Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-05-18

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] The Turkish side begins the work on shaping the results of a possible multilateral conference regarding the Cyprus problem

[02] More settlers will reportedly be granted the "citizenship" of the regime; Columnist refers to at least 54 thousand new "citizens"

[03] Ozgurgun's comments on the new British visa regulations and the military exercise

[04] Data by the "Immovable Property Commission"

[05] Atun holds contacts in Turkey

[06] KTOS signs a cooperation agreement with a Bulgarian union

[07] Tenders for "TRNC" projects take place in Ankara

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Davutoglu warned the Israeli Ambassador over "recent developments"

[09] "Selection process deadlocked for top OSCE job"

[10] EU urges Ankara to be 'proportional' in blocking Internet access

[11] OSCE's representative expresses concern over the Internet filtering and Press Law in Turkey

[12] Turkish Air Agency to train astronauts as of 2012

[13] New public survey on the upcoming general elections, the Turkish Constitution and democracy in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] The Turkish side begins the work on shaping the results of a possible multilateral conference regarding the Cyprus problem

In statements yesterday from Berlin, he noted that the negotiations are heading towards "an important and critical stage". He said the sides will take some steps during this process and added: "The sides can foresee from now what these steps will be. However, what is important is not to sit and wait or foresee, but to take initiatives, to take steps for shaping beforehand the steps to be taken".

Assessing his contacts in Germany, Ozersay said they were positive and added that they are working to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Meanwhile, under the title "Measures for the conference are being taken", Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (18.05.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot side begin the work on the results of the multilateral conference which is anticipated to be held regarding the Cyprus problem. The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot side started working for "the necessary international steps to be taken after the multilateral conference". The first part of these efforts is being made in Germany, notes the paper adding that these efforts are expected to be exerted in other countries as well. The paper writes that it is not a coincidence that these efforts started from Germany, because this country is one of the most important in the EU and could influence the Union.

According to the paper, during its contacts in Germany, the Turkish Cypriot side tries to "correct" the statements made by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her recent visit to Cyprus when she said that the Turkish side is intransigent.

The paper writes also that the ground for a give and take process will be prepared in the tripartite summit which most probably will be held in New York in July, "but the Greek Cypriot side tries to put preconditions for entering the give and take process". Details for the tripartite summit are expected to be discussed during the meetings to be held in Cyprus within the next few days, reports Havadis.

Furthermore, the paper refers to the contacts of Ozersay in Germany and especially his meetings with high ranking officials from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs with whom he discussed "the stage of the negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem and the steps which could be taken jointly with the international community from now on". Ozersay further met with the Turkish-German Legal Council, which was established last March, and discussed the legal aspects of the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[02] More settlers will reportedly be granted the "citizenship" of the regime; Columnist refers to at least 54 thousand new "citizens"

The paper writes that if the "draft-law" is implemented without any amendments, "white card" will be given to those who work "legally" for eight years in the occupied area of Cyprus, to those who work for 14 years with interruption but completed a period of eight years of "legal" continuous work in occupied Cyprus and to those who live "illegally" in occupied Cyprus without taking into consideration whether they have "work permit". The "citizenship" of the regime will be granted to the foreigners who were born in occupied Cyprus and completed their 18th year of age and to the members of the so-called separated families.

The paper reports that the holders of "white card" will not have the right to vote and to be elected or to be employed as "civil servants".

According to the new "law", from now on "work permits" will be issued for a maximum period of four years and therefore foreigners who obtain this "permit" will not have the right of obtaining the "citizenship" of the regime. After this "law", the "citizenship' will be given to no one except for cases of marriage and "very special investors".

According to the paper, if the "law" is enforced, at the first stage, around ten thousand persons will be given "white cards" and around five thousand persons the "citizenship". A foreigner should be married to a "TRNC citizen" for more than three years in order to gain the right of becoming a "citizen" of the regime. The couple should live together within the above-mentioned period and should not be divorced when the "citizenship" is granted to the foreigner. Moreover, the "citizenship" will be granted to children born in the occupied part of Cyprus and have a foreign mother or father, on the condition that these children lived in occupied Cyprus for 15 years and their parents resided "legally" there.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue in his daily column in Havadis, Huseyin Ekmekci recalls the statements made by Halil Ibrahim Akca, self-styled Turkish ambassador to occupied Lefkosia, when he visited Havadis. Akca had stated that 29 thousand persons are registered as foreign workforce in the occupied part of Cyprus, that 13.500 of these people gained the right to become "citizens" of the regime and 5.800 persons have been given their "citizenship" right.

