TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 170/16
07.09.2016
1. Akinci alleges that President Anastasiades’ proposal on the
guarantees does not eliminate the Turkish Cypriots’ “security
concerns”
2. Akinci: Bi-zonality is the most important opportunity created by
the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus
3. Turkish Cypriot daily on President Anastasiades’ written proposal
as regards the guarantees
4. Talat said that the “yes” vote from his party is not granted in
any possible agreement
5. Tunali: “For the first time, we are so close to a Cyprus
settlement”
6. Turks no longer believe in EU, Cavusoglu
says
7. Turkey to join UK-led meeting on Syria’s
future
8. Turkish Deputy PM refutes change of axis on foreign
policy
9. Turkey consults on post-coup attempt prosecutions with Council of
Europe
10. Turkish Deputy PM: Companies seized post-coup attempt create $1.7
billion risk for banks
11. Turkish Cypriot daily writes that 13,859 Turkish students will
attend the illegal universities for the new academic
year
12. A road that will connect occupied Mesaoria with the coast of
occupied Keryneia started to be constructed
13. A new Turkish Cypriot trade union was
established
1. Akinci alleges that President Anastasiades’ proposal on the
guarantees does not eliminate the Turkish Cypriots’ “security
concerns”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.09.16) reports
that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has alleged that the written
proposal submitted by President Anastasiades during their meeting on 2 September
as regards the issue of security and guarantees does not eliminate the “security
concerns” of the Turkish Cypriots.
Replying to a question of illegal TAK news agency, Akinci recalled
yesterday that they agreed with the UN and the Greek Cypriot side not to make
statements after the meetings within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations
until 14 September and argued that President Anastasiades continues
making statements after these meetings and not behaving according to their
agreement.
Akinci said that in spite of the fact that an agreement has been reached on the
issue of holding a three-party meeting with the UNSG in New York on 26 September
and announcing this agreement with a joint statement on 14 September, President
Anastasiades has unilaterally announced it. Akinci further argued the
following:
“I am sharing with the public opinion that this stance of the Greek
Cypriot side is not correct. With such behaviors the Turkish side is also forced
to make statements before the questions posed. Being committed to what has been
agreed is important for the negotiating process to soundly advance and for
materializing the target of reaching a solution within 2016”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci: Bi-zonality is the most important opportunity created
by the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (07.09.16) reports that
Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has alleged that unless both sides
behave fairly and logically “peace cannot come to these lands”. Addressing a
traditional night organized by [Turkish Cypriot] Limassol Cultural Association,
Akinci said:
“We have to be fair. While exerting efforts for our own rights for
a lasting agreement, we must not forget that the other community has also rights
on this island. Both sides must behave within fair and logical measures.
Otherwise, peace cannot come to these lands; otherwise, there could be no
solution and peace.”
Moreover, Akinci argued that he will carry out the forthcoming
negotiating process cold-bloodedly, wisely and in close dialogue with Turkey
and said:
“You have loaded a very big responsibility on my shoulders. I am
trying to do what is necessary to fulfill this responsibility. This is why I am
asking for a little patience. It seems that we have swum a lot and came to
the end of this issue”.
Reiterating the allegation that the Turkish Cypriots have been
excluded from the Republic of Cyprus for 53 years, Akinci argued that the
time has come for the Turkish Cypriots to regain their rights as community by
establishing a new bi-communal bi-zonal federal structure.
He further alleged that the most important opportunity created by the
1974 [Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus] is bi-zonality and added:
“Let us take our position as a modern community among the
communities of the world by preserving bi-zonality […] We will hold the last
meeting of the second round of the intensified negotiations on 14 September and
go to New York. We have one and only target: With good will to secure that the
Turkish Cypriot people are able to go to the future as a healthy community,
their equality, freedom and security by protecting their real
interests”.
Referring to the statements made on the Cyprus problem every day,
Akinci said that he has answers to give to everyone and that it should not be
forgotten that “the people will decide in the very end of the process”.
“There will be sufficient time for the referendum which will be conducted in
both communities”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)
3. Turkish Cypriot daily on President Anastasiades’ written
proposal as regards the guarantees
Under the title “Written proposal as regards the guarantees by
Anastasiades to Akinci”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(07.09.16) reports that President Anastasiades has submitted a written proposal
on the guarantees to Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci.
The paper adds:
“The proposal has not been announced yet, but according to
information obtained by our paper, an alliance agreement will be made between
Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. An international police force will be
established without the participation of Turkish and Greek soldiers and it
will enter under the control of the tripartite alliance. It will become the
guarantor of the federal republic”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Talat said that the “yes” vote from his party is not granted in
any possible agreement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (07.09.16) reports
that Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and former
Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that it should not be taken for granted that
his party will vote for “yes” in any agreement. He added: “I don’t believe that
the agreement will be an agreement that the Turkish Cypriots would not say yes,
but there is a possibility to occur, a distant one. For this reason, I can’t say
that ‘we will vote for yes no matter what’”.
Speaking to the paper, Talat commented also on the guarantee formula
written in the press and added: “Everything is speculation… Without taking place
first the five party international meeting nothing clear can come out on this
issue.”
Talat argued that although there is no timetable for the negotiation
process, there is a natural one due to the presidential elections in Cyprus on
2018, adding that for this reason the Cyprus talks should be concluded by the
end of 2016 and the referendum to be held in 2017. He also said that if this
happens, then within 2018, there will be presidential elections for the United
Cyprus.
Referring to the Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus obtained by foreigners, Talat claimed that it should not be
expected that the foreigners will pay the properties taken from the Greek
Cypriots. He further argued that the economic activities that the solution
conditions will create should also meet the financial needs of the Cyprus
settlement.
(DPs)
5. Tunali: “For the first time, we are so close to a Cyprus
settlement”
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (07.09.16) reports that Tozun
Tunali, chairman of the Social Democrat Party (SDP) has stressed that for the
first time they are so close to a Cyprus settlement.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Tunali argued that the
reason of the hopes are the coherent steps that Turkey took towards the
agreement issue, the rapprochement with Greece and the “beginning of lifting the
hard-line stance of the Greek Cypriot side”.
Noting that the 5 meetings aiming to be held within this month under
the auspices of the UN Secretary General prove that this work has come to an
end, Tunali noted that the collaboration with Turkey on the path for a solution
by taking steps on the documents, which were signed in the past by Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, disturbed some circles.
Tunali said that some circles targeted Akinci due to the statement by
President Anastasiades that the new state will not have an army, adding that the
mentioned article is in an agreement signed in 1979.
Stressing that Turkey is the only one who has a say on the guarantee
issue, Tunali argued that Turkey took good steps by being flexible. He added
that some circles have reacted also to this, but Turkey’s Foreign Minister and
Akinci share the same views on this issue.
(DPs)
6. Turks no longer believe in EU, Cavusoglu
says
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.09.16) reports that Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on the EU to help rekindle Turks’ enthusiasm
for joining the bloc.
“I should be open about it. Unfortunately, Turks do not believe in
the EU anymore. There is a lack of confidence,” he told journalists during a
visit to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.
The Minister said failed EU policies had cast doubt on Turkey’s EU
membership as well as Europe’s failure to support Turkey in the wake of the July
15 coup attempt.
“The support of the Turkish people for the EU membership declined,
especially after the July 15 military coup attempt. And now, we want to balance
it.”
Cavusoglu called for “positive messages” and “more balanced and
attentive approaches” from EU leaders to persuade Turks of the benefits of EU
accession, which Turkey has pursued since applying for membership in
1987.
He also criticized the lack of progress in liberalizing the EU visa
regime for Turkish citizens, which was agreed last November under the EU-Turkey
refugee deal.
“Turkey has accomplished the requirements of the visa deal and our
citizens deserve visa liberalization,” he said. “However, the deal does not
reflect today's realities.”
7. Turkey to join UK-led meeting on Syria’s
future
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (07.09.16) reports that Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is to attend a meeting in London, in which the future
of Syria will be discussed amid an ongoing operation into its southern neighbour
to push jihadists off the Turkish border.
“Our Μinister will attend the meeting on Syria under British Foreign
Secretary Boris Johnson on Sept. 7,” read a statement issued by the Foreign
Ministry on Sept. 6.
The meeting will bring together France, the United States, Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Jordan, Italy and the European
Union along with Turkey and the host country, the United Kingdom.
The meeting comes after the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA)
cleared Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) elements from the
Turkey-Syria border and started to advance toward the southern town of al-Bab,
still under jihadist control.
8. Turkish Deputy PM refutes change of axis on foreign
policy
Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.09.16) reports that Turkish Deputy
Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus on Tuesday rejected allegations his country was
changing its foreign policy axis in the wake of a recent coup attempt in
Turkey.
"We sometimes face the question: 'Is Turkey changing axis'? That is
not a logical question," Kurtulmus told a conference at the Asia Society in New
York City.
"Turkey never changes its axis. Turkey has only one axis, and it is
its own," he said.
The deputy prime minister said Ankara expects Washington to extradite
the coup mastermind, Fetullah Gulen, who has lived in Pennsylvania in
self-imposed exile since 1999. Turkish authorities hold the Fetullah Terrorist
Organization (FETO) led by Gulen, responsible for the coup
attempt.
"We do not intend to stay long in Syria," Kurtulmus said, adding that
Turkey wished a democratic future free of violence for its Syrian
neighbour.
He further said Turkey also demands that YPG forces move east of the
Euphrates river in accordance with commitments by the U.S. and anti-Daesh forces
on the ground.
9. Turkey consults on post-coup attempt prosecutions with Council
of Europe
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (07.09.16) reports that a delegation from
the Justice Ministry visited Strasbourg last week in order to brief the Council
of Europe about post-coup attempt prosecutions in Turkey, Turkish Ambassador to
the Council of Europe Erdogan İscan has said.
A working group came together “for consultations to develop
compatibility in standards between Turkey and the Council of Europe,” İscan told
the Hurriyet Daily News.
The working group was formed in 2015 for “consultations in order to
eliminate current problems in Turkey” and the last time the group gathered was
in June, he said, adding that Ankara must accelerate its consultations with the
Council of Europe following the failed July 15 coup attempt.
The Turkish delegation has informed the Council of Europe about
practices in post-coup attempt prosecutions and the group will meet again after
the Council of Europe’s assessment of the situation, İscan
stated.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will also discuss the issue of
cooperation between the Council of Europe and Turkey during his coming visit to
Strasbourg.
10. Turkish Deputy PM: Companies seized post-coup attempt create
$1.7 billion risk for banks
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (07.09.16) reports that Deputy Prime
Minister Nurettin Canikli said that companies seized as part of the probe into
the failed coup attempt create a serious risk for the banking sector of up to 5
billion Turkish Liras ($1.7 billion), but their administration by the state
minimized the risks.
“The companies linked to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization
[FETO] have created around 4.2 billion liras [$1.4 billion] of risks for the
banking sector, which may even be up to 5 billion liras,” Canikli said at a
meeting with members of the Turkish Banking Association (TBB) on Sept. 6, as
quoted by Reuters.
“With the latest regulations, these companies may be run by the
Saving Deposits Insurance Fund (TMSF) in a healthier manner than they were by
their own management, and the main addressee for the banking sector will be the
TMSF. After trustee panels were appointed to these companies, the banking sector
showed sensitivity in transferring loans, but these negativities have been
avoided with the decision to transfer the companies to trustees appointed by the
TMSF. Credit ties will return to normal again. With the TMSF becoming the main
addressee, the risks over the banking sector have been minimized,” he added.
All companies that have been submitted to the control of trustee
panels due to their alleged ties with terror organizations will be transferred
to the Saving Deposits Insurance Fund (TMSF), according to a new state of
emergency decree. After the companies are transferred to the TMSF, the trustees’
services will no longer be required, according to the decree.
The TMSF is primarily tasked with managing funds related to troubled
banks and has occasionally taken over non-financial assets held by banks or
their owners.
11. Turkish Cypriot daily writes that 13,859 Turkish students will
attend the illegal universities for the new academic
year
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.09.16) reports that 13,859
Turkish students will attend the illegal universities in the occupied area of
Cyprus for the new academic year 2016-17.
According to Ziya Ozturkler, “director of the higher education and
foreign affairs department”, the number was confirmed after the announcement of
the student exams’ result in Turkey.
(CS)
12. A road that will connect occupied Mesaoria with the coast of
occupied Keryneia started to be constructed
Illegal Bayrak television (06.09.16) broadcast that the self-styled
ministry of public works and communications signed an agreement with the Tarmac
Asphalt Concrete Construction for the construction of a 5.5km road that will
link the occupied Mesaoria region with the coast of occupied Keryneia.
Speaking during the ceremony, “minister of public works and
communications” Durust said that the road once completed, will act as a bridge
between the occupied Mesaoria plain and the Keryneia coast, allowing easier and
shorter access for tourists planning to visit Keryneia.
Durust said that the road which will be 4 meters in width will cost
around 1.2 million Turkish Liras to complete.
13. A new Turkish Cypriot trade union was
established
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.09.16) reports that a new
trade union was established in the occupied area of Cyprus under the name “Equal
Rights and Justice Trade Union” (Hak-Sen).
Speaking to the press, the founders of the new trade union, which
will be active within the private sector, stated that they aim to give new value
to syndicalism which has been discredited in the breakaway
regime.
(CS)
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