07.16) broadcast that the “Turkish
ambassador” to the breakaway regime Derya Kanbay has reassured the “TRNC
public” that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the “TRNC is
not affected by the state of emergency declared in
Turkey”.
Speaking on BRT Kanbay described the failed coup attempt in Turkey as
a disgraceful and treacherous move. He said that the coup attempt had failed as
a result of the determined and heroic resistance put up by the Turkish people
and the political parties. He also expressed the view that it will take time to
clean out the supporters and plotters of the coup.
6. Talat argued that if the military coup attempt in Turkey was
successful the Cyprus problem would never be
solved
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (23.07.16) under the
front-page title: “We escaped a big danger”, reports that the leader
of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat, in exclusive
statements to the paper, evaluated the military coup attempt in Turkey and
argued that if the coup attempt was successful then it would be impossible for
the Cyprus problem to be solved.
“If the military coup attempt in Turkey by the Turkish army was
successful, Turkey would have been in a serious trouble. So, do we… The world
would consider this as guarantorship by a coup army and the Cyprus problem could
never be solved”.
Supporting that they as well as Turkey escaped from a big danger,
Talat stressed the need for the “intelligence unit” of the “TRNC” to be
strengthened.
Replying to a question, Talat proposed Varosha and the buffer zone
as an “intermediate solution”, in case that the Cyprus problem will not be
solved by the end of the year.
Commenting on the decision of the so-called council of ministers to
include FETO/PYD organization in the terrorist list of the “TRNC”, Talat said:
“The decision taken is very normal. But it is insufficient by its own. Firstly,
a civilian intelligence unit should be formed and together with this, legal
regulations should be made”.
On the Cyprus problem, Talat expressed optimism over the progress of
the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process and supported that Anastasiades has this
time the support of a wide-range social basis, of the Church and AKEL.
(…)
(AK)
7. “Retired army officials” in the occupation regime evaluated the
military coup attempt in Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (25.07.16) reports that
the retired “staff colonel” Mustafa Kemal Tumkan, evaluated in an exclusive
interview to the paper, the military coup attempt in Turkey and explained how
the coup attempt would affect Cyprus.
Turman stated that if someone sees the testimonies of those detained
in Turkey, he will find out that they had said that “their big brothers have
sent them to carry out the coup attempt. Who are those big brothers here (in the
TRNC” and where are they”, Turman wondered.
Referring to the provisional article 10 of the “constitution” of the
occupation regime, Turman stressed the need to be regulated and argued that if
this happens, then the Turkish Cypriot community would gain a lot.
Supporting that the main goal is to change the Turkish Cypriot
community by “2040-2050” in order to achieve its full “annexation with the
Islamic culture”, Tumkan said that those having these goals do not use weapons
or run riots.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (25.07.16) under
the front-page title: “Islamic fundamentalism is the biggest danger”, reports on
statements by the “retired colonel” Cenk Diler, who in exclusive statements to
the paper, argued that the only biggest threat for the Turkish Cypriot “people”
and the Turkish people is the Islamic fundamentalism. “More mosques than
schools constructed”, Diler said and argued that this is an indication.
Stressing the need to prevent the development of the religious
organizations in the “TRNC”, Diler said that the remarkable increase on the
number of the religious education organizations in the occupation regime in the
recent years has proved that the educational system in the “TRNC” is not the
appropriate one.
Underlining the fact that “a civil intelligence unit” does not exist
in the “TRNC” Diler wondered if someone can guarantee that Turkish Cypriot
leader Akinci and so-called prime minister are not spied. He recalled also that
both the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas and also Dervis Eroglu
complained in the past that their telephones were tapped by MIT agents.
(…)
(AK)
8. Akıncı on the issue of freedom of worship in the breakaway
regime
Illegal Bayrak television (23.07.16) broadcast that Turkısh Cyprıot
leader Mustafa Akıncı has criticized attempts to turn his statements regarding
the freedom of worship in the breakaway regıme “into a controversial
debate”.
He reminded that the “TRNC foreign minister” was not his interlocutor
on the subject and that he had taken up the matter with the “prime minister and
deputy prime minister”.
“That is why no one should feel the need to come up with a response.
To turn back from one’s mistakes is a virtue” he said.
Expressing his disappointment over the fact that his messages had
been misperceived, Akıncı said he had received several complaints that Greek
Cypriots were still not being allowed to hold services freely in occupied
churches across the north despite being able to prior to the new
coalition.
Akıncı added that complaints had increased recently and he was being
informed that applications for services were being rejected. “As the Turkish
Cypriot leader, I would want to see a flexibility to be shown for services if
there is no physical obstacle or if the church is not in a military zone,” he
said.
He added that the coalition was ‘shooting themselves in their foot’
with remarks and actions such as these, particularly when the talks are at such
a crucial stage.
Akıncı said that as the “president” he is working to fulfill his role
as an impartial “head of the state”.
Bayrak also broadcast that in a written statement “foreign minister”
Tahsin Ertugrulogliu said that Akıncı was free to ‘dislike’ any of their
statements as they were of his.
The statement went on to say that the implementation had been
announced and no prohibitions were in play except for restrictions they had
announced before.
“A false perception tried to be created that the restrictions have
come into force following the establishment of the UBP-DP government. We are
shocked to see the President’s partial stance on the issue” the statement
read.
The statement also added that there were no restrictions in place at
8 occupied churches in the north and that workshop could be conducted without
any prior permits. It also said that no restrictions were introduced by the new
“government” for the Apostolos Andreas, St. Barnabas and St Mamas
churches.
9. Kilicadoroglu on the big CHP rally: We need to restructure
state, stick to rule of law
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (25.07.16) reports that the leader of
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu,
said that after last week’s failed coup attempt, the state needed to be
restructured and also needed to stick to rule of law regarding the proceedings
of the perpetrators.
Speaking at his party’s “Republic and Democracy Rally” in Istanbul’s
Taksim Square on July 24, Kılıçdaroğlu said the failed coup attempt of July 15
had openly showed that state management should be based on
merit.
“In other words, we should imbed in history the understanding of
capturing the state rather than ruling the state. In this context, the
restructuring of the state is a necessity,” said Kılıçdaroğlu to a crowd of not
only supporters of the CHP but also of the ruling Justice and Development Party
(AKP).
For the first time, supporters of the CHP and AKP jointly
participated in a rally against the coup attempt that left at least 246 people
dead and more than 2,000 others injured. They chanted together in the name of
democracy and the Republic during the event.
Earlier the CHP had invited the AKP to come join the rally, to which
the latter answered positively.
“The state cannot be managed with hate, anger and prejudice. The ones
who have attempted a coup should stand trial within the law and by abiding with
the rule of law. The dignity and seriousness of the state obliges this,” said
Kılıçdaroğlu, adding that torture, maltreatment, pressure and threats towards
the coup plotters would put the state at the same level as them. “It should not
be allowed,” he said.
10. Erdogan to meet leaders of three main parties in Parliament
after failed coup attempt
Turkish daily Sabah (25.07.16) reports that President Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan is set to have a joint meeting with the leaders of three main political
parties today at the Presidential Palace to discuss the recent failed coup
attempt.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. This will be the first
time that Kılıçdaroğlu and Bahçeli will visit the Presidential Complex since it
was built in 2014.
According to the presidential sources, Erdoğan will speak to the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) chairman and Prime Minister,
Binali Yıldırım, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal
Kılıçdaroğlu, and of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli about
the latest developments and will consult them on handling the process after the
attempted coup.
Erdogan is also expected to personally thank the leaders for their
unified stance against the attempted coup.
11. Erdogan: 13,165 detained over failed coup
attempt
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.07.16) reports that Turkey’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that a total of 13,165 people have been
detained over the July 15 failed coup attempt. He made these statements as he
commented on the ongoing operations against members of the Fethullahist
Organization (FETÖ), which the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) says
was behind the failed attempt.
“Some 8,838 among the detained are soldiers, 2,101 are judges and
prosecutors, 1,485 are police officers, 52 are local authorities and 689 are
civilians,” Erdoğan said in a speech broadcast in squares around Turkey, while
adding that 123 among the jailed 5,863 individuals were generals, 282 were
high-ranking police officers and 1,559 were judges and prosecutors.
“The interrogations of the others are ongoing,” he also said.
Saying that a total of 246 people were killed, of whom 62 were police
officers, 179 were civilians and five were soldiers, Erdoğan noted that 2,186
people were also wounded.
“A total of 934 schools, 109 dormitories, 15 universities, 104
foundations, 35 health institutions, 1,125 associations and 19 unions belonging
to FETÖ have been closed down. Their assets were seized by the state,” he
added.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said a total of 3,000 judges
and prosecutors would be appointed in November, as he added there were a
sufficient number of personnel to fill the posts emptied due to suspensions in
the framework of the anti-FETÖ operations. “There won’t be any disruption or
problems in the trial processes of our citizens. They won’t have a hard time.
We’ve taken precautions regarding this issue. We had planned to appoint 1,500
judges and prosecutors in November. Upon the recent developments we decided to
appoint 3,000 of them,” Bozdağ said in a TV interview, adding that 800 lawyers
would become judges and prosecutors. “The other 2,200 will be appointed from
the graduates of law schools,” he also said.
Education Minister İsmet Yılmaz also commented on appointments,
saying that 20,000 teachers would fill the posts emptied due to suspensions of
teachers linked to FETÖ.
12. Turkish Government introduces strict legal measures against
plotters in initial State of Emergency decree
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.07.16) reports that a decree law
released as part of Turkey’s ongoing state of emergency increases the legally
permitted period of detention to 30 days from the current two, while also
ordering the closure of a number of schools, hospitals and foundations linked to
U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.
“There will be a second [decree law]. Work is underway now. Serious
measures have to be taken in order to avoid the repetition of such bloody coup
attempts,” Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım told private broadcaster NTV late on
July 23. “This organization has other sources. So measures will include
eliminating these sources.”
The decree law was released over the weekend after the government
declared a state of emergency for 90 days, which it says is necessary in order
to efficiently fight against Gülenist plotters within the state and to
investigate the more than 13,000 people detained following the failed attempted
coup, which the government blames on the Gülen movement.
One of the most important aspects of the decree law extends the
duration of detention to 30 days, said to be necessary as taking the testimonies
of the many detainees taken in so far will take longer than usual.
The same decree ordered the closure of 35 hospitals, 1,043 private
schools and dormitories, 15 private universities, 1,229 associations and
foundations, and 19 trade unions for links to Fethullah Gülen, the U.S.-based
Islamic scholar who was allegedly behind the coup attempt on July
15.
13. Cavusoglu vows to clean Foreign Ministry of Gülenist
diplomats
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.07.16) reports that Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has vowed to purge diplomats with links to the
Fethullah Gülen organization from his ministry, as part of the government’s
massive campaign to clean the state of Gülenists after the July 15 failed coup
attempt.
“We will clear the state of this gang because they have infiltrated
the state through treacherous plans. For example, my ministry, the Foreign
Ministry… for ages the selection process for the Ministry was based on
open-ended questions and translation from Turkish into English. But those
belonging to this parallel gang changed the selection system into a multiple
choice test after getting control of the personnel department,” Çavuşoğlu told
reporters late July 23 in Antalya.
“They have imposed the hardest questions ever in the history of the
Ministry so that only their members who have been provided with the answers
beforehand could pass the exam. None of them has the foreign language capability
or capacity [to be a diplomat],” he added.
“Now, can I work comfortably as the Foreign Minister before I fully
clean these traitors from my Ministry? Would you entrust the memory and secrets
of the state to these people? I would not. I will do whatever necessary within
the law,” Çavuşoğlu said and added: The state cannot tolerate those who have
betrayed their own people, the Minister said, criticizing Europeans who have
issued calls to the Turkish government to stop the purge. “I am obligated to
provide the security of my state and my people,” he said, “Therefore we’ll clean
them of the state and ask them to pay the price for what they
did.”
14. EU Minister Çelik calls EU institutions to visit Turkey and
voice their support
Turkish daily Sabah (25.07.16) reported that Turkey's EU Minister and
Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik stressed that the aim of the state of emergency,
which the Parliament ratified on Thursday is to protect democracy.
"The state of emergency is to protect democracy, to protect the state
of law, to protect the rights and liberties of our citizens and to protect peace
in our country."
Expressing his disappointment for the EU countries, Çelik said: "We
expect officials of the European Union, European Parliament and the European
Council to visit Turkey to voice their support for the common democratic values
we share by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkey. ... There is no doubt
that the values in danger are the common values of us
all."
He said that Fethullah Gülen was the mastermind behind the failed
coup attempt and is more dangerous than Osama bin Laden. "This failed coup was a
clear attempt to establish a military dictatorship based on a problematic
[Gülenist] religious understanding," he said.
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