TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
251/16
30.12.2016
1.
Akıncı: “2017 could be year of a solution”
2.
Eide will hold contacts in Greece and Turkey prior to the Geneva
summit
3.
Crisis between Ankara and the so-called government over the “economic protocol”;
Ozgurgun due to Ankara for a series of contacts
4.
Ozgurgun announced that he will be attending the talks in
Geneva
5.
Erhurman on the Cyprus problem
6.
KTOS annual calendar which questions “historical truths” created a lot of
reaction
7.
Sucuoglu on the new hospital to be built in occupied
Famagusta
8.
Truce declared in Syria on Turkish-Russian plan
9.
Erdogan and Putin discussed Syria truce and Astana talks over the phone
10.
Parliamentary Constitutional Committee passes draft law on constitutional
amendments
11.
Poll in Turkey reveals that the public support for the constitutional change is
at 55%
12.
Journalist Ahmet Sık detained over tweet in Istanbul; Two other
released
1.Akıncı:
“2017 could be year of a solution”
According
to illegal Bayrak television (30.12.16) Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci
stated that he will be attending the summit in Geneva unwaveringly and
determinately with the goal of establishing a new federal Cyprus where Turkish
Cypriots could live equally, freely, securely and where they could exercise
their own political will.
Akinci
was speaking at the annual “presidential” New Year’s reception hosted for
journalists.
Stating
that a new year with it brought new hope, new beginnings and heralded a new
term, Akıncı drew attention to the various conflicts and problems experienced
around the world.
Describing
2016 as a difficult year, Akinci stated that efforts to reach a comprehensive
settlement in Cyprus had intensified over the past year.
He
added that the date for a five-party conference had been set and a conference on
Cyprus had been planned.
Pointing
out that the effort put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side should not be
underestimated, Akinci reminded that crucial meetings will be held in Geneva.
“It is not possible to determine how these meetings will be concluded but we
shall be attending the talks in Geneva in determination with the goal of
establishing a new federal Cyprus where Turkish Cypriots will be able to live in
equality, freedom, security and where they can exercise their own political
will” he said.
Akıncı
pointed out that a political framework for a settlement plan will emerge if the
Geneva talks succeed. “We shall need to fill in the framework of a settlement. A
Constitution and federal laws will need to be drafted. No doubt strenuous work
will be carried out to finalize even the smallest details before the first half
of 2017. It is possible to complete all these in a couple of months if the
political framework exists. The last mile is always the hardest”, he
added.
Akıncı
stated that several issues pertain to territory, security and guarantees,
property, rotating presidency under governance and power sharing and active
participation in decision making were issues pending an
agreement.
He
further underlined the importance of being reasonable and realistic when heading
off to the talks in Geneva. “2017 can be made a year for a solution and peace”
he said.
Akıncı
also pointed out that there is no settlement plan yet on which he could call on
the people to support. “However the “no” campaigns on both sides has already
started mobilizing” Akinci argued, adding that this was against the interests of
the Turkish Cypriot “people”.
2.
Eide will hold contacts in Greece and Turkey prior to the Geneva
summit
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.12.16) reports that Espen Barth Eide, United
Nations Special Adviser on Cyprus, will hold meetings on the beginning of next
week in Turkey and Greece according to information given to the paper by the UN
spokesman in Cyprus Aleem Siddique. Eide, who will have high level meetings in
the two countries, will start preparation for the forthcoming Geneva meeting.
The
paper also writes that the two sides in Cyprus are also getting ready for the
Geneva summit and notes that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will hold
“high level meetings” in the next few days.
In
addition, officials of the Turkish and the Greek Foreign Ministries held
contacts in Ankara where the possibility of a meeting between Turkish President
Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was discussed.
(CS)
3.
Crisis between Ankara and the so-called government over the “economic protocol”;
Ozgurgun due to Ankara for a series of contacts
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.12.16) reports that so-called prime minister
Huseyin Ozgurgun went to Ankara for a series of “officials contacts”.
According
to the paper, Ozgurgun will pay a courtesy visit to Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan on Monday the 2nd of January. He will also meet with Turkish
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Responsible
for Cyprus Affairs, Tugrul Turkes.
Within
the framework of his “contacts”, Ozgurgun will discuss with Turkish officials
the “financial protocol” signed with Turkey and the problems experienced on its
implementation.
Referring
to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (30.12.16) under
the front-page title: “Behind the doors’ protocol crisis with Ankara”, reports
that the failure of the so-called coalition government to implement the
provisions of the “2016-2018 economic and financial protocol agreement”, created
a crisis.
Especially
after the recent statement made in the “assembly” by the so-called minister of
finance Serdar Denktas that “if they continue like this, they would not be able
to pay the salaries of February”, so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun was
forced to go to Ankara urgently in order to have contacts about this issue.
The
paper adds also that the so-called government did not succeed to fulfill by
December 2016, none of the 33 provision of the “protocol. Also, allegations say
that Ankara has not sent the entire amount of its “economic contribution” for
the month of December.
(…)
(AK)
4.
Ozgurgun announced that he will be attending the talks in
Geneva
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (online-30.12.16) reports that so-called prime
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun has stated that he as well as the so-called deputy
prime minister, “minister of finance” and chairman of the Democratic Party (DP)
will attend the Geneva summit on the Cyprus problem that will take place between
January 9-12.
Ozgurgun
stated that he will proceed to Geneva representing the National Unity Party
(UBP).
(AK)
5.
Erhurman on the Cyprus problem
According
to illegal Bayrak television (29.12.16) the leader of the main opposition
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman stated that his party did not
perceive any threats against the interests and rights of the Turkish Cypriot
“people” at the stage reached in the Cyprus negotiations
process.
Speaking
to illegal TAK news agency ahead of the talks in Geneva, Erhurman reminded that
the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during his last visit in the
“TRNC” and following his contacts, had expressed his happiness from seeing that
all political parties in the “TRNC” were in harmony on the Cyprus issue. He,
however, criticized the change of tone of the “coalition
partners”.
“Those
very same parties had underlined the need to hold a five- party conference.
Today they are arguing that the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot
people are not being protected and that they would vote ‘no’ in a possible
referendum” Erhurman said.
Stating
that the CTP has approached the negotiations process with seriousness and
responsibility, Erhurman stated that they did not inform the public on the
course of the negotiations unless the “president” himself
did.
“However,
we like the officials of the Republic of Turkey, do not see any steps being
taken that could harm the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people. If
we did, of course, as a political party with responsibilities towards the
Turkish Cypriot people, we would not support the process and demand the end of
the talks” he said.
6.
KTOS annual calendar which questions “historical truths” created a lot of
reaction
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (30.12.16) reports that the annual calendar for
the year 2017 of the Turkish Cypriot Trade Union of Elementary Teachers (KTOS)
created a lot of reaction in the breakaway regime due to its
content.
The
calendar contained information on certain historical events which contradicted
to the “official history” taught in Turkish Cypriot schools. For example is
featuring that in 1958 Greek Cypriots were slaughtered in Guionelli or that the
events of December 21, 1963, with the death of two Turkish Cypriots by Greek
Cypriot policemen that led to the clashes between the two communities in Cyprus
and divided Lefkosia, were actually a provocation.
There
were also reactions on the fact that Archbishop Makarios was presented as the
“President of the Republic of Cyprus” on a text next to the date August 3 that
reports about his death.
A
lot of reaction took place in social media and many Turkish Cypriots, circulated
photos of the pages of the calendar, while many organizations and nationalist
parties condemned KTOS.
Party
of Rebirth (YDP), which is the newly established party of settlers, laid a
“black wreath” in front of KTOS’ headquarters.
Leader
of People’s Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay issued a statement condemning the calendar
and appealed to the public not to put all teachers in the same basket.
Threats
were sent to KTOS and its members. The general secretary of the union Sener
Elcil defended the organization’s actions and said that he is ready to discuss
the issue with anyone and any platform.
The
Denktas Foundation called for a “criminal investigation” against KTOS and would
organize a protest against the organization.
Reporting
on the same issue, Halkin Sesi writes that the so-called minister of education
Ozdemir Berova alleged that the calendar is “an open attack against our country
and its values”.
(CS)
7.
Sucuoglu on the new hospital to be built in occupied
Famagusta
According
to illegal Bayrak television (29.12.16), so-called minister of health Faiz
Sucuoglu has announced that the tender for the new “hospital” to be built in
occupied Famagusta has been finalized and that the foundation for a 120 bed
capacity “hospital” will be laid in January 2017.
Sucuoglu
made the above statement in a television program he attended on illegal BRT.
Evaluating
the “public health services” in the “TRNC”, Sucuoglu stated that there were some
problems in this area but that serious steps would be taken in the coming year
to overcome these problems.
Referring
to the “state hospital” that will be built in the occupied part of Nicosia,
Sucuoglu said that 9 projects had come from Turkey regarding the 700 bed
capacity hospital and that they were working on these
projects.
8.
Truce declared in Syria on Turkish-Russian plan
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (29.12.16) reported that Turkey and Russia have
brokered a nationwide cease-fire between the regime and opposition forces in
Syria with hopes that it will be followed by talks for a negotiated political
solution in the war-torn country.
The
cease-fire will begin on December 30 and will exclude groups designated as
terrorists by the United Nations, meaning the Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and al-Nusra.
“As
is known, we have long been working hard to launch negotiations between the
regime and the opposition for a comprehensive political resolution of the
conflict, to cease violence and to provide humanitarian aid. As a result of our
efforts, an agreement between fighting parties in Syria to begin a cease-fire as
of 00.00 on December 30, 2016, has been reached. We welcome this development,”
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that was released on
December 29.
The
agreement stipulates the cessation of all armed attacks, including aerial
campaigns, and stopping efforts to expand territory under one’s control.
“Groups
deemed terror organizations by the U.N. Security Council are excluded from this
agreement,” the statement said, adding that Turkey and Russia supported this
deal as two guarantor countries.
Turkey,
Russia and Iran signed a declaration on Dec. 20 in Moscow to outline their joint
position on Syria with a commitment to launch fresh political talks between the
regime and opposition groups. The declaration named the three countries as
guarantors of the process.
“It’s
very important that all parties conform to this agreement. Turkey and Russia
will jointly follow the cessation of hostilities as they have given strong
support to it,” the statement read. It also called on Iran in an indirect way
to provide necessary support to the agreement by using its influence on fighting
groups.
Earlier
in the day, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called for the Hezbollah to be
withdrawn from Syria.
The
Ministry recalled that Turkey played a decisive role in the evacuation of Aleppo
and the provision of a nationwide cease-fire in Syria. It also added that it
would continue its efforts to revive talks on a political transition process in
Syria under U.N. auspices and in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution
2254.
Turkey
also underlined its support for possible political negotiations between the
regime and opposition groups in Astana in mid-January. Along with two
negotiating parties, Turkey, Russia and Iran will also be in Astana.
“The
talks in Astana will be under our auspices. But we won’t share the table and
negotiate with [the regime],” Cavusoglu said in an interview with A Haber on
December 29, stressing that Ankara believes President Bashar al-Assad cannot
realize any political transition in Syria.
(…)
9.
Erdogan and Putin discussed Syria truce and Astana talks over the phone
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (29.12.16) reported that President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a cease-fire agreed by
Bashar al-Assad’s regime and opposition groups, as well as the upcoming Astana
talks, in a phone conversation on December. 29, the state-run Anadolu Agency has
reported.
Erdogan
and Putin exchanged their views on the cease-fire agreement that is set to begin
on December 30, which could be brokered by the joint efforts of Ankara and
Moscow as guarantor countries.
The
two leaders also spoke about the upcoming Astana talks expected to be held
between the al-Assad regime and the opposition groups with the objective of
facilitating a political transitional process to end six years of unrest in
Syria.
(…)
“In
the wake of the situation in Aleppo, our country launched intense diplomatic
efforts under orders from the President in early December to stop the clashes
and facilitate humanitarian assistance,” İbrahim Kalın, a Presidential
Spokesperson, said in a statement on the Erdogan-Putin conversation.
“In
this sense, the Syrian opposition and representatives of the Russian Federation
held talks in Ankara, which were facilitated by Turkey. The talks led to an
agreement between the regime and the opposition. The agreement will enter into
force across the country at midnight tonight [Dec. 30],” he
added.
Kalın
said that Turkey considered the cease-fire an important step in resolving the
Syrian conflict.
“Along
with the Russian Federation, we support this arrangement as a guarantor.
Naturally, the ceasefire does not cover groups designated by the United Nations
Security Council as terrorist organizations,” he
said.
“The
arrangement aims to expand the cease-fire in Aleppo to other parts of Syria,
secure uninterrupted humanitarian assistance and revitalize the political
process. The president will continue to work toward the success of the Astana
process,” he added.
10.
Parliamentary Constitutional Committee passes draft law on constitutional
amendments
Turkish
daily Sabah (30.12.16) reports that a Turkish Parliamentary Committee early
onFriday passed a bill on constitutional change that proposes a switch to a
presidential system of governance.
The
bill, submitted by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's 316
lawmakers, will now be presented to Parliament after passing through the
committee following nine days of talks.
It
gives the executive power to the President and Vice Presidents while abolishing
the post of Prime Minister, lowers the age of candidacy for Parliament from 25
to 18, and increases the number of MPs from 550 to 600 in accordance with the
growing population, among other amendments.
AK
Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have struck an agreement over
constitutional change, which will help them carry the bill to a
referendum.
Constitutional
change -- in particular, the call for a presidential system -- has been on the
political agenda since Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the former Prime Minister and AK
Party leader, was elected Turkey's President in August
2014.
That
election was the first time a Turkish President was directly chosen by popular
vote.
In
the current parliamentary model, the Turkish people vote for 550 members of
Parliament. The government is formed by minimum number of 276
lawmakers.
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.
11.
Poll in Turkey reveals that the public support for the constitutional change is
at 55%
Turkish
daily Sabah (29.12.16) reported that according to a poll conducted by MAK
consultancy, the public support for a constitutional change currently stands at
55%.
55%
of the interviewees said they are in favor of a new Constitution and will say
yes in a possible referendum. While 55% were in favor of the constitutional
change, 29% said no and 16% abstained from declaring a certain point of
view.
MAK
consultancy also asked the interviewees for which political party they would
vote in a hypothetical snap election. The ruling Justice and Development Party
(AK Party) stood at 51.9% and the main opposition Republican People's Party
(CHP) at 24.7%.
While
the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) increased its votes to 13.4%, the pro-PKK
Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) failed to pass the 10% national election
threshold, standing at 7.2%.
According
to the new proposed draft Constitution, the President will be able to continue
with a party affiliation, which is one of the most significant changes to the
presidential system, while in the current Constitution the President is not
allowed to continue their party affiliation and should have a non-partisan
stance.
(…)
12.
Journalist Ahmet Sık detained over tweet in Istanbul; Two other
released
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.12.16) the police detained prominent
Turkish journalist Ahmet Sık in Istanbul on December 29 as part of an
investigation launched by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s
Office.
Award-winning
journalist Sık was detained over several tweets and his articles for daily
Cumhuriyet, Anadolu Agency reported.
Sık
was transferred to police headquarters ahead of his referral to court. He will
not be permitted to contact his lawyer for five days, which is among the
measures introduced as part of the state of emergency that was declared after
the failed coup attempt, believed to have been masterminded by
Gülenists.
Sık
also confirmed his detention on his Twitter account. “I am being detained. I
will be taken to the prosecutor’s office regarding a tweet,” he
tweeted.
Sık
was detained on accusations of making “terror propaganda” and denigrating the
Turkish Republic, said judicial authorities and police, according to Anadolu
Agency. It said he had been detained over tweets about the Kurdistan Workers
Party (PKK), as well as articles for daily Cumhuriyet.
Sık
and journalist Nedim Sener were jailed as part of the controversial Oda TV case
in 2011. Both journalists spent more than a year in prison
while awaiting trial before the publication of Sık’s book, titled “The Imam’s
Army,” which focused on the organization of U.S.-based Islamic preacher
Fethullah Gülen’s followers within the police and the judiciary during the time
when the movement and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) were close.
The duo was eventually freed on March 12, 2012.
Sık
has won numerous awards, including the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom
Prize in 2014.
Meanwhile,
one of Turkey’s most prominent contemporary novelists and an internationally
prominent linguist who has also made widely praised translations of Western
novels into Turkish were released on probation on December 29 after being
arrested on charges of “making terrorist propaganda” for daily Özgür Gündem,
which was closed in August on terrorism charges.
Author
Aslı Erdoğan and linguist Necmiye Alpay were among journalists and intellectuals
tried in one of the cases into Özgür Gündem, a daily that was closed over its
alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Erdogan
has been held in jail for 132 days since her detention and Alpay has been held
behind bars for 120 days.
(...)
Release
decisions were issued for Erdogan, Alpay, former Özgür Gündem Co-Editor-in-Chief
Eren Keskin, writers Filiz Koçali and Ragıp Zarakolu, license holder Kemal
Sancılı and arrested News Editor Zana (Bilir) Kaya.
Acting
News Editor İnan Kızılkaya, who is also on arrest in the case, was not
released.
------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/AM)
