TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
1. Eroglu assesses the developments in the Cyprus problem and the internal politics of the Turkish Cypriot community
2. Political backstage in the breakaway regime over the UBP crisis and the role of CTP
3. Statements by Yorgancioglu on the recent developments in the occupied area of Cyprus; three decisions were received by CTP’ general assembly yesterday
4. UBP announced that the eight persons who signed the “motion census”
5. “Concerns about ‘4 thousand new citizens’”
6. ETUCE does not approve of the Turkish occupation of the Northern part of Cyprus
7. Erdogan: Turkey provides only ‘logistical support’ for Syrian opposition
8. Opposition slams PM’s meeting with US leader
9. Defence cooperation agreement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia
10. President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy to pay an official visit in Ankara
11. Controversial ‘alcohol ban’ bill passes commission; CHP deputy: This bill is an attempt to curb individual rights
12. Turkey passes 'wealth amnesty' law to lure back funds from abroad
1. Eroglu assesses the developments in the Cyprus problem and the internal politics of the Turkish Cypriot community
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi online newspaper (22.05.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has alleged that the Greek Cypriot leadership continues to avoid sitting at the negotiating table by “showing as pretext” its economic issues. In statements today at a press conference, Eroglu assessed the developments regarding the Cyprus problem and the internal politics of the Turkish Cypriot community.
Eroglu argued that his invitation for having dinner with the UN Secretary-General’s special adviser, Alexander Downer [and President Anastasiades] has been postponed twice and alleged, inter alia, the following:
“25 April is not our proposal. It was Mr Downer’s proposal. The proposal for the 29th of May was not our proposal as well. The Cyprus problem should not be further prolonged. A result should be reached with the existing realities... What is the drawback of discussing the methodology regarding the negotiating process and the way by which we could produce our road map? Anastasiades will demand from the Secretary-General to relieve Downer of his duty. If something like this happens, this is tantamount to transferring the negotiations to 2015”.
Referring to self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk’s visits abroad and the latter’s accusations against him, Eroglu said he was not against Kucuk’s holding contacts abroad and added that all political parties will, of course, hold contacts. “The important thing is the context and the level of the contacts. I will not reply to him [Translator’s note: to Irsen Kucuk] in the same manner. I observe that he does not follow our efforts”, he said. Eroglu noted that they have held various visits abroad and explained their views. He added that he has visited Saudi Arabia upon a special invitation and held contacts with some business circles as well. He noted that last February, he met with many heads of Islamic states in Cairo. “We met with the leadership of some countries. Mr Ertug met with officials from the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom”, he added.
Referring to his relations with Ankara, Eroglu said that during his political life he has been supporting that their relations with Ankara must be upgraded to the highest level. He claimed that some of his opponents give wrong information to Ankara about him and added that he has always said that the “TRNC cannot live without her motherland”. “However, sometimes wrong comments are made about me in the press. I am 40 years in the market. If Ankara does not know me already, it is not possible for her to know me from now on”, he said.
Eroglu said that if there will be an agreement [on the Cyprus problem], the decision will be taken by the “TRNC people”. He argued that they consult with Turkey, just like the Greek Cypriots consult with Greece, but Ankara does allegedly not interfere in the negotiations. He alleged: “If you do not defend your state, others will speak on behalf of your state. The real need is for the TRNC people to defend their state. The duty until an agreement is reached is to defend our own state”.
Referring to the developments within the National Unity Party (UB), Eroglu said that things would not have come to this point, if Kucuk had behaved in a unifying manner and embraced his opponent, who had said that he accepted the result of the congress. He argued that the recent developments happened without his involvement and claimed that he had neither exerted any effort for the submission of a “motion of censure” against the UBP “government” by the three “opposition” parties, nor he supported early “elections”.
Eroglu said that the two things which are lacking from the occupied area of Cyprus is economic and political stability. “However, it is behaved as if these things exist”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)
2. Political backstage in the breakaway regime over the UBP crisis and the role of CTP
The Turkish Cypriot press reports today (22.05.13) on the crisis on the National Unity Party (UBP) and the future of the self-styled government and suggests that the Republican Turkish Party CTP) plays a strange role in the political developments.
Kibris, which writes in its first pages that “the National Unity Party (UBP) is boiling”, reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, Organizing Secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), accused the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the UBP of having a secret alliance, with the assistance of the ruling in Turkey, Justice and Development Party (AKP) in order to save the “government” of self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.
Korkmazhan supports that CTP’s action, which firstly agreed with the parties of the opposition on the issue of forcing the “government” to be put down but secondly came to an agreement with UBP for the conduction of “early elections” in July, shows that the party follows a “double face” policy. Korkmazhan said that this is proved by the not attending of CTP in yesterday’s “assembly meeting” in which UBP also did not attend.
On the issue, Vatan reports that the extraordinary meeting of the self-styled assembly for the Cyprus problem which was planned to take place yesterday, was postponed because the necessary quorum was not safeguarded.
Under the title “With Kucuk to the elections thanks to CTP”, Afrika reports that submission of the “motion of census” by the eight opposition-members of UBP and the parties of the opposition lost its significance and writes that even if the motion passes and the “government” fails, nothing will change. According to the paper, this is due to the decision of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to agree for the conduction of early elections on 28th of July which allows to Irsen Kucuk’s “government” to participate in the elections but does not give time to Ahmet Kasif to form a party.
Citing information, Afrika writes that Kasif and his supporters may participating in the election by reviving the National Resistance Party (UDP) which was once established by Enver Emin who also parted from UBP.
However, under the title “Intrigues at the (“presidential”) palace, Halkin Sesi reports that the general secretary of UBP and “MP” with the party, Necdet Numan, stated that chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas and the eight opposition-members of UBP held a secret meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu at the “presidential” palace where the submission of the “motion of census”, the conduction of “early elections” and even the distribution of the “ministries” were discussed.
However, Denktas denied the allegations saying that he held no meeting and met with no one at the “presidential palace”.
Halkin Sesi also reports that between 1982-2013, thirty one “governments” were established in the breakaway regime.
Kibrisli writes that discussions are taking place between UBP and CTP for the forming a “coalition” after the July “elections”.
3. Statements by Yorgancioglu on the recent developments in the occupied area of Cyprus; three decisions were received by CTP’ general assembly yesterday
Under the front-page title: “Our goal is elections the ‘soonest possible’”, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (22.05.13) reports that the chairman of the opposition Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), Ozkan Yorgancioglu, in a written statement yesterday, said that their goal is to go for “elections the soonest possible”, in order to establish a new government that will lead the country to the future and to give an end to the chaos that exists in the “country”. “What is necessary to do now, is not to quarrel but to work very hard to lead this country to the daylight”
Meanwhile, as the paper writes, the party’s general assembly which gathered yesterday for four hours announced that they received the following decisions:
1. “The Legal and Political affairs committee” of the “assembly to carry out the initiatives and conclude the necessary works so that “early general elections” to take place on July 28.
2. The party’s congress to be postponed for a period of 6 months,
3. It has been decided that it must be announced again to the public that they will vote “yes” to the motion of census.
(AK)
4. UBP announced that the eight persons who signed the “motion census”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi on-line newspaper (22.05.13) reports that the disciplinary board of the National Unity Party conveyed today in order to decide over the political fate of the eight “MPs” of the party, headed by Ahmet Kasif, who signed the “motion of census” against the “government” of Irsen Kucuk. The board decided to expel the “MPs” from the party.
The self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk who read to the press the decision of UBP’s disciplinary board, stated that the expelled persons joint in with the parties of the opposition and voted in favour of the failing of their own “government”.
5. “Concerns about ‘4 thousand new citizens’”
Under the above front-page title, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (22.05.13) reports that the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government has intensified its work for granting the “citizenship” of the regime before the beginning of the bans for the “pre-election” period. The “migration department’s citizenship unit” of the self-styled ministry of internal affairs worked many hours overtime yesterday trying to complete the “files” of those, who have applied for the “citizenship” of the regime.
The employees were reportedly told that the order for their working overtime had been given by the “prime minister’s office”. Citing information from the above-mentioned “department”, the paper writes that around 4.000 applications for “citizenship” are waiting. The number of the completed cases until late last night is not known, adds Yeni Duzen.
The self-styled minister of interior Mevlut Cavusoglu said, however, that no “citizenship” was granted yesterday and that the procedures followed were “routine work”.
In statements to the paper, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that in case these allegations were true, when the CTP came to “power”, the “civil servants” and their superiors would be tried.
Commenting on the issue, the general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), Bengu Sonya stated that this kind of moves can definitely not be accepted and that distributing “citizenship” to thousands of persons by using various pretexts will serve nothing else but bringing the end of the “people of this country”. He argued that these moves annihilate the “will of the people”.
Cemal Ozyigit, general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said that they are strongly protesting against this practice and added that they will carry the issue to international organizations asking for the annulment of the “citizenship” of the new “citizens”.
Aslan Bicakli, chairman of Turk-Sen trade union, stated that with this kind of initiatives, the UBP aims at securing political gains and called on the “MPs” who had recently submitted a “motion of censure” against the “government” to interfere and the new “government” to annul the “citizenship” of these people.
Under the title “New citizenships on the way”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (22.05.13) reports that the Ahmet Kaptan, chairman of KTAMS trade union, also warned that efforts have started at the “ministry of interior” for granting the “citizenship” of the regime to some persons behind closed doors. He said that the intensive work at the “ministry” will last until 30 May, 2013 and that the aim is to “change the structure of the electorate”.
(I/Ts.)
6. ETUCE does not approve of the Turkish occupation of the Northern part of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (22.05.13) reports that the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) called on all its members in Cyprus to try to establish a sensitive and effective dialogue, in the conclusion statement after the end of the conference “Peace Education in Cyprus”, which was held in the occupied Famagusta by ETUCE with the cooperation of Turkish Cypriot School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) and the trade union of the employees at illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU-SEN) .
In the final statement of the conference, it is stressed that the Turkish occupation in Cyprus cannot be approved. It is also stressed in the statement that ETUCE has not recognized or cooperated in any way with the self-proclaimed “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, nor has ETUCE approved of the Turkish occupation of the Northern part of Cyprus since 1974. In addition to this, ETUCE does not want to be part of the internal politics of Cyprus.
ETUCE also stressed that its aim was to organize an international conference in the occupied Famagusta, in order to show solidarity with its three Turkish Cypriot member organisations members (KTOS, KTOEOS, DAU-SEN) in their resistance to the Turkish occupation. ETUCE also said that these organisations have for long years become fierce opponents of the Turkish occupation of the Northern part of Cyprus. Trade union leaders and members have over many years protested and demonstrated against the occupation and because of that have often been confronted imprisonment from the side of the so called “Northern authorities”.
7. Erdogan: Turkey provides only ‘logistical support’ for Syrian opposition
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 21.05.13) reported that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected on Tuesday criticism against his government's support for the Syrian opposition, saying that Turkey only provides "logistical support" for the opposition.
Speaking upon his return from a visit to the US, the prime minister said that Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah and others are involved in fighting along with forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and slammed his critics for turning a blind eye to that.
Erdogan's statement came as Hezbollah fighters joined the Syrian soldiers and militiamen loyal to Assad during fighting in the opposition stronghold of Qusair, a town close to the Lebanese border, on the weekend.
Erdogan's government was under fire in the past week by the Turkish opposition for pulling Turkey into the quagmire in Syria after twin car bombs killed at least 51 civilians in the district of Reyhanli on the Syrian border. The Syrian government, along with Iran, accused Ankara of interfering in what they called Syria's “internal affairs” as Turkey continues to provide assistance to the opposition fighting to oust Assad.
“Those who describe Turkey's logistical support for the opposition as foreign intervention do not make the same comments about those who are actively fighting in Syria,” he said of the domestic critics. “It is not only Hezbollah. There are others as well.” He did not specify about whom he referred to and said his government's critics as well as the media should expose which countries have “agencies” operating inside Syria.
It was not immediately clear to which countries he was referring to but a number of reports indicated that Shiite fighters from Iraq and military advisers from Iran were involved in the fighting.
"If there is any armed element from Turkey in Syria, they should reveal that. Logistics support, yes, we are providing that. There is medicine and food aid we offer to the suffering people. But Turkey has never done and is not doing what Hezbollah and some countries are doing in Syria."
8. Opposition slams PM’s meeting with US leader
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.05.13) reports that opposition leaders have voiced their concern over the possible outcomes of a lengthy working dinner between the leaders of Turkey and the United States, as the government has been persistently tight-lipped over the content of the dinner that took place at the White House on May 16.
Subject to stinging criticism by both the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, the meeting in the Red Room of the White House was part of an official meeting between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama.
The “3+3” dinner, as dubbed by the Turkish media, saw the participation of Turkey’s intelligence chief Hakan Fidan and Obama’s National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon, along with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.
Upon his arrival in Istanbul on May 21, Erdogan briefly touched upon the meeting, describing it as a meeting with “limited participation”. The sensitivities in the region and responsibilities falling on shoulders of Turkey and the U.S. were the issues reviewed, he said of the meeting, during which Syria was probably top of the agenda. Earlier in the day in Ankara, the CHP leader called the same meeting “a special meeting.”
“They had a special meeting there. A shameful event for Turkey took place. There was no Foreign [Ministry] Undersecretary, no Ambassador ... Which information will enter the State’s archive? This is the understanding that sees the country as their own property,” Kilicdaroglu said, referring to the meeting in the Red Room.
For his part, Bahceli stressed “it is still not clear what was discussed and shared, and which promises were exchanged in the Red Room.”
“Here, to represent Turkey alongside Prime Minister Erdogan, the Foreign Minister and the Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Service [MIT] attended the meeting; from the U.S. side, President Obama was accompanied by his Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor. Another detail that caught attention was that the Undersecretary of the CIA did not attend the meeting and he was in Israel at the time,” he said.
“In addition to enlightening this side-lined issue, what was discussed in the Red Room is very important. Was the bloody cost of the BMENA [the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative] on the table in the Red Room? Were these conversations recorded in the proceedings? Were the necessary precautions taken to be recorded in state archives? Was the Turkish state tradition complied with? Were the particularities and rules of diplomacy obeyed? What did Prime Minister Erdogan tell Obama in reality, what did he promise and what concessions did he give? What did Obama dictate to the Prime Minister, what did he command and what new orders did he line up? Did Prime Minister Erdogan make promises without considering national interests - promises that Turkish people cannot endure?” he said, listing his questions.
“For us, the main idea, the real agenda, and the summary of the U.S. visit is hidden in what was discussed in the Red Room. If that part is clarified, the facts will come out one by one, it will be clear who is standing where and what motives they have,” Bahceli added.
9. Defence cooperation agreement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.05.13), Turkey's President Abdullah Gul and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud signed a cooperation agreement on defence industry on Tuesday.
President Gul and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman held an hour and half long meeting then proceeded to signing ceremony at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Turkish capital province, Ankara on Tuesday.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signed the agreement on behalf of Turkey as the signing ceremony was held in the presence of Gul and Salman. Later on, Gul hosted a working lunch in the honour of Crown Prince Salman which was held closed to the media.
10. President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy to pay an official visit in Ankara
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.05.13), President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy is set to pay on Wednesday an official visit in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Rompuy will meet with to Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Premier's office said in a statement.
Turkey-European Union relations as well as international and regional issues would be would be discussed during Rompuy's visit.
Rompuy will also attend a dinner to be hosted in his honour by Gul and he is expected to meet as well with officials from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
11. Controversial ‘alcohol ban’ bill passes commission; CHP deputy: This bill is an attempt to curb individual rights
Under the title “Parliament debates alcohol bill with ayran jokes”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 21.05.13) reported that as the debates on a draft bill restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol kicked off at a Parliamentary Commission, opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) members offered to serve ayran to their counterparts, mocking the Prime Minister's promotion of the salty yogurt-based refreshment as Turkey's original "national drink."
During the ayran service, one CHP deputy asked for a glass of raki, the aniseed-flavoured alcoholic drink usually consumed with mezzes. "Our national drink is water. Mix it with yogurt, you have ayran. Mix it with raki, it's a bayram [feast]," CHP Ankara deputy Izzet Capa joked, before stating his opinion that the bill under consideration was an attempt to curb individual rights. "Personally, I don't drink alcohol or smoke, but this is not an alcohol bill; this bill decides what people can and can't do," he said.
Another CHP deputy, Mahmut Tanal, accused the AKP deputies of hypocrisy, saying levels of alcohol consumption were highest in the party's heartland of Central Anatolia. "This means that you also drink secretly," Tanal said.
AKP deputy Sadi Bilgic refused the accusations, saying that the law aimed to protect children and youths from developing bad alcohol habits. He also noted that such restrictions were in place in many countries, such as in the United States, where it is forbidden to sell alcohol to those aged below 21.
On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.05.13) reported that a draft bill restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol has passed from a Parliamentary Commission after long debates.
The Turkish Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission’s bill forbids any kind of commercial promotion of alcoholic beverages.
The bill also requires alcoholic beverage producers in Turkey to put warnings on bottles about the potential damage of alcohol to the human body.
The bill also bans the sale of alcohol in any establishment near schools or mosques. Critics said it would make serving alcohol impossible in any of the cities’ main entertainment locations due to the vague definition of “educational institution” and the large number of mosques.
Alterations, however, have redefined “educational institutions” according to a narrower list and excluded proprietors who have previously obtained liquor licenses, as well as certified tourism establishments.
Businesses holding tourism certificates will not be affected by the regulation.
If the bill passes, petrol stations will not be able to sell alcoholic beverages.
Violators of the law will be fined up to 500,000 Turkish Liras.
12. Turkey passes 'wealth amnesty' law to lure back funds from abroad
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online, 21.05.13), with the above title, reported that the Turkish Parliament passed a "wealth amnesty" law late on Tuesday designed to lure back funds held abroad by affluent Turks without punitive taxes and fines.
Under the legislation, Turks will pay just 2% on eligible funds, avoiding taxes that could otherwise reach 30-40%. They will also avoid an investigation into whether the wealth was generated in Turkey and improperly kept overseas.
In order to benefit from the amnesty, Turkish individuals or companies will be obliged to declare their wealth before the end of July.
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