Ekmekci writes that officials from Turkey and the occupied area of Cyprus have agreed on radically solving the above-mentioned problem. He notes, inter alia, the following:

"?Those who according to the existing TRNC laws have gained the right to become citizens will be given this right. This number is 'maximum 13.500 persons'. Together with their spouses they are 27 thousands (if everyone is married). If to these 27 thousands you add their children, a group of at least 54 thousand persons have gained the right of becoming citizens. This issue came onto the agenda between the Turkish embassy and the TRNC government and reconciliation was achieved on the issue of 'cleaning up the past?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun's comments on the new British visa regulations and the military exercise

Referring to the military exercise, Ozgurgun pointed out that the Akrotiri base is the UK's sovereign area and said: "Like Turkey's right for the 1974 intervention comes from the 1960 agreement, the right for this exercise that the UK did in the sovereign base area also comes from the 1960 agreement."

[04] Data by the "Immovable Property Commission"

As it is reported, according to the data announced in the "commission's" website, until now, a total of 1.198 applications have been submitted to the "commission", of which 163 have been concluded through "amiable composition" and 7 through "court hearing". Reportedly, until today, the "commission" has paid to the applicants, compensation of around 58 million Sterling. In addition, the "commission" decided return of property for one application, exchange and compensation for two applications, return and compensation for five applications, return after the solution for one application, and partial return for one application.

[05] Atun holds contacts in Turkey

[06] KTOS signs a cooperation agreement with a Bulgarian union

As it was announced, the aim of the cooperation agreement is to increase the existing solidarity and cooperation between the two trade unions, to be informed on the education systems of Bulgaria and the occupation regime, and to share information and experience in the field of education through mutual visits of teachers. In addition, the agreement foresees the visit of some Bulgarian teachers to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in September.

Meanwhile, as it was announced, the mutual visits of teachers, in the framework of an agreement signed earlier with the Polish Solidarity Union (Solidarnosc), are continuing.

[07] Tenders for "TRNC" projects take place in Ankara

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Davutoglu warned the Israeli Ambassador over "recent developments"

Speaking at a TV program, Davutoglu said that Turkey expected to prevent repetition of similar incidents to Mavi Marmara attack and this was relayed to the Ambassador.

Asked whether it was a diplomatic boycott the fact that the participation to Israel's foundation anniversary celebrations in Ankara was low and that nobody from the cabinet attended the celebrations, Davutoglu said it was not right to describe this as a diplomatic boycott. "It is very meaningful that nobody went there although there was not a boycott decision," Davutoglu said adding that Israel should take this stance into consideration seriously.

Davutoglu said Israel should soon review its stance and should show respect towards the Turkish nation and added: "Normally, we are careful about national days of the countries. If they want our friendship, criteria of this is clear. Israel should admit its crime and compensate it".

When recalled the news reports that, a second flotilla is getting prepared to set sail a short time before the anniversary of the Mavi Marmara attack, Davutoglu said that there are demands from the United States and Israel to stop this flotilla.

Saying that the Israeli Ambassador in Ankara came to the Foreign Ministry and said: "stop the flotilla", Davutoglu added that it was out of the question for Levy to come to the Ministry to make such a warning. "No Ambassador can come to the Foreign Ministry in Ankara to give a warning," he said. "On the contrary, Deputy Undersecretary Halit Cevik called the Israeli Ambassador upon my directives, made to him serious warnings over the recent developments and gave messages," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said that Israel should first compensate the mistake it made last year.

[09] "Selection process deadlocked for top OSCE job"

With just a month and a half to go until the head of the OSCE's term runs out, Turkey is continuing to press ahead with its bid for the Secretary-General job despite indications that Austria's candidate is favored for the post.

Ankara's objections to the draft report prepared by a U.N. panel investigating Israel's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla also have that process facing a major stalemate.

In the OSCE contest, Turkey has been lobbying for more than a year for Ersin Ercin, who is currently the Ambassador to Brazil, while Vienna has thrown its weight behind former Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik.

Plassnik's political career is being seen as her strongest advantage in the race, since some of the 56 OSCE member countries believe having a politician in the post will give more muscle to the organization, which has faced charges of irrelevance after the end of the Cold War.

The election requires a consensus among members and Lithuania, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the body, is trying to reach an agreement before Frenchman Marc Perrin de Brichambaut's second three-year term as OSCE Secretary-General ends June 30.

Other candidates include Lamberto Zannier, an Italian career diplomat currently in charge of the U.N. mission in Kosovo, and Portugal's Joao Soares, the former head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Plassnik's gender may also play in her favor, as some countries would like to see a woman running the Vienna-based group, which focuses on conflict prevention, economic development and human rights. The former Austrian Foreign Minister is said to have the support of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Her being from Austria, which already hosts OSCE headquarters in Vienna, is seen as a disadvantage, however.

Though recent signs seem to indicate that Plassnik is leading the race, the Turkish Government appears resolute in staying on course and intensely continuing its lobbying efforts. Turkey has full confidence in the merits of its candidate, who, if elected, would be the first OSCE Secretary-General in the organization's history to hail from east of Vienna.

Previous Secretary-Generals have been from EU member states France, Germany, Italy and Slovakia. The general support base of Turkey comes from the countries that are also east of Vienna, with Russia believed to be among those backing Turkey's candidacy.

Greek Cyprus and Armenia both say they would not be happy to see a Turk take the job, but Turkish officials say if a general consensus is established around Ercin, both countries would avoid being the one to block it. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has also rebuffed warnings that Turkey's chances are poor due to the veto threat by Greek Cyprus and Armenia, saying Turkey also holds a veto card.

The 56 OSCE member countries have been asked to list their first and second preferences for the Secretary-General job. Austria has indicated that it believes the secret ballot leaves Plassnik in a strong position, while Turkey says the race is neck-and-neck.

The member countries' picks are known only by Lithuania, which is involved in active diplomacy to reach a consensus on the choice for the position.

The OSCE was established in 1973 as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, or CSCE; it was given its current name in 1995".

[10] EU urges Ankara to be 'proportional' in blocking Internet access

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule's spokesperson Natasha Butler told reporters on Tuesday that they were closely following the developments regarding the internet access filtering in Turkey.

Butler said that shutting down internet sites based on general banned word lists could violate freedom of expression as well as people's right to get information.

She expressed the uneasiness of the EU Commission about blocking the access in internet sites frequently and disproportionally in the aspects of content and time.

Recalling that the EU Commission too prepared a package to prevent the harmful content such as child pornography in internet, Butler said that targets of such measures should be set well and they should be proportional.

Recently, internet users have gathered in many cities in Turkey to protest a decision by the Information & Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) which announced that it would begin applying four different internet filtering systems throughout the country as of August 22.

[11] OSCE's representative expresses concern over the Internet filtering and Press Law in Turkey

In a letter to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Mijatovi
expressed concern over the May 2 decision of the Constitutional Court to amend the Press Law allowing prosecutors to file criminal cases against journalists years after their articles are published. The annulled Article 26 of the law limited prosecution to two months from the date of publication in a daily newspaper or four months in other print media.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mijatovi
stated:  If unchanged, this ruling will mean journalists expressing critical views will work under the permanent threat of criminal lawsuits being initiated against them .

In addition, Mijatovi
expressed concern over the fact that the Government plans to introduce mandatory content filtering for all Internet users in Turkey and warned that this regulation would limit the right of individuals to access information they want and impose regulation of Internet content by the authorities. "Internet users must have the freedom to make an independent decision about using content filters. If enforced, this regulation would contravene OSCE and international standards on the free flow of information," she added.

Mijatovi
offered her office's assistance in bringing the media legislation of Turkey in line with OSCE commitments on free expression.

[12] Turkish Air Agency to train astronauts as of 2012

Speaking at a press conference held in the western province of Isparta, Yildirim said that the THK will begin sending astronauts to space in Turkish space shuttles as of 2023, the year when Turkey will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of its Republic.

"We have 470 branches in all corners of Turkey. We have taken important steps in the past two years. One of our most crucial steps was the foundation of the THK University. The university will begin teaching in 2011 in the provinces of Ankara and Izmir with a total of 180 students", Yildirim said adding that the THK University is the world's 37th Aerospace and Space University.

[13] New public survey on the upcoming general elections, the Turkish Constitution and democracy in Turkey

The survey suggest that an overwhelming majority of the Turkish public wants the new Constitution to protect citizens rather than the state, with 69.6% of respondents saying the new document should seek to protect citizens. The public expects the existing Constitution to be replaced by a civilian one after the general elections in June. Most respondents, however, do not want the first three unchangeable articles of the Constitution to be amended.

According to the poll, 24.8% of respondents said the new Constitution should protect the state. The remaining 5.6% declined to comment. Turkey's Constitution is frequently criticized on the grounds that it fails to respond to today's needs for broader rights and freedoms for individuals. It was drafted under martial law after the 1980 military coup. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has pledged to prepare a new Constitution after the June 12 elections.

Asked whether the first three unchangeable articles of the Constitution should be changed, 54.4% said "no." Slightly more than 36% said "yes," and the remaining respondents declined to comment.

The poll also found that 49.9% do not believe that ethnic, religious and other minorities in Turkey are free to express themselves. More than 42%, however, disagreed. Most respondents believe that citizens are subjected to discrimination in judicial bodies, state offices, municipalities, and business life and police departments.

According to the poll, 69.9% of respondents said they would not be disturbed if a church or synagogue was opened in their neighbourhood. Around 28% respondents stated to the contrary. An overwhelming 81.4% said they have no concerns about sharing their political opinions with other people. Only 17.2% said they have such concerns.

In response to a question about whether judges and prosecutors should seek to protect the state or rights of individuals, only 17.6% responded in favor of the state. A crushing 76.7% said judges and prosecutors should protect the rights of individuals.

The poll also questioned respondents about their perception of military-civilian relations in Turkey. Asked if the military should be under the control of a civilian body such as the Government, 52.5% said "yes." A full 41%, however, said no. While 48.5% said the Turkish military is under the control of a civilian body, 41.8% said the contrary. In response to a question over whether they would approve of the military seizing control of the country "under certain circumstances," 57.5% said "no, however 39% said "yes."

Additionally, the poll also asked respondents about their opinion about press freedoms. According to 55.4% of respondents, journalists and writers in Turkey have fears about freely expressing their opinions. Nearly 40% disagreed. Critics of the AK Party Government often complain that the Government is gradually stepping up pressure on Turkey's journalists and writers in order to not allow them to express their opinions freely. More than 53% said the Government is limiting press freedoms and 40% said it is not. More than 56% said press freedoms would be negatively impacted if media bosses dealt with issues other than the media. Around 30%, however, disagreed.

According to the poll, respondents are divided into two camps about the freedom of the judiciary. While 40.6% of respondents said the judiciary is independent of the government, 48.5% said it is not.

In response to a question about their opinions about democracy, 55.6% of respondents defined democracy as "superior to all other regimes." For 21%, it was acceptable for nations to make concessions on democracy under certain circumstances. Slightly more than 16% said they do not care if they are being governed under democracy or any other regime. The remaining respondents declined to comment.

A full 81% believe that democracy is a good regime for economic development. More than 12%, however, believe to the contrary. According to 44.8%, governments can make concessions on democracy to ensure security and public order. Slightly more than 41% said governments cannot make such concessions.

Pollsters also questioned respondents about their voting preferences. Asked which political party they are planning to vote for in the June 12 general elections, 35.3% said they will vote for the AK Party. According to the poll, the Republican People's Party (CHP) will receive 21% of the votes in June. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will receive 8.1% of the votes, failing to enter Parliament due to the 10% election threshold. The pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy (BDP) will get 5.5% of the votes. More than 27% said they are undecided. MetroPOLL also said support for political parties will further increase through the splitting of undecided votes at the ballot box.

Another question concerned trust in political party leaders. When asked which of the existing political party leaders they trusted the most, 39.5% of respondents said they trusted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the most. Erdogan was followed by CHP s K1
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cdaroglu with 16.2% and MHP s Bahceli with 4.2%. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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