TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 121/14 02.07.14
1. Statements by Ozersay after yesterday’s meeting with Mavroyiannis; He accused the Greek Cypriot side for delaying to submit proposals on the “citizenship issue”
2. Turkey’s EU Minister: Turkey best route for Cypriot gas to Europe
3. Yorgancioglu: Natural gas must be shared fairly
4. Özersay briefed Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on negotiations
5. Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation progress
6. Talat met with Meyer
7. CTP administrative board to examine accusations and complains about the local “elections” results
8. Illegal GAU to -organize a summer school in cooperation with the Chamber of Architects of Italy and the England Oxford Brookes University
9. Erdogan looks to win presidency at outset
10. Kilicdaroglu and Ihsanoglu commented on Erdogan’s candidacy
11. Columnist comments on Erdogan’s candidacy: “Promise of an aggressive campaign, ambitious presidency”
1. Statements by Ozersay after yesterday’s meeting with Mavroyiannis; He accused the Greek Cypriot side for delaying to submit proposals on the “citizenship issue”
Under the title: “The leaders will meet three times this month”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay and the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis met yesterday for four hours in the framework of ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks.
Yesterday’s meeting took place prior to the meeting of the two leaders that is to take place on July 4. The negotiators also agreed that the two leaders will meet on July 24 as well.
In statements after yesterday’s meeting, Kudret Ozersay said that they discussed issues related with the EU but, as he underlined, they did not enter into discussion about derogations and primary law. Ozersay added that they also discussed the “transition period” which is called as the “transitional common structure” to be created after the approval of the comprehensive solution by a referendum.
In his statements Ozersay added that the two negotiators discussed how the United Cyprus will be participating to the decision making process of the EU. He said that they consider that there will be rapprochement between the two sides on the issues related to their representation and decision making.
On the issue of property and residence, Ozersay said that especially the Turkish Cypriot side supports the existence of viable derogations in order for the bi-zonality to be sustained.
Ozersay went on and said that during yesterday’s meeting, the Greek Cypriot side submitted a proposal regarding the “transitional period”, while, the Turkish Cypriot side submitted a proposal on the “settlement issue” after the solution.
One of the issues discussed during yesterday’s meeting was the agenda of the meeting of the two leaders that will take place on Friday, July 4, as well as the agenda of the two negotiators meeting which is to take place on July 9.
Regarding the negotiators’ meeting on Wednesday, July 9, Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side is expected to submit a proposal about the implementation of the “transitional period” and the issue of “police”, on matters where convergences were not reached in the past. The Greek Cypriot side, as Ozersay said, is expected to submit proposals on the “citizenship issue”.
Ozersay went on accusing the Greek Cypriot side for delaying to submit its proposals on the “citizenship issue”.
Replying to a question during his statements about the visit of Roelf Meyer, (former National Party Cabinet minister and key negotiator in South Africa's transition to democracy), to the island, Ozersay said that Meyer is visiting Cyprus in order to convey his experience. He added that Meyer’s visit is not taking place in the framework of the UN Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.
Commenting on the allegations that Meyer will undertake the duties of the former UN Special Envoy Alexander Downer, Ozersay said that is very early to say something about this.
(AK)
2. Turkey’s EU Minister: Turkey best route for Cypriot gas to Europe
Ankara Anatolia (AA) news agency (01.07.14) reports that Turkey’s EU Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that Turkey is the best route for sending offshore natural gas from Cyprus to Europe,
Cavusoglu said the construction of a pipeline to transport the gas from offshore Cyprus would aid, both politically and financially, peace talks between the two sides.
“Turkey wants a permanent solution and peace in Cyprus,” Cavusoglu claimed during a meeting with Fikri Toros, president of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in Ankara. He added that the value of the reserves around Cyprus had yet to be calculated.
Cavusoglu said Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce had close trade relations, especially concerning the free movement of goods and “lifting trade barriers against exports from Turkish Cyprus”.
3. Yorgancioglu: Natural gas must be shared fairly
Ankara Anatolia (AA) news agency (30.06.14) reports that the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, stated that Cyprus gas revenue should be shared fairly between Turkish and Greek Cypriots following the solution to the Cyprus problem.
In an exclusive interview with AA, Yorgancioglu stated: “They want to make use of the gas until the Cyprus problem is resolved, but want us to benefit from it after the solution of the question. […] This is unacceptable because once they benefit from the gas revenue, they might be unwilling to look for a solution.”
Yorgancioglu said that the question of healing the island’s division should be resolved first and the revenue should be shared fairly after that. Yorgancioglu also said that the gas belongs to the entire island, and he criticized the Greek side's position on the issue.
Regarding the current stage of the the peace talks, he alleged that the Greek Cypriots want to ignore the outcome of previous talks, and want to start from scratch instead of building on items that have been already agreed upon.
He also said Turkey is the best route for transfer to Europe not only of gas from Cyprus, but also from Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, as it is the most secure, cheapest and the most sustainable way.
Yorgancioglu said the findings will not only help improve relations in the island but they will lead also to good relations between Turkey and Israel, Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, as well as providing an alternative energy source and route for Europe.
4. Özersay briefed Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (02.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay gave a briefing at the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations.
KTTO said that Özersay ’s dialogue with different groups of the society is very significant. Speaking before the event the president of KTTO Fikri Toros stated: “The regional dynamics became even more important in the last period. Hydrocarbon reserves if utilized correctly can contribute to regional stability but if not utilized correctly they can be reasons for instability and new conflicts”. Toros also said that KTTO will be closely following the process for a federal solution that will be beneficial to all parties involved.
5. Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation progress
Illegal Bayrak television (01.07.14) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated that he had started meeting more frequently with President Nicos Anastasiadis and claimed that reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Problem continued to be his priority.
He made these statements during a meeting he had with the newly elected board of the “Society of Young Businessmen” (GIAD) headed by Ceyhun Tunali.
Eroglu stated that the Cyprus problem remained unresolved despite the endless efforts of all parties involved: “Did we have opportunities to solve the Cyprus Problem? We did but the Greek Cypriot side has always been the side to reject and waste these opportunities”, he claimed.
Explaining that the former South African negotiator and Minister Roelf Meyer who is on the island will be meeting and consulting with the two negotiators conducting talks, Eroglu said that the important thing was for the two sides to reach a solution on their own without outside involvement or intervention.
“I am aware that the people want a solution but there are differences between solutions. We want a solution that will not allow a repetition of the bitter experiences of the past. This is our most fundamental right” he claimed.
6. Talat met with Meyer
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.07.14) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met yesterday at his personal office with Roelf Meyer, from South Africa who acted as chief negotiator in his country for peace.
According to the paper, Meyer and Talat discussed and exchanged views on the Cyprus problem and the ongoing Cyprus negotiations.
While exchanging views, Talat and Meyer agreed that the two problems are completely different, they however evaluated the parallelism and the similarities of the two problems and the ways Meyer could contribute with his experience to the solution of the Cyprus problem. Talat stated after the meeting which lasted for an hour that it was very constructive.
AK
7. CTP administrative board to examine accusations and complains about the local “elections” results
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (02.07.14) reports that the administrative board of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) issued a written statement noting that it will evaluate all the complains, accusations and comments made as regards the results of the local “elections” held last Sunday.
According to the paper, CTP administrative board will especially evaluate complains that its members supported other candidates esp[ecially in occupied Keryneia and occupied Famagusta that the party failed to re-elect a “mayor”.
Commenting on the issue, CTP chairman and so-called prime minister Ozkan Yorganciolu, said that they will evaluate and examine everything and will share the results of the evaluation with the “public”.
8. Illegal GAU to -organize a summer school in cooperation with the Chamber of Architects of Italy and the British Oxford Brookes University
Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (02.07.14) reports that the“Architecture, Design and Fine Arts Faculty” of the illegal Keryneia Amerikan University (GAU) is to organize the 3rd Architecture Summer School in cooperation with the Chamber of Architects of Italy and the British Oxford Brookes University.
The summer school which will be co-joined by London NG Architecture, Morola Municipality, Supino Agritourizm, Lazio Archaeological Society, Alcide Servi Institute, Nova Arcadia, International Urban Planning Association, the Archaeological Landscape Design, Çankaya University and Frosinone Academy of Arts, is to be held between 17th and 24th August 2014 in the city of Supino, Italy.
The workshop, which will be held for 7 days during the summer school, will include field study research, mapping techniques, design courses and presentation methods in cooperation with the local public of Supino and Morolo and as a result an exhibition is to be organized with the support of Supino and Morolo Municipalities which will be published via an electronic format.
9. Erdogan looks to win presidency at outset
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (02.07.14) reports about the speech that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan delivered yesterday when he announced that he will be the ruling AKP’s candidate for president. Erdogan in his speech predicted a first-round victory:
Erdogan on his speech promised to serve everyone, arguing that he served all Istanbulites no matter who they voted for when he held office as Istanbul metropolitan mayor between 1994 and 1998.
“When my nation tasked me with the prime ministry, we became the prime minister of 77 million [citizens], not only of those who voted for the [Justice and Development Party - AKP]. Everybody should know that we will be the president of the Republic of Turkey, but not of a segment and a party, if we get elected on August 10. Nobody should doubt: I will be everybody’s president no matter who they vote for,” Erdogan said, using the “royal we,” as he took the floor after AKP Deputy Chair Mehmet Ali Sahin announced the PM’s candidacy.
Sahin’s announcement was followed by the projection of a documentary about Erdogan’s life, drawing exuberant applause from supporters of the AKP, who welcomed him to the floor amid cheering and clapping, while also singing pro-Erdogan songs.
“I believe that we will be seeking votes from AK Party supporters, from those who set their hearts on the CHP [the main opposition Republican People’s Party], the MHP [the Nationalist Movement Party] and the HDP [the Peoples’ Democracy Party]; and votes from all political views represented inside and outside of Parliament on Aug. 10. I believe that I will get their votes too. I have no doubt. My one and only goal during my tenure will be to provide services for the 77 million,” he added.
With his assertion that he would win votes from all political fronts, Erdogan’s July 1 address was apparently designed to be yet another “balcony speech,” reminiscent of his post-election speeches following his party’s victories in the past which were seen as conciliatory to various segments of society.
Yet, the aggressive tone he used to slam the opposition parties indicated that all through his campaign, Erdogan will resort to his tried-and-tested strategy of using political polarization to consolidate his support. He also clearly noted that he would publicly continue a power struggle with U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, vowing to step up his battle against what he terms Gulen’s “parallel state” within the judiciary and state organs, which he accuses of plotting to unseat him.
Erdogan declared his prospective presidency as a threshold marking the end of a lengthy era of tutelage in the Turkish political system, while he also clearly promised a departure from predecessors who merely exercised largely ceremonial powers.
10. Kilicdaroglu and Ihsanoglu commented on Erdogan’s candidacy
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (02.07.14) reports that the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has described Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s contention for the upcoming presidential election as “disgraceful,” using examples from Google to support his case.
“Google ‘prime minister and liar,’ you have 450,000 results mentioning Erdogan. Type ‘prime minister and thief,’ and you have 3.9 million results that mention him,” Kilicdaroglu said during the CHP parliamentary group meeting on July 1. “We will be disgraced in the eyes of the world,” he added.
Kilicdaroglu then dismissed Erdogan’s criticism that the CHP’s joint candidate with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Ekmeleddin İhsanoglu, the former Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) head and academic, was an unknown figure. “When you Google İhsanoglu’s name, the engine says he is ‘a scientist.’ Erdogan says İhsanoglu ‘is unknown [and] he hasn’t got any fame.’ May God spare anyone fame such as his [Erdogan],” Kilicdaroglu said.
The CHP head also said Erdogan had lost his reputation in “both the West and in the East,” particularly after the corruption allegations that emerged after December.
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (02.07.14) writes that İhsanoglu, has said he wishes the presidential contest to be conducted in an honorable and democratic manner.
Commenting on the announcement of Erdogan as a presidential candidate, İhsanoglu said: "I hope his decision will be good for the country. Let the contest be conducted in a democratic and honest way. The Turkish people should have alternative candidates so that they can best make their choices."
11. Columnist comments on Erdogan’s candidacy: “Promise of an aggressive campaign, ambitious presidency”
Under the title: “Promise of an aggressive campaign, ambitious presidency”, Murat Yetkin writes the following in Hurriyet Daily News (02.07.14):
“As it happened: Turkish PM Erdogan enters presidential race, vows 'new era'
Though it was not a surprise at all, some 4,000 supporters who were invited to Ankara for the occasion stood up in cheers and slogans to welcome Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s candidacy to become Turkey’s next president.
On July 1, Erdogan became the third candidate to become the 12th president of the Turkish Republic. His competitors are Ekmeleddin İhsanoglu, a non-partisan academic supported by two opposition parties – namely the social democratic Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) – and Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leader of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP).
But Erdogan considers neither of them to be serious rivals. He made clear in an hour long speech on July 1 that he wanted to be elected president in the first round of elections on Aug. 10 in which a 50% plus one vote is needed.
Erdogan has passed that threshold, that rare 50%, once before in the 2011 general elections. And in the local elections on March 30 he managed to attract a dear 45% despite the wave of corruption allegations against members of his party, government and even family. So he sees the 50% threshold as a reachable target, with a little bit of a push, as a number of polls ordered by his AK Party have shown.
On the other hand, the presence of these two candidates is no joke, no matter what the Erdogan propaganda campaign has started to tell people. This is because the first target of the supporters of both candidates is to keep Erdogan below 50% and to try and hit him hard in the second round, on Aug. 24, where only two candidates will be trying their best to win the majority.
Demirtas has additional aims: He wants to get near to 10% of the vote, which is the constitutional threshold to be directly represented in Parliament (not valid for this election but as a psychological barrier for the coming parliamentary elections) with the help of votes from Turkish socialists, as well as Kurds. In this way, the HDP hopes to get a better bargaining position for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), with which it shares almost similar grassroots, in respect to its dialogue with the Erdogan government for a political settlement.
Therefore, Erdogan sees that he has to do his best to win in the first round. Otherwise, he could be caught between a sort of political blackmail by the Kurds and pressure by the remaining opposition parties, which have no priority other than seeing Erdogan lose a battle; any battle.
That’s why he did not hide July 1 that he has prepared an aggressive campaign for the presidency, in which he is likely to use the faith or religion factor a lot. He started his speech with a prayer and completed it with al-Fatiha, the “opening” verse of the Quran, underlining that he did not consider his candidacy to be a farewell to his party, but as “a new beginning.” He also underlined five times that he saw Aug. 10 as a new page in Turkey’s history, “an end to military tutelage.”
He also hinted at an ambitious presidency if he gets elected. He vowed not to allow the Kurdish dialogue process to stop, asked the government institutions to fine tune themselves for a new administration for economic growth, and also told his party that although he would not be under the same roof “from Aug. 10 onwards,” he would always be with them. The latter point implied a de facto breach of the Constitution, which suggests that the president should be impartial and at an equal distance to all parties.
In foreign policy, Erdogan promised that Turkey would be “the voice of all the oppressed” from Afghanistan to Syria, from Somalia to Egypt, and those who refuse to be seen as “others,” meaning the West. At the same time, he said he would continue to seek to be a full member of the European Union.
With Erdogan’s candidacy becoming clear, the first ever race in Turkey to elect its president by popular vote has officially started.”
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