TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 64/13 4/4/13
C
O N T E N T S
1.
Ozgrurgun admits Turkish threats against oil companies cooperating with Cyprus;
His comment on the economic crisis: “Greek Cypriots were hoisted by their own
petard”
2.
Gul said Cyprus crisis is chance to end division; Grybauskaite wants to open
one or two chapters for negotiations in Turkey’s EU process
3.
Davutoglu: ‘The new situation in Cyprus presents a new window of opportunity’;
Russia MFA due to Turkey
4.
New smuggling case in occupied Famagusta port: nine arrests, port workers
protest saying the ground for privatization is prepared
5.
Maritime transportation decreases in occupied Cyprus, while the use of occupied
Tymvou airport increases
6.
Inflation increased by 4.32% in occupied Cyprus since last March
7.
Energy Allied Company will reportedly make a huge investment in Turkey in the
area of petrochemicals
8. A
dinner for victims’ families of Mavi Marmara; A victim will donate his
compensation to Hamas
9.
Bagis: Turkey expects Lithuania’s support to EU bid; Cyprus problem in the
agenda
10.
Irish MFA due to Turkey; Cyprus problem also in the agenda
11.
AKP wants commission on solution process for Kurdish problem
12.
A list of “wise men” to help on peace process
1. Ozgrurgun admits Turkish threats against oil
companies cooperating with Cyprus; His comment on the economic crisis: “Greek
Cypriots were hoisted by their own petard”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (04.04.13) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled
foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus, has admitted that the Turks had sent a letter to the companies which
are carrying out explorations for oil and natural gas in Cyprus’s exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) threating them that they would interfere in case they try
to extract hydrocarbon resources.
Addressing a
conference yesterday at Turkey’s Karabuk University on the Cyprus problem,
Ozgurgun said that Turkey and the breakaway regime are also conducting
explorations around the island and alleged that the explorations of Turkey, the
breakaway regime and the Republic of Cyprus in parcel 12 of Cyprus’s EEZ, coincide.
Arguing that
“extensive trouble” exists in parcel 12, Ozgurgun alleged: “We say that the
Turks have also rights on the resources there. Even if these resources are
found, they could be transferred to Europe only through Turkey. There is no
other way. We explain this to our interlocutors. Even if they find [resources],
they have no chance of extracting them by themselves. We have written a letter
to the firms which they are cooperating with. We said: ‘We do hope you do not
attempt to extract. Turkey and we have also rights here. If you try to extract,
we will interfere’. We have submitted a four-article proposal to the Greek
Cypriot side saying ‘if you want, we could extract together’. We gave this
letter to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The Secretary-General informed
us that they tore this letter without opening it”.
Ozgurgun
recalled also that they had started explorations in the area with Piri Reis
vessel. He said that Israeli and American firms had participated in the tenders
invited by the Republic of Cyprus and that Israel, whose relations with Turkey
improved last week, withdrew from these tenders.
Referring to the
economic crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Ozgurgun alleged
that this crisis made the Greek Cypriots more fanatics and the enmity towards
the Turks escalated. He claimed that a Turkish flag was burned last week in the
government-controlled area of the island and that the economic crisis was shown
as pretext for this action. He also alleged that attacks have recently started
against Turkish Moslem monuments in the government-controlled area of Cyprus
and argued that these attacks continue.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.04.13) reports that Ozgurgun argued
that it would not be possible for the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he
described Republic of Cyprus, to be rescued from the crisis. Referring to a
statement issued by Ozgurgun’s so-called ministry, the paper writes that he
alleged that what he described as “intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot
administration” during the negotiating process, which has been going on for
years, caused harm to both and Greek and the Turkish Cypriots.
He argued that
the Greek Cypriots saw that the “unilateral”, as he described it, accession of
Cyprus into the EU could bring bankruptcy instead of any benefit. “The Greek
Cypriot side has paid a very heavy price for its unilateral accession to the
EU”, he claimed alleging that the breakaway regime stands on its feet with
Turkey’s support in spite of the so-called embargoes.
Ozgurgun
expressed the view that the Greek Cypriot people are experiencing very
difficult days because of the wrong and clumsy policies of their administration
and alleged that “the Greek Cypriot administration was hoisted by its own
petard”.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Gul said Cyprus crisis is chance to end division; Grybauskaite wants to open
one or two chapters for negotiations in Turkey’s EU process
Under the title “Turkey says Cyprus
crisis is chance to end division”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
04.04.13) reports, inter alia, the following:
“Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on
Wednesday the financial crisis in Greek Cyprus [Trans. Note: the Republic of
Cyprus] presented an ‘important opportunity’ to end the division of the island.
(…)
The Mediterranean island concluded a 10
billion euro ($13 billion) bailout deal with the euro zone and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday in order to stave off bankruptcy.
(…)
‘There is at the moment significant
economic crisis on the island. This should be seen as important opportunity ...
Because if the island was to unite, there would be a greater economic
potential,’ Gul said during an official visit to Lithuania.
‘There are some restrictions, embargoes
on the island. Our suggestion is to lift any and all kinds of restriction or
embargo simultaneously so that we can create a new climate for moving forward,’
he said.
‘I hope that this message will be well
understood’.”
Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency
(03.04.13) reports that Turkish President Abdullah Gul, speaking at a joint
press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaite in Vilnius
on Wednesday, said that the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should restart
negotiations.
Noting that there was a new government
in the Republic of Cyprus, President Gul said: “Here is our proposal: With a
fresh breath of air and good will, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should
restart negotiations. Let us all be helpful over this matter.”
Commenting on Turkey’s entry
negotiations with the EU, Gul said that they knew the negotiation process was
always difficult for countries with a large population and a big economy.
“Certain countries in the past
experienced such difficulties in their negotiation process. However, we attach
high importance to keep our EU process alive and to complete our EU process
successfully,” Gul stated.
Reminding that Turkey and Lithuania
shared deep historic relations, Gul underlined that Turkey and Lithuania had
signed a friendship agreement back in 1930. “We always supported the NATO
membership of Baltic countries,” Gul emphasized.
“Lithuania will soon assume the EU term
presidency. Knowing President Grybauskaite's experiences in the EU, I am sure
that she will be very successful during Lithuania's term presidency,” Gul said.
“We thank President Grybauskaite for the
support of the Lithuanian government and people to Turkey’s EU bid,” Gul noted.
President Grybauskaite, in her part,
said that Turkey was one of the leaders of the region and an important country
in NATO.
“Ties between Turkey and Lithuania are
not merely limited to bilateral relations. As part of President Gul’s visit,
the Transportation Ministries and national television companies of our two
countries would sign agreements. Our businessmen will sign agreements with
their Turkish counterparts as part of the business forum,” Grybauskaite said.
Reminding that Lithuania would assume
the EU term presidency in the second half of 2013, President Grybauskaite
underlined that Turkey’s EU membership was a crucial topic.
“Lithuania will support Turkey's EU
process. We will make efforts to speed up Turkey's EU process,” Grybauskaite
said.
“During our EU term presidency, we would
like to open up at least one or two chapters for negotiations in Turkey’s EU
process. What is important is that Turkey is a must for Europe. Likewise,
Europe is important for Turkey. Therefore, Turkey’s EU negotiations should not
be delayed,” Grybauskaite said.
3.
Davutoglu: ‘The new situation in Cyprus presents a new window of
opportunity’; Russia MFA due to Turkey
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(03.04.13), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking at a joint press
conference with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Catherine Ashton in Ankara on Wednesday, said “We come together with Ms.
Ashton from time to time with a busy agenda. Today, we discussed the momentum
reached in Turkey-EU relations for the opening of new chapters to negotiations
and the issue of visa exemption (for Turkish citizens).”
“We had a chance to evaluate the talks
for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and the US. As a member of the
Customs Union, Turkey follows very closely the negotiations between the EU and
the US and believes it deserves to be a part of the new system to be
established. We will hold talks on the FTA with both sides. The region to be
formed as a result of the FTA will carry the interests of all sides to the
maximum level,” Davutoglu said.
“During our talks today, the new
situation in Cyprus following the elections in the Greek Cypriot administration
[Trans. Note: Republic of Cyprus] came up. Turkey and the EU believe that the
new situation in the island presents a new ‘window of opportunity’,” Davutoglu
emphasized. He also said that Turkey was ready to contribute for steps to be
taken on the Cyprus problem.
Davutoglu said that he shared Turkey’s
stance on a decision of the Greek Cypriot Assembly on natural resources of the
island with Catherine Ashton. “Turkey's stance is clear. Impositions made
cannot bring any changes in the island,” Davutoglu stressed.
“Consultations on Cyprus will continue”,
Davutoglu noted.
Moreover, A.A. (03.04.13) reports that
Davutoglu, answering a question on the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State
John Kerry to Turkey, said that he invited Kerry to Turkey upon latest
developments in the Middle East. “Mr Kerry and I will discuss the steps to be
taken in the Middle East peace process. We will hold talks on Syria, Iraq and Cyprus
on Sunday,” Davutoglu said.
On the same issue, Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 04.04.13) reports that US State Department
spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that US top diplomat John Kerry would
stage successive visits to Istanbul and Jerusalem this weekend.
U.S. President Barack Obama has
requested his Secretary
of State, John Kerry, to pursue mediation between Turkey and Israel “until the
thaw leads to a complete normalization,” the U.S. State Department said April
3.
Nuland also said the peace process in
the Middle East and a recent letter from Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu regarding Cyprus would be on the agenda during the April 7 meeting.
Meanwhile, HDN also reports that
Davutoglu also said at the joint press conference with Ashton that his Russian
counterpart Sergei Lavrov will visit
Turkey on April 17. Lavrov and Davutoglu will have talks for joint working
group meeting, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. Turkish-Russian
dialogue over Syria intensified following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s
visit to Turkey on Dec. 3.
4. New smuggling case in occupied Famagusta port:
nine arrests, port workers protest saying the ground for privatization is
prepared
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper both yesterday (03.04.13) and today (04.04.13) refers on
its front page to the new case of smuggling of cigarettes in occupied Famagusta
port.
Under the title
“Big smuggling that cannot be prevented”, the paper reported yesterday that “a
new case of smuggling of cigarettes was revealed yesterday [Translator’s note:
the day before yesterday] in Famagusta” and noted that Levent Lama, director of
Bosmar Shipping Ltd, and Ali Gorcam, employee of the same company were arrested
being accused of forging documents at occupied Famagusta port. Levent Lama was
the agent of a ship named Queen Elisabeth under Ukrainian flag, noted Afrika
adding that Sergey Kaliman, captain of the ship, and four members of the crew
were also detained. The ship sailed from occupied Famagusta for Karabagh after
loading cigarettes, some of which it sold with forged documents to another ship
named Tianmjin in the open sea.
Under the title
“Anger against the police and the army for the control”, the paper reports
today that the employees in the so-called “Free Port” of occupied Famagusta
were annoyed by the news published in the press as regards the smuggling of
cigarettes and protested yesterday by leaving their jobs for some time. They
said that the “Free Port” employee was kept in distance [during the operation]
and that the “police”, the army and “custom’s officers” evacuated the ship and
took the cigarettes into the “customhouse’s” warehouse. They argued that with
such incidents the “free port” is denigrated and the ground for its
privatization is prepared.
Under the title
“The number of the arrested rose to nine”, the paper notes also that two more
persons were arrested yesterday regarding the incident. The two persons
arrested yesterday were Aytac Gullu and Alex Kaliman.
(I/Ts.)
5. Maritime transportation decreases in occupied
Cyprus, while the use of occupied Tymvou airport increases
Turkish Cypriot
daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (04.04.13) reports that the navigation is
continuously decreasing in the occupied area of Cyprus and that people prefer
the illegal Tymvou airport for traveling, in spite of the fact that traveling
by ship is cheaper.
According to the
paper, one million 171 thousand and 199 passengers preferred to enter into the
occupied area of the island in 2011 using illegal Tymvou. This number increased
to one million 340 thousand 370 persons in 2012.
Citing
information given by the “central bank” of the breakaway regime, the paper
reports that one million 413 thousand passengers visited the occupied area
through the sea ports and illegal Tymvou airport in 2012. This number is by 12%
higher than the number of visitors in 2011 which was one million 252 thousands.
According to the
data, 67.642 persons entered through the occupied port of Keryneia in 2011 and
13.423 through the occupied port of Famagusta. These numbers were 58.325 and
14.326 respectively in 2012.
According to the
paper, 904.505 visitors from Turkey, 261.681 foreigners and 246.835 “TRNC
citizens” entered into the occupied area of Cyprus in 2012.
(I/Ts.)
6. Inflation increased by 4.32% in occupied Cyprus
since last March
Turkish Cypriot
daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (04.04.13) reports that the consumer price index,
which is regarded as an indication for inflation, increased by 0.20% in March,
according to Ali Korhan, “advisor” at the so-called state planning
organization. He said that consumer price index increase by 0.66% in comparison
to December 2012 and by 4.32% in comparison to March 2012. The price of 170
products included in the index increased and the price of 104 products
decreased.
(I/Ts.)
7. Energy Allied Company will reportedly make a
huge investment in Turkey in the area of petrochemicals
Under the title
“US company to invest USD $3 bln in Turkey”, Ankara Anatolia news agency
reports from Austin that the Turkish Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan stated
on Thursday that they have reached the final stage in a possible agreement with
Energy Allied, a US company willing to invest in Turkey and the company was
planning to make an investment worth 3 billion dollars within scope of the
incentives. Caglayan held a press conference in regards to his Texas talks in
Austin prior to departing for Los Angeles.
Caglayan stated
that they have reached the final stage with Energy Allied, an energy company
willing to invest in Turkey in the area of petrochemicals.
Noting that
Energy Allied was planning to establish facilities to produce coal, ammonium
and sulphuric acid, Caglayan said they were also ambitious about producing an
alternative fuel for diesel which would highly benefit Turkey as it is 70
percent foreign dependent.
Caglayan stated
that this investment would decrease Turkey's imports by 1.5 billion dollars,
increase its exports and create jobs for 4,000 people in the country.
Referring to the
Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement between the EU and US, Caglayan argued that
“the quotas imposed on our products have taken our right of freedom of
movement”.
He also claimed
that the Customs Union Agreement between EU and Turkey created unfair
competition and added that a free trade agreement between the EU and US would
mean a disaster for Turkey.
Caglayan said
that once the Kurdish issue was solved, huge investments would be made in
Turkey's eastern and southeastern regions.
8.
A dinner for victims’ families of Mavi Marmara; A victim will donate his
compensation to Hamas
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 03.04.13), under the title “Mavi Marmara victim to donate compensation
to Hamas, Islamic Jihad”, reports, inter alia, the following:
“One of the victims of the Israeli raid
on the Mavi Marmara aid flotilla has announced that he will donate the
compensation to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (…)
Activist Mehmet Tunc said he would
donate the compensation to Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine himself, adding
that he would not touch even ‘one Turkish Lira’ of it at a press conference
today.
Tunc had been a volunteer on the Mavi
Marmara ship traveling to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. He told
reporters that nine of his friends had been martyred by the Israeli forces in a
raid he called ‘against international law’.
(…)
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent
Arinc and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu hosted the families of the Mavi
Marmara victims late April 2. The Ministers informed the families at a dinner
about the recent reconciliation process between Turkey and Israel, which was
started by an Israeli apology for the losses in the Mavi Marmara incident. The
lawyers of the families were also present at the meeting.
The families have not yet made their final
decision as to whether accept the compensation that will eventually be offered
by Israel and withdraw from cases against Israeli soldiers, according to
sources.
Arinc said that the families had said
that ‘any words about compensation would sadden them. The core of the issue is
the apology and lifting of the embargo [on the Gaza Strip]. The government’s
work on compensation would be right for them as well.’
According to Arinc, Israel’s acceptance
of paying compensation would lead to the withdrawal of the lawsuits over the
case -- in particular the high-profile trial in absentia of four Israeli
ex-military chiefs by an Istanbul court. ‘Two things cannot happen at the same
time: They [the families] will either accept the compensation or they will wait
for the conclusion of the lawsuits,’ he said in a televised interview.
He also went further, saying that all 10
families of the victims should accept Israeli compensation; otherwise it would
not be possible for Turkey and Israel to reach a deal.”
On the same issue, Turkish daily Today’s
Zaman (online, 03.04.13), under the title “Families of Mavi Marmara victims
meet Davutoglu ahead of compensation talks”, reports that the dinner at
Davutoglu's official residence came as Turkey and Israel prepare for talks on
compensation to be paid to the bereaved and those who were injured in the 2010
raid on the aid ship Mavi Marmara. Speaking in a televised interview on Monday
night, Arinc said an Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Turkey on
April 11 for talks aimed at working out the compensation issue.
Compensation is one of the three
conditions Turkey has put forward for normalization of ties with Israel, along
with an official apology and the lifting of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
9.
Bagis: Turkey expects Lithuania’s support to EU bid; Cyprus problem in the
agenda
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(03.04.13), Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis on
Wednesday met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius in
Vilnius.
According to diplomatic sources, Bagis
was accompanying Turkish President Abdullah Gul and told Linkevicius that
Turkey expected Lithuania’s support to Turkey’s EU bid to continue during
Lithuania’s EU term presidency which would begin on July 1, 2013.
Bagis also told Linkevicius that Turkey
hoped Lithuania would encourage the EU to open new chapters in Turkey’s
accession talks.
Linas Linkevicius, in his part, said
that Lithuania would continue to support Turkey’s EU membership.
Linkevicius indicated that they would
work with EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy,
Stefan Fule on new chapters to be opened in Turkey’s accession talks.
Egemen Bagis and Linkevicius also
discussed the latest situation in Turkey-EU negotiations, readmission
agreement, and the Cyprus problem.
10.
Irish MFA due to Turkey; Cyprus problem also in the agenda
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(03.04.13), the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), in a written
statement released on Wednesday, said that Irish Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore will be in Turkey between
April 7 and 10.
Gilmore will meet with Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul on April 7 and the two Ministers would
discuss Turkey-Ireland relations, Turkey-EU relations, Cyprus problem and
current regional and international issues, the MFA said.
On April 8, Gilmore will visit Syrians
staying in Gaziantep. On April 9, Minister Gilmore will meet with Turkish President
Abdullah Gul and Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis in
Ankara. Gilmore will meet with Turkish business circles in Istanbul on April
10.
11.
AKP wants commission on solution process for Kurdish problem
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(03.04.13), an executive of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has
said they would present a motion for creation of a parliamentary commission on
solution process for Kurdish issue.
Nurettin Canikli, AK Party group deputy
chairman, said on Wednesday that they would present the motion for formation of
a parliamentary inquiry commission regarding the solution process for Kurdish
issue.
Canikli also called on other political
parties to participate in setting up such a commission.
Moreover, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 04.04.13), under the title “AKP offers assembly panel for Kurdish
bid”, reports that the government floats the idea of establishing a legislative
commission to contribute to the ongoing peace process, but members of the BDP
and main opposition CHP remain coy on the issue.
The paper also reports that it is not
clear whether the formula will satisfy the main opposition party, which
resolutely demands Parliament lead the process, or the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which both maintain that the
planned retreat of the group’s militants is not possible without legal
guarantees. BDP deputy parliamentary group chair Idris Baluken expressed
caution on the motion yesterday. Baluken said the content of the proposal
seemed problematic and that they would prefer that a commission be formed
through the adoption of a law.
Both the BDP and the main opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) have in the past introduced proposals to form
“a truth and reconciliation commission”.
Although not having the same
characteristic, the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) proposal and
the past proposals by the BDP and the CHP are likely to be assessed together by
the Parliamentary Speaker’s Office.
Still, a leading deputy of the BDP
already welcomed the initiative. “The establishment of the commission is
important. It will make a contribution to this process. As the BDP, we will
take part in it,” BDP Diyarbakır deputy Altan Tan said.
12.
A list of “wise men” to help on peace process
Under the title “Government selects
prominent figures for 'wise people' list to help on peace process”, Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 03.04.13) reports, inter alia, the
following:
“Journalists dominated a government list
of ‘wise people’ who will meet with PM Erdogan to discuss the further efforts
to solve the Kurdish issue.
Artists, a musician, a large group of
journalists, academics, intellectuals and representatives from non-governmental
organizations, were included on a long-awaited list of ‘wise people’, a
government initiative that will take an active role in the country’s recent
efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue.
The 63 prominent names on the list were
carefully picked by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Deputy Prime Minister
Bulent Arinc said after a press meeting today.
The seven groups of wise people, each of
which will represent one of the seven geographical regions in Turkey, are set
to meet with Erdogan in Istanbul on April 4.
Several Turkish celebrities, including
actors Kadir Inanır, Lale Mansur, Yilmaz Erdogan, Hulya Kocyigit and musician
Orhan Gencebay, were named in a government list published on daily Hurriyet’s
website.
Turkish Union of Chambers and
Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Dogan TV Holding
Chairwoman Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag and prominent academic Murat Belge are some
of the other figures on the list.
Each group has a president, a vice
president and a secretary and consists of nine people. Meeting with opinion
leaders; holding symposiums, panels and conferences; making one-on-one
contacts; and getting in touch with local, national and international media are
among the things the commission members are expected to do, according to Erdogan.
(…)
Main opposition Republican People’s
Party (CHP) deputy leader Haluk Koc mocked the group, saying it would act like
companies or agencies that were running the government’s electoral campaigns.
‘The group looks like a cadre of public servants, to act like a bridge to carry
the Prime Minister’s views to the public,’ he said.
CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has
appointed Akif Hamzacebi, the party’s deputy parliamentary group chair, to
refocus attention on the party’s previous suggestions on the Kurdish issue,
sources said. Speaking during his party’s central executive board meeting in
Ankara, Kilicdaroglu called for several issues, including a proposal to lower
the election threshold and demine areas in the southeast, to be brought to
Parliament, they also said.
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair
Gultan Kisanak also criticized the formation of the list, saying that it did
not have a sufficient number of females, academics and people who could help
the Kurdish people express themselves directly.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy
parliamentary group chair Oktay Vural likened the group to the body that was
formed by the Armistice of Mudros after World War I, which aimed at preventing
an Anatolian uprising against the invaders.
(…)
Heads of wise people groups
The head of the Mediterranean Region
Committee, M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu is the President of The Union of Chambers
and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), which is the largest non-profit
business organization in Turkey, covering 365 Chambers and Commodity Exchanges.
The head of the Eastern Anatolia Region
Committee, Can Paker, is the chairman of the board of the Turkish Economic and
Social Studies Foundation (TESEV). Until last year he was also the chairman of
the board of the Open Society Institute’s Istanbul branch from 2002.
The head of the Aegean Region Committee,
Tarhan Erdem, is a columnist for daily Radikal and founded the KONDA Research
and Consultancy organization in 1987. Erdem was a Member of Parliament for the
Republican People’s Party (CHP) in 1977.
The head of the Southeastern Anatolia
Region Committee, Yilmaz Ensaroglu, is currently working as the Director of Law
and Human Rights Department of SETA (Foundation for Political, Economic and
Social Research).
The head of the Central Anatolia Region
Committee, Ahmet Tasgetiren, is a columnist for daily Bugun and an author. He
also has several programs on radios and TV channels.
The head of the Marmara Region
Committee, Deniz Ulke Aribogan, is a member of the Board of Trustees at
Istanbul Bilgi University and is currently continuing her academic works in the
fields of international relations and political science. She is also a
columnist for the daily Aksam.
The head of the Black Sea Region
Committee, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sevki Hakyemez, is the Deputy Rector of the Black
Sea Technical University, and a professor of public law.”
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
