TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 114/17 16.06.17
1. Akıncı met with Eide2. Ozgurgun: The Cyprus problem has ended but it keeps being placed before us
3. Ozgurgun protected his “cabinet” regarding the bribery allegations for the contract of the occupied airport of Tymbou
4. Erhurman called the “police” to take action regarding the bribery allegations about the occupied airport of Tymbou
5. “Ninety-eight more TRNC citizenships” were illegally granted by the occupation regime
6. Incentives to 38 investment projects were given in 2016
7. Akinci is worried about the increasing number of “universities”
8. Four persons facing charges of being “members of the PKK” were arrested in Antalya
9. Yildirim to visit Greece on Monday, the Cyprus talks are in the agenda
10. Turkey summons US Αmbassador over arrest warrants
11. Main opposition CHP leader sets out on 450 km march for ‘justice’
12. MHP strongly slams main opposition CHP for holding march
13. Turkish business group TUSİAD raises concerns over freedoms
14. Turkish FM to meet Saudi Κing for talks over Qatar crisis
15. Turkey against embargoes on Cuba
16. Turkish energy watchdog gives 49-year power generation license to Akkuyu nuclear company
1. Akıncı met with Eide
Illegal Bayrak television (16.06.17) broadcast that the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide re-launched his shuttle diplomacy between the two side’s yesterday in a bid to forge a common document to guide the discussions on security and guarantees, based on the outcome of the meetings of the conference on Cyprus taking place in Geneva in January this year and at the meetings in Mont Pèlerin earlier.Eide who met with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı, he was back on the island for the first time since the June 4 meeting in New York between the leaders and UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Speaking to the media following the meeting the UN Special Envoy said that he had been in constant contact with almost all the participants in addition to the two sides, of course with Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and the European Union as an observer, since the two leaders met with the Secretary General in New York.
“There is a serious determination to make this as successful as possible; it’s 13 days to go… it will start on Wednesday the 28th of June; it will go on for the time it takes – we’re planning for a few weeks, but that of course depends on developments, and it has to be well prepared” he said, adding that all issues will be on the table; all issues will be discussed interdependently in Geneva.
“But there is of course one chapter which requires particular emphasis now, simply because of the two reasons you all know: one is that it has been less discussed than the other chapters, and the other is because it pertains to all the participants, and that’s why we need to also come well-prepared there” he said.
Eide also brought clarity to the ongoing work to draft a common guideline for the talks in Geneva. “We are now well underway in [developing] a document, which has been discussed a lot in the media here, and I want to say a few words about that. This document will be based on the inputs that we already got in the last Mont Pèlerin meeting – from all sides – on security and guarantees, but it will also be based on the inputs we’re getting now, including right now, in this meeting, and tomorrow, with Mr. Anastasiades, and in the conversations I’ve been having with the guarantor countries and also with the EU” he said.
The UN Special Advisor however pointed out that the document was nothing more than a guideline. “It will be a compilation of positions that they have, ideas that they have, which we will try to structure and make into something that can be the basis for discussions, but it’s not proposing [a] UN proposal; you will not find the settlement to the Cyprus problem in that document, because we’re not going to do the negotiations before the negotiations start – that would be impossible, and both sides have been very clear in saying that they don’t want that. They want a negotiation to take part in, in Geneva, but in order not to go into an empty room and say ‘where should we start?’, we’re trying to help interacting with them to find out where we start and how we develop the argument” he added.
Eide also warned that the talks in Geneva will not be easy and that there is expectation from all the sides concerned for vision, determination, will and leadership.
2. Ozgurgun: The Cyprus problem has ended but it keeps being placed before us
Illegal Bayrak television (15.06.17) broadcast that the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun who alleged that the Greek Cypriot side wanted to dominate the whole island, claimed: “It is our duty to claim these lands both for us and for future generations.” He evaluated the Cyprus issue during an event he attended yesterday.“The Cyprus problem has not ended yet. It keeps being placed before us. Actually, it has ended but it keeps being placed before us and it will continue to do so because the Greek Cypriot side’s demands have not ended. The Greek Cypriot side wants to dominate the whole island. It should be our duty to claim these lands both for us and for future generations” he alleged.
“A new summit is to take place in Geneva. However, there is nothing agreed but there is an attempt to create an atmosphere that the Cyprus issue will be solved. In fact, the Greek Cypriot side took a decision on Enosis (union with Greece) just a month ago and said that it will continue to mark the day. This openly shows their main intention”, he alleged.
Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side should stand firm and strong, he said: “We should solve all our domestic problems and stand strong and solid on the Cyprus problem”.
“This issue which I see and believe has ended is brought to the table for the sake of someone. The United Nations is benefiting from this. The UN has 2 thousand soldiers stationed on the island who are on a payroll. Tens of UN bureaucrats are also earning money. What I understand is that the UN does not want these people to lose their jobs. However, there is nothing left to be discussed, it is either yes or no” he alleged.
Ozgurgun said that he will be going to Geneva.
3. Ozgurgun protected his “cabinet” regarding the bribery allegations for the contract of the occupied airport of Tymbou
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.06.17) reports that the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, who remained silent regarding the allegations of bribery for the “contract” of the occupied airport of Tymbou, issued an announcement yesterday and protected Tahsin Ertugruloglu, self-styled minister of foreign affairs.Ozgurgun argued that he, as “prime minister”, has confidence in his “prime ministry” and he guarantees indisputably the “members of his cabinet”. He also added that he is responsible for the actions of his “appointed ministers” and he is also aware of their “authorities”. He also made a call on Emrullah Turanli by saying that he should know his place.
In the announcement, Ozgurgun argued that within the 14 months that he is “prime minister”, they are trying to serve their “people”, claiming that their powers are political institutions, which have been equipped with duties given in consignment of the “people” in order to serve this “country” in a given period. He further argued that it is natural and unavoidable to be appreciated for their actions as well as to be criticized.
(DPs)
4. Erhurman called the “police” to take action regarding the bribery allegations about the occupied airport of Tymbou
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.06.17) reports that the leader of the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhurman said that the “police” should immediately take action responding to the “bribery allegations” which were published in the media for the occupied airport of Tymbou. He added that it is not possible these allegations to be suppressed.Speaking to the paper, Erhurman, who is also the “chairman of the parliamentary investigation committee”, said: “The committee completed its works regarding the Ercan airport (occupied airport of Tymbou) and passed to the next stage for writing a report. The committee aims to finish the report before the assembly stands prorogued for the summer holidays. The results that have reached to the committee until today, have revealed that many of the processes that were proceeded were unlawful and against the public. However, I do not approve to make any more detailed statement on this issue before the report is written and be submitted to the assembly”.
(DPs)
5. “Ninety-eight more TRNC citizenships” were illegally granted by the occupation regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (16.06.17) under the title: “98 more citizenships”, reports that the “council of ministers” of the UBP-DP “coalition government”, “decided” to “grant the TRNC citizenship” to 98 more persons, according to the “article 9, paragraph (1), clause (c) of the citizenship law No. 25/1993” in meetings on May 23 and May 30, 2017.The names of those who “obtained” the “TRNC citizenship” were published in the “official gazette” with date June 9-13-14, 2017 and are all published in the paper.
(AK)
6. Incentives to 38 investment projects were given in 2016
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.06.17) reports that the so-called state planning organization (“DPO”) has announced that incentives to 38 investment projects were given in 2016 in the fields of industry, tourism and student campuses and that with the completion of the projects a fixed capital investment of one billion 107 million 189 thousand 161 Turkish liras will be materialized.According to a statement issued yesterday, 19 of the projects concern the field of student campuses, 11 the filed of industry, 7 the field of tourism and one the health sector.
(I/Ts.)
7. Akinci is worried about the increasing number of “universities”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.06.17) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has said that his concern on the issue of the “universities” in the occupied area of Cyprus is the decrease of their quality. “The increase of the number might not always mean that the result will be good, quality is very important”, he noted in statements yesterday during a meeting with the so-called mayor of occupied Trikomo Hasan Sadikoglu who briefed him on the developments on the issue of the operation of a new “university” in their area [by the “Near East University” (“DAU”)].Akinci expressed the view that “DAU” is a successful “university” and wished success to the initiative which it might undertake in occupied Trikomo. Noting that the “higher education” has been turned into a very important field in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci drew attention to the need of planning in this sector. He said that the number of the “universities” exceeds 30 and half of them are active, while the rest of them are at the stage of preparation. “We have around 93 thousand students. This has been turned into a very important sector. I am in favor of a serious planning in this sector”, he added.
(I/Ts.)
8. Four persons facing charges of being “members of the PKK” were arrested in Antalya
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (16.06.17) reports that according to news reports published in the Turkish press, 4 persons believed to have links with PKK were arrested with fake passports at the Antalya airport, traveling to Antalya via the illegal Tymbou airport.According to the paper, the Antalya Prosecutor Office announced that the persons being arrested face charges for “links to the PKK-KCK terrorist organization”.
(AK)
9. Yildirim to visit Greece on Monday, the Cyprus talks are in the agenda
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (16.06.17) reports that Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will visit Greece on Monday (June 19) upon on invitation by the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.According to the paper, the main agenda of his meetings will be Greek-Turkish relations, the refugee deal with the EU, the Cyprus peace talks ahead of the June 28 Geneva Conference and the extradition of the eight Turkish military officers.
Meanwhile, Yildirim will also visit Thrace on Monday night and attend an iftar meal with Turks of Western Thrace.
(DPs)
10. Turkey summons US Ambassador over arrest warrants
Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.05.17) reports that Turkey summoned the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara, John Bass, to the Foreign Office on Thursday after American authorities issued arrest warrants for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bodyguards, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.Earlier in the day, the U.S. authority had issued arrest warrants for 16 people, including 12 bodyguards of the Turkish President, over an incident in May outside Turkey's Washington embassy when several people were injured during a brawl; Erdogan was on an official visit to the U.S. at the time of the incident.
In the statement, the Foreign Ministry said it summoned the American Ambassador “upon learning that the U.S. authorities have issued arrest warrants for some Turkish citizens and some of the security personnel of our President, due to the incident that took place in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. on May 16th.”
Ankara told the U.S. Ambassador that the decision to issue the warrants was “wrong” and “unacceptable”. “It has been conveyed to the Ambassador that this decision taken by U.S. authorities is wrong, biased and lacks legal basis,” the statement said.
The ministry also told Bass “that the brawl in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence was caused by the failure of local security authorities to take necessary measures; that this incident would not have occurred if the U.S. authorities had taken the usual measures they take in similar high-level visits and, therefore, Turkish citizens cannot be held responsible for the incident that took place.
“The Αmbassador of the United States of America in Ankara has also been informed that the tolerance of the U.S. authorities towards the so-called protesters to approach as close as a few meters to the Turkish residence with flags and symbols of terrorist organization and their assault to innocent citizens, as well as the lack of any action taken against the U.S. security personnel who assaulted the security guards of our Μinister in front of the chancery run counter to any understanding of justice.”
In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.05.17) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the U.S. move to issue arrest warrants for 12 of his bodyguards allegedly linked with a brawl outside the Turkish embassy in Washington.
"They have issued arrest warrants for 12 of my bodyguards. What kind of law is this? If my bodyguards cannot protect me then why am I bringing them to America with me?" Erdogan said.
11. Main opposition CHP leader sets out on 450 km march for ‘justice’
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (16.06.17) reports that the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu commenced a 450 km march from Ankara to Istanbul on June 15 in protest at the detention of CHP Deputy Enis Berberoglu, while the party has started protests in all 81 provinces of Turkey.“We do not want any journalists or any lawmakers to be in jail in our country,” Kılıcdaroglu said at Ankara’s central Guvenpark as he set out to walk to Istanbul in protest at the imprisonment of Berberoglu.
“We are facing a dictatorial [regime]. We don’t want to live in a country where there is no justice. We are saying enough is enough. That’s why we are starting our march. If there is a price to be paid, I will pay it,” he added, holding a banner bearing the word “justice.”
The protest decision was taken after CHP Istanbul Deputy Berberoglu was sentenced 25 years in prison on June 14 for “leaking state secrets” in the case into weapons-loaded Syria-bound trucks of the National Intelligence Agency (MİT), prompting a storm of reaction from the CHP.
Kılıcdaroglu is set to march over 24 days to Istanbul, a distance of around 450 km, to the city’s Maltepe Prison where Berberoglu was taken. He will walk during the days and stop at locations on the way.
“This is a holy march. Justice, justice and justice. This march is not about a political party, it is about justice,” Kılıcdaroglu said on arrival at his starting point, Guvenpark, where thousands had gathered in support of the protest.
Amid thousands of supporters, Kılıcdaroglu was escorted by his family, CHP lawmakers and CHP members on the first day.
After around 20 km of walking he stopped at Batıkent, the suburban district of Ankara, to spend the night.
“There is no democracy in Turkey. But our march is a festival. Actually we are looking for justice and we are not worried,” the CHP leader said.
Following Kılıcdaroglu’s statement, police in Ankara began taking measures at the entrance of the park in order to frisk participants. Many roads were closed to traffic by police and riot police teams were deployed around the park.
The Ankara Governor’s Office stated that only a “reasonable number” of participants will be allowed to attend the walk within the city in order to guarantee traffic order and the security of the participants. Those who will continue to walk after leaving the city limits will have to wear a special arm-band or vests, it added.
Along with Kılıcdaroglu’s march, CHP district organizations in Turkey’s 81 provinces are also organizing protests under the simple slogan “Justice.” In many cities people gathered and marched in support of the walk from Ankara to Istanbul.
As Kılıcdaroglu will be on the march on June 20, a Tuesday, when parliamentary group meetings are held every week, CHP Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Ozgur Ozel said the party would hold the weekly meeting “wherever Kılıcdaroglu is.”
“Our leader will preside over the group meeting on the way, no matter what kilometer of the road he is on on Tuesday,” Ozel said.
He added that the main opposition party’s judicial work will be conducted by 24 lawmakers at parliament.
12. MHP strongly slams main opposition CHP for holding march
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (16.06.17) reports that the head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has strongly criticized the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for holding a march from Ankara to Istanbul after a lawmaker’s arrest, saying the party would be responsible if its members come face to face with counter-groups on the road.“I address the CHP,” MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said in a series of tweets on June 15 over the CHP’s street action following the arrest of Deputy Enis Berberoglu, who was sentenced to 25 years in jail on June 14.
“Pull yourself together. If predictable or non-predictable incidents occur, neither you nor the nation will be able to handle them,” he said.
“I wonder where you will meet if a counter-march starts from Istanbul?” he asked, blaming the party for acting before all judicial avenues are exhausted.
“Justice is not a lost object that you can find on the road or a treasure that you can stumble on. Not being aware of this is ignorance,” he said.
“The CHP says justice but winks at anarchy,” he said, claiming that the party was targeting democracy with the march.
CHP lawmakers left a parliamentary session on June 14 in protest against Berberoglu’s arrest, prompting the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) group deputy chairman Bulent Turan to criticize the main opposition Deputies.
“Leaving the parliament means doing wrong to the people who gave you duties. Leaving here is not an approach that would fit the spirit of a lawmaker. You said ‘yes’ to the lifting of immunities, but now you’re leaving,” Turan said in his speech, referring to the CHP’s backing of a government bid to lift the immunity from prosecution of all lawmakers in May 20, 2016.
Another statement was released from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), from which 11 are under arrest, including its current and former co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, respectively.
“As the HDP, we once again stress that we won’t bow down to the coup process against democratic political space and opposition parties. Those who override justice, who try to continue their ruling by imposing all types of illegality, will be those who need the basis of law and justice the most tomorrow. We condemn the arrest of Berberoglu,” a statement released from the HDP read.
13. Turkish business group TUSİAD raises concerns over freedoms
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (16.06.17) reports that the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSİAD), one of the leading business organizations in the country, has raised concerns about freedoms in the country following the arrest of main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Enis Berberoglu.“Recent probes into an increasing number of academics, politicians, media managers and writers, as well as cases of arrest pending trial and the prohibition of international internet sites, are creating a sense that we are regressing in terms of being a society of freedoms,” it said in a statement on June 15.
“The most effective sources for Turkey’s global strength in the fields of politics and economy are its features of being a democratic state of law and a society of freedoms,” it read.
The group also stated that the trust in justice, which is an “inseparable principle for a modern democracy,” has been damaged.
“In our democratic achievements, we must not go backwards in all areas of freedom, especially freedom of expression, the press and rule of law,” it read.
The country should not only continue its rightful struggle against terrorism and take measures for the security of the people, but it should also secure freedom of thought, press, expression and the right to engage in politics, according to TUSİAD.
“We are living through a period where we need a more attentive approach by our state and judiciary to protect and glorify our democracy and human rights, which are the most important achievements in our history. Security and freedom are not contradictory, but complementary priorities. Acting with such consciousness has a key importance in terms of our democracy values, our national interests and our global competitive power,” it said.
14. Turkish FM to meet Saudi King for talks over Qatar crisis
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (16.06.17) reports that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Mecca on June 16 and meet Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud as part of Turkey’s efforts to calm down the ongoing crisis between Qatar and other Gulf countries.Cavusoglu will share “Turkey’s sincere opinion” regarding the crisis during his visit to Mecca, he said in Kuwait on June 16 after talks in Qatar on June 15.
“Saudi Arabia is really the big brother of the Gulf region, the most important country. Its role for the stability of the region and for peace and security is very important. We attach great importance to our relations with Saudi Arabia and with all the Gulf countries. The stability and security of the region is important to us for our own safety and stability. This is not a slogan, it is reality,” he said.
Elaborating on his talks in Qatar, Cavusoglu said morale within the administration and within the people was fine. “There are some measures imposed against Qatar. They want to learn about the reasons and content of these measures in order to restore them,” he added.
The crisis between Qatar and some Arab countries should be resolved “through peace and dialogue,” Cavusoglu had previously said on June 14.
Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency during a visit to Qatar’s capital, Doha, amid the bitter ongoing diplomatic row in the Gulf region, Cavusoglu said Ankara’s efforts so far and the future steps to be taken were discussed during his meetings with several top Qatari officials.
Accompanied by Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Cavusoglu met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Economy and Trade Minister Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim al-Thani.
“The situation we have been going through during this [holy month of] Ramadan is really undesirable. There is such a crisis between brotherly countries and there are some steps that directly affect people. We must absolutely overcome it. We need to overcome it through peace and dialogue,” he said.
Last week, five Arab countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen – cut off ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.
Qatar, for its part, has denied the accusations, calling the moves to diplomatically isolate it “unjustified.”
Ankara has said that it stands with the tiny Gulf state against the sanctions and has urged Riyadh to take the lead in finding a solution to the crisis.
15. Turkey against embargoes on Cuba
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (16.06.17) reports that Turkey is against embargoes on Cuba and favors dialogue to resolve problems between countries, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said on Thursday.Speaking at a joint news conference with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla in Ankara, Cavusoglu said Turkey had always been against sanctions imposed on the Caribbean state.
“Problems cannot be solved by embargo but dialogue and discussion. We don’t support embargoes against Cuba... we are against embargoes in principle,” he said.
He added that Turkey had welcomed the recent thaw in U.S.-Cuba ties.
“We have supported the reconciliation process. I hope that this process would bring more positive steps and there would be no backward steps,” the Foreign Minister said.
Cavusoglu also mentioned Ankara’s support for peace and stability in the Latin America and the Caribbean.
He said Ankara had been providing financial support and experts to Colombia.
"Apart from solving the problem in Colombia, Turkey continues to contribute towards resolving the dispute in Belize-Guatemala."
He said Ankara will open an office of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Cuba on Rodriguez’s request.
Cavusoglu added Cuba has huge potential to attract Turkish investment. Turkish Aviation Authority (TAV) has applied to operate the Havana airport as some Turkish businessmen plan to build hotels there and invest in the tourism sector, he said.
*Reporting by Nazli Yuzbasioglu and Sultan Cogalan; Writing by Sorwar Alam
