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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-08-16Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No.154/13 15-16/08/2013[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS[01] Eroglu assigns CTP-BG with the duty of establishing a "coalition government"Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.08.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu met yesterday with the leader of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG), Ozkan Yorgancioglu and assigned him with the duty of establishing a "coalition government".As soon as he was assigned with this duty, Yorgancioglu headed delegation which visited the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP). Today the CTP-BG delegation is expected to meet with officials from the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG). Yorgancioglu said they could meet with the UBP on Monday again and added that no give and take was held with this party. He said that their meeting was "positive". Referring to their meeting with the TDP, he described it as "friendly" and added that they could hold another meeting with this party. Yorgancioglu should form a "coalition government" until 29 August. Otherwise he should return this duty to Eroglu. Meanwhile, in statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (16.08.13), Asim Akansoy, CTP-BG's general secretary, described as "preparatory" their meetings with UBP and TDP, adding that during the meetings, they put CTP-BG's program onto the table and exchanged views. "They saw our basic approaches. The sides will evaluate the situation after this", he noted. Reiterating that they keep equal distance from all parties, Akansoy said that this process will not take long and expressed the hope to have a result in the beginning of next week the latest. (I/Ts.) [02] Kucuk resigns "orally" from UBP's leadership; Ozgurgun the only candidate for the post; Extraordinary congress on 31 AugustTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.08.13) reports that National Unity Party's (UBP) council and "parliamentary" group met on Wednesday and decided that Huseyin Ozgurgun will be the only candidate for the post of the chairman of the party during an extraordinary congress which should be held within 45 days.The current chairman of the party, Irsen Kucuk said that he had submitted orally his resignation and that he had not yet resigned in writing. Ozgurgun had been elected to the leadership of UBP in 2006 after Eroglu's leaving the post. During the same year Ozgrugun resigned and handed over this duty to Tahsin Ertugruloglu. According to the paper, except for Ozgurgun, Nazim Cavusoglu and Sunat Atun were also candidates for the post of the chairman of the UBP at Wednesday's meeting. Two rounds of voting were held with the participation of the 14 "MPs" of the UBP. During the first round Ozgurgun received 6 votes, Cavusoglu 5 and Atun 3. Ozgurgun won the second round with 9 votes to 6, after receiving the support of Atun. In statements after the voting, Ozgurgun said that he would be the only candidate among the "MPs", but anyone who is not "MP" could ran for candidate for the post of the UBP's chairman. He said he did not know when Irsen Kucuk will resign, but added that they agreed that Kucuk should do this the soonest. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (16.08.13) reports that Kucuk and Ozgurgun agreed that UBP's extraordinary congress will be held on Saturday 31 August. According to Gunes, in statements to illegal Bayrak television, Ozgrugun said that the UBP was open to any proposal for a "coalition government" and added that during the "elections" the "people" pointed out to three possibilities for a "coalition". Ozgrugun noted that his party will not say "no" to any proposal except for a "four-party coalition", as proposed by the Democratic Party (DP), because in this case no opposition would exist in the "parliament". Ozgurgun said that the congress of the party will be held within the framework of "UBP gathering its strength again". When asked whether the UBP's door was open for those who had abandoned the party and joined the DP, Ozgrugun said that UBP's door was open for everybody, but "if conditions are put for coming to the UBP, this will not be accepted by the party". Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (16.08.13) reports that some UBP officials said that Kucuk might not resign until the congress. They recalled that any party member could announce his/her candidature until 48 hours before the congress and added that Kucuk might use this provision in their regulations and not resign if a second candidate comes up. (I/Ts.) [03] Serdar is in favour of unifying DP and the UBP into a single centre right partyAccording to illegal Bayrak television (online, 15.08.13), the leader of the Democrat Party-National Forces (DP-UG) Serdar Denkta has made interesting statements regarding the formation of a "broad coalition" made up of the 4 political parties in "parliament" and the creation of a single party in the centre right. Denkta said that he was in favour of unifying the DP and the UBP (National Unity Party) into a single centre right party.He said that the National Forces umbrella had created such a demand. Speaking on a program on "BRT" on Wednesday night, the DP-UG leader said that they had come together with the other parties in "parliament" to see whether or not a "broad coalition" made up of all the parties could be possible. "With the creation of the National Forces, a process that is pushing the Democrat and the National Unity Parties to merge into a single centre right party has begun. I've said this before that it will not be possible to stand in front of this wind of change" he said, adding that the process will show whether this will be possible. Denkta also said that the majority of the people expected the "new
government" to be formed to question and investigate "government and
state practices" over the past few years. He added that their ultimate
goal was to establish a stable "government" for the next 5 years.
