TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
24.01.13TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
1. Kucuk: UBP will discuss a 2nd round of voting for the party’s chairman; Doubts that Kucuk will not implement the “court’s” decision
2. Self-styled “MPs” discuss money laundering at PACE; The President of the Socialist Group will visit Cyprus in April
3. The 9th Youth meeting of the Union of NGO’s of the Islamic World to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus
4. The delegation of the International Diplomats Union paid a visit to the illegal YDU
5. MUSIAD to present a program abroad; Businessmen from the occupied area of Cyprus are also invited to participate
6. CTP’s delegation carried out contacts in Ankara
7. Sertoglu says their aim is a temporary agreement for football
8. Ozyigit says that Eroglu opposes to the efforts of CFA-CTFA to reach to an agreement
9. Reactions continue regarding the environmental disaster of the occupied Karpasia peninsula by the breakaway regime
10. Eroglu’s contacts: Hmet with the rector of Istanbul Technical University and an azeri student team which is training in occupied Cyprus
11. Turkish foreign minister met Azerbaijani president in Davos
12. Fights at the Turkish assembly over defense in the Kurdish language
13. Bidding opens for 3rd İstanbul airport, slated to be world's largest
14. Poll show that AKP is in power for its credibility and due the lack of a strong opposition
1. Kucuk: UBP will discuss a 2nd round of voting for the party’s chairman; Doubts that Kucuk will not implement the “court’s” decision
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (24.01.13) reports that the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Irsen Kucuk has said that after the decision of the “court”, which annulled yesterday his election to the presidency of the UBP as being contrary to the regulations of the party and ruled that a second round of voting should be held during a congress the date of which will be determined by the UBP’s council, the duty of deciding on this issue belongs to the organs of the party.
In a statement yesterday afternoon during a press conference, Kucuk said: “Until the 2nd round when the new president of our party will be elected, the UBP is not without a president. That is, our court did not say that ‘there is no president in the UBP’. The UBP is not without a president, as it is alleged”.
Kucuk argued that the decision of the “court” saved the “country” and the party from being dragged into chaos and paved the way for political tranquility. “The duty now belongs to UBP’s competent organs”, he noted adding that the issues that concern the party have been carried now from the “court’s” corridors to their own house. He argued that the organs of the UBP will take their decisions according to the regulations of the party.
Kucuk went on and said: “The District Court of Lefkosia has ordered for a second round of the UBP congress to be held within 10 days. We have objected to this. The High Court has rightfully annulled this period of time of 10 days. This decision clearly includes that in case a second congress is held, the date, place and time of the congress will be decided by the competent organs of our party”.
Kucuk argued that the decision of the “lower court” that in case a second round is held, the delegates and the council should be the same has also changed, as the “high court” ruled that if a congress will be held, a new council should be established and the congress will be convened according to the “latest structure of the delegates”.
Meanwhile, Kucuk’s opponent for the post of the UBP president, Ahmet Kasif stated that according to the “court’s” decision, the congress should be held after seven days, but this date coincides with the middle of the week and because of this, the number of the delegates who will participate could be low. Therefore, he added, the congress could be held the next weekend. He said he was ready to go to a congress even this weekend and added that the council of the party should determine the date of the congress the soonest.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (24.01.13) refers to Kucuk’s statements on the issue, noting that there will be no second round of voting for the election of the UBP’s chairman and it seems that the issue will be further prolonged. The paper writes that Kucuk gave the signal that he will not implement the “court’s” decision. “This endless story might continue like this until next year’s elections”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Self-styled “MPs” discuss money laundering at PACE; The President of the Socialist Group will visit Cyprus in April
Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (24.01.13) reports that Ahmet Eti and Mehmet Caglar, so-called deputies with the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) respectively, are participating in the winter meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held in Strasbourg between 20 and 25 of January.
According to a statement issued by the self-styled assembly, Caglar is one of the “few parliamentarians who will address questions” to EU Commissioner for the Enlargement, Stephan Fule. Both Caglar and Eti are participating in the works of the committees and are holding bilateral contacts.
During the meeting of the Socialist Group of PACE, the President of the Group, Andreas Gross from Switzerland, said that they have been informed on issues regarding money laundering in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and added that for this reason they want to pay a visit to the island.
Right after this statement, reports the paper, a British Deputy said that the money laundering actually happens in the Turkish occupied area of the island. In his response to this statement, Caglar alleged that there was absolutely no money laundering in the occupied area of Cyprus since 2009, and that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had declared the occupied area of Cyprus as high risk area in 2008, but the then CTP self-styled government took measures, prepared “laws” and made agreements with the “necessary persons and institutions” and overcame the problem.
Caglar argued that they always see positively the visits of international institutions to the occupied area of Cyprus as wells as the cooperation with them and added that they would welcome any proposals that would be made as a result of investigations on this issue.
Caglar invited Gross to the occupied area of the island to examine the issue. Gross said he would come to both the occupied and the government-controlled are of Cyprus for contacts in April. He noted that he would like to holds his contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus together with Caglar.
(I/Ts.)
3. The 9th Youth meeting of the Union of NGO’s of the Islamic World to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.01.13) reports that the 9th Youth meeting of the Union of NGO’s of the Islamic World (IDSB), a meeting which is taking place twice a year, will take place in the occupied area of Cyprus between January 29-February 2.
According to a written statement issued by the Union of NGO’s of the Islamic World (IDSB), more than 200 representatives of NGO’s from 40 countries are expected to participate to the meeting. The opening ceremony of the event will take place at the illegal YDU (Near East University).
In the side-line of the meeting, a three day forum as well as visits and contacts will take place. The youth leaders will discuss issues related to regions of the Islamic work which faces different problems.
(AK)
4. The delegation of the International Diplomats Union paid a visit to the illegal YDU
Under the title: “International visit to YDU”, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (24.01.13) reports that a delegation of the International Diplomats Union headed by the Union’s chairman, Gunther Meinel, and is composed by the Ferhat Bozcelil, chairman of the Office in Istanbul and Mehmet Koksal, vice chairman, continue their illegal contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus.
According to the paper, the delegation visited yesterday the illegal Near East University (YDU) where they met with the chairman of the board of trustees of the illegal YDU, Dr. Irfan Gunsel. The delegation said during the meeting that it was their first visit to “north Cyprus” as they described the occupied area of Cyprus. They also explained the projects they plan to develop and added that they will submit these projects to the EU and the UN.
In his statements, the chairman of the International Diplomats Union, Gunter Meinel explained that the Union’s aim is to develop projects on the sector of health, culture, renewable energy and education and then to submit these projects to the EU and the UN. He further said that they want to develop projects about “north Cyprus” since they are a consultative committee of the EU and the UN, officially accredited, and also because as Germany, they are of the opinion that an injustice exist in “north Cyprus”.
Meinel added that they change their image as soon as they visited the “YDU”, alleging that the illegal YDU is a “university” with international standards. He also said: “If we bring rectors from Germany, they will be ashamed to return back”.
(AK)
5. MUSIAD to present a program abroad; Businessmen from the occupied area of Cyprus are also invited to participate
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.01.13) reports that a trade delegation from the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) will carry out a program in the Czech Republic, in Slovakia and Hungary.
According to the paper, the trade delegation of MUSIAD, headed by Prime Minister Erdogan and with the participation of Turkey’s Economy Minister, Zafer Caglayan will pay a visit to the above countries and present a program about potential’s career opportunities of the businessmen. The program will be presented between February 3-6 and is coordinated by the Ministry of Economy of Turkey.
The paper writes that the businessmen from MUSIAD’s branch in the occupied area of Cyprus, who would like to participate to this trip, should contact with MUSIAD’s chairman in the “TRNC”, Okyay Sadikoglu until 28 October the latest, to express their interest.
(AK)
6. CTP’s delegation carried out contacts in Ankara
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (24.01.13) reports that a delegation from the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), composed by the general secretary of the party, Asim Akansoy and the secretary of foreign relations, Ozdil Nami, carried out several contacts in Ankara.
According to information acquired by the press office of CTP, in the framework of their contacts in Ankara, Akansoy and Nami met with the undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, the Deputy Chairman of AKP, responsible for external affairs, Omer Celik and the AKP Deputy, Mahir Unal.
The Cyprus problem as well as the developments experienced in the “country” was the main issue of discussion, during their meetings.
Akansoy and Nami exchanged also views during their contacts in Turkey on the possible developments to be formed after the Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, writes the paper. At the same time, they also conveyed to their interlocutors, their views and sensitivities about the latest developments in the occupied area of Cyprus.
Akansoy and Nami are expected to return to the occupied area of Cyprus tonight, after completing their contacts.
(AK)
7. Sertoglu says their aim is a temporary agreement for football
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (24.01.13) reports that Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot so-called football federation has said that their aim in the discussions with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP) is to overcome the problems of football on the island. He added that if a text comes out of their forthcoming meeting in Zurich they will submit it to their members for approval, just like it happened in the case of the Annan Plan regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem.
In statements to Kanal Sim television, Sertoglu said yesterday that the negotiations are going well and that the important thing is to solve the problem. He went on and noted: “The chairman of KOP, who has said ‘I will come to have fish’, came for an official meeting. Achieving even this, brought us some gains. Our goal was for officials from FIFA and UEFA to be able to see the conditions in our country… We are in the group of problematic countries in FIFA and UEFA and they will exert efforts to solve the problem”.
Pointing out that they will submit any text that will come out in Zurich to the approval of their members (the clubs), Sertoglu expressed his faith in the clubs and noted that the agreement would not be tantamount to unification with the CFA or entering under the CFA. “No one can reject the existence of the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation, which was established in 1955. If the CFA was not accepting this, it would not come and meet with us. It [Translator’s note: the agreement] will happen or it will not happen. In my view it will happen, but even if it does not happen, we have earned a lot as Turkish Cypriot Football Federation”.
Sertoglu argued that a system could be established based on the two federations and noted that they will also have a say in this system. “Let no one be panicked. This will be a temporary agreement until the solution, it will not be a political one”, he added. He pointed out that even in case an agreement is reached, the Turkish Cypriot football needs a provisional period, which should be at least three years.
(I/Ts.)
8. Ozyigit says that Eroglu opposes to the efforts of CFA-CTFA to reach to an agreement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.01.13) reports on statements by the general secretary the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Cemal Ozyigit who referred to the discussions of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP) and the so-called Turkish Cypriot Football Federation (CTFA) which will pave the way for the Turkish Cypriot football players, who allegedly experience great problems in playing abroad, and writes that Ozyigit has expressed the full support of his party to this discussion.
Ozyigit supported that some political sides are mediating negatively in a malevolent way to this efforts and added: “we regretfully oppose to those who are exerting efforts for the youth not to be able to make openings abroad”.
Criticizing the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for his stance on this process, Ozyigit said that Eroglu, for different reasons, has opposed to similar efforts exerted in the past.
(AK)
9. Reactions continue regarding the environmental disaster of the occupied Karpasia peninsula by the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.01.13) reports that many organizations reacted for the environmental disaster in in occupied Karpass peninsula because of the works that started for the enlargement of the road in the so-called “National Park of Karpass”. Great damage has been caused at “Golden Sands” beach.
The “Initiative for the protection of the Karpass National Park”, stated that the continuation of the work for the road enlargement consists of a great danger for the environment and notes that for the sake of tourists and for various people to enter the area, trees and scrubs are cut and the area is flattened, destroying the nest of birds and other creatures.
The “Turkish Cypriot Architecture and Engineering Chamber Union”, organized a press conference noting that the works are hurting the flora and the fauna of the area.
Speaking on the conference, academician Unut Akcil said that on September 3 a music event is organized to take place in the area, putting in danger the environment and added that more than 80 thousand persons are expected to participate in the event. As he said, Karpass peninsula is the third biggest and the more important place in Mediterranean for the laying of turtle eggs and noted that the coming of so many persons in the area would hurt the turtle’s reproduction.
10. Eroglu’s contacts: He met with the rector of Istanbul Technical University and an Azeri student teamed
Illegal Bayrak television (23.01.13) broadcast about the contacts of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and writes that he met with the Turkey-based Istanbul Technical University’s “TRNC Campus” Rector Prof. Dr. Ercan Kahya and the University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karaca, where he expressed full support to universities in the breakaway regime, as he praised the high progress achieved in the higher education sector.
He alleged that “significant developments have taken place as part of efforts aimed at making the TRNC the country of universities”. He also said that the opening of the new campus will help the breakaway regime to open its doors to the international community and make its voice heard.
Also speaking, Rector Kahya said that their goal is to attract students from all over the island, the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, Balkans and Turkey.
In addition, Bayrak (23.01.13) also broadcasts that a team from Azerbaijan which is being trained for the International Science Olympiad will take place in Arizona, USA in May this year at the Eastern Mediterranean University, paid visits to Eroglu and the self-styled minister of national education, youth and sports Mutlu Atasayan.
Eroglu who met with the Azerbaijani students said that the fact that the Azerbaijani team was preparing for the International Science Olympiad in the breakaway regime is very important.
For his part, the Director of the Department of Science at the Azerbaijani Ministry of National Education Gültekin Huseyinova said that the students were in the breakaway regime as part of a joint ‘Young Scientists of the Future 2013” project prepared with the Eastern Mediterranean University.
11. Turkish foreign minister met Azerbaijani president in Davos
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.01.13) reports that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Davos on Wednesday within the scope of World Economic Forum annual meetings.
Davutoglu and Aliyev discussed relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan besides Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project.
TANAP is a proposed natural gas pipeline from Azerbaijan through Turkey to Europe. When constructed, it would transport gas from the second stage of the Shah Deniz gas field.
They also exchanged views about solving Upper Karabakh issue, and agreed that Minsk group should be more active.
Minsk Group was created in 1992 by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Upper Karabakh.
Aliyev also expressed pleasure over Turkey and Azerbaijan's getting stronger in global scale.
12. Fights at the Turkish assembly over defense in the Kurdish language
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (24.01.13) reports that a heated debate took place in Turkish Parliament regarding a law enabling Kurdish offenders to speak in court in their mother tongue, during hearings of the Kurdistan Communities Union(KCK) trial. After hours of tense discussions the session was postponed shortly after midnight without finishing the official vote.
Deputies of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), who have vocally opposed defense in mother tongue, nearly came to blows with Kurdish representatives of the Peace and Democratic Party (BDP) in the first half of the debate, but were eventually separated with some difficulty after discussions heated up.
In the second half of the debate, tensions boiled over again, this time between members of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and BDP deputies. The CHP’s MP from İzmir, Birgül Ayman Güler and the BDP’s parliamentary group deputy chairman, Pervin Buldan engaged in a verbal scuffle that led to an interruption of the parliamentary session.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ rejected criticisms of the proposal, arguing that a similar right existed in countries such as Switzerland. “Changing the judicial language is out of the question,” said Bozdağ, explaining that according to the draft law the fees of translators for culprits who don’t know Turkish will be paid by the state, whereas culprits who know Turkish and yet prefer to speak in court in another language will have to pay the translator fees themselves.
The arrangement is part of a 13-article amendment proposal to the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK) and to the Law on Execution of Penalties and Security Precautions. The proposal also outlines a chance for married prisoners to conduct conjugal visits with their spouses without the presence of prison staff from anywhere between three to 24 hours once every three months.
In the fall of 2012, over 700 inmates staged a 69-day-hunger strike in several Turkish prisons, demanding an end to the isolation of the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan. Hunger strikers also called for an end to restrictions against the use of Kurdish in courts and in the educational system. The legal case against the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the PKK, has been deadlocked as courts have rejected defendants’ demands to speak Kurdish when giving their defense.
13. Bidding opens for 3rd İstanbul airport, slated to be world's largest
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (24.01.13) reports that Istanbul entered the race to build the world's largest airport on Thursday, as bidding began on a 150-million passenger capacity airport which officials hope will make the city a gateway for world air travel.
Speaking to the press in Ankara on Wednesday, Transportation Minister Binalı Yıldırım said the massive airport tender would likely amount to around $8.7 billion and see the airport built within an ambitious four years. “Today the number of air passengers is more than four times İstanbul's population. We cannot expand Atatürk airport, and must expand İstanbul's airport capacity through a new airport, the world's largest,” the minister was quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying.
The massive planned capacity of 150 million annual flyers will indeed make the airport the largest in the world -- or at least challenge regional rival Dubai, which was the largest air hub in the Middle East in 2012 with nearly 60 million flyers, according to Reuters. İstanbul currently carries a similar number of passengers, said Yıldırım, who estimated that Atatürk Airport carried 45 million passengers last year while Sabiha Gökçen International Airport carried around 15 million.
The new airport will be constructed on İstanbul's European side between the Black Sea regions of Yeniköy and Akpinar, an area where the Environment and Urban Planning Ministry is also planning to build “İstanbul Metropolitan,” a massive, 1.5 million person satellite city. Yıldırım said the airport would be a vital part of İstanbul Metropolitan, creating an estimated 120,000 jobs.
14. Poll show that AKP is in power for its credibility and due the lack of a strong opposition
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (24.01.13) reports that the MetroPOLL Strategic and Social Research Center asked respondents about why the AK Party is so popular among voters. Among the main reasons given, some respondents said there is no strong opposition in the country to challenge the ruling party. Some others said the AK Party is popular because it is good at managing the economy and maintaining close contact with the people. Still others said the strong leadership in the party makes it popular.
In response to a question as to why the CHP fails to win adequate support of the people to become the ruling party, respondents pointed to the party's problem of leadership as the main reason. They next cited the party's lack of credibility and intra-party conflicts. Respondents also said that the CHP pursues the wrong policies and is distant from the people.
According to 33.2 percent of the respondents, they have greater confidence in and support for the AK Party when compared to the previous year. Another 33.3 percent, however, said they have less confidence and support for the ruling party. When the same question was asked about the CHP, only 11.3 percent said they have greater confidence and support for the party. Nearly 45 percent said they have less confidence and support for the main opposition party.
The respondents were also asked if they have greater confidence and support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is also the leader of the AK Party, than last year. Thirty-four percent said “yes” while 27.8 percent said “no.” The remaining respondents declined to comment. When asked about CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, only 11.7 percent said they have greater confidence and support for him, while 46.2 percent responded to the contrary. Thirteen percent said they have greater confidence and support for Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the MHP. Whereas 36.6 percent said they have less confidence and support for Bahçeli.
Pollsters also asked if the respondents like President Abdullah Gül and his way of handling issues. More than 75 percent said they like the President, and only 17.6 percent said they do not like the president. More than 62 percent said they like the Prime Minister while 30.5 percent disagreed. As for Kilicdaroglu, 30.6 percent said they like him, and 59 percent said they do not like him.
Pollsters also questioned the respondents about their voting preferences.
When asked if Turkey needs a new political party, 52.4 percent said “no” while 36.7 percent said “yes.” Nearly 75 percent said they do not regret having voted for their party in the June 12, 2011 general elections. Only 15.3 percent said they regret doing so.
Asked which political party they would vote for if general elections were held this Sunday, 39.1 percent said they would vote for the AK Party. According to the poll, the CHP would receive 17.6 percent of vote. The MHP would receive 9.8 percent of the vote, while the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) would get 3.3 percent. More than 26 percent said they are undecided. MetroPOLL said splitting the undecided votes at the ballot box would provide additional support for the political parties.
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