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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 20-22.04.19

 

No.75/19                                                                                             20-22.04.2019

 

Contents

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Akıncı criticizes President Anastasiades on positive vote issue

2. Denktas: “Erdogan is the Turkish Cypriots’ interlocutor on the economic protocol”

3. Onen on the “extradition of criminals” in Cyprus

4. Survey shows that turnout in possible “elections” increases

5. UBP leader  to meet with Cavusoglu  in Ankara while the final countdown for an UBP-HD government started, according to reports

B. Turkish Press

1. Turkey's AK Party submits new petition to cancel Istanbul poll

2. CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu attacked during fallen soldier’s funeral

3. Turkish Minister calls for calm after attack on opposition Leader

4. Eight Turkish journalists to start serving prison sentences

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Akıncı criticizes President Anastasiades on positive vote issue

Illegal Bayrak (22.04.19 http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=akinci-slams-anastasiades-on-positive-vote-issue) broadcast that  Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı has accused President  Nicos Anastasiades “of continuing to demonize the principle of positive vote to be applied as and when a federal partnership is established in Cyprus”.

He also asked that “the Greek Cypriot leadership clarifies what it classifies as issues of vital importance for the Turkish Cypriots”.

In a written statement Akinci asked the Greek Cypriot leader why he had previously accepted the principle of positive vote if he was so opposed to the idea in the first place.

“Are you aware that your current statements have opened to debate past convergences reached between the two sides? How are we to reach a common basis for starting a new process if past convergences are to be scrapped? We have been hearing lately that the Greek Cypriot leadership accepts the positive vote of the Turkish Cypriots on issues of vital importance. This is new news for us. What do you classify as vital issues?” Akıncı asked.

Akıncı claimed that the Greek Cypriot leadership had made it abundantly clear in past meetings and statements that energy (hydrocarbons) or the federal budget in a future partnership did not constitute vital issues.

He said he expected the Greek Cypriot leader to clarify what he means when talking about vital issues.

2. Denktas: “Erdogan is the Turkish Cypriots’ interlocutor on the economic protocol”

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (22.04.19-http://www.starkibris.net/index.asp?haberID=275793) reports that so-called minister of finance, Serdar Denktas, in exclusive statements to the paper’s columnist Ercin Sahmaran, reiterated that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the Turkish Cypriots’ interlocutor on the issue of the “signing of the economic protocol between Turkey and the TRNC”.

Speaking to the paper, Denktas referring to the “economic protocol” alleged the following: “There is no economic reason for the protocol. Since it was possible for a technical team to be formed by Turkey, we have carried out our own study. We have removed the articles which were included in the first protocol but could not be implemented. For example the judiciary issue. The technical committee took the issue in order to discuss it with Turkey and submit its views. Now, they are ready as well. In the past, responsible for these issues was Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs. Now, the responsible for this is Turkish President Erdogan which is our interlocutor. Now, we are criticized from those who had signed the protocol in the past, they had not implement none of the provisions but only took the money”, Denktas said.

Asked to comment also on the forthcoming “presidential elections” which will take place in the occupied area of Cyprus next year, Denktas said that “the elections are not currently on the agenda”, alleging that he will be deciding on this issue in June.

(AK)  

3. Onen on the “extradition of criminals” in Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (22.04.19, https://www.havadiskibris.com/resmi-bir-bilgi-gelmedi/) reports that the chairman of the Bio-communal Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal Matters, Hakki Onen in statements to the paper said that until so far, unofficial extraditions of criminals were made only several times between the “Greek Cypriot administration” as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus and the occupation regime. “The first extradition took place in 2010”, Onen said, alleging that right now there are 6 suspects in “north Cyprus” who is believed that they had committed crimes in the Greek Cypriot side. “However, the issue of their extradition was not discussed yet officially”, Onen explained, describing as unhealthy the statement made regarding the statistical figures on the issue of “extraditions of criminals from the Republic of Cyprus to the TRNC and vice versa”.

The paper recalls statements by so-called foreign minister Kudret Ozersay some time ago via his social media account, who has stated that the Pakistani suspect for the assignation of the Turkish Cypriot Hasan Isik Ozkokcmen is now according to information they received at the refugee camp in Larnaca district, calling on the Greek Cypriot side to stop protecting criminals. The paper adds further that after these statements, Alithia newspaper published a statement by an anonymous source in the Cyprus news agency, supporting that extraditions of criminals is taking place only between states.

Commenting on this, Onen said that they had no official information on this issue, adding that they are expecting to be informed on this issue officially in the forthcoming days.

(AK)

4. Survey shows that turnout in possible “elections” increases     

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs (22.04.19, https://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/kibris/secimde-sandiga-gidecekler-artiyor/65386) reports that according to a survey conducted by the “Centre for Studies on Migration, Identity and Rights” in March 2019, 30,24% of the respondents will not go to the ballot to vote in case of a possible “election”. This percentage was 41,5% in a survey conducted by the same organization three months ago, in December 2018.

The percentage of the “undecided voters” increased, as in December 2018 this had been 16,78% and in March 2019 reached 19,87%. The change in the “undecided votes” show that “people” are more positive now on the issue of participating in an “election”, notes the paper adding that another result which supports this view is the fact that the “four – party coalition government” is considered “unsuccessful” and the mistrust towards the “government”, the “assembly” and the political parties increased.

The percentage of the opposition National Unity Party (UBP) increased in March comparing to December. The UBP comes first in the preferences of the respondents with 20,97%, followed by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) with 10,38% . The third place is shared by the People’s Party (HP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and the Democratic Party (DP) with 2,43%. The settlers’ Revival Party (YDP) and the Communal Liberation Party – new Forces (TKP – YG) share the fourth place with 1,1%, followed in the fifth place by the New Cyprus Party (YKP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP) and the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP) with 0,44%.

(I/Ts.)     

5. UBP leader  to meet with Cavusoglu  in Ankara while the final countdown for an UBP-HD government started, according to reports

Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (22.04.19 http://www.detaykibris.com/tatar-ankarada-cavusoglu-ile-gorusuyor-ubp-hp-hukumetine-dogru-188717h.htm ) reports that the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Ersin Tatar is going to Ankara  today to meet with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

According to the paper, this meeting follows the contacts held last week between Cavusoglu and the leader of People’s Party (HDP) and so-called foreign minister Kudret Ozersay. Tatar was invited to Ankara by Cavusoglu.

The paper, invoking sources writes that after Tatar’s return the four-party “coalition government” will fall apart and a new “government” between UBP and HP will be established.

In addition, Illegal Bayrak (22.04.19 http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=ubp-leader-says-gc-side-usurping-tcs-rights) reports that Tatar claimed that the Greek Cypriot side continues to usurp the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking on the Cyprus problem during an event he attended, the UBP leader accused the Greek Cypriot side of playing for time by displaying an intransigent stance. He said  that “it was unfortunate that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres did not see the Greek Cypriot side’s tactics and included this in his latest report to the UN Security Counci”.

Tatar also alleged  that the UN Secretary-General wanted the talks in Cyprus to restart within the framework he presented to the two sides on 30 June 2017.

“This framework stresses that Turkey’s active and effective guarantees cannot continue in Cyprus. Both President Akıncı and the government say this is fine. It is not fine for us,” Tatar claimed.

 

 B. Turkish Press

1. Turkey's AK Party submits new petition to cancel Istanbul poll

Turkish daily Yeni Safak (21.04.19 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkeys-ak-party-submits-new-petition-to-cancel-istanbul-poll-3479458) reports that Turkey's ruling party appealed to Turkey’s election authority submitting a new petition including list of non-eligible voters with a view to cancel and renew last month's Istanbul poll.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's deputy chairman Ali Ihsan Yavuz said 14,712 voters who were dismissed from public posts with a presidential decree were found out to have voted in Istanbul during March 31 local elections.

Yavuz said AK Party submitted to Supreme Election Council the petition with the list of voters as an attachment to their extraordinary appeal submitted on April 16.

