Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-07-24

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Comments by Turkish Cypriot politicians and businessmen on the results of the parliamentary elections in Turkey

[02] The developments after the election results in Turkey

[03] How the new Turkish President and the Speaker of the Parliament will be elected

[04] Avci meets with European students and businessmen

[05] The reactions against the drawing of lines for taking electricity from occupied Rizokarpasso village to the Apostolos Andreas Cape continue

[06] The Central Bank of the breakaway regime announces positive results

[07] Senior judge says that 350 out of the 400 convicted persons in the prisons of the breakaway regime are foreigners

[08] The chairman of the Handball Federation accuses the Handball Federation of Turkey of applying embargo against the Turkish Cypriots

[09] The so-called Turkish Cypriot Tennis Federation will be represented in a tournament in Russia

[10] Ahmet Ozcag gave himself up to the police

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] Columnist in YENI SAFAK assesses the importance of the election results in Turkey

[12] From the Turkish Press of 23 July 2007. The aftermath of the general elections

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Comments by Turkish Cypriot politicians and businessmen on the results of the parliamentary elections in Turkey

The paper notes that the leader of the UBP, Tahsin Ertugruloglu has not lost hope and thinks that another election could take place in Turkey. Reminding that the parliament will have to elect the new President of the Republic, Mr Ertugruloglu said: A parliament which cannot elect the President of the Republic will bring onto the agenda a new election.

Mr Ertugruloglu argued that the policy of the CTP until today depended on the 22 July elections in Turkey and added that the CTP plans to overcome its difficulties together with the AKP.

AFRIKA notes that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) said that the two big parties, the CTP and the UBP, waited for the results in Turkey. Now we will see what they will do and how they will act, he added.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (24.07.07) reports that Mr Ertuguloglu said that the results of the elections in Turkey are not a development which eliminates the need for early elections in the occupied areas of Cyprus and added that the CTP should not wait in vain.

YENIDUZEN reports also that the chairman of the CTP, Ferdi Sabit Soyer said on the issue: Commenting on a formation or a preference in Turkey by saying that another preference will be developed or will not be developed in Cyprus, harms the cause of the equality of the Turkish Cypriot people and brings great problems to the policy which the Turkish Cypriot people follow on these lands together with Turkey.

Mr Soyer expressed the belief that the results will contribute to peace in the region, in Europe and the world.

The paper reports also that the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) commented on the results of the elections in Turkey and argued that the policies followed until today will continue the same. There is no serious change regarding the Cyprus problem in this situation, it noted adding that the Cyprus policy will continue.

The paper publishes statements made by the Turkish Cypriot politicians and businessmen regarding the same issue. The MP of the CTP Mr Yorgancioglu argued that the results show that people support the EU accession process and the pro-solution policy of the AKP in the Cyprus problem.

The MP of the UBP Mr Tacoy said that the results will influence positively Turkeys progress in Europe and the developments in the Cyprus problem.

The secretary of the executive committee of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), Murat Kanatli pointed out that the policies of the AKP regarding the Cyprus problem depend completely on the performance of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP).

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Erdil Nami, said that the security and stability were the winners in the elections in Turkey and noted that the stability in the Turkish economy will be reflected in the economy in the occupied areas of Cyprus as well.

The vice president of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, Mr Sonmezler, said that these results were expected and that people voted in favour of the EU vision and the stability of the foreign exchange rate.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily STAR KIBRIS newspaper (24.07.07) reports that the chairman of the Freedom and Reform party (ORP) and self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Turgay Avci commenting the results of the Turkish elections said: A strong TRNC can exist thanks to our strong motherland. A Turkey with a stable government will give us power both inside and outside the country.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (24.07.07) refers to the first statements of Prime Minister Erdogan after the victory of his party and argues that it seems that Prime Minister Erdogan received the necessary messages from the great support that the Turkish people gave to the MHP in the elections and in his first statements committed himself to one nation, one flag, one country and one state.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (24.07.07) publishes a mini gallop regarding the election results in Turkey. The Turkish Cypriots who participated in the gallop were asked to express their views about the developments. According to the paper, the victory of the AKP caused satisfaction within the Turkish Cypriots, who believe that the results are not surprising. They said that the AKP won the elections because it secured economic stability in Turkey and its actions give a feeling of security.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The developments after the election results in Turkey

HURRIYET reports in its first page that the chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Tayyip Erdogan met yesterday with the Turkish President Ahmet Sezer to whom he tendered the resignation of his government. The paper writes that Erdogan stated that he had put aside everything said during the election campaign between him and the leaders of the opposition parties. He also stated that he called the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal with whom he will be meeting during the coming days and discuss the future steps that will be taken after the new Assembly will be formed. He will also speak with the leader of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli.

The paper further writes that the new Assembly will convey on the 3rd of August and elect the new speaker of the parliament. It will be a test as regards the forthcoming presidential elections. The paper recalling behind the scene information from the AKP, writes that the partys most powerful candidate for this position is Abdullah Gull. According to the same sources, the Turkish Prime Minister will not ask Gul to withdraw his candidacy, unless Gul himself asks for it.

HURRIYET also reports that the road to justice had opened for the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Mehmet Agar, after his party failed to secure the 10% threshold. Mr Agar, whose parliamentary immunity is no more in effect because he has not being elected as deputy in the Assembly, he is facing charges for the Susurluk scandal. Agar may be imprisoned up to 15 years, writes the paper.

HURRIYET also reports in its first page that the chairman of the CHP, Deniz Baykal has no intention to resign from his post as chairman. In the face of criticism that he had collapsed, Baykal said: Not me but the centre-right has collapsed. Mr Baykal stated that the strength of his party and MHP has increased. He also said that the examples of Tansu Ciller and Mesut Yilmaz, who have resigned and their parties disappeared. In addition, Baykal stated that the 9th President of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel, called him and asked him not to resign from his post.

HURRIYET also reports that the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) executives, commenting on the elections stated that new duties and responsibilities are upon the new Parliament. TUSIADs executives, who issued a written statement, also called on the parties to compromise on the issue of the presidential elections.

HURRIYET writes that Olli Rehn, the EU Commissioner Responsible for the Enlargement, congratulated the AKP for its victory in the Turkish elections. In addition Mr Rehn called on the AKP to continue the EU reforms and to work towards the solution of the Cyprus problem. Mr Rehn asked the opening of the Turkish ports and airports to the ships and airplanes of the Republic of Cyprus. Mr Rehn, reminding that this issue slows down Turkeys negotiation with the EU also stated that it is very important that the new Turkish government start with determination reforms in economy and in legislation.

MILLIYET writes that after the resignation of Mehmet Agar and other officials from the DP leadership, the party is looking for new leaders. The eyes are turned onto Mesut Yilmaz, who was elected as an independent candidate in the new parliament and to Tansu Ciller for the leadership of the DP, writes the paper.

SABAH writes that 13 persons, who are members of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), and who participated in the elections in the list of CHP succeeded in being elected deputies. The two parties had formed a collation for the elections. The paper writes that the members of the DSP will leave the CHP parliamentary group after the elections for the assemblys speaker.

On the same issue, TODAYS ZAMAN reports the following:

The DSP had been planning to secede from the CHP in order to establish their own parliamentary group irrespective of whether the CHP assumed power or not. The grave election defeat will only work to accelerate this process. The DSP had stated that they would hold an extraordinary party congress on Aug. 19 to determine the duration of their alliance with the CHP, and now it seems very unlikely that the DSP will maintain their cooperation with the CHP. Baykal had promised to appoint two DSP deputies as ministers when his party assumed power, but now it is impossible for Baykal to keep his word to prevent the DSPs secession. The DSP does not want to be involved in reactions and plots against Baykal and will therefore choose to part ways with the CHP, some political commentators argue. This may make the DSP very attractive for the CHP deputies who may resign during this process. In the congress scheduled for August, no rival is expected to challenge DSP leader Zeki Sezer. Still the low number of votes received by the Turkish left in spite of the election alliance between the CHP and the DSP might not bode well for the DSP. If the CHP is not in power, it will be meaningless for us to be with them. Now this is what we get. The DSP should immediately abandon this alliance. In this process, Mr. Sezers star will shine as the conciliatory behaviour he displayed during the recent alliance negotiations between the DSP and the CHP will make the DSP a honey pot for Turkish leftists, says Necati Albay, a member of the DSP executive board.

(CS)

[03] How the new Turkish President and the Speaker of the Parliament will be elected

Five days after the announcement a week from now of the final election results by the High Election Council (YSK), the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) will convene. Thereafter, there are three important agenda items on the TBMM's agenda.

The High Election Council will announce the final results of the 22 July 2007 general parliamentary election within a week at the latest.

On the fifth day following the announcement of the final results, the TBMM will meet.

The eldest of the parliamentary deputies will preside over the General Assembly as "Temporary Speaker", and the parliamentarians will come to the podium and take their oaths.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, the election of the TBMM Speaker will begin within ten days at the latest. The election of the TBMM Speaker and the TBMM Speaker's Council is expected to be completed in the middle of August.

Following the formation of the Speaker's Council, there are two "time-sensitive" and "obligatory" items on the agenda of the TBMM.

The new President will be elected within 30 days.

Simultaneously, the process of forming the government will begin to take place. The new government needs to be established and to receive a vote of confidence within 45 days.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, whose term in office is ending, will appoint the new government.

According to the established procedures, the task of forming a government is given to the leader of the party that has emerged first in the election and has the most seats in the TBMM. It is expected that Sezer, conforming to the established procedures, will give the task of forming the 60th government to Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The President, however, also has the authority to depart from established procedures.

On the same issue, Turkish daily TODAYS ZAMAN newspaper (24.07.07) reports the following:

It is expected that Parliament, due to convene at the beginning of August, will start their 23rd term once the Supreme Election Board (YSK) formally announces the final results of the July 22 general election, and after they elect their new parliamentary speaker.

The decision of the Constitutional Court to not make the 367 quorum a prerequisite for the election of the parliament speaker excludes the possibility of their being a similar crisis in the election of the speaker of the Parliament. The presidential election is going to become the most important topic of discussion during the second week of August.

After electing the speaker and establishing parliamentary organs, Parliaments first job is going to be the presidential election issue. Noting that there is possibility of accord on this issue, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) officials say, 'If we get positive results from talks with other parties, the present referendum calendar will be rescheduled for earlier, and then the election of the president by public vote will take place.'

If accord among the parties is not reached, after electing the parliamentary speaker, the start of the second week in August will see the presidential candidate determination process as the prime focus in Parliament. It is assumed that, in efforts to get through this process without any crises, the AK Party will nominate a candidate that will also suit the opposition parties. The attitude of the opposition parties will be one of the basic determining factors in this process. It is expected that the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) -- whose numbers will fall to 98 after the Democratic Left Partys (DSP) departure -- together with the Nationalist Movement Partys (MHP) 71 deputies will not be able to repeat the April 27 experience, i.e., they do not have enough deputies between them to collectively boycott the vote. In addition, the entrance into the assembly of the deputies of the DSP, Democratic Society Party (DTP) and the independent candidates are enough to all but guaranty that the 367 quorum crisis in the presidential elections doesnt happen again.

Noting that with the arithmetic of the new Parliament the next presidential elections will now pass without crisis, the executive vice president of the AK Party parliamentary group, Salih Kapusuz, said the agenda would be achieved through broad-based accord.

Noting that the agenda of the referendum regarding the presidential election process is now up and running, the previous chairman of the Constitutional Commission and the AK Party s deputy for Ankara, Ahmet 0yimaya, said: 'Legally, Parliament is not obliged to elect the president primarily. If they wish they could implement the referendum process. However, if they choose to elect the president, they can also make arrangements related to the referendum.'

Pointing out that they dont expect any crisis, Constitutional Commission Chairman Burhan Kuzu said that just as a referendum could be taken forward by Parliaments decision, the calendar of presidential elections could also begin.

The probable upcoming parliamentary agenda looks like this:

July 22-26: Supreme Election Board (YSK) will announce the final official results.

July 26-30: Deputies will receive their mazbata, a certificate confirming their election.

July 30-31: Parliament Counseling Board established between parties will meet and determine the date of the deputies oath-taking ceremony.

July 31-Aug. 2: Parliament will gather under the chair of the eldest member of Parliament and be sworn in.

Aug. 1-5: Parliament will elect the chairman and establish the parliamentary organs.

[04] Avci meets with European students and businessmen

In his statements Avci said that the fact that the European students are learning about the Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC is very important. He described the illegal universities in the occupied areas as the window of the TRNC to the world and reiterated the Turkish allegation about the isolations and the embargo on the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The reactions against the drawing of lines for taking electricity from occupied Rizokarpasso village to the Apostolos Andreas Cape continue

Within the framework of the same action plan they will place a black wreath on 26 July in front of the building of the prime ministry, the ministries of the internal affairs and environment and the office of the EU in the occupied areas of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The Central Bank of the breakaway regime announces positive results

In the introduction of the bulletin of the Central Bank, Mr Tugay pointed out that the number of the foreigners who come to the occupied areas of the island increased.

According to the data in the bulletin, no change is expected in the growth of the GDP for 2007. The target is the increase of the domestic demand by 6.3%. The inflation rate was 3.5 % in the period January March 2007.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Senior judge says that 350 out of the 400 convicted persons in the prisons of the breakaway regime are foreigners

(I/Ts.)

[08] The chairman of the Handball Federation accuses the Handball Federation of Turkey of applying embargo against the Turkish Cypriots

Mr Hoca replied at a press conference to the allegations by the former chairman of the federation, Zafer Can and the chairman of the Handball Federation of Turkey, Tarik Cengiz. Mr Hoca called on Mr Cengiz to prove what he had said and added that in case he could not prove it, they will file a lawsuit against him.

He noted that the cooperation with the Handball Federation of Turkey stopped since they came on duty. The relations do not go on because someone came or some left duty, he said and noted that this stance of the Handball Federation of Turkey could not mean anything else than putting an embargo to the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (24.07.07) covers the issue under the title In the Turkish language this is called embargo.

(I/Ts.)

[09] The so-called Turkish Cypriot Tennis Federation will be represented in a tournament in Russia

(I/Ts.)

[10] Ahmet Ozcag gave himself up to the police

(I/Ts.)

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] Columnist in YENI SAFAK assesses the importance of the election results in Turkey

Even the members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) had not been expecting to do this well! It was going to do well, and the opinion surveys showed the percentages as going extremely high, but there was still a calm waiting. The response that the nation gave to all the pre-election polarization, the crisis scenarios, the politics of tension, and the "memoranda" was true defiance!

It was not an election, but a referendum, and the nation spoke.

A referendum on what? A referendum on how and by whom the President will be elected, on democracy, on freedom, on being against memoranda, on theses based on conflict, on Ankara's views of Turkey and the world, and on the domination of institutions!

This result was not merely a reaction. It was an indication of a deep fracturing, of questioning, of holding people accountable, and of seeking a new Turkey.

It was a stance that entailed not merely the preference for a government by a single party, and economic expectations, but also expectations, longing, and pressure for political change. A clear and plain warning!

Ideological conflict and division into camps were rejected. Those who had counted on coming to power in the name of the regime, in the name of Kemalism, and in the name of secularism, were unable to find support. The era of simply scooping up power and rule with rhetoric of this sort has ended.

Those who held in their hands the 'rule of the state' lost at the ballot boxes, and lost in the minds and the consciences of the nation as well.

The effort to seek a solution outside of democracy met a very serious reaction. The political rhetoric that was promoted based on memoranda, on national security, and on territorial integrity was not shared by the people.

It has been seen yet once again that, apart from the hundreds of thousands who gathered in Tandogan Square [Ankara] and in Izmir, there is another, silent Turkey, and that this Turkey is what determines things.

The nation paid no attention to the squabbles in Ankara, nor to the scenarios of fear.

We saw a Turkey that does not want ethnic conflict, that does not want a regime crisis, that wants economic prosperity, that favors compromise instead of conflict, and that maintains its courage in the face of external threats.

The AKP won a great victory. But there are perhaps two other indicators that are just as important as this victory, such that Turkey's future will be very much impacted by these two results. These are the failure of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the disaster suffered by the Democratic Society Party independents (DTP).

The one represents state nationalism, and the other Kurdish nationalism. And both lost. The CHP was in any event finished in the Southeast. One goal of the domestic political polarization that took place was to increase the CHP's votes. But this did not occur.

Now it is experiencing disappointment throughout Turkey. The line of "the CHP despite [Chairman Deniz] Baykal" did not have sufficient influence.

The rise of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) is noteworthy. But still, it had been assumed that this same environment would have increased the MHP's votes even more. Even if the CHP is the second party, the opposition to the AKP will be waged in large measure via the MHP.

Despite the speeches by [Kurdish activists] Leyla Zana and Hatip Dicle that sought to provoke ethnic conflict just prior to the election, the independents of the DTP suffered a rout. The people living in the Southeast did not surrender to these policies that incite conflict. Why were the independents unable to garner the number of votes they had been expecting, and why is the AKP so strong in the Southeast? Why did the DTP lose votes to the AKP? This is an important question, and needs to be very carefully considered.

Those who engage in politics on the basis of ethnic nationalism are going to be obliged to question the reasons for this disaster. Because the same stance prevails in every region of Turkey: rejection of separation and conflict.

These results are going to initiate an irreversible process in Turkey's political structure. The language of politics is going to change. As will the course of the debates. Those who had counted on a post-election crisis must, in the face of these results, think once again. Because this was a civil democratic revolution!

[12] From the Turkish Press of 23 July 2007. The aftermath of the general elections

MILLIYET publishes an article by columnist Taha Akyol who argues that the main problem in Turkey is the absence of a social democrat party commanding strong popular support in the left.

Also, Hasan Cemal in MILLIYET ascribes around 14 percentage points increase in the number of votes received by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to the fact that "undemocratic interventions in politics, midnight ultimatums given by the military, and attempts to use law for political purposes have backfired."

On the same issue, HURRIYET newspaper columnist Tufan Turenc says: "It seems that the statement issued by the military and the aborted presidential election caused voters to sympathize with the AKP."

Furthermore, REFERANS columnist Cengiz Candar says: "We cannot consider the election held on 22 July independently of the military's intervention on 27 April and 'pro-Republic rallies' organized in April and May and encouraged social polarization. The outcome of the general election is the Turkish public's 'democratic and civil ultimatum' in response to the 'e-ultimatum' given on 27 April. It meant that polarization has been rejected by the Turkish public."

VATAN columnist Rusen Cakir attributes the AKP's landslide election victory to the military's ultimatum on 27 April which, he notes, enabled the public to describe it as a "champion of democracy" although it did not actually deserve it while a propaganda campaign that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was prevented from being elected as president because he was a religious person influenced voters especially in the eastern part of the country.

An analysis published in MILLIYET probes the question of whether the AKP will seek a compromise with the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) regarding the presidential elections, and whether it will ask for the support of the independents who are affiliated with the DTP. Before the elections, the article recalls, Erdogan had posited the "rejection of the PKK terrorist organization" as a precondition for talking to the DTP. On the same issue, the columnist Semih Idiz points out that the voters declined to give a blank check to the AKP so that it could amend the Constitution alone and predicts that internal rifts will soon surface within the CHP.

Furthermore, a report in MILLIYET states that following the publication of the election results, Republican Peoples Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal withdrew to his house, while some party members called for his resignation in front of the party headquarters. According to the report, following the clear outcome of the elections, 13 members of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) who were elected under the CHP ticket, met with DSP leader Zeki Sezer and conducted a situation assessment. On the same issue, Mansur Celik in MILLIYET remarks that this is the fourth election "defeat" of the CHP with Baykal at its helm.

HURRIYET columnist Erdal Saglam cautions that intensive political debates will be inevitable over the short term because the AKP could not win enough seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly to amend the Constitution and he assesses that AKP will need to crown this election victory with a compromise. The only risk in the current political situation is an early election which could be called if a compromise cannot be reached about presidential election, he writes.

YENI SAFAK columnist Yasin Aktay argues that the results of the 22 July election amount to a "clear message" that "all the baddies in the presidential election process have been punished" and that "practically the absolute majority of the people have approved the AKP's authority to elect the new president." Aktay also claims that the way to avoid a new crisis over the issue of presidency would be to arrange for the next president to be elected through secret ballot by two thirds of Parliament rather than through consensus among party leaders.

An article by the VAKIT columnist A. Ihsan Karahasanoglu predicts that the mainstream media will soon start running headlines saying that the military is worried and uneasy about the AKP's election victory, adding that since the election results mean that "the people are not afraid of anyone any more," the Erdogan government should not be influenced by such news reports to try to accommodate the Establishment and should make sure "everybody does their own business." He also advises the AKP to call on the MHP to support Abdullah's Gul's candidacy for president and to hold a new parliamentary election if the MHP objects to Gul's nomination, adding that the MHP would not be able to pass the threshold again as a party opposed to the election of a "pious president."

Also VAKIT columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that the presence of MHP and Kurdish independent deputies in Parliament could escalate the ongoing political tensions and that there are major risks resulting from the new composition of Parliament that the current political landscape will not serve to alleviate.

ZAMAN Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli discusses the "messages" conveyed by the election results to the AKP, the CHP, the MHP, and the Democratic Party (DP). He argues that in allowing a third party, the MHP, to enter Parliament, the electorate has advised the AKP to adopt a "more participatory and accommodating" line, adding that the onus is on the Erdogan government now to manage the presidential election process more constructively.

TODAYS ZAMAN columnist Ihsan Dagi hails the election as a 'yes' to democratic reforms, a 'yes' to a market economy and open society ... a 'yes' to the EU membership process and opening up to the world ... as a 'no' to inward-looking radical nationalists ... attempts by non-political forces ... to design the political realm, and ... rule by fear."

Omer Taspinar also in TODAYS ZAMAN asserts that "yesterday's election shows that Turkey is not facing Islamization but another kind of discontent: a growing 'nationalist' frustration with the United States and Europe."

Finally, MILLI GAZETE columnist Ekrem Kiziltas predicts a "troubled period" in the event of an election result that means a second term in power for the AKP. He asserts that in that case, the current situation in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan will probably worsen because the "voice of objection" expected from Turkey by the Islamic world and "all oppressed nations" will have failed to come, adding that expectations for the betterment of the human rights situation in Turkey will have to be similarly put on hold if the AKP is allowed to continue in power

ES/

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