18/6/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S



No. 112/15                                                                                        18.06.2015

1.Akinci: The screening process has been completed, we will start the main negotiations on June 29
2. The Russian Ambassador and the British High Commissioner met with Akıncı
3. CTP central administrative board allocated duties; Kalyoncu’s name among those discussed for the next “prime minister”
4. Turkish Cypriot couple who were charged for hoisting the Cyprus Republic flag were acquitted
5.KTOS: Some school books include chauvinistic, sexist, militarist, nationalistic and racist rhetoric
6. The breakaway regime has rented a firefighter helicopter from Turkey
7. Turkey declares three days of national mourning for Demirel
8. AKP and MHP discuss conditions of coalition behind closed doors


1. Akinci: The screening process has been completed, we will start the main negotiations on June 29
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (18.06.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that the screening process in the negotiations has been completed and announced that the negotiations on the substantive issues will start on June 29.

Speaking to the press after meeting with President Nicos Anastasiades and the UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide, Akinci said that the duty, which was given to the negotiators on May 15, was completed. He explained that they asked from the negotiators to determine what the sides’ positions are in what issues within the framework of the joint declaration of February 11, 2014. Akinci noted that the negotiators presented some of their assessments earlier and the remainder during yesterday’s meeting, and added: “We now have issues which have been written in bold and which we can describe as Akinci-Anastasiades convergences. On those issues we couldn’t agree on, the Turkish side’s views are worded in red and the Greek Cypriot side’s views are worded in blue and these are under different chapters. Now it’s time for the leaders to participate in the process more actively. We can say that we will start the main negotiations as of 29th of June”.

Akinci also expressed his determination to move forward without delay and to achieve further progress towards reaching a comprehensive settlement and added: “It does not serve the purpose of either side to waste more time”. He also said that the common aim is to establish as soon as possible a federal structure, which will be accepted by both sides in Cyprus, which will set free the future generations from this uncertainty, which will place the Turkish Cypriot community in the international law and will be formed by two founding states.

Briefing about the work on the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) which is carried out in parallel to the negotiations process, Akinci said that some of these have been put into implementation. He said that other will be announced when the time comes.

He also announced that they had formulated a mandate for the new committee on gender equality and had appointed its members.

Responding to reporters’ questions, Akinci said that work on electricity and mobile phones is still continuing.
(DPs)

2. The Russian Ambassador and the British High Commissioner met with Akıncı
Illegal Bayrak television (18.06.15) broadcast that foreign diplomats continue their visits to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı as the Cyprus negotiations process intensifies.

Akinci met today separately with the Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav V. Osadchiy and the British High Commissioner to Cyprus Ric Todd.

The latest developments on the Cyprus Problem and the negotiations process were discussed during the meetingswhich were closed to the press.
The “president’s coordinator for foreign relations” Deniz Birinci was also present at the meetings.

3.CTP central administrative board allocated duties; Kalyoncu’s name among those discussed for the next “prime minister”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (18.06.15) reports that the new CTP “central administrative board” convened last night under the leadership of Talat in order to appoint duties in the board.

According to a press statement, Erdogan Sorakin was appointed as organizational secretary; Ali Karavezirler as finance secretary. The other positions in the board are as follows:
Urun Solyali – Press and Public Affairs
Muhittin Tolga Ozsaglam – Foreign Relations secretary
Pembe Avsaroglu – Local government secretary
Emel Kisi – Education secretary
Ahmet Barcin – Civil society secretary
Fazilet Ozdenefe and Cemil Saricizmeli were not appointed due to other responsibilities they have.

Meanwhile, the chairman of CTP Mehmet Ali Talat has said that they will be preparing the government program first before they begin coalition discussions.

Speaking to illegal TAK news agency concerning the new “government” to be formed and the process to be followed, Talat said he wanted to follow a different path. “The first was to establish the government program ahead of beginning coalition talks. As to who will be the next Prime Minister”, Talat said that this was a party decision and added that they would be conferring with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.06.15) reports that after the conclusion of the CTP-BG congress, their eyes are turned towards the new “government” and the new “prime minister”.

The paper writes that amongst the names which are discussed within the CTP after the party’s “administration board” formation is that of the “deputy” in occupied Keryneia, Omer Kalyoncu.

According to inside circles in the party, no proposal has been made yet to Kalyoncu to undertake the post of “prime minister”. However, the paper adds that as soon as the routine procedures within the party will be completed, Talat will hold a meeting with Kalyoncu to exchange views on the possibility to undertake the post of the “prime minister”.

In statements on the issue, Kalyoncu stated that he had no proposal for undertaking the “prime ministry” and added that it is too early to discuss about this matter.
(…)
(AK)

4. Turkish Cypriot couple who were charged for hoisting the Cyprus Republic flag wereacquitted
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.06.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot couple Koray and Cinel Basdogrultmaci who were charged for hoisting the Cyprus Republic flag outside their shop in occupied Famagusta were acquitted.

The couple was arrested on June 2013 for flying three flags of the Republic of Cyprus outside their home and shop in occupied Famagusta and they faced charges of disturbing the peace, not recognizing the breakaway regime and conspiracy. According to the “court decision”, it is not illegal to hoist the flag of the Republic of Cyprus since this is among the couple’s right of freedom.

According to the paper, the case may be referred to the so-called “Supreme Court” by the prosecutor within the next fourteen days.
(CS)

5.KTOS: Some school books include chauvinistic, sexist, militarist, nationalistic and racist rhetoric 
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.06.15) reports that the general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot primary school teachers’ trade union (KTOS), Sener Elcil has said that the problems which KTOS has been putting forward since 1999 in the field of education were increased. Speaking yesterday at a press conference, Elcil noted that some school books in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus include militarist, sexist, chauvinistic, nationalistic and racist rhetoric.

Referring to the problems which the education in the occupied area of Cyprus is facing, Elcil said that there are no teachers in the “special education centers”  because the so-called law has not passed, that the system is operating with teachers coming from Turkey, while 73 teachers having the “citizenship” of the breakaway regime are unemployed.   He noted that at first stage there is need for 40 teachers in the primary schools, 24 teachers in the pre-primary education and 78 guidance counselors. He added that the number of the teachers needed in the special education has not been determined yet.

Referring to the infrastructure problems in the schools, Elcil argued that the schools are facing such problems because financial resources are not allocated, noting that they are expecting that deficiencies such as laboratories, libraries, playing grounds and sports halls will be overcome. 

Elcil also said that 12 million Turkish liras (TL) were spent this year for the restoration of 62 schools, while the cost of the mosque in occupied Mia Milia area was 75 million TL.
(I/Ts.)

6. The breakaway regime has rented a firefighter helicopter from Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.06.15) reports that the breakaway regime has rented a firefighter helicopter from Turkey for the period between June 29 – October 15.

According to the paper, the rent will cost  937,400 dollars and the helicopter will operate for 100 minutes every day in order to inspect areas under fire hazard.
(CS)

7. Turkey declares three days of national mourning for Demirel
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (17.06.15) reported that Turkey and the “TRNC” have declared as of today, three days of national mourning over the passing of former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.

According to the paper, the Turkish and the “TRNC’s flags” will be displayed at half-mast. 

Demirel's state funeral will be held in Ankara on June 19.
(AK)




8. AKP and MHP discuss conditions of coalition behind closed doors
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (18.06.15) reports that a possible coalition between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has been deemed as the most suitable alliance to form a government by political analysts since the election results became clear, is allegedly on the table. The two parties are reportedly holding unofficial talks for a negotiation over a coalition.

The MHP, which initially closed its doors to both the AK Party and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), softened its stance on a coalition with AKP but maintained its stringent attitude toward siding with the HDP. Now there are reports claiming that behind closed doors the MHP and the AK Party are trying to make a deal on a couple of issues and the fresh rumor is that MHP wants nine ministries to be run by the party. It has also been reported that the AK Party insists on holding the Justice and Interior Ministries. The AK Party is allegedly trying to learn which ministries the MHP would demand in the case of a coalition between the two. The MHP demanded nine ministries including the Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, Education Ministry and Foreign Ministry. However, the AK Party, which has been diligently fighting against the "parallel structure," a reference to the Gülen Movement, which allegedly infiltrated key government bodies such as the judiciary and police, insists that the Justice Ministry should remain under the operation of the AK Party in order to continue its struggle against the organization.

Allegedly, the AK Party has proposed to the MHP the Speaker's office, two deputy chairmanships and three ministries. If a deal is not brokered between the AK Party and the MHP, the AK Party will knock on the door of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The partnership of the duo, which is backed by business circles, does not appear very likely, given the slew of stipulations by the latter.




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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AC/ AM)