TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
05/17
06-09.01.17
1.
Statements by Akinci prior to departing for Geneva
2.
UNSG called Akinci in Geneva
3.
Akinci sends Guterres letter on Geneva talks
4.
Erdogan talks to Guterres, May prior to Geneva meeting
5.
Cavusoglu’s statements after the meetings he held with Guterres and
Kotzias
6.
Akinci briefed Turkish Cypriot parties prior to Geneva
meeting
7.
Ozgurgun alleges that “TRNC” will continue its path whether there is an
agreement or not
8.
Statements by Talat to AA prior to the Geneva summit
9.
Ozersay stated that they expect a final and clear result to come up from the
Geneva summit
10.
Columnist: “The solution which Erdogan prefers is to annex the TRNC to Turkey’s
lands as the 82nd province”
11.
“Without Cyprus, Turkey would drown”
12.
Nine more persons “obtained” the “TRNC citizenship”
13.
Ozcafer becomes DP General Secretary
14.
Turkish Parliament set to begin charter talks to shift governance
system
15.
Al Jazeera survey names Erdogan 'Person of the Year'
1.
Statements by Akinci prior to departing for
Geneva
Illegal
Bayrak (09.01.17, online) broadcast statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci at the illegal Tymbou airport before leaving the occupied area of
Cyprus for Geneva yesterday.
Stating
that the two sides will continue the negotiations on five chapters between the
9th and 11th of January and that the talks will continue
with the participation of the three guarantor powers on the 12th of
January, Akinci said that “such a quintet meeting will be held for the first
time after many years and I see this as an important development’ and added that
‘the important thing is not to come together but to produce a positive result.
All my wishes are to achieve this in Geneva”.
“As
Turkish Cypriots, we will do our best to find a positive solution. All parties
should fulfil their responsibilities”, he argued and said:
“All
sides need to act responsibly. Firstly, the Cypriots – the Turkish Cypriots and
Greek Cypriots – need to be understanding towards each other and to help one
another. And the three guarantor states, the UN, the EU and the international
community need to also help the Cypriots. We are at a juncture. Now is the time
for those contributions”.
He
also said that he was not pessimistic but acknowledged that the week ahead in
Geneva would be “difficult.”
“If
all sides including the guarantors act with determination and sense of
responsibility, and make an effort, it is possible to initiate a new period in
Cyprus”, he said adding that a sustainable peace in the island would be possible
only if the parties showed the same responsibility, determination and
effort.
Akinci
reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted a solution under political
equality that would guarantee freedom and security for both “peoples” on the
island. He said that he wanted the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots to
be secured in Geneva this week and added:
“Since
Geneva has become a turning point, since we are going to be talking about
territory, and since security and guarantees will come to the table immediately
after, we believe it is time to reach clarity on our political equality. When
will we talk about this issue if not now? […] The Greek Cypriot side should
demonstrate that it can come to terms with the political equality of the Turkish
Cypriots including rotational presidency and effective participation in decision
making”.
Referring
to the security issue, Akinci said that the emotions of the two “peoples” had
great importance and stressed the significance of creating an atmosphere where
both sides would feel secure.
Akinci
also reiterated that they had been working in close dialogue and cooperation
with Turkey adding that this will continue.
Referring
to information published in the media arguing that the occupied area of Cyprus
will be annexed to Turkey, Akinci stated that the Turkish Cypriots neither want
to become patch up to the “south of Cyprus”, as he described the Republic of
Cyprus, nor a province of Turkey. He alleged:
“Turkey
has some 800,000 km2 of land. I don’t think it needs the small land in Cyprus,”
Akinci said and added “it has 81 provinces. I don’t think it needs an 82nd. And
I have no intention of becoming the second Tayfur Sokmen – the president of
Alexandretta before it became a province of Turkey. […] If the Greek Cypriot
side’s mistakes come to the forefront and we cannot reach the desired solution
in Geneva then the TRNC will face the option to continue on its own path as a
democratic and a secular state”.
Akinci
said the Turkish Cypriot side wanted a solution under political equality that
would guarantee freedom and security for both “nations” on the island and
claimed: “We are not dealing with any other plan but this. […] The Greek Cypriot
side needs to acknowledge the fact that the passage of time has not helped a
solution until now, and it will not in the future. The passage of time leads to
environmental changes as well as demographic changes”.
In
response to a question, Akinci said that when it became known that Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was going to attend the summit it was certain
that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and British Prime Minister Theresa May
were also going to attend. He also added that if Turkish Prime Minister Binali
Yildirim attends the summit instead of Erdogan, then it was still expected that
the prime ministers of Greece and Britain will attend the summit. Stating that a
new situation assessment could come to the agenda in Turkey, Akinci noted that
the UN Chief held a long telephone conversation with President Erdogan and added
that Turkey will make its own decision on the issue.
Responding
to another question regarding President Anastasiades’ desire to attend the
conference by representing the Republic of Cyprus, Akinci claimed that the issue
was very clear, but the Greek Cypriot side gave messages to its own
public.
Akinci
also noted that following the Republic of Cyprus’ letter to the UNSG on the
issue, he also sent a letter to the UN Chief explaining what he called as “the
real situation”.
Akinci
argued: “The stance of the UN is important here. The UN told us that it will
continue its good offices mission within the same framework as it has in the
past. There is no explanation beyond this. We are taking part at the
negotiations as the two leaders of Cyprus and we will continue like
this”.
He
also added that they were not close to a “Bürgenstock-type negotiations
process”.
2.
UNSG called Akinci in Geneva
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.01.17) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader
Mustafa Akinci, who is in Geneva, had a phone discussion with the UN General
Secretary Antonio Guterres. The five-party meeting and the Geneva process in the
framework of the 1st December agreement were discussed.
According
to information by the “presidency”, Guterres called Akinci in Geneva for the
negotiations. During the phone call, which lasted 20 minutes, Akinci said to
Guterres that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to participate in the five-party
meeting as it was agreed by the leaders on the 1st of December. He
also said that he will show the necessary effort in order the meeting to be
concluded with success.
(DPs)
3.
Akinci sends Guterres letter on Geneva talks
Illegal
Bayrak television (07.01.17) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci has underlined the importance of abiding by the agreement reached in
December last year between the two sides regarding the participants of the
Geneva Conference on Cyprus.
In
a letter to the United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres, Akinci
claimed that Anastasiades’ insistence in attending the Conference as the
President of the Republic of Cyprus was contrary to the agreement between the
two leaders reached on December 1.
Arguing
out that he himself was “the elected president of the TRNC”, Akinci said that a
compromise had been reached with regards to this issue and that Anastasiades’
position is totally unacceptable.
Adding
that the settlement of the Cyprus problem is at its most critical peak in its
50-year history, Akinci argued that both he and Anastasiades will present
themselves as leaders of the two communities. “Political determination within
the agreed framework is required to utilize the full potential of the process,”
concluded Akinci.
4.
Erdogan talks to Guterres, May prior to Geneva
meeting
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (07.01.17) reported that United Nations Secretary General
Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed during a
phone conversation on Jan. 7 that the coming talks in Geneva could be an
important opportunity to reach a settlement; Anadolu Agency cited Turkish
presidential sources as saying. The Turkish President reportedly said Turkey
supported a fair, permanent and comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue,
which would satisfy both communities.
Erdogan
and Guterres agreed the coming talks in Geneva could be an important opportunity
for reaching a settlement.
Erdogan
also talked on the phone with Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, which is one of the three guarantor states of the island, on Jan. 7,
during which the two leaders “agreed that the Geneva meeting was a real
opportunity to secure a better future for Cyprus and to guarantee stability in
the wider region,” a Downing Street statement read.
5.
Cavusoglu’s statements after the meetings he held with Guterres and
Kotzias
Illegal
Bayrak television (06.01.17) broadcast that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt
Cavusoglu has said that he is very optimistic that a solution to the Cyprus
problem will be found soon.
After
his meeting with the newly-appointed United Nations Secretary General Antonio
Guterres in New York the Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu made statements
regarding the Cyprus issue to reporters.
He
said that despite serious issues such as territory, borders, security and
guarantees remaining, if the two sides are ready to reach an agreement then all
obstacles can be overcome.
Cavusoglu
noted that the last phase of the Cyprus problem had been reached and that the
two sides and the UN were working in a constructive manner to solve the existing
problems on the Cyprus issue and added that Turkey has supported the Cyprus
solution process from the very beginning.
Explaining
that in order to overcome some of the existing problems prior to the 9-11th of
January Geneva meeting they had been carrying out some contacts, the Turkish
Foreign Minister said that on the 12th of January the two sides, the three
guarantor countries and the EU will discuss all issues
together.
“The
method and framework are there, we can reach an agreement in Cyprus. Not just
Turkey, but Greece, the two sides in Cyprus, the eastern Mediterranean and the
region is in need of good developments. It’s not going to be easy but we are
determined to find a solution” said Cavusoglu.
Noting
that the most important subject is the views of the two peoples on the island,
the Turkish Foreign Minister said “Greece and South Cyprus have more problems.
They need to persuade their people. The Turkish side doesn’t have a serious
problem but of course the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ concerns should not be
ignored”.
Bayrak
also broadcast that Cavusoglu met with the UN Secretary General’s Special
Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide within the framework of his US contacts.
The
meeting between the two men focused on the Cyprus negotiations process. The
Turkish Foreign Minister once again clearly voiced Turkey views and stance on
the Cyprus negotiations process.
Illegal
Bayrak television (07.01.17) also broadcast that Cavusoglu held a press
conference following his meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in New
York and stated that he had found the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus problem
in detail during his meeting with the UN Secretary General
Guterres.
He
said that he had also taken up the issue of security and guarantees during his
meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. “We have always been one
step ahead in regarding a settlement in Cyprus” he claimed. Responding to
criticisms regarding the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus, Cavusoglu alleged
that there was no need to feel threatened by the presence of Turkish troops on
the island unless there were hostile intentions regarding the
future.
6.
Akinci briefed Turkish Cypriot parties prior to Geneva
meeting
Illegal
Bayrak television (07.01.17) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci met yesterday with the “prime minister” Hüseyin Ozgürgün and “deputy
prime minister” Serdar Denktas, and briefed them on the strategy to be pursued
in Geneva.
Speaking
to reporters after the meeting which lasted for 2 hours, Ozgürgün said that
there was full consensus on the strategy to be pursued in Geneva. Stating that
they all agreed that the Greek Cypriot side too needed to take steps, the “prime
minister” said that the Turkish Cypriot side will not be to blame should the
talks fail in spite of the steps taken by the Turkish Cypriot
side.
“We
are going to Geneva in good faith. We shall all be present there, whether it
will be president Akinci, the government or the political parties. The guarantor
states will also be there. Probably this is the first time such a meeting like
this is being held since the 60s. My belief and desire is that the talks should
be concluded successfully. These talks successful or not need to come to an end.
But should the talks fail, despite all the positive efforts of the Turkish
Cypriot side, we will not be the ones to blame” Ozgurgun
claimed.
Akinci
also met with the former Turkish Cypriot leaders Dervis Eroglu and Mehmet Ali
Talat.
In
addition, Akinci held a similar meeting with the leaders of the opposition
parties in “parliament”.
Akinci
met with the leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party Tufan
Erhürman and the leader of the Social Democratic Party Cemal
Ozyigit.
Speaking
to reporters after the meeting, the CTP leader said that they had held a useful
meeting. He said that his party shared the concerns and sensitivities of Akinci.
Erhürman also said that they had been briefed on the latest convergence
papers.
The
CTP leader pointed out that an important duty fell upon the Greek Cypriot side
particularly on taking steps on the issue of political equality which was of
paramount importance for the Turkish Cypriots.
“We
are hoping to return from Geneva with positive results but Geneva may not be the
final station. We will do our best to wrap up the Cyprus problem but if we fail
to achieve the desired results then we shall reschedule a new stop and continue
working to find a way forward. We are determined to continue working for a
solution” he said.
Also
speaking to the press, the leader of the Social Democratic Party Cemal Ozyigit
said that his party wanted to see an end to the decades old problem once and for
all so that future generations on the island would not have to inherit
division.
“The
TDP is going to Geneva to follow the talks with great hopes. Of course we have
to think of all the possibilities which is why we are cautiously optimistic. The
important thing is that we solve this problem but if we can’t, we should at
least be able to draw a general framework for an agreement so that we can fill
in the details later on. We are determined to continue working for peace no
matter what. The attendance of the guarantor powers has further raised our
hopes” he said.
7.
Ozgurgun alleges that “TRNC” will continue its path whether there is an
agreement or not
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (09.01.17), on its front page under the title
“TRNC will continue its road”, reports that self-styled prime minister Huseyin
Ozgurgun, speaking prior to the Geneva summit, claimed: “As I said, either there
will be an agreement or not, TRNC will continue its path and it has the strength
to do it”.
In
statements to the Turkish news agency IHA, Ozgurgun alleged that “the agreement
to be reached will create huge serious problems; in case Turkey’s active and
effective guarantees are not included, the two sides are not clearly determined
and a strong partnership is not formed based on the equality of the two
people”.
On
the same issue, under the title “We are secure”, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes
(07.01.17) reports that Ozgurgun, during a visit at the occupied village Agyia,
called the inhabitants to “relax, because he knows Turkey’s view on the Cyprus
talks”. He argued that Turkey will never say ‘yes’ to an agreement that will put
into trouble Turkish Cypriot territory and its people. I can say this clearly,
we are secured”.
(DPs)
8.
Statements by Talat to AA prior to the Geneva
summit
Under
the title: “I am cautiously optimistic prior to the Geneva summit”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.01.17) reports that the former Turkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, evaluating to Ankara Anatolia news agency the
negotiations to take place in Geneva, stated that the Cyprus negotiations to
take place in Geneva between 9-12 January is a development being expected for a
long period. “If no solution is reached on the Cyprus problem and the process
collapse, the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades will lose the 2018
elections. A successful result on the Cyprus problem is a precondition for his
elections”, Talat alleged.
Stating
that he is cautiously optimistic prior to the Geneva summit, Talat argued also
that the “no front” in “south Cyprus”, as he described the Republic of Cyprus
has already taken action. Talat added that after the remarkable progress at the
talks, there is no other option than solving the
problem.
Expressing
the hope that the guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and Britain which will be
attending the five-party meeting in Geneva will solve the security issue, Talat
added the following: “There is a lot of work needed to be done in this process.
The federal Constitution as well as the preparation of the Constitution of the
two founding states. […]”.
Noting
that the Greek Cypriots must understand that it is not possible to please all
parties during the Cyprus talks, Talat said that it would be better if the Greek
Cypriot leader, as he called President Nicos Anastasiades stop dealing with them
and instead focusing on solving the Cyprus problem. “The same problems exist on
the Turkish Cypriot side but President Mustafa Akinci is not paying any heed to
this and in spite of the opposite stance of the coalition parties in the
government, he is focusing on the solution process. This is the right stance”,
Talat also alleged.
Referring
to the 2018 elections that will take place in the Republic of Cyprus. Talat
argued that it would be better and wiser to reach to a solution on the Cyprus
problem prior entering to the pre-election period. The solution of the Cyprus
problem is necessary for both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. If
the Cyprus problem is not solved and the process collapse, Anastasiades will
lose the elections. The solution of the Cyprus problem is a precondition for his
elections”, he added.
Expressing
the view that the negotiations in Geneva do not constitute the last last chance
for the solution, Talat added: “The negotiations will continue but they will get
harder. There is no other option than the solution. The recognition is also a
solution. If there will be division, this should be negotiated also. Therefore,
this is not the end of the road for the Turkish Cypriots, but in fact, it will
be very difficult after this. It will be more difficult for the new generations
to reach a solution”, Talat also argued.
(AK)
9.
Ozersay stated that they expect a final and clear result to come up from the
Geneva summit
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.01.17) reported that the leader of the
People’s Party (HP) Kudret Ozersay, in statements during a reception for the
1st anniversary of the establishment of his party, referred to the
Geneva summit and stated that they expect a final result to come up from the
summit. “If they put a comma and not a full stop, this process will serve the
status quo”, Ozersay alleged.
Pointing
out that there are serious disagreements between the two sides on the issues
related to who will be attending the summit and how will the sides be
represented, Ozersay stated that they follow this development anxiously. He
further claimed that the Greek Cypriots disobey and disrespect some things
agreed prior to the summit. “We realize from the letter sent by the president to
the UN Secretary-General that there is a problem concerning this issue”.
Reiterating
also that his party supports the efforts aiming to reach a fair and lasting
solution to the Cyprus problem, Ozersay added that they will continue showing a
constructive stance.
(AK)
10.
Columnist: “The solution which Erdogan prefers is to annex the TRNC to
Turkey’s lands as the 82nd province”
Under
the title “Could 2017 be TRNC’s last year?” columnist Metin Munir writing
in T24 online newspaper (07.01.17, http://t24.com.tr/yazarlar/metin-munir/2017-kktcnin-son-yili-olabilir-mi,16294)
reported that the solution which Turkish President Erdogan prefers in Cyprus
is to annex the occupied area of the island to Turkey. Munir wrote the
following:
“One
small thing and two big things unknown exist as regards the Cyprus negotiations.
The small unknown thing is whether the bargaining between Mustafa Akinci and
Nicos Anastasiades will be concluded with a solution. Akinci wants to give as
little territory and property as possible and take as much share as possible
from the Republic of Cyprus for the Turkish community. Anastasiades wants to
give the smallest possible share from the Republic of Cyprus and break off as
much land and property from the TRNC for the Greek Cypriot people.
These
two leaders, wanting the solution more than any other leader of Cyprus until
today, could not reach an agreement during the last 18 months. During the summit
planned to be held in Geneva after some days, they will gather all their
strength and try to reach a result, like two contesters who have approached the
end of the marathon.
The
big unknown [thing] will be Turkey’s or more correctly Erdogan’s stance on the
issue of this agreement which will be reached or will not be
reached.
The solution, which Erdogan prefers (but is not mentioned openly) is to annex
the TRNC to Turkey’s land as its 82nd province. It is known
that he has expressed this wish to some Turkish Cypriot leaders during private
meetings. A source, who knowns what Erdogan thinks on this issue said: ‘Ataturk
annexed Alexandretta and Erdogan wants to be the leader who annexed
Cyprus’.
Erdogan’s
first priority is to pass from the Parliament and a referendum the
constitutional amendment which will establish the presidential system. In order
for achieving this, he needs the MHP, which is the party with the most hawkish
stance on the Cyprus issue.
It is out of the question for the MHP to see with sympathy a solution which
will mean hauling down the Turkish flag in Cyprus and the Turkish troops
abandoning the island. A certain part of the Turkish people, perhaps the
majority, most likely thinks in the same manner with the MHP on this issue.
A
solution which will not be popular among the people is not a development which
Erdogan could risk these days.
Leading AKP members are saying that public opinion polls exceed 60% for the
presidency. This may be an extremely optimistic prediction. According to a
public opinion poll concluded a short time ago by Gezici Research Company, known
for its correct predictions, 57-59% of the people of Turkey do not support the
presidential system.
Erdogan
wants to submit the constitutional amendment to the people’s voting in the first
quarter of the new year. Accepting to end the de facto Turkish sovereignty
which exists in the one half of Cyprus in the eve of this vital voting for him
is a possibility that is very far away.
The
best policy for Erdogan is the annexation or steps in the end of which
annexation will come.
This will make him a hero in the eyes of the great majority of the Turkish
people. It will increase his chance of winning in the referendum.
Some
Cypriot observers say that the annexation is impossible. According to their
arguments, two reasons exist for this: 1) The international conditions are not
appropriate and 2) The Turkish Cypriots will oppose to annexation.
The
Turkish Cypriots will oppose to annexation, but not all of them. There is a big
and powerful circle of interests among the Turkish Cypriots which prefers
annexation to the unification with the Greek Cypriots. Moreover, the Turkish
Cypriots do not consist only of Turkish Cypriots any more.
There are tens of thousands among them – and may be these are in numbers that
constitute the majority – from Anatolia who have been granted the TRNC
citizenship. By the middle of next year, the TRNC citizenship will be
granted to approximately 30 thousand new citizens from Turkey. There are so
many applications that it is not possible to walk in the corridors of the office
of the ministry of interior in Nicosia which examines the applications.
In
addition to all these, Ankara has many weapons to influence the Turkish Cypriot
community and mainly the money.
The right wing and left wing parties which are in power are standing by to
implement AKP’s every command.
As
far as the international circumstances are concerned, Erdogan is not a leader
who cares very much about the international circumstances and the circumstances
are not so contrary to this. No state will recognize the annexation of the
TRNC to Turkey, as they had not recognized Crimea’s annexation to Russia.
However, just like it has happened in Crimea, no state will attempt to change
this situation by force. Will the West implement embargo on Turkey? This
is also not very likely. Turkey’s cooperation on the issue of the migrants
is more important for the EU than Cyprus. Similar calculations are valid for the
USA. What about Russia? What Russia’s stance will be, as the Greek Cypriots’ and
the Orthodox peoples’ protector? I think that Putin will not go further than a
protest act, which will serve in Turkey further being cut off from the West.
Let
those, who do not want annexation, prepare their prayers. If Akinci and
Anastasiades return from Geneva empty handed again, 2017 may be TRNC’s last year
or one or two years before its end”.
(I/Ts.)
11.
“Without Cyprus, Turkey would drown”
Under
the above title, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (09.01.17) publishes the following
article by Fikret Bila:
“The
Cyprus talks are expected to restart next week in Geneva. The Greek Cyprus
administration is like a reluctant seller.
It
is a full member of the European Union, representing the entire island as if
northern Cyprus has not existed for 42 years and as if the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has not existed for 33 years.
There
is a southern Cyprus that was awarded with full membership despite rejecting the
Annan Plan in 2004.
The
EU is continuing to support it. Counting on this, bargaining is being conducted
which will diminish the TRNC, which in time will erode the Turkish Cypriots or
force them to migrate, which will extend sovereignty over the Karpaz Peninsula
in the northeast and strengthen its strategic position and which will monopolize
the eastern Mediterranean natural gas resources around the island.
It
does not stop there; they also demand the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the
island and the end to Turkey’s guarantor state status.
Any
agreement reached under these conditions will be the end of the gains of the
TRNC, as well as the end of the Turkish Cypriots, and will pose a serious threat
to Turkey’s existence and security in the Mediterranean.
Reputable
historian Professor İlber Ortayli conspicuously summed up the significance of
Cyprus in a panel organized by Union of Turkish Bar Associations and the
National Opinion Center.
“We
have to accept the facts in the Middle East,” he said. “For us to withdraw from
Cyprus is out of the question in this situation. We should not allow an
international intervention in Cyprus. We should not act like the crazy girl
freely distributing her grandmother’s dowry. If there is no Cyprus, Turkey would
drown. If people are opting to become refugees right under our nose, we have to
think this over.”
The
two major obstacles standing in the way of the Greek Cyprus Administration to
abolish the TRNC and extend sovereignty over the Turkish Cypriots is Turkey’s
guarantor state status and the presence of Turkish troops on the island.
If
the Turkish Cypriots have been able to live in safety since 1974, the reason is
these two assurances. It is not realistic for the Greek side to think that they
could easily remove these assurances that are vitally important for the Turkish
Cypriots.
Another
attention-grabbing aspect is that the Western world, while it is heading every
other place, is making an effort to unify Cyprus. In a process where Yugoslavia
was bloodily separated based on ethnicity, where Czechoslovakia was separated
without blood, where Iraq and Syria have been separated into three pieces led by
the U.S., where there are attempts to separate Turkey into Turkish and Kurdish
parts, the effort to unite Turks and Greeks in Cyprus, even though they are from
different religions and nations, is, if nothing else, very thought-provoking in
term of timing.
The
thesis that the Turkish side has been defending all along has been the solution
based on “bi-zonal and bi-communal” equality with two democracies.
The
Greek side, Greece and the European countries behind them have never accepted
this solution. At each negotiation phase, they have asked for and insisted on
more territory, the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island and the
acceptance that Turkey is not a guarantor state. As a matter of fact, in the
Greek side’s approach, there is no new step that requires a change in the thesis
of the Turkish side. On the contrary, there have been suggestions brought to the
table that are even more backward than the Annan Plan, which was full of clauses
against the Turkish side.
On
the Cyprus issue, there is nothing new, in other words, all is quiet on the
Greek Cypriot administration and EU front.”
12.
Nine more persons “obtained” the “TRNC
citizenship”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.01.17) reports that the “coalition
government” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, which has been
“granting” tens of “citizenships” in every meeting of the “council of
ministers”, “granted” nine more “citizenships” at the last meeting of the
“council of ministers”.
According
to a “decision of the council of ministers” published in the “official gazette”
on January 5, 2017, the following persons “obtained” the “TRNC
citizenship”:
· Baris Torunogullari, born in Susuz, 1982.
· Mustafa Atacan Erpek, born in Ankara, 1984
· Usak Aysen Turkman, born in 1952
· Huseyin Zoroglu, born in Denizli, 1985
· Mehmet Ozbek, born in Altinozu, 1963
· Turgay Ok, born in Tarsus, 1990
· Mehmet Aksoy, born in 1991
· Gulhan Celikbag, born in Adana, 1975
· Meryem Ekenel, born in Antakya, 1997
(DPs)
13.
Ozcafer becomes DP General Secretary
Illegal
Bayrak television (07.01.17) broadcast that Afet Ozcafer has been elected as the
new General Secretary of the Democrat Party.
The
Democrat Party’s Assembly which convened on January 6, determined the new
General Secretary as well as the party’s new central executive
committee.
According
to the a statement issued by the DP, Ozcafer was elected as the new DP General
Secretary after receiving the highest number of votes.
The
other two candidates were Mehmet Erol Aktoprak and Kemal
Hifsioglu.
Hüseyin
Hakki Cebi, Ozan Erenay, Mehmet Erülkü, Hande Kayasal, Refik Kuman, Nevzat
Nevzat, Hasan Tosunoglu, Eribe Yagcioglu and Osman Yalcin were elected as
members of the new central executive committee.
14.
Turkish Parliament set to begin charter talks to shift governance
system
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (08.01.17) reports that Turkey’s Parliament is set to
commence two-stage discussions on government-drafted constitutional amendments
on Jan. 9 that are set to usher in a major change in the country’s governance
system for an executive presidency despite oppositional concerns that it will
lead to authoritarian rule.
While
the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) plans to finish the discussions
on the 18-article constitutional proposal in the general assembly in six days,
the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which opposes the proposal,
is planning to block the talks.
The
CHP’s decision came after meetings held with the AKP about the procedure
regarding the discussions to be taken in parliament. The two parties failed to
agree on the procedure for the three-day meetings.
The
CHP’s request to extend the duration of the lawmakers’ speeches on the items was
rejected.
Parties
have different plans for negotiations. Taking the previous constitutional
negotiations into consideration, the ruling party anticipates that it will
finish discussions on each item in a maximum of four hours. For each item, a
total of seven resolutions can be given, four from parties and three from
lawmakers.
With
this calculation, the AKP plans to finish the discussions of three items every
day, by working 12 hours on average each day. The party is planning to pass the
package on Jan. 24 in parliament and plans to hold a referendum on April
2.
However,
discussions and obstacles may result in the periods being exceeded. If the
debate between the opposition and ruling party grows, the CHP may demand “a
continuation of negotiations,” or it may prolong the process by issuing motions
of no-confidence against ministers.
The
process of the constitutional package may be interrupted because the motions of
no-confidence are obliged to be negotiated within a certain period of
time.
The
final decision regarding the constitutional offer will be made in the second
round of voting, which is scheduled for Jan. 21. The lawmakers will vote on each
item first and then on the entire package.
The
second round of voting is expected to be finished in three days because no
speeches or resolutions will occur in this round. In this case, each item will
be voted and if the item receives fewer than 330 votes, it will be dismissed
from the package. After each item is voted, the entire package will be submitted
for a vote. If the entire package does not receive at least 330 votes, the
package will be considered rejected. The offer cannot be submitted to the
assembly for another year.
AKP
and MHP out to avoid losing votes. The bloc of the AKP and the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP), with whom the government drafted the charter proposal, is
making a special effort to prevent any defections from their parties in an
effort to reach the 330 votes needed to bring the constitution to the
referendum. The total number of votes of two parties reaches 355, but seven
lawmakers from the MHP have already publicly declared their opposition to the
package.
Despite
criticisms about the content of the package, the AKP does not expect any losses
in the votes, while the number of defectors from the two parties is not expected
to exceed 15 lawmakers.
Nevertheless,
the parties are taking precautions to prevent any losses.
15.
Al Jazeera survey names Erdogan 'Person of the
Year'
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (08.01.17) reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan was named 2016's "Person of the Year" in a survey by Al Jazeera’s Arabic
service on Saturday.
According
to Al Jazeera’s Arabic service website, around 130,000 people voted in the
survey carried out on the Doha-based network’s Facebook
page.
Erdogan
came out as 2016's "Person of the Year" by bagging 40 % of the
votes.
Omran
Daqneesh, the five-year-old Syrian child who was photographed in August 2016
with his face covered in dust and blood after an attack by regime forces, came
in second with 34 % votes.
Slain
Tunisian aviation engineer Mohamed Zouari, who was reportedly behind the drone
program of Palestinian group Hamas, came in third with 17 %
votes.
---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
(CS/AM)
