TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
93/16
20.05.2016
1.
AKP names Yildirim as new chairman
2.
How the press views Yildirim’s nomination as AKP President and Prime
Minister
3.
Milliyet refers to a “new guarantees system” proposal by Akinci if Turkish
Cypriot “sensitivities” are taken into consideration
4.
Turkey and the occupation regime signed the “water
protocol”
5.
The “economic protocol” between Turkey and the occupation regime will be
reportedly be signed within the next 48 hours
6.
The “Turkish Cypriot farmers’ union” participated in the World Farmers'
Organization General Assembly in Zambia
7.
Retirement age in the breakaway regime to be prolonged as the “economic
protocol” envisages
8.
The occupied Galateia “municipality” became member of the international
Cittaslow organization
9.
Erdogan will appoint Yildirim as the new Prime Minister on
Sunday
10.
Erdogan approved law on Turkey-EU readmission deal
1.
AKP names Yildirim as new chairman
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 19.05.16), Turkey’s
ruling party has named Transportation and Communications Minister Binali
Yildirim as the new chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), with
the Prime Minister-designate vowing to work in “full harmony” with President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Our
dear friend; Izmir Deputy and Transportation, Maritime Affairs and
Communications Minister Binali Yildirim has been designated with great consensus
as the candidate for the chairmanship,” deputy AKP leader and spokesperson Omer
Celik announced after a party meeting on May 19.
Celik
recalled that Yildirim was selected as the party’s nominee following a
comprehensive in-house survey and consultations within relevant bodies of the
AKP. It has been stressed that around 80% of the party executives had agreed on
Yildirim.
The
party will convene an extraordinary convention on May 22 to elect Yildirim to
the leadership of the AKP as current leader Ahmet Davutoglu will step down on
the same day.
“To
be deemed worthy to the leadership of the AKP is the highest honour and at the
same time a very big responsibility for me,” Yildirim said.
“I want to thank all my party’s organization and all the members of the AKP for
choosing me as the candidate for the party leadership,” he said in his address
to AKP officials after he was announced as the candidate on May
19.
In
a short statement, Yıldırım issued brief but important messages. The convention
to be held on May 22 will be the venue where all members of the party will
strengthen ties, Yildirim said. “Rather than disintegration, this convention of
ours will indicate determination to continue in our blessed march.”
His
second message was that his leadership will seek full harmony, particularly with
Erdogan as the real leader of the AKP. “We
will exert all efforts to reach our objective for a Great Turkey by working in
full harmony with all our friends in different ranks of the party, particularly
with our founding President and leader”, he said. “No one should have any
doubt about this.”
Third,
he said the terror problem was the biggest concern in the country and vowed: “My
people should not worry. We will remove this terror issue from Turkey’s agenda”.
Immediately
after his candidacy was announced, Yildirim went to Diyarbakır to meet with the
families of the victims of a May 13 terror attack by the outlawed Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) that killed 16 villagers just outside the city centre.
“The
meaning of this visit is this: Nobody will be able to harm our brotherhood,”
Yildirim told reporters in Diyarbakır, saying he had chosen to come to the
south-eastern province immediately after he was selected as the new AKP
chairman. Reiterating his statement in Ankara to remove terrorism from the
country’s agenda, he said his government “will do whatever is required to this
end”.
In
the meantime, Davutoglu phoned Yıldırım to congratulate him and wish him success
in his new position. Yıldırım thanked Davutoglu for his successful premiership
after the leadership flag was handed to him by Erdogan in the summer of 2014. “I
thank Mr Davutoglu for the services he made on behalf of my party and my
people,” Yıldırım said.
Davutoglu
paid a farewell visit to Erdogan late in the afternoon on May 19, with the two
men discussing the timing of the resignation of the Prime Minister. Davutoglu
is expected to resign from the premiership on May 22 after the AKP’s convention.
Erdogan will likely give the mandate to form the new government to Yıldırım
again on May 22 as he will be very busy with a U.N. Humanitarian Summit on May
23 and 24.
Yildirim
is expected to introduce his government to Erdogan on either late May 24 or May
25 and read his government’s program in the upcoming days before it is submitted
for a vote of confidence in Parliament.
Meanwhile,
the HDN reports that Yildirim is presented by the AKP as a man of roads,
bridges, speed trains, airports; a man of multi-billion dollar projects like the
Marmara Tunnel, Istanbul’s third Bosporus Bridge, and its under-construction
third international airport.
Yıldırım’s
long spell as transportation and communication minister has given him a
reputation as one of the AKP’s “doers” since it first came to power in 2002.
However, one feature that stands above all others in facilitating his new
position as the AKP chairman is the fact that he is one of President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan’s closest confidants.
He
is set to become the third chairman of the AKP and the 27th Prime Minister of
the Republic of Turkey, but still has to wait a couple of days to officially
confirm his new title.
Born
in the eastern town of Erzincan in 1955, Yıldırım graduated from the Ship
Building and Maritime Sciences Department of Istanbul Technical University and
earned his masters’ degree from the same department. He went on to work in a
number of different executive positions at the Ship Industry General Directorate
and the Camialtı Shipyard between 1978 and 1993. In 1990 and 1991 he attended
specialization courses at the Sweden-based World Maritime University of the
International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Yıldırım
then moved back to Turkey to work as the head of the Istanbul Sea Buses Company
(IDO) of the Istanbul Municipality between 1994 and 2000, during Erdogan’s time
as mayor of Turkey’s largest and most populous metropolis.
The
new Prime Minister’s reputation as a “man of projects” was first developed in
Istanbul, as he turned the IDO into one of the largest companies of its kind by
enhancing its capacity with new vessels and routes.
Yıldırım
entered politics in the early 2000s as one of the founders of the AKP along with
Erdogan, Abdullah Gul, and Bulent Arinc. He joined the cabinet as the
Minister of Transportation and Communications when the AKP rose to power in 2002
and served in three consecutive governments.
Although
seen by many as the architect of many such projects, it was Yıldırım who
controversially shut down YouTube and Twitter in early 2014, drawing national
and international condemnation.
Time
will tell how Yildirim’s Prime Ministry differs from his predecessors; almost
everyone agrees that his term marks a new era for Turkish
politics.
2.
How the press views Yildirim’s nomination as AKP President and Prime Minister
Under
the title “A new stage with Binali Yildirim”, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper’s
(20.05.16) columnist Serpil Cevikcan reports that Turkey enters into a “new
stage” with the nomination of Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim as Justice
and Development Party’s (AKP) new President and Turkey’s new Prime Minister.
She says that this new stage is a “breakpoint” as regards President Erdogan’s
point of view to the problem of the administration system in Turkey. “With
the new government to be established one week - ten days after the AKP’s
extraordinary congress to be held on Sunday, we will witness the testing of a
de facto situation that expects the legal structure”, she notes adding
“the name of this is party presidency”.
Pointing
out that the “presidential system is undoubtedly the final target in
President Erdogan’s mind”, Cevikcan notes that the radical constitutional
change needed for the presidential system is difficult in Turkey’s current
conditions.
Writing
also in Milliyet (20.05.16), columnist Mehmet Tezkan reports “not only the
Prime Minister is changing” in Turkey, but the change will be “deeper, more
radical and more structural”. “Not only a Prime Minister is changing, but the
administration system is also changing”, he says adding that Erdogan “has
tried a model by making Davutoglu Prime Minister”. “He must not have
taken the result he wanted and this is why he said to Davutoglu ‘enough is
enough’”, notes the columnist adding that Davutoglu went away the way he had
come [to power]. Tezkan argues:
“With
Binali Yildirim, the President will try another model. Mr Binali will not be
like the Master. At least he will not talk at length day and night like the
Master. He will not attempt to draw a vision. He will not make political
analyses. He will not develop formulas in his mind and try to implement them. He
will not go around pretending to be a political genius. He will not say three
times a day that ‘I gave instructions’.
The
change in the ruling party is not a simple change. It is like entering into a
party president model. It is like a preparation for one man’s
administration. […]
Erdogan
has not cut off from the everyday politics […] since he became President. He
replied to the opposition parties as if he was leading the AKP. […] The policy
he followed was a preparation for today. It was the infrastructure for the
party president model. […]
Erdogan
will not be different in the new period.
[…] The one who will behave differently will be the Prime Minister. He will
downshift; he will not be very visible. He will not give the impression of
competing. […]”
Columnist
Murat Yetkin,
writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 20.05.16), under
the title “Yildirim as an executor of Erdogan’s projects”, argues that unlike
the general belief in the Turkish media, Yildirim has not been among the “yes
men” in the close circuit around President Erdogan. On the contrary, he is
among the very few left around Erdogan who can still make an objection on issues
that he is not fully convinced upon, which doesn’t make Yıldırım a
decision-maker, but more a perfect adviser or colleague.
Yetkin
further writes: “It was Yildirim, as a loyal and reliable colleague who was put
forward by Erdogan to balance his successor (whom he also hand-picked), Ahmet
Davutoglu, for the AKP executive committee. When the ‘necessity’ occurred, as
Davutoglu put it, it was that party committee which forced Davutoglu to step
down by showing their lack of trust in his decisions. On May 19, while
announcing Yildirim’s name, Omer Celik, the AKP spokesman, said there was ‘not a
millimetre of difference between the President and the party’. Yıldırım,
during his speech of gratitude, made it clear that the leader of the party was
still Erdogan even though it would be him who will most probably be elected as
the chairman on Sunday.
Because
of the close relations between Erdogan and Yıldırım, and given that Yıldırım is
a contributor to Erdogan’s decisions, it would not be 100% correct to say that
Erdogan will make the decisions and Yıldırım will implement them. It would be
more correct to say that Erdogan will be the originator of all the decisions
from now and that Yıldırım will continue to be the executor of all the projects
– ones that will now go far beyond the scope of transportation and
communications.
(…)
The
move is definitely another and an important step toward Erdogan’s target of
concentrating the executive power in the presidency.”
(I/Ts.)
3.
Milliyet refers to a “new guarantees system” proposal by Akinci if Turkish
Cypriot “sensitivities” are taken into consideration
Under
the title “New system of guarantees for Cyprus”, Turkish daily Milliyet
newspaper’s (20.05.16) correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, Sefa
Karahasan reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has suggested a
system of guarantees for Cyprus, in which Turkey will guarantee only the
northern part of the island. Citing UN sources, Karahasan argues that
President Anastasiades has given the message that “he could see positively this
proposal” in case the Turkish occupation army does not remain in the island.
According
to the paper, the Turkish Cypriot side has started working on views for a system
of guarantees which the Greek Cypriots will not perceive as a threat. To the
Greek Cypriot position that any guarantees are unacceptable, the Turkish Cypriot
side replies that “any agreement which does not include Turkey’s guarantees will
not be accepted” by the Turkish Cypriot community.
According
to Akinci’s proposal, “if the Greek Cypriots take into consideration the
sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side on the issues of the legal residence
and the property, the system of guarantees will be implemented only in the
northern part of Cyprus and not in the entire island”.
Recalling that in the past “the two peoples had been scattered in the island”,
Akinci said that all Turkish Cypriots are now living in the occupied northern
part of Cyprus and this is why Turkey’s guarantees for “south Cyprus” might be
unnecessary.
Karahasan
argues that Akinci’s proposal “had a positive influence on the UN” and had
topped the agenda of the US Assistant of State Victoria Nuland’s recent visit to
the island.
“Anastasiades, who exhibits a hard stance as regards the guarantees, asked
for Nuland’s help on this issue”, claims Karahasan alleging that Nuland, who
also met with Akinci, “exhibited a stance against the guarantees” and said that
“the presence of the Turkish army in the island is unnecessary”. She noted,
however, that some things may be needed for the Turkish Cypriots to vote
“yes” in a possible referendum. “Let us not call it ‘guarantees’, let us call is
assurance”, she allegedly said. According to Karahasan, Akinci replied
that “whichever change is made, it should ensure that the security of the
Turkish Cypriots will be assured by Turkey”.
Nuland
has reportedly insisted on the full withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops
from Cyprus and wondered whether a time table should be prepared for this. She
said that the Turkish military presence should be evaluated again in five or ten
years.
Akinci, however, alleged that Turkey’s military presence in Cyprus should
continue until Turkey joins the EU. Nuland replied that Turkey will not be
able to join the EU, that the presence of the army should not be correlated to
the Turkish-EU relations and that the US does not see positively the formula of
“security by the EU”.
On
his part, Akinci opposed to guarantees by the UN and the EU. He also rejected
Nuland’s suggestion that instead of the presence of the Turkish army, a
“contingency force” should be based on the island. He
argued that the Turkish Cypriot community needs Turkey’s guarantees,
reiterating the view that the system of guarantees could be agreed in a
conference with the participation of the guarantor powers.
According
to Karahasan, Nuland said that they could undertake the training of the
police officers who will participate in the federal police force and asked for
the names of these officers to be determined so that they are sent to Hungary
for training. Akinci was reportedly positive to this suggestion, but
President Anastasiades was not.
Karahasan
refers also to a statement allegedly made by the US Secretary of State,
John Kerry during a meeting with Turkish Cypriot “officials”. Kerry had
allegedly described as “submission and not a solution” an arrangement in which
“the Greek Cypriots will possess the majority in both sides of the island”.
(I/Ts.)
4.
Turkey and the occupation regime signed the “water protocol”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.05.16) under the front-page title: “The
water project was signed” reports that the so-called minister of
agriculture and natural resources, Nazim Cavusoglu and the Turkish Minister of
Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu, met yesterday in Istanbul and signed
the “water protocol” which envisages the administration of the water transferred
from Turkey, for a transitional period.
According
to the paper, the two “ministers”, after reaching to an agreement on the
“protocol”, invited to Istanbul the delegations of the State Water Affairs’
Department (DSI) and the “consultation council”, in order to discuss the last
shape and the details of the “protocol”.
The
so-called ministry of agriculture and natural resources said in a statement that
as soon the “municipalities” complete the works for the supply pipes and the
“subscription agreement” is signed, the water will be ready to be supplied to
the people.
(AK)
5.
The “economic protocol” between Turkey and the occupation regime will be
reportedly be signed within the next 48 hours
Under
the front-page title: “Last 48 hours for the signing of the protocol”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (20.05.16) reports that the
“economic and financial protocol” which was the main reason causing the
dissolution of the previous coalition “government” between the “Republican
Turkish Party-National Unity Party” (CTP-UBP), is expected to be signed within
the next 48 hours.
According
to the paper, even though the context of the “protocol” was not published, there
are allegations that the “protocol” envisages among others the privatization of
the so-called Turkish Cypriot electricity authorities, (“KIB-TEK”) and of the
telecommunications “authorities”.
The
paper adds that “El-Sen” and Tel-Sen” trade unions are expected to express their
reactions on the provisions of the “protocol”.
(AK)
6.
The “Turkish Cypriot farmers’ union” participated in the World Farmers'
Organization General Assembly in Zambia
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.05.16) reports that the “Turkish
Cypriot farmers’ union” participated in the World Farmers' Organization General
Assembly which took place in Zambia, between 4-7 of May.
The
paper notes that the chairman of the World Farmers' Organization Dr. Nguleka and
the general secretary of the organization Dr Marinis were invited to the
occupied area of Cyprus and said that they will visit the breakaway regime next
November.
The
Turkish Cypriot delegation has a right to vote at the General Assembly of the
World Farmers' Organization, writes Kibris Postasi.
(CS)
7.
Retirement age in the breakaway regime to be prolonged as the “economic
protocol” envisages
Under
the title “Pension at the grave”, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper
(20.05.16) publishes an interview by the chairman of DEV-IS trade union, Hasan
Felek, who commented on the economic protocol between Turkey and the breakaway
regime.
Felek
stated that the retirement age in the breakaway regime will be prolonged from
60-year old to 65 and said that this is not acceptable. He stated that the
retirement rights of the Turkish Cypriots are taken away from the workers’
hands.
He
also repeated that there is a need for establishing “courts for workers” in the
breakaway regime.
(CS)
8.
The occupied Galateia “municipality” became member of the international
Cittaslow organization
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.05.16) reports that the occupied
Galateia municipality became member of the international Cittaslow organization.
After
Agios Sergios and Lefka occupied municipalities, Galateia is the third
“municipality” to become a Cittaslow member.
Cittaslow
is a movement founded in Italy and inspired by the Slow Food organization.
Cittaslow's goals include improving the quality of life in towns by slowing down
its overall pace, especially in a city's use of spaces and the flow of life and
traffic through them.
(CS)
9.
Erdogan will appoint Yildirim as the new Prime Minister on
Sunday
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.05.16), Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has praised the consensus among Turkey's ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) members regarding the candidate to be their new
chairman.
Erdogan’s
remarks came during an interview aired lived on A Haber television network
Thursday night. "It appears that the AK Party is going to have one candidate at
the extraordinary congress [to be held on Sunday.] This shows a consensus of 81
to 82%”, Erdogan said, adding that the new Prime Minister “of our party” would
be known by Sunday evening. “I can say our party because I was the founding
chairman,” Erdogan said.
As
for the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Erdogan said he did not want to
delay the process following Ahmet Davutoglu’s resignation, "which I assume he
will submit the very same day". “My
plan is then to appoint the new Prime Minister right away and give him the
chance to form his cabinet as soon as possible,” he
added.
10.
Erdogan approved law on Turkey-EU readmission
deal
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 19.05.16), Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved a law on an agreement between Ankara and
Brussels on the readmission of people residing in the EU without
authorization.
Erdogan’s
approval of the law was announced by his press office late on May 18, along with
a note saying it was sent directly to the Prime Ministry to go into
force.
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