TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 142/13 30/07/2013
1. Eroglu said no matter
which “government” is it will always be a dialogue with Turkey
2. Yorgancioglu urges Eroglu to work harder for the
solution of the Cyprus
problem
3. Scenarios for possible “coalition government”; Observers see cooperation between CTP and DP
3. Scenarios for possible “coalition government”; Observers see cooperation between CTP and DP
4. Kucuk resigned from UBP
after failing to be elected
5. Names of the winners of the “parliamentary
elections”
6.
YKP: a strong “no” came out from the ballot box
7. Columnist in Hurriyet argues that “elections’
results” dashed hopes of Talat getting elected to the “presidency” again
8. Voting took place in a ruined church in occupied
Koilanemos village
9. Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Council praised Turkey for its help
10. Davutoglu held phone conversation with Kerry, Ban and Ashton
9. Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Council praised Turkey for its help
10. Davutoglu held phone conversation with Kerry, Ban and Ashton
11. Ocalan's lawyers file request for retrial
12. Turkish Commanders submit resignations ahead of
key Turkish military meeting
1. Eroglu said no matter
which “government” is it will always be a dialogue with Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (30.07.13)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu evaluated the results of
the latest “elections” in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
as well as the Cyprus
problem as a guest on a programme on private Turkish TV channel ATV.
Replying to a question whether the
“election results” have stirred up or not any trouble for the Cyprus problem,
Eroglu said that he doesn’t think that any problems have been created regarding
the Cyprus
problem. He said that he doesn’t think that the “early elections” have affected
the Cyprus
talks. He went on: “We will continue the negotiations with the Greek Cypriot
side on October. Besides, we will continue our dialogue with all the political
parties. Four parties have gained the right to enter the “assembly” and I can
say that with these parties we have a good dialogue. All the political parties
say that they desire an agreement on the Cyprus problem. However, the method
of the agreement’s approach changes accordingly to the party. In this coalition
period, different approaches may be merged and according to me, this doesn’t
create any problem.”
Replying to the question whether there
may be a change or not in the relationship between the new “government” and Turkey, Eroglu
said: “Unlikely, because all the political parties and the Turkish Cypriots
know that we can solve the Cyprus
problem with the support of Turkey.
Until today, there hasn’t been any disagreement between Cyprus and Turkey
regarding a solution of the Cyprus
problem.
Noting that as Turkish Cypriot leader,
he has been in a dialogue with Turkey’s
Foreign Ministry, Prime Ministry and Presidency, Eroglu said: “Occasionally, we
evaluate the issue (Cyprus
problem) with esteemed the President and the esteemed Prime Minister. We have a
continuous dialogue with the Foreign Minister. Whatever government is formed,
this won’t be spoiled.”
Commenting on the results of the “early
elections”, Eroglu said that there was no disappointment among the people, but,
there was disappointment particularly within the National Unity Party (UBP). Reminding that UBP
took 44% of the vote in the 2009 “elections” but it only took 27% in these
“elections”, Eroglu added that the leader of the party has also lost in these
“elections”. He added that in fact, some things were expected. He concluded by
saying that this situation was not a surprise for him.
2. Yorgancioglu urges Eroglu to work harder for the
solution of the Cyprus problem
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (30.07.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancıoglu, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), which emerged as the largest party in the “parliamentary election” on Sunday urged the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to be sincere about a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (30.07.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancıoglu, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), which emerged as the largest party in the “parliamentary election” on Sunday urged the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to be sincere about a solution to the Cyprus problem.
“Experts believe
that the CTP-led government could prompt an easing of Eroğlu's tough stance in
talks with the Greek Cypriots in the south, on ending the island's nearly
four-decade division”, the paper writes and reports that in in a phone
interview with Today's Zaman, Yorgancioglu noted the following:
“Eroglu should
be sincere about a solution to the dispute. Until now, Eroglu was reluctant
about the issue. I have concerns about his sincerity. We will work with Eroglu
if he sticks to our program, otherwise we will fail to agree on a solution,”
Yorgancıoglu said.
Yorgancıoglu
stated that the two sides should comply with the commitments of the past,
calling on the two sides for tolerance. “Eroglu should also comply with the
commitments. Due to his stance, we wasted time in solving the dispute. This also
gave the opportunity for Greek Cypriots to claim that the Turkish side does not
have any willingness for a solution. No backwards steps should be taken
anymore,” he said.
3. Scenarios for possible “coalition government”;
Observers see cooperation between CTP and DP
Under the title
“Coalition scenarios”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.07.13)
reports that scenarios on the establishment of a possible “coalition
government” are being developed, because the Republican Turkish Party- United
Forces (CTP-BG), winner of early “elections” held on Sunday in the occupied
area of Cyprus, cannot establish a
“government” alone.
Political
observers, notes Kibris, believe that the most predominant scenario is a
“coalition government” between CTP-BG and the Democratic
Party – National Forces (DP-UG). It is estimated that CTP, which had twice in
the past cooperated with the DP, will try coalition with this party once more
in the existing conditions. The observers describe DP-UG as “key party” in
these conditions noting that the most probable possibility is a CTP-DP
“coalition” based on 33 “seats” in the “assembly”, as the former “elected” 21
“MPs” and the latter 12.
It is also noted
that according to the numbers, an effort for a “coalition” between CTP and the
National Unity Party (UBP) is also
possible, but political observers think that it is most unlikely for the CTP to
knock at the door of the UBP,
which “elected’ 14 “MPs”. Even if this “coalition government” is considered as
strong because it is based on 35 “MPs”, observers note that the grassroots of
the CTP strongly oppose to such a model and this would constitute an element of
great pressure on the administration of the party [for not proceeding with a
“coalition” with the UBP].
A three-party
“coalition” model with the participation of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP) seems
mathematically possible, but observers believe that it is most unlikely for
such a model to be materialized. Another possibility that seems very low,
reports the paper, is a coalition between the rightwing parties, UBP-DP, even though this is also mathematically
possible.
According to the
“constitution”, the new “government” should be established within 15 days after
the official results of the “elections” are announced and the Turkish Cypriot
leader assigns an “MP” with the duty of forming a “government”. The
“constitution” says that 26 “votes” are needed at the “assembly” for a
“government’ to secure “vote of confidence”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Kucuk resigned from UBP
after failing to be elected
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (30.07.13) reports that Irsen Kucuk, who was not
elected at Sunday’s “parliamentary elections” met the night of the elections
with the general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP)
Necdet Numan and told him that he is resigning from UBP’s
leadership. He also said that the party must go to an extra ordinary council
the sooner possible, in order to elect a new leader and draw a road map.
Speaking to
Havadis, Kucuk stated that the new leader must be one of the fourteen “MPs”
that the party elected in the “elections”.
5. Names of the winners of the “parliamentary
elections”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (30.07.13) reports that 23 new “MPs” were “elected”
during the early “parliamentary elections” held on 28 July, 2013, in the
occupied area of Cyprus, while 27 “MPs” could preserve their “seat” at the
50-member “parliament”. The number of women remained the same as in the
outgoing “parliament” due to the fact that only four could be “elected”. Most
of the “MPs” (17 persons) are doctors. The youngest “MP” is Zeki Celer (32),
who was “elected with the Social Democracy Party (TDP)
in occupied Keryneia area and the oldest “MP” is Ergun Serdaroglu, born in 1944
and was “elected’ with the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) also in
Keryneia.
Kibris reports
that 18 former “MPs” could not be “reelected”. Among them is Irsen Kucuk, who
came ninth in National Unity Party’s (UBP)
list in occupied Lefkosia, where his party ‘elected” four “MPs”.
According to
Kibris, the following persons were “elected” in each district receiving the
“votes” seen in the brackets:
Nicosia: Sibel Siber (24.800), Tufan Erhurman (21.043), Ozdil Nami (20.976), Ozkan Yorgancioglu
(20.128), Ahmet Gulle (18.886) Birikim Ozgur(18.366) Dogus Derya (18.175) from
the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG).
Tahsin Ertugruloglu
(12.667), Faiz Sucuoglu (12.209), Ersin Tatar (11.957) and Huseyin Ozgurgun (11.785)
from the UBP.
Serdar Denktas
(12.710), Mustafa Arabacioglu (12.018), Hasan Tacoy (11.225) and Zorlu Tore (10.270)
from the DP-UG.
Mehmet Cakıcı
(3.866) from the TDP.
Famagusta: Teberruken Ulucay(16.408), Asim Akansoy (16.228), Ferdi Sabit Soyer (15.149), Erkut Sahali (14.794) and Arif Albayrak (14.269)
from the CTP-BG.
Sunat Atun
(12.749), Hamza Ersan Saner (12.197),
Erdal Ozcenk (12.160) and Dursun Oguz (10.628) from the UBP.
Ahmet Kasif
(12.575), Fikri Ataoglu (11.494) and Hakan Dincyurek(11.442) from the DP-UG.
Huseyin Angolemli (3.893) from the TDP.
Keryneia: Abbas Sinay (12.250), Salih Izbul (11.254), Fazilet Ozdenefe (10.851)
and Omer Kalyoncu (10.508) from the CTP-BG
Unal Ustel
(9.244), Kutlu Evren(9.175) and Izlem Gurcag (9.098) from the UBP.
Ozdemir Berova
(5.853) and Esat Ergun Serdaroglu (5.823) from the DP-UG.
Zeki Celer (2.915)
from the TDP.
Morfou: Armagan Candan (8.655), Mehmet Caglar (8.383) and Dr. Huseyin Ercal
(8.178) from the CTP-BG.
Dr. Ali
Pilli(7.951) and Kemal Durust (7.173) from the UBP.
Mentes Gunduz(4.449)
from the DP-UG.
Trikomo: Onder Sennaroglu (6.969) and Biray Hamzaogullari (5.673) from the
CTP-BG.
Nazim
Cavusoglu(5.820) and Mustafa Gokmen (4.960) from the UBP.
Huseyin
Alanli(6.286) from the DP-UG.
(I/Ts.)
6.
YKP: a strong “no” came out from the ballot box
According to Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika (30.07.13), the executive committee of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), in a
written announcement yesterday, evaluating the results of the “early
elections”, said that a strong “no” came out from the ballot box.
YKP’s announcement said that despite all
kinds of requests to the people to go to the ballot boxes, the censures and
threats, a strong “no” came out from the ballot box, adding: “This is a hope,
it is an invitation for the struggle, it is a continuous message against the
regime.”
In 2009 “elections”, 30.000 people did
not vote, in this “elections” the number was increased to 52.000. YKP also
claimed that these “elections results” display a reaction in the community
against the ruling government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).
7. Columnist in Hurriyet argues that “elections’
results” dashed hopes of Talat getting elected to the “presidency” again
Under the title
“Winners and losers in Northern Cyprus vote”,
Turkish daily Hurriyet (30.07.13) publishes the following article by Yusuf
Kanli:
“The biggest
loser of July 28’s vote in northern Cyprus was former Prime Minister
İrsen Küçük and his National Unity Party (UBP).
With the preference votes, supporters of the UBP
“buried” the political aspirations of Küçük in the ballot box and refused to
elect the former premier. The UBP,
on the other hand, saw a sharp decrease in its votes and parliamentary
strength. It received only 27.3 percent of the vote and produced 14 deputies.
In the 2009 elections UBP had
received 44.07 percent of the vote and won 26 seats in the 50-member
single-house Parliament.
The biggest
winner of the election, on the other hand, was the small Democrat
Party-Nationalist Forces (DP-UG) that produced 12 deputies with 23.23 percent
of the vote. The DP had received 10 percent of the vote and produced five
deputies in the 2009 polls. Still, party leader Serdar Denktaş declared he was
committed to his pre-election pledge to step down if his party did not come
first in the polls. Yet, he said he will refer the issue to the party executive
and act accordingly.
Similarly, the
second loser of the July 28 election, Democratic Society Party (TDP) leader Mehmet Çakıcı, said he would abide by
his pledge to step down, but would leave that decision be made by his party
executive. The TDP received 7.7
percent in July 28’s vote and produced three deputies, including Çakıcı. It had
two deputies in the previous Parliament.
The second
winner of the poll was the leftist Republican People’s Party (CTP), which with
38.37 percent of the vote increased its parliamentary strength by two seats to
21, five short of the required 26 seats to form a one-party government. The CTP
had received 29.25 percent of the vote and obtained 15 seats in Parliament in
the 2009 vote.
One last note:
Results showed that none of the candidates with a labor union background
managed to get elected. This naturally showed growing non-confidence of Turkish
Cypriots in labor unions, which have a tradition of acting like political
parties.
What’s now? Not
only a prime minister could not come out of July 28’s ballot box, a new
Parliament with many new faces was elected. For example Birikim Özgür, the
academic son of late leftist leader Özker Özgür made it to Parliament in his
first attempt. In all parties some candidates received far more votes than
party leaders. Coupled with the fact that July 28’s was the poll with lowest
participation (64 percent) it was obvious that Turkish Cypriots are frustrated
with the performance of their parties and leaders and reflected (or not
reflected) that in the ballot box.
Now, a new
coalition will have to be established. Technically a nationalist alliance
government of the UBP and the
DP-UG is possible. Recent squabbles between the two parties, on the other hand,
render that option rather difficult. Thus it will depend on the political
skills of President Derviş Eroğlu, if he wants his former UBP to form a coalition with his new-supporter
DP-UG against the left aligned with the demanding AKP of Turkey.
The second and
third coalition options have the CTP as the senior partner. The CTP can form a
coalition government with the 12-seat DP-UG or go for a grand coalition with
the UBP and make the AKP happy.
For the past many years the AKP wanted a grand coalition in northern Cyprus which
would make it easier to implement a bitter economic restructuring program as
well as bitter acceptance of some painful compromises in any Cyprus
settlement with Greek Cypriots. Still, a CTP-DP-UG coalition appears more
likely.
The results also
dashed hopes of former President Mehmet Ali Talat getting elected to the
presidency again. Results showed that the combined strength of the nationalist
flank comfortably exceeds 50 percent of the vote and thus in the presidential
elections to be held in less than two years’ time, a consensus candidate of the
right may have the upper hand.”
8. Voting took place in a ruined church in occupied
Koilanemos village
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.07.13) reports that persons in occupied Koilanemos village voted in a ruined church during last Sunday’s parliamentary “elections”.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.07.13) reports that persons in occupied Koilanemos village voted in a ruined church during last Sunday’s parliamentary “elections”.
The paper writes
that the ballot box was firstly put in the church yard but because of the
sunshine it was later put inside the church. The paper writes that the church
was used because there was no other alternative building to be used for the
voting.
9. Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Council praised
Turkey for its help
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (30.07.13) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Kutlay Erk stated that the Turkish Cypriots can reach the whole world with diplomacy and that using this road the Turkish Cypriot “people’s” views can be more understood. He also said that diplomacy can help the Turkish Cypriots becoming known.
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (30.07.13) reports that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Kutlay Erk stated that the Turkish Cypriots can reach the whole world with diplomacy and that using this road the Turkish Cypriot “people’s” views can be more understood. He also said that diplomacy can help the Turkish Cypriots becoming known.
Erk made these
statements during a meeting he held with the Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Council.
On his part the
chairman of the Council, Ilker Zugurt stated that they will continue to work
for the developments of businessmen in occupied Cyprus and in general for the
prosperity of the “country” adding that their efforts are taking place via Turkey. He also
said that wince the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power, they
received a lot of help from the party.
10. Davutoglu held phone conversation with Kerry,
Ban and Ashton
Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.07.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held on Sunday separate phone calls with his US counterpart John F. Kerry, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud over the latest developments in Egypt, Syria, and Somalia, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.07.13) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held on Sunday separate phone calls with his US counterpart John F. Kerry, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud over the latest developments in Egypt, Syria, and Somalia, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Davutoglu
discussed developments in Egypt
and Syria
with Kerry and Ban as sides voiced mutual concern over escalating violence in Egypt.
Kerry and Ban
also expressed their sadness about the suicide attack on Saturday on a Turkish
Embassy annex in the Somali capital of Mogadishu,
that killed one Turkish guard and wounded three others.
Ban and Kerry
have spoken in praise of Turkey's
support to Somalia,
sources added.
Somali President
Mohamoud condemned the suicide attack on the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, sources said.
In addition,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.07.13) reports that Davutoglu also held a phone conversation with High
Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine
Ashton, who made the second official visit to Egypt on Monday.
According to the
diplomatic sources, Davutoglu and Ashton discussed the recent incidents in Egypt within
the scope of Ashton's visit.
11. Ocalan's lawyers file request for retrial
Istanbul Dicle
News Agency (26.07.13) reports that Abdullah Ocalan’s lawyers have submitted a
request for their client’s retrial to the 11th High Criminal Court of Ankara,
which had previously convicted him.
PKK [Kurdistan
People’s Congress, KGK] leader Abdullah Ocalan’s lawyers Rezan Sarica, Cengiz
Yurekli, and Mazlum Dinc appealed to the 11th High Criminal Court of Ankara --
which had previously convicted their client to aggravated life imprisonment --
for Ocalan’s “retrial and suspension of sentence” under Temporary Article 2,
which amends the rules of retrial in Law 6459 Article 21, publicly known as the
fourth judicial package.
The lawyers
summarized the preambles for their appeal by stating: “We request, in the scope
of Temporary Article 2 attached to Article 21 of the amendment of jurisdiction
concerning Criminal Court Law 5271, and Law 6459 regarding human rights and
freedom of expression, the approval of Mr. Ocalan’s retrial and the reordering
or suspension of his sentence -- a situation that has been supported by a
European Court of Human Rights verdict which states that the trial of Ocalan
violated the European Convention of Human Rights and was based on a
discriminatory process."
The lawyers
continued: "In case the Court
disagrees, we request, on the grounds of Article 152/1 of the Constitution,
that the file be referred to the Constitutional Court with a request for the
abrogation of the clause “concerning those who are inspected by the Committee
of Ministers of the Council of Europe as of 15.06.2012,” and that the court
decide for the annulment of the aforementioned statutory provision."
12. Turkish Commanders submit resignations ahead of
key Turkish military meeting
Turkish daily Hurriyet (29.07.13) reports that two top Turkish Armed Force commanders, Lt. Gen. Nezih Damci and Maj. Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, have submitted their resignations just days before the start of the Supreme Military Council (YAS), which will decide on the promotions of commanders.
Turkish daily Hurriyet (29.07.13) reports that two top Turkish Armed Force commanders, Lt. Gen. Nezih Damci and Maj. Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, have submitted their resignations just days before the start of the Supreme Military Council (YAS), which will decide on the promotions of commanders.
The Chief of
General Staff, however, has intervened to stop the resignations of the Chief of
Staff of the Turkish Air Force, Damci, and Kadioglu, the head of the Air
Training Command, according to the report.
The military
council, which has in recent years been dealing with debates over the promotions
and retirements of top commanders facing accusations in coup plots, is set to
start Aug. 1.
Damci was one of
the figures said to be involved in the 2011 Uludere raid, which caused the
death of 34 civilians when a group of smugglers was mistaken for terrorists.
In a similar
case, former Navy Adm. Nusret Guner conducted an interview in which he broke
months of silence about his resignation, which was accepted in late January, to
say he departed in particular reaction to rulings in the "Balyoz"
(Sledgehammer) coup plot case, as well as charges against military members
involved in an alleged military espionage gang.
Around 170
commissioned officers have resigned from the Turkish Air Force since the
beginning of this year, including 123 pilots. Most of the resignations are
caused by disappointment over salary or family reasons. Some of the pilots,
daily Hurriyet reported, have chosen to continue their profession in private
companies.
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