Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-12-27

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu held a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary

[02] Eroglu says he wants a new partnership state in Cyprus established with the powers given by two "sovereign peoples"

[03] Ertug: the written exercise for a joint declaration has ended; Ankara does not want inclusion of the single sovereignty in the declaration

[04] Nami: Agreement on a joint declaration could be reached within an hour between the leaders

[05] Eroglu and Ankara are accused of "poisoning the negotiating process" and of submitting separatist proposals

[06] The CTP-DP self-styled government is reportedly about to collapse

[07] Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan Announces Reshuffle, New Cabinet

[08] Erdogan: I am the real target of the graft probe

[09] New Turkish Interior Minister Ala reflects Erdogan's roadmap

[10] Resigns and expels from AKP over the graft probe

[11] Prosecutor removed from new graft probe in Turkey

[12] Turkish lira hits record lows amid piling political crisis

[13] EU warns Turkish government on probe, for the second time in a week

[14] Turkish columnists on the graft probe crisis

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu held a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary

The latest stage reached in the talks on the joint declaration was discussed during the conversation. Eroglu informed UN Secretary General about the latest "initiatives" of the Turkish Cypriot side, Bayrak broadcast.

According to a statement from the self-styled president's office, the UN Secretary General said that he was well aware of the Turkish side's efforts. "He praised the Turkish Cypriots constructive efforts as well as the Turkish Foreign Minister's support to the process", Bayrak reported. He also said that he expected the two sides in Cyprus to make use of the window of opportunity and to restart the Cyprus negotiations process by the time the report is prepared.

[02] Eroglu says he wants a new partnership state in Cyprus established with the powers given by two "sovereign peoples"

In statements during a meeting with Turkey's Bar Association, Eroglu alleged that, with the aim of gaining time, the Greek Cypriot side had put what he described as "precondition" the signing of a joint declaration before sitting at the negotiating table. Eroglu argued that the real problem will be solved at the negotiating table and that the solution is postponed with the above-mentioned "precondition". Eroglu said he was not sure on whether the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution.

Eroglu noted that the Turkish Cypriot side talks about "a bi-zonal, bi-communal new partnership which will be formed by two founding states", while the Greek Cypriot side wants the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus by changing its name.

In his statements, the chairman of the Turkish Bar Association, Metin Feyzioglu argued that Eroglu's being at the Turkish Cypriot leadership during the period of the recommencement of the Cyprus negotiations, is "an important chance" both for Turkey and for the "TRNC".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.12.13) reports that addressing a reception he hosted for journalists in the occupied part of Nicosia, Eroglu claimed that from the very beginning, the Turkish Cypriot side has been working in harmony with the UN on the issue of the joint declaration. He argued that the Turkish side accepted with "small changes" the first document submitted by the UN on this issue. He alleged that the process for the recommencement of the negotiations has come to a deadlock because of what he described as the "intransigent stance" of the Greek Cypriot side.

Eroglu said that in the document submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side on 14 December, they proposed that the sovereignty in Cyprus "should derive from the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot peoples" and that no side could claim that it has sovereignty, rule and power over the other. He added that they also suggested that the "founding states" should be able to exercise all their powers without the interference of the federal government and that the persons who will take the citizenship of united Cyprus will also have the citizenship of the "founding state" to which they belong.

Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side's position as regards turning the Republic of Cyprus into a federation by making some constitutional amendments is contrary to the UN parameters. According to Eroglu, a solution could be reached based on the following "parameters": "The state to be established will be a new and a partnership state. This state will be established with the powers given by two sovereign peoples. Of course, we are not opposed to this partnership state's having sovereignty and of course it will have a single identity abroad".

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.12.13) reported that Eroglu argued that "with or without a joint declaration we will actually find and discuss everything at the negotiating table". In statements during a meeting with a Turkish Cypriot think tank's delegation, Eroglu described the discussion on a joint declaration as "wrong". However, the UN accepted it, he added.

Eroglu reiterated that Turkey's active and effective guarantees are a red line for them.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ertug: the written exercise for a joint declaration has ended; Ankara does not want inclusion of the single sovereignty in the declaration

Ertug said also that Ankara gave to the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon the message that "if there will be a new document, the single sovereignty could not be included in this document". Ertug alleged that "there could not be anything more natural than this".

