21/1/14

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW





TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW


C O N T E N T S


No. 12/15                                                                                           21.01.14
1. Nami is annoyed because the UK has not informed them of the agreement with the Republic of Cyprus on the properties in the British Bases
2. More reactions to the agreement signed between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus on the properties in the British Bases
3. Erk suddenly remembers the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus’ Constitution
4. Cicek on the Cyprus problem
5. Yorgancioglu and Ulucay say they gave away to no one the area Turkey had landed its occupation troops in 1974    
6. Land from 25 occupied villages to be “expropriated”
7. The “draft-law” for abolishing the death penalty and de-penalizing the “abnormal sexual behaviour” causes tension at the “assembly”      
8. Electricity supply was cut off to those own money to “Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority”
9. New company under the name “Karpass Airlines” to start operate in the occupied area of Cyprus in April
10. Eroglu met with the Danish Ambassador to Cyprus
11. Erdogan to press for EU membership timeline in Brussels
1. Nami is annoyed because the UK has not informed them of the agreement with the Republic of Cyprus on the properties in the British bases; He says the pessimistic climate could change any moment  
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (21.01.14) reports that OzdilNami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the Turkish Cypriots were annoyed because the United Kingdom had not informed them of the agreement signed with the Republic of Cyprus last week on the properties, which are located in the British Bases on the island.

In statements to illegal Bayrak television, Nami argued that this was demanded by the Greek Cypriots for 50 years and added: “Therefore, its realization during Anastasiades’ visit to London has the character of a present given by Britain. Of course, do these British presents have a price? Is something asked in return of these? This is a separate issue. What concerns and annoys us is that Britain has not informed us, has not consulted with us. At the point they have given it, everything was finished. Of course, this is unacceptable. There has been a status formed in the 1960 agreements. There is an issue of an injustice imposed on us again by the Cyprus problem. From this point of view, from the point of view of its method, it has been a saddening development”.  

Referring to the Cyprus problemand the issue of the joint declaration, Nami argued that “there are some obstacles which have been reduced to a few words” and added that “a significant effort is being exerted” and the “process is advancing”. “Even if a pessimistic climate exists because no concrete result came up, this could change any moment”, he said noting that “a process in which the concerns will remain behind will start”. 

Asked whether the Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu is annoyed because of his interference in the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Nami responded that there is no tension between them and claimed that three “legs” exist in this process: the one is the self-styled presidency, the other is self-styled foreign ministry and the other is Ankara.  “There are extremely serious dialogues within these three legs. I do not even think that the president could be annoyed about the efforts I exert in the direction of the solution”, he argued.
(I/Ts.)

2. More reactions to the agreement signed between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus on the properties in the British Bases
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (21.01.14) reports that Ersin Tatar, self-styled MP with the National Unity Party (UBP), has said that the agreement signed last week between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus on the properties, which are located in the British bases on the island was a “big surprise” for them. 

In statements to Ada television, Tatar described the agreement as unacceptable. “Taking such a step while the negotiating process is continuing and Britain giving some guarantees to the Greek Cypriot side is unacceptable”, he alleged.

Tatar went on and argued that the Greek Cypriot side “stocked up a great morale” with this agreement and added that there has been no such development in the area of the British Bases in Cyprus since 1960.  He alleged the following: “Now that place will be under the control of Britain but various companies and institutions will be given permission to build and therefore, in a sense, Britain will be economically depended on the Republic of Cyprus.This situation cannot happen without the Turkish Cypriots, who are partners of the Republic of Cyprus”.  

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.01.14) reports that referring to the same issue, the United Cyprus Party (BKP) has said that Britain permitted the development of the areas it had accepted to give away in the Annan Plan. In a statement issued by Abdullah Korkmazhan, general secretary of BKP, it is noted that these areas will secure “great profit” for the Greek Cypriots, but, because of the non-solution, the Turkish Cypriots could not use their right of having a say on the issue. Korkmazhan criticized those who “insist on the separatist structure which causes the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in all fields”.

He stated the following: “If, as Turkish Cypriot community, we do not take our political will in our own hands, if we do not defend our rights in the Republic of Cyprus, if we do not sincerely work for an early federal solution and if we continue to insist on the separatist status quo, we will continue to lose”.   
(I/Ts.)

3. Erk suddenly remembers the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus’ Constitution
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (21.01.14) reports that Alexandra Attalides, Acting Head of the European Parliament Information Office-Cyprus, held a meeting with the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) KutlayErk, and gave information about the forthcoming European Parliament elections to be held in May.
According to the paper, Attalides stated that the Republic of Cyprus is taking initiatives so that Turkish Cypriots to be able to participate in the elections.

Erk issued a statement following the meeting, stating that two out of the six seats of Cyprus at the European Parliament belong to Turkish Cypriots and alleged that these seats are under the Greek Cypriots’ occupation. He went on and added that the Turkish Cypriot side must take initiatives at the EU in order to solve this issue and added that according to the 1960 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, the elections of the political representatives of the two communities are conducted separately; therefore Turkish Cypriots must conduct their own elections in their side for the two seats of the European Parliament. He went on and added that they want the EU to find a solution on this issue and at least the Turkish Cypriots to gain the “observer” status at PACE.  “Different kind of solution is contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus”, he argued.  

4. Cicek on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.01.14) reports that Turkey’s Assembly Speaker CemilCicek said that they prefer peace in Cyprus, claiming that they, as Turkey and “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) have done everything they could so there would be a just and lasting peace, however, one-sided love doesn’t exist.

In a meeting with visiting Georgian President GiorgiMargvelashvili, Cicek, referring to the Cyprus problem, claimed that they are peace lovers, but the other side doesn’t respond. Unfortunately, the Cyprus problem continues to be the longest dispute in front of the UN, he added.

Cicek noted that there are many possibilities in Cyprus, adding that many tourists from Georgia visit Cyprus. He claimed that with the development of these relations with the “TRNC”, the visits from Georgia will be important especially at the “parliamentarian level”.

5. Yorgancioglu and Ulucay say they gave away to no one the area Turkey had landed its occupation troops in 1974    
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.01.14) reports that OzkanYorgancioglu and TeberrukenUlucay, self-styled prime minister and “minister” of interior of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, respectively, have said that the area of “PenteMili” beach in occupied Keryneia, which the Turks call “Beach of the Landing”, as it is the place at which Turkey landed its occupation troops in the 1974 invasion of Cyprus, has been transferred to no one.  They were both addressing the “assembly” of the regime yesterday and responded to information that the above-mentioned area was leased for 49 years to Turkish Altinbas Holding.

Yorgancioglu noted that the transfer of this beach was neither on the agenda of the Evkaf foundation nor of the “council of ministers”. He said that giving this area away was out of the question and called on the company which is interested not to conclude an agreement with the tenants of the area.

Ulucay also said that the information that the area had been given away to a company was not true. He added: “There is a leasing contract between two companies. One of these contracts includes transfer to the other and the applications regarding this. These applications are being evaluated at the relevant services. However, the beach has been given to no one. The issue has not come onto the agenda of the Evkaf foundation”.
(I/Ts.)

6. Land from 25 occupied villages to be “expropriated”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.01.14) reports that land from 25 villages in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will be “expropriated” for the construction of the distribution network station as well as for the pipelines that will carry water from Turkey within the framework of the “water supply project” between Turkey and “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

According to the paper, the land will be “expropriated” from the following villages in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus: Skylloura, Myrtou, Panagra, Vasilia, Lapithos, Karavas, Elia, Trimithi, Karmi, Templos, Kyreneia, Akanthou, Thermia, Kazafani, Karakoumi, Klepini, AgiosAmvrosios, Kalograia, Kampyli, LarnakaLapithou, Agridaki, Sisklipos, AgiosErmolaos, Pileri and Krini.

The decision for the land “expropriation” was announced in the “official gazette” on 16 January, 2014. A period of 15 days has been given for anyone wishing to file an objection.

7. The “draft-law” for abolishing the death penalty and de-penalizing the “abnormal sexual behaviour” causes tension at the “assembly”      
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.01.14) reports that the “draft-law” for abolishing the death penalty and de-penalizing the “abnormal sexual behaviour” caused debates and tension yesterday at the “assembly” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

The amendment of the “law” was discussed and was unanimously adopted article by article yesterday, but voting on the whole of the proposal remained for the next session of the “assembly” on 23 January. The “MPs” of the National Unity Party (UBP) did not enter into the room of the “assembly”.
(I/Ts.)

 8. Electricity supply was cut off to those own money to “Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (21.01.14) reports that El-Sen, the trade union of the workers of the “Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority” cut off the electricity supply from “municipalities” and “state institutions” who did not pay their bill.

According to the paper, El-Sen cut out the electricity supply to four “state institutions”, one “ministry and five “municipalities” that own totally 20.284.479 Turkish Lira to the “Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority”.

Among the places which were cut off are illegal Bayrak television station which owns 2.899.250 Turkish Lira, occupied Lefkosia “municipality” which owns 348.786 Turkish Lira and Lefka “municipality” which owns 8.384.000 Turkish Lira.  In addition, the electricity supply was cut off to the “ministry of finance”, to the “Sports department”, and the “water affairs department”, and to the Morfou, Famagusta and Lapithos “municipalities”.

Speaking to the paper on behalf of El-Sen, CaglayanCesurer stated that every kind of written and oral warning was issued to the “institutions” to pay up their debts, but these warnings were ignored.

9. New company under the name “Karpass Airlines” to start operate in the occupied area of Cyprus in April
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (21.01.14) reports that the chairman of Have-Sen, Buran Atakan, stated that a new airline firm is established in the place of the “Turkish Cypriot Airways” (KTHY) which were closed down due to various economic problems in 2010.HavaSen is the trade union of the “KTHY”.

The name of the new firm is “KarpazHavaYollari” (Karpass Airways) and it will start its operations in April. The company is registered in Turkey.

10. Eroglu met with the Danish Ambassador to Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 20.01.14), Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu met yesterday morning with Danish Ambassador to Cyprus Casper Klynge. Eroglu’s undersecretary HasanGungor, Eroglu’s special representative Osman Ertug, self-styled director of advisory and political affairs at Eroglu’s office GunesOnar, as well as “officials” from the self-styled foreign ministry were also present at the meeting.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

11. Erdogan to press for EU membership timeline in Brussels
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 20.01.14) reported that Turkey will constantly highlight the need to set a timetable in negotiations for raising the chances for a swifter conclusion in its EU membership bid, EU Minister MevlutCavusoglu said January 20, on the eve of Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan’s visit to Brussels.

“We are demanding close cooperation from our European friends. We will surely underline that [our accession negotiations] process should be based on a timeline and it should not be open-ended,” Cavusoglu told reporters during his meeting with Norwegian Ambassador Janis BjörnKanavin.

Cavusoglu said these issues will be brought to the agenda of EU member - countries in successive meetings with EU officials, starting from Erdogan’s talks with senior EU authorities in Brussels on Jan. 21.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION