Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-06-26

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish politicians react over the opening of the chapter 22

[02] "Is the crisis with the EU over?"

[03] Erdogan attacks again Gezi Protestors

[04] Turkish Daily Reports on "Extreme Police Measures" in protests against Court Ruling for demonstrator's killing

[05] Turkey: Ankara Mayor Launches Twitter Campaign against CNN

[06] Erdogan says he may pay "surprise" visit to Gaza strip

[07] Secretary General of Council of Europe held contacts in Turkey

[08] Survey shows that AKP still the first party in Turkey with 47%

[09] Show by Aslanbaba yesterday at the Ledra Street barricade

[10] Kucuk accuses Eroglu of playing a role in bribery incident

[11] Izcan asks for the immunity of the "MPs" involved in bribery to be lifted

[12] Turkish Cypriot economic organizations assess Aslanbaba's bribery allegations

[13] Five hundred students from 35 countries graduated from illegal DAU

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish politicians react over the opening of the chapter 22

Sabah (26.06.13) writes that commenting on the issue the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stated that the decision was in accordance to their expectations. He also said that the Turkish officials will start working on the issue of the Chapter opening in the coming week. "We have no worries", Erdogan stated.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto
lu praised the decision and said there would be no delay under any circumstances. "We agreed with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on a text that declared the opening of Chapter 22 on regional policies," Davuto
lu told reporters, adding that further procedures and technical meetings would be announced in the coming days.

"I hope that there will no longer be a short-term crisis. When you read the text, the first sentence says that they opened a new chapter," he said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also welcomed the decision and said the step is positive but insufficient one for Turkey-EU relations which have been recently strained. The top diplomat had conducted intense telephone diplomacy before the decision of the ministers. He held phone conversations with his German, Swedish and Dutch counterparts as well as EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner Stefan F?le.

In addition Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.06.13) reports that Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that EU General Affairs Council's decision to open chapter 22 in accession talks with Turkey was a chapter of regional policies and added, "This has been a meaningful contribution into Turkey's solution process" referring to the ongoing process on Kurdish issue.

Upon the questions of Turkish reporters in the Parliament, Bagis assessed the recent decision of the council to open chapter 22 in regards to Turkey's EU negotiations process.

"Many sides, either in Turkey or outside Turkey, got a chance to understand the importance of Turkey's EU process", he said and added. Turkey has opened a chapter after three years of time and number of chapters opened rose to 14. Turkish minister underlined that the context and the timing of the chapter was important and added, "The regional policies chapter is an important chapter to close the gap of development levels between regions, to have better income distribution in different regions of Turkey. This has been a meaningful contribution into Turkey's solution process as we attach importance in combating terrorism."

Bagis highlighted that Turkey's next chapters of 23 and 24 were really important for Turkey's democratization and added that all member countries had to pay attention to the calls of opening these chapters and hoped for all blocks to be lifted for the opening of the chapters.

[02] "Is the crisis with the EU over?"

"No, it is not over yet. It is true that the fire has been put off, thanks to the busy diplomatic traffic carried out by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu over the last few days. However, as announced by Davutoglu himself right after a final telephone call with German Foreign Minister Guidio Westerwelle, the outcome can be interpreted as follows: The EU agreed not to block the opening of the 22nd chapter on "Regional Policies," which is good, but it also linked it to voting by the 27 member states following Turkey's Progress Report, which is released in the fall. This means that Brussels expects Ankara to take some additional steps to enhance freedoms, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly in particular. Those two issues were particularly mentioned by U.S. President Barack Obama during his telephone call with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on June 24.

There is another timing detail regarding the actual beginning of the talks on Chapter 22 (it really sounds like "Catch 22," doesn't it?). It will be after the German elections (and these are on Sept. 22) are over. This puts a de facto condition on Turkish government figures to be careful in their comments on the German elections. As can be recalled, the last crisis was triggered when German Chancellor Angela Merkel got upset about a sarcastic remark made by Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis, which linked her attitude to the upcoming German elections. The German media made it clear, and not only in polite phrases, that the Bagis sarcasm was the main reason why the Turkish ambassador in Berlin was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry. It certainly led to some more sleepless nights for Davutoglu to put things on track.

[?]

Erdogan is likely to be under more pressure regarding the consequences of the Taksim protests now because of this crisis with EU. In the AK Party group meeting, he said no one could "tell him which government official to fire" (such as the governor or police chief of Istanbul) and repeated that he would never step back. On the other hand, it is clear that more than one reform package is expected - both inside and outside Turkey - from him. Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan had already signaled a fifth judicial package for this year, but after Taksim it may have to suggest more freedoms in practice, too. Thorbjorn Jagland, the Secretary General for the Council of Europe who met with Erdogan in Ankara yesterday, later on told the Hurriyet Daily News that a change in mentality of police and judiciary was necessary.

And there is the Kurdish issue, too. Erdogan is expected to hold a meeting today with the "wise people" commission (two liberal-leftist academics resigned, from it due to the Taksim events). The meeting will put an end to his campaign to convince people of the merits of the dialogue initiative and to start working on a legal package as the start of "Phase II," following the withdrawal of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants from Turkey to their bases in Iraq.

Did it occur to you as well that the Obama-Erdogan phone call was right after statements and pictures released by a news agency about U.S. ambassador Francis Ricciardone's recent visit to Hakkari, which borders Iraq and Iran, giving support to Turkey's Kurdish process? On the trip he had to stop on top of a mountain to get a burst tire repaired, but his message was clear: Everything was on due course on that front. On both the European front and on the democratization front a long and hot summer lies ahead for Erdogan, as well as on the Kurdish front. So, to repeat the answer: No. No crisis is totally over yet."

[03] Erdogan attacks again Gezi Protestors

Speaking in a group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, Erdogan said that Gezi Park did not belong to a minority but to the whole nation, stating, "We appreciate our national will as our honor and we'll protect it with our lives.|

"Protesters could not find domestic support so they began seeking external support," Erdogan alleged. "Protests in Brazil and Turkey are administered from same centre."

He also said the following: "Police entered the hotel at Taksim in pursuit of vandalists after they attacked the police. Abetting is a crime," and said purpose of Gezi Park protests was to hamper growth of Turkey and its economy.

He added that violence was never a precursor of victory and said it consumes and marginalizes, stressing, "Those who use violence, always end up as losers. This nation will never ingest these campaigns and saw their real target. This nation stands by the truth and the righteous."

Erdogan alleged: "Many of our youngsters were deceived, they became bit players and puppets," and said, "Both today and tomorrow, we'll reach a solution for each matter among us in brotherhood."

In addition, Today's Zaman (25.06.13) reports that Erdogan said that the Taksim Platform, a solidarity group formed to oppose the demolition of Gezi Park, "should know its place", dismissing the platforms demands.

[04] Turkish Daily Reports on "Extreme Police Measures" in protests against Court Ruling for demonstrator's killing

The protest that started around 7 p.m. local time was also marked by extreme security measures taken by the police around the Taksim area. The demonstration was only allowed under a heavy riot police cordon.

Police also blocked all roads potentially leading to the area, checking the passengers of private cars at checkpoints.

Journalists, including Daily News staff, have been extensively searched by police officers despite showing their official press cards granted by the Prime Ministry's Press and Information Office. Metro and funicular access to the square was also canceled.

However, police this time did not intervene in the protesters, who held their peaceful demonstration at the intersection between the Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue. The most recent protest organized in Taksim on June 22 saw an intervention by the police, armed with water cannons and tear gas, which was later justified in the grounds that demonstrators were standing on the roads and blocking traffic.

That gathering aimed to commemorate those who died during the countrywide unrest, and had been carried out peacefully until the intervention, with many of the protesters holding carnations in their hands and offering them to the police.

The outcry over the deaths of protestors has increased, as a police officer, identified as Ahmet S. who allegedly shot a demonstrator, was released yesterday by a court pending trial, after the prosecutor argued that the shooting was "within the limits of self-defense."

Ethem Sarisuluk, the deceased 26-year-old worker, died last week from his wounds after being shot in the head during a protest in Ankara on June 1. The ruling prompted a spontaneous demonstration yesterday evening in Kad1
k?y, on Istanbul's Asian side. Several other gatherings were also organized in several cities across the country to protest the court's ruling.

[05] Turkey: Ankara Mayor Launches Twitter Campaign against CNN

The mayor's hashtag, "#stoplyingCNN", topped the world trending topics list on the social media platform. Gokcek thanked those who participated in disseminating his message.

Ankara mayor had urged on Monday "all Turks and Muslims in the world, as well as all conscientious human beings irrespective of their faith", to take part in the campaign.

As the hashtag continued to rise in popularity, Gokcek shared videos which showed protesters attacking the police, public coaches, bus stations, stores and businesses, and the burning of a Turkish flag during the demonstrations.

He reminded his followers of CNN's eight and a half hour uninterrupted live coverage of the events, a first in Turkey for the news outlet.

"God willing, we will teach someone a lesson so poignantly that they will regret having invented Twitter," Gokcek posted during the course of the campaign.

[06] Erdogan says he may pay "surprise" visit to Gaza strip

Erdogan told reporters after a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday that he had been planning to make a visit to Gaza in June but he had to delay the trip due to the protests linked to Gezi Park in central Istanbul.

"These events sadly forced us to delay the trip. Gaza is ready [for the visit] but we couldn't become ready because of the events. We can make a surprise visit at any time," Erdogan told reporters.

Erdogan earlier made several statements about his visit to Gaza but the date was repeatedly delayed due to various factors. The US has publicly urged the Turkish Prime Minister to postpone the visit but Erdogan said he will go ahead with it. Erdogan enjoys high popularity in Gaza because of messages of solidarity with Gazans he has given on many occasions and his rhetoric against Israel, which imposes air, land and naval embargoes on the Palestinian strip.

Asked about his phone conversation with US President Barack Obama on Monday, Erdogan said he talked about Syria, Iraq and the Middle East in general. He also noted that Obama listened to his narrative of three-week protests in Turkey. He said his telephone conversation was nearly one hour and they talked through a "secure line." It was not immediately clear if speaking through a secure line was the usual practice.

[07] Secretary General of Council of Europe held contacts in Turkey

The meeting was held closed to the press at the Prime Ministry building in Turkish capital Ankara. Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Deputy Chairman of Turkish ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party responsible for Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu, former president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the COE in 2010-2012, also attended the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting Jagland stated that he had a very positive meeting with the Prime Minister Erdogan as well as the Minister of Justice and said that COE can be very important in opening new chapters in Turkey's European Union (EU) accession negotiations.

"Turkey is one of the founding fathers of the COE. Turkey and the COE are listening to each other," he noted. Jagland told that they handled at the meeting the recent developments in Turkey related to Taksim Gezi Park protests and incidents. Jagland also said Turkish Premier Erdogan underscored COE's key role in that respect.

On June 16, Jagland had issued a written statement on Taksim Gezi Park protests in Turkey saying "I continue to follow the developments in Turkey very closely. I call on all parties to continue the dialogue. Any further escalation of violence must be prevented."

[08] Survey shows that AKP still the first party in Turkey with 47%

The survey was carried out with 1,500 people accurately portraying Turkey between 3 and 19 Jun.

Q: If There Were An Election Today

AKP [Justice and Development Party] 47.1 percent

CHP [Republican People's Party] 30.9 percent

MHP [Nationalist Action Party] 14.6 percent

BDP [Peace and Democracy Party] 4.6 percent

Other 2.8 percent

Q: Most Popular Politicians

Recep Tayyip Erdogan: 41 percent

Mustafa Sarigul: 32.9 percent

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: 27.1 percent

Bulent Arinc: 21.6 percent

Devlet Bahceli: 18.9 percent

Q: If There Were Local Elections Today

AKP 48.9 percent

CHP 31.6 percent

MHP 13.5 percent

BDP 4.6 percent

Q: Who Should Be President Of The Republic?

Abdullah Gul 34.4 percent

Recep Tayyip Erdogan 26.7 percent

Kemal Kilicdaroglu 16.6 percent

Q: If Erdogan Becomes President Of The Republic Who Should Replace Him As AKP Chairman?

Abdullah Gul 24.7 percent

Bulent Arinc 5.7 percent

Numan Kurtulmus 13.1 percent

Ali Babacan 11.6 percent

Ahmet Davutoglu 6.9 percent

Q: Who Should Lead The Turkish Left?

Mustafa Sarigul: 30.9 percent

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: 27.5 percent

Deniz Baykal 4.2 percent

[09] Show by Aslanbaba yesterday at the Ledra Street barricade

Aslanbaba, who is an illegal Turkish settler, was banned from travelling abroad, because he had alleged that efforts were exerted to bribe him in order to vote in favor of Sibel Siber's "interim government" during the "vote of confidence" at the "assembly" last Sunday.

In statements after he was not allowed to cross over to the government-controlled area, Aslanbaba criticized the fact that the same ban is not implemented for Serdar Denktas and Ahmet Kasif, chairman and "MP" of the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) respectively. Noting that the names of Denktas and Kasif are also involved in the bribery incident, Aslanbaba alleged that self-styled prime minister Siber banned him for travelling abroad because of his ethic origin. He noted that tomorrow he would ask Siber about this issue. He argued that he did not know that a decision which prohibits him to travel abroad existed, because no "court" decision had been conveyed to him.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Kucuk accuses Eroglu of playing a role in bribery incident

In statements to Anatolia news agency yesterday, Kucuk said that according to the transcript of the text of the CD's handed over by Aslanbaba to the "assembly", Eroglu is involved in the incident. He noted: "Just like Dervis Eroglu has been proved to be the actor in all the congresses of the UBP, he has unfortunately played an active role both in the overthrowing of our government and in this newly established government".

(I/Ts.)

[11] Izcan asks for the immunity of the "MPs" involved in bribery to be lifted

He noted: "The events are a result of this wry regime. This regime, the MPs of which are sold out and their names are involved in bribery allegations, has collapsed. The assembly, which has MPs who are sold out and who go around from the one party to the other trying for their own interests and not for the people's interests, has gone bankrupt".

Noting that all four parties represented in the "assembly" have been polluted, Izcan called on the Turkish Cypriot community to vote for BKP in the "elections".

(I/Ts.)

[12] Turkish Cypriot economic organizations assess Aslanbaba's bribery allegations

Under the title "No trust remained", the paper publishes statements by Gunay Cerkez, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, who said that the allegations for bribery have seriously damaged the trust "to the economy, the country and the politicians".

Ali Cirali, chairman of the Chamber of Industry, noted that the incidents showed how ugly politics are, and asked from the community not to give way to such persons.

Tamer Mufuzade, member of businessmen association (ISAD), argued that the trust of the "citizens" to politics vanished.

Arsen Angi, chairman of young businessmen association (GIAD) described the allegations for bribery as "scandalous" and noted that such incidents caused instability.

Hurrem Tulga, chairman of the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (KTEZO), argued that the incidents are a result of the corruption that exists in the occupied area of Cyprus and asked for the amendment of the "law" that concerns the political parties.

(I/Ts.)

[13] Five hundred students from 35 countries graduated from illegal DAU

The paper writes that the graduates come from 35 countries and notes that until today around 39.500 students graduated from DAU.

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