Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-06-02

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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] Leaders resume their talks; Statement by Eroglu after the meeting

[02] "Reform the economic and fiscal policies"

[03] "Government" receives criticism on CTA issue; decides to cover social insurance premiums

[04] Unverdi on the number of illegal workers in the occupied area

[05] So-called minister Saner went to Turkey for a conference

[06] New mosque in Kioneli

[07] Illegal YDU signed a cooperation protocol with the Irbid National University of Jordan

[08] Bomber's real name identified

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Three Russian tourists poisoned in Turkey by poor quality alcohol imported from a company operating in occupied Cyprus

[10] Bagis on Turkey's EU process

[11] Turkey will continue support the breakaway regime

[12] Polls show support for ruling AK Party near 50%

[13] 69% of the Turkish public supports EU membership, survey finds

[14] Bagis: EU losing credibility in Turkey's press freedom debate

[15] Gul urges OIC members to ratify rules for preferential trade agreement

[16] Turkey-wide campaign restrictions to begin on Thursday

[17] Foreign Minister visits Italy to attend the unification celebrations

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Leaders resume their talks; Statement by Eroglu after the meeting

Making a statement upon his return to the occupied area, Eroglu said that that they discussed two issues during today's meeting, the competencies of International treaties and policing issues adding that they have made much progress on these issues.

Eroglu also announced that the special representatives Ozersay and Iacovou will meet on Friday and continue discussions on these two issues and especially on the proposals that were put forward today by the Greek Cypriot side on international agreements. "We want to finalize these two issues before going to Geneva", he said.

Replying to a question regarding a planned trip to London later on this month, Eroglu announced that he had cancelled the trip as it would not be proper to travel at a time when the "founding president" Denktas was in hospital.

Also, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.06.11), Eroglu following the meeting, commented on the claims that the Greek Cypriot side's EU term presidency might be delayed due to the unresolved conflict in Cyprus and said that officials of the Union sometimes delivered statements describing themselves "mistaken" or "deceived". He also added: "I believe the Greek Cypriot administration's taking over the presidency of a deceived union would be a regrettable development".

Eroglu also noted that the EU needed to think one more time on the matter. "The union has made mistake after mistake, prevented an agreement in the island and fuelled the Greek Cypriot party's uncompromising attitude. That's why it needs to think again," he said.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (02.06.11) reports that Eroglu stated after yesterday's meeting that it is not possible for a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem only with his will and said that both sides should show goodwill for a solution to be found on the table.

Asked to comment on the recent statements made by former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat who accused him of being intransigent, Eroglu wondered why then Talat did not reached to an agreement with Christofias when he was the negotiator at the talks. Eroglu said also the following: "If Mr Christofias say to me: Come to the table and sign the agreements we have done with Talat and the deceased Ozker Ozgur, then I am ready to sign them. This issue has opened again for discussion. Mr Christofias admitted to us that there was such an agreement and that he also gave a file to Talat". Eroglu said.

[02] "Reform the economic and fiscal policies"

[03] "Government" receives criticism on CTA issue; decides to cover social insurance premiums

Buran Atakan, chairman of Hava-Sen the "Airlines" Workers' Union said that yesterday they gathered at the "Resistance Tent" instead of the "prime-ministry" in order to eradicate the excuse that the "prime-ministry" is under pressure and give it the opportunity to take a correct decision for the "CTA" employees. He warned the "government" that if they will continue to be mere spectators to their problems, they will be the only ones to be held responsible for the actions that will follow.

Arslan Bicakli, chairman of Turk-Sen speaking on behalf of the Trade Unions Platform said [referring to Kucuk] that it is unacceptable to describe as terrorists employees who protest in order to claim their rights and called the "government" to resign since they cannot manage a small company.

Kemal Ozturk chairman of Democratic Party's Lefkosia regional committee expressed his party's support to "CTA's" employees' fight for their rights. Mehmet Cakici chairman of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) criticized strongly the "government" and called them to resign. He said that the latest public opinion surveys showed that UBP enjoys a 22% support by the people and that they try to "govern" in a fascist way by transferring "deputies."

Moreover, Ferdi Sabit Soyer chairman of CTP main opposition party wondered how come the Turkish Airlines which suffer losses do not even think to close them, but they managed to close down "CTA". He also warned the "government" and their advisors that if they think to implement the same model to the "telecommunications department" and "electricity authority" (KIB-TEK) they will be left empty handed.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the so-called ministerial council and Interior "minister" Nazim Cavusoglu, announced yesterday after their meeting that the "ministerial council" decided to approve an additional budget of 6.5 million Turkish Liras in order to pay the social insurance premiums that "CTA" has not paid. After the additional budget will pass form the "parliament" then the former employees will be able to receive their unemployment benefits.

[04] Unverdi on the number of illegal workers in the occupied area

Unverdi made the above statements during a visit he paid yesterday at Havadis newspaper's offices.

Referring to the goal of the "ministry" to take measures in order to prevent the illegal status of workers in the "country", Unverdi said that during inspections in 279 working places the last five months, 291 out of the 1095 workers were found to be illegal. Unverdi said also that the "ministry" will intensify its efforts and the controls in the working places adding that they are determined to face the problem of illegal workers in the "country".

(AK)

[05] So-called minister Saner went to Turkey for a conference

Saner is expected to return to the occupied area tomorrow.

(AK)

[06] New mosque in Kioneli

The general director of EVKAF Mustafa Kemal Kaymakzade said during the signing ceremony that EVKAF offers its services and assists in many sectors and similarly does for the religious sector. The "mayor" of Kioneli said that the new mosque will cover the needs of the area, since the existing mosque was erected when the population was 1.000 people.

[07] Illegal YDU signed a cooperation protocol with the Irbid National University of Jordan

As the paper writes, the protocol was signed last Tuesday at the "YDU" by the rector of the Irbid National University, Prof. Dr Mohammad S. Subarrini and the "rector" of the illegal YDU, Prof. Dr Umit Hassan.

According to information acquired by the illegal YDU, the protocol envisages the academic and cultural cooperation between the two institutions, common projects and exchange of students and academic staff. It also envisages the mutual utilisation of the libraries of the two universities.

(AK)

[08] Bomber's real name identified

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Three Russian tourists poisoned in Turkey by poor quality alcohol imported from a company operating in occupied Cyprus

According to a statement issued by the Turkish Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, a sample of the alcoholic beverages served aboard the yacht was taken and sent for analysis. It was also stated that the drinks were imported from a company named "Jasmin" which operates in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Reportedly, the company, which got control certificate for the drinks, which were more than 500.000 bottles, exported only 12.000 bottles on April 6, 2010 by sending the drinks to Alanya. Then, "Birlik" company, which operates in Ankara, distributed the drinks to the Turkish provinces of Antalya, Mugla, Mersin and Ankara.

[10] Bagis on Turkey's EU process

Inter alia, Bagis also referred to the EU chapters, noting that some of them were frozen by "Cyprus that has a population of 600 thousand people". Referring, inter alia, to the alleged isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, Bagis said that while the Greek Cypriots can come and go easily to "north Cyprus", can make trade and shopping, the other EU member states are prevented of commencing direct trade trips, imports or exports. "This, by itself, is double standard," he claimed, adding that when they tell this to the Europeans they are saying to them that they are right. "But because unanimity is needed for the EU regulations, the Greek Cypriot side, in one way or another, does not break the embargo," he stated. Bagis noted that for this reason, they will not look towards the opening of chapters, but they will look towards their own standards, noting that they will continue Turkey's EU process with determination.

[11] Turkey will continue support the breakaway regime

Calling on Turkish tourism companies to invest in businesses in the occupied area, Kucuk said that "the tourism business there had been negatively affected because northern Cyprus is not recognized internationally". The tourism facilities in the "country" are operating at only 37% capacity, he said.

The breakaway regime "government" is supporting tourism investments, Kucuk said. "If these investments start to create positive results, our economic problems will end and new horizons will open for us. This is why I invite all of you to support us to raise investments in northern Cyprus."

Turkey and the breakaway regime are working together to launch direct international flights, he also said, adding that "the number of passengers arriving in northern Cyprus has increased by 13% and the number of tourists staying there has risen by 9% since we came to power. There is great cooperation in the tourism sector between Turkey and northern Cyprus."

Finally, Kucuk said that they aim to direct an important portion of the 10 million annual travellers in Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

[12] Polls show support for ruling AK Party near 50%

A survey by pollsters Sonar conducted between May 24-31 and based on 3.000 voters, showed support for AKP at 50.93%, according to the polling company's website. The published details did not include a margin of error, but it said the voters came from 39 provinces.

CHP support was seen at 25.78% and MHP at 12.45%, Sonar said.

The polls suggested there had been little impact for the ultra-nationalist MHP from a sex video scandal which led to the resignation of 10 leading party members.

If his party wins a strong mandate, Erdogan has promised to overhaul Turkey's constitution, written in the 1980s after a coup. However, the latest poll indicated it would not have the two-thirds majority in Parliament needed to change the constitution without going to a referendum.

[13] 69% of the Turkish public supports EU membership, survey finds

The survey "Foreign Policy Perceptions in Turkey," conducted on Dec. 6-14 last year by KA Research and the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) with 1.000 respondents, found that the most supportive region for the country's EU membership is southeast Anatolia with 91% of those polled, followed by east Anatolia with 87%. The lowest support for the country's EU membership comes from central Anatolia with 58%.

"Support for Turkey's EU membership in these regions can be explained by looking at political and economic factors. These two regions will gain from increased welfare and they will significantly benefit from Turkey's democratic transformation on the path to EU membership," the report said.

"It is noteworthy that EU membership is still considered one of the most important foreign policy issues, even though it is not on the agenda during the election process in Turkey," said TESEV Board of Directors Chairman Can Paker, referring to the upcoming June 12 elections, at a press conference on Wednesday.

Paker added that since Turkey is on the brink of creating a new constitution, it is important to stress the EU criteria and the EU membership of Turkey, 60% of its trade is with European states.

When asked why they want Turkey to be a member of the EU, 22% of the respondents said "easing visa restrictions," 21% said "economic benefits," 13% said "for democracy," 8% answered "job opportunities, decrease in unemployment" and 7% said "increased living standards."

Of the 26% of the respondents who did not support Turkey's EU membership, the most common reason given was that Turkey was strong enough on its own, with 21%, while 10% of the respondents stressed the differences between the moral and cultural values of Turkey and the EU, 8% said that the EU did not want Turkey and 6 % of the respondents stated they did not want Turkey to become an EU member because Turkey is a Muslim country. Financial crises faced by the EU states have not gone unnoticed, as 6% of the respondents said that the EU is failing.

When asked when they thought Turkey would become a member of the EU, 49% of the respondents said that Turkey would become a member of the EU within the next five to 20 years, while "never" was the most popular answer with 30%. On the other hand, there are some optimists ? 16% -- who think that Turkey will accede to the EU within the next five years. According to 20% of the respondents, Turkey will become a member within the next five to ten years.

In the survey, when asked to list the biggest obstacle to Turkey's EU membership, the most common answer given by the respondents was xenophobia/Islamophobia, with 22%. Other answers included the unwillingness of the EU countries with 7%, Turkey's population with 4% and terror, also 4%. Only 3% of the respondents stated that the biggest obstacle to Turkey's membership was the Cyprus problem.

"These responses are consistent with the view that the EU is making it harder for Turkey to become a member for religious and cultural reasons, a sentiment that is becoming increasingly widespread in Turkey," stated the report, written by TESEV.

A peaceful, compromise-based solution within the framework of the UN parameters in Cyprus was supported by 31% of the respondents. In the survey, 8% of the respondents wished to see the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" become part of Turkey, while the 6% who want the "TRNC" to remain independent are a distinct minority.

When asked about Turkey's most important foreign policy issues, relations with the EU was the most common answer with 14%, while relations with Israel are second with 7%, followed by the United States with 5% and the Cyprus issue with 4%.

The survey results indicate that those who think the US is unfriendly towards Turkey are 52% while those who think that the US is friendly account for 27% of those polled.

[14] Bagis: EU losing credibility in Turkey's press freedom debate

Bagis has slammed the attitude of the European Union over the issue of press freedom in Turkey, saying that the EU prefers to remain silent when it comes to the court cases filed against the Zaman, Yeni Safak and Star dailies.

Bagis discussed how Brussels reacted after a number of journalists had been detained in Turkey, but did not reacted for certain other journalists who have called citizens blockheads or insulted the families of government members. "The European Commission kept its mouth shut when Samil Tayyar of the Star daily was given a 50-year jail sentence and does not say a word against the hundreds of court cases filed against the Zaman, Yeni Safak and Star dailies," Bagis said. However, they clearly favour some circles in the Turkish media, according to Bagis, who said the EU's attitude toward the Turkish media is one of the reasons why it has lost credibility in Turkey.

"We cannot say the press is free of problems in Turkey," Bagis said, and added that the first problem of the Turkish press was the lack of any labour union law that met European standards. The Minister said that the working conditions of Turkish journalists are incommensurably worse than their European counterparts and they do not have job security.

Bagis rejected speculations that Turkey had lost its resolve in its EU membership bid, recalling a meeting that was held on June 1 regarding Turkey's EU membership process, despite there being only 11 days left before the day of the elections. He said the reforms will be maintained with determination. He also explained that Europe has been undergoing troubles recently. "The Europeans are facing the harshest economic crisis of the past 100 years. Unemployment rates have increased. Fascist parties are receiving up to 20% of the vote. Unfortunately, problems concerning xenophobia and Islamophobia have emerged. Under these circumstances, the Europeans are preoccupied with their own troubles. They are not in a position to respond reasonably to Turkey's rightful membership demand," he said.

In the meantime, speaking about the upcoming national elections, Bagis highlighted that putting a civilian constitution into effect after the elections is essential. "At all costs, we should institutionalize what we have done in the past nine years and prevent a reversal. This is only possible through a civilian constitution. If we leave without making a civilian constitution, whatever we have done would just be meaningless."

[15] Gul urges OIC members to ratify rules for preferential trade agreement

The "Preferential Trade System" envisages a transition to a three-step tax reduction system among Muslim countries. To be launched, the plan requires the approval of at least 10 member states.

Gul said the preferential trade agreement would make the biggest contribution to secure a more liberal regime of free movement of goods among OIC members, adding that cooperation was vital in order to keep up with global competition.

Gul said the Muslim world harboured a major potential for economic and social development, however, added that it failed to materialize that potential. "Despite our rich natural resources we have some structural problems in our countries such as low average per capita income, poverty and lower standards in education and health. Overcoming these problems necessitates a full-fledged economic development, and stable, transparent and accountable administrations," Gul added.

Gul also said that the ongoing social and political turbulence in certain Muslim countries housed some risks in the