TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 131/15 15.07.2015
1. Junker will meet Akinci and Turkish Cypriot political
party leaders
2. Kalyoncu announces the breakaway regime’s new
“cabinet” after meeting Akinci
3. Denktas: The CTP-UBP “coalition government” has been
formed after “strong suggestions” by Turkey
4. Sucuoglu: Turkey has not exerted pressure for the
establishment of a CTP-UBP “coalition government”
5. Ustel may be candidate for UBP’s leadership
6. “Water project’s” launching date postponed for August
7. Akinci expressed the need to find ways towards
integrating the Turkish Cypriot youth with the world
8. Efforts that the illegal YDU’s basketball team which
participates in Turkey’s league to play its home matches in the breakaway
regime
9. Bahceli wants to stay out of coalition; HDP urges end
to violence before coalition talks with AKP
10. Columnist believes that the absence of Turkey’s
government treated as opportunity to “fine tune” its foreign policy
1. Junker
will meet Akinci and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders
Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (15.07.15,
online) reports that BarisBurcu,
spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, stated today that the
President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Junker and its 10-member
delegation will meet with Akinci tomorrow at 12.00 at the latter’s office
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Burcu noted that after the meeting, Akinci will introduce Junker to representatives of
the Turkish Cypriot political parties that possess “seats” in the “assembly” of
the breakaway regime.
Burcu said that afterwards, Akinci will
have a joint lunch with Junker and President Anastasiades at the Home of
Cooperation in the buffer zone in Nicosia. Akinci will be accompanied by Burcu
and ErhanErcin, “undersecretary” at the self-styled foreign ministry and member
of Akinci’s negotiating team.
(I/Ts.)
2. Kalyoncu
announces the breakaway regime’s new “cabinet” after meeting Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily
News (15.07.15, online) reports that Omer
Kalyoncu, “deputy” with the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG)
in occupied Keryneia, who was appointed to form a “coalition government”,
called on the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci this morning to present him
with the new “cabinet”. According to reports, the “coalition protocol” is
expected to be signed in the “assembly” at 14:00 today.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Kalyoncu said that Akinci approved the
“cabinet”. The names of the members of the “cabinet” are the following:
“prime minister” - Omer Kalyoncu (CTP)
“foreign minister” – EmineColak (CTP)
“finance minister” – Hasan Basoglu (CTP)
“health minister” – SalihIzbul (CTP)
“food, agriculture and natural resources
minister” – OnderSennaroglu (CTP)
“interior and labour minister” – Aziz
Gurpinar (CTP)
“economy, trade and industry minister” –
SunatAtun (UBP)
“transport minister” – TahsinErtugruloglu (UBP)
“education minister” – Kemal Durust (UBP)
“tourism minister” – FaizSucuoglu (UBP)
“public works and environment
minister” - KutluEvren (UBP)
(I/Ts.)
3. Denktas:
The CTP-UBP “coalition government” has been formed after “strong suggestions”
by Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (15.07.15) reports that SerdarDenktas,
chairman of the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), has described the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP)- National Unity Party (UBP) “coalition” as a “suggestion government”. In
statements to the paper, Denktas noted that CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat has behaved weakly against the “known
suggestions” by Turkey’s so-called embassy and its “aid delegation” to occupied
Nicosia as regards their wish to see a “government” without Denktas’ DP-UG.
Denktas said that everyone says that such a
“suggestion” was made by Turkey’s “embassy” and “aid delegation” and added:
“While everyone is talking about it, I do not hesitate to openly state it. It
is obvious that a suggestion in this direction has been made […] When we talk
about Turkey’s suggestion here, as I said, this is its embassy here and the aid
delegation. I do not know to which extend the information that they do not want
me is correct, but actually I also do
not want the aid delegation. Therefore, this is a mutual problem. We have
actually included our views as regards the aid delegation in our program as
well. If we are not wanted because we said this, let us actually be not wanted,
because this does not sadden us”.
Denktas argued that CTP and UBP have the
same approach and that through the establishment of a CTP-UBP “coalition
government” an opportunity will be created for everyone to see that these two
parties are the same.
Furthermore, Denktas pointed out to the accusations made by the two parties against
each other until today and expressed the view that the “government’ will not
last for long and that “early elections” will be held. “It is obvious that a strong suggestion has come”, he noted.
(I/Ts.)
4. Sucuoglu:
Turkey has not exerted pressure for the establishment of a CTP-UBP “coalition
government”
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper
(15.07.15) reports that FaizSucuoglu,
“deputy” of the National Unity Party (UBP) in occupied Nicosia, replied to statements
made by Mehmet Cakici, “deputy” with the Social Democracy Party (TDP) in
occupied Nicosia, who had said that UBP establishing a “coalition government”
with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) was a result of pressure by Turkey.
Sucuoglu said, inter alia, the following: “The Republic of Turkey wishes that the two
big parties are in a coalition during such a crucial period, but it has not
exerted pressure. This is a situation which came up with the two parties
own will. The way of reason is one. In the end, we are heading to a crucial
process. A process during which the two big parties will be in power is
creating a serious control and support
mechanism on the issue of the negotiations. […]”
He noted that in case of a “coalition” with
the Democratic Party (DP) they would have had 26 “seats” in the “assembly” and
they would not have been in the position of materializing reforms and taking
radical decisions. ‘We can do a lot with 39 deputies”, he said.
(I/Ts.)
5. Ustel
may be candidate for UBP’s leadership
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
(15.07.15) reports that the self-styled deputy UnalUstelof the National Unity
Party (UBP), evaluating the “coalition government” between the Republican
Turkish Party (CTP) and UBP, expressed his concerns. He said that although the
“country” has a need of a broad-based “coalition government”, there should also
be an equal balance of the power within the “coalition government”, adding that
there are split voices between them in
different issues like the Cyprus problem.
Ustel noted that he may be candidate for
the leadership of his party at the general assembly of UBP that will be held on
October 31.
6. “Water project’s” launching date postponed for August
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (15. 07.15) reports that BirolCinar, the
director of the “water project” for the transferring of water from Turkey to the
breakaway regime, stated that due to weather problems the project will not be
launched on July 20 as it was planned, but in August, instead.
Cinar
stated that it is impossible to reach the 20 July goal since the weather was
not helpful at all during the procedure for the construction of the project. As
he said the works for constructing the sea pipes still continue and only 61.5
km out of the 80km-length pipe line has been completed.
He also
stated that the lines for the water distribution in the occupied part of
Lefkosia have been completed but lines in other parts of the occupied area of
Cyprus are still under construction.
(CS)
7. Akinci
expressed the need to find ways towards integrating the Turkish Cypriot youth
with the world
According to illegal Bayrak television
(online, 15.07.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, during a visit paid
to him yesterday by “North Cyprus billiard federation”, touched upon the Cyprus
issue. He underlined the importance of preparing for a post solution in Cyprus.
Akinci also
pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot youth should be integrated with the world
in all fields.
Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot “people”
face numerous political obstacles as a result of the non-solution on the
island, he said that all their efforts are towards providing a comprehensive
peace in Cyprus. “We are canalizing all
our efforts towards reaching a solution as soon as possible. However life does
not stop. While continuing with these efforts, it is also essential that we
prepare ourselves for the period after a settlement is reached by doing
whatever we can”, Akinci added.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots are
unprepared for a post settlement environment in many aspects, he expressed the
need to work on those areas and issues.
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (15.07.15)
reports that Akinci met with the chairman of the “billiard federation of North
Cyprus” AskinBurcu and the “billiard national team”, which will take part in
the European Billiard championship in Austria.
Burcu claimed that their “national team”
has participated in the European championship since 2006 under the “TRNC flag”
and with equal status with the Cyprus national team. He also said that they
will sign a cooperation protocol with Turkey’s Billiard Federation.
(DPs)
8. Efforts that the illegal YDU’s basketball team which
participates in Turkey’s league to play its home matches in the breakaway
regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper (15.07.15) reports that IrfanGunsel, member
of the Trustee Delegation of the illegal Near East University (YDU) stated that
efforts are exerted so that the women’s basketball team of YDU which is
participating in the Turkey’s Women Basketball league, to play its home matches
at the breakaway regime.
Speaking to
the paper, Gunsel stated they applied to FIFA for the issue but in case they
receive a negative answer to their demand they will file a lawsuit since FIFA’s
constitution provides that sports should not be mixed with religion or
politics.
(CS)
9. Bahceli
wants to stay out of coalition; HDP urges end to violence before coalition
talks with AKP
Under the title “MHP leader tells Turkish
PM they are not willing to take part in coalition government”, Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 14.07.15) reports that unsurprisingly, Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli has told Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu that the MHP is not willing to take part in any coalition government
formula, since they have maintained Turkey’s people cast the role of main
opposition party for them in the June 7 parliamentary election.
“He [Bahceli] has once more confirmed that
their approach is to not be in a government partnership, as they have
previously stated on many occasions since June 7,” Davutoglu, the leader of the
Justice and Development Party (AKP), told reporters after a meeting with
Bahceli on July 14.
It was the second meeting in a first round
of meetings initiated by Davutoglu after being given the mandate to form a new
government by President RecepTayyip Erdogan on July 9.
Having voiced respect for the MHP leader’s
stance, Davutoglu, nonetheless, underlined the two leaders still exchanged
views despite this negative response.
With his meeting with Peoples’ Democratic
Party (HDP) co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and FigenYuksekdag scheduled for July
15, Davutoglu plans to complete the first round of talks before Eid al-Fitr,
the three-day long Islamic holiday starting July 17.
Meanwhile, the paper reports that Demirtas
urged both the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) and the military to ease
tensions in the south-eastern Anatolian region following recent violent
incidents, a day before he is set to meet Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as
part of coalition talks.
“It’s true that tension is high. But it’s
not the day to draw swords. I say this both to the KCK and to the government.
No one should think of increasing the tension”, Demirtas told journalists July
14.
Demirtas made his statement a day before
his coalition talks with Davutoglu and expressed his hopes that the next
government will seriously deal with the Kurdish peace process. “We are waiting
to host the AKP delegation. We will share our own solutions on national and
international problems,” he said and added that mutual accusations made during
election time have been left behind. “We will discuss everything with the AKP.
We hope that tomorrow’s meeting will pave the way for revival of the peace
process. Our country deserves peace, not violence. We are not obliged to fight;
the young people of this country do not deserve to die.”
Adding that the HDP will meet the AKP
delegation without prejudices, Demirtas said: “With or without the HDP, we
believe the next government should move forward the peace talks.” The three
main principles of the HDP are peace, democracy and justice with its subtitles,
Demirtas stressed.
10. Columnist
believes that absence of Turkey’s government treated as opportunity to “fine
tune” its foreign policy
Columnist Serkan Demirtas, writing in
Turkish daily Radikal (online, 14.07.15), under the title “Foreign Policy
Happening Without a Government”, believes that “important developments have
been taking place in foreign policy since the 7 June elections. In normal
democracies the post-election processes are periods in which foreign policy is
all but suspended. Caretaker ministries and their associated bodies take care
not to take steps that will be binding on the next government or make life
difficult for it.
The situation in Turkey, however, is a
little different. The period between governments is being seen as an important
opportunity to make ‘fine adjustments’ to those foreign policy areas that the
AKP [Justice and Development Party] government had difficulty in demonstrating
flexibility. The developments that have taken place in the brief period since
the elections include elements that affirm this opinion.
The fight with ISIL: The most comprehensive
talks between Turkey and the United States on this topic took place last week.
During the talks, which lasted two days, they discussed Turkey's active
participation in the anti-ISIL coalition that the United States is leading as
well as the topic of US warplanes using Incirlik and other Turkish military
facilities. (…)
Fine tuning the Al-Asad position: Thanks to
the convergence achieved with the United States in the fight against ISIL, the
position that Turkey had long defended saying, "First Al-Asad then
ISIL" has undergone a partial change. Turkey had not been in favour of
actively participating in the coalition, which did not see Al-Asad as the
priority target, but has now opted to soften this rigid position. (…)
Dialogue with Israel: One important
development after 7 June was the meeting of high-ranking Foreign Ministry
officials from both countries in Rome. According to information obtained, the
Mavi Marmara negotiators from both sides are going to get together again after
the talks in Rome and put the reparations agreement that had been agreed on
earlier into effect. (…)
One field
that Turkey cares about a great deal and has hopes for is the Cyprus
talks.Turkey predicts that a referendum would be held for the establishment of
a new partnership state on the island in the first quarter of next year and it
is taking care to pursue a line that is not going to adversely affect the
extremely delicate process. During this period, in which Greece is unable to
put much weight behind Cyprus because of its own economic woes, Turkey is
making do with providing silent but decisive support. It is also continuing to
make the international community accept its thesis that these talks are the
final talks, and is doing so in a quiet and non-threatening voice.
(…)
From what can be seen in these
developments, the ‘fine tuning’ so long expected in Turkey's foreign policy is
coming at a time when Turkey is being managed without a government. This fine
tuning may be treated as a situation that frees the hand of the AKP government,
which has been unable to make any moves because it has bound itself too much to
its rigid Syria policy.”
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/
LF)
