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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-12.10.18

 

No. 197/18                                                                                                       

 

Contents

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Arikli: “Loose federation is a formula which could be discussed”; Akinci was not sidelined by Turkey

2. Elcil calls on Akinci to react for being pushed aside by Turkey

3. Eroglu asks for a “velvet separation” in Cyprus

4. Debates regarding the meeting between Cavusoglu and President Anastasiades continue

5. Candan and Saner attend PACE meetings

6. Ulucay evaluates MSEAP meeting

7. Ataoglu carries out contacts in Ankara

 

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdogan vows to root out 'terror nests east of the Euphrates'

2. Cavusoglu: Turkey to reopen Consulates in Mosul and Basra

3. Kalin: Joint Turkish-Saudi team to investigate Khashoggi disappearance

4. Demiroren elected to WAN-IFRA board unanimously

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Arikli: “Loose federation is a formula which could be discussed”; Akinci was not sidelined by Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (12.10.18) under the title: “Arikli changed rhetoric”, reports that the chairman of the Revival Party (YDP) alleged that all sides in Cyprus should understand that the negotiations on the basis of a federation could not be result-oriented and thus they should search for new options.

In a written statement, Arikli said that “loose federation” with reduced authorities of the central state,  is a formula that they could discuss, under the condition that “its context will be fill in and Turkey’s active and effective guarantees will not be diluted” . 

Referring to the statements he made yesterday after the briefing he had from Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci concerning his contacts in New York, Arikli recalled that he had stated, that “in the framework of the principle of reciprocity, one would wish that the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu would also meet with Akinci after his meeting with Anastasiades” and added the following:  “After the last briefing I had on this issue, it is with pleasure to I say that our worries towards this matter were groundless. It seems that the impression that some circles in the TRNC want to create with the allegation that Akinci was sidelined by Turkey and that the principle of reciprocity was disconcerted,  were nothing else but fallacy. The same circles which always exert efforts to attack Turkey and Turkish officials found the chance to distort also this issue”.

Referring to the meeting between Cavusoglu and Anastasiades, Arikli said the following: “Everyone who was there, including our president, told us that those meetings could be helpful. For this reason, Cavusoglu-Anastasiades meeting was not a surprise for us. What is important, is  to see how the position that Anastasiades expressed about ‘loose federation’ can be filled in and also to understand whether this was a maneuver or not, being expressed with the aim to lose time”. 

Arikli went on alleging the following: “What is important for us is for all related sides, including the Greek Cypriots, to realize that the negotiations which continue for half century on the basis of a federation cannot be result-oriented and to realize that we should look for new ways. The ‘loose federation’ with reduced authorities of the Central State, is a formula that we could discuss, under the condition that ‘its context will be filled in and Turkey’s active and effective guarantees will not be diluted’”. 

(AK)

 2. Elcil calls on Akinci to react for being pushed aside by Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (12.10.18) reports that Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), referring to the latest developments of the Cyprus problem, criticized and at the same time supported Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

In a written statement, Elcil reacted to the fact that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci has been pushed aside by Turkey by adding: “In light of these developments, Akinci should protest more intensely for being treated disrespectfully and show his political will by taking the support of the community.” Elcil further stressed that they do not accept to be put aside and they will support the stance that Akinci will demonstrate against any attack to the community. 

Underlining that to be a leader of a community does not mean that you should wander around the festivals or attend the “Eco days” hosted by those who were the pawn of fascist attacks, Elcil stressed that the leader of a communitly should object to those who applaud the extinction of their community.    

Elcil further said that Turkey has shown once more that it follows a two-faced policy on Cyprus. Turkey, on the one hand, cooperates with the Greek Cypriots, under the name of the Republic of Cyprus, on sport and cultural activities held in the international arena, but on the other hand, it holds the Turkish Cypriots as a hostage and prevents them to go out in the international arena. Elcil added that Turkey does not care at all for the Turkish Cypriot community.

(DPs)

3. Eroglu asks for a “velvet separation” in Cyprus       

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kıbrıs newspaper(12.10.18) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has alleged that taking into consideration “TRNC’s” [Translator’s note: The breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] existence is inevitable and that the formulas of “velvet separation” and “two separate states united under EU’s roof” should be put on the table now.

In a written statement, Eroglu claimed also that after all this time and the “flexibility” allegedly exhibited by the Turkish side no one has the right to keep the Turkish Cypriots under isolation.

Moreover, he criticized Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci for not determining a “new road” which will save the Turkish Cypriots from what he called as “the delaying tactics of the Greek Cypriots”.

(I/Ts.) 

4. Debates regarding the meeting between Cavusoglu and President Anastasiades continue       

The debates regarding the meeting held in New York between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and President Anastasiades continue in the Turkish Cypriot press.

Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Düzen newspaper(12.10.18) under the title “Meeting from state to state”, columnist Unal Findik argues that the actual reason for the Greek Cypriot side’s wish to meet with Turkish officials is because this is in harmony with the aim of “negotiations between officials of the Republic of Cyprus and official representatives of its occupier, the Republic of Turkey”. He claims:

“[…] It is said that Turkey is not satisfied with Akinci and that Akinci took some steps at the negotiating table by not taking into consideration the suggestions coming from Turkey on some issues. For example, it is said that he showed his cards by giving a map to the other side before going to Crans Montana. Or even though after Crans Montana it was asked from him ‘not to discuss federation any more, but confederation’, he did not do it and therefore he was scratched out.

It is said that this was the actual reason for the meeting between Cavusoglu and Anastasiades in New York. […]

The Greek Cypriot press extensively covered the issue. ‘New solution formulas’ were discussed in Cavusoglu-Anastasiades meeting. Cavusoglu suggested the ‘confederation’ as a new solution formula.  As for Anastasiades, he discussed over the ‘loose federation formula’.

Thus, Akinci, who still insists on the ‘federation’ formula, was sidelined. Anastasiades reached his target. From now on, as President of the Republic of Cyprus, he will start discussions with the Turkish Foreign Minister and then with the Turkish President. This is leading offside the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey’s military force, which legally exists on the island for the sake of the Turkish Cypriots. The consequences of the bypass method, which was used only because Akinci did not listen to them, will be severe.

The price for this will mainly be paid by us, the Turkish Cypriots. However, Turkey will also pay in the long term. This policy is ‘meetings from state to state’ between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey. […]

Let no one believe that Anastasiades will not discuss the loose federation. He is engaging in deception. His real aim is to make Turkey recognize his half state which Turkey says ‘I do not recognize’, but the entire world recognizes. As far as we see, he is achieving this.

Where will the Turkish Cypriots be in this equation? The TRNC foreign minister stated that he is not annoyed by the Cavusoglu-Anastasiades meeting. However, I, as a Turkish Cypriot who wants a solution, felt a great annoyance, because this development is a development, which totally ignores the Turkish Cypriots and leads them to the position of being a minority in both sides.

The south part of Cyprus will continue its way as the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part of Cyprus will be bound to Turkey with its lands decreased. Thus, while the Turkish Cypriots, who will choose to live in the south will be a minority, those who will choose to live in the north will also continue living as Turks instead of being Turkish Cypriots. This means annihilation of the Turkish Cypriots […].”

Referring to the same issue, columnist Erkan Egmez in Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kıbrıs newspaper(12.10.18) argues that Akinci was not right when he reacted to the meeting between Cavusoglu and President Anastasiades. He says that this meeting was not against the Turkish Cypriot “people”, because Turkey has allegedly never done anything to put the Turkish Cypriots into a difficult situation. “It even supported the Annan plan, what else should it do Mr Akinci”, Egmen asks the Turkish Cypriot leader and alleges:

“The Greek Cypriot side does not support the federal solution defended by the Turkish side. If this process leads us to velvet separation, who will prevent this? […] Turkey will not sit anymore at a negotiating table for a federal solution with an open ended process. Moreover, the search for federal solution carried out by Akinci within the TRNC does not find support. The president should embrace the entire people and reexamine his sensitivities in the Cyprus problem. The majority in the parties which are in the parliament does not support the federal solution which includes concessions […]

This week, the UNSG Guterres will submit his report to the Security Council. A call for the resumption of the negotiations from the point they were left off is very difficult. The Greek Cypriot side does not demand the beginning of the negotiations. If the Turkish army will totally withdraw and the guarantees will end, this will be a new situation for the Greek Cypriot side. The TRNC people and Turkey will never support this view. Therefore, president Akinci’s worry regarding Turkey remain groundless.”

(I/Ts.)       

 

5. Candan and Saner attend PACE meetings

Turkish Cypriot daily Hakikat newspaper (12.10.18) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) “deputy” Armagan Candan and the National Unity Party (UBP) “deputy” Ersan Saner attended the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) autumn sessions, on behalf of the “TRNC assembly”, which took place in Strasburg.

According to a written statement issued by the “TRNC’s representation office in Strasburg”, Candan delivered a speech during the meeting of the Committee of Political Affairs and Democracy. In his speech, Candan shared his views on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem. Candan, inter alia, described as unacceptable the current status quo in Cyprus and alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are determined to undertake any steps to change it. Candan alleged further that the Turkish Cypriot side has shown its willingness for a solution in Cyprus with the positive vote of the Annan plan and also in the last Cyprus conference in Crans Montana.

Stressing the need for a result-oriented formula to be found in order for the negotiation talks to continue, Candan said that this is possible with the Guterres framework. Referring to the latest quarrels in the Greek Cypriot side, Candan said that the aim of these is to “lose time” and cause “uncertainties” in the negotiation process and called on the international community not to allow this to happen.

(AK)

 

6. Ulucay evaluates MSEAP meeting

According to illegal Bayrak television (11.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=ulucay-evaluates-mseap-meeting), Teberruken Ulucay, self-styled assembly speaker of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyrpus, attended the 3rd Meeting of the Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments (MSEAP) in Antalya, Turkey, and described his contacts as productive and fruitful.

Evaluating his contacts, Ulucay said that he had held a productive meeting with the Turkish Assembly Speaker Binali Yildirim during which he had found the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues including the latest developments on the Cyprus Issue. He said that using the Turkish Lira as a currency in trade between the two “countries” in an attempt to ease the effects of the current economic crisis had come up at his meeting with Yildirim.

Ulucay said that the Turkish Parliamentary Speaker had shown great sensitivity towards this issue and said that he would be getting in touch with his colleagues to raise this issue with the Turkish government. “We also found the opportunity to discuss how we could further enhance the TRNC parliament’s contacts abroad as well as improving our assembly’s institutional structure”, he added.

Noting that he had met with representatives and Speakers of numerous OIC member states during the conference in Antalya, Ulucay described his contacts as productive and useful. “I found the opportunity to convey and explain the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side on the Cyprus problem during these meetings” he said, adding that he had also informed the participating countries during his address at the meeting about the latest stage reached on the Cyprus problem.

7. Ataoglu carries out contacts in Ankara

According to illegal Bayrak television (12.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=ataoglu-meets-turkish-counterpart-kurum), Fikri Ataoglu, self-styled minister of tourism and environment, met with the Turkish Minister for Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum in Ankara. While environmental issues dominated the agenda, projects and activities carried out by the “ministry of tourism and environment” were discussed at the meeting.

An “existing cooperation protocol” was revised and new steps to be taken in the field of environment were also discussed at the meeting. Ataoglu and Kurum exchanged views on new investments to be made in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Ataoğlu announced that “a tender had been launched for the establishment of an automatic waste water observation system in the TRNC”. He added that “the system will become operational within 6 months and they requested assistance from Turkish Minister Kurum to train personnel from the Environmental Protection Department”.

Ataoglu further said that “the environment ministry aims at introducing the blue flag standard at all beaches in the country”. Pointing out that “the ministry has also started work on the purchasing of a mobile laboratory to test sea water for any contamination”; Ataoglu added that they also asked for the Turkish government’s support on this issue.

For his part, the Turkish Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum said that “they did not see the TRNC as a separate country and that they attach great importance to North Cyprus”.

Touching upon the automatic waste water observation system project and introducing the blue flag standard, Kurum said that both projects were extremely important in terms of attracting more tourists to the “country”. He added that “they could send a team of experts to inspect the beaches in the TRNC and they could work together with staff from the department of environmental protection”.

He also said that the mobile laboratory would be a good investment and that one could be donated to the “TRNC” by his Ministry.

Meanwhile, as part of his contacts Ataoğlu also met with former Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism and Eskişehir MP Nabi Avcı. According to a press release, Ataoğlu said that “Avcı always provided support to North Cyprus and protected the rights of the TRNC at every international platform”. He also congratulated Avcı over his election as the President of the 27th term Turkish Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Avcı for his part said that “alongside its cultural richness the TRNC is also suitable for health tourism”. He further claimed that the Greek Cypriot side tried to impose embargoes on the “TRNC” in all fields.

 

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdogan vows to root out 'terror nests east of the Euphrates'

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.10.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-erdogan-vows-to-root-out-terror-nests-east-of-the-euphrates-137814) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Oct. 12 that Turkey’s military could soon launch a new operation across the border into northern Syria, in zones held by a Syrian Kurdish group that Ankara lists as a terrorist organization. "God willing, very soon ... we will leave the terror nests east of the Euphrates in disorder," Erdogan said during a military ceremony honouring Turkish commando soldiers.

Erdogan’s statement is renewing a threat to expand Turkey’s military operations into areas east of the Euphrates River held by the U.S.-backed YPG. (…)

Speaking about the economy, Erdogan said Oct. 12 that Turkey continues to maintain investments. "Being exposed to some speculative attacks in the economy recently does not change the fact that we are the world’s 13th largest country in terms of purchasing power parity and ranked 17 in terms of national income," he added.

2. Cavusoglu: Turkey to reopen Consulates in Mosul and Basra

According to Turkish daily  Hurriyet Daily News (11.10.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-reopen-consulates-in-mosul-and-basra-turkish-fm-137791), Turkey plans to reopen its Consulates in Mosul and Basra cities of Iraq, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Oct. 11. Turkey had to close down its Consulate in Mosul after ISIL raided its building and seized the city, while it shuttered its Basra Consulate over security reasons.

Cavusoglu made the statement during an official visit to Iraq where he met with the neighbouring country’s new President, Bahram Salih, and Adil Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate who is assigned to form a new government. Cavusoglu said that he paid the visit in order to show Turkey’s support to Iraq.

In his meeting with Saleh, they discussed the reconstruction of Iraq, boosting bilateral economic relations, trade and investment, Cavusoglu said. “We have consensus on the issue of continuing a joint fight against terrorism,” he noted.

He also met with Ammar al-Hakim, head of the National Wisdom Movement, a political coalition founded earlier this year to contest Iraq’s May 12 legislative poll.

When asked about Turkey’s ongoing military operations against PKK elements in northern Iraq, the Minister said that Turkey will “continue to eliminate terrorists wherever they are under the framework of international law”. “This struggle is not against Iraq’s territorial integrity, but our right derived from international law,” he added, noting that this fight will continue in cooperation with Baghdad after the new government is formed.

3. Kalin: Joint Turkish-Saudi team to investigate Khashoggi disappearance

According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (12.10.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/10/11/joint-turkish-saudi-team-to-investigate-khashoggi-disappearance-kalin), a joint Turkish-Saudi team will investigate the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi upon the kingdom's request, Presidential Aide Ibrahim Kalin said late Thursday.

Kalin told Anadolu Agency: "Within the framework of a close cooperation between Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and upon the suggestion of the Kingdom, a joint working team between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will be formed to investigate the case of Jamal in all its aspects."

Later in the same day, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said that the United States is "content with Turkey-Saudi agreement to form joint working group to investigate Khashoggi’s case". (…)

Meanwhile, under the title “Turkey denies Trump claim US investigators working on missing Saudi case”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (11.10.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-denies-trump-claim-us-investigators-working-on-missing-saudi-case-137771) reported that Turkey on Oct. 11 denied a claim by President Donald Trump that American investigators were working with both Ankara and Riyadh to probe the disappearance in Turkey of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “The information that the United States has tasked investigators over the Khashoggi case is not correct,” said a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency. (…)

 

4. Demiroren elected to WAN-IFRA board unanimously

According to Turkish daily  Hurriyet Daily News (11.10.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/demiroren-elected-to-wan-ifra-unanimously-137786), Demirören Media Chairman Yildirim Demirören has become a member of the board of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) to represent Turkey. Demirören’s board membership was unanimously approved at the WAN-IFRA executive board meeting in Berlin on Oct. 9. He was unanimously elected for the seat at the WAN-IFRA general assembly in June in Lisbon, where the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the organization was marked.

Representing more than 3,000 newspapers, news publishing companies and media technologies firms, WAN-IFRA is known as the world’s most influential media institution. The association is an umbrella for newspaper owners from 80 countries across the world.

The World Editors Forum (WEF) acts under WAN-IFRA but has a separate board. It will hold its annual meeting in the Norwegian capital of Oslo this year. The WAN-IFRA general assembly and the World News Media Congress converge in different cities each year. (…)

 

………………….

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/ AM)