TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 242/13 21-23.12.13
1. Kibris cites European Ambassador as saying that the
reunification of Cyprus will be achieved because of the economic crisis
2. Nami: We now have the potential to finalize the
statement within the coming days
3. Davutoglu briefed several EU Ambassadors on 5
topics including the Cyprus talks
4. CTP “MP”: Turkish Cypriots should separately
“elect” representatives for the European Parliament; They will hold contacts in
Strasbourg next January
5. Talat: views in favour of establishing a
confederation in Cyprus still exist in Turkish foreign policy
6. Provisions of the new “citizenship law”
7. Atalay: Prejudice against religion reduced in the
occupied area of Cyprus
8. Izmir Industrialists and Businessmen Association is
looking for investment opportunities in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus
9. Sabah and ATV are sold to a company involved in the
project of transferring water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus
10. Self-styled council of ministers declared
terrorist four Greek Cypriot organizations
11. Turkey, US avoid major crisis, but ties still on
tightrope
12. Kilicdaroglu may step down for Sarigul
13. Police banned journalists from entering police
stations; Turkish airlines stops the distribution of Zaman, Today’s Zaman and
Bugun on its planes
14. Commentaries
on the anti-graft probe in Turkey
1. Kibris cites European Ambassador as saying that
the reunification of Cyprus will be achieved because of the economic crisis
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.12.13) reported that the Ambassador of an important EU-member state to Nicosia has said that
an agreement providing for the reunification of Cyprus will be achieved because
of the economic satiation which exists in both the occupied and the
government-controlled area of Cyprus. In statements to Kibris, the
Ambassador, who wished to remain anonymous, argued that “the economic crisis
which emerged in both the north and the south part of the island because of
different reasons, points out to the fact that the reunification of the island
is absolutely necessary”.
The Ambassador
said that “a divided Cyprus could not be sustainable” and that no one should
think of a failure of the negotiating process. He noted that “there is a need to reach a solution and at
the same time there is a will to do so”. The Ambassador is also quoted as
saying that “the international community has more important issues to deal with
in the world than Cyprus”.
According
to the paper, the Ambassador noted also
that “embargoes” are implemented on the “wrong people” with decisions taken by
the UN Security Council, that embargoes should be implemented on the
country which brought the island into this situation and that it was not possible to implement embargo on
Turkey because of the countries’ interests.
(I/Ts.)
2. Nami: We now have the potential to finalize the
statement within the coming days
Under the title
“Greek Cypriots realize it’s time to start benefiting from peace”, Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 23.12.13) publishes the inter alia,
following interview, of the self-styled minister of foreign affairs OzdilNami
on the Cyprus issue.
“Greek Cyprus
[editor’s note: Republic of Cyprus] has the realization that ‘it may be a
better idea to tackle the real problem and reunite Cyprus and start benefiting
from what peace can offer’, Nami recently told the Hurriyet Daily News.
Where do we stand on the efforts for a settlement?
We are engaged
in a process that will result in the formation of a joint statement, to be read
by both leaders at their first meeting which will signal the start of the new
round of negotiations that will be a continuation of past efforts with the goal
of establishing a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in Cyprus with political
equality of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
What are the remaining hurdles that have prevented a
finalization of it?
It is the final
phase. The Greek Cypriot leader put forward some concepts as vital issues for
him. These included the issues of single sovereignty, single citizenship and a
single international identity. The Turkish Cypriot side counteracted by saying
that though it is true these concepts are important, concepts like political
equality, internal citizenship and residual powers are also very important. At
the stage we are at, we have managed to overcome difficulties we faced and
created a common language on these issues. Having said that, both sides are
trying to inject a few sentences that will reassure their voters that the deal
has not jeopardized their well-known positions. I think it is natural that both
leaders are attempting to do this; it is also natural that some suggestions
while being accepted some may not be. In particular, the Turkish Cypriot side
attaches a lot of importance that after our federation is established, the
bitter experiences of the past when Turkish Cypriots were kicked out of the
republic they co-founded will not be repeated. From our point of view, we would
like this to be addressed in a clear fashion.
Greek Cypriots
have their own needs for clarification; they are afraid that any wording that may
indicate a potential for two independent states be formed with a settlement is
dangerous so they are acting very cautiously to avoid any sentencing to that
direction; so the final touches are being done right now.
As someone who has been witness to so many failed past
initiatives, how would you describe the current chances for settlement?
We now have the
potential to finalize the statement within the coming days; we don’t need
months of negotiations; we are nearly there. It is going to be a historic document
that addresses many of the controversial issues that have been in dispute
between the two sides. This in itself is both good news but it also carries a
lot of responsibility and if we are unable to finalize it despite the fact that
a lot of work has been done and a lot of convergence has been achieved, this
will be a signal in particular to the United Nations that we are unable to
solve our own problem. At that point, how will the international community
react? We don’t know. I think both sides would act responsibly and take the
matter in their own hands instead of delegating it to third parties and bring
it to a successful conclusion. I feel this spirit existing on both sides of the
island and that’s what I am counting on.
What would make it different from past initiatives?
We had similar
opportunities in the past. In the history of states, sometimes people do not
grab the opportunity there and that’s what happened to Cypriots before. This
time around, there is another golden opportunity presenting itself to us. It’s
totally up to the Cypriots to grasp it or not; so we would have nobody to blame
but ourselves if we don’t make good use of it. It is an important opportunity
not to be missed.
Turkish public usually believes that Greek Cypriots
don’t genuinely want a solution that will be acceptable to both sides since
they are better off and they are EU member.
They are not
well off; they have lost almost half of their bank deposits, their pension
funds have evaporated. Without a comprehensive settlement, it will take them 20
years to fully recover. Youth unemployment is reaching 40%; it is a dire
situation. Although they attained EU membership, their aspiration to use that
membership to the detriment of Turkish Cypriots has turned to be futile
expectation. At least on these two counts, there is a realization that rather
than chasing these empty dreams, it may be a better idea to tackle the real
problem and reunite Cyprus and start benefiting from what peace can offer.
On the other
hand, we have the natural resources being discovered around Cyprus. The best
way; the way with the least cost and risk would be to sell it through Turkey
and the only way to achieve that will be through finding a solution to the
Cyprus problem. Energy can be one of the game-changers if handled properly; it
can be an incentive for a solution.
In comparison to the last decade, circumstances have
changed, you say. How about the terms of the agreement? Usually, it is said
that everybody knows what the solution looks like, but it is a matter of taking
the decision. Is the new initiative bringing about surprises?
There will be no
surprises. There already exists a very important U.N. body of work; there are
guiding principles defined by Security Council resolutions, and room to
manoeuvre is well-defined. Negotiations will not resume from scratch but it
will be built on what has already been achieved by the past leaders. What it
will look like is already well-known.
Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiadis is known to be
pro-solution. Has he acted in line with that view about him so far?
One would hope
they would act in a more courageous way and by now we would be talking about
finalizing a settlement, not finalizing a joint statement. But both sides have
political realities; on the Greek Cypriot side there are big agenda points
regarding the economic crisis; the loss of confidence in Anastasiadis is a
reality, so there is this level of caution. It is important not to lose the
balance and not to go overbroad because that would trigger deep suspicions on
the Turkish Cypriot side. It already started; we had much higher expectations
from him which were not fulfilled, if he fails to show the necessary leadership
to finalize the joint statement that he initially requested, then that would
send a signal that Cypriots have tried but failed to reach a settlement. At
that point, the U.N. would have to take a look at what is going on exactly.
The economic
crisis could increase nationalist feelings and might poison the negotiation spirit.
From what I can
gather talking to the business community on the Greek Cypriot side, they are
seeing great potential for economic development with a settlement. Especially
looking at Turkey like the rising star of the region, they see big economic benefit.
During economic hardship, nationalist sentiments also come to the fore, but if
I am to judge, the expectation of economic benefit from a settlement is higher
now and at least the business community is looking forward.
There is a coalition in Turkish Cyprus [editor’s note:
the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] and the
president is coming from a different party? Has it been difficult to forge a
common position?
We are using it
to our benefit and telling Greek Cypriots that although we have a president
coming from a right-wing party and a government dominated by a socialist party,
all these political forces are united in supporting the peace talks and
achieving a rapid solution. We are giving the message that on the Turkish side,
with its government, main opposition, president and Turkey, we are all in. (…)”
3. Davutoglu briefed several EU Ambassadors on 5
topics including the Cyprus talks
Under the title
“Turkish FM Davutoglu reviews year with EU ambassadors”, Turkish daily Today’s
Zaman (online, 20.12.13), reports that Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu spoke with the ambassadors of several European Union countries at a
lunch hosted by the Embassy of Lithuania, which currently holds the EU
presidency, in Ankara on Friday.
During a speech
to the Ambassadors, Davutoglu touched upon five main topics: Turkey's EU
accession process, Turkey-EU visa dialogue, the Cyprus dispute, the
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and Turkey-EU strategic
dialogue.
On the Cyprus issue, Davutoglu briefed the EU Ambassadors
on Turkey's efforts and those of the Turkish Cypriots, claiming that the Greek
Cypriot side had not had the necessary will to resolve the dispute in the
island until recently. However, Davutoglu
claimed that the Turkish side's constructive attitude regarding the joint
statement has not been met with an equal response from the Greek Cypriots.
Moreover, TZ
(online, 22.12.13) reported that Davutoglu also had a phone call with UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, according to the Foreign Ministry
statement. In addition to the Geneva ll conference, Davutoglu and Ban discussed the Cyprus problem, on which there is
currently active shuttle diplomacy involving the UN and the US aimed at breaking
a deadlock regarding the divided island.
The Foreign
Ministry statement noted also that Davutoglu, during a phone call to US
Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday,
talked with Kerry about the latest developments in Cyprus, among other topics.
4. CTP “MP”: Turkish Cypriots should separately
“elect” representatives for the European Parliament; They will hold contacts in
Strasbourg next January
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.12.13) reports that ArmaganCandan, self-styled MP with the Republican Turkish Party -
United Forces (CTP-BG), has said that the discussion on holding separate
“elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus should open in order to create
political pressure regarding the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the
European Parliament (EP). In statements
to Kibris, Candannoted that the
Turkish Cypriots have three alternatives before them as regards their
representation at the EP: the
continuation of the status quo, the
observer status with two seats at the EP which is the “official demand” of
the Turkish Cypriot side, or holding
separate “elections” in the occupied area of Cyprus and sending those “elected”
to the EP with the aim of exerting political pressure.
Candan alleged
that the most appropriate formula is for
the Turkish Cypriots to be represented at the EP as observers until a solution
to the Cyprus problem is reached and added that in case this does not happen until 25 May 2014,when the European
elections will be held, the Turkish
Cypriots should discuss the issue of “simultaneous EP elections” in the
occupied area of the island. He said that in November he had held contacts
at the EP together with Ersan Saner and HasanTacoy, “MPs” with the National
Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG)
respectively. During these contacts, he added, the idea of holding separate elections was supported by the Members of
the EP who feel sympathy towards the Turkish Cypriots.
He alleged: “I do not think that it would be possible
for the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the elections which will be
organized within the Republic of Cyprus. As it had been seen at the
referendum for the Annan Plan, the Turkish Cypriots have the capacity of being
able to organize their own elections and elect their own representatives...”
Candan
said that they will visit Strasbourg
between 13 and 16 January in order to hold contacts and they will continue to
follow this issue. He noted that in case they do not get a reply to their
demand for being represented with an observer status, they could launch a
debate on how an EP election could be organized in the occupied area of
Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
5. Talat: views in favour of establishing a
confederation in Cyprus still exist in Turkish foreign policy
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (23.12.13) reports that the former Turkish
Cypriot leaderMehmet Ali Talat has said
that views in favour of establishing a confederation in Cyprus still exist in
the Turkish foreign policy. In an interview with Havadis, Talat was asked the following question:
“The description of the solution in
Cyprus by some officials from Turkey reminds of confederation. For example it
is the statement made by the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Does
Turkey support a federation in Cyprus or what it wishes is a con-federal
structure?”
Talat replied
that the need and the necessity for a solution influenced the Turkish foreign
policy and over time it secured its support to the solution. Talat alleged that
there was a slide from a policy which
preferred confederation to federation, which is a more realistic policy. He
added: “However, of course, this policy,
this foreign policy has not been able to totally erase these old views.
Therefore, it is possible to see its traces when they talk, when they make
statements. Especially those
officials who do not know very well the sensitivities of the Cyprus problem use
these expressions. This is correct. And of course, they address the
internal public opinion…”
Talat said that in the 2000’s Turkey supported the
Annan Plan, but individually there were
some persons who were praying for the Greek Cypriots to reject the plan.
Talat expressed the view that in case the Cyprus
problem is not solved, it is very difficult for the Turkish Cypriots to have a
“state” internationally recognized, contrary to what some people may think.
“Therefore we should be the side which will press for a solution”, he argued.
Asked
to comment on the current situation in the Cyprus problem, Talat said he sees a
deadlock and expressed the view that the method of issuing a joint declaration
“is wrong”. He alleged: “I think that the joint declaration should not have
been an issue. It should have ended immediately… When the method is wrong, you
cannot have a right result”.
(I/Ts.)
6. Provisions of the new “citizenship law”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.12.13) reported that the self-styled
minister of interior TeberrukenUlucay stated that a final touch is made as
regards the new “citizenship law” which will be presented at the “assembly” in the
second half of January 2014.
Ulucay
said that the amendments of the “law” will safeguard that anomalies be
determined
According to the new “law” a person that lives and
works in the breakaway regime for five years will be given a white identity and
if he continues to stay for 10 years under the same conditions, he will be
granted the “TRNC citizenship”.
7. Atalay: Prejudice against religion reduced in the
occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (23.12.13) reports that the "head of religious affairs department"
TalipAtalay stated that prejudice against religion begin reducing inthe occupied area of Cyprus.
Atalay
stated that in the past even Quran courses were illegal because of prejudice
but now there are 400 students at the theology department operating in the occupied
area of Cyprus. He also said that every summer students are sent to Religious
Culture and Ethics Knowledge camping.
Finally,
he said that nowadays the population in the
occupied area of Cyprus is 80 thousands and there are about 300 mosques.
8. Izmir Industrialists and Businessmen Association
is looking for investment opportunities in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 20.12.13), Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu, during a meeting with a delegation from the Izmir Industrialists
and Businessmen’s Association on Friday morning, said that the stronger Turkey is in economy and the industrial sector, the more
comfortable Turkish Cypriots are, adding: “We also feel that our hand is
further strengthened at the negotiation table”.
Speaking on
behalf of the Association, Chairman HasanKucurkkurt said that “they had come to
the TRNC [editor’s note: breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus] to see the investment opportunities that may take place between the
two countries and get in contact with industrialists on the island”.
Furthermore,
Izmir Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association had also a meeting with
self-styled deputy prime minister and minister for economy, tourism, culture
and sports SerdarDenktas.
Speaking during
the meeting, Denktas argued that although there was renewed hope on the Cyprus
problem, due to the Greek Cypriot side’s stance this hope had been deflated. He
added: “Regardless of whether or not
there is a solution in Cyprus we must develop cooperation between Turkey and
the TRNC so when the time comes we can branch out to South Cyprus [editor’s
note: as he refers to the government controlled area of the Republic of
Cyprus]. We must take steps now and make partnerships. We are currently working towards expanding the green line regulations
and with this more opportunities will arise for all”.
9. Sabah and ATV are sold to a company involved in
the project of transferring water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus
According
to World Bulletin news website (20.12.13), Turkey's
Sabah newspaper and ATV channel have been sold to a construction firm named
KalyonInsaat.
Sabah newspaper and ATV had previously been owned by
the Calik Group, who purchased it from the Ciner
Group in 2008 for $1.1 billion.
The Calik Group
had reportedly been long looking for a buyer, with multi-millionaire Rupert
Murdoch's News Corp also showing interest. However, after a meeting, the two
were not able to agree to a deal.
It is noted that
KalyonInsaat was established by HasanKalyoncu in the south-eastern Turkish city
Gaziantep in 1974. They have worked in Qatar, Russia, Libya, the UAE, Saudi
Arabia and Iraq, on projects including universities, hospitals, houses,
schools, roads, bridges and tunnels. It is currently being managed by OrhanCemalKalyoncu.
Referring to the
issue, Turkish Cypriot columnist Ali
Osman writes in daily Afrika newspaper (23.12.13) that one of the projects on which KalyonInsaat is working is the
project of transferring water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with
underwater pipelines. The company is
reportedly responsible for the part of the project in the sea.
(I/Ts.)
10. Self-styled council of ministers declared
terrorist four Greek Cypriot organizations
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (21.12.13) reports that the self-styled council of ministers four Greek
Cypriot organizations as terrorist organizations. These are EFEN, HrysiAygi
(Golden Down), ELAM and KEA.
The
“council of ministers” labeled in total ten organizations as terrorist. The other six
are: PKK, Hizbullah, DHKP-C, IBDA-C, El Kaide and the Black Brigade
organization.
11. Turkey, US avoid major crisis, but ties still
on tightrope
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 23.12.13) reports that Turkish and U.S. diplomats
narrowly avoided a major crisis over Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan’s
implication that Washington’s Ambassador could be expelled over provocative
actions, but bilateral ties are still on a tightrope as government officials
and pro-government media seem unlikely to cease a campaign against “external
forces” behind an on-going graft probe.
Washington has seriously warned Ankara that a
repetition of such a smear campaign against the U.S. and its diplomats could
affect bilateral relations, the Hurriyet Daily News has learned.
Ties between the
two allies were in dire straits since spring over a number of disagreements on
major foreign policy issues, with Syria at the top of the list.
Only five days
after the huge graft probe began, some pro-government media hit almost the same
headline on Dec. 21 and claimed that Envoy
Francis Ricciardone told a group of EU Ambassadors that “You will watch the
fall of an empire” on the very first day of the police’s corruption operation.
Although the
embassy denied categorically the reports, Erdogan
strongly targeted the Ambassador at a rally in Samsun. “In recent days,
interestingly, some ambassadors have been engaging in provocative actions. I am
calling out to them from Samsun: Do your
own business,” he said. “We do not
have to keep you in our country.”
After Erdogan’s harsh remarks, Ricciardone issued a
written statement to once again deny the reports and urged that “nobody should
put Turkey-U.S. relations in danger with unfounded claims.”
Washington
expressed its deep disturbance with both media reports and Erdogan’s
accusations against its envoy and demanded that a rectification be made given
the impression given by the statements.
The Foreign Ministry subsequently released a
statement, noting the Ministry’s satisfaction with the U.S. ambassador’s
explanation. “We find the U.S. ambassador’s statement sufficient. There is no
plan to summon him to the ministry on the issue,” read the statement.
In addition to
the ministry’s statement, AKP spokesperson HuseyinCelik said, “We have to trust
in the statement [of the U.S. ambassador].”
Both statements
were regarded as “satisfactory” by Washington as well but it underlined once
again that the U.S. has nothing to do with Turkish internal affairs and that it
does want to be “drawn into a family fight.”
Yesterday,
Erdogan referred to international plans against his government but did not give
any country’s name.
For many in
Ankara, the government’s decision to step back in this case is a result of its
evaluation that confronting Washington
in this period would not be wise for the government.
12. Kilicdaroglu may step down for Sarigul
According to
news portal website World Bulletin (online, 20.12.13), the head of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP),
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, has said that he may consider stepping aside for Istanbul
mayor nominee Mustafa Sarigul.
Speaking to the
Huffington Post, Kilicdaroglu said: “I am not doing politics as an attachment
to a particular seat. I am in politics for the good of the country, for the
development and further democratization of the country. I am not in love with
my seat.”
Gulen’s followers are expected to support Mustafa
Sarigul’s campaign for Istanbul in the local elections.
Kilicdaroglu,
who has constantly called on Erdogan to step down, had met with representatives
of the Gulen movement in a recent visit to the US. However, Kilicdaroglu denied
conspiring with them against the AK Party, saying "We are with all the
groups that are under pressure from the government."
He added,
"All we want is to expand the scope of freedom for all these groups,
including the one you mentioned [the Gulen movement]." Kilicdaroglu also
said that CHP would support prep schools if elected.
"The local elections that will take place in
March of next year will really be a defining moment in Turkey's future, a very
critical point in our political history,"
Kilicdaroglu told the Huffington Post.
13. Police banned journalists from entering police
stations; Turkish airlines stops the distribution of Zaman, Today’s Zaman and
Bugun on its planes
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.12.13), under the title “Journalists banned
from entering police stations across Turkey”, reported that journalists will no
longer be allowed to enter police departments, a statement released from the
Turkish police has said. "Members
of the press will not be allowed into the Police Departments all over Turkey as
of Dec. 22, 2013," a statement read.
The move came
amid a reshuffle in the police organization that saw more than 100 police
chiefs being removed from their posts, which followed a far-reaching graft
investigation. Two sons of ministers have been arrested as part of the probe.
Turkey Journalists Federation (TGF) criticized the
decision.
"At a time
when the country's agendais busy with
very serious allegations such as 'corruption' and 'thievery,' the decree is
highly meaningful," a statement said. "Journalists work for the good
of the public's right to receive information. This decree does not only prevent the public's right to get
information, but it also means censoring.
"The journalists have not faced such a decision
even during the era of Sept. 12 [1980, military coup]
Meanwhile, HDN
(online, 23.12.13) reports that Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines
(THY) has put an embargo on dailies affiliated with the FethullahGulen
Movement, which has been at odds with the government over an on-going
corruption investigation, local news agencies reported.
The airline, 74%
of which is owned by the state, had already stopped delivering the
English-language daily Today’sZaman in airport terminals and on planes before
slashing the distribution of its Turkish sibling, daily Zaman, by two-thirds,
Cihan News Agency reported.
Dogan News Agency quoted the Turkish Airlines Press
Office as saying Zaman, Today’s Zaman and another publication with links to the
Gulen movement, Bugun, will remain in the free daily selection presented at
terminal buildings, but the company will not hand out the newspapers inside the
planes as of today.
Zaman, Today’s
Zaman and Bugun have vocally criticized the government over the corruption
scandal, warning authorities to avoid interference in the legal process.
14. Commentaries on the anti-graft probe in Turkey
Commentaries in
Turkish dailies report that the
anti-graft operation may be a power struggle between Erdogan and
FethullanGulen, or a crisis of a majoritarian democracy. This scandal will
definitely influence the upcoming local elections in Turkey.
ColumnistFehmi Koru, in Turkish daily Star (21.12.13), wrote that the victory of Erdogan in the local elections of 1994
was due to a scandal in the municipality of Istanbul controlled then by the SHP
(Social Democratic Populist Party). Since then, Erdogan and AKP has sought transparency and accountability and
which has paid attention to honesty to gain "moral superiority" from
the moment it started its political life, Koru wrote. Because of this scandal,
AKP has to face difficulties, because opposition is preparing to use this new
opportunity to the full extent for advantage in the upcoming local elections.
CuneytOzdemir, writing in Turkish daily Radikal
(22.12.13), under the title "Might the US
Ambassador also be a Gulenist?" wondered the following: “Did a young
businessman really give bribes to three ministers?
Did the police
act contemptuously? Did they order out [while conducting house searches]? Did
the US Ambassador threaten the prime minister? Was Zaman correct in printing
that headline? Are the Gezi protestors working shoulder to shoulder with the
Gulen Community? Unfortunately, none of this answers the first, simple question
we asked!”
Ozdemir believe
that “the government's tactic to create the perception of an enemy that is even
greater than the Community instead of actually answering the sound questions
about corruption is a creative and seasoned political tactic. He ironically
concludes: “At least let me say this: If instead of answering the allegations of
corruption you are going to hide behind another conspiracy theory, you are
going to have a hard time even if you declare Barack Obama, let alone his
ambassador, to be a Gulenist!”
AsliAydintasbas,
writing in Turkish daily Milliyet (23.12.13), under the title “This is not
about the rule of law but a war”, said that “Regardless of who you support in
the current political war, there is not the slightest hope that this country
will, in the short term, emerge as a state of democracy and law”.
According to
Aydintasbas, “Tayyip Erdogan is probably going to win the fight against the
Gulen community by using the state's power of sanctions. The service movement
[Gulen community] is facing another 28 February [military memorandum of 1997].
Like a bulldozer, Erdogan will first
crush the figures that are close to the community in the state mechanism, then
the community's financial structure, and then anybody else who did not take
sides with him in this current fight…
However, the
following regime will not be a democracy but a ‘Tayyip Erdogan Regime’.”
Columnist Murat Yetkin, writing in Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 23.12.13), under the
title “Erdogan vows to clamp down on Gulen”, believed that Erdogan is upset
with the US not only because of Ricciardone’s alleged words on the on-going
corruption probe. He is upset because of many reasons, including Israel, Egypt
and Syria policies any way but nowadays because of two more reasons: One of
them is a revived dialogue between the US administration with Turkey’s main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in order to get also their view on
what is happening in the country. Ricciardone had invited CHP leader Kemal
Kilicdaroglu for lunch last week, as a “follow up” to Kilicdaroglu’s visit to
Washington DC two weeks ago.
Another reason
for Erdogan’s anger is believed to be FethullahGulen, the moderate Islamist
scholar and leader of one of the most powerful faith based communities in
Turkey who lives in a farm house in Pennsylvania, for nearly twenty years now.”
Omer Taspinar, columnist in Turkish daily Today’s
Zaman (online, 22.12.13), under the title “The
Islamic roots of the conflict in Turkey”, wrote that “The conflict between the
Gülen movement and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has now taken on a
very public dimension. For many in Turkey and in the West, this conflict is
nothing but a power struggle. Yet, focusing solely on politics and the quest
for power would be reductionist. The current conflict has deep historical,
ideological and even doctrinal roots. (…)
Moreover, columnist RusenCakir, writing in Turkish
daily Vatan (23.12.13), under the title "Prayers Out, Curses In”,
believes that Gulen community has the
upper hand in war against AKP, Erdogan. Cakir writes: “In this warlike
atmosphere, in which it no longer really matters who started it and who
countered whose move with what other move and why, another reason why Gulen and his Community are very self-assured is
probably the way Erdogan and the AKP are acting with the minimum of
self-confidence. It will not be possible for them to gain self-confidence
as long as the four accused ministers stay in office, even more so as long as
one them continues to purge those who are accusing him. The government, or to
be more precise the prime minister, is doing exactly the same as in previous
incidents that belaboured them (such as Gezi): instead of standing up for such
concepts as democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms and rule of law,
they have taken the exact opposite route. People are being fired. Extra
prosecutors are being appointed. Directives are being amended. Journalists are
being denied access to police precincts. We shall see soon enough that these
kinds of wrong practices will not work, and that they will in fact make life
even harder for the government. Most
important of all, it is highly likely that the perception that it is covering
up corruption is going to cause serious harm to the ruling party during the
local elections.”
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
