12/8/14

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S


No. 149/14                                                                                                    12. 08.14
1. Turkish Cypriot politicians congratulated Erdogan for his election
2. World leaders congratulated Erdogan on his presidential win
3. Turkish Cypriot politicians and trade unionists assess Erdogan’s victory in the Presidential Elections
4. Talat on Erdogan’s election and the Cyprus negotiation
5. Turkish election peaceful but unequal say observers
6. Turkey to get new Prime Minister in two weeks
7. Gul: I will return to the party I co-founded when I leave the presidency
8. Kilicdaroglu and Bahceli on the Presidential election’s outcome
9. Akinci will be an independent “candidate” if he runs in next year’s “elections”; Natural gas might create common ground for cooperation
10. Abbas Sinay stated that he is resigning from the “parliament” not from CTP
11. Major General Ilyas Bozkurt is the new Commander of the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus
12. Nigerian passenger causes panic over Ebola suspicion at Istanbul airport
13. Data for the passengers and ships who entered the occupied area of Cyprus
14. Turkish activists say new flotilla to challenge Israeli blockade of Gaza
15. Turkish Health Ministry: Avoid marrying relatives, behave “softly on first night”


1. Turkish Cypriot politicians congratulated Erdogan for his election
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.08.14) reports that various Turkish Cypriot politicians congratulated Erdogan on his success at winning the elections to become the 12th President of Turkey.

The Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu wished Erdogan success “on behalf of the north Cypriots and himself”, according to the paper.
“Our motherland Turkey has accomplished a lot in the last eleven years of your term as a Prime Minister. We strongly believe that during your term as a President, motherland Turkey will grow in all aspects, and will develop and become one of the world’s most powerful countries. The close ties between north Cyprus and motherland Turkey are very significant and precious to us. We are sure that you will continue the contributions for the developments of these close ties in your new duty as President”, Eroglu stated on his message.

In addition, the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, in his message stated that a new era will start in Turkey after Erdogan becomes the President of the country.

The chairman of the National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun in his own message said that he wished the best to the new President of “motherland Turkey”.

2. World leaders congratulated Erdogan on presidential win
Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.08.14) reports that ousted Egyptian President and Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi, currently in jail in Egypt, is among world leaders who have congratulated Turkey's President elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan's success on Sunday's presidential election.

Earlier, the spokesman for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also praised the election of the new President of Turkey by direct voting. “The Secretary-General commends Turkey on this historic vote, the first direct presidential election in the country's history,” Farhan Haq told Anadolu Agency in New York on Monday.

German President Joachim Gauck congratulated Erdogan on his victory, wishing him "health and success" during his presidency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent a congratulatory message to Erdogan on his victory, saying: "At present we have to overcome difficult challenges in the region. Turkey has a great importance in this regard."

Iraqi President Fouad Massoum, French President  Francois Hollande, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Greek Prime Minister Andonis Samaras also called Erdogan to congratulate him on his win.

Lebanon's former President Amin Gemayel was among other leaders who congratulated Erdogan, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).

Gemayel expressed hope that the election results would help solve regional problems and serve bilateral relations between the two countries.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev also expressed his congratulations to Erdogan, according to a statement released by his office.

Meanwhile, many party leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Tunisia also congratulated Erdogan.

Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman said Turkey had thrown another punch at countries which were in search of taking revenge on Arab Spring countries, in a tweet where she congratulated  Erdogan on his election.

The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso also congratulated PM Erdogan.
Montenegro Islamic Union President Rifat Feyzic told Anadolu Agency that Erdogan's win in the presidential election would have a positive influence on relations between Montenegro and Turkey, as well as the Islamic Union.

Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani called Recep Tayyip Erdogan to congratulate him on his win in Sunday's presidential election, according to a statement on KRG's official website.

3. Turkish Cypriot politicians and trade unionists assess Erdogan’s victory in the Presidential Elections
Under the title “The eyes on the ‘Cyprus’ policy”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (12.08.14) reports that Turkish Cypriot politicians and trade unionists have assessed the election of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. 

Omer Kalyoncu, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in occupied Keryneia, said that we have to wait to see whether the Justice and Development Party (AKP) will follow a different policy on the Cyprus problem. He expressed the view that a “more effective” step should be taken in the solution of the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that the situation now changed, the President of the Republic who was elected by the people has more powers and the administration became more powerful. 

Faiz Sucuoglu, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) in occupied Nicosia, argued that Erdogan wants a “real peace” in which both the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots will gain and will not be victimized. He expressed the view that Erdogan will continue the policy of “being one step ahead”.

Hasan Tacoy, self-styled deputy with the Democratic Party – National Force (DP-UG) in occupied Nicosia, said that with the newly elected Turkish President a very active period will be experienced in the Cyprus problem which will gain a new momentum. He claimed: “With the new conditions developed in the island of Cyprus and its surrounding area, I believe that a new momentum will be brought to the Cyprus problem and sooner or later a result will be reached”. Tacoy alleged that Erdogan will take political steps together with the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and their efforts on the issue will increase.

Mehmet Seyis, chairman of Dev-Is trade union, has expressed the view that there will not be a big change in the Cyprus problem with the election of Erdogan to the Presidency of the Republic and added that because of the policy which Erdogan followed in Cyprus he does not think that the newly elected Turkish President is in favor of the solution. He noted that the government was the influential power in Turkey as regards the Cyprus problem and Erdogan was the head of this government. Pointing out that Erdogan will become more powerful with his election to the presidency, Seyis said that “the two separate states and communities” appear in the statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and the officials who come from Turkey.

Hurrem Tolga, chairman of the chamber of tradesmen and craftsmen, said that Erdogan’s election will not influence further the Cyprus problem, because he was the one administrating the issue anyway. He noted that the issue is the democratization in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Aslan Bicakli, chairman of Turk-Sen trade union, wished for a new opportunity to be created in Cyprus with Erdogan’s election, but argued that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not only in the hands of the Prime Minister or the president of another country.

Mehmet Tasker, general secretary of the secondary school teachers’ trade union (KTOEOS), said that the policies implemented in Cyprus will not change with Erdogan’s election to the presidency.
(I/Ts.)

4. Talat on Erdogan’s election and the Cyprus negotiation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (12.08.14) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, speaking to a television program stated that “Justice and Development party”leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s win in the first round of the Presidential elections in Turkey was not a surprise”. “Anyone who was following the situation in Turkey could already guess the outcome”, he stated.

Talat wished that the outcome would bring Turkey good luck, emphasizing the importance of “stability.” Talat stated that any development in Turkey will also affect“north Cyprus”, as he called the breakaway regime, “since Turkey is the only country that has a bond with north Cyprus”.

He also commented on the Cyprus problem, claiming that the negotiations had come to a deadlock and that no further developments are possible. Talat said that at this stage the framework agreement could be a possible alternative. “My preference is an overall solution, but I think this has been left to another season. There is a possibility for a framework agreement that aims for an overall solution. This was not needed until 2010”, he said.

5. Turkish election peaceful but unequal say observers
Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.08.14) reports thatOSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation) observers stated during a press conference that candidates in Turkey's presidential election were able to express themselves freely, however it accused outgoing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of "misusing state resources" by dominating the media coverage.

Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė, special co-ordinator leading the mission, said that imbalanced media coverage was "beyond democratic expectations". However, the introduction of campaigning in minority languages, and the voting opportunity for nearly three million Turkish citizens abroad were seen as positive steps according to the observers. "I hope that citizens and NGOs will also be given the right to observe in the future, bringing Turkey's dynamic civil society fully into the election process”, she said.

6. Turkey to get new Prime Minister in two weeks
Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.08.14) reports that following the election of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the presidency, the ruling party will elect his replacement as Prime Minister on August 27.

Party spokesman Huseyin Celik said on Monday that an extraordinary congress in two weeks will choose a new party chairman, who will assume the Prime Minister's office. Erdogan will be sworn in on August 28 after overseeing the congress.

Celik said that the congress is likely to select a single nominee and there would probably not be a contest between rival candidates.

Outgoing President Abdullah Gul has been mentioned as a possible Prime Minister but has to return to the AK Party first. Celik said: “It will be quite natural for President Gul, as one of the founders of the AK Party, to return.”

7. Gul: I will return to the party I co-founded when I leave the presidency
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (12.08.14) reports that Turkish President AbdullahGul, one of the founders of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced on Monday that he plans to return to "his party" when he leaves the presidency. "I was one of the founders of the party. I was the first Prime Minister and President [to be elected from the party]. It is pretty natural [for me] to return to my party," he told a group of reporters.

8. Kilicdaroglu and Bahceli on the Presidential election’s outcome
Turkish daily Sabah (12.08.14) reports that the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said he has no regret in nominating Ekmeleddin İhsanoglu as a presidential candidate. In addition, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)  leader Devlet Bahceli, whose party also supported Ihsanoglu as a candidate, blamed the defeat on those who failed to vote. İhsanoglu, meanwhile, congratulated Erdogan and said he didn't consider himself defeated.

Commenting on the election results, Kilicdaroglu stated that the joint candidate and the policies towards the election were correct. "If there had been an election today, I would have announced İhsanoglu as CHP's candidate again. Today, Turkish politics gained a new and clear name with İhsanoglu. İhsanoglu is a new actor with his experience and discourse in Turkish politics," said Kilicdaroglu.

Kilicdaroglu also said that any internal party conflict within the CHP is not expected after the election results.

Speaking after the election results, MHP leader Bahceli made harsh remarks regarding the election, slamming citizens who did not go to the ballot box. Bahceli said, "Those who refrain from going to the ballot box for the sake of country, flag, state will be also accountable for the upcoming negativity [in the country.]"  Highlighting that the MHP is respectful of the nation's decision, Bahceli harshly remarked that on Sunday's election, honesty and justice lost.

9. Akinci will be an independent “candidate” if he runs in next year’s “elections”; Natural gas might create common ground for cooperation
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.08.14), reports that Mustafa Akinci, former chairman of the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) and mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia, has said that he has not yet taken his final decision as to whether he will become a “candidate” in the “presidential elections”, which will be held in the occupied area of Cyprus next year. In statements to Kibris, he noted that if he decides to become a “candidate” he will be an “independent candidate”. He said that he receives pressure from the people to run in the “elections” and added that the possibility of him participating in the “elections” [as “candidate”] is higher than the possibility of not participating.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that since he was mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia he believed in the possibility of finding a common ground by the two “peoples” for the solution of the Cyprus problem and in their cooperation. He added: “The common sewage project between the two municipalities of Nicosia is the live indication of my belief in this context. Now I think that the issue of natural gas could create a common ground in the direction of the cooperation and the solution”.

Akinci argued that the Greek Cypriot side is following a policy as if the Cyprus problem started in 1974 and noted that in a conference he had given recently in the government-controlled area of the island he drew attention to the fact that UNFICYP exists on the island since 1964 and asked how could the problem have started in 1974 in this environment.
(I/Ts.)

10. Abbas Sinay stated that he is resigning from the “parliament” not from CTP
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (12.08.14) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) “deputy” Abbas Sinay’s evaluated his resignation from CTP. Sinay said that he is resigning from the “parliament” and not from his party.

Sinay said: “I cannot continue under these circumstances. The people who are claiming to work for clean society, clean politics, can they please explain to me how these are going to be possible in such an environment. I am not in the condition to do politics in this atmosphere. I am going to return to my hospital. I do not want to be in such an environment. I was relieved after I gave this decision. That environment has become really corrupted. It is not a place for me. I am not going to enter politics. Ihave placed myself to idleness.”

11. Major General Ilyas Bozkurt is the new Commander of the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (12.08.14) reports that the Turkish Commanders, who completed their duties in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus paid separate farewell visits to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the self-styled assembly speaker Sibel Siber and self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu.

No statements were issued before or after the meetings.

The paper also reports that the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus have announced the new appointments for the commander of the 39th division and the 28th mechanised infantry division.

The Commander of the “Turkish Cypriot security forces” Major General Baki Kavun will be replaced by Major General Ilyas Bozkurt.

The Commander of the 39th division Major General Ibrahim Yilmaz will be replaced by Major General Tayyar Sungun. The Commander of the 28th Mechanised Infantry Division Major General Tayyar Sungu will be replaced by Major General Taci Kurul.

12. Nigerian passenger causes panic over Ebola suspicion at Istanbul airport
Under the title “Nigerian passenger causes panic over Ebola suspicion at Istanbul airport”, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.08.14) reports that a Nigerian passenger, who arrived in Turkey early Aug. 12, has been placed under quarantine on suspicion of having the Ebola virus at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, according to airporthaber.com.

The Nigerian woman caused panic when she got a fever on a plane flying from Lagos to Istanbul.

Paramedics working under the General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts entered the plane when it landed in Istanbul and took the woman and her child under quarantine after the other passengers were disembarked.
The woman, who is said to be pregnant, was later taken to a hospital for an examination to determine whether she has the Ebola virus.

The press spokesman of Turkish Airlines, Ali Genc, has confirmed the incident via his Twitter account. "The plane has been disinfected as a precautionary measure," Genc stated.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 12.08.14) reports that the examinations have revealed and the passenger does not carry the ebola virus.

All border health officials of Turkey are alarmed about the potential of ebola and carefully observe all flights from Africa.

13. Data for the passengers and ships who entered the occupied area of Cyprus
According to data by the so-called port directorate of the public works and transportation ministry, the passengers who entered the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in 2013 through illegal entries of ports or airports were 74,120, while the passengers, who departed from the occupied area of Cyprus, in the same period were 69,390, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (12.08.14) reports.

Meanwhile, 1,869 ships have entered the occupied ports in 2013 and 1,857 ships have left the ports in 2013.

14. Turkish activists say new flotilla to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (12.08.14) reports that a Turkish aid group (IHH) said that it would send ships again to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza, four years after the Mavi Marmara incident.

The incident wrecked diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel, once close Middle East allies. The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH) said in an e-mailed statement that members of a "coalition" of pro-Palestinian activists from 12 countries had met in Istanbul at the weekend and decided to launch a convoy "in the shadow of the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza," referring to the latest, month-long war."The Freedom Flotilla Coalition affirmed that, as most governments are complicit, the responsibility falls on civil society to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza," it said. An IHH spokeswoman did not elaborate. The group will hold a news conference on Tuesday, she said.

15. Turkish Health Ministry: Avoid marrying relatives, behave “softly on first night”
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (12.08.14) reports that a notice from the Health Ministry on “Consultancy before Marriage” has highlighted that one out of every five marriages are among kin.  The recently released document also includes sexual advice for couples, especially for the “first night”, of their marriage

“Consanguineous marriage is mostly among first-degree relatives, increasing the number of rare genetic diseases,” it said. “This matter is noteworthy. Those who are married to kin and those who carry genetic diseases should consult a health institution before gestation.”

Couples should remain loyal to each other, the notice said, praising monogamy to avoid sexual diseases, saying that changing sexual partners frequently, having more than one partner, having relations with sex workers or those who have relations with such people or having sex for money, goods, food or medicine, would increase the risk of illness.

The notice also included advice for the “first night,” as it said “both sides should behave softly and understandingly to each other during the first intercourse.
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