Referring to the proposal submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side on the joint declaration, Ertug described it as "a real opening" and alleged that the most "unreliable" among the players involved in the Cyprus problem is the Greek Cypriot side. "Greece is a more reliable player", he argued. "These people have rejected even their own proposal. They submit a proposal as a bluff, and they withdraw it when we accept it", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nami: Agreement on a joint declaration could be reached within an hour between the leaders

In statements to Kibris, Nami said he could not understand why there was no communication between the leaders within the past 3-4 days. He argued that the leaders should "help each other", adding that this is what should be done if a joint state will be established.

Nami said that he is more hopeful today than in the past on the issue of the solution and added that the process today is "at a much more advanced point" comparing to its beginning. Nami added: "Two words remained and the problem could be solved. What I have said is that with the solution of the problem regarding the joint declaration, there is the possibility of reaching an agreement within months, not years. I have not said that referendum will be held after some months".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Eroglu and Ankara are accused of "poisoning the negotiating process" and of submitting separatist proposals

Elcil said that Eroglu leads the Turkish Cypriots to annihilation and added that they will continue opposing to Eroglu and his "separatist team". He accused Eroglu and his team of poisoning the negotiating process and of not hesitating to attack the self-styled foreign minister of the regime, Ozdil Nami, who "approaches positively to the issue recently".

Meanwhile, Kibris reported also that Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) has said that they demand the Cyprus negotiations to continue from the point they had been left and to reach a comprehensive solution. In a written statement, Izcan noted that the proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the joint declaration aim at a confederation based on the sovereignty of two separate states. He pointed out that the propaganda carried out by the Turkish side which refers to "early solution and referendum within three months" aims at hiding the real targets of the Turkish side.

Izcan claimed that while the Turkish Cypriot side and AKP government in Ankara actually insist on a confederation by suggesting two separate sovereignties, the Greek Cypriot side postpones the beginning of the negotiations because it feels weak due to the economic crisis.

Izcan noted that sovereignty is one and inseparable in federation and added that this is provided for in the UN Security Council Resolutions. He pointed out that the Turkish side rejects this by insisting on a confederation based on two separate states and sovereignties and it is not sincere when saying that it wants a solution.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The CTP-DP self-styled government is reportedly about to collapse

It is said that self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu believes that the issue is totally "under his responsibility", because these persons are paid by the "prime minister's office". Yorgancioglu is reportedly insisting on not renewing the contracts of these people.

Citing a reliable source from the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) - the CTP's "coalition partner" - the paper writes that the relations of Yorgancioglu with the DP-UG "have been cut off" due to his intention to fire this "temporary personnel". The sources said that the DP-UG will not accept this and might withdraw from the "government". They added that some persons from within the DP-UG might support a possible "motion of censure" to be submitted by the UBP against the "government".

Meanwhile, writing in his daily column in Kibris Postasi (27.12.13), Gokhan Altiner argues that there is a huge pressure on Yorgancioglu from within the CTP and that is why it is rather impossible for him to change his mind and not fire these 366 persons. He argues that the interruption of the relations between the "coalition partners" "is a question of time".

He also reports that according to some information, self-styled minister of finance, Zeren Mungan has submitted his resignation due to the pressures exerted and the attacks against him. He says that Yorgancioglu begged Mungan to delay his resignation.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Erdogan announces reshuffle, new cabinet

The cabinet reshuffle comes after Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Environment and Urbanization Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, who face bribery and corruption allegations, announced their resignations.

Guler has been replaced by Prime Ministry Undersecretary Efkan Ala, who is one of Erdogan's closest aides. Nihat Zeybekci assumed the ministerial position left vacant by Caglayan while Idris Gulluce was appointed as the new Environment and Urban Planning minister.

Egemen Bagis, whose name was also mentioned in the graft investigation as a suspect involved in corruption and bribery, also lost his ministerial post in the reshuffle. Bagis has been replaced by Justice and Development Party's (AKP) deputy chair in charge of external affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag was appointed as new justice minister, after Sadullah Ergin announced his candidacy for the upcoming local elections in the southern province of Hatay.

Ankara Deputy Emrullah Isler will replace Bekir Bozdag as deputy prime minister. Aysenur Islam Aile was named to replace Family and Social Affairs Minister Fatma Sahin who will run for Gaziantep mayoral post while Lutfi Elvan replaces Transport Minister Binali Yildirim, who is a candidate for Izmir mayoral post. Sports and Youth Minister Suat Kilic and Industry and Technology Ministrer Nihat Ergin also lost their ministerial portfolios and were replaced by Akif Cagatay and Fikri Isik respectively.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.12.13) reported that after the recent changes, the new Turkish cabinet is as follows:

Prime Minister: Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Deputy Prime Minister: Bulent Arinc

Deputy Prime Minister: Ali Babacan

Deputy Prime Minister: Besir Atalay

Deputy Prime Minister: Emrullah Isler

Minister of Justice: Bekir Bozdag

Minister of Family and Social Policies: Aysenur Islam

Minister of European Union Affairs: Mevlut Cavusoglu

Minister of Science, Industry and Technology: Fikri Isik

Minister of Labor and Social Security: Faruk Celik

Minister of Environment and Urbanization: Idris Gulluce

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ahmet Davutoglu

Minister of Economy: Nihat Zeybekci

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources: Taner Yildiz

Minister of Youth and Sports: Akif Cagatay Kilic

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock: Mehdi Eker

Minister of Customs and Trade: Hayati Yazici

Minister of Interior Affairs: Efkan Ala

Minister of Development: Cevdet Yilmaz

Minister of Culture and Tourism: Omer Celik

Minister of Finance: Mehmet Simsek

Minister of National Education: Nabi Avci

Minister of National Defense: Ismet Yilmaz

Minister of Forestry and Water Works: Veysel Eroglu

Minister of Health: Mehmet Muezzinoglu

Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communication: Lutfi Elvan

[08] Erdogan: I am the real target of the graft probe

Erdogan told a group of reporters during the return flight from Pakistan on December 24 that the "operation" was aiming him through the Service for Youth and Education Foundation of Turkey (TURGEV), an NGO who has the prime minister's son, Bilal Erdogan among its board members. He implied that TURGEV was being investigated for requesting amendments on the construction plans of a building with the go-ahead of Istanbul's Fatih Municipality.

Erdogan said that the specific building managed by TURGEV had been rented by the Municipality as a student residence.

"That place is a student residence, not Bilal Erdogan's hotel. They want to reach me via TURGEV. My son is on [TURGEV's] board of management. [Fatih Mayor] Mustafa Demir and the mayor of the Umraniye district are also on the board. My eldest daughter Esra is on its board. That place is a student residence and they take a lot of pride in it," Erdogan said.

[09] New Turkish Interior Minister Ala reflects Erdogan's roadmap

Erdogan reshuffled his Cabinet on December 25 after three key ministers resigned over a sweeping corruption and bribery scandal that has targeted his allies and rattled his government.

Before being appointed as the undersecretary of the Prime Ministry in 2007, Ala was the governor of Diyarbakir, a metropolitan city in the predominantly Kurdish populated southeastern Anatolia, where grassroots of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) are strong. Ala is the only new minister among all 10 replacements that is not a member of Parliament.

According to main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Ala is "an element of the deep state."

[10] Resigns and expels from AKP over the graft probe

Kalkan voiced criticism regarding mounting pressure on prosecutors leading the corruption probe that led to resignations of three ministers.

Announcing his resignation in a tweet, Kalkan said political parties are not personal properties of politicians, but rather social products that belong to millions of people who created them, in reference to the governing style of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Hurriyet Daily news (27.12.13) reports that former culture minister, Ertugrul Gunay, resigned from AKP as well. He drew attention with his criticisms on social media following the police crackdown on demonstrators during the Gezi protest. He has been sent to AKP's disciplinary committee after publicly expressed criticism over the graft scandal.

The ruling AK Party has referred three Deputies, including Gunay, for their critical remarks on the party's approach to graft probe which led to resignations of three ministers.

AK Party Burdur deputy Hasan Hami Yildirim, Gunay and AK Party Izmir deputy Kalkan have been referred to the party's discipline committee. They will face possible expulsion from the party, AK Party Spokesman Huseyin Celik said in a written statement.

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (25.12.13) reported that former Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin has announced his resignation from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over the graft scandal.

Sahin was the predecessor of Muammer Guler whose son has been arrested under the corruption investigation that rocked Turkey last week.

This was the first resignation from the AKP, and a high-profile one, since the high-level graft probe was revealed with the police operations into the three minister's houses.

[11] Prosecutor removed from new graft probe in Turkey

Akkas, who is known for his work on sensitive cases such as the Ergenekon coup plot and the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, was removed from the investigation by Istanbul Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Oktay Erdogan on the grounds that he had violated the confidentiality of the investigation.

Akkas was leading the investigation that is seen as the second phase of a graft probe. The prosecutor's removal came only a day after he had ordered the detention of 30 suspects, including a number of Deputies and businessmen. The Istanbul Police Department, which has seen an extensive purge of its top officers in the last week, did not comply with the detention order.

Following his removal, Akkas gave copies of a written statement to reporters outside Istanbul's Caglayan Courthouse on Thursday. The statement complained about the pressure he had experienced not to pursue the investigation.

[12] Turkish lira hits record lows amid piling political crisis

[13] EU warns Turkish government on probe, for the second time in a week

Brussels has announced that it is seriously concerned about how the government has been handling the investigations, stressing that the removal of police chiefs and the speedy change as to how police must conduct ongoing investigations have caused grave concerns.

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule said he was "seriously concerned," a few days after he had warned the government not to intervene in ongoing investigations.

Fule's spokesperson Peter Stano also said serious concerns have been raised regarding the fate of investigations and the separation of powers. "The latest developments, including the sacking of police chiefs and the instructions to police to inform authorities on investigations, raise serious concerns as regards the independence, efficiency and impartiality of the investigations and the separation of powers. This further highlights the need for establishing a proper judicial police, as already recommended by the EU," he said.

[14] Turkish columnists on the graft probe crisis

Under the title, "The future could be Gul's", Semih Idiz writes in Hurriyet (26.12.13) that Turkish President Gul likely will benefit from recent political developments in Turkey:

"Eyes have turned to President Abdullah Gul following the massive probe which could end up revealing Turkey's greatest corruption scandal to date, and which has left Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan facing the most difficult moments of his political career. [?]

Eyes will continue to rest on Gul who is emerging not just as moderate but also a principled voice at a time of political turbulence or crisis. Gul has also been underlining the importance of the EU's legal standards for Turkey for a long time, a fact that will also shed positive light on him abroad, at a time like this.

Many believe that these latest developments will benefit Gul politically in the long run, not because of any calculations on his part, but because his honesty and generally principled stand will bring him automatic dividends at a time when respect for politics and politicians has hit rock bottom in Turkey. This is why the future could very well be Gul's.

Under the title "Who is going to win this fight?" Ibrahim Karagul writes in Yeni Safak (25.12.13) that the graft probe is a western plan aiming to make Turkey to change its regional policy:

"[?] The aim of the probe is to undermine the trust the man in the street has in the State and in the country, and undermine his idea of the State. The growing impression is that justice is sought not for the state but for the sake of structures within the state. The question of "whose public prosecutor, whose police, and whose intelligence service" is leaving a mark on the collective consciousness. All that is held as common ground in the country is being shattered to pieces. [?] With the rapprochement between the United States and Iran, there is a serious fault line shift in the Middle East. Let us reiterate: On the basis of this mobilization, countries and policies too are changing or they are being made to change. Saudi Arabia and Israel ended up being two countries left out in this new situation. The brains behind the operation are attempting to reshape Turkey's position anew. It is impossible for them to get Turkey, run by Erdogan, to do this. Today's Turkey is upsetting the playmakers because it is challenging them when necessary. [?]"

Under the title "Erdogan's Tough Choice", Avni Ozgurel writes in Radikal (26.12.13) that Erdogan may collapse under the pressure soon:

"Since the AKP [Justice and Development Party] was founded right up until today Tayyip Erdogan has always stood up for his cadres and taken political risks. [?] The last 10 years, including the events of recent weeks, are filled with examples of ministers and bureaucrats who had lost the prime minister's trust but who were kept on rather than be fired simply because the opposition parties and the media were making too big an issue out of them.

While this situation may be true, it is also true that after absorbing all the judicial/political mistakes made during this time, the burden being shouldered by Erdogan is becoming too much for him and that if not now then soon the prime minister will not be able to carry even one more straw.

For the longest time I have been writing how Erdogan has been made a target for big national capital and international power centers. The reason for this is not corruption or any lack in democracy etc but the way Erdogan defies the system's gears in regional or global interest plans, meaning he does what he wants not what is asked of him. [?]

One aspect is the international power game that Washington is behind. [?] The other aspect to this affair is the result of the embargo that Iran is under. [?]

At this point we need to return to the point I was trying to make at the start of this column, meaning how much longer can Erdogan survive the obstacles being thrown in his path by the party members, his own people?" TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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