Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-31.10.18
No. 210/18
Contents
1. Ozersay alleges that the Fatih vessel will not stop drillings because of the Cyprus negotiations
3. Columnist correlates increasing criminality with the population in the occupied area of Cyprus
4. Contacts of the so-called minister of transportation with foreign ministers in Istanbul
5. Turkish Cypriot organizations support the opening of new crossing points
6. Tatar officially becomes new UBP leader
7. Teachers from Turkey arriving in the breakaway regime
8. “Disaster Management exercise 2018” will take place today and tomorrow in the breakaway regime
1. Erdogan: “Turkey is ready for operations on east Euphrates”
2. Turkey rejects Syrian accusations over Idlib deal
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. Ozersay alleges that the Fatih vessel will not stop drillings because of the Cyprus negotiations
According to Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (31.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/ozersay-artik-oyunun-kurali-degismistir-fiilen-sahadayiz/), Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that after the Turkish Fatih vessel started drilling in the Mediterranean the “rules of the game changed” and claimed that the occupation regime and Turkey will not allow anyone to stop these drillings because of the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. In statements to Turkish NTV today, Ozersay claimed:
“This should be perceived as de facto changing of the rules of a game. This should be perceived as a change of paradigm. In the past, the Greek Cypriot side was doing something and we were only protesting. The de facto situation has been developed against us always. With this development now, with the drilling vessel purchased by Turkey and the drilling vessel which will be activated after a period, we are coming to a situation of establishing our own rights by ourselves. The capacity of a possibility for us to de facto being at the field is emerging.
In the past this was unfortunately misused in a manner which was against us. In fact, in 2015, the two sides had mutually decided to postpone these works because negotiations were taking place. In the period following the agreement, the Greek Cypriot side continued these works. The Turkish Cypriot side had sort of postponed these works with Turkey. From now on, we will not allow anyone to stop our works showing as excuse the negotiations”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Trade unions protest against the “systematic increase of population” in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot Afrika newspaper (31.10.18) reports that the Trade Union Platform held a protest yesterday in front of the self-styled ministry of interior because population is systematically transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus and “as a result of this the Turkish Cypriots face the danger of becoming a minority”.
Selma Eylem, chairperson of the Turkish Cypriot secondary school teachers’ trade union (KTOEOS), said that the reason of their gathering outside the “ministry” was “the systematic transfer of population to the northern part of Cyprus resulting in the spoiling of its demographic structure and the increase of the criminal incidents”. She noted that a serious increase exists today in incidents such as harassments, rapes and violence.
A joint statement read by Guven Bengihan, chairman of the “civil servants’” trade union (KTAMS), said that with the support of the Turkish governments, “the mentality which is dominant for years” in the occupied area of the island “has brought the Turkish Cypriots to the point of being annihilated for the sake of maintaining its own status quo”.
According to the statement, this “mentality’s” policy on the issue of “citizenship” aims at changing the population structure in the occupied area of Cyprus and granted “citizenship” to persons who had come to the island as tourists for few weeks. The “laws” regarding the population, “citizenship” and migration are supported by the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, said the statement and asked for the amendment of these “laws”.
The statement noted also that the “transferred population” became more populous than the local one and the Turkish Cypriots are turned into minority in their own “country”, because of the migration of Turkish Cypriots and the systematic transfer of population from Turkey. It further said that with the change of the demographic structure, the work and social life also changed and criminality increased. Pointing out that criminals wanted by Interpol can freely live in the occupied area of Cyprus, the statement argued that the pages of the newspapers are full of criminal incidents and the “people” do not feel secure.
(I/Ts.)
3. Columnist correlates increasing criminality with the population in the occupied area of Cyprus
Writing in Turkish Cypriot Kıbrıs newspaper (31.10.18), columnist Ali Baturay comments on a stabbing happened yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus and correlated criminality with the foreign population, who enters into the occupied area in an uncontrolled manner. Under the title “It is something terrifying”, Baturay notes, inter alia, the following:
“While you are walking in the street, someone will stab a knife in your back many times. And what is more, without any reason, only because he longed for it. You know, it is said that ‘we have started not to be able to walk in the streets of the TRNC’. This has completely come into reality. […] You do not know what is expecting you any moment. A 17-year old girl in Keryneia stabbed a 49-year old woman eight times suddenly, with absolutely no reason. […] It is said that the only reason was to realise one of her dreams. […]
The person who was attacked was a foreigner, coming from one of the third world countries. The one who stabbed her? She is also a foreigner, she lives here with her family, but she is not a TRNC citizen. That is, we turn around and come to the same point. This country should not be an inn in which everyone enters and exits without control, those who enter in the country, those who exit should be taken under control. The state should know who lives in this country. The TRNC should stop being a country the population of which is unknown. The person, who stabbed that woman today, may stab us tomorrow without any reason, for pleasure, for realizing a childhood dream. […]”
(I/Ts.)
4. Contacts of the so-called minister of transportation with foreign ministers in Istanbul
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (31.10.18) reports that the so-called minister of transportation Tolga Atakan, who participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new airport of Istanbul, upon an invitation of the Turkish Minister of transportation Cahit Turhan, held contacts with foreign Minister who also participated in the ceremony.
Atakan, who attended a dinner offered by Turhan for his counterparts, held according to a statement by the “TRNC ministry of transportation” “bilateral meetings” with the Ministers of Transportation or Albania, Kosovo, FYROM, Kuwait and Azerbaijan.
Atakan invited the Kosovar Minister to the “TRNC” while he received an invitation by the Albanian Minister Damian Gjiknuri.
(CS)
5. Turkish Cypriot organizations support the opening of new crossing points
Under the title “New crossing points will be beneficial”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.10.18), on its front page, reports that representatives of economic organizations, speaking to the paper, stressed the importance of opening new crossing points after the announcement of opening the crossing points of Apliki and Deryneia on November 12.
Meltem Onurkan Samani, Technical Committees Coordinator, said that after the opening of Apliki and Deryneia crossing points the committee will evaluate the new proposals adding that both communities have requested to open new crossing points in many regions. She further explained: “The main task of the Committee is to open the crossing points agreed by the leaders. For this reason, it is not cleared which crossing point or crossing points will be opened after Apliki and Deryneia crossing points.”
Mahmut Kanber, chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Tradesmen and Artisans” (KTEZO) noted that all current crossing points are directly contributing both to the economy and to the solution. He argued that there is not a crossing point opened towards an industrial zone of both sides and for this reason the opening of a crossing point in occupied Mia Milia may increase the mutual exchange.
Candan Avunduk, chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry” (KTSO) argued that a crossing point to be opened in the area of occupied Mia Milia will be beneficial for the producers in the area and will increase the trade between the two communities.
Turgay Deniz, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTOO), argued that the crossing point of the Famagusta Gate should be opened for vehicle crossings, adding that the crossing point will contribute to the revival of the area and will also contribute to the economy of the “country”. He further said that the opening of Famagusta Gate crossing point will reduce the vehicle density at the crossing point of Agios Dometios and made a call to the officials to open it immediately.
(DPs)
6. Tatar officially becomes new UBP leader
According to illegal Bayrak television (31.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=tatar-officially-becomes-new-ubp-leader), Ersin Tatar has become the new leader of the main opposition National Unity Party.
The decision was announced today by Zorlu Tore, “deputy speaker of parliament” –who is serving as the UBP’s assembly council chairman - at a press conference at the National Unity Party headquarters.
The council convened today following the announcement made yesterday by Hüseyin Ozgurgun that he was conceding the race for the party’s leadership and that he would not be taking part in the second round of voting which was set to take place this Saturday.
Tore announced that a second round following Ozgurgun’s decision to withdraw from the race was no longer necessary and that the council had approved Tatar’s victory.
Ozgurgun’s announcement came yesterday at a joint press conference with his rival UBP deputy Ersin Tatar who won the highest number of votes at the party congress on Sunday.
Stating that the National Unity Party had held a general congress worthy of the “country’s democracy” and the party, Özgürgün said that he was conceding the race for the party’s leadership in respect of the will put forward by party members. He added that dragging the party to a second round of voting at this stage would not earn the UBP anything.
“Our party requires stability and harmony, not chaos or polarization, on its path to coming to power alone, particularly during these times of economic crisis and chaos” he argued. The UBP leader also said that the democratic success put forward by the UBP will set an example to all other parties.
Wishing success to Tatar in his new post, Ozgurgun said that he will be supporting him on the path to bringing the UBP to power.
UBP “deputy” Tatar for his part thanked Ozgurgun, stating that he respected his decision. “I respect the decision. Once the party’s leader is officially announced, the party assembly will be elected and the authorised bodies will be formed. I have been working with Ozgurgun for many years and I am extremely happy to be with him here today at this press conference. We shall carry our party forward in unity and solidarity. I thank him very much. The congress has thus been completed. I hope that we shall carry the UBP to better days through unity and solidarity” he added.
Meanwhile, votes for the party assembly are expected to be counted on Saturday morning following the approval of Tatar’s election as the new party leader.
7. Teachers from Turkey arriving in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (31.10.18) reports that the general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary Teacher’s Trade Union (KTOS) Sener Elcil, criticized the so-called government for employing teachers from Turkey while there are hundreds of unemployed teachers in the breakaway regime.
According to Elcil 148 teachers were transferred from Turkey and as he said “they are paid from the TRNC budget”.
He went on adding that “Turkey has not offered a single cent to the TRNC for ten months now while the TRNC cover’s Turkey defense needs”.
(CS)
8. “Disaster Management exercise 2018” will take place today and tomorrow in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (31.10.18) reports that the “Civil Defense Disaster Management and Response Exercise 2018” has started today 31st of October in the breakaway regime and will continue until tomorrow 1st of November.
In the framework of the exercise, which is based on an earthquake scenario of 7.7 in the Richter scale a siren alarm is planned to be heard in the breakaway regime.
(CS)
B. Turkish Press
1. Erdogan: “Turkey is ready for operations on east Euphrates”
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.10.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-ready-for-operations-on-east-euphrates/1297796), Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to the Justice and Development Party's parliamentary group on Tuesday, said that they have finished preparations for operations on the eastern side of Euphrates River. "We will crush terror groups with more effective operations", Erdogan added.
He said that Turkey would bring down all terror nests on the eastern side of Euphrates. "We have finished all our preparations, plans, program regarding the issue," he added.
He said that Turkey cannot "look to the future with confidence without solving the Syrian issue". (…)
Erdogan claimed that the powers using terror groups as tools to reach their goals are trying to revive Daesh in Syria, adding that Turkey would never allow them to drag Syria into chaos by inciting the regime or reviving Daesh in the region. "Neither people in the region nor the world believe in the Daesh game", said Erdogan.
Responding to reporters' questions after the meeting, Erdogan said that the murder of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi needs to be solved. "There is [...] no sense to try to protect the culprits," said Erdogan, adding that they would not turn a blind eye to the Khashoggi case. (…)
2. Turkey rejects Syrian accusations over Idlib deal
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.10.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-rejects-syrian-accusations-over-idlib-deal-138405) reports that Turkey rejected on Oct. 30 Syrian government’s accusations that it is not meeting its obligations under an agreement to create a demilitarized zone around the insurgent-held Idlib region, saying the deal was being implemented as planned.
The agreement forged in September between Russia, President Bashar al-Assad's most powerful ally, and Turkey staved off a major government offensive into the opposition-held region in northwest Syria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said after a four-way summit on Syria with Turkey, Germany and France on Oct. 27 that Ankara was fulfilling its obligations in Idlib, which with adjacent areas is the last stronghold of the anti-Assad insurgency.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said in comments reported late on Oct. 29 that Turkey appeared unwilling to implement the deal. "The terrorists still exist with their heavy arms in this region and this is an indicator of Turkey's unwillingness to fulfill its obligations," Moualem said in Damascus, according to the official news agency SANA.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu dismissed the allegations on Tuesday, saying the agreement is continuing as planned. "There are currently no issues in implementing the memorandum... Everything is going as planned," Cavusoglu told a news conference in Istanbul.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Turkey was doing its best to fulfil difficult obligations in Idlib, but that "not everything is going as it was planned". Russia did not see a threat that the agreement would fail, he added. (…)
Speaking to members of his ruling Justice and Development Party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said on Oct. 30 that Turkey would ensure a more active international role in Idlib after the summit. (…)
Cavusoglu also warned that if terrorists or radical groups in Idlib displayed a "different approach" to that of the deal struck between Ankara and Moscow, Turkey would intervene. (…)
3. Turkey’s Defence Minister reiterates that “they are determined to protect the legal rights of the TRNC”
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (30.10.18, http://www.milliyet.com.tr/hulusi-akar-munbic-ten-sonra-firat-in-kirikkale-yerelhaber-3124884/) reported that Turkey’s Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar, speaking at the meeting of the Defence Industry Assembly of TOBB (Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange), argued that after Manbij the east of Euphrates will be cleared.
Akar argued that while they continue their operations there, they will continue all their activities in the north of Syria, in the north of Iraq and in the south-eastern of the Anatolia region.
Defence Minister further claimed that no matter where in the Aegean, in Eastern Mediterranean and in Cyprus, they have openly stated and have clearly agreed on how many rights they have and how much legal rights they have to the international conventions based on the agreements and it is not possible to give up on these. Akar argued that they have informed their interlocutors and they will continue to inform them very clearly and distinctly with all appropriate means that they are determined to protect the legal rights of Turkey and the “TRNC” and that there is no compromise on this issue. He concluded by saying that they have taken all kinds of measures on this issue and they will continue to take.
(DPs)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/AM)
ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΩΝ
