7/7/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



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



No. 125/15                                                                                        07.07.2015

1. The “Property Commission” cannot pay 94 million sterling pounds to Greek Cypriot refugees; Vehicles of “ministries” are sequestered
2. Akinci tasks Kalyoncu to form “government”; Talat says “coalition government” by next Monday at the latest
3. Akinci met with the International TurkologyCenter deputy chairman
4. Izcan met with the Russian Ambassador in Cyprus
5. The Turkish side puts obstacles for the opening of Deryneia crossing point in spite of the leaders’ decision
6. The Women Basketball team of the illegal YDU wishes to play its games in the “TRNC” under the umbrella of the TBF
7. “British university of Nicosia” enrolled 580 students from 15 countries in its first academic year
8. Bozkir set to visit Brussels and Strasbourg

1. The “Property Commission” cannot pay 94 million sterling pounds to Greek Cypriot refugees; Vehicles of “ministries” are sequestered
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (07.07.15) reports that the “Property Compensation Commission” established by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus decided to give compensation to a Greek Cypriot refugee for his occupied property, but when it failed to do so the Greek Cypriot refugee registered the decision in the “courts’ register” through his lawyer and launched a procedure for confiscating vehicles used by “ministers” of the breakaway regime.

Sequestrators were sent yesterday for vehicles used by the “ministries” of finance and agriculture and a vehicle of the “ministry” of finance was taken to a field near the Ledra Palace traffic lights. Procedure was launched for sequestering all vehicles with numbers between 004 and 014 and if the problem is not solved today more vehicles will be sequestered.

The “Commission” had decided to pay the sum of two million and 150 thousand sterling pounds as compensation to the above-mentioned Greek Cypriot for a property of 60 donums [Translator’s note: A land measure of about 1,000 square meters] by the sea at occupied Vasileia village. Three thirds of this property is located in a military zone and the rest is used by a natural person. The Greek Cypriot had reportedly applied to the “Commission” trying to transfer his property. 

Murat MetinHakki, the lawyer of the Greek Cypriot, told Havadis that the “Commission” gave priority to the money “in an unfair manner” and noted that “Turkey said that the Turkish Cypriot who takes the property should pay”. He pointed out that the problems in the “Commission” started when Turkey stopped conveying money. Hakki said that the “Commission” paid 200 million sterling pounds until today and the entire sum was paid by Turkey.

According to the paper, there is an unpaid sum of 94 million sterling pounds, which the “Commission” decided that should be given as compensation. There are decisions that remain unpaid for 1.5 years and therefore the cases cannot be completed. A decrease in the number of applications by Greek Cypriots was observed in the last couple of years. The number of Greek Cypriot applicants was 2,500 in 2011 and fell to 150 in 2015.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.07.15) reports that the chairman of the “Commission”, GungorGunkan has argued that the ownership of all properties for which compensation is paid passes to the “TRNC”, but they have to compare the value of the properties left by the Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of the island with the value of the properties which they were given in the occupied area as equivalent and find out who has taken such property as equivalent for his property in the government-controlled area.

He noted: “I have been saying this for years. When these properties pass to us, many Turkish Cypriots are living on these properties and there are properties which they abandoned in the south and came here. We have to evaluate these and bring them to a conclusion. For example, Mrs Ayse said that ‘I have left a property of 50 thousand Turkish liras in Limassol and was given a certain amount of points. In return of these, she was given something in the north. Is the value of these two properties the same or not? We must re-evaluate these the soonest and bring them to a conclusion”.
(I/Ts.)

2. Akinci tasks Kalyoncu to form “government”; Talat says “coalition government” by next Monday at the latest
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 06.07.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has appointed the self-styled deputy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP-BG) Omer  Kalyoncu to form the “new government” within 15 days.

Speaking during his meeting with Kalyoncu, Akinci said that he tasked Kalyoncu to form the “new government” following his meetings with the leaders and representatives of the political parties. He added that his meetings had revealed that there was no other alternative possible.

Explaining that almost all the political parties expressed support to Kalyoncu’s appointment, he said there was no objection from political parties with seats in the “parliament” to the name of Kalyoncu. “I myself do not have any hesitation”, Akinci added.

Pointing out that the “country’s” domestic problems cannot be stalled anymore, he said there are issues regarding the Cyprus negotiations process which the Turkish Cypriot leader needs to act together with the “government”.

Also speaking after his appointment, Kalyoncu said that he has currently no scheduled meetings with any of the political parties. Stating that their meetings with the political parties had neither produced any government models nor did the CTP have a priority, Kalyoncu announced that they will take new steps following their evaluation within the authorized party organs today.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 07.07.15) reports that CTP party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, speaking to illegal TAK news agency, said that a widened party assembly meeting will be held on Wednesday followed by the party assembly committee meeting on Thursday after which their coalition partner would become clearer.

Talat said that things would be clearer after the meetings and they hoped to form formed the coalition by Monday the latest.

3. Akinci met with the President of the International TurkologyCentre
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.07.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met withProf. Dr YerdenKazhybek, the President of the International Turkology Centre and Vice President of Kazak Language Institution.

The rector of the illegal Keryneia American University (GAU) SerhatAkpinarwas also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, Kazhybek congratulated Akinci for his election victory and offered him a congratulation document and a metal.
 (CS)


4.Izcan met with the Russian Ambassador in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (07.07.15) reports that the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) IzzetIzcan met yesterday with the Russian Ambassador in Cyprus StanislavOsadchiy.

According to a statement issued by the BKP, the general secretary of BKP Abdullah Korkmazhan and the secretary for foreign relations SalihSonustun were also present at the meeting.

In statements after the meeting, Izcan stated that he exchanged views with the Russian Ambassador on the recent developments of the Cyprus problem and the region in general. He added that Russian Federation’s support on the Cyprus problem is very important since it is a member of the UN Security Council.

Pointing out to the need for the positive atmosphere which was created on the Cyprus problem to be continue, Izcan added that the policy to be followed ahead of the discussions of the basic issues: (the Treaty of Guarantee and Alliance, the territory, the property, the Constitution and Power Sharing) is also extremely important.

Stressing the need for the leaders to specify their goals for the solution, Izcan said that the solution to be found should be submitted to simultaneous referenda in order as he said for both communities in the island to approve and accept it.

Izcan went on and stated that the solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should comply with the International Law and the EU acquiscommunautaire.

Izcan assured that the BKP will continue to exert efforts in order for a federal solution to be found and said that it will continue to cooperate and have close ties with all the involved parties.
(AK)
5. The Turkish side puts obstacles for the opening of Deryneia crossing point in spite of the leaders’ decision
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.07.15) reports that after the Famagusta Initiative, Deryneia’s Mayor Andros Karayiannis has said that they do not want an alternative road for the opening of the crossing point in the area, adding that they want to use the existing one-kilometer long road going from Deryneia to occupied Famagusta. However, an official, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Kibris that they have suggested an alternative road to the Greek Cypriot side for the opening of the crossing point in Deryneia and are waiting for the Greek Cypriot side’s reply. This alternative road, he added, is located one kilometre in the west of the existing road. He argued that this has nothing to do with the security, but they have suggested an alternative road so that the Greek Cypriot houses which are on the original road not to suffer any damage during the works for broadening the road.

Karayiannis, however, noted that the existing road could be fixed and become ready for crossings, adding that “the demonstration we held in May together with Turkish Cypriots was for the opening of this one kilometer long road”. He said that they acquired the information that a minefield exists in the right side of the road and therefore the opening of the crossing point may delay for about a month and it is estimated that it will be materialized in October. “The materialization of an alternative road does not seem possible. To start with, it will cause a delay of months for the opening of the crossing point”, he pointed out. 
(I/Ts.)

6.The Women Basketball team of the illegal YDU wishes to play its games in the “TRNC” under the umbrella of the TBF
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (07.07.15) in its sports pages and under the title: “We want to play the games in Cyprus”, reports on statements by AyhanOzgumus, Director of the Turkish Basketball Federation League (TBF), who gave information concerning the basketball team of the illegal Near East University (YDU) which competes under Turkey’s Women Basketball Super League for this season.  

According to Ozgumus, the TBF wishes to play its games in Cyprus, but as he said due to the fact that it is bounded to FIBA rules, it does not want to take unilateral actions and decisions and thus it expects from FIBA to take its final decision.

Stating that they held contacts and discussed this issue with the President of FIBA Europe and the President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, TurgayDemirel, Ozgumus said that Demirel shares the same thoughts with them on this issue, however, he added that the political situation that exists, should be taken into consideration. Ozgumus stated that in 15-20 days they might have concrete answers.
(AK)

7. “British university of Nicosia” enrolled 580 students from 15 countries in its first academic year
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (07.07.15), in its front page under the title “A new breath in the education”, publishes an interview with the general secretary of the illegal British university of Nicosia (“BUN”) Hasan TuncerTuncergil.

Noting that “BUN” is a new breath among the “universities” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,  Tuncergil said that from their first academic year, they have enrolled 580 students from 15 different countries.
(DPs)

8. Bozkir set to visit Brussels and Strasbourg
According to Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 06.07.15), Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator VolkanBozkir will pay an official visit to Strasbourg and Brussels to discuss Turkey's EU accession process as well as the Syrian crisis with EU officials.

Bozkir will attend an iftar organized by the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) on Tuesday in Strasbourg, where he will meet with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner For European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement negotiations, Kati Piri, the European Parliament's (EP) Rapporteur for Turkey, and ElmarBrok, chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bozkir, who will also have talks with Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah, will attend the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the massacre in Srebrenica to be held at the EP.

Bozkir will then move on to Brussels, where he will attend an iftar hosted by the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Brussels branch. He will have talks with European Commissioner in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Vera Jourova and EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)