4/11/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

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


No. 212/16                                                                                                                                04.11.2016

1. Briefings by Akinci on the Cyprus problem prior to Switzerland   
2. The occupation regime’s “government” does not allow technical experts to accompany Akinci to Switzerland  
3. Celik: Talks on the issue of Guarantees is out of question for Turkey
4. Cavusoglu wishes the talks in Switzerland to become an important opportunity for a solution in Cyprus  
5. Turkish Deputy Minister of Interior is visiting the occupied area of Cyprus for security inspections
6. Columnist views the Turkish Cypriots’ option on a possible Cyprus settlement
7. Turkish settlers want a “balanced population” in Cyprus and more “citizenships” to be granted by the regime   
8. The Turkish occupation army demanded the return of a building for security reasons
9. New investments in transportation will take place in the breakaway regime in 2017
10. Self-styled minister of labor attended the OIC conference for women
11. The breakaway regime was included in the map2heal health internet platform
12. Celik: Turkey vows to extend state of emergency ‘until threat is fully eradicated’
13. Cavusoglu demands Switzerland to take measures against PKK
14. Cavusoglu: Turkey may suspend migrant deal before end of 2016 if EU fails with visa-free regime
15. Erdogan: Germany is harbouring terrorists
16. Opposition HDP co-chairs and Deputies detained in police raids
17. Eight killed and more than 100 wounded in attack in Diyarbakır
18. CHP leader: Turkey is ‘drifting in a dangerous direction’
19. Minister calls on Turkish mothers to ‘change lullabies’ to emphasize Erdogan’s ‘2071 aims’
20. US dollar reaches new record high against Turkish Lira at 3,1375


1. Briefings by Akinci on the Cyprus problem prior to Switzerland   
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (04.11.16) reports that both President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will make statements tonight to TV stations prior to their departure to Switzerland where they will continue the Cyprus talks between 7 and 11 November.

Akinci’s statements will be broadcast by the Turkish Cypriot TV stations. Akinci will reply to the questions of journalists from seven TV stations. The press conference will start at 21.30 [20.30 Cyprus Time].

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.11.16) reports that this morning Akinci was also expected to brief the political parties represented in the “assembly” as regards the Cyprus talks.
(I/Ts.)

2. The occupation regime’s “government” does not allow technical experts to accompany Akinci to Switzerland  
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.11.16) reports that the “government” of the occupation regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus has not allowed experts on technical issues to accompany Turkish Cypriot Akinci to Switzerland within the framework of the Cyprus talks, in spite of the fact that Akinci asked this in writing.

The paper notes that the “government” has banned these experts from accompanying Akinci by giving them an oral instruction. “The Geneva Summit which will be held in three stages between 7-11 November, was endangered because of the arbitrary ban to travel abroad brought by the government for the technical experts”, reports Kibris pointing out that this stance of the “government” came after the support expressed to Akinci for the negotiations by “prime minister” Ozgurgun and “deputy prime minister” Denktas following their recent meeting with him. The paper writes that a few days ago it had been stated that President Anastasiades would be accompanied by experts from the land and surveys department, the population registry and the city planning bureau. 

According to information cited by Kibris, during the first two days of the talks in Switzerland, the unsolved issues on the first four chapters will be discussed in an effort to achieve the biggest possible progress. In the second stage, the criteria as regards the “adjustment of the administrative borders” will be discussed and in case an agreement is reached on the criteria, the negotiations will pass into the third stage and the last phase. In this stage, the date of the five-party conference will be simultaneously determined and announced, for the discussion and conclusion of the security and guarantees chapter, in order for being able to work on the map of the “border adjustments” based on the agreed criteria.
(I/Ts.)   

3. Celik: Talks on the issue of Guarantees is out of question for Turkey
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 04.11.16), Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Omer Celik has said that the issue of Guarantees is not open to discussion from Turkey’s point of view.

