Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-06-14

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] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan reacted to EP's resolution on Gezi Park protests; reaction statements by Davutoglu and Bagis

[02] Erdogan made the last call to Gezi park protesters to clear the park

[03] Statements by Turkish officials on AKP's proposal to hold a referendum on Gezi Part demolition; Erdogan changed his mind

[04] EU envoys in Ankara said that suspending negotiations with Turkey is out of question

[05] Two public opinion polls revealed the identity of the protestors in Turkey and the reasons they had joined Taksim Gezi Part demonstrations

[06] M0
T is allegedly accused of profiling CHP's supporters and politicians

[07] Turkey signed a development cooperation program' with KRG

[08] The new "cabinet" of the occupation regime has been announced

[09] New self-styled government is overtaking today; Questions exist as to whether it could secure "vote of confidence"

[10] YKP decided to boycott the upcoming "early elections"

[11] The regime continues to arbitrarily distribute land violating even its own "laws"

[12] A conference is organized in Germany on the Cyprus problem

[13] "Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli search and rescue exercise" has been completed

[14] "Modern slavery" reportedly exists in occupied Cyprus

[15] Norwegian tourists in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan reacted to EP's resolution on Gezi Park protests; reaction statements by Davutoglu and Bagis

Addressing mayors of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Erdogan declared that he does not recognize the resolution that the European Parliament endorsed.

In a meeting in Strasbourg, European parliamentarians approved a resolution that criticized the Turkish government for the police crackdown on protests, but fell short of condemning Turkey.

He slammed the EU parliamentarians for ignoring police response to G-8 protesters in Britain and Greece, where police and protesters demonstrating against austerity measures have clashed repeatedly over the course of the country's severe economic crisis. "What do the EU authorities did when people and the police confronted each other than giving Greece money?" he asked.

"How can you pass such a decision on Turkey, which isn't even an EU member but a candidate? How dare you?" Erdogan said to an applauding crowd. He pointed criticism in particular at two European officials, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and the leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, Hannes Swoboda, for their criticism of the government handling of the protests. "They have this guy in charge of enlargement. He cannot offer a slightest counter argument while with me, but then he tweets. Is this ethical?" he asked, in reference to Fule, who wrote on his Twitter account after attending a conference together with Erdogan, that he was "disappointed by the lost opportunity at the conference to reach out to those calling for respect and inclusive dialogue."

As for Swoboda, Erdogan accused the Socialist politician of criticizing his government to make up for slamming Turkey's main opposition leader, Kemal K1
l1
cdaroglu, a few weeks ago. (& )

Hours before Erdogan's speech, Swoboda posted another tweet, saying that Erdogan continues to threaten demonstrators. "But more violence is the last thing Turkey needs now. Dialogue, not riot police!" Swoboda said in the tweet.

'Banana republic'

The EU Parliamentarians warn against the use of harsh measures against peaceful protesters and said Erdo
an must take a unifying and conciliatory position, it added. Those responsible for the police violence must be brought to justice, detained peaceful protesters immediately released and the victims compensated, says the resolution. The resolution also welcomed a conciliatory statement by President Abdullah Gul and apologies to protesters by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ar1
nc while deploring "the unwillingness of the Turkish government and Erdogan to take steps towards reconciliation, to apologize and to understand the reactions of a segment of the Turkish population."

Going beyond protests, European Parliamentarians also expressed concern about "the deterioration in press freedom, including acts of censorship and growing self-censorship within the Turkish media," complaining that the mainstream media remained silent about the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, responding to European criticism, Egemen Bagis, Minister in charge of EU affairs, accused some European officials and politicians of making "irresponsible" statements and "talking nonsense" for the sake of media attention.

"Some Parliamentarians should understand that there is a price to pay for talking this comfortably and daringly about Turkey's internal matters," he said in a statement. "Turkey is not a banana republic."

Also, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu rejected the European Parliament resolution, describing it as "unacceptable" for Turkey. He said no country could teach Turkey a democracy lesson, slamming the European Parliamentarians for issuing the resolution that he branded as "one-sided." Davutoglu stressed the violence perpetrated by some protesters in the course of demonstrations and accused the resolution of not including that side of the events. He said the resolution portrayed a false image of Turkey "as if only the police used excessive force and that protesters were totally peaceful."

He described Thursday's resolution and reports of some international media as reflecting an "Orientalist" position. Davutoglu added if there was any wrong implementation in response to the protests that are not in line with democratic standards, the necessary punitive steps would be taken. He reminded that the authorities have already started inspections and investigation regarding the excessive use of force while quelling the protests.

Davutoglu said also that Turkey is a country that protects freedom of assembly and other freedoms of democracy and that the country won't allow some circles to picture Turkey as a chaotic state.

(?) Davutoglu stated that Turkey will not allow any international body to discuss issues between the Turkish government and its people and that the decision of the EP will be "sent back to them once they submit it to us."

Davutoglu also dismissed debates that compared the Turkish protests to mass uprisings in Arab nations and said that Turkey has everything that the Arabs demand such as democracy, freedoms and free and fair elections. He said Turkey's democracy is as mature as British, German and French democracies and that protests there were caused as a result of the economic crisis. He said Turkish protests started based on environmental concerns, which he said take place in advanced societies.

[02] Erdogan made the last call to Gezi park protesters to clear the park

Erdogan's statement came one day after his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government raised the prospects of holding a referendum or plebiscite in a bid to resolve the two-week-long Gezi Park conundrum.

Erdogan said he asked for the park to be cleared of "troublemakers" within 24 hours. "We will clean the square," he said.

"Our patience is at an end. I am making my warning for the last time. I say to the mothers and fathers please take your children in hand and bring them out... We cannot wait any more because Gezi Park does not belong to occupying forces but to the people," Erdogan told an AK Party meeting in Ankara.

The Prime Minister's comments came a day after the government proposed holding a referendum over a development plan for Gezi Park in central 0
stanbul square of Taksim that has fanned the protests. Police have at times fired water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters; five people have died and over 5,000 have been injured.

(& )

[03] Statements by Turkish officials on AKP  s proposal to hold a referendum on Gezi Part demolition; Erdogan changed his mind

The idea of a referendum was floated by the government following a meeting on the ongoing protests between Erdogan and an 11-member delegation.

Speaking at a meeting with former mayors from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who had been heading municipalities that were closed upon the adoption of a law on metropolitan municipalities, Erdogan referred to the meeting he had with the delegation on the Gezi protests, and noted that he had offered going to a plebiscite to decide the park's future.

"A referendum can only be applied to constitutional changes according to our laws, however a plebiscite is an implementation that a municipality can do in a city. This is not something that can be done with the Higher Election Committee. There is no such situation either," Erdogan said.

Earlier in the day, the head of the Council of State made clear that such a referendum cannot go against a standing court order for the suspension of the project."I do not take this as a referendum," Huseyin Karakullukcu told reporters. "This is more like a vote to reveal the demands of the public. This cannot obviate the judiciary's decision."

(?).

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.06.13) reported that Turkish President Abdullah Gul in statements on Thursday during a visit he paid to Turkey's northeastern province of Artvin, replied to reporter's questions and said: "It is pleasing that this much debated issue has entered such dimension. It sets an example to the whole world and shall be followed. This shows we are mature enough to solve our problems by talking, discussing in dialogue and within framework of law. Therefore, I find the recent developments pleasing" in relation to plebiscite talks.

Upon being asked of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's meeting with the Gezi Park delegation on Wednesday and plebiscite talks, Gul said, "Your statements are an indication of how democracy works and at high standards."

(?)

Moreover, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (13.06.13) reported that the Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K1
l1
cdaroglu has supported a suggestion from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to hold a plebiscite on the fate of Gezi Park in 0
stanbul's Taksim Square, while CHP Deputy Chairman Akif Hamzacebi has said even considering a referendum was an indicator of ignorance about the Constitution.

It was originally K1
l1
cdaroglu's idea to hold a local plebiscite on the park. But on Thursday, Hamzacebi said: "There can't be a plebiscite [on Gezi]. Suggesting this shows ignorance about the Constitution." In response to a question recalling that K1
l1
cdaroglu had initially suggested a referendum, Hamzacebi said the CHP leader was only explaining the CHP's understanding of local government taking residents' views into account at every step.

