Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-03-23

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A delegation of the AKP youth organization spends four days in occupied Cyprus and meets only with UBP officials

[02] Talat might withdraw his candidature

[03] ORP high ranking officials express support Eroglu and want unity among the right-wing parties

[04] The candidates for the so-called presidential elections were finalized

[05] Statements by Serdar Denktas over the decision of DP to support Dervis Eroglus candidature

[06] UBP accuses Talat of seeking for a joint statement at the last meeting of the Cyprus talks before the illegal elections

[07] Eroglu welcomes the statements of Davutoglu that the Cyprus talks will continue whoever wins the elections

[08] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the first visit of Archbishop Chrysostomos II to occupied monastery of Apostle Andreas

[09] Cavusoglu is visiting Ankara

[10] Talat met with the Turkish Ambassador to Madagascar

[11] World Association of Press Councils executive committee to convene in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[12] Turkish government seeks compromise to reform constitution

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish Press on 22 March 2010

[14] Columnist in Radikal examines the policy of the Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A delegation of the AKP youth organization spends four days in occupied Cyprus and meets only with UBP officials

However, a high ranking delegation of the AKP youth organization, which spent its weekend in the TRNC, caused confusion by meeting only with UBP officials, writes the paper adding that eight officials from the AKP youth organization came to the occupied areas of Cyprus on Friday, spent four days with officials of the National Unity Party (UBP) youth organization and attended a lunch given by the UBP chairman and candidate for the illegal elections, Mr Dervis Eroglu.

The paper notes that the AKP delegation participated also in the feast for the elections organized by Dervis Eroglu the night before yesterday. According to Haberdar, the young officials of the AKP worked together with UBP officials during their stay in the occupied areas and exchanged views with them on the position of the young people in politics and the working systems during the elections. The AKP delegation met with no other official in the occupied areas.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat might withdraw his candidature

Citing information acquired from reliable sources, the paper writes that after his visit to some villages in occupied Keryneia area the day before yesterday, Mr Talat held an evaluation meeting with CTP officials at his summer house in Livera village. According to Volkan, a diplomat from the US embassy to Lefkosia participated in the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Talat reportedly said that after the decision of DP, MAP and HIS to support Mr Eroglu he has no chance to win the illegal elections and added that he prefers to withdraw his candidature instead of suffering a heavy defeat.

Furthermore, Volkan cites information according to which in the meantime Mrs Oya Talat has started to gather her personal belongings from the presidential palace and to move into Talats family house in occupied Keryneia.

(I/Ts.)

[03] ORP high ranking officials express support Eroglu and want unity among the right-wing parties

In statements to Kibris, Kenan Akin, candidate with the ORP during the last parliamentarian elections, said that he will support Dervis Eroglu. I became candidate with the ORP, but now I am relaxed. The decision of Mr Avci does not concern me, my decision is clear, I am voting Eroglu.

Moreover, in statements to the same newspaper, Okyay Sadikoglu, vice president of the ORP, said he does not consider appropriate to express his view before the decision of the party, but added that he has always been supporting the unity of the right-wing parties.

The paper writes that while expressing the worries of the group of the Our Party within the ORP, Mr Sadikoglu complained about Mr Avci noting that he should have been in closer contact with them, but unfortunately he does not make these contacts on every issue.

Mr Sadikoglu said that Mr Avci had suggested for them to wait to see the results of a public opinion poll carried out by Turkey before taking their decision for the elections and added that he did not meet with Mr Avci since last week.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Gokmen, vice president of the ORP and MP in occupied Trikomo area, said that the party will most probably take its decision for the elections on Wednesday.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The candidates for the so-called presidential elections were finalized

«The High Electoral Council has announced the list of confirmed candidates who are to compete in the Presidential Elections to be held on the 18th of April. Seven candidates are to run for the Presidency.

Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu from the National Unity Party, and six independent candidates: President Mehmet Ali Talat, Lefkosia MP Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Zeki Besiktepeli, Ayhan Kaymak, Arif Salih Kirdag and Mustafa Kemal Tumkan are run in the Presidential poll.

The propaganda period for the elections will begin tomorrow, and the order of the candidates names on ballots will be determined on Wednesday by lot drawing.»

[05] Statements by Serdar Denktas over the decision of DP to support Dervis Eroglus candidature

Replying to questions of Mehmet Serkan Tetik, Serdar Denktas said that people might have complaints from the National Unity Party (UBP) and Dervis Eroglu, but these disappointments should be left in the past. Noting that the decision of DP to support Mr. Eroglus candidature was taken unanimously by the party, Mr. Denktas called on the electorate to go to polls and vote for the UBP candidate, adding that Dervis Eroglu is a man of a strong status which can raise the voice of the Turkish Cypriots to the world stronger.

Alleging that the right-wing parties in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus have 70% of the votes, Serdar Denktas supported that this factor will work in favour of Mr. Eroglu and rejected the allegations of DP supporting Dervis Eroglus candidature in order to secure its participation in a future coalition government formed by UBP.

Referring to the reasons of DP not supporting the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Serdar Denktas accused Mehmet Ali Talat of wasting a five-year term by ignoring the warnings and the emotions of those who have different views. The approach Mehmet Ali Talat on the issues of single sovereignty, single citizenship and cross-voting is opposite to the ideas of the DP, Serdar Denktas said.

The paper, further, publishes statements made by Serdar Denktas to Kibrisli TV. Calling once again the electorate to vote for Dervis Eroglu, Serdar Denktas said that DP will provide every support possible for Mr. Eroglu to be elected and drew attention to the fact that for DP state, sovereignty and equality are issues of national cause.

Saying that he and Dervis Eroglu held a new meeting within the political framework formed after the DP announcement of extending its support to Mr. Eroglu, Serdar Denktas noted that during the meeting he told Eroglu that the Cyprus problem should not be managed only by one person and added that Eroglu should do what Mehmet Ali Talat failed to do. Adding that Dervis Eroglu did not reject DPs approach on the issue, Serdar Denktas further expressed the belief that as president, Dervis Eroglu will work even better than he did as a prime minister in particular on the Cyprus problem.

(ML)

[06] UBP accuses Talat of seeking for a joint statement at the last meeting of the Cyprus talks before the illegal elections

The UBP statement expressed, inter alia, the following views: Instead of using the demands put forward by the UBP for the Cyprus cause as an element to increase his strength at the negotiating table, Talat continuously underestimated and ignored them. This stance has revealed a problem of legitimacy which is increasing especially during the past few months. In this situation, Talats seeking for a joint statement, is further deepening the legitimacy problem.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Eroglu welcomes the statements of Davutoglu that the Cyprus talks will continue whoever wins the elections

Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has said that the Cyprus problem, the negotiation process and Turkeys stance are not issues concerning the positions of individuals.The Prime Minister Eroglu welcomed a statement issued by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who said that the Cyprus negotiation process will continue even if President Talat loses the elections to be held next month.

Commenting on the Turkish Foreign Ministers words during a visit paid to him today, Prime Minister Eroglu said that elections are essential elements of democracy and that it is very natural for an election to bring changes.

Mr Eroglu emphasized that that it will not be the end of the world if President Talat loses the Presidential elections, adding that the negotiation process will continue. 'We are the rightful side, so we have to sit at the table and claim our rights he added, describing Davutoglus statement as appropriate and timely'.

[08] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the first visit of Archbishop Chrysostomos II to occupied monastery of Apostle Andreas

Volkan: Chrysostomos: Solution will be under the roof of the Republic of Cyprus. The paper continues with the subtitle Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can live again together, Cyprus can be united.

Haberdar: Archbishop Chrysostomos II crossed to Northern Cyprus for the first time after 37 years.

Yeni Duzen: Chrysostomos is in the north for the first time

Kibrisli: Chrysostomos is in the TRNC after 37 years

Halkin Sesi: It is the first step for a joint restoration of the historical buildings

Gunes: Chrysostomos in TRNC. The paper also reports that Archbishop Chrysostomos II has replied positively to the proposal of the self-styled minister of tourism, environment and culture Hamza Ersan Saner for a joint effort for Apostle Andreas monasterys restoration.

Ortam: Archbishop Chrysostomos visited TRNC.

Vatan: The first time after 37 years

Star Kibris: Chrysostomos: Beautiful days are expecting us.

Havadis: Chrysostomos: Federation can be functional.

(DPs)

[09] Cavusoglu is visiting Ankara

(EA)

[10] Talat met with the Turkish Ambassador to Madagascar

President Mehmet Ali Talat has received the Turkish Ambassador to Madagascar Ercument Enc.

Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia Sakir Fakili was also presented at the meeting which took part at the Presidential Palace this morning.

[11] World Association of Press Councils executive committee to convene in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

(EA)

[12] Turkish government seeks compromise to reform constitution

Turkey's government on Monday announced plans to amend several articles of the constitution, a legacy of the 1980 coup, arguing that the changes would make it more democratic and strengthen the country's bid to join the European Union.

Accordingly, a constitutional amendment package prepared by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was introduced other political parties on March 22.

The ruling party representatives first met the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and later had talks with the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) members to receive their contributions.

The opposition parties expressed reservations as CHP fully opposed the amendments while BDP left the door open saying that the party will be constructive through this process. MHP insisted on establishment of a commission of conciliation, following their elaborations on the announced reform package.

The amendments envisage changes in 22 articles of the Turkish Constitution which are Articles 10, 20, 23, 41, 53, 69, 74, 84, 94, 125, 128, 129, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 156 and 159.

The bill proposes abolishing the provisional article 15 of the constitution which does not allow trial of the members of the Council of National Security formed after the military intervention on September 12, 1980.

Other important points that the constitutional amendment package includes are:

-The right to collective bargaining for civil servants,

-Regulations for positive discrimination for children, senior citizens and women,

-Financial auditing of political parties will be carried out by the Turkish Court of Accounts (TCA) instead of the current authority, the Constitutional Court.

Political party closure cases will be filed with permission by a parliamentary committee to be made up by five members of each party represented at parliament. Two thirds majority of the committee members will be required. The decision of the committee will be exempt from judicial inspection.

The period for being banned from political activities will be three years instead of the current period of five years.

Decisions made by the High Military Council (YA^) regarding the discharges from the Turkish Armed Forces will be opened to civil jurisdiction .

The structure of the Constitutional Court will be changed completely; in that it will be composed of 19 members, two of whom will be elected by the Parliament. The President will choose three members to be nominated by The Supreme Court, two decided by The Council of State, one member nominated by the Military High Administrative Court. Also, The Higher Education Council will nominate three people: 5 candidates will be nominated by executive level managers, lawyers and constitutional court rapporteures, while the last two members will be nominated among people who have a graduate degree.

Hence, the structure of the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors (HSYK) will be also changed entirely.

The Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors will be formed by twenty one original members and ten reserve members. The four original members of the HSYK will be elected by the President, one original and one reserve member by the Constitutional Court, three original and two reserve members by the Supreme Court General Board, one original and a reserve member by the Council of State, seven original and four reserve members by the 1st degree judicial justice judges and public prosecutors, three original and two reserve members by the 1st degree administrative jurisdiction judges and public prosecutors for a period of four years.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish Press on 22 March 2010

a) Constitutional Amendments

In an article in Vatan, Aydin Apaydin views the constitutional amendments the Justice and Development Party, (AKP), will be submitting to the opposition parties today. Noting that changing the structure of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors, (HSYK), is at the center of the amendment package, Apaydin argues that the government wants to change the HSYK structure because it is blocking its path. Questioning why the HSYK structure is being changed during an election period, Apaydin wonders why the government is proposing to include into the HSYK anyone and everyone who is not a judge or a prosecutor. Opposing the election of the HSYK members by the National Assembly or the president, Apaydin speaks out against the inclusion of members from the Bar Association into the HSYK arguing that there are no judges or prosecutors in the Bar Association. Those who complain about the current structure of the HSYK will be more disgruntled about its reformed state, claims the writer.

The constitutional amendments are primarily aimed at meeting the urgent needs of the AKP, according to Milliyet columnist Kadri Gursel who in his article argues that the primary goal of the government is to prevent the closure of the party. Its second goal is to render the high court ineffective, claims Gursel, arguing that had the AKP mustered sufficient support to pass the amendments regarding these two goals without the need for a referendum, it would not have felt the need to prepare a constitutional amendment package. Maintaining that the package is far from meeting the urgent needs of the country, Gursel underlines that no attempt has been made to remove the 10 percent election threshold which he describes as the "disgrace of democracy." The amendments cast a shadow over the independence of the judiciary, opines Gursel, predicting that a referendum under the current conditions will further increase the polarization in the country.

[14] Columnist in Radikal examines the policy of the Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu

Is there a shift of axis taking place in Turkey's foreign policy? Is having zero problems and being impartial an AKP [Justice and Development Party] invention? What would Davutoglu have done in Ottoman times had he lived then as one of Inonu's peers?

Davutoglu is seen with Nalbantyan: His efforts are being compared to US super-diplomat Henry Kissinger. Might he be able to get the results he seeks?

It is not just in foreign policy, but particularly so in foreign policy, that every move is measured not by how impressive it was when being made, but by whether or not it yields results.

If the outcome is successful then just how impressive it was when being made and the degree of proficiency shown become important. If it fails, then none of that means anything.

Time Magazine on 19 May 1941 made the then Prime Minister Ismet Inonu its cover. The Second World War had begun in May 1941. However, neither the United States nor the Soviet Union had gone to war with Nazi Germany just yet.

Who would have thought that by attacking the American Naval Base in Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941 the Japanese would "wake up the sleeping dragon"?

In Moscow Joseph Stalin paid no attention to intelligence provided by his two best spies Leopold Trepper in Brussels and Richard Sorge in Tokyo, at the cost of their lives, that Adolf Hitler was going to break the 1939 Non-Aggression Pact. Just one month later and Operation Barbarossa, the largest military operation in history with 4.5 million troops), was to begin on 22 June.

But the Balkans had fallen entirely into Nazi hands. The reason why Time Magazine made Inonu (and Turkey) its front cover was the proposal that Germany had made to Turkey and pressure it was under because of this.

Germany's Ambassador to Ankara Franz von Papen had returned to Berlin in order to discuss this proposal. Back in Ankara it was not just President Ismet Inonu who was waiting for Von Paper, Iraq's Defense Minister Naci Sevket was waiting for him as well.

The topic was Iraq: The Soviets were making a play for Iraq's oil fields from the north while the British were making a play from the south. In order to balance this out Germany calculated on staging a landing in Syria then moving by road into Iraq. However, the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean was obstructing this operation. That left only one path. Germany wanted to send its forces through Bulgaria then into Iraq via Turkey. In order to do this, promises were made of all kinds of military and economic aid for poor and weak Turkey. The promise was that the German soldiers would just be passing through.

It needs to be repeated that there was as yet no American or Soviet obstacle in the path of the Nazi war machine, and the young Turkish Republic did not have a powerful army like it has today; it did not have enough rifles, tanks, wheat or uniforms even.

Time Magazine lauded Turkey for giving a definitive "No" in response to the proposal. Time quotes one anonymous source (most likely Chief of Staff Marshal Fevzi Cakmak) saying: "We fought long and hard for our independence. We cannot take lightly the supposedly harmless transit of these units. You should understand that the people who won Turkey's independence are still governing Turkey."

Back in 2003 when the United States asked to send its forces across Turkish soil without touching a thing in order to fight in Iraq the people who had won Turkey's independence were not in charge. But they too did not take this matter lightly. All the same, the government did not say, "No" but instead left it up to Parliament to say, "Yes." The people who had won Turkey's independence were not in Parliament either. All the same, Turkey's Parliament denied passage. This is an example of continuity. Just like the policy of "zero problems with the neighbors" was not first invented during the AKP's rule, so it is the continuation in today's world of such agreements as the Balkan Pact and the Sadabad Pact, which Mustafa Kemal Ataturk signed in the nascent years of the Republic wishing, "Peace at home, peace in the world."

This may not exist in Washington's collective memory but in Ankara's collective memory there is the concern that the United States, which when failing to heed the example of 1941 Germany applied pressure and caused relations to hit rock bottom in order to have its forces cross Turkey into Iraq, might try to apply similar unnecessary pressure in the Iran business.

The way that the tension following the passing of the Armenian genocide bill by the House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee is being linked in some way to the United States wish for sanctions to be applied to Iran because of its nuclear program (another energy-related topic) is increasing this concern.

I wonder if President Gul or Prime Minister Erdogan takes offense at the current foreign policy being called the Davutoglu era given his influence in the government's foreign policy when Abdullah Gul was prime minister and later foreign minister? If we can say it like this, one characteristic of the Davutoglu era has been the way Turkey has resurrected its relations with the Arab world and Muslim populated countries as a whole, relations that had been suspended for 20-30 years because of the Cold War and ideological dogma in domestic politics. The Palestinian problem and in particular the problems with Israel because of its attacks on Gaza where HAMAS is influential, plus the way Turkey had Davutoglu running as the lead actor in the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Syria topics all caught attention. That is how the debates over axis-shift and neo-Ottomanism all began.

The phrase shift in axis may have a nice ring to it but that ringing is because it is a hollow concept. There are no axes in the world that have not shifted, when you look at things from a different perspective. I think that the concept of neo-Ottomanism is being used as a psychological tactic mainly out of ideological prejudice and partly to emphasize Davutoglu's Muslim identity.

You only need to cite its relations with Russia to show that this government does not fit the neo-Ottoman mold. The Ottomans' greatest fear was Russia, with which it had fought 30 conflicts. Putting aside our generals who see Russia as an alternative to the European Union, one of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's most important foreign policy partners today is Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Just as Turkey is not afraid to be dependent on Russia for its energy needs, so Russia is Turkey's largest bilateral trading partner. (The United States for its part does not even appear to be aware that Russia's influence is growing in the region because of its policy over Iran, a policy shaped by Israel).

One more note: as shown by the tension surrounding the latest Armenian Protocol and the Armenian genocide [bill], Davutoglu's nationalist identity is not being masked by his Islamic identity. So, if Davutoglu had lived back in Ottoman times and occupied a position of influence what might he have done?

If Davutoglu had been born in Ottoman times as one of Inonu's peers he would probably have joined the Committee of Union and Progress like that young officer Ismet. In fact, given his intellectual capacity he may well have taken a place at the center of that Committee. The ranks that the Davutoglu we know today would have joined back then, and I am inferring no negativity here, would most likely have been the Committee for Union and Progress.

EI

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