C
O N T E N T S
No.
13/17
19.01.17
1.
Turkes will be coordinating the Turkish negotiating team during the Cyprus talks
at Mont Pelerin
2.
The climate at the Cyprus talks at Mont Pelerin is said to be positive; the
community leaders will reportedly meet on 26 January in Cyprus
3.
Erdogan’s chief adviser: Turkey has taken Cyprus by shedding blood and will give
it away only by shedding blood
4.
MHP Deputy claimed that the Turkish army is the sole guarantee of the Turkish
Cypriots
5.
Biden held a phone conversation with Akinci
6.
Former “education minister” wonders about the connection of theological teaching
staff with FETO
7.
Turkish Naval Forces offered two boats to the “Keryneia coastguard
forces”
8.
Kanbay visited Akinci, Siber, Denktas and Ertugruloglu
9.
The “Report on North Cyprus industrial strategy” is
published
10.
Turkish Lira’s declining increased the foreign currency loans for the Turkish
Cypriots
11.
Russia and Turkey hit ISIL in first joint air operation in Syria’s
al-Bab
12.
Cavusoglu met with Trump’s top national security
advisor
13.
Erdogan’s spokesman: Turkey pursues a balanced foreign
policy
14.
CHP fails to persuade MHP to stop support for reform
15.
Articles 1-5 passed in second round of voting on constitutional
change
16.
Poll: Public trust in military plunges after Turkey’s failed
coup
17.
New York Times correspondent denied entry into Turkey
1.
Turkes will be coordinating the Turkish negotiating team during the Cyprus
talks at Mont Pelerin
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (19.01.17) reports that Huseyin
Muftuoglu, spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said
yesterday that Tugrul Turkes, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for
Cypriot affairs, departed for Switzerland in order to be briefed on the
activities of the technical group, which is carrying out talks within the
framework of the international conference for Cyprus. Recalling that Turkes
is responsible for Cypriot affairs, Muftuoglu noted that within this framework
the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister will coordinate the team’s works.
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.01.17) refers to the issue under
the title “Turkes surprise in Mont Pelerin”.
(I/Ts.)
2.
The climate at the Cyprus talks at Mont Pelerin is said to be positive; the
community leaders will reportedly meet on 26 January in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (19.01.17) reports that the first
round of the international conference on Cyprus during which the chapter of
security and guarantees will be discussed started yesterday with the
participation of working groups from the two Cypriot communities and the three
guarantor powers.
According
to the paper, the second convention of the international conference on Cyprus
is expected to last for three days and the conference will be upgraded
to a political level in the end of January or in the beginning of February for
taking the final decisions.
Furthermore,
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (19.01.17) reports that the
technical committees have separated the issues and started “step by step” talks
at Mont Pelerin. Yesterday intensive negotiations on issues regarding
“internal and external security” were held, writes the paper adding:
“While the climate at the table is described as ‘positive’, it was said that
all teams at the table, including Greece, are exerting intensive efforts to
reach a convergence”.
Havadis
reports also that the announcement of new dates for the continuation of the
process is expected with the completion of the work of the technical committees
at Mont Pelerin. The paper argues that the discussions are held on four
chapters: 1) The guarantee of the constitution, 2) the supervision of the
agreement in order to function without problems, 3) the internal security and 4)
the external security. Referring to the positions of the sides, the paper
notes that Turkey wants the continuation of its guarantees in the entire Cyprus
and the right of unilateral intervention, while the Greek and Greek Cypriot side
demand the abolition of the guarantees after a certain period of time.
Meanwhile,
Havadis writes also that the leaders of the two communities will meet on
Thursday 26 January in the buffer zone in Nicosia in order to determine a date
for convening again in Geneva in the end of January or in the beginning of
February and discuss a program of meetings to achieve further progress on the
chapters of the Property, the EU, Economy and Governance.
Commenting
on the issue of security and guarantees in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
newspaper (19.01.17), journalist Emine Davut Yitmen reports that while the
working groups are attempting to prepare a list of questions on the security and
guarantees and determine methods for solving these issues, some express the view
that two important layers (stages) exist on the security issue: 1) the
two communities to believe in the solution and 2) the internal security.
Foreign diplomats, notes Yitmen, describe the issue of security and guarantees
as complex and sensitive arguing that traditional hard approaches exist on this
matter.
“Questions
concerning the continuation of the 1960 Treaties of Alliance and Guarantees are
coming forward”, she writes underlining that the alternative here is the
important thing. She writes the following:
“[…]
Reference is made to two different stages regarding the security. In the
first stage the people must believe in the solution. The view that they
should believe that the federal structure is trustworthy, that it will function,
that the individuals will be equal and that their rights will be protected is
coming into prominence. The issue of the internal security is at the second
stage. On this point, a judiciary system in which the rule of law will be
implemented is coming to prominence. The police are expected to help in the
implementation of the rule of law in the possibility that the two communities,
which are living separately, will live together. Looking at the examples of
other countries, this is important especially at the first stage. Except for
these two stages, because their implementation will take time, a kind of
security practice is needed. After this, the external security of united Cyprus
and issues related to it are expected to come onto the agenda. […]”
(I/Ts.)
3.
Erdogan’s chief adviser: Turkey has taken Cyprus by shedding blood and will
give it away only by shedding blood
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (19.01.17) reports that Yigit
Bulut, Turkish President Erdogan’s chief adviser, has made a call for
war. In statements yesterday during a television program on Turkish state
television (TRT), Bulut said that only with blood Turkey will return
territories which it had taken with the blood of its martyrs in Cyprus.
Bulut,
who in the beginning of the interview alleged that what he would say during the
program were only his personal views and were not binding for anyone else,
criticized a statement made on the same program by Turkish Cypriot
leader Akinci who said: “Let us join the EU first. Anatolia helped us a lot.
From now on we will help Anatolia”.
Bulut
argued:
“Anatolia
needs neither EU’s help nor anyone else’s help. Therefore, during Turkey’s road
towards the EU, Cyprus’ help or guidance is not needed. There is a question as
to who will benefit from the Turkish citizens visiting Cyprus with the Schengen
visa with TRNC’s accession to the EU together with the island of Cyprus. […]
After all these, the handing over of the Turkish existence to the British
dominance, to the EU dominance cannot be accepted with Turkey’s Republic of
Northern Cyprus [Translator’s note: This is the exact term used by Bulut]
accession to the EU, the island of Cyprus’ accession which is very important
for Turkey in the Mediterranean. Turkey’s view is not to accept such an
agreement, to accept this map, to walk this road. Those, who think that they
will lead Turkey to a [certain] point by deceiving it with this game that has
been going on for centuries with British and European brains, will deceive only
themselves. Therefore, how we took Cyprus? We took it by watering it with the
blood of the martyrs. If there is someone from the EU countries or Britain of
Germany who wants to take it back, let him pay this price and go, the door is
there. If there are some people who want to separate Cyprus from the land of
Turks, Cyprus every square centimeter of which we have taken with the blood of
our martyrs, with the right of our martyrs, if they are ready to pay the same
price, Cyprus is there, come on! Neither the British bases in Cyprus you
should trust nor the games of the Queen and the servants among us and in the
Turkey’s Republic of Northern Cyprus [Translator’s note: This is the exact term
used by Bulut]. If there is someone who wants to take it, we will give him
with blood every square centimeter of Cyprus, which we have taken with blood and
is watered with the blood of our martyrs. Neither in Cyprus nor in the
Mediterranean nor in the east have we have territory to give to anyone.
Cyprus is and will remain a Turkish motherland”.
Arguing
that what happen in the British bases in Cyprus during the coup in Turkey on 15
July remain a question, Bulut alleged that “in an environment in which
Turkey’s physical occupation is attempted, the end of those who think of putting
an end to the Turkish existence in Cyprus will be tragic” and argued that
“the most important Turkish presence in the Mediterranean” exists in
Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
4.
MHP Deputy claimed that the Turkish army is the sole guarantee of the Turkish
Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriot daily Democrat Bakis newspaper (19.01.17) reports that Umit Ozdag,
Deputy with the Turkish Nationalist Action Party (MHP) commented on the recent
developments of the Cyprus problem.
Ozdag
claimed that the Turkish side made a lot of compromises during the negotiations
in Geneva having a “minority phycology”, as he alleged. He also claimed that a
“conflict climate” could be created in case the procedure
continues.
Ozdag
further claimed that the only guarantee for the Turkish Cypriots is the Turkish
army and expressed his worries in case the Turkish Government and Turkish
President Tayyip Erdogan continue with the same way their Cyprus policy.
According to Ozdag a new prospective must be adopted on the issue.
(CS)
5.
Biden held a phone conversation with Akinci
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (19.01.17) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci held a telephone conversation with the outgoing US Vice
President Joe Biden.
According
to information by the “TRNC presidency”, it was Biden who called the Turkish
Cypriot leader.
Akinci
thanked Biden for his assistance towards the efforts for solving the Cyprus
problem.
(CS)
6.
Former “education minister” wonders about the connection of theological
teaching staff with FETO
Turkish
Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (19.01.17) reports that Asim Idris, general
secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and former “minister of education
and sports” submitted 7 questions to the so-called minister of education Ozdemir
Berova asking about the involvement of teachers of religious schools in the
breakaway regime with the terrorist Gullenist organization
(FETO).
Idris’s
action follows the recent arrest of Turkish military staff of the Turkish
occupation army in Cyprus for connections with FETO.
According
to the paper, Idris is asking Berova to give explanations regarding the
connection of the teaching staff of the Theological School in occupied Mia Milia
village with FETO as well information about the school’s finances. He also asked
if investigations are taking place regarding other teachers in theological
schools. Idris notes to Berova that these issues are important since are
related to the secularity of the “state”.
(CS)
7.
Turkish Naval Forces offered two boats to the “Keryneia coastguard
forces”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (19.01.17) reports that the Turkish Naval Forces
offered two boats to the “Keryneia coastguard forces” during a ceremony held
yesterday.
The
code names of the boats are «KKTCSG-301» and
«KKTCSG-303».
(CS)
8.
Kanbay visited Akinci, Siber, Denktas and Ertugruloglu
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.01.17), illegal Turkish ambassador in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus Derya Kanbay visited yesterday the
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
During
the meeting Akinci and Kanbay exchanged views on the 5-party conference held in
Geneva and the negotiations process.
Kanbay
also presented Akinci a piece of concrete from the wall which was destroyed in
the bombardment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the 15th of July
coup attempt.
Meanwhile,
Kanbay also visited the self-style speaker of the parliament Sibel Siber,
self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas and self-styled foreign
minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu yesterday.
During
the visits, Kanbay also presented pieces of the wall from the Turkish Grand
National Assembly.
Today,
Kanbay visited the former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis
Eroglu.
9.
The “Report on North Cyprus industrial strategy” is
published
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.01.17) reports that the self-styled council
of ministers “ratified” a “report on North Cyprus industrial strategy”, which
includes the years between 2017 and 2021. The report has been prepared within
the framework of the “project on determining the strategies of TRNC
industrialization” which was launched with the coordination of the “economy and
energy ministry”, the “state planning organization” and the “Turkish Cypriot
Industry Chamber” with the support of “Turkey’s embassy” in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus. Concerned institutions, NGOs, universities, and
industrial enterprises also participated. The report was published in the
“official gazette”.
In
the report, there are information regarding the economy of the “country”, the
current situation in the industry, the industrial strategies of other countries,
the strengths, the weakness, analysis of Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and
Threats (SWOT), vision, strategic map, targets and action
plan.
(DPs)
10.
Turkish Lira’s declining increased the foreign currency loans for the Turkish
Cypriots
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.01.17) reports that due to the fact that the
Turkish lira is losing its value compared to foreign currencies the loans that
the Turkish Cypriots have in foreign currency are
increased.
The
paper, which reports on the issue under the title “The loans have become
mountains”, writes that installments of loans have been increased and adds that
a person who would paid 500 dollars in 2016, now has to pay 891 dollars.
(CS)
11.
Russia and Turkey hit ISIL in first joint air operation in Syria’s
al-Bab
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 19.01.17), Russian and Turkish
warplanes hit Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in al-Bab on
January 18 in what is the first such joint operation featuring both countries’
air forces, the Russian Interfax news agency has
reported.
The
chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian
Federation, Sergey Rudskoy, said nine Russian aircraft, consisting of four
Su-24Ms, four Su-25s and one bomber Su-34, as well as eight Turkish fighter
jets, four F-16s and four F-4s, participated in the first joint air strike.
While
this is the first time the two countries have conducted strikes in Syria, Russia
previously struck ISIL in Syria in the past month.
Turkey
launched its ongoing Euphrates Shield operation on Aug. 24, 2016, to clear its
border with Syria of terror groups which include ISIL and the Syrian Kurdish
Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the fighters from its military wing, the
People’s Protection Unit (YPG), which it sees as an extension of the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighting within Turkey.
The
action comes one day after the U.S. military said on Jan. 17 that it had carried
out air strikes in Syria against ISIL targets of interest to both Washington and
Ankara near the town of al-Bab, following Turkish criticism of insufficient U.S.
support for its ground offensive.
Turkey
has been angered by U.S. policy in Syria, particularly Washington’s support for
the PYD and YPG.
U.S.
Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a Baghdad-based spokesman for the U.S.-led military
coalition battling ISIL, counted four strikes in recent days against the
jihadists’ targets that he said were in both countries’ “mutual
interest.”
“We
saw a window of opportunity where it was in our mutual interest to get those
targets destroyed,” Reuters quoted Dorrian as saying, adding that the targets
were identified by working with Turkey.
“This
is something we expect to continue doing. We strike [ISIL] targets anywhere in
Syria or Iraq that they can be found,” Dorrian told reporters at the
Pentagon.
12.
Cavusoglu met with Trump’s top national security
advisor
According
to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 18.01.17), Turkey’s Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with designated U.S. National Security adviser Rt.
Gen. Mike Flynn on Wednesday at Trump Hotel in
Washington.
"Met
with General Flynn, who will assume the position of National Security Advisor,
and other officials at a working breakfast in Washington D.C. ", Cavusoglu
tweeted.
The
meeting marks a first direct reach out between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
administration and the incoming Donald Trump administration, other than a phone
call between two leaders last November.
House
Intelligence Committee Congressman Devin Nunes, a Republican heavyweight, also
attended the breakfast.
An
aide of the Foreign Minister didn't provide additional details on the meeting,
but said that Cavusoglu was the only foreign leader at the breakfast and the
topics on the U.S.-Turkish agenda were discussed by the
attendees.
13.
Erdogan’s spokesman: Turkey pursues a balanced foreign policy
According
to Ankata Antatolia news agency (online, 18.01.17), Turkey has been pursuing
a balanced foreign policy between the East and the West, presidential
spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said Wednesday.
Speaking
at a meeting with representatives of international media organizations in
Ankara, Kalin said that Turkey’s NATO membership did not prevent Ankara from
establishing close relations with Russia, China or other countries. “Foreign
policy is not a zero sum game to us. Getting closer to Russia does not need to
have a negative impact on our relations with the U.S. and Europe. In the same
manner, being a NATO ally does not mean that we will completely cut off our
relations with Russia, China, African countries or Latin America”, he said,
adding that Turkey’s geopolitical position necessitated a multifaceted
foreign policy.
Kalin
said Turkey shared closer views with Russia in some issues, while sharing
similar views with the U.S. and E.U in some other. “It is impossible to reduce
foreign policy to a single bloc under the current circumstances. Instead, we are
pursuing a balanced policy between East and West. Moreover the developments in
economy and security force us to adopt a wider perspective” Kalin noted.
Commenting
on the future of Turkey-EU relations, associating the lack of "desired momentum"
in the accession process with the anti-EU, anti-Turkey and anti-refugee
sentiment across the continent, Kalin further said: “If the EU is suffering
from 'enlargement fatigue', they should know that Turkey is also feeling tired
and indignant because the membership process is not moving
forward”.
Kalin
reiterated that the EU had yet to fulfil its commitment to Turkey over a refugee
deal signed in March 2016, and went on to say that issues with the visa-free
travel agreement could be resolved if the European Commission presented a
"reasonable" offer.
14.
CHP fails to persuade MHP to stop support for
reform
Turkish
daily Sabah newspaper (online, 19.01.17), hours before the second session of
constitutional amendment discussions at Parliament's General Assembly yesterday,
main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu
met with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli in the
latter's office in efforts to persuade Bahceli to withdraw his support for the
constitutional amendment. In spite of this, by the end of the 45-minute
meeting between the two leaders, the opposition MHP announced that it would
maintain its support for the amendment package and referendum. Shortly after
the meeting, main opposition leader Kilicdaroglu spoke to reporters about the
discussion.
Highlighting
the significant impacts the MHP has had on Turkish political history,
Kilicdaroglu said, "Personally, I was compelled to meet with Mr Bahceli and
he kindly accepted my request. During our discussion, I expressed my concerns
regarding the constitutional amendment while thanking him for his favorable
reception of my request". On the other hand, Bahceli responded to
questions from reporters with a short answer, saying that "Mr Kilicdaroglu has
said what needed to be said."
On
the same issue, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (19.01.17), under the title
“Leading to dictatorship”, reports that Kilicdaroglu after his meeting with
Bahceli said: “To grant the authority to a single person, then you will bring
dictatorship in Turkey”.
15.
Articles 1-5 passed in second round of voting on constitutional change
Turkish
daily Sabah newspaper (online, 19.01.17), Turkey's parliament Wednesday
adopted the first five articles of a new constitutional reform package before a
referendum likely to be held in April.
The
second round of voting over the constitutional reforms began late Wednesday
after almost three weeks of debates at the Parliament.
The
first round of voting was completed with the Parliament passing a total of 18
articles - each with over 340 'yes' votes.
It
changes the ninth article of the Constitution - "the judicial power shall be
exercised by independent courts on behalf of the Turkish Nation" - to read
"independent and impartial courts".
The
second item of the package increases the number of lawmakers from 550 to 600 in
accordance with the rising population. A
total of 480 lawmakers took part in the second ballot. It passed with 342 votes
in favour, 139 against, four blank ballots; 65 lawmakers were
absent.
Article
3, which lowers the age of candidacy for Parliament from 25 to 18,
passed
with 342 'Yes' votes while 137 rejected the motion; three papers were left blank
and three were invalid.
16.
Poll: Public trust in military plunges after Turkey’s failed coup
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 19.01.17), the military has
lost its decades-long status as Turkey’s most trusted institution following the
failed coup of July 15, according to a recent poll.
While
the military topped the list as the most trusted institution in the country with
62.4% in the same poll conducted by Kadir Has University last year, the figure
fell to 47.4% this year. This placed it in second position, below the presidency
which rose from 46.9% to 49.4%.
In
all the Research of Social and Political Trends in Turkey survey conducted since
2000, the military has up to this year always topped the list of trusted
institutions.
The
presidency was this year among the few institutions in Turkey that have seen an
increase in trust.
The
poll, conducted in the first half of December 2016 in 26 provinces and made
public yesterday, revealed that many institutions have suffered a loss of public
confidence. In addition to the military, universities are also big losers,
with 24.7% saying they trust universities, down from last year’s 49.8%. NGOs saw
a similar decrease, with 26.2% saying they trust NGOs, down from last year’s
42.3%. Only 1.5% of those polled said they were a member of an NGO.
Trust
in political parties also sharply decreased, from 33.9% to
21.8%,
while Parliament saw an increase from 43% to 49%. The media came at the
bottom of the list of trusted institutions, with only 15.1% saying they trusted
the media, down from 27.8% last year.
In
addition to the increase in trust in the presidency, the approval rating for
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saw an increase compared to last year’s survey.
In 2015, 43.6% of respondents found him successful, up to 48% this year.
Meanwhile,
52.7% of respondents said they think Turkey should be governed as a
parliamentary democracy and 32.5% favoured the presidential system. Ten percent
said they believed Turkey should be governed as a presidential system in which
the president remains the head of a political party. Over the years the
number of people who favour the presidential system has seen a rise, up from
12.6% in 2014 to 22.1%t in 2015 and 32.5% in the latest report.
Some
34.7% said they would vote “yes” to constitutional changes to turn Turkey into a
presidential system in a likely referendum, while 39.7% said they would vote
“no,” with 19.6% remaining undecided.
Officials
from Kadir Has University noted that the poll was conducted before recent
parliamentary debates on the constitutional change and long before any
prospective referendum campaign.
The
survey also revealed a change in the public’s attitude to the government’s
foreign policy, which 35% found successful and 33% found unsuccessful. The
latter figure marks a drop from 41% last year.
For
the first time in 2016, the number of those who found Turkey’s Syrian policy
“successful” (32.3%) outnumbered those who said they find it “unsuccessful”
(31.2%). In previous polls from 2013, 2014 and 2015 this figure was around
50%.
Some
48.8% said they support the current military Euphrates Shield Operation in
northern Syria, while 28.5% said they do not and 22.7% said they have no
idea.
The
survey has also revealed a change in outlook on the government’s Kurdish policy.
For the first time in years, the number of people who find the Kurdish policy
“successful” (33.8%) outnumbered those who find it “unsuccessful” (31.2%t).
Last year 40% of respondents said it was unsuccessful while in 2014, 47.7% said
it was unsuccessful.
In
2015, 53% were in favour of restarting the collapsed Kurdish peace process, but
this rate dropped to 31.4% this year. While last year 35.3% said the pro-Kurdish
Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) “does not represent the Kurdish people,” this
rate increased to 49.1% this year. Some 19.2% said the outlawed Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) represents the Kurdish people, while 54.4% said it does
not.
Like
last year, terrorism remained the most important problem for respondents to
the survey, with 35% saying it was the most important problem, followed by the
Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) at 25%.
Again,
for the first time in years the number of those who believe the government’s
fight against terror to be “successful” (35.6%) outnumbered those who found it
“unsuccessful” (28.4%). Last year the latter figure was
45.8%.
Meanwhile,
there was a slight decrease in the number of those who see the Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as a threat, down to 76.1% from 78% last
year.
The
survey also touched on the public’s attitude to the government’s sweeping
post-coup attempt measures. Some 59.8% said they supported the initial
declaration of a state of emergency, while 48.5% said it should continue to be
extended.
17.
New York Times correspondent denied entry into Turkey
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 19.01.17), veteran New York
Times correspondent Rod Nordland was briefly detained by border officials in
Turkey as he arrived on Jan. 17 at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, before being
forced to take a flight back to London, with no explanation given as to why he
had been refused entry into the country.
There
was no immediate explanation from Turkish officials about the action, the Times
said, adding that this appeared to be the first time a Times correspondent had
been denied entry into Turkey.
An
official of the office of the Turkish presidency was not immediately available
for comment to The Associated Press.
Meanwhile,
lawyer of New York Times in Turkey, Orcun Cetinkaya said police officers who
were on duty at the airport had said Nordland was not permitted to enter the
country due to “national security”.
The
executive editor of The New York Times, Dan Baquet, said the incident was
“unlawful” and against to freedom of press.
“The
Turkish government’s action is an affront to freedom of the press and an effort
to keep the world from having access to independent reporting from
Turkey.
Rod is a veteran correspondent who has done ground-breaking journalism from
around the world. There was no justification for today’s action. The Times
remains committed to covering Turkey fairly, accurately and fully”, Baquet said
in a statement.
The
New York Times drew attention to relations between the refusal to permit
Nordland to enter the country and his columns about the outlawed Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK).
A
number of foreign journalists have been denied entry into the country over the
past year.
On
Jan. 2, the newspaper announced that it would withhold the identities of its
reporters in the field in Turkey out of concerns for their safety amid greater
pressure against journalists. The newspaper said it had previously employed
similar measures only in Syria and Afghanistan.
------------------------------------
TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/
AM)
