TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 94/13 21/05/13
C O N T E N T S
1. Early “elections” to be held on 28 July in occupied Cyprus; Ankara’s roles in the developments is discussed
2. “Americans step in for the solution”
3. US might step in for a Cyprus solution to appease Turks
4. Turkey in contacts with American Chevron firm for oil in Northern Iraq
5. Serious problems for buyers of land in the breakaway regime
6. Turkey will loan to Egypt $250 million for defence purchases
7. New prison in occupied area to be constructed at occupied Neo Chorio village
8. Turkey launches 5th hearing of Mavi Marmara trial; NGO: “no withdrawal”
9. Onur Air was sold to a British businessman of Dubai origin
10. Gagauz “governor” visited the “YDU” hospital
11. A business forum between Turkish and Russian businessmen in Trabzon
12. Prosecutor launches investigation into officials for negligence in Reyhanli bombs
13. Istanbul’s third airport contract initialled
1. Early “elections” to be held on 28 July in occupied Cyprus; Ankara’s roles in the developments is discussed
Under the title “Early elections on 28 July”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.05.13) reports that the “motion of censure” submitted yesterday at the “assembly” of the breakaway regime against the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government will be discussed next Monday. The “motion” was signed by 26 “deputies”: 14 from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), 3 from the Social Democracy Party (TDP), 2 from the Democratic Party (DP) and 7 from the “ruling” UBP. The paper writes that this is the first time in the regime’s history that some “deputies” of a “ruling” party signed a “motion” against their own “government”. Three UBP “deputies”, who oppose to self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, did not sign the “motion”. These are Kemal Durust, Mehmet Tancer and Ejder Aslanbaba.
The “deputies”, who submitted the “motion”, suggested that early “elections” should be held on 29 September, but things changed when Irsen Kucuk made a proposal as regards holding early “elections” on 21 July. TDP and DP did not accept Kucuk’s proposal, while the CTP thought that this proposal was worthy of evaluation, as it was based on the principle of “holding ‘elections’ the soonest”. Both proposals were accepted by the “assembly” and sent to the “legal and political affairs committee”, which decided that the early “elections” should be held on 28 July, 2013. The decision was taken with the votes of the members of the “commission” that are “deputies” with UBP and CTP. The final word on the issue will be said by the “assembly” on Thursday.
Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.05.13) reports that the CTP did not remain loyal to the agreement it had signed with the other “opposition” parties as regards holding early “elections” on 29 September. Under the title “CTP saved Kucuk”, the paper writes the CTP changed its decision upon instructions it received by the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is said that Erdogan called former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and asked from him to prevent the overthrowing of the “government”.
Noting that the agreement with the “opposition” parties was signed by CTP’s chairman, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, the paper refers to information, according to which the agreement signed by Yorgancioglu was violated by the CTP under the influence of three of its “deputies”: Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Omer Kalyoncu and Sonay Adem.
According to Afrika, Irsen Kucuk thanked CTP for its “sensitivity”, noting that they have spoiled together the game which the others attempted to play against UBP.
Basaran Duzgun, editor-in-chief of Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.05.13) comments on the issue in his column under the title “What will happen from now on?” According to Duzgun, the common position for early “elections” has obviously benefited CTP’s chairman, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, as the congress of the party, which was expected to be controversial, is not on the agenda any more. He notes: “…Omer Kalyoncu announced his candidature for the presidency [of CTP] to Havadis on Sunday, but he did not object to the decision for early elections on 28 July which was taken on Monday. He did not say ‘no, let the CTP hold its congress and let us afterwards go to early elections’. Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the name of whose is mentioned for the presidency, was among those who offered the biggest support to the 28th of July. Therefore, the CTP will go to the elections under the presidency of Yorgancioglu. Very well, will Yorgancioglu become prime minister? This will also be determined by the dynamics within the CTP...”
Duzgun argues that TDP and DP have played an active role in the overthrowing of Kucuk’s “government”, but the wish of these parties was not materialized. He also wonders whether the DP will accept in the party the “deputies” under Ahmet Kasif, who will be expelled from the UBP.
(I/Ts.)
2. “Americans step in for the solution”
Under the above title, Mete Tumerkan, director of illegal Bayrak television and columnist in Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.05.13), reports that the initiatives of the Turkish side on the issue of the solution of the Cyprus problem have started giving results. According to Tumerkan, Washington has given a positive reply to Ankara’s call as regards reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem in 2013.
Tumerkan claims, inter alia, the following: “…Within the next few days America will appoint a high level special representative for Cyprus. In this manner, America, which shelved the file of Cyprus after the failure of the Annan Plan process, will start playing an active role again in the solution of the problem. America’s stepping in is very important. At this stage, the conditions for the solution of the Cyprus problem have been formed. The ground for the solution exists. The only thing which lacks is the will of the Greek Cypriot side for the solution. Exactly on this issue, a very big duty will fall on the United States of America. The only power which could persuade the Greek Cypriots is the USA, because America possesses the arguments and the instruments to do this. The share of Ankara in America’s starting to be interested with the file of Cyprus again is very big… Will the USA, which convinced Israel on the issue of ‘apologizing’, be able to convince the Greek Cypriots on the Cyprus issue with the same success? We shall see this within the forthcoming days. But I am hopeful…”
Tumerkan notes that the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu will illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus during the weekend and he is expected to emphasize Turkish side’s so-called determination on the issue of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and call on the Greek Cypriots to “return to the negotiating table without delay”. Tumerkan alleges that the Turkish side is determined to solve the Cyprus problem, but expects the other side to take steps in order for being able to also take steps. He reports that Davutoglu will make this call from occupied Lefkosia.
According to Tumerkan, Davutoglu will meet with his Greek counterpart, Demetris Avramopoulos either before or after his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus. “This contact is of great importance for both the Cyprus problem and the Turkish –Greek relations”, he argues.
(I/Ts.)
3. US might step in for a Cyprus solution to appease Turks
Columnist Barcin Yinanc, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 21.05.13) publishes, under the above title, the following commentary on Erdogan’s visit to the US:
“President Barack Obama gave two messages to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan by hosting him in Blair House, a gesture that was last made in 1999.
First, in view of the fact that Erdogan’s Washington visit was only possible after a normalization process started between Turkey and Israel, Obama reiterated one more time that having good relations with Israel means having good relations with the U.S.
Second, in view of the fact that the U.S. would be unable to deliver on most of Turkey’s demands, Obama still wanted to give the message that, while the two capitals might not be on the same page on several critical issues, Turkey remained an important ally to Washington.
Obviously, Obama’s team was also aware that such protocol would be well received by the Turkish public, which would then serve to conceal the possible disappointments over the outcome of the talks.
Needless to say, Erdogan was not only able to convince Obama to upgrade its support to the Syrian opposition, he was the one pushed to accept to work more for a diplomatic solution. Most probably Obama asked Erdogan to encourage opposition groups to take a more conciliatory stance for the Geneva conference that the U.S. and Russia agreed to hold in June.
It should not be hard to guess that Obama handed to Erdogan during the dinner attended by the head of Turkish intelligence a dossier about evidence on how armaments going through Turkish borders end up in the hands of extremist groups.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Erdogan’s call on Washington to use its leverage on Israel was probably met by Obama’s insistence that a healthy negotiation process required Palestinian unity and that it would be unwise for Turkey to look as if it sided with one side if Erdogan chose to go to Gaza only. Obama probably told Erdogan that Israel should be given guarantees that the court cases in Turkey about the Mavi Marmara incident will not have any legal consequences and that otherwise the whole reconciliation process will be jeopardized.
On the most important third topic, Iraq, it should not be hard to guess that Obama asked Erdogan to try to live with Nouri al-Maliki until 2014, when he will probably be forced to leave the Prime Ministry. Erdogan was probably told that it was a mistake not to talk to the central government about the retreat of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants to northern Iraq. And as to Turkey’s wish to cooperate with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to explore the north’s natural resources, Obama most probably did not react to Erdogan’s statement that the Turkish state oil company had joined hands with the American ExxonMobil for exploration but he most probably asked the Turkish government rather to go slowly on that path, until disagreements between the KRG and Bagdad are overcome.
Now all these things are not really music to Erdogan’s ears. And most probably the divergence of views on Syria, Iraq and Israel will continue in the short term, which will increase Turkey’s frustrations.
But Obama is well aware that in the give-and-take world of diplomacy, he has to come at least with one area where he could try to deliver and tell the Turks what they want to hear.
My take is that that one area was Turkey’s call to the U.S. to assume a more active role for the solution of the Cyprus problem. (The decision to form a commission to discuss trade issues is significant, but less important since we don’t know whether it will produce the outcome Turkey wants.)
The divided island is not a burning topic for U.S. diplomacy, which already has a lot on its plate. But a renewed effort to solve it will not come with a big cost. In addition the gas discoveries in the East Mediterranean give an extra incentive to the U.S., which might secure cooperation between Turkey, Cyprus and Israel for the transfer of that gas to international markets.
The fact that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry invited a Greek Cypriot Minister [Edit. Note: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus] to Washington last week suggests that he might indeed be getting ready for mediation in Cyprus.”
4. Turkey in contacts with American Chevron firm for oil in Northern Iraq
Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (21.05.13) reports that Turkey’s cooperation with energy firm in Northern Iraq is increased.
According to the paper, following the agreement with the American Exxon firm with Turkey, contacts are started to take place between Ankara and the giant petrol firm Chevron.
The paper writes that this development followed the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his delegation to USA and notes that the issue of oil in Northern Iraq and Eastern Mediterranean were of the most important issues discussed between the Energy Ministries of the two countries.
According to the paper in USA Turkey also put forward its thoughts regarding a model for the sharing of income between the two communities of Cyprus regarding the natural gas in the Republic of Cyprus.
5. Serious problems for buyers of land in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (21.05.13) reports that Baris Mamali, chairman of the Movement for Superiority of the Ideas and Law, stated that due to various “legal gaps” and traditional customs the persons who buy immovable property in the breakaway regime faces serious problems.
Mamali stated that due to the problems occur the buyers cannot receive title deeds even after they pay the money needed for buying a property.
garding the natural gas in the Republic of Cyprus.
6. Turkey will loan to Egypt $250 million for defence purchases
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.05.13), Turkish Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Ali Babacan said on Monday that Turkey was set to provide a credit line worth of $250 million for the Egyptian government via the Turkish Eximbank to be used in defence purchases.
Babacan said the loan was aimed at supporting exports of the Turkish defence industry, adding that loan was an extra to a previously-agreed sum of $1 billion destined for the Egyptian government.
Babacan said a cooperation agreement had been penned between Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defence Industries and the Turkish Eximbank last week.
7. New prison in occupied area to be constructed at occupied Neo Chorio village
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.05.13) reports that occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas village is the place where the new central prison of the breakaway regime will be constructed. The decision was published in the so-called official gazette of the regime on 10 May 2013, under the title “Annulment of the decision of the Council of Ministers of the issue no E-174-2010 and date 27.01.2010 and separating land in Neo Chorio village for the construction of a new prison”.
The paper recalls that the issue of the construction of a new prison had been discussed recently in Ankara between the self-styled minister of internal affairs and local administrations, Nazim Cavusoglu and the Turkish Minister of Justice Sadullah Ergin.
(I/Ts.)
8. Turkey launches 5th hearing of Mavi Marmara trial; NGO: “no withdrawal”
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.05.13), a Turkish court launched on Monday the 5th trial of Mavi Marmara flotilla trial of four top Israeli commanders accused of a deadly 2010 raid on a Turkish flotilla ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The accused including Former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, former Navy Chief Eliezer Marom, former Military Intelligence head Amos Yadlin and former Air Force Intelligence Chief Avishai Levy did not attend the hearing at Istanbul court.
Huseyin Oruc, one of the plaintiffs, said in his testimony they were exposed to direct attacks of Israeli soldiers on the flotilla and heard expressions insulting Turkey from radiotelephones.
An indictment prepared by an Istanbul prosecutor seeks 9 aggravated life imprisonment sentences for each of the four Israeli top commanders.
“Israeli soldiers think Turkey will give up on the trial but we will never give up on the trial. The reason why we went there was to breach Israel's blockade. We will not have proper relations until the blockade has been removed. Nobody has the right to give in. We were attacked and we will never retreat,” Head of The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) Bulent Yildirim said.
A group of people from IHH and other non-governmental organizations gathered in front of Istanbul Court and opened Palestinian flags shouting anti-Israel slogans.
9. Onur Air was sold to a British businessman of Dubai origin
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (21.05.13) reports that Onur Air, a Turkish private air carrier, was sold for 250 million US dollars to Kudret Tuncel and Dubai-born British businessman Mehdi Shams.
Referring to an article published by Turkish daily Zaman (20.05.13), Havadis paper reports that the 70% of Onur Air’s shares belong now to the Tuncel and Shams. The 30% of shares will continue to belong to Cankut Bagana, who will continue to carry out his duties as chairman of the Onur Air’s management board until July.
According to the paper, Kudret Tuncel is the founder of Enes Makine industry in Turkey and Mehdi Shams is the owner of Home Persian Company.
10. Gagauz “governor” visited the “YDU” hospital
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (21.05.13), Mihail Formuzal, the “governor” of the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia in Moldova, is currently visiting the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus as an honour guest of the founder dean of the illegal Near East University (YDU) Dr Suat Gunsel.
According to a press release by the “YDU”, Mihail Formuzal will also undergo a medical check-up at the “YDU” hospital.
Dr Gunsel also hosted a reception for Formuzal, where Turkey’s “ambassador” in the occupied part of Lefkosia Ibrahim Akca, so-called TRNC assembly speaker Hasan Bozer, so-called minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun, so-called minister of finance Ersin Tatar, so-called minister of labour and social security Serife Unverdi and others attended.
11. A business forum between Turkish and Russian businessmen in Trabzon
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.05.13), a business forum will be held in Turkey's Black Sea city of Trabzon on 10-11 June, between Turkish and Russian businessmen to develop new markets Russia's North Caucasus region of Russian Federation.
President of the Association of Black Sea Exporters Ahmet Hamdi Gurdogan told the Anadolu Agency that trade volume between the two countries would be enhanced through the Kazbegi-Verhni-Lars border gate, which he said was the newest and shortest link between Turkey and Russia over Georgia.
“This region offers lucrative opportunities, because it contains approximately 12 million people who have same cultural and consumption habits. The region of North Caucasus also contains huge opportunities at in construction industry due to planned investments in infrastructure and tourism in the years ahead,” said Gurdogan.
Nearly 60 businessmen are expected to come to Trabzon from the North Caucasus region of Russia to attend the business forum, “Trade Bridge of Eastern Black Sea-Russia Federation Federal Region of North Caucasus.”
12. Prosecutor launches investigation into officials for negligence in Reyhanli bombs
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 20.05.13) reported that office of Hatay Public Prosecutor has launched an investigation into some officials in security institutions over charges of negligence amid mounting allegations and accusations that police department and intelligence agency had coordination problem that played key role in failure to prevention of the bombing attack in border town of Reyhanli on May 11, leaving 51 killed and wounded more than 100 people.
In a written statement, the office of Hatay Prosecutor said the claims of negligence are being investigated thoroughly to find out why different security department and officials failed to inform each other properly in run up to the bombing attack.
The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) said it had tip off over preparations of a bombing attack and it sent the high classified information to police department and other security institutions.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week said Interior Ministry has launched an inquiry to find out the reasons of lack of coordination and communication between different departments in prior to the attack although the intelligence agencies had concrete information about a possible attack.
13. Istanbul’s third airport contract initialled
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 20.05.13) reported that the consortium of five Turkish companies that won the third airport tender with the highest bid signed the preliminary contract on Monday.
The Cengiz-Kolin-Limak-Mapa-Kalyon Consortium, a joint venture of Turkish companies, won the tender for the third airport in Istanbul on May 3, promising to pay the state 22.1 billion euros (plus taxes) for 25 years starting from 2017.
Limak chairman Nihat Ozdemir, in one of his previous statements, had said 6.4 billion euros of the 10.2 billion euros the consortium plans to invest for four stages of the project would be spent in the first stage.
Speaking also at the ceremony, Turkish Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said this project was milestone for Turkey. “The project is larger than the national income of 103 United Nations countries.”
The final contract for the airport project will be signed by a company that the consortium will establish after Yildirim’s approval.
---------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
