21/9/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

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


No. 180/16                                                                                        21.09.2016
1. Akinci: “The isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be ended”
2. Havadis paper reports that Ban may invite the two leaders in a meeting like Greentree
3. Ozyigit: The guarantee system should be continued
4. The New Cyprus Party expressed worries over a possible standstill at the negotiations 
5. The KTTO and Turkey’s TOBB prepared an action plan for the Turkish franchises in Cyprus after the solution 
6. Wastewater is discharged in the sea without refining it first
7. Erdogan at UN Assembly: “We cannot lose more time for a political solution in Syria”
8. The Turkish government submitted motion to Parliament to extend military operations in Syria and Iraq
9. Turkish Foreign Ministry reshuffles 16 Αmbassadors


1. Akinci: “The isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be ended”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.09.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said that the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots for half a century should be ended, adding that they should build a new future in which they will live within equality, freedom and security.

In a statement during his flight to New York, Akinci argued that the Turkish Cypriot “people” have been imprisoned in this small place, have been cut off from the world and isolated from the international community.

Akinci further said: “This is a huge injustice to our community. It is about time to get out from this position and to take the place we deserve. The isolation for half a century should be ended and we should build a new future in which we will live with equality, freedom and security. We can do this. We are going to New York with this determination and political will. We hope that our determination won’t be unreciprocated”.
(DPs)


2. Havadis paper reports that Ban may invite the two leaders in a meeting like Greentree
Under the title “A Greentree model meeting on the agenda”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.09.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci went to New York in order to meet with President Anastasiades and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon within the framework of the Cyprus talks for finding a comprehensive solution.

It is expected at the New York contacts to plan how the negotiations will be shaped and to prepare the ground for a multipartite meeting, where the chapter of Security and Guarantees will be discussed.

The paper reports that both leaders will ask from the UN General Secretary in line with the aim to reach a solution within 2016 to get involved more in the Cyprus talks. According to diplomatic sources, the Secretary General may invite Akinci and Anastasiades abroad for a meeting similar to the Greentree meeting. It is expected that this option will be discussed in detail at the New York meeting.
(DPs)


3. Ozyigit: The guarantee system should be continued
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (21.09.16) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said that TDP’s view on the guarantees issue is clear and added: “The Turkish Cypriots have taken a series of lessons from painful incidents of the past. For this reason, a system of guarantees should be continued in a way until the concerns of the communities on security will be eliminated to the minimum”.

Evaluating the Cyprus talks, Ozyigit said that he is optimistic about the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that all issues except territory have been discussed. “Thereby, there is serious progress on the four chapters from the six”, he noted.

Noting that it is the first time that reciprocal proposals have been submitted by the sides on the guarantee issue at the negotiation process, Ozyigit argued that in case the trilateral meeting in New York proceeds into a five-partite meeting or a similar intensified process, then the solution is around the corner.

Referring to the “TRNC citizens”, Ozyigit claimed that both the “TRNC citizens” and their brothers from Turkey (a total of 220 thousand) will become citizens of the Federal Cyprus at the moment of the solution.

Ozyigit said that he does not believe that the recognition of the “TRNC” will come into the agenda in case the Cyprus problem is not solved, but with each passing day the “TRNC” becomes more dependent on Turkey.
(DPs)

4. The New Cyprus Party expressed worries over a possible standstill at the negotiations 
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (21.09.16) under the title: “YKP: “We are worrying about the interruption of the talks”, reports that the New Cyprus Party (YKP) in a written statement, evaluated the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiation talks and expressed their worries over a possible interruption of the current negotiation process aiming at reaching to a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.
“The United Nations should not allow the talks to come to a standstill. It should discuss with the parties involved on both sides all the problems that may exist and exert efforts and open the path for a solution”, the statement said.
The YKP added also that from the statements made so far, it was understood that no agreement was achieved on the fundamental issues. Stating that only a general evaluation was made by the two leaders on the issues related with the guarantees, the territory and the security issue, the YKP warned that there are still red lines. 
Underlining that the YKP does not want to see the negotiations coming to a standstill, it called on both leaders to work with determination and goodwill in order for the negotiation process to yield a positive outcome.
(AK)

5. The KTTO and Turkey’s TOBB prepared an action plan for the Turkish franchises in Cyprus after the solution 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.09.16) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO) and the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) prepared an “action plan” in order for the Turkish firms and franchises in the occupied area of Cyprus to be able to buy the dealership for the whole of Cyprus in a possible solution of the Cyprus problem.
According to the paper, the representatives of the Turkish firms which are operating in the occupied area of Cyprus, in cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade and the TOBB continue their works towards the “action plan” prepared, in order to avoid becoming victimized in a possible solution of the Cyprus problem.
The “action plan” envisages that all “protocols” which were signed so far between the Turkish firms and their representatives in the “TRNC” will be revised so that the area of recognition will include the whole of Cyprus and not only the “TRNC”.
According to the paper, in a meeting which took place last March, the TOBB has asked all exporters and industrialist who have branches and franchises in the “TRNC” to amend the framework of the implementation of their “protocols”.
While this process is still in progress, the paper writes that the final decision will be received by the Turkish exporters and industrialists and their franchisers in the “TRNC”.
The paper writes also that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade and the TOBB have signed a protocol last February called: “Action plan for the development of cooperation between Turkey and Turkish Cyprus’s business world and the development of the economy in general”.
(AK)

6. Wastewater is discharged in the sea without refining it first
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (21.09.16) reports that the “Chamber of environmental engineers” announced that the wastewater treatment plants, which operate in the occupied areas of Keryneia, Trikomo and Famagusta discharge their wastewater in the sea without refining it.

The “Chamber of environmental engineers” feels responsible to share with the public this incident because their health is also in danger. The paper publishes photos with the water pollution.
(DPs)


7. Erdogan at UN Assembly: “ We cannot lose more time for a political solution in Syria”
Turkish daily Sabah (20.09.16) reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called on world leaders at the United Nations to work towards an immediate political solution to resolve the crisis in Syria.
Speaking at the 71st United Nations General Council, Erdogan said: "We cannot lose more time to realize the political resolution process and end the root of the problem, which is the fighting in Syria, terror and atmosphere of cruelty."
Erdogan also voiced his disappointment over Western organizations' and governments' reluctance to help tackle the refugee crisis.
Reiterating that Turkey has done its share to help refugees by spending over 25 billion dollars, Erdogan also criticized the UN and EU for not fulfilling their pledges on providing funds for refugees.
"Turkey has spent over $25 billion while the United Nation, the platform I am speaking now, only delivered $525 million. There was no support from the European Union, and UNICEF only sent $178 million and that is it", Erdoğan told the Assembly.
"The West may not, but we will keep on admitting them [Syrian refugees], because we are human beings," Erdogan said, lashing out at other world leaders.
Stating that Syrian people were under the governance of a tyrant, brute and terrorist while also fighting against the relentless attacks of terror organizations, Erdogan said the international community failed to carry out its humanitarian duties in Syria.
"Turkey's incursion into northern Syria in early September had led to establishing peace, balance and stability in a region taken over by hopelessness," he also said, stating that the Syrian regime encourages civilians to either surrender or die.
Supporting that Turkey has no interest in Syrian territory and no plans to stay there, Erdogan added: “We respect Syria's territorial integrity. Syria belongs to Syrian people, nobody must have any other plans for it."
He also accused the European Union of not keeping its promises over Turkey's EU membership.
Erdogan also demanded international action against the leader of FETÖ terror group Fetullah Gülen, the mastermind of July 15 coup attempt.
"I am calling, from this podium, to all our friends, to swiftly take the necessary measures against the Gülenist terrorist group for their own safety and the future of their nations", he told the UN General Assembly.
Gülen's "terrorist network" that threatens the national security of not only Turley but also other countries, he added.
"It is evident from our experience that if you do not fight the Gülen network at this stage, it may be too late later."
Erdogan also said that he takes pride in the Turkish nation for repelling the coup attempt and showing a very noble stance.

8. The Turkish government submitted motion to Parliament to extend military operations in Syria and Iraq
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (21.09.16) reported that the Turkish government submitted a comprehensive motion to Parliament on September 20 to extend the one-year mandate authorizing the deployment of the Turkish army into Iraq and Syria and allowing the deployment of foreign troops on Turkish soil, providing the necessary legality for Turkey’s contribution to the international coalition’s efforts to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The motion, based on Article 92 of the Constitution, gives permission for the use of Turkish troops in Iraq and Syria for cross-border operations against members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), while also allowing foreign forces to be deployed in Turkish military bases and to transit through Turkish territory in operations against ISIL. 
In 2014, the government merged two existing motions on Syria and Iraq into one, arguing that the threats posed by terrorist organizations were based in both countries’ territories.
“Developments in the neighboring regions of Turkey’s southern land frontiers, and threats derived from ongoing clashes, have increased,” read part of the motion signed by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım.
The proposal also recalled that PKK elements are continuing their presence in northern Iraq, stressing that both ISIL in northern Syria and the PKK have carried out attacks against Turkey. The motion underlined the continuation of Turkey’s activities as part of the international coalition that was established for the struggle against ISIL and other terrorist organizations.
The mandate will be extended on October 2 after a Parliamentary debate on October 1.
(…)

9. Turkish Foreign Ministry reshuffles 16 Αmbassadors
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.09.16) reported that sixteen Turkish Ambassadors have been reshuffled, according to a decree published in the Official Gazette on September 20, according to Anadolu Agency.
According to a Ministry decision dating back to June 23, the EU Ministry Undersecretary Rauf Engin Soysal was appointed as Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Ambassador Ahmet Altay Cengizler was appointed as Turkey’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO.
Turkey’s Ambassador to Dublin Necip Egüz, Ambassador to Bangkok Osman Bülent Tulun, Ambassador to Berlin Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu and Permanent Representative to UNESCO Hüseyin Avni Botsalı were recalled to the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Ankara.
According to a Ministry document on July 26, Ambassador Ali Rifat Köksal was appointed as Turkey’s Ambassador to Tajikistan’s Dushanbe, Ambassador Nuri Kaya Bakkalbaşı was appointed as Ambassador to Costa Rica’s San José, Ambassador Murat Lütem was appointed as Ambassador to Singapore, Ambassador Haydar Kerem Divanlıoglu was appointed as Ambassador to Myanmar’s Naypyidaw, Ambassador Murat Karagöz was appointed as Ambassador to Jordan’s Amman, and İsmail Sefa Yüceer was appointed as Ambassador to Gambia’s Banjul.
In addition, Ambassador to Singapore Hakkı Taner Seben, Ambassador to Naypyidaw Murat Yavuz Ateş, Ambassador to Amman Sedat Önal and Ambassador to Banjul Ergin Soner were also recalled to the Foreign Ministry headquarters.



---------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK /ECh)