TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
179/16
20.09.2016
1.
Akinci: Do not expect miracles from New York visit; We want to build the road
that will take us to the final stage
2.
The Turkish Cypriot press assesses Akinci’s statements to Hurriyet; If no
solution is reached in 2016, division will become
permanent
3.
Akinci said that in case of a Cyprus settlement there will be equality to the
federal jurisdiction
4.
Ozgurgun reacted to Eide’s statements on the guarantee system in
Cyprus
5.
Ertugruloglu will hold meetings in New York and
Washington
6.
Cavusoglu had a series of bilateral meetings in New
York
7.
A supporting protest for the woman who was attacked because she was wearing
short pants
8.
Erdogan: “US has no excuse for keeping a terrorist like
Gülen”
9.
New school year begins for millions of students with pro-democracy
theme
1.
Akinci: Do not expect miracles from New York visit; We want to build the road
that will take us to the final stage
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.09.16, online,
http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/35/news/200833/PageName/KIBRIS_HABERLERI)
reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci argued that they want to
achieve political progress by the end of 2016 in the Cyprus negotiations and
that the technical issues could be left for 2017. “We want to build the road
that will take us to the final stage”, said Akinci at the illegal Tymbou airport
prior to his departure to New York via Istanbul.
Recalling
that he will hold bilateral and tripartite meetings with the UNSG in New York,
Akinci noted: “The basic target is a constructive spirit and good will. The
efforts for shaping Cyprus’ future should continue”.
Akinci
pointed out that no miracles should be expected from his visit to New
York and noted that the meeting which they will hold will not be the
final one.
Akinci
recalled that while the community leaders refer to progress in the negotiations,
the UNSG went one step further and stated that “unprecedented progress has been
achieved”. He argued that “we are at a point which could not be underestimated
from the point of view of the progress”.
Noting
that the “real picture” is that good progress has been achieved on four chapters
of the negotiations, Akinci argued: “If we could put a framework in the
political sense by the end of 2016 to some issues, the other [issues] and the
technical issues could remain for 2017. We want now the road which will
take us to the final stage to be drawn. If we can ensure this, it will be
positive. I wish to return to Nicosia with good results”.
According
to the paper, during his visit to New York, Akinci will hold a tripartite
meeting with the UNSG and President Anastasiades on 25 September. He will also
have bilateral meetings with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the
UNSG Ban Ki moon, the US Vice President Jo Biden, the US Secretary of State John
Kerry, and the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
Turkish
Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu, his diplomatic
and EU councilor, Erhan Ercin, the director of his “office” Cenk Gurcag and the
member of his negotiating team 3rd secretary Sertac Guven participate
in Akinci’s delegation, which is expected to return to Cyprus on 29 September.
(I/Ts.)
2.
The Turkish Cypriot press assesses Akinci’s statements to Hurriyet; If no
solution is reached in 2016, division will become
permanent
Under
the title “Message by Akinci who talked to Hurriyet to the Greek Cypriots:
They will become neighbors with Turkey”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (20.09.16) republishes the statements made yesterday by Turkish
Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper and
reports that Akinci implied that in case no solution is reached to the Cyprus
problem, the occupied northern part of Cyprus may become a part of Turkey over
time.
According
to the paper, asked what will happen if the solution of the Cyprus problem
remains for 2017, Akinci reiterated his arguments as regards the elections of
2018 in the Republic of Cyprus and the explorations for natural gas in Cyprus’
exclusive economic zone planned to begin in 2017 and alleged that “in this
cloud of dust the solution will remain for another time” and then “the two sides
will discuss the parameters of the division”. He argued that if a
solution is reached he will not be able to bring 150 thousand persons from
Turkey and grant to them the “citizenship” of the regime just like the Greek
Cypriots will not be able to bring 100 thousand persons from Greece and grant
citizenship to them. He added: “It is evident what will happen, if there
is no agreement. Water came from Turkey. Agriculture will boom here. There will
be a need for new labor force. New labor force will come here from Turkey.
[…] If there is no solution, the Greek Cypriot side may become neighbor with
Turkey on this island. […]”
Asked
whether he wants to say that the occupied area of Cyprus will become a part of
Turkey, Akinci replied:
“I could not know what kind of a structure will be developed after many years.
In case of a non-solution, we, of course, want the continuation of the TRNC.
However, the Greek Cypriot side should think well where the non-recognition that
lasts for many years, the embargoes, together with the non-solution, will lead
this issue”.
Asked
whether his philosophy is the same as in the Annan Plan as regards the gradual
withdrawal of the Turkish [occupation] troops from Cyprus, Akinci replied that
“everyone knows that there will be withdrawal [of troops] except for the troops
which will remain and that this could happen only gradually”.
He added, though, that the issue is how many years this gradual withdrawal
will last.
Referring
to the issue of guarantees, he recalled that the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut
Cavusoglu had also expressed the view that the security of the one side should
not constitute threat for the other side and that the guarantees will be
regulated according to the new conditions. “For this, an agreed number of
Turkish troops should remain here”, he alleged and added: “Very well,
will Turkey be able to unilaterally interfere? These issues could be debated,
because we are at a different point than in the 1960’s. I estimate that
the unilateral interference today could happen with the will of the Turkish
Cypriot people. If the Turkish Cypriot people feel that they are
threatened, they can ask for Turkey’s help. Turkey, Greece or anyone else will
not be able to say ‘I am coming and I am interfering’”.
Asked
to comment on the view that the Greek Cypriots used the 15 July coup attempt in
Turkey as an argument to justify their position against the presence of the
Turkish army in Cyprus, Akinci claimed that it is true that the Greek
Cypriots tried to use this and added that from the very first day he stated
that not all the “honorable officers” of the Turkish Army should be condemned.
“Therefore, I do not think that they can continue until the end to have a
strong argument having a starting point the 15th of July”, he
alleged.
Replying
to a question on the rotating presidency, Akinci argued that “the rotating
presidency is one of the indispensable conditions for the Turkish Cypriot
people’s political equality” and “if the Greek Cypriot side says that the
rotating presidency will never become a parameter of the solution, it means that
there will be no agreement”. “It means that the Turkish Cypriot leader
will not sign it and take it in front of the people”, he added and alleged
that only the periods of the rotating presidency could be discussed on this
issue.
Meanwhile,
commenting on the above statements to Hurriyet, columnist Sami Ozuslu writes
in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen today (20.09.16) that “these
statements were a good warning” prior to Akinci departure to New York. Under
the title “45 thousand new citizens”, he argues, inter alia, the
following: “The leadership of the Greek Cypriots might not be able to see
that Akinci’s scenario is real. If they cannot see the future, it means that
there is a problem in their political horizon. If they can see it and in spite
of this they ignore it, the responsibility will be heavier. […]
The
ending of the existence of hopes for a solution in Cyprus, is tantamount to the
permanent division of the island. It does not seem possible for the TRNC to be
recognized as ‘separate state’ in a permanent division.
This is accepted even by the right wing supporters. […] The ‘permanent
division’ will result in Turkey being further established in the northern part
of Cyprus and even in the annexation of this place- if this suits it. This
is a summary of what will happen, if there is no solution.
By
referring to ‘borders [with Turkey], Akinci was not trying to explain nothing
else than this reality.
Moreover, if no solution is reached by the end of the year, the hopes
will be postponed for few years later [and] there will be a rush of new
citizenships in the northern part of Cyprus. […]
Granting
citizenship to at least another 45 thousand persons will come onto the
agenda.
Do not forget that during the last year, Turkey’s high ranking officials have
expressed these demands. If now this issue was stopped, this is for the sake
of the negotiations. If the negotiating process is destroyed, the government’s
first job will be to register citizens. The UBP and the DP are anyway looking
for excuses to do actions which will strengthen the non-solution. It will be
well if the leadership of the Greek Cypriots note these in a corner of their
mind”.
(I/Ts.)
3.
Akinci said that in case of a Cyprus settlement there will be equality to the
federal jurisdiction
According
to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.09.16), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci, addressing the opening ceremony of the “2016-2017 Judicial Year” in the
occupied area of Cyprus, noted that “all citizens needed to be treated equally
and should equally benefit from the resources in the country”.
Touching
upon the Cyprus issue during his speech, Akinci said that the agreement to be
reached will entail equality to the federal jurisdiction and an equal amount of
judges from both sides will take place and added: “The position of the Higher
Federal Courts presidency will also rotate equally”.
He
further said that they are striving to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and
argued that if they are successful the Turkish Cypriot “people” will be able to
take their rightful place amongst the world and overcome their “victimization”,
as he claimed.
4.
Ozgurgun reacted to Eide’s statements on the guarantee system in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (20.09.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun,
self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, reacted to the statements made by the UN Secretary General’s
Special Advisor to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on the guarantee system in Cyprus by
describing it as outdated. Ozgurgun alleged that Eide has exceeded his duties
with such statements.
In
a tweet at his personal account, Ozgurgun claimed: “Eide’s manipulative
statement regarding the guarantees has surpassed his authority. Unfortunately,
there is a need for security more than ever in the modern world”.
(DPs)
5.
Ertugruloglu will hold meetings in New York and
Washington
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (20.09.16) reports that self-styled foreign
minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu departed for New York
yesterday.
According
to a press release, Ertugruloglu will attend the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation’s (OIC) annual Council of Foreign Ministers’ session and a meeting
held by the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and will address the
participants. The “TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) is an observer member of the OIC and
the ECO.
On
the occasion of the OIC and ECO meetings, Ertugruloglu will hold “bilateral
meetings” with Foreign Ministers; he will also “participate” in the opening of
the 71st United Nations General Assembly and will carry out “contacts” with UN
officials.
Following
his visit to New York, Ertugruloglu will meet with high-level officials from the
USA, as well as representatives from think tanks and the media in
Washington.
Mustafa
Lakadamyali, self-styled undersecretary of the “ministry of foreign affairs”,
Serap Destegul Redif, self-styled first secretary and Denil Ertug, self-styled
ministry officer, are accompanying Ertugruloglu.
(DPs)
6.
Cavusoglu had a series of bilateral meetings in New
York
According
to Turkey’s MFA website (http://www.mfa.gov.tr/71st-session-of-the-un-general-assembly.en.mfa),
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Cavusoglu who is in New York to attend the 71st
session of the UN General Assembly has started to have a series of bilateral
meetings on 18 September 2016.
In
this context, he met with President Thomson of the UN General Assembly, First
Vice-President Timmermans of the European Commission, UN Secretary General’s
Special Advisor on Cyprus Eide, Foreign Minister Lajcak of Slovakia, Secretary
General Jagland of the Council of Europe and US Congressman Engel. He also
attended the working dinner on Middle East hosted by the International Peace
Institute.
7.
A supporting protest for the woman who was attacked because she was wearing
short pants
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (20.09.16), Turkish Cypriot women
will hold a protest on September 25 for the incidence, which was occurred in
Istanbul, where a woman was attacked because she was wearing short
pants.
All
the women, who will participate in the protest, have been asked to wear short
pants.
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 19.09.16) reported that a court
on Sept. 19 ordered the arrest of a man who attacked and injured a young woman
on a public bus in Istanbul for wearing shorts on Sept.
12.
Abdullah
Cakiroglu was initially detained following the 23-year-old victim’s complaint
that he kicked her in the face on a public bus in Istanbul for wearing short
pants.
Cakiroglu
admitted the charge but was released on Sept. 18 by a prosecutor, who decided
that the offense of “actual bodily harm” did not fall under the category of an
offense that would require an arrest.
However,
he was detained with a prosecutor’s order once again on Sept. 18
for “spreading hatred and enmity among people” after his release sparked
public outrage.
During
his police interrogation, Cakiroglu reportedly said: “She was dressed against
my traditions. I am receiving psychological treatment. I suddenly kicked [her]
impulsively.” While leaving the police station for the court, however, the
assailant was recorded answering questions from members of the press,
saying:
“Friends,
everything is under control. There is no problem. I will make the necessary
explanation. I was attacked by vandals; 20 leftist terrorists attacked me.
Everything happened according to Islamic law.”
During
his prosecutor’s testimony, Cakiroglu reportedly said: “I beat people whose
outfits I do not like. The state should punish those who dress like this.”
(DPs)
8.
Erdogan: “US has no excuse for keeping a terrorist like
Gülen”
According
to Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (online, 20.09.16), Turkish President
Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that the United States should "not harbour a
terrorist" like Fetullah Gülen and that his activities should be banned around
the world.
Erdogan
argued that Washington had "no excuse" for keeping Gülen, who has built up a
network of terrorists over decades inside the armed forces and civil service to
take over Turkey.
"If
the U.S. is our strategic ally and our NATO partner... then they should not let
a terrorist like Gülen run his organization," Erdogan said, in an interview with
Reuters on the side-lines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the United
Nations.
The
Turkish President said that an initial three-month state of emergency, declared
in the wake of the coup, could be extended if necessary. "It can be extended for
three months or one month or even more ... Gülen's people have infiltrated
everywhere ... We will continue to identify and arrest the plotters ...
Extending the state of emergency will help this process," he
added.
Erdogan
claimed that the EU had failed to meet its obligations despite Turkey's
decades-long efforts to join the trading bloc. "Turkey has kept its promises
regarding the EU membership process; it is a two-way street and the EU should
fulfil its promises ... We have not concluded this process ... We want the EU to
be honest about this process," he added.
Erdogan
noted also that no lasting peace could be achieved in Syria without the removal
of President Bashar al-Assad from power.
"The future of Syria should be determined by its own people ... Why is this
killer (Assad) being backed by some states?" Erdogan
wondered.
"Assad
cannot be part of any transitional period ... The world should find a solution
that does not involve Assad ... Syria's territorial integrity should be
respected by other countries."
9.
New school year begins for millions of students with pro-democracy
theme
According
to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 20.09.16), some 18 million students
returned to school yesterday. Students will be taught about the struggle for
democracy during the July 15 coup attempt in the first week back to school.
Each were handed pamphlets about the coup attempt and were later shown videos
about the coup attempt in classrooms.
Students
will be informed on the meaning of the coup attempt as well as the significance
of the civilian struggle against the pro-coup soldiers on the first week of
school. On the first day at school, pupils also observed a minute of silence for
pro-democracy activists killed by coup plotters.
For
about 18 million students, the new semester brings major changes, most
prominently, the assignment of new teachers after thousands were suspended for
links to terrorist groups.
The suspension of teachers suspected of having ties to the PKK followed the
dismissal of teachers with links to Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) which is
accused of masterminding the putsch attempt.
This
also year brings major changes to Turkey's education as thousands of schools
were closed and more than 28,000 teachers were dismissed from duty as part of an
anti-terror campaign. To fill the void, authorities hired "unassigned" teachers
who had to wait years for an appointment due to a surplus of teachers. Schools
run by FETÖ members were handed over to the state and will continue serving as
public schools while students enrolled in those schools were transferred to
public schools.
Addressing
the students at a school in his hometown Erzincan, Prime Minister Binali
Yıldırım emphasized that the government increased the budget earmarked for
education to more than TL 100 billion ($33.606 billion) from TL 10 billion in 14
years, and this investment in the future was "far more sustainable than the
investment in the infrastructure". "You are the bright future of Turkey. You
have seen what the Turkish youth is capable of when they bravely stood against
tanks on July 15," Yıldırım said.
Accompanying
Yıldırım in Erzincan, the Minister of National Education İsmet Yılmaz said they
would put an emphasis on vocational education this year as Turkey strives to
train more skilled manpower to help boost the economic growth. "We have 44%
of students in middle education enrolled in vocational education and we aim to
increase it to over 50%", Yılmaz said. The Minister said apprenticeship
training and internship will be mandatory for vocational school students, and
the state would cover the internship and healthcare fees for vocational school
students.
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