Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-04-15

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat: I have created a TRNC, which can establish a relation with the world

[02] Eroglu: Let Christofias leave the table and be stigmatized as intransigent

[03] A new public opinion poll shows that Eroglu is by 14% ahead of Talat

[04] Members of the ORP and TDP resigned and joined the UBP

[05] Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that votes are bought off by candidates before the elections

[06] Serdar Denktas said a new coalition government would come up until September; Irsen Kucuk expects the efforts for establishing a new coalition to start in July

[07] Ozgurgun says the objections of the inhabitants of occupied Limnitis area for the opening of Pyrgos-Limnitis crossing point should be taken into consideration

[08] Turkish Cypriot unions protest against the ban to the strikes decided by the self-styled government of the breakaway regime

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Turkish columnist claims that Turkish settlers are closer to Eroglus policy

[10] From the Turkish Press of 14 April 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat: I have created a TRNC, which can establish a relation with the world

Mr Talat reiterated that in case Dervis Eroglu, self-styled prime minister and candidate of the National Unity Party (UBP), wins the illegal presidential elections on Sunday, the Turkish Cypriots will return to the bad days of the past and added: Eroglu has no vision. Eroglu says that the presidential race is a revenge for 2004. This means that he will take his revenge from the people for the fact that they said yes in the referendum.

Referring to the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the property issue in Cyprus and the acceptance of the Property Compensation Commission set up by Turkey in the occupied areas of the island as local remedy, Mr Talat alleged that their views have been confirmed by the international law and added: Therefore when we sit at the negotiating table these issues will be taken into consideration and thus the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side will be proved. This issue is an important support for us. The TRNC is an unrecognized state. It was said that an unrecognized state could make laws in harmony with the international law.

Referring to the Direct Trade Regulation of the European Union, Mr Talat said that with this regulation the Turkish Cypriots will be able to sell their products to the EU and accused Mr Eroglu of being responsible for the decision taken in the past regarding the implementation of embargo on the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.04.10) reports that Mr Talat said that Mr Eroglu could not continue the Cyprus talks. Addressing a rally in occupied Famagusta last night, Mr Talat referred to Mr Eroglus statement that he will continue the negotiations in case he is elected and noted: What he will negotiate? Is [he going to negotiate] the way he will establish his own system in a united Cyprus in a possible solution? He cannot negotiate peace, because he does not believe in peace.

Moreover, speaking with the people during a visit to occupied Agios Sergios village in Famagusta area, Mr Talat said it is not possible for them to step back on the issue of Turkeys guarantees. He noted that their aim, which has been determined together with Turkey, is a bi-zonal, bi-communal new partnership state based on the political equality of the two peoples. He added: This partnership state will be secured with a system where the guarantees of Turkey will continue. This is very important for us. Step backing on this issue is out of the question.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: Let Christofias leave the table and be stigmatized as intransigent

Referring to the illegal settlers who came from Turkey to the occupied areas of Cyprus, Mr Eroglu noted that they are his brothers and thanked God for the fact that the Turkish Cypriots have a motherland such as Turkey. If we had not one, we would experience the same things as the Palestinians, he added.

In addition, Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (15.04.10) publishes an interview with Mr Eroglu who stated, inter alia, that he will be elected from the first round of the presidential elections receiving 60%. Asked about his aim as regards the negotiations, Mr Eroglu stated that they have a delegation of experts headed by himself and noted that he will be evaluating the situation with these experts. He went on and added that he will not hold long-hour negotiations behind closed doors with Mr Christofias as Mr Talat did and accused Mr Talat of conducting secret negotiations.

Moreover, speaking also to Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (15.04.10) Mr Eroglu said that his first job after his election would be to sit at the negotiation table. He went on and stated, inter alia, that a national council would be established and the people would be informed about everything. The presidency will open its doors to the people, he said.

[03] A new public opinion poll shows that Eroglu is by 14% ahead of Talat Turkish NTV television (14.04.10) publishes a public opinion poll conducted by KADEM Research Company, according to which prime minister Dervis Eroglu is leading the race for the forthcoming 18th April presidential elections.

(CS)

[04] Members of the ORP and TDP resigned and joined the UBP

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.04.10) reports also that thirty persons resigned from the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) as well. According to the paper, the resigned persons joined Dervis Eroglus UBP.

(EA)

[05] Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that votes are bought off by candidates before the elections

The paper reminds that after the so-called parliamentary elections of last year, Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party, admitted that he had bought votes for 75 Turkish liras per person. All parties did this. No one says I did it. I said it because no one could say it, stated Mr Denktas then.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Serdar Denktas said a new coalition government would come up until September; Irsen Kucuk expects the efforts for establishing a new coalition to start in July

Meanwhile, Irsen Kucuk, general secretary of the UBP, stated to Cigdem Aydin of Kibrisli TV that he expects the efforts for the establishment of a coalition government to start in the beginning of July 2010.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozgurgun says the objections of the inhabitants of occupied Limnitis area for the opening of Pyrgos-Limnitis crossing point should be taken into consideration

Mr Ozgurgun noted that they will do everything they can for the solution of this problem. He said the problems experienced by 148 persons because of the building of the road in the area are important and added that they will exchange some views on how these problems could be overcome. He pointed out that time and the approval of the people is needed for the expropriation of the land in that area.

Speaking on behalf of the inhabitants, Gazanfer Dogramaci alleged that Ozdil Nami, representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, had said that there is no need for the land in that area to be expropriated. He claimed that the UN and the EU have been deceived. He further said that President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat have decided without asking the people of the area. He added that they do not accept this situation and they will not allow the works for the opening of the crossing point to be carried out by plundering the land of the people of the area.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Turkish Cypriot unions protest against the ban to the strikes decided by the self-styled government of the breakaway regime

As the paper writes, two days ago KTOS went on strike in 52 schools paralyzing the education, while KTOEOS stroke in front of Ataturk Teachers Academy. Speaking during the action, Mr Sener Elcil, KTOS general secretary, stated that the self-styled government of the occupation regime gives all the money to the private schools and makes no investment in the public schools.

The paper continues in its inside pages and reports that the self-styled council of ministers decided to postpone the strikes of both KTOS and KTOEOS for 60 days.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.04.10) reports that KTOS took the decision to protest today (15.04.10) against the strike law prepared by the self-styled council of ministers in order to ban the strikes. In addition, KTOEOS stated that they will not abide by the self-styled governments decision and that they will continue their actions.

The decision of the protest was announced during a press conference organised by KTOS, other unions, NGOs, representatives of political parties and students. Speaking during the press conference, KTOS general secretary, Mr Elcil stated that free and high quality education and health care should be offered to everyone by the state. Mr Elcil also referred to the number of the unemployed university graduates, noting that at the time being there are around 1000 English language teachers, 700 physical education teachers and 500 literature, Turkish language and history teachers who are unemployed in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

(EA)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Turkish columnist claims that Turkish settlers are closer to Eroglus policy

Either yesterday or the world incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat asks his voters to choose. Nationalist Dervis Eroglu trusts the public behind him. Turkish Cypriots, on the other hand, are weary of decades-old sanctions and urgently want solutions to their economic problems.

With the countdown for the presidential elections on the northern part of the island, candidates have intensified their election campaigns, addressing their voters with the pledges of a better future.

Seven candidates are running for the top post but the real competition is between current President Mehmet Ali Talat, pro-reunification leader, and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu whose nationalist National Unity Party, or UBP, is set to win Sundays elections according to the latest public surveys.

No political surveys are being announced now because they are banned from publication two weeks before the election day. But a previous poll by respected company KADEM reveals Eroglu remains frontrunner in the race with 52.9 percent of public support, and Talat of the Republican Turks Party, or CTP, follows him with 47.1 percent.

Subtitle: Talat: Either yesterday or the world

In Nicosia, a divided capital of the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, election buses of almost every candidate pass through the streets, while billboards are dominated by three potential leaders: Talat, Eroglu and independent candidate Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who is claimed to emerge as a candidate after the Turkish governments alleged quest to divide the votes of Eroglu, so that Talat can be re-elected for the continuity of the peace negotiations with the Greek Cypriots.

Either yesterday, or the world, is the slogan used by Talat in the election campaign. This is criticized by some who do not want to forget the past and the Greek Cypriot oppression. If Talat is there, Ill be there because he connects me to the world, says a young girl in a TV commercial.

The president in the north acts as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community and also as chief negotiator in peace talks with the Greek Cypriots mediated by the United Nations. Talat says he wants to be re-elected because he will not be satisfied unless he sees the end of the negotiations with the Greek Cypriots that began in September 2008. The peace talks were temporarily interrupted on March 30 due to the presidential elections in the north.

Subtitle: Eroglu, public behind him

There is public behind him is the motto used by Eroglu in the campaign. Eroglus party was elected in the parliamentary elections in April 2009 and formed the current single party government. The candidate of the public: Eroglu whose actions is compatible with his words. By taking the public behind, he is walking to power, say TV commercials.

Subtitle: Ertugruloglu: Vote for courage

Vote for courage is the slogan used by Ertugruloglu who joined the race later, resigning from the UBP after what he said a disagreement with Eroglu. He is running as independent candidate and seeking votes from the Turkish Cypriots in order to stop one-man rule and to demolish the current broken system and to establish a new one.

Sundays elections dominate the live TV debates. Commentators praise the Turkish governments cautious approach and its message to work with whomever wins the elections in northern Cyprus. But still, there is a gossip floating around over Ankaras alleged intervention before a couple of days are left.

Subtitle: Turkish Cypriots want solution to urgent problems

The Turkish Cypriot public, on the other hand, is overwhelmingly indecisive as reflected in surveys but they are also weary of decades-old embargoes imposed on them and urgently call for a solution to their economic problems rather than a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Ahmet K., shop owner, says, I dont care about the peace negotiations. Every candidate builds its election campaign on the Cyprus problem. Eighty (80) percent of the public have no interest in that. What concern the Turkish Cypriots, is domestic problems, economy and unemployment.

Nothing will change whoever wins the polls, said 60-year-old Eray Yetken, supermarket owner in Nicosia. The Greek Cypriots will never leave the door open, we have no chance of living together.

He said if Eroglu wins, Greek Cypriots will use it as an excuse to leave the negotiating table. The talks will then break down and that would be the worst-case scenario. If Talat wins, will there be a progress? No. Well be standing where we are. Both results are negative, that stems from the ill-intention of the Greek Cypriots.

A construction worker, Ahmet, working in the south, believes the channels for negotiations should remain open. The problem cannot be solved without talks but a solution is not an easy one. The two peoples should first refrain from their prejudices.

Subtitle: Turkey voters close to Eroglu

Those from Turkey, however, who will vote in the elections, appear much more in favour of Eroglu. That can be explained by the statements of Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, who argued the number of settlers from Turkey cannot exceed 50,000 and the big majority should leave the island. For Turkish migrants Talat, whom they believe is not warm to those from Turkey, could bow to the Greek Cypriot demands.

Maksut Yilmaz, a taxi driver who lives in the north for 35 years, says: I support Eroglu, showing the badge of the UBP leader he wears.

He is closer to us. Talat is, however, coming from a party which is disturbed by the presence of migrants from Turkey. Talat defends the policy Cyprus belongs to the Cypriots. I cannot vote for a leader representing such a mentality, he adds.

Halil Sarsar, hotel receptionist, says, Nobody but Eroglu will win. The public trusts him. I find him warm to those from Turkey and workers. 22-year-old Volkan believes Eroglu will make a difference in the elections. Hell come to power with at least 60 percent support.

Greek Cypriots argue settlers from Turkey living in the north is more than 180,000 but the 2006 population census conducted by Turkish Cypriot authorities demonstrated the number is restricted to 43,000.

[10] From the Turkish Press of 14 April 2010

a) Nuclear Security Summit

Erdogan's strategy to defend Iran's potential nuclear weapons program is to put Israel's nuclear capabilities at the centre of the argument, writes Burak Bekdil in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, adding that "Erdogan and Davutoglu can always launch an international initiative for the denuclearization of India and Pakistan, both of which are 'non-parties' to the NPT." On second thought, Bekdil says that Turkey should launch such an initiative only against India since according to Erdogan Muslims don't resort to nuclear weapons.

Commenting on the difficulties regarding Ankara's goal of a nuclear-free region in an article in Hurriyet, Sedat Ergin draws attention to the 90 nuclear warheads at Incirlik Base, adding that a country that proposes a nuclear-free region should be ready to requests that it should be the first to abolish its nuclear arsenal. This proposal at the same time disrupts President Obama's diplomatic game plan against Iran, adds Ergin.

The atmosphere in Washington gives one the impression that a strong international front is being formed against Iran on the nuclear issue, writes Yasemin Congar in an article in Taraf, adding that this, naturally, creates a special difficulty for Turkey. If Erdogan wants to include the idea of a nuclear-free Middle East into the international agenda, then he should begin with the nuclear weapons at Incirlik, claims Congar. Describing Erdogan's meeting with Brazilian President Lula as one of the most interesting developments during the Washington summit, Congar notes that according to a statement issued by the Brazilian foreign minister "the two leaders are conducting joint activities regarding an alternative proposal on the issue of Iran." Noting that the goal of this joint work is to convince Iran to open its nuclear activities to international inspection without a UN Security Council resolution of sanctions, Congar adds that the Obama Administration does not welcome these activities.

In an article in Taraf, Lale Kemal writes that while asking regional countries to denuclearize according to a timetable, Erdogan might face a crossroad in which he will have to decide on the future of the nuclear warheads at Incirlik Base. Noting that Washington is not in favour of removing the nuclear weapons from Incirlik because of Iran, Kemal underlines that Erdogan is facing a difficult decision regarding the nuclear weapons deployed at Incirlik within the framework of NATO agreements.

b) Turkish-Armenian Relations

In his article in Hurriyet Daily News, Mehmet Ali Birand tries to assess the outcome of the meeting between Prime Minister Erdogan and Armenian President Sargsyan saying that nothing positive came out of it but that "neither Armenia nor Turkey can afford to throw the protocols into the garbage can." Pointing out that now the ball is in President Obama's court, Birand notes that both sides are waiting for his 24 April address.

Viewing the Turkish-Armenian normalization process in an article in Sabah, Bulent Aras argues that the diplomatic crisis with Armenia began with this country occupying Azerbaijani territory. Noting that it is impossible to say that there can be a rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia under the shadow of this occupation, Aras underlines that Turkey wants the active intervention of international organizations and especially the Minsk Group in the solution of the Karabakh problem. Accusing Armenia of blocking the solution of the Karabakh issue, Aras writes: "Those who claim that the problem is being deadlocked by Turkey and Azerbaijan should question Armenia's stand of rejecting the constructive interventions of international organizations." Drawing attention to the developments in Turkish-Armenian relations despite these drawbacks, Aras urges the parties to exercise their political will toward a solution.

Referring to a remark Erdogan made during his meeting with Sargsyan to the effect that if the protocols are submitted to the parliament now they will not be endorsed, Vatan columnist Can Atakli in his article questions whether this fact was not clear when the protocols were signed in Geneva last year. Atakli underlines that this reality was known to all from the day the protocols were signed, recalling Justice and Development Party, AKP, whips saying at the time that they would hold on the protocols as long as they could and not submit them to the parliament. The intention from the very beginning was to sign the protocols but not to endorse them at the National Assembly, claims Atakli, adding: "This stand might be valid in domestic politics. However, this is not the way the world looks at the issue. Time passes and those who forced those signatures are beginning to ask as to when the protocols will be endorsed."

In an article entitled "An unrealistic dream", Zaman columnist Abdulhamit Bilici asserts that unless the Obama-Erdogan meeting in Washington produces "surprise results," there is no reason to be optimistic about the continuation of the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement process based on the statements issued by Prime Minister Erdogan and Armenian President Sarksyan following their meeting in the US capital. He also claims that Yerevan is trying to achieve an unrealistic goal in trying to have Turkey open its border with Armenia without ending its occupation of Azerbaijani territory and stopping its "genocide campaign against Turkey."

c) Cyprus

Summing up the messages conveyed by Greek Prime Minister Papandreou during his recent visit to Cyprus in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Yusuf Kanli writes that the primary message was that Athens will continue to support the decisions of Nicosia. The second message relates to Turkey's Cyprus policy, claims Kanli, noting that Papandreou told the Greek Cypriot leaders that the Erdogan Government is committed to its pro-settlement policies and sincerely wants to see a settlement on the island.

Describing the election campaign in north Cyprus as a democratic, tolerant, and mature one in an article in Hurriyet, Tufan Turenc predicts that Eroglu will win in the first round. Maintaining that President Talat is the victim of the EU that has failed to keep its promises with regards to the Turkish Cypriot community, Turenc adds that the failure to make the necessary progress in the intercommunal talks has disappointed the Turkish Cypriots who are now inclined to vote in favour of Eroglu. Describing Serdar Denktas as the most interesting personality of these elections, Turenc argues that he has a key position, adding that his support for Eroglu has made a contribution way beyond the strength of his party and the five seats it holds in parliament.

Vakit publishes an interview entitled "Election race in KKTC heats up, Talat very close to winning" with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Talat, "who appears to be poised to win the presidential elections on 18 April," asserts that they have adopted the AKP's policy of "zero problems" with neighbours in their foreign relations and that they have already started to reap the benefits of this approach by gaining ground against the Greek Cypriots in many areas from foreign trade to adaptation to the EU laws. EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article