TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
250/16
29.12.2016
1.
Akinci: Not possible to solve all outstanding issues at the Geneva
summit
2.
Afrika argues that the recent visits of Siber and Ertugruloglu to Ankara is an
indication that Erdogan does not trust Akinci
3.
Ertugruloglu met with Cavusoglu and Turkes
4.
Ozgurgun alleged that occupied Lefka area could become an investment paradise
5.
Erdogan accused US-led coalition forces of supporting terrorist groups in
Syria
6.
Cavusoglu: “Cease-fire solution in Syria close”; Turkey has reportedly agreed
with Moscow
7.
Kilicdaroglu: “Turkey will soon shake hands with al-Assad”; He reiterated that
his party will reject constitutional change
8.
The “President 'must be born in Turkey' condition” to
change
1.
Akinci: Not possible to solve all outstanding issues at the Geneva
summit
Under
the title: “The Turkish army will not be withdrawn”, Turkish Cypriot daily
Halkin Sesi newspaper (29.12.16) reports about the interview that Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci gave to the Turkish Service of
BBC.
Akinci
argued that the complete withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island as
demanded by the Greek Cypriot side and Greece is not possible. “This is a red
line for the Turkish Cypriot side”, he said, adding that a limited number of
troops will remain on the island in the event of a settlement as this is a
necessity.
Referring
to the forthcoming Geneva summit Akinci stated that if Greece and Cyprus insist
on a settlement which includes “no guarantees and no armies,” then the
“negotiations will end before they even begin.”
Akinci
argued that his demand for a Turkish military presence on the island and a
system of guarantees, which the Greek side wants to scrap as an “anachronism,”
stemmed from his desire “not to experience war again.”
“I
want a preventive force so that we don’t live such days of war again,” he said,
adding that Turkey would not annex the island’s occupied part in the event that
negotiations and the summit do not lead to a solution. “The Turkish Cypriots do
not have such a desire”, he said. “What the Turkish Cypriots want is a solution
that will provide safety to them. What kind of a solution? A bi-communal
federation. If this is not possible then the TRNC will continue its road. […]
Life will go on”, he argued.
Akinci
further stated that he hopes that there will be a positive outcome of the Geneva
summit. However, he said that we should not expect all the parameters of the
Cyprus problem to be solved but a framework to be set. He also said that the
aim is the creation of such an environment in Geneva so as a referendum to be
held in spring of 2017.
(CS)
2.
Afrika argues that the recent visits of Siber and Ertugruloglu to Ankara is an
indication that Erdogan does not trust Akinci
Under
the title: “The Cypriot visitors to Ankara”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (29.12.16) reports about the recent contacts that the so-called
foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu and the “speaker of the assembly”, Sibel
Siber held in Ankara with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during the last
days.
The
meetings were held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara and, as the paper notes,
no statements were made after the meetings were completed.
Citing
information, Afrika writes that political circles evaluated these contacts as an
indication of a lack of trust by Erdogan towards the Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci. The paper also notes that while the Greek Cypriot side held
contacts in Athens for having a strategy for the forthcoming Geneva meeting, no
contacts were announced between Erdogan and Akinci on the
issue.
(CS)
3.
Ertugruloglu met with Cavusoglu and Turkes
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (29.12.16) reports that the so-called foreign
minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu, within the framework of his contacts in Ankara,
held separate meetings with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and
also with the Deputy Prime Minister, Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Tugrul
Turkes.
During
the meetings, the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue and also the
“bilateral relations” between Turkey and the occupation regime were discussed.
.
Ertugruloglu
returned to the breakaway regime last night after completing his contacts.
4.
Ozgurgun alleged that occupied Lefka area could become an investment paradise
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (29.12.16) under the title: “It will
become an investment paradise”, reports that so-called prime minister Huseyin
Ozgurgun visited the other day the occupied Lefka area, which became yesterday
with the unanimous “approval” of the “assembly” the “6th district” of
the occupation regime.
Ozgurgun
was accompanied by the so-called minister of public works and communication
Kemal Durust, the so-called minister of interior Kutlu Evren and other
“deputies”.
Speaking
during his visit to occupied Lefka, Ozgurgun stated that Lefka area must be
declared as a special “district”, one without casinos where the social, cultural
and historical fabric of the region is preserved.
He
alleged that if they succeed in achieving this, occupied Lefka area would become
an investment paradise.
Explaining
that the “government” decided to declare occupied Lefka as the “6th district” of
the occupation regime, Ozgurgun argued that this decision was taken in order to
counter the threat of a decreasing population in the area and the possible
closure of schools.
(…)
(AK)
5.
Erdogan accused US-led coalition forces of supporting terrorist groups in
Syria
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (28.12.16) reported that Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan claimed that he has evidence that U.S.-led coalition forces have
given support to terrorist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and Syrian Kurdish forces.
“They
[anti-ISIL coalition forces] were accusing us of supporting Daesh,” Erdogan told
a press conference in Ankara alongside visiting Guinean President Alpha Conde
on December 27, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL.
“Now
they’ve all vanished and they’re giving support to terrorist groups including
Daesh, YPG and the PYD. It’s very clear. We have confirmed evidence, with
pictures, photos and videos,” Erdogan alleged.
Erdogan
also accused the coalition forces of not supporting Turkey in its campaign to
liberate northern Syria town of al-Bab from ISIL
militants.
“The
coalition forces are unfortunately not keeping their promises,” said Erdoğan,
adding that coalition forces were displaying a different stance than previously
promised.
“Whether
they do or they don’t, we will continue along this path in a determined way.
There is no going back on the path we have set out on,” he
added.
Turkey
regards the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military wing
the People’s Protection Unit (YPG) as terror organizations due to their links to
the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), with which it has been fighting against
since mid-1980s.
Turkey
and the U.S. are at odds with the designation of the PYD and YPG, as the U.S.
sees the two groups as “reliable” partners in their fight against ISIL in Syria.
The U.S. along with the European Union designates the PKK as a terrorist
organization.
Meanwhile,
later in the day, the U.S. State Department rejected as “ludicrous” the
accusations by Erdogan that the U.S.-led coalition supported ISIL, though making
a distinction to the support given to the Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF).
6.
Cavusoglu: “Cease-fire solution in Syria close”; Turkey has reportedly agreed
with Moscow
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (28.12.16) reported that Turkey and Russia are close
to brokering a new agreement that would expand a cease-fire between the
government and opposition groups to all of Syria, Turkey’s top diplomat has
said, underlining that “terror organizations” like Syria’s Democratic Union
Party (PYD) will not be allowed to participate in upcoming talks in Astana.
“We
are still working on it. It could be put into place at any moment. It’s about
expanding the cease-fire. We are also working for a negotiated political
solution,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said while speaking to reporters on
December 28 on the sidelines of a presidential reception.
Cavusoglu’s
words confirmed an Anadolu Agency report early on December 28 announcing a fresh
deal between Ankara and Moscow. Turkey and Russia secured the safe evacuation of
civilians and fighters from eastern Aleppo two weeks ago and have been working
to expand the cease-fire.
The
proposed agreement was introduced to the Syrian government and opposition groups
for their approval and suggested the implementation of a cease-fire as of
midnight on December 28. The process is regarded as an important milestone for
the Russia-proposed Astana talks to be held between the government and
opposition under the auspices of Russia, Turkey and Iran.
There
are still talks ongoing on who will participate in the Astana talks. Cavusoglu
stated that terror organizations would be excluded from the cease-fire. He also
added that the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) would not attend the
Astana talks.
(…)Meanwhile,
the cease-fire will reportedly begin at 12 a.m. local time at the start of
December 29. Iran is also included in the deal with Turkey and Russia and
“sanctions will be imposed if the cease-fire is broken,” CNN Türk reported,
quoting anonymous Foreign Ministry sources. Syrian government and opposition
groups will kick off negotiations in Astana if the cease-fire is successful,
according to the sources.
When
asked about Iran’s role, Cavusoglu stated that, “Iran should influence Shiite
groups, primarily Hezbollah.”
According
to a Turkish diplomat, the text holds a notion of constructive ambiguity about
the names of the terrorist groups, referring to Ahrar al-Sham as an example. The
cease-fire also includes a suspension of air strikes, according to the diplomat.
The parties will implement a series of confidence-building measures until the
Astana meeting.
The
Kremlin said it could not comment on the cease-fire report. “I cannot answer
that question right now,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a
conference call.
“I
don’t have sufficient information,” he said, adding that Moscow was constantly
in touch with the Turkish side to discuss details about Astana talks for
potential Syrian peace talks.
Earlier,
state-run Anadolu Agency reported that Ankara and Moscow agreed on a cease-fire
deal in Syria in a move to extend the current truce in East Aleppo to all over
the country.
7.
Kilicdaroglu: “Turkey will soon shake hands with al-Assad”; He reiterated that
his party will reject constitutional change
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (29.12.16) reports that the leader of the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu has claimed that
Turkey that will soon meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to join forces
against jihadists in Syria, describing Turkey government’s five years of
fruitless attempts to topple al-Assad as the worst defeat in the country’s
foreign policy history.
“Turkey
guaranteed the territorial integrity and unity of Syria. In the near future, it
will also sit around the same table with al-Assad under Russia’s auspices.
Turkey will cooperate with al-Assad against ISIL [the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant] in Raqqa, al-Bab and elsewhere. They will shake hands with
al-Assad,” Kilicdaroglu told Ankara bureau chiefs in a meeting late on December
27.
“They
went to Moscow willy-nilly and signed the agreement [on Syria]. Now, they will
also go to Astana and sign another agreement. It has become clear that the only
leader in our region is Russia,” Kilicdaroglu said. “That’s why I call this
‘worst defeat ever in our foreign policy’”, he added.
Kilicdaroglu
referred to a joint declaration announced by the Foreign Ministers of Russia,
Turkey and Iran on December 20 in Moscow that labeled the three countries as
guarantors of maintaining the territorial integrity and unity of the Syrian Arab
Republic as well as of providing a peaceful solution to the unrest. Turkey’s
participation has been interpreted as a major U-turn on its Syria policy that
was focused on ousting al-Assad from power.
“Although
Turkey agreed with Russia and Iran over Syria, it remains alone in fighting ISIL
in northern Syria”, he said. “Why are only our soldiers in the battlefield? Why
don’t they support us? We have made a deal with Russia but where are Russian
forces? If they don’t provide land forces, why are they hesitating in providing
aerial backing? We are in agreement with them but still alone [in the field]”,
he stated.
Recalling
that AKP officials in the past described Turkey as the game-setter in the Middle
East and in the world but now could not even determine who is killing its troops
in Syria, Kilicdaroglu said: “If the objective is to provide Turkey’s security,
we of course support the establishment of a safe zone and the operation on
al-Bab. But what’s the objective in al-Bab operation? Fighting ISIL or
preventing a Kurdish corridor? What are we doing in farther
south?”
Kılıcdaroglu
also forecast that it would take nearly 10 years for Turkey to extricate itself
from the Middle East swamp.
He
also addressed ongoing works to implement partial changes to the Constitution
that will shift the governance model to an executive presidential system.
Explaining
why the CHP was not supporting the process led by the AKP and Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP), Kilicdaroglu stated that the amendments were being imposed
on just one person’s demands and in the absence of a societal contract.
He
also repeated that the amendments would mean a change in Turkey’s system of
governance and was therefore tantamount to treachery to democracy.
(…)
Although
the AKP and MHP have enough seats to ensure the amendments are approved in
Parliament to prompt a referendum in spring 2017, Kılıcdaroglu expressed his
belief that there would be some defectors from the two parties. “We think it
won’t be approved in Parliament thanks to lawmakers with common sense,” he said,
recalling the Parliament had not even given Atatürk the right to dissolve it in
the early years of the formation of the Republic of Turkey.
The
CHP will stand against the charter changes but it should not only be the main
opposition’s task to oppose them, Kılıcdaroglu said, hinting the party would try
to mobilize democrats, intellectuals and those who are pro-democratic. In
Parliament, Kılıcdaroglu said he had demanded that former CHP chair Deniz Baykal
defend the party’s position when the draft is introduced to the General
Assembly.
8.
The “President 'must be born in Turkey' condition” to
change
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (28.12.16) reported that the ruling Justice and
Development (AK) Party’s proposed law that the country’s President does not have
to be a citizen "born in Turkey" was accepted by the Parliamentary Constitution
Committee on Wednesday.
According
to the current Constitution's 8th chapter, the President must be a Turkish
citizen and must be born in Turkey.
However,
Wednesday's AK Party proposal offered to change the article in the chapter to
President must be "among Turkish citizens", lifting the condition of being born
in Turkey.
The
approval was made during ongoing talks within the Committee over proposed
changes to the Turkish Constitution.
In
addition, the draft Constitution decreased the number of articles from 21 to 19
by removing the fifth article about the backup deputyship and postponement of
elections; and the 15th article proposing to give all governmental institutions'
establishments, assignments, authority and responsibilities to the President.
The
resolution also offered to increase the number of Supreme Council of Judges and
Public Prosecutors (HSYK) from 12 to 13 and to also include the Justice Minister
and his undersecretary as members of the body.
Last
month, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said a committee within the AK Party had
completed its work on a draft Constitution that also included items concerning a
presidential system.
The
bill proposed to change Turkey’s Constitution and governing system. The ruling
government has long sought to replace the current parliamentary system with a
presidential one, saying there are flaws in the setup which hold back Turkey’s
development.
The
proposed changes would be put to a public referendum even if the government
received the necessary votes in Parliament, Yildirim had
said.
The
new constitutional draft needs 330 votes to pave the way for a
referendum.
The
AK Party, with 316 seats, and the MHP, with 40, both back the
bill.
The
proposal was first presented at the Turkish Parliament's General Assembly after
approval by the Constitutional Committee. The constitutional amendment would
then be discussed at two parliamentary sessions of the General
Assembly.
During
the first session, the four political parties in the assembly and the government
discuss the proposal as a whole and the articles separately, as well as any
motions for amendment. The second session would be devoted only to the
discussion of motions for amendment of articles.
If
the draft Constitution gets more than 367 votes, it can pass directly without
the need for a referendum. However, the AK Party has said it will hold a
referendum, even if none is needed.
If
two-thirds of the Parliament (367) approves the bill, the President can take it
to a referendum; that vote would be held within 60 days.
President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that he will push for a referendum even if the
draft is approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament.
The
change to the Constitution requires a 50% vote in favor in a
referendum.
In
the proposed presidential system, the electorate would vote for a person to form
a government independently of Parliament, with no need of a vote of
confidence.
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AFFAIRS SECTION
