TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 72/14 18-22.04.14
1. Eroglu: It is possible to reach a solution within this year
2. Nami evaluates Eroglu-Ban meeting
3. Eroglu: Huge gap exists between the demands of the sides in the Cyprus problem
4. Nami ruled out an alternative plan of a two-state solution if the negotiations fail
5. Yorgancioglu: It is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to fall below 29% plus on the territory issue
6. Talat stated that the new Cyprus negotiation process is unfortunately full of problems
7. Mavroyiannis: It would be better for the Cyprus settlement, if Eroglu was not re-elected
8. Rinaldi: “DTG is not possible to take place before the solution”
9. Andrew Duff proposed the Cyprus problem to pass on from the UN to the EU
10. AKP’s vice president: There will be an agreement in Cyprus
11. KSP to run for EP elections
12. Alliance at the left wing for the “local elections”
13. UBP terminates alliance with DP
14. Sertoglu withdrew his “candidacy” for “mayor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia
15. Rauf Denktas to be DP’s candidate in occupied Lefkosia at the forthcoming “local elections”
16. KADEM’s survey presents CTP to be the first party in the occupied area of Cyprus if “elections” were to take place today
17. Children from 11 countries will participate in the celebrations of the 23rd April Children’s Day
18. Scenarios for post-Erdogan era
19. Turkey will soon have to sell Northern Iraqi oil, says Energy Minister Yildiz
1. Eroglu: It is possible to reach a solution within this year
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 22.04.14) reports that the latest developments on the Cyprus problem were discussed during a meeting on Monday at UN headquarters in New York between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, head of Eroglu’s political affairs and member of the negotiating team Gunes Onar, the representative of “TRNC” (editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) in New York Mehmet Dana and “secretary” Sertac Guven were also present at the meeting.
Speaking after the meeting to the press, Eroglu said: “We shared our views and opinions on the following steps in this process. We are pleased to see that the UN Secretary General also supports step by step structuring of a result oriented process.” Noting that the meeting was held in a very productive atmosphere, Eroglu said that they conveyed the Turkish Cypriot side’s expectations to the Secretary General. “He expressed personal commitment to the process”, said Eroglu.
Indicating that the Secretary General keeps the Cyprus file among the top agenda topics, Eroglu pointed out that Ban was closely following the process and “has opinions to motivate both sides”.
“We shared our opinion with the Secretary General regarding our plan to continue the negotiations and to reach a result in a speedy manner. Our wish is to see this chronic problem ending with the help of both sides’ goodwill and positive approaches. This is all we want”, said Eroglu.
Noting that the negotiations has begun despite some delays, Eroglu noted: “We need to find a solution to the Cyprus problem by evaluating both sides positions and acting with the understanding that the other side also has ‘rightfulness’. As long as our counterparts share the same understanding there is no reason why we cannot come to an agreement”.
Speaking about the timeframe, Eroglu said that as long as the program they have proposed on the negotiation table would be taken into consideration alongside the goodwill “it is possible to reach a solution within this year”.
Upon a question about natural gas, Eroglu said that they haven’t discussed that issue.
Answering a question regarding the citizenships, Eroglu said: “Discrimination among citizens is not an accepted practice anywhere in the world. Anyone who is a TRNC citizen is under constitutional protection. We do not discriminate. USA doesn’t do this to its citizens and we also don’t”, said Eroglu.
After a journalist reminded Eroglu of his words about the sides having major differences, Eroglu said: “Negotiations are conducted in order to overcome these differences. We will work together with Mr Anastasiades on eliminating these differences. Of course, time will tell what will happen. However we expect this 50 years old problem to be solved”.
Upon a question whether the Good Friday Mass in occupied Famagusta happened as a result of the negotiations, Eroglu said: “No we haven’t discussed it during the negotiations. It was our goodwill gesture. The Greek Cypriots requested to have the ceremony in Famagusta and our foreign ministry has granted this permission. We respect all religions. As long as our goodwill is not exploited and is returned we are adamant to continue these gestures”.
2. Nami evaluates Eroglu-Ban meeting
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 22.04.14), the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami has evaluated the meeting held between Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon.
Stating that the negotiations process is not moving at the desired pace, Nami expressed the hope that the process will gain momentum. Speaking during a visit paid to him today, Nami said that there is a need for a comprehensive solution in Cyprus and that playing for time will only bring further instability to the island and the region.
Describing the UN Secretary General’s personal and close interest in the Cyprus Problem as announced by Eroglu as a positive development, Nami repeated that the convergences reached between the two sides to this day have not being used effectively in the Cyprus negotiations process. This, he added, is a source of concern for them.
Expressing the hope that the process will gain momentum, Nami said: “We hope that the negotiators and the leaders meet more frequently and that both sides announce concrete results to their respective communities”. Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side is attending the talks by placing concrete goals, Nami highlighted the importance of cooperation between the “government” and Eroglu’s office. “The Turkish Cypriot side will maintain a strong position as it moves forward in unity and solidarity. We as the foreign ministry shall do our part to achieve this”, he concluded.
3. Eroglu: Huge gap exists between the demands of the sides in the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (20.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that “a huge gap exists between the demands of the sides in the Cyprus problem”. Addressing the 21st General Assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Pensioners’ Association, Eroglu referred to these huge differences and noted that the Greek Cypriot side wants territory in which 160 thousand Greek Cypriot refugees will settle and demands that another 60 thousand Greek Cypriots must have the first say on their property, which they had been forced to abandon in 1974 in the occupied area of the island.
Furthermore, he argued that the Greek Cypriot side “started back stepping from the rotating presidency”. He added: “They say let us return to the 1960 Republic and the Turks to elect the Vice President. Let no right of veto exist. Such views exist”.
Eroglu alleged that in order for an agreement to be lasting, it must take into consideration the period of the 40 years that passed since 1974 and noted that he had told this to President Anastasiades. He alleged that when the negotiations advance we will see whether the Greek Cypriot side will accept convergences by “taking into consideration the realities”.
Eroglu reiterated the view that the issue of the map will be discussed after all other issues are agreed and that the criterion of the Turkish Cypriot side is that “the least possible people number of people must be displaced”. Referring to the people who will have to move from the places they are living, Eroglu argued: “If you do not prepare the same standard of living, the same conditions for these people, there will be a disaster. People will get up against each other”.
Eroglu alleged that the Cyprus problem could be solved within 3-4 months if there is a will, but he could not see such a will in the other side.
Referring to his meeting with the European Commissioner Responsible for the Enlargement, Stefan Fule, Eroglu said that Fule had asked him to allow the participation of an EU representative in the negotiations and the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners. Eroglu noted that he replied to Fule that the EU cannot participate in the negotiations because “the Greek Cypriot side”, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, is an EU member. As to the other demand, Eroglu said that he had asked Fule whether the return of Varosha would not “decrease the will of the Greek Cypriots for a solution”, if the EU believed that the approval of the “Direct Trade Regulation” will decrease the will of the Turkish Cypriots for a solution.
(I/Ts.)
4. Nami ruled out an alternative plan of a two-state solution if the negotiations fail
According to illegal BRT television (online, 18.04.14), self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami, speaking to the “BRT” after completing his contacts in Ankara upon his arrival at the occupied airport of Tymvou, Ercan Airport, evaluated his contacts in Ankara.
Nami said that the latest developments on the Cyprus issue were evaluated during his meetings with Turkish officials, members of the foreign press and Turkish foreign news editors.
Reminding that he held meetings with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Besir Atalay, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the Turkish European Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Mevlut Cavusoglu, Nami said the meetings have all been very fruitful.
“We exchanged views on the latest developments on the negotiations process, the support given by Turkey to the EU harmonization process and future contributions in this direction as well as on other issues. In addition to taking important decisions we also decided on what should be done to realize these through tangible projects. Therefore, it was a very fruitful visit”, Nami said.
Explaining that these visits will continue, Nami said “consultations on the comprehensive negotiations process and for further developing the relations between the TRNC and Turkey will continue in the near future.”
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.04.14) reported that the fenced off town of Varosha can only be reopened as part of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, not a confidence-building measure in the ongoing talks, Nami claimed.
Nami said that the Turkish Cypriots have reaffirmed their position on the issue during a recent visit by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule to the island.
“It’s incorrect to tie confidence-building measures to Varosha,” Nami said yesterday at a meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association in Ankara.
The issue of Varosha is an arrangement about land, and even discussion about the proposal will result in months of arguments since Turkish Cypriots are not satisfied with the offer and will ask for more, he said, adding that “northern Cypriots were worried any talks on the issue would detract from the core of reunification negotiations”.
“And then we’ll find ourselves discussing this issue instead of a comprehensive settlement,” he said, stressing that confidence-building measures should rather be projects that would directly affect people of the island in a positive way.
Elaborating on his meeting with Fule, Nami said they urged the Commission to “take braver steps” in order to lift the reportedly isolation of the Turkish Cyprus.
Nami also expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the talks and complained about the refusal of the Greek Cypriots to have more frequent meetings between the leaders.
Nami also said that the Greek Cypriots were avoiding discussion of “rapprochement papers” which were produced during former talks. Nami ruled out elaborating on an alternative plan of a two-state solution if the negotiations fail.
“Our sole aim at the moment is to establish a federal structure established with a Turkish Cypriot founding state and a Greek Cypriot founding state on the basis of equality,” he said.
5. Yorgancioglu: It is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to fall below 29% plus on the territory issue
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (21.04.14) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish party – United Forces (CTP-BG) and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that according to discussions which had been held even during the period of late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas the percentage of territory that will remain under Turkish Cypriot administration in a possible solution to the Cyprus problem will be 29% plus. “I think that it is not possible to fall below this percentage”, argued Yorgancioglu in an interview with illegal TAK news agency.
He said that people will not load their belongings into trucks and move right after an agreement is reached, adding that new residences will be built within a certain period of time for people who will have to move. Noting that the resources are necessary for these new residences, Yorganciglu recalled that the “donors’ conference”, which was provided for in the Annan Plan, “was not very successful”.
When asked “how close to the solution we are”, Yorgancioglu replied that this depends on the will and the faith of the two leaders, the will of the two “peoples”, the role which the international players will play, the role of the natural resources of the island and the will of Turkey and Greece. He argued that the international players exhibit a will and an encouraging stance in the direction of the solution, but “in the end this depends on the leaders who carry out the negotiations”.
Referring to the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners, Yorgancioglu reiterated the Turkish view that this is a part of the comprehensive solution and added: “Even if we say today ‘let us open Varosha’, 3-4 years are needed. Instead of waiting for so long, the comprehensive solution will be achieved and thus the same result will come up. The following might happen: Very big progress is achieved in the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem, projects are prepared etc., but this means again that the preparations will be completed by the day we will have the comprehensive solution. Otherwise, opening it is out of the question…”
Yorgancioglu said that the confidence building measures could be discussed at the negotiating table, but efforts are mainly needed for the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.
Yorgancioglu argued that an opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem exists and called on the community leaders to harry up and on the people to get more active in order for “encouraging” the leaders.
Yorgancioglu claimed that the joint statement of the 11th of February, 2014 was a result of what he called as “77-page agreement under the auspices of the UN” between former President Christofias and the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and expressed the view that the process needs to be carried out on these principles.
Replying to a question regarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the hydrocarbon resources of the island after the solution, Yorgancioglu said that during the Christofias-Talat period it had been agreed that these issues will be under the authority of the federal government. He argued that these resources should be used “by the two peoples in the same percentage”.
Referring to the incidents that had happened recently in Limassol during former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat’s speech, Yorgancioglu recalled that President Anastasiades removed the Chief of the police from his duties immediately after the incidents because the necessary measures had not been taken. He went on and wondered: “Would this result come up in another country and in ours? I have my fears for that. If such an incident happened in our country, would the chief commander of the police be removed from his duties? I think that this is a benchmark…”
Meanwhile, referring to Yorgancioglu’s statements, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.04.14), wonders to whom the above questions of Yorgancioglu are addressed. The paper writes, inter alia, the following:
“…If Anastasiades removes the general director of the police from his duties because he did not perform his duty, why you cannot do the same Mr Yorgancioglu? Even if the police are bound to the Security Forces Command (GKK), is the GKK not bound to you, that is, to the prime minister’s office? …
This statement by Ozkan Yorgancioglu reveals how unauthorized are actually the authorities in the TRNC, which are presented as being authorized…”
(I/Ts.)
6. Talat stated that the new Cyprus negotiation process is unfortunately full of problems
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (22.04.14) reports on statements by former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat on the Cyprus problem.
Delivering a speech at a conference organized by Hitit University and Corum Municipality in Turkey, Talat referred to the Cyprus negotiation process and said that unfortunately there are a lot of problems at the new process. He explained that due to the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is an EU member and a member of the UN as well, they do not have a lot of things to gain from the solution, as he claimed, something that causes difficulties to them.
Talat however, underlined that new dynamics appeared these days like for example the hydrocarbons resources and the Greek Cypriot’s bad economy situation and added that it is for the first time that the Greek Cypriots see positively the possibility of a solution. He expressed also hopes that the negotiation talks will progress in a positive way.
Pointing out that the solution of the Cyprus problem is of vital importance especially for the Turkish Cypriots who live under “embargoes”, Talat underlined that if the “isolation” continues, they will face serious problems.
Regarding Turkey, Talat said that it is a reliable country worldwide and a stable country which proved that it wants peace.
(AK)
7. Mavroyiannis: It would be better for the Cyprus settlement, if Eroglu was not re-elected
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 19.04.14), under the title “Greek Cypriot negotiator hails Turkey’s stance in Cyprus”, published the following interview of the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis.
“Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis has praised Turkey’s ‘evolving’ stance on the Cyprus issue, saying the decrease of the importance of the military’s role makes positive contributions to the process.
‘The referendum in 2004 was not a missing opportunity for consensus. It was not meeting the fundamental requirements of the Greek side in terms of security, equality, and implementation. Because Turkish Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan had said he needed many things and failed to convince the military [for a plan], the United States and United Nations gave Turkey too many advantages, not to Turkish Cypriots, but to Turkey. This is why the consensus failed to realize in 2004,’ Mavroyiannis told Turkish daily Hurriyet in Washington.
However, the situation is not the same with the change of the military’s role, he said. ‘Today the [Turkish] military does not play the same role. This has partially helped the evolution of Turkey’s stance. And we believe Turkey is more constructive today compared to its stance in the past. Turkey today sees itself as a powerful economic power, rather than a military power. This is an important change,” Mavroyiannis added.
‘Cyprus was a symbol of nationalistic propaganda in Turkey until the recent years. This has started to change and be replaced with a more rational stance,’ he added. He also said it would be better for the sake of a solution on the island if the current president of Turkish Cyprus, Dervis Eroglu, is not re-elected as president in next year’s presidential elections.
“If president Dervis Eroglu is re-elected, then the situation will remain the same. But if someone from the opposition replaces him, that would be better, as he could be a more constructive,” he added.
When asked about the possible influence of the upcoming elections in both Turkey and ‘northern Cyprus’, Mavroyiannis said: ‘In Turkey, I don’t expect this political development to have a real barrier to what we do in Cyprus. I think they will continue. They are tied to push forward. We don’t know how far they are willing to go. But at least they showed that they are determined to move forward.’
The Turkish Cypriot community has also changed since the 2004 referendum, the Greek Cypriot negotiator believes. ‘Today the Turkish Cypriot community -this is very interesting- is more attached to the EU than the Greek Cypriot community, because they see where their future life is. Almost everyone on the Turkish Cypriot side who has a Cyprus passport goes around Europe. They can send their kids to study in England. This is a very attractive thing for the Turkish Cypriot community. Greek Cypriots have been doing this for the past decade, but didn’t appreciate it enough,’ he added.
8. Rinaldi: “DTG is not possible to take place before the solution”
Under the front-page title: “Not possible before the solution”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.04.14) reported on statements by Niccolo Rinaldi, MEP of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe, Rapporteur of the Direct Trade Regulation (DTG) and member of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, who evaluated to the paper the issue of the “Direct Trade Regulation” and said that it is not possible for direct trade to take place in Cyprus before the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Rinaldi in his statements said: “I am afraid that this issue will continue to remain in the fridge until a solution is to be found”.
Rinaldi added that in case the Cyprus negotiation talks will end successfully, the Commission should take action immediately and should evaluate the best possible way to implement the articles of the EU free trade agreement which are related to direct trade.
(AK)
9. Andrew Duff proposed the Cyprus problem to pass on from the UN to the EU
Under the front-page title: “The problem should pass from the UN to the EU”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.04.14) reported on statements by Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament who referred to the European Parliament elections to take place on May 15 and called on all Turkish Cypriots “to participate in the elections” massively, something which will be very important for the solution of the Cyprus problem, as he claimed.
Duff said the following: “You should test the sincerity of the Greek Cypriot administration. All Turkish Cypriots who have the right to cast their vote on the May 25th elections should gather at the crossing points and cast their vote. This would be an extremely mediadic situation. All TV stations worldwide will broadcast this, and the Turkish Cypriots, as citizens of the EU will support their rights and massively will achieve the injustice in the island to be heard”.
Regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem, Duff said that he is not very pessimistic that the new negotiation process will end successfully. He stressed the need for the EU to undertake a more active role for the solution of the Cyprus problem and said that after the EP elections, the new EU Commission to be determined should discuss with the UN in order to pass on the Cyprus problem under the EU auspices.
(AK)
10. AKP’s vice president: There will be an agreement in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.04.14) reports that Yasin Aktay, vice president of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and responsible for the party’s foreign relations, told Kibris that both the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side have to reach an agreement on the Cyprus problem and therefore he believes that an agreement will be reached. “We definitely have to search a framework which will protect the rights of both sides”, he noted.
Aktay argued that after the Annan Plan a positive picture was created for “promoting the Cyprus cause in the world”, the perception that the Turkish Cypriots were intransigent changed and it was seen that the Turkish Cypriot side wants a solution.
Aktay commented also on the demand of the European Commissioner Responsible for the Enlargement, Stefan Fule regarding the participation of the EU in the Cyprus talks. He alleged: “The EU which accepted south Cyprus as its member wants to continue its pressure on Cyprus. The intention of this demand should be considered…”
Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (22.04.14, online), Aktay is illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus to deliver a speech at a conference at the so-called American University of occupied Keryneia (GAU). Within the framework of his visit, Aktay met with “government officials”. Yesterday, he met the self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of economy, tourism, culture and sports, Serdar Denktaş. No statement was issued before or after this meeting.
Later, Aktay met with the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami. Speaking during the meeting, Aktay said that making use of the new opportunities that emerged in Cyprus was a historical responsibility.
Arguing that there has been no change in Turkey’s stance since the beginning, Aktay alleged a new political will in favour of a solution had been put forward with the arrival of the AKP government in office. He claimed: “The will expressed did not mean that Turkey abandoned the rights of the Turkish people and the Turkish Cypriots. It will never do so. It was a good will gesture showing the world that the Turkish side is a part of the solution and not the conflict. The result of the Annan Plan showed the rightness of the Turkish Cypriot people. Turkey has never considered to abandon its will for a solution or to abandon the rights of the Turkish Cypriots”.
For his part, Nami noted that the sides were conducting negotiations on the basis of the joint statement with the aim of settling the Cyprus problem. He claimed: “Unfortunately, the negotiations are not proceeding at the desired pace. The negotiations need to move faster in order to achieve results and to protect the process from any risks associated with delays in the negotiations. The Greek Cypriot side has not responded to the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposals in this direction. Unfortunately the convergences that have been reached to this date are also not being used effectively in the negotiations”.
As part of his other contacts, Aktay also held separate meetings with the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party Kutlay Erk and the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun. No statements were issued before or after the meetings.
(I/Ts.)
11. KSP to run for EP elections
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 21.04.14), the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP) has announced its candidacy for the European Parliament election, which will take place in May 2014.
In a press conference, Osman Zorba and Mehmet Birinci announced their candidacy on behalf of their party. The party officials said they are running for the EP elections as part of all Cypriots and specially in order to represent the interest of the working class.
Speaking during the press conference, KSP’s Secretary General Mehmet Birinci said they had decided to join the elections with two candidates due to the entrance fee which is 1,000 euro for each candidate. “If the amount was not 1,000 euro we would join with six candidates. This pricing policy violates the equality principle by not giving equal opportunity to low-incomers”, noted Birinci.
“The democracy in the north is a pseudo one”, said Birinci while explaining the reason for not joining the local elections in the “north” (editor’s note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) which is scheduled to take place in June.
“The best way to communicate our messages to our audience is the EP elections”, said Birinci and he called all workers, civil servants and intellectuals to support KSP in its fight against imperialism and oppression.
12. Alliance at the left wing for the “local elections”
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 18.04.14), the Social Democratic Party (TDP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP) and the Baraka Cultural Centre have officially announced their decision to work together for the upcoming “local elections” in a press conference.
According to the decision, the TDP will nominate Mehmet Harmanci in the occupied part of Lefkosia, Mustafa Sener in occupied Keryneia, Metin Ertok in occupied Morphou and Hasan Kizilgok in occupied Lefka as its “mayoral candidates” for the “local elections” which will be held on the 29th of June.
The TDP, the BKP and the Baraka Cultural Centre have also decided to support the independent candidates in the occupied villages of Chatoz, Pergamis and Galatia.
13. UBP terminates alliance with DP
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 18.04.14), the “election alliance” between the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party - National Forces (DP-UG) was terminated yesterday following a decision taken by the UBP authorized party bodies. The UBP announced it will be contesting in the upcoming local elections with its own candidates.
UBP leader Huseyin Ozgurgun claimed that the DPUG leader Serdar Denktas had violated the principles of the agreement reached between the two parties which stated that neither party would nominate “deputies” as mayoral candidates.
“The nomination by the DP leader of a ‘Trikomo deputy’ as a mayoral candidate and his insistence on the matter has dynamited the alliance”, he said.
Ozgurgun, who stated that the UBP would be contesting in the upcoming “local elections” on its own, announced that work on nominating “candidates” for the 28 “municipalities” will be completed by next week.
Responding to a question as to what the impact of the UBP’s decision will be on the “presidential elections”, Ozgrugun said: “Our support to president Dervis Eroglu is continuing. The situation with the DP for the local elections is one thing, the presidential elections is another”.
Also commenting on the issue, Serdar Denktas said that the nomination of a “deputy” as a “mayoral candidate” could not constitute a reason to terminate the alliance.
Denktas who spoke to the BRT said that the UBP’s decision had revealed that the alliance had not been established on a strong foundation. Stating that his party had always adopted a constructive stance throughout the process, he said that despite their differences with the UBP there were no hard feelings or resentment between the two parties.
14. Sertoglu withdrew his “candidacy” for “mayor” of the occupied part of Lefkosia
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (22.04.14), in its front page, reports that Hasan Sertoglu, the “president of the Turkish Cypriot football federation”, has withdrawn his “candidacy” for mayor of the occupied part of Lefkosia.
According to the paper, Sertoglu said that he decided to back down from his “candidacy”, in order not to harm the agreement he signed with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA). The new “candidate” for the National Unity Party (UBP) will be Kemal Deniz Dana.
15. Rauf Denktas to be DP’s candidate in occupied Lefkosia at the forthcoming “local elections”
Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper (20.04.14) under the title: “Rauf Denktas again on the agenda”, reported that after the ending of the alliance between the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) for the forthcoming “local elections” to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus, the two parties continue their efforts for the determination of their candidates.
According to the paper, after the above development, the chairman of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) Serdar Denktas has announced that his son, Rauf Denktas would be the party’s candidate for the “local elections” in the occupied part of Lefkosia.
(AK)
16. KADEM’s survey presents CTP to be the first party in the occupied area of Cyprus if “elections” were to take place today
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (22.04.14) reports on the results of a survey conducted by KADEM Research Company in the occupied area of Cyprus and writes that in the question “if parliamentary elections were to take place today, which party would you vote”, 35% of the participants said that they would vote the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), 31% the National Unity Party (UBP), 26% the Democratic Party (DP), 6% the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and 2% the United Cyprus Party (BKP).
As the paper writes, the survey was conducted on behalf of the Democratic Party (DP) in order to examine whether the party’s voter were in favour of an alliance with the National Unity Party (UBP).
(AK)
17. Children from 11 countries will participate in the celebrations of the 23rd April Children’s Day
According to illegal BRT television (online, 18.04.14), the 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day will be celebrated with a variety of events in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus alongside Turkey.
The self-styled minister for national education Mustafa Arabacioglu, in a press conference, said that children groups from 11 countries will be taking part in the celebrations.
Drawing attention to the fact that the festival is one of the largest organizations that takes place in the “TRNC”, Arabacioglu said that 600 students and 100 teachers will be on duty during the festival.
This year students from the “TRNC”, Turkey, Germany, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, FYROM, Romania, Serbia, the region Bashkiria and students from the London Turkish Language and Cultural School are attending the event.
18. Scenarios for post-Erdogan era
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.04.14) reports that with the increasing debate over who will be Turkey’s next leaders in late August, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has intensified consultations to choose the best scenario if Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is elected as President.
The work carried out by the AKP also includes possible constitutional amendments for the adoption of a Presidential system and changes on the Election Law to be implemented in next year’s Parliamentary elections.
President Abdullah Gul’s statement that he has no political plans for the future under today’s conditions, meaning he will not accept being Erdogan’s “yes-man Prime Minister” has changed the parameters. Some pro-government columnists have openly criticized Gul for his statement, while deputy AKP leader Mehmet Ali Sahin defended the President.
“The real reason behind this statement was to stop unnecessary speculations over plans for the future,” he said, adding it should not be regarded as negative. Who will run for President will be decided at the end of the consultations. There are assessments suggesting that our Prime Minister’s decision for candidacy has already been made. Why would there be such consultations if a decision had been made?” Sahin told the private NTV broadcaster yesterday.
On discussions regarding who would head the AKP and become Prime Minister in case of Erdogan’s election as President, Sahin said one of the four current Deputy Prime Ministers could fulfil the task. The current Deputy Prime Ministers are Besir Atalay, Bulent Arinc, Emrullah Isler and Ali Babacan.
Hinting they would consider constitutional amendments in the aftermath of 2015’s parliamentary elections to change the administrative system to allow for a better functioning model, Sahin said he hoped that they will have sufficient majority at the Parliament through the narrowed constituency system.
Meanwhile, Turkish daily Radikal (20.04.14) reported that Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has emerged as a strong potential candidate for the Prime Ministry, after President Gul’s recent statement appearing to distance him from the role.
Scenarios for a post-Erdogan prime ministry are currently being reconsidered after Gul’s statement last week in which the President said he did not have “any political plan for the future under today’s circumstances.” The mooted Putin-Medvedev formula would lose its validity if Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains committed to becoming President and paves the way for a scenario without Gul in the Prime Minister’s seat.
19. Turkey will soon have to sell Northern Iraqi oil, says Energy Minister Yildiz
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 21.04.14), Turkey will soon need to start exporting oil from the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) because its storage tanks at the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan are almost full, according to Energy Minister Taner Yildiz.
Meanwhile, the paper reported that Turkey has agreed "in principle" to increase shipments of natural gas from Russia via the Blue Stream pipeline, Yildiz said on April 21.
The two countries will increase capacity through the pipeline, which crosses the Black Sea, from 16 billion cubic metres annually to 19 billion cubic metres, said Yildiz. Yildiz’s comments came ahead of a meeting with Gazprom deputy head Alexander Medvedev scheduled for late Monday.
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