TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 106/15 10.06.2015
1. Nami:
Seven convergence papers are ready
2. Akinci
met with EkremDemirtas; “Natural gas should be used as a catalyst for
settlement”
3.
Davutoglu leaves post in procedural move
4.
Preliminary election results announced with objections from parties
5.
Statements by Arinc, Demirtas, Koc and Bahceli on forming a new government
6. Talat
evaluated Turkey’s election results and the Cyprus problem
7. Corendon
Airlines decided to suspend it activities in the “TRNC”
8. The
“gang of stolen auto cars” has been overthrown
9. Turkish
Cypriot activists to attend the EU-CELAC summit in Brussels
10. Four
people died and 14 were detained after clashes in Diyarbakir
1.
Nami: Seven convergence papers are ready
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (10.06.15)
reports that Turkish Cypriot negotiator OzdilNami said that they have prepared
with Greek Cypriot Andreas Mavroyiannis seven pieces of convergence papers
since May 15 when the Cyprus talks resumed, adding that they have maded more
progress in three weeks than the progress obtained in a five year period. Nami
explained that these convergence papers are named as “Akinci-Anastasiades
documents”.
In an interview to the paper given to the
journalist Osman Kalfaoglu, Nami said that in the past, the sides used to
prepare their positions in different papers, but now they do it together and
the reports are submitted to the leaders on behalf of the negotiators.
Nami said that the produced convergence
papers are on issues of “power sharing”, “governance”, “EU” and “property”,
which were undertaken in the past. He added that they have safeguarded progress
on these issues and informed the leaders regarding this.
Speaking to the paper regarding the
negotiations and the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), Nami explained that
when they say convergence paper, this does not mean that there is consensus on
all issues, but in these papers the sides place also their objections or their
crossing views.
Nami also said that the sides are focus
on the CBMs, which have been announced until now. However after every leaders’
meeting the announcement of one-two more CBMs should not surprise anyone,
besides this is the target. Nami explained: “Maybe, it will not happen in every
meeting, but this is the general aim”. He added that they do not want this to
be a separate parallel process, but these (CBMs) make sense only when they
serve the aim of an essential comprehensive solution. Nami noted that until now
they progress well.
Noting that the work done by the
technical committees with the UN are a different CBM for the time being, Nami
added that the new proposals, which will emerge in accordance with the works of
these committees, will be submitted to the leaders for approval.
Nami said that the negotiators are in
the screening process now. He added that in some issues, they have safeguarded
new progress, however many of these matters will not bring radical changes. He
explained that at this stage they are not in a position to say whether what the
one or the other side has put to the negotiating table is a radical change from
their past positions.
Evaluating the results of the June 7
general elections in Turkey, Nami said that this will not cause any serious
trouble in the future with regard to the Cyprus settlement. He added that if
there was no clear support from Turkey, they would not have been able to
achieve the convergences and the joint statement until now. Nami also said that
in general the political parties in Turkey have a consensus in reaching a
federal solution to the Cyprus problem.
(DPs)
2.Akinci
met with EkremDemirtas; “Natural gas should be used as a catalyst for
settlement”
According to illegal Bayrak television
(10.06.15), Turkish Cypriot leader
Akinci has said that the economy was one of the building blocks of a settlement
in Cyprus.
Akinci
made the above statement during a meeting he had with the chairman of the Izmir
Chamber of Commerce, Ekrem Demirtas and his accompanying delegation.
The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) FikriToros was also present at the meeting.
Congratulating Akıncı on his election, Demirtas expressed the view that economies
played an important role in peace processes. “When you leave the peace process
to politicians, often you can experience deadlocks or stalemates”, he said.
Providing
the example of Turkey and Greece, Demirtas said that Cyprus had a great
potential economically and could become the Singapore of the Mediterranean.
For his part, Akıncı praised the
activities of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce. Sharing Demirtas’s view that the
economy was one of the building stones of peace, Akıncı said: “We need to find a formula that can safeguard the
political stability and equality of the two communities so that they can live
together in harmony. Living together on this island is our destiny”.
Reminding
that the Turkish Cypriots had voted in favor of a settlement back in 2004
whilst the Greek Cypriots had rejected the Annan Plan, Akıncı said that since
then, time had only served to deepen the division between the two sides.
Touching
upon the issue of hydrocarbons, Akinci expressed the view that natural gas
should be used as a catalyst for a settlement.
“Common sense dictates to us that we
should focus on preparing and planning for the future rather than fighting over
the island’s natural resources and making threats. Perhaps there is still not
enough gas found but it would only be logical to combine the island’s natural
gas with that from Israel and sending it to Europe via Turkey. Only then can
both sides benefit”, Akinci added.
Stating that it is very natural that
obstacles will emerge in the talks, Akinci said that the important thing is to
work towards overcoming them.
(…)
3.
Davutoglu leaves post in procedural move
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 10.06.15), Turkey’s
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his cabinet resigned on June 9, a routine
post-election procedure in Turkish politics.
President RecepTayyip Erdogan approved
the resignations, which came after the Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost
its majority in the June 7 general election, and requested that the cabinet
continue its duties until a new government is formed.
Davutoglu resigned as Prime Minister in
a cabinet meeting with President Erdogan attending, Dogan News Agency reported.
On the same issue, the paper reports
that unofficial consultations between the ruling and the main opposition
parties have begun to test the waters as to whether the two bitter political
rivals can form Turkey’s next government.
Talks between the AKP, which garnered
40.8% of the votes with 258 seats in parliament, and the Republican People’s
Party (CHP), which took 25% of the vote with 132 seats, are preliminary and
unofficial. Talks are being carried out by a group of politicians from the two
parties who believe that the AKP-CHP coalition government is the best
alternative for Turkey.
Those who are holding talks between the
AKP and the CHP are trying to examine the possibility of a coalition government
between the two and to determine potential problems before this agreement. An
AKP-CHP coalition would be focused on efforts to strengthen the economy,
intensify social investments, take steps in expanding freedoms and continue the
democratization process, according to the politicians. They also think this
coalition would continue to work on the Kurdish peace process as the two
parties’ views are not very different on the matter.
However, there are also some problematic
issues that could block the formation of such a coalition due to conditions
from the CHP. The social democratic party is likely demand that four former
ministers implicated in a 2013 corruption case be sent to court, and call for
effective measures in the fight against corruption.
In addition to other political issues
that would complicate the process,
Erdogan’s stance will also play a crucial role in negotiations between the two
parties. One of the CHP’s main conditions will be to restrict Erdogan to his
constitutionally approved duties, so that he does not intervene in governmental
affairs.
Furthermore, Hurriyet Daily News
believes that the election of Turkey’s
new parliamentary speaker will be the first area in which possible coalition
options will be tested, while discussion on possible candidates from the four political
parties in the legislature has commenced.
According to a draft calendar prepared
by the Parliamentary Speaker’s Office, the inauguration ceremony of the
550-seated new parliament will take place on June 24, five days after the
Supreme Election Board (YSK) is expected to announce the official election
results.
Until the new parliamentary speaker is
elected, an interim parliamentary speaker’s council will be formed with the
oldest deputy, Deniz Baykal from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) as the
interim speaker, and two of the youngest deputies, 26-year-old Justice and
Development Party (AKP) deputy Fatma Gaye Guler and Peoples’ Democratic Party
(HDP) deputy TugbaHezer, as the secretary members.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the
election of the new Speaker is expected to be held on June 30. The speaker will
be elected in as many as four rounds, which could all take place on the same
day.
If
reconciliation for a coalition is achieved before June 30, then the speaker
will most probably be elected accordingly. If the bigger party in the coalition
gets the Prime Ministry, the smaller party usually gets the Parliamentary
Speaker’s post. If this is not the case, the election for the speaker could
become more contentious.
While the CHP is expected to keep Baykal
as its candidate, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is expected to present
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu or MeralAksener as their candidate.
From the AKP, the names of
NumanKurtulmus, AhmetIyimaya and Mustafa Sentop are being considered.
4.
Preliminary election results announced with objections from parties
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 10.06.15), Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) announced
on June 9 the temporary results of the June
7 general elections, but the exact number of deputies that will
represent the four parties in parliament remains uncertain, mainly due to ongoing
objections in at least four places.
Voter
turnout reached 84%, according to the official announcement; as 47.5 million
out of 56.6 million registered citizens cast their votes. Nearly 1.35 million
of the votes, however, were invalid.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP)
netted more than 18.86 million votes, 40.87% of the total, as the main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) won 24.96% with 11.6 million votes.
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) got
7.6 million votes, or 18.29%, which was higher 6 million votes from the 13.12%
of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). But the latter has caught up with the
nationalist party in parliament seats, which is linked to the quotas of the
country’s 81 provinces.
Along with objections to the vote count,
the votes abroad, a first for Turkey’s general election, has also complicated
calculations, as this new input was proportionally distributed to all
provinces.
Several independent deputies from
Istanbul filed objections to the election results in the city, claiming that
the ballots were confusing for voters.
5.
Statements by Arinc, Demirtas, Koc and Bahceli on forming a new government
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency
(09.06.15), Turkish Deputy Prime Minister BulentArinc said that the Justice and
Development Party (AKP) must become stronger in the next elections following
Sunday's parliamentary elections.
"Just as we thanked our people for
bringing us to power with [almost] 50% [of the votes in 2011 election], we
should also respect their decision in this election, although it may be an
upsetting outcome," Arinc told reporters Tuesday after attending an art
exhibition in the Turkish capital Ankara.
"We
need to examine the factors which led to this outcome, and act accordingly.
Because we are destined to be in power. We must be in power," Arinc said,
adding that the AKP had goals for Turkey not only for 2023 but for 2053 and
2071 as well.
Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (online,
09.06.15) reports that HDP Co-Chair
Selahattin Demirtas played down any suggestion of the HDP forming a coalition
government with the AKP, saying it will discuss other options.
“What we are clear on is that we will
not be in a coalition with the AK Party. What alternatives will we have in that
case? We will be discussing all of these alternatives,” Demirtas said in
remarks to reporters at Istanbul Ataturk Airport on Tuesday before leaving for
Ankara.
Demirtas
said that a coalition between the AK Party and the main opposition CHP, which
came in second place, first needs to be discussed.
“While voting, the nation also asked for this [an AKP-CHP coalition]. The
nation chose the first and second party and this shows something. We need to
see the course of discussions. We the HDP want everyone to know we are aware of
the responsibility that the nation has laid on our shoulders and we will carry
it.”
When asked about the possibility of a
coalition proposal coming from another party, Demirtas said they would look at
all options if a proposal came. The HDP leader added the party is aware of the
responsibility that it has assumed and will not let any instability, chaos,
tension or insecurity prevail in the country.
CHP Deputy Chairman and spokesperson
HalukKoc said that the citizens have tasked the opposition parties with
restoring democratic institutions and norms in Turkey and addressing the income
inequality in society.
Koc
underlined that citizens shifted their preference from the AKP to the
opposition parties in expectation of overhauling democracy, the rule of law,
division of powers and the economy, which were all damaged under AKP rule.
Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency
(09.06.15) reports that Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet
Bahceli will gather his leadership Wednesday to “evaluate” the results of
Turkey’s general election. The meeting will come amid fevered speculation about
a possible coalition government in Turkey.
Delivering
a message from MHP headquarters after the election, Bahceli said: "The MHP
is ready to be a main opposition party in a possible AKP-CHP-HDP
coalition".
"Nobody has the right to drag
Turkey into [AKP] minority and some circles' scenarios," said Bahceli.
"A snap election will happen whenever it happens," he added.
6.Talat
evaluated Turkey’s election results and the Cyprus problem
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(10.06.15) reports that formerTurkish
Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in statements to Kibris TV, evaluated the latest developments on the
Cyprus problem, the forthcoming general congress of CTP, the election results
in Turkey and other current issues.
Asked
to reply to the question whether he believes that the Cyprus problem will be
solved during Akinci’s term, Talat said that he cannot be sure about that and
added that he considers that more intensified efforts will be exerted towards
this direction.
Accusing the former Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisErogluof having the vision of the “non-solution”, Talat said that
in spite of the fact that Eroglu said that he would continue the talks from the
point he left them, he did not keep his promises.
Referring to the Republican Turkish
Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) general congress which will be held on June 14,
Talat stressed the need for the restructure of the party.
On
the results of the Turkish elections, Talat stated that the AKP policies and
practices had a serious reflection on the election result. Stating that it is
current Turkey which changed Turkey’s foreign policy on the Cyprus problem,
Talat added that he is concerned on how this period in Turkey will affect the
Cyprus problem and the solution.
Reminding
that until 2002, Turkey was not in favor of the solution of the Cyprus problem,
Talat underlined that it was the AKP government which supported the solution of
the Cyprus problem and achieved to turn the de facto situation to a de jure
one.
(AK)
7.Corendon
Airlines decided to suspend it activities in the “TRNC”
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(10.06.15) under the front-page title: “Corendon
disaster”, reports that the tour operator company Corendon, which is considered
as one of the most important international companies for transferring tourists
to the “TRNC”, has announced that it has decided to suspend its work in the
occupied area of Cyprus and close its “north Cyprus destination” due to several
bureaucratic obstacles.
Corendon
Company has brought totally 22 thousand tourists to “north Cyprus” with charter
flights from Belgium and mainly from the Netherlands. It has also transferred
tourists to the “TRNC” for three-four high seasons from Poland, Denmark, Italy
and Hungary. The team of the company which transferred tourists to the “TRNC”
has asked to include in its investment activities and hotel management, the
management of “Jasmine court hotel” in occupied Keryneia.
According to the paper, the company has asked to rent the hotel and
undertake the management of Jasmine court, but due to several bureaucratic
obstacles, this process failed and thus the company decided to suspend its
entire operation in the “TRNC”.
The process has started with the singing
of an agreement with the management company of the hotel to hand over the
management to Corendon for a period of 10 years (5+5). However, in spite of the
fact that the officials of the company applied to all the “official related
parts”, that is the so-called ministry of finance, the so-called ministry of
tourism, the “embassy” and “tourist consultants”, due to incomprehensible and
unspecified reasons, the “ministry of finance” had a negative stance and did
not give the necessary permissions for the process to continue.
The
situation caused financial loss and disappointment to the officials of the
company who announced yesterday the suspension of their activities in the
occupied area of Cyprus.
Commenting on the above development, SahapAsikoglu, “undersecretary” of the
so-called ministry of tourism, described as very negative the withdrawal of the
company from “north Cyprus” and said that this issue which is very important
should be sent to the “ministerial council” for discussion.
Stating
that after this negative development they will unfortunately loose the markets
of Belgium and the Netherlands, Asikoglu accused the so-called ministry of
finance for its policy and practices towards the issue and said that with their
decisions, they are the ones who will lead tourism to “bankruptcy”.
Commenting also on the issue, the “chairman” of the “Turkish Cypriot
travel agent’s union” OrhanTolun has stated that the fact that the Corendon
company has decided to suspend its operation in the “TRNC” is very negative and
added that this would have negative effects on “country’s economy and tourism
sector”.
Also, the “chairman” of the “Turkish
Cypriot hoteliers’ union” HuseyinAktig
said that all tourist operators are considered very important for their sector.
He said that they are all responsible for the bureaucratic practices and stressed the need for efforts to be exerted
in order to find a solution to this problem.
(AK)
8.The
“gang of stolen auto cars” has been overthrown
Under the front-page title: “Blow to the gang of stolen auto cars”,
Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (10.06.15) reports that the
so-called police has destroyed the gang related with the cars stolen from the
free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and put up for sale in the occupied areas.
According to the paper, the so-called police arrested two persons
of Egyptian origin, Ibrahim Arabulucu and MuhammetAbdelghany Mahmoud, while it
is still looking for three others. The “police” confiscated also two cars (one
is a Toyota Auris) which are considered as illegal.
According
to information acquired, the “gang of illegal cars” was cooperating and working
both in the “north” and the “south”. The smugglers of mainly Japanese cars were
stealing the cars from the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, and after
changing the chassis number and the colour of the cars, they cross the machine
parts and accessories of the cars as scrap to the “north”. At a later stage, after fitting the parts
together, they put the cars up for sale. The paper, however, underlines that it
is still unknown how and to which route the cars were crossing from the “south”
to the “north”.
The two persons arrested, appeared
yesterday in “court” and were taken into custody for three days (…).
(AK)
9.Turkish
Cypriot activists to attend the EU-CELAC summit in Brussels
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(10.06.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot
activists and members of the Baraka Association will attend the EU-Community of
Latin America and Caribbean States summit (EU-CELAC), which will be held in
Brussels on 10-11 June 2015 under the theme: "Shaping our common future:
working for prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies for our
citizens".
According to the paper, the EU-CELAC
summits bring together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to
strengthen relations between both regions.
Donald Tusk, President of the European
Council, will chair the summit. More than 61 heads of state or governments are
expected to attend.
(AK)
10.Four
people died and 14 were detained after clashes in Diyarbakir
Turkish daily Sabah (09.06.15) reported that a total of 14 people have been
detained as AytacBaran, a nongovernmental organization chairman close to the
Free Cause Party (HÜDA-PAR), a rival Kurdish party to the Peoples' Democratic
Party (HDP) in eastern Turkey, died after he was wounded in an armed attack in
the southeastern province of Diyarbakır on Tuesday. In a move to retaliate,
three other people died, according to a statement released by Diyarbakır
Governorate.
Initial
reports have claimed that Baran was attacked by the PKK organization. Meanwhile
a group protesting Baran's death gathered in front of the NGO’s headquarters
and reportedly attacked three journalists, who were injured along with a police
officer.
The Science, Service, Cooperation and Research
Association (İhya-Der) chairman was wounded by four bullets and was later
transferred to hospital. Baran's lawyer AbdulganiOrhan claimed that his client
was called to the police station before the elections and warned of a possible
attack by the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (YDG-H). In the case of an
attack, Baran was to call the number he was given by the police, Baran's lawyer
said. The police have launched an investigation in the area where the shooting
took place.
Baran was reportedly a mentor for the
16-year-old young man, YasinBörü, who was brutally murdered by pro-PKK groups
during last year's October 6-8 clashes, which resulted to the deaths of more
than 50 civilians in Diyarbakır.
The
main actors of October 6-8 clashes were again pro-HDP and pro-HUDA-PAR groups.
The YDG-H group denied its involvement
in the attack through a Twitter message.
The
pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) condemned the incidents in
Diyarbakır, stating that whoever is responsible must be brought to justice. The
HDP statement also expressed the party's sorrow for Baran's death.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
ICh/AA)
