Speaking after his meeting with Akinci, Ozyigit said that a UBP-HP
coalition seemed the most likely scenario at this point of time. "Those
responsible for breaking up the coalition have a responsibility to set
up a new government," he said.
Ozyigit also said that "a government should be set up without further
delay as the country shouldn't be left without a government".
The TDP leader also pointed out that "Turkey has not been sending proper
financial assistance to the TRNC for the past year". "We were carrying
out work to find additional funds before the government collapsed. This
work should be finalized without further delay and the Turkish Cypriot
people should learn to stand on its own feet," he added.
Denktas, speaking after meeting Ak?nc?, said that the four party
coalition had been broken up with a ploy. He argued that "a new ploy
could now be put into motion by those who had their reputation damaged,
to form the new government". "I had the chance to inform Akinci briefly
of what happened. The expectation is for the two parties [the UBP and
HP] to form the new government. My personal view is that the ploy has
been disrupted. There is a loss of reputation and new moves may be set
in motion to repair the damage done such as holding early elections,"
Denktas said.
The DP leader also pointed out that "the country was experiencing
financial difficulties and expressed the hope that those who form the
new government will continue to take steps aimed at freeing the country
from economic distress". "We have been relieved of a huge burden. But
we have taken on the duty of the opposition," Denktas concluded.
The leader of the Revival Party (YDP), Erhan Ar?kl?, who also met with
Ak?nc? today, said that the HP had been extremely critical and had spoken
harshly against the UBP in the past. He said that an UBP-HP coalition
could be possible if the HP apologised from the UBP.
"This would also open the way for the HP in the upcoming presidential
elections. The ball is now in the HP's court. We shall see all together
what will happen," Ar?kl? said.
posts=hp-announces-its-ready-for-coalition-talks),
the Peoples' Party (HP) has announced it is open to coalition talks with
any of the parties in "parliament".
Following a five hour long meeting of the party assembly last night,
the HP leader Kudret Ozersay announced that his party was ready to sit
down for talks with any party that came with an offer.
He said the HP was open to all parties and that holding talks did not
necessarily mean that it would lead to a "coalition government". "We
could well remain in opposition at the end of this process, HP leader
Kudret Ozersay said.
[03] Elcil: "Ankara is the responsible for the collapse of the government"
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (14.05.19) reports that the
general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot teacher's trade union (KTOS)
Sener Elcil, referring to the resignation of the four-party "coalition
government", condemned strongly the leader of the People's Party (HP)
Kudret Ozersay, supporting that he is the responsible for the collapse
of the "government" since, he resigned for the sake of coming to power.
Elcil went on accusing also Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the
Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey's Special Warfare Department
and the two "plunders who cooperate with them", as he described them,
who undertook action in order to break down the "government" and with the
aim to "form" a new one. "It became a habit for the Turkish officials
the meddling to the internal affairs of the Turkish Cypriots in every
period. They first implemented the economic embargo with the aim to put
away the four-party coalition government, they did not meet with their
economic responsibilities for 15 months and as a result we had to cover
even the military's expenses", Elcil said, pointing out that the new
"government" to be formed will be a "Cavusoglu's government".
(AK)
[04] The settler's party asks for early elections
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (14.05.19) reports that the central committee
of the Revival Party (the party of the settlers in the breakaway regime)
held a meeting yesterday and decided that it will support any model of
"government" under the condition that "early elections" will be held.
The party's committee also stated that the Turkish Cypriot leader Musatfa
Akinci "should give the mandate for forming a government" to the leader
of the National Unity Party Ersin Tatar.
(CS)
[05] Columnist sees Turkey behind the collapse of the "government"
in the occupied area of Cyprus
Columnist Metin Munir in Turkish Cypriot newspaper Diyalog (14.05.19)
reports that the main reason for the collapse of the four-party "coalition
government", after being 15 months in "power" in the occupied area of
Cyprus, was the fact that its relations with the Justice and Development
Party (AKP) "were deteriorated irreparably". Under the title "Why the TRNC
government resigned", Munir notes that the same deterioration exists in
AKP's relations with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. "AKP thinks
that Akinci has targets in the negotiations which are not realistic and
not agreed with Turkey", writes the columnist adding:
"The relations between Erdogan and Akinci have since a long time been
cold. Erdogan, who does not know that the judiciary is independent
in Cyprus, is offended with Akinci because he did not put in prison a
journalist with the allegation that he had insulted him.
The four party coalition will be most probably be substituted by a two
party coalition. It is expected that the new government will be much
more in harmony with AKP on the intercommunal talks and other issues
important for Turkey. [?]"
According to the columnist the two-party "coalition government" will be
established between the National Unity Party (UBP) and the People's Party
(HP) under Ersin Tatar and Kudret Ozersay respectively. Citing reliable
information, Munir says that Tatar and Ozersay had shaken hands when the
four-party "coalition" started quaking and that the UBP would support
Ozersay in the "presidential elections" to be held next year. He notes:
"If this project, which Turkey fully supports, is materialized, it
[Translator's note: Turkey] will kill two birds with one stone:
- In Tatar's personality, the TRNC will acquire a prime minister who is
honest and good intended and knows economy very well and
- In Ozersay's personality, in case he is elected, it will acquire a
president who will carry out the peace talks with the Greek Cypriots in
the direction which Turkey wants.
- Turkey will support the new coalition by increasing the financial aid
it provides to the island.
For some time now, AKP had cut the monetary aid to the Turkish Cypriots in
order to show its discontent towards Akinci and the four party coalition
and it had not even pay the defense expenses. [?]
Turkey's impression is that Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades has come to
the point of discussing a two-state solution on the island. Akinci and the
major partner in the four-party coalition, the Republican Turkish Party
(CTP), do not share the same view. They think that Anastasiades is playing
a new game and support the insistence on the federal solution. Ankara
thinks that federation is an unattainable target now. What is considered
in its place is an agreed separation, two separate states the one next
to the other. [?]"
(I/Ts.)
[B] Turkish Press
[01] A briefing to foreign diplomats for Turkey's drillings
Under the title "A briefing for foreign diplomats with
the use of maps", Turkish private channel CnnTurk (13.05.19,
https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/yabanci-diplomatlara-haritali-brifing)
broadcast that last Friday there was a briefing to the heads of diplomatic
missions in Turkey at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the
tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.
CnnTurk broadcast the following:
"For the first time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought together
the heads of diplomatic missions in Turkey and briefed them about the
rights of Turkey and the TRNC [the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of Cyprus] in the Eastern Mediterranean. The briefing was done by
Cagatay Erciyes, the Director General of Maritime-Aviation-Border of
the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Officials and diplomats from embassies
including diplomats form Israel, Egypt and Greece, as well as member
of the European Union and of Security Council of the United Nations
participated in the briefing.
According to information obtained by CNNTurk, during the briefing, maps
were presented to shown where Turkey and the TRNC have rights. Turkey
is carrying out drillings in its continental shelf and in regions where
has been licensed and not in a declared EEZ.
During the briefing, the Turkish diplomats pointed out that Turkey is
carrying out seismic research and drilling activities in the continental
shelf shown in red at the map.
In addition, it was explained that activities are also being carried out
by Turkish Petroleum licensed by TRNC in the fields, which are appeared
in the map with pink colour.
So the Turkish diplomats showed that Turkey's activities are carried
out in the framework of the rights arising from the international law.
They draw attention also to the yellow areas. These areas show the
EEZ announced by the agreements between South Cyprus [it refers to
the Republic of Cyprus] and Egypt. It was stressed by Turkey that the
drilling activities carrying out and will be carrying out by foreign
companies on these areas which include disputed areas due to the Cyprus
problem are unacceptable.
The Turkish diplomats, who showed the 'conflict areas' in these parcels,
said that the unilateral activities carried out with foreign companies
were against international law. Reminding that TRNC has also rights in
these fields, Ankara stressed that activities should not be carried out
in these areas until the Cyprus settlement. In addition, EU was warned
to be partial.
According to information obtained by CNN Turk, Fatih drilling vessel
is carrying out activities in the following areas within Turkey's
continental shelf. [The area shown in the published map is west of
Paphos]. The Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel is in the area, which is
licensed by TRNC to Turkey."
(DPs)
[02] Monaco model for the breakaway regime on the agenda, according to
a Turkish professor
Turkish daily Yeni Safak (14.05.19
https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/kktc-icin-monaco-modeli-gundemde-3470810
) reports that the status of the "TRNC" came to the agenda again after
the recent developments in Mediterranean and writes that the chairman
of the Association of Energy Economy Professor Gurkan Kumbaroglu, stated
that the Monaco model is the best solution for the breakaway regime.
According to the paper, Kumbaroglu stated that the risk of a war is
very high in the region and added that the new "government" that will be
established in the "TRNC" together with Turkey should work internationally
towards the recognition of the "TRNC"; he added that results can be
reached soon if the efforts for this issue are intensified.
Kumbaroglu suggested the France Monaco model to be applied
to "Turkey-TRNC". As he said, on the basis of this model, the
responsibilities of the "ministries of defense and ministries of foreign
affairs" will be transferred to Ankara while the "ministry of interior"
will be operated in the "TRNC".
(CS)
[03] US asks Turkey to delay taking delivery of S-400 missiles; Ankara
unlikely to back down
According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (14.05.19,
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/us-asks-turkey-to-delay-taking-delivery-of-russian-missile-ankara-unlikely-to-back-down-3480999),
the United States has asked Turkey to delay taking delivery of the S-400
Russian missile defence system, currently scheduled for July, in return
for potentially approving the formation of a working group that Ankara
has sought to establish, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday.
But a senior Turkish official reiterated Ankara's position that it would
not back down from its planned purchase of the system, a procurement that
has widened a diplomatic rift between the two NATO allies. "We will buy
the S-400s in July. Our position has not changed," he said.
But the source said talks on the issue continued. (?)
On Monday, the top civilian in the U.S. Air Force, Secretary Heather
Wilson, confirmed to reporters in Washington on Monday that shipments of
F-35 support gear to Turkey were still halted. She added that discussions
were ongoing regarding those shipments. But Wilson said Turkish pilots
continued their F-35 training program in Arizona.
[04] Erdogan and Putin discuss Idlib over phone
According to Turkish daily Sabah (14.05.19,
https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/05/14/erdogan-putin-discuss-idlib-affirm-commitment-to-sochi-deal),
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed Idlib and bilateral
relations with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Turkish
Presidency's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said in a tweet
Monday.
According to Altun, Erdogan told his Russian counterpart in a phone
call late Monday that tensions in the war-ravaged city were aimed at
disrupting the Turkish-Russian partnership, and both of the leaders
affirmed their commitment to the Sochi deal.
"The President also added that the ceasefire violations in the Idlib
de-escalation zone are worrying, and the fact that schools, hospitals and
civilians are targeted has no place in a proper fight against terror,"
Altun added.
During a phone call Tuesday morning, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and
Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu discussed the latest developments in
Idlib and measures to reduce tensions in the region. (?)
[05] YSK annuls opposition's appeals for renewal of Istanbul district
elections
According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.05.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ysk-annuls-oppositions-appeals-for-renewal-of-istanbul-district-elections-143393),
Turkey's Supreme Election Council (YSK) on May 13 rejected appeals by
main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and IYI (Good) Party for
annulment of the entire March 31 local elections in Istanbul, including
districts of Turkey's biggest metropolis.
The YSK also rejected the IYI Party and CHP's demands to invalidate the
2018 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The YSK decision was based on the grounds that the board's "rulings
are final."
As a result of the YSK decision, Istanbul residents will go to the polls
on June 23 for the election of only the mayor of Istanbul.
"We weren't expecting a different result anyway." CHP leader Kemal
K?l?cdaroglu said, speaking at a joint press conference with IYI Party
leader Meral Aksener. He said the YSK decision to annul Istanbul municipal
elections does not correspond to district and mukhtar elections given
that the three votes were cast in the same electorate envelope. He
accused the YSK of defying the nation's will. (?)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DP/AM)