Asked what could prevent a CTP-DP coalition from forming, the DP leader
said that this could happen if the CTP undervalued the DP as a coalition
partner.
On the Cyprus problem, Denkta said that his party did not have the
slightest belief or hope that a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution could
be reached in Cyprus, reportedly mainly because of the Greek Cypriot
side's uncompromising attitude towards the issue of power sharing with
Turkish Cypriots.
Noting that the ground on which the negotiations are held and the
distance covered in the discussions are known, Eroglu called on the
Greek Cypriot side to continue the negotiations from the point they
were left and argued that reaching an agreement would not be difficult,
if the Turkish Cypriots' having equal rights with the Greek Cypriots on
the island was accepted.
"Come and let us sit at the table in the beginning of October and sign
an agreement within 2014", he said.
Meanwhile, Kibris (16.08.13) reports also that in statements during
the celebrations on the occasion of the occupation of Chatoz village,
Eroglu argued that reaching an agreement would be easy if all concessions
demanded by the Greek Cypriots are given. He alleged that if the Greek
Cypriots came to "the path of reason and peace", an agreement would
be possible. "However, it could not be said that we are hopeful, when
we see their demands and the steps they take that became more intensive
during the past few days", he claimed.
Eroglu argued that UN Secretary-General's special adviser, Alexander
Downer has submitted a 77-page document with the issues on which the sides
had agreed in the negotiations, and alleged that President Anastasiades
has not given a positive answer to this document.
Meanwhile, addressing another ceremony at occupied Maratha, Aloa and
Sandalaris villages, Eroglu reiterated the allegation that there are
"two different peoples and two states" in Cyprus, which have different
languages, religions and "geographies on which they are sovereign".
Referring to the information that Greek Prime Minister Samaras had
discussed the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha with
the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, Eroglu
alleged that "instead of Samaras asking for Varosha to be given to them
in advance, let him come and meet with us at the negotiating table and
listen to us". He alleged that what Greece should do is to "encourage the
Greek Cypriot side to come to reason". He reiterated that the proposal
of the Turkish side for a five-party meeting with the participation of
the Turkish Cypriot side, the Greek Cypriot side and the three guarantor
powers of the Republic of Cyprus is still valid.
(I/Ts.)
In statements during the meeting, Eroglu expressed his satisfaction
with the fact that this organization voluntarily carries out lobbying
activities in the world in favour of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Alleging that the "TRNC"
is facing problems on the issue of being opened to the world, Eroglu
claimed that because of the so-called embargoes, foreign investors are
prevented from coming to the occupied area of Cyprus.
In her statements, Atasoy said that their society is "Turkey's most
powerful lobby" as it includes 15 confederations, more than ten million
members and four thousand organizations. She said that at every activity
they organize they bring the problems of the "Turkish Cypriot people"
onto the agenda. She added that they call on the UN and the world to lift
the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
In statements to Kibris TV, Talat said yesterday that the visits between
the occupied and the government controlled area, were eased in 2003
with the opening of the barricades and added: "The cold war climate
became milder and the status quo, which is anomalous, started to seem
normal. And this created a serious danger".
Referring to the appointment of a negotiator by President Anastasiades,
Talat alleged that this includes the danger of "leaving the problem
hanging in the air". Noting that the Greek Cypriot negotiator has been
appointed by the National Council, Talat claimed that this could create
"sterile debates" and a "chaotic situation".
Replying to a question, Talat said that the community leaders will meet
in October and added that the Turkish side should prepare well. He argued
that it is absolutely necessary for the Turkish side to exert pressures so
that this meeting in October to be held at the level of community leaders.
Referring to the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha, Talat
alleged that the issue in the manner it had been brought onto the agenda
by the Greek Cypriot side was "delaying tactics" and argued that solving
this matter is difficult. He noted that in principle, he is not against
the discussion of the issue of Varosha, but added that "solving the issue
of Varosha is more difficult than solving the Cyprus problem". Talat
went on and wondered the following: "Given that the Greek Cypriot side
rejects the opening of Tymvou airport in return for Varosha and wants
in advance a gain which it will acquire in the solution, with what
conditions it will accept the sharing of the state when this day comes?"
(I/Ts.)
The one was the "Anti-militarist Peace Operation" organized for the fourth
time by the New Cyprus Party (YKP). By using the slogan "Ayse go home",
the participants in the activity made a call to the Turkish army to
withdraw from Cyprus [Translator's note: "Ayse" is the code name used
in 1974 by the then Turkish Foreign Minister Gunes, who signaled the
beginning of the second stage of the Turkish invasion by saying that
"Ayse could go for vacation"]. Turkey's Freedom and Solidarity Party
(ODP) and the Reconstruction Party (YKP) sent messages of support to
the activity, asking for all armies to withdraw from Cyprus.
The other activity was organized by the United Cyprus Party (BKP) under
the title "Resist Cyprus". Messages of support by Greek Cypriot AKEL
party, the Turkish Communist Party (TKP), Turkey's Peace Association and
Turkey's People's Houses were sent to the activity. The messages saluted
the resistance of the Turkish Cypriots against Turkey which occupies the
northern part of Cyprus for 39 years "in the direction if the interests
of imperialism" and against the attacks of the Justice and Development
Party (AKP).
(I/Ts.)
The commander of the 28th Mechanized Infantry Division Major General
0lhan Talu and the commander of the 14th Armoured Brigade Brigadier
General Avn1 Angun completed their duties in the occupied Cyprus.
The commander of the 28th Mechanized Infantry Division Major General
0lhan Talu handed over his command of the Turkish occupation forces in
Cyprus to his successor Major General Tayyar S?ng? with a ceremony on
Wednesday morning.
The commander of the 14th Armoured Brigade Brigadier General Avni Angun
handed over his command with a ceremony at the headquarters of the
Brigade to his successor Brigadier General ?zkan
Meanwhile both outgoing commanders met with the Turkish Cypriot leader
Dervis Eroglu yesterday. Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu said he
was pleased to hear that both had received promotions before leaving
the occupied Cyprus and wished them success at their new duties in Ankara.
(I/Ts.)
"If the West wants to pass the democracy test, it has to understand
this. But if it is on the point of losing the democracy test or if it
has decided on a process such as questioning democracy, then that is
another matter. As a matter of fact, if Western countries do not act
sincerely on this issue ? I believe that democracy will start to be
questioned throughout the world," Erdoan told reporters on August 15
ahead of his departure for a working visit to Turkmenistan.
Erdoan said he had talked to world leaders, including U.S. President
Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French Prime Minister
Jean-Marc Ayrault, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon, about the situation in Egypt.
Erdoan also called for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting. "The
Security Council of the United Nations should convene quickly to discuss
the situation in Egypt," Erdoan said. "This is a very serious massacre
... against the Egyptian people who were only protesting peacefully,"
he said, criticizing "the silence" of the global community in the face
of the bloodshed.
Meanwhile, Erdoan maintained that there was a constant attempt to
entrap the Islamic world, including his own country. "These traps exist
for us, too & Therefore, let us not forget that nobody wants a strong
Turkey. Therefore, we have to be strong. First, we have to love each
other. We have to be in solidarity. Therefore, we will keep our nose to
the grindstone, work and God willing build a strong Turkey in this way,"
Erdoan said.
Mirroring Ankara's step, Cairo reciprocated by recalling its own
ambassador in Turkey for consultations, Egypt's State Agency reported
a few hours later.
"Nabil Fahmy, the Foreign Minister, decided to recall Egypt's ambassador
in Ankara, Abdel Rahman Salah, for consultations," the state news agency
reported a few hours later, giving no further details.
Erdoan, who was returning from Turkmenistan, told reporters on the
plane that Ambassador H?seyin Avni Botsal1 would come to Ankara to
discuss the latest developments in Egypt.
Moreover, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Botsal1
was expected to return from Cairo on Aug. 16.
During the same meeting, Turkish officials responded positively to the PYD
side's requests for humanitarian aid to reach Rojava (the Kurdish name
for the Syrian Kurdish enclaves in the northern part of the country),
but no tangible result has been reported.
Muslim held a meeting with officials from the Foreign Ministry and
the National Intelligence Service (M0T) Aug. 14, marking the second
such meeting openly hosted in Turkey after the first one in late
July. Particularly taking into consideration the once harsh rhetoric
against the PYD by Ankara, a considerable number of analysts interpreted
these meetings and the lack of secrecy of the past few meetings, as a
policy change rather than fine-tuning.
No autonomy sought
During talks with Turkish officials, Muslim reiterated that they are not
seeking autonomy or independence, as he maintained that "their requests
concerning the future will be pursued inside Syria and the decision
concerning Syria's future will be made together by all Syrians," Turkish
diplomatic sources told the semi-official Anadolu Agency late Aug. 14.
Yet, according to news reports posted from Qamishli in northern Syria only
a few hours earlier on Aug. 14, the PYD's other co-leader, Asia Abdulla,
said they were in the second stage of declaring self-autonomy. Elections
will be held once all parties involved are approved, Abdulla said.
"Her statements are not binding for me. Our counterpart is Muslim and
likewise at the previous meeting, Muslim told us that what they have
been demanding right now is not a demand for autonomy. They have been
forming a local and non-permanent committee in order to provide for the
needs of their people. This is something acceptable as long as they do
not attempt to turn this non-permanent structure into a different body
as a fait accompli," a senior Turkish diplomat told the H?rriyet Daily
News Aug. 15 when reminded of the contradiction between Muslim's reported
remarks and Abdulla's reported prospects.
"Autonomy is a decision that shall be made by the free will of the people
of Syria and when it is eventually made in a free Syria, then Turkey will
have no problem with it," the same diplomat, speaking under customary
condition of anonymity, said, echoing remarks recently delivered by Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutolu.
Meanwhile, although the Turkish side pledged to continue humanitarian
aid to Syrians without any sectarian or ethnic discrimination, there
had been no concrete decision made to reopen the border gates so that
aid collected by civilians could be transferred to Rojava, officials said.
The talks with Hezbollah came as Turkey intensifies its efforts to
secure the pilots' release. A delegation headed by a senior National
Intelligence Organization (M0T) official is in Beirut for talks with
Lebanese intelligence authorities. The delegation, headed by M0T Deputy
Undersecretary Abdurrahman Bilgi?, met with Lebanese Interior Minister
Marwan Charbel to discuss their efforts for the return of the Turkish
pilots.
Lebanese news reports said the Turkish ambassador to Lebanon, 0nan
?zy1ld1z, met with the head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, MP
Mohammad Raad, at Raad's office on Wednesday. The Turkish official,
speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that talks were being
held with Hezbollah but rejected any characterization of the talks as
"seeking help from Hezbollah."
Journalist Y1lmaz was appointed head of the communications unit of M0T,
while academic D0lmen was assigned as the new M0T Counter-Terrorism
Coordination Centre head.
Y1lmaz's promotion has created great confusion among his colleagues as
they were not aware that Y1lmaz had been working for M0T.
Y1lmaz is not the first journalist to be a M0T agent. In an earlier
incident, Hayri Birler, who was deputy representative of H?rriyet
daily's Ankara office, was fired from the daily when his links with
M0T were exposed. Birler continued to work as a M0T official after
this incident. He became M0T's Diyarbak1r regional director at that
time. B0rler also worked for Milliyet daily before the H?rriyet daily.
According to Gallup surveys conducted between May 19 and June 23, only 43%
of Turks living in cities with at least 100,000 inhabitants expressed
confidence in the national government, compared with 68% of residents
of smaller cities and rural areas. In 2012, 50% of large-city dwellers
expressed confidence in the government, while this percentage was 57
among rural residents.
Most of the surveys took place after the raids on protesters' camps
in 0stanbul's Gezi Park on May 30 and 31. The police action triggered
protests in other major cities across the country. Gallup's data, however,
show that urban Turks' discontent with their country's institutions was
growing before the recent unrest.
In 2011, before Recep Tayyip Erdoan's Justice and Development Party
(AKP) won a third term, urban and rural Turks were equally likely to
express confidence in several of the country's public institutions. By
2012, these two groups' views of the national government and the judicial
system started to slowly drift apart, with more urban Turks withdrawing
support. This rift became larger in 2013 and included a loss of support
for the military among urbanites.
According to the survey, 49% of Turks living in large cities expressed
confidence in the judicial system, compared with 66% of residents of
smaller cities and rural areas. In 2012, 48% of urban Turks expressed
confidence in the judiciary compared with 53% of residents of smaller
cities.
The Gallup data also show that Turks living in small cities and rural
areas are now clearly more likely to say they trust the military than
large-city dwellers 81% versus 59% respectively. In previous years,
the two groups exhibited similar levels of confidence in the military.
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