Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-07-01

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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] The results for the members of "municipal councils"; YKP and BKP are represented in "municipal councils" for the first time

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the results of the "municipal elections"; Eroglu's role and problems within the CTP

[03] Ozgurgun: UBP is undoubtedly the first party; Izcan asks for early "elections" due to the rejection of the "constitutional amendment"

[04] Kibris cites foreign diplomatic observers saying Meyer may be the next UNSG Special Adviser on Cyprus

[05] Italian Ambassador to Ankara: Italy fully supports Turkey's EU bid

[06] Illegal Near East University to participate in Leaders' Summit in Italy

[07] Turkish Cypriot "airport service" reportedly to close down on July 27

[08] Erdogan enters presidential race

[09] Turkey's first political party with 'Kurdistan' in title is formed

[10] Ihsanoglu launches official campaign

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The results for the members of "municipal councils"; YKP and BKP are represented in "municipal councils" for the first time

Describing this development as "an important detail", the paper writes that the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) "elected" 111 members of "municipal councils", the National Unity Party (UBP) 102, the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) 42, the Social Democracy Party (TDP) 14, the BKP 2 and the YKP 1.

The YKP elected Murat Kanatli in occupied Nicosia, while BKP's Gonul Kargili and Arif Kizilgok were elected in occupied Morfou and Lefka "municipal councils" respectively.

The paper writes that 972 "candidates" ran in the "elections" for a position in the "municipal councils" in the occupied area of Cyprus. 964 of them were supported by parties and eight ran as independent "candidates".

(I/Ts.)

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the results of the "municipal elections"; Eroglu's role and problems within the CTP

Political observers say that "depression" exists within the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG), which lost the "municipalities" of occupied Nicosia, Famagusta and Keryneia. The results saddened the members of the National Unity Party (UBP), the "municipalities" of which decreased to 5 from 12 which it had in 2010. The results did not cause joy to the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) as well, because the party won only one "municipality". As for the Social Democracy Party (TDP), it may have rejoiced for winning the "municipality" in occupied Nicosia, but the results in general were not satisfactory for the members of the party.

Writing in the same newspaper, columnist Hasan Hasturer reports that the CTP may have increased the number of its "municipalities", but for the first time it won no "municipality" in the five big cities. Referring to statements by UBP's chairman, Huseyin Ozgurgun arguing that the UBP was successful in these "elections", Hasturer writes that "the UBP suffered its biggest defeat in its history", adding that a party as big as the UBP is trying to "comfort itself" with its success in occupied Keryneia.

Pointing out that Serdar Denktas, DP-UG's chairman presented Ismail Arter's victory in occupied Famagusta as success of his party, Hasturer argues that "the most important name which determined the fate of the election in Famagusta was Resmiye Canaltay, UBP's chairperson in Famagusta", who "with the election experience coming from her family never left Arter alone" [Translator's note: Resmiye Canaltay is the daughter of Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu].

Referring to the victory of Harmanci Harmanci in occupied Nicosia, Hasturer argues that Harmanci won because of the "votes" of the members of UBP and DP who were displeased with their parties. "TDP was happy with the result in Nicosia. Very well, what about the results of the same party in Famagusta and Keryneia", he wonders.

Hasturer expresses the view that one of the winners of the "elections" was the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, who "behaved as the spiritual leader not only of the UBP, but of the DP-UG as well". He adds, inter alia, the following referring to Eroglu: "He gave direction to the election within the boundaries drawn by himself. Did he do this only for the sake of those who won or for the UBP and the DP? No, he also thought about the presidential election to be held in April 2015. Now mayors who will support Eroglu exist in Famagusta, Keryneia, Morfou and Trikomo. As for Nicosia, it is not in the hands of the CTP, from which his strongest opponent could come. Moreover, Harmanci's success encouraged [Mustafa] Akinci on the issue of his candidacy for the presidency. In this situation, Akinci's candidacy will mean division of the votes of the left".

Commenting on the future of the CTP-DP self-styled coalition government, Hasturer argues that it is very difficult for this "coalition" to continue and that most probably this will not be the "government" which will lead the Turkish Cypriots to the "elections" in 2015. He expressed the view that not being in the "government" and not having a "mayor" in any of the five big "municipalities" will be against the CTP's "candidate" in those "elections". "If you add to this that the settling of accounts within the CTP has not ended, you come to the conclusion that the CTP experiences whatever is necessary for the support of Eroglu", Hasturer notes.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (01.07.14) refers to statements by a CTP official who wished to remain anonymous. Under the title "Revenge", the paper writes that this official claimed that those who caused CTP "candidate" Oktay Kayalp's defeat in occupied Famagusta were Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Sonay Adem, two of the high ranking members of the party. The same source argued that CTP's "candidate" in occupied Keryneia Sumer Aygin lost the "election" due to the "influence" exerted against him by Omer Kalyoncu, another official of the party. The paper writes that the conflicts within the party escalated and that CTP's chairman Ozkan Yorgancioglu ignores this fact. Afrika argues the following: "Those who were angry at the activities of Oktay Kayalp and Sumer Aygin against them in the last general elections, had taken an oath to get back at them in the local elections. It is said that now they have taken their revenge".

Noting that the members of the CTP think that they have suffered a great defeat in the "local elections", the paper says that CTP's council will convene on Thursday and assess the situation. The paper wonders whether the party will go to an extraordinary congress and notes that the position of Ozkan Yorgancioglu is being debated.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (01.07.14) reports that confusion exists in the CTP, that "mayors" who lost the "elections" have accused the party and that some started referring to an extraordinary congress. Kadir Fallahoglu, who lost the "municipality" of occupied Nicosia, told Halkin Sesi that he lost the "elections" due to "settling of accounts" within his party and that some people in the CTP did not support him. Fellahoglu said that the UBP-DP alliance aims at the "presidential elections" and it is personally directed by Dervis Eroglu. Fellahoglu argued that, in spite of this, the CTP could win if it remained united. He added that the so-called coalition government should immediately be ended.

Halkin Sesi reports also that Oktay Kayalp, who lost the "municipality" of occupied Famagusta, believes that the reason for his defeat is the "settling of accounts" within his party, the CTP. Kayalp is expected to reveal to the public next week all the conflicts which are taking place within the CTP.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun: UBP is undoubtedly the first party; Izcan asks for early "elections" due to the rejection of the "constitutional amendment"

Meanwhile, the chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Izzet Izcan has referred to the "referendum" on the "constitutional amendment" and pointed out that this amendment was rejected by the vast majority of the "voters". In a statement issued yesterday, Izcan said that the "parliament" does not represent the will of the "people" any more and argued that the "deputies" and the "president of the republic" must resign. Izcan expressed the view that early "elections" are inevitable, noting that those who have been holding a campaign for a "yes" vote in the "referendum" do not represent the Turkish Cypriot community.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kibris cites foreign diplomatic observers saying Meyer may be the next UNSG Special Adviser on Cyprus

Journalist Osman Kalfaoglu writes that Meyer's name has been mentioned as possibly the next UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus. Foreign diplomatic observers said that the US initiative to include experienced key persons in the Cyprus talks is continuing. It is also reported that Meyer is expected to help both sides in the negotiation process. The foreign diplomatic observes described the fact that the US Ambassador accompanied Meyer to his meetings as remarkable, adding that there is a great possibility that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will appoint a new Special Adviser on Cyprus in September.

[05] Italian Ambassador to Ankara: Italy fully supports Turkey's EU bid

Speaking to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Scarante stated that Turkey will not be helpful for EU only from the financial point of view but also socially and culturally. "Therefore we always support and see positively Turkey's EU membership", he stated.

He went on and added that Italy supports the opening of all EU chapters for Turkey, especially Chapters 23 and 24 and that they will continue the work for their opening to the EU Commission and other organizations. He also stated that they will do everything possible safeguarding the right conditions so that these chapters to be opened.

[06] Illegal Near East University to participate in Leaders' Summit in Italy

According to the paper, businessmen, and diplomats from more than 30 countries will participate in the meeting.

[08] Erdogan enters presidential race

Erdogan, who had previously made clear his aspiration to become the country's first ever President to be directly elected by popular vote, described the August election as a "milestone" for a "new era" during his acceptance speech. "Those who ask for a 'neutral' president in reality want a president who will side with the state against the people. That era is now closed," he said.

His name was officially announced by AKP Deputy Head Mehmet Ali Sahin, who stressed that the decision had been taken after long consultations, and that all AKP Deputies backed the candidacy of the current Prime Minister.

[07] Turkish Cypriot "airport service" reportedly to close down on July 27

After the notice, the Federation of "Cyprus Turkish Workers' Trade Unions" gathered in front of the so-called prime ministry protesting against this development.

According to the paper, "Cyprus Airport Services" (CAS) Limited was established in 2007 by "Cyprus Turkish Airlines" and Turkey's airport services company HAVAS.

[08] Erdogan enters presidential race

Erdogan, who had previously made clear his aspiration to become the country's first ever President to be directly elected by popular vote, described the August election as a "milestone" for a "new era" during his acceptance speech. "Those who ask for a 'neutral' president in reality want a president who will side with the state against the people. That era is now closed," he said.

His name was officially announced by AKP Deputy Head Mehmet Ali Sahin, who stressed that the decision had been taken after long consultations, and that all AKP Deputies backed the candidacy of the current Prime Minister.

[09] Turkey's first political party with 'Kurdistan' in title is formed

The Supreme Court of Appeals prosecutor's office has decided that the use of the word "Kurdistan" in the party's title does not conflict with the Turkish Constitution and gave permission to the party's foundation.

The T-KDP first received the Interior Ministry's approval. Mehmet Emin Kardas is the founding leader of the party. He previously said the party has no links to Iraq's Kurdistan Democrat Party.

However, the party takes Mustafa Barzani, the founder of Iraq's Kurdistan Democrat Party and father of Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), as a model.

The symbol of the T-KDP is the sun rising behind Mount Ararat and the party's colours are yellow, red and green, widely seen together in Kurdish-origin party flags.

[10] Ihsanoglu launches official campaign

Turkey needs to have the ideals of "peace at home [and] peace in the world" these days more than ever, he said, noting that maintaining and securing social peace is important for Turkey's prosperity.

Ihsanoglu also visited the tomb of Ismet Inonu, the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TURK-IS), the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

Turkey's President should not embrace a single political approach, instead he should defend them all in harmony, Ihsanoglu added after his meeting with TURK-IS. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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