Hellenic Cypriot Press Agency * Κύπρος: TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

19/2/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

No. 35/13 19/2/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

1. Atalay directly intervenes in UBP’s congress in favor of Kucuk

2. Reactions to Atalay’s meddling in UBP’s congress

3. Eroglu admits that there is neither political nor economic stability in the occupied area of Cyprus

4. A cargo ship carrying illegal guns from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus was arrested; it is reportedly said that the guns were to be transferred illegally to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus

5. Cicek expects the breakaway regime to get as much attention as Kosovo

6. TDP and CTP failed to have a common candidate for the occupied Lefkosia “municipality elections”

7. Bagis: Action plan for chapter 22 to be presented to EU Commission by Turkey
8. AK Party might give up on presidential system in case of reconciliation

9. Poll shows that Turks are against presidential system

10. Ergenekon ‘coup plot’ trial delayed once again

1. Atalay directly intervenes in UBP’s congress in favor of Kucuk

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.02.13) reports that the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot affairs, Besir Atalay has said that the process of the congress of the National Unity Party (UBP) lasted for too long and pointed out to the importance of political stability for the success of the economic program prepared for the breakaway regime for the period 2013.

Atalay gave a press conference yesterday during a working breakfast at the Palm Beach Hotel in the occupied area of Cyprus, with the aim of presenting the above-mentioned economic program. Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs, and Communications, Binali Yildirim, the so-called ambassador of Turkey to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Halil Ibrahim Akca, the self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Irsen Kucuk and other so-called ministers attended the press conference.

In his statements, Atalay said: “The congress of the ruling party has captured the second half of 2012 in northern Cyprus and it still continues. If it was Turkey, it would not endure this, it would not bear this. There could be more economic instabilities, vibrations. Absolutely no economy in the world could endure this”.

Atalay noted that the economic success in Turkey depended on the political authority and argued that this, secured the trust of the investors for the future.

Atalay complained that the process regarding the congress of the UBP lasted too long and argued that changing the chairman of a party in a period when he is “prime minister” would have negative influence on the economic policies. He added: “The change of the chairman in the ruling parties always influences this. I say that in spite of this, it passed lightly, because it has been almost a year that the congress of the ruling party is in every issue in northern Cyprus”.

Atalay said that the implementation of the economic program for the period 2013-15 has already started in the occupied area of Cyprus and reiterated the allegation that this program has been prepared by the breakaway regime. He said that within the scope of the program for the period 2010-12, Turkey had allotted to the regime the sum of two billion and 584 million Turkish liras and that two billion and 510 TL of this sum has been spent, while the rest was transferred to the period of the new economic program.

Atalay argued that the influence of the global economic crisis on the occupied area of Cyprus has been decreased and the real sector of the economy started to be strengthened. He said that the “government” and the “assembly” have prepared important reform “laws” during the past two years and added that these arrangements had a big contribution in the positive economic indicators.

Referring to “impressive developments” during the above-mentioned period, Atalay said that an average growth of 7% was achieved in the field of tourism, the number of students in the “universities” increased to 55.494 in the period 2012-13 from around 43.000 in the period 2009-10. He noted that during the same period they transferred illegal Tymvou airport’s operation rights [to a private company], a development which will gain acceleration to the economy of the regime, as he said.

Atalay referred to the projects for transferring water and electricity from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus and argued that the future of the Turkish Cypriots will always be better than today. He added, inter alia, the following: “…There is Turkey’s guarantee, economic power and potential. When water and electricity comes, we will see. The cheapening of the electricity will directly be reflected on the social prosperity… There is nothing called uncertainty in the future of the Turks of Cyprus. Let no uncertainty exist for investments, for trade. There is no pessimism for the future. Turkey does whatever it can for contacts abroad. The TRNC will be more advantageous even if it starts living together with the south again, in equal conditions at the negotiating process. In any solution model we want the Turkish Cypriots on this island. All these will strengthen us. Whatever the negotiating process is, the economic strengthening of northern Cyprus will always be in its favor”.

In his statements Kucuk expressed the belief that the regime’s economy will be boosted further with the help of the 2013 -15 economic program. He also said that the “budget” deficit has been reduced thanks to the program.

After the meeting, the Turkish Ministers attended the opening ceremony of the occupied Famagusta-Trikomo divided road and at noon inaugurated the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University’s “Rauf Raif Denktas Culture and Congress Palace”. Atalay and Yildirim attended also the foundation laying ceremony of the so-called Lefkosia Northern Ring Road and participated in an “E-government Executive Board” meeting.

(I/Ts.)

2. Reactions to Atalay’s meddling in UBP’s congress

Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (19.02.13) reports that Bengu Sonya, general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), issued a statement yesterday reacting to the statements made by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot affairs, Besir Atalay, regarding the congress of the National Unity Party (UBP) during a press conference for the economic program of the breakaway regime.

Sonya argued that these statements were “both a shame and a loss” for what he called the “TRNC state”, that is the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He said: “The fact that officials of the ruling party in Turkey and their representatives here, exhibit behaviors which could be perceived as open and without reservations interference in the works of the congress of a political party here and the fact that they behave in a manner that ignores the impressions created by these behaviors in our people and the world, is both a shame and a loss for the TRNC”.

He went on and argued: “With such approaches, the state we have established cannot go further than being an ‘allegation’ and therefore the politics and the political institutions in our country express no other meaning beyond being a race of interest groups under the mask of playing the game of democracy”.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (19.02.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that officials from the Turkish government visit the occupied area of Cyprus showing as pretext some opening ceremonies in order to openly support one of the candidates in the UBP congress. In statements yesterday after the postponement of the meeting of the self-styled assembly due to the lack of quorum, Yorgancioglu said that those UBP “MPs” who oppose Irsen Kucuk did not go to the “parliament” yesterday aiming at dealing a blow to the so-called prime minster. He said that “early elections” were inevitable in order to secure the reshaping of the “will of the people”.

Writing in his column in Yeni Duzen (19.02.13) under the title “Interference in ‘Atalay’s’ way”, Sami Ozuslu writes that Atalay did not content himself only with making statements in favor of Kucuk during a press conference. According to Ozuslu the Turkish Minister visited a coffee shop in occupied Famagusta and gave a message to the people who gathered there to vote in favor of Kucuk in the congress.

Moreover, Yeni Duzen’s (19.02.13) editor-in-chief, Cenk Mutluyakali reports that at the above-mentioned coffee shop, Atalay listened to the problems of the Turkish settlers. Noting that he did not follow this visit, Mutluyakali writes that according to his information, during the meeting Atalay discussed with the settlers the issue of getting the “citizenship” of the regime, some credits etc.

Mutluyakali points out to another interesting, as he describes it, element of Atalay’s visit. He notes that perhaps for the first time in their history, the “president of the republic”, as he calls the Turkish Cypriot leader, was “passed over” during an “official visit” from Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

3. Eroglu admits that there is neither political nor economic stability in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (19.02.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met yesterday with the “chamber of Turkish Cypriot Tradesmen and Craftsmen” who conveyed to him their problems and supported that the “country” experiences a weakness in its “administration”.

In statements during the meeting, Hurrem Tulga, chairman of the “Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Tradesmen and Craftsmen” has stated that they are aware of the fact that Eroglu is interested on the things that are taking place in the “country” and added that if the “country” is not administrated in a good way when the Cyprus negotiation talks will start, and if the “country’s economy” is bad as he said, these will make more difficult Eroglu’s efforts at the table.

Tulga supported that “there is a weakness at the administration and that the country experiences a lack of administration”. He added that the analysis and researches had shown that the country is in a bad condition since, as he said, the unemployment has been increased and the lawsuits at the “courts” had reached to unexpected standards.

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu expressed sorrow over the figures presented and said: “You have described a painful picture, these are the realities in the country”.

Referring to Tulga’s statements that there is a lack of administration in the “country”, Eroglu said that they should in any case start discussing the issue of the stability in the “country”. He added that the economic stability is possible only when the things go well in the economy and said that this will become true only when the people will feel that there is economic growth in the “country”.

Referring to Tulga’s statements that a lot of working places closes and that the “lawsuits” at the “courts” increased since the “people” are not able to pay their debts, Eroglu said that these some of the “realities” are experienced in the “country” and said that these should not be kept secret.

Stating the need for restructure, Eroglu said that the fact that there is “neither political stability nor economic stability” in the “country”, is a reality which should be seen and stressed the need for measures to be taken. Eroglu expressed also the view that what should be done is a restructure in the “country” and especially in the “government departments”, so that to be able to meet the expectations of the “citizens”, as he said.

(AK)

Under the front-page title: “Kalashnikov and 21 thousand bullets in one container”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (19.02.13) reports that the “coastguard team” in Mersina has arrested yesterday a cargo ship belonging to the Akgunler Navigation Company and seized one container Kalashnikov guns and 21 thousand bullets.

According to the paper, the cargo ship has been caught yesterday afternoon travelling from Tasucu port to the occupied area of Cyprus. The cargo ship’s sea route was determined to be Iran-Hatay[Alexandretta], Hatay-Tasucu, Tasucu-“TRNC”. It is estimated also that the weapons were planned to be transferred illegally to the free area of the Republic of Cyprus via the “TRNC”, writes the paper.

The paper points out that it was made known that the Akgunler Maritime Company, as well as the Akgunler Tourism and the Acapulco tourist village belongs, to the Turkish Cypriot businessman Unal Caginer. Also, among the information acquired, is that, the Turkish authorities investigate the case. However, no statement was issued by the occupation regime “authorities”, or from the Akgunler Company.

(AK)

5. Cicek expects the breakaway regime to get as much attention as Kosovo
Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.02.13) reports that the speaker of the Albanian Parliament Jozefina Topalli Coba thanked Turkey's contributions and help in recognition of Kosovo.

Coba and Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek met in Ankara on Monday.

Recalling that the fifth anniversary of Kosovo's independence was celebrated on Sunday, Coba said that they were thankful to Turkey for its efforts in recognition of Kosovo.

Noting that Kosovo was very important for Turkey, Cicek said that Turkey also expected the similar attention for Turkish Cypriots too. Cicek said that Kosovo was recognized by 98 countries so far and added that close cooperation between Turkey and Albania in Balkans was important in the aspects of peace and stability, adding that Albania was a key country for the stability of Balkans.

6. TDP and CTP failed to have a common candidate for the occupied Lefkosia “municipality elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper 19.02.13) reports that the Social Democratic Party (TDP) announced that Dr Suphi Hudaoglu will be the party’s candidate for the forthcoming “elections” for occupied Lefkosia municipality to be held on April 7.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (19.02.13) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will announce its own candidate for the “municipality elections” during a ceremony to be held tonight in occupied Lefkosia. According to Havadis, CTP’s candidate for the position of “mayor” is Kadri Fellahoglu.

7. Bagis: Action plan for chapter 22 to be presented to EU Commission by Turkey
Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.02.13) reports that the Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis referred to the opening of chapter 22 in accession talks with EU and said that they have completed all the criteria about the chapter and the related action plan was planned to be presented to the EU Commission.

Speaking about the EU at a working breakfast, which was held at his ministry in Ankara on Monday, Bagis said, "The new French presidency decided to lift the block in front of one of the chapters especially with the contributions of French business world. Hopefully, we will open a new chapter during the Irish term presidency. The chapter which will be opened is the regional development chapter."

Furthermore, upon a question about the peace process of Kurdish issue in Turkey, Bagis said, "In general, there is a very hopeful atmosphere in Turkey."

8. AK Party might give up on presidential system in case of reconciliation
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (19.02.13) reports that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay stated that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which has long voiced its intention to change Turkey's parliamentary system of government into a presidential administrative structure, will not insist on making the transition if all parties agree on the other aspects of a new constitution.

Speaking to journalists about recent developments during an illegal visit to occupied Cyprus, Atalay said the parliamentary Constitutional Reconciliation Commission is working on drafting the text of the new constitution. He said for the past three electoral periods, the AK Party has promised a new and more democratic constitution to voters. “We have to make a new constitution this term. The Prime Minister says we have been promising a constitution for three terms. Of course, we are pushing for this,” he said.

Atalay noted that the AK Party prioritized consensus and reconciliation in the making of the new constitution, but added that if this cannot be achieved, the government party will look for “alternatives,” such as passing the new constitution with the support of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

The Deputy Prime Minister also gave information about a recent visit from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the province of Mardin and its districts. He said the residents of the Kurdish-dominated provinces had their hopes high about the ongoing peace talks between Turkish officials and the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan. “The region's people have suffered a lot and they want normalization. The issue has ripened now and nobody can stand in the way of this. The main target is disarmament [of the PKK]. There is no diversion from that target.”

9. Poll shows that Turks are against presidential system

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.02.13) reports that the majority of Turks favor the continuation of the parliamentary system rather than the imposition of a presidential one, even though they would prefer seeing the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as president if such a system were imposed, according to a survey.

A majority of 1,000 respondents, 65.8 percent, said they favored the maintenance of a parliamentary system under the country’s new Constitution, according to the survey “Social and Political Trends in Turkey,” which was conducted by Kadir Has University in 26 provinces.

Some 34.3 percent of respondents would like to see Erdogan – who has made no secret of his desire to become head of state with extended powers – as president if the system were redesigned. Twelve percent of respondents said they would want main opposition leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu as president. Current President Abdullah Gul was picked by 10.7 percent of respondents, while 31 percent of respondents did not state their opinion on the issue.

Those who believe that the judiciary is politicized in Turkey slightly increased in 2012 to 52.5 percent over the previous year, the survey said, adding that those who believe in the need for constitutional reforms decreased to 53.2 percent in comparison to 2011.

The survey also said the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) increased its visibility in the media in 2012 by being cited in 1.3 million news items. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has also increased its visibility, showing up in 988,661 news items.

Just 29.9 percent of people believe there is freedom of thought in Turkey, according to the survey, while only 34.2 percent said Turkey was a democratic country, while 28.8 percent of respondents said the press was free in the country.

Those who believe that the military is the solution to terrorism increased to 50. 1 percent in 2012, while those who refuse negotiations with anyone for a solution to terrorism increased to 55.5 percent.

However, more people, 20.5 percent, believe that Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), may be influential in a solution to terrorism, than did so in 2011.

The government’s policies on the Kurdish issue were seen as unsuccessful by 50.5 percent of respondents in 2012, a striking increase in comparison to the 39.7 percent of 2011.

A total of 58.7 percent of respondents that define themselves as Kurds believe that the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) represents Kurdish people in Turkey. However, one in two people who define them selfs as Kurdish believe that the PKK does not represent the ethnic group in Turkey.

Some 87 percent of people also said the BDP and the PKK had organic relations, while four in five people said Ocalan exerted influence over the PKK and the BDP. Also, 68.9 percent of respondents said they believed Kurdish people in Turkey wanted to live in an “independent Kurdish state” in the future.

Those who find the government’s policies successful decreased to 34.7 percent in 2012, while one in three people believed that Turkey could become a member of the European Union. Those who support Turkey’s membership in NATO increased to 66.1 percent in 2012.

10. Ergenekon ‘coup plot’ trial delayed once again

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.02.13) reports that an Istanbul court hearing the 276th case of coup plot trial Ergenekon has rejected all the demands of suspects and postponed the case until March 11, following a police raid on supporters of the suspects, which resulted in injuries.

More than a thousand people, mostly supporters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), clashed with the gendarmerie forces to break the security blockage one hundred meters away from the 13th High Criminal Court on Feb18. Four people were injured and CHP deputy Mahmut Tanal’s ankle bone was broken in the clashes, in which gendarmerie forces used pepper gas and pressurized water to disperse protesters, the majority of whom were over middle aged.

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