TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
17/17
25.01.17
1.
Akinci: “It is not possible for us to accept zero troops, zero guarantees”
2.
Kurtulmus reiterated that Turkey will not abandon its rights as a guarantor
power in Cyprus
3.
Ozgurgun alleges that the Cyprus negotiations should end and that submitting a
map was a strategic mistake
4.
The so-called Turkish ambassador replied to Tsipras: “He was a baby when the
events happened”
5.
Erhurman evaluated the recent developments on the Cyprus
negotiations
6.
Kanatli said that the truths were not said to the community regarding the
“agreement” on energy
7.
TKP-YG becomes politically active
8.
The breakaway regime is participating in various tourism
fairs
9.
Turkey’s EU Minister: Freezing Turkey's EU accession negotiations strikes
against European values
10.
Commentary: “A big problem in the Turkish referendum”
1.
Akinci: “It is not possible for us to accept zero troops, zero
guarantees”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (25.01.17) reports that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci has alleged that the EU has not a mechanism which could
provide a guarantee in the sense of protecting the security and the
constitutional status which the Turkish Cypriots want. In statements to
Turkish NTV during his visit to Turkey, Akinci argued: “During the technical
works which lasted for two days at Mont Pelerin it has very clearly come out
that guarantees within the framework of the EU could not be provided in the
sense of the guarantee and the protection of the constitutional status which the
Turkish Cypriots want”.
Noting
that the issue of protecting the security and the constitutional status has come
forward in the negotiations, Akinci said that these issues should have been
discussed and this was achieved. He added: “We submitted one of the models to
the Greek Cypriot side. We could not move forward because we did not see the
necessary opening. […] Let’s say that what we had experienced in 1963 happened
again. The 1963 constitution was giving us some rights. These rights were
usurped. Since 1963 the Greek Cypriots have been the sole owner of the entire
state. Therefore, if the federation we establish crackles again because of
the Greek Cypriots’ stance, if they attempt to usurp our rights, we said that
‘as last solution the Turkish Cypriots see that only one power could stop this
course with a decision they will at least have to pass from their own
parliament. And this [last solution] is to benefit from Turkey’s force’.
First they behaved with understanding. Afterwards the Greek Cypriot leader
said that the two separate states rhetoric reminds of confederation. […]”
Recalling
that there was no separate Turkish Cypriot police force in the past, Akinci
noted that now the Turkish Cypriots will have separate police, separate
government and separate courts. He further said that the Turkish Cypriots will
provide their own internal security and added that the federal police force will
be composed of an equal number of Turkish and Greek Cypriots. “This has been
decided”, he said and added: “However, if the constitutional status is put in
danger, we should be able to give Turkey the right to interfere within the
framework of our founding state. If we are in danger we should invite it.
They are currently referring to zero army zero guarantees. It is not possible
for us to accept this. During the technical works which lasted for two days
at Mont Pelerin, it has very clearly come out that the guarantees in the sense
of the guarantee and the protection of the constitutional status, which the
Turkish Cypriots want, could not be provided within the framework of the EU. The
EU has no such mechanism. […]”
Alleging
that the Greek Cypriots have demands varying from being very excessive to less
excessive, Akinci argued that the Greek Cypriots want the withdrawal of all
troops before the solution and refer to zero troops within some years. He added:
“In any case, 40 thousand troops are not needed. It is obvious that in case
of a solution, this number will be decreased. In 1960, agreement was reached for
650 Turkish and 950 Greek soldiers. Mr Erdogan has also referred to a similar
number. The number is not such a big issue. It is enough to agree on their
existence. If there is a demand for zero troops zero guarantees you cannot
discuss this. This is not something which the Turkish Cypriots could accept in a
referendum. It will not be approved in a referendum. Around 80% of the
Turkish Cypriots want Turkey’s guarantees. We want the security of the one side,
but we do not wish this to be perceived as threat for the other side. Turkey is
also seeing this positively”.
Referring
to the issue of the map, Akici argued: “The map is one of the sensitive
issues, like the issue of security and guarantees. This is why it is left for
the end. The first four chapters were the governance and power sharing, the
economy, the EU and the property. These are also important issues. The
territory and the guarantees, however, are the most sensitive issues. Yes,
we have come to the end. Now, as it is provided for in the 11 February 214
agreement, all chapters are being discussed together interdependently. 8-10
issues in these chapters could go together in parallel to a result. The Greek
Cypriots have submitted a map, which not only I but no one could have accepted.
Of course they have excessive demands. It is true that there is a difference
of 1%, but the two maps are very different from each other. An agreement could
be found at a point close to the basis which we are providing for. Their map
is not realistic. […]”
Alleging
that in order for a solution to be achieved the stance of the Greek Cypriot side
on the power sharing should be positive, Akinci claimed: “The rotating
presidency is one of our sine qua non. Mustafa Akinci will not submit to a
referendum a plan which does not include the rotating presidency. [There
will be] effective participation in the decisions, [in] how the decisions will
be taken at the Council of Ministers, there will be various councils, the number
will be equal in some of them, in some other it will be less. They perceive this
as veto, but we perceive it as participation. In the past the Vice President had
the right of veto on defense, foreign policy and security issues. The content
of the rotating presidency is not empty. It will be valid in case the Greek
Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot Ministers take decisions together on these three
issues. For the first time we have imposed the 7 to 4 in the Council of
Ministers, 7 Greek Cypriots and 4 Turkish Cypriots. […]”
Asked
whether this will be the last chance for finding a solution in Cyprus, Akinci
reiterated the view that this is the last chance of his generation. “I think
that this is the last chance of uniting the island under a federal roof”, he
argued.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Kurtulmus reiterated that Turkey will not abandon its rights as a guarantor
power in Cyprus
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 25.01.17), the Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister Numan Kurtulmus has said that it is out of the question for Turkey to
abandon its rights as a guarantor power in Cyprus.
Speaking
to Turkish state television TRT Haber, the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister said
that a successful conclusion of the talks in Cyprus will be for the benefit of
both sides on the island. He, however, added that this did not mean that
Turkey will be making concessions in order to achieve a settlement on the
island. “The public should be careful as there are claims circulating around
which do not reflect the truth. Turkey does not enter discussion or bargaining
on issues where agreement is not reached, particularly on the issue of
territory”, he argued.
Kurtulmus
also pointed out that it is out of the question for Turkey, under the current
conditions, to abandon its rights as a guarantor power in
Cyprus.
He
added that the map presented by the Greek Cypriot side in Geneva was also
unacceptable for the Turkish side.
3.
Ozgurgun alleges that the Cyprus negotiations should end and that submitting
a map was a strategic mistake
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (25.01.17) reports that Huseyin
Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that the Cyprus negotiations should
end as long the Greek Cypriot side does not change its stance by making a very
explicit statement. In statements to a television program, Ozgurgun
described the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side submitted a map on the
territory issue as “a strategic mistake from the negotiating tactics point of
view”. “What will the Turkish Cypriot side be negotiating from now on?” he
wondered arguing that the Turkish Cypriot side discussed everything and
submitted a map.
He
said that during the Geneva negotiations from 9 to 12 January 2017 their
briefing on the developments was made with delay and there was a crisis on the
map issue, which they consider to be of vital importance. He noted that before
the map to be submitted they had asked for a meeting with Akinci, but this could
not happen. According to Ozgurgun, Akinci invited them after the map had been
submitted, but he did not go wondering what he would discuss since the map had
been already submitted.
Ozgurgun
alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side can demand nothing from now on because it
has submitted the map
and claimed: “Only the security and guarantees were left for the Greek Cypriot
side to ask. Anyway it goes over the security and guarantees. Because it has
taken the map. We had warned that strategic mistakes should not have been
committed there. […] Because the territory, the security and the guarantees
should have been evaluated together”.
Noting
that he was not briefed yet on the map submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side in
Geneva, Ozgurgun alleged: “Imagine a prime minister, who has a country a part of
the land of which will be given to another land. However, he does not know this.
This is really a very sad situation for us”.
Ozgurgun
argued that the percentage of 29+% submitted by the late Turkish Cypriot leader
Rauf Denktas did not include discussion of the security and the guarantees, that
44 thousand Greek Cypriots were not coming to live in places other than those to
be returned and there was no cross voting and a structure going towards a
unitary state.
According
to Ozgurgun’s claims, a “border adjustment” could be made but no one should be
displaced. He alleged: “This could be made in the vacant territories. There
is a buffer zone of 3,5%. The British have in any case said that they will
abandon 1,5% from their bases. With the remaining border adjustment, a solution
could easily be reached by which no one will be moved from its place.
However, a will should exist. An adjustment will be made by which no one will
be displaced, just like this was very well explained by Mr President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan. ‘We will give Varosha and in return we will take a connection to
Kokkina’, he said. It is very reasonable and right”.
Arguing
that he heard nothing from Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci on this statement made
by Erdogan, Ozgrugun claimed: “Has president Akinci said that this is the map we
have submitted or he submitted another map? If a map other than what the
President of Turkey has said was given, it means that a serious problem with
Turkey comes up”.
Furthermore,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.01.17) reports that Ozgurgun
alleged: “We have a serious problem. Fortunately the negotiations stopped. If
they continued we would be ruined”.
He
claimed that going to Geneva again is meaningless now and wondered why the sides
will go to Geneva.
He alleged that during their recent visit to Geneva he was invited as party
leader by Akinci, but he went as “prime minister” and was received according to
this protocol in Switzerland. He claimed: “If they recognize me, is another
issue. I went there as the prime minister of the country and we were received as
such in Switzerland. Both the protocol and the practice was a practice
implemented for prime ministers. […]”
(I/Ts.)
4.
The so-called Turkish ambassador replied to Tsipras: “He was a baby when the
events happened”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (24.01.17) reports that the so-called Turkish
ambassador to Nicosia Derya Kanbay, who according to the paper, rarely makes
statements on the Cyprus problem, replied to a recent statement of the Greek
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Kanbay
made these statements during a meeting he held with the “society of martyrs
families and disabled war veterans”.
“The
description of the Cyprus issue as ‘the occupation of the island by Turkey’,
made by the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is very interesting; because for
sure he was not born in those years. Perhaps he was a little
baby.
He does not remember that a murderer that came here from his country 50 years
ago was committing crimes in the island since the 1950s”, he alleged.
(CS)
5.
Erhurman evaluated the recent developments on the Cyprus
negotiations
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (25.01.17) reports that Tufan Erhurman, the
chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) evaluated the recent developments
on the Cyprus problem, referring to the maps proposed as well as the issue of
guarantees, speaking during a meeting of his party at occupied Dikomo
village.
Erhurman
stated that the map submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side was a map of 29.2% and
because it was the first map submitted by this side is within the lines of
interest of the Turkish Cypriot side. The same applies for the 28,2% map
submitted by the Greek Cypriot side he said and reminded that according to the
Annan Plan, the territory of the Turkish Cypriot founding state was 28,7%.
According to Erhurman, there will be bargaining regarding the maps.
Referring
to the issue of guarantees, he stated that his party takes into consideration a
recent survey according to which the Turkish Cypriots do not feel safe without
Turkish guarantees and added that his party suggests the adoption of a model
that will respect the sensitivities of both the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots
on the issue.
He
added that CTP works towards finding a solution and that the party’s delegation
who went to Geneva held contacts with both AKEL and DISY.
(CS)
6.
Kanatli said that the truths were not said to the community regarding the
“agreement” on energy
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.01.17) reports that Murat Kanatli, member
of the executive committee of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), referring to
the “agreement” signed between Turkey and the “TRNC” (translator’s note: the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) on
energy, argued that the truths were not told to the community and
added that this “agreement” includes serious threats.
In
a written statement, Kanatli said that “there should be a worry that an
agreement, which includes the exploration of oil and natural gas sources, was
ratified by the parliament with the votes of CTP-UBP-DP (Republican Turkish
Party – National Unity Party – Democratic Party), in a period that important
developments occur on the Cyprus problem and that new searches for natural gas
will be carried out in spring”. He added: “We do need new tension on the Cyprus
problem. For this reason, we do not take lightly the issue like the exploration
of oil and natural gas. In the near future, we emphasize that the leadership of
CTP-UBP-DP will be considered responsible for the tension that will be caused
due to this agreement”.
Kanatli
further said that the electrical power-plants in the occupied area of Cyprus
will be closed down due to the supply of electricity with cable from Turkey and,
in addition, the agreement will cause tension in the region.
(DPs)
7.
TKP-YG becomes politically active
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 24.01.17), the Communal Liberation
Party-New Forces (TKP-YG) has officially become active as a political party
after receiving its certificate of registration from the “ministry of
interior”.
Speaking
to reporters, the chairman of the party’s founding committee Mehmet Cakici said
that the TKP name had a deep rooted history and tradition in “TRNC” politics. He
said that the newly formed TKP-YG will continue this
legacy.
Cakici
also explained that they had not been able to register the name TKP as the
Turkish Communist Party in Turkey and had to change its name to the Communal
Liberation Party. “This is why the party has been named the Communal Liberation
Party-New Forces”, he added.
Cakıcı
added that Sonay Adem, Ali Gulle and İbrahim Korhan who had resigned from the
main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) had joined the ranks of the
TKP-YG.
8.
The breakaway regime is participating in various tourism
fairs
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (25.01.17) reports that the self-styled minister
of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu is going to Istanbul in order to
participate in the East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel
Exhibition-EMITT 2017 which kicks off tomorrow.
Ataoglu
made this statement while participating in the “12th academic tourism
research workshop”, organized by the “international final university” and the
“Anatolia tourism academy”.
EMITT
which is one of the top five tourism and travel exhibitions in the world will
continue until the 29th of January. With participants from over 80 countries
this year, EMITT aims to offer new business and partnership opportunities for
firms who want to operate in the region.
“Sector
representatives from the Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agencies Association
(KITSAB), the North Cyprus Hoteliers Association (KITOB), the Cyprus Turkish
Tour Guides Association (KITREB) and the North Cyprus Health Tourism Council
will be taking part in the 4 day fair”, writes the paper.
In
addition, Demokrat Bakis newspaper (25.01.17) under the title “The TRNC was
introduced to five different countries”, writes that the breakaway regime has
participated in five tourism fairs since the beginning of 2017.
According
to information by the “ministry of tourism and environment”, it participated in
the Vakantiebeurs Tourism and Recreation Fair in Holland, and in Ferrien Messe
Wien in Austria. In addition, it participated in MATKS 2017 which took place in
Finland between 19-22 of January, in a tourism fair in Stuttgart, Germany,
between 14-22 of January and in “The Holiday and Travel show”, in Manchester, UK
between 19-22 of January.
(CS)
9.
Turkey’s EU Minister: Freezing Turkey's EU accession negotiations strikes
against European values
Turkish
daily Sabah newspaper (online, 25.01.17) reports that Turkey's EU Minister
and Chief Negotiator Omer Celik has once more slammed the European Parliament
over its decision to suspend Turkey's accession negotiations and stressed that
"proposing to freeze Turkey's negotiations during such times is striking against
European values".
Speaking
during a joint press conference in Ankara Tuesday following a one-on-one meeting
with the U.K.'s Minister of State at the Department of International Trade, Lord
Price, Minister Celik praised the Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn
Jagland as "a good statesman" and dismissed claims of Turkey being put under a
monitoring process, describing them as "baseless".
Meanwhile,
with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently
rejecting a demand for an urgent session on the latest developments in Turkey,
Celik stated that Turkey deserves applause from its European allies for its
performance in defending its democracy against the July 15 failed coup attempt
conducted by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).
Reminding
members of the media that Europe will hold a number of elections in the coming
months, Celik stated that these elections are to redefine Europe's political
map.
He
also affirmed that "even if Turkey does not become a European Union member, it
will remain one of Europe's strongest historically, and has been a European
democracy for 100 years."
10.
Commentary: “A big problem in the Turkish referendum”
Columnist
Murat Yetkin, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.01.17),
publishes the following commentary on the upcoming referendum in Turkey on
constitutional changes worrying that the referendum will further deepen the
dangerous polarization in Turkey:
“Main
opposition social democratic Republican People’s Party (CHP) head Kemal
Kilicdaroglu on Jan. 24 paid a visit to the monument in memory of journalist
Ugur Mumcu on the 24th anniversary of the latter’s assassination.
(…)
After
paying silent homage together with Mumcu’s family members, laying red carnations
and placing candles, Kilicdaroglu was about to get into his car when a reporter
asked him to comment on a remark delivered earlier by government spokesman and
Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus.
‘Suicide
bombings and assassinations may continue’, Kurtulmus had told state-run Anadolu
Agency in an interview
with its editorial board broadcast live by news stations. ‘I believe the
referendum process is a motivator for [terror organizations]. They [believe that
they] can create an atmosphere of fear in Turkey by using terrorist
organizations to block the ‘yes’ vote in the referendum … We are taking all
kinds of measures against [terrorism], and after a big ‘yes’ vote in the
referendum, the voice of terror will be cut off.’
He
was talking about the referendum due to be held in Turkey in approximately two
months on whether to shift to an executive presidential system. The referendum
follows fierce debates in Parliament.
When
asked about Kurtulmus’ remarks, Kilicdaroglu turned around and said the
following: “[His words] effectively mean ‘we are feeding terror, we overlook
terrorist organizations and people are getting slaughtered. But if you choose us
and help bring about a presidential regime, a one-man regime, terrorism will
stop. That is a very unfortunate confession. I am sad and embarrassed to hear
such a comment.”
In
response, Kurtulmus stated via his Twitter account that it was ‘a pity that
the opposition leader has misunderstood what I said, removed it from its
context, and made an unfortunate comment on it’.
The
CHP head has long claimed that the proposed shift to an executive presidency
could turn into a ‘one-man rule’ under President Tayyip Erdogan.
The
ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) managed to get its amendment
package passed through Parliament to a referendum with the help of the
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
Recently
figures from the AKP, from Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım to lower ranking
members, have started to adopt rhetoric implying that the CHP and the Kurdish
problem-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (PYD) are united together in the ‘No’
front, despite CHP statements.
Both
the AKP and the MHP denounce the HDP as the ‘legal extension’ of the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which for three decades has carried out
terrorist attacks killing thousands of people in Turkey.
The
CHP fears that such rhetoric feeds into subliminal messages to voters that
whoever votes against the presidential system is voting on the same side as
terror. Indeed, this language may well become more explicit during the upcoming
referendum campaign.
The
government should refrain from this kind of strategy, which has the potential to
side-line up to half of the population thinking of voting ‘No’ as ‘terrorists’
or ‘terrorist helpers’, further deepening the dangerous polarization in
Turkey.”
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AM)
