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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-04-23Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-21-23.04.18 No. 77/18[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESSContents
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS[01] Akinci says that there is no luxury to end up in the division of the island under this processAccording to illegal Bayrak television (23.04.18, http://www.brtk.net/akinci-rum-liderler-uzun-yillar-yanlislar-pesinde-kostu/), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, as part of celebrations of the National Sovereignty and Children's day on April 23, made a statement referring to the Cyprus issue.Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to live in peace and tranquillity, but argued that the Greek Cypriot leadership is making big mistakes like ENOSIS. He further argued: "The leaderships of the Greek Cypriot community for many years committed big mistakes. They did not know where to stop. They wanted to unite the whole island with Greece instead of pursuing a share, equal life in this island. They chased after the ENOSIS goal. If the island is divided today, it is because of the situation created by the Greek Cypriot leadership who could not know where to stop." Underlining that the Turkish Cypriots are always trying to protect their rights, Akinci said that they, as equal and free people, are looking for a solution which is acceptable within just parameters. Akinci further said that the Turkish Cypriot side is once again at the same point today and added: "Again, we do not demand anything other than our rights. Again we are pursuing equality, freedom and security on this island". Stressing that they should be very careful at this point, Akinci said that there is no luxury to end up in the division of the island under this process that they are going through. Akinci further said: "We do not have the luxury of quarrelling between us within this course of matters. I would like to underline this." (DPs) [02] Cavusoglu carries out contacts in the occupied area of CyprusAccording to illegal Bayrak television (21.04.18, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-cavusoglu-meet) Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci had a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who paid an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus on Friday. The two men and their delegations held a comprehensive meeting and exchanged views regarding the latest developments on the island.In a statement through his social media after the meeting, Akinci said: "We together with the Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, held a tete-a-tete meeting the way we always do when he is visiting the TRNC and then we held a comprehensive meeting with the government and political party leaders that are represented at the parliament. We exchanged views and evaluated the latest developments that are taking place on the island. We will continue to hold similar meetings in the future." Meanwhile, "BRT"
(http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=cavusoglus-visit-to-the-trnc) also
reported that Cavusoglu held a variety of contacts while on his visit
to the occupied area of Cyprus. After the working lunch with Akinci, he
met with political party leaders that are represented in the "parliament".
According to a press release by the "foreign ministry", Cavusoglu arrived
on the occupied area of Cyprus via a private jet at noon. He was greeted
by the "deputy prime minister foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay and
the illegal Turkish ambassador to the occupied area of Nicosia Derya
Kanbay. Later, he met with Akinci.
After a tete-a-tete meeting with Akinci at his office, the delegation
that came with the Turkish Foreign Minister joined the meeting. Following
this, the leaders of political parties that have representation at the
"parliament" joined in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by the leader of the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP) and "prime minister" Tufan Erhurman, the leader of the National
Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun, the leader of the People's Party (HP)
and "deputy prime minister foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay, the leader
of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) and "minister for national education
and culture" Cemal Ozyigit, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and
"finance minister" Serdar Denktas and the leader of the Revival Party
(YDP) Erhan Arikli.
No statements were made at the end of the meeting.
During the meeting "Turkey assigned everyone with the duty of
considering the issue of whether we should submit now a proposal for a
two-state-solution for the negotiations". Noting that the sentences used
in inverted are quotes from his sources, Mutluyakali writes the following:
"Two agreements came out on the table: 'The thing on which everybody
agrees is that at least for the current stage, the Greek Cypriot
leadership experiences a serious problem on the issue of sharing, which
is a sine qua non for the federal partnership. Another full agreement is
that no one wants repetition of the same procedures. That is, they do
not want negotiations without a result. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot
side seek for an agreement on the issue of what could substitute
the current model. Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci opposed,
within the framework of diplomatic curtesy, to the suggestion for us
to propose a two-state solution for the negotiations. The chairmen of
the political parties submitted their views in parallel to the known
positions. The political parties should of course evaluate the process
at their [competent] organs. Because Turkey is seeking for something,
submitted a vie w and the quest for taking a joint decision advances'.
Cavusoglu has also put a desire on the table: 'We do not wish an
initiative until the elections'. The elections, of course, are the
elections in Turkey.
Until now, I have tried to present a picture to you. Either we agree or
not, Turkey is one of the substantial elements of this negotiating process
and it will continue this kind of quests for views. Some of us will call
this 'imposition' and some others 'process of taking a joint decision'.
If this is not 'diplomatic tactics' towards the Greek Cypriots or 'a
public relations attempt', this procedure seems to me like 'ask for the
impossible, protect the status quo'. Together with the new population
dynamics in the northern part of the island, the 'two-state-solution'
is the most desired solution model. This is not a secret. An 'agreement',
however, is needed for the 'two-state-solution' as well. The 'property'
problem is not lifted with the 'two-state-solution' as well. The Greek
Cypriot property is still Greek Cypriot property. The model called
'two-state-solution' does also not explain the current 'TRNC'. (In any
case, this is the reason why no one, including Cavusoglu, refers to the
recognition of the TRNC).
Just like in the north, the most desired solution model is the
'two-state-solution', there is an agreement in the south on the 'Republic
of Cyprus' formula in which everybody will return to their homes. The
problem of both of them is that they are not 'realistic'. Therefore,
'federation' is the best formula 'on which agreement can be achieved'
or 'the most possible one'.
I cannot understand the following for Turkey: Why it does not consider
the two-state-model for its own geographic area? […]
Conclusion: The solution or peace process in the Cyprus problem
experiences a 'deadlock'. In my view, the reason for this is not the
discussion of the 'federal solution model'. On the contrary, it is the
fact that the 'federal solution' is not discussed. […] If federation is
'difficult', confederation is almost impossible. The view of 'ask for the
impossible, for things to remain the same' reminds me of the old reason:
'the non-solution is the solution'".
Meanwhile, referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog
newspaper's (21.04.18) editor-in-chief Resat Akar cites "reliable sources"
and reports that the political party leaders have achieved the "minimum
convergences" on four points:
"- Almost everyone accepts that finding a solution with Greek Cypriot
leader Anastasiades is not possible.
- It is accepted that according to the current conditions, the Turkish
Cypriot side advancing on its own way would be the correct thing to do.
- Ankara is asked to undertake initiatives for the embargoes against
the TRNC to become ineffective.
- The two-state-solution formula predominates".
The columnist notes also the following: "While it is noted that the
two-separate-state formula in the internal matters would be the most
correct one in case the Greek Cypriot side gets ready for a solution
in the future, the doors for establishing a partnership on the external
matters are not completely closed. Even though it has been accepted that
these views which predominated in the Turkish Cypriot side should be
conveyed by Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to UNSG Guterres, it is alleged
that president Mustafa Akinci does not want to give the message to the
Turkish Cypriot people that 'this matter has completely closed'. Akinci
had asked for people's vote for finding a solution. Therefore, he tries
not to face the reaction of the circles which do not wish to see the
Greek Cypriot side's intransigence. […]"
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.04.18) referred to the
issue writing that "federation is gone, confederation has come" and
that no statement was made after the meeting, but according to leakage
of information, Cavusoglu said that the time has now come to discuss the
confederation or the two-state-solution with the Greek Cypriots. According
to the paper, Akinci replied that he could not take such a proposal
to the negotiating table. It is reported that Cavusoglu's proposal was
supported by the National Unity Party (UBP), the Democratic Party (DP)
and the People's Party (HP), while the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)
and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said that only their competent
organs could take such a decision. According to the same information,
the settlers' Revival Party (YDP) opposed this proposal.
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.04.18) covered the issue under
the banner- front-page title "In the fridge until the elections". The
paper's editor-in-chief, Basaran Duzgun reports that Cavusoglu's illegal
visit to the occupied area of Cyprus followed an unusual course and that
no statements were made after the meeting at Akinci's office.
Duzgun writes that Cavusoglu expressed the view that it would not be
correct for a new process in the Cyprus problem to start before the
elections to be held in Turkey on 24 June. "Even though the participants
in the meeting expressed different views, in the end they agreed",
he notes.
Finally, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper
(23.04.18) columnist Gokhan Altiner reports that according to some
allegations, after the 24 June elections in Turkey, President Erdogan
"might exhibit a strong will in the direction of a quick solution to
the Cyprus problem'. "And if there is no solution, the TRNC could
be turned into an autonomous structure bound to Turkey", notes the
columnist recalling a statement made some weeks ago by Cavusoglu who
had said that "new ways might be attempted if there was no solution is
Cyprus". According to the columnist, Turkey did not react against Akinci's
decision to attend the dinner with President Anastasiades on 16 April,
but it has "conveyed its sensitivities" to Akinci as regards the elections
to be held in Turkey on 24 June. Turkey does not want any activity on
the Cyprus problem until after the elections, t he columnist reports.
(I/Ts.)
He embarked on his contacts with a visit to the Turkish deputy Prime
Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affair Recep Akdag.
Speaking during the visit, Akdag said that they had carried out a variety
of works within the framework of the economic cooperation between the
"TRNC" and Turkey and added that they aim to accelerate their efforts
throughout the year.
Drawing attention to the need for embracing the Cyprus issue as an issue
of development, Akdag said that they will work for the development,
prosperity and comfort of the Turkish Cypriot "people".
Nami, for his part, called for "the removal of the unjust isolation
and embargoes imposed against the TRNC" and added: "I am calling on all
European countries and the world to establish bilateral relations with
the TRNC".
Later on in the day Nami together with the Turkish Minister for Science,
Industry and Technology Faruk Ozlu attended the Standardisation and
Conformity Assessment Protocol signing ceremony that took place between
the "economy and energy ministry" and the Turkish Standards Institute.
Speaking during the ceremony Ozlu said that"in the TRNC together with
minister Nami they would be establishing an industrial area".
Nami, for his part, said that they gave great importance to the protocol
signed between the two "countries" and added that they were determined
for this protocol to come into force.
Meanwhile, Nami later met with the Turkish Minister for Economy Nihat
Zeybekci.
Speaking during the visit Minister Zeybekci said that they were carrying
out works in order for the Turkish Lira to be made obligator while
trading between Turkey and the "TRNC".
Nami, for his part, reiterated his call for the reportedly inhumane and
unjust embargoes imposed against the "TRNC" to be removed and noted that
the Republic of Turkey is the only country that fully supports the "TRNC"
in its struggle against embargoes.
"It is not clear what will happen regarding the process. The negotiating
proves was interrupted, collapsed. There is an awful mistrust. This
mistrust is for all four sides. There is also the reality that in case the
UN does not see that a will exists in the sides, it will not undertake
an initiative […] The [UN] does not trust the sides. The resumption of
an activity by the UN, the launching of an initiative for solving the
problem and for this to be within the framework of the Guterres proposals
is seen as the only way out now. […] A solution is possible only if the
Greek Cypriots start wanting this. The international conditions will
secure this […]".
(I/Ts.)
Andullah Korkmazhan, who issued the statement in the name of SK, said
that Akinci must share if the rumors that the Cyprus negotiations will
be launched again before the Turkish election on June 24 and if the idea
of federation is to be abandoned.
Commenting on the latter, Korkmazhan stated that this will mean the
partition of Cyprus and the end of the Turkish Cypriot community.
(CS)
According to a press release by the "KTSO", it was decided to improve
their relations with the Chambers of Trade of both countries and to hold
new visits to these countries.
(DPs)
The paper argues that "ministers" Kudret Ozersay, Zeki Celler and Aysegul
Baybars were against the granting of permission for a new casino; however
this obstacle was overcome with the intervention of Serdar Denktas. "It
was learned that this permission was given with instructions by Tayyip
Erdogan", the paper writes.
The so-called ombudsman will evaluate "if the license is valid or not",
according to Afrika.
(CS)
"Upon the instruction of our party's leader, 15 of our friends joined
IYI Party as a precautionary measure to prevent problems occurring
right at the beginning of the election period," CHP spokesman leader
Bulent Tezcan announced at a press conference in Parliament alongside
the lawmakers who resigned.
"It is a step to eliminate obstacles on our way to democracy," Tezcan
said. "Our friends are acting as shields against efforts to undermine
democracy. They will go down in history as heroes," he added.
IYI Party deputy leader Aytun Ciray had applied to the YSK on April 22
with the signatures of the 15 lawmakers.
According to Turkish law, a political party has to finalize its
organization process in more than half of the cities in Turkey and hold
its first convention six months before the election date.
IYI Party held its first congress with the establishment committee last
December, however, finalized its provincial congresses on Feb. 26. It
was a matter of discussion whether the YSK would take this date into
account to calculate the necessary six-month period.
If a political party has a group in Parliament with 20 lawmakers,
it will have the right to participate in the elections and present a
presidential candidate. The party also becomes eligible to get financial
aid from the Treasury for the elections.
Stating that the IYI Party was on the list of the prosecutor's office
and the YSK would have to acknowledge it, CHP deputy group leader Engin
Altay said the delay was a "politically motivated move".
"Our colleagues' resignation from our party is a democratic measure,
not a political one, to eliminate the board's politically motivated
moves and to make democracy win," he added.
The 15 lawmakers who quit the CHP to join the IYI Party are Burcu Koksal,
Mustafa Tuncer, Nihat Yesil, Huseyin Y?ld?z, Ahmet Ak?n, Mehmet Goker,
Nurhayat Altaca Kay?soglu, Erkan Ayd?n, Tufan Kose, Okan Gaytanc?oglu,
Tacettin Bay?r, Cetin Ar?k, Fatma Kaplan Hurriyet, Omer Fethi Gurer and
Unal Demirtas.
"Those who speak about democracy, those who talk about principled
alliances, are resorting to dirty games. This shows a complete situation
of political decay," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said on April 22. "These
corrupt politicians will no doubt get their response at the polls for
scheming against our nation's democratic acquisitions," Bahceli added.
Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci also criticized the opposition
parties. "Fifteen lawmakers have quitted the CHP and joined another
party," Zeybekci said during a meeting of the AKP's youth organization
in Denizli.
"Why? They have left aside all their principles and come together for
one reason: To target [President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They are making
plans on how to harm Turkey," he added.
The board approved IYI Party's application on April 22 with seven of
nine members' votes in favour.
According to the YSK's decision, the list of political parties that
will be able to participate in the upcoming elections is the following:
The Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Independent Turkey Party
(BTP), the Grand Union Party (BBP), the Republican People's Party (CHP),
the Democrat Party (DP), the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the IYI
(Good) Party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Felicity Party
(FP) and the Homeland Party (VP).
The decision came after IYI Party Deputy Chair Aytun C?ray applied to
the YSK on April 22 to enter the elections with a letter after 15 CHP
lawmakers resigned from their party and joined the IYI Party.
The CHP lawmakers' move raised the number of the IYI Party's seats in
Parliament to 20, the minimum number required to form a parliamentary
group.
As political parties with a group in parliament have the right to enter
elections, C?ray then applied to the YSK with a letter, demanding the
commencement of a procedure for the party's electoral participation.
"The IYI Party has fulfilled the conditions stipulated by article 36
of the Political Parties' Law, forming a parliamentary group, which is
stated as one of the preconditions to enter elections," the letter stated.
According to the poll, the new Turkish President will not be elected from
the first round since no one of the potential candidates can receive 50%
plus one vote. In addition, according to the poll 72% of the persons
participated in the survey stated that that the current President
Tayyip Erdogan and the leader of the New Party Meral Aksener will pass
to the second round of the presidential elections.
The poll shows that 48,6% of the persons asked believe that the economy
in the biggest problem in Turkey. In addition, 43,5% support Erdogan for
the election, 18,6% support Aksener, 11.1% supports Ahmet Turk, 9,7%
the leader of the Republican Turkish Party Kemal Kilicdaroglu, 9.5%
supports Ilker Basbug , 5.3% supports Abdullah Gull and 1,5% supports
Temel Karamollaglu, the leader of the Felicity Party.
In case Aksener and Erdogan pass to the second round, she receives 41,8%
and he receives 45,6% with the number of undecided persons to reach
12,6%. In case Gul and Erdogan go to the second round, Gul will received
23,5%, Erdogan 42,8% and the undecided votes reach 33,7%.
Regarding the power of the parties, AKP receives 45.8%, CHP 19.7%,
the pro Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HDP) receiveds 9,7%, the
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) receives 7% and the Felicity Party (SP)
receives 0,8%.
(CS)
In a statement posted on his official Twitter account, Celik claimed
that the leaders of both countries welcome anti-Turkey and xenophobic
political movements.
"It is evident that Austrian Chancellor [Sebastian Kurz] and Dutch
[Prime Minister Mark Rutte] do not base such decisions on democratic
values and greet anti-Turkey and racist political movements," Celik
argued, adding that these leaders contribute to the growth of racist
groups which oppose European values.
The Minister urged the Netherlands and Austria to act using common-sense
and refrain from damaging democratic values, which threatens the rise
of populism and animosity in the political sphere.
He criticized the hypocritical stance of both countries by saying that
they should not defend democracy solely for the bloc but should defend
the same principles when it comes to countries outside of the bloc.
"If they really want their words regarding democracy to be credible, they
should make decisions without the influence of anti-Turkey sentiment"
he added.
According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Cavusoglu is in New York to
attend a high-level meeting on building and sustaining peace set for
April 24-25 at the UN headquarters.
Cavusoglu will address the UN General Assembly on Turkey's contributions
and approach to UN efforts to build and sustain peace, the statement said.
Cavusoglu will also meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, hold
bilateral meetings with his counterparts at the meeting's side-lines,
and speak with Turkish and U.S. media outlets, the statement added.
Turkey is "deeply disappointed" by the report, the Foreign Ministry said
in a statement on the annual report, released on Friday.
"The present report is based on a distant understanding of responsibility
by presenting the allegations and accusations of terrorist-related
circles as real," it argued. The report "is filled with allegations and
claims in the section relevant to our country that cannot be accepted,"
said the Ministry.
(…)
It added that the report paints Turkey's measures as part of its just and
legitimate fight against terrorist groups such as Daesh, the YPG/PKK,
Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), and the DHKP-C in a biased way
that does not fit the facts.
The statement said the report ignores Turkey's fight against "the radical
terror group FETO" or Fetullah Terrorist Organization, the group behind a
defeated 2016 coup attempt, adding: "It is not a coincidence that such a
report, which repeats the sayings of terror-linked groups and describes
the fight against terrorism as 'internal conflict', is written in a
country where FETO's ringleader lives."
"In addition, we advise countries that accuse our country of unfair
claims to first stop systematic human rights violations against their
own citizens," said the Ministry statement.
..
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)
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