Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-11-02

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci held a meeting with Ozgurgun and Denktas

[02] Cavusoglu discussed Cyprus with Kotzias

[03] Turkish military dispatches tanks near to Iraqi border

[04] Eroglu: "Defending the state does not mean not wanting a solution"

[05] "Guarantees" were discussed at the "assembly"; Ertugruloglu alleges that Turkey should have the right to unilaterally intervene in Cyprus

[06] Former Turkish Cypriot negotiators on the Cyprus talks

[07] The Greek Cypriot side is accused of "exploiting" the issue of the missing persons

[08] The Turkish Cypriot Journalist Union and Basin Sen condemned the operation against Cumhuriyet newspaper

[09] Research shows decrease of optimism for a solution to the Cyprus problem

[10] Great interest for buying real estate in the breakaway regime from Turkish investors

[11] The so-called ministerial council cancelled the "granting of 16 citizenships"

[12] Yildirim downplays Europe's 'red line' on press freedom after detentions

[13] Russian and Turkish chief of staff talked over Syria and Mosul

[14] Commentaries argue that reinforced nationalist and conservative politics will dominate Turkey in the near future

[15] Columnist Kohen comments on the possibility of the reinstatement of capital punishment

[16] Kilicdaroglu met with Harms

[17] AKP and MHP to work on limited measure to reinstate death penalty in Turkey

[18] Turkey appoints new Mayor for Diyarbakir

[19] Self-styled minister in Istanbul for an OIC meeting

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci held a meeting with Ozgurgun and Denktas

According to the paper, the progress of the Cyprus negotiations and the forthcoming meeting in Switzerland were discussed during the meeting. Akinci also informed Ozgurgun and Denktas about the model that will be followed on the scheduled meetings. Internal issues were also discussed, the paper reports.

(CS)

[02] Cavusoglu discussed Cyprus with Kotzias

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish military dispatches tanks near to Iraqi border

According to the source, who asked to remain anonymous due to restrictions on talking to the media, a large number of tanks from the 28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade were seen leaving Ankara for Silop.

About the movement of tanks, Defense Minister Fikri Isik told reporters in Ankara: "We are right now in a serious fight against terrorist groups, both inside Turkey and just outside our border. This dispatch is part of preparation against those threats."

Isik also said that Turkey "needs to be prepared for every possibility".

[04] Eroglu: "Defending the state does not mean not wanting a solution"

Eroglu stated that all the opinions expressed actually help the negotiators and added that he does not believe that any statements can cause any problem.

Referring to the forthcoming meeting in Switzerland, Eroglu claimed that during the time he was "president" it was agreed that the discussion of the territory issue and of the map would be launched a week before a five-party meeting was held.

Eroglu further said that the statements made by various Greek Cypriot political parties that will not vote in favor of a solution in which the conditions they set for the solution, are not, included, strengthen Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

"When you have a state, you are evaluated differently at the negotiation table", he said adding that they can defend their "state" and negotiate for a solution at the same time.

(CS)

[05] "Guarantees" were discussed at the "assembly"; Ertugruloglu alleges that Turkey should have the right to unilaterally intervene in Cyprus

Ertugruloglu alleged that the system of guarantees could be revised according to the existing conditions, but Turkey's right to unilaterally intervene when this is necessary must definitely exist.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot side claims that it is afraid of the Turkish [occupation] army, Ertugruloglu argued that the Greek Cypriots were the reason for which the Turkish army invaded Cyprus in 1974. He also claimed that if the Greek Cypriots are still annoyed by Turkey's guarantees, this might show that they are aiming at acting like in 1963 again.

On his part, Celer argued that not only what Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci says on the issue of the guarantees must be taken into consideration, but also the statements made by the Turkish Foreign Minister. He said that some circles should not speak as if Akinci and his spokesman wish to extinguish the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the countries which are intervening in Syria at the moment, Celer wondered: "Are these countries guarantor powers and they are intervening?"

Furthermore, he said that everybody has the duty to work so that the bitter incidents of the past are not repeated and added that no one gains by speaking as if the incidents of the past will definitely be repeated.

Celer argued that an agreement by which both sides will feel safe on the points where they are sensitive should be made because otherwise there will be no agreement.

Referring to the territory issue, Celer described as "wrong" the reference to a map when such a thing does not exist at the negotiating table and alleged that we are living a different period than the Annan Plan period.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Former Turkish Cypriot negotiators on the Cyprus talks

In a joint statement, Ergun and Olgun said that they saw the need to share with the public some of their thoughts and evaluations on the Cyprus talks on the eve of both leaders' meeting in Mont Pelerin between November 7 and 11 under the auspices of the UN Secretary General.

Stressing that it was announced that the meeting will focus on the territory chapter and for the first time, maps and figures will be discussed, Ertug and Olgun recalled Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's statement that the meeting in Switzerland will be "the next to the last step" and his spokesman Burcu's statement that talks will not be held on a map and figures before an agreement is reached on the five-party meeting on Security and Guarantees chapter. They added that however, the Greek Cypriot side insists that they do not accept a five-party meeting.

The joint statement further reads: "From the beginning, since the 1977 high level agreements, the issues of territory and security have always been interrelated. Besides, it is pointed in the joint declaration on February 11, 2014 that all the issues will be discussed like they are linked altogether. As a matter of fact, the Greek Cypriot side insisted that the property chapter to be discussed with the territorial adjustments. In a last week statement by the Greek Cypriot spokesman Christodoulides, it is said: 'talks on the property issue cannot be closed before discussing the territory'. The stance of the Greek Cypriot side, which rejects the relations between the territory issue and the political/economic/physical security issues, should be contradicted with determination."

Referring to the publication of different maps, percentages and village names in the international media and the Greek Cypriot press, Ertug and Olgun argued that they are trying to create various perceptions on this issue prior to Switzerland. They also said that the assumption that these "speculative news" are not linked with Greek Cypriot side's official sources is not possible. Ertug and Olgun expressed concern that the Turkish Cypriot side may have decided to return occupied Morphou and Karpasia and agreed to place various other areas under the federal administration's control and added: "If that is the case, then this is an extreme undesirable situation and contradicts the bizonality principle, which is one of the most fundamental principles".

Furthermore, referring to the return of Greek Cypriots to the north under the "right of habitation" and "the lawful residence", the joint statement argued the importance of the Turkish Cypriots to be the majority community in their founding state and added: "It is common knowledge that the parameter on clear majority also applies to ownership. Otherwise, talking about the principle of bizonality will be impossible".

Ertug and Olgun, in their joint statement, described also the political equality as one of the fundamental parameters of a possible agreement, stressing the importance Mustafa Akinci attaches to the system of rotating presidency and the effective participation of the two partners in the decision-making process.

(DPs)

[07] The Greek Cypriot side is accused of "exploiting" the issue of the missing persons

Pilli further alleged that Turkey is the country which helped the most the Committee on the Missing Persons, to which it gave 763 thousand dollars during the last eight years. He also noted that permission had been given for excavations in military zones in the occupied area of Cyprus where missing persons are believed to be buried and added that these facts are included in UN reports.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The Turkish Cypriot Journalist Union and Basin Sen condemned the operation against Cumhuriyet newspaper

Under the title: "It is not a party it's a mafia", the paper points out that although the international community monitors very closely the incidents in Turkey and expresses worries about them, in the "TRNC", everybody remains silent except from the two journalist organizations and wonders: "Where are we going with the AKP, which is not a party but a mafia?".

Meanwhile, referring to the issue, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Journalist Union, Sami Ozuslu condemned strongly the recent attack against Cumhuriyet newspaper and its journalists and expressed the union's solidarity.

Underlining out that there is an orchestrated attempt in Turkey to silence those who have different views and opinions from the government, Ozuslu pointed out that 170 media organizations closed down in Turkey during the past few months, 105 journalists were detained, 777 journalist's press cards were cancelled, 2,500 journalists were dismissed from their post and generally no democratic regulations are implemented in Turkey.

(AK)

[09] Research shows decrease of optimism for a solution to the Cyprus problem

The chairperson of the Centre, Mine Yucel said that an increase of optimism and expectation was observed in April 2016 and recalled that a new "government" had been established in that period and indications for "serious developments" in the Cyprus problem were existing. "However, during the two surveys that followed this period, especially the fact that the expected developments in the Cyprus problem did not happen caused a decrease of the percentages of optimism and happiness of the community", she noted pointing out that the Cyprus problem, the economic difficulties and unemployment are presented as the most important problems of the Turkish Cypriots.

According to Yucel, during the last periods a decrease of the optimistic expectations in the Cyprus problem was observed and the possibility of a "yes" vote in a possible referendum became weaker.

As regards the percentages of the Turkish Cypriot political parties, the survey showed that an increase in the percentages of the National Unity Party and the People's Party and a decrease in the percentages of the other parties. The People's Party comes to the second place in case of "elections". Furthermore, a decrease was observed in the percentage of those who state that they are undecided or they will not vote in the "elections".