Pointing out that a new and good atmosphere has been achieved in Cyprus, Celik said that Turkey welcomes developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at a press conference following his contacts in Athens, Celik argued that Ankara has always adopted a positive and constructive stance regarding the Cyprus issue and added: “Both sides have explicitly stated that they have achieved significant progress on a wide array of issues. The issue of security and guarantees will ultimately be taken up at a multiparty conference with the participation of the three guarantor powers. The talks seem to be moving along in a positive atmosphere. This is the nature of negotiations but we can’t say everything is complete until we have finalized the talks”.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriots, contrary to the Turkish Cypriots, had voted overwhelmingly against a settlement in the last referendum held in Cyprus in 2004, the Turkish EU Affairs Minister said: “There is a new process. It seems that a new spirit has been achieved and we welcome this. We shall see the outcome in the near future”.

Responding to a question regarding Greece’s objection to the continuation of guarantees in Cyprus, Celik said that from Turkey’s point of view, this issue is not open to discussion. “We will not enter into such a discussion and will not allow it to become an issue of discussion”, he added.

4. Cavusoglu wishes the talks in Switzerland to become an important opportunity for a solution in Cyprus  
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.11.16) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has wished that the negotiations to be held next week in Switzerland on the Cyprus problem to constitute an important opportunity for finding a solution in the island

In statements yesterday in Bern during a joint press conference with his Swiss counterpart, Cavusoglu said that during their meeting they discussed the developments in Cyprus, Iraq and Syria and agreed to meet more often.

Noting that they prefer to sincerely and openly discuss on all the above-mentioned issues, Cavusoglu added: “We are not obliged to agree on every issue. The important thing is the continuation of the dialogue. Our meeting today was important from this point of view”.  

The Turkish Minister said that they appreciate Switzerland’s mediation efforts and its objective and balanced stance in the international developments and added that this is why many international meetings are held in this country. Recalling that Switzerland will host the negotiations on the Cyprus problem next week, Cavusoglu said: “I hope that the negotiations here will constitute an important opportunity for a solution in Cyprus”.
(I/Ts.)

5. Turkish Deputy Minister of Interior is visiting the occupied area of Cyprus for security inspections
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.11.16) reports that the Turkish Deputy Minister of Interior Sabahattin Ozturk, is paying an illegal visit to the breakaway regime.

According to the paper, the Turkish Deputy Minister is having contacts and inspections as well as feasibility studies “for the security measures systems of cities and the police security measures”.
(CS)

6. Columnist views the Turkish Cypriots’ option on a possible Cyprus settlement
Turkish Cypriot columnist Metin Munir, writing in Turkish daily T24 newspaper (online only, 01.11.16), under the title “Turkish Cypriots' Options”, penned the following commentary:

“The Cyprus question cannot be resolved unless one of the two sides changes its position radically. Which side can this be?

Turkish Cypriots have two options in front of them:
- To meet the Greek Cypriot demands for the return of land to a large extent and continue as one of the two parts of a federal country and an EU member.
- To refuse the Greek Cypriot demands and exist for ever as a country that is not recognized and does not have a passport or an address.

Both options carry risks.

Living with Greek Cypriots side by side on a united island runs the risk of falling under their rule once again, as it was the case before 1974, being crushed under Greek Cypriots' superior economic power, and one day facing violence at the hands of Greek Cypriots once again.

The risk that comes with maintaining the status quo is to be condemned to living in a place between heaven and hell, to live with an uncertain future, and ultimately disappear under Turkey's heavy demographic and business pressure.

Even to be annexed by Turkey.

There are two significant costs involved in living side by side with Greek Cypriots in a federal structure:
- To return some of the ‘TRNC’ [translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] land to the Greek Cypriots.
- Sometime after a settlement is reached, to give up on Turkey's guarantee and its military presence on the ‘TRNC’.

The Turkish Cypriots will give up land and property and in return, will become, once again, stakeholders in the Republic of Cyprus.

I am aware that I am oversimplifying the matter.

However, the heart of the matter lies in these simple but difficult options.
*
The Turkish soldiers who landed on the island in 1974 (translator’s note: he refers to the Turkish invasion in 1974 in Cyprus) transferred a large part of the wealth owned by Greek Cypriots to the Turkish Cypriots. Tens of thousands of acres of land, coastlines, factories, houses, cars, banks with safes full of money.

Some 80% of the ‘TRNC land’ belongs to the Greek Cypriots who hold the relevant title deeds.

By using those Greek Cypriot assets as capital, Turkish Cypriots became richer or at least raised their living standards.

However, those assets were not ours then nor are these ours now. It is imperative that some of those assets are returned.

Peace cannot be achieved with Greek Cypriots without accepting this reality.

What will the Greek Cypriots give, you might ask.

The Greek Cypriots will hand over to the Turkish Cypriots some share of the governance of the Republic of Cyprus. The Turks will become partners in the governance of the country as they were in 1960. The island will be governed jointly. The presidency will rotate; Turkish and Greek Cypriots will sit side by side in the national assembly and the senate. The Central Bank and all other significant institutions will be governed jointly.
(…)
In short, Turkish Cypriots will give up land and property and in return, will become, once again, stakeholders in the Republic of Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriots will give up their monopoly within the Republic and the Turkish Cypriots will agree to living in a smaller area under a more limited and temporary guarantee of the Republic of Turkey.

Can this trade-off materialize?

I am not optimistic.

The Greek Cypriots got used to the idea of sharing the government with the Turkish Cypriots. However, Turkish Cypriots are still not very keen on the idea of making concessions about the guarantees or land. The biggest reason for this is the justified mistrust they feel toward Greek Cypriots.

As far as the Greek Cypriots are concerned, a settlement is a step on the path to controlling the entire island once again like they did before 1974. They know that.

In this case, is there any chance for this question to be resolved?

Mustafa Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades will start looking for the answer to this question in a week's time in the Swiss town of Mont Pelerin. Perhaps for the last time.”

7. Turkish settlers want a “balanced population” in Cyprus and more “citizenships” to be granted by the regime   
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (04.11.16) reports that Erhan Arikli, chairman of the Revival Party (YDP), has denied that they are the “settlers’ party” and alleged that they are the party of those “considered as the ‘Others’ and are oppressed”. In statements yesterday during a visit to Yeni Duzen’s headquarters, Arikli expressed his “cautious support” to Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci in the negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem and said: “If the territorial concession is kept at the minimum level and our people do not become refugees again, if Turkey’s active and effective guarantees are protected, and if bi-zonality is preserved, we will say yes to such a solution”. 

Asked whether their view on the territory issue is that “not even a span of territory should be given”, Arikli replied that “we do not have such a view”.  
Referring to the issue of the “citizenships”, he said that they see it on the basis of the “balances of population” on the island and alleged: “Steps in the direction of the protection of the balance of population should be made in the island. Therefore, first the Turkish Cypriots living abroad should be encouraged to return to the island. As a second step, the practice of incentives for births should be launched. If, in spite of this, the necessary population balance is not ensured, new citizenships should be given according to criteria. We do not support the practice of massively granting citizenships, which was implemented in the past. However, the persons who have become 20 years old and became illegal because of various reasons should be established and be granted the TRNC citizenship. The TRNC identity should be annulled for persons who bear this identity, but do not carry out any of their duties, do not come to the country and do not pay their taxes”.
(I/Ts.)     

8. The Turkish occupation army demanded the return of a building for security reasons
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.11.16) reports that the health centre which was operating in an area in the occupied part of Lefkosia called “Domuzcular”, was closed down upon a demand of the Turkish occupation army.

According to the paper, the self-styled deputy minister of health Kemal Deniz Dana stated that the health center was in a building that belongs to the army and the health services had to move to another place because the army asked for the return of the building. 

According to the paper, the Turkish occupation army asked the building back “for security reasons”.
(CS)

9. New investments in transportation will take place in the breakaway regime in 2017
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (04.11.16) reports that the self-styled minister of transportation and public works, Kemal Durust, stated that big investments will take place in the breakaway regime in 2017 in the field of transportation.
Durust stated that among the projects planned is an overpass pedestrian bridge in occupied Gionelli, and eight escape hatches that will reduce traffic. This project will be launched in one month and will cost 11 million Turkish Lira.

In addition he said that the road starting from the Gionell round about and goes until Keryneia and Mia Milia will be paved with asphalt. Moreover the works for the completing of the road from Gerolakos to Mia Milia, which was not finished for some years now, will be speeded up.

Finally, he stated that the infrastructure to ease the way for the 4G system for mobile phones will be strengthened and steps towards the “privatization” of ports will take place as well.
(CS)

10. Self-styled minister of labour attended the OIC conference for women
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.11.16) reports that the self-styled minister of labor and social security, Hamza Ersan Saner, attended the OIC’s 6th Ministers meeting on “The role of women on development of OIC member countries”.

The meeting took place in İstanbul with the participation of 56 OIC member countries. It was organized between 1-3 November 2016 under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Policies with participation of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Addressing the event, Saner provided information about the position of women in politics and the work place in the breakaway regime. He said that according to a report prepared by the World Bank for the “TRNC”, men with 62.1% participation in the work place were close to the EU average of 64.9%.

He however added that the participation of women which was 35.9% was far below the EU average of 50.8%.
“18.1% of women who do not work are housewives. A lack of advanced child care and geriatric care service in the country as well as wage discrimination for women in the private sector are the two main obstacles for the participation of women in the labour market” Saner said.

Stating that mainly men dominated politics in the “TRNC”, he said the representation of women in “parliament” was only 10%.

Saner also provided information about the work carried out by the “ministry of labor and social security” and the “TRNC parliament” for increasing the employment of women.

Saner also stressed the importance of the support of the OIC countries to the “just cause of the Turkish Cypriots”, as he stated.
(CS)

11. The breakaway regime was included in the map2heal health internet platform
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (04.11.16) reports that the breakaway regime was included in the https://map2heal.com/ internet platform which provides information about doctors and medicine services in Turkey. This is a very big opening for the efforts that the breakaway regime is making regarding “health tourism”, the paper notes.

Speaking during a television program, “minister of tourism” Fikri Ataoglu, stated that this is a very positive development for tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that their aim is the increase of health tourism in the coming years.
(CS)

12. Celik: Turkey vows to extend state of emergency ‘until threat is fully eradicated’
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 04.11.16), the Turkish government has signalled a long-term implementation of the state of emergency, with EU Minister Omer Celik saying it will continue throughout the struggle against coup plotters and describing it as the only mechanism to “fully eradicate the threat posed by the Gülenists”.

“We have no luxury to take risks and leave the issue be resolved on its own. It’s clear that we should continue until we are sure they are fully rooted out. The state of emergency is an essential mechanism to this end. You can’t fight them with any other mechanism,” Celik told journalists accompanying him on his trip to Athens on Nov. 2 and 3.

On ongoing discussions about reinstating the death penalty, which could severe ties between Ankara and Brussels, EU Minister Celik echoed the government’s line but underlined the importance of “following the process” and stressed that political and technical work on the issue would continue for some more time.

“At the end of the day, the people are the boss of the politician. Politicians need to heed the people’s demands,” he said, while criticizing the EU’s “weak support” for the Turkish government after the coup attempt.

“The EU left Turkey alone after the coup attempt. This had an impact on the people’s approach [to voicing the death penalty]. It has been months since the coup attempt and the president of the European Commission has still yet to visit Turkey. It should be remembered that one of the most important reasons why the Turkish people have supported the EU process was in order to guard against potential coups and the tutelary regime,” Celik argued.

He also addressed recent developments on negotiations over Brussels granting visa liberalization to Turkish nationals in return for implementing the Readmission Agreement on refugees, a process that has been stalled due to disagreement on the definition of terrorism. “They have sent us a new paper. We are analysing this. Next week we’ll have a meeting with our Interior, Justice and Foreign Ministers. If the paper still insists on a change to our anti-terror laws, we won’t accept it. The process will be dead if there is no new picture. Then we’ll annul the Readmission Agreement,” Celik threatened.

On Turkey’s EU membership negotiation process, Ankara’s rising pressure on freedom of the press is among the reasons why the opening of new accession chapters has been stalled.

“They talk about freedom of the press, freedom of expression. We tell them, ‘You are talking without knowing the content of these cases. We show no hesitancy. Let’s open chapters 23 and 24 and discuss these issues openly and in a concrete way”, Çelik said.

Chapters 23 and 24 on the judiciary, freedoms and other key issues, are currently under blockage by Cyprus. 

13. Cavusoglu demands Switzerland to take measures against PKK
According to Turkish daily Ankara Anatolia news agency (04.11.16), the Turkish Foreign Minister has demanded Thursday that Switzerland and other countries either take measures against PKK terrorists or extradite them.

Speaking in a joint press conference with his Swiss counterpart Didier Burkhalter in Bern, Cavusoglu argued: “Our demands from Switzerland and other countries with regards to [the fight against] terrorism are totally within the scope of international law”.

"We want measures taken against the PKK [...], or extradition of those terrorists within the framework of international law," he said, adding Turkey had demanded that the terrorists receive "necessary" punishment.

Cavusoglu said it was Turkey's "natural right" to ask Switzerland to take measures against people and institutions linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).
He added that the Turkish community in Switzerland was under "great pressure" due to their condemnation of the terrorist acts of the PKK and the FETO.

Burkhalter, for his part, said Switzerland paid "great" attention to the relations with Turkey. "It is very important for us to maintain a political dialogue [with Turkey], as well as mutual relations, and to work together on the issues both in Turkey and in the region," he added.

14. Cavusoglu: Turkey may suspend migrant deal before end of 2016 if EU fails with visa-free regime
According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 04.11.16), Turkey might cancel its refugee deal with the European Union before the end of December if the 28-nation-bloc does not soon lift visa restrictions for Turkish citizens, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

In an interview published on Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung on Thursday, Cavusoglu said that the Turkish side is waiting for an answer regarding the process in these days and if it does not come soon, Turkey will suspend the agreements with the EU even before by the end of the year.

Asked when Turkey might take such a step, he said: "We won't wait until the end of the year. Actually, we had been talking about October".

Cavusoglu argued that Turkey had already offered solutions for the deadlock but it will not make concessions on its anti-terrorism laws.

"We have already made many concessions, but I see no possibility of changing the anti-terror laws. European countries did not experience a coup attempt, they are not fighting against Daesh, PKK and Gülenist terror group (FETÖ) at all fronts," Cavusoglu concluded.


15. Erdogan: Germany is harbouring terrorists
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 04.11.16), Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lashed out at German Chancellor Angela Merkel on November 3 over her criticism of the detention of daily Cumhuriyet journalists, saying that “Germany harbours terrorism”.

“They are giving us advice. But it is us who are concerned about your stance. You are aiding terror! That terror will hit you like a boomerang. We have no expectations from you, but you will be remembered by history for harbouring terror,” Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara.

“We are concerned that Germany, which has been taking members of terrorist organizations such as the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK and the [Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front] DHKP-C under its protection, will now become a backyard of [the Fethullahist Terror Organization] FETÖ,” he added.

“Terror is like a scorpion. Eventually it will bite the one who is carrying it. I don’t see a bright future for Germany. It has become a place where terrorists take refuge. There are racist attacks against Turks in Germany. It is unacceptable that Germany protects terrorists,” Erdogan said.

Turkish authorities’ actions against freedom of opinion and the press are “highly alarming,” Merkel said on Nov. 2, referring to the detention of senior staff of daily Cumhuriyet. 

Merkel added that Germany will “pay close attention” to the investigation of the journalists, noting that Germany’s Ambassador to Turkey visited Cumhuriyet’s offices on Nov. 1 “to underline again how important the issue of freedom of opinion and press freedom is to us”. “Of course, such an issue also plays a central role in questions regarding membership talks with the European Union,” she added.

16. Opposition HDP co-chairs and Deputies detained in police raids
Turkish dail Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 04.11.16) reports that Figen Yuksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leaders of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), and 10 lawmakers from the party were detained early on Nov. 4 in a move that threatens further instability for the country.

The detentions were conducted as part of “terrorism” investigations carried out by prosecutor’s offices in the southeastern provinces of Diyarbakır and Şırnak and the eastern provinces of Hakkari, Van and Bingöl.

“The authorities are at my door of my house in Diyarbakır with a subpoena decision”, Demirtas tweeted early on Nov. 4 before he was detained by anti-terror police. Demirtaş’s lawyers, HDP Deputy head Meral Danış Beştaş, HDP Deputy Ahmet Yıldırım from the eastern province of Muş, as well as many other party members showed up at his house for support.

Demirtas was sent to a courthouse in Diyarbakır with a demand for his arrest following his detention. Yuksekdag was also dispatched to a court with a demand for her arrest.

Yuksekdag was detained at her home in Ankara. The police broke down the door of her house in Ankara, prompting her to react strongly to the police officers. “What do you think you’re doing by entering my house like bandits?” Yuksekdag said, as police tried to prevent video footage from the raid being recorded.

In addition to Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ, Şırnak lawmakers Ferhat Encü and Leyla Birlik, Hakkari lawmakers Selma Irmak and Abdullah Zeydan, Diyarbakır lawmakers İdris Baluken, Nursel Aydoğan, Ziya Pir and İmam Taşçıer, Ankara lawmaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Mardin lawmaker Gülser Yıldırım were taken into custody by the police. Faysal Sarıyıldız and Tuğba Hezer Öztürk could not be detained by Turkish authorities because they are currently abroad.
Pir was released on condition of judicial control.

Tension rose during detentions as police tried to force lawmaker Baluken to get inside the police vehicle, while people around reacted to the incident. “Get your hands off me! I represent thousands of votes. You can’t shove my head and take me like that,” said Baluken, before entering the police car and being detained.

According to a written statement from the Directorate General of Press and Information of the Prime Ministry, the lawmakers were detained for failing to appear in response to summons by prosecutors asking for testimony in a terrorism propaganda case.

The constitutional immunity from prosecution was lifted for all parliamentarians in a vote in May, although the HDP was affected most severely by the move, with a large number of its MPs facing cases for alleged terrorist propaganda.

“As known, those who refuse to respond to summons by prosecutors asking for their testimony in probes and hence break the laws are taken into custody so as to take their testimony. The constitutional amendment on lifting the parliamentary immunity of parliament members passed with 376 votes at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in May without a need to hold a referendum,” read an announcement from Turkish authorities.

The Diyarbakır Chief Prosecutor’s Office said in a written statement that the detention and search warrants were issued due to “strong suspicions based on solid evidence”.

There was an ongoing investigation on accusations of “being a member of an armed terror organization and terrorist propaganda,” the statement said, adding that the political immunity of the lawmakers had been lifted by parliament.

Anadolu Agency said the detentions were ordered because the politicians refused to testify in probes that were launched against them over crimes against the constitutional order after they attended a meeting of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) in Diyarbakır between Dec. 26 and 27, 2015.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ criticized HDP lawmakers for not appearing to give testimony which left no any other means than summoning them by force. “[The prosecutor] summons and they did not go; what other solution is left? The only means left is to summon them by force,” Bozdağ said Nov. 4.

“What should be criticized is not the justice, it is the ones who violate the constitution and state of law while saying they are respecting the law, [as well as violate] the necessity of the democratic state of law and the constitution by failing to heed the summons [of the prosecutors],” he said.

Bozdağ stated that everyone is equal before the law and that the MPs were taken within the scope of the law. “What is happening is that Turkey is a state of law and everyone is equal before the law,” he said. “The law that is implemented for everybody is also implemented for the lawmakers. Why do you feel uncomfortable with equality?”

Strict security measures were taken around the HDP building in Ankara, with the police setting up barricades on the roads leading to the building and deploying water cannon.

Meanwhile, a nationwide internet blackout blocked access to internet-based applications WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook on Nov. 4. Many people complained that applications had slowed down and that it was only possible to access information with VPNs. The ban on these applications has not been confirmed by officials yet.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said the internet connection issues were part of measures taken for “security purposes” and that they were temporary.

The first statement from the HDP came from HDP spokesperson Ayhan Bilgen, who said that the detentions are the “footsteps of a regime of oppression and fascism”. “We view the stance against all of our administrators who have been detained until this point or called to testify as an attempt at liquidation,” said Bilgen in a statement. “We view this is a political lynch attempt, a siege and the footsteps of a regime of oppression and fascism.”

The HDP has been holding a meeting since the start of detentions.

The detentions were also on the agenda of the European Union, with the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Head Federica Mogherini saying that the EU was “extremely concerned” by Turkey’s arrest of leaders and MPs. “Extremely worried for arrest of @hdpdemirtas & other @HDPgenelmerkezi MPs. In contact with authorities. Called EU Ambassadors meeting in Ankara,” Mogherhini tweeted.

European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur Kati Piri also criticized the detentions. “Very bad news from Turkey. Again. Now HDP members of parliament are being detained”, Piri said on her Twitter account.

