TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 117/13 22-25/06/13
1. EU agrees to open new chapter with Turkey, talks to
start in October
2. Siber’s “government” secures “vote of confidence”; Aslanbaba alleges that he was bribed to vote in favor of Siber’s “government”
2. Siber’s “government” secures “vote of confidence”; Aslanbaba alleges that he was bribed to vote in favor of Siber’s “government”
3. Ozersay calls on Turkish Cypriots not to vote in
the “elections”; Other reactions to the developments
4. Five political parties and seven independent
“candidates” will run in the early “elections” of 28 July
5. Akca demands from Siber the implementation of
2013-15 “economic program”; Erdogan congratulates Siber
6. Self-styled interior minister says they granted
“citizenship” to 4239 persons in four years
7. Data on the decisions of the “Property Compensation
Commission”
8. Izzet
Izcan was elected president of BKP during the party’s 3rd Congress
9. The 6th “International Service Management
Conference” was held in occupied Cyprus
10. Turkish Energy Minister comments on oil agreement
with Baghdad
11. Erdogan Calls Protestors 'Occupation Forces' at
AKP Rally in Erzurum
12. More on Gezi Park Protests: Interior Ministry Issues 'Balance Sheet' - Education Ministry Tracking down teachers who participated in Protests
12. More on Gezi Park Protests: Interior Ministry Issues 'Balance Sheet' - Education Ministry Tracking down teachers who participated in Protests
13. Turkish authorities launch cyber security agency
14. Council of Europe
Secretary General to visit Turkey
today
15. More developments on Kurdish issue: PKK withdrawal
process reportedly delayed-New phase of peace talks begin
16. US
Envoy to Turkey
visits Hakkari
17. Turkish parliament speaker Cicek says that he will
not return to the post
18. Turkey kicks off plans for local laser weapon
18. Turkey kicks off plans for local laser weapon
1. EU agrees to open new chapter with Turkey, talks
to start in October
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily news (25.06.13) reports that the European Union has agreed to open a new chapter with Turkey but postponed negotiations until after the presentation of the Commission’s Annual Progress Report and a discussion of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in October.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily news (25.06.13) reports that the European Union has agreed to open a new chapter with Turkey but postponed negotiations until after the presentation of the Commission’s Annual Progress Report and a discussion of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in October.
The proposal was
submitted by Germany,
which suggested postponing the new round of EU membership talks with Turkey by about
four months to signal the bloc’s displeasure at the crackdown on
anti-government protests.
During the GAC
the bloc will confirm the common position of the council on the opening of
Chapter 22 and determine the date for the Accession Conference.
Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu praised the decision and said there would be no delay
under any circumstances. “We agreed with German Foreign Minister Guido
Westerwelle on a text that declared the opening of Chapter 22 on regional
policies,” Davutoğlu told reporters, adding that further procedures and
technical meetings would be announced in the coming days.
The top diplomat
had conducted intense telephone diplomacy before the decision of the minister.
He held phone conversations with his German, Swedish and Dutch counterparts as
well as EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner Stefan
Füle.
Füle and Swedish
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt welcomed the agreement. Bildt said the decision was
important for the EU. “[It is] important that the EU now takes the key decision
to open Chapter 22 in Turkey
accession talks. Exact timing was never key issue in this regard,” he wrote on
his Twitter account.
2. Siber’s “government” secures “vote of
confidence”; Aslanbaba alleges that he was bribed to vote in favor of Siber’s
“government”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (24.06.13) reports that the self-styled government led
by Sibel Siber has secured a “vote of confidence” in the “assembly” of the
breakaway regime on Sunday after taking 26 positive votes and 15 negative. The
“MPs” of the Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG), the Democratic
Party – National Forces (DP-UG) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) voted in favor of the “government”, while the
National Unity Party (UBP) against
it. In statements after securing the “vote of confidence”, Siber said they had
come on “duty” “with openness and tranquility” and that they would continue
working in this direction. She argued that this annoyed some circles who have
launched efforts to deal a blow to their credibility.
Under the title
“Day of tension at the assembly”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(24.06.13) reports that the self-styled “MP” in occupied Trikomo area, Ejder
Aslanbaba, who had resigned from the National Unity Party (UBP) with seven other colleagues and joined the
Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), has resigned from the DP-UG before
the Sibel Siber-led coalition “government” to secure a “vote” of confidence” in
the “assembly”.
Aslanbaba
accused the chairman of the DP-UG, Serdar Denktas and the considered as leader
of the “group of eight” former UBP
“MPs”, Ahmet Kasif of attempting to bribe him. He alleged that they had given
him 7700 US dollars in order to vote positively during the “vote of confidence”
and to resign from the post of the “MP”. He also claimed that they promised to
give him a salary and support him for the post of the so-called mayor of
occupied Trikomo.
Showing the
money during his address at the “assembly”, Aslanbaba said that he possesses
the tape recording that would prove his allegations. He said that he would
donate the money to the primary school of occupied Rizokarpaso village, but he
used 100 dollars for buying whisky, cigars, nuts and ice.
Ahmet Kasif and
Serdar Denktas denied the allegations and argued that the UBP was behind this issue. Noting that he had taken
a loan from a friend and lent it to Aslanbaba, Kasif wondered “what had Irsen
Kucuk given to Aslanbaba to do this show”.
Serdar Denktas
described as “shameful” this allegation and added that Aslanbaba should prove
this at “court”. Denktas noted that Aslanbaba asked for a loan in order to pay
his debt to the “electricity authority” and added: “He had prepared such a plot
that he would not be able to find a hole to hide from now on. He will not be
able to exit the country”.
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika newspaper (24.06.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of
CTP-BG, said that the “police” should take into consideration the allegation
and confession made by this “MP” at the “assembly” and prevent him from
traveling abroad.
Under the title
“We have been disgraced”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (25.06.13)
reports that the self-styled speaker of the “assembly”, Hasan Bozer has stated
that he was very angry because of the developments and said that yesterday he
applied to the “attorney general” regarding Aslanbaba’s allegations. He called
on the people to be careful when they chose persons to send to the “assembly”.
Referring to the
statement by Kasif that he had taken loan from a friend and lent the money to
Aslanbaba, Havadis reports that according to information which “fell like a
bomb” yesterday at the political backstage, this friend was businessman Ali
Ozmen Safa, who, however, denied the information saying that Aslanbaba was a
friend of his from Britain, that he would have given Aslanbaba money if he had
asked and that he had nothing to do with the incident.
The paper writes
that the money and the CDs left by Aslanbaba at the “assembly” are kept in a
“special room” and will be handed over to the “police”.
Havadis reports
also that the self-styled prime minister’s office announced yesterday that the
“attorney general’s” office decided that Aslanbaba’s travelling abroad is
forbidden until Thursday.
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (25.06.13) reports that the UBP
issued a statement yesterday and argued that the “political dirtiness” created
with the Aslanbaba incident “shadowed the dignity” of the so-called assembly.
The party said that those, whose name was involved in the incident and the
things which have been said, had no relation with the UBP,
and confirm that some plots existed since the UBP’s
congress with the aim of corroding the party.
Moreover, Kibris
(25.06.13) reports that Serdar Denktas, DP-UG’s chairman, stated that the
allegations of Aslanbaba were a plot and that he filed charges against
Aslanbaba and a journalist of Kanal T television named Nazmi Pinar at occupied
Lefkosia’s district “court”. Denktas said that Aslanbaba had a contact with UBP’s chairman Irsen Kucuk prior to the incident,
something which, he added, Kucuk had confessed in statement to a television
station.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozersay
calls on Turkish Cypriots not to vote in the “elections”; Other reactions to
the developments
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (25.06.13) reports that Kudret Ozersay, leader of the
“Toparlaniyoruz” [“We are getting together”] Movement has pointed out to the
dirtiness in the politics in the occupied area of Cyprus and noted that the
incidents in the “assembly” of the regime shows this. In a statement issued
through the social media, Ozersay called on the people not to vote in the
forthcoming “elections” and noted that voting would be tantamount to the
continuation of the same status quo.
Ozersay referred
to examples of bribery happened during the past ten years in the occupied area
of Cyprus
and called on the people to “react against this worthlessness”, which is
“common for all political parties for a long period of time”. Ozersay said that
he remembers that when he was a child, people were visiting his village with
cars on Saturday nights before the “elections” and distributed money. “Did you
forget those who distributed money to your area”, he asked the people.
Furthermore,
Kibris (25.06.13) reports that Mehmet Ozkardas, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot
“civil servants’” trade union (KAMU-SEN)
has commented also on the allegations of bribery and said that “change is
absolutely necessary”. Arguing that the allegations of Ejder Aslanbaba showed
that the political structure in the occupied area of Cyprus was corrupted, Ozkardas
called on the “voters” to prefer “young candidates”.
Moreover, Tahir
Gokcebel, chairman of the of the Turkish Cypriot secondary school teachers’
trade union (KTOEOS), has said that the dirtiness in politics should end,
adding that “a democracy for the show” has been established in the occupied
area of Cyprus by exploiting the flag, the nation and the religion, and by
looting and plundering.
(I/Ts.)
4. Five political parties and seven independent
“candidates” will run in the early “elections” of 28 July
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (25.06.13) reports that five political parties and seven
independent “candidates” have submitted an application to the “high election
council” for running in the forthcoming early “elections” to be held in the
occupied area of Cyprus on 28 July, 2013. According to the paper, the total
number of the “candidates” reached 257.
The parties
which will participate in the “elections” are the following: Republican Turkish
Party - United Forces (CTP-BG), Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG),
Social Democracy Party (TDP),
National Unity Party (UBP) and
United Cyprus Party – Communal Existence Forces (BKP).
(I/Ts.)
5. Akca demands from Siber the implementation of
2013-15 “economic program”; Erdogan congratulates Siber
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (25.06.13) reports that Halil Ibrahim Akca has visited
the self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Sibel Siber and wished
her success in her new duties.
Noting that
Siber’s “government” was an “interim government” until the “elections”, Akca
demanded the “meticulous implementation” of the “2013-15 economic program”
during the period until the “elections”. Akca said that he conveyed to Siber a
congratulating message sent by Prime Minister Erdogan, on the occasion of
self-styled governments securing a “vote of confidence” at the “assembly”.
In her
statements Siber said that they will be holding mutual consultations in order
to achieve the best results for Turkey
and the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
6. Self-styled interior minister says they granted
“citizenship” to 4239 persons in four years
Under the title
“4239 new citizens in the past four years”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (25.06.13) reports that Gulsun Yucel, self-styled interior minister
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, has said that 1862
persons have been given the “citizenship” of the breakaway regime by the
“ministry of interior” between the years 2009-2013 and that the total number of
the “new citizens” during the same period was 4239. In statements to a private
TV station, Yucel noted that only 874 of the above-mentioned persons have been
granted “identity card” and added that the spouses and children of those who
have become “citizens” have also obtained the right to be given the
“citizenship”.
She said that
during the past two months, 710 persons were granted the citizenship with a
decision of the “ministry” and 123 persons with a decision of the “council of
ministers”. She added that the files of 269 persons who have been granted
“identity card” with a decision of the “council of ministers” will be examined
and if their addresses are not correct they will not be able to “vote” in the
“elections”.
She noted that
according to the “law”, there are three kinds of “citizens”: those who have
acquired the “citizenship” as a result of marriage and those who have been
granted the “citizenship” by the “ministry of interior” or the “council of
ministers”.
(I/Ts.)
7. Data on the decisions of the “Property
Compensation Commission”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (24.06.13) reports that the so-called Immovable Property
Compensation Commission, established by Turkey to deal with the usurped Greek
Cypriot properties in the occupied northern part of Cyprus, has paid 121
million, 544 thousand and 483 sterling pounds as compensation during the past
six years. As of 19 June
2013, 5042 applications have been filed to the “commission”.
According to the
paper, 380 of these applications have been settled with an “amicable agreement”
and ten at “court”. Except the compensations paid until now, the “commission”
decided the return of property in one case, exchange and compensation in two
cases and return and compensation in five cases. Return of property after the
solution of the Cyprus
problem was decided for one case and partial return of property for another case.
The “commission”
is expected to interrupt its work in the end of June and recommence in
September. According to the paper, a lot of cases are expected to be concluded
by the end of 2013.
(I/Ts.)
8. Izzet
Izcan was elected president of BKP during the party’s 3rd Congress
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(25.06.13) reports that the United Cyprus Party (BKP) held its 3rd
Regular Congress on Sunday
23 June, 2013. The party, which was administrated by a general
secretary, amended its regulations and adopt the “presidential system”.
Izzet Izcan who was the only candidate
for the post, was elected as president of BKP.
Speaking during the congress, Izcan
stated that they abandoned the general secretary for the democratic development
of the party. He also said that the aim of the party is to work with courage
and determination for the benefits of Cyprus and the Cypriot people, to rescued
Cyprus for the current status quo and to work for the reunification of our
island in the framework of a bi-communal, bi-zonally federation.
The Slovakian ambassador to Lefkosia
Oksana Tomova and the MP with the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Movement
Ibrahim Birinci were among the congress’ attendance.
9. The 6th “International Service Management
Conference” was held in occupied Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (24.06.13) broadcast that the 6th “International Service Management Conference” organized jointly by Oxford Brookes University, Virginia Tech University, Macau University and Institute for International Management and Technology from India, is being held at the Acapulco Hotel in occupied Keryneia.
Illegal Bayrak television (24.06.13) broadcast that the 6th “International Service Management Conference” organized jointly by Oxford Brookes University, Virginia Tech University, Macau University and Institute for International Management and Technology from India, is being held at the Acapulco Hotel in occupied Keryneia.
The conference
is being attended by more than a hundred and fifty scientists from thirty
countries and many academicians from illegal universities of the breakaway
regime, according to Bayrak.
The conference
which is being chaired by the Oxford
Brookes University’s Faculty of Business Lecturer Prof Dr. Levent Altınay who
is also a Turkish Cypriot will address cultural and socio-economic complexities
of the growth of service organizations and tourism destinations and their
responsibilities to different stakeholder groups.
10. Turkish Energy Minister comments on oil
agreement with Baghdad
Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.06.13) reports
that Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that Turkey had a 5.5 billion USD oil
agreement with Central Iraqi Government in Basra, Siba and Mansuriyah regions, adding,
"We will be able to purchase 80-100 thousand barrels of oil in 2016 or
2017."
Yildiz also said that Turkey would
meet its oil need from its neighbor next to Turkey, saying, "Turkey makes
the most contribution for normalization process in Iraq." He also underlined that
a topic for the benefit of Turkey
has not been disadvantageous to Iraq.
Yildiz also gave
information about new oil lines between Turkey and Iraq, saying,
"The new oil line between Turkey
and Iraq
was not beside the point, because the current oil line between the two
countries could not be used with full capacity."
Yildiz also talked about the current
developments in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea,
saying, "If the tension between Turkey and Israel would
decrease, the way for the energy projects would be clear." "The oil
lines over Turkey
would be beneficial for both Turkey,
Israel
and Greek Cypriot administration. We are saying that the incomes of Iraq are for
all Iraq,
which is also prevalent for Cyprus,
provided that our conditions should be fulfilled," said Yildiz.
11. Erdogan Calls Protestors 'Occupation Forces' at
AKP Rally in Erzurum
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.06.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan defied Sunday [ 23 June] anti-government protests sparked more than three weeks ago after plans to demolish a green area at Istanbul's Taksim Square.
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.06.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan defied Sunday [ 23 June] anti-government protests sparked more than three weeks ago after plans to demolish a green area at Istanbul's Taksim Square.
"People
have brought us to power and only people can take us down. We do not recognize
any force other than God and the will of the people," he told thousands of
his supporters in a rally of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in
the eastern province
of Erzurum.
Erdogan also
criticized use of social networks utilized by protester during demonstrations,
saying "Let them attack via Twitter and Facebook. The people in Erzurum represent the
national will." He said protesters "entered mosques in their shoes
and drank alcohol inside" during Taksim Gezi
Park protests.
"Those who
claim to be socialists are now relaxing in their yachts in Istanbul. If you are looking for social
justice, you can find it in AK Party," he said.
Labeling Taksim
protesters as "occupation forces," he said: "I gave the
instructions to the police to clear the demonstrators and to clear Taksim Square,"
in defiance of criticisms that police have used "excessive and
disproportionate force" against protesters.
"If you
have the courage, if you are sincere, if you have any faith in democracy and in
the popular will, ballot boxes are in eight months time," he said. He labeled demonstrators banging pots and
pans to protest his government "are noise polluters."
The "Respect to National Will"
rallies continue to take place under the theme "Let's spoil the big game
and write history." First rally was held in Turkish capital Ankara on June 15,
followed by Istanbul
on June 16, by Kayseri
on June 21, by Samsun
on June 22.
In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (24.06.13)
reports that Erdogan stated that the Turkish
police have written a heroic story during the Gezi Park
interventions. He was addressing a Police
Academy graduation
ceremony in Ankara.
"It is something that only our police
could succeed at, continuing their work for 48 hours without eating or drinking
anything," Erdogan said.
Ruling out claims that the Turkish police had
used excessive force during the unrest in the country since May 31, which has
resulted in the deaths of three protesters and one police officer and the
injury of nearly 5,000 people, Erdogan said, "The Turkish police have been
quite tolerant of the protests since the very beginning."
"No sabotage and no provocation can
return Turkey
to those days when security-based polices dominated the country," Erdogan
said.
"We have to keep a fragile balance:
assure security and stay within the rule of law," Erdogan added.
12. More on Gezi Park
Protests: Interior Ministry Issues 'Balance Sheet' - Education Ministry
Tracking down teachers who participated in Protests
Turkish Milliyet
(23.06.13) reports that the Turkish Interior Ministry has issued a balance sheet
regarding the Gezi
Park protests.
According to the
report, 2.5 million people participated in the demonstrations, 4,900
individuals were detained, and close to 4,000 were injured. No protest
demonstrations were held in Bingol and Bayburt.
It was also
determined that an average of 50 persons a day “individually” joined the
“standing man” protests initiated by performance artist Erdem Gunduz in Taksim.
The overall number of “standing men” protesters could not be determined. While
some of those protesters were detained, the number of individuals who became
the “standing man” the day before last was 40 in Taksim, 11 in Caglayan, and
five in Kadikoy. In Ankara,
there were 30 “standing men” in Kugulu
Park, and 15 in Kizilay
Guvenpark.
According to the
damage assessment report based on information given by governors’ offices, 58
public buildings, 68 city surveillance cameras, and 337 workplaces were
destroyed, and 90 municipality buses, 214 private vehicles, 240 police
vehicles, and 45 ambulances became inoperable. It was determined that during
the protests, 14 buildings of political parties among them the CHP [Republican People’s Party] building, were
damaged, and that the total damage stood at 140 million Turkish Liras. It was
further stated that approximately 90 percent of that damage took place during
incidents in Istanbul,
Ankara, Adana, Izmir, Antalya,
Artvin, Bursa, Edirne, Eskisehir, Hatay, Kocaeli, Mersin, Samsun,
Kayseri,
Manisa, and Tunceli.
In addition,
Turkish daily Taraf (22.06.13) reports that the Ministry of National Education
has reportedly requested from province national education directorates lists of
the names of school administrators and educators who participated in the Gezi Park
protests. The letters of request say: "We request that you report the
names of any teachers or personnel from your school or institution who
participated in the protests." Speaking to Taraf on the issue, Egitim-Is
[Union of Education and Science Workers] General Chairman Veli Demir said that
a witch hunt for democratic people has started. Another statement from
Egitim-Is says that the National Education Director of Cankaya District held a
meeting with all school principals in the district on Thursday and requested a
list of all the district teachers and administrators who participated in the
protests by noon on Friday.
13. Turkish authorities launch cyber security
agency
Turkish daily
Hurriyet newspaper (21.06.13) reports that Turkish Minister for Transport,
Maritime Affairs and Communications Binali Yıldırım said that the Turkish
government had established a center to respond to cyber threats.
Speaking at a meeting on cyber security,
Yıldırım said that the meeting would cover the decisions made earlier on
forming public security network including forming internet exchange points and
the foundation of the "Centre for Response to National Cyber
Threats," (or USOM).
Yıldırım said there were cyber attacks during
the Taksim Gezi Park
protests of the past three weeks but necessary measures were taken and problems
were solved with the foundation of the USOM which had been in service since May
15.
14. Council of Europe
Secretary General to visit Turkey
today
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (25.06.13) reports that Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Thorbjorn Jagland will visit Turkey
today.
Jagland will pay
an official visit to Turkey,
which is a member of Council of Europe and takes care on having positive
dialogue with all officials, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry's written
statement.
Reporting on the
same issue, Today’s Zaman (25.06.13) writes that Jagland
has come to Ankara for high-level talks on the Gezi Park protests and discuss
issues such as the excessive use of force by police towards the protesters and
the principles of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of the
media in relation to the events.
15. More developments on Kurdish issue: PKK
withdrawal process reportedly delayed-New phase of peace talks begin
Turkish daily Sabah (23 .06.13) reports that the PKK [Kurdistan
People’s Congress, KGK] has asked for additional time, until 1 September, for
the withdrawal that had been anticipated to end on 1 July.
As the solution
process continues, the PKK, according to information obtained from security
forces, has been unable to adhere to the withdrawal schedule that had been
anticipated to be completed by 1 July.
Various technical problems encountered in the withdrawal, route
precautions taken to avoid any clashes occurring, and the efforts of the BDP
[Peace and Democracy Party] to ascertain how the government will respond to its
demands, have had a role in the delay in the schedule. It has been learned that the PKK has asked
for a period of until 1 September for the withdrawal. On 1 September, the PKK will have entirely
departed Turkey.
Meanwhile, it is
stated that the 25-point package of provisions that Deputy Prime Minister Besir
Atalay has been working on will be assessed in the Council of Ministers soon.
In
addition, Hurriyet Daily News (22.06.13)
reports that the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which takes an active role in
recent efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem, announced
that it had the first talks of the second round of the process with the
government.
The first phase was described as the
withdrawal of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants from
Turkish soil as the second phase was to consist of steps to be taken by the
government.
16. US
Envoy to Turkey
visits Hakkari
Ankara Anatolia
news agency (24.06.13) reports that US Ambassador to Turkey Francis
Ricciardone has reiterated American support to solution process during his
visit in Hakkari, southeastern province
of Turkey.
Ricciardone, paying a visit to southeast of Turkey with his
spouse Marie Ricciardone, passed to Hakkari after completing his meetings in
Van.
During his meeting with Hakkari Governor Orhan
Alimoglu, Ricciardone reminded his visit to the province 33 years ago. "We
support the solution process 100 percent. Hopefully the result will come out at
soonest and in the most positive way. As your ally, your success is also very
important for us.", he said.
17. Turkish parliament speaker Cicek says that he
will not return to the post
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (25.06.13) reports that Turkish parliament speaker Cemil Cicek stated that he will not return to the post.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (25.06.13) reports that Turkish parliament speaker Cemil Cicek stated that he will not return to the post.
“Lately, in the
news written on the office of parliament speaker office and in the comments, I
have been shown as among the candidates. I am not running for the post of
Parliament Speaker. I had made no such attempt either,” SeceK told Anatolia news agency yesterday regarding his potential
candidacy for the “number two” post according to Turkey’s protocol.
The process to
elect the parliament speaker, the number two post in the protocol, commenced as
of June 24, and the deadline for candidate nominations will last until midnight of June 28.
The candidates
are expected to be submitted to the Parliament’s general secretary office, upon
which the elections will take place on July 2, during the parliament’s general
assembly. A simple majority suffices for any candidate to hold the office,
where the four parties represented in the parliament are expected to nominate
their candidates.
The Nationalist
Movement Party’s (MHP) Faruk Bal
became the first official candidate running for the office of parliament
speaker to replace Cemil Çiçek, whose current office period will terminate on
July 4.
18. Turkey
kicks off plans for local laser weapon
Ankara Anatolia
News Agency (25.06.13) reports that Turkey is looking to develop a
national laser weapon system with the support of Turkey’s science watchdog, TÜBİTAK,
the Science and Industry Ministry said.
“This kind of
projects will be completed within five years,” Science and Industry Minister
Nihat Ergün said yesterday speaking to press after an event.
Russia, China,
Israel
and Germany
are reportedly undertaking studies to develop technology similar to the LaWS
introduced by the U.S. Navy. Ergün said Turkey had
kicked off attempts for research and development of the weapon as TÜBİTAK
announced it would back high-cost defense industry projects. The serial
production of the system may be determined depending on the needs of the
Turkish Army at that time, he said.
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AFFAIRS SECTION
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