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Tatar Walks Out: Tense Interview Raises Familiar Questions About Press Relations

In an episode starkly reminiscent of past confrontations with the media, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar abruptly terminated an interview with a group of visiting Turkish journalists, accusing them of deliberately provoking him with sensitive questions. The incident, detailed in a scathing report by Turkish news outlet Nefes headlined, "Bu hiç size yakışmadı sayın Tatar!" ("This doesn't suit you, Mr. Tatar!"), has once again cast a spotlight on Mr. Tatar's often-fraught relationship with the press, particularly as he heads into a challenging re-election campaign.

According to Nefes, the interview, which journalists "attempted to conduct," unravelled as Mr. Tatar faced questions on politically charged topics. With the first round of the internationally unrecognized TRNC presidential election slated for October 19, and polls reportedly showing opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman 6-8 points ahead, the stakes are high. Ankara is also rumoured to be displeased with Tatar's performance, adding another layer of pressure.

The flashpoint, as reported by Nefes, appeared to be a question regarding the recent annulment of Republican People's Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu's Istanbul University diploma, which stemmed from the retrospective invalidation of his TRNC degree equivalency after 35 years. This is a particularly sensitive issue, given Mr. Tatar had previously stated that those claiming fake diplomas were distributed in the TRNC "are betraying us all and doing harm to this country." When pressed on İmamoğlu's case, Tatar deflected, stating, "What can I say now… It's Turkey's business; whether the equivalency exists or not."

The atmosphere reportedly grew tense when journalists discussed the headscarf and secularism debates within the TRNC. Mr. Tatar, visibly irritated by a follow-up question on the same topic, snapped, "I spoke Turkish, didn't I?"

The situation deteriorated further when, during the interview, other guests were ushered into Mr. Tatar's office. Questions about why his wife, Sibel Tatar, did not attend the opening of the Presidential Complex, and some Turkic states' recent appointment of ambassadors to the Republic of Cyprus, seemingly pushed Mr. Tatar over the edge. He abruptly stood up, declared, "I can't do this," and walked out, leaving the interview unfinished.

Nefes reports that Mr. Tatar later vented his frustration, exclaiming, "You're asking me about İmamoğlu's diploma. What on earth do I have to do with İmamoğlu's diploma? You are deliberately coming after me. I'll get a headache too." He then reportedly complained about the journalists to the other guests present in his office, leaving the press delegation no opportunity to explain that their question about İmamoğlu's diploma was pertinent to the broader, ongoing controversy surrounding the credibility of TRNC-issued qualifications – an issue Tatar himself had previously waded into.

This incident is not an isolated one. Observers will recall previous instances where Mr. Tatar has clashed with journalists from Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, often reacting defensively to critical lines of questioning. Such encounters raise concerns about transparency and the willingness of the TRNC leadership under Tatar to engage with legitimate, albeit challenging, media scrutiny.

The Nefes report concluded symbolically, referencing the Turkish saying, "A cup of coffee has 40 years of goodwill." The journalists, however, "left Ersin Tatar's side without even being offered a glass of water," a detail underscoring the acrimonious end to the attempted dialogue. 

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