Ekrem Imamoglu of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Wednesday officially took office as Mayor of Istanbul -- a metropolis of 16 million people -- but his election still faces legal challenges from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, citing illegalities at the polls.

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (22.04.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/re-election-in-istanbul-is-a-matter-of-survival-mhp-leader-says-142818 ) reports that a re-vote in Istanbul is a matter of “survival,” Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said on April 21.

“Manipulation in the Istanbul elections is the first stage of a long-term filthy scenario,” Bahçeli said at a meeting of his party’s local chiefs.

 “The problematic and suspected alliance led by the CHP in three big cities should be analyzed in all aspects of course. No need for pessimism,” he said and added that the transfer of Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir metropolitan municipalities to the administration of the CHP should not be regarded as mistrust to the presidential government system.

2. CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu attacked during fallen soldier’s funeral

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (22.04.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-leader-kilicdaroglu-attacked-during-fallen-soldiers-funeral-142817) reports that Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader was attacked on April 21 by a group during the funeral of a Turkish soldier who died along with three other privates on April 19.

The group chanted slogans against the outlawed PKK before attacking Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the funeral of Private Yener Kırıkcı in the Çubuk district of Ankara. Camera footage showed the mob trying to punch and kick the politician. Kılıçdaroğlu was later taken to house by the security members to avoid any further attacks.

3. Turkish Minister calls for calm after attack on opposition Leader

Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.04.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkish-minister-calls-for-calm-after-attack-on-opp-leader/1459104) reports that Turkish Defense Minister on Sunday called for calm after main opposition party leader was attacked during the funeral of a soldier in Cubuk district of the capital city.

Hulusi Akar's remarks came after the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) was attacked by a group of people when he was attending the funeral of a Turkish soldier, who was martyred on Friday along with three others during operations against terrorists in the Turkey-Iraq border area.

The Defense Minister visited Kilicdaroglu at the house and addressed the locals using a police car speaker.

"One of our fellow brothers was martyred. We attended his funeral and fulfilled our responsibility for him. Our armed forces have been now making life unbearable for these terrorists on those mountains and hills where he was martyred," Akar said.

Yuksel Kocaman, Ankara's chief public prosecutor, told Anadolu Agency that a probe was launched against the attackers and to ascertain whether it was a terror act or an act of provocation.

4. Eight Turkish journalists to start serving prison sentences

Turkish minute new portal (22.04.19 https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/19/8-turkish-journalists-to-start-serving-prison-sentences/) reports that Turkey is about to send eight journalists and media staff to prison after their sentences were upheld by an appeals court.

The eight, including journalist Kadri Gürsel and cartoonist Musa Kart, stood trial in a case related to the publications of the Cumhuriyet newspaper.

The trial concluded with 18 defendants, journalists as well as media executives and staff, being handed down various prison sentences.

A Turkish appeals court on Feb. 19 upheld the sentences, meaning those who received less than five years will have to start serving their sentences, while others with longer sentences will be able to lodge an appeal with a higher court.

The decision to uphold has been uploaded on the National Judiciary Network Information System (UYAP), and the lower court is expected to launch the execution of sentences as soon as it receives the case file.

Gürsel announced the development on Twitter yesterday. “I wish he was sincere in what he says, but I know he isn’t,” Gürsel said, quoting a news article about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent remarks calling for a national reconciliation after the local elections of March 31. “Here’s why I knew Erdoğan wasn’t sincere: The sentences upheld in the Cumhuriyet trial were uploaded to UYAP one day after İmamoğlu received his mandate to govern. Eight Cumhuriyet employees including me are going to prison,” Gürsel tweeted, referring to opposition mayoral candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who won the İstanbul election.

Eight Cumhuriyet employees including me are going to prison,” Gürsel tweeted, referring to opposition mayoral candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who won the İstanbul election.

 

A press freedom report by the Council of Europe recently qualified Turkey as the world’s largest jailer of journalists. The country was also ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

 

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/EH)