Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-08-28

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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] Erdogan bids farewell: AK Party will never be a one man party

[02] Davutoglu takes helm, pledges unity, harmony with presidency

[03] Analysis: Erdogan is not really leaving active politics

[04] Ertug accuses the Greek Cypriot side of putting obstacles in the Cyprus negotiation process; He criticized Yerantopoulos' statement

[05] Afrika criticizes Serdar Denktas' proposal on the fenced off city of Varosha and cites Akkinci's statement on the issue

[06] Ozgurgun: It is highly unlikely to form a political alliance with the DP

[07] Turkish-Iraqi Industrial and Businessmen Association to open a representation office in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] Illegal YDU university to attend an international congress in Malaysia

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan bids farewell: AK Party will never be a one man party

Erdogan rejected claims that Davutoglu, who is set to replace him as Prime Minister, would merely do his bidding as he continues to rule Turkey from behind the scenes. His comments during a farewell speech to delegates of his AK Party come amid widespread expectations that Davutoglu would take more of a backseat role, and that Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for over a decade, would maintain his grip on government. The vast congress mustered some 40,000 people at an Ankara sports arena and in a marathon two-hour speech; Erdogan said the government's strategy would not change with the handover. He then said that the party had "always excluded personal ambitions and arrogance? names have no importance."

Erdogan, who has two sons and two daughters, described the party he helped found as his "fifth child" but said the "farewell time" had come. "The AK Party will never be a one-man party. It is a party of principles. Our cause will not change tomorrow and it will not be abandoned in the future," Erdogan told party delegates who convened to confirm Davutoglu, 55, as its new Chairman and Prime Minister-designee.

Although the office of President is mainly ceremonial, Erdogan has indicated he wants to transform the position to an executive one. He has said he will activate its seldom used powers, such as summoning and presiding over Cabinet meetings.

Nevertheless, Erdogan suggested that Davutoglu would not veer from the goals he has set for Turkey, and Davutoglu will form the new government immediately after his inauguration ceremony, and the new Cabinet would be established by Friday according to Erdogan. Furthermore, Erdogan extended an olive branch to the opponents in his farewell address, stating, "We understand you, your historical background, lifestyle, values, demands and desires very well. I extend my hand again on behalf of my party, my government and the movement I am the leader of."

Davutoglu is expected to be designated as the Prime Minister on Aug. 28, after President- elect Erdogan is sworn in on the same day. The slogan of the congress "all together for a new Turkey" emphasizes Erdogan's ambition to transform the country into an economically booming world power. Erdogan, 60, is expected to revamp what has been until now a largely ceremonial post of the President into a powerful role, with Davutoglu a loyal ally who will not hinder the process with obstacles. "This is not a change of mission, it is just a change of names," Erdogan said in an outdoor morning speech in Ankara before heading into the congress. "This is not a farewell. We will continue to serve our people from Edirne to Hakkari," referring to the cities at opposite ends of Turkey close to the borders of Greece and Iraq. In his speech to the congress, Erdogan insisted that Davutoglu would be a figure of real stature and power as Prime Minister. "I would like to stress this: Davutoglu is not a caretaker. Everyone should know that."

[02] Davutoglu takes helm, pledges unity, harmony with presidency

Speaking at the ruling party's extraordinary congress on Aug. 27, Davutoglu addressed outgoing Prime Minister Erdogan as "my President" and stressed that the convention was not one of "farewell," but of "fidelity."

In a wide-ranging speech, Davutoglu struck a high pitch not only in terms of history and ideology, but also with his tone of excitement and lofty rhetoric. A key political message ran throughout it: There will be no conflict between the President and the Prime Minister, who have both been elected by popular vote. "Nobody should try to stir up controversy between comrades," Davutoglu said, stressing unity in the party.

He presented a nine-point of "restoration" summary of AKP rule for the past 12 years, which he said will continue in the "walk for the new Turkey". "With the rule of AKP, this interregnum had come to an end ? We have achieved a major construction along last 12 years," Davutoglu said, claiming that "old Turkey" had come to a "deadlock" in 2001.

"This recovery has nine fundamentals and this determined walk in nine areas will continue," he added, citing the economy, culture, judiciary, freedom, foreign policy and "state structure" as being among these areas. "We are ready to make any sacrifice to carry the AKP movement to its goals," he said.

Davutoglu's speech was replete with historic and religious symbolism, with references to the Prophet Muhammad, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as the political predecessors of the ruling AKP.

Davutoglu also touched on the issue of the new Constitution, which the AKP needs a two-thirds majority at Parliament in the 2015 election to write unilaterally.

He also slammed last year's anti-government Gezi Park protests and the corruption investigations for trying to "overthrow the government". "The goals of the Gezi incidents and the Dec. 17 and 25 plots aimed to destroy the self-assurance that we have instilled in the people," he said

He vowed that the AKP would continue the ongoing Kurdish resolution process "with determination," and rejected any approach based on sectarianism. "Both our Sunni citizens and Alevi citizens are essential constituents of this land and will remain so," Davutoglu said, stressing that "freedoms" would be under the guarantee of the AKP government.

Davutoglu was nominated as a candidate for the AKP chairmanship after receiving the votes of 1,382 AKP delegates at the congress.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 27.08.104) reported that Davutoglu stated that the EU membership is a strategic target for Turkey and will be pursued decisively, and added that the country's foreign policy will remain multi-faceted.

[03] Analysis: Erdogan is not really leaving active politics

"This is not a farewell. We will again meet with you at our public rallies, during our visits to 81 provinces," Erdogan addressed his AKP fellows during his nearly two-hour long speech. Needless to say that these rallies will highly be political in which Erdogan will find the opportunity to address his views on political matters. These rallies have already been seen by the opposition parties as Erdogan's efforts to ask for votes at the upcoming 2015 elections. President-elect Erdogan recalled once again the importance of the 2015 polls and the majority the AKP will get at Parliament in order to accomplish their aim in changing the Constitution in favour of a presidential system.

In fact, he does not hide that he will be heavily involved in daily political issues. "I am not going to be a President that blocks government's actions but a President that enables the government to serve better to the public," he stressed.

One of the areas he will never lose interest will be the ongoing fight against pro-Fethullah Gulen community in the police and judiciary, which he calls "the parallel state". He also instructed the next government not to show even a slice of tolerance against this organization within the state.

Columnist Murat Yetkin, under the title "It's Erdogan's party and Davutoglu has a hard job", writes in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 28.08.14) that Erdogan handed over the helm of the party to Davutoglu as a necessity of the Turkish Constitution, which says the President should not be a member of a party after he (or she) is elected. That was one of the reasons why Erdogan used his party's domination at Parliament to go to recess, in order for his presidency not to be read in Parliament until the very last day of his rule in the party. Today, on Aug. 28, Erdogan is going to take over the job from President Abdullah Gul after taking an oath in Parliament, and he will officially hand over the office to Davutoglu to form a Cabinet. He is very sure that Davutoglu will have it ready in a day and there will be no objection, because they have most probably already gone through the list together. (The fact that Ali Babacan, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the economy, was the only name from the entire Cabinet and AK Party echelons that Erdogan mentioned in his speech - other than Davutoglu - was seen in the hall as a sign that he will probably keep the post in the new Cabinet. This is Kremlinology alla AK Party.)

Erdogan's message to the party was clear. Yes, he is moving to the Presidential Palace on top of Cankaya Hill in Ankara, but in the political sense he is not going anywhere. "This is not a farewell speech," he said. "This is just a new beginning."

He also gave another indication that he wants to maintain control over the party even under Davutoglu. For example, he asked Soylu to deliver the opening speech at the congress. Soylu is one of the most recent executive board members - or actually members - to join the AK Party. (?) To ask Soylu was a strong signal that, from now on, the cause will be loyalty to Erdogan himself.

This could actually be observed in the audience. Nothing but the name of Erdogan sparked enthusiasm among the thousands of supporters filling the Ankara Arena sports hall in the August heat.

It is still Erdogan's party and Davutoglu has a difficult job. Both Erdogan and Davutoglu know this, and probably so do many in the AK Party.

Barcin Yinanc writing also in HDN (online, 28.08.14), under the title "Where did Turkey's former President go wrong?", considers that Abdullah Gul faced a fate he probably feels he does not deserve; that is to have been totally scraped by Erdogan.

Ironically, while he was an old ally to Erdogan, it seems he was the person to know the least of him. Let me explain. While Gul disagreed many times with Erdogan, he never openly dared to challenge him. He thought Erdogan would appreciate his reconciliatory nature. Yet for Erdogan, the political animal, reconciliation is a sign of weakness.

Yinanc concludes: "Gul is appreciated for his moderate and reconciliatory nature. But this has played against him in the final stage of his political act. But one should not resort to reconciliation at the expense of one's principles and certainly not when this is seen as a sign of weakness by your adversary. Then again, Gul had perhaps made the mistake of not seeing Erdogan as an adversary. By the way, am I wrong to say the "final stage of his political act?" Only time will tell."

4 Ertug accuses the Greek Cypriot side of putting obstacles in the Cyprus negotiation process; He criticized Yerantopoulos' statement

Under the title: "The Greek Cypriot side puts obstacles", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (28.08.14) reports that the so-called "presidential spokesman" Osman Ertug, in a statement to TRT channel, referred to the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side puts obstacles in the third stage of the Cyprus negotiation talks.

Replying to a question regarding the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks, Ertug alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side's approach in the third stage of the process is constructive, while, the Greek Cypriot side as he said puts several obstacles.

Stating that they expect the appointments of the new UN's Secretary-General Special Adviser to Cyprus Espen Barth Eide to accelerate the process, Ertug accused the Greek Cypriot side of violating the UN's parameters, not accepting the existing convergences and accepting the creation of a road map, which is necessary as he said, for the negotiations to yield a result.

"The Greek Cypriot side tries with this stance to prolong the process. The Undersecretary of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Kyriakos Yerantopoulos has stated during his visit in the island that the Greek Cypriot side will not make any other concessions. I would like to point out that in order for a comprehensive solution to be reached, a compromise spirit is necessary in a reciprocal give-take process", Ertug said.

Criticizing Yerantopoulos for his above statement, Ertug said that it is "unacceptable and dangerous for the ongoing negotiation process" to say that "no concessions will be made".

Ertug went on and said that like all the negotiation processes, in the Cyprus negotiation process as well, it is necessary for the two sides to make mutual sacrifices in a possible agreement to be reached.

Recalling that the Turkish Cypriot side has stated several times that is ready to pass to the give-take phase; Ertug said that one of the main obstacles so as to move forward, is the stance of the Greek Cypriot side.

Ertug reminded also to Yerantopoulos that it is the Turkish Cypriot side which lives under "inhuman isolations and embargoes" for 50 years.

(AK)

[05] Afrika criticizes Serdar Denktas' proposal on the fenced off city of Varosha and cites Akkinci's statement on the issue

Accusing Denktas for his above statement, the paper publishes a statement made by Mustafa Akkinci, "a presidential candidate" for the forthcoming "2015 elections" and writes that Akkinci is the only one who supports the opening of the fenced off city of Varosha (Maras) before the comprehensive solution.

Addressing Denktas, the paper calls him to see Akkinci's following statement: "With a reasonable agreement on the area of the fenced off city of Maras, it would be a wise job to open firstly for its property owners to use it and next with formulas that will help overcoming important problems in tourism, the trade, and the air and port communication of the Turkish Cypriots, to open for settlement? This, together with the enlivenment of the economies of the two sides, will also initiate the functioning of the comprehensive solution. And instead of thinking in this way, what we wish to say with the mentality of thinking to turn it into a film set? Certainly it will be a thriller movie and the snakes and rats will share the leading roles?".

(?)

(AK)

[06] Ozgurgun: It is highly unlikely to form a political alliance with the DP

Evaluating the domestic political situation on "BRT", the UBP leader said that Eroglu's decision whether or not to run for re-election will determine the party's course of action. "We will decide whether or not to nominate a candidate depending on Eroglu's decision. The UBP will be supporting the president should he decide to run for a second term", Ozgurgun said.

Responding to a question as whether the UBP would consider forming a political alliance with the Democrat Party (DP) in the upcoming "elections", Ozgurgun said that this was highly unlikely. "I believe that we have nothing left to discuss with the DP. The DP is nothing more than a crutch for the "governing" Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to lean on. It's not possible to discuss anything with such a party", he said.

Commenting on the nomination and election of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as the new leader of the AKP and Turkey's Prime Minister, the UBP leader said that much is expected to change in Turkey and on the Cyprus problem due to the upcoming general elections in Turkey next year.

Reminded that the Turkish President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be visiting the "TRNC" on the 1st of Sept. World Peace Day, Ozgurgun said that no special meaning should be attached to this visit.

Also commenting on the Cyprus negotiations process which will resume on the 2nd of September, Ozgurgun said that he did not expect any radical changes in Cyprus due to the latest developments in the region. He however expressed the view that the two leaders could reach convergences on some of the issues relating to the Cyprus problem.

[07] Turkish-Iraqi Industrial and Businessmen Association to open a representation office in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to a statement issued by TISIAD, a delegation of TISIAD, headed by the chairman of its executive board, Nevaf Kilic will pay a three-day visit to the occupied area of Cyprus to carry out a series of contacts and attend some programs.

The "authority" of the "representative of the TRNC" will be given to the businessman Ali Tunctasli, writes the paper.

(AK)

[08] Illegal YDU university to attend an international congress in Malaysia

The illegal YDU university will be represented by Prof. Dr Gamze Mocan. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

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