Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-02-15

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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 unions, parties and public to ease tension

[02] Cicek: "Our wish is to see a strong TRNC"

[03] ODP chairman expresses support to the Turkish Cypriots

[04] Ercelebi describes Erdogan as a sultan

[05] "Cicek will go, Akca will come"

[06] Ertugruloglu: "Eroglu's dynasty has come to an end"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Hasipoglu meets AKP vice-chairman

[08] Financial support from Turkey to occupied Cyprus to be made through projects

[09] "We have things to learn from northern Cyprus!"

[10] "Germany meddling in Cyprus affair"

[11] Emine Erdogan to address UN session

[12] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu calls on unions, parties and public to ease tension

Eroglu said that governments might be faced with economic crises from time to time, which cannot end without taking measures. Therefore, he said, governments that do not take measures will be risking their term of office. Noting that the "TRNC has been struggling with an economic crisis since 2007", Eroglu said "the government has a plan to overcome the current problems".

Recalling that "reaction has increased in the TRNC as a result of the government's recent draft law regarding the pensioners and changes in VAT", Eroglu said: "Tension will ease in the upcoming days if parties act with more serenity and the government works on some measures in cooperation with certain associations". He added that he is obliged to bring together political parties and try to find a mutual solution.

Eroglu also said that "creating the image that there are problems between Turkey and the TRNC will have negative consequences for us". Noting that "he signed an economic protocol when he was prime minister", Eroglu said that this protocol only includes steps to help the various sectors recover.

Eroglu declined to comment on the appointment of Halil Ibrahim Akca to the position of Kaya Turkmen, adding that this is a decision taken by the government.

The Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Craftsmen Hurrem Tolga, for his part, said that they conveyed to Eroglu their views regarding the current economic situation. He also said that they support Eroglu for communal reconciliation, adding that the NGOs and the political parties should assume their responsibility on this issue.

[02] Cicek: "Our wish is to see a strong TRNC"

Havadis (15.02.10) reports that Cicek said that the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party is the government which has made the greatest contributions to the "TRNC" in politics, diplomacy and economy since 1974. He said, inter alia: "The maximum contribution Turkey's past governments have made to the TRNC was around 200 million USD a year. But now our government is making an average of 600 million USD in aid every year".

Responding to a question over a Turkish Cypriot demonstration scheduled for March 2, Cicek said that the planned demonstration was not discussed in yesterday's meeting of the Council of Ministers and added: "Whether that rally is held or not, is not something which needs our clearance or approval. The TRNC is a democratic country. We just expressed and continue to express our reaction to false accusations which Turkey never deserved."

Commenting on Turkey-"TRNC" relation, he said that it is not a relation based on interest but on brotherhood, and repeated that they helped the "TRNC" to establish relations in the Council of Europe and the Organizations of the Islamic Conference.

Kibris newspaper (15.02.11) writes that Cicek stated that Turkey has done and will continue to do what it has to do, as a friend of the "TRNC" pointing out that one of its main needs is potable water. Therefore, Turkey has begun a project to transfer water to the "TRNC" beneath the Mediterranean Sea, said Cicek, who estimated the cost of the project around 450-500 million USD.

Moreover, he said Turkey is assisting the "TRNC" with three-year protocols, which are signed following a dialogue between the two sides so it is not Turkey's fault if now they [Turkish Cypriots] say they have no idea about the protocols. Cicek also said that the aim of the protocols is to bridge the difference in the rate of development between the "TRNC and the Greek Cypriot administration, and to make TRNC more prosperous."

He added that the way to achieve this is through investments, but pointed out that infrastructure is absent. He said there is need for many structural reforms and if money is spent to close the budget deficit they will never be able to bridge the gap with the south. He concluded saying that they are not dictating what should be done, but they are saying in a friendly way that if the necessary measures are not taken they [the Turkish Cypriots] will face economic difficulties. He also said that Turkey has experience and is ready to share it with Turkish Cypriots, along with the economic support which will continue.

[03] ODP chairman expresses support to the Turkish Cypriots

Tas said that the Turkish Cypriots are fed up with the motherland - daughterland policies, that they want to administer themselves and revolt against Ankara which tries to impose what she has learnt from the IMF on the Turkish Cypriots without asking them. He also said that Erdogan cannot look at Cyprus with the attitude of an Ottoman pasha, adding that the solution to the problem is that the Turkish people understand well the Turkish Cypriots, and that ODP could be a bridge of communication in order to achieve this.

[04] Ercelebi describes Erdogan as a sultan

[05] "Cicek will go, Akca will come"

"Halil Ibrahim Akca will perform his ambassador duties for a month and he will return to Ankara. Then he will be a candidate in the Sivas region for the 12 June general elections and if there are no problems he will be elected with big support from Erdogan.

First he will become member of the parliament, then a minister....the minister responsible for Cyprus affairs..." writes Ozadam.

Ozadam says that Akca will then follow step by step every project for restructuring the "TRNC" by Ankara and adds inspite of everything, he is a good economist who has already started pondering about the future of the "TRNC". He concludes: "We do not care who they will appoint, as long as he does not seem like a whipping boy."

[06] Ertugruloglu: "Eroglu's dynasty has come to an end"

He said the National Unity Party (UBP) and Eroglu play very sneaky and dangerous games, and that their politics is double-faced, adding that those who have been nourished by the system have realized that this cannot continue. He also said that Eroglu's double-faced policy and his dynasty have come to an end.

Ertugruloglu also said that the tension created recently is not a surprise to him. He pointed that Turkey is the only country in the world that has always stood by the Turkish Cypriots, adding "Ankara too makes mistakes, however, we should make our self-criticism first."

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Hasipoglu meets AKP vice-chairman

[08] Financial support from Turkey to occupied Cyprus to be made through projects

According to information by the Turkish State Planning Organisation and the so-called economy and energy ministry, this step was agreed between the Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk in the framework of a cooperation protocol signed in November to support Partial Donation Assistance Projects in the "TRNC".

As the paper reports, CKA will, inter alia, provide the sources for further cooperation between the "public" and the private sector, as well as the NGOs, and will promote the investment potentials of the area to local and foreign investors.

[09] "We have things to learn from northern Cyprus!"

Ulsever argues that the reason is because the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), sees the Turkish Cypriots as a bunch of people whose political culture can be transformed into that of its own and adds:. "The AKP pours money into northern Cyprus, builds mosques everywhere but has somehow been unable to 'tame' the Turkish Cypriots!

The most sensible member of the AKP Cabinet, Minister Cemil Cicek, was affected by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's insult of seeing northern Cyprus as a 'servant girl.'

I cannot decide what it is? Is he a minister of the Republic of Turkey or a governor of a colony in northern Cyprus?".

Referring to statements by Prime Minister Erdogan, who said "Fear is not in our politics. There are no efforts at artificial threats, rumours or artificial fears in our policy to survive", he cites statements by the former "president" of north Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat: "We have a difference of style with Turkey. People in northern Cyprus criticize each other, but never insult each other. In Turkey, this is being done, however. They'll get used to our style of communication. Provocateurs are only warned in northern Cyprus unless they apply violence, nothing else is done against them. In Turkey, provocateurs are detained or suppressed or forced to remain silent. As the world is heading toward broader democracy, we cannot narrow our sphere of democracy. He is absolutely right!"

On the other hand, the article continues, "the former northern Cyprus president defended protestors although he disagrees with them!

It is said that Egypt is taking Turkey as an example. C'mon, my foot! I'll also be glad if Turkey doesn't take after the 'military tutelage' in Egypt as an example for a 'civilian tutelage' in this country!

As this trend of 'modeling' has just begun in the Middle East, is it not better for Turkey to take after northern Cyprus' culture of democracy?"

[10] "Germany meddling in Cyprus affair"

According to the paper, "... the ultimate aim in Merkel's game plan is to lay the blame on Turkey for the lack of progress in both UN-sponsored Cyprus negotiations as well as on EU accession talks with Ankara.

The plan, in the works for some time, was highlighted during the German chancellor's first visit to the Greek Cypriot part of the divided island on January 11 for a one-day state visit, during which she squarely put the blame on the Turks while praising what she described as Greek Cyprus's 'courage and creativity' in talks."

Recalling statements by both the Turkish prime minister and the Turkish President Abdullah Gul who expressed regret over Merkel's remarks, the paper adds:

"The cooked-up plan worked smoothly and Merkel deserves much of the credit for hitting two birds with one stone in this case. Not only did she carry the Cyprus deadlock to the heart of EU accession talks with Turkey as a major impediment before everything else, including her own staunch opposition to Turkish membership, but also drove a wedge between Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. In response, Ankara showed it can play hard ball as well and sacked the current ambassador to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) and replaced him with Halil 0
brahim Akca, the point man used to run the crucial assistance to the KKTC until recently .& & & ..  .

Referring to the protests held on January 28 and to be repeated on March 2, the paper writes that they are designed to give the impression that Turkey is the only party preventing the island from uniting and adds: "'Even the islanders on the north do not want Turkey meddling in its affairs,' was the message Greek Cypriots, backed by Germany's Merkel, wanted the world to hear. Although the Greek part of the island rejected the UN-backed Annan plan for unification in 2004 while the Turkish north voted overwhelmingly for it, Merkel is trying to draw a different picture for her own interests.

As we watch the events unfolding before our eyes, this may ultimately come back and bite Germany, hurting long-term strategic interests of the economic powerhouse of the EU on account of short-sighted policies pursued by Merkel's conservatives. The export-driven German economy needs strong manufacturing partners like Turkey and China -- both are committed to improving their infrastructure and productivity -- to continue expanding on the heels of high-quality German capital goods.

What is more, there seems to be growing frustration in Ankara over stalled talks with the EU and it seems to have been infecting even the most pro-EU circles in the country recently. As the membership leverage is rapidly losing steam, Ankara is busy developing new economic and foreign policy tools to advance its own national interests in a much more diversified portfolio. On the roster of items Turkey needs to tackle, Cyprus no longer tops the list and has been relegated to much lesser importance?."

[11] Emine Erdogan to address UN session

Emine Erdogan will travel to New York with State Minister for Women and Family Issues Selma Aliye Kavaf to participate in the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which will take place at the United Nations Headquarters from Feb. 22 to March 4.

The Istanbul Women's Research Centre reported on Monday that Emine Erdogan will speak during a meeting organized by the centre on "The importance of women and girls' access to education for the construction of humanity and the empowerment of women."

[12] Highlights

Cyprus issue

In his article in Hurriyet, Mehmet Y. Yilmaz censures prime minister's anger toward a group of demonstrators holding anti-Turkey placards at a demonstration in northern Cyprus. Recalling that Erdogan demanded that the demonstrators be punished and that the government appointed a new ambassador about whom the Turkish Cypriots complain, Yilmaz maintains that protests against government policies are one of the basic principles of democracy. Yilmaz concludes that it is odd that a government which harped on democracy for the past eight years is far from internalizing one of the basic principles of democracy.

Turkey/Middle East

In an article entitled "Democracy doctrine in Turkish foreign politics," in Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Sedat Ergin detects a "new doctrine in Turkey's Middle Eastern politics." He notes that Ankara, for the first time, stepped in to demand democracy in the wake of the crisis in an Arab country. Quoting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying" If we demand democracy, prosperity, justice and freedom for ourselves, we want them for our brother peoples as well," Ergin maintains that Erdogan in fact asked for democracy for the entire Islamic world. He questions whether Erdogan will be able to act consistently and show similar reaction to possible future crises in the region and to take side with democracy and not oppressive regimes, recalling that Erdogan was among the first to congratulate Iranian president "following an unjust election in 2009." He concludes: "If consistency is the matter, it is the subject of another article to talk about the consequences of moving away from democracy, such as with the ill treatment of protestors and the suppression of press freedom in Turkey."

In an article in Yeni Akit entitled "Turkey model becomes diversified when looked at from Egypt", columnist Yasin Aktay discusses Arab perceptions of Turkey's status as a potential "model" for regional countries, as defined in a paper presented by an Egyptian researcher at the "Arab-Turkish Social Sciences Congress" held at the Institute of Strategic Thought in Ankara in December. He argues that the diversity of Arab perspectives on the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), in Turkey, illustrated by what the paper describes as the Salafi debate, the Muslim Brotherhood debate, the Al-Wasat Party debate, and the Al-Nahda debate over the AKP, establishes that the "Turkey model" is not to be dismissed summarily as irrelevant. He also asserts that as the Arabs perceive it, the Turkey model can serve a useful function as an inspirational paradigm rather than as a template to be applied without changes.

Yeni Akit columnist Necmettin Turinay predicts a major "crisis" in Egypt likely to be caused by the "historic disagreement" between the "pro-US/pro-Israeli" higher echelons of the Egyptian military and "local groups" within the army, adding that Egypt will need Turkey's "experience" and support in trying to solve its "internal paradoxes" and that Ankara should start looking into what it can do to help Egypt's new ruling cadres feel secure against the United States and Israel.

In an article in Yeni Akit entitled "From Cairo to Istanbul", columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that the news media, the financial system, politics, and bureaucracy in Egypt continue to be controlled to a large extent by "US and Israeli puppets" installed by the Mubarak regime and that because of this, the Egyptian military has positioned itself as an occupying force that represents Israel in maintaining manifestations of the old system following Mubarak's resignation. He also argues that the ongoing criminal investigations in Turkey against a number of coup conspiracies like Ergenekon and the so-called Operation Sledgehammer will provide the Egyptian people with a reference point by which to orient themselves in trying to determine their future.

President Gul's visit to Iran

Cengiz Candar writes in Radikal that speaking to journalists accompanying him, President Abdullah Gul noted that "the Middle East is undergoing its deepest transition period," Gul praised the Egyptian army's contribution to the prevention of bloodshed, Candar reports, adding that, in reply to a question on whether can play a role in Egypt's transition period, Gul pointed out comments on Turkey being a "source of inspiration." With regard to the relations with Iran, President Gul underscored that Iran's "bureaucratic obstacles" stand before the big potential in Turkish-Iranian economic and trade ties, adding: "No need for the US embargo, Iran's bureaucratic embargo is enough for the Iranians." Candar also notes that the plane that took Gul to Iran was full of Turkish businessmen and that this is the biggest delegation visiting Iran in recent years.

Sledgehammer trial

Writing in Star, Samil Tayyar maintains that the recent meeting between General Isik Kosaner, chief of the General Staff, and Prime Minister Erdogan and the court's decision to arrest the 163 suspects, including 29 suspects on active duty, in the Sledgehammer case are related. Arguing that the General Staff is a party in the ongoing case because the military personnel is put on trial Tayyar adds that Gen Kosaner is subject to "intense neighbourhood pressure" to act. Questioning what should be understood from the court decision to arrest so many suspects, he notes that the record high number of arrests at a time when military-civilian relations are normalizing is peculiar. Tayyar concludes: "It should be remembered that the Sledgehammer case, like other cases, is a lawsuit and not a suit of revenge."

Today's Zaman columnist Ekrem Dumanli hails the arrest of some 163 military suspects in the investigation into the so-called Sledgehammer coup conspiracy as a turning point for "our democracy." He also praises the General Staff for its "respect for the law and its confidence in the judiciary" sign ified by its stance on the Sledgehammer trial.

Today's Zaman columnist Yavuz Baydar asserts that the latest arrests in the Sledgehammer trial spell "a huge institutional and structural crisis. Those officers have to be replaced by lower-ranking officers: It means turbulence, uncertainty and high tension." Baydar also warns that any "interference, manipulation and undue maneuvering" intended to change the course of the trial will damage the process of "normalization."

KCK's chaos plan

Under the headline "Chaos plan," Bugun carries a front-page report which provides highlights from a "chaos plan" that the Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan (KCK), is "planning to implement ahead of the general election in June." According to the report, the plan, sent to KCK members by acting PKK leader Murat Karayilan, "chairman of the KCK's supposed executive council," involves the creation of an environment of chaos and tension through protests and riots to be started on 15 February and expected to escalate on Nevruz Day [ 21 March].

MHP, CHP's pre-election performance according to opinion polls

Yeni Safak columnist Abdulkadir Selvi argues that the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), is likely to determine the political balance in the post-election period in the sense that depending on whether it manages to pass the 10% election threshold or not, the AKP will either have sufficient parliamentary power to change the Constitution single handed or will have to call a new referendum on a new constitution. He claims that the MHP is set to obtain some 13% of the vote today according to opinion polls but that this party remains on shaky ground because its leader, Devlet Bahceli, fails to realize that the MHP is losing votes to the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). He also claims that polls suggest a decrease in public support for the CHP owing to Kemal Kilicdaroglu's tendency to make u-turns and engage in unproductive arguments with his political rivals and his failure to come forward as a true social democratic leader capable of offering new projects to society. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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