TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 81/13 27-29/4/13
C O N T E N T S
1. Eroglu sends a
letter to Barosso
2. Davutoglu reiterates his proposal for
official division of Cyprus
3. US Congressmen send a letter to UNSG and EU
officials on Cyprus
4. “The ‘Cyprus cauldron’ will boil again!”
5. BesirAtalay will reportedly not meet with
Eroglu during his illegal visit to occupied Cyprus
6. Cyprus problem was in the agenda in the Bozer-Gul meeting
7. Downer met with Kucuk
8.
Thirty seven Palestinian refugees took shelter in the occupied area of Cyprus
9.
So-called head of the “religious affairs department” continues his contacts in
Egypt; he asked for the establishment of ties between Egypt and the occupation
regime
10. Tatar said that interest for properties in
the breakaway regime rose due to the economic crisis in Cyprus
11. Trade base on Green Line Regulation has
been decreased
12. Turkey became “dialogue partner” with Shanghai
Cooperation Organization”
13. Gul to visit Portugal
14. Turkey allocated one billion USD for Egyptian projects
15. Bagis says Washington excited about Turkish PM's
upcoming visit to US
16. New Constitution and BDP’s red lines
17. Raki to become Turkey’s “national alcoholic drink” if
accepted by European body
18. The distribution of Turkish military spending
1. Eroglu sends a
letter to Barosso
Turkish Cypriot KibrisPostasi newspaper (29.04.13,
online) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has sent a letter
to the President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barossotelling him that the Turkish Cypriot side expects the Commission to
prevent any action that “ignores the sensitivities on the island”.
According to the paper, Eroglu noted that he felt the need to convey to Barosso
his concerns regarding some developments, which took place in the EU.
Saying that he
congratulated President Anastasiades after the latter’s victory in the
elections and invited him to a meeting for determining a road map for the
commencement of the talks with the aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem, Eroglu added:
“While the Turkish
Cypriot side takes positive and constructive steps for finding an overall
solution to the Cyprus problem, the fact that the General Secretariat of the
European Commission has sent a letter that instructs all general directors and
heads of departments to use the Greek
names in the signboards and names for northern Cyprus, is unfortunate. Such
a move is far from contributing in the possibility of an agreement to be
reached by the two sides on the island. We expect from the European Commission,
as one of the leading institutions of the EU, to prevent any act which will
ignore the sensitivities on the island”.
Eroglu said that using
the mother tongue is one of the most fundamental human rights protected with
various agreements and conventions of the EU and argued that it is Turkish
Cypriots’ “most natural right” to use signboards and names in the Turkish
language, which is their mother tongue.
Eroglu claimed that
the Turkish language has been registered as one of the official languages of
the EU in 2004 with the accession of the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he
called the Republic of Cyprus. He argued that in spite of all the calls made by
the Turkish Cypriots in the direction of accepting the Turkish as one of EU’s
official languages, the Greek Cypriots refuse to do this and in this manner
they allegedly violate article three of their own constitution.
Eroglu also said that
another issue, which caused disappointment to them, was the fact that the
European Commission’s Directorate-General for Transports demanded from the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot civilian
organizations, who participate in working visits in Brussels, to travel through
the Larnaca International Airport. “I would like to bring to your attention
that there is no international decision that prevents the use of the ports in
northern Cyprus”, he alleged and argued that “it is not practical” for the
Turkish Cypriots to use the Larnaca Airport. At the same time, he claimed,
forcing them to do so is contrary to the EU norms and values.
Eroglu told Barosso
that he hoped that next month he will meet with President Anastasiades and that
this meeting could be the means for the commencement of the negotiations.
Eroglu concluded by
arguing that avoiding decisions and actions as the above-mentioned decisions of
the EU is of vital importance for not harming the efforts for finding a
solution.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Davutoglu reiterates his proposal for official division of Cyprus
Under the title “Proposal with three
alternatives”, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (29.04.13) reports that
the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu has argued that UN
Secretary-General special advisor for Cyprus, Alexander Downer should have acted
right after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and launch a
“new negotiating process”.
Commenting on Downer’s visit to Turkey,
Davutoglu said that the economic crisis in the government-controlled area of
Cyprus and the internal discussions delayed these contacts and argued that the
picture in Cyprus is very clear. He alleged that on the one hand there is a
side which wants the immediate commencement of the negotiations and a solution,
and on the other there is a side which prolongs the problem and finds various
pretexts.
Davutoglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot
side has interrupted the negotiations last year showing as pretext the
presidential elections in the government-controlled area of the island and
allegedly hoped that it would impose some things on Turkey during its EU term
presidency.
Claiming that the pretext now is the
economic crisis, Davutoglu argued: “…An important question is when these
pretexts will end and they will seriously sit at the table. While these
pretexts are prepared, the Greek Cypriot administration [Translator’s note: as
he described the government of the Republic of Cyprus] issues from its
parliament a law regarding the natural resources. They do not wait at all for
these procedures, but they make up a lot of excuses when they need to negotiate
and participate in the peace process. I will discuss these things tomorrow with
Mr Downer”.
Davutoglu said that he had discussed the
issue in the contacts he held last weeks with the Russian and American Foreign
Ministers, Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry respectively, as well as with the High
Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Catherine Ashton.
Noting that he would convey to Downer
what he discussed in these contacts, Davutoglu added: “This process should
start somehow now and a stance on this problem should be exhibited. If these
pretexts will continue, my three-alternative proposal is always on the table.
Either they will come and we will find a solution or let us achieve an
agreement that encompasses these resources in the context of a limited solution
if they could not go for a definite overall solution, or if they say that
‘these resources belong to us and the resources in the north belong to the
Turks’, this means that the time of thinking about a two state solution has
come”.
Noting that there are enough problems in
the Eastern Mediterranean, Davutoglu argued that instead of creating more
problems we should solve the Cyprus problem the soonest, as this problems had
allegedly reached close to a solution, which had not been possible because of
what he described as the “lack of will” of the Greek Cypriots and their “no”
vote.
He said that he tell Downer that we
should find a solution in the one or the other way by negotiating.
(I/Ts.)
3.
US Congressmen send a letter to UNSG and EU officials on Cyprus
Under the title “Call for urgent
solution for Cyprus”, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (29.04.13) reports
that two US Congressmen, Ed Whitfield and Steve Cohen have signed a letter
calling on the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon to bring the two community
leaders in Cyprus together for finding an urgent solution to the Cyprus
problem.
According to the paper, the two
Congressmen are co-chairmen of the friends of Turkey Group at the US House of
Representatives. The letter has reportedly been prepared by Steve Cohen, who
expressed their support to the recommencement of the negotiations for the
reunification of the island on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
The letter, which has been sent to the
members of the Congress asking for their signature, argues that the economic
crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus has turned the solution of
the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the island into a necessity.
The letter will be sent to the UN
Secretary-General, the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, President Anastasiades,
the Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Greece, the USA and the UK, as well as to the
President of the EU Commission and other EU officials.
(I/Ts.)
4.
“The ‘Cyprus cauldron’ will boil again!”
Under the above title Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibrisli newspaper (29.04.13) reports that activity is beginning again on
the Cyprus problem. “The well-known countries are leading the way. America, one
of the creators of the Annan Plan, is stepping in again”, writes that paper,
which refers to the letter on Cyprus to be sent by US Congressmen to the UN
Secretary-General and to the statements made by the Turkish Foreign Minister,
regarding his so-called proposal of three alternatives, one of which provides
for the official division of Cyprus.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily
HalkinSesi newspaper (27.04.13) also referred to the Cyprus problem under the
banner front-page title “Activity is increasing” and reported that the efforts
for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem gained acceleration again. The
paper referred to the visits of Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s
special adviser on Cyprus, to the self-styled prime minister, IrsenKucuk and
the “minister” of foreign affairs, HuseyinOzgrugun.
The paper noted also that the Cyprus
problem was on the agenda in Ankara on Friday, as HasanBozer and SunatAtun,
self-styled speaker of the “assembly” of the regime and self-styled minister of
energy respectively, held separate meetings with President Gul and the Deputy
Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus, BesirAtalay. The paper wrote that Atun
said that he had briefed Atalay mainly on the economic developments on the
island, the ongoing explorations for oil and natural gas and the investments.
(I/Ts.)
5.
BesirAtalay will reportedly not meet with Eroglu during his illegal visit to
occupied Cyprus
Under the title “Relations have been
interrupted!” Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (29.04.13) reports that
the AKP government has interrupted its relations with Turkish Cypriot leader,
DervisEroglu and holds its discussions with the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the
occupied area of Cyprus, through the self-styled prime minister, IrsenKucuk.
The paper writes that BesirAtalay has
not even informed Eroglu’s office about the program of his current illegal
visit to the occupied area of Cyprus and that there is no preparation at
Eroglu’s office for receiving a Minister from Turkey. The paper cites political
observers, who said that in absolutely no other period in the history of the
relations between the “TRNC” and Turkey, the so-called president, who is
considered as community leader by the UN, has not been “excluded” so much.
Atalay arrived last night to the
occupied area of Cyprus for a two-day visit during which he will not meet with
DervisEroglu. Atalay is illegally visiting the occupied area of the island upon
invitation by IrsenKucuk, with whom he will reportedly exchange views mainly on
investments in the field of tourism and other economic and financial issues.
After the meeting to be held today between
Atalay and Kucuk, they are expected to sign various “protocols”, which will be
facilitating cheap and easy loans to tradesmen. After the meeting, Atalay and
Kucuk are expected to hold a joint press conference.
(I/Ts.)
6. Cyprus problem was in the agenda in the Bozer-Gul
meeting
According to illegal Bayrak
television (27.04.13), the so-called speaker of “TRNC’s assembly” HasanBozer,
evaluating his meeting with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul during his
contacts in Ankara, said that the Cyprus problem topped the agenda of their
meeting with Gul.
Bozer said he and Gul are
sharing the same opinion for the re-start of the negotiations process as soon
as possible.
As part of their contacts in
Ankara, Bozer also met with the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP)
Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
7. Downer met with Kucuk
According to illegal Bayrak
television (27.04.13), the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for
Cyprus Alexander Downer met with so-called prime ministerIrsenKucuk on Friday.
Speaking after his meeting with Downer, Kucuk said that 2013 will be the most
appropriate year for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Kucuk also said that he told
the UN envoy that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to do all its best in
order to reach a settlement in Cyprus.
“We are continuing to put
forward all our best in order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. I once
again told Mr Downer that we will always be the supporter of a solution which
will be find within the framework of UN parameters”, Kucuk claimed.
8.Thirty
seven Palestinian refugees took shelter in the occupied area of Cyprus
Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.04.13)
reported that a total of 37 Palestinians, who have been living in the Greek
Cypriot side, took shelter in the “TRNC” as they were subjected to pressure and
maltreatment.
The Palestinians, who have been living in
the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus for seven years as
refugees, applied to the “TRNC Refugee Rights Association” to take shelter in
the “TRNC”.
The chairman of the “Association”
CerenGoynuklu told the Turkish press that there was no regulation in the “TRNC”
regarding a refugee mechanism, and this might create an international problem.
Goynuklu said that 37 Palestinians,
including 21 children, arrived in the “TRNC” having a tourist visa for 30 days.
One of the Palestinians told Turkish
press that they had been staying in Greek Cypriot side under very harsh
circumstances, adding that they had been under pressure there because they were
Muslims. “The EU has refugee rights but these rights don't work in the Greek
Cypriot administration”, he argued.
Meanwhile, the “TRNC” Red Crescent
extended a helping hand to the Palestinians.
Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot
daily Gunes (29.04.13) reports on statements by a 58 years old Palestinian
refugee, father of 6 children who had asked for shelter in the occupied area of
Cyprus and writes that the above person who wanted to remain anonymous said
that while they were living in the “south” they did not had a work or a place
to stay. “In the past, a total of 500 families from Palestine were living to
Larnaka. But, because of the pressure exerted by the Greek Cypriot side and the
bad implementations, now only 100 families remained in Larnaka. And those
families, the same like us want to take shelter in other countries. The EU has
laws about the rights of the refugees but South Cyprus does not implement
these. How south Cyprus is an EU member? We ask from Premier RecepTayyip
Erdogan to extend his hand and help us. We know that he (Erdogan) constitutes
the voices of the Palestine in the world”.
(AK)
9.So-called
head of the “religious affairs department” continues his contacts in Egypt; he
asked for the establishment of ties between Egypt and the occupation regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (28.04.13)
reported that the “head” of the “Religious affairs department” in the occupied
area, Dr.TalipAtalay who is illegally carrying “official contacts” in Egypt,
met with the rector and the vice-rector of the Al-Azhar University, Dr. Osman
Al-Abd and Dr.Farid Hamada, respectively.
According to information acquired by the
so-called religious affairs department, during the meeting, Atalay thanked the
rector and the vice rector of the Al-Azhar University for their warm interest
and expressed hopes that Egypt will overcome the difficult period it entered.
Atalay referred also to the ties of Egypt
with the Greek Cypriot side, and asked for the establishment of ties with the
“TRNC” in all fields, as he said, pointing out the need for balancing out of
the situation.
In statements also during the meeting,
Hamada expressed regret over the fact that no relations were developed between
Egypt and the “TRNC” so far, adding that they are ready to do the necessary in
order to cooperate and provide assistance to the occupation regime.
(AK)
10. Tatar said that interest for properties
in the breakaway regime rose due to the economic crisis in Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (29.04.13) reports that the self-styled minister
of finance Ersin Tatar held a meeting with representatives of the companies
which participated in the Saint Petersburg "International Property
Show", which took place between 29-30 of March 2013.
Speaking
during the meeting, Tatar stated that the participants paid a very useful
service to the “country” and added that the interest for properties in occupied
Cyprus has been rose due to the economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus. He
also said that the participation in international exhibitions and fairs is the
“duty of fighters (for a sacred cause of idea)” for the persons living in the
breakaway regime.
11. Trade base on Green Line Regulation has
been decreased
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.04.13) reports that trade base on Green Line
Regulation has been decreased, according to information obtained by the Turkish
Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTSO).
The
paper writes the selling of goods to the Republic of Cyprus was 613.267 Euro
for the two first months of the year 2013, which is the lowest amount since
2006.
According
to KTSO, the reason for this is the economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus.
The
paper publishes a table regarding the trade base on Green Line Regulation to
the Republic of Cyprus starting from 2004 until 2013 which is as follows:
Year
|
Total
|
2013
(January-February)
|
634.266
|
2012
|
8.944.202
|
2011
|
29.407.435
|
2010
|
5.909.238
|
2009
|
6.006.347
|
2008
|
7.172.115
|
2007
|
4.125.547
|
2006
|
3.228.342
|
2005
|
1.673.459
|
2004 (August-December)
|
470.821
|
12. Turkey became “dialogue partner” with Shanghai
Cooperation Organization”
According to Ankara Anatolia
news agency (29.04.13), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters
on Sunday that Turkey, which became “dialogue partner” with Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO), was the first NATO member state establishing such
a relation with SCO. He added that Turkey approved dialogue partnership with
SCO in June 2012 and recently put a signature on the deal.
Noting that Turkey was located
in a multi-dimensional geography and interested in many foreign policies on the
same scale, Davutoglu said that Turkey, due to its situation, became member or
partner of many international organizations.
None of them is an alternative
to another, said Davutoglu, adding that Turkey’s relations with EU did not mean
that it would stay away from SCO which was Asia’s most comprehensive security
and cooperation organization.
13. Gul to visit Portugal
According to Ankara Anatolia
news agency (29.04.13), Turkish President Abdullah Gul will travel to Portugal
between May 5 and 8 upon an invitation by his Portuguese counterpart
AnibalCavaco Silva.
Gul will visit the Portuguese
Parliament and hold talks with Portugal's President Silva, Parliament Speaker
Maria da AssuncaoEsteves and Prime Minister Pedro Manuel Passos Coelho,
according to a statement released by the Turkish Presidency on Friday.
Gul will hold talks in Lisbon
in regards to Turkey's EU accession process, current and regional international
issues and cooperation opportunities alongside bilateral relations. Gul will also address participants at the
Turkish-Portuguese Business Forum's closing session.
14. Turkey allocated one billion USD for Egyptian
projects
According to Ankara Anatolia
news agency (28.04.13), Egyptian Minister of Finance El-MursiHegazy told AA
that Turkey extended two billion USD to Egypt, and one billion USD of this
money had been put into Central Bank in December 2012, and the remaining one
billion USD was allocated to infrastructure projects in the country.
Hegazy said that Egyptian
government decided to use one billion USD to develop infrastructure services
and to purchase buses fuelled by natural gas.
Hegazy appreciated Turkey's
help to Egypt which had been passing through a sensitive period.
15. Bagis says Washington excited about Turkish PM's
upcoming visit to US
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(online, 28.04.13), with the above title, reports that EU Affairs Minister and
Chief Negotiator EgemenBagis has stated that the American side is preparing for
Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan's upcoming visit to the US in mid-May with
great care, adding that Washington is excited to receive a visit from the
Turkish Prime Minister.
“The preparations for the visit
are being done with great sensitivity and the instructions regarding the
preparations for the visit are being given by US President Barack Obama in
person,” said Bagis, speaking to Turkish journalists in Washington during his
visit to the US on Saturday.
Erdogan, set to visit the US on
May 16, is scheduled to meet with Obama, who has a close relationship with the
Turkish Prime Minister.
“As a person who has closely
followed the last 30 years of Turkish-American relations, I would like to
stress that this is the first time I have seen the American side this excited
about a Prime Minister's visit to their country,” said Bagis.
Bagis also stated that one of
the aims of Erdogan's visit was to strengthen the trade relations between
Turkey and the US, which already enjoys good political and military relations
with Turkey.
Stating that the US was an
important trading partner for Turkey, Bagis added that approximately 60 leading
businessmen would accompany Erdogan on his visit to the US.
16. New Constitution and BDP’s red lines
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 29.04.13), with the above title, reports that when the Head of
the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Board Murat Karayilan explained
Thursday at the Kandil Mountains base that they were expecting constitutional
reforms in the second phase following the withdrawal, eyes turned naturallyto
the Parliament.
Topping the proposals, which
contain features of “red lines” for the Kurds, are “equal citizenship, equal
representation.” While the BDP wants “We, the people of Turkey” written openly
in the Constitution preamble, it says: “We believe all individuals and people
have universal human rights and freedoms. We regard everybody equal regardless
of their race, language, sect, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background
and any similar discrimination. All different identities, cultures, languages
and beliefs existing in Turkey are under the assurance of this constitution...”
BDP sees this definition as “the charter of the intention of cohabitation...”
BDP has important demands
regarding the characteristics of the state of the Republic of Turkey, maybe in
which it overlaps with the AKP the most in this aspect: “The Republic of Turkey
is a democratic, secular and social state based on human rights and the rule of
law. The state recognizes the pluralism regarding ideologies, religions,
beliefs and life styles and remains neutral before the pluralist structure of
the society. No ideology, religion, belief or life style can be protected or
guarded by the state.”
The “sine qua non” of our present
Constitution, the “Ataturk principles and nationalism” emphasis is not included
in the BDP draft preamble, just like the AKP draft. However, the BDP does not
have any problems with the symbols of the state. It does not oppose the flag,
national anthem or the capital city. However, differing from the present
constitution on the language issue, it favours the expression, “The state’s
official language is Turkish.” The BDP, with this, wants to open the way to
mother tongue education.
AKP defines Turkish as the
“official language” in its draft. The BDP says, “Other main languages people of
Turkey speak may be used as second official languages upon decisions of local
governments. Everybody has the right to use their own mother tongue alongside
the official language in their private life and in their relations with public
authorities.”
One of BDP’s distinct red lines
is the definition of “citizenship.” BDP prioritizes this definition in the
article for “Citizens of Turkey.” BDP proposes, “In obtaining, maintaining and
losing citizenship of Turkey, no differentiation is made regarding language,
religion, race, ethnic background, culture, gender, sexual orientation and
similar differences.”
The BDP, different from AKP,
CHP and MHP, asks for constitutional assurances for “conscientious objection”
and for the “right to cultural identity.”
The Peace and Democracy Party
(BDP), in contrast with the other parties, demands that the following is
written in the Constitution: “Everybody has a right to live in peace and in a
disarmed society.” The BDP proposes that the state takes measures for to make
it difficult to access arms, in a sense, attempting to carry the peace process
to the constitutional platform on a permanent basis. The BDP also proposes that
constitutional assurances are given for the “setting up of a Parliamentary
commission to determine war damages, compensation, and for mine clearing.
17. Raki to become Turkey’s “national alcoholic drink” if
accepted by European body
Under the above title, Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 28.04.13) reports that Turkey’s Traditional
Alcoholic Beverage Producers Association (GISDER) has applied to the European
Union Commission Codex to patent raki as Turkey’s national drink, as Prime
Minister RecepTayyipErdogan’s words disowning the traditional drink continue to
dominate the country’s public debate.
GISDER has been working for the
past two years in an attempt to patent the drink as “Turkish raki,” which
included initial legal processes at the Turkish Patent Institute. With the
patent having been received from Turkish officials, the association now aims to
patent the drink abroad, starting with the European Union.
The final decision of the European
body will come in a year, GISDER head EgemenDemirtas said, adding that whiskey,
cognac, brandy and champagne have all previously been identified and recognized
by the Codex. Demirtas added that if it received the patent, it would remove
inferior-quality products, mostly produced in Germany, from the market.
Erdogan recently vowed to
introduce further measures to decrease alcohol consumption, dismissing the
general notion that considered raki as the traditional Turkish drink. Erdogan
had said that Turkey’s real national drink instead was ayran, a beverage made
of yogurt and salt, adding that further prevention policies against alcohol
consumption were in the party’s plans for the near-future.
18. The distribution of Turkish military spending
Under the title “Can the peace
process cut the high security budget?”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 27.04.13) reports that Turkey’s military spending constitutes 4% of
the country’s GDP. It might even reach 5% if confidential spending is added to
that. If we retrench by 20% (one percentage point) it would be about 15 billion
Turkish Liras ($8.3 billion). It is not a small amount, but it is not as much
as to sweep us off,” says Professor SeyfettinGursel, an academic at Bahcesehir
University and an economy writer, in his column in daily Radikal on March 28.
Professor AsafSavasAkat, an
academic at Bilgi University, also wrote about military spending in his column
in daily Vatan on March 21. “It is even said that the 30-year cost of a war is
$400 billion. Official annual military spending is 4% of the national income.
It would reach 5% with the additions of confidential ones. To illustrate, a
two-point austerity corresponds to 30 billion liras ($16.6 billion) annually.
It is a considerable source. Remember that the total public investment in 2012
was 50 billion liras ($27.8 billion). If it is invested in infrastructure, for
instance, there would be a 60% increase [in total public investment],” Akat
says.
The real extent of military
spending always remains a “secret.” The claims written above are not based on
any scientific research. The only entity conducting such studies is the Public
Expenditures Monitoring Platform. A study led by Professor NurhanYenturk tries
to shed light on the real aspects of public, military and domestic safety
expenditures.
Yenturk, who conducts
monitoring work at Bilgi University on military and domestic safety spending
under the title of “nongovernmental organization activities,” states that only
a certain part of the military spending could be fully monitored, while some
portion of it could be relatively observed, and the rest could only be based on
bare presumptions. From the database of the Finance Ministry’s General
Directorate of Public Accounts, the spending of the Defence Ministry,
gendarmerie, Defence Fund and Coast Guard Security could be monitored.
The total spending of these
institutions is estimated about 27 billion liras ($15 billion) for 2012.
Moreover, the secret service expenses that could be only limitedly monitored,
the expenses of village guards, funds allocated to the Scientific and Technical
Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and the Mechanical and Chemical Industry
Corporation (MKEK), the aid sent to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
and foreign military debt discharges correspond to 10% of the overall monitored
spending, thus total military spending in 2012 reached nearly 30 billion liras.
The paper publishes the
following table on military spending in 2012:
