TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 114/13 19/06/13
1. Erk opposes to the
appointment of negotiators in the Cyprus talks and to the discussion of Varosha
prior to the comprehensive solution
2. Talat says who the Greek
Cypriot negotiator will be is not important
3. The crisis within the
DP-UG is assessed
4. “Standing people” in
occupied Cyprus support “standing man” demonstration in Turkey
5. “Standing man” protest
spreads across Turkey; reporters were detained
6. Gul: Social media
regulation must conform to EU norms
7. UNSG calls for restraint
for second time since start of Gezi protests
8. Erdogan vows to increase
police force
9. Kilicdaroglu challenges
AKP government to bring the police or troops
10. Bahceli: The possibility
of setting a trap for Erdoğan is very high
11. Demirtas: Kurdish peace
process is about to come to deadlock
12. Germany and Netherland
block opening of new chapter in Turkey’s EU talks
13. Taksim tension with the
EU hits planned meetings
14. Erdogan met with Hamas
leader
15. A pro-Erdogan rally in
Cairo
16. Key suspect of Hrant
Dink murder case arrested
17. Turkey looks to realize
its huge shale gas potential
1. Erk opposes to the appointment of
negotiators in the Cyprus talks and to the discussion of Varosha prior to the
comprehensive solution
Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (19.06.13) reports that Kutlay Erk,
self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the self-styled government of the regime
opposes to the appointment of negotiators in the Cyprus talks and to the
lowering of the level of the negotiations, which “have been going on at the
level of the leaders between the two sides on the island since 1968 with the
aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the
established UN parameters”.
In a
written statement issued yesterday, Erk alleged that as Turkish Cypriot side,
they want the commencement of the negotiations at the level of the leaders with
the aim of reaching a solution the soonest and added that “all sides concerned
should know that we oppose to any kind of action and arrangement that would
prolong the solution process”.
Referring
to the issue of the occupied fenced city of Varosha and proposals which relate
its return with the opening of illegal Tumvou airport, Erk claimed: “It is
necessary to once more underline that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive
solution and it is not possible for it to be discussed outside of the
comprehensive solution”.
Erk
alleged that bargaining for the opening of illegal Tymvou as a return for
Varosha is “untimely”, because the opening of the illegal airport is allegedly
an international obligation, which should be “urgently” materialized
independently from the negotiating process, as it is a so-called promise made
by the international community to the Turkish Cypriots in 2004.
Erk
claimed, having as starting point the so-called reality, that Varosha is a part
of the comprehensive solution, choosing and sorting out some elements from a
whole would be an approach that damages and prolongs the process, and makes the
establishment of a whole impossible.
(I/Ts.)
2. Talat says who the Greek Cypriot
negotiator will be is not important
Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (19.06.13) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat,
former Turkish Cypriot leader, has expressed the view that who the negotiator
of the Greek Cypriot side will be at the Cyprus talks is not important and added
that the stance of the negotiator will be determined with orders given by
President Anastasiades. In statements yesterday during a television program,
Talat argued that the framework drawn by President Anastasiades will be
important.
Noting
that the Cyprus negotiations could recommence in October, Talat alleged that
the Greek Cypriot press “instigates war” and that the media in the
government-controlled area of Cyprus is generally “against peace”. “Within this
context, no one should be surprised that they declared Downer as persona non
grata”, he claimed.
Talat
described as “instigating” views expressed by the Greek Cypriot side that the
Greek Cypriots want to meet directly with Turkey and alleged that this approach
“contributes to those who do not want a solution and it is an unacceptable
instigating approach for those who want a solution”.
Talat
alleged that the Cyprus problem does not derive from the presence of the
Turkish occupation army on the island and claimed that the existence of the
Turkish army in Cyprus derives from the Cyprus problem. “The Cyprus problem
will be discussed and solved between the sides on the island. Let the Greek
Cypriot side not try to show as reality the world of its dreams”, he alleged.
Referring
to the Gezi Park incidents in Istanbul, Talat said that it was proved once more
that nothing could be done without the people and described as “saddening” the
use of force. Talat noted that it is not correct to reject criticism that comes
from international institutions such as the European Parliament.
(I/Ts.)
3. The crisis within the DP-UG is assessed
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.06.13) reports that efforts are exerted
behind closed doors, especially within the Democratic Party – National Forces
(DP-UG) for overcoming the crisis created after Ejder Aslanbaba, self-styled MP
of the party in occupied Trikomo area, remained outside the list of the
candidates of DP-UG for the forthcoming “elections” of the 28th of
July.
According
to Kibris, the aim of these efforts is to avoid any influence of this crisis on
the “vote of confidence” to the self-styled government which is expected to be
held at the “assembly” this weekend. Twenty six “votes” are needed for the
“government” to secure this “vote of confidence”. The “coalition partners” have
27 “MPs” at the moment and if only Aslanbaba does not support the “government”,
the “vote of confidence” will be secured.
Ahmet
Kasif, who is considered the leader of the “MPs” that abandoned the National
Unity Party (UBP) joined DP-UG, said that they are trying to overcome this
difficulty. He noted that they have been acting together with Aslanbaba and
because of this a problem exists now on the issue of his candidacy. He said
that they will evaluate the issue with Serdar Denktas, chairman of the DP-UG.
Noting that there is no problem with his other colleagues [who joined the DP-UG
after abandoning the UBP], Kasif said that they started this course together
with Aslanbaba and they want to continue together.
Serdar
Denktas told Kibris that he is not the one who decided not to accept
Aslanbaba’s candidature. He noted that this was decided by the delegates and
the members of the party, adding that all of them should respect this decision.
On the
other hand, self-styled prime minister, Sibel Siber told Kibris that she does
not follow the developments within the DP-UG, adding that she would respect any
decision to be taken during the “vote of confidence”. Siber had lunch yesterday
with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, who expressed his readiness to
exchange views with her as well as to help and support her “government”.
Finally,
Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the other “coalition partner”, the Social Democracy
Party (TDP), said he did not want to comment on this “speculative information”.
(I/Ts.)
4. “Standing people” in occupied Cyprus
support “standing man” demonstration in Turkey
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.06.13) reports that the protest launched by
a “standing man” at Taksim Square in Istanbul is being quickly spread. A group
of demonstrators stood last night in front of the self-styled embassy of Turkey
to the occupied part of Lefkosia protesting against the incidents at Gezi Park
and the intervention of the Turkish police. People, who were informed about the
protest from the social media, gathered in front of the “embassy” and expressed
their support to the demonstration.
(I/Ts.)
5. “Standing man” protest spreads across Turkey;
reporters were detained
Under the title “Hundreds stand
in silence imitating the 'standing man'”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(online, 19.06.13) reports that the protest inspired by the performance artist
Erdem Gündüz spread across Turkey today (Tuesday) as it was imitated by
hundreds that transited through the Taksim Square who stopped near where he
first stood still not moving for eight hours on June 17.
Gürbüz, who was detained for a
short period of time last night, was not back at the square but a mannequin was
placed on the square to symbolically represent him. He was dubbed the “standing
man” (duran adam) and reports on his solo act of civil disobedience had quickly
spread on social media. Many people from other cities also joined the new
protest wave, such as at Kuğulu Park in Ankara.
Earlier, the Turkish Interior
Minister Muammer Güler had assured that the protest would not be subject to an
intervention unless it began to constitute a menace against public order.
Meanwhile, as the security
forces did not allow the public to enter Gezi Park, many people gathered in
small parks all across Istanbul holding forums of discussion in the evening.
Yoğurtçu Park in Kadıköy’s Moda
neighborhood and Abbasağa Park in Beşiktaş became the rally point of many
citizens. The future of the protests was discussed in the forums that continued
until late at night. Daily Hürriyet reported that a crowd of hundreds of people
in the Abbasağa Park made a silent demonstration standing still and without
talking for minutes.
The protests over the
demolition attempt of Gezi Park have entered its fourth after another massive
police crackdown on the week-end that sparked huge outcry among the
demonstrators. The security officers have not let anybody enter the park
since.
Moreover, the paper reports
that the Union of Turkish Bar Associations head Metin Feyzioğlu also declared
that the standing man’s act was not a crime according to the Turkish Criminal
Code.
Though the detention of a man
who stands still on pavement would have a provision in the Turkish Criminal
Code, the policeman would at least be guilty of “malpractice” or “restricting
freedom.”
“‘Standing’ does not constitute
a crime by any means,” he said, adding that there was no stance more democratic
than this. “Humanity cannot find a more democratic type of protest,” he said.
People across the country were
quick to pick up the new protest, and hundreds of photos showing people
standing still have been shared so far.
The protest spread across the
country hours after Gündüz’s launch.
Meanwhile, HDN (19.06.13),
under the title “‘Alternative media’ new target of Gezi operation”, reports
that some reporters working for Özgür Radio, Etkin news agency and daily Atılım
were detained as part of operations launched against Gezi Park demonstrations.
The Progressive Journalists
Association (ÇGD) announced that at least eight journalists had been detained
and many more had been exposed to police violence.
“As a part of this, general
editorial coordinator Sedat Şenoğlu of daily Atılım and Selvi Coşar of Özgür
Radio were taken into custody after having their residences raided. It has been
learned that the residences of the news editor of Etkin news agency, Derya
Okatan, and ETHA editor and ANF reporter Arzu Demir were also raided,” ÇGD’s
announcement read.
Özgür Radio news editor Önder
Ömer confirmed the announcement. “The Interior Ministry called the detained
journalists terrorists. We journalists are not terrorists, we only struggle for
the people’s right to learn news,” Ömer said.
Ömer also mentioned the problem
of the yellow press card, referring to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s
previous statements that most of the arrested journalists did not have a yellow
press card last year. “A yellow press card cannot determine who is a journalist
and who is not. Also, many journalists work without insurance. How can they
obtain a press card?” he said. Yellow press cards, which are the state-issued
official certifications for journalists, are provided by the Prime Ministry.
Meanwhile, İMÇ TV reporter
Gökhan Biçici was released yesterday after being detained on June 16. İMÇ TV
news editor Hamza Aktan said his colleague had said Biçici was exposed to
violence even though he had a press ID, adding that reporters aside from those
in the mainstream media were always subjected to discrimination. Photographs of
police officers harshly carrying Biçici were published on the media.
“In 2013, is the prime minister
still the one who determines who is journalist? So, how could you follow
freelance journalists and the share of citizens in such a process when the news
spreads rapidly?” Aktan asked.
Ömer said there had been
unlawful practices with regard to the detainments of journalists. “There is no
data on the locations of the detained ones,” he said, adding that those having
yellow press cards were also detained.
Also, daily Birgün’s news
editor, İbrahim Varlı, said they were worried about the possibility that the
pressure on alternative media employees could be more intense after the recent
incidents. “They cannot tolerate the reporting of the facts and the alternative
press,” Varlı said.
6. Gul: Social media regulation must conform to EU norms
Under the above title, Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.06.13) reports that as the government
works on a bill against ‘provocative’ social media posts, President Gül says
such a regulation should remain in a democratic framework.
President Abdullah Gül has
stressed that any planned regulation on social media should conform with
European Union jurisdiction, while also expressing that Turkey's reformist
spirit, inspired by its membership bid to the EU, should be kept alive.
Speaking to reporters yesterday
at a reception hosted at the presidency on the occasion of the launch of the
Project of Great Seljuk Heritage, Gül recalled remarks by Interior Minister
Muammer Güler, who said a study was being conducted in order to restrict social
media in response to the ongoing Gezi Park protests.
Gül noted that he had no
certain information on the government’s plans concerning the issue. “For sure,
these [regulations] should never lag behind the jurisdiction of European law in
developed democracies, which we are aspiring to. Our criteria, our standards on
this issue, our democratic legal standards; we are still making a lot of
reforms. I’m sure that it [launching of reforms] will be restarted,” Gül was
quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency. “I do also believe that it should be
restarted.”
“In every field, including the
economy, politics and law, we have to keep the reform process alive,” he said,
adding that a "reformist approach" should guide actions such as
regulating social media.
Gul: The planned project in Gezi Park is suspended
In clearer remarks, Gül warned
that Turkey's image, which had been built up over the course of 10 years, could
be destroyed in a week, calling on the Gezi Park protesters to end their street
demonstrations.
“You make efforts to create
this image [of Turkey] over 10 years, but you can destroy it in a week,” Gül
said.
“It was important to listen to
the objections to [projects in] the park. It was very important to open a
dialogue. You have seen that the meetings took place and [the protesters] were
listened to. The planned project [in Gezi Park] is suspended. It is clear that
the messages were paid attention to,” he added.
The President was also reminded
of reactions against the government’s choice for officially naming the third
bridge to be built over the Bosporus after Ottoman sultan “Yavuz Sultan Selim.”
Selim is known in English as “Selim the Grim,” and is sultan notorious for the mass
slaughter of Alevis.
Declining to comment on whether
the bridge’s name could be changed, Gül expressed his concern over the Alevi
people’s sensitivity over the issue, adding that any large upcoming project
could be named after 13th century Alevi mystic Hacı Bektaş Veli in a move to
heal this sensitivity.
7. UNSG calls for restraint for second time since start
of Gezi protests
According to Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.06.13), the United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concerns on the protests in Turkey that erupted
over the demolition attempt of Istanbul’s Gezi Park June 18 for the second time
since the beginning of the demonstrations that spread across the country. Ban
also called on the respect of the right to peaceful assembly, urging the
government to prevent new confrontation between the police and protesters.
8. Erdogan vows to increase police force
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 18.06.13) reports that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
announced that the government will be increasing the intervention force
exercised by the police, regarding possible incidents related to the ongoing
Gezi protests.
“Within the authority the law
provides, from now on, our police will not overlook any lawlessness; will
continue to fulfil its duty. We will further strengthen our police. We will
strengthen further in every way. So that we will increase the intervention
power against these events,” Erdoğan said on June 18 in a speech at his ruling
Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) parliamentary group meeting,
Regarding the widespread
criticism of the police’s vast use of tear gas, Erdoğan responded, “It is their
most inherent right, they will. You will see that in the EU acquis
communautaire. When you do not obey, the police use this authority.”
Erdoğan took a step further in
siding with the police. “What did they do? Did they shoot bullets? Use bullets?
No,” adding that the accusations of police violence were unfounded.
He also said they would be
inquiring into who was behind the Gezi protests, arguing that it was all a
massive conspiracy, prepared very professionally in collaboration with social
media, companies, the interest rate lobby, media and some “internal traitors
and external collaborators.” He added that their true colors had now been
revealed.
“It was prepared very
professionally,” Erdoğan said. “Social media was prepared for this, made equipped.
The strongest advertising companies of our country, certain capital groups, the
interest rate lobby, organizations on the inside and outside, hubs, they were
ready, equipped for this.”
Erdoğan slammed the opposition,
saying they are hiding behind vandals’ backs since they fell short on opposing
within Parliament. Amid particularly slamming the main opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP), Erdoğan was harsh regarding the party’s leader, Kemal
Kılıçdaroğlu, arguing that he was not worthy to fill the post. Erdoğan accused
Kılıçdaroğlu of acting like the head of a terrorist organization by calling on
the police not to obey orders.
“From the public poll we have
conducted, we have seen that those involved in Gezi Park events voted for the
CHP by 76 percent and are their followers; 16 percent are from the BDP [Peace
and Democracy Party]; 1.2 percent are from the AKP and 1.2 percent are from the
MHP [Nationalist Movement Party]. This is the picture,” Erdoğan said, adding
the CHP was involved in the protests.
Erdoğan also spoke about his
power showdown at his two recent rallies. “Have those who continuously ask us
whether we got the people’s message taken the message of hundreds of thousands
in Sincan and over 1 million people in Kazlıçeşme?”
Erdoğan did not skip slamming
the labour organizations that went on a strike on June 17 to protest against
the police violence over the previous weekend in Gezi Park, arguing that the
strike was “unlawful.” He once again implicitly pointed at Mehmet Ali Alabora,
an actor who has openly supported the protests and been criticized repeatedly
by the Prime Minister.
Erdoğan also said that those
who promised him to evacuate the Gezi Park in negotiation talks, referring to
two delegations he met in order to settle the unrest, did not keep their
promise.
9. Kilicdaroglu challenges AKP government to bring the
police or troops
Under the title “‘Bring on your
police, troops,’ main opposition leader tells Turkish PM”, Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.06.13) reports that the main oppositional party
has challenged the government to bring on either the police or the military to
crack down on demonstrators whose single demand is freedom and slammed the
ruling party for reinforcing police forces instead of heeding the people’s
calls for more democracy and freedom.
“They are continually
reinforcing the police. They are also saying that they could bring on the
soldiers. Come either with your police or troops or with your pro-government
circles. But we have to listen to whoever is demanding freedom in this
country,” Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP)
said in his address to his party members in the Parliament. “You are the Prime
Minister. You have to work to make people live and not to be killed. Could
there be reinforcement forces for death?” he asked, calling on Erdoğan to stop
polarizing and dividing the society. Those who attack the youth with the
state’s police and military force are the cowards of this country, Kılıçdaroğlu
added.
At last, the world has seen the
“Turkish reality” over the Gezi Park incidents, according to Kılıçdaroğlu, who
said, “The eyes of the world are opened now. They saw the reality of Turkey. We
told them about the pressure, that intellectuals and journalists are behind
bars. They did not believe us.” The world has seen the new Turkey under
Erdoğan’s rule and this has degraded not the credibility of Turkey but of the
Prime Minister, said Kılıçdaroğlu. “He is sociologist, psychologist,
gynaecologist, astronaut... he knows everything. He also has expertise on a
very important issue, he is a ventriloquist. If he would get one more point in
the elections, he would become an aircraft engineer,” he added.
10. Bahceli: The possibility of setting a trap for
Erdoğan is very high
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily
News (online, 18.06.13) reports that Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahçeli has issued a remarkable warning to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan, saying the Prime Minister seemed to be dragged into a trap in which
his life might also be put in danger.
“If some anonymous people are
easily able to fly various and big flags and posters at a point which is very
close to the platform where the Prime Minister is delivering his speech at the
AKP’s [the ruling Justice and Development Party] outdoor meeting, then the
situation is serious,” Bahçeli said, warning that in this case, “the
possibility of setting a trap for the Prime Minister Erdoğan is very high.”
“That’s to say, if the
anonymous people carrying posters, the hired flag carriers sneaked in right
next to the Prime Minister by going beyond the security chamber, then red
blooded conspirators will also be able to do it easily as well,” Bahçeli said,
speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his party.
The MHP leader noted that they
would take legal action into the unfurling of the party’s flag at the Justice
and Development Party (AKP) rally in Ankara over the weekend.
“It shouldn’t be disregarded
that the people standing next to the Prime Minister, gathering around him and
standing within arm’s length have been seeking opportunity with bad
intentions,” Bahçeli said, without further elaborating.
“Are the ones, who are making a
political tool out of the hanging of Menderes and the poisoning of Özal
preparing a setup for Erdoğan step by step in order to have him shot?” he
asked.
11. Demirtas: Kurdish peace process is
about to come to deadlock
Turkish
daily Milliyet newspaper (19.06.13) reports that cochairman of the Peace and
Democracy Party (BDP), Selahattin Demirtas has said that the peace process [as
regards the solution of the Kurdish problem in Turkey] is about to come to a
deadlock. Addressing yesterday his party’s parliamentary group, Demirtas noted
that the process is being lead to a deadlock by the government. Referring to
Prime Minister Erdogan, Demirtas said: “We want to see your stance this week,
not next month or year”.
