TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 62/14 04.04.14
1. Eroglu: Anastasiades contradicts with the
negotiation procedure
2. Ozersay: Russia’s stance is important for the
negotiating process
3. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce
participated in the 30th Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
plenary session
4. Cakici: There is no progress in the Cyprus problem
5. Former Turkish Foreign Minister: The “two states”
in Cyprus could be recognized by foreign countries
6. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Eroglu’s proposal on
demining Cyprus is tantamount to throwing the “early solution” into a minefield
7. BKP: Turkey’s local elections were the darkest
elections of Turkey’s history
8. Turkey declares Ergenekon a “terrorist
organization”
9. More EU funds for Southern Gas Corridor project
10. Preparatory schools start shutdown one year before
deadline
11. Turkish Foreign Ministry bans use of cell phones
on its premises after leak
12. Columnist: Erdogan needs 3 million votes for
presidential elections
1. Eroglu: Anastasiades contradicts with the
negotiation procedure
According to
Turkish Cypriot daily KibrisPostasi Daily News (online, 03.04.14), Turkish
Cypriot leader DervisEroglu’s office
issued a written statement on Thursday as a response to Cyprus President
Anastasiades’ comments during his high level contacts.
Below are some
highlights from the statement:
“Anastasiades,
who is visiting Brussels in the framework of the EU-Africa summit held a
meeting with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. According to the information
we have, during that meeting Anastasiades complained about the Turkish Cypriot
side’s attitude and accused us for not acting according to the parameters of
the joint declaration. In addition to that Mr Anastasiades allegedly said: ‘As
long as Mr Eroglu is the leader of the Turkish Cypriots, I don’t believe we can
find a solution’. Furthermore, he told the UN SG that the process would gain
momentum after the presidential elections in 2015’s spring. It is reported that during the statement,
which Mr Anastasiades gave after his meeting with the UN SG, he said ‘there is
no other option for solution rather than transforming the Cyprus Republic to a
federal regime’.
These statements contradict with the continuing
negotiations’ procedure and its essence. These
words create fears about the real intention of the Greek Cypriot side. There
are worries that the real intention of the Greek Cypriot side is not to find a
solution as soon as possible but to delay the process. The fact that Mr Anastasiades held a
unilateral meeting with the UN SG and gave a false impression of the Turkish
Cypriot side’s attitude is worrying, especially during this period in which the
hopes for a solution are increased.
It is a known and agreed upon parameter that the new
federal structure will be a new entity. So the new structure will not be a
transformed version of the Greek Cypriot Administration.”
2. Ozersay: Russia’s stance is important for the
negotiating process
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (04.04.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay held contacts yesterday at
the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the negotiating process in
Cyprus. Ozersay met with AndreyMaslov, Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s
Fourth Department for European Affairs, and diplomats who are responsible for
Cyprus issues.
After his two
and a half hour contacts, Ozersay said that they have exchanged views on the
negotiations process aiming at finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus
problem. He noted that they discussed at
which stage the negotiating process is, the way Russia sees the process and
what could be done for reaching a result. Ozersay recalled that this is the fourth visit held to Moscow on
behalf of what he described as “TRNC presidency” and argued that the
negotiations for a comprehensive solution have been institutionalized.
Emphasizing that
Russia’s stance is important for the
negotiations, Ozersay said that his visit was important from the point of
view of “briefing one of the important actors within the UN Security Council on
the process and explain what kind of a solution the TRNC looks for”.
Meanwhile, in
statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.04.14), Ozersay said that his contacts in Moscow
were useful and expressed the view that “a healthy dialogue has been
established between Moscow and us”. Noting that “there is nothing more
natural than consulting with Russia”, because the Cyprus problem is a dispute
which is on the agenda of the UN Security Council.
“It is important
to convey sound information on the issue of the Turkish Cypriots’ positions,
demands and sensitivities, because, due to various reasons and our limited
capacity until today, some prejudices caused some negative results”, he alleged
adding that this is the reason why they must explain well their views and
expectations.
Referring to the issue of Crimea, Ozersay argued that
the crisis there did not exceed a certain point because of the mutual dependency
that exists between the sides involved in the issue. He expressed the view that
this situation could constitute an example for Eastern Mediterranean, where relations of mutual dependency between the sides that are in
conflict with each other could establish stability.
(I/Ts.)
3. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce
participated in the 30th Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
plenary session
Turkish Cypriot daily Realist newspaper (04.04.14)
reports that the newly elected chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of
Commerce (TCCC) FikriToros participated in the 30th Islamic Chamber
of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture plenary session which was held in Tunis.
The paper writes
that Toros and TCCC member UnutVehit who also participated in the plenary
session held contacts in Tunis.
According to the paper, Toros stated that in case a
solution of the Cyprus problem is reached, “North Cyprus” will be the only
Muslim country member of the EU, adding that this would set an example and will
set bridges with other countries.
4. Cakici: There is no progress in the Cyprus
problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (04.04.14)
reports that Mehmet Cakici, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP)
stated there is no progress as regards the Cyprus problem.
Cakici, who
evaluated the latest developments of the Cyprus problem, criticized what he
called a “merciless rivalry” between the “foreign minister” OzdilNami and the
Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay. He
said that as regards the negotiations there is nothing new and they are at the
same point they were two years ago. He said that the joint statement was the
only positive thing but as he argues, this is not enough.
5. Former Turkish Foreign Minister: The “two
states” in Cyprus could be recognized by foreign countries
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (04.04.14) reports that the former Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, YasarYakis has said
that the current situation in Cyprus, that is “the two state solution”, could
be recognized by foreign countries in case the solution of the Cyprus problem
is prolonged.
Yakis has paid a
two-day visit to the island in order to participate in a Turkish-Greek Forum.
In statements to Kibris, Yakis, who served as Foreign Minister during the Annan
Plan period, argued thatdifferent
elements exist now in the Cyprus problem compared to ten years ago. He
expressed the view that the issue created boredom in the international
community and should be solved at last. He said he is hopeful on the issue
of the solution in Cyprus. He recalled that a leader who had voted ‘yes’ to the
Annan Plan is President of Cyprus now and that the Church, which has allegedly
“hard” views on the Cyprus problem, offered its support to the joint
declaration signed between President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot
leader, DervisEroglu.
Noting that the
positive elements in the process are giving him hope, Yakis said that the USA
has undertaken a more active role compared to the past because of its own
interest.
Referring to a
report by the International Crisis Group which points out to a “two state
solution” in Cyprus, Yakis said that the issue has been discussed during the
meeting and the Greeks in the forum
noted that they are strongly against such a development. Yakis noted, however, that he was not sure
whether these people represented the view of the official authorities of their
country. He added: “It has been said
that Greece will definitely not agree with this. I do
not know whether it will agree or not, but I estimate that when no other way
remains, the current situation will slowly be accepted by the international
community. The international community is tired of this. If there is no solution, the de facto
situation will, willy-nilly, be accepted”. And the de facto situation means two states…”
Referring to the
local elections result in Turkey, Yakis argued that the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) victory and the fact that it
came out more powerful from the elections, will facilitate AKP’s acting in a
more determined manner on difficult issues such as Cyprus. “It means that
it will not fear expressions such as ‘Cyprus is being sold’”, he added.
(I/Ts.)
6. Turkish Cypriot columnist: Eroglu’s proposal on
demining Cyprus is tantamount to throwing the “early solution” into a minefield
Writing in his
column in Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (04.04.14) under the title
“Full support to Eroglu by me”, columnist
Sami Ozuslu refers to Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu’s proposal regarding
the demining of Cyprus. Ozuslu reports that absolutely no one who supports the
solution could oppose to this proposal and adds, inter alia, the following:
“…While the
citizens in the streets wonder whether a solution will be reached within this
year and began hoping again on the issue of the solution, Eroglu considers
appropriate to ‘increase confidence’ instead of substantial issues. And he
chooses the ‘minefield’ for [showing] his will for confidence building
measures! Undoubtedly, there is no
possibility of Eroglu not knowing that a serious fund is needed for the
demining issue and this is a project which needs to be spread in time for a
period that could be considered as long. That is, if the demining will
increase ‘confidence’, this is not something which could happen within a short
period of time. Taking a decision and a
step in this direction is positive of course, but while the expectation for an
early solution exists from the negotiating table that took months to be
established, Eroglu’s proposal has no other meaning that throwing the issue
into a ‘minefield’. Moreover, the
issue of the ‘minefields’ is not such a very appropriate channel from the point
of view of strengthening ‘rapprochement’ and ‘cooperation’…
If Eroglu really
wants to submit confidence building measures with the intention of creating
confidence, melting the ice between the two communities and preparing them for
the solution, I have some humble suggestions. For example, he could bring
together the GSM operators and propose that they should secure that our
telephones receive signal in the south and those of the Greek Cypriots receive
signal in the north. He could open for debate the speeding up of a project for
a road which will pass through the buffer zone in order to eliminate the
suffering of Louroudjina village. He could suggest a friendly football match
between Turkish and Greek Cypriot politicians. A discussion could be held on
proposals such as the leaders’ undertaking an initiative for a ‘peace concert’
in the buffer zone and bringing together artists…”
(I/Ts.)
7. BKP: Turkey’s local elections were the darkest
elections of Turkey’s history
Turkish Cypriot
daily Afrika (04.04.14) reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, General Secretary of
the United Cyprus Party (BKP), described the latest local elections in Turkey
as the “darkest elections of Turkey’s history”.
In a written
statement, Korkmazhan criticized the policies of the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) government regarding the restriction of the freedom of
expression, the excessive violence of the police, which resulted to the death
of children, the bribes, the corruption scandals, and so on…
Referring to the
Cyprus problem, Korkmazhan said that Erdogan’s vision for a Cyprus settlement
has no place there, and added that the Turkish Cypriot community will not give
permission to be deceived on this matter.
8. Turkey declares Ergenekon a “terrorist
organization”
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.04.14),
an alleged conspiracy to topple Turkey’s government has been officially defined
as an "armed terrorist organization" for the first time by a Turkish
court.
The so-called
‘Ergenekon’ network has also been accused of operating as a "deep
state" within the Turkish Armed Forces.
The Istanbul
13th High Criminal Court on Thursday finished a 16,000-page decision on the
long-running case which has seen hundreds of generals sentenced to prison on
charges of plotting to topple Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan's AK Party
government.
9. More EU funds for Southern Gas Corridor project
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.04.14), the Southern Gas Corridor project, set
to open in 2019, has gained increasing importance for Europe as events in
Ukraine have highlighted the need for the continent to diversify its energy
supply.
Companies working on the
Southern Gas Corridor pipeline - a project to supply Azerbaijani natural gas to
Europe via Turkey - will be able to
apply for EU financial support, worth a total of 6 billion euro till 2020,
according to the office of the EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger.
The Southern Gas
Corridor is estimated to cost around US$45 billion. A future expansion of the project is planned - by adding natural gas
from Northern Iraq, Turkmenistan, Eastern
Mediterranean and possibly Iran.
10. Preparatory schools start shutdown one year
before deadline
Turkish daily
Sabah (online, 04.04.14) reports that after
the government set the deadline for the closure of preparatory schools as Sept.
1, 2015, prep schools began closing down. In the past three months, 43 prep
schools were closed, and for the first time in six years, the number of prep
schools fell below 3,600, though their number saw a steady decline in recent
years.
Currently, over
1 million students attend prep schools across Turkey, while another 27,000
students attend study centres, a name used to describe smaller prep schools.
The preparatory schools sector brings in approximately
$1 billion each year according to the government, and Gulenists are estimated
to control 40% of these prep schools.
11. Turkish Foreign Ministry bans use of cell
phones on its premises after leak
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 04.04.14) reports that the use of cell phones inside the Foreign Ministry will soon be
prohibited to prevent future espionage attempts, officials have announced in
the wake of the illegal recording of a meeting between Turkey’s top security
officials, including the Foreign Minister.
Diplomats and
other Ministry personnel will not be allowed to carry their cell phones inside
the ministry and, in addition, the meetings to be held in the ministry will
take place in a cell phone-free environment, the paper has learned.
The move is part
of a substantial plan to tighten the security inside the ministry which is
expected to be implemented soon when accomplished.
Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru confirmed to the
Daily News that efforts were underway to tighten security inside the Ministry
and its premises elsewhere. “We were already very
careful on these issues, but this incident has shown that we have to scrutinize
security measures we have been implementing,” Koru said.
12. Columnist: Erdogan needs 3 million votes for
presidential elections
Columnist
SedatErgin, in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 04.04.14), writes
that Prime Minister RecepTayyipErdogan
will need to make one of the toughest decisions of his political venture within
the coming two months.
He has two
options. A) He will either continue as the Prime Minister and in order to make
this possible, he will make changes to his party’s statutes. B) He will decide
to ascend to the Cankaya Presidential Mansion and will exert all his power for
the two-round presidential elections.
According to
Ergin, Erdogan is engaged in evaluating his possible course of action in
reviewing the local election results of Sunday. If the power equilibrium of the
2011 general elections were valid today, then it would have been very easy for
him to make this decision. The reason for this is that he had received 49.8% of
the votes (in total, 21,399,000 votes). Based on this, he could have put the
key in his pocket to the Cankaya Mansion with little effort.
However, even
though Sunday’s elections resulted in an absolute victory, it has also shown a
substantial decline in their votes. Cankaya is no more a slam dunk for him in
the first round. The vote erosion he has experienced which is over six points
will force him to form alliances.
The number of
registered voters in Turkey last Sunday was 52,695,000. According to unofficial
results, 46,510,000 people voted and the number of valid votes was around
44,725,000.
The vote
distribution of the main parties nationwide looks as follows: Justice and
Development Party (AK Party): 19,455,000 (43.5%), Republican People’s Party
(CHP): 11,444,000 (25.6%), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP): 7,875,000 (17.6%),
BDP and HDP total: 2,952,000 (6.6%), Felicity Party (SP) 1,248,000 (2.8%) and
Great Union Party (BBP): 713,000 (1.6%).
Let us assume that the valid votes of Sunday were
repeated in the first round on Aug. 10. In this case, in order to be elected in
the first round, Erdogan needs a minimum of 22,363,000 votes; however he is
short 2,900,000 votes. He will have to fill this gap.
Erdogan might
turn to conservative parties such as the SP and the BBP. The total votes of
these two parties are a little shy of 2 million. This support is not enough. In
this case, the Prime Minister might opt for a very critical alternative. He may
need to choose between two parties, one which predominantly focuses on Turkish
nationalism, the other over Kurdish identity, which makes the two at odds with
each other.
When we look at the naked reality of figures,
theoretically, when he draws all the votes of BDP to his side, he will be able
to easily open the door of the mansion in the first round. However, it is the
nature of politics that the Kurdish political movement will seek something in
return for this support.
However, there
is a significant political risk Erdogan has to weigh here: In the event that he
considers ascending to Cankaya with Kurdish votes, then it might make it a
risky choice that he only counts on this option because of the
nationalist-conservative masses in the Black Sea, Central and East Anatolia
that constitute the stronghold of his party’s grassroots and also the
reactional response of west of Turkey.
At this stage,
Erdogan has to take into consideration that he has lost around 2,200,000 votes
compared to the 2011 general elections and that the MHP is on a rising trend.
The MHP won around 5,575,000 votes in 2011 and on Sunday it gained 7,875,000
votes, corresponding to 17.6%. This is a clear increase of 2,300,000 votes.
It may be argued that as much as Erdogan leans towards
BDP, the shift of votes to the MHP will accelerate.
There is no
doubt that in the event of a second round, it would become the most important
variable in the equation as to whether the MHP and CHP form a strong alliance
over one candidate. Erdogan may take all the risks and make a presidential move
assuming he would win in the second round. Also, he may choose to remain in the
Prime Ministry considering it is not necessary to take all these risks.
Indeed, another factor that might keep him at the
Prime Ministry is that the quest to expand the powers of the presidency has not
been finalized. Of course, the motive to conclude the fight he launched
against the Gulen community may constitute another reason for him to stay at
the prime ministry.
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