TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 166/16
01.09.2016
1. Statements by Cavusoglu and Akinci; Cavusoglu called for a
tripartite and quintet meeting on the Cyprus problem and asked for the current
opportunity not to be missed
2. Cavusoglu met with Ozgurgun
3. Cavusoglu inaugurates an “information infrastructure project” and
argues that “TRNC’s” “representation offices” abroad should
increase
4. Eide has reportedly told Akinci that “a possible failure in the
negotiations this time will be more than a usual
failure”
5. Akinci met with the British High
Commissioner
6. Denktas went to Ankara for high level
contacts
7. Turkish Cypriot trade unions express support to Akinci
8. “Is Ankara playing a double game?”
9. Efforts by the “ministry of economy” to strengthen tradesmen in
occupied Morfou area
10. Erdogan to brief G-20 leaders on coup attempt, anti-Gülen
fight
11. Cavusoglu discussed with Lavrov over the phone the ‘Euphrates
Shield’ operation
12. Turkish Interior Minister resigns; Labor Minister Soylu to
replace him
13. Turkey summoned the US envoy over remarks on Syria operation
14. Celik called German‘s EU Commissioner’ remarks “cultural
racism”
15. Former AKP lawmaker detained over Gülen
links
16. Survey revealed that nearly 80% of public believe that the US
will not extradite Gülen
17. “Religious affairs directorate” is organizing a visit to Hala
Sultan Tekke for Kurban Bayram
18. Illegal YDU organized a conference in
Vienna
1.Statements by Cavusoglu and Akinci; Cavusoglu called for a
tripartite and quintet meeting on the Cyprus problem and asked for the current
opportunity not to be missed
According to illegal Bayrak television (01.09.16) Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci met on Thursday with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut
Cavusoglu.
Akıncı and Cavusoglu held a joint press conference following a one
and a half hour meeting held at the so-called presidential palace.
Akıncı said that he was very pleased with the meeting and explained
that they found the opportunity to evaluate the course of the Cyprus
negotiations process.
“The goal is to hold a three-party meeting in New York and then hold
a Birkenstock model quintet meeting. Progress has been achieved so far but there
are still difficulties” said Akıncı, expressing the need for more progress to be
achieved in order to reach a positive outcome.
“We are in a historic process. The target is for a solution in 2016.
Turkey is also supporting this target. We should abstain from actions which will
prevent us from reaching this target. For example, the exploitation of natural
gas”, Akıncı also argued.
Urging the Greek Cypriot side to take steps without domestic
political considerations, Akinci added the following: “In this sense, we hope to
establish a bi-zonal federal state approved by the people and based on freedom,
equality, security and political equality. We are working for an agreement which
will receive a yes vote in a referendum”, Akinci said, supporting that security;
freedom and equality are very important for both “peoples” on the
island.
Underlining that peace and justice will only be reached if these
conditions were met; Akinci claimed that Turkey has been supporting the process
from the very beginning, something he added that had been reaffirmed during
their meeting.
Alleging that they have been working in a good will, Akinci expressed
hopes that the Greek Cypriot side will adopt the same
approach.
Cavusoglu for his part reminded that he also met with “prime
minister” Huseyin Ozgurgun, “deputy prime minister” Serdar Denktas and “foreign
minister” Tahsin Ertugruloglu before his meeting with
Akıncı.
“We are at a critical stage in the negotiations process. These
meetings are important. We expressed full support to the negotiations. We remain
committed to the 11 February 2014 framework”, Cavusoglu stated.
Pointing out that Ankara will continue to give the same support
during this critical stage, he underlined importance of exchanging views when
dealing with the tougher issues of security, guarantees and territory.
“We are working towards achieving a comprehensive peace and solution
on the island. We are ready to provide every support. We want a tripartite and a
quintet meeting to be held. We are saying that this opportunity should not be
missed this time”, Cavusoglu said, adding also that the process is not an easy
one.
Responding to a journalist’s question whether there was any issue in
the talks he was not informed about, Cavusoglu said: “There is a good dialogue
regarding the course of the negotiations. We are well informed about what is
going on. Negative statements made in South Cyprus are having negative effects
on Turkish Cypriots. We also discussed this issue with Greece. The concerns of
the Turkish Cypriots should be understood but what we are saying is that neither
side should have any security concerns. We also say that groundless statements
should not be made on the issue of guarantees.”
Responding to another question regarding the disagreements between
the “government” and Akinci, Cavusoglu stated that everyone should act
responsibly during this critical stage.
“There may be differing views but you need to talk, try to understand
each other and to convey these issues. Our wish is to carry on the process in
unity and solidarity both in Turkey and north Cyprus”, Cavusoglu added.
Morevoer, replying to another question, Akinci said that the minutes
of the meetings have always been delivered to the related
parties.
Stating that the “deputies” and other parties could acquire and
access the minutes, he reminded that the same method had been applied in the
past on the condition that these were not shared with the
press.
Reminding that there were rumors that there won’t be a referendum,
Akıncı said: “A sufficient time will be made given to people on both sides so
that everyone will know what they will be voting for. It is out of question not
to hold a referendum. There is an article on the 11 February document that the
agreement will be submitted to the approval of the people. Nothing is being
hidden from the public”.
2. Cavusoglu met with Ozgurgun
According to illegal Bayrak television (01.09.16), so-called prime
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun has underlined the importance of Turkey’s support in
the critical phase the Cyprus negotiations process is going through.
Ozgurgun was speaking during a meeting with Turkey’s Foreign Minister
Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is illegally in the “TRNC” for a series of “official
contacts”.
Cavusoglu expressed Turkey’s happiness for the support the “TRNC” and
the Turkish Cypriot “people” had shown to Turkish democracy and to the Turkish
people in the wake of the failed 15th of July coup attempt in Turkey.
Stating that the Turkish government was pleased with the steps taken
by the “TRNC government” in the struggle against the Fethullah Terror
Organisation (FETÖ), Cavuşoğlu said: “As in all other areas, we showed the world
our solidarity in the face of this terror attack. We greatly thank you for
this”.
Also, touching upon the relations with the “TRNC government” and the
Foreign Ministry, Cavusoglu said: “We are following the successful work carried
out by the government and are trying to do all we can to support you. We as the
foreign ministers of our countries are meeting frequently.”
Pointing out that efforts to solve the Cyprus problem had recently
picked up pace, Cavusoglu said that Turkey will be by the side of the Turkish
Cypriot “people” during this difficult process.
“We shall continue to do our part and to support a just and lasting
settlement” he said.
Ozgurgun for his part expressed the hope that cooperation between the
two “countries” will further deepen in the period ahead.
Referring to the steps taken by the “government” against the FETÖ
organization, Ozgurgun said that the steps had been taken to demonstrate that
the Turkish Cypriot “people” will in no way tolerate any attacks against
“motherland” Turkey.
On the Cyprus issue, Özgürgün said that close cooperation with Turkey
on the Cyprus problem is essential, particularly during this critical time.
“In that sense your presence is extremely important” he
said.
3. Cavusoglu inaugurates an “information infrastructure project”
and argues that “TRNC’s” “representation offices” abroad should
increase
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (01.09.16) reports
that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and self-styled foreign
minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu inaugurated yesterday an information
infrastructure project established at the breakaway regime’s “ministry of
foreign affairs”. The project includes safe correspondence in an electronic
environment within the “ministry” and with the “representations offices” abroad
as well as electronically archiving the documents, which had been in the
“ministry’s” archives since 1975.
In statements during the inauguration ceremony, Cavusoglu alleged
that thanks to the solidarity between Turkey and the “TRNC” [Translator’s note;
The breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] they could
carry their “Cyprus cause” until today, that this is the best example of their
solidarity and that this solidarity exists also between the “representation
offices” of the regime abroad and the Turkish embassies.
Cavusoglu said that they are working to increase the number of the regime’s
“representation offices” on the one hand and improve the working conditions of
the employees in these “offices” on the other. He noted that the lack of
personnel in the breakaway regime’s “representation offices” should be overcome
and added that they are holding contacts for overcoming this deficit and they
are cooperating for hiring 20 persons to cover these needs.
According to Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Ministry should also be
strengthened after the “Fethullah Gulen (FETO) incidents”. He noted that in
Turkey they have 65 million documents in digital form and they are happy for
sharing this experience with the “daughter land”, as he described the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Cavusoglu reiterated the allegation that Turkey will continue supporting the
breakaway regime for finding a lasting and just solution and claimed that
they will continue being one step ahead, like they had been during the Annan
Plan period. “It is one of our fundamental duties as motherland to protect
Turkish Cypriot people’s interests”, he argued.
In his statements Ertugruloglu said that the two “ministries” had
signed a “cooperation and operation protocol” in 1998, according to which
they cooperated in fields such as personnel education, exchange of personnel
etc. He noted that the regime has 24 “representation offices” abroad and it
will increase their number in the forthcoming period. Therefore, the fast,
continuous and reliable communication and sharing of information and documents
is very important, he argued. In this sense, he added, they signed a
“protocol” with Turkey in August 2015 for benefiting from Ankara’s experience in
the field of information.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eide has reportedly told Akinci that “a possible failure in the
negotiations this time will be more than a usual
failure”
Under the title “September panic”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris
Postasi newspaper (01.09.16) reports that Espen Barth Eide, UNSG’s
Special Adviser on Cyprus, has openly told Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci
that in case there is no result in the Cyprus negotiations in September, a “deep
disquiet” will be experienced. According to information obtained by
journalist Vatan Mehmet, during their meetings before the second round of the
negotiations, Eide said to Akinci that if we enter into October without
achieving the progress we hope to achieve, there will be a very bog delay.
Eide has reportedly drew attention to the fact that the only
opportunity for the US President Obama undertaking a role in the Cyprus
negotiations is the UN Summit which will be held in New York in September. He
also argued that “a possible failure will be more than a failure this time”
and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side’s views “coincide with the
understanding for a federation”.
Eide has especially drawn attention to the fact that Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at
the US Department of State, Victoria Nuland will stop having influence as
regards Cyprus as of the end of September. The paper writes that Nuland
“complained” of not being able to talk with Feridun Sinirlioglu, former
Undersecretary at the Turkish Foreign Ministry who has been appointed as
Turkey’s Permanent Representative at the UN. Eide said that “Sinirlioglu
is needed” and added that he hopes that Akinci would help for Nuland
establishing contact with Sinirlioglu. He further described as “positive
development’ the information that Sinirlioglu would be in Ankara until October.
The paper writes that Akinci met with Sinirlioglu at his hotel in
Istanbul during his recent visit to Turkey upon an invitation by President
Erdogan.
(I/Ts.)
5. Akinci met with the British High
Commissioner
According to illegal Bayrak television (01.09.16), Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci met today with the British High Commissioner, Mathew Kidd.
The latest developments on the Cyprus problem were discussed during
the meeting.
Akinci’s “advisor for political affairs and history”, Meltem Onurkan
Samani and his “private secretary” Cenk Curcag were also present at the meeting
which was closed to the press.
No statement was issued before or after the meeting.
6. Denktas went to Ankara for high level
contacts
According to illegal Bayrak television (01.09.16), “deputy prime
minister and the minister of finance” Serdar Denktas is in the Turkish capital,
Ankara for a series of contacts.
According to a statement released by the “ministry”, Denktas will
hold “high level contacts” in Ankara.
As part of his contacts, Denktas will be meeting with the Turkish
Finance Minister Naci Ağbal.
The “undersecretary” of the “ministry” Ahmet Havutcu and Denktas’
“private secretary Anıl Kaya are accompanying him during the
visit.
7. Turkish Cypriot trade unions express support to Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (01.09.16) reports that various trade
unions expressed their support towards the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci
and his efforts for the Cyprus negotiations.
KTOS (Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers Union) stated that the
parties of the coalition “government”, the National Unity Party and the
Democratic Party (DP) are against the solution and the unification of the island
and said that the organization fully supports Akinci at the negotiation
table.
KTOEOS (Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers Union) also
expressed its support to Akinci and noted that it will continue to offer to the
Turkish Cypriot leader any assistant needed. It also criticized the UBP and DP
for their recent attitude in a time that important developments are taking place
regarding the Cyprus talks.
DEV –IS Trade Union also criticized the two parties accusing them of
aiming to hurt the negotiations.
Finally, Turk-Sen stated that its support and trust towards Akinci is
full and noted that behaviors like UBP and DP towards the Turkish Cypriot leader
will not be tolerated.
CS)
8. “Is Ankara playing a double
game?”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi
newspaper (01.09.16) publishes a comment by journalist Levent Ozadam who
assesses the conflict between the self-styled government of the breakaway regime
in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader on
the Cyprus problem. Ozadam reports that he has been expecting the relations
between the “government” and Akinci to be deteriorated, but “not so fast”.
“The debates during a process in which the negotiations have been
intensified are meaningful”, he notes and adds, inter alia, the
following:
“[…] Very well, do they really not trust Akinci? If it was so,
they could say ‘we do not trust him’. However, by saying ‘we have been
excluded’, I think that they are giving a different message! Or they are
expressing the message of others. [The message] of Ankara government of
course! President Akinci’s visits to Ankara are known and his long lasting
meetings with President Erdogan. And afterwards the statements by which
absolutely no detail was given! [And] the implications that Turkey is in favor
of the solution. Is Turkey really in favor of a solution in Cyprus?
While encouraging Akinci, is it on the other hand trying to give other
messages to the government partners and determine a road map? Or more
openly, does Ankara not trust Akinci in the negotiating process? While
stating that he is carrying out a successful process, does it actually not
believe this? […]
Meanwhile, in almost all their statements Turkey’s officials say
that they support the solution! However, the TRNC government has suddenly
adopted an attitude that does not want a solution. In my view, the issue
of [having] a representative in the negotiating team is totally a pretext!
They have suddenly become defiant the day before yesterday. This defiance
escaped no one’s attention! If Turkey is really in favor of the solution in
Cyprus, is it possible for our government to be opposing to the solution?
No one can explain this to me! Is this a tactic by Ankara? Akinci is the good
policeman and the government the bad policeman!
The picture which exists in the country now is not pleasant at all.
The Turkish Cypriots are once more divided in two, like a watermelon. You will
see that very soon the debates and the tension will increase further. And what
is more, there is still no plan! […] Whatever the result is in such an
environment, it will be unhealthy! Ankara must announce its stance more
clearly to the Turkish Cypriot public opinion and abandon the logic of the good
policeman and bad policeman”.
(I/Ts.)
9. Efforts by the “ministry of economy” to strengthen tradesmen in
occupied Morfou area
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.09.16) reports that the
self-styled ministry of economy and energy signed “an assurance program
protocol” with the tradesmen and craftsmen of the occupied Morfou area.
Speaking during a meeting held for the event, self-styled minister of
economy and energy Sunat Atun, stated that strengthening the economy is one of
the main goals of his “ministry” and added that they give great importance to
occupied Morfou’s development.
He also said that they will introduce a new donation program for
small firms of the area on September 19 and added that they are trying to meet
the needs of the tradesmen of the occupied region. Atun went on adding that the
“government” is planning a special economic program for occupied Morfou for the
year 2017.
(CS)
10. Erdogan to brief G-20 leaders on coup attempt, anti-Gülen
fight
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.08.16) reported that the
Presidential Spokesman İbrahim Kalın told reporters at a press conference that
the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will use the upcoming G-20 Summit in
China as an opportunity to brief the world’s most powerful leaders on the failed
coup attempt on July 15 and the country’s ongoing fight against the Fethullahist
Terror Organization (FETÖ).
The G-20 Summit will be held in Guangzhou, China on September 3 and 4
with the participation of the world’s wealthiest nations, including the United
States, Russia, China and Japan.
Kalın said that Erdogan will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama,
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as EU President Jean Claude
Juncker.
Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President
Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will also hold a
quadripartite meeting to extensively discuss the Turkey-EU migrant deal, which
includes granting visa liberalization to Turkish nationals in return for the
implementation of the Readmission Agreement.
Erdogan’s briefing to world leaders will also include the ongoing
Syria unrest and the fight against global terror organizations, particularly the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Kalın said.
Upon a question, Kalın confirmed an Erdogan-Obama meeting and
underlined that the two leaders will also discuss Turkey’s request of the
extradition of Fethullah Gülen from the U.S. “This issue will surely be on the
agenda of our President’s meeting with Mr. Obama,” he said, recalling Erdogan’s
lengthy meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on the same issue on August
24.
Kalın underlined that a legal agreement between the two countries on
extradition requests also required the detention of sought individuals and
repeated Turkey’s demand for the immediate arrest of Gülen.
Kalın said that Gülen and his aides who staged the coup attempt
against Turkey were walking freely in the U.S., adding that “Showing tolerance
to them is unacceptable.”
Erdogan’s meeting with Putin will be a follow-up to the leaders’ last
talk in St. Petersburg on August 9, Kalın said, informing that the two leaders
will discuss the ongoing ties normalization process.
11. Cavusoglu discussed with Lavrov over the phone the ‘Euphrates
Shield’ operation
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.08.16) reported that Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the “Euphrates Shield” operation in Jarablus
with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on August 31, according to diplomatic
sources.
Cavusoglu informed Lavrov about “Euphrates Shield” during a phone
conversation and stressed that the cross border operation was ongoing in a
successful way, as Syrian opposition groups had made progress against the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The Ministers exchanged views on the recent developments on Syria,
discussing access to humanitarian aid in the region, ceasing clashes and
starting a political process, according to sources.
Lavrov and Cavusoglu also agreed to meet as soon as possible, sources
added.
12. Turkish Interior Minister resigns; Labor Minister Soylu to
replace him
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.08.16) reported that Prime
Minister Binali Yıldırım announced on August 31 that the Turkish Interior
Minister Efkan Ala has resigned.
Yildirim announced Ala’s resignation after Ala held an unscheduled
meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu has replaced him”, Yıldırım said.
The shift came at a time when the government is carrying out a big
campaign against the followers of Fethullah Gülen after the July 15 coup attempt
as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has escalated its attacks.
New Interior Minister Soylu joined the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) in 2012 and served as a party Deputy leader before entering the
cabinet.
Former Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoğlu has replaced Soylu's seat.
13. Turkey summoned the US envoy over remarks on Syria operation
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.08.16) Turkey has
summoned the United States’ Ambassador to Ankara, John Bass, to express the
government’s disturbance over statements issued by Washington that suggested a
loose agreement had been reached between Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish
Democratic Union Party (PYD) group.
“It has been underlined that such statements are by no means
acceptable and that they do not comply with the alliance relationship,” read a
statement issued by Tanju Bilgic, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, late on
August 30.
Bilgic’s statement came after Ash Carter, the U.S. Secretary of
Defense; Brett McGurk, the U.S. Special Envoy on the fight against the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); and Spokespersons from the Department of
Defense and the White House each urged Turkey to stop clashing with the PYD.
Turkey’s concerns over such remarks were dispatched to Bass by
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ferdiun Sinirlioglu on Aug. 30.
“The objectives of the Euphrates Shield Operations are known,” Bilgic
said, adding that Turkey would continue until all “terror groups” are pushed
away from the Turkish border so that they will not be able to “pose a threat to
Turkish citizens.”
Bilgiç also reiterated Turkey’s expectation that the U.S. would keep
its word that PYD forces would be withdrawn to the east of the
Euphrates.
14. Celik called German‘s EU Commissioner’ remarks “cultural
racism”
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (01.09.16) reports that Turkey’s
EU Minister Omer Celik has said that the comments by Germany’s European
Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, in which he said that Turkey would probably not
join the EU while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in the Presidency, showed
“cultural racism.”
Celik was referring to remarks by EU Commissioner for Digital Economy
and Society Guenther Oettinger, who said that Turkey’s EU membership “would be
an issue after Erdogan,” and Turkey would not be able to join the Union in the
upcoming decade.
Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, Celik also criticized
statements from the EU High Representative Federica
Mogherini.
He also criticized EU Commissioner on Enlargement Johannes Hahn for
his recent remarks that Ankara would not give up 2.7 million euro earmarked to
support refugee projects. Hahn said: “Turkey needs this money”. “Turkey does
not need that money. Turkey is not a country that can be purchased. Speaking in
this way, Hahn should be aware that his statements sabotage this process which
has appeared as an acquisition between the EU and Turkey”, Celik said.
He also refuted allegations that there had been a cease-fire
agreement between Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party
(PYD).
“We do not accept in any circumstances... a ‘compromise or a
cease-fire reached between Turkey and Kurdish elements,’” Çelik said. “The
Turkish Republic is a sovereign, legitimate state,” he added, stressing that one
could not draw equalization between a ‘terrorist organization’ and Turkey as if
there was a consensus between them.
Elaborating on Oettinger’s remarks, Kalın said that the EU officials
should first asses their attitude after the failed coup attempt, instead of
“giving lessons on democracy and human rights.”
EU officials “should look at where they have been standing,”
regarding the struggle against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO),
he noted.
He reiterated that Turkey’s EU membership will remain a strategic
target of Ankara.
“These kinds of speculations on Erdoğan” would not benefit the EU, he
also said, stressing that Turkey is the “key country” that would maintain
security in the region.
“What would the EU do if the coup attempt had succeeded and the state
institutions of Turkey had collapsed?” he asked.
“Whether they like Erdogan or not, everybody who defends democracy,
human rights and freedom owes a debt of gratitude to Erdogan,” he added.
15. Former AKP lawmaker detained over Gülen
links
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.08.16) reported that a former
lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been detained
over suspected links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which
was believed to have orchestrated the July 15 failed coup attempt.
Lawyer İdris Sahin, a former AKP Deputy from the Central Anatolian
province of Çankırı and Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Commission, was
detained in an operation launched by the Çankırı police’s counter-smuggling and
organized crime department.
Searches were carried out in Şahin’s house and
office.
16. Survey revealed that nearly 80% of public believe that the US
will not extradite Gülen
Turkish daily Sabah (31.08.16-online in English) reported that
Denge Research Company’s survey demonstrated that Turkish society thinks the
U.S. is insincere and does not believe that the administration in Washington
will extradite Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) leader Fetullah Gülen to
Turkey.
A recent poll published on Wednesday indicates that a majority of
Turkish people thinks that the U.S. and the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) is
behind the July 15 failed coup attempt.
According to a poll conducted by the Denge Research Company in 26
city centers using the one-to-one method regarding the July 15 coup attempt,
78.7% of participants responded negatively to the question, "Do you think that
the U.S. will extradite FETÖ ringleader Fethullah Gülen," while 16.8% said that
they think the U.S. will return him to Turkey.
The poll also revealed that 39.5% of those polled believe that the
primary objective of the coup attempt was to overthrow the administration and
the government, with 20.3% indicating that they believe the prime goal of the
coup attempt was to divide the country and 12.5% indicated that they believe the
goal was to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Another 11.9% of
participants believe the coup attempt aimed to start a civil war in Turkey,
whereas, 8.8% believe the coup plotters wanted to destroy the country and the
Turkish state.
A staggering 96.1% of participants indicate their support for the
anti-FETÖ operations currently underway, while 45.9% of citizens said that they
consider the coup attempt to be "a traitorous act," while 4.4% called it
"dishonorable." Another 15.9% of participants said that the coup was "aimed at
democracy," while 11.9 % said that it was "an operation targeting the
President."
(…)
During the coup attempt, 54.65 of citizens went out onto streets
according to the poll, with 95.9%stating that the call made by President Erdogan
was the most important factor in their ability to stand against the coup
plotters. Of all participants, 94.8% said that the live broadcasts during
the coup gave them courage to resist, while 86.6% said that prayers announced
from mosques that night were the motivation behind their
resistance.
Responding to the question, "Which parties do you think
effectively responded to the coup attempt on the night of July 15?" 88.3%
indicated the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), while 85.5%
indicated the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and 62.6% pointed to the
Republican People's Party (CHP). Another 72.7% of participants stated that
they consider the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) to have been very insufficient
during the coup attempt. Of those polled, 86.1% indicated that they consider
the reactions given by the media to be adequate, while 82% of participants
indicated that the responses of politicians and political corporations were
adequate and 72.4% indicated NGOs followed by 54.1% for the judiciary, 52.7% for
businessman, 50.7% for celebrities and 45.5% for
academicians.
The majority of participants expressed their support for the state of
emergency announced after July 15 with 73.4%, while 53.7% of those surveyed
indicated that they want the unity and solidarity shown between political
parties in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt to continue. (…)
Also, responses to the question: "Which party would you vote for if
an election were being held today?" were spread out among Turkey's four biggest
political parties; namely, the AK Party, the CHP, the MHP and the HDP, with
51.5%, 25.6%, 13.3% and 8.1 % respectively.
17. “Religious affairs directorate” is organizing a visit to Hala
Sultan Tekke for Kurban Bayram
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (01.09.16) reports that the
“religious affairs directorate” is organizing a visit to Hala Sultan Tekke on
September 15, which is the last day of the celebration of Kurban Bayram (Feast
of Sacrifice).
According to an announcement made by the “directorate”, Turkish
origin inhabitants (settlers) can also apply for participating in the visit.
(CS)
18. Illegal YDU organized a conference in
Vienna
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.09.16) reports that the
organization committee of the illegal Near East University (YDU) organized the
“ICAFS 2016: International Conference on Application of Fuzzy Systems and Soft
Computers”, in Vienna, Austria.
According to the paper, around 100 scientists from the following
countries participated in the conference: Japan, USA, Germany, Russia, Poland,
Turkey, UK, Austria, Azerbaijan, Canada, Italy, Czech Republic, France, China,
Romania and Uzbekistan.
(CS)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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