TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
145/16
02.08.2016
1.
Akinci met with Lord Balfe
2.
Self-styled ambassador Kanbay announces anti-Gulen operations in the occupied
area of Cyprus
3.
Turkish Cypriot daily publishes a so-called “road map” for a solution in
Cyprus
4.
New generals were appointed in command of the Turkish occupation army in
Cyprus
5.
Denktas said that he does not believe than an outcome would be reached at the
Cyprus talks
6.
Reddediyoruz Platform is organizing a demonstration
tomorrow
7.
“Supporting Turkish democracy” rally to be held in the breakaway
regime
8.
Tatar calls on Akinci to conduct “serious struggle” towards the Greek
Cypriots
9.
The Social Democrat Party (SDP) said that the breakaway regime will become
Turkey’s 82nd province
10.
Erdogan invites party leaders to huge anti-coup rally
11.
Turkish lawmakers in US to brief regarding the failed
coup
12.
Top US military officer reiterates support for Turkish
democracy
13.
Turkish FM hits back at Austrian counterpart on
Twitter
14.
Coup attempt cost Turkey’s economy $100 billion
1.
Akinci met with Lord Balfe
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 01.08.16), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci met on Monday at his office with the UK Parliament’s “TRNC Friendship
Group member” Lord Richard Andrew Balfe.
Akinci’s
Special Adviser for Political Affairs and History Meltem Onurkan Samani and
Special Adviser for Diplomacy and the EU Erhan Erçin were also present during
the meeting.
No
statement was made to the press before or after the
meeting.
2.
Self-styled ambassador Kanbay announces anti-Gulen operations in the occupied
area of Cyprus
Under
the title “Preparation for operation in the TRNC”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper (02.08.16) reports that the Turkish self-styled
ambassador in the occupied part of Nicosia, Derya Kanbay has referred to the
coup attempt in Turkey and said that they know that “the structure which
conducted this treachery coup attempt”, as he described the Gulen organization
[known as Fetö], has extensions in the occupied area of Cyprus as well.
“We
have for a long time been cooperating and working with the TRNC government to
eliminate, to prohibit their actions”, added Kanbay in statements to
Anatolia news agency.
Noting
that they are expecting the influence of the coup in the “administration” of the
breakaway regime and his own work to be at the minimum level, Kanbay said that
he does not see a very serious negative influence at the
moment.
Recalling
that after the coup attempt, the breakaway regime has included Fetö in the list
of the terrorist organizations and prohibited its activities, he noted that they
will continue together their actions for eliminating this organization’s
personnel and structure.
He
alleged that the declaration of an extraordinary situation in Turkey does not
aim at restraining normal life and preventing human rights, but at bringing to
surface the members of Gulen’s organization which existed in the state and
eliminate them.
Kanbay
said that there will be no obstacle for the Turkish academicians who work in the
“universities” that operate in the occupied area of Cyprus and that some
“positive projects”, economic and commercial activities between Turkey and the
occupied area of Cyprus are continuing without a change.
He announced that there might be some dismissals regarding these projects
within the forthcoming period, but they will not influence the work they are
carrying out here. “We are continuing our efforts for the development and
advancement of the TRNC in the fields of education, culture and commerce”, he
said adding that there will be no stop or postponement in these efforts and that
all of them are doing whatever they can for life to continue as usual in the
occupied area of Cyprus.
Referring
to the Cyprus negotiations, Kanbay claimed that the coup attempt will not create
any negative development or obstacle for the negotiations and alleged that as
the state and the government of Turkey they hope that the negotiations will
reach a positive result.
He argued that the “most appropriate conditions for the negotiations to
result to a lasting agreement and a viable solution exist” and described
the solution of the Cyprus problem as “important” from the point of view
of strengthening stability and peace in Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle
East and protecting Turkey’s political and economic interests in this
area.
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.08.16) refers to the issue and recalls
statements made by Huseyin Ozgurgun, the self-styled prime minister of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, who had said that they had no
concrete information regarding activities of the Fetö organization in the
occupied area of the island. Pointing out that Kanbay’s statements are
completely different than those made by Ozgurgun, the paper wonders who we
should believe: “the puppet prime minister or the governor who is dressed like
an ambassador?”
(I/Ts.)
3.
Turkish Cypriot daily publishes a so-called “road map” for a solution in
Cyprus
Under
the title “Road map for the solution”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi newspaper (02.08.16) reports that while everybody’s attention has
been turned to the last round of negotiations for finding a solution to the
Cyprus problem which will start on 23 August, it was known that the two sides
have agreed on a road map, if everything goes well.
Citing
information by diplomatic sources, the paper writes that during the seven
crucial meetings from 23 August until 14 September, all issues will be
discussed again with the aim of minimizing the obstacles. The target is
for going to New York with the negotiating teams after 14 September and for
holding a Cyprus summit with the UNSG.
According
to the paper’s information, more than 90% of the issues have been agreed on
four chapters, except the territory and the guarantees, and in case the two
sides reach an agreement, the aim is for a five-party international
conference to be convened in the first week of November for the discussion
of the issues of the guarantees and security. It is considered that a
“framework agreement” will come up from this five-party conference. After
this “framework agreement”, a detailed plan will be prepared, the people will
be informed about this plan and a referendum will be conducted within March 2017
the latest.
(I/Ts.)
4.
New generals were appointed in command of the Turkish occupation army in
Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.08.16) reports that the Turkish
Ministry of National Defense has appointed Lieutenant General Omer Pac as
commander of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus and Major General Yilmaz
Yildirim as commander of the so-called security forces. The outgoing
commander of the occupation army, lieutenant general Ilyas Bozkur is being
retired, while the outgoing commander of the “security forces” Major General
Erhan Uzun is appointed as chief of NATO forces in Izmir.
The
paper also writes that Brigadier General Erol Saner is appointed as commander of
the 39th Merchandised Division in the occupied area of Cyprus and
Brigadier General Faruk Yilkdirim as commander of the 28th
Merchandised Infantry Division.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (02.08.16) reports that
General Pac had served as commander of the 39th Merchandised
Division in the occupied area of Cyprus during the period 2010-2012. Under
the title “He is silently saying farewell”, Havadis writes also that Bozkurt
has surprisingly asked to be retired and yesterday paid farewell visits to
Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci, the “speaker” of the “assembly” Siber and “prime
minister” Ozgurgun.
Havadis’
director Basaran Duzgun writes in his column today that Bozkurt’s name was in
the list of those who would continue their duty after the coup attempt in
Turkey, but yesterday he “untimely and unexpectedly started” paying farewell
visits. He notes that some newspapers and television stations had argued
that Bozkurt would be dismissed, but no one reacted to this information.
The
same columnist recalls also that the army had been bound to political
authorities in Turkey after the coup of 15 July and notes that the same
situation is valid for the occupation forces in Cyprus, the so-called security
forces and the so-called police of the regime. The “small difference”, he notes,
is that the occupation army, the “security forces” and the regime’s “police” are
bound to the political authorities of Turkey and not to the self-styled
government.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Denktas said that he does not believe than an outcome would be reached at the
Cyprus talks
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 01.08.16), self-styled deputy prime
minister and finance minister Serdar Denktas voiced concern regarding the
ongoing Cyprus negotiation process by saying that he did not believe that an
outcome would be reached at the talks.
Speaking
during an event organized by the Democratic Party (DP), Denktas expressed his
view that the UN could put forward a document that contains a conciliation
formula that it believes may work. He claimed that while the Greek Cypriot side
during the negotiations process is quite comfortably and clearly displaying its
stance, the Turkish Cypriot sides’ negotiating team’s approach is “the Turkish
Cypriot side needs a solution otherwise we will go under”.
He
said that as the “government” they have not and will not take any initiatives
that would sabotage Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s negotiations process
and that they had informed him of this as well. “We as the government are ready
to assist the negotiations process if they want our help, but the agreement to
emerge will go to a referendum and the two parties will decide separately
whether or not they will support the solution document that will emerge”,
Denktas added.
“When
the time comes if our sensitivities have not been overcome then we will speak
with the public and reveal the traps that remain and will try to convince them
to reject the agreement”, Denktas concluded.
6.
Reddediyoruz Platform is organizing a demonstration
tomorrow
Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (02.08.16) reports that the Reddediyoruz (We are
rejecting) Platform is organizing a marching and a demonstration tomorrow
evening prior to the decision of the “constitutional court” for the establishing
by Turkey of the “coordination office for youth and sports” at the breakaway
regime.
The
decision of the “court” will be announced on August 5.
The
marching will be held in the occupied part of Lefkosia and the demonstration
will take place in front of the so-called assembly.
(CS)
7.
“Supporting Turkish democracy” rally to be held in the breakaway regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (02.08.16) reports that a rally for “supporting
democracy” is organized in the breakaway regime on August 5 with the
participation of various NGOs and trade unions for condemning the failed coup
that took place in Turkey on July 15. The rally will be held in the occupied
part of Lefkosia.
According
to the paper, this is a demonstration of support towards Turkey’s democracy and
towards the Turkish people by the “daughter land”.
Reporting
on the same issue, Afrika writes that the National Unity Party (UBP) and the
Social Democrat Party (SDP) stated that they fully support the rally and will
participate in it.
(CS)
8.
Tatar calls on Akinci to conduct “serious struggle” towards the Greek
Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (02.08.16) reports that Ersin Tatar, “deputy” with
the National Unity Party (UBP) called on the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci to conduct a “serious struggle” towards the Greek Cypriots.
Tatar
who issued a written statement said that Akinci should do so “serious as regards
the various steps taken by the Greek Cypriots on the issue of the natural gas
who “ignore both the Turkish Cypriots and the negotiation procedure”, as he
claimed.
He
went on and added that the third round of licenses has been completed recently
and that in 2017 steps will be taken for launching new drillings. Akinci should
react towards these developments, Tatar said.
He
also claimed that the Greek Cypriot side does not exert efforts for reaching a
solution by the end of 2016 and at the same time asks for the withdrawal of the
Turkish troops from the island.
(CS)
9.
The Social Democrat Party (SDP) said that the breakaway regime will become
Turkey’s 82nd province
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.08.16) reports that the Social Democrat Party
(SDP) stated that the breakaway regime is collapsing and accused the
“government” of not having the mentality of the solution as regards the Cyprus
problem.
The
party’s chairman Tozun Tunali stated that Turkey’s activities at the occupied
area of Cyprus are increased because the “government” is having a not serious
stance and added that soon the “TRNC” will become Turkey’s 82nd
province.
(CS)
10.
Erdogan invites party leaders to huge anti-coup
rally
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (online, 01.08.16), Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan on Monday sent letters to the leaders of three major political
parties inviting them to attend and speak at the Democracy and Martyrs Rally set
for Sunday in Istanbul.
Presidential
sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to
the media, said the letters signed by the presidential secretary general,
Fahri Kasirga, were sent to the respective secretaries general of the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) chairman, Binali Yildirim, as well as
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli.
The
letter hailed the “courageous and determined resistance” of the Turkish nation
which helped defeat the July 15 coup attempt by “a group of Fetullah Gulen
terrorists in the Turkish Armed Forces, disguised in military
uniform.”
The
letter also touted the “strong stance” shown by the parties in the name of
democracy, freedom, and the rule of law both during and in the coup bid’s
aftermath, which has become a symbol of people coming from all walks of life
standing united to “protect the country and the future of its
people”.
The
massive rally was announced by Erdogan on Saturday, is billed as an event that
will attract participation from citizens, political leaders, top military
officers, musicians, and athletes. “Let the nation be there together,
accelerating the process of normalization is extremely important for our
country”, Erdogan said.
11.
Turkish lawmakers in US to brief regarding the failed
coup
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (02.08.16), a group of Turkish lawmakers on
Monday began an eight-day visit to the U.S. to deliver briefings regarding the
FETO-led failed coup attempt last month.
The
team will meet with senior U.S. officials and it is expected that Turkey's
extradition request for the coup plot's mastermind, Fetullah Terror
Organization's (FETO) leader Fetullah Gulen, will be high on the agenda.
The
group on Monday visited the Turkish embassy in Washington DC, where they were
briefed on the latest developments between the two countries following the
overthrow attempt. They also met with Assistant Attorney General for the
Criminal Division Leslie Caldwell.
A
joint group from the Justice and State Departments is currently analysing the
extradition request.
The
Turkish lawmakers will later meet with the foreign press and visit the
Foundation for Political Economic and Social Research (SETA) think tank.
On
Tuesday, they will meet with Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and
will separately meet representatives of the Atlantic Council and Centre for
Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tanks.
During
the U.S. visit, the group will also make a trip to New York.
The
visiting team consists of the head of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Committee and the Justice and Development (AK) Party's Malatya lawmaker Taha
Ozhan, Kahramanmaras lawmaker Mahir Unal, the Republican People's Party (CHP)
Istanbul lawmaker Oguz Kaan Salici and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)
Erzurum lawmaker Kamil Aydin.
12.
Top US military officer reiterates support for Turkish
democracy
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.08.16), the United States’ top military
officer Monday reaffirmed Washington’s support for Turkish democracy in a
meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, according to the Prime
Ministry.
According
to a statement posted on the ministry's website, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford strongly condemned the recent coup attempt which
martyred more than 230 people and injured nearly 2,200 others.
Dunford
reiterated that the U.S. was in full support of the democratic system in Turkey,
and would continue to cooperate with Turkey in all areas, including the
military, said the statement.
During
the meeting, Yildirim underlined the significance of the “open and determined”
stance the U.S. adopted against the coup bid, which he said was “the biggest
threat ever against Turkish democracy and the Turkish
people”.
Yildirim
also reiterated Ankara’s expectation that Washington extradite Fetullah
Gulen.
Earlier,
Dunford visited the Parliament building with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Hulusi
Akar and was shown the bombed areas of the building. He also met with Parliament
Speaker Ismail Kahraman.
13.
Turkish FM hits back at Austrian counterpart on
Twitter
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 02.08.16), Turkey's Foreign
Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu had a Twitter spat with his Austrian counterpart
Sebastian Kurtz late on Aug. 1.
Writing
about a recent interview that Cavusoglu gave to German newspaper Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung, the Austrian Foreign Minister tweeted "I do not accept
Cavusoglu's ultimatum and turn it back. The EU cannot proceed with dependencies
and must protect its borders".
In
the interview, Cavusoglu had said, "We [Turkey] will have to take a step back
from the readmission deal and March 18 agreement if visa-free travel is not
granted to Turkish citizens". He added that Turkey is expecting an exact date
from the EU for visa-free Schengen zone travel and the EU should not see this as
a threat.
Replying
to Kurtz's tweet, Cavusoglu later said, "Das ist nicht [This is not] ultimatum
Sebastian, it is my opinion. Freedom of expression, my friend".
14.
Coup attempt cost Turkey’s economy $100 billion
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 02.08.16), Turkey’s
Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkci has said that the failed attempted
coup on July 15 has cost the Turkish economy 300 billion Turkish Liras (around
$100 billion), according to initial calculations, adding that this amount
may however increase when more detailed calculations are
made.
“When
we consider all those warplanes, helicopters, weapons, bombs and buildings, the
cost is 300 billion liras at minimum according to our prior calculations. The
exact cost may likely increase when the detailed calculations are made. There
will also be various costs in the medium-term. For instance, many orders from
abroad have been cancelled. Many foreigners have halted their Turkey visits. The
coup plotters have unfortunately created a Turkey image as if it were a third
world country. People who see tanks in the streets and the Parliament bombed
will not come to Turkey. All of these create costs in the medium-term”, Tüfenkci
said in a meeting with a group of journalists in Ankara.
Meanwhile,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (02.08.16) reports that Prime Minister Binali
Yildirim alleged late Monday that Turkey and its economy are stronger than
before the recent deadly coup attempt. "Our economy is still as steady as a
rock. There was not even a minor economic shock. But, this situation disturbed
some sides", Yildirim claimed during a teleconference in
Ankara.
Those
unnerved included Standard and Poor's, that decided to cut Turkey’s rating. That
decision depicts the company’s “bias”, Yildirim alleged.
"They downgraded Turkey's rate. Let it be, let them drop Turkey's rating. But we
do not stand still with the help of their rate”, he added.
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