TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 108/14 13.06.14
1. Ozersay: The Cyprus problem has actually ended
2. Ozersay repeated the need for a road map
3. Nami alleges that the Greek Cypriots submit extreme proposals in the Cyprus talks
4. Talat says that he is not happy with the negotiation process
5. Eroglu: Our doors are open for all investors and businessmen from Turkey
6. Cicek asked from TURKPA to give to “TRNC” the observer status
7. Sennaroglu: “It is out of question to buy electricity from south Cyprus”
8. Lidington: Turkish Cypriots' access to the full rights of EU membership, including EU elections will best be achieved through a comprehensive settlement
9. Ballot boxes in occupied Cyprus for the presidential elections in Turkey
10. Turkey calls on its citizens in Iraq to leave the country
11. CHP leader indirectly demands the resignation of Davutoglu; Turkish opposition drops PM’s confidence vote
12. Analysis: A joint strategy needs to be developed against ISIL
13. Columnist mocks Davutoglu’s foreign policy
14. Erdogan calls Merkel for Turkey’s presidential vote; Austria warns Erdogan to 'tone it down' during visit
15. Erdogan not to leave post for presidential candidacy
16. Turkish Radikal newspaper is closing down
1. Ozersay: The Cyprus problem has actually ended
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay has alleged that the Cyprus problem had since a long time ceased being an issue which could be solved only by talking and added: “The Cyprus problem has actually ended in a sense. Because everything has been exhausted, what should be done is to enter into a kind of a give and take that will step by step close the existing differences between the sides”.
In statements to Anatolia news agency’s correspondent in London, Ozersay claimed that “some concrete steps” should be taken by the Greek Cypriot leader in order for the negotiations to develop more positively.
Explaining the reason of his visit to London, Ozersay said: “We have held some visits to Greece and Turkey and had meetings with the two guarantor countries. This visit is its continuation because Britain is also a guarantor power”.
Noting that they are now in the second stage of the negotiations described as the “substantial negotiations”, Ozersay argued: “The problem we are experiencing is that we do not know what the next stage will be. However, if this was known, the sides would behave accordingly when they were negotiating, they would take their steps accordingly and they would enter into a more serious negotiation. Unfortunately, an open ended process exists now. However, on the other hand, there are also some natural timetables. Some political and economic developments that should be taken into attention are waiting for us. No one can escape from this”.
Alleging that the Cyprus problem has since a long time existed being an issue that could be solved only by talking, Ozersay claimed that steps need to be taken which will secure that the Greek Cypriot side wants to change the existing situation. He alleged that if such steps are not taken, it is not very possible to solve the Cyprus problem only with negotiations.
Asked whether the negotiations are developing in a more positive way during President Anastasiades’ term compared to the former President Christofias’ period, Ozersay alleged that in order for this to happen, the Greek Cypriot leader should take some concrete steps and argued that many things developed far below their expectations during President Anastasiades’ period. He went on and alleged: “Mr Anastasiades has unexpectedly put onto the table some certain conditions. For example, he put forward the condition that we must give him some concessions on the issue of Varosha. Afterwards he put forward the condition that the EU should sit at the table. Afterwards he said that if a joint declaration is issued, he could sit at the negotiating table and the sides had been forced to negotiate on the joint declaration for many months. For what? For the resumption of the negotiations. […] There was no need for putting preconditions for sitting at the negotiating table to find a solution within the framework of the established UN parameters in the negotiations which have been going on for 46 years since 1968. This has frankly caused disappointment”.
Ozersay said that the cross visits to Athens and Ankara have positively contributed to the negotiating process and added that they are planning on holding more such visits.
Referring to the US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Cyprus, Ozersay noted that they attach importance to the steps taken by international players, including the USA, for solving the Cyprus problem or encouraging the sides “as long as the sides are treated in an equal and balanced manner”. He alleged: “This cannot be done only by making statements and encouraging. We all saw until today that it did not happen. It cannot happen only by saying that ‘I support the solution in Cyprus’. The Greek Cypriots should be forced to feel that some things could not be attained without the solution”.
(I/Ts.)
2. Ozersay repeated the need for a road map
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 12.06.14), Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay repeated his earlier assertion regarding the need for a road map during a conference on the recent developments in Cyprus.
Speaking during a conference to the Turkish Cypriots residing in London, Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side wants the UN's involvement in the negotiations to be increased.
Stating that the two sides should take jointly steps in order to achieve progress, Ozersay said: “We need a road map, otherwise, how can we know where we are heading to? If we want a result oriented process we need a road map. What we want is not a road map which is decided by outside actors. We want to sit down with the Greek Cypriot side and decide it together. The blame game period is over. No one really is interested in that anymore. The Greek Cypriots accusing the Turkish Cypriots or the Turkish Cypriot accusing the Greek Cypriots; this does not interest anyone. This is meaningless now. If we are to reach a comprehensive settlement this is a kind of our last chance, we know that and we say that.”
Reminding that he has been taking an active role in the negotiations for the last 12 years, Ozersay said that any arrangement regarding property issues should not lead to forced migration.
Pointing out that Cyprus has received international attention again and this urged the international community to act as a catalyst for sustaining the necessary conditions, Ozersay said: “If you say that the resources in the sea belong also to the Turkish Cypriots then you have to do what’s necessary. If you think the Greek Cypriots can extract and use these resources without the Turkish Cypriots, then you will be repeating the same mistake of 2004.”
Ozersay claimed that the usage of resources should be tied to a comprehensive solution or to the consent of the Turkish Cypriots. “If you say that I guarantee you, the Cyprus problem can be solved in a couple of months”, Ozersay added.
Ozersay also said: “Some might criticise increased US involvement in the process and that those steps were taken for their own interest. That might be the case but every state in the world act according to their own interests and that is the most natural thing. If we can align these interests with our interests and the right path for the island's future then there isn’t any problem for us.”
3. Nami alleges that the Greek Cypriots submit extreme proposals in the Cyprus talks
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.14) reports that the self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Ozdil Nami has alleged that the Greek Cypriot side submits “extreme proposals” at the negotiating table.
Addressing yesterday the “assembly” of the regime, Nami argued that the aim is to “abolish the Cyprus problem with a just solution” and that there are some difficulties which derive from the Greek Cypriot side, but it would not be correct to present non-existing difficulties as existing.
Noting that some difficulties are being experienced on the territory issue, Nami alleged that the Turkish side submits constructive proposals at the table while the Greek Cypriot side’s proposals are allegedly “extreme”. He noted, however, that this does not mean that the negotiations ended. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot leader and his team continue the negotiations exerting “self-sacrificing efforts”.
Nami reiterated that they support that the sides should remain committed to the past agreements and that the geographical map should be discussed at the very end of the negotiations.
Nami said that the views of Turkey on the Cyprus problem are the same with the ones of the Turkish Cypriot leader Erolgu and of his self-styled government.
Replying to the self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP), Zorlu Tore’s statements, Nami said that he had also visited the villages which Tore said that they might be returned to the Greek Cypriots. He noted that he met with the people there and explained that there will be a territorial adjustment during which a map will come onto the agenda.
Nami argued that the power of Turkey should be known on the road towards an agreement and added that they are holding the negotiations having taken lessons from the past and they will continue in unity so as to reach their target. He said that uniting with the world passes through finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and they are holding the negotiations with this aim.
(I/Ts.)
4. Talat says that he is not happy with the negotiation process
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (13.06.14) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the Cyprus negotiations have not collapsed yet and they continue; however they do not proceed very well.
Talat, who was speaking during a television program of illegal Bayrak, also referred to the efforts of “constructional amendments” taking place in the breakaway regime and said that even a minor change of the “constitution” consists a progress. “During the making of constitutional amendments the most important thing is developing a reconciliation culture, which will be useful during the negotiations and during their aftermath”, Talat stated.
As regards the criticism that the amendments do not include “Article 10”, Talat stated that the most important thing is civilizing the “police force” which has nothing to do with this “article”.
5. Eroglu: Our doors are open for all investors and businessmen from Turkey
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 12.06.14), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu emphasized the importance of Turkish businessmen and industrialists operations in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Speaking during the visit of the Gurteks Textile Industry and Trade Incorporated Company, Eroglu said: “We are in the position of opening our doors to every investor and businessmen from Turkey. It is very important for us.” Eroglu also wished that Turkish businessmen's operations are all on track.
6. Cicek asked from TURKPA to give to “TRNC” the observer status
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (13.06.14) reports that the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Cemil Cicek, delivering an opening speech while delivering a speech at the 5th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkish Speaking Countries (TURKPA) in Baku, said that it is time for steps to be taken in order for the observer status to be given to the “TRNC”.
Cicek referred also to the incidents occurred in Mosul Consulate and described them as “unacceptable”.
Underlining that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were invited to TURKPA’s meeting although they are not members, Cicek stressed the fact that some friendly countries, members of TURKPA, do not want to accept the “TRNC” which asked to become member, even as an observer member.
Moreover, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 13.06.14), Cicek, during his speech, also said that it is very upsetting that some TURKPA member brother states did not want the “TRNC” to receive an observer status. He added: “The Turkish Cypriots are still being subjected to injustices and unjust embargoes are continuing. During last year’s session in Ankara I had voiced my desire for the TRNC parliament to be given an observer status within our ranks. I had also written a letter expressing the hope that this issue be discussed and finalized before today’s meeting. But unfortunately I have come here greatly disappointed today”.
He continued to say that anyone who knew him well would realise the importance he gives to solving the problems experienced by Turkish Cypriots.
“Turkish Cypriots who are our brothers, our blood and are Turkish despite all injustices and embargoes are still struggling for their existence” he said adding that the “TRNC parliament” not being given observer status deeply saddened the Republic of Turkey.
He concluded his opening speech by expressing the hope that a solution will be found soon in order for the “TRNC parliament” to be given an observer status.
Reminding that the “TRNC” holds an observer status at the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, OIC Parliamentarians Union and Economic Cooperation Organization and fully participates at the European Council Parliamentary Assembly, Cicek said that TURKPA should also take steps towards this end.
(AK)
7. Sennaroglu: “It is out of question to buy electricity from south Cyprus”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.06.14) reported on statements by the so-called minister of food, agriculture and energy Onder Sennaroglu who has said that it is out of question to buy electricity from “south Cyprus”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus.
Commenting on the allegations published in the Greek Cypriot press that “the TRNC will buy electrical energy from south Cyprus in order to meet its electrical energy needs that will appear in the framework of the water transfer project and that in this framework, it held unofficial contacts with the Greek Cypriot Electricity Authority”, Sennaroglu said that the “Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority” (KIB-TEK) and AIK held unofficial contacts. He however, added that no mention was made during those meetings to the issue of the water transfer project.
Sennaroglu went on adding that “KIB-TEK” examines and holds contacts in order to see which will be the benefits of the interconnection of the systems of Turkey and “south Cyprus” will be, under the current conditions. He added that officials of the two organizations held meetings in this framework and stated that interconnected systems will increase the security of supply and will further bring a lot of technical advantages.
(AK)
8. Lidington: Turkish Cypriots' access to the full rights of EU membership, including EU elections will best be achieved through a comprehensive settlement
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.06.14) reports that George Howarth MP with the Labor Party of Britain, issued a question on June 11 to the Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, serving as Minister for Europe David Lidington on reports he has received on allegations that some Turkish Cypriots were denied the right to vote in the recent European elections in the Republic of Cyprus.
Lidington replied that they are aware of difficulties experienced by some eligible Turkish Cypriots in the recent European elections in the Republic of Cyprus, adding that the inclusion of eligible Turkish Cypriots in those elections was a positive step towards building confidence between the two communities. “It is unfortunate that some Turkish Cypriots then found that they could not vote on the day due to problems in the registration procedure”, he stated, adding that although these problems led to understandable frustrations during the polling day, they do not believe that the problems were due to a deliberate obstruction by the Republic of Cyprus authorities. Indeed, some 58,000 Turkish Cypriots were registered and able to vote.
“Ultimately, Turkish Cypriots' access to the full rights of EU membership, including participation in European elections, will best be achieved through a comprehensive settlement. We continue to fully support the leaders of the Cypriot communities in their goal of achieving this”, he stated.
9. Ballot boxes in occupied Cyprus for the presidential elections in Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (13.06.14) reports that the “Turkish embassy” to the occupied part of Lefkosia announced that ballot boxes will be placed in its premises for those who have the right to vote for the presidential election in Turkey to be held this summer.
The paper writes that the ballot boxes will be opened between 31 of July-3 August for the first round of the elections and between 17-20 of August for the second election round.
10. Turkey calls on its citizens in Iraq to leave the country
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.06.14) reported that the Foreign Ministry has warned the Turkish citizens about the risks of travel to Iraq and recommended the immediate return of those who are currently in Turkey's southern neighbour, following the abduction of 80 Turkish citizens, including the Consul-General of Mosul, by jihadist militants.
A ministry statement said recent developments in Iraq made necessary the issuance of a new and more comprehensive security warning to Turkish citizens about the current situation in Iraq.
Taking into account the deterioration of security conditions in the country, it recommended that Turkish citizens should leave Iraq via the best and safest route.
11. CHP leader indirectly demands the resignation of Davutoglu; Turkish opposition drops PM’s confidence vote
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.06.14) reported that main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu asked Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on June 12 to “resign” from his post due to his foreign policy, which has isolated Turkey in the international arena.
“Kilicdaroglu stated that the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Middle East policy has been entirely wrong and has dragged the country into a quagmire, isolating the country in the region; thus, Turkey faces serious problems,” CHP Deputy Chair Faruk Logoglu told reporters after a meeting between Kilicdaroglu and Davutoglu.
The meeting was hastily initiated by Davutoglu, as part of meeting opposition leaders, in which he informed them of the details and efforts concerning the recent kidnapping of Turkish citizens in the Iraqi city of Mosul by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
In response to questions about whether Kilicdaroglu had asked Davutoglu to “resign,” Logoglu simply said they spoke about a “political cost” and recalled how he has repeatedly called for Davutoglu’s resignation in the past. “The chief architect of such foreign policies is the Prime Minister. But Davutoglu is the architect in practice,” Logoglu added.
Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.06.14), the main opposition has also withdrawn a motion for the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister following the kidnapping of Turkish diplomats in Iraq.
The main opposition party withdrew on Thursday a call for vote of confidence against the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying that events in Iraq require “unity and solidarity”, a party official said.
12. Analysis: A joint strategy needs to be developed against ISIL
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.06.14) publishes, inter alia, the following analysis by Fehim Tastekin regarding the rise of ISIL in Iraq:
“While seeking an answer to the question of how the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) so suddenly captured Mosul, it has been argued that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki deliberately handed over the city to ISIL.
Leaving aside the conspiracies, let us try to understand the story: The sectarian clashes that began in 2003 with the American occupation, the Baathists and former soldiers given their marching orders, the Sunni tribes that wanted to settle accounts with the Shiites in power, and the Gulf countries pouring in money to break the influence of Iran have all presented the country with a violent situation.
Sahwa, which was formed by the U.S. with Sunni tribes against al-Qaeda, has considerably repressed the jihadist militants. The withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2011, the Syrian front, and the fact that al-Maliki forgot the Sunnis, have provided the opportunity for ISIL to grow.
The organization was overlooked because it fought with al-Maliki on one side and the Syrian regime on the other side, as well as with the Kurds in Rojava [northern Syria]. ISIL even established an emirate in Syria’s Rakka city, thus becoming Turkey’s neighbour. Now, two border posts are under ISIL’s control. Those who ask, ‘How did Mosul fall?’ should draw the logistic line starting from Turkey.
The new strategy of ISIL is developing on a bow starting from Mosul, where it has settled for years, going on to Anbar, then on to Syria and then along the Euphrates to reach Turkey. ISIL’s financial source comes from donations from the global al-Qaeda network, taxes it collects in Mosul and the oil it has seized in Syria. The oil that ISIL is refining is being sold in Turkey. The number of plastic pipelines that the Turkish Armed Forces has found on the border is countless. For this reason, making ISIL fail depends first on reviewing our Syrian policies.
Other derivatives of al-Qaeda - al-Nusra and Ahrar ash-Sham - only recently, while they were capturing Kessab, used Turkey’s borders. If such supports continue, no new discourse or no updated terror organization lists would work.
Those who think that this threat only concerns al-Maliki are wrong. This threat is forcing those hostile sides to involuntarily cooperate with each other. The Kurdish administration, which is aware that the next target will be itself; Turkey, which is currently in disputes with Baghdad, the Iraqi army of which already has been defeated; and the U.S. administration, all have to meet at a joint strategy. Moreover, for these efforts to be successful, the policies toward Rojava, which has been left to the mercy of ISIL for a long time, need to be altered.
The place where ISIL will strike while withdrawing from Mosul is Rojava, with its recently acquired weapons from Mosul. Naturally, a strategy that is focused only on Iraq may not yield results. Indeed, when and if they support the Iraqi army, the Kurds will expect concessions, such as the holding of the postponed referendum, a solution to the crisis about oil revenues, the approval of oil exportation directly through Turkey, and the annexation of disputed regions such as Mosul and Selahaddin. The Sunni tribes who have permitted ISIL to grow also want to regain their former status. It is difficult for the Iraqi army to win this war without the support of Kurdish Peshmarga forces and the Sunni tribes.
When based on a positive scenario, it is possible to turn the crisis into an opportunity to solve a dozen issues between Ankara - Baghdad, Arbil - Baghdad, west - south Kurdistan and Sunni tribes - Baghdad. A pessimistic scenario, on the other hand, offers endless chaos. If a joint strategy is not developed against ISIL, then Iraq may be separated between Kurds in the north, Sunnis in the middle triangle and Shiites in the south.”
13. Columnist mocks Davutoglu’s foreign policy
Columnist Burak Bekdil, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 13.06.14), under the title “Turkey’s bark is worse than its bite”, questions the foreign policy as well as the actions of Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in the following commentary:
“(…) The barking goes on as loudly as before, but the jihadists in Iraq (and Syria), once Turkey’s comrades in arms, just like the common enemy, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, seem to have ignored the doggy threat.
(…)
The Islamic Army of Iraq and the Levant (greater Syria), or ISIL, emerged partly due to Turkey’s efforts to destabilize the Levant and to depose of its ruler, Mr Assad. ISIL are Turkey’s former allies, just like Mr Assad himself – and all three are enemies today. As I write now, the al-Qaeda offspring was holding more than 100 Turks, including the Consul General in Mosul and around 40 consular staff, in captivity. Ahmet Davutoglu, the Foreign Minister of Turkey (and the self-declared Interior Minister of the Levant) said: ‘Nobody should test Turkey’. ISIL are not testing Turkey, they just also know that Turkey’s bark is worse than its bite.
As it often happens in Turkish affairs, there is a lot of irony surrounding the hostage crisis. Only a day before the attack on the Turkish consulate, an opposition parliamentarian, speaking in Parliament, warned the consulate was exposed to the risk of an attack from ISIL, to which the government benches replied loudly: ‘Stop telling lies!’
Barely a day later, Mr Davutoglu had to knock on the doors of the Iraqi government – which he only selectively (when in need) recognizes, the United Nations and NATO. Article V? Ridiculous. NATO’s chances of rescuing the Turkish hostages are just as high as its chances of retrieving Crimea are. Similarly, Turkey’s official appeal to the Iraqi government for the safe return of hostages looks as good as appealing to the Syrian government for the protection of Turkish nationals in northern Syria.
And only 20 hours before the Turkish consulate was attacked, Davutoglu tweeted ‘We have taken all precautions at the Mosul consulate general’. Good job. If they had not, God forbid, ISIL could have attacked the consulate and kidnapped our Consul General. In reality, Davutoglu’s further assurances about the safety of kidnapped Turks could just mean worse news.
In a more bitter irony, the attack took place as Davutoglu was in New York for a review meeting of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. His speech’s topic was: Interactive dialogue concerning the conditions helping terrorism spread. Now it is high time Davutoglu engages in interactive dialogue with his onetime allies ISIL.
But Davutoglu’s Ministry’s statement after the kidnapping was more fun-read than either Mr Davutoglu’s whereabouts during the attack, or his speech topic. The statement from the Foreign Ministry said, ‘[ISIL] has removed our personnel from the consulate campus and transported them to another area’.
Reading the statement, one might think ISIL were a travel agency, or a logistics company hired by the Ministry to provide transportation services to the consulate in Mosul. Hats off to the Ministry for the linguistic creativity. (…)
In the Jan. 20, 2011 edition of the New York Times, James Traub wrote: ‘One of Davutoglu’s greatest achievements was the creation of a visa-free zone linking Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, thus reconstituting part of the Ottoman space’. Looking backwards from current affairs in the ‘Ottoman space’, one would think that The Onion could have been a better slot to publish that.”
14. Erdogan calls Merkel for Turkey’s presidential vote; Austria warns Erdoğan to 'tone it down' during visit
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.06.14), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked German Chancellor Angela Merkel to accelerate preparations for the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey, during which millions of Turkish voters living abroad – including 1.5 million in Germany alone - will be eligible to cast their votes.
According to a written statement issued by the Prime Ministry’s Press Office, Erdogan initiated the telephone conversation with Merkel on June 12, in order to offer “thanks for the hospitality and close cooperation” of local German officials during his visit to Cologne in late May.
Meanwhile, Erdogan informed Merkel about the ongoing work for the safe return of 80 Turkish nationals, including a diplomat, being held in Mosul by militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Prime Ministry statement also noted, without elaborating.
The two leaders also exchanged views concerning issues on the international agenda and agreed to stay in contact, the Prime Ministry statement said.
Meanwhile, the paper (online, 13.06.14) also reports that Austria warned Erdogan on June 12 not to say anything that may "split" the Austrian society when he visits next week, following his contentious visit to Germany last month.
"I warn Prime Minister Erdogan explicitly: he should not introduce splits in the Austrian society," Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz told Oesterreich daily on Friday.
"If he makes a positive speech and addresses the right things - learning German and being loyal to Austria - then he can help," said Kurz, who was formerly Austria's Integration Minister. "But if he does the opposite, like he did in Germany, then he does damage not only to our majority population but also first and foremost to Turkish immigrants."
Erdogan is due in Vienna - home to many of Austria's 250,000-strong Turkish community - on June 19. The visit is seen by many as a bid to win overseas votes for an expected run for the presidency of Turkey in August.
15. Erdogan not to leave post for presidential candidacy
Turkish daily Sabah (online, 13.06.14) reports that as Turkey will head to the polls to elect a new president on Aug. 10, the search for presidential candidates is heating up. The country's top election watchdog, the Turkish Supreme Election Board (YSK), yesterday released its latest decision on the presidential election. It announced that if municipality Mayors decide to be nominated as presidential candidates, first they must leave their post before July 2014. According to the YSK, the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Deputies do not have to leave their post to run for President, contrary to Mayors, provincial chairmen and provincial council members. It was also reported that if the Prime Minister or Deputies are not elected as President they have the right to continue their term. The YSK's decision was seen as giving the upper hand to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's possible run at the presidency.
Criticizing the YSK's decision as a double standard, the CHP leader Kilicdaroglu said that the decision regarding Mayors' candidacy is anti-democratic.
16. Turkish Radikal newspaper is closing down
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.06.14) reports that the Turkish newspaper Radikal which has started its publication in 1996 under the administration of Mehmet Y.Yilmaz, is closing down and will be published for the last time on June 28.
The decision was announced by the editor in chief of the paper, Egup Can.
The paper will continue its publication online through its website, writes the paper.
(AK)
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