Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-09-11.06.18
No. 110/18
Contents
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. Akinci to attend inauguration of TANAP
5. Opinion polls about the “municipal election”
6. The “KTSO” held contacts in Ankara
7. Data on exports and imports during the first three months of 2018 in the occupied area of Cyprus
B. Turkish Press
1. Bahceli insists that “Cyprus is a Turkish territory”
2. Erdogan warns of 'crusader-crescent war' after Austria's shutting of mosques
3. Turkish Minister threatens to block tourism in Europe and particularly in Greece
4. Eight international bodies to monitor the Turkish elections
5. Yildirim: Turkish forces 'deployed 30 km inside' of northern Iraq
6. Turkey finishes construction of 764-km security wall on Syria border
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. Akinci to attend inauguration of TANAP
According to illegal Bayrak television (09.06.18, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=akinci-to-attend-inauguration-of-tanap), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will be attending the inauguration of the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) in Eskisehir this Tuesday, June 12 as guest of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to a press release by his office, Akinci will be flying to Eskisehir on Tuesday morning accompanied by his undersecretary Gurdal Hudaoglu. They will return to the occupied area of Cyprus on Wednesday, June 13.
Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolian news agency (10.06.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogan-to-inaugurate-tanap-pipeline-in-central-turkey/1171071) reported that Erdogan will inaugurate the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project on June 12 in central Turkey, the presidency announced on Sunday. “The opening ceremony of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) will be held in Eskisehir on June 12, 2018 under the auspices of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” a statement by the presidency’s press office read.
The opening ceremony will host government and state Heads, Energy Ministers, Executives of energy companies and senior bureaucrats from shareholder and friendly countries, the statement said.
2. Afrika writes that the “immovable property commission” has no money to pay as compensation to Greek Cypriots
Under the title: “Turkey left us in in the lurch”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.06.18) writes that Turkey cut the payments towards the Greek Cypriots who apply to the “immovable property commission”, saying (to the breakaway regime) “since you are living in the properties of the Greek Cypriots, then pay”, and as a result the “commission” was left with no other choice than to “rule” for the return of properties.
The paper also reports that the property of 8 Greek Cypriots who applied to the “commission” was also after the “Skourides case” because there are no money to be paid for compensations and adds that persons who are from Varosha are next on line for the return.
The paper’s editor-in-chief Sener Levent, writes the following on the issue in his column:
“After so many years the land of 78-year old Nikola Skourides at Larnakas tis Lapithou village was returned to him by our own immovable property commission. What else could the commission do? Is it in a position of paying compensation to Skourides? It run out of money. Turkey, which safeguarded the establishment of this commission trying to escape from the hands of the European Court of Human Rights, it has finally left us in in the lurch. […] Where could our poor people find so much money? Return (of properties) is the best solution. “Return and save (yourself)! Look, after the return of Skourides property, there was the return of 8 more Greek Cypriots property as well, they said. And there will be more. There are others waiting in line. Do you think that it was accidentally that the Greek Cypriot lawyer Achilleas Demetriades stated that there would be more property returns from now on? Demetriades is very well informed about the situation. And now some people reacted strongly because Skourides will build on the land that was returned to him. Those who failed to see that religious fanatic persons came and mixed with us holding stones and congratulated those people for acting this way, now they are going crazy because a Greek Cypriot wants to re-establish in his own land.
They go to the village and create tension. […] But they must know that if something bad happens to Skourides they would be the first to pay the price. And they will pay a heavy price. They are the abettors like Erdogan but unlike him they will not be able to run away”, Levent noted.
(CS)
3. Mapolar: “We are not obliged to pay compensations due to the provision on the law regarding the return of property”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.06.18) reports that Romans Mapolar, "vice-president" of the “immovable property commission” ("IPC”), in an exclusive interview to the paper, evaluated the “IPC decision” to return a property in the occupied village Larnaka tis Lapithou to the Greek Cypriot owner Nikolas Skourides.
Speaking about the return issue, Mapolar stated that “the ‘return’ was included from the very beginning in the provisions of the law concerning the committee”. He added that the “commission is responsible to decide about the criteria”. “We are not obliged to pay compensations due to the return decision. The issue of the return was included in the law from the very beginning”, he explained, adding that “the commission has decided to return the property of 336 donums plot of land to a Greek Cypriot”.
Mapolar, recalled that the “property the Greek Cypriots abandoned in the north” is 1,5 million donums of plot of land while the property of the Turkish Cypriots in the “south” is only 450 thousand donums of plot of land. Mapolar argued that in short, the return of the property belonging to Greek Cypriots in the “northern part” of the island is limited.
Mapolar further stressed the need for “resources” which are allocated to the “committee” to be increased and he argued that among their “proposals” to the “government” regarding the function of the “committee” is for these “resources” to be increased.
(AK)
4. A letter to the EU by three NGO’s in the occupied area of Cyprus; They demand by the EU to implement the acquis in the “northern part” of the island
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.06.18) reports that representatives of three NGO organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus, the “Turkish Cypriot teacher’s trade union” (KTOS), Basin-Sen and the “Arif Hasan Tahsin Tarih cultural association”, have visited the European Commission Representation Offices in Cyprus in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and conveyed a letter to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and the President of the European Parliament (EP) Antonio Tajani.
In the letter, the NGO’s demanded by the EU and its organs to implement the EU acquis in the “northern part” of the island and also to undertake a more active role towards the efforts for reaching to a solution on the Cyprus problem.
In a written statement, the NGO’s announced that in the letter they conveyed to the EU they underlined the fact that even though Cyprus as a whole became a full member of the EU, the EU acquis communautaire is not implemented in the “northern part” of the island and the Turkish Cypriots, even though they became EU citizens and cannot be benefited from the rights provided by the EU. In the letter it is underlined further that Turkey, with its intervention in Cyprus in 1974 exerts full dominance in the “north”.
The letters underlines also the fact that the Turkish Cypriot community is under a systematic attack by Turkey which has achieve to alter the demographic and population structure of the island, seized the political will of the Turkish Cypriots and achieved to intervene in all organizations and institutions in the “TRNC”, turning the Turkish Cypriots living in the island into a minority.
Pointing out to the negative effects of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, the three NGO’s called on the EU to undertake concrete steps towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and also to implement the acquis in the “northern part of the island”. “We will not allow being hold as ‘hostages’ of Turkish-EU negotiations and to be moved away from the EU”, said the letter.
(AK)
5. Opinion polls about the “municipal election”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.06.18) reports that according to an opinion poll conducted by the Freebirds Pollar, the candidate of the National Unity Party (UBP) Hasan Sertoglu is leading the race for the “Lefkosia municipality” with 33,2%, followed by the current “Lefkosia mayor” and candidate with the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Harmanci with 29.1%. The candidate with the Democratic Party (DP) Gencay Eroglu is third with 18,5%.
According to the poll, 8.1% of the persons participated in the poll stated that they are undecided and the paper notes that this can determine the result of the “elections” while 7.1% stated that will not go to “vote”. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) supports Harmanci.
Commenting on the poll, pro-UBP Gunes newspaper (09.06.18) wrote that almost in every “municipality” the candidates of UBP are leading the race.
Referring to the same poll, Detay (09.06.18) writes that the current “mayor” of Morfou Mehmet Ozcinar, candidate with the UBP is first with 62,5% while Κοsman Bican, candidate with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) is second with 37,5%.
Detay however writes that according to a poll conducted by the paper, Harmanci is first with 51.1%, followed by Sertoglu with 21,7% and Gencay Eroglu with 14,8%.
(Tr. Note: Gencay Eroglu is the daughter of the former Turkish Cypriot leader and honorable leader of UBP Dervis Eroglu but runs as the “elections” as the candidate of the Democratic Party).
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (10.06.18) reports that Erhan Arikli, leader of the Revival Party (YDP) (Tr. Note: The party of the settlers), claimed that the “elections’” results may create problems to the “coalition government”.
Arikli, who was speaking at an “election meeting”, claimed that the “municipal elections” will bring such a change that may even lead to the collapse of the “government”. He also said that in this case there is a great possibility of early elections to be held.
(CS)
6. The “KTSO” held contacts in Ankara
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberal Kibrisli newspaper (11.06.18) reports that a delegation of the “Turkish Cypriot chamber of industry” (“KTSO”) headed by its “chairman” Candan Avunduk, held a one-day visit to Ankara, where they held separate contacts with the chairmen and members of the “administration board” of the Ankara Chamber of Trade and the Ankara Chamber of Industry.
Speaking during the meetings, Avunduk stated that they had asked from Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Recep Akday for Turkey’s support on the “establishment of organized industrial zones” in the “TRNC” and latest promised to help them.
He further added that the “KTSO” agreed to enhance and broaden its ties and cooperation with both the Ankara Chamber of Trade and the Ankara Chamber of Industry.
(AK)
7. Data on exports and imports during the first three months of 2018 in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (11.06.18) reports that according to data by the “trade department”, the imports of the “TRNC” in the first three months of 2018 were 140 million 904 thousand TL (36 million 975 thousand US dollars) while the exports in the same period were 558 million 348 thousand TL (147 million 873 thousand US dollars).
According to “official data”, the export shares during the first three months of 2018 were 64.7,3% to Turkey and 35.3% to other countries. Turkey has again the biggest share in the imports. The breakaway regime’s imports from Turkey in the above mentioned period reached 95 million 39 thousand US dollars, from EU countries was 20 million 628 thousand dollars, from Far East countries 12 million 628 thousand US dollars, from Middle East countries 9 million 526 thousand US dollars, from Europe countries 6 million 638 thousand US dollars and from other countries 3 million 142 thousand US dollar.
(DPs)
B. Turkish Press
1. Bahceli insists that “Cyprus is a Turkish territory”
Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (11.06.18, https://www.yenisafak.com/secim/bu-kez-hicbir-hain-sag-kalamaz-3357284) reports that Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), during an election rally in Izmir on Sunday, claimed that “Cyprus is Turkish”.
Commenting on the fact that Greece was annoyed regarding MHP campaign video that depicts the island of Cyprus as Turkish territory, Bahceli claimed: “Why, is it because Cyprus is showed as a Turkish Cypriot territory? I will ask you this foolish and silly question, what would you do, how will you demonstrate? I declare and express this: Cyprus is Turkish; it is the country of Turks and will remain so. The Greek government, which plays with the Aegean islands, should know better its place, let them not forget the days when their grandparents drowned in the bottom of the sea (…).”
(DPs)
2. Erdogan warns of 'crusader-crescent war' after Austria's shutting of mosques
According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (10.06.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/06/10/erdogan-warns-austrian-govt-against-crackdown-on-mosques), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday slammed Austria's decision to shut down seven mosques including a Turkish one and expel some imams from the country.
Speaking at an iftar dinner organized in Istanbul, Erdogan warned that the steps taken by Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz's far-right government might "bring the world closer to a crusader-crescent war". "You do this and we sit idle? It means we will take some steps too," he said, adding that the "Western world should get their act together".
Kurz said that the investigation on several mosques and associations conducted by the Ministry of Interior and Office of Religious Affairs had been concluded and that the activities of seven mosques were found to be forbidden -- one of them belonging to the Turkish-Islamic Cultural Associations (ATIB).
The Austrian Chancellor added that the imams would be deported on grounds of being foreign-funded.
Furthermore, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (11.06.18,http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-calls-on-germany-to-straighten-out-austrian-pm-133101), under the title “Erdogan calls on Germany to ‘straighten out’ Austrian PM, reports that Erdogan had met Sebastian Kurz in June 2014 when the latter politician was Austria's Foreign Minister.
Erdogan has continued his salvoes against Premier Kurz over Vienna’s decision to shut down seven mosques and expel 40 imams, calling on Germany to “straighten him out”. “I’m making a call to the Austrian Prime Minister: You are young yet and you need experience. Your inexperienced behaviors like these can cost you heavily”, Erdogan said at a late night event to mark the Islamic observance for Laylat al-Qadr on June 10.
Repeating his earlier warning that Austria’s decision “may start a crusader-crescent war,” the Turkish President added: “I am also making this call to the whole West, particularly to Germany: Straighten out your man. Otherwise the situation may get out of hand. We have some steps to be taken in accordance of our arguments. We will not let our 250,000 brothers be oppressed there [in Austria]. We will do what is needed.” (…)
The Austrian Chancellor added that the imams would be deported on grounds of being foreign funded. “Parallel societies, political Islam and radicalization have no place in our country,” Kurz said.
3. Turkish Minister threatens to block tourism in Europe and particularly in Greece
Turkish private channel CNNTurk (09.06.18, https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/suleyman-soylu-fetonun-yeni-darbe-plani-var) broadcast that Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, in an interview to CNNTurk, refers to the refugee issue by threatening Greece and Europe. Soylu argued: “Europe sees Turkey as a buffer zone. If our policy is changed, then the tourism in Europe will be blocked especially the tourism of Greece. Despite our so remarkable efforts, they do not extradite the traitors back to Turkey (he refers to the 8 Turkish officers, who were released by Greece a few days ago).”
(DPs)
4. Eight international bodies to monitor the Turkish elections
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.06.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eight-international-bodies-to-monitor-turkish-elections-132987) eight international organizations will observe Turkey’s presidential and general elections on June 24, the top Turkish election body announced on June 8.
The Turkish Supreme Board of Election (YSK) has provided accreditation to observers from eight international institutions for the upcoming elections, an official from the top election body told state-run Anadolu Agency. (…)
The organizations that will monitor whether the elections are conducted in a fair, free and transparent environment are the following:
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA)
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC)
• Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries (TURKPA)
• Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council)
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
During Election Day, the observers will mainly monitor voting procedures such as counting, casting and recording votes without interrupting polling boards. The observers will prepare a report by monitoring campaigning process, election participation and whether international election standards are upheld.
5. Yildirim: Turkish forces 'deployed 30 km inside' of northern Iraq
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.06.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-forces-deployed-30-km-inside-of-northern-iraq-pm-133038), Turkish armed forces have been stationed 30 km inside of northern Iraq as part of its anti-terror operation in the region, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said late June 8.
“We have been deployed in a 300-kilometer area, in 30Km deep in northern Iraq. Next step could be Qandil, Mahmur or Sinjar. We would like to conduct this operation with neighbouring countries. We respect the territorial integrity of Syria or Iraq," Yıldırım said during a live interview on private broadcaster NTV. (…)
In response to a question if there will be cooperation with Iran and Iraq over the Qandil operation, Yıldırım said: “We have changed our anti-terrorism concept. Terror is not the top problem in national discourse anymore but the problem continues on the east of Euphrates [in Syria and Iraq]. PKK harms everyone. I don’t think we will have any problem [on this issue]."
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, too, described Mt. Qandil as a "close target". Speaking on private broadcaster CNN Türk for a live interview on June 9, he said that Qandil is where "PKK contacts the world". "We can seize Qandil anytime we want. (…)" Soylu said.
Earlier, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Mahir Ünal, who also spoke during a live broadcast on NTV channel, (…) said: “We are carrying out serious diplomacy with both Iran and Iraq,” he added.
6. Turkey finishes construction of 764-km security wall on Syria border
According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (09.06.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2018/06/09/turkey-finishes-construction-of-764-km-security-wall-on-syria-border), Turkey has completed the construction of a 764-kilometer (475-mile) concrete wall along its border with Syria, according to a Turkish official on Saturday. (…)
Ankara had launched the construction project in 2015 to build an 826-km (513-mi) wall on the Syrian border, as part of Turkey's measures to increase border security and combat smuggling and illegal border crossings. Turkey shares a 911-kilometer (566-mile) border with Syria, which has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011. (…)
The border wall project incorporates physical, electronic and advanced technology layers. The physical layer includes modular concrete walls, patrol routes, manned and unmanned towers and passenger tracks. (…)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs / AM)
ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΩΝ
