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Thursday, 15 August 2024
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-10-06Cyprus 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 No. 186/14 04-06.10.14[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS[01] Nami says they will first bring Barbaros vessel to Cyprus' EEZ and then a drilling platformTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (06.10.14) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that they have determined a common stance with Turkey as regards the beginning of new drilling activities in parcel 9 of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In statements to Kibris Postasi, Nami noted that their common stance is first to send Barbaros research vessel to the area and then, according to the results, to deploy a drilling platform there.Clarifying the reference in the Turkish Foreign Ministry's written statement to Turkey's "support" on the issue of seismic researches and a drilling platform, Nami argued that the above-mentioned statement was issued in consultation with and as a result of the common policies determined with the "TRNC foreign ministry". He argued that Turkey and the breakaway regime agree on all issues as regards what he called as "unilateral activities" on the hydrocarbon resources and added that they will not turn blind eye to the Greek Cypriots' "unilateral activities". Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (06.10.14), Nami alleged that the warnings made on the natural gas issue are ignored by the Greek Cypriots and claimed: "We have said and warned that the natural resources belong to all Cypriots and that unilateral activities should be avoided. If they do not take this into consideration, Turkey will take its own steps to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people". Nami wished for the Greek Cypriot side to seriously evaluate their warnings, because no one wants such events to shadow the negotiating process. "What is fundamental here is the negotiating process, the comprehensive solution", he said and alleged that the steps of the Greek Cypriot side now are not serving to the aim of finding a solution. Referring to the attacks made by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Nami said that they are worried about the situation. Alleging that everyone should know that the Turkish occupation army maintains its existence on Cyprus as "guarantor power", he claimed that any hand, which will be extended onto the "TRNC", will face the "very strong reaction of Turkey". (I/Ts.) [02] Turkey's MFA press release on the Republic of Cyprus drilling activitiesTurkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published in its website (www.mfa.gov.tr) on October 4, the following press release: "Turkey follows with concern the Greek Cypriot Administration's (GCA) continuing unilateral research activities of hydrocarbon resources in its so called Exclusive Economic Zone without taking into account the Turkish Cypriots' detailed and concrete cooperation proposals for a fair sharing. Turkey supports the remarks made in the press release issued on 3 October 2014 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the TRNC upon the initiation of a new drilling activity by the GCA in the block area called 9.The common objective and priority of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side is to reach a just and lasting negotiated settlement to the Cyprus issue, which has been lasting more than 50 years, based on the inherent constitutive power of the two peoples, their political equality and co-ownership of the island. As a guarantor, Turkey is determined to maintain its constructive support, as has been the case up till now. Turkey, however, expects the GCA to refrain from acting as if it is the sole owner of the resources of the island, to halt its unilateral research activities and to adopt an understanding with a view to establishing a new partnership. We also hope that this irresponsible attitude of the GCA will not have repercussions on the comprehensive negotiation process, which has resumed on the basis of the joint statement made on 11 February 2014 and which we expect to have positive results soon. We hope that the objective of securing a more prosperous future for both sides through the water that will be transported to the TRNC by the end of the year, the natural resources of the island and other opportunities that will come up after the settlement is being shared by all parties. Nevertheless, as it was stated repeatedly, if the priority of the GCA is to act unilaterally over the natural resources, this will never be accepted. Turkey calls on the international community to act in order to prevent the provocative and unilateral steps of the GCA. Until it is done, all kind of support to the TRNC's future steps of conducting seismic research activities, acquiring a drilling platform and dispatching it to an area to be determined, which are necessary to protect its inherent rights over these resources, will be provided by us". [03] Press release by the so-called foreign ministry describes as unacceptable and disconcerting development the Republic of Cyprus' hydrocarbon exploration activities in parcel 9Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.10.14) under the title: "It is an unacceptable and disconcerting development" reported on a press release issued by the so-called foreign ministry of the breakaway regime which reacted strongly to the launching of hydrocarbon exploration activities by the Republic of Cyprus in parcel 9.The statement said: "At a time when the negotiations are ongoing, the commencement of drilling activities by the Greek Cypriot Administration within the framework of its illegal hydrocarbon exploration activities carried out in the Eastern Mediterranean in Parcel 9, allegedly situated in its so-called Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and carried out by a Bahamas