Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-08-14

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] The process for establishing a "coalition government" begins; CTP-DP the most possible solution; Press sees problems between CTP-DP

[02] Results of 2011 "population census" are announced after two years; They say only 56% of the population is born in Cyprus

[03] Afrika continues referring to Talat's wiretapping

[04] Turkey on alert over Egyptian clashes

[05] Ankara seeking Iran's help with the kidnapped Turks

[06] Russian Ambassador: Turkey is an important political partner of Russia

[07] G?len Movement denies "rift with ruling AKP"

[08] CHP accuses government of making blacklist of its members

[09] Turkish Parliament to be open to scarves

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The process for establishing a "coalition government" begins; CTP-DP the most possible solution; Press sees problems between CTP-DP

Eroglu met first with the delegation of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) under Ozkan Yorgancioglu, who in statements after the meeting recalled that his party received the most "votes" during the "elections" and expressed the hope that Eroglu would make the assignment for establishing a "government" the soonest.

Eroglu's second meeting was with the delegation from the National Unity Party (UBP) under Irsen Kucuk, who stated that their meeting was held "in a very good climate". Kucuk said that the competent organs of his party gave them the authority to hold discussions on the establishment of a "government".

Serdar Denktas, who was heading the delegation of the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) said that Eroglu will naturally assign the CTP-BG with the duty of establishing a "government" and added that DP-UG will possibly be a "coalition partner".

Eroglu's last meeting was with the delegation of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) under Mehmet Cakici, who said that the "government" should be established quickly, noting that "this is what people expect".

In his statements after the meetings, Eroglu said that all agreed that they should increase the standard of living of the "TRNC's people". He added that they discussed issues such as the amendment of the "constitution" and changes mainly in the "political parties' law", the "civil servants' law" and the "parliament's internal regulations", as well as the submission of the "constitutional amendment" to a "referendum" next year together with the "local elections".

Eroglu noted that the CTP-BG is the party which came first in the "elections" and it is closer to the establishment of a "government". He, inter alia, said: "If there is a formation outside CTP-BG, we will evaluate it of course. By saying 'another formation' we mean that perhaps some parties might come together and say that they are thinking of another formation, and this could take a day of our work, but the party in the first position now and closer to establishing a government is CTP-BG..."

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (14.08.13) covers Eroglu's statements under the title "Towards a CTP-BG- DP-UG coalition".

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (14.08.13) reports that confusion was caused by Eroglu's statement that the CTP is closer than any party to establishing a "government", but "different formations" could also be evaluated.

According to the paper, the "unofficial" discussions of CTP-BG with the DP-UG have started with "a crisis". The DP has reportedly suggested a "restoration government", which will change the "constitution" and some fundamental "laws" and will be established by technocrats like the current temporary "government". The CTP, on the other hand, has insisted on an "executive government" based on "members of the parliament".

Havadis reports also that another issue which has been turned into a "crisis" between the two parties is the Cyprus problem. The DP-UG is reportedly insisting on the inclusion of an expression in the possible "coalition protocol" of the two parties saying that "if the negotiations come to deadlock, they should not continue". According to the paper, the CTP replied negatively to this demand. The paper points out that the DP thinks like Eroglu who says that the negotiations could not continue for too long and that everybody should take his own way.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Results of 2011 "population census" are announced after two years; They say only 56% of the population is born in Cyprus

According to these results, the number of the population permanently living in the occupied area of Cyprus or the "de jure population", as the regime calls it, is 286.257 persons. 150.483 persons or 52.6% of the population are men and 135.774 or 46.4% are women. The number of those who were born in Cyprus is said to be 160.207. This number constitutes 56% of the population constantly living in the occupied area of the island.

The number of the people born in Turkey and permanently live in the occupied area of Cyprus was established to be 104.641 or 36.6% of the total population permanently living in the occupied area of the island. The total number of the "TRNC citizens" who are born in Cyprus and live permanently in the occupied area of the island is 153.374. This number is 80.5% of the "TRNC citizens" permanently living in the occupied area of Cyprus. The number of the "TRNC citizens" who are born in Turkey is said to be 31.234.

The distribution of population to the occupied districts of Cyprus is said to be the following:

Nicosia: 94.824 (49.838 are men and 44.986 women),

Famagusta: 69.741 (36.742 are men and 32.999 women),

Keryneia: 69.163 (36.718 are men and 32,445 women),

Morfou: 30.037 (15.661 are men and 14.376 are women) and

Trikomo: 22.492 (11.524 are men and 10.968 are women).

According to the results, the number of the "TRNC citizens" in the "de jure population", who stated that they are "citizens" of one or two "countries", is 190.494. The number of the citizens of Turkey was 80.550 in the census, while the number of the citizens from the United Kingdom was 3.691.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Afrika continues referring to Talat's wiretapping

The paper writes that it is said that Halil Falyali, a well-known businessman in occupied Famagusta, had visited Talat last Friday in his summerhouse at occupied Livera village and held a "very private meeting" with him on the issue of this wiretapping.

It is alleged that all the recordings of Talat are in the hands of the person who had programed his computer and that hundreds of tapes exist except for those leaked to the press. It is said that this person attempted to sell these tapes to some politicians.

According to Afrika, Serdar Denktas rejected the proposal of buying these tapes and informed Talat about the incident. However, some other politicians have purchased some of these tapes, writes the paper wondering why the "police" have not yet acted on the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkey on alert over Egyptian clashes

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an was informed of the Egyptian forces' intervention early today, the agency said, adding that both Erdo
an and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto
lu placed diplomatic calls immediately after the news broke about the crackdown. Davuto
lu was said to have discussed the matter with some of his colleagues, but no details have been given so far.

The Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry declined to give details on the contacts of Erdo
an and Davuto
lu.

Moreover, Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has also reacted to the crackdown, calling on the U.N. Security Council to release a call for halt to violence in Egypt, arguing that the international community needs to give a stronger reaction to what has happened in the Middle Eastern country.

CHP's Deputy Chair Faruk Lo
o
lu spoke to Anadolu Agency hours after Egypt's security forces backed by bulldozers moved in on two huge protest camps set up in Cairo by Morsi's supporters.

"The use of violence in this by armed forces and security forces of any country, including Egypt, against civilian people definitely has no aspect which is acceptable," Lo
o
lu said, expressing "deep sadness and grave concern."

"Thus, we condemn these interventions and call for an immediate end to these," he said, while underlining the international community's responsibility to display a stronger reaction to developments in Egypt.

"We believe that it is particularly necessary for the U.N. Security Council to release a call asking for a halt to violence and for opening of the gate and way to democracy in Egypt," said Lo
o
lu, a veteran retired diplomat.

[05] Ankara seeking Iran's help with the kidnapped Turks

Davuto
lu phoned Salehi on Sunday seeking Iran's help with the kidnapped Turks, saying Turkey would welcome any Iranian contribution to efforts to secure their release. Salehi expressed regret over the abduction of the Turks and said his country was ready to do what it can to help ensure their release.

After the Friday abduction of Turkish Airlines pilot Murat Akp1
nar and co-pilot Murat A
ca, Turkey has urged its nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon and asked those who are in the country to leave. It also suspended activities of the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center and moved the office of THY inside the Beirut airport as a security measure.

A group called Zuwwar Imam Ali al-Reda has claimed responsibility for the abduction, demanding that Turkey step up pressure on the Syrian opposition to release nine Lebanese Shiites who were kidnapped by Syrian opposition fighters in the civil war-torn country in May 2012. Turkey, a staunch supporter of the Syrian opposition, says it has little influence on the fate of the Lebanese hostages since they were kidnapped in a foreign country and are being held by foreigners.

[06] Russian Ambassador: Turkey is an important political partner of Russia

"Russian-Turkish relations are developing in various fields, including the economy, politics, tourism and culture, and a few days ago Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an had a telephone conversation with President [Vladimir] Putin. We are doing our utmost to maintain and intensify this tempo," Karlov said in an interview with Today's Zaman during his visit to the Turkish-Russian Cultural Center in Moscow on Monday.

Karlov stated that the main target is to triple the trade volume between the two countries. "Trade and economic ties are not growing by themselves. We need to increase our trade volume from $34 billion to $100 billion and therefore need to advance regional cooperation," Karlov said, adding that he plans to concentrate on working towards further developing the ties in this field. He specifically noted that it has already been two weeks since he began having meetings with regional representatives and managers deeply interested in trade, economic and investment cooperation with Turkey. "Our duty is to help the connections be established between the two sides in the region," Karlov added.

Describing Turkey as an important political partner of Russia, Karlov said Turkey is one of the first countries Russians are interested in visiting. However, he said, "The number of Turks visiting Russia is very low, unfortunately," and added that he does not think "Russia is less beautiful than Turkey."

Referring to the fact that 3.6 million Russian citizens travelled to Turkey last year, Karlov called on Turks to frequently visit Russia, too.

[07] G?len Movement denies "rift with ruling AKP"

Many have been speculating about recent conflict between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the "Hizmet" (Service) movement, an Islamist religious movement taking inspiration from self-exiled theologian Fethullah G?len and whose inner workings have often been the source of speculation.

The GYV also categorically denied that the G?len movement had played any sort of role in sparking the Gezi Park protests.

The Hizmet Movement is not against unarmed peaceful protests as it respects democracy, the statement said, but added that such protests could be abused, prompting the movement to discourage its followers from attending such demonstrations.

The statement repeated G?len's June 6 statements, in which the religious leader urged the government not to underestimate the possibility that Gezi could be transformed into a plot against the government, even though it began as an environmentalist action.

The statement also cited Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy 0
dris Bal's recent "Taksim Incidents Analysis," which said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an had been misinformed during the Gezi Park protests and that a redevelopment project at the heart of the issue had not been handled in a democratic way.

The statement said the Hizmet Movement's approach to the issue was not different than Bal's findings and that the government had made a "strategic mistake" on the Gezi Park protests.

[08] CHP accuses government of making blacklist of its members

H?rriyet published some of the files on its website without specifying their source -- or exact purpose -- but CHP leader Kemal K1
l1
?daro
lu pointed the finger at the government and said his party would raise the issue in Parliament as soon as the new legislative session opens on Oct. 5.

K1
l1
?daro
lu said the "[Prime Minister] cannot stand any opposition. They have put state institutions on the main opposition party's tail. We were informed about this before and we are investigating."

According to the paper, based his story on documents, Mehmet Baransu wrote for Taraf daily in mid-June claiming that the M0
T had put together a blacklist of businessmen and companies in categories like "CHP members," "leftists" and "Christians." The alleged purpose of the list was to keep those on it from doing business with state institutions and winning public tenders.

[09] Turkish Parliament to be open to scarves

The four agreed articles have long caused controversy on a legal and constitutional level, as much as among the four parties in Parliament.

Regarding the wearing of headscarves, all four parties have maintained a consensus as the new version of the article has become: "The state takes precautions to remove obstacles and all sorts of discrimination that make it difficult for women to use their rights and freedoms in political, social, economic and cultural areas."

Women's quota

It is widely interpreted that this will pave the way for women wearing headscarves to participate freely in public service.

Another remarkable decision was the fact that women's quotas have entered the draft Constitution for the first time with a four-party consensus. It will now be legitimate to implement quotas in order for women to participate in greater numbers in political party headquarters, provincial organizations, city councils, universities, labour unions and judicial organs among organizations.

"Sexual orientation," a critical term for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, was omitted despite a proposal by the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP); still, it was mentioned as part of a rationale of the article on equality. Previously the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) had been staunchly against mentioning the term in the Constitution. AKP deputies had even argued beforehand that if it were done, people would call it a "homosexual Constitution."

The BDP demanded the term "ethnic origin" to be included in the equality section as well, which was accepted by the AKP and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), while the MHP opted out. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article