(& )

Turkish Cypriot daily Hurriyet Daily News (13.06.13) reported that the demonstrators occupying Gezi Park to prevent a demolition project, objected to the government's referendum proposal and defied the warnings to evacuate the park on June 13, announcing that they intended to remain until "concrete steps" were made to meet their demands.

"Gezi Park is life. We will continue to defend our vital rights everywhere and under every condition," said Can Atalay, spokesman of the Taksim Solidarity Platform on behalf of the demonstrators.

Can Atalay said that the court had already suspended with a ruling the construction of the historic barracks on the site. "Under normal conditions, 'meeting of our demands' is the government's duty towards its citizens."

However the group added that the discussion in terms of referendum was progress after the police raids. "We consider the government's ending of threats and opening of a discussion on a 'referendum' as a step and a promise that there won't be new casualties. But we unfortunately note that in the Prime Minister's or spokesperson's statements, the threatening language is still present," the statement continued.

[04] EU envoys in Ankara said that suspending negotiations with Turkey is out of question

The EU position was clearly stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, who said that the negotiations with Turkey will continue. Because Turkey needs the EU now more than ever," one of the ambassadors noted. He also stressed that the Turkish government that is in power right now is legitimate, as it is has been elected by the people.

Envoys have convened to exchange views on the 17 days of Gezi Park demonstrations, labeling the protests as a gain for long-term Turkish democracy, although it has impaired the worldwide image of the country.

"The people, will of course react to the decisions made without their approval. The government should take it into account, a move that will be very important progress on the way to [Turkey's] EU membership," an EU envoy said during their meeting in Ankara on Wednesday.

In an address to his colleague's one of the Ambassadors especially underlined the importance of the opening of chapter 24 in succession talks which addresses the issues of justice, freedom and security adding: "It is the right time."

Commenting on whether the anti-government demonstrations in Taksim Square can have an impact on Turkey's decades-long EU bid, the EU ambassadors unanimously said: "the suspension of the negotiations is certainly not in question."

The EU is closely monitoring the Gezi Park protests, while Western powers are involved in hot debates regarding the country-wide anti-government demonstrations in Turkey. Besides Germany, all other EU Commission states have called for restraint regarding the protests. The agenda of the EU ambassadors in Turkey who meet each month to discuss the overall situation in the country, is right now busy with reporting on the recent developments in the country.

[05] Two public opinion polls revealed the identity of the protestors in Turkey and the reasons they had joined Taksim Gezi Part demonstrations

The average age of protestors is 28, with 79% not affiliated with any political organization and 45% attending a protest for the first time.

Another interesting outcome showed that 69% heard about the protests through social media. According to Konda some 79% of the protesters are not members of any kind of political parties, clubs or social associations. 15% of the protestors learned the police violence from their friends and 7% found out about the situation from TV.

Another striking result of the poll was that 47% of participants thought there was no political party in Turkey that they could vote for and 79% with no affiliation with any organization. When the participants were asked: "What are you demanding?", 34% said "protection of freedoms," while 18% said "prevention of rights violations," and 9% said "confronting oppression" and another 9% said "urging the government to resign."

The question: "Why did you come to Gezi Park?" received replies of "Because the trees were to be cut down" from 15% and "to protest police violence" from 49%. When they were asked if they were currently a member of any organization/party/association, 79% said they had no affiliation with any association and 94% stated they were participating in the protests individually. The poll also showed 37% had never voted, 18% wouldn't vote, 29% were undecided, and 47% thought there was no party to vote for.

A total of 52% of protestors are currently working while 37% of them said they were students, and 56 percent hold university degree/master degree.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (13.06.13) reported that according to another public opinion poll conducted among Gezi Park protesters by the Genar research company, 74% of those surveyed voted for the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in the last elections.

Before the protests erupted in Gezi Park, the CHP had voted in favor of the Taksim project in Parliament; however, the CHP later gave its full support to protests and CHP leader Kemal K1
l1
cdaroglu visited Taksim Square to offer his support to protesters. Following this move, officials from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) accused the CHP of opportunism.

The survey found 74% voted for the CHP in the last elections, while 16% voted for pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)-supported independent Deputies, 2.1% for the Turkish Communist Party (TKP), 2.1% for the Workers' Party (0
P), 1.% for the AK Party and the rest for other political parties.

However, when asked "Which political party would you vote for in the next elections?" 64.7% said they would vote for the CHP, 13.5% for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), 2.6% for the TKP, 2.2% for the 0
P and 1% for independent Deputies. None of those surveyed said they would vote for the AK Party in the next elections.

Furthermore, 46% of those surveyed said they had joined the riots to give their support to the protests, while 11.8% said they did so for freedom and 9.4% for environmental sensitivity.

(?)

Moreover, 58% of survey participants said the main cause of the Gezi Park protests is Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 13.7% said Erdogan's AK Party, 8.2%said police brutality, 3.4% said the uprooting of Gezi Park trees and others gave various other answers.

[06] M0
T is allegedly accused of profiling CHP's supporters and politicians

Following scandalous accusations about M0
T having signed protocols with some public institutions to obtain personal information about those who use the services provided by the institutions, Taraf's latest claim is full of political implications given that some leading CHP politicians are also involved.

The documents the daily has obtained reveal that CHP Deputies and Mayors along with members of the party, who run businesses, are among the hundreds of people and companies that have been profiled by M0
T. In the records kept by the intelligence agency, the business sector the companies belong to are noted and people, including the sister of Deniz Baykal, Deputy at present and previous leader of the CHP as well as Tufan Kose who is the CHP Deputy for Corum province, are profiled in such descriptive ways as "supporter of the CHP," "leftist," or "Christian."

Some of the information in the M0
T documents is being allegedly communicated to the Prime Ministry via telephone, with notes being made in documents that indicate which information should be orally communicated. The aim, according to the daily, is to prevent those for whom records have been kept from being employed in the public service and from taking part in public tenders.

As per M0
T documents and information, which the daily said it obtained from people working at the Prime Ministry, it's noted that information pertaining to security investigations about people, about people to whom tenders are to be given and the ideologies of those people is to be communicated verbally in an effort to avoid legal trouble. The verbal communications between M0
T and the Prime Ministry is allegedly being conducted over a special telephone line. "Sources in the Prime Ministry have affirmed to Taraf that this information is being made use of in both appointments to public posts and tenders.

The documents demonstrate that both officials in the Prime Ministry and the intelligence agency are worried that communicating the information orally over the telephone may not be safe, as the telephone used for this purpose is no safe from wire-tapping.

It is noted in the documents that information pertaining to "religion, political party affiliation and ideological stance" is to be orally communicated to the related department in the Prime Ministry. One of the people who has been profiled in the M0
T documents is Halil Ataman, son-in-law of the CHP's Baykal. Dozens of pieces of information, about the companies Ataman owns, his children and what schools they attend, his wife, who is an American citizen and the daughter of Baykal, have been found among the documents.

Ataman's birth details and the names of his father and mother are also noted in the documents. Tufan Kose, CHP deputy from ?orum province, and his partner in business, Nihat Bakar, are also among those whose profiles are in the records. The documents contain detailed information about their company, which is in the field of animal husbandry, including the fact that a foreigner is also a partner to the company.

Information about a person who is a candidate to become a judge is also in the documents.

(?)

[07] Turkey signed a development cooperation program' with KRG

The programme covers 5 main areas of health, education, transportation, social supports, and public-private cooperation, as Turkish Minister Yilmaz said.

"All those areas are the priorities for the cooperation. In addition to those areas, new ones can be covered at any time," said the Minister.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Yilmaz said that Iraq in general and Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government in particular, was a significant region for Turkey concerning the historical, cultural, and economic ties between the countries.

Yimaz pointed out that the Kurdistan Region needed infrastructural investments of more than 30 billion dollars and said that it was impossible to carry out such investments with the budget only, emphasizing the need for public-private cooperation.

Iraqi Minister Sindi said that they attached great importance to the areas covered in the cooperation programme adding: "We want to benefit from Turkey's experiences. We believe that we should take more steps for peace and friendship."

[08] The new "cabinet" of the occupation regime has been announced