No. 81/10 04.05.10
A. NEWS ITEMS
1. Eroglu says he will continue the negotiations in the direction of the letter he sent to the UN Secretary-General on 23 April 2010
2. Eroglu holds contacts with delegations from Turkey
3. One thousand and five hundred persons were granted the so-called citizenship in one year
4. The “constitutional” amendment “law’s” submission to “referendum” on 27 June has been postponed; Tension at the “assembly” yesterday
5. Ercin will discuss in Brussels the problems of the inhabitants of Pergamos and Pyla villages because of the Green Line Regulation
6. A former British deputy claims that the Turkish army is a guarantee in the island
7. “Political party closure article dropped from package”
8. Turkish political party is set to open a representation in the USA
9. Turkish and Kazakh state officials discuss about cooperation on various fields
10. German energy company to build a power plant in Turkey
11. Figures show that Turkey’s bureaucracy is dominated by men
B. COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
1. >From the Turkish Press on 03 May 2010
A. NEWS ITEMS
1. Eroglu says he will continue the negotiations in the direction of the letter he sent to the UN Secretary-General on 23 April 2010
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.05.10) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has stated that he will continue the negotiations in the direction of the letter he sent to the UN Secretary-General after his election. In statements yesterday after his meeting with Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Mr Eroglu was asked to comment on Mr Downer’s statement after the meeting that the Turkish Cypriot leader has clearly told him that the negotiations should continue on the basis of the UN parameters and the agreements reached between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat. According to the paper, Mr Downer said after the meeting that the negotiations could continue on the basis of the UN Security Council’s resolutions and the agreements achieved between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat.
Mr Eroglu replied the following when he was asked to comment on the above statement: “I do not know what Downer said. I know what he discussed with me. I have written a letter to the UN Secretary-General. This letter binds me. Therefore, we will continue our negotiations in the direction of this letter.”
The paper writes that in his letter of 23 April 2010, Mr Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot side fully supports the framework of the ongoing UN process according to the Joint Statement of 23 May 2008 issued by President Christofias and the then Turkish Cypriot leader Talat. He also noted that the 1960 system of guarantees and the principle of “the equal sovereignty of the two peoples are of vital importance” for the Turkish Cypriot side. Moreover, Mr Eroglu reiterated in the letter that the basic UN parameters such as bi-zonality, the political equality of the two “peoples”, the equal status of the two states and the fact that the solution will create a new partnership will continue to be the foundations of any effort towards finding a solution.
In his statements yesterday, Mr Eroglu said that the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem might start on 26 May. He noted that he will visit Ankara this weekend or in the beginning of next week and inform the Turkish President, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the work done within the framework of the Cyprus talks.
Mr Eroglu said they agreed with Mr Downer that the negotiations could not last forever. He noted that during his meeting with Mr Downer he raised the issue of the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots.
(I/Ts.)
2. Eroglu holds contacts with delegations from Turkey
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.05.10) reports on statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during a meeting held on Monday with a group of students from the International Relations Department of the Aegean University.
Mr Eroglu said that the target is for the negotiations in Cyprus to resume on May 26th and added that the Turkish side’s aim is for an agreement to be reached in the negotiations by the end of the year. Noting that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have the duty to perform so that the world to see and accept some of the “realities” in Cyprus, Mr Eroglu also added that there is a need for a good lobbying which is something that will be established in cooperation with Turkey. He said that the time to stop the Greek Cypriots from throwing their intransigence on the Turkish side has come.
Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.05.10) reports on a meeting Dervis Eroglu held with a delegation from the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce (TTO) which pays an illegal visit to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.
Speaking during the meeting, the council chairman of TTO, Ali Osman Ulusoy, said that Cyprus is a part of Turkey and added that in the case the ports and airports of occupied Cyprus open, the region will attract more tourists than Spain, Italy and Greece.
On his part, Dervis Eroglu said that many people from Trabzon live in occupied Cyprus and added that these are hard working people.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (04.05.10), during the meeting with Dervis Eroglu, the chairman of the board of directors of TTO, Suat Hacisalihoglu, said he is in favour of the continuation of the negotiations in Cyprus and the reaching of an agreement which will not be the outcome of a compromise made by the Turkish side.
The TTO delegation met also with the self-styled speaker of the assembly, Hasan Bozer, who called on investors and businessmen from the Black Sea to make serious investments in occupied Cyprus.
(ML)
3. One thousand and five hundred persons were granted the so-called citizenship in one year
Under the title “1,500 persons became citizens within a year”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (04.05.10) publishes statements made by the so-called deputy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in occupied Lefkosia, Kadri Fellahoglu on the “citizenship” granted to settlers by the National Unity Party (UBP).
Speaking on the program “Morning Mail with Can Servan”, Mr Fellaholgu estimated that 1,500 persons became “citizens” of the breakaway regime during the last year. Noting that responding to a question submitted in writing two months ago by the self-styled CTP deputy, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, the “ministry of interior” answered that 1.062 persons have been granted the illegal regime’s citizenship, Mr Fellahoglu said that during the last period the so-called migration department worked until late and therefore the number of the persons who took the “citizenship” could have increased to 1.500.
(ML)
4. The “constitutional” amendment “law’s” submission to “referendum” on 27 June has been postponed; Tension at the “assembly” yesterday
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.05.10) reports that the self-styled assembly decided unanimously yesterday to postpone the submission of the “constitutional” amendment “law” to “referendum” on 27 June together with the “municipality elections”. The decision was taken after a suggestion by the National Unity Party (UBP). The acting chairman of the UBP, Irsen Kucuk, said that they suggested the postponement of the “referendum” on June 27 in order for the issue to be re-examined at the “Advisory Committee” and be discussed by the “people” in a sounder manner.
The paper writes that tension was created yesterday at the “assembly” during the discussion of the issue of the postponement of the “referendum”. The leaders of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Democratic Party (DP), Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Serdar Denktas respectively, accused the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Cakici of being in favour of the amendment of the “constitution” in the beginning and of changing his mind afterwards. Tension was created when Mr Cakici accused both of them of lying and of being provocateurs. The self-styled speaker of the “assembly” Hasan Bozer confirmed what Soyer and Denktas said, as member of the “Advisory Committee”. Mr Cakici, who had abandoned the room, returned and accused Mr Bozer of lying. Mr Bozer replied to Mr Cakici accusing him of being “unethical”.
(I/Ts.)
5. Ercin will discuss in Brussels the problems of the inhabitants of Pergamos and Pyla villages because of the Green Line Regulation
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.05.10) reports that Erhan Ercin, chairman of the “EU Coordination Centre” of the self-styled prime ministry, has stated that he will visit Brussels on Tuesday and discuss the problem of freedom of movement in the British Sovereign Bases Area which the inhabitants of Pyla and Pergamos villages are facing. Mr Ercin claimed that the problems are experienced since the day of the approval of the Green Line Regulation of the EU. He said that even before these problems came onto the agenda, the Turkish Cypriots were holding their routine contacts on this regulation because every year a report is published on the Green Line Regulation and its revision is discussed.
(I/Ts.)
6. A former British deputy claims that the Turkish army is a guarantee in the island
Under the title, “If the Turkish army departs from Cyprus, I can’t stay either”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (04.05.10), publishes an interview with Stephen Day, the British former deputy of the Conservative Party who represents three thousands Britons living in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. Mr Day, who has been living in the occupied areas permanently for five years, was interviewed by Sabah’s correspondent Erdinc Ergenc.
The paper reports that Stephen Day defended the presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus and said: “If the Turkish army departs from Cyprus, I will also leave the island.” He also added: “When the Turkish army came to the island, it brought democracy to the Greek Cypriot side also. The Greek Cypriot perpetrators of the coup. Fell from power and democracy dominated in the south of the island.”
Mr Day, who is in the administration of the British Residents Society that represents three thousand Britons living in the occupied part of Cyprus, also said that the Britons are satisfied with the Turkish guarantees and added: “The majority of the Britons are thinking to depart from the island if the Turkish army departs. Britons see the Turkish army as a guarantee in the island.” Noting that Britain made a mistake during Cyprus’ accession course into the EU, Mr Day said: “However it was not only Britain. The biggest mistake of the EU was that it took the Greek Cypriot sector in the EU without making an agreement on the property issue.”
Mr Day also alleged that the Greek Cypriot lawyer of Meletis Apostolides in the Orams case is threatening that he will file charges even against the Britons who stay at Dome Hotel in occupied town of Keryneia and who rent a house in the occupied part of Cyprus. Criticizing Britain because of the Orams case, Mr Day said: “If Britain had intervened in this case in order to protect the rights of its citizens, then the verdict would have been very different.”
(DPs)
7. “Political party closure article dropped from package”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (04.05.10) reports the following:
“Article 8 of the government-backed constitutional amendment package, which would have made it more difficult to shut down political parties, was rejected in the second round of voting on the reforms, failing to receive the 330 votes required for inclusion in the package. The article, which would have given Parliament the last say on whether a prosecutor could launch a closure case against a party, received only 327 votes.
The Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) failure to pass this particular article is partly a result of its own deputies not backing the package. The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), the predecessor of which was shut down by the Constitutional Court, also did not back the package.
In initial remarks, AK Party Mersin deputy and head of Parliament's Human Rights Commission Zafer Uskul said the failure to pass the article only served to show that AK Party deputies voted in accordance with their freewill and that there was no pressure on them.
He said the amendment would be included in future reform packages. In an initial statement, Suat Kilic, deputy chairman of the AK Party’s parliamentary group, announced that the AK Party had no intention of withdrawing the package. ‘We will continue talks on the package from where we left off’, he said.
The first seven articles of the government-backed constitutional reform package did receive the necessary number of votes in the second round, which began on Sunday. This round follows an eight-day parliamentary marathon in the first round. There will be no discussions of the content of the package in this round, in which confidential votes will be cast a total of 31 times.
On Sunday, the first day of voting, six articles were passed: Article 1, which allows affirmative action for women (332 for, 75 against); Article 2, which introduces stricter control over use of information about a person’s private life (334 for, 72 against); Article 3, which makes it more difficult to issue international flight bans for suspects in court cases (335 for, 70 against); Article 4, which introduces stricter monitoring on possible child abuse cases (338 for, 69 against); Article 5, which makes it possible to be a member of more than one workers’ union at the same time (335 for, 70 against); and Article 6, which gives public servants the right to collective bargaining (338 for, 71 against). On Monday, Article 7, which removes limits on strikes by public servants, was also passed with 338 yeas and 69 nays. The voting continued well into the night.
AK Party Deputy Chairman Salih Kapusuz made a statement yesterday prior to the vote on Article 8, saying they were sure that all the articles would pass the 330 threshold in the second round, which would mean that every article in the package would be referred to referendum. ‘This will continue as it is now until the last article. It has become obvious that the opposition’s efforts to block the package will not work’, he said.
Participation in the second round was higher than the first, and the number of nays appears to have increased.
He said the public widely expects permanent solutions to the country’s deep-rooted problems, adding that he firmly believed that even those articles known as the ‘critical articles’ --namely the one making political party closure more difficult and two others making changes to the structure of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) and the Constitutional Court. He said he expected the voting to be completed by Friday.
An average of 50 amendment proposals has been submitted for each article in the package. Under the bylaws of Parliament, seven of these were chosen by drawing lots. Deputies made five-minute speeches on the proposals.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also voted yesterday. He briefly talked to and laughed with visually impaired AK Party deputy Lokman Ayva, tapping his finger on his forehead. He also shared the grief of AK Party Sivas deputy Hamza Yerlikaya, who could only make it to Parliament after the fourth article due to attending his sister’s funeral in Sivas. Yerlikaya’s sister had been undergoing treatment at a Sivas hospital for chronic renal and heart failure. She was 28. Yerlikaya was unable to hold back tears, observers noted.
MHP leader Devlet Bahceli has been voting in the second round. CHP leader Deniz Baykal initially watched the talks in the beginning of the vote; however, he walked out of the general assembly hall after the second article. Democrat Party (DP) deputy Mesut Yilmaz, who did not vote in the first round, voted on the first article in the second round.
Izmir independent deputy Recai Birgun, who supported the package in the first round, said he would not join the second round due to criticism from Rahsan Ecevit, co-founder of Birgun’s former party, the Democratic Left Party (DSP). ‘I would rather not join the second round of the package, for which my support was only on principle, than break the heart of a person very special to me’. Birgun previously worked as a personal bodyguard for Ecevit’s late husband, former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.”
Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.05.10) reported the following from Ankara:
“The Turkish parliament adopted on Monday a constitutional amendment on the decisions of the Supreme Military Council (YAS). A total of 409 MPs joined the second round vote on the 12th article of the constitutional amendment bill. Three hundred thirty eight (338) MPs voted in favour of the article, while 69 voted against it. Two MPs cast a blank vote.
The amendment paves the way for trial of decisions of the Supreme Military Council (YAS), excluding promotions and retirement due to lack of cadre.
A total of 408 MPs had joined the first round of voting on this article. Three hundred thirty six (336) MPs voted in favour, 70 voted against it. One MP abstained, and one vote was invalid in the first round. The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party holds 336 seats in the parliament. However the parliament speakers are not allowed to vote in the parliament which reduces potential votes in favour of the bill to 335. Both the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and second opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) declared they would not support the bill. Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) which criticised the amendment boycotted the voting in the first round.
A total of 408 MPs had joined the first round of voting on this article. Three hundred thirty six (336) MPs voted in favour, 70 voted against it. One MP abstained, and one vote was invalid in the first round. The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party holds 336 seats in the parliament. However the parliament speakers are not allowed to vote in the parliament which reduces potential votes in favour of the bill to 335. Both the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and second opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) declared they would not support the bill. Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) which criticised the amendment boycotted the voting in the first round.
The articles and entirety of the bill needs to receive over 367 of the votes in order to be adopted. If it receives somewhere between 330 and 367 it will be put to referendum. If any of the articles receive less than 330 it will be automatically rejected. If during the voting of the package as a whole it receives less than 330, it will be rejected.
The second round of the voting which began on May 2, Sunday will last until May 9. A total of 30 secret votes will be held in the second round.
The amendment package will abolish the provisional article 15 of the constitution which does not allow trial of the members of the National Security Council formed after a coup in 1980. The bill will also abolish the ban on right to general strike; paves the way for a citizen to become a member of more than one union, and the civil servants and other public officials the right to collective bargaining. It also paves the way for trial of parliament speaker, chief of general staff, and senior commanders by the High Tribunal on charges of crimes they commit regarding their positions. If the bill is to be put to referendum, it is expected to be voted as a whole.”
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