C O N T E N T S
No.176/13 17/09/2013
1. Turkish side has reportedly prepared a plan for opening the occupied fenced Varosha
2. Nami denied the news report that the Turkish side prepared a plan for opening the occupied fenced town of Varosha
3. Eroglu alleges that the Greek Cypriots
should change their education system for being able to have a result in
the Cyprus talks
4. Nami: the “government” is ready to take a more active role in the Cyprus talks
5. Arinc: Syrian helicopter is down by Turkish jets
6. Davutoglu: None could any more dare to violate Turkish borders
7. US, French, British and Turkish MFA met in Paris
8. Gul: UNSC should seriously listen to Turkey
9. Leader of PYD claims Ankara has hand in atrocities of extremists in Syria
10. Pakistani PM: Pakistan has always supported Turkish stance on the Cyprus problem
11. University students who protested Turkish PM face 6 years in jail
1. Turkish side has reportedly prepared a plan for opening the occupied fenced Varosha
Turkish NTV (16.09.13, online) broadcast
that the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus, has prepared a plan as a response to the Greek Cypriot demand
for the return of the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal
owners. According to the 22-page plan obtained by Selim Sayari, NTV’s
correspondent in the occupied part of Nicosia, Varosha will be returned
to its legal Greek Cypriot owners, the city’s local administration will
be bound to occupied Famagusta “municipality” and its security to the
“police” of the breakaway regime.
Within the framework of the plan, the Greek
Cypriots, who possess immovable property in Varosha, will be able to
return to their property after applying to the so-called Immovable
Property Commission established in the occupied area of Cyprus.
NTV argues that the plan is supported by
persons from the government-controlled area of Cyprus. According to NTV,
Konstandinos Lordos, one of the biggest property owners in Varosha, has
stated that they do not care who will control the city and added that
they only want the return of their properties.
It is noted that the Turkish Cypriot leader
Eroglu and former Turkish Cypriot chief negotiator and international law
expert, Kudret Ozersay have entered secretly into Varosha and held a
research there. The plan took its final shape last year, reports NTV.
Diplomatic observers, argues NTV, note that
such a plan might be implemented in case the appropriate conditions are
formed. The plan has allegedly the characteristic of being able to be
implemented in accordance to the international law without the need of
acquiring the consent of the Greek Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
2. Nami denied the news report that the Turkish side prepared a plan for opening the occupied fenced town of Varosha
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 17.09.13), self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami
denied the news report that the Turkish side prepared a plan for opening
the occupied fenced town of Varosha. He announced that as far as he
knows, a plan or a proposal prepared by the occupation regime regarding
the opening of Varosha does not exist.
Nami said that they do not have any thought
or any official prepared plan as the opening of Varosha to its legal
owners under Turkish control.
He reiterated that the Turkish side is making an effort to reach a comprehensive solution.
Noting that they should work in a serious
and discipline way regarding the negotiation, Nami said that in order to
reach this target and to have a speedy completion of the process, they
should focus on the issues that have remained and to adopt the
convergences reached until today.
3. Eroglu alleges that the Greek Cypriots should change their education system for being able to have a result in the Cyprus talks
Under the title “Eroglu: the time for a
solution in Cyprus has come”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris
newspaper (17.09.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis
Eroglu has said that the time for the solution in Cyprus has come, but
the Greek Cypriot side is allegedly unwilling on this issue. In
statements yesterday to a TV station, Eroglu argued that the
negotiations should not be prolonged.
Eroglu alleged that the Church of Cyprus and
the Greek Cypriot leaders have an influence in the “Greek Cypriot
people’s sharp views” and claimed the following: “They must change their
education system. It could be reached nowhere as long as the Greek
Cypriot leaders do not change their statements saying ‘we will return to
the pre-1974 period, everybody will go to his house, his property’”.
Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot leader
must tell the truth to their people and reiterated the Turkish view
that two peoples exist in Cyprus, adding that the Turkish and Greek
Cypriots can live side by side in peace.
Eroglu said that he had told former
President Christofias as well that if the negotiations are prolonged,
the people who expect an agreement to be reached will be disappointed.
“The number of the people who believe in an agreement decreases as long
as the negotiations are prolonged”, he argued.
Claiming that a “new state will be
established in Cyprus”, Eroglu alleged that we could reach nowhere only
by using expressions such as “bi-zonal federal solution based on
political equality” and added that the content of this solution should
be determined.
Arguing that in his recent statements
President Anastasiades said that he wants the involvement of Turkey and
the EU in the negotiations, Eroglu alleged: “I think that the reason for
which Anastasiades used Downer as mediator on the issue of Varosha and
for conveying his views to Davutoglu and sees Turkey as interlocutor, is
to give the message to the world that the reason of the non-agreement
in Cyprus is Turkey. I am his interlocutor”.
Referring to the breakaway regime’s
relations with Turkey and the economic “protocol”, Eroglu said that when
economic protocols are signed, they should be signed and implemented
knowing that “we live in the TRNC”. “Steps taken in Turkey cause other
results and steps taken here cause other results”, he noted. He said
that the relations with Turkey should continue in a sincere manner and
the cooperation protocols should be prepared taking into consideration
the conditions of the “country”.
Replying to a question, Eroglu said he does
not think that there is any problem in his relations with Turkey, but
“unfortunately messages which are not complying with reality are going
to Ankara from here”. He noted that even when two rallies had been
organized in the occupied part of Nicosia in 2011, some circles said
that they had been organized by Eroglu. “I have no quarrel with Ankara”,
he said adding that he has absolutely no problem with Turkey and the
ruling AK Party.
(I/Ts.)
4. Nami: the “government” is ready to take a more active role in the Cyprus talks
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 16.09.13), self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami, speaking on
BRT’s morning news programme on Monday, said that there is full harmony
with Turkey on the Cyprus problem. Nami, who met with the Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu last week, said that Turkey shared the
view that the issue of Varosha could only be taken up as part of a
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
Noting that they had reached full agreement
over resuming the Cyprus negotiations process to reach a settlement by
the first half of 2014, Nami said “they have promised to give us all the
support we need”.
Pointing out that he had met with the UN
Special Advisor Alexander Downer on the issue of Varosha for two hours,
Nami said that he was not surprised with the responses he got from the
UN Special Envoy to his questions on Varosha.
He said that the reason why Varosha had not
been returned was because the Greek Cypriot side had rejected the 2004
Annan Plan and added: “If there is still no progress on the issue of
Varosha it is because the Greek Cypriot side is refraining from
returning to the negotiating table at the leaders’ level”.
Pointing out that it was possible to reach a
settlement in Cyprus by the end of the first half of next year, Nami
said that there was more progress achieved in the talks than ever and
that the Greek Cypriot side needed to respect convergences reached to
this day.
Nami also said that the “government” was
ready to take on a more active role in the talks and to assist the
Turkish Cypriot leader in any way possible.
5. Arinc: Syrian helicopter is down by Turkish jets
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.09.13), Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc stated on Monday
that a Syrian helicopter was crashed by Turkish fighter jets at 14:25
along Turkish-Syrian border.
Speaking in a press conference after the
Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan in Ankara, Arinc said a PI 17 helicopter at 14:20 on Monday
committed a 2 km border violation into Turkish Hatay province's
Yayaladagi Guvecci region along border with Syria.
"Though being warned continuously by air
defence elements for many times, the violation continued and our
airplanes taking off from Malatya airport hit the helicopter with
missiles which then crashed in the Syrian side," Arinc said. "Till now,
we have not received any information on its crew because it crashed into
the Syrian side."
Reminding that Turkey's air surveillance
flies on the basis of 24 hours, Arinc noted Turkey's rules of engagement
changed and a new practice was executed after being continuously
attacked and disturbed thereby in especially Akcakale and Viransehir
regions.
6. Davutoglu: None could any more dare to violate Turkish borders
Under the title “Turkey conducted ‘punitive
action’ by shooting Syrian helicopter, Turkish FM says”, Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 16.09.13) reported that Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that Turkey conducted a “punitive
action” by downing a Syrian helicopter, justifiable in terms of
international justice and rules of engagement as the helicopter violated
Turkish air space despite warnings.
Davutoglu stressed that Turkey would not
accept any violation of its borders. "As it was before, we are decisive
about protecting our borders and citizens to the end ... The necessary
information [about the incident] will be handed to NATO, the United
Nations Security Council, and the U.N. General Secretary," he said.
"Nobody will dare to violate Turkey's borders again. The necessary measures have been taken," the Foreign Minister added.
7. US, French, British and Turkish MFA met in Paris
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.09.13), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, holding a press
conference at the Turkish Embassy in Paris after his talks with US,
British, French, Qatari and Saudi Arabian top diplomats to discuss the
chemical weapons agreement on Syria and a related French-drafted UN
resolution, stated that he was in touch with his counterparts regarding
the latest developments on international efforts towards a solution to
the Syrian crisis.
Turkish top diplomat said they agreed on
taking the next steps as well as the continuing P3+1 format on technical
and political levels, referring to their consultations on holding a
core and general assembly meeting of the Friends of Syria Group in New
York.
"All of the P3 countries are our allies as
NATO members. I welcome their proposal to hold a meeting with us in the
P3+1 format as a positive step. As Turkey is the country that could
directly contribute to the peace and the incidents in Syria as
neighbouring country to Syria and a NATO member," noted Davutoglu.
Davutoglu stressed that the UN final report
on chemical weapons use in Syria's Damascus on August 21 confirmed that
sarin gas was used.
"The sarin gas, considering its
sophisticated form and its composition cannot be produced
unprofessionally by the Syrian opposition in a workshop or a house, as
claimed by some," he argued.
He also highlighted that the report provided
evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent
sarin were used in August 21 attack, "which could only be mounted via
means in the hands of the Syrian regime forces."
Davutoglu argued that a process of
elimination Syria's chemical weapons arsenal that could take months
would be abused by the Assad regime.
8. Gul: UNSC should seriously listen to Turkey
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.09.13), as the UN Security Council (UNSC) prepares to draft a
resolution for the Syrian deal, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on
Monday that the Council should seriously listen to Turkey.
“It is said that there is about one ton of
chemical weapons in Syria. We will be the happiest one when the chemical
weapons are completely wiped out. So we support [the plan],” Gul told
press members in Ankara.
Under a plan brokered by Russia and the US,
Syria agreed to disclose its full chemical arms arsenal within a week
and eliminate it by mid-2014.
The UN Security Council is expected to draft a resolution for the Syrian deal in the coming days.
"The Council should seriously listen to
Turkey since it was the one most affected by what was happening in
Syria," Gul emphasized before receiving ambassadors of Benine and
Belgium who presented their letters of credence.
Turkish President also underlined the need
of a "strong political determination" to resolve the more than two years
of crisis in Syria.
9. Leader of PYD claims Ankara has hand in atrocities of extremists in Syria
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
16.09.13) reported that Saleh Muslim, leader of the largest Kurdish
faction in Syria, has accused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and
his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of having a hand in the
atrocities committed by extremist groups who are fighting against the
regime in Syria.
Muslim, the head of Syria's Democratic Union
Party (PYD) -- an offshoot of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), claimed
Ankara is feeding extremist groups in Syria while at the same time
government officials are having talks with the PYD.
“On the one hand you are having talks with
us. While on the other, you set your dogs on us. Pull yourself together.
We will defend ourselves with our own free will and will be
victorious,” Muslim was reported as saying by the Taraf daily as he
targeted Erdogan during an addressing in Stockholm.
Muslim, speaking during a speech he
delivered at a cultural festival in Stockholm on Sunday, said beheading
people and biting into their hearts in the 21st century were products of
a culture that prevailed 1,500 years ago and claimed that Erdogan had a
hand in such atrocities. The PYD leader said violent and barbaric thugs
had launched massacres against Syrian civilians.
10. Pakistani PM: Pakistan has always supported Turkish stance on the Cyprus problem
Under the title “Sharif: Pakistan, Turkey
need to boost trade, investment”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
16.09.13) published the first exclusive interview of Pakistani Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif with the Turkish media since his election victory.
On the Pakistani Prime Minister's landmark
visit to Turkey, Sharif told Today's Zaman that his “visit is aimed at
putting in place institutional mechanisms, which will provide a strong
platform for further cementing economic ties.”
He underlined the excellent political
relations between the two countries: “A huge reservoir of goodwill and
affection flows from one country to another.” Sharif lamented, however,
that there is a long way to go to translate these excellent political
relations into tangible and robust trade relations.
He called on Turkish businesspeople and
entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan, especially in sectors like energy,
infrastructure, engineering and agro-based industry. Citing recent
success stories involving Turkish companies in Pakistan, like Lahore's
Metro Bus System and a wind energy project in Sindh, Sharif called
Pakistan an investor-friendly country that offers complete legal
protection and fair treatment to both local and foreign companies.
Sharif is leading a large business delegation to Turkey and their
meetings coincide with the Third High Level Cooperation Council. On
Wednesday, Sharif will participate in a business forum in Ýstanbul to be
attended by Pakistani and Turkish businesspeople.
Sharif emphasized Turkey's role as a bridge
between Asia and Europe, and Pakistan's potential to become a gateway to
energy-rich Central Asia.
Asked whether he has concerns by the
developing ties between Turkey and India and whether Turkey has softened
its policy regarding Kashmir in order to protect its ties with India,
Pakistani Prime Minister answered as follows:
“Turkey is a trusted friend of Pakistan.
Turkey, like any other sovereign country, is free to forge relations
with other countries, including India, according to its own national
interest. Pakistan has always supported Turkish stance on the Cyprus
issue and we are confident that Turkey will continue to support
Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir issue.”
11. University students who protested Turkish PM face 6 years in jail
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online,
16.09.13) reported that an Ankara prosecutor has demanded six years in
prison for the 45 university students who held a protest against Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the launch ceremony of a Turkish
satellite in December 2012.
Ankara’s 14th Criminal Court of First
Instance accepted the indictment on Sept. 16, where prosecutors sought
six years behind bars for the 45 Middle East Technical University (ODTU)
students. The students are alleged to have violated the “Meetings and
Demonstrations Law” and to have “resisted [the police] to prevent [them]
from performing [their] duty.”
“It has been understood that a student group of around 400 people, some of whom were not ODTÜ students, threw petrol
bombs, soda bottles and marbles, which they took out of their
backpacks, at the police who were taking measures. They attacked [the
police] with batons and fireworks and set the wood they found on fire,”
reads part of the indictment.
Protests were sparked when Erdogan came to
the ODTU campus for the launching ceremony of the Turkish satellite
named “Gokturk-2” on Dec. 18, 2012. Clashes between students and police
took place, in which police used excessive tear gas and pressurized
water to disperse the students from marching to the area where the
ceremony was taking place.
Baris Barisik, the student who suffered a
cerebral haemorrhage and remained in a critical condition for days after
being hit by a tear gas capsule that was fired by the police during the
protests, was also among the 45 students to be indicted.
Barisik said he was injured due to the
police’s shooting by targeting him and that he had filed a complaint
against the police. The prosecution office then sent the interrogation
file of Barisik and others who had pressed charges against the police’s
excessive use of force to the Employee Crimes Investigation Bureau.
The suspects denied the accusations against
them by stating that they had “attended the demonstration, which was
organized to protest the prime minister’s political implementations, and
used their democratic rights.” The trial is set to start on Dec. 18,
2013.
A separate investigation is being conducted
into nine students on the grounds of "terrorist connections," according
to Article 10 of the Anti-Terror Law.
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