17. Eight killed and more than 100 wounded in attack in Diyarbakır
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 04.11.16), at least eight people were killed and more than 100 people were wounded in an attack by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır early on Nov. 4.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that two police officers and five civilians were killed in the attack, while a suspected PKK militant was also killed.

According to Diyarbakır Governor’s Office, the PKK claimed responsibility for the attack.

The explosion hit an auxiliary building of the police department in the Bağlar district of Diyarbakır at around 8 a.m. on Nov. 4. The Diyarbakır Governor’s Office said in a statement on Nov. 4 that the cause of the blast was thought to be a bomb-laden vehicle.

The building was formerly used as a school for police cadets and is located around 200 meters away from Diyarbakır’s E-type prison.

A broadcast ban on media outlets was imposed following the explosion. 

18. CHP leader: Turkey is ‘drifting in a dangerous direction’
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 04.11.16), the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu has reacted to the detention of 12 opposition Democratic Peoples’ Party’s (HDP) Deputies, including its co-chairs, saying the actions are sending Turkey “in a dangerous direction”.

Speaking in Izmir on Nov. 4, Kilicdaroglu said that all the actions were being made in an attempt to prepare the foundation to introduce a presidential system in Turkey, adding that those who “came with elections should go with elections”.

The CHP leader also lashed out at the government’s new venture to participate in overseas operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to fight terror. “They do not take any action against Kandil that is just nearby,” referring to the northern Iraqi area from where outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s actions are spearheaded.

The first opposition reaction to the HDP lawmakers’ detentions had come from CHP Deputies who highlighted that the detentions constituted a “coup” in Turkey.

CHP Deputies Sezgin Tanrikulu and Ali Seker were the first Deputies from the party to deliver the party’s negative reaction to the detention of their co-parliamentarians.

Seker described the detentions as a new blow to Turkey, while Tanrikulu said that it was “not only a coup, but also a mission to divide the country. The Grand Parliament has been bombed once again”.

19. Minister calls on Turkish mothers to ‘change lullabies’ to emphasize Erdogan’s ‘2071 aims’
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 03.11.16), Turkey’s Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu has called on mothers to change the lullabies they sing to their children in order to emphasize the government’s “aims for 2071,” state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

“You will no longer say to your children: ‘Go to sleep and grow.’ You will say: ‘Sleep and rise, my son. The target is 2071. You will realize the footsteps of the Great Turkey,’” Eroglu said at an opening ceremony in the Black Sea province of Amasya on Nov. 2, adding that “women have some missions.”

“Turkey is a great and strong country, but there is only one way to survive in this region. That way is securing a stronger economy, stronger institutions and a stronger army. We are succeeding in these great targets, with God’s blessing. But we shouldn’t forget that if a country has no such aims, it is erased from history. This nation’s children will succeed in these three targets, which were identified by our President,” he added.

The first target is to make Turkey become one of the 10 great economies in the world by 2023, Eroğlu said.

“There is also a target that belongs to the youth: The year 2053 will be the 600th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. The youth will carry Turkey one step further in this year. We believe in they will plant our flag further,” he added.

“Newly born babies will convert Turkey to become a global power by 2071, which is the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert … I want to emphasize this especially. Turkey has fortune, my brothers and sisters,” Eroğlu said.

20. US dollar reaches new record high against Turkish Lira at 3,1375
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 04.11.16), the U.S. dollar reached a new record high against the Turkish Lira at 3,1375 on Friday morning amid pressure on global markets regarding the upcoming U.S. presidential elections and rising concerns on geopolitical developments in the region.

Analysts indicate that survey results, news flow and statements regarding the U.S. presidential election may be determinative in investor decisions. The inland real effective exchange rate to be announced, and non-farm payrolls date and unemployment data to be announced in the U.S. will also be monitored.

Analysts also estimate that the record high of 3,1379 U.S. dollar/Turkish Lira is in a state of resistance and will be in state of support in possible drops to 3,1240-3,1100.

As currencies of developing countries continue to lose value against the U.S. dollar, the Turkish Lira also reached a high of 3,1237 on Thursday but dipped later to 3,1101 by the end of the day.
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