TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.147/13 06/08/2013
1.
Ergenekon verdict: Long sentences for 54 suspects, life for ex-army chief
Basbug
2.
My conscience is clear, says Turkey's former army chief sentenced to life in prison
3.
Turkish Cypriot daily refers to Ergenekon’s connection to occupied Cyprus
4.
Turkish editorial says with the Ergenekon Erdogan accomplished his mission to
deter the military from intervening into politics
5.
Eroglu alleges that the Greek side is tactically keeping the subject of Varosha
on the agenda as a cover for its “negative attitude”
6.
Erk reiterates the Turkish views on occupied Varosha and Cyprus’s hydrocarbon
resources
7.
Denktas wants the opening of occupied Varosha under Turkish administration; He
says DP-UG and UBP might be merged
8.
Izcan: the return of occupied Varosha to its legal owners will give
acceleration to the solution process
9. UBP decides to hold a congress
in October and to remove its chairmen in Nicosia and Famagusta from their
post
10.
Akca says the regime’s economic growth was lower than expected
11.
Doctors accuse regime’s “government” of not taking the necessary measures after
the environmental disaster in Gastria
12.
Erdogan talks to Putin on Syria
13.
Inal Batu, so called Turkish ambassador during the declaration of the breakaway
regime died
14.
Turkish General Staff says Supreme Military Council meeting results “unrelated
to any particular incident”
1. Ergenekon
verdict: Long sentences for 54 suspects, life for ex-army chief Basbug
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that a court on Monday sentenced a former chief of general staff to
life without parole and handed down harsh sentences to nearly 300 defendants,
including many former military force commanders accused of plotting to topple
the government.
The court sentenced former military chief Gen. Ilker
Basbug, journalist Tuncay Ozkan, retired
Col. Dursun Cicek, lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, Workers' Party (İP) leader Dogu Perincek,
retired Col. Fuat Selvi, Hasan Ataman Yildirim, retired generals Hursit Tolon,
Nusret Tasdeler, Hasan Igsiz and Sener Eruygur to aggravated life imprisonment.
Retired Brig. Gen. Veli Kucuk, Capt. Muzaffer Tekin and Council of State
shooter Alparslan Arslan got consecutive life sentences in the trial.
The court acquitted a total of 21 of the 275
defendants. The trial had been ongoing since 2008, after the discovery of a
weapons arsenal in a İstanbul district. The court separated the cases of two suspects
at large, former Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Turan Comez
and former Istanbul Mayor Bedrettin Dalan.
Force commanders were given lengthy or life sentences
on charges of attempting to overthrow the government, but there were also civilians,
such as journalists Tuncay Ozkan and Mustafa Balbay, who were given lengthy
prison terms. Ozkan was given 22 years and six months in jail while Balbay, who
is also a Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy, was given 34 years and eight
months. Sixteen of those convicted were released on the grounds that they have
served their sentences already considering the time they spent under arrest
during the course of the trial.
Another deputy, CHP Zonguldak deputy Mehmet Haberal
was given 12 and a half years on coup-attempt-related charges but was released.
Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) President Sinan Aygun, was sentenced to 13
years and six months. Journalist Yalcin Kucuk, who was accused of being one of
the chief members in the administration of the organization, was given 22 years
and six months. Dogu Perincek, head of the Workers' Party (İP), was given life
without parole.
Another key defendant, Veli Kucuk, was given two
consecutive life sentences. Kucuk is a retired general and is believed to be
the founder of the illegal intelligence unit JİTEM.
Former legal counsel of the General Staff, retired
Gen. Hifzi Cubuklu was sentenced to nine years in prison. Well-known mafia
leader Sedat Peker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in
Ergenekon. Lt. Gen. İsmail Hakki Pekin was given a seven-year-and-six-months
imprisonment. Former Police Chief Adil Serdar Sacan got 14 years and six
months. Ferda Paksüt got two years and six months. The court sentenced Vice
Adm. Mehmet Otuzbiroğlu to 20 years and six months in prison.
Osman Yıldırım, who was among the suspects of the 2007
Council of State attack, got eight years and nine months. Retired Col. Arif
Doğan, who also admitted to his role in establishing JİTEM -- a clandestine and
illicit unit within the gendarmerie -- was given 47 years. Ali Yasak, a
well-known gangster linked to the figures in the Susurluk incident, got six
years and three months.
Some of the other sentences announced on Monday were
as follows, although over what charges the sentences were given was not
immediately available for each individual. Mafia boss Semih Tufan Gülaltay was
given 12 years; İP Secretary-General Ferit İlsever 15 years; writer Ergun
Poyraz 29 years and nine months; former Higher Education Board (YÖK) President Kemal
Gürüz got 13 years and 11 months; İP leader Doğu Perinçek 117 years; İP press
secretary Hikmet Çiçek 21 years and nine months; retired Maj. Fikret Emek 41
years and four months; retired Lt. Col. Mustafa Dönmez 49 years and two months;
Bedirhan Şinal, a suspect of a hand grenade attack on the Cumhuriyet daily
office, was sentenced to 18 years and eight months in prison; Emcet Olcayto, a
lawyer for the Workers' Party, was given 13 years and two months; retired NCO
Oktay Yıldırım got 33 years and 10 months and former National Security Council
(MGK) Secretary-General Tuncer Kılınç was sentenced to 13 years.
Security forces set up barricades around the
courthouse in the Silivri jail complex, west of İstanbul, to tighten security
after the defendants' supporters vowed to hold a demonstration against the
five-year trial that has exposed deep divisions in Turkish society.
Prosecutors say an alleged network of secular
arch-nationalists, codenamed Ergenekon, pursued extra-judicial killings and
bombings in order to trigger a military coup, an example of the anti-democratic
forces that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says his Islamist-rooted AK
Party has fought to stamp out.
Critics, including the main opposition party, have
said the charges are trumped up, aimed at stifling opposition and taming the
secularist establishment that has long dominated Turkey. It says the judiciary
has been subject to political influence in hearing the case.
Ahead of the verdict, state authorities banned
protests at the court, and police on Saturday raided the offices of a
secularist association, political party and television channel, detaining 20
people for calling for demonstrations.
Police sealed off the main road to the courthouse with
fencing topped with razor wire and concrete blocks and around 100 people
chanted anti-government slogans.
"The day will come when the AKP will pay the
price," some chanted on the approach road to Silivri, where hundreds of
riot police were on duty, backed by water cannon vehicles.
The threat of a coup is not far-fetched: The
secularist military staged three coups in Turkey between 1960 and 1980 and
pushed the first Islamist-led government out of office in 1997.
But Prime Minister Erdoğan has gradually chipped away
at the army's influence since his AK Party first came to power in 2002,
including in the courts with the Ergenekon case and the separate
"Sledgehammer" plot.
Last September, the court in Silivri sentenced more
than 300 military officers to jail on charges of plotting to overthrow Erdoğan
a decade ago in “Sledgehammer.”
The government's control over NATO's second largest
army was clearly illustrated on Saturday when Ankara appointed new military
commanders in an overhaul of its top ranks, forcing the retirement of a senior
general regarded as a government critic.
2. My
conscience is clear, says Turkey's former army chief sentenced to life in
prison
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.08.13) reports
that former Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ released a short
statement following the Ergenekon verdict sentencing him to life in prison,
stating that his conscience was clear and that the “final say is the people’s
say.”
“For those who have been tried under these
circumstances, the final say is the people’s say. And the people are never
wrong and are never deceived,” Başbuğ said.
“Those who have always stood beside the righteous
people, beside justice, have a clear conscience. I am one of those people,” the
former army chief added.
Suspects’ daughters Tuncay Ozkan and Dursun Çiçek
staged a protest outside the courthouse minutes after the verdict was
announced. Özkan attempted to walk out of the courtroom following the
announcement, but was prevented from doing so. Arif Doğan, who was sentenced to
47 years, yelled, “Hang me!” after the judge read the verdict, according to
daily Hurriyet.
The verdict prompted responses from suspects and
outsiders alike as Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sinan Aygün, who was
sentenced to 13 years and six months, said he respected the decision, adding
that CHP head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu “did not expect so many life sentences.”
Kılıçdaroğlu was surprised for high number of life
imprisonments, Aygün told reporters after the meeting.
Aygün referred to the next stage to the high court,
and said he would continue working for a new charter.
Nationalist Movement party (MHP) deputy Oktay Vural
told members of the press that one should take a look at the verdict before
making statements, however, he added that the ongoing process had been used by
the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as “a marketing tool and a way
of oppressing the opposition,” according to Anadolu Agency.
“Imposing punishment for crimes against the government
only is becoming obsolete,” Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy Adil Zozani
told the Hürriyet Daily News.
“These people committed crime not only against the
government. They were also involved in some crimes that can be considered as
crimes against humanity. These crimes are included in additional case files,”
he said.
3. Turkish
Cypriot daily refers to Ergenekon’s connection to occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that many persons who were sentenced to prison at the Ergenekon case in
Turkey are connected to the occupied area of Cyprus. Especially some of them
had been granted the “citizenship” of the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, and participated in “national
activities” on the island or supported and organized such activities.
According to the paper these persons are the
following:
Muzaffer Tekin: He was twice convicted to aggravated life sentence
and 117 years in prison accused of organizing a coup. He had supported late
Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas before “presidential elections” by signing
a statement under the title “We are behind our national cause and Rauf
Denktas”. He had visited the island several times within the framework of a
campaign in favor of Denktas. His relation with Cyprus goes back to the period
of terrorist TMT organization. He is a “citizen” of the breakaway regime.
Sinan Aygun: He was convicted to 13 years and six months in
prison. He had been granted the “citizenship” of the breakaway regime before
2004 by the National Unity Party (UBP) – Democratic Party (DP) “government”. He
had stated that he had been granted the “citizenship” within half an hour. The
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) “government” annulled his “citizenship”. The
then UBP chairman, Dervis Eroglu had stated that he would return Aygun’s
“citizenship” in case he came to “power”.
Mustafa Ozbek: He is the former chairman of Turkish Metal Trade
Union. He was convicted to lifelong sentence in prison. He possesses immovable
property in the occupied area of Cyprus. This property is said to be around
nine million Turkish liras (about four million pound sterling). He was known for
his closeness to Rauf Denktas. He had been visiting the island very often. He
had established a television station here named Avrasya TV (ART), which
supported the rightwing parties and stopped broadcasting after Ozbek’s arrest.
He was close friend of former “MP” (with the UBP), Ahmet Caluda.
Dogu Perincek: He was the chairman of the Labor Party (IP) in
Turkey. He was convicted to aggravated life sentence in prison. He was related
with Rauf Denktas and participated in some “national meetings” together with
the late Turkish Cypriot leader. Rauf Denktas has been the president of Talat
Pasha Committee’s Advisory Council, which had been organized by IP. Addressing
a meeting in a period during which Perincek was in prison within the framework
of Ergenekon case, Denktas said “I am sending my regards to our actual
chairman, Dogu Perincek”.
Erol Manisali: He was sentenced to nine years and eight months in
prison. He is known as an academician having nationalistic views and being
against globalization and the European Union. He was a close friend of Rauf
Denktas and wrote a book under the title “The other face of Denktas”. He is
also the author of many books on Cyprus.
Mehmet Eroz: Retired lieutenant general Mehmet Eroz was sentenced
to lifelong in prison. He had served in the occupied area of Cyprus as
commander of the so-called security forces between 9 August 2006 and 19 August
2008.
(I/Ts.)
4. Turkish
editorial says with the Ergenekon Erdogan accomplished his mission to deter the
military from intervening into politics
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.08.13) publishes
the following article by Murat Yetkin under the title: “Mission accomplished with collateral
damage”.
“There was little room for a surprise anyway; the
Istanbul Specially Authorized 13th Criminal Court ruled on August 5 for life
imprisonment of 17 people, including Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's former
Chief of General Staff, retired general Ilker Basbug, on charges of attempting
to overthrow the government through an illegal organization called
"Ergenekon." […]
Among them internationally renowned surgeon Mehmat
Haberal (12 years) for participating in the conspiracy against the Erdogan's
Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) government.
Haberal was released since he already served a part of
his sentence in the trials which had started in 2008. Haberal had been elected
as a member of parliament on the main opposition Republican People's Party
(CHP) list when he was in prison; so he can take his oath and begin his
political career. […] Another CHP deputy, Sinan Aygun, the former head of the
Chamber of Commerce of Ankara, who is currently free, was sentenced to 13 years
by the court.
The ruling of the court added more to controversy
during the trials because of long and extended detention periods and
restrictions on the defense rights of the accusers.
On the other hand it reflects the determination of
Erdogan and his government against any intentions to undermine a democratically
elected administration which had cost three military coups in Turkey in the
Cold War times between 1960 and 1980, plus a psychological operation in 1997
causing the government of the tine to resign.
In a way, Erdogan accomplished his mission to deter
the military from intervening into politics and anyone who would see a place
for military in Turkish political system. It started with a government
statement on April 28, 2007 against a military statement a day before, telling
military to mind their own business, for the first time in Turkish politics,
then declaring early elections to endorse his power, opening up the Ergenekon
probe the same year and strengthening the Criminal Code regarding attempts
against the political system. The violations of rights of defenders in
Ergenekon case, could be regarded as collateral damage for this firm deterrence
operation and government added an article to the 2010 referendum which put a
Constitutional Court stage in front of Turkish citizens' application to
European Court of Human Rights, like a preemptive move against the possibility
of most of the cases yesterday would end up in Strasbourg.
The Ergenekon trials indeed changed at least a part of
Turkish society's views on the abnormality of military involvement in politics;
there was the collateral damage which it seems Erdogan was ready to pay the
price for which he might have thought it would be worth.
The ruling of the Court is likely to be a turning
point in Turkish political life.”
5. Eroglu
alleges that the Greek side is
tactically keeping the subject of Varosha on the agenda as a cover for its
“negative attitude”
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (05.08.13) publishes
an article by Sefa Karahasan under the title “Eroglu: Anastasiades is hampering
Cyprus talks”, about statements of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu on
Cyprus negotiations, Varosha and “election results” in occupied Cyprus.
The article is as follows:
“I discussed with Dervis Eroglu, president of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC], the outcome of the elections held
on 28 July and the progress of the Cyprus talks. Eroglu thinks the Greek
Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades is playing for time in the Cyprus talks that
are due to start in October. The fact that the Greek Cypriots are acting as if
they are leaving the talks to the "initiative" of the National
Council validates Eroglu. Anastasiades is constantly pointing to the National
Council in relation to the discussions. The leader of the KKTC explains why
this is not the right approach with his comment: "The honorable Anastasiades
is trying to hamper the talks. He is trying to evade responsibility by pulling
the National Council more into the talks. Anastasiades displays a general sense
of being uncompromising…"
The same picture emerges in Varosha being brought to
the agenda. As well as Anastasiades, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis
Kasoulidis is constantly bringing Varosha to the agenda. Kasoulides even wants a "return of Varosha before October."
The Greek Cypriots know that Varosha is an integral part of the solution.
Despite this, he is insisting on keeping the subject on the agenda and trying
to link it with Turkey's EU membership. There is an offer on the table "to
start the main topics of discussion once talks are opened on Varosha."
Eroglu has a clear answer to the Greek Cypriots, who have embarked on an effort
to carry out the process "not with the Turkish Cypriots but with
Ankara": "The Greek side is tactically keeping the subject of Varosha
on the agenda as a cover for its negative attitude. It is acting as though it
wants to solve Varosha through Turkey. Varosha is an integral part of the
solution and if the issue is going to be resolved, the collocutor is the
Turkish Cypriot side…"
President Eroglu will go to New York in September. Anastasiades
will also be there. Eroglu wishes to have a three-way meeting with UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon and Anastasiades. He thinks this would add momentum to the
discussions that will start in October. Therefore, in this kind of environment
a "harmonious government" model away from "domestic
infighting" needs to be created. If the government to be set up takes
"steps with consensus agreements" on the subject of Cyprus as well as
on constitutional arrangements, then the hand of the Turkish Cypriot side will
equally be strengthened in the negotiations. Eroglu sends a very important
message to the parties on this point: "The parties may develop a course of
action for an agreement in line with parliamentary decisions or UN parameters.
Decisions made in parliament may change…"
The elections have also caused some major shock waves.
The National Unity Party [UBP] had emerged from the 2009 elections with 45
percent of the votes, but its parliamentary leader, chairman, general
secretary, district head, and parliamentary group leader were not even elected
as "deputies." This is the first time in history that a party has
suffered such a heavy blow. UBP Chairman Irsen Kucuk claimed that "Eroglu
has caused the election loss." Eroglu "violently denied" Kucuk's
remarks and said: "The chairman did not see the party was losing
blood." The president also "appreciated" that in "July, the
hottest month" for the island, participation in the election rose to 70
percent. We are due to witness lively days in Cyprus after October. We
will all be watching.”
6. Erk
reiterates the Turkish views on occupied Varosha and Cyprus’s hydrocarbon
resources
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that Kutlay Erk, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged
that the statements made by Foreign Minister Kasoulides to Politis newspaper on
the issue of the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal
Greek Cypriot owners are “an open sign” of the so-called Greek Cypriot efforts
to postpone the resumption of the negotiation process for finding a comprehensive
solution to the Cyprus problem.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Erk expressed
his sorrow because, in spite of Turkish Cypriot side’s view that Varosha is a
part of the negotiations for finding a comprehensive solution, the Greek
Cypriot side “exerts efforts to create an artificial agenda” addressed to both
local and international public opinion on the issue of Varosha. Erk alleged
that the Greek Cypriot side brought Varosha onto the agenda in order to
“camouflage its lack of will for a solution by creating an infertile debate on
this issue prior to the negotiations” planned to commence in October.
Referring to Cyprus’s hydrocarbon resources, Erk
claimed that minister Kasoulides’s statements “once more revealed” that the
Greek Cypriot side aims at promoting its “unilateral policies” to change the
balances “at the cost of threatening peace and tranquility in the area”.
“Within this framework, we consider as useful to underline that Greek Cypriot
side’s game of brining the Republic of Turkey face to face with other states is
dangerous”, he alleged.
(I/Ts.)
7. Denktas
wants the opening of occupied Varosha under Turkish administration; He says
DP-UG and UBP might be merged
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party – National Forces
(DP-UG), has alleged that the issue of the return of the occupied fenced city
of Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners should be out of the question. In
statements during a television program yesterday, Denktas referred to the
negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem and the issue of the establishment
of a “government” in the occupied area of the island.
“An issue such as the return of Varosha should be out
of the question, but it should be opened to its old owners under Turkish
administration”, he alleged. Noting that the regime should pass a “Guardianship
Law”, Denktas said that in 2004 the Greek Cypriot side rejected the Annan Plan,
which, inter alia, included the return of Varosha.
Denktas said that he has no hope or expectation that a
bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution will be achieved and argued that a
solution and an agreement that will be achieved as a result of pressures would
bring chaos to both communities.
Denktas alleged that the problem in Cyprus derives
from the power sharing and that this situation exists since 1964. He argued
that two alternatives should be preconditions for starting the negotiations.
The one is the customs union of the occupied area of Cyprus with the EU,
without putting political recognition as precondition. The other is free trade
and customs union with Turkey, if the EU rejects the above proposal.
Referring to the establishment of a “government” in
the occupied area of the island, Denktas reiterated his proposal for
establishing a four-party “coalition government” in order for making
“constitutional” amendments until the “local administration elections” which
will be held in June 2014, or if they could not achieve this target, to
continue until the “presidential elections”, which are planned for April 2015.
Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (06.08.13) reports that,
in the same statements, Denktas said that DP-UG and the National Unity Party
(UBP) might be merged. Denktas noted that he would not oppose to such a
development, if the members of the parties want it to happen. He said that many
persons in both parties want this to happen and added that this started right
after the last “presidential elections”.
(I/Ts.)
8. Izcan:
the return of occupied Varosha to its legal owners will give acceleration to
the solution process
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that Izzet Izcan, leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), has said
that the occupied fenced city of Varosha should be returned to its legal Greek
Cypriot owners the soonest and the port of Famagusta should be opened for
direct trade.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Izcan noted
that “those who hide behind the comprehensive solution rhetoric” and reject the
return of Varosha and the opening of the Famagusta port serve to the status
quo.
He said: “The important thing is the return of Varosha
to its legal owners and the opening of Famagusta port in parallel to the
process for a comprehensive solution. This will both contribute in the
international relations and give acceleration to the solution process”.
(I/Ts.)
9. UBP
decides to hold a congress in October and to remove its chairmen in Nicosia and
Famagusta from their post
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that National Unity Party’s (UBP) administrative council convened last
night and decided that the party should hold an extraordinary congress in
October and removed from their duties the chairmen of UBP’s organizations in
Nicosia, Faiz Sucuoglu and in Famagusta, Sunat Atun, as well as its regional
administrative committees.
Commenting on the removal from his post, Atun told
Kibris that the chairman of the party, Irsen Kucuk forced such a decision in
order to be able to have elected the person he wants to the post of the
president of UBP. Atun said that the party needs a chairman in order to hold
discussions for participating in a “coalition government” and added that an UBP
without a president would not be able to become a “coalition partner” or carry
out the duty of the “main opposition”. Atun argued that he received the most
“votes” from the UBP supporters and recalled that Kucuk was not able to be
“elected”.
In his statements, Sucuoglu said that he had found out
about this decision from a telephone call and added that he did not know what
the aim was. He noted that the congress which will be held in October is being
turned into a regular congress and added that the reason of this is that the
organizations of the party should change and be renewed. He argued that some
circles are trying to drag UBP into chaos again.
Under the title “Earthquake in the UBP”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (06.08.13), reports that Sucuoglu said that
Kucuk plays with the party as if it was a toy and added that “no one has the
right to make UBP so small”.
(I/Ts.)
10. Akca
says the regime’s economic growth was lower than expected
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that Halil Ibrahim Akca, Turkey’s so-called ambassador to the occupied
part of Nicosia, has published “The Report for TRNC’s Economic Situation in
2012” prepared by his “embassy’s” Aid Delegation. According to Ankara Anatolia
news agency, in his statement in the beginning of the report, Akca noted that
the most important problem, in the implementation of the breakaway regime’s
program for the period 2010-12, was that the community did not “make the
program its own” as he said, in order to show that the community did not offer
enough support to the program.
He complained that the economic program has been
distorted and alleged that “distortions that reverse the aim of the program
have been made in order to protect the status quo and prevent transformation,
by ignoring the real problems”.
Akca complained of the “influential propaganda” which
is held against the economic program, and noted that an “important part of the
community” did not believe that economic transformation was possible. He argued
that due to this “propaganda” the people were hesitating and the economic
activities were not revived as much as they expected. He noted that the
three-year growth rate was lower than expected and reached 10.4%, but the
economy entered into the right course with the development of the sectors of
tourism, higher education and agriculture and the annual growth rate was 3.4%,
which higher than the EU’s average growth rate.
Akca argued that if the reforms, which are included in
the new program (for the period 2013-15), are successful the regime’s economy
will grow and come to the same level as the economy in the
government-controlled area of Cyprus and added that it could even come to a
better situation.
(I/Ts.)
11. Doctors
accuse regime’s “government” of not taking the necessary measures after the
environmental disaster in Gastria
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Union (KTTB) has accused the “government”
of the breakaway regime of not being transparent on the issue of the
environmental disaster that happened in occupied Gastria area and of not taking
the necessary measures.
In statements during a press conference yesterday, the
Union argued that the sea area from the north of the Gulf of Famagusta until
Larnaka is at risk and reiterated the warning that women who are pregnant and
children younger than 7 years old should avoid entering into the sea of that
area.
However, self-styled minister of health, Buri Goksin
told Kibris that the analysis of the water samples taken from the area
continued and added that they could not prevent people from entering into the
sea before having the results.
(I/Ts.)
12. Erdogan
talks to Putin on Syria
Turkish daily Zaman (06.08.13) reports that Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Russian
President Vladimir Putin via telephone to exchange views on the protracted
crisis in Syria and the political turmoil engulfing Egypt.
The two leaders reportedly spoke for nearly one hour.
According to sources in Ankara, Erdogan and Putin exchanged
views on regional affairs, the political crisis in Egypt and the intractable
Syrian conflict.
“Ankara and Moscow are at odds with each other over
how to handle the prolonged Syrian crisis. Despite discord on many regional
issues, the two countries have improved bilateral diplomatic and economic ties
over the past decade and are in constant contact to avert any potential crisis
in ties”, writes the paper.
13. Inal
Batu, so called Turkish ambassador during the declaration of the breakaway
regime died
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.08.13)
reports that Inal Batu, who was so-called ambassador of Turkey to occupied
Nicosia at the time of the declaration of the breakaway regime in 1983, died in
a hospital in Istanbul on Monday.
Born in Istanbul in 1936, Batu graduated from Ankara
University's Faculty of Political Sciences. Over his career he was appointed as
Turkey's ambassador to various places including Prague, the United Nations,
Islamabad and Rome.
Later, he served as deputy secretary at the Turkish
Foreign Ministry and representative for Hatay province as a member of the
Republican People's Party (CHP). Batu was also the member of the Turkish group
of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
According to Kibris, Batu offered great services to the
breakaway regime.
14. Turkish
General Staff says Supreme Military Council meeting results “unrelated to any
particular incident”
Turkish daily Today's Zaman (06.08.13) reports that
the Turkish General Staff released a
written statement on Monday regarding the latest Supreme Military Council (YAŞ)
meeting, denying media reports that associate the new YAŞ decisions with some
particular incidents.
YAŞ meets twice a year, in August and December, under
the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, whose presence was symbolic until 2010,
when the civilian government began to exert its legal powers over YAŞ decisions
concerning the promotion and retirement of generals.
In its statement, the General Staff stated the media
reports trying to connect the YAŞ meetings with some earlier incidents do not
reflect the truth, adding: “Despite unjust criticism coming from some
individuals and circles targeting it, the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] continue
to fight to maintain peace and to ensure the functioning of democratic rules in
our country. Furthermore, the association of the YAŞ results with some
incidents in no way reflects the truth. Every duty of the TSK is lofty and
honorable.”
The results of the three-day YAŞ meeting were made
public after the decisions were presented to President Abdullah Gul on
Saturday. According to the decisions, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi
Akar was appointed as the new Land Forces commander while Gendarmerie Commander
Gen. Bekir Kalyoncu was forced to retire. Akar is expected to replace Ozel in
2015.
Speculation appeared in the Turkish media following
the publication of the YAŞ results detailing the retirement of Gen. Kalyoncu.
According to media reports, Kalyoncu was forced to retire because the
government did not support him after he made critical remarks about Turkey's
settlement process with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) launched
by the government in October of last year, and his anti-government stance
during a security summit in 2006.
Other speculation in the media involved the retirement
of Air Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Nezih Damcı, who was allegedly forced to
retire ahead of the YAŞ meeting, due to his connection with a deadly airstrike
that killed 34 civilians in 2011, known as the Uludere massacre.
The TSK released a written statement last week
regarding the retirement of Gen. Damcı in which it stated that the general had
decided to retire of his own accord and that his request had been accepted. The
TSK had also denied the link between Damci's retirement and his alleged
involvement in the Uludere massacre.
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