(I/Ts.)

[10] Great interest for buying real estate in the breakaway regime from Turkish investors

The paper writes that the five-star hotels that are constructed in the breakaway regime as well as the increased number of the illegal universities established, are influenced the "population" living in the area. The increased number of Turkish students and workers increased the demand for residences and university halls. According to Havadis, investors from Turkey are competing about investing in the breakaway regime and notes that their greatest demand is about building plots and residences. There is a great demand for villas and luxury apartments from members of wealthy Turkish families who come to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey to study at the illegal universities.

Speaking to Havadis, the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Real Estate Agensts", Hasan Sungur confirmed that there is a great interest from Turkish investors; however he noted that these businessmen continue to make important investments in Turkey as well.

(CS)

[11] The so-called ministerial council cancelled the "granting of 16 citizenships"

Meanwhile, the same paper in its front page and under the title: "10 more personnel at the interior ministry for the citizenship", reports that as it was made known, the "ministry of interior" has employed quietly 10 more personnel in order to ease and speed up the "citizenship procedures". Five out of them undertook duties in the "identity department" and the others at the "immigration department".

(AK)

[12] Yildirim downplays Europe's 'red line' on press freedom after detentions

"Brother, we don't care about your red line. It's the people who draw the red line. What importance does your line have?" Y?ld?r?m told members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a speech in Parliament on Nov. 1.

"Turkey is not a country to be brought in line with salvoes and threats. Turkey gets its power from the people and will be held accountable by the people," Y?ld?r?m added.

The United States and European Union both voiced concern about the move in Turkey, while European Parliament President Martin Schulz wrote on Twitter that the detentions marked the crossing of "yet another red line" against freedom of expression in the country. "The detention of [editor] Murat Sabuncu and other Cumhuriyet journalists is yet another red-line crossed against freedom of expression in Turkey", Schulz said.

Y?ld?r?m also accused the Europeans of applying double standards on freedoms, saying they allowed propaganda by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the European Parliament. "We have no problem with press freedom. This is what we can't agree with our European friends. They always bring up press freedom when we take steps in our fight against terrorism", he said, adding that they should allow the judiciary to perform its duty without interference.

Police detained the editors and top staff of daily Cumhuriyet, a pillar of the country's secularist establishment, on Oct. 31, on accusations that the newspaper's coverage had helped precipitate a failed military coup in July.

Journalists at the paper were suspected of seeking to precipitate the coup through "subliminal messages" in their columns before it happened, the state-run Anadolu Agency said. The suspects were charged with "committing crimes on behalf of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization [FETO] and the PKK."

[13] Russian and Turkish chief of staff talked over Syria and Mosul

Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar and his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, held talks on Nov. 1 over military cooperation and regional issues regarding Syria and Iraq.

"The question of settling the Syrian conflict, including the normalization of the situation in Aleppo, was discussed during this meeting," the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement on Nov. 1, adding that it was an "open" to an exchange of views.

[14] Commentaries argue that reinforced nationalist and conservative politics will dominate Turkey in the near future

Yetkin, under the title "Is the AKP using MHP as leverage to corner CHP?", argues that the obvious implication is an AKP-MHP cooperation for shifting from a parliamentary to an executive presidential regime, as targeted by President Tayyip Erdogan. However, the sine qua non condition for MHP leader Bahceli is to bring back the death penalty to the constitution that could finally cut off Turkey's already weakened links with the European Union, and sever its ties with the Council of Europe.

According to Yetkin: "This would be least of Bahceli's concerns. Indeed, he might even be in favour of such a result, as he is a staunch isolationist. Bahceli's main aim is to reinstate the death penalty as a deterrent factor in the fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan had escaped execution after he was arrested and sentenced to death back in 1999, when Bahceli was a coalition partner. As capital punishment was abolished when Bahceli was in government, it has ever since turned into a constant political trauma for him."

Yetkin writes that the AKP is actually trying to do is to force the CHP to cooperate for a presidential constitution (which the CHP is against), or be regarded as being in the same ranks as the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), a legal extension of the PKK. The CHP is apparently aware of the AKP's attempts to corner it into a binary choice: Either cooperation on the presidency or be denounced together with the HDP. He concludes by writing that this dynamic is just one more factor in the steady escalation of tension in Turkish politics.

On the same issue, columnist Serkan Demirtas, under the title "AKP-MHP alliance to dominate Turkey's near future", writes that the AKP increased its votes nearly 10 points in less than five months in 2015 amid a growing terrorist campaign by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). These five months constituted an important period in which Turkey moved to extraordinary conditions from ordinary ones.

As a matter of fact, since then, Turkey has been in extraordinary conditions that brought about a bloody coup attempt with serious consequences, the dismissal of a prime minister, cross-border military operations, a declaration of a state of emergency, the revival of a debate on a presidential system as well as the possible reinstatement of capital punishment. Only under extraordinary conditions could all such developments take place in less than a year.

Yet, there are no indications that Turkey will soon normalize. The government extended the state of emergency for another three months and issued a number of new decree laws that are irrelevant to the coup, like the one giving power to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to directly appoint university rectors.

Serkan Demirtas argues that tight after this, the kingmaker of the Turkish politics, MHP leader Bahceli, surprisingly revived a debate on a shift to a presidential system by signalling support to AKP in its bid to find at least 330 votes in parliament.

What makes this rapprochement even more interesting is that it will also make reinstating capital punishment possible at the expense of killing Turkey's long-standing aspirations to join the European Union.

For worse, such a move would also isolate Turkey form contemporary global and universal values.

To top it all, more pressure has been imposed on independent and dissident media as the editor-in-chief and prominent writers of daily Cumhuriyet were detained only a day after additional 15 news outlets were shut down through a decree law. The deterioration of freedom of expression has come to another level with these moves coming just a week before the release of a Progress Report by the European Commission.

A year after the Nov. 1, 2015 elections, some public opinion surveys indicate that the votes of both the AKP and MHP are on the rise while the CHP and the HDP have lost a significant amount of votes. Surveys suggest the AKP would get 53 or 54% if polls would take place this Sunday, with the MHP increasing its vote from 12 to 14%. The CHP is around 22%, three points less than a year ago while the HDP is seen around 8%, two points below the national threshold.

The sum of AKP-MHP votes is seemingly around 65%, which could suffice for the approval of a referendum that would likely be introduced next spring. It's obvious that reinforced nationalist and conservative politics will dominate Turkey in the near future at the expense of distancing Turkey from normalcy.

[15] Columnist Kohen comments on the possibility of the reinstatement of capital punishment

[…]"If Turkey follows this stance, this would mean that is moving far more away from the vision of the EU physically and practically. And it should make a good cost calculation for this", Kohen warned in his article.

(AK)

[16] Kilicdaroglu met with Harms

Speaking during the meeting, Kilicdaroglu expressed the view that the EU's effectiveness over Turkey has been lost. He added that even though there is an agreement between the government and the EU on the visa-free travel, nothing was made to connect this issue with the people. He proposed the opening of new chapters for Turkey in order to contribute to Turkey's EU bid.

Harms in her turn referred to the operation against Cumhuriyet newspaper and expressed her worries over this development.

(AK)

[17] AKP and MHP to work on limited measure to reinstate death penalty in Turkey

"[Reinstating] capital punishment is a matter of the Constitution and a matter of compromise. If there is an agreement with other political parties on this general demand of the people, than a limited measure [on the death penalty] can be drafted," Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m told his parliamentary group on Nov. 1.

While recalling that the death penalty debate resurfaced after Turkey's failed July 15 military coup attempt, Y?ld?r?m stressed that any reintroduction of capital punishment would "not be applied retroactively".

His words came a few hours after MHP head Devlet Bahceli voiced his party's readiness and support for reinstating capital punishment, if the AKP puts forward a constitutional amendment.

"The people want the death penalty. If the AKP is ready, the MHP has always been ready," Bahceli told his party's lawmakers on Nov. 1. "Come and let's resolve this issue," Bahceli said.

The statements from the two leaders came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he believed the government would soon introduce a constitutional amendment on reinstating capital punishment, which was abolished in Turkey in 2004 in line with Ankara's European Union accession process.

The AKP has 316 seats in Parliament and needs an extra 14 seats to take a constitutional amendment to a referendum. The MHP is the fourth largest party in the Turkish Parliament, with 40 seats.

[18] Turkey appoints new Mayor for Diyarbakir

Ankara's Etimesgut District Governor Cumali Atilla was appointed as Diyarbakir metropolitan Mayor, a source from the Interior Ministry said.

Meanwhile, in September, Turkey appointed 28 trustees to oversee local administrations following the suspension of Mayors accused of links to terrorism.

[19] Self-styled minister in Istanbul for an OIC meeting

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/AM)

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