Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-09-15

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu calls on the EU to keep its promise and lift the so-called embargo on the Turkish Cypriots

[02] Turkish Cypriot officials hold contacts in Sweden

[03] Turkish diplomatic sources reject information that Davutoglu had an argument with Marcos Kyprianou

[04] Kucuk calls on the Greek Cypriot side to evaluate Turkish sides proposals on the property issue

[05] Bulutoglulari met with Czech Ambassador

[06] Efforts to form a coalition government continue

[07] Turkish Cypriot opposition leaders: It is time for democratization and modernization of the constitution

[08] Felek gang threatened Sener Levent of Afrika newspaper

[09] Six icons found in a car in occupied Kyrenia

[10] Corendon Airlines to continue flights to occupied Cyprus during winter-time

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] ECHR finds Turkey guilty of failing to protect life, freedom of journalist Dink

[12] Turkish economy grows 10.3% in second quarter of 2010

[13] On civil dictatorship and politics in Turkey

[14] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu calls on the EU to keep its promise and lift the so-called embargo on the Turkish Cypriots

Eroglu alleged that in order for the EU to make up for its mistake and keep the promises it has given to the Turkish Cypriots, it should lift the embargoes of the Turkish Cypriots and launch direct trade with them. He expressed the view that if these steps are not taken, the EU, which reiterates in every occasion that it wants a solution in Cyprus, will fail in its sincerity test.

Referring to alleged threats by the Republic of Cyprus that if the Direct Trade Regulation passes, Cyprus will prevent Turkeys EU accession negotiations, Eroglu said that if you give a weapon to 800.000 persons to play with a Turkey of 75 millions, they will become spoiled. He noted that this game will not last for long in a world in which Turkeys economic and political weight increases every day.

Eroglu alleged that the embargo applied on the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus is stricter than the embargo on Iran, which the EU considers to be a threat.

Asked whether the Turkish side has an alternative plan in case a solution is not reached in the Cyprus negotiations, Eroglu said, inter alia, the following:

TRNC is a state and it has formed all organs which should exist in a state. It is not possible to change this reality. After all, we are continuing our independence on a land with specific borders. Even if the world does not recognize me, I am a president and we have a government and a parliament. () While the negotiations are continuing, we do not feel the need to say that we have a plan B or a plan C, because we are at the negotiating table with the intention of reaching an agreement. Of course, if at the end of the day there is no agreement, if the negotiations are interrupted and if the Greek Cypriot side is the one which interrupted them, then we shall sit and make an evaluation. At the moment we are interested in the negotiations rather than in plan B. ()

Referring to the relations between Israel and the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said that right after the Israeli raid on Mavi Marmara vessel, Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou visited Tel Aviv and a dialogue was launched. However, he added, Israel is clever and knows very well with whom to play. He said that the frigidity in the relations between Israel and Turkey will not last for long and that Israel knows Turkeys power and it definitely needs an ally such as Turkey in the Middle East.

Moreover, Gunes reports that Eroglu met yesterday with the President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso and the Commissioner Responsible for the Enlargement of the EU, Stefan Fule. The paper writes that no statements were made after the meetings, but according to information it acquired, Eroglu brought onto the agenda the issue of lifting the embargo of the Turkish Cypriots and the necessity for the EU to launch direct trade with them. Eroglu also met with the President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (EP), Martin Schulz. He is expected to return to the occupied areas of Cyprus today.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot officials hold contacts in Sweden

Ertug stated that they had the opportunity to meet with Swedish politicians as well as with representatives of Turkish civil society organizations based in Sweden and brief them on the Cyprus problem and the Turkish Cypriot views.

Drawing attention to Linblads close interest in Turkeys European Union accession process and the Cyprus issue, Ertug said that they will continue contacts with Swedish officials.

[03] Turkish diplomatic sources reject information that Davutoglu had an argument with Marcos Kyprianou

The sources said that Davutoglu addressed the meeting and reiterated the wish of his country to become full member of the EU, pointing out to two big problems on this issue. The first, he said, is the Cyprus problem which cannot be solved because of the Greek Cypriots attitude and the other is France's blockade.

Davutoglu alleged that Turkey does everything it can for the solution of the Cyprus problem since 2004, but the issue is not solved because the other side does not exert the same effort. He reiterated the Turkish allegation that the EU has committed a mistake by accepting a problematic country as its member. Davutoglu claimed that the EU, which has exerted efforts to solve the border problems between Slovenia and Croatia, has not done the same for Cyprus and now faces difficulties because it accepted as member a country which has border problems.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kucuk calls on the Greek Cypriot side to evaluate Turkish sides proposals on the property issue

Expressing his support to the above-mentioned proposals, Kucuk claimed that it is obvious that it is not possible to reach a solution without taking into consideration the socio-economic structure created in the occupied northern part of Cyprus during the past 36 years and added that this reality is understood better every day by their interlocutors in the international community.

He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side continues its intransigence and prevents the negotiations to come to a result by exhibiting a stance contrary to the realities in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Bulutoglulari met with Czech Ambassador

According to a press release of Lefkosia municipality, Bulutoglulari said that the year 2010 is the last opportunity to reach a Cyprus settlement, adding that the Greek Cypriot side should be aware of this. Noting that the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots carry out joint volunteer work, Bulutoglulari said that if both sides are really willing to find a solution and if the property issue is solved, the other issues can be easily solved.

For his part, Bondy said that 2010 is an important year for peace in Cyprus.

[06] Efforts to form a coalition government continue

Referring to UBP as my nest, Hasipoglu announced that he will officially return to UBP in the coming days. The other independent deputies Tahsin Ertugruloglu and Ejder Aslanbaba said that they are not thinking of joining UBP for the time being.

Meanwhile, there is no news from the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), which is considered an alternative choice for the UBP. There is also uneasiness in the Social Democracy Party (TDP), which verges towards a split if the party forms a coalition government. The paper also reports that TDP may withdraw its decision to form a coalition government with UBP, if UBP delays its decision much longer.

On the same issue, Mutlu Atasayan - deputy general secretary of UBP - said that meetings with TDP continue and that the aim is to reach an agreement soon, adding that UBP door is open to all independent deputies.

[07] Turkish Cypriot opposition leaders: It is time for democratization and modernization of the constitution

In the inside pages and under the banner headline A democratic constitution is a condition, the paper reports on statements by different opposition leaders on the issue.

Kutlay Erk, general secretary of CTP referred to the result of the referendum in Turkey and said that his party expressed its will for constitutional amendments in the constitution of the TRNC as well, adding that it is not democratic. He pointed out that efforts had been exerted in the past for amendment of the constitution and underlined that it is now time to proceed.

Esat Varoglu, TDP general secretary, stated that there is a need for amendments to the constitution. He said that determination for a more democratic and a more civilized constitution should be demonstrated. However, he said that with UBP in power, the possibility for amendments is slim.

On the same issue, DP general secretary, Bengu Sonya stated that is necessary for the constitution to be amended and said that this could be done gradually. He added that he does not believe that the current constitution was prepared under the pressure of Turkish army authorities. He said constitutional amendments are not a priority, adding that if the Cyprus problem is solved, the constitution will be amended anyway.

Mustafa Gokmen, ORP general secretary, stated that from time to time the opposition worked together with the ruling parties in an effort to amend the constitution. However, he said, the efforts were not fruitful. He added that taking Turkey as an example, more efforts should be exerted to achieve constitutional amendments.

(AK)

[08] Felek gang threatened Sener Levent of Afrika newspaper

[09] Six icons found in a car in occupied Kyrenia

[10] Corendon Airlines to continue flights to occupied Cyprus during winter-time According to the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (15.09.10) Yildiray Karaer, partner and general director of Corendon Airlines Company, which carries out charter flights to and from the occupied areas of Cyprus via Turkey, stated to Anatolia news agency that Corendon Airlines carry passengers from the Netherlands and Belgium to the TRNC twice a week via the Turkish province of Antalya. He noted that these flights are being realised with great success and that Corendon has become number one in the TRNC.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] ECHR finds Turkey guilty of failing to protect life, freedom of journalist Dink

The top European court ruled that Turkey had violated Articles 2, 10, 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, relating to right to life, right to an effective remedy and freedom of expression. The court fined Turkey to pay 133.000 Euros to the Dink family.

Moreover, A.A. reports from Ankara that the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey will not request referral of the case to the Grand Chamber. Turkey will take the necessary initiatives to implement the provisions of the Dink judgment, and take every measure to prevent recurrence of such violations in the future," said the ministry statement.

[12] Turkish economy grows 10.3% in second quarter of 2010

The gross domestic product increased by 17.1% to 268.4 billion TL year-on-year in the second quarter of 2010 in current prices. It rose by 10.3% in constant prices in the same period.

GDP climbed by 11% to 510.7 billion TL in constant prices in the first six months of 2010. Construction was the fastest growing sector in this period with 21.9% yet with a base effect from a 20.9% drop in Q2 2009. Fisheries grew by 15.7% after a 0.4% slide Q2 2009 and the manufacturing sector grew 15.4% after a 11.5% loss in Q2 2009.

[13] On civil dictatorship and politics in Turkey

Put aside a handful of liberals (from both the left and the right), conservatives and religious elites, and you would see that, surprisingly, most educated people in Turkey are very sympathetic to military guardianship and bureaucratic oversight of civilian politicians.

Where does this strange attitude of educated people come from? It, of course, comes from education itself. We have all been so brainwashed, being nationalist and pro-guardianship just becomes the default setting for educated people in Turkey. ()

None of our professors ever explained to us why there was no law that restricted the arbitrary powers of the military, while they always explained to us the importance of restricting the powers of governments.

After all these long years in education, it is really extremely difficult to get out of these mental settings and to learn to be suspicious about the role of military and bureaucratic elites in Turkey. Not only the education system but also the political system was organized in such a way that all these assertions were somehow turned into self-fulfilling prophesies. There was not too much room for political decision-making in Turkey. From Cyprus to the Kurdish question, from the Armenian question to the role of Turkey in the Middle East, almost all major questions were labelled security matters, and they could only be dealt with by the military itself. Politics and politicians were limited to distributing positions and awarding tenders, which in return simply reinforced their corrupt image. ()

After the constitutional referendum, I guarantee you that we will be hearing more and more of this civil dictatorship story. In Turkey, we are not used to seeing our country ruled by governments that are elected by the people. This government, albeit with the many mistakes they make, is just trying to rule the country, trying to be a real government. Turkish elites are extremely allergic to this idea. Therefore, we witness the use of this civil dictatorship argument by the same people who never questioned the military dictatorship, which was real and which ruled this country for many decades.

I am really concerned that with this base propaganda, Turkish elite prevents us from having a genuine discussion about the real mistakes that this government makes and will make. With their exaggerations and distortions, they kill the spirit of an honest discussion. As Jean Francois once said, 'To exaggerate is to weaken'. When they stop exaggerating, they will start to be an efficient and useful opposition, which has desperately and long been needed in this country.

[14] Highlights

a) Referendum on constitutional amendments

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Semih Idiz says that he results of the referendum have undoubtedly strengthened Prime Minister Erdogan's hand prior to next year's general elections, and argues that the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) is the other main winner.

Writing in Hurriyet Daily News, Cuneyt Ulsever says that the referendum has divided Turkey into three different ideological regions, says Cuneyt Ulsever and argues that having overcome a critical threshold, Erdogan is paving the path for an authoritarian presidential system in Turkey.

Mehmet Ali Birand in Hurriyet Daily News says that: "The Turkish public confirmed its trust in Erdogan. After realizing this, the opposition needs to stop looking for reasons but roll up their sleeves and change its strategy." The BDP's success has shown that it is impossible to solve the Kurdish or the PKK problem without talking to the BDP, stresses Birand.

In an article in Zaman entitled "Civilian Fine-tuning to Politics" columnist Ihsan Dagi interprets the referendum results as a strong vote of confidence for the AKP and its "civilianization and democratization projects." He claims that in the wake of the referendum, the Government is expected to abandon its "cautiously reformist" stance and undertake far-reaching democratic initiatives in a determined manner.

In an article in Todays Zaman entitled "What Does the Turkish Vote Mean to the US?", columnist Abdullah Bozkurt asserts that the AKP's "landslide victory" in the referendum helped clear the fog in Washington over who will lead the reforms as a close ally." He predicts that Turkish-US relations will "play a lower tune, at least until the year is out" because of disagreements over Ankara's policy toward Israel and Iran." He also calls on "our American friends" to "stop living in the 'glorious old days' during which both countries had agreed on almost everything."

In an article in Milli Gazette, columnist Muslim Coskun argues that the referendum results suggest worrying nationwide polarization.

b) The Republican People's Party and Kemal Kilicdaroglu

Writing in Milliyet, Hassan Cemal calls on the CHP to get rid of Deniz Baykal's mentality, underlining that it is time for the CHP to renew itself, to open its doors to the youth, to establish links with the academic world, and to mobilize "intellectual energy." It should turn toward social democracy, get closer to the EU and to Socialist International, move away from the firm and statist secularity understanding, and keep a distance from the army, asserts Cemal and adds: "If the CHP starts acting in this manner, it will become a credible and trustworthy alternative to the government. Those who are afraid of Tayyip Erdogan's authoritarian tendencies should actually be concerned about the vacuum of opposition and lack of alternative in Turkey."

Mustafa Mutlu argues in Vatan that Kilicdaroglu was wrong to talk about a general amnesty at a time when the AKP had received a failing grade from the people because of the Kurdish overture. He also describes Kilicdaroglu's comments on the Islamic headdress as his second major mistake. "Nonetheless the CHP will not achieve any results by imitating the BDP in the Kurdish issue and the AKP in the headdress issue. If it insists on these mistakes, the CHP voters will either not vote or they will vote for another party... Kilicdaroglu and his team should take the necessary steps that will rescue the CHP from the appearance of a party that lacks an identity."

In an article in Cumhuriyet, Hikmet Centinkaya argues that with its current structure the CHP may increase its votes in the general elections, but it cannot come to power by itself, and calls on the administration of this party to question whether the CHP is truly a social democratic party. Drawing attention to the need for a new democratic constitution and for the solution of the Kurdish problem, Cetinkaya recommends the CHP to appoint Sezgin Tanrikulu CHP Diyarbakir Province leader, to get reorganized in the region, and to pave the path for democratization. Calling on the CHP to draw up a proper road map and to assume the identity of a party that sides with the toilers, the people, and the poor, Cetinkaya says: "It is impossible to become a social democratic party with a conservative and statist identity."

c) Kurdish problem / Interview with Sezgin Tanrikulu

In an interview to Milliyet Dr Sezgin Tanrikulu, Diyarbakir representative of the Turkish Human Rights Foundation and former chairman of the Diyarbakir Bar Association maintains that the BDP should call on the PKK to avoid resuming armed action and stresses that the referendum has proven that the BDP is the interlocutor of the Kurdish problem. Also talking about the performance of the CHP during the referendum process, Tanrikulu underlines that the CHP "has moved away from a negative political style and has adopted a positive political style."

In an article in Vatan Can Atakli maintains that the referendum has proven that the AKP has not lost votes due to the Kurdish overture. Atakli points out that the Turkish people want to get rid of terrorism and violence and therefore they may even give up their demand for calling those who are responsible to account because of the problem in the southeast which affects the whole of Turkey. Therefore this problem should be resolved at all costs. In fact, it is even acceptable to sit at the table with the terrorists, to talk to the person in Imrali, and to even grant him an amnesty and legalize him politically to this end. This is the climate created by the referendum in the solution of the Kurdish issue, says Atakli.

In an article in Zaman entitled "Will the MHP's Kurdish policy change?", columnist Mumtazer Turkone asserts that the MHP's "massive defeat" in the referendum indicates the "total failure" of its Kurdish policy since this party linked its disapproval of the constitutional reform package "almost entirely" to the "Kurdish issue." He also argues that the Government's "democratic overture" is a project aimed at disbanding the terrorist PKK rather than one intended to promote the PKK's purposes, as the MHP maintains, adding that the referendum results indicate the MHP's need to change its stance on the southeast question radically.

d) Could Erdogan prevent this coup?

In an article in Yeni Safak, columnist Ibrahim Karagul calls attention to a "bizarre coincidence" where Prime Minister Erdogan is preparing to go to Pakistan at a time when the results of a referendum in Turkey will likely enable the country to "get even" with the architects of past military takeovers and "there are increasingly stronger signs that there will be a military takeover in Pakistan." He poses the question whether Erdogan's visit might have "political consequences" in the sense of helping Pakistan avoid further destabilization. He also argues that President Abdullah Gul's earlier visit to Pakistan this year provided indications of how Turkey could contribute to efforts to help Pakistan achieve political stability. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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