Demirtas
noted also that the faith of their members to this process is being reduced and
added: “If the party members who are in prison are not taken into
consideration, if there are no democratic steps, we are also not there...”
Criticizing
the use of brutal force by the police during the Gazi Park incidents, Demirtas
referred also to the stance of Diyarbakir’s attorney general’s office during
the interrogation for Roboski case, which concerns the death of 34 persons as a
result of bombing by war planes. Criticizing the decision of the Diyarbakir’s
attorney general that this case goes beyond the area of its jurisdiction,
Demirtas said that everyone, from the Prime Minister to the military commander,
are responsible for this crime.
Replying
to Erdogan’s call on the opposition to “meet” him at the ballot box, Demirtas
addressed to Erdogan and said: “Lift the threshold and let us meet there. You
exert pressure on our party. You take aid from the treasury. Are you trying to
deceive a child?”
(I/Ts.)
12. Germany and Netherland block opening of new chapter
in Turkey’s EU talks
According to Ankara Anadolia
news agency (18.06.13), Germany and the Netherlands on Tuesday [18 June]
refused to give a green light to the opening of the a new negotiation
"chapter" on policy area in Turkey's membership talks with the
European Union.
At a technical meeting of the
member countries in Brussels, 25 of the 27 countries adopted a common position
to open the negotiation chapter on "regional policy and coordination of
structural instruments" on June 26, while Germany and the Netherlands
opposed it.
EU sources close to the meeting
said that the two states followed "the wait and see strategy" and
evaluate the developments in Turkey to define their position.
The Committee of Permanent
Representatives (COREPER) of the EU ambassadors will meet on Wednesday to talk
about the opening of the new chapter.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.06.13) reports that Germany's Chancellor Angela
Merkel's conservatives have rejected Turkish membership in the European Union
in their German election programme, saying the country would
"overburden" the bloc because of its size and economy.
13. Taksim tension with the EU hits planned meetings
Turkish daily Hürriyet Daily
News (online, 18.06.13) reports that tension between the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) Government and the European Parliament over the Turkish
police’s crackdown on protestors is growing, with a potential spill over effect
on Ankara’s membership talks with the European Union.
Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin
canceled his trip to Brussels on Wednesday, where he was set to participate in
a conference on freedom of expression and media in the Western Balkans and
Turkey.
The delegation from the
European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs also had to postpone its visit
scheduled for this week as it could not secure any appointments from government
officials.
Meanwhile, the European Union
is set to decide this week whether to delay accession talks with Turkey.
Negotiations on one chapter were expected to be opened by the end of this
month, but Germany is trying to convince other members to postpone the meeting
in a response to Ankara’s crackdown on mass demonstrations, according to
Turkish diplomatic sources. In order to avoid further confrontation with
Ankara, technical difficulties could be shown as a reason for the delay.
The Turkish government has
started working on what measures to take if the EU were to decide to postpone
the meeting, the Hürriyet Daily News has learned. One possible reaction could
be the postponement of a Turkey-EU joint parliamentary commission meeting that
was supposed to take place on June 26.
The visit by the Committee on
Foreign Affairs was scheduled long before the Gezi Park protests. But the
members could only get appointments from the opposition Republican People’s
Party (CHP) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).
While the visit has been
cancelled, Hélène Flautre, who was supposed to be in the delegation as the
chair of EU-Turkey mixed parliamentary commission, decided to come to Turkey.
She is expected to meet Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu.
14. Erdogan met with Hamas leader
According to Ankara Anatolia
news agency (18.06.13), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today (Tuesday)
came together with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal and Prime Minister of the Gaza
administration Ismail Haniyeh in Ankara, in a meeting that lasted over
two-and-a-half hours. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also attended the
meeting.
Israel’s Jerusalem policies
were expected to top the agenda of the meeting, according to Hamas’
International Relations official Usame Hamdan. Hamdan also said the
construction of Israeli settlements and Israel’s "imposition
policies" aimed at the Palestinian economy would also be discussed during
the meeting. Another topic to be discussed was the gap still existing between
the two main Palestinian representatives, Hamas and Fatah, he added.
“Turkey’s role in the Middle
East and the world is crucial,” Hamdan told Anatolia news agency.
Erdoğan's upcoming visit to
Gaza was also expected to be discussed with the visiting Palestinian officials.
The Turkish Prime Minister had repeatedly expressed his intention to go to Gaza
in May, but had to postpone it for his critical visit to Washington DC on May
16.
There is still no fixed date
for his planned visit to Gaza, with Turkish officials expressing their
intention to realize the visit after reconciliation is achieved between Hamas
and Fatah.
15. A pro-Erdogan rally in Cairo
According to Ankara Anadolia
news agency (18.06.13), Egyptians staged a demonstration on Tuesday in the
Egyptian capital of Cairo in support of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Gathering before the Turkish
Embassy in Cairo, Egyptians voiced their trust in Turkish PM Erdogan and his
government upon Taksim Gezi Park incidents, unfurling Turkish and Egyptian
flags.
Demonstrators also hold banners
that read in Turkish "Egyptian people thank Turkey for standing beside us
in the reconstruction of Egypt after the revolution," "Thanks
Erdogan" and "Erdogan-Morsi are brothers."
Speaking on behalf of the
demonstrators, Ihab Najib said that Turkey had become a regional and
international power thanks to Erdogan's and Turkish people's "great
achievements."
Najib pointed out that Taksim
Gezi Park incidents were not the same as those prior to the Egyptian
revolution, saying, "we respect peaceful demonstrations but we made the
Egyptian revolution to make Egypt like Turkey, even better than Turkey."
They also chanted slogans like
"Greetings to Erdogan", "Egypt-Turkey hand in hand",
"Does the attack target Erdogan or Islam?"
16. Key suspect of Hrant Dink murder case arrested
According to Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.06.13), a key suspect in the investigation into
the murder of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was arrested today in
the Black Sea province of Trabzon, with the trial due the restart from scratch
in September following a Supreme Court ruling.
Ersin Yolcu's arrest was
carried out after the Supreme Court reversed the judgment on his release from
jail. Yolcu is now again being held in Trabzon's Bahçeçik prison, pending the
second trial.
17. Turkey looks to realize its huge shale gas potential
Turkish daily Hürriyet Daily
News (online, 19.06.13) reports that Turkey has appeared to accelerate its
local energy exploration and production activities, specifically in local shale
gas.
“Many have said there is huge
potential of shale gas reserves in Turkey, specifically in the Central Anatolian
cities of Ankara, Konya and Nevşehir, although it is not feasible to give
accurate figures about the reserves before the completion of our exploration
activities. We have already undertaken a series of shale gas exploration
activities around Turkey, for example we have been drilling below 3,000 meters
with Shell in the eastern city of Diyarbakır, and planning such activities in
the Thrace Basin,” Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said yesterday during
the share and operations transfer ceremony of the 600 megawatt (MW) Seyitömer
thermal power plant.
Shell and Turkish Petroleum
Corporation (TPAO) began exploring for shale gas in the eastern province of
Diyarbakır’s Sarıbuğday-1 natural gas field in September 2012.
The Southeast Anatolia Basin in
southern Turkey and the Thrace Basin in western Turkey have active shale oil
and gas exploration underway by TPAO and several international companies,
according to the latest report by the U.S.-based Energy Information Agency
(EIA), as reported by daily Hürriyet. There may also be shale gas resources in
the Sivas and Salt Lake basins. However, only limited reservoir data are
available for these two lightly explored basins, the report said.
The EIA estimated that the
Dadaş Shale in the Southeast Anatolian Basin and the Hamitabat Shale in the
Thrace Basin contain 163 trillion cubic feet (tcf) (4.6 trillion cubic meters)
of risked shale gas in-place, with 24 tcf (651 bcm) as the risked, technically
recoverable shale gas resource. In addition, they estimate that these two shale
basins also contain 94 billion barrels of risked shale oil in-place, with 4.7
billion barrels as the risked, technically recoverable shale oil resource.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
