TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 120/14 01.07.14
1. The results for the members of “municipal councils”; YKP and
BKP are represented in “municipal councils” for the first time
2. How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the results of the
“municipal elections”; Eroglu’s role and problems within the CTP
3. Ozgurgun: UBP is undoubtedly the first party; Izcan asks for
early “elections” due to the rejection of the “constitutional amendment”
4. Kibris cites foreign diplomatic observers saying Meyer may be
the next UNSG Special Adviser on Cyprus
5. Italian Ambassador to Ankara: Italy fully supports Turkey’s EU
bid
6. Illegal Near East University to participate in Leaders’ Summit
in Italy
7. Turkish Cypriot “airport service” reportedly to close down on
July 27
8. Erdogan enters presidential race
9. Turkey’s first political party with ‘Kurdistan’ in title is
formed
10. Ihsanoglu launches official campaign
1. The results for the members of “municipal councils”; YKP and
BKP are represented in “municipal councils” for the first time
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.07.14) reports that according to the results
for the members of the “municipal councils” announced yesterday by the
so-called supreme election board, the
New Cyprus Party (YKP) and the United Cyprus Party (BKP) won for the first time
three positions in “municipal councils”.
Describing
this development as “an important detail”, the paper writes that the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces
(CTP-BG) “elected” 111 members of “municipal councils”, the National Unity
Party (UBP) 102, the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) 42, the Social Democracy Party (TDP) 14, the BKP 2
and the YKP 1.
The
YKP elected Murat Kanatli in occupied Nicosia, while BKP’s GonulKargili and
ArifKizilgok were elected in occupied Morfou and Lefka “municipal councils”
respectively.
The
paper writes that 972 “candidates” ran in the “elections” for a position in the
“municipal councils” in the occupied area of Cyprus. 964 of them were supported
by parties and eight ran as independent “candidates”.
(I/Ts.)
2. How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the results of the
“municipal elections”; Eroglu’s role and problems within the CTP
Under
the title “Politics will be heated up”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.07.14) reports that
the results of the “municipal elections” and the “referendum” on the
“constitutional amendment” held on Sunday in the occupied area of the Republic
of Cyprus did not satisfy the political parties. The “no” vote to the
“constitutional amendment”, writes the paper in an analysis by journalist
DilekCetereisi, turned upside down the political calculations of the political
parties which are expected to make a self-assessment during the next few days.
Political
observers say that “depression” exists
within theRepublican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), which lost the
“municipalities” of occupied Nicosia, Famagusta and Keryneia. The results saddened the members of
theNational Unity Party (UBP), the “municipalities” of which decreased to 5
from 12 which it had in 2010. The results did not cause joy to the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) as
well, because the party won only one
“municipality”. As for the Social
Democracy Party (TDP), it may have rejoiced for winning the “municipality”
in occupied Nicosia, but the results in
general were not satisfactory for the members of the party.
Writing
in the same newspaper, columnist Hasan
Hasturer reports that the CTP
may have increased the number of its “municipalities”, but for the first time it won no “municipality” in the five big cities.
Referring to statements by UBP’s chairman, Huseyin Ozgurgun arguing that the
UBP was successful in these “elections”, Hasturer writes that “the UBP suffered its biggest defeat in its
history”, adding that a party as big as the UBP is trying to “comfort
itself” with its success in occupied Keryneia.
Pointing
out that SerdarDenktas, DP-UG’s chairman presented Ismail Arter’s victory in
occupied Famagusta as success of his party, Hasturer argues that “the most important name which determined the fate
of the election in Famagusta was ResmiyeCanaltay, UBP’s chairperson in
Famagusta”, who “with the election experience coming from her family never left
Arter alone” [Translator’s note: ResmiyeCanaltay is the daughter of Turkish
Cypriot leader DervisEroglu].
Referring
to the victory of HarmanciHarmanci in occupied Nicosia, Hasturer argues that
Harmanci won because of the “votes” of the members of UBP and DP who were
displeased with their parties. “TDP was happy with the result in Nicosia. Very
well, what about the results of the same party in Famagusta and Keryneia”, he
wonders.
Hasturer expresses the view that one of the winners of the
“elections” was the Turkish Cypriot leader, DervisEroglu, who “behaved as the
spiritual leader not only of the UBP, but of the DP-UG as well”. He adds, inter alia, the following referring
to Eroglu: “He gave direction to the
election within the boundaries drawn by himself. Did he do this only for
the sake of those who won or for the UBP and the DP? No, he also thought about the presidential election to be held in April
2015. Now mayors who will support Eroglu exist in Famagusta, Keryneia, Morfou
and Trikomo. As for Nicosia, it is
not in the hands of the CTP, from which his strongest opponent could come.
Moreover, Harmanci’s success encouraged [Mustafa] Akinci on the issue of his
candidacy for the presidency. In this situation, Akinci’s candidacy will mean division of the votes of the left”.
Commenting on the future of the CTP-DP self-styled coalition
government, Hasturer argues that it is very difficult for this “coalition” to
continue and that most probably this will not be the “government” which will
lead the Turkish Cypriots to the “elections” in 2015.
He expressed the view that not being in the “government” and not having a
“mayor” in any of the five big “municipalities” will be against the CTP’s
“candidate” in those “elections”. “If you add to this that the settling of
accounts within the CTP has not ended, you come to the conclusion that the CTP
experiences whatever is necessary for the support of Eroglu”, Hasturer
notes.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(01.07.14) refers to statements by a CTP
official who wished to remain anonymous. Under the title “Revenge”, the paper
writes that this official claimed that
those who caused CTP “candidate” OktayKayalp’s defeat in occupied Famagusta
were FerdiSabitSoyer and SonayAdem, two of the high ranking members of the
party. The same source argued that CTP’s “candidate” in occupied Keryneia Sumer
Aygin lost the “election” due to the “influence” exerted against him by Omer
Kalyoncu, another official of the party. The paper writes that the
conflicts within the party escalated and that CTP’s chairman OzkanYorgancioglu
ignores this fact. Afrika argues the following: “Those who were angry at the activities of OktayKayalp and Sumer Aygin
against them in the last general elections, had taken an oath to get back at
them in the local elections. It is said that now they have taken their revenge”.
Noting
that the members of the CTP think that they have suffered a great defeat in the
“local elections”, the paper says that
CTP’s council will convene on Thursday and assess the situation. The paper
wonders whether the party will go to an extraordinary congress and notes that the position of OzkanYorgancioglu is being
debated.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi
newspaper (01.07.14) reports that
confusion exists in the CTP, that “mayors” who lost the “elections” have
accused the party and that some started referring to an extraordinary congress.
KadirFallahoglu, who lost the
“municipality” of occupied Nicosia, told
HalkinSesi that he lost the “elections” due to “settling of accounts” within
his party and that some people in the CTP did not support him. Fellahoglu
said that the UBP-DP alliance aims at
the “presidential elections” and it is personally directed by DervisEroglu.
Fellahoglu argued that, in spite of this, the CTP could win if it remained
united. He added that the so-called
coalition government should immediately be ended.
HalkinSesi
reports also that OktayKayalp, who
lost the “municipality” of occupied Famagusta, believes that the reason for his defeat is the “settling of accounts”
within his party, the CTP. Kayalp is
expected to reveal to the public next week all the conflicts which are taking
place within the CTP.
(I/Ts.)
3. Ozgurgun: UBP is undoubtedly the first party; Izcan asks for
early “elections” due to the rejection of the “constitutional amendment”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.07.14) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), has
argued that with the “votes” secured by the independent “candidates” supported
by his party, the UBP is at the first place in the “municipal elections” held
on Sunday. Ozgurgun sent a congratulating message to the “mayors” of
occupied Keryneia and Famagusta, NidaiGungordu and Ismail Arter respectively,
who won the “elections” with the support of the UBP. In his message, he said
that their “election” was a success of the UBP which cannot be ignored and that
with the “votes” secured by the independent “candidates” it supported, the UBP
is in the position of being the first party.
Meanwhile,
the chairman of the United Cyprus Party
(BKP), IzzetIzcan has referred to the “referendum” on the “constitutional
amendment” and pointed out that this amendment was rejected by the vast
majority of the “voters”. In a statement
issued yesterday, Izcan said that the
“parliament” does not represent the will of the “people” any more and argued
that the “deputies” and the “president of the republic” must resign. Izcan
expressed the view that early
“elections” are inevitable, noting that those who have been holding a
campaign for a “yes” vote in the “referendum” do not represent the Turkish
Cypriot community.
(I/Ts.)
4. Kibris
cites foreign diplomatic observers saying Meyer may be the next UNSG Special
Adviser on Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (01.07.14) writes that yesterday’s meeting between South African negotiator Roelf Meyer and
Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu was seen as an initiative by the USA to
include Meyer in the Cyprus negotiation process. The paper also reports
that the US Ambassador to Cyprus John Koenig was also present at the meeting.
Journalist
Osman Kalfaoglu writes that Meyer’s name has been mentioned as possibly the
next UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus. Foreign diplomatic
observers said that the US initiative to include experienced key persons in the
Cyprus talks is continuing. It is also reported that Meyer is expected to help
both sides in the negotiation process. The foreign diplomatic observes
described the fact that the US Ambassador accompanied Meyer to his meetings as
remarkable, adding that there is a great possibility that UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon will appoint a new Special Adviser on Cyprus in September.
5. Italian Ambassador to Ankara: Italy fully supports Turkey’s
EU bid
Turkish Cypriot daily Sabah newspaper (01.07.14) reports that
GianpaoloScarante, the Italian Ambassador to Ankara stated that Italy fully
supports Turkey’s EU bid. Italy is undertaking the EU
presidency as of today.
Speaking
to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Scarante stated that Turkey will not be helpful
for EU only from the financial point of view but also socially and culturally.
“Therefore we always support and see positively Turkey’s EU membership”, he
stated.
He
went on and added that Italy supports the opening of all EU chapters for
Turkey, especially Chapters 23 and 24 and that they will continue the work for their opening to the EU Commission and
other organizations. He also stated that they will do everything possible
safeguarding the right conditions so that these chapters to be opened.
6. Illegal Near East University to participate in Leaders’
Summit in Italy
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (01.07.14) reports that Irfan S. Gunsel,
Trustee’s member of the illegal Near East University (YDU) is participating in
a Leaders Summit which is taking place in Stressa, Italy between 1-4 of July.
According
to the paper, businessmen, and diplomats from more than 30 countries will
participate in the meeting.
8. Erdogan enters presidential race
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 01.07.14) reports that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has confirmed
expectations, announcing Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan as its candidate
for the upcoming August presidential elections at a lavish presentation
event on July 1, with the attendance of nearly 4,000 party members.
Erdogan,
who had previously made clear his aspiration to become the country’s first ever
President to be directly elected by popular vote, described the August election
as a “milestone” for a "new era" during his acceptance speech. “Those
who ask for a 'neutral' president in reality want a president who will side
with the state against the people. That era is now closed,” he said.
His
name was officially announced by AKP Deputy Head Mehmet Ali Sahin, who stressed
that the decision had been taken after long consultations, and that all AKP Deputies backed the candidacy of
the current Prime Minister.
7. Turkish Cypriot “airport service” reportedly to close down
on July 27
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (01.07.14) reports that 168 persons who
work at the “Cyprus Airport Service” (CAS) received a “written notice”
according to which the firm will be closed down on July 27 and they will lose
their jobs.
After
the notice, the Federation of “Cyprus Turkish Workers' Trade Unions” gathered
in front of the so-called prime ministry protesting against this
development.
According
to the paper, “Cyprus Airport Services” (CAS) Limited was established in 2007
by “Cyprus Turkish Airlines” and Turkey's airport services company HAVAŞ.
8. Erdogan enters presidential race
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 01.07.14) reports that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has confirmed
expectations, announcing Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan as its candidate
for the upcoming August presidential elections at a lavish presentation
event on July 1, with the attendance of nearly 4,000 party members.
Erdogan,
who had previously made clear his aspiration to become the country’s first ever
President to be directly elected by popular vote, described the August election
as a “milestone” for a "new era" during his acceptance speech. “Those
who ask for a 'neutral' president in reality want a president who will side
with the state against the people. That era is now closed,” he said.
His
name was officially announced by AKP Deputy Head Mehmet Ali Sahin, who stressed
that the decision had been taken after long consultations, and that all AKP Deputies backed the candidacy of
the current Prime Minister.
9. Turkey’s first political party with ‘Kurdistan’ in title is
formed
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 30.06.14) reported that Turkey’s Kurdistan Democrat Party (T-KDP) has been officially
established with the permission of the Supreme Court of Appeals prosecutor’s
office. The word “Kurdistan,” which is a taboo in Turkey and has been
banned in many areas in the country in the past, is being used by a political
party for the first time.
The
Supreme Court of Appeals prosecutor’s office has decided that the use of the
word “Kurdistan” in the party’s title does not conflict with the Turkish
Constitution and gave permission to the party’s foundation.
The
T-KDP first received the Interior Ministry’s approval. Mehmet EminKardas is the
founding leader of the party. He previously said the party has no links to
Iraq’s Kurdistan Democrat Party.
However,
the party takes Mustafa Barzani, the founder of Iraq’s Kurdistan Democrat Party
and father of MasoudBarzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government
(KRG), as a model.
The
symbol of the T-KDP is the sun rising behind Mount Ararat and the party’s
colours are yellow, red and green, widely seen together in Kurdish-origin party
flags.
10. Ihsanoglu launches official campaign
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 30.06.14), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu,
the joint presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), started his official campaign June 30 by
visiting Anitkabir, where the Turkish Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
is buried. “I declare to the Turkish
people that I will follow and improve the values of the Republic,” Ihsanoglu
wrote in the special book at Anitkabir.
Turkey
needs to have the ideals of “peace at home [and] peace in the world” these days
more than ever, he said, noting that maintaining and securing social peace is
important for Turkey’s prosperity.
Ihsanoglu
also visited the tomb of Ismet Inonu, the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions
(TURK-IS), the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) and the
Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
Turkey’s
President should not embrace a single political approach, instead he should
defend them all in harmony, Ihsanoglu added after his meeting with TURK-IS.
----------------------------------------------------
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
