HABERLERI/n303867-arikli-berlinden-pek-de-bir-sey-beklememek-gerek)
said that they obtained the necessary information from Akinci and added
that "it seems that nothing should be expected" from the meeting in
Berlin. Arikli argued that there should not be many hopes for a five-party
meeting and claimed: "Guterres should ask Anastasiades what he thinks
on three points. If Anastasiades accepts these, we could discuss the
next issues. If this process will continue for a long time, the Turkish
Cypriot side should take a decision on this point. We should follow the
process all together in unity and togetherness".
(I/Ts.)
[02] New poll shows Akinci leading the "election race"
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (21.11.19) publishes a new opinion poll
according to which the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is leading
the "election race".
The poll, which was conducted by the Centre for Migration, Identity and
Rights Studies (CMRIS), between 15-25 of October using the face-to-face
method, shows that Akinci is increasing his percentages to 38,64%,
followed by the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and "prime
minister" Ersin Tatar with 17,92%, the leader of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman with 15,82%, the leader of the People' Party
(HP) and "foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay with 7,51%, the "deputy" with
the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas with 5,21% and the leader of the
Revival Party Erhar Aikli (Tr. Note: The party of the settlers) with 2,9%.
(CS)
[03] Reports about granting more than 3,000 "citizenship" in 2019
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog (21.11.19) reports that the "minister
of interior", Aysegul Baybars, stated that 3,081 "TRNC citizenships"
were granted in the first 10 months of 2019.
Baybars who made statements to Diyalog, said that a lot of applications
are pending and stated that during the last 22 months that she is serving
as "minister", 5,422 persons had benefited from the "citizenship right".
She also said that there are a lot of applications by wives and children
because of the "citizenships" granted previously.
As she said, the "citizenship" is granted to everyone is entitled to get
one. She added that right to apply has everyone who has been living in
the breakaway regime for 11 years continually; therefore they have 11
stamps in their "passport".
(CS)
[04] The "reality" of "two states" should be accepted, alleges Saner
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Gunes (21.11.19) reports that Ersan Saner,
general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), has alleged
that just like many states in the world had come out of other states,
the same thing happened in Cyprus. "This reality should be accepted",
claimed Saner in statements to GUNES TV yesterday.
Saner said that he expected no result from the informal tripartite meeting
to be held in Berlin on 25 November between the community leaders and
the UNSG and claimed:
"I expect nothing because the main philosophy of the Greek Cypriot side is
to not want to share absolutely anything with the Turkish Cypriots. When
we see from 1968, talks have been held under the UN umbrella. These issues
continue in six chapters. Which of these has been solved and we will
expect a rabbit to come out from the hat? I read the statements made by
the Greek Cypriots. […] There is no change in their stance. There is no
need to have any expectation from the UN either. Now we should say many
thanks for the situation we are living in. After 1974 the Turkish Cypriots
obtained the opportunity to move freely in the northern part of Cyprus".
(I/Ts.)
[05] The right to decide in Cyprus belongs to Cypriots, says Cakici
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Haberator (21.11.19) reports that Mehmet Cakici,
chairman of the Communal Liberation Party – New Forces (TKP-YG), has said
that the communities in Cyprus were the ones to decide for the solution
on the island. In a written statement regarding the tripartite meeting
to be held in Berlin on 25 November, Cakici noted that they understood
the lack of trust and worry increased in both communities prior to the
Berlin meeting and added that "the escalation of tensions plays only
into the extremists' hand".
Cakici underlined the need of avoiding actions and statements which
increase tension and added that "the formula for the solution of the
Cyprus problem passes through a solution which both communities could
accept". He also noted that preconditions should be avoided before going
to the tripartite meeting and a constructive stance should be exhibited
for "formulating the minimum foundations of the terms of reference".
"In parallel to this", we think that importance should also be attached to
confidence building measures in order to overcome the negative climate and
the lack of confidence between the two communities", he argued and added:
"It should not be forgotten that the communities in Cyprus are those to
decide for the solution in Cyprus".
(I/Ts.)
[06] More reactions to the burning of the occupation regime's flag
Turkish Cypriot daily Nacak (21.11.19) reports that the chairman of the
Great Unity Party (BBP) in Turkey Mustafa Destici condemned strongly the
burning of the "TRNC flag" by members of nationalist right-wing party
ELAM, claiming that these attacks are taking place due to the fact that
the "existence of the TRNC" constitutes an obstacles to the dreams of
the Greek Cypriots.
In a press conference at his party headquarters, Destici referred, inter
alia, to the Cyprus problem and said that western countries together
with Greece and the Greek Cypriot side have never accepted the "TRNC's"
unilateral declaration of independence. He claimed that their aim has
become clear recently with the current developments. "Their goal is
the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. Thus, the Turkish
existence there, and therefore, the TRNC's existence prevent their
desires. This is the reason why these attacks are taking place. And the
recent incident with the burning of the TRNC' flag in the Greek Cypriot
sector is an outcome of this", Destici said, condemning the incident. "By
burning the TRNC flag you would never eliminate either the TRNC or force
the Turkish armed forces to withdraw from the island. If they continue,
we remind them of 1974. The whole world should know that we will never
allow for Turkey's and Turkish Cypriot's rights on the natural resources
to be violated, nor would we allow the existence of Turkey in the island
to end", Destici further argued.
Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television
(21.11.19-https://www.brtk.net/akarbu-irkci-saldirilar-kktc-bayraginin-adada-dalgalanmasina-asla-engel-olamayacak/),
Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar condemned strongly the
"burning of the TRNC flag", stating the following: "We strongly condemn
the burning of the TRNC flag. These racist attacks cannot prevent the
TRNC flag from waving on the island", Akar argued.
(AK)
[07] "Protocol" for cooperation in tennis signed
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Vatan (21.11.19) reports that Turkey's Tennis
Federation and so-called northern Cyprus tennis federation have signed a
"protocol", which gives the right to two Turkish Cypriot tennis players
in each age category to participate in the tournaments, in which the
members of the Turkish National Teams are selected. In a statement issued
by the Turkish Cypriot "federation" it is said that in this manner the
Turkish Cypriot tennis players were given the opportunity to become a
member of Turkish National Teams and players of the Turkish National
Olympic Committee.
(I/Ts.)
[B] Turkish Press
[01] Erdogan calls for more investment in Turkey
Turkish daily Hurriyet
(20.11.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-calls-for-more-investment-in-turkey-148897)
reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Nov. 20 called on
entrepreneurs to invest more in Turkey, saying the country's financial
troubles are now fading away.
"We are dispelling the dark clouds over our country by declining our
inflation to single-digit figures and rapidly decreasing interest
rates. Hopefully, 2020 will be a year in which interest rates will
decrease even further," Erdogan said.
Erdogan's remarks came during a speech at a meeting with ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) provincial heads.
"I am calling on our enterprises. Come and invest [in Turkey]. I am
calling on every industry. Regardless of the sector, come and invest
[in Turkey]. The doors of our banks are now open to you, and the interest
rates are clear as day," he said.
Erdogan said that Turkey is now taking steps in the economy, by using
its own currency rather than becoming indebted over foreign currencies.
"The increase in property, automobile and domestic appliance sales,
that had declined because of last year's troubles, is an indicator of
economic recovery," Erdogan said.
"I am calling on our investors: Don't worry, don't hesitate. Please,
continue to invest in your own industries," he added.
"Before 2002, Turkey was only investing 70 billion Turkish Liras (roughly
$12.3 billion) annually while in 2019, its investment volume has reached
over 1 trillion liras (around $176 billion)", Erdogan said.
Underlining that the Turkish economy has experienced a growth of 5.6%,
on average, between 2003 and 2018, Erdogan conveyed that the country is
the 13th largest economy in the world, with respect to its purchasing
power parity.
Erdogan also once again underlined that when the AKP came to power,
Turkey's debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stood at $23.5
billion. He added that the AKP government has closed this debt and
left the IMF days of Turkey behind. "We do not have anything to do with
the IMF; we are enough for each other," he said. "We solved all these
problems with the motto 'the state cannot be indebted to its nation,'"
Erdogan added.
The president also criticized the main opposition Republican People's
Party (CHP) over their meeting with IMF officials.
The top IMF officials met with representatives of the CHP and IYI (Good)
Party in September as part of its Article 4 consultation, an annual
economic assessment of each of the fund's member countries. The meeting
has drawn accusations by the government that it was a "secret meeting."
"They [the CHP] were advising us to borrow loans from the IMF. You
know they held a secret meeting with [IMF officials] and then said,
'it's okay to do so,'" he said.
Erdogan also slammed CHP for "attacking" a woman Deputy of the AKP during
a heated argument that broke out regarding the late former Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit.
Tensions rose in the parliament on Nov. 19 between AKP and CHP deputies
concerning a photo of Ecevit taken with former U.S. President Bill
Clinton.
(…)
The Parliament should give the necessary response to the CHP deputies,
especially because they "attacked a woman deputy," Erdogan said.
"Sending apologies is not an adequate step taken towards reconciliation",
Erdogan said, adding that punishment should be given. "They have done
all kinds of shameless things under the roof of this Parliament",
Erdogan added.
[02] Cavusoglu discusses the Cyprus problem in Brussels; Slams EP head
Sassoli over EU's insincerity and hypocrisy
Ankara Anatolia news agency
(20.11.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-us-agreement-on-syria-has-to-be-fulfilled/1651270)
reports that the Turkish Foreign Minister said on Wednesday that there
are violations of the agreement done by Turkey and the U.S. over northern
Syria and he communicated these to his US counterpart.
Cavusoglu met with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Brussels on the
sidelines of NATO Foreign Ministers meeting
In a press conference Cavusoglu held in Brussels, he commented on the
content of his meeting with Pompeo.
Cavusoglu said that there are violations of the agreement done by Turkey
and the US regarding northern Syria. He added that he spoke with Pompeo
about the violations and terror attacks that YPG/PKK is doing in northern
Syria and said that the agreement has to be fulfilled.
Cavusoglu said further Turkey and the U.S. have different opinions over
Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems. "There will be
a meeting over this issue in Ankara on Friday," Cavusoglu said.
Cavusoglu also met with his UK counterpart Dominic Raab, the President of
EU Parliament David Sassoli and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
at the sidelines of the meeting.
On his meeting with President of EU Parliament, Sassoli, Cavusoglu said
that their meeting was longer than expected as they discussed various
issues including Syria, migration, Cyprus and fight against terrorism.
"Terrorists including PKK members as well as FETO members are teeming
in EU Parliament and we have shared our opinion on this issue with him,"
he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah
(21.11.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/11/20/fm-cavusoglu-slams-ep-head-sassoli-over-eus-insincerity-hypocrisy-says-he-distorts-facts)
reports that Cavusoglu criticized the European Parliament President David
Sassoli over the European Union's "insincerity and hypocrisy" and said
that he distorted what actually had been discussed during their meeting
that took place late Wednesday.
"In a meeting with Cavusoglu, Turkey Foreign Affairs Minister, I
reiterated the EU's strong condemnation of Turkish military intervention
in northeast Syria. It is an unacceptable violation of international law
that undermines the stability and security of the region," Sassoli said
in a tweet, which drew a quick response from Cavusoglu.
"Here is another example of the insincerity and hypocrisy of the EU. The
President of the European Parliament shared topics that were not said
to my face. Appalled that the person who represents the European peoples
distorts the content of the meeting," Cavusoglu said.
[03] HDP calls for early poll
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily news
(20.11.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hdp-calls-for-early-poll-148921)
reports that the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) called on Nov. 20 for an
early election but ruled out withdrawing from Parliament to protest the
government's dismissal of dozens of its mayors who were elected earlier
in March elections.
"The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP), were stealing the will of the people by appointing
trustees", said the HDP in a statement released after a meeting.
"We say 'early election' for the people of Turkey to be rid of the AKP-MHP
authority. This is a call for confrontation. We're saying bring it on,"
the party said.
"We call on all of the opposition to unite around this request for
an early election and to take action," it said, also appealing for a
campaign of civil disobedience.
The party discussed withdrawing from parliament after several party
members had called for the HDP to withdraw from the national Parliament
or from local assemblies which the party still holds.
The HDP said it had paid "heavy prices" to achieve gains and "will not
withdraw from any area of struggle."
The Turkish government has removed 24 mayors of the HDP since August,
mainly due to alleged links to terrorism, and appointed replacements to
run their municipalities.
[04] HDP figures including province chair arrested in terror probe
Turkish daily Sabah
(20.11.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/11/20/hdp-figures-including-province-chair-arrested-in-terror-probe)
reports that at least 12 PKK-linked suspects, including the pro-PKK
Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Gaziantep provincial chairman Muslum
K?l?c and HDP's regional affiliate Democratic Regions Party's (DBP)
provincial head Abdullah Ince were arrested on Wednesday within the
scope of anti-terror operations.
A total of 52 suspects were placed into custody as part of the
investigation. Of the 18 suspects that were forwarded to the courthouse,
12 were arrested while the other six were released under the condition
of judicial control.
Another 10 suspects were brought to the court under broad security
measures after their procedures at the police station were completed. The
processing of the other 24 suspects continues.
"Forty-two out of the 94 mayors that were dismissed in the previous term
were punished with 286 years (in prison)," Interior Minister Suleyman
Soylu said on Thursday in the Parliament.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/ ECh)
