3/10/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

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


No. 189/16                                                                                        01-03.10.2016
1. Ozgurgun: “We can never permit discussion of Turkey’s active and effective guarantees”
2. Ozgurgun held contacts in Turkey
3. Ertugruloglu: “If the negotiations fail we will look for new options, including annexation with Turkey”
4. CHP Deputy claims that the Turkish public is distracted from the Cyprus negotiation process
5. Atun announced that Turkey and the occupation regime will prepare a “protocol” on the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the occupation regime
6. Threats against Elcil because of his European Citizen Award 
7. Economic dependency on Turkey is reportedly decreasing
8. HDP Deputy shares through social media pictures of Turkish army’s atrocities against women in southeastern Turkey   
9. Izcan said that criminality is out of control in the breakaway regime
10. The “solidarity movement” asked for explanations from the so-called government
11. New political party has been established in the occupied area of Cyprus
12. Sami Ozulu is the new chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalism Union
13. An official of the British High Commission confirmed that no change has been made on the procedure for the expats’ right of driving in the Republic of Cyprus
14. Erdogan sends strong messages to EU and the US
15. Turkey imposed curfews on 13 villages in southeastern Turkey
16. Police detain FETÖ leader Gülen's brother in İzmir in anti-terror operation
17. Cavusoglu due to Brussels to attend a conference on Afghanistan


1. Ozgurgun: “We can never permit discussion of Turkey’s active and effective guarantees”
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (03.10.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that they can never permit discussion on Turkey’s “active and effective guarantees” in Cyprus. In statements to Turkish state TRT television, Ozgurgun described Turkey’s guarantees as their “thickest red line”.
Alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side has many times proved its will for an agreement in Cyprus, Ozgurgun claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has always said “no” to the agreements, which the Turkish Cypriot side approached positively.
Referring to the guarantees, he alleged:
The Turkish Cypriot people can never abandon motherland Turkey’s active and effective guarantees. The public opinion polls show that this support is around 90%. The Greek Cypriot side should know this. […] My government and I […] will definitely not permit Turkey’s guarantees to be discussed. We will not give concessions from Turkey’s active and effective guarantees, we will not permit its discussion. This is our thickest red line which should be underlined, because the issue of security requires much more importance in the modern world of today. […]” 
Ozgurgun further claimed that bi-zonality should clearly be preserved and the fact that the Turkish Cypriot “people” are equal to the Greek Cypriots should not be forgotten.  “If the Greek Cypriot side accepts this, the solution will be found immediately”, he alleged and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept this. “Let us see things from the opposite side. If we accept what the Greek Cypriot side wants, a solution will immediately be found”, he argued.
Replying to a question regarding the tripartite meeting in New York, Ozgurgun said that he does not see a lot of agreements and that the negotiations will continue from the point they remained. He argued that when elections take place in either of the sides, problems are experienced in the negotiations. Recalling the presidential elections of 2018 in the government-controlled area of the island, Ozgurgun alleged that entering into the pre-election climate would prolong the negotiations.    
Ozgurgun also claimed that the Greek Cypriots “have the mentality” that they are the internationally recognized state which is an EU member, that the Turkish Cypriots are a minority and that they discuss with the Turkish Cypriots only for giving them minority rights. He alleged that because of this mentality the Greek Cypriots think that the natural gas and everything else belong to them and say that “I cannot discuss it with the minorities”. “What are you going to agree with this mentality”, he wondered arguing that the natural gas belongs to both communities of the island. He alleged: “They [the Greek Cypriots] try to turn this issue into a fait accompli. If such a thing happens, the necessary measures will be taken. We should not permit for the rights of the Turkish Cypriots to be usurped”.  
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (01.10.16) reported that in statements to Turkish A Haber, Ozgurgun commented on the tripartite meeting held in New York and claimed that he does not see hope for a solution by the end of 2016 in an environment in which the Greek Cypriot side does not abandon its “demands”. “If you surrender it will happen”, he alleged after referring which the demands of the Greek Cypriots are. “However, neither Turkey nor the Turkish Cypriots will accept such a thing”, he added.
Ozgurgun claimed that the Turkish Cypriots do not need an agreement which will be materialized by “giving everything by force”. He argued that the Greek Cypriot side is in the same way obliged to an agreement and that the Greek Cypriot side’s rights are not more than the ones of the Turkish Cypriot side.
Noting that the Greek Cypriots accept to meet with Turkish Cypriots abroad only as two communities under the auspices of the UN, Ozgurgun alleged that looking at the negotiations within this framework, it is not right to have many hopes.   
Ozgurgun once more criticized the statement made by UNSG’s special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, who had said that “guarantees are outdated”. He argued that Eide had no right or competence to issue such a statement on the guarantees and described this statement as “inconsistent and wrong”. 
Ozgurgun further alleged that the Turkish Cypriots were forced to launch the negotiations in 2008. He argued that this decision and behaving as if the Turkish Cypriots were obliged to reach an agreement is wrong. “We beg no one for an agreement and we are not going to give everything away because we need an agreement”, he added.
(I/Ts.)

2. Ozgurgun held contacts in Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (03.10.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has visited Turkey to attend the opening ceremony for the commencement of the work of the Grand Turkish National Assembly. During his visit in Ankara, Ozgurgun met with Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, Tugrul Turkes, Minister of Forests and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu and Minister of Economy, Nihat Zeybekci. During the meetings, Ozgurgun discussed the ongoing projects and investments in the occupied area of Cyprus as well as investment issues as regards the water transferred from Turkey.
(I/Ts.)  

3. Ertugruloglu: “If the negotiations fail we will look for new options, including annexation with Turkey”
Turkish daily Hurriyet daily (01.10.16) published an interview by self-styled foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu who held various contacts in Washington.

Ertugruloglu stated that if the current negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem fail, the Turkish Cypriot community will start looking for other options, including the annexation with Turkey.

He said that he has no hopes that a solution will be reached in 2016 and added that this opinion is not connected only with the current solution procedure. “Because is not possible to leave the table with an agreement on the basic of equality at a negotiating process which is not being conducted on a basis of equality”, he claimed.

He stated that due to the 2018 presidential elections, in which the Greek Cypriots will be focused on as from the first months of 2017, only around five months for negotiations remain. Therefore, he said, during this remained period, either we will leave the table reaching an agreement or we will agree upon the non-agreement.

Ertugruloglu stated that despite all the issues Ankara faces at the international arena, Ankara continues to show its sensitivity and determination on the Cyprus problem. “Because Ankara knows this very well: A Turkey that will lose in the Cyprus issue, it will not be able to remain standing in any other issue. I have no worries over this. Ankara will continue to be well and sound”, he stated.
(CS)
4. CHP Deputy claims that the  Turkish public is distracted from the Cyprus negotiation process
Under the title: “Warning for the (Cyprus) negotiation process”, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (03.10.16) reports that Aytun Ciray, Izmir Deputy with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Turkey warned that there is an effort of distracting the public opinion in Turkey from the “crucial developments” that are taking place on the Cyprus problem.

According to the paper, Caray, who issued a warning to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, stated that the public opinion is distracted by the “very sad” internal issues of Turkey, as a result of the 15 July failed coups, the deep economic crisis, PKK attacks and the Syria issue.

He went on adding that an agreement was signed between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel for gas exploration and that even the guarantees of Turkey at the island are put in danger during the talks. He also referred to the results of the referendum of the Annan Plan and claimed that after the results the Greek Cypriot side put obstacles in front of Turkey’s EU bid.
(CS)

5. Atun announced that Turkey and the occupation regime will prepare a “protocol” on the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the occupation regime
Under the front-page title: “Electricity is coming from Turkey”, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (03.10.16) reports that the so-called minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun, in statements during a meeting he held with the “chamber of electrical engineers”, announced that he will meet in the next days with the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Berak Albayrak in order to prepare a “protocol” concerning the illegal transferring of electricity from Turkey to the “TRNC” via undersea cables.
Underlining the increasing needs of the occupation regime every passing day on energy, Atun said that he will exert efforts together with the Turkish Minister to prepare a “protocol” for the transferring of electricity from Turkey and added that as soon as it is prepared, it will be signed by the “ministers” of the two “countries”. He further said that the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the “TRNC” with undersea cables will contribute to “human health, the environment and the renewable energy”.
(AK)

6. Threats against Elcil because of his European Citizen Award 
Under the title “Let us clean up the supporters of the Greeks”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (03.10.16) reports that fascist attacks took place through the social media against Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), who has been granted the European Citizen Award. According to the paper, except for insults there have been threats against Elcil’s life.
Some persons wrote: “Just like Erdogan cleaned up the FETO supporters, let us clean up these supports of the Greeks” or “Kick him out of the TRNC”. A settler from Turkey named Abdullah Iskey said: “I have named my dog at home Sener Elcil. The dog has not been eating for two days. It seems that it is offended”.
(I/Ts.)

