Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-22.01.19

Contents

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Cavusoglu speaks on Cyprus Problem

2. Kızılyürek’s candidacy sparks debate in the so-called assembly

3. Erhürman speaks on the so-called government’s position

4. Tatar criticized Ozersay and Akinci over their federation disagreement

5. Derya criticizes Ozersay’s statements against a federal solution in Cyprus

6. BKP accused Ozersay of becoming “the spokesman of the new division”

7. First anniversary of the attack against Afrika newspaper

8. New minimum wage in the occupied area of Cyprus was determined

B. Turkish Press

1.Erdogan: “Turkey to push military into Syria if promises not kept”

2. Cavusoglu and Pompeo discuss Syria by phone

3. AKP’s Istanbul candidate is leading, according to Konsensus survey

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Cavusoglu speaks on Cyprus Problem

According to illegal Bayrak television (22.01.19-http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=cavusoglu-speaks-on-cyprus-problem-4 2/4) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu alleged that Turkey had done its part to solve the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at an event he attended, Cavusoglu claimed that not only did Turkey do its part for a settlement in Cyprus but also brought new ideas to the negotiating table.

“Following the collapse of talks in Crans Montana for a federal settlement, it is Turkey which has brought other options to the table and which insists that all the sides should agree on what we shall be discussing before we launch a new process of negotiations. We are also holding unofficial talks to that end. What is the aim of all of this? To achieve a result”, Cavusoglu argued

Supporting that Turkey desired a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem, he said that this did not mean they were overlooking the Greek Cypriot side’s drilling activities off the coast of the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“We are looking out for Turkey’s and the Turkish Cypriot people’s rights. Previously we would only have the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa vessel conduct seismic surveying in the area. But today we have our own drilling platform. Drilling platform Alanya 1 has commenced drilling in its area. Our second platform is to arrive in the coming days. So we have begun conducting our own drilling activities within our Exclusive Economic Zone as well as areas licensed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, Cavusoglu further alleged.

2. Kızılyürek’s candidacy sparks debate in the so-called assembly

According to illegal Bayrak television (22.01.19-http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=kizilyureks-candidacy-sparks-debate-in-parl 2/4) Turkish Cypriot academic Niyazi Kızılyürek’s candidacy for the EU Parliamentary Elections sparked debate in the so-called assembly yesterday.

The Greek Cypriot party, AKEL, announced on Saturday their candidates for the European Parliamentary Elections to be held in May and have included Turkish Cypriot academic Niyazi Kızılyürek on their ballot.

While the opposition National Unity Party (UBP) and the Rebirth Party (YDP) both expressed their disapproval, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and People’s Party (HP) both stated that their position on the matter was clear and that that “the Turkish Cypriot people could only be represented by people whom they vote for and elect”.

The Social Democratic Party (TDP) on the other hand said that they respected Kızılyürek’s decision to run but also stated that anyone who is to represent the Turkish Cypriot “people” must be elected by the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking in the so-called assembly yesterday, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar said that Turkish Cypriots should not be involved in this matter. “This has nothing to do with the rights of Turkish Cypriots. Other games are being played. It is important that we, as parliament, issue a declaration on this issue”, Tatar alleged.

Also, touching upon the war of words between Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı and so-called foreign minister Kudret Ozersay via social media, Tatar said that there were major differences between the two sides on how a federal settlement should be. He added that “the government should clarify its position on the matter”.

The leader of the Peoples’ Party, Ozersay who also spoke on the matter said that his party’s view on the issue was clear. “I do not believe that a person, just because he or she is a Turkish Cypriot, can automatically represent the Turkish Cypriot people. Representation is about how the elections are held and by whom they are held. We need to explain that the representation of Turkish Cypriots are at the state institution level, that is we elect our own president, our own deputies, mayors and mukhtars”, Ozersay said.

Also, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) and so-called minister of education and culture Cemal Ozyigit for his part said that they respected Kızılyürek’s decision to run but expressed also the view that “the Turkish Cypriots should be represented by Turkish Cypriots who they vote for”.

The leader of the opposition Rebirth Party (YDP) Erhan Arıklı too expressed his disapproval and opposition to Kızılyürek’s candidacy, recalling that the “parliament had issued a declaration on this issue in the past”.

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman said that there was no need to debate this issue as their position on the matter was clear. “Turkish Cypriots can only be represented by people elected by Turkish Cypriots” he said.

Moreover, the “speaker of the assembly” Teberrüken Ulucay for his part said that they will be launching an initiative both within the EU Parliament as well as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to inform EU member countries on the representation of Turkish Cypriots.

Ulucay added that they will be explaining to MEPs and MPs within PACE that following the 2004 Annan Plan referendum, only “representatives elected by the Turkish Cypriot people can represent them within the European Parliament”.

3. Erhürman speaks on the so-called government’s position

According to illegal Bayrak television (22.01.19-http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=pm-erhurman-comments-on-governments-position 2/4), so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman has claimed that “both the coalition partners and the president shared the same view on developing cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot side in as many fields as possible”.

“We, as the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) keep saying that a particular point was reached in Crans-Montana. We do not want to miss this point and we do not want Mr. Anastasiades to dilute the point reached and kill the clock. Apart from this, we also share the same view on other foreign policies which also include UNFICYP”, Erhürman alleged.

4. Tatar criticized Ozersay and Akinci over their federation disagreement

Turkish Cypriot daily Hakikat (22.01.19) reports that the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar criticized the “government” over the dispute on social media between the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the “foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay and called on it to display a more  clear stance as regards the Cyprus problem.

Tatar, who issued a written statement, said that there is a big difference as regards the  meaning of federation between the Greek Cypriot and the  Turkish Cypriot side and accused the “government” of not having a clear policy on the Cyprus problem. 

He also refered to the European Parliament elections and claimed that 2 out of the 6 seats that the Republic of Cyprus has at the European Parliament belong to the Turkish Cypriots; therefore he claimed, “the Greek Cypriots should elect EP Deputies for only the 4 seats” and the 2 seats must remain empty until a fair and permanent solution is reached on the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on the candidacy of Niyazi Kizilyurek with AKEL for the European Parliament elections, Tatar stated that “new dimensions are added to the game” with this development and stated that the Turkish Cypriot side must act immediately as regards this issue.

(CS)

5. Derya criticizes Ozersay’s statements against a federal solution in Cyprus

Under the title “Duel between Ozersay and Derya”, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Vatan (22.01.19)reports that a “public duel” was held yesterday between Kudret Ozersay, leader of the People’s P[arty (HP) and self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, and Dogus Derya, “deputy” with HP’s “coalition partner” Republican Turkish Party (CTP).

Speaking to illegal Bayrak, Derya accused Ozersay of “talking more than necessary” [on the Cyprus problem] adding that his messages did not represent the four parties which participate in the “coalition government”. Derya said that Ozersay could speak on behalf of the HP, but the CTP supports the federal solution in the Cyprus problem. “Prime minister Erhurman should speak on the issue”, she noted adding that Ozersay might be flirting with the National Unity Party (UBP) because he wanted to become a candidate [of right-wing parties] in the forthcoming “presidential elections”. “I, however, cannot accept this”, noted Derya, accusing Ozersay of behaving as if he was the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. “I am as much federalist as Ozersay is anti-federalist, but I do not discuss these things publicly”, Derya said.

Replying to Derya through his social media account, Ozersay noted that while he was working day and night as “foreign minister”, a “deputy” says that “Ozersay talks too much”. “Actually she is the one who talks empty. Those who try to gain politically through such polemics are not my interlocutors”, he added.

(I/Ts.)     

6. BKP accused Ozersay of becoming “the spokesman of the new division”

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (22.01.19) reports that the General Secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Salih Sonustun, criticized “foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay  noting that the latter’s statements against federation and his attack against the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci “cannot be accepted”.

Sonustun accused Ozersay of becoming “the spokesman of the new division”. “He speaks in the name of whom? Does the silence of prime minister Erhuman and the other partners of the coalition government mean that they support his statements?”, Sonustun wondered  in his statement.

Sonustun further calls on all the organizations and parties that are pro-federation to display their belief and act together in order for the federation goal to be achieved.

(CS)

7. First anniversary of the attack against Afrika newspaper

Under the title “The anniversary of the ‘black day’”, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen (22.01.19) reports that one year is completed today since the incidents which happened in front of Afrika newspaper on 22 January 2018 and “went down in history of our democracy as a black stain”. Today an activity in Afrika will be held in memory of the attack against the paper as a result of being targeted by Turkey [Translator’s note: The Turkish President himself], the report adds. 

Afrika’s publisher, Sener Levent told the paper that an effort to lynch them had been exerted on that day and added that in spite of the fact that one year passed since the incidents, nine persons, who had been wanted for the attack, were still not arrested. Levent recalled that “penal proceedings” had been launched against him for publishing a photomontage of Turkish President Erdogan and two articles in his column.  

Under the title “Black day”, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Afrika (22.01.19) reports that “we did not forget, we will not forget, you could not silence us, you will not be able to silence us”. The trade union of the press employees (Basin-Sen) and the Conscientious Objection Initiative issued statements expressing their support to Afrika.

(I/Ts.)

8. New minimum wage in the occupied area of Cyprus was determined

According to illegal Bayrak television (22.01.19-http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=new-minimum-wage-determined-2 2/3) the new gross minimum wage in the occupied area of Cyprus has been set as 3,150 TL.

The lowest net salary starting as of the 1^st of February will be 2,740 TL.

The new minimum wage, the first of this year, was raised by the “commission in charge of determining the minimum wage”.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, so-called minister of labour and social security Zeki Celer stated that “this is the point we can reach for now when we push our limits.”

B. Turkish Press

1.Erdogan: “Turkey to push military into Syria if promises not kept”

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (21.01.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-push-military-into-syria-if-promises-not-kept-erdogan-140674) reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey will start taking necessary military measures in Syria if promises over the protection of its borders and people are not kept, while vowing that Turkish forces will soon take control of the Manbij region in Syria from the United States.

“We hope wholeheartedly that our talks with the U.S., Russia and other parties will be concluded with a mutual understanding. But that does not mean that we will wait forever. We are on our border with our forces and following developments closely. If promises made to us are kept and the process goes on, that’s fine. Otherwise, we inform that we have almost completed our preparations and will take steps in line with our own strategy,” Erdogan said at a meeting with businessmen in Ankara on Jan. 21.

Although he did not elaborate on the promises made, Erdogan hinted that it was about the setting up of a safe zone along Turkey’s border with Syria to prevent what Ankara calls a threat from the YPG to the Turkish people and see YPG militants withdraw from Manbij in line with a bilateral agreement with the U.S.

(…)

2. Cavusoglu and Pompeo discuss Syria by phone

Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.01.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkish-fm-us-counterpart-discuss-syria-by-phone/1370920) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo had a phone conversation on Monday in which they discussed the current situation in Syria, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Cavusoglu and Pompeo discussed bilateral relations and Washington’s recent decision to withdraw troops from Syria, the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to media, said.

The U.S. State Department, for its part, said the Secretary of State reiterated Washington's commitment to address Turkish security concerns along the Turkey-Syria border.

Pompeo also emphasized the "importance that the United State places on the protection of forces that worked with the United States and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement, using another name for Daesh.

"They discussed ongoing U.S.-Turkish engagement as part of the deliberate and coordinated withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria," Palladino added.

(…)

3. AKP’s Istanbul candidate is leading, according to Konsensus survey

Turkish daily Sozcu (22.01.19, https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2019/gundem/secim-anketleri-ne-durumda-son-secim-anketlerinde-dikkat-ceken-sonuclar-3219059/4/?_szc_galeri=1) publishes the latest survey conducted by the Konsensus polling company regarding Turkey’s upcoming local election on March 31, 2019. The results of the survey show which party is leading in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

The newspaper publishes today the survey results for the elections in Istanbul. The survey was conducted between 28-31 November, 2018, interviewing around 1,000 persons over 18 years old in Istanbul. 

To the question, “Which party would you vote for it if the elections were held this Sunday in Istanbul regardless of the candidate?” the respondents replied as follows: 40.7% of the participants voted for AKP, 33.6% for CHP, 6.4% for MHP and 4.7% for HDP.

To the question, “Which party would you prefer if the elections were held this Sunday in Istanbul if the candidates were only from AKP and CHP?”: 45.6% of the respondents voted for AKP, 40% for CHP, 6% did not vote, the vote of 0.4% was invalid, 2.6% cast a blank vote, 4.1% were undecided and 1.3% did not reply.

(DPs)

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/EH)