registered ship named SAIPEM 10000, in total disregard of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots over the island, is not only a disconcerting development but also unacceptable as the area overlaps with the areas which are licensed by our State to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Moreover, it is not possible to understand this confidence undermining behaviour since the Greek Cypriot side repeatedly highlights the importance of Confidence Building Measures. Particularly at a time when the United Nations Secretary-General has appointed a new Special Advisor on Cyprus in order to assume an active role in the ongoing negotiation process and a new phase of the negotiation process has commenced, the provocative activities of the Greek Cypriot side, such as the commencement of drilling activities in Parcel 9 and the signing of a Framework Agreement on the joint exploitation and mutual use of hydrocarbon reserves within its maritime borders with Egypt, are indicative of the lack of will of the Greek Cypriot side towards reaching a settlement and that the Greek Cypriot side will continue its policies of exacerbating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has already underlined, through its previous press statements, that the Turkish Cypriot side will not condone the unilateral activities of the Greek Cypriot side aimed at creating a fait accompli and usurping the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, who are one of the co-owners of the island of Cyprus. The TRNC Government continues to take the necessary steps in this regard. Within this framework, the Turkish Cypriot side in cooperation with Turkey will send a seismic Exploration Ship with the necessary technical capacity to the areas in which TPAO was given exploration licenses by the TRNC to conduct exploration on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, the co-owners of the natural resources of the island. Based on the results of the data received from the seismic exploration, it is anticipated that drilling platforms will also be sent to the relevant areas. As the Turkish Cypriot side, we are of the belief that until a comprehensive settlement is reached, the exploration, extraction and processing of the natural resources around the Island, which is co-owned by the two peoples, should be carried out through the mutual cooperation of the two sides rather than through unilateral initiatives. In this connection, it is necessary to recall that the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side made through the UN Secretary-General on 24 September 2011 and 29 September 2012 constitute the outline of a constructive cooperation. We invite the Greek Cypriot side to cease its unilateral activities bearing in mind that the negotiation process is at a sensitive stage. It is the expectation of the Turkish Cypriot side that the Greek Cypriot leadership abandons its unilateral and illegal activities and focuses on the UN negotiation process, which resumed with the agreement of the two leaders on the Joint Statement of 11 February 2014, with the aim of finding a settlement". [04] Turkish warship continues watching the drilling activities in Cyprus' EEZTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.10.14) reports that a warship of the Turkish Naval Forces continues to "closely watch" SAIPEM 10000 vessel, which is holding drilling activities for oil and natural gas in the Republic of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to a statement issued by the Turkish Armed Forces, a Turkish frigate named TCG Gelibolu (F-493) has been closely watching for a few weeks SAIPEM 10000 vessel, which is under the flag of Bahamas. The statement says that the frigate continued following SAIPEM during the Moslem feast of the sacrifices as well.It is noted that, according to a statement published on the Turkish Armed Forces' website on Friday, 04 October, 2014 (http://www.tsk.tr/11haberlerolaylar/119gunlukfaaliyetler/gunlukfaaliyetler2014.html)
under the title "Daily Activities", SAIPEM 10000 platform is followed by
the Turkish warship named TCG Mizrak, which participates in the so-called
Mediterranean Shield Operation.
(I/Ts.)
Asked to comment on UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide's statement after
his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that he will
come to the island with some "bridging proposals", Ozersay said that he
thinks that Eide would rather bring bridging ideas and not proposals. He
explained that there is huge difference between ideas and proposals. You
can accept or reject a proposal, but you can discuss the idea without
accepting or rejecting it.
Ozersay said that his impression is that at the first step, some chapters
will be defined, then some chapters will be selected that they contain
some headings with priority. One of these may be the property chapter
and another one may be the governance and power-sharing chapter.
Noting that the international actors who are interested in the Cyprus
problem have accepted as a natural timetable next April due to the
upcoming "presidential elections", Ozersay however, said that it is not
correct to say that it is the last chance.
Asked to comment in the paper why do they have difficulties to open new
chapters in Turkey's EU accession process, whether Cyprus problem is one
of this difficulties and why there is no progress in the Cyprus talks,
Bozkir claimed that as a man, who is in diplomacy for 40 years, he has
difficulty to explain the fact why the Cyprus problem has not been solved
yet. He added: "Unfortunately, there are at least 5 thousand people in
the world who sustain their lives from the continuation of the Cyprus
problem." He explained that in the UN, they know in fact very well this
issue and in order not to lose their living they say "let the problem
continue". He accused them of knowing very well all the documents and
knowing even better how it cannot be solved.
Bozkir noted that a new acceleration has been gained now at the Cyprus
talks, adding: "The transportation of potable water with pipelines from
Turkey there (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus) is a very important factor." Bozkir repeated that the natural
gas founded in "South Cyprus" should be shared with the "North",
claiming that there is no other way to transfer the natural gas to the
Western countries other than through Turkey. He also said that the USA
has intervened now into the process due to these elements, because of
its interests. He said that the USA is interested how to extract the
natural gas from this territory and how to establish stability in the
region. He noted that with this intervention the process will go forward,
adding that he hopes that this process will bring results
Bozkir also accused the EU of making a mistake on the Cyprus issue,
adding that no country with a "territory problem" should be accepted in
the EU. Referring to the opening of new chapters to Turkey's accession
process, Bozkir claimed that in total 17 chapters have been blocked due to
the Cyprus problem. He alleged that if the Cyprus problem is not solved
then there is no potential of opening chapters, adding that there is no
benefit to make any preparation. He also said that they have not given
any permission to move the elements of the Cyprus negotiation process
to the EU negotiation process, that say: "Open the port of Famagusta
and we will open a chapter or give Varosha and we will open a chapter".
He added: "They are the ones who know the details of the issue. Given
that they will be candidates against each other, this means that they
do not like each other's policies. Or at least Ozersay, who officially
announced his candidature, does not like Eroglu's policies, who has
not yet officially clarified the issue, and that is why he became
candidate. If he liked them, he would support him. Anyway, these are
details. The actual point is what Eroglu says, and the statements made
by the National Unity Party (UBP) during the past few days.
Addressing the opening ceremony of a festival in the area, Dervis
Eroglu had said: 'The Greek Cypriots want Lapathos village as well. They
stopped [wanting only] the down side of the road and they passed to the
upper side'. His words meant that 'they are expecting more territorial
concessions from me'. It was obvious that he was preparing to build his
campaign on the [slogan] that 'we will not give concessions'.
The UBP officials get enthusiastic during the meetings organized to tell
Eroglu 'please be our candidate'. [?] During the recent meeting they
organized in Morfou for 'Eroglu becoming a candidate', they shouted that
'we will never give Morfou'. And in this manner they openly exhibited
their intentions. As you understand, we are returning to the 'we are not
giving even a single small stone' days. Eroglu and the UBP are preparing
together to take us to the past. The days of saying 'the country is honor,
he who gives it is dishonest'. [?]
This is not a problem for us. We are used to it. I am very curious
about what Anastasiades will do. Of course, last week in New York
the UN Secretary-General was visited and it was said in his presence
that the give and take in the negotiations should now begin. The
Secretary-General's Special Adviser has also made statements which
confirmed that such a period would start. That is, everyone says now
'let us start the give and take', but our Eroglu and UBP are returning
to the 'we are not giving even a single small stone' style. This is the
picture. If now Anastasiades sees this picture and says 'what bargain
will I make with those who do not give even a single stone', and withdraws
from the negotiations saying 'we will meet after April, what will happen?
Those, who have prematurely and unnecessarily brought the presidential
elections onto the community's agenda, will gloat. Because they have
poisoned the community's agenda first and the Cyprus negotiations
afterwards. This is what will happen".
(I/Ts.)
Referring to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the hydrocarbon
resources found in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Tibuk argued:
"Three years ago I was hopeful for a solution. Gas was found in the
south [Translator's note: "South" is the word he uses to describe the
government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus]. I was thinking
that this issue would be solved within 1-2 years. However, nothing will
happen in Cyprus. Even if gas comes out, there will be no solution,
because the EU encourages south Cyprus [Translator's note: This is how
he describes the Republic of Cyprus].
Strongly criticizing the European Union (EU), Tibuk said that if he
could, he would not allow the entrance of EU officials to the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus. He added: "EU officials stay at Nicosia
Merit Hotel sometimes. Next year I will forbid this. I do not accept EU
officials in my hotels".
Referring to his investments on the island, Tibuk said that he started
investing in the occupied area of Cyprus in 1996, that he currently
employs 3,000 persons and that his investments reached 400 million US
dollars. He noted that a couple of years after their first investment,
they wanted to sell it and go away, but they could not find a buyer,
even at half price.
Tibuk said that the banks do not give credits for investments in the
occupied area of Cyprus, because of the island's political problem and
added that he does not see any risk on this issue and he does not think
that there is a risk for the Greek Cypriots "seizing" these investments
he has made in Cyprus.
Responding to a question, he said that in case a casino opens in the
government-controlled area of Cyprus, the casinos in the occupied
area will benefit from the tourists coming to the island for gambling,
because they offer high quality services in this field.
Asked whether he would invest in a hotel in Greece or in the buffer zone
in Cyprus, Tibuk replied negatively.
(I/Ts.)
"The Vice President apologized for any implication that Turkey or
other Allies and partners in the region had intentionally supplied or
facilitated the growth of ISIL or other violent extremists in Syria. The
Vice President made clear that the United States greatly values the
commitments and sacrifices made by our Allies and partners from around
the world to combat the scourge of ISIL, including Turkey," a White
House statement said on Saturday.
According to the statement, Erdogan called Biden to clarify recent
comments made at Harvard University. "The two leaders reaffirmed the
importance of Turkey and the United States working closely together to
confront ISIL", the statement added.
In statements in Istanbul on Saturday after the morning prayer for Eid
al-Adha ? (the festival of sacrifice observed by Muslims all over the
world), Erdogan had demanded an apology from Biden. "If Biden said these
words, then he will be history for me. I never uttered such remarks,
Erdogan said.
"President Erdogan told me, he is an old friend, said you were right,
we let too many people through, now we are trying to seal the border,"
Biden had said during a speech on foreign policy at Harvard Kennedy
School on Oct. 2, while complaining about the conduct of his country's
regional allies that led to the rise of the ISIL.
However, the Turkish President vehemently denied these claims. "I
was Prime Minister at the time. We absolutely didn't provide even the
smallest amount of support to any terrorist organization, including the
ISIL. Nobody can prove it. Foreign fighters never crossed from Turkey to
Syria. There were people coming to Turkey as tourists and went to Syria,
but nobody can suggest that they were armed while crossing the border,"
Erdogan said.
He also stressed that Ankara's "sensitivity" over the issue continues,
as do its measures to prevent the jihadist flow into Syria.
"I view [Biden's remarks] regretfully. I never admitted any mistake, nor
did we tell them that they 'were right' during my visit to the U.S. If
Mr. Biden uttered these remarks at Harvard, he should apologize. I'm
saying this clearly. We won't accept slender, indirect explanations,"
Erdogan added.
(?)
"I wish we had not closed Twitter. It was wrong. Everybody accessed
[the site] anyway. Now we're trying to restore a wrong perception [about
Turkey]," Bozk?r said.
Turkey blocked access to Twitter on March 20, hours after then Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vowed to close down the social media
platform, triggering both domestic and international reaction.
On April 3, the micro blogging site was unblocked, 24 hours after
the Constitutional Court ruled that the ban was a violation of free
speech. The company is now in talks to open a Turkey office.
Erdogan admitted that he was "increasingly against the Internet every
day," according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who met
with the President in Ankara on October 2.
Bozk?r also said that Turkey does not have the luxury to announce that
it does not need to be a full member of the European Union, stressing
that the bloc is still a very big economic player.
According to reports by Hurriyet daily and Al-Jazeera Turk news portal,
Muslim, who heads the largest Kurdish Syrian group, the Democratic
Union Party (PYD), has met with officials from the National Intelligence
Agency (MIT) and other institutions but has not directly met with any
government official.
Muslim's visit, which Hurriyet said took place on Friday, follows a
meeting between Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Selahattin Demirtas,
leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) last
Monday.
Demirtas has called on the Turkish government to help Syrian Kurds
defending the border town of Kobani, which has been attacked by the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and have talks with the
PYD to coordinate help efforts.
Following that meeting, Davutoglu said Turkey will do what it can to
prevent Kobani falling to ISIL, although he stopped short of committing
to military action.
Turkish officials who met with Muslim reportedly repeated Turkish demand
that PYD take a clear stance against the Syrian regime and align itself
with the anti-regime opposition. They also told him that the PYD should
avoid any steps that could put Turkey's efforts to end its Kurdish
problem through secret talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan.
(?)Speaking before his meeting with Davutoglu, Demirtas said it was time
to take steps for the future of the peace process, which he said cannot
be based solely on talks.
In remarks last week, Prime Minister Davutoglu said there were contacts
with the PYD last week in which the Turkish officials told them to take
a stance against the Assad regime and act together with the opposition
Free Syrian Army, adding: "Syrian Kurds in Kobani are now paying the
price for the mistakes that were made then", Davutoglu said.
In remarks on September 30, Muslim said that his calls for arms to defend
Kobani had so far been rebuffed by the United States and European nations
and blamed Turkey for obstructing his efforts.
He also said that Turkey was preventing some fighters from entering
Syria and that there were no Turkish Kurds in Kobani.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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