Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-17.07.18
No. 136/18
Contents
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
2. Turkish Cypriot opposition reacted against the “government’s” press conference
3. Telephones in the occupied area of Cyprus will be tapped
4. BKP criticizes Kanbay because he asked for telephones to be tapped
5. Erhurman argues that they should be more sensitive on the Fethullah Gulen issue
6. KTOEOS organized a protest against the implementation of increases in the occupied area of Cyprus
7. Ozersay to hold contacts in London
8. Akinci discusses with Doherty and Lillie the latest developments on the Cyprus issue
B. Turkish Press
1. Erdogan and Trump discuss Syria and Manbij road map
2. New measures before emergency rule ends in Turkey
3. Turkish journalist acquitted in MIT trucks case
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. The “government” gave a press conference about its performance and noted that is considering electricity transfer from Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (17.07.18) reports that the four-party “coalition government” gave a press conference yesterday on its economic achievements and its aims and noted that the four parties are determined to continue with their co-operation.
“Prime minister” Tufar Erhurman, stated that the breakaway regime ranks 41st between 167 countries regarding the “cheapest fuel selling” adding that the increase in the fuel’s price was prevented twice using a special designed fund.
Erhurman stated that the “state” undertook the 7,7 Turkish Lira cents increase in the price of electricity during June, it worked towards reducing to 7% the tax law in rents when is paid using Turkish Lira, it worked towards increasing the tax law when is paid using foreign currency to 13%, and it facilitated many “education intuitions” to start accepting the Turkish Lira currency for their tuition fees.
He went on adding that while the cost of living was predicted to be 5,3%, it rose up to 12,11%, leaving the annual budget of the breakaway regime lacking an amount of 120 million Turkish Lira.
“Minister of economy and energy ” Ozdil Nami said that “electricity authority” (KIB-TEK) faced damage losses of 66 million Turkish Lira adding that this is reflected to the consumers bills. Therefore he said a meeting was requested with Turkish authorities in order to discuss the issue of electricity transfer to the breakaway regime from Turkey.
On his part, “minister of finance” Serdar Denktas stated that the issue of the Turkish Lira decline was discussed during the latest visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to the breakaway regime to whom they explained that the issue creates an “economic tsunami” to the occupied area of Cyprus.
“Minister of foreign affairs” Kudret Ozersay referred to his visit to London (TR. Note: he travelled to the UK today) and said that he will hold meetings with Turkish Cypriots living abroad and will convey to them decisions of the “government” towards strengthening their ties with Cyprus and encourage them to visit (occupied) Cyprus more often. He also said that they want to encourage them to return to Cyprus permanently or to make investments.
Reporting on the future aims of the “government” Yeni Duzen notes that discussions have started for the transfer of electricity from Turkey to the breakaway regime. In addition efforts will be made for the conducting of direct flights to illegal Tympou airport from Anadolu Jet and arrangements will be made so that students who study at the occupied area of Cyprus to be able to travel to the breakaway regime with lower cost when using the Corlu airport.
In addition, the paper writes that the leaders of the four parties consisting the “coalition government” denied reports that they are discussing the forming of a new “government”. Erhurman said that there are a lot to be done while Ozersay said that they neither discussed nor they planed the establishment of a new “government”. Denktas said that stability is very important adding that they signed for a “government” that will last for four years. Finally, “minister of education” Cemal Ozgiyit said that they established “a lasting government” for the progress of which they are working with all their power.
(CS)
2. Turkish Cypriot opposition reacted against the “government’s” press conference
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (17.07.18) reports that the parties of the opposition criticized the “government” regarding its press conference in which its performance and aims was presented.
The leader of the “Revival Party” (YDP) (Tr. Note: The party of the settlers), Erhan Arikli called the press conference “a whole comedy and a theatre” and said that Turkey does not trust the government”. He went on and said that no solid promises were given during the three-hour conference and called the “government” to resign since as he claimed it does not take responsibility of its actions and accused everybody else for its failure.
In addition, the National Unity Party (UBP) also accused the “government” of not saying anything important during the press conference and that it only tried to make the bad things about the declined economy looking better.
(CS)
3. Telephones in the occupied area of Cyprus will be tapped
Under the title “Your telephones will be tapped”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (17.07.18) reports that lawyer Baris Mamali, chairman of the “Anonymous Movement”, has said that “draft-laws” are being prepared for tapping telephones of “citizens” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. In a written statement, Mamali noted that this “draft-law” has been prepared “with the understanding of a totalitarian state” and if it becomes a “law”, an environment will be created in which all the inhabitants in the occupied area of the island will be tapped and their private life will be recorded.
“The target is to deprive us from our freedom of thought and belief by creating fear over us”, he argued adding that the “police” will be able to have access to everybody’s recordings without any crime being committed, take the issue to the “attorney general”, tap telephones and record conversations after obtaining a “court decision”.
(I/Ts.)
4. BKP criticizes Kanbay because he asked for telephones to be tapped
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (17.07.18) reports that the United Cyprus Party (BKP) has criticized the recent statements made by Derya Kanbay, Turkey’s so-called ambassador in the occupied part of Nicosia [on the occasion of the anniversary of the 15 July coup in Turkey], arguing that if there is any illegal action or organization in the occupied area of Cyprus, measures against this action or organization will be taken within the framework of the Turkish Cypriot “legal system”.
In a written statement, the BKP described Kanbay’s demands as unacceptable adding that the “legal adjustments” asked by Kanbay, providing for the “police” to be able to tap telephone conversations showing as pretext that members of Fethullah Gulen’s organization exist in the occupied area of Cyprus and to send “TRNC citizens” to Turkey for trial, are both unacceptable and dangerous.
(I/Ts.)
5. Erhurman argues that they should be more sensitive on the Fethullah Gulen issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.07.18) reports that Tufan Erhurman, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that Turkey and the breakaway regime should be much more sensitive on the Fethullah Gulen (FETO) issue.
During a press conference yesterday, Erhurman was asked to comment on information published in the press on this issue and said that he does not think that it is correct to discuss the relations between the two “states” [Translator’s note: Turkey and the breakaway regime] through the press. “We should be more careful especially if it is a serious issue like terrorism”, he added.
Pointing out to information about investigations being conducted regarding the three last heads of the “civil defense organization” because of [their] involvement in FETO “terrorist organization”, Erhurman said: “It is obvious that both we and Turkey are obliged to be much more sensitive on this issue”.
(I/Ts.)
6. KTOEOS organized a protest against the implementation of increases in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (17.07.18) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) organized yesterday a protest in the occupied part of Lefkosia, demanding from the so-called government to undertake measures against the increases implemented on electricity and fuel.
In a written statement read by the “chairperson” of KTOES Selma Eylem, the trade union demanded by the “government” to withdraw the additional charges, to counterbalance the salaries once a month, to lift the ‘law envisaging the drawing down of the wages of the newly employed persons in the public sector” and to adopt the euro currency.
Eylem said during the protest that the “purchase power of the people” has been reduced due to the sharp drop in the value of the TL against foreign currencies. She added that the income of those who are paid the minimum wage is under the poverty income level.
(AK)
7. Ozersay to hold contacts in London
According to illegal Bayrak television (17.07.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=ozersay-to-hold-london-contacts), self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister Kudret Ozersay departed for London this morning for a series of contacts.
Ozersay will be attending the launching of a project aimed at ‘Turkish Cypriots living abroad’ which will take place on Thursday and will also be attending the “20 of July reception” (the 45th anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus) being organized by the “TRNC’s London representation office” before returning to the occupied area of Cyprus.
8. Akinci discusses with Doherty and Lillie the latest developments on the Cyprus issue
According to illegal Bayrak television (17.07.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=akinci-receives-uk-and-us-ambassadors), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met separately yesterday with the British High Commissioner to Cyprus Stephen Lillie and the US Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty.
The first meeting at Akinci’s office took place at 9am with the British High Commissioner followed by the second meeting with the US Ambassador.
The latest developments on the Cyprus Issue were discussed during the meetings.
No statements were issued before or after the meetings.
B. Turkish Press
1. Erdogan and Trump discuss Syria and Manbij road map
According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (16.07.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/07/16/erdogan-trump-discuss-syria-and-manbij-road-map-in-phone-call), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump discussed the latest developments in Syria, the Manbij road map and legal issues in a phone call on Monday.
The two leaders both underlined the significance of the issues discussed during the NATO summit last week. Erdogan and Trump agreed that cooperation was of vital importance to end the ongoing Syrian crisis, stressing that the Manbij road map prepared by both Turkish and U.S. officials would be applied as planned.
The leaders also touched upon the ongoing legal issues between Turkey and U.S. regarding the trial of the American pastor, Andrew Brunson, suspected of links to terrorist groups and the extradition of Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) leader Fetullah Gülen, asserting their wish to further cooperation in all areas. (…)
2. New measures before emergency rule ends in Turkey
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.07.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-measures-before-emergency-rule-ends-in-turkey-134645) with the above title reports that the Turkish government has prepared a draft for the period after the state of emergency is lifted and sent it to the Parliament Speaker’s office to present to Parliament for approval.
Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) group Deputy chair Bülent Turan told reporters on July 16 that the state of emergency in Turkey, which was put into effect in the wake of the defeated coup attempt on July 15, 2016, will be lifted as of July 18, but “the fight against terrorism will not be interrupted”, adding that the draft was sent to all parties, before submitting it to the Parliament Speaker’s office.
According to the draft, local governor’s offices have been given the authority to limit the entry and exit of people to certain places in the provinces if they suspect that the person in question will “disrupt the public order”.
The draft has also broadened reasons to ban demonstrations. (…)
3. Turkish journalist acquitted in MIT trucks case
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.07.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-journalist-acquitted-in-mit-trucks-case/1205626), an Istanbul court on Monday acquitted a Turkish journalist accused of espionage in a case about revealing state secrets by publishing footage of MIT truck incident. Istanbul’s 14th Heavy Penal Court acquitted Erdem Gul, the Ankara bureau chief of Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet.
In May, 2016, the 14th High Criminal Court in Istanbul had convicted Can Dundar, the former editor-in-chief of Cumhuriyet daily, and Gul following the publication of images purporting to show arms being transported to Syria in trucks belonging to Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, also known as the MIT. (…)
Earlier this year, Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling given by an Istanbul court on the case and ordered Gul's acquittal over lack of evidence.
………………….
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs / EF)
ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΩΝ
