Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-08-13

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu: No concessions on freedom and sovereignty

[02] Ozgurgun: Little progress in the negotiation process

[03] Political earthquake with the resignation of two MPs from the Democratic Party

[04] Educational Sciences Association joined the European Educational Research Association representing Cyprus

[05] Thirty thousand persons of Turkish origin in occupied Cyprus have the right to vote in Turkey

[06] Columnist says AKP appears to want a solution and makes everything it can to prevent it

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Israeli Ambassador not invited to Erdogans fast-breaking dinner

[08] Former AKP deputy joins MHP

[09] Restructuring of Turkish Foreign Ministry gets under way

[10] Highlights 12 August 2010

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu: No concessions on freedom and sovereignty

Eroglu also said that he sincerely wants a peaceful and independent Cyprus. However, he stressed that no one should expect that for the sake of an agreement concessions will be made on the freedom and sovereignty of the Cyprus Turkish People and the security provided by Turkey.

(IS)

[02] Ozgurgun: Little progress in the negotiation process

He also said that little progress has been reached in the negotiations process so far.

Moreover, he underlined the importance of the representation offices of the breakaway regime abroad, in promoting their republic, stating that their number has reached 21.

[03] Political earthquake with the resignation of two MPs from the Democratic Party

In a statement, Hasipoglu said his resignation is due to the partys administration and especially the chairman, Serdar Denktas, and added that the decision to resign was taken when he found out that he and Mehmet Tancer would be referred to the disciplinary board. Hasipoglu denied allegations that he will join UBP and become a minister.

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (13.08.10) under the title We were used as pawns reports on the statements of Dr Mehmet Tancer, who said they were used in the party only for show and they were never asked for their opinions, creating a feeling that they were pushed aside. Tancer, who said that he will be an independent MP and that he is ready to undertake any position in order to serve the public, described as speculation that he resigned in order to become Minister of Health.

Commenting on the resignation of the two MPs, Serdar Denktas said that if they have complaints against him, they should call for the Partys assembly and contest its leadership, however the promise for a chair is sweet.

According to Kibris, the general chairman of UBP, Irsen Kucuk said that Hasipoglu and Tancer did not contact the party. However, the paper adds, by saying that UBP will establish a majority government before the opening of the parliament Kucuk implied that there is a possibility the two MPs join the party.

(IS)

[04] Educational Sciences Association joined the European Educational Research Association representing Cyprus

The chairman of KEB-DER, Dr Huseyin Uzunboylu, applied to EERA two years ago and was informed a few days ago that the application has been accepted. Uzunboylu will participate in the European Conference on Educational Research 2010 which will take place in Helsinki, Finland at the end of August.

[05] Thirty thousand persons of Turkish origin in occupied Cyprus have the right to vote in Turkey

The General Coordinator of the Platform, Adem Koc, stated that the 30.000 persons of Turkish origin in occupied Cyprus, who have the right to vote in Turkey, should go to vote at the Custom house of Tasucu in Mersin or at the airports.

[06] Columnist says AKP appears to want a solution and makes everything it can to prevent it

Baturay points out that the easy way out is to set a deadline for the end of the year and throw the ball to the Greek Cypriot side. He argues that the lack of will of the Greek Cypriot side for a solution is there and adds: Does the Turkish side want a solution very much? This is also doubtful. Eroglu expects that a solution will be reached without making any concessions, Baturay says and points out that this is not possible.

The Turkish Cypriot columnist says that it is not clear whether Ciceks statement is a policy of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) or whether it was made on the spur of the moment. Baturay express the opinion that it is a statement consistent with AK Partys policy of appearing to want a solution and making everything it can to prevent it.

He notes that it is not clear whether the statement that everyone will go their own way was a threat or a wish and adds that the Greek Cypriots way is the sound way of the Republic of Cyprus which is a member state of the EU.

Baturay expresses the view that it is the Turkish Cypriots who have the actual problem. Referring to the situation and the existing problems in the occupied areas of Cyprus, he wonders whether this is the path of the Turkish Cypriots and says that if their way is recognition of the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied part of Cyprus, this is not possible. If their way is unification with Turkey, then they should dissolve parliament and abolish the posts of president and prime minister, since they will not be needed any more, he adds.

Whether you accept it or not, there is only one way for the Turkish Cypriots and this is a solution in Cyprus, says Batuaray claiming that pressure should be excerted on the Greek Cypriots.

You have to accept that the current situation in the north is not sustainable. We also have rights in the Republic of Cyprus, which is recognized by the world. This is they way realities of the world point to, he concludes.

(I/Ts.)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Israeli Ambassador not invited to Erdogans fast-breaking dinner

Speaking to reporters, Celik said that Ambassador Levy was not invited due to the aggressive stance of the Israeli government against the aid ship Mavi Marmara and Israel's lack of a positive response to Turkey's demands.

The Fast-Breaking meal is one of friendship and brotherhood. There are Jews, Catholics and Muslims here. We will be all together here. Not inviting the Israeli ambassador was a symbolic act. () it has got nothing to do with the people of Israel, Celik said.

[08] Former AKP deputy joins MHP

The current distribution of seats in Parliament is: AKP 336 seats, Republican Peoples Party (CHP) 102 seats, MHP 70 seats, pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) 20, Democratic Left Party (DSP) eight seats, Turkey Party (TP) one seat and the Democrat Party (DP) one. There are six independent and eight vacant seats.

[09] Restructuring of Turkish Foreign Ministry gets under way

The law, which was adopted by Parliament just before the legislative holiday at the beginning of July, envisages that ambassadors will no not only act as representatives of the president, but as representatives of the government as well. Ambassadors will be responsible to both. Moreover, the Foreign Ministry will open new offices in other cities in Turkey besides Ankara and Istanbul.

According to the new law diplomats will now be eligible to be appointed ambassadors at the age of 35, instead of 45. One of the most important changes will be the establishment of a diplomacy academy which will accept young diplomats from Turkey and foreign countries, especially neighbouring countries.

The new law also envisages upgrading of administrative staff.

[10] Highlights 12 August 2010

Taha Akyol in Istanbul Milliyet, focuses on what he describes as aggressive behaviour of Prime Minister Erdogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, against each other in their campaign on the referendum on the constitutional amendments. He notes that polarization has aroused concern and warns that the Kurdish problem has become an alarming issue and the serious polarization is depriving Turkey of the opportunity to solve the problem. Akyol urges the two sides to adopt a calm approach and act with tolerance.

In a column in Istanbul Milliyet, Can Dundar concentrates on the CHP deficiencies in its campaign to secure a no vote for the constitutional amendments. Claiming that what will actually be put to a vote will be the independence of the judiciary and not the 12 September constitution, he argues that the opposition parties will find themselves in a difficult position if they fail to convince the people that the referendum is aimed at placing the judiciary under control and that they should view it as an opportunity to remove the AKP administration.

Writing in Istanbul Star (11.8.10), Mustafa Karaalioglu argues that a yes vote will mean a 'no' to those who try to obstruct Turkey's move toward democracy.

In an article entitled "Kilicdaroglu and Lack of Politics", Yeni Safak columnist Yalcin Akdogan criticizes Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu for his failure to reveal any vision on serious matters. He claims that the CHP leader's tendency to link every problem to poverty is the result of a lack of ideological and political perspective and that he cannot maintain his non-political stance much longer without losing the support of pro-status quo groups and undermining his chances to continue as CHP leader.

Yeni Safak publishes the results of a GENAR poll conducted among some 2,274 persons in a total of 16 provinces and 46 districts, which revealed up to 56,2% support for the constitutional amendment package. According to the poll some 25,9% of Nationalist Action Party (MHP) supporters, and some 56,3% of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) supporters will vote in favour of the package, despite the MHP and BDP ongoing campaigns against the constitutional reforms.

Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that there is unrest within the MHP, the CHP, and the BDP over official statements by the leaderships of these parties voicing opposition to the constitutional amendments. He claims that there is growing anger, particularly at MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, young MHP supporters who were subjected to torture in the days following the 12 September coup, because Bahceli is opposed to a package that entails changes to the constitution drawn up by the architects of that military takeover.

In a commentary in Instanbul Zaman entitled MHP at a Crossroads: Nationalism or Neo-Nationalism? Professor Ibrahim Aydin asserts that the MHP leadership needs to explain its intellectual and ideological reasons for siding with the coalition against the constitutional reforms consisting of a wide spectrum of leftist groups. He claims that it is contrary to the essential principles of MHP nationalism to defend the current structure of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutor, adding that if the MHP's arguments against changes to the composition of these higher judicial bodies are the result of support for the bureaucratic oligarchy, then the MHP has started to be inclined towards neo-nationalism, a shift that he claims is set to create major rifts among the MHP nationalist-religious voters.

In a article in Today's Zaman entitled Civilian and Military Readiness After the Referendum, columnist Muhammed Cetin argues that while being an important stage in Turkey's democratization, the upcoming referendum is not a cure-all in the sense of enabling Turkey to deal with challenges to democratization posed by human rights violations, extra-judicial-killings, coup plans, etc. He underlines the need for the Interior Ministry to be ready with multiple strategies and measures in the pre- and post-referendum period to make sure rule of law is maintained in the country in the face of possible attempts by putsch generals to undermine the civilian authority, and efforts by the terrorist PKK to create unrest through claims of autonomy.

b) Kurdish problem

In an analysis in the Star (11.8.10) on the struggle against terrorism, Gurkan Zengin describes the PKK as the outcome and a part of the Kurdish problem. Stressing that achieving progress towards solving the problem will be impossible if the organization's pressure on social and political life is not significantly reduced, he warns that the developments indicate that arms will not be silent for a long time in the struggle.

c) Israel's investigation into flotilla incident seen shameful

A column by Oktay Eksi in Istanbul Hurriyet describes the revelations by the Israeli officials during the investigation conducted into the attack on the flotilla as shameful. The attack, he says, was a criminal action against unarmed people. That is a reality and the cost must be paid accordingly.

Yeni Safak covers the same report in its front-page under the banner headline, "Disproportionate Murderer".

In an article in Today's Zaman, columnist Kerim Balci refers to the Israeli commission investigating the Gaza flotilla incident as a show, a staged mise en scene, intended to prove the rightfulness of the infallible Israeli army, adding that the proceedings of the commission have served to reveal the internal contradictions of the Israeli administration.

Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul blasts the investigation into the Gaza flotilla incident conducted by an Israeli commission as a farce aimed at covering up Israel's shameful acts during the raid, a show put on for domestic and international consumption.

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