TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 24/16 05.02.2016
1.
Burcu: We will create a new structure with the solution
2.
Burcu denied the claim that Akinci supports a solution which will be achieved
through the evolution of the Cyprus Republic
3.
CTP “deputy” Candan explained their EU contacts in Brussels
4
Ambassador of the Netherlands: We are ready to contribute to the solution
5.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lefkosia visited the People’s Party
6.
Ozgurgun: Turkey’s guarantees are the Turkish Cypriots’ indispensable red lines
7.
Atalay: There are no restrictions regarding the offering or religious courses
8.
Turkey refuses Russia’s request for observation flights over Syria border
9.
Summary of proceedings against HDP co-chairs sent to the Justice Ministry
1.
Burcu: We will create a new structure with the solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (05.02.16)
reports that BarisBurcu, spokesman of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci,
stressing that while the negotiations are continuing to reach a solution on the
Cyprus problem, the Greek Cypriot side has entered the electoral process, said:
“Our request to them is to act according with their responsibilities in this
process and to abstain from any statements or distortions that may harm the
solution process”.
In a written statement, Burcu explained
that the position of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, as it was announced
during his election campaign, was not to reject the existing reconciliations,
but rather to proceed by accepting them as the basis. Stressing that in this context the Joint Declaration of February 11,
2014, is an important document,Burcu noted that the negotiations are being
conducted within this framework. He also said that substantial progress has
been obtained on the chapters of Governance and Power Sharing, Economy, the EU
and Property.
Underlining that although the issue of
how the new state will emerge has been discussed throughout for many years now,
it is a blind alley issue, Burcu said: “Accordingly
the two sides do not recognize each other and accordingly the confederation of
two separate sovereign states is not being negotiated, it is natural that we
will establish a United Federal Cyprus of two constituent states
(translator’s note: according to the Oxford Turkish-English dictionary, the
definition of the Turkish word “kurucu” can be translated as constituent or
founding). The Joint Declaration of 11 February, 2014, is very clear within
this framework”.
The statement continued as follows:
“However, this situation does not mean that we accept the existing ‘Republic of
Cyprus’, from which we have been excluded for years now and represents only the
Greek Cypriot community, and that we strive to amend it. On the contrary, as our ‘president’ has stated in various occasions, we
will create a new structure with the solution. As our ‘president’ said in
his statement dated September 1, 2015, ‘...This structure to be formed will be
a federal structure – will be a new structure from A to Z with its name and
flag -. However, this new structure will not include applying again to the UN
and to the EU for membership. This new structure will be taking the place of
the old one in those institutions as well. This is the case. The TRNC
(translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus) itself is a core establishment. And I am the ‘president’ of this
establishment. This establishment will find itself in the new settlement. It
will turn into a Constituent State. Just as the structure solely led by the
Greek Cypriots right now will be turning into a Constituent State led by the
Greek Cypriots and just as we will be taking our place in the federal
partnership, which will be created by these two structures…This is what is
essential in Cyprus.’ This position, which has been repeatedly explained to the
public by our ‘president’ is extremely clear and nobody has the right to
distort this.
According to the written statement: “It
is important, of course, to convince at least a big part of the majority of the
75% of the Greek Cypriots who voted ‘No’ in the Annan Plan, to ratify a
solution”. It concluded by writing that there is another important point, which
is the necessity of convincing the majority of the Turkish Cypriots, who were
not rewarded for its peace efforts to be reintegrated into a solution. Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci sees the process in this framework.
(DPs)
2.
Burcu denied the claim that Akinci supports a solution which will be
achieved through the evolution of the Cyprus Republic
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 05.02.16), BarisBurcu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s
spokesman, evaluating the Cyprus talks in programme on “BRT” this morning, said
that the requirements of the Parliamentary elections to be held in the
government controlled area of Cyprus in May are different than the requirements
of a solution and added that it is normal to have a separation in the
atmosphere.
“What is important while going to
elections is to create a perception that an agreement is possible and if so to
postpone the elections and to hold a referendum after enough discussions are
held on a plan. Our target and aim is this. We still believe that this is
possible”, he said.
Stating that it is natural for both
sides to feel the need to share their positions with their communities, he
said: “While expressing a position, it is not right to harmonize our
‘president’ (editor’s note: the Turkish Cypriot leader) into that position and
try to show that the ‘president’ is sharing the same views on this position”. He explained that claims made by Cyprus
President Nikos Anastasiades that Akinci is in support of a solution which will
be achieved through the evolution of the Cyprus Republic, are not reflecting
reality.
Warning that the Turkish Cypriot press
should not make propaganda by accepting the speculative news reports of Greek
Cypriot media as true, Burcu reminded that Akinci, on various occasions, said
that the new structure will be established with a new name and a new flag.
Noting that the issue of security and
guarantees was brought to the agenda recently by the sides which are not in
favour of a solution, he said there is no fair war between manipulation and
reality.
Claiming that they have been doing the
right things and have achieved strong progress in the negotiations, he said
that due to the principle of “nothing will be agreed until everything will be
agreed” and the “principle of confidentiality” they could not share all the
details.
Explaining that progress is achieved on
the Governance and Power Sharing, EU, Economy and Property issues and that no
progress is achieved on the issue of territory, security and guarantees, Burcu
noted that some statements are made by reflecting news reports by the Greek
Cypriot media as reality and with the intention of ruining the current
atmosphere.
Stating that there is a level map on the
issue of territory, he said: “There is a level map which was mutually agreed.
Following the necessary arrangements on the first three chapters, let’s bring
the agreement to the maximum. And once sufficient progress has been made on the
property issue by linking this progress with the territory issue, let’s start
discussing territory.”
Noting that taking up the territory
issue after completing the property issue may create technical problems in the
future, he expressed the need for making the territorial arrangements and
decisions on the aspects of the property regime in the territorial arrangement
in order for the positions on property to be clear.
Also touching upon the issue of
guarantees, he said this issue will be discussed at the end of the process as
all related sides will have to come together.
3.
CTP “deputy” Candan explained their EU contacts in Brussels
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (05.02.16)
reports that self-styled deputy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
ArmaganCandan briefed yesterday the so-called assembly of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of Cyprus on the EU contacts of the “parliamentary
delegations”. He added that “reviewing the work with the EU is continuing
intensively”.
Candan noted that everyone they met in
the EU so far is expecting good news on the Cyprus problem. Stating that the EU
delegation’s visit to Cyprus every week and meeting with Turkish and Greek
Cypriot representatives in order to review the work on the EU Acquis, Candan
said that this work has been continuing
intensively for the last 3 months.
Explaining that they conveyed to the EU
officials their requests for Turkish to be an EU official language, Candan
added that they also conveyed their positions regarding the EU parliamentary
elections after a possible solution.
(DPs)
4.Ambassador
of the Netherlands: We are ready to contribute to the solution
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(05.02.16) reports that the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lefkosia, BrechjeSchwachöferstated
that she hopes that a settlement will be reached in Cyprus soon and added
that they are ready to contribute
towards the solution of the Cyprus problem.
She made these statements in an
interview she gave to Kibris on the occasion of the Netherlands taking over the
EU presidency.
Schwachofer stated that the Netherlands
, holding now the Presidency of the Council of EU, will be next to the two
communities in Cyprus, adding that it is ready to safeguard any assistance needed that could contribute to the solution
of the Cyprus problem. She also said that they are ready to help Anastasiades
and Akinci if they ask for it.
She also stated that the negotiation
process is a process of the Cypriots and it is important to note that it will
be carried out by them. “The people of Cyprus will decide about their own
safety, it's up to them. Depending on how they want to shape their future. If
they want the EU to play a more active role, then the EU will work to fulfil
this wish”, she stated.
Referring to the opening of new chapters
by Turkey, she stated that they will look into how much progress can be made
towards this direction.
(CS)
5.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lefkosia visited the People’s Party
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(05.02.16) reports that the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lefkosia, BrechjeSchwachöfervisited
the People’s Party (GHP) and held a meeting with HP’s chairman KudretOzersay.
According to the paper, the High
Commissioner of Australia Alan Sweetman, will also visit the HP’s offices
today.
(CS)
6.
Ozgurgun: Turkey’s guarantees are the Turkish Cypriots’ indispensable red
lines
Illegal Bayrak television (05.02.16)
broadcast that the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun
said that “Turkey’s active and effective guarantees are the Turkish Cypriots’
indispensable red lines”.
Ozgurgun was responding to statements
made by President NikosAnastasiades.
Ozgurgun also alleged that the Greek
Cypriot side was trying to end Turkey’s guarantees on the island.
“We as UBP are calling on the Greek
Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and those like him who are trying to end the
guarantees on the island, to give up on their efforts as they are not serving
towards a solution process” said the UBP leader.
7.Atalay:
There are no restrictions regarding the offering or religious courses
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(05.02.16) reports that TalipAtalay the "head of the religious affairs
department" stated that there is not any law or any restriction regarding
the offering or religious courses at the Theological School of the breakaway
regime or by mosques.
He made these statements during a speech
he delivered in NecmettinErbakanUnivesity in Konya, Turkey about Cyprus and
Islam leaders.
He stated that compared to the past the
issue of religion in the occupied area of Cyprus is in a very good point and
added that there is a great demand from students who want to study at the
Theological School or take religious classes.
He stated that 800 persons studied at that Theological School and 600
more studied in theological faculties at universities.
(CS)
8.
Turkey refuses Russia’s request for observation flights over Syria border
According to Turkish daily Sabah
(online, 04.02.16), the agreed program
of observation flights by Russian surveillance aircraft will not take place
over Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson TanjuBilgic said on
Thursday.
Bilgiç said that an agreement could not
be reached on the mission plan between the two countries. He also noted that
Russia imposes restrictions on observation flights to be conducted over its
soil, which is known by all members of the Open Skies Treaty.
Omer Celik, Spokesman and Vice President
of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated that Russia requested to fly
parallel to Turkey's Syrian border.
"Of course it is not possible due
to security problems, problems in that area, and force majeure," Celik
said. "We have a hot and fresh crisis with Russia. We let the public
interpret what a demand like 'flying overlapping the Syrian border' means in
this environment."
9.
Summary of proceedings against HDP co-chairs sent to the Justice Ministry
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 05.02.16), a summary
of proceedings against five opposition lawmakers, including the co-chairs of
the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), has been sent to
the Justice Ministry, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.
The
Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared a summary of proceedings against
HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, as well as HDP Deputies
Selma Irmak, SirriSureyyaOnder and ErtugrulKurkcu, and sent it to the Justice
Ministry.
Probes
against the five lawmakers were launched over crimes against the constitutional
order after they attended a meeting of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) in
south-eastern Diyarbakır province between Dec. 26 and 27, 2015. The establishment
of “democratic autonomous regions” was presented as a solution to the Kurdish
problem during the meetings in Diyarbakır.
The attendees also asked for
“self-governance” and embraced the “legitimate insurgency” in a number of
south-eastern districts, while also urging the people of Turkey to support
their cause.
The grounds for the investigations were
laid out as “making terrorism propaganda”, “inciting a crime” and “encouraging
sedition,” in addition to violating Article 302 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK)
by “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”.
When
a probe is launched against lawmakers, a summary of the proceedings needs to be
prepared to lift their immunities in order to begin a trial process.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ ICh)
