TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 158/14 26.08.14
1.Talat: Davotuglu’s policy will create both easiness and difficulties on the Cyprus problem
2. Erk said that the biggest progress on the Cyprus negotiations took place when Talat was in “power”
3. CTP and DP’s issued written statements on the appointment of the new UN Envoy to Cyprus
4. Elcil: "We will not support Talat in the presidential elections"
5. Illegal Near East University will be able to offer the “Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education” certificate
6. Gul’s farewell message
7. Turkish daily reveals the five crucial goals of the new Turkish government to be formed
1. Talat: Davotuglu’s policy will create both easiness and difficulties on the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.08.14) reports that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat commented on the candidacy of Ahmet Davutoglu for the position of Turkey’s Prime Ministry and Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) leadership and said that he does not expect that Davutoglu will change the policy followed by Tayyip Erdogan on the Cyprus problem.
“Davutoglu knows the Cyprus problem very well and he is interested in technical parts and this can create both easiness and difficulties on his Cyprus policy”, Talat stated adding that the easy part refers to how good Davutglu knows the Cyprus problem and the hard part to the fact that Davutoglu will have to show a different kind of interest than the one he showed while he was Turkey’s Foreign Minister.
Talat further alleged that the Greek Cypriot side’s eternal policy is to blame Turkey for everything. He also said that the key for the solution of the Cyprus problem lies on the Turkish Cypriot politicians. Finally he said that Eroglu will most probably be a candidate for the “2015 presidential elections” and accused him of being one of the main obstacles to the Cyprus problem solution.
2. Erk said that the biggest progress on the Cyprus negotiations took place when Talat was in “power”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (26.08.14) reports that Kutlay Erk, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu of not continuing the process for the solution of the Cyprus problem and said that the biggest progress on the Cyprus negotiations took place when Talat was in “power”.
“Talat was productive, he had proposals, he was insisting, he was an element for the continuation of the procedure”, Erk said adding that during Talat’s time both the EU and the UN were involved in the process. He went on and accused President Nicos Anastasieades of not being very enthusiastic and of being hesitant. However, he said it is the Turkish Cypriot leader who does not go on with the procedure. “And here, we lost five years”, he said adding that the Turkish Cypriot side needs the solution much more than the Greek Cypriots.
3. CTP and DP’s issued written statements on the appointment of the new UN Envoy to Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (25.08.14) reported that the CTP Secretary Kutlay Erk issued a statement regarding the assigning of the Norwegian Minister Espen Barth Eide as Cyprus Special Advisor by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki moon.
The statement said: “The assigning of Norwegian Minister Espen Barth Eide as the Cyprus Special Advisor by United Nations Secretary-General has been received by our party with pleasure.
We can foresee that the Norwegian advisor will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem and that the process would continue with the help of the UN. Our expectation from the UN Envoy who will be coming to our island in September is to convince both leaders to sit on the solution oriented table with the UN criteria’s.
It is hopeful to see that within the forty years of the Cyprus problem, the UN—for the first time—is appointing a European consultant from a neutral European country, such as Norway. We know that Norway is interested in the Cyprus problem and has a strong data base and information about foreign relations. For this reason we are hoping that Mr Eide will be the last appointed advisor, and his arrival will be a catalyst for result-oriented talks”.
Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (25.08.14) the Secretary General of the Democrat Party National Forces Hasan Tacoy, issuing a written statement on the appointment of Espen Barth Eide as the UN Secretary General’s new Special Adviser on Cyprus, said that they will be following closely the stance to be adopted by Eide.
“We hope that the new UN Special Adviser will maintain an impartial stance”, Tacoy said and expressed hopes that Mr. Eide’s appointment will help contribute to achieving progress and positive results in the negotiations process.
Stating that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had presented the Turkish Cypriot side’s roadmap regarding a settlement, the DP-UG secretary general said that it is possible to set an example to the conflict stricken Middle East by reaching a lasting and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
Tacoy also expressed the hope that the “Greek Cypriot Administration’s attempts”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, to break off irreversible concessions from the Turkish Cypriot side in the name of Confidence Building Measures, will not create more difficulties in the negotiations process.
Advising the newly appointed UN Special Adviser to read all UN Security Council reports prepared by his predecessors over the last 10 years, Taçoy said that it was the Turkish Cypriot side’s expectation to solve the 50 year old Cyprus problem and to bring an end to the injustices committed against the Turkish Cypriot people.
4. Elcil: "We will not support Talat in the presidential elections"
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (25.08.14-online in English) reports that that the Cyprus Turkish Teacher's Union (KTOS) secretary-general Sener Elcil, in a written statement said that they will not support Talat's candidacy.
In the statement, Elcil reminded a leaked tape which was recorded during Talat's term. In the leaked tape, Talat was meeting with the “minister of finance”, Zeren Mungan and “presidential spokesperson” during Talat's term Hasan Ercakıca.
In the leaked recording Talat, Mungan and Ercakıca were discussing strategies on how to weaken the trade unions by changing the regulation on the member fee collection.
In the leaked tape, the trio also discussed that they will save money if the teachers' unions go on strike so that it would be a good idea not to answer their demands so the unions will have to pay the salaries themselves which in the end would mean saving money for the government.
In his statement Elcil reminded this tape and said that it is not possible for the trade unions to support Talat's candidacy during the April 2015 “presidential elections” as Talat was involved in “destroying the trade unions operation”.
“Mr Talat of course can be a candidate but he should not expect our support. We worked together with Mr Talat in the “This County is Ours Platform” but unfortunately in the aftermath we have seen that he was involved in an operation against the trade unions. Therefore he should know that he will not be supported by our circles”, Elcil said.
5. Illegal Near East University will be able to offer the “Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education” certificate
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (26.08.14) reports that the illegal Near East University (YDU) will be able to offer the “Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education” certificate (ACPE) which according to the paper is the only national agency in the USA which has been accrediting pharmacy education since 1932.
According to the paper, YDU’s right to grant the certificate will be acknowledged during the 74th International Pharmaceutical Congress which will take place in Bangkok between 30 of August and 4 of September.
6. Gul’s farewell message
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (26.08.14) reports that the outgoing President Abdullah Gul in a farewell message posted on the website of the Presidency said that he maintained his political impartiality, strived to preserve harmony between state institutions and reached out to society throughout his term.
Gul, who is the founder of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), said that he meticulously preserved his impartiality despite his political identity adding that his close cooperation and work alongside the government have contributed to the wellbeing and stability of the country.
Gul is handing over the top state post to current Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday. But as he prepares to leave the post he held for seven years, he laid bare his resentment with the AK Party leadership, saying last week that AK Party circles showed him "disrespect." His remarks followed a party decision to hold a congress to elect a successor for Erdohan on August 27, just a day before Gül will be relieved of his Presidential duties, even though he had declared his intention to return to the AK Party.
In his messages addressing both state institutions and society, Gul stated that during his term, he had underlined the importance of committing to uphold values of democracy, secularism and the rule of law. He also said he had emphasized the importance of the principle of the separation of powers, in what appears to be a veiled reference to a controversial statement by Erdogan, in which the Prime Minister said the separation of powers is an “obstacle” to the functioning of the government.
Gul said he had been a devout supporter of Turkey's efforts to join the European Union because he believed both the country -- as a Muslim, democratic nation -- and the Muslim world have a lot to gain from Turkey's membership in the EU. He said he backed the continuation of efforts to expand the rights of Turkey's Kurds and paid attention to problems faced by non-Muslim citizens. He became the first President to visit a cemevi (Alevi place of worship) and attended Alevi iftars (fast-breaking meal).
In another subtle reference to Erdogan's repeated statements that a democracy is only about respecting election results, Gul said he emphasized that the ballot box constitutes the foundation of democracy, but also mentioned that institutions -- which he said were another base of Turkish democracy -- should never be undermined. “I have worked to make sure the principles of the supremacy of law and the independence and impartiality of judiciary are never undermined”, Gul added.
He also underlined the significance of media freedom and how he warned against polarization during his term. He said that he had expressed concerns over the long pre-trial detention of lawmakers, the former chief of General Staff and journalists in coup trials and said that he had also advised that the oversight powers of the Court of Accounts should be protected.
The Court of Accounts' powers to review government spending have been significantly curbed with legislative changes pushed forward late last year.
In what appears to be a reference to government claims that there is a “parallel state” nested in the state bureaucracy, Gul said he maintained that no network or solidarity group is allowed within the state system unless it is sanctioned by the laws and the Constitution.
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7. Turkish daily reveals the five crucial goals of the new Turkish government to be formed
Turkish daily Sabah (26.08.14-online in English) reports that the 62nd government of Turkey, which will soon be formed under the leadership of Ahmet Davutoglu, is expected to focus on five crucial goals with special emphasis on the new constitution and transforming Turkey into a powerful global actor through the implementation of groundbreaking reforms.
As Turkey prepares to form a new government following the election of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as President, details of Davutoglu's programs and projects for the upcoming government are being revealed. While Davutoglu is planning to focus on expanding Turkey's global power and reputation abroad, he is also expected to continue to work on the reconciliation process, fight agents of the Gülen Movement who have infiltrated Turkish state institutions and improve employment opportunities in the Turkish job market.
With the aim to make Turkey an important regional and global player, the new government will try to ensure that Turkey takes a more active role in global problems. For instance, Turkey is planning to undertake a more effective and active role in the Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian conflicts while it will continue to work towards its EU membership – a 50 year old journey – and will implement more reforms in accordance with EU standards to achieve this goal. This approach was also present when Davutoglu served as Foreign Minister under Erdogan's Cabinet, and was referred to as the "zero problems with neighbors policy." Here, Turkey tried to improve relations with all its neighboring countries in efforts to ensure peace in the region, while it has also implemented numerous reforms in accordance with the EU, some of which have already been entrenched in the daily lives of Turkish citizens.
Another crucial aspect that the new government will focus on is the dire need for a new constitution and will continue to find common ground regarding the matter until the 2015 general election. Accordingly, a framework will be established to determine the principles. These will be based on individual freedoms, the protection of national unity and values, accepting multiculturalism as richness. Pluralism will be highlighted rather than a single view and will be comprehensively framed under all features regarding the rule of law.
On the other hand, the reconciliation process, which has been taking place between the Turkish government and the Kurdish people, will proceed and more legal reforms and regulations are expected to be made to take the reconciliation process a step further and establish permanent and durable peace while ensuring minority rights. This process is also expected to open up more chapters and opportunities for other minorities in Turkey including Alevis, non-Muslims and people from different ethnicities.
Fighting against Gülenist infiltration in Turkish state institutions is another crucial aspect. Erdogan has consistently touched upon the movement and Davutoglu has reiterated the notion that he will continue to rid state institutions of such agents. Likewise, the new government will fight against organized crime networks, gangs and others who pose a threat to Turkey's national safety and security.
The economy is also expected to be one of the highlights of the new government. Policy will focus on providing more jobs for the people while ensuring economic growth. An important feature of the new policies will ensure that the economy will no longer be tied to the fluctuating interest-stock market-foreign currency triangle while prioritizing production.
Officials note that Davutoglu's government will continue to build on Erdogan's legacy and work cohesively to establish a "New Turkey" completely free from the chains imposed by its predecessor, Old Turkey.
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