7. Economic dependency on Turkey is reportedly decreasing
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (03.10.16) reports that the donations and credits taken from Turkey for the breakaway regime’s “public” current expenditure have seriously decreased during the past few years.
Citing data obtained from the “ministry of finance”, the paper writes that Turkey’s monthly aids and credits were 140 million 175 thousand Turkish liras (TL) in 2011 and decreased to 53 million 374 thousand TL in 2015
According to the donation and credit “protocols” signed for 2016, Turkey has committed to give the breakaway regime one billion 404 million 380 thousand 406,46 TL this year.
The “donations protocol” for 2016 provides for total donations of 927.895.149,55 TL, which are distributed as following:
1. Investments: 432.775.234,65  TL
2. Real Sector Support: 177.000.000,05 TL
3. Defense: 307.119.914,85 TL
4. Incentives Fund: 11.000.000,00 TL
The “credits protocol” for 2016 provides for total credits of 476.485.256,91 TL, which are distributed as following:
1. Contribution to the “budget” deficit: 200.000.000,00 TL
2. “Public” Sector (Other): 76.485.256,91 TL
3. Reform Support Fund: 200.000.000,00 TL
(I/Ts.)

8. HDP Deputy shares through social media pictures of Turkish army’s atrocities against women in southeastern Turkey   
Under the title “Behold the skills of the army the guarantees of which you want”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.10.16) published on its front page three pictures which Sirri Sureyya Onder, Member of the Turkish Parliament with the Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP), has shared through social media. The pictures show the bodies of naked dead women on the streets of Kurdish cities [in southeastern Turkey]. The paper notes that these pictures “freeze one’s blood” and that Onder strongly criticized the women organizations which remained silent to this “savagery”.  He wrote:
“The supporters of women rights, who have reacted because they suffered men violence due to the fact that they were wearing shorts in a bus, their representatives, the feminist groups remained silent for the women killed in Yuksekova, [and] in Varto and their bodies were exhibited in the middle of the streets. Because, for these liberal fascists the most important is always the identity [of the victim]”.
(I/Ts.) 

9. Izcan said that criminality is out of control in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (02.10.16) reported that Izzet Izcan, the chairman of the United Cyprus Party blamed the so-called government for the rise of the crime rate in the breakaway regime.

Izcan said that the increase in rapes and robberies is an indication that the situation is out of control in the breakaway regime. He also accused the “government” of following a wrong policy as regards issues on population, labor and “citizenships”, arguing that this is one of the reasons that led the crime rate to escalate.

“All these are a result of the weak and hideous governing”, he stated.
(CS)

10. The “solidarity movement” asked for explanations from the so-called government
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (02.10.16) reported that the “solidarity movement” in the occupied area of Cyprus in a written statement condemned the “decision” taken by the so-called council of ministers in the breakaway regime on September 29, regarding the rending of a 20 thousand squares meters plot of land belonging to the “state” to the “founding rector” of the illegal “Near East university” Suat Gursel for a period of 49 years.
According to the paper, the plot of land is located near to the sea in occupied Keryneia area and it is considered as one of the most beautiful areas in the “country”.
In the light of this development, the “solidarity movement” described the “ministerial council decision” as worrisome and asked from the so-called government to make statements on the issue. “It is worrisome the fact that one of the most beautiful public areas to be given as bribe”, said the “solidarity movement” in its statement.
(AK)

11. New political party has been established in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (03.10.16) reports that the founding meeting for the transferring of the “Rebirth movement” operating in the occupied area of Cyprus into a political party took place yesterday.
According to the paper, Erhan Arikli has been elected as the “founding chairman” of the “Rebirth Party” and Turan Buyukyilmaz as “general secretary”. 
Commenting on the social media about the “founding of the party”, Arikli thanked the Turkish settlers who are mainly the supporters for the support and said that they came to “power” with their support.
(AK)

12. Sami Ozulu is the new chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalism Union
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (02.10.16) reports that Sami Ozulu was elected as the new chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalism Union.

The elections for the Union’s new board were held on Saturday.
(CS)

13. An official of the British High Commission confirmed that no change has been made on the procedure for the expats’ right of driving in the Republic of Cyprus
Under the front-page title: “Expats turned away at border”, Turkish Cypriot daily Cyprus Today newspaper in English (01.10.16) reported that an official of the British High Commission in Cyprus has confirmed that “non-Cypriots are free to drive the TRNC’s registered vehicles” in the free area of the Republic of Cyprus. The issue came to light after a “misunderstanding” led to expats motorists being turned away by officials in Agios Dometios crossing point in Lefkosia.
 In statements to the paper, the British High Commission Vice-Consul Christina Smith said that the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus had confirmed to her that there had been no change to procedures. “We were informed that there was a misunderstanding at the crossing point about the application of UN regulations but this has now been resolved and people are free to cross”, Smith said.
(…)

14. Erdogan sends strong messages to EU and the US
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (02.10.16) reported that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressing the Parliament for the start of the legislative year on October 1st, stated that the EU must decide whether it wants to continue on its path with or without Turkey, describing the ongoing impasse between Ankara and Brussels as "the end of the game".
"If the EU wants to admit Turkey as a full member based on an objective assessment, there is no obstacle to that. We are ready. But if they have no intention of admitting us and think they can continue stalling the process through unreasonable demands, they are wrong. They should know that that game is over”, Erdogan said, adding:  "It's the EU's choice whether to continue on its path with or without Turkey. They will make that choice themselves. They should not try to throw this responsibility on our shoulders through their cunning tactics”. 
(…)
"October is important in terms of our relations with the EU. As you all know, the visa-free regime that the European Union promised to Turkey is supposed to enter into force this month," Erdogan said, claiming that Brussels was attempting to make Turkey compromise "in the fight against terrorism."
"Let me be clear on this: This attitude is an explicit manifestation of the fact that the European Union does not want to keep its promise to Turkey. Let me be clearer still: Let them decide!" he added.
Erdogan also slammed the U.S. for the "inconsistency and disjointedness" of its policies on the Middle East, as one part of the Obama administration continues to insist on allying with Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD), an organization that Ankara regards as an associate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 
"We are making efforts to continue our relations with the U.S. in the spirit of our traditional alliance.
However, we have been witnessing grave signs of inconsistency and disjointedness in U.S. policies in our region, particularly in recent times," Erdogan said.
"A section of the U.S. administration insists on working jointly with the PKK/PYD-YPG [People's Protection Units] terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq, while another section tries to pursue policies that are sympathetic to our sensitivities," he added.
"This situation is apparently caused by the upcoming presidential elections in the U.S., so we will continue to work to solve this problem without harming the vital interests of our country," Erdogan said.

15. Turkey imposed curfews on 13 villages in southeastern Turkey
Turkish daily Yeni Safak online in English (01.10.16) reported that the Turkish authorities have restored an open-ended curfew on 13 villages, located in Lice and Hani towns in Diyarbakır province, ahead of a sweeping operation to wipe out terrorists, linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) operating in the mountainous area nearby, according to the Governor's office.
 The new measure came into effect at 05:00 (local time) and remain in place until further notice, the statement said.
The Governor said that the security forces will launch a major operation to search for terrorist groups operating in the hills near the town of Lice and Hani, contain their local collaborators and destroy the terrorists' weapon positions as well as targets used by terrorists as shelter, bunker and facilities.
People will not be allowed to go outside their homes until a second notification. "It is important for citizens to follow the ban for the security of their lives and property," the government's statement said.

16. Police detain FETÖ leader Gülen's brother in İzmir in anti-terror operation
Turkish daily Sabah (02.10.16) reported that Kutbettin Gülen, the brother of Fetullah Gülen, the mastermind of the failed July 15 coup attempt, has been arrested by Turkish police in an anti-terror operation in İzmir province on charges of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization."
Gülen was detained after anti-terror police started searching for him after receiving a tip-off that he was staying at the home of a relative in the Gaziemir district of the western province of İzmir.
Kutbettin Gülen was dismissed from a printing house operating under Kaynak Holding after the state appointed trustees to the company in 2015 for its links to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).
Fetullah Gülen has five brothers: Seyfullah and Hasbi, who are dead, and Mesih, Salih and Kutbettin. He also has two sisters, Nurhayat and Fazilet. Their current whereabouts are not known.
In July, the police arrested Gülen's nephew Muhammet Sait Gülen in the eastern province of Erzurum. Another nephew, Ahmet Ramiz Gülen, was arrested in August in the southeastern province of Gaziantep.
(…)

17. Cavusoglu due to Brussels to attend a conference on Afghanistan
Turkish daily Sabah (online in English-02.10.16) reported that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is set to attend the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan that will be co-hosted by the European Union and Afghanistan on Oct. 4-5.
The international community will also attend efforts to secure financial aid until 2020 to rebuild the war-torn nation. As a close partner of Afghanistan with deep historical, political and economic ties, Turkey has been participating in the conference series on rebuilding Afghanistan since its commencement in 2002. The U.S. Special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson, recently stated in Washington that the upcoming Brussels conference is to compile pledges of over $3 billion a year toward Afghanistan's development support.
The conferences affirm the international communities' commitment to support Afghanistan's development; and further assembly meetings where financial support toward the war-torn country will be discussed. In addition to bilateral assistance, Turkey is also taking part in the efforts of the international community to support Afghanistan's reconstruction, as the Central Asian country undergoes a transformation period.
The recently released statement by the Foreign Ministry indicates that Minister Cavusoglu is also to announce Turkey's development assistance pledge for the period of 2018-2020 during the Brussels Conference.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and EU President Donald Tusk will host the event. More than 70 countries along with 25 international organizations are expected to attend the conference. It has been further noted that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will also attend the conference on Tuesday.