Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-06-04

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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] Akinci's contacts in New York

[02] Talat: "Return of property is wrong!"

[03] The Turkish Cypriot "municipalities" claim the administration of the water which will be brought from Turkey

[04] Reactions over the possible privatization of the occupied Famagusta port

[05] Message of support to Cumhuriyet's journalist Dundar by the KTGB

[06] Yorgancioglu met with Turkish, Kirghizstan and Bosnian Herzegovinian children groups

[07] The "New Rising Movement" to protect settlers in the breakaway regime

[08] Erdogan: Journalists, Armenians, gays are representatives of sedition

[09] Turkish commentary views split in AKP

[10] Commentary views possible scenarios after the elections in Turkey

[11] Fifty-two years sought for journalist Baransu as trial over MGK report begins

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci's contacts in New York

During his stay in New York Akinci will hold meetings at various institutions and will give interviews to Al-Jazeera, the Associated Press and Bloomberg.

Before his meeting with the UNSG, Akinci will also attend a working breakfast organized by the International Peace Institute. Representatives of foreign missions in New York are expected to participate in the breakfast.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat: "Return of property is wrong!"

Talat claimed: "Markoulli said that territories will be returned to the pre-1974 owners. If you say this, how will you sit to discuss? Discussing these issues before the press prior to negotiating is wrong. However, the Greek Cypriot side does this".

He argued that such "allegations" bind the Greek Cypriot side and send a message to the Turkish side saying "do not come down on me". Moreover, he alleged that the Greek Cypriot side's stance on the issues of guarantees and the property is wrong.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.06.15) reports that Talat gave a lecture at the illegal European University of Lefka on the "Negotiating Processes in Cyprus". He noted that the process was revived with the election of the new Turkish Cypriot leader and added that the convergences documents are reexamined. He argued that with the solution of the Cyprus problem, a problem which Turkey faces in its international relations will cease to exist.

Replying to a question, Talat said that in case of a solution, there will be two founding states and a single federal structure internationally. He claimed that during the transition period, the Turkish lira will be an official monetary unit like the Euro, harmonization of the banks will be achieved within the framework of the new federal law and the Central Bank Law and a banking unification will be on the agenda.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Turkish Cypriot "municipalities" claim the administration of the water which will be brought from Turkey

Pointing out that they will need 391 million Turkish liras for the above-mentioned investments, Benli noted that the "municipalities" are currently responsible for the distribution of water to 132 thousand places in the occupied area of Cyprus. He said that the "municipalities" face economic problems, which will increase if the provision of services in the water sector is taken away from them and the burden of the workers in this sector continues to be on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, the director of the project, Dervis Kemal Deniz said that according to the information they could acquire, the annual demand of drinking and utility water in the occupied area of Cyprus is 32 million cubic meters.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Reactions over the possible privatization of the occupied Famagusta port

Commenting on the issue, Vargin Varer, economist and deputy chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade said, inter alia, that the current structure of the "Famagusta port" is not sustainable. He, however, pointed out that the privatization of the port cannot be the remedy and proposed the changing of the port's structure in order to be able to provide further services than "imports and exports". "One solution might be the creation of a different structure of the port so that the different services of the ports to gather under an autonomous authority which would have its own incomes and expenditures".

On the same issue, Yiltan Ozkirac, "member of the ship agents union" said that he does not oppose to the privatizations in general but as regards the privatization of the occupied Famagusta port he said that it is unacceptable. He said that the privatization of the "Famagusta port" with its current structure would be wrong.

Also, the "chairman" of Guc-Sen trade union Erol Emin condemned strongly the privatization of the "port" and said that the "port" belongs to the people.

Pointing to the strategic and cultural importance of the "Famagusta port" since it was the first port in Cyprus, Erol expressed the view that it would be a mistake to proceed to the privatization of the "port" especially in a period where intensified talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem are taking place.

Erol called the "government" to step back on this issue and stressed the need for a master plan to be implemented so that the "port" to become sustainable.

Moreover, the "chairman" of the "administration board" of the "worker's company in the port", Serhan Tekkan said that they were informed about the privatization of the "port" by the press and asked for an appointment with the so-called minister Tacoy to discuss the issue.

He further said that the privatization of the "port" would mean expensiveness in the market which would have negative effects in the "country's economy".

(AK)

[05] Message of support to Cumhuriyet's journalist Dundar by the KTGB

The Union condemned strongly Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's stance towards this issue and underlined the need for democracy and freedom of the press to be respected in Turkey.

(AK)

[06] Yorgancioglu met with Turkish, Kirghizstan and Bosnian Herzegovinian children groups

"The children took part in the 3rd Lefkosia International Children's Folk Dance Festival" that was organised by the collective efforts of HASDER, GOC-TS, FOLK-DER and the Youth Centre", Bayrak broadcast. Yorgancioglu stated that culture and arts were means to carry forward the past to the future and added that "foreign children who took part in the festival would return to their countries and speak about TRNC".

[07] The "New Rising Movement" to protect settlers in the breakaway regime

Erhan Arikli who announced the new organisation said that "they would defend the rights and equalities that all citizens carrying a TRNC ID card". He said that they would not differentiate between "old Cypriots and new Cypriots".

Arikli said the movement was formed "in order to help Turkish citizens who had migrated to the TRNC to overcome difficulties they face". He said that the most to be affected by the solution process would be those "citizens" from Turkey who "migrated" to the island after 1974.

Arikli claimed that the Greek Cypriot side which refers to these people as settlers, opposed their presence on the island and argued that they should all be sent back. "No one was able to say what would happen to those people who migrated to the island after 1974, despite most of these people becoming TRNC citizens. Unfortunately it was a bitter truth that those in power in the TRNC had acted with prejudice towards those who had been immigrants since 1974 and 'left-wing' parties, associations and organisations had made Turkish citizens feel as outsiders", he stated.

Arikli also claimed that the electoral law only gave these "citizens" a right to vote; it did not however give them the right to be voted, limiting their representation to no more than 2 "deputies". "No country, including the Greek Cypriot side, has a citizenship law such as this", he said.

[08] Erdogan: Journalists, Armenians, gays are representatives of sedition

"Their biggest ally is Dogan Media. The Armenian lobby, homosexuals and those who believe in 'Alevism without Ali' ? all these representatives of sedition are [the HDP's] benefactors," Erdogan said during an address to citizens in the eastern province of Bingol on June 3.

On June 3, the Turkish President also repeated his ever-toughening rhetoric against international media. "They also received the support of some foreign media outlets, which see Turkey as their colony," he said. Without mentioning the name of the AKP, which he co-founded, Erdogan said that "everyone should go and vote for the party he or she likes."

In recent days for different reasons, Erdogan has slammed several media institutions including daily Hurriyet, which is owned by the Dogan Media Group, daily Cumhuriyet, the New York Times, CNN International and the BBC.

[09] Turkish commentary views split in AKP

"[?] The elimination process in AKP has almost been completed. As a result serious split has occurred. The majority of the media members and the bureaucrats who were removed from office and the majority of those who were removed from the list of candidates are from the ideological grassroots of the AKP. In other words, an important part of those who had accompanied Erdogan since the establishment of the party and who had come from the Islamist neighbourhood have been pushed out. They have been replaced by recruits who view loyalty to Erdogan as the only value.

This picture has started a major debate both in the party and in the grass roots and it led to a serious split. Those who say: "This party has an ideology and values, what is important is the AKP, and we should protect it" are on one side, while those who say "Erdogan is the only important thing, he works with whoever he wants, and he determines the policy" are on the other side.

The first sign of the split was seen in the media. The structure which is described as the "partisan media" was split into two, namely as Erdogan's media and the AKP media. The group which also included Yeni Safak, Yeni Akit, and Kanal 7 which had also existed prior to the establishment of the AKP was positioned as the AKP media, whereas the group which also includes Sabah, Star, Aksam, and 24 TV was positioned as Erdogan's media. [?] Such a split also exists in the party. The fight between Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and Ankara Greater City Mayor Melih Gokcek was the first surfaced sign of the conflict between the pro-Erdogan circles and the AKP members.

Those in the party who believe that Erdogan is seriously harming the AKP government and that he is even endangering the AKP's chances of coming to power with his words and behaviour are in the majority. The rate of those who say "Erdogan under any condition" in turn is quite low.

Resistance is building in the party and the Islamist circles against the elimination of the Islamists -- a process launched by Erdogan. In fact there is an unnamed uprising. The fights we witness in the newspaper columns are not merely independent fights started by journalists. This is a fight which is supported in the background by AKP ministers, deputy chairmen, and the leading names of the neighbourhood. [?]

The pro-Erdogan circles aim to create a country where Erdogan is in full control in each and every institution and in every field. The AKP members in turn aim to stop the damage caused by the pro-Erdogan circles and to remain in power. Unfortunately both sides miss the real reason behind the negative course of developments. [?] The AKP has grown by being nurtured by peace. Now it is nurtured by fights and separatism. They are not able to understand that such policies are not supported by AKP grass roots.

In short, unfortunately the goal of those who say "Tayyip Erdogan is the president; as of now what is important is the AKP and therefore we are obliged to protect the AKP" is not a more tranquil Turkey. They do not oppose Erdogan because they want a more democratic, more liberal, more pluralistic, and more egalitarian Turkey. Their problem is the elimination of the Islamists and the fact that Erdogan is endangering the AKP government with the persons who has recruited lately and with his policies."

[10] Commentary views possible scenarios after elections in Turkey

"There are a few scenarios which might happen after the elections:

1) In case the HDP fails to overcome the election threshold, the AK Party will maintain its one-party government. The authoritarian regime will grow stronger and take root. Arrests will continue. The government will start implementing its plans for the media. Along with police officers, many journalists and judicial officials will be detained; they will be put on trial with or without detention. In short, it will be the end of democracy.

2) If the HDP overcomes the threshold, the AK Party will either obtain the absolute majority of 276 by a small margin, or lose it, again by a small margin. In that case, Tayyip Erdogan will, a) Either comply with the rules and without intervention, start from Ahmet Davutoglu ? and after him, other party leaders ? for establishing the government. b) Or take action to make transfers for the AK Party so it can obtain the required parliamentary majority.

3) The President has a power provided him by article 116 of the Constitution, which states that in case the "Cabinet cannot get a vote of confidence" or is "deposed by a vote of no-confidence," and if no Cabinet can be formed, or if formed, cannot get a vote of confidence within 45 days, the President may decide to have new elections. Now, suppose there was a lack of good faith and the 45 days were wasted because of fruitless negotiations? And a government is formed without the necessary support from the Parliament, so that it will be unable to get a vote of confidence. Erdogan may just as well call for another election. To overcome that risk, the CHP and MHP may want to sign a protocol to form a government that will receive the HDP's external support. If that happens, the President will have to entrust the task to them, in case the AK Party fails.

4) As you see, the HDP will be a "key party" if it surpasses the threshold. It will either support AK Party from the outside, or a CHP-MHP coalition. This formula cannot survive a term of four years. Following some democratic steps, one should expect early elections.

5) The AK Party and the MHP may form a coalition. It will be a relatively stable government. However, the MHP will only consent to it if Tayyip Erdogan acts within the limits of his jurisdiction. We may even witness the opening of the corruption files. Would Tayyip Erdogan agree to that?

6) A CHP-AK Party coalition is, compared to a coalition with the MHP, a lesser possibility and an alternative that Tayyip Erdogan would not prefer. But even if it happens, Tayyip Erdogan will find himself restricted and claims of corruption will be investigated. To repeat, an AK Party-CHP coalition is a long shot as opposed to an MHP coalition.

7) Democratic-minded AK Party members may prefer to leave the party. Just as it had been with Fazilet Party, they may start a new movement. Keep in mind that Abdullah Gul is in reserve."

[11] Fifty-two years sought for journalist Baransu as trial over MGK report begins

A prompt investigation launched against Baransu for reporting on a confidential MGK document that mentioned a planned crackdown on faith-based groups in the country drew bitter condemnation and stern criticism. The indictment, completed by the Anadolu Chief Public prosecutor's Office, pointed out that Baransu's report published on Nov. 28, 2013 in the Taraf daily exposed state secrets and thus requires severe punishment. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/ AM)

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