Cookies management by TermsFeed Cookie Consent
Recent News

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-09.10.18

 

No. 194/18                                                                                                         

Contents

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Akinci met with Spehar; the opening of the crossing points was on the agenda

2.  Ozersay: “The status quo in Cyprus is preventing the Turkish Cypriot side from integrating with the world”

3. Afrika: A civil coup was held by Turkey against Akinci

4. Cooperation between the occupation regime and the Pakistani Parliament

5. Ozyigit due to Morocco for an OIC conference

6. Nami: “The Greek Cypriot leadership has no intention for a solution”

7. Tatar: “The Turkish Cypriots are the victims of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem”

8. Sucuoglu: “The Greek Cypriots are playing with fire”

9. KTAMS to go on a strike today

B. Turkish Press

1. Turkey’s Energy Minister: “The drilling vessel Fatih starts its first drilling in the Mediterranean by the end of this month”

2. Erdogan: EU must decide on Turkey’s membership, no more time should be wasted

3. Erdogan: Saudi Arabia must show journalist made exit

4. 23 FETO-linked suspects arrested across Turkey

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Akinci met with Spehar; the opening of the crossing points was on the agenda

 According to illegal Bayrak television (09.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=akinci-recieves-un-srsg-spehar), Turkish leader Mustafa Akinci is holding a series of meetings following his contacts in New York earlier this month. Within the framework of his meetings, Akinci met with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar today.

The opening of the Deryneia and Apliki crossing points was discussed during the meeting.

Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu, his security adviser Halil Sadrazam and the Turkish Cypriot Coordinator of the Technical Committees Meltem Onurkan Samani were also present at the meeting.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Akinci will meet with the leaders of the parties forming the “coalition government” at 2pm this afternoon to brief them on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and with the leaders of the opposition parties in “parliament” tomorrow at 10am.

 

2.  Ozersay: “The status quo in Cyprus is preventing the Turkish Cypriot side from integrating with the world”

Illegal Bayrak (09.10.18  http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=fm-ozersay-speaks-to-aa ) broadcast that “deputy prime minister and foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay said that the status quo in Cyprus is preventing the Turkish Cypriot side from integrating with the world.

“Our concern is the continuation of this status quo because the continuation of this means that it will continue to harm the Turkish Cypriot side” said Ozersay in a statement to the Anatolia News Agency.

Referring to the last Cyprus summit that took place in Crans-Montana Switzerland in July 2017, he said that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had taken steps to allow the sides an opportunity to think things through.

“For the negotiations process to continue for 50 years, for half a century and for it to end without success every time means that the time has come to seriously question the process”, said Ozersay.

Saying  that the “TRNC and Turkey had carried out a candid evaluation of the process” Ozersay added that  their main concern was the continuation of the status quo as this was harming the Turkish Cypriot side.

“The Greek Cypriot side calling for the negotiations process to resume where they left off is actually the continuation of the status quo” claimed Ozersay and added that “no one was being fooled by this”.

Touching upon the report that is being prepared by the UN temporary adviser to Cyprus Jane Holl Lute, Ozersay argued that it would be wrong to think that the report to be presented to the UN will evaluate the 50 year old ethnic problem and come to a point where it will lead to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot side with Turkey had always put forward their good intentions in order to find a comprehensive solution so that they can be integrated into the world.

“The Turkish Cypriot side does not want to enter a new negotiation process that will not reach an outcome. It’s time to stop and question what is going on” said Özersay.

Touching upon the UN military camp that is located in the occupied Famagusta  area, he said that as the area developed the camp remained within the city where hundreds of people are now residing and that the location of the camp had become a problem.

 “A helicopter lands at that camp and there are military trucks coming and going. The camp is currently in an urban area. This needs to change. We as the TRNC foreign ministry informed the UN about this and are waiting for a positive reply as the circumstances in the area have changed” Ozersay said.

He also put forward their intention of turning the military camp into a green park for the “people”.

Also referring to hydrocarbon exploration efforts at Cyprus’ EEZ parcel 7 Ozersay alleged that “south Cyprus opening up a tender for foreign companies is illegal”.

“The Turkish Cypriot side’s rights are being usurped” Ozersay claimed.

Noting that “south Cyprus”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, had given permission for the Italian ENİ company to carry out hydrocarbon exploration in an area that could possibly breach Turkey’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Ozersay said that “Turkey and the TRNC would never allow this to be realized”.

Illegal Bayrak (09.10.18 http://www.brtk.net/statuko-kibris-turk-tarafina-zarar-veriyor/ ) also broadcast that Ozersay said the following on the issue: “If they take a step in the area which is located within the 7th parcel we, as Turkey and the TRNC, will not allow it. Since you are carrying out drillings authorize companies and search for natural gas, we will also carry out an exploration and a drilling. The Turkish Petroleum Corporation which we have authorized and the Turkish Cypriot side will allow no-one to usurp their rights in this area and will start carrying out their own exploration”.

3. Afrika: A civil coup was held by Turkey against Akinci     

Under the title “A civil coup to Akinci”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper(09.10.18) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci was sidelined by Turkey because he did not abandon the position for a bi-zonal bi-communal solution to the Cyprus problem and opposed the “separate state formula”. Arguing that the negotiations for the Cyprus problem are being held between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, the paper notes that Akinci is being pushed outside the process. The paper argues also the following:

“It was revealed that Anastasiades, who did not meet with Akinci in New York, held a meeting with Cavusoglu. In the information which is leaked, it is alleged that confederation was discussed. Kudret Ozersay continued in Cyprus the meetings he had started in New York with DISY chairman Averof Neofitou and the night before met with Averof at dinner in Kormakitis. […]  

The meeting between Mevlut Cavusoglu and Anastasiades is kept strictly secret. Anastasiades is making no statement to answer the insistent questions by Greek Cypriot journalists and is contented with saying that ‘I have briefed the National Council’. Only Eleni Theocharous talked in the end of the meeting of the National Council. ‘Turkey has activated its Plan B, which will lead either to covered confederation or to two states in the form of full separation’, said Theocharous”.  

In his daily column, Afrika’s editor-in-chief, Sener Levent argues today that the decision to sideline Akinci had been actually taken during Cavusoglu’s illegal visit to the occupied area of the island a few months ago and the meeting with the Turkish Cypriot political party leaders at Akinci’s office in which the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs asked them what they thought about the idea of having two separate states in Cyprus. Noting that Akinci replied that he supported only a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, Levent writes that Cavusoglu asked: “Very well, if the Greek Cypriot side accepts the separate state, you will again not accept it?” “No one replied to this, but it is obvious that Cavusoglu knew other things which they did not know”, argues Levent adding that everything was revealed now in New York.

(I/Ts.)   

 

4. Cooperation between the occupation regime and the Pakistani Parliament    

Under the title “Cooperation between the Parliaments of TRNC and Pakistan”, Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (09.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/kktc-ve-pakistan-meclisleri-arasinda-isbirligi/), reports on its website that, within the framework of his contacts in Antalya for the third meeting of the Parliament Speakers of Eurasian Countries, Teberruken Ulucay, self-styled speaker of the assembly of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, met yesterday with Salim Mandviwalla, head of the Pakistani Senate Delegation.

During the meeting, which lasted for one hour, Ulucay thanked Mandviwalla for the support that Pakistan offers to the Turkish Cypriot “people” at international platforms and conveyed his regards to the Pakistani people. Recalling the decision taken in the period after 2004 by the Islamic Conference Organization and the current Islamic Cooperation Organization providing for supporting the Turkish Cypriot “people”, Ulucay asked for his interlocutor’s support on the issue of putting this decision into force at international platforms.

During the meeting, Ulucay brought onto the agenda issues such as the increase of the number of Pakistani students in the occupied area of Cyprus and the cooperation with Pakistan in the field of trade. He also raised the issue of launching sports and cultural activities between the two “countries” and expressed the belief that “a sounder structure” will be formed with the establishment of joint committees.

In his statements, Mandviwalla said that he would be very happy to receive Ulucay in Pakistan very soon and added that if his program allows it, he might participate in the celebrations for the unilateral declaration of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus on 15 November.

He further noted that they will continue to be the voice of the Turkish Cypriot “people” both in the Organization for Islamic Cooperation and other international meetings and added that they could launch efforts on the issue of joint trade activities. Expressing the belief that committees could be established for closer cooperation between the two “countries”, Mandviwalla argued that efforts in this direction will accelerate the relations between the two “countries”.     

Moreover, exchange of views regarding the current stage of the Cyprus problem was held during the meeting and the importance of the role which the solution could play in the development of cooperation between the countries in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean was underlined.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.10.18) reports that Ulucay met also with Bunali Yildirim, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. In his statements Yildirim underlined the importance of the “TRNC’s” participation in such international meetings and reiterated the allegation that Turkey will always continue supporting and seeking a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. Yildirim and Ulucay exchanged views on the process regarding the natural gas explorations in Cyprus and the efforts of their cooperation in the international relations.

(I/Ts.)   

5. Ozyigit due to Morocco for an OIC conference

According to illegal Bayrak television (09.10.18-http://www.brtk.net/ozyigit-yarin-fasa-gidiyor/), so-called minister of national education and culture, Cemal Ozyigit will attend an education conference in Morocco tomorrow.

According to a written statement by the so-called ministry, Ozyigit will deliver a speech at the 13th Islamic Education, Science and Culture general conference which will take place between October 11-12 and is organized by the Islamic Education, Science and Culture Organization, within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where the occupation regime participates as an “observer member”.

The statement adds that Ozyigit will depart tomorrow for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Within the framework of his “contacts” in Rabat, Ozyigit will meet with the Education and Culture Ministers of other members of the OIC that will be attending the conference. Ozyigit will be accompanied by Sebnem Pekdogan, expert on educational matters. He is expected to return to the occupation regime on October 14, after completing his contacts.

(AK)

6. Nami: “The Greek Cypriot leadership has no intention for a solution”

Illegal Bayrak (09.10.18 http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=nami-on-cyprus-issue-2 ) broadcast that the self-styled minister of economy and energy Ozdil Nami touched upon the Cyprus problem during a program he attended on BRT.

Stating that a new hope had emerged on the Cyprus negotiations before the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s visit to New York, Nami claimed that however the Greek Cypriot leadership has no intention for a solution.

He added that the Greek Cypriot media was seriously questioning this issue.

“The Greek Cypriot side has started to voice that the old process has ended and that there is a need for a new process. This is good as it means the death of their old thesis. However, the Turkish side should be very careful because the Greek Cypriot side could use some of these statements to portray us as intransigent. We should be alert against such attempts”, Nami said.

Expressing the need for the Turkish side to state, without any hesitation, its readiness for a result oriented negotiations process, Nami also said  that “the necessary struggle for the removal of the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot side should be waged”

In response to a question, he said  that  Akıncı was not angered by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s statement.

“This is a way of communication. The government officials should have good relations with Turkey” Nami added. 

7. Tatar: “The Turkish Cypriots are the victims of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem”

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (09.10.18) reports that the self-styled “deputy” with the National Unity Party Ersin Tatar, issued a written statement claiming that the Turkish Cypriots are the victims of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

Tatar who is also a candidate for the leadership of UBP, stated that is against the human rights and the current values “that the UN and the EU claim to support” the fact that the above mentioned organizations victimize the Turkish Cypriots and are not able to take measures against the Greek Cypriot side which, according to Tatar, is the side responsible for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

He went on adding that the Greek Cypriot side said that is not entering a close-ended procedure which aims to reach to a solution in a short time.

Tatar also said that in the report to be submitted soon to the UN Security Council, a reference must be made “to the unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot side to come to an agreement” and to manifest with courage the position that the time has come for the victimization of the Turkish Cypriots to come to an end.

(CS)

8. Sucuoglu: “The Greek Cypriots are playing with fire”

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (09.10.18) reports that the self-styled “deputy” with the National Unity Party Faiz Sucuoglu, issued a written statement criticizing the Greek Cypriot side’s decision to make an invitation to international firms for natural gas researches at the number 7 parcel which is located in the Eastern Mediterranean, stating that this decision is not acceptable by the Turkish Cypriots.

Sucuoglu, who is also a candidate for the leadership of UBP, claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention to bring a conclusion to the Cyprus problem and instead prefers the status quo and to exclude the Turkish Cypriot of their rights.  “However, we are determinate to protect our rights. We have as many rights as the Greek Cypriots in Eastern Mediterranean”, he stated.

He also said that they are warning the Greek Cypriot side not to play with fire one more time and to come to the right road the sooner possible and to adopt a policy of cooperation and understanding.

(CS)

9. KTAMS to go on a strike today

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (09.10.18) reports that the “Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Trade Union (KTAMS)” will go on strike today, demanding for the cost of living to reflect the salaries at the end of each month, as long as the economic crisis continues.

The strike will be launched today at 9.00 and the members of “KTAMS” will march to the so-called assembly in order to submit to the “government” and the representatives of the opposition parties their proposals.

GUC-SEN trade union announced that it supports “KTAMS’” strike and called on the “people” to attend today’s strike.

(AK)

 

B. Turkish Press

1. Turkey’s Energy Minister: “The drilling vessel Fatih starts its first drilling in the Mediterranean by the end of this month”

According to Turkish daily Gunes newspaper (09.10.18, http://www.gunes.com/ekonomi/bakan-donmez-bu-ay-sonunda-akdenizde-ilk-sondajina-baslamis-olacagiz-917637), Turkey’s Energy Minister and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez said: “Our drilling vessel Fatih will start its first drilling in the Mediterranean by the end of this month.”

On the same issue, Turkish private channel CNNTURK (09.10.18, https://www.cnnturk.com/ekonomi/turkiye/bakan-donmez-fatih-akdenizde-ilk-sondajina-baslayacak) broadcast that Energy Minster Donmez also said that their ship moved around the location last week and now it is on the location, adding that that there are a number of studies and tests need to be done and by the end of this month a drilling will be conducted.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (09.10.18, https://www.sabah.com.tr/ekonomi/2018/10/09/fatih-bu-ay-sonunda-ilk-sondajina-basliyor) reports that Energy Minister Donmez, in the opening of the 9th Turkey’s Energy Summit in Antalya, said that Turkey’s first drilling vessel continues its works in the open sea of Antalya. He noted that Faith will conduct its first drilling in the Mediterranean by the end of this month and added: “Hopefully, we will add to our fleet the second vessel in the near future. In particular, I would like to express that we will protect until the end our resources deriving from the international law in the Mediterranean. Our Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic research vessel belonging to Turkey’s Petroleum will also continue its seismic works on the international areas”.

Donmez further said that Turkey is playing an important role in the energy security of the region with the projects TANAP and TurkStream, which is still being constructed and is planned to be completed on 2019. He further argued that Turkey will continue to be an indispensable partner of the international projects with its strong political stability and sound economy.

(DPs)

2. Erdogan: EU must decide on Turkey’s membership, no more time should be wasted

Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (09.10.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/eu-affairs/2018/10/09/erdogan-eu-must-decide-on-turkey-membership-no-more-time-should-be-wasted) reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that the time has come for the European Union to decide on Turkey's accession process and that no more time should be wasted. "It was 1963 when the negotiations started and it is 2018 now. This type of cruelty has not been done to any other candidate countries," Erdogan claimed during his press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban in Budapest.

Turkey and the EU have signalled a period of normalization in ties recently. There have also been positive remarks made by Turkish and some EU officials, who have displayed their willingness to restore ties.

Erdogan said, however, that Turkey is not willing to wait around for a membership decision to be made by the EU any longer.

"Hungary has supported Turkey's accession to the EU and supports it today too. But as Europe we need to decide what we want. We need to find ways to cooperate with Turkey. What we are doing right now is not genuine," Prime Minister Orban said, criticizing the EU for not taking concrete steps on Turkey's accession to the bloc.

"Hungary's support for Turkey's EU accession process is important for us," Erdogan said during the press conference.

"Right now, there are about 3.5 million Syrian and about 500,000 Iraqi refugees in Turkey," Erdogan said. He also reiterated the call for EU countries to share the burden of the refugees in the country. "Some 250,000 people have returned to [northern Syria's] Jarablus, Afrin and al-Bab, and more than 60,000 to Idlib [in northwestern Syria]," Erdogan also said.

"Hungary's security depends on stability in Turkey," Orban said during the press conference and added that his country's support to Turkey in the fight against terrorism was also "important." "Turkey's refugee deal with the EU holds great importance for the continent's security," Orban also added. Erdogan also expressed appreciation for Hungary's support in Turkey's fight against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) and its solidarity following the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, where 250 people were killed and more than 2,200 were injured. During his first official visit in 5 years, Erdoğan said that the two countries had the opportunity to discuss all aspects of their bilateral relations. (…)

During the bilateral meetings between the Turkish and Hungarian delegates, Erdogan and Orban also discussed Turkey's EU accession process, the refugee issue and recent Syria developments.

President Erdogan was accompanied by first lady Emine Erdoğan, Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan and Turkey's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan.

Erdogan is also expected to officially inaugurate the restored Tomb of Gül Baba in Budapest, attend a business forum with Orban and pay a visit to the Budapest Turkish Memorial Cemetery. (…)

 

3. Erdogan: Saudi Arabia must show journalist made exit

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (09.10.18, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/saudi-arabia-must-show-journalist-made-exit-erdogan-3463030), Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban in Budapest on Monday, said that the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul should prove whether or not missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi exited the building after entering last Tuesday.

"It is our humanitarian and political duty to closely follow the issue. There are some people that came from Saudi Arabia [that day]. The public prosecutor's office is looking into the issue", he said, adding that footage from airports is being studied.

Addressing the Saudi version of events, Erdogan argued: "The Saudi Consulate officials in Istanbul can't get away with [simply] saying 'he left the building’. The claimants are obligated to prove their claims. If he left the building, then you need to prove it". (…)

Jamal Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The Turkish police investigating the case said Saturday that 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and entered the Consulate while Khashoggi was inside.

Istanbul prosecutors are investigating the incident, while the Consulate said on Twitter that it was working in coordination with Turkish authorities.

Turkey on Monday said it expects "full cooperation" from the Saudi authorities in finding the missing journalist.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (08.10.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/10/08/turkey-demands-permission-to-search-saudi-consulate-after-journalist-khashoggis-disappearance) reported that Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday summoned Saudi Arabian Ambassador Waleed A. M. Elkhereiji for the second time after journalist Khashoggi's disappearance and demanded permission to search the Consulate building in Istanbul, diplomatic sources said on Monday. (…)

The Ambassador met with Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal, who conveyed Turkey's expectation for full cooperation from Saudi authorities in the investigation.  

4. 23 FETO-linked suspects arrested across Turkey

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.10.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/23-feto-linked-suspects-arrested-across-turkey-/1276195), security forces arrested at least 23 suspects on Monday, including 18 active-duty soldiers, over alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, according to police sources.

In an operation based in Van, eastern Turkey, counter-terrorism police conducted raids nationwide, in the provinces of Afyonkarahisar, Trabzon, Mardin, Istanbul, Giresun, Amasya, Burdur, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Konya, Isparta, and Izmir to apprehend the active-duty soldiers, according to a statement by the provincial security directorate. The operation remains ongoing to apprehend one more suspect, it added.

Meanwhile in another operation, five suspects were arrested for allegedly using ByLock, an encrypted smartphone app used by FETO members, said a security source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. (…)

 

………………….

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/ AM)