TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No.150/13 08/08/2013
1.
Eroglu describes as “debt” to their ancestors the continuation of the division
in Cyprus
2.
AKP is reportedly exerting pressures for a CTP-UBP “coalition government”
3.
German journalist refers to “Gulen’s new deep state” in Turkey
4. Erdogan says critics' rejection of Ergenekon ruling
constitutes crime
5.
Gul said he is sad over Basbug conviction on the Ergenekon Case
6. Turkish Commentary cites Buyukanit on Ergenekon verdict
7. Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Obama
over Syria and Egypt
1. Eroglu
describes as “debt” to their ancestors
the continuation of the division in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.08.13)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has alleged that the
“TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, was a
“heritage” to them by their ancestors. “Protecting this heritage is a debt to the
martyrs, to the ancestors”, he claimed addressing yesterday a ceremony held at
occupied Kokkina village on the occasion of the bombardment by Turkey of the
area of Tyllyria back in 1964.
Eroglu said that the important thing is the freedom,
prosperity and security of the Turkish Cypriot “people”, and reiterated the
view that the Cyprus problem is a national cause for them and no one could deny
this. “For the will and the interests of our people, we could never abandon our
freedom, our sovereignty our security, our territories, and Motherland Turkey’s
active and effective guarantees”, he added and claimed: “The TRNC is a heritage
to us by our ancestors. Protecting this heritage is a debt to the martyrs, to
the ancestors”.
Eroglu went on and alleged that “the state is the most
valuable and important entity that could be left for the future”.
Eroglu recalled that the area of Kokkina was “the most
important port” through which the terrorist Turkish Resistance Organization
(TMT) had been carrying weapons from Turkey to the island in the 1960’s. He
alleged that the incidents at Kokkina area have shown to the whole world that
the Turkish Cypriots would not allow the unification of Cyprus with Greece. He
also claimed that thanks to these incidents, the Turkish Cypriots saw that
Turkey would never abandon them and that she could even dare to enter into war
if necessary. He alleged that because of bombardment at Tyllyria, the Greek
Cypriots should have understood that Turkey would not succumb to their dreams
for the island’s unification with Greece and the world was not surprised by the
Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
Referring to the situation today, Eroglu alleged that
“those who attacked us 49 years ago”, as he described the Greek Cypriots, have
no intention of reaching “an agreement based on the existing realities”. Eroglu
claimed that news in the press regarding the discussions at the National
Council and views expressed by President Anastasiades during his election
campaign prevent him from being hopeful on the issue of finding a solution to
the Cyprus problem.
(I/Ts.)
2. AKP
is reportedly exerting pressures for a CTP-UBP “coalition government”
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.08.13)
reports that the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP), is
exerting pressures for the establishment of a “coalition government” between
the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG) and the National Unity
Party (UBP).
Under the title “CTP is caught between two fires”, the
paper writes that after the oath taking of the “MPs” on Monday, the Turkish
Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu is expected to assign the chairman of the CTP,
Ozkan Yorgancioglu with the duty of establishing a “government”. However, the
CTP has not decided yet who its “coalition partner” will be, argues Afrika
noting that three views exist in the CTP: the first group insists on a
“coalition” with the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), the second
group points out to Dervis Eroglu’s dominance over the DP-UG and argues that they
should cooperate with the UBP and the third group suggests that CTP should
remain outside the “government” at this stage.
According to Afrika, UBP’s chairman, Irsen Kucuk has
the authority to carry out the discussions for the establishment of a “coalition
government”, after remaining at his post until October upon “suggestions by the
AKP”. “Kucuk is still exerting efforts to create an UBP over which Eroglu could
not dominate”, notes Afrika, pointing out, however, that Kucuk is not enjoying
the support of the party behind him.
The paper argues that only if at least nine out of the
fourteen “MPs” of UBP joined the DP-UG, Kucuk would be put aside and a CTP-UBP
“coalition government” would be prevented.
Meanwhile, writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily
Havadis newspaper (09.08.13), Dervis Dogan reports that Kucuk should have
resigned right after the result of the “elections”. Dogan says that Kucuk has
not resigned and forced the organs of the party to decide that he should remain
at his post until October, “because this is his last chance”. “It is one last
gesture by the AKP to Irsen Kucuk”, he notes adding that “a coalition with the
UBP will be or have been proposed to the CTP a long time ago with Ankara’s
suggestions”. Dogan says that in such possible CTP-UBP “coalition”, Kucuk would
have the option of appointing “ministers” and he might have a point to remain
at the post of UBP’s chairman.
(I/Ts.)
3. German
journalist refers to “Gulen’s new deep state” in Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (09.08.13)
reports that the German journalist, Dr Nick Brauns, writer of “Die Junge Welt”
newspaper and known for his researches on the issue of Fethullah Gulen in
Germany, has commented on the decisions as regards the Ergenekon case noting,
that “the old ‘deep state’ in Turkey is substituted by the ‘new deep state’ of
Gulen’s community”.
The paper writes that Brauns, who is also known for
his researches on Turkey’s Kurdish problem and the Middle East, said that the
Ergenekon process is no different than Kafka’s “The Trial” novel. He noted that the policy followed during the
Ergenekon case “overshadowed” the military coup of the 12th of
September 1980.
He expressed the view that Fethullah Gulen is behind
the Ergenekon case and added that massive arrests began after Gulen brought his
own people to important posts in places such as the police and the judiciaryin
2010.“The old ‘deep state’ is substituted by Gulen’s ‘new deep state’”, he
noted.
(I/Ts.)
4. Erdogan
says critics' rejection of Ergenekon ruling constitutes crime
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (09.08.13) reports that in his first comments on a recent Turkish court ruling that sentenced 19 individuals, mostly retired army top brass, to life sentences for attempting to stage a coup, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said critics' statements rejecting the ruling “constitute a crime”.
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (09.08.13) reports that in his first comments on a recent Turkish court ruling that sentenced 19 individuals, mostly retired army top brass, to life sentences for attempting to stage a coup, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said critics' statements rejecting the ruling “constitute a crime”.
“The statements by the main opposition party and other
critics are ugly. There cannot be a logic which says judiciary is good when it
takes decisions I like and bad when it takes decisions I do not like. In
particular, the statements by the leader of the main opposition [Kemal Kilicdaroglu
of the Republican People's Party (CHP)] constitute a crime in my opinion.
Statements like ‘I do not recognize the judges and prosecutors of this court
cannot be accepted legal. This is completely interference in the judiciary,”
Erdogan said on Thursday while responding to questions by reporters after
performing Eid prayer at Istanbul's Suleymaniye Mosque.
An İstanbul court announced the verdicts of the
landmark Ergenekon trial on Monday. The court acquitted a total of 21 of the
275 defendants while sentencing 19, including former Chief of General Staff
Gen. Ilker Basbug to life on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.
The trial had been ongoing since 2008, when a weapons arsenal was discovered in
a district of İstanbul.
Kilicdaroglu earlier described the Ergenekon verdict
as illegitimate, saying the trial from the very beginning lacks a solid legal
ground and politically motivated. Main opposition leader, who has been one of
the fierce critics of the coup trial, deemed the trial as politically motivated
and a government move to silence opposition.
Erdogan underlined that the İstanbul court's ruling is
open to appeal. “I hope justice is served,” he said.
5. Gul
said he is sad over Basbug conviction on the Ergenekon Case
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.08.13) reports
that Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul has expressed sadness over the conviction
of a former top commander in a coup plot court case, while also underlining
that the judicial process regarding the case had not been completed yet, thus
the conviction was not a final judgment about the former commander.
Remarks by Gul delivered on Aug. 8, were the first
public comment from him concerning the landmark ruling released on Aug. 5 in
the Ergenekon coup plot case. The court ruled for conviction of more than 250
people on charges of attempting to topple the government, while jailing retired
Gen. İlker Basbug, a former Chief of the General Staff, and former military
chief for life.
Speaking to reporters after performing morning prayers
on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr at the Emirgan Mosque in Istanbul, Gul was
reminded of the fact that the ruling in the Ergenekon case was released and
that his “colleague” Basbug had been sentenced to life-time imprisonment and was
asked about his “assessment.”
“Of course, the judicial process is not over,” Gul was
quoted as saying by Anadolu Agency in response, as he underlined that the
related judicial process was a “long” one.
“There is the phase regarding the Supreme Court of
Appeals, that’s to say the appeal phase, in order for these charges and
penalties to become finalized. Additionally, since Turkey recognizes the
international law as well, there is the European Court of Human Rights. Without
a doubt, I feel sadness about Mr. Chief of General Staff with whom we worked together,”
Gul went on to say.
“But as I said, these are not final [judgments]. The
means of law are always open. We hope that in the upcoming period, both at the
Supreme Court of Appeals stage, and at the other stages – if there are – all
faults will be corrected and decisions which will satisfy the conscience of the
public opinion will be released,” the president said.
6. Turkish Commentary cites Buyukanit on Ergenekon verdict
Turkish daily
Milliyet (08.08.13) publishes a commentary by Fikret Bila, under the title “Buyukanit: Cannot Find Place in Public
Conscience”, who cites former Staff Chief’s statement’s on the Basbug’s
sentence:
“ […] Former General Staff Chief Yasar Buyukanit said
that he knows Ilker Basbug well, and that they had served together for years.
“I asked Buyukanit: “How do you assess the sentence
imposed on General Basbug? What did you
feel when you heard it?” He responded as
follows:
“We are all comrades in arms. I worked together with General Basbug for
years. I am unable to get myself to
accept even the accusations, let alone the sentence. To call a General Staff Chief a terrorist is
a very harsh accusation. It has no place
in the public conscience. Indeed, when
the accusation was first heard, it found no place in people’s consciences. General Basbug is a very well trained and
valuable commander. We served together
for years, and he worked under my command.
Certainly I know him very well.
It is impossible for me to get myself to accept these accusations.”
The reactions that have been shown and the debates
that have taken place regarding Basbug’s life sentence had also been
experienced when he was first charged as a member of a terrorist group.
Prime Minister [Recep] Tayyip Erdogan as well had said
that “to go and call Ilker Basbug a member of a terrorist organization in the
accustomed sense is a very serious error,” and had added: “I consider the approach as if he were a
member of an organization to be very ugly, and unfair.” Prime Minister Erdogan had said, on a live
broadcast, that “the Turkish Armed Forces are indeed an organization, but not a
terrorist organization.”
Moreover, when Basbug was charged with the crime of
“leading a terrorist organization,” a great many people reacted by saying: “How can a General Staff Chief be accused in
the same way as [imprisoned Kurdistan People’s Congress, KGK, formerly PKK,
leader Abdullah] Ocalan?”
On the day that Basbug was charged with this
accusation, he limited himself to saying:
“The 26th General Staff Chief of the Republic of Turkey is accused of
establishing and leading a terrorist organization; I leave the judgment on this
to the great Turkish nation.”
Every officer in the Ground Forces has the desire to
rise to the position of General Staff Chief.
Generally these hopes of theirs increase further after they become
generals.
From among those who have similar ranks and seniority,
this path becomes closed off due to lack of headroom. Sometimes unexpected developments open the
way to those whose paths to become commanders had been closed, and take them
all the way to the General Staff Chief position. And naturally, the decisions of the serving
General Staff Chief play an important role in terms of which generals become
army and force commanders.
In fact, sometimes General Staff Chiefs promote
generals whom they consider to be very talented, and whom they want to be
commanders, after extending them a year.
This promotion, which comes a year late, opens that general’s path all
the way to the General Staff Chairmanship. Ilker Basbug was one of these
generals. When he was a lieutenant
general, he was not promoted that year, even though he had completed his time
in grade, and was promoted to full general a year later so that his path would
not be blocked. General Staff Chiefs,
just as they indicate the generals they favor, also make it clear which ones
they do not favor.
In Ilker Basbug’s extended promotion journey to the
General Staff Chief position, decisions by Hilmi Ozkok and Yasar Buyukanit, who
preceded him as General Staff Chief, were very important. The Ankara days of these three commanders
took place in years during which military-civilian relations in Turkey were
marked by problems. Both Yasar Buyukanit
and Ilker Basbug were generals with whom Hilmi Ozkok worked closely. Both served in the General Staff Headquarters
under Ozkok. The Ankara days of the
three commanders extend back to the year 2000.
During the years 2000-2001, HIlmi Ozkok was the Ground
Forces Commander, Yasar Buyukanit was the Deputy General Staff Chief, and Ilker
Basbug, with the rank of Lieutenant General, was the MGK [National Security
Council] Deputy General Secretary. A
year later, Ozkok and Buyukanit were in the same positions, but Basbug became
the Chief Deputy to the MGK General Secretary.
During 2002-2003, Hilmi Ozkok was the General Staff
Chief, Yasar Buyukanit was the Deputy General Staff Chief, and Ilker Basbug was
the Ground Forces Commander.
During 2003-2004, Hilmi Ozkok continued in his
position as General Staff Chief, while Buyukanit went to command the First Army
in order to become Ground Forces Commander and handed over the position of
Deputy General Staff Chief to Basbug.
The three commanders continued in these duties through
the years 2004-2005, and then in 2005-2006, Hilmi Ozkok went into his final
year as General Staff Chief, while Buyukanit was appointed Ground Forces
Commander and handed over command of the First Army to Basbug.
In 2006, Yasar Buyukanit took over the position of
General Staff Chief from Hilmi Ozkok, and handed over the Ground Forces Commander
position to Ilker Basbug.
When Buyukanit retired in 2008, Ilker Basbug took over
the General Staff Chief position.
One of the common characteristics of these three
commanders was the fact that they commanded the Turkish Armed Forces during a
period in which military-civilian relations were boiling internally, and that
they witnessed developments of historic importance.”
7. Erdogan
held a telephone conversation with Obama over Syria and Egypt
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.08.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with the President of United States Barack Obama late Wednesday, sources in Erdogan's office said.
Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.08.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with the President of United States Barack Obama late Wednesday, sources in Erdogan's office said.
As the written statement on the official website of
the Turkish Prime Ministry said, Erdogan and Obama exchanged views on the
latest developments in Egypt and Syria and in the wider region.
"Expressing their concerns over the activities of
marginal groups in Syria, Turkish Premier Erdogan and US President Obama
stressed the need to support the Syrian opposition embracing all segments of
the Syrian society and acting jointly against Assad regime forces," wrote
the statement.
Boththe two leaders pointed out their concerns over
the escalation of violence in Egypt since the military coup on July 3, urging
for international support towards a democratic and participatory solution.
They agreed on harder, closer and more comprehensive
cooperation between Turkey and the US to protect the mutual interests of the
two countries.
The White House also issued a written statement
regarding Obama's phone talk with Erdogan, at Turkish Prime Minister’s request,
where the President and Prime Minister discussed “the danger of foreign extremists in Syria
and agreed on the importance of supporting a unified and inclusive Syrian
opposition”
As for Egypt, the President and Prime Minister also
shared commitment to supporting a democratic and inclusive way forward. The two
leaders agreed to have their teams continue to coordinate closely to promote
the shared interests, said the statement.
Obama also gave his best wishes to Erdogan and the
Turkish people on the beginning of their Eid al-Fitr holiday.
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