en.en.mfa)
came after the United Nations Security Council renewed the mandate of
the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a period of six
months on Jan. 30.
It criticized the resolution's relevant articles over a potential
fresh U.N.-led peace initiative on the parameters that have already
been observed as collapsed during the latest attempt to establish a
federal state in the island through a conference held between June 28,
2017 and July 7, 2017 in Switzerland.
"It also became apparent that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides
had differing conceptions of the new federal state whose establishment
was aimed on the island, and that the Greek Cypriots had no intention
of entering into a partnership based on political equality with the
Turkish Cypriots. Similarly, another major obstacle to an agreement was
the Greek Cypriot side's categorical rejection of a framework capable
of addressing the legitimate security concerns of the Turkish Cypriots,
which stem from their tragic past experience," read the statement.
It also recalled that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had
emphasized that it no longer seemed possible to reach a settlement based
on the established parameters.
Moreover, self-styled ministry of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of Cyprus issued also a written statement regarding
UNSC's renewal the mandate of the UNFICYP for a period of six months. The
statement criticized the fact that "the decision does not reflect the
realities on the island and that the UNSC asked only the approval of
the Greek Cypriot side for the extension of the UNFICYP in the island".
It also reported that on the one hand, the UN claims to have equally
distant on both sides, but on the other hand, it seeks approval only
from the one side. The statement claimed that efforts to reach a just
and lasting agreement in Cyprus will not be resulted unless the political
equality of both sides in the island is accepted and this contradictory
attitude displayed by the UNSC is ended.
[02] Akinci assigned CTP leader with the "duty" to establish a
"government"
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (31.02.18) reports that
the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has assigned Tufan Erhurman,
the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), with the "duty" to
establish a "government".
This development comes after "prime minister" and leader of the National
Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun handed back to Akinci the "duty of forming
a government". UBP leader failed to come to an agreement with any other
political party in order to for a new "collation".
After he was assigned with the task, Erhurman stated that their "duty"
is to form a new "government" the sooner possible, which as he said
will embrace and unite everyone in the "country", and will be focus in
promoting equality, freedom, democracy and "a state of law".
The paper also reports that the leader of the Socialist Democracy
Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit stated yesterday that the party approved its
participation to the "four-party coalition government" and will get the
"ministries of education and labor". It will also get the chairmanship
of the "parliament".
According to Halkin Sesi, after handing back to Akinci the duty of
forming a "government", Ozgurgun claimed that only the parties that
were defeated at the "elections" are participating in the "four-party
coalition government" adding that this is against the "people's will". He
also sent the message that he will not resign from his party's leadership.
(CS)
[03] The six persons being arrested for the incidents against Afrika
newspaper were jailed yesterday; Reaction statements by "settler's
representatives"
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (31.01.18) under the title: "The
six persons arrested were jailed", reports that the 6 persons who were
taken under custody for the incidents occurred in Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika newspaper and in the so-called assembly, were jailed yesterday
after a "court decision". The six suspects were jailed before being
tried and they will remain in custody for one month.
According to the paper, a group of people supporting the suspects
gathered in front of the illegal "Lefkosia district court" in order to
protest for the "court decision" to arrest the suspects. As a result
of the protest, the "chairman" of the "higher court", Narin Ferdi Sefik
called the protesters from the balcony of the "building court" to go away.
Among the participants at the protest was also Erhan Arikli, chairman
of the Turkish settlers' Revival Party (YDP), Bertan Zaroglu, "deputy"
with the same party in occupied Lefkosia, Murat Civelek, "chairman of
the cultural association of settlers from Black sea" and Mehmet Demirci,
representative of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the occupied
area of Cyprus.
In statements to the press after the "court decision", Zaroglu described
the "decision" as unacceptable, claiming that they do not support those
who protested in the so-called assembly by climbing on the "assembly's
roof". He, however, wondered why a similar "decision" was not taken
for those who display a flag of Cyprus in front of the "Turkish embassy
headquarters".
On the same issue, Demirci described as "fair" their reactions and
claimed that neither Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci nor any other
"administrative institution" in the "TRNC" reacted against the "Afrika
provocations". Demirci claimed further that while Turkey is attending
an operation in Afrin for protecting its borders and security, and
while it has the support of the world, there was no reaction against
Afrika reports about "occupier". "They called brothers the terrorist
organizations which shed blood and occupiers those who fight against
terror organizations. [?]. If communal peace is to be preserved, everyone
should respect the rights of the other. Those who used this provocative
title committed a mistake", Demirci further claimed.
Meanwhile, the general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP)
Dursun Oguz condemned strongly the "court decision" and demanded for the
"punishment of Afrika newspaper" as well. Issuing a written statement,
Oguz claimed that they do not support the way that the protest took
place and the incidents occurred but added that they do not also approve
the fact that no investigation took place for those who prepared the
ground for all these. "We express our sorrow and surprise for those who
remained silent to the fact that the international Media presented the
incidents which took place as a conflict between the Turkish Cypriots
and motherland Turkey", he alleged.
Moreover, reactions were expressed about the persons being arrested
for the incidents against Afrika by the "chairman" of the Nationalist
Democracy Party (MDP) Buray Buskuvutcu. In statements to social media,
Buskuvutcu claimed that "justice and the rule of law in the TRNC is
implemented only one-way", since as he claimed no investigations
and arrest took place against those who protested in front of the
"headquarters of MDP" during the night the "peace and democracy party
march" took place.
Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (31.01.18) reports on
the issue under the title: "Lynching heroes were jailed" and subtitle:
"In Turkey justice has died but in Cyprus is still alive".
(AK)
[04] Yeni Duzen verified Havadi's article that Ankara was reportedly
trying to organize a "counter rally" to the "Peace and Democracy march"
Under the title "Special meeting at the embassy", Turkish Cypriot daily
Yeni Duzen newspaper (31.01.18) reports that "officers of the Turkish
embassy" in the occupied part of Nicosia held a "special meeting" with
officials of some non-governmental organizations, who were called at the
"embassy" prior to the "Peace and Democracy March" last Friday.
Yeni Duzen also verified this meeting, which
was first came into the agenda with Basaran
Duzgun's column from Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/All/26EACF2898E8A08FC22582240043EC75?OpenDocument#5)
and the Turkish Cypriot private channel Kanal Sim.
Obtaining information from different sources, the paper reports that while
some NGO's that attended the meeting had the intention to hold a rally
"in support of Turkey", others said they should just test the waters
regarding the "Peace and Democracy march" which was held that day. It
was also reported that they would be called again within this week to
decide whether a rally "in support of Turkey" would be held or not.
However, the paper reports that it seems the "embassy" took a step
backward on the issue after the "Peace and Democracy march" was held
last Friday.
(DPs)
[05] Erdogan slams CHP over Syria operation comments
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.01.18,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-erdogan-slams-chp-over-syria-operation-comments-126531),
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blasted the main opposition Republican
People's Party (CHP) over its criticism that the Turkish army has allied
with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the ongoing operation into the northern
Syrian district of Afrin.
"It seems they get furious when it comes to the FSA. They argue they
have discovered something no any other intelligence organization could
ever find: That the FSA is a terrorist organization. But hearing this
from those who call the PYD [Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party] a
[political] party does not astonish us," Erdogan told his ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group on Jan. 30.
Although the CHP supports the operation it has questioned the composition
of the FSA, drawing reactions from senior government officials including
Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
"The FSA was established to defend its homeland. They are like the
national forces [Kuva-I Milliye] during our War of Independence,"
Erdogan said, describing the CHP once again as "a party of treason".
"You should explain the open support you lend to a terror
organization. The person leading this party once said 'The YPG is not a
terror organization but an entity formed to save its homeland,'" he added.
CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu responded during his own weekly address
to his parliamentary group on Jan. 30. "Trying to win votes through the
blood of martyrs is perverse. Those who try to win votes by exploiting
nationalist [sentiments] cannot be called either human or moral,"
Kilicdaroglu said
He slammed the AKP's policies for helping to "turn the Middle East into
a swamp", with more than three million Syrians fleeing the country to
Turkey because of violence. "Because of these gentlemen, our country
has now become part of this swamp. It's because of them that we have
spent billions of dollars for Syrian refugees," he said, accusing the
government of fanning the flames of the Syrian war by sending arms to
fighting groups.
"We told them not to pour oil on flames. We told them not to take sides
in the civil war. But they have never listened to us," Kilicdaroglu added.
The CHP head also touched on the President's recent suggestion that the
Afrin operation would lead to 3.5 million Syrians in Turkey being sent
back home. He noted that was subject to heavy criticism from both the
government and pro-government columnists when he suggested in 2016 that
all Syrians seeking refuge in Turkey would be able to return to their
homes after the country is stabilized.
"When I said this they accused me of racism. But two years later it is
Erdogan who said Syrians will be returning to their homes. I ask those
columnists now: Why don't you criticize Erdogan just like you criticized
me? Those who have become the slaves of Erdogan cannot write this,"
Kilicdaroglu said.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (31.01.18,
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/no-civilian-harmed-in-afrin-operation-defense-minister-3033620)
reports that the Turkish army and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have never
harmed any civilian during ongoing Olive Branch Operation, National
Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Tuesday.
Speaking to lawmakers in the Parliament in Ankara, Canikli said: "No
civilian has been harmed in Operation Olive Branch of the Turkish Armed
Forces and the FSA". No civilian casualties in the operation "show the
Turkish nations' sincerity and sensitivity" despite the terror group,
which uses civilians as human shields, he said.
[06] Erdogan postponed trip to Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.01.18,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-erdogan-postpones-trip-to-latin-america-126495),
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Jan. 30 that he
had postponed a scheduled trip to Latin American countries. Erdogan was
supposed to visit Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay to discuss economic
cooperation a week after visiting the Vatican on Feb. 5. The Turkish
President is reportedly set to visit only the Vatican and Italy in
this round.
The announcement came after Turkey launched a massive military operation
against the Syrian Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) in Afrin
on Jan. 20, vowing to expand operations to the Manbij area of Syria,
where YPG troops and U.S. forces are located.
[07] Lebanese PM Hariri to visit Turkey on Jan 30
According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (30.01.18,
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/lebanese-pm-to-visit-turkey-tuesday-3033567),
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Jan. 30 will travel to Turkey for
a two-day official visit, according to a Turkish Prime Ministry source.
Hariri's Turkey visit comes after he accepted Prime Minister Binali
Y?ld?r?m's invitation, said the source, who spoke on condition of
anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.
Meetings with Hariri will include discussing Turkish-Lebanese ties as
well as regional and bilateral issues, the source added.
[08] Turkey's defence projects reach 600, hit $60B
According to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (31.01.18,
https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2018/01/31/turkeys-defense-projects-reach-600-hit-60b),
Turkey has been investing heavily in the defence industry and has
substantially increased the number of defence projects over the last
15 years while also increasing the rate of domestic production whereby
local resources are used in the development of defence projects and
equipment. The number of defence projects, which was 66 in 2002, has
now increased to 600, Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Energy,
Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission Chairman Ziya
Altunyald?z said yesterday, citing that these defence projects have
reached $60 billion.
He said that external dependency, which was around 80% 16 years ago, has
rapidly declined with the nationalization of projects. Altunyald?z added
that Turkey had a defence industry that was monopolized by international
defence companies.
"Today, our defence industry has transformed into a national structure
with the involvement of more than 1,000 companies, small- and-medium-sized
enterprises [SMEs], research institutes and universities. The rate
of meeting the needs with domestic resources has increased from 25%
to more than 60%," he said. (?)
Addressing lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party
yesterday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan touched on the importance of
Turkey's defence industry.
Speaking of the ongoing military Operation Olive Branch in northwestern
Syria's Afrin, Erdogan said that if Turkey had not carried out the work
and development in the defence industry in the past 15 years, it would
not be able to carry out the counterterrorism operations at home, let
alone abroad with Operation Olive Branch.
Erdogan said that Turkey's defence industry has around $6 billion in
production and $2 billion in export capacity and that defence industry
projects have reached $60 billion.
"The production process lasts a long time, but we act with the
understanding that a product must be a product of our country,"
Erdogan said.
Explaining that the government's priority is to develop and produce
all kinds of defence needs inside Turkey, Erdogan said the country has
completely abandoned the purchase of ready-made defence products, except
for those it urgently needs. Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m previously
said that 70% to 75% of the ammunition used in the Operation Olive Branch
was domestically made and that the most important weapon being used in
the offensive is domestically made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Turkey has three companies among the world's 100 largest defence industry
companies, Altunyald?z said. "ASELSAN, TAI and ROKETSAN are impressive
regarding production and exports. The defense industry has reached a
production capacity of over $6 billion per year today, up from $1.3
billion in 2002, and an export capacity of $2 billion, up from $248
million". (?)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)
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