TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.149/13 08/08/2013
1.
Eroglu: asking for return of Varosha is intransigence and arrogance
2.
Talat: no solution could be reached with Eroglu
3.
Contacts for establishing “coalition government” start; The parties discuss
their “sensitivities”
4.
BKP: Ankara’s economic package will be implemented regardless of who will
establish the “government”
5.
Harmanci says they cleaned 250 tons of waste from the sea at Gastria
6.
Solidarity panel for Greek ERT was organized in occupied Cyprus
7.
Gul calls on Turkey to focus on EU accession in his message for Eid al-Fitr
celebration
8.
Turkish columnists continue to comment on Ergenekon verdict
9. Prosecutor
seeks prison sentences for website contributors
1. Eroglu:
asking for return of Varosha is intransigence and arrogance
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.08.13)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu has alleged that asking
for the return of the occupied fenced city of Varosha to its legal Greek
Cypriot owners is tantamount to intransigence and arrogance. In his message on
the occasion of the Islamic feast of Ramadan, Eroglu noted that a “new activity”
is expected on the Cyprus issue in October and claimed that if the Greek
Cypriots did not break their word, the negotiations should continue from the
point they had been left. Noting that trying to start from the scratch would be
tantamount to postponing the solution and playing with time, he said that the
UN should not allow this to happen.
“In our view, saying to the Turkish side ‘give Varosha
and we will start, we want this, we want that’, is intransigence and
arrogance”, alleged Eroglu, claiming that the Turkish Cypriots were fed up with
what he called as “tricks of the Greek Cypriot side” and with the UN’s and the
EU’s ignoring these “tricks”.
Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot “people” do not want
to live under isolations and embargoes, Eroglu claimed: “Including the recent
elections, our people have always showed that they will never abandon their
self-administration, their sovereign rights, their land, their freedom and
Motherland Turkey’s active and effective guarantees”.
Referring to the results of the early “parliamentary
elections” held on 28 July, Eroglu argued that a new “parliament” has been
established with the “will of the people” that was reflected in the ballot box
and that the message given by the “people” is consensus as no party could
establish a “government” alone. He said that as almost all parties have
promised before the “elections”, they would proceed to “constitutional
amendments” and change the “laws” as regards holding “elections” and referendum
as well as the political parties’ “law”. He noted that a broad consensus should
be established for this.
(I/Ts.)
2. Talat:
no solution could be reached with Eroglu
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (08.08.13)
reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has said that
no solution to the Cyprus problem could be reached with DervisEroglu at
leadership of the Turkish Cypriot Community. In statements to KanalSim
yesterday, Talat defended his view by saying that Eroglu does not believe in
the solution and does not even refer to federation.
Talat said he did not think that the negotiations,
which will resume in October, would bring a result if they were not held at the
level of the leaders. Talat noted that the “parliament” could not appoint a
negotiator. “The negotiator is the president who is elected with the votes of
the people”, he argued.
Talat reiterated his view in favor of the
establishment of a “coalition government” between the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP) and the National Unity Party (UBP). He argued that the UBP and the
Democratic Party (DP) are no different and added that if CTP sees DP as its
only alternative and does not approach the UBP in the same manner as the DP,
the DP “will rip your lung off”.
Talat described as “interesting” the results of the
“election” and said that the UBP and the DP “are completely the same now”. He
went on and reiterated the view that the DP “has entered under Eroglu’s
guardianship”.
Replying to a question, Talat said that no
“suggestion” came to him from Ankara on the issue of the establishment of a
CTP-UBP “coalition government”.
When he was reminded of the scenarios for unification
of the right-wing parties, Talat said he hoped that UBP and DP were merged,
because then, their votes will decrease.
(I/Ts.)
3. Contacts
for establishing “coalition government” start; The parties discuss their
“sensitivities”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (08.08.13)
reports that OzkanYorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party – United
Forces (CTP-BG) held separate “unofficial” meetings yesterday with
SerdarDenktas, leader of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) and
IrsenKucuk, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) with the aim of
discussing the establishment of a “coalition government”.
Speaking after his meeting with Denktas, Yorgancioglu
said that they carried out a “general evaluation” and added that the CTP will
hold meetings with the other parties represented in the “assembly” as well. He
argued that no bargain was made and that only their “sensitivities” were
discussed.
Denktas described the meeting as “unofficial and
preparatory” and noted that their “general approaches” were discussed. He said
that the “official” discussions will start after a party is assigned with the
duty of establishing a “government”.
In statements after his meeting with Kucuk,
Yorgancioglu said that the “official” discussions will start after 12 August,
when the newly “elected MPs” will take their oath.
On his part, in a written statement issued yesterday,
Kucuk said that the UBP will not refrain from undertaking any duty and
responsibility that will lead the “TRNC” to progress in all fields and its
“people” to prosperity and happiness. He noted that they will evaluate any kind
of “coalition government” with good will in the light of their principles and
the interests of the “country”.
(I/Ts.)
4. BKP:
Ankara’s economic package will be implemented regardless of who will establish
the “government”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (08.08.13)
reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party
(BKP) has said that whoever establishes the new “coalition government” of the
breakaway regime, the economic package which will be implemented will be the
same.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Korkmazhan
evaluated the discussions for establishing a “coalition government” after the
“parliamentary elections”. He noted that all parties which are represented in
the “assembly” are essentially the same and have given assurances that they
will implement the economic package imposed by the Justice and Development
Party (AKP). He argued that all four parties are following a passive stance in
front of “AKP’s colonialist policies”. He noted that unfortunately the winner
of the “elections” was AKP, the separatist regime and their collaborators,
whereas the losers were the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
5. Harmanci
says they cleaned 250 tons of waste from the sea at Gastria
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.08.13)
reports that Mehmet Harmanci, self-styled minister of tourism, environment and
culture, has said that they have paid 1.300.000 Turkish liras (TL) as equipment
expenses for cleaning the oil which had been spilled into the sea of occupied
Gastria area in the peninsula of Karpasia.
In a statement yesterday, he noted also that they paid
another 200.000 dollars for cargo and 800.000 dollars for the workers. He said
that they forced AKSA Company to pay all this money and added that the
169.800-TL fine imposed on the company has been received. He noted that the
disaster radically influenced the image which they have been trying to build
since 1974 arguing that the area was virgin and clean. Harmanci added that the
“government” asked from the “attorney general” to file a “lawsuit” against the
firm, demanding ten million Euros for non-pecuniary damages.
Harmanci said that they have cleaned 250 tons of
contaminated waste from the sea until today and that this waste is kept by AKSA
in a separate tank. He noted that they are trying to send this waste to a
cement firm in Turkey, but they are facing some problems because of the Turkish
laws.
According to Harmanci, pollution has been spread to an
area of 13 kilometers which are influenced to a different extent. He said that
the cleaning of rocks and the detailed cleaning will start this week. He
recalled that from the very first day they have closed the only beach which
could be used in the area and added that his “ministry” is closely following
the issue.
(I/Ts.)
6. Solidarity
panel for Greek ERT was organized in occupied Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper reports that
various trade unions organized a panel under the name “Solidarity Panel for the
workers in ERT”.
The panel was organized by the Turkish Cypriot Primary
School Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS), the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’
Trade Union (KTOEOS), the Media Laborers’ Trade Union (BASIN-SEN), and the
Radical Left Committee (ERAS Lefkosia).ERT employee Anastasia Zigou and the
chairman of BASIN-SEN Kemal Darbaz were among the persons that addressed the
panel.
7. Gul
calls on Turkey to focus on EU accession in his message for Eid al-Fitr
celebration
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (08.08.13) reports that
Turkish President Abdullah Gul has given a message of unity, presenting the
long-neglected European Union full membership goal as one of the main targets
requiring nationwide solidarity, in his message for Eid al-Fitr celebration [Editor’s
Note: Feast of Breaking the Fast, an important religious holiday celebrated by
Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of
fasting].
According to the paper, Gul used a message marking the
start of Eid al-Fitr today as an opportunity to popularize the EU issue on the
national agenda.
“Very important projects are being implemented in our
country, which has risen to the rating of investable in the entire world. The
acquisitions Turkey possesses and the values it embraces also show its rising
power,” Gul said.
“That’s why we need to know the value of our country.
We all closely know how tensions, polarizations and repetition of old mistakes
have brought grief and only grief in the past; have harmed our country’s image;
and have wasted our energy. We have all seen together how lawless and violent
incidents disrupted the serenity of the entire country. No doubt, it should
also not be forgotten that the expression of democratic reactions and societal
demands and objections, on legitimate grounds, without harming serenity and without
resorting to violence are indispensable elements of our democracy,” Gul said.
“Now it is a must for everybody to focus on our
hopeful tomorrows by seeing all of these [facts]. We need to focus on big
targets that will carry Turkey above the contemporary civilization level, such
as European Union membership, and we need to be in further solidarity,” the
Turkish President, stated.
8. Turkish
columnists continue to comment on Ergenekon verdict
Various Turkish columnists continue to publish their
view on the Ergenekon verdict.
Under the title “The Post-Ergenekon Mood”, Mustafa
Akyol in Turkish daily Star (07.08.13) criticizes Ergenekon convictions, saying
that it deepened social polarization:
“The first statement needed to be made after the
sentencing was made by Deputy Prime Minister BulentArinc: ‘We are not the kind
of people who will rejoice and applaud the arrest or condemnation of anyone. We
hope everybody will leave that behind soon and have a speedy recovery. Yes, one
should not rejoice over the condemnation of anyone, or applaud, or get into the
attitude of “Great! That serves them right.’
First of all, the people who were sentenced have
families. […] Moreover, the vast majority of the said convicts have never had
blood on their hands, have never committed any ‘ordinary crimes.’ They are people who have taken the wrong way
for a cause which they deemed politically right. (That is only if they are really guilty.) […]
Yes, I said ‘if they are really guilty.’ That is
because, as I have stated in this column time and again, I believe that the ‘wheat’
and the ‘chaff’ have been mixed way too much in the trials of both Balyoz and
Ergenekon.
[…] The situation of IlkerBasbug is one of the most
striking examples to that. How are we
going to believe that a military, who served as the head of the Chief of Staff
for two years, who worked in harmony with the government, and even received the
recognition of the government for that, and who then retired, is a ‘coup organizer?’[…]
There is no doubt that part of the society is very
happy about this outcome thinking ‘justice has been served.’ The other part of the society, however, is
upset and angry believing that justice was victimized to vengeance. I wish that was not the case. I wish even the most fanatic coup organizer could
say about the process that we went through ‘The guys put us on trial, but in
God’s name that was a fair trial.’
Unfortunately, that is not the post-Ergenekon mood. That situation further aggravated the already
deepened social polarization. Look around you.
Virtually all the political wings of the country are spewing doubt,
rage, and hatred. We urgently need moderation, peace, self-criticism, and
forgiveness. […]”
Under the title “Who Was Put on Trial in Ergenekon?”,Eyup
Can in Turkish daily Radikal (06.08.13) questions whether mentality or criminal
acts were put on trial in Ergenekon:
“This country has greatly suffered due to the gangs
that had coiled themselves up in the state and military tutelage that had been
hanging over democracy, but was it appropriate to carry out the trial in this
manner?
I do not much like saying ‘if only’, but a very
striking ‘if only’ article which reflected the mindset of many of us made
headlines in Radikal yesterday [5 August].
Orhan Kemal Cengiz who has followed the Ergenekon
trial from the very beginning both with the meticulousness of a jurist and as a
democratic and conscientious intellectual talked about the ‘if onlys of Ergenekon’.
I counted, Orhan Kemal said ‘if only’ 13 times. I am certain that had he
wanted, he would have said 113 times. It does not make a difference, however.
What is important is: Why do we have to say ‘if only’ so many times in such a
historic case in terms of [our] democracy?
‘If only, in addition to condemning the coup
initiatives that were put on trial with the Ergenekon case, we could have
united around the demand that calls for fully abiding with all the rights of
the for granting the rights of the suspects.’
Were we able to unite around this demand? On the
contrary, we have split into two in the coarsest manner.
‘If only we could have simultaneously seen the
seriousness of coup and assassination plans that are being put on trial with
this case and nonsenses such as ‘the examination into the affiliations of those
who have received scholarship from the Association for Supporting Modern Life
with terrorist organizations.’
Were we able to see? ‘If only we could have recognized
that both the military's effort to undermine the elected government is a very
serious crime and the court's refusal to listen to the witnesses brought by the
suspects is a very serious human rights violation.’
Were we able to recognize this? ‘If only we could have
applauded these trials' role in ending military tutelage and condemned the very
heavy sentences that have been passed against certain suspects only on grounds
that their names were mentioned in duty order forms. If only we could have been
able to see both those who tried to downgrade the trial by only portraying
through its faults and those who diluted the trial by labeling everyone as
'pro-Ergenekon'.’
Were we able to do this? Unfortunately we have failed.
[…]
Those who have followed the trial with great
seriousness from the very beginning have started to voice doubts. Those who
believe in democracy are not against settling accounts, before the law, with
dangerous illegal [last word in English] organizations that had once coiled up within
the state. In this regard the Ergenekon trial is a very important opportunity
for Turkish democracy. This opportunity is being missed, however, as this
process turns into an ideological settling of accounts and as it gradually
appears that revenge is being taken from the past by means of the law. The fact
that those who are being put on trial are journalists or general is not the
issue. Are we putting a mentality or criminal actions on trial? […]”
Finally, under the title “Turkey has succeeded in legal
squaring of accounts”, YalcinAkdogan writes in Star (06.08.13) that Ergenekon
verdict condemned all coups in Turkey and normalized relations with the
military:
“The Ergenekon case is the name of the biggest legal
battle in the history of the republic. Trying to massacre the national will,
overthrow the civilian administration, and change the regime and the order of the country tops the list of the greatest acts of
unlawfulness. With this decision, all military coups have been condemned at
once -- coups that not just toppled political governments, but also altogether
suspended the existing order, principally the constitution and the laws,
shelved all rights and freedoms, and put its signature to great cruelties and
torture.
Symbolically, this case is the trial of a mindset
distilled from 27 May, 12 March, 12 September, 28 February, and 27 April. With
this case, all the supporters of juntas and coups, all the revolutionaries, and
unlawful entrepreneurs have been called to account.
These punishments will be a meaningful message for the
future; they will constitute a major deterrent.[…]This nation is totally fed up
with coups and different sorts of interventions. Turkey paid a big price in
each period of intervention, experienced very heavy traumas. Many lives have
been extinguished, many cruelties have been experienced, and many families have
been broken. Thus, one way of saying ‘there will be no passage to coups, no
toleration, no permission’ is this sort of hearing. In this respect, the
Ergenekon case is a turning point for the future of Turkish democracy.
It is not only that with the Ergenekon case a mindset
is held to account; at the same time this perception that is rooted within the
state is eliminated through judicial means. The tutelage, partisanship, and
secrecy produced by this mindset, which uses the power of state for its own
benefit and thinks nothing of the national will, are taken out of circulation,
with the judiciary calling them to account. […]This kind of lawsuit can only
make a positive contribution to the normalization of military-civilian
relationships.
[…]We are not
in a position to comment on every person standing trial, every alleged crime,
and every punishment given. A detailed ruling will clarify this kind of
information and the judicial process will evolve to the Supreme Court. However,
we know this much: having a legal dispute about such claims, which are
unacceptable in any democratic country, and punishing claims of coup attempts
is a historic event, and Turkey has succeeded in this.”
9. Prosecutor
seeks prison sentences for website contributors
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (07.08.13)
reports that a prosecutor's office in Istanbul on Tuesday sought prison
sentences for the owner and contributing writers of a website for insulting
religious values.
The 18-page indictment of the owner and writers of
website EksiSozluk (Sour Times), a controversial forum for commentary on
various issues and incidents in Turkey that is often criticized over postings
seen as personal insults and attacks on religious values, has been submitted to
the court. The prosecutor asked for prison sentences from six months to a year
for 40 people, including the website's founder, SedatKapanoglu.
An investigation into Kapanoğlu was launched in 2010
after civilian Ali EmreBukagili filed a complaint. Police, starting with the
aliases found on EksiSozluk, discovered the identities of those who are accused
of insulting religious values and the Prophet Muhammad on the website.
The indictment referred to articles in the European
Convention on Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
regarding freedom of expression and thought. It also cited the European Court
of Human Rights (ECHR) judgment in Otto-Preminger-Institut v. Austria, which
says that certain duties and responsibilities are undertaken by those who
exercise their rights and that it may be necessary to sanction “improper” attacks
on religious values. The indictment also cited Article 216/3 of the Turkish
Penal Code (TCK), which states that opinions on God, the Prophet, holy books
and sects can be freely expressed as long as they do not offend the religious
feelings of others.
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