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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-01-04.11.2019

 No. 729                                                                                 02-04.11.2019

 

Content

Α. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Turkey to carry out five drillings for oil and natural gas in 2020

2. Akinci on the tripartite meeting: “We should make use of the opportunity for a solution”

3. Conditions for a federal solution in Cyprus do not exist, claims Ozersay

4. Donmez: “Very positive data on the hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean”

5. YDP wants a “right-wing alliance” in the “presidential elections”, UBP insists on Tatar

6. Tripartite summit’s outcome to determine CTP’s candidate at the “presidential elections”

7. Kurdish man arrested in the breakaway regime for participating in a protest in Limassol

8. On the “appointment of a teacher wearing a headscarf”

B. Turkish Press

1. Turkish Foreign Ministry:  “US terrorism report sans YPG is cover up for cooperation”

2. Turkish security forces “neutralize” 1,090 YPG/PKK members

3. Turkish President briefed on operation in N. Syria

4. Turkey holds almost 5,000 irregular migrants in past week

 

Α. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Turkey to carry out five drillings for oil and natural gas in 2020

Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak in Turkish (04.11.19, https://www.brtk.net/dogal-gaz-ve-petrolde-5-deniz-sondaji-yapilacak/) broadcasts that the “Presidency’s 2020 Annual Program” has been published in the Official Gazette in Turkey. Estimations and expectations regarding the energy and mining sector are included in the program, notes Bayrak, adding that according this program, five drillings for oil and natural gas are planned for 2020, including the ones in areas for which the “TRNC” had “given licence” to Turkey.

It is said that the target is to carry out 2D seismic surveys of an area of 3,000 kilometres and 3D surveys of an area of 20,207 kilometres. Within the framework of the program, Turkey plans to open five wells in these areas by conducting explorations for shale gas and marsh gas. An investment of 13 billion 864 million Turkish Liras is expected in the energy sector in 2020.

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is included among the targets of the program. Its first unit is expected to function in 2023 and the others by the end of 2026, with a difference of one year.

Turkey’s demand for electricity is estimated to increase to 329,6 billion kilowatts per hour (kw/h) in 2020, while the demand for the current year is estimated to be 315,2 billion kw/h. 

The estimated share of natural gas in electricity production is 29,5% in 2019 and 27,2% in 2020. The share of renewable energy resources in electricity production is expected to increase to 36,4% in 2020. 

(I/Ts.)

 

2. Akinci on the tripartite meeting: “We should make use of the opportunity for a solution”

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Havadis (04.11.19) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has called on President Anastasiades, noting that if we wanted a solution we should make use of the opportunity presented to us two years after [the conference at Crans Montana]. In a written statement issued yesterday commenting on the tripartite meeting with the UNSG which will be held in Berlin on 25 November, Akinci said that the discussion of the “basic terms of reference” and the planning of the future steps would be on the agenda and added that holding an informal five party meeting at a later point this year was possible.

Noting that we have not yet reached the stage of holding official negotiations, Akinci claimed: 

“The exerted efforts concern the creation of a basis for negotiation and if this is possible, how it will be possible for this to be concluded with a result oriented process. Within this framework, I want to make a call on Mr Anastasiades: Cyprus is passing through a very painful period. We will either show the ability of reaching a federal solution in political equality, freedom and security in the foreseeable future, or we will come face to face with the realities in the way of a permanent division. If we want a solution, we should make use of this opportunity, which came before us after two years. Now Mr Anastasiades should avoid statements aiming at domineering the meeting, instead of doing just this. He should abandon conditioning his community with false information, by leaving aside statements which are not true regarding the meeting of 9 August and the developments afterwards when Mrs Lute came.

I believe that a duty lies within the UN Secretary-General’s responsibility at this stage. It is their duty to ensure the commitment to the UN principles and parameters, and the agreements of the past and the successful completion of the meeting within this framework.

We as Turkish Cypriot side will continue our effort for just and lasting peace with a constructive mentality. […] Our wish is for our effort to not remain without a respond”. 

Referring to the criticism on behalf of the “government” that he did not brief them on the developments and to their call not to participate in the tripartite meeting, Akinci said that he would brief them as he always does within the “framework of the democratic practices”. He further argued: “We will continue defending the Turkish Cypriot people’s legitimate rights and interests until the end. Within this mentality, it is not possible to exhibit an extremely wrong stance, such as not participating in an invitation that came from the UNSG. Responding to this call made by the big partner of the government would be tantamount to condemning the Turkish Cypriots internationally from the very beginning”.

(I/Ts.)

 

3. Conditions for a federal solution in Cyprus do not exist, claims Ozersay

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs Postası (04.11.19) reports that Kudret Ozersay, chairman of the People’s Party (HP) and self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has reiterated the claim that conditions for a federal solution in Cyprus did not exist. In statements during a visit of HP’s delegation to occupied Mia Milia village on Sunday, Ozersay said that full agreement existed within the “coalition government” on the Cyprus problem, contrary to what was happening during the previous “four-party coalition government”. He claimed the following:

Is federation a bad thing?  No, it is not. Many countries in the world are administrated in this manner, but conditions for a federal partnership have not been formed yet, do not exist on this island. Lack of confidence exists between the two communities. There is a side which does not want sharing of administration and power. For this reason, insisting on federation is tantamount to serving the status quo. We want a change of paradigm, which takes as basis the existence of two states. However, we do not have the patience to sit and wait for this. We should find ways to be integrated with the world by cooperating in various fields”.

Referring to the natural gas issue, Ozersay argued that they had started taking actions on this issue and claimed: “We have rights on the natural gas and the wealth which it produces. We are showing the necessary political will to take our rights”.

(I/Ts.)

 

4. Donmez: “Very positive data on the hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean”

Turkish Cypriot daily Kıbrıs Postası (03.11.19) reports that Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resource Minister Fatih Donmez said that they are extremely positive over the reserves on the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. “The data we have are extremely good and positive”, Donzez said in an interview in Milliyet, pointing out that their drillship vessel would continue seismic activities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea under the slogan “If there is any we will find it”.

Donmez recalled that Turkey’s drillship vessels continue right now their activities in the Eastern Mediterranean following a specific program. He went on to add that after the drillship vessels complete their activities in the region, Turkey might withdraw one of its drillships from there in order to proceed to the Black Sea.

(AK)

 

5. YDP wants a “right-wing alliance” in the “presidential elections”, UBP insists on Tatar 

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Vatan (04.11.19) reports that Erhan Arikli, chairman of the Turkish settlers’ Revival Party (YDP) has claimed that “national consensus” was a pre-condition in the “presidential elections”, which will be held in April 2020 in the occupied area of Cyprus. According to a statement issued by the YDP, speaking during a visit to occupied Kyra village, Arikli called on the right-wing parties, “which want the survival of the TRNC”, to unite around a “national consensus” and put their “country and people” above their party.

“If the right wing parties which have 65% of the votes cannot come together because of infertile conflicts and a person who does not believe in the TRNC comes to the president’s post again, this will be a great shame for the right”, he argued.

Meanwhile, the same paper reports that also referring to the “presidential elections”, Ersan Saner, general secretary of the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP) said that the “people” and the members of the party wanted a new “president of the republic”, who will be defending their “state”, put the two-state solution on the agenda during the meetings with the UN and the Greek Cypriot side, achieve good relations with Turkey on the basis of mutual respect and love and defend the Turkish Cypriots’ rights internationally in the best possible manner. He noted that a full agreement existed in the UBP that the party chairman, Ersin Tatar should be their candidate in the said “elections”, but the final decision would be taken by UBP’s organs.

(I/Ts.)  

 

6. Tripartite summit’s outcome to determine CTP’s candidate at the “presidential elections”

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberci (04.11.19) reports that the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Erdogan Sorakin, has stated that the outcome of the tripartite conference that will take place in Berlin on November 25 would determine who would be the candidate of the party at the forthcoming “presidential elections”.

In statements to the paper, Sorakin said that if important developments occur at the tripartite summit  regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem, the party would evaluate these developments and also it would re-evaluate the decision it had made ten days ago, that the party would go on to the forthcoming “presidential elections” of April 2020 with its own candidate.

(AK)

 

7. Kurdish man arrested in the breakaway regime for participating in a protest in Limassol

Under the title: “Free in the south, arrested in the north”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (04.11.19) reports that Turkish origin Mehmet Akgul was arrested in the breakaway regime for participating in a protest against the “Peace Spring Operation” in Syria. The protest was organized in Limassol on October 10, by the Kurdish Association and Akgul was holding a PΥD flag.

Akgul was arrested as soon as he crossed the barricade and was brought in front of a court which ordered for his custody for three days.

Afrika writes that PYD is included in the “terror list” of the breakaway regime, despite the fact that it has not conducted any terrorist act, in Cyprus or abroad.

(CS)

8. On the “appointment of a teacher wearing a headscarf”

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (04.11.19) under the front-page title: “We say no to the political Islam” reports that the chairwoman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary Teachers Trade Union (KTOEOS) Selma Eylem, confirmed the incident related with the appointment of a teacher wearing a headscarf at the high school “Lapta Yavuz” in the occupied village of Lapithos and the reactions caused by teachers in the same school, who refused to do lessons in protest for the appointment of the teacher.

According to the paper, Eylem described this “appointment” by the “commission of public services” as a mistake and stated that the trade union would never allow the establishment of political Islam. Expressing strong disappointment over this development, Eylem said that this is another effort to divide the Turkish Cypriot community with religious symbols and also it is part of an orchestrating effort to mediate in the internals of the community.

Eylem went on to say that the above-mentioned teacher was appointed first at the “Hala Sultan theological school” but no official statement was made about this. 

Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue, the chairman of the “cultural association of Karadeniz” (Translator’s note: settlers’ from Alexandretta) Zeki Civelek condemned strongly the reactions expressed by KTOEOS trade union over the appointment of the teacher wearing a headscarf, and claimed that this mentality is completely violating human rights, freedom of religion and expression.  

(AK)

 

B. Turkish Press

 

1. Turkish Foreign Ministry:  “US terrorism report sans YPG is cover up for cooperation”

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (03.11.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ankara-says-us-terrorism-report-sans-ypg-is-cover-up-for-cooperation-148274) reports that Turkey said  that “the recently revealed U.S. terrorism report which refrained from naming the YPG shows the latter’s effort to cover up its cooperation with the terror group”.

“Not mentioning the YPG and instead calling it PKK's offshoot in Syria is an effort by the U.S. authorities -- who do not hide their cooperation with the terror group -- to cover up their attitude which does not abide by the law,” Hami Aksoy, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said in a written statement on the annual “Country Report on Terrorism” issued by the U.S. State Department on Nov. 1.

The report said that in 2018 Ankara "continued its efforts to defeat terrorist organizations both inside and outside its borders," including by taking measures against the PKK and ISIL

Aksoy said the report further noted that Turkey has been an "active contributor of international anti-terror organizations, including the Global Counter-terrorism Forum and the U.S.-led anti-ISILcoalition”.

He said the PKK, “which is listed as a foreign terror group by the U.S.”, is responsible for the deaths of over 1,200 civilians, police officers, and soldiers in Turkey in the 2015-2018 period.

Touching on the U.S. report’s part on the FEÖT Aksoy said: “Presenting the ringleader of FETÖ, another terror group targeting Turkey, as a self-exiled cleric means ignoring and supporting the July 15 heinous coup attempt. It is also a manifestation of the effort to ignore the fact that this terrorist has found a safe haven on the U.S. land.”

He warned that “FETÖ terror group does not pose a threat only for Turkey but for all the countries where it is present”.

Aksoy also reiterated the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

2. Turkish security forces “neutralize” 1,090 YPG/PKK members

Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.11.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/ypg-pkk-suffers-heavy-blow-in-turkey-abroad-in-october/1634494) reports that Turkish security forces neutralized a total of 1,090 YPG/PKK members both in Turkey and abroad last month, according to data compiled by A.A.

“Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured”, the report says.

“From Oct. 1-31, 16 security personnel and 21 civilians, including infants and children, were martyred in terror attacks. In the same period, 410 terror suspects, including mayors of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) -- which Turkey's government accuses of having links to the PKK terror group --, were arrested as part of operations against the YPG/PKK in Turkish cities. Of them, 212 were remanded into custody. So-called senior figures of the terror group were also neutralized in eastern, southern, and southeastern Turkey during the operations. Beyan Dera, one of the neutralized terrorists, was wanted in the orange category of the Interior Ministry's list”, according to the report.

 

3. Turkish President briefed on operation in N. Syria

Ankara Anatolia news agency (04.11.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-president-briefed-on-operation-in-n-syria/1634445) reports that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Sunday a command and control center in the border province of Sanliurfa where he was briefed about the ongoing operation in northern Syria.

He was accompanied by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler, intelligence chief Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Sanliurfa Governor Abdullah Erim, and senior members of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.


4. Turkey holds almost 5,000 irregular migrants in past week

Turkih Daily Sabah (04.11.19 https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2019/11/04/turkey-holds-almost-5000-irregular-migrants-in-past-week) reports that at least 4,974 irregular migrants were held across Turkey over the past week, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency from security sources.
As many as 2,433 migrants were held in multiple operations carried out by gendarmerie forces in the northwestern Edirne province, bordering Greece and Bulgaria.


In the coastal provinces of Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Aydın, Izmir, and Muğla, the Turkish Coast Guard and gendarmerie forces rounded up a total of 2,009 migrants as they were trying to cross to Europe through Greece. Separately, in the northwestern provinces of Kırklareli and Tekirdağ, 71 migrants were held by gendarmerie forces. Moreover, border forces and the provincial gendarmerie forces in the southern Hatay caught 158 migrants that entered Turkey from Syria illegally. In the southeastern Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Adana and Diyarbakır provinces, a total of 159 migrants were held by the security forces. Additionally, some 123 irregular migrants were also held by police in the central provinces of Niğde and Kırşehir.In eastern Erzincan province, police detained 121 irregular migrants.

The held migrants included people from Syria, Iraq and Iran and many from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Palestine were present as well. Additionally, a wide variety of African nationals were caught.

All of the migrants held during the week were either taken to hospitals for medical treatment or transferred to provincial migration offices.

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/ ECh)