Hellenic Cypriot Press Agency * Κύπρος: TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

6/6/13

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

No. 106/13 6/6/13

1. Ninth day of “Gezi Park protests”

2. Davutoglu reacts against US criticism on protests

3. Taksim talks start before Erdoğan returns

4. Crowd attacks supporters of Gezi Park protests in Erdoğan’s homeland
5. Twenty-eight persons detained for inciting Gezi protests on Twitter

6. Eleven foreign nationals detained for role in Gezi Park protests

7. Abant Platform, close to Gulen’s community, expressed strong criticism to AKP government

8. Portrait of protesters conducted by Bilgi University shows that they are young and libertarian

9. Tunisian National Front refuses to participate in a dinner with Erdogan

10. Tunisian National Front refuses to participate in a dinner with Erdogan

11. Füle to visit Turkey amid growing criticism of the government

12. Turkish columnists on the Gezi Park protests

13. Turkey revives hopes on Black Sea sources

14. Eroglu: Annan Plan was a plan to create unrest; Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution

15. More plots of land were illegally distributed to companies and private persons in the occupation regime

16. Period of uncertainty begins in occupied Cyprus

17. DP is renamed into DP-UG

18. Israeli exports to Turkey increased by 44%

1. Ninth day of “Gezi Park protests”

Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (06.06.13) reports that the ninth day of the Gezi Park protests saw more police violence in the center of Ankara in the afternoon, despite the government’s repeated instructions to the security forces to exercise restraint. Police again used tear gas and water cannon to quell protesters, most of whom were members of unions who had called for a strike in solidarity with the Gezi Park demonstrations.

The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK), the Public Workers Unions Confederation (KESK), the Turkish Doctors’ Union (TTB) and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) as well as members of left-wing political parties and members of civil society organizations were all present at the Kızılay square.

A greater police presence compared to the last two days was noted near the square. Tensions arose as a group unrelated with the unions tried to set up tents on Kızılay Square, according to claims. Police chased protesters in the main arterial roads of the town such as Sakarya, Ziya Gökalp and Atatürk Avenues. Some detentions have reportedly been made following the sudden crackdown.

Police also fired tear gas and used water cannons against another group of demonstrators that gathered at Kuğulu Park. Two journalists working for the Ulusal Channel, Ankara bureau chief Mustafa Kaya and cameraman Serkan Bayraktar, were taken into custody, the private broadcaster reported.

In addition, Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (06.06.13) reports that Ethem Sarısülük, a Turkish activist who was wounded in the head during Taksim Gezi Park clashes in the capital city of Ankara, has succumbed to his injuries, a representative of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) said during a press meeting in Ankara.

Sarısülük, whose brain death was declared earlier, became the third person killed in protests, the representative said after a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç.

Two other people have so far died in the protests. Abdullah Cömert, a 22-year-old youth branch member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was killed in Antakya on June 3 during the clashes, while 20-year-old Mehmet Ayvalıtaş was hit and killed after a car driver ignored warnings to stop for protesters in “Ümraniye’s 1 Mayıs” neighborhood on the night of June 2.

2. Davutoglu reacts against US criticism on protests

Turkish daily Hürriyet Daily News (06.05.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has reproached his U.S. counterpart over four different statements that had come from Washington criticizing the police crackdown on Turkish protestors. Davutoğlu expressed his reaction to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry saying, “These sorts of incidents happen everywhere and they are considered unexceptional. Then why are they regarded extraordinary when happening in Turkey?”

Following the fourth statement from Washington since last week, most recently on Tuesday from Vice President Joe Biden urging Turkey’s government to respect the rights of its political opponents, the Turkish foreign minister had Tuesday called his U.S. counterpart by phone to respond to criticisms over a violent crackdown against anti-government protesters.

The minister told Kerry about the nationwide demonstrations in Turkey, and said, “There is not a second class democracy in Turkey.” “In democracies, these protests may happen. There is a right to demonstrations in Turkey. We respect peaceful demonstrators, but there are ones who abuse,” Davutoğlu told Kerry, citing those harming public property, according to the diplomat.

The minister recalled the protests on Wall Street in the U.S and said similar incidents were regarded as ordinary, but the ones in Turkey were considered extraordinary.

Meanwhile, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said that both ministers had a very positive relationship; however the U.S. State of Secretary could not remain indifferent when there were serious concerns.

Kerry did not attempt to categorize Turkey, Psaki said, adding that the support of officials for the peaceful protests would help to appease the situation.

In addition, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (06.06.13) reports that the United States has issued a travel alert on Turkey, asking its citizens to be vigilant as nationwide protests continue across the country.

An updated statement the US State Department released on Wednesday alerts US citizens traveling to or residing in Turkey to the continuing public demonstrations taking place throughout the country. It said there have been numerous reports of violence, injuries, and at least two confirmed deaths related to clashes between protestors and police.

3. Taksim talks start before Erdoğan returns

Under the above title, Turkish daily Hürriyet Daily News (06.06.13) reports that talks on a solution on the future of Taksim Gezi Park begin in Ankara between representatives of NGOs and Deputy Premier Bülent Arınç with all eyes fixed on the arrival of PM Erdoğan from a North African tour.

As Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan returns from a series of official visits abroad it remains to be seen whether he will tend to assume a milder tone concerning the ongoing unrest all over the country, while Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç had been in charge in a bid to reduce the tension.

As had been announced on June 4, when he held a meeting with President Abdullah Gül, Arınç hosted June 5 members of the Taksim Platform, who had objected to the Taksim Square Pedestrianization Project from the beginning.

The group conveyed their demands to Arınç:

Gezi Park should remain a park with no construction within, this decision should be officially announced and the Atatürk Culture Center should not be demolished; law enforcement officers and bureaucrats who led to rising violence that resulted in the killings of three citizens and wounding of thousands should be investigated and removed from office – in particular the governors and police chiefs of Istanbul, Ankara and Hatay – use of tear gas and similar materials should be banned; all protesters in custody should be immediately and unconditionally released; it should be announced that none of those protesters will be prosecuted; and all de facto obstacles and bans against use of the freedom of assembly in all squares and public zones of Turkey – particularly Taksim Square and Kızılay Square, which are the venue for May 1 gatherings – as well as barriers to freedom of expression should be removed.

During the meeting, which took place upon the deputy prime minister’s invitation, Arınç maintained the stance he displayed during a press conference on June 4, thus he once more affirmed that the initial protests were righteous. Yet, he once again avoided offering a clear apology, sources present at the meeting told the Hürriyet Daily News.

When Arınç suggested that it was now time to end the protests, the platform members responded by saying that they were not authorized to make such a call, the same sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Even if we say so, these protests will not end. We came here as their spokesperson. We did not start the process, neither can we end it,” they stated.

The platform has further voiced the need for “binding promises” from the government for the protests to close. As an answer to that, Arınç guaranteed that the government would discuss the matter.

“At the moment, the operation in Gezi Park has stopped. We will handle the subject extensively at the Cabinet meeting upon Mr. Prime Minister’s return. We will discuss [it] as the government. We will re-evaluate there at the Cabinet meeting. Like I said, at the moment, the operation has stopped and we will discuss and debate the matter with our prime minister, the mayor, all sides, and by running the process like this, we will come to a conclusion,” Arınç replied.

A statement read out by the Taksim Platform, following the meeting with Arınç, made clear that the content of the rising reaction against the government should not be limited to objections to plans to build a replica of Ottoman-era barracks where Gezi Park is located. Particularly through the third bridge over the Bosphorus plan, the third Istanbul airport plan, the Canal Istanbul project, plans for the Atatürk Forest Farm (AOÇ) and hydroelectric power plants (HESs), the government has been “attacking the people’s ecological values,” the platform said.

While assessing the unrest in the country, the government should be well aware of “the stance against the war policy for our country and the demands for peace, the sensitivity of our Alevi citizens, the rightful demands of victims of urban transformation, the voices rising against conservative male politicians controlling women’s bodies, the resistance against the requirements on universities, judiciary and artists, the demands vis-à-vis seizure of rights of all the working class including Turkish Airlines (THY) workers, the struggle against all sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, and requests for removal of obstacles to citizens’ access to education and health services,” it said.

4. Crowd attacks supporters of Gezi Park protests in Erdoğan’s homelandAnkara Anatolia news agency (05.06.13) reports that for the first time since the beginning of the countrywide protests which started over the demolition attempt of Istanbul’s Gezi Park, a crowd attacked the supporters of the demonstrations June 5 in the Black Sea town of Rize, homeland of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A catastrophic rampage was avoided after a tremendous escalation of the tension over the course of two hours with the joint intervention of the town’s Mayor Halil Bakırcı, deputy governor and police chief.

A group of 25 to 30 members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB) were staging a protest in support of the Taksim Gezi Park demonstrations when a crowd gathered and began to respond to their slogans. Tension peaked as members of the crowd started to violently attack the small group. After the police’s intervention, the small group took refuge inside a building as the larger crowd blocked a central avenue and started to chant slogans.

The crowd attacked the TGB members again while they were being taken out of the building by the security officers. Police resorted to tear gas to prevent the protesters from attacking the group members. A woman was also injured during the incidents, Anatolia news agency reported.

5. Twenty-eight persons detained for inciting Gezi protests on Twitter

Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (06.06.13) reports that Turkish police have detained 28 people for "spreading untrue information" on social media and provoking protests.

İzmir police detained 28 people on Tuesday and Wednesday for allegedly spreading false information and provoking protests on social media.

The false statements included that the police were shooting at protesters and that a police tank had crushed protesters. Teams from İzmir's Smuggling and Anti-Organized Crime Department held simultaneous operations in 38 locations and detained 24 people on Tuesday evening. Four people were apprehended on Wednesday morning, and police are searching for 10 others. The detained individuals are accused of “inciting the people to enmity and hate.”

The families of the detainees have rejected the accusations. The mother of detainee E.Ö. said the family brought her daughter to the police station after police asked for her. She stated that her daughter had only re-tweeted a call for help in an İzmir neighborhood during the protests.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İzmir branch head Ali Engin was in front of the police station with the detainees' families. Engin said the İzmir Police Department owes an apology to the people of İzmir. “This is a menace. All the families are uneasy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Information Technology Reporters' Association (BMD), issued a press statement regarding the protests in Gezi Park and criticized negative comments about social media on Wednesday. The BMD statement came after Erdoğan expressed his dismay at social media over the weekend because of misinformation circulating about the protests.

6. Eleven foreign nationals detained for role in Gezi Park protests

Turkish daily Radikal (05.06.13) reports that eleven foreign nationals were detained June 5 on accusations that they were helping provoke the Gezi Park protests.

Four Americans, two British nationals, two Iranians, one Indian, one French citizen and one Greek were among those detained overnight for allegedly provoking protesters during the ongoing events. Officials have not yet confirmed the detentions. Radikal said all the nationals possessed diplomatic passports and that four were students who were residing in Turkey as part of Erasmus, an exchange student program.

7. Abant Platform, close to Gulen’s community, expressed strong criticism to AKP government

Under the title: “Strong criticism to the government by the Community”, Turkish daily Cumhuriyet newspaper (06.06.13) reports that the Abant Platform, which is known to be an organization with close relations to Fethullah Gulen’s community, [Translator’s note: the Abant Platform’s has been established in 1988 by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), and it has tried to bring together people from different cultures, ideologies and religions to find common solutions to common problems] issuing a written statement yesterday, expressed strong criticism to AKP government concerning the latest protests which are taking place all across Turkey for Gezi Park.

The Abant Platform expressed in the statement their worries over the latest incidents in Turkey and especially over the disproportionate use of violence by the police, the spreading out of the incidents and calls the AKP government to give up from implementations which constitutes interference and violation of the way of life of the people.

8. Portrait of protesters conducted by Bilgi University shows that they are young and libertarian

Istanbul T24 website (05.06.13) publishes an opinion poll conducted by Istanbul Bilgi University regarding the identity of the protestors in Turkey.

The report is as follows:

“The survey conducted by Istanbul Bilgi University in 20 hours on 3,000 protesters revealed the following results: Some 70 percent of the protesters do not feel any affiliation to any political party, in contrary to what the prime minister had claimed. Another result of the survey shows that the real issue that caused the Gezi Park manifestations is Prime Minister Erdogan’s authoritarianism… The protesters define themselves mainly as “libertarians.” Yet another result of the survey is that “respect to freedoms” is the most important thing the protesters expect to obtain at the end of their action.

The results of the first survey conducted on the people’s uprising, which has been going on since last Friday and is described by many as one of the most important turning points in the history of the Republic, have been published. According to the report of Habervesaire.com, the results of the survey prepared by Istanbul Bilgi University lecturers Esra Ercan Bilgic and Zehra Kafkasli, and answered online by 3,000 people in a total of 20 hours, reveal clear clues as to the identity and demands of the masses that rose against the government.

According to the first results that were published, the people who hit the streets are not members or supporters of a particular political party, contrary to what was claimed by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

Some 39.6 of the protesters are between the ages of 19 and 25, 24 percent are between 26 and 30, and 75.8 percent participated in the demonstrations by going out on the streets. Some 53.7 percent have never taken part in any mass action, and 70 percent do not feel any affiliation to any political party. While 14.7 percent are undecided, only 15.3 percent feel close to a political party.

The subjects were asked what reasons prompted them to support the protests and to what extent. The subjects were instructed to tick up one option for each reason, namely “strongly agree,” “agree,” “undecided,” and “disagree.”

According to that, those who strongly agree that what prompted them to support the protests was the prime minister’s authoritarian attitude ranked first with 92.4 percent.

The rate of those who strongly agreed that the trigger was the disproportionate use of police force against the protesters stood at 91.3 percent. Some 91.1 percent strongly agreed that the violation of their democratic rights caused them to support the protests. The rate of those who strongly agreed that the media’s silence was the decisive factor was 84.2, and those who strongly agreed that the demolition of trees made them support the protests stood at 56.2 percent.

The rate of those who said that they joined the protests with the directive of the political movement they belonged to was a mere 7.7 percent.

The subjects were asked which of the characterizations they associated with and to what extent. For every characterization, the subjects were asked to tick one of the choices as in the previous question: “strongly agree,” “agree,” “undecided,” and “disagree.”

According to that question, the protesters think that among all the characterizations “libertarian” defined them best.

The rate of those who strongly agreed with the characterization “libertarian” stood at 81.2 percent.

This was followed by 64.5 percent who strongly agreed with the premise “I am secular.”

The rate of those who disagreed with the premise “I am apolitical” was 54.5.

Among those who supported the protests, the rate of subjects who disagreed with the statement “I am an AKP [Justice and Development Party] voter stood at 92.1 percent.

The rate of those who disagreed with the option “I am a conservative” was 75.0 percent.

Subjects were asked what they wished to obtain as the result of their protest by marking one of the options “strongly agree,” “agree,” “undecided,” and “disagree.” The rate of the answers the subjects “strongly agreed” with were as follows:

- “Police violence must stop,” 96.7 percent.

- “From now on freedoms must be respected,” 96.1 percent.

- “A new political party should be established,” 37 percent.

According to the results, the rate of those who are in favor of a “military intervention” is very low. Those who strongly agree with that idea is 6.6 percent, and those who agree is 2.3 percent. Those who disagree with the idea of a coup make up a sweeping majority with 79.5 percent.

9. Tunisian National Front refuses to participate in a dinner with Erdogan

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.06.13), reports that the Tunisian National Front, which is considered as he biggest opposition power in the country, boycotted the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Hamma Hammami, leader and spokesman of the Front, has stated that “we have been invited to the dinner with Erdogan, but we refused to go, because we do not participate in dinners with despots and conspirators”.

Hammami called on the Tunisian popular forces to gather for a massive protest in front of the Turkish embassy to Tunisia. He said that the message of the protest would be that “Erdogan is not wanted on Tunisian land and to remind that he is the leader of an oppressive and reactionary government”.

Reacting against the Tunisian government, Hammami said that “the violent oppression and interferences in Turkey are a proof of the failure of the Islamists, whom the West is continuously presenting as ‘democratic Islam’”. He then urged the free Tunisians to support the Turkish people.

(I/Ts.)

10. Tunisian National Front refuses to participate in a dinner with Erdogan

(I/Ts.)

11. Füle to visit Turkey amid growing criticism of the government

Under the above title (06.06.13) reports that the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle was due to arrive in Turkey on Thursday amid growing criticism of the way the Turkish government has handled the riots that started in Taksim and later spread all across the nation.

The commissioner went to İstanbul to attend a conference titled “Rethinking Global Challenges: Constructing a Common Future for Turkey and the EU Conference” which was scheduled months ago but will definitely be a good opportunity for the EU to convey its concerns on the recent developments in Turkey, an EU source told Today's Zaman. A meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who will also participate in the international conference, is also on the cards but that has not been confirmed yet, the EU official told Today's Zaman on the condition of unanimity.

The European Commission and the European Parliament (EP) have harshly criticized the heavy-handed reaction of the Turkish police against protesters and have condemned the violence. Political groups in the European Parliament agreed to debate the recent events both in the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on Wednesday and also in a plenary session that will be held in Strasbourg next week. The EP is expected to discuss whether to have an “urgent resolution” on the situation in Turkey.

Füle will also be meeting with Turkish Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin and EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bağış on the sidelines of the two-day meeting.

If their meeting takes place, Füle is expected to discuss with Erdoğan the recent events in Turkey and share the concern of Brussels on the preliminary reactions of the police against protestors. Turkey's embattled EU accession process will also be one of the main topics and Füle is expected, once again, to give his support to revitalize the frozen accession talks.

After a three-year freeze, the EU is preparing to open another chapter for Turkey towards the end of the Irish presidency. Chapter 22, “Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments,” is due to be opened on June 26 at an intergovernmental conference in Brussels.

The last chapter with Turkey was opened at the last day of the Spanish presidency almost exactly three years ago on June 30, 2010. Since then, not a single chapter has been opened due to French and Greek Cypriot objections.

While Croatia, which started its accession talks on the same day as Turkey on Oct. 3, 2005, will be the 28th member of the EU on July 1, Ankara will only be able to open its 14th chapter out of 35. Turkey has been able to close only one chapter so far, namely science and research which occupies only a few pages in the 120,000-page EU acquis.

12. Turkish columnists on the Gezi Park protests

Various columnists commented on the developments in Turkey during the last few days.

Under the title “The one-man show has ended”, Emre Uslu wrote in Zaman (06.06.13):

“[…] the [Justice and Development Party] AKP, particularly in recent years, has adopted a strategy promoting him as the leader of the Muslim world. Strategy has been put in place since Turkey's “one minute” crisis with Israel emphasizing [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan's role as leader and his appeal to the Arab street above all have generated excitement among his followers about his leadership abilities.

It seems the reason the AKP has formulated its strategy around the character of Erdoğan is largely to capitalize on the vulnerability of the opposition: its comparatively weaker leaders. Rather than putting issues before the people, AKP strategists bring the charismatic prime minister before them, highlighting the differences between Erdoğan and the opposition party leaders. This serves...to the easy manipulation of political discourse to suit the ruling party.

"Turning politics into a one-man show necessitates playing with hot and divisive issues that drive wedges into society. The abortion issue is one such issue, dividing people sharply into two camps: liberals who support abortion and the larger segment of society on the one hand, making up around 70 percent of the population, and conservatives who would join the AKP and Erdoğan on the other. By enlivening such issues and using Erdoğan's charm to manipulate political discourse the AKP strategists strive to forge a more conservative society and to galvanize those conservative elements around Erdoğan... It seems the AKP strategy to build their future around the performance, the outlook, the vision of Erdoğan is in fact a fatal strategy, one that not only enhances a perception of Turkey as a conservative nation but is a risk to its wellbeing also. It is a strategy that turns politics into a one-man show. […]

The protests in Gezi Park in İstanbul are just an outcome of this one-man show. The protesters are not particularly against the AKP government, they are not against Abdullah Gül for instance, and there are AKP supporters among them. What they are against is Erdoğan and his bossy language in politics.

The nature of the protests indicates that the AKP strategists failed to sees the rising public anger toward Erdoğan as they try to promote Erdoğan as the one and only true politician. While the AKP strategists underlining there is no alternative to Erdoğan, therefore, building their strategy to remove all political alternatives from the scene and keep the opposition weak, the Gezi protests mobilized peoples' anti-Erdoğan sentiments.

This is an absolute disaster for Erdoğan and his team. They need to alter their strategy. Either they need to carve out a friendlier and welcoming leader who plays the role of Mother Teresa and expect Erdoğan to play such a role successfully, or they need to find a new legitimate target for Erdoğan to fight against to mobilize the AKP supporters around him one more time. […] I think it would not be a mistake to predict: the one-man show has ended.”

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Under the title “The Battle of Taksim and beyond”, Burak Bekdil wrote in Hurriyet (05.06.13):

“[…] Once again, Mr. Erdoğan looked amusingly unconvincing when he tagged hundreds of thousands of protesters as “looters, marginal and members of illegal organizations;” or when he blamed nationwide protests on “foreign enemies who envy Turkey.” But for the deaf, useful and disposable idiots, Mr. Erdoğan once again clarified his understanding of democracy: Dissent is legal only when expressed at the ballot box! (His words).

The past four days were no doubt “scary” for Mr. Erdoğan and his men, although one government MP shrugged off the protests, saying “they think they can start a revolution with their drunken heads.” Honorable members of parliament; the drunken heads made the headlines all around the world except Turkey where “top news channels” preferred to broadcast cooking programs at the same moments their foreign colleagues were covering the protests in every detail. Self-censorship could not have been exposed better.

[…]

The Battle of Taksim was a psychological victory for the protesters. Now they are more confident than before that in the next battle the police will have to kill them, not just spray them with tear gas – unless of course the police launched a discreet witch-hunt in the days ahead and arrested thousands of dissidents on charges of being members of various unheard of terrorist organizations. We know from his own statements that there is hardly a very thin line between what dissent and terrorism mean to Mr Erdoğan. […]

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”On the other hand, one of Erdogan’s supporters and assistant, Yalcin Akdogan, who is writing under the pseudonym Yasin Dogan, wrote the following in Yeni Safak (05.06.13) under the title "Opportunists and Fallen Masks":

“Different circles seeking to take advantage of the incidents in Taksim all have different agendas. Everybody wants something different…

On the one hand there are regular people enraged for such reasons as "trees, shopping malls and police violence." […] On the other hand there is the CHP [Republican People's Party] and its supporters who failed to cope with the government at the ballot box and who are now trying to topple the government by gathering all the marginal elements in a status quo bloc. Among them are illegal organizations known for their actions that verge on terrorism, and for the law and order problems they are creating.

Some are trying to bring down the government, harm it and weaken it. Others are trying to teach the government a lesson or warn it. It can be seen that those who are over-critical of the government, especially just recently, have succumbed to the thrill of "let us slap them a few times while we are at it."

What is really sad about this business is the way certain liberal/left-wing/democrat persons who are criticizing the government for shortcomings in democracy or style and manner, are acting in unison with a bloc that fights against just these ideals and values, and they are applauding them.

Those circles delivering an environmental message or criticizing the government's style did indeed perform a function at one stage of this process. The other stage of this process sees a different band that is trying to bring down the elected government by engaging in political schemes and provocation. They are opposed to the core to the 12 Sept referendum, to the new constitution and to the [Kurd] solution process. This bloc, which is neo-nationalist and to some degree fascist, would drown our veteran democrats in two inches of water given half a chance.

While these veteran democrats are criticizing the government with not being democratic enough and with not taking progressive steps, these neo-nationalist are subjecting the government to flak calling them traitors. It is nothing short of irony to see these two different mindsets working side by side on diametrically opposed pretexts.

All of them are waging a fight at the center of which they have placed Tayyip Erdogan. Some people cannot stand his political existence. Some want to scratch his charisma and rattle him. Those people who are tagging on to the status quo's coattails saying, "They have become large in number, too" are reacting in such a way as to be setting a trap for themselves.

Some of the statements made by Selahattin Demirtas warning his own people plus the warnings made by Devlet Bahceli are the kind that will go down in history. [..]

There are plenty of opportunists with personal interest or seeking to gain political ground by benefiting from all the smoke. They will be noted as a disgrace and a scream.

The CHP for its part is going to pay the price both legally and politically for the damage, the provocation and the plot.

The games of those who want to organize politics by propagating fear are plain for all to see. Let nobody assume that it is not known or understood who is trying to do what, or what kind of underhanded manipulation is being attempted. This affair has removed the masks so that everybody's true face can better be seen.”

13. Turkey revives hopes on Black Sea sources

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.06.13) reports that an official has said that the hopes of Turkey’s state-run oil researcher, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), for potential Black Sea sources, have been revived again after years of failed attempts, adding that the company was currently in talks with two global oil explorers for the region.

Erdal Coskun, TPAO’s exploration manager, said during a two-day Black Sea Oil and Gas Conference that ended yesterday, the following: “TPAO’s operations in the Black Sea leave a great deal to be desired considering Turkey has a 1,650-kilometer coast. But we’re hopeful to obtain results with the new deals with other oil explorer companies and thanks to the better-than-expected performance of Turkey’s new seismic vessel, ‘Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa,’ which began operations in the region a few months ago”, he added.

Turkey’s exploration activities in the Black Sea basins date back to the early 1970s, but the country, desperately searching for energy, has fostered its operations there only in the last 10 years. TPAO had established several joint venture projects with giant international companies including Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Petrobras and BP but failed to accomplish significant discoveries.

International actors’ interest in the region has freshened with a mouth-watering discovery by Romania in the Neptune block in the Black Sea, Coskun told the Hurriyet Daily News on the sidelines of the conference.

TPAO and oil giant Royal Dutch Shell have already begun to explore jointly for oil in the Black Sea with a deal reached in February. According to the deal, Shell is bearing the cost of deep-sea operations while drilling is jointly funded.

Coskun said that now two other partnerships in the region were in the pipeline for TPAO.

“We’re currently negotiating with two companies for two different wells. One of them is entering the region for the first time, but we had a partnership in the Black Sea with the other one,” Coskun said, without giving any further details about the names.

In his remarks Coskun also praised Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa’s performance in the region and said the seismic vessel, which conducts two- and three-dimensional seismic surveys, might serve in Shell’s own operations as well. After completing its duty in the Black Sea, the vessel will go to off-shore fields of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea to explore for energy.

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Erdal Coskun added further, that the companies TPAO will jointly apply with for the rights to explore for oil and gas off the coast of Lebanon have been determined and the consortium will place its bid in November.

Encouraged by Cyprus’ and Israel’s impressive oil and gas reserve findings, Lebanon has decided to get its share from Mediterranean sources and kicked off the bidding process for offshore oil and gas licenses.

A total of 52 companies from 25 countries submitted applications during the pre-qualification round.

“The process is going smoothly for Turkey,” TPAO vice president Yurdal Oztas told the Hurriyet Daily News.

Neither manager specified the name of the firms Turkey has partnered up with.

The Lebanese authorities will finalize their decision by next February, Coskun said.

14. Eroglu: Annan Plan was a plan to create unrest; Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (06.06.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has argued that the Annan Plan was not a solution plan for Cyprus and that in the contrary it was a plan which would create unrest. Replying to the questions of Akademi Politik magazine, Eroglu argued that the important thing right now is what has been discussed with the Greek Cypriot side during the ongoing process since 2008.

He noted: “The fundamental issue we put emphasis on is to make an agreement having as starting point the existing realities in Cyprus. Otherwise new areas of conflict will come up and what you call agreement will be returned into a document which creates the ground for conflict”.

Replying to a question on the Annan Plan, Eroglu alleged: “The Annan Plan belongs to the past. Of course, it is possible to be benefited from all the documents prepared until today, from all the framework agreements. However, as it is written in the Annan Plan itself, it has ceased to exist because it was rejected by one of the sides in the referendum. In spite of the fact that the current President of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nikos Anastasiades had carried out a ‘yes’ campaign during the referendum process for the Annan Plan in 2004, now he is in a position of being the main opponent of the Annan Plan. The National Unity Party under my leadership in 2004, had carried out a campaign for the ‘no’ vote. In my view, the Annan Plan is not a solution plan. On the contrary, it was a plan that would create unrest”.

Eroglu alleged that two “states” exist now in Cyprus, even though the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, is recognized only by Turkey and claimed: “No one can change this reality. Two states are living side by side at the moment. We will see. I repeat: A solution is possible having as starting point the existing realities in Cyprus”.

Asked to comment on the proposal as regards the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners and the opening of the occupied Famagusta port under the auspices of the EU, Eroglu alleged:

“The issue of Varosha has come many times onto the agenda in the one way or the other, but at the moment for us it is an issue that should be included in the comprehensive solution. The view put forward by motherland Turkey on the issue of the opening of the ports is the lifting of the embargo imposed by the Greek Cypriots for a port in the TRNC in return for the opening of a port in Turkey for the Greek Cypriot side. If they come to this point, it will happen, if not, no conclusion could be reached”.

(I/Ts.)

15. More plots of land were illegally distributed to companies and private persons in the occupation regime

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (06.06.13) the so-called council of ministers, during its last meeting before the “early elections”, has leased “state plots of land to several companies and private persons in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Particularly, the “council of minister” distributed plots of land to the following companies and private person:

Firm’s name	Location/place	Date of the meeting of the “ministerial council”
Adil Construction	Occupied Kythrea	22.05.13
Kaya Touristic Installations	Occupied Karakoumi	27.05.13
“TRNC School Driver’s Union”	Kermiya/Agios Dometios	27.05.13
Tufekci Ltd	Occupied Gastria	29.05.13
Coskun Gungor	Occupied Rizokarpaso	27.05.13
Cuvalcioglu and Sons Ltd	Occupied Neapoli	27.05.13
Haluk Mut-Vural Mut	Occupied Ortakoy-Mintzeli	27.05.13
“Keryeia American University” (GAU)	Occupied Keryneia	29.05.13
Nephews Tourism Ltd	Occupied Trikomo	29.05.13
ASOK LTD	Occupied Mia Milia	22.05.13

16. Period of uncertainty begins in occupied Cyprus

Under the title “Uncertainty”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.06.13) reports that after the collapse of the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government, as a result of the approval of a “motion of census” yesterday at the regime’s assembly, a period of uncertainty started as regards the establishment of a “government” that will lead the “country” to the early “elections” of the 28^th of July. According to the paper, “serious uncertainties” continue as regards the way by which the new “government” will be established until 28 July. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Social Democrat Party (TDP) and the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) have already launched a process during which they will determine their stance.

Self-styled prime minister Kucuk was expected to submit his resignation today to the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, who after that should consult with the political parties and assign a party leader or an “MP” with the establishment of the “government”, provided that Eroglu is convinced that this party leader or “MP” will be able to secure a “vote of confidence’ by the “assembly”.

After the “motion of census” was adopted, Hasan Bozer, self-styled speaker of the “assembly” said that there was no time limit for Kucuk to submit his resignation to Eroglu and added that the person assigned by Eroglu with the duty of establishing a “government” should do this within 15 days. The names of the “ministers” should be approved by Eroglu and the “assembly”, he said adding that the program of the “government” should be submitted to the “assembly” within seven days. The discussion and the vote of confidence lasted for three days, he noted and expressed doubts as to whether the ‘government” and the “assembly” will be able to carry out their duty in a sound manner until the “elections”.

(I/Ts.)

17. DP is renamed into DP-UG

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (06.06.13) reports that an extraordinary congress of the Democratic Party (DP) was held yesterday during which the party was officially renamed into Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG). This name had been decided after the eight “MPs” who resigned from the National Unity Party (UBP) joined the DP. Slogans such as “Real change is starting now”, “TRNC is regenerated”, “New administration, new mentality, new policy” and “A new era begins” were shouted during the congress.

Addressing the congress, the general secretary of the party, Bengu Sonya said that are only 53 days away from coming to “power” and that they will come out as the first party from the “elections” of 28 July.

The new logo of the party is similar to the old one. The only change is that the expression “National Forces” is added under the torch and the initials “DP”, in the place of “DP” and “1992”.

Addressing the congress, Ahmet Kasif, leader of the eight “MPs” who resigned from the UBP, said that their party would come first in the “elections” and argued that fear has ended now in the occupied area of Cyprus, where the freedom of expression has started.

(I/Ts.)

18. Israeli exports to Turkey increased by 44%

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (06.06.13) reports that according to an analysis conducted by economists at the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI), exports of Israeli goods to Turkey reached a new high in the first quarter of 2013, following a sharp increase of 44% from the same quarter last year.

The institute economists note that this is the first rise in exports since the last quarter of 2011.

According to the figures, the main export industry is chemicals and oil distillates, which made up about 75% of all exports to Turkey in the first quarter. Total chemical and oil distillate exports recorded a sharp increase of 67% from the first quarter last year, totaling some 420 million dollars.

YH/ http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio