12/11/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S

No. 214/13                                                                                        12.11.13

1. Eroglu’s respond to Anastasiades
2. Talat sees no light of hope in the Cyprus problem; He argues that membership to the CFA is not good, but cannot be rejected
3. Discussions of breakaway regime’s budget begin today
4. KTOS says that the lack of teachers due to Turkey’s refusal to send money to the breakaway regime
5. Ozyigit the only candidate for the Social Democracy Party leadership
6. Panic due to pseudo fowl pest disease in the occupied area of Cyprus
7. Swedish Ambassador: Achieving progress in Cyprus talks will boost the Turkish-EU accession process.
8. Davutoglu to visit Washington on November 18
9. Energy still an obstacle in Turkish-Iraqi normalization
10. Turkish court lifts headscarf ban for attorneys
11. Record visits to Ataturk Mausoleum on November 10

1. Eroglu’s respond to Anastasiades
According to illegal Bayrak television (11.11.13), Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu, in a written statement, responding to criticisms by the Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades against him, said that as “the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [Editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] he is aware of his constitutional duty and he is doing what is necessary to defend the rights and interests of his people”.

Eroglu added: “I do not ascribe Anastasiades to call me as arrogant. I was considering Anastasiades as a gentleman politician”.
Claiming that he always paid attention to be respectful to the Greek Cypriots’ sensitivities and personalities, Eroglu said it is interesting that the Greek Cypriot leader made these accusations against him following his visit to the EOKA House.

“It seems that Mr Anastasiades is not pleased with my insistence on our sovereignty and the continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantee. It is obvious that Anastasiades is continuing to evaluate the EOKA ideology even today, and also he dreams about taking us back to the pre 1974 conditions”, Eroglu argued.

Eroglu also called on Anastasiades to assume an attitude after correctly understanding the reportedly realities in Cyprus and warned him that he will be deceived if he thinks he would convince the Turkish Cypriots and bring them under the Greek Cypriot sovereignty.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to sit at the negotiations table without preconditions and finalize the Cyprus problem with a federation which will be based on bi-zonality and political equality, Eroglu said: “We will never sacrifice our political equality and equal status of the founding states”.

Moreover, “BRT” (online, 11.11.13) broadcast that Eroglu, in an exclusive statement to “BRT”, complained that the Greek Cypriot leadership reportedly resorts to various tricks to delay the process, the latest example being the joint statement.

Pointing out that all chapters will be negotiated once the talks re-commence, Eroglu said that the Greek Cypriot leader rejected all convergences reached to this day.

Responding to a question as to whether or not Anastasiades’ stance towards the Cyprus problem will toughen, Eroglu reminded that DISI’s extreme right wing coalition partner DIKO will be holding its general congress in December, adding: “Anastasiades wants current DIKO President Karoyan to win the elections. He doesn’t want to be accused of being flexible at the negotiating table. This is the kind of games they are playing”.

Claiming that Anastasiades had lost his popularity because of the economy, Eroglu argued that Anastasiades was trying to regain his public’s support by using the issue of Varosha or the joint statement.

“We have been waiting for him for the past 9 months. He set up his government, introduced austerity measures. But his continuing delaying tactics are leading us to question his sincerity”, Eroglu noted. 

Responding to a question regarding the mutual cross visits of the Special Representatives which have not been realized yet, Eroglu said that the proposal came originally from Greece and the Greek Cypriot side.

“It seems that the Greek Prime Minister is not looking too warmly on this issue and is delaying the visits. It seems that the Greek Cypriot side has changed its mind regarding these visits. They fear my special representative’s visit could set an example for other countries”, Eroglu claimed.

2. Talat sees no light of hope in the Cyprus problem; He argues that membership to the CFA is not good, but cannot be rejected
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (12.11.13) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has said that he sees no light of hope in the Cyprus problem. In statements yesterday to Ada TV, Talat noted that the Cyprus problem is the most important fact that influences everyday economic life, social position and psychological situation of the people. Pointing out that a deadlock exists today, he added: “I could not know how long it will last. What kind of hope is there? I cannot see such hope. My biggest hope is to see hope in the Cyprus problem, but there is not any…”

Referring to the issue of the joint statement, he said that he had agreed on 3-4 texts with former President Christofias and added: “The parameters of the solution are known. The text they call joint text will be actually something in which the parameters of the solution of the problem will be expressed…”

Talat described as “very risky” President Anastasiades’ stance and alleged that he is trying to exert pressure on the Turkish Cypriots by using the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognized.

Referring to the Greek Cypriot press, Talat alleged: “Do not follow the Greek Cypriot press, you will be deceived… The Greek Cypriot press generally prevents the solution of the Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cypriot press is not like this. The Turkish Cypriot press supports the solution…”

Commenting on the stance of the Turkish Cypriots towards the developments in Turkey, Talat said: “I am tired of the mimicry. Whatever happens in Turkey, the same thing is discussed here. An issue regarding the student residences came up, which even I have not understood from where, and it is discussed in the press all day. The trade unions issue statements… Do I come from Turkey? I am sorry, but do I come from Turkey? Something happens in Germany, in Greece, in Iran, something happens in America and they do not shout. When something happens in Turkey, everyone plays the role of a person coming from Turkey. Then we say that we are independent. Then why do you interfere in his (Turkish) affairs? …”

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.11.13), on his Twitter account Talat referred to the agreement signed recently between the Turkish Cypriot so-called football federation, the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP), FIFA and UEFA in Zurich as regards the future of football in Cyprus. Talat argued that the membership of their so-called federation to the CFA is not a good development, but it could not be rejected after this stage. He said that they should try to minimize the negative points of the agreement and work for a better one without being viewed as rejectionists.
(I/Ts.)


3. Discussions of breakaway regime’s budget begin today
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.11.13) reports that the discussions of the breakaway regime’s “budget” for 2014 are beginning today at the so-called parliamentary committee on economy, finance, budget and planning. The meetings of the “committee” on the “budget”, which reaches three billion 774 million and 945 thousand Turkish liras, are expected to continue until 29 November. The “committee” will complete these discussions in ten meetings. Afterwards the “budget” will be discussed at the “general assembly” of the “parliament”. If it is approved, it will be valid as of 1 January 2014.
(I/Ts.)

4. KTOS says that the lack of teachers due to Turkey’s refusal to send money to the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.11.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot Primary Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) stated that the lack of teachers in primary schools in the occupied area of Cyprus continues two months after the launching of the new school year.

The general secretary of KTOS SenerElcil stated that the “ministry of economy” which is on the Republican Turkish Party’s hands, continues to refuse the demands for more teachers following instructions by the “Turkish embassy to Lefkosia” which says that there is no money.

5. Ozyigit the only candidate for the Social Democracy Party leadership
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.11.13) reports that CemalOzyigit will be the only candidate for the leadership position of the Social Democracy Party (TDP).This development came after the current TDP leader Mehmet Cakici announced that he will not run for the position.

The 4th election congress of TDP will take place on November 18th.

6. Panic due to pseudo fowl pest disease in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the title “Panic for pseudo fowl pest disease”, Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (12.11.13) reports that “pseudo fowl” pest disease has occurred on poultry and started to spread all over the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. When collective deaths of poultry happened in many areas, people started to worry, writes HalkinSesi.

In spite of the fact that no specific numbers are given, adds the paper, it is said that hundreds of hens have been destroyed.

Experts have conducted the necessary tests as soon as they were informed and advised the producers to separate the infected poultries from the healthy ones.

The director of the so-called veterinary department, Ramadan Goksan said that this epidemic disease is temporary and added that there is no risk for infecting the people. He noted that they contacted all the integrated installations and found no sick animalsfrom the disease.

In statements to HalkinSesi, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot physicians’ union, FilizBesim said that the disease will not cause any serious problem on the people, but in case of contact with the infected poultry, inflammation in the eyes and around the eyes and erythema in the area (of the body) that came in contact with these animals might be occurred.
(I/Ts.)

7. Swedish Ambassador: Achieving progress in Cyprus talks will boost the Turkish-EU accession process.
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.11.13), Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs EgemenBagis has blamed the Christian Democrats (EPP), the largest political group in the EU, for breaking its promise to upgrade Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party's observer status to full membership.

The AKP has left the EPP and joined the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) following a long period as an “observer” within the EPP.

Receiving Swedish Ambassador Lars Wahlund in Ankara on Monday, Bagis told the press that the EPP did not even ask member parties for their approval to grant the AKP full membership.

Meanwhile the Swedish Ambassador expressed support for Turkey's EU accession bid. “We are very happy, we have opened Chapter 22 on regional polices in Turkey's EU negotiations. We hope that we can open chapters 23 and 24,” he said, referring to the chapters on "judiciary and fundamental rights" and "justice, freedom and security," respectively.

He also expressed optimism over visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to European countries by saying “We are hopeful that we can open up visa liberalization."

Wahlund said achieving progress in Cyprus talks will boost the Turkish-EU accession process.

He also called on Turkish business people to invest in Sweden by saying that the visit of Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan with a delegation of 200 businessmen on November 7 accelerated the economic ties between Turkey and Sweden.

8. Davutoglu to visit Washington on November 18
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (12.10.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will visit Washington on November 18.

According to the paper, Davutoglu who is currently visiting Iraq will make an effort to repair Turkish-American relations which have started to get colder recently due to the Middle East developments.

9. Energy still an obstacle in Turkish-Iraqi normalization
SerkanDemirtas, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.11.13), reported that although Turkey and Iraq have agreed to push for a fresh start after nearly two-and-half years of stalemate in ties and to begin technical talks for cooperation on trade, economy and transportation; the energy issue will likely stand as one of the most important hurdles before full normalization of bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister AhmetDavutoflu held two important meetings on Nov. 10, one with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the other with Foreign Minister HoshyarZebari which produced some concrete results in the rapprochement process.

Firstly, the two countries have decided to reactivate the political dialogue mechanism at the level of foreign ministry undersecretaries but this time, with the participation of high-level officials from other key ministries. The first of this kind of enlarged mechanism will take place in Ankara on Dec. 6 and 7. This meeting is considered to be preparatory for the planned high-level strategic partnership meeting in Turkey which will be held in either late December or in early 2014 under the co-leadership of Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan and al-Maliki.

In the meantime, the two countries’ ministers for transport, trade and economy are expected to conduct visits to each other’s country to discuss ways to deepen cooperation in these said fields. Establishing new railways between the two countries, opening new border gates and increasing a $12 billion trade volume are among the common goals of the two countries.

Al-Maliki’s visit is expected to be a milestone in ties between the two countries after nearly two-and-half years of coldness. Erdogan and Maliki harshly criticized each other during this period but it seems conditions necessitated both sides to take steps towards each other.

While al-Maliki is trying to enter a pre-election campaign in a much more comfortable position after mending ties with Turkey, he is also having tough times at home due to growing terror waves that kill nearly 1,000 each month. Erdogan on the other hand is trying to revisit his old alliance with Maliki in the face of his troubled foreign policy in the Middle East especially in the Syrian theatre.

Whatever the reasons are for rapprochement, an improved relation between Turkey and Iraq is always necessary for a stable Middle East, according to many diplomats.

But there is a major stake before full normalized relations between the two countries. This is Turkey’s efforts to sign broad agreements with the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) although the autonomous region’s government and central government could not yet agree on how they will share the revenues of the oil and natural gas resources.

Iraq is against third countries’ signing contracts with northern Iraq but for Ankara these agreements are not in violation of the Iraqi Constitution. Ankara underlines that this was an issue between central and regional government and assures that it will abide by 83-17% deal between Baghdad and Arbil. Iraqi jurisdiction stipulates that oil revenues will be divided between the north and central government on percentages of 17 and 83.

Iraq continues to express its uneasiness with regard to Turkey’s unilateral deals with the north but it did not loudly express this criticism during Davutoglu’s trip. Both sides will talk on the matter at both technical and political level and will try to resolve the long-standing issue before al-Maliki’s upcoming trip.

10. Turkish court lifts headscarf ban for attorneys
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.11.13) reported that the Council of State has approved the removal of the headscarf ban for lawyers, allowing them to register at the Bar Association with a picture showing them wearing a headscarf.

Upon a lawyer’s complaint, the Council of State’s 8th Department halted the execution of the Turkey Bar Association’s (TBB) legal profession act, which stated that lawyers had to provide a picture of themselves without a headscarf in order to register at the Bar Association.

The 8th Department said in its justification that the rights granted by the Constitution and international conventions should not be limited in a way that contradicts the spirit of the Constitution.

11. Record visits to Ataturk Mausoleum on Novevember 10
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (12.11.13) reports that the number of visitors at theAnitkabir mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk hit a record. According to a statement issued at the website of the Turkish General Staff 1,089,615 persons visited the mausoleum on Novemeber 10 which is the anniversary of Ataturk’s death.

In the previous years, the Anıtkabir was open until 5:00 p.m. during the Nov. 10 commemorations. However, this year the ceremonies were prolonged until 9:00 p.m. as it was the 60th anniversary of bringing Ataturk’s body from the Ethnography Museum to the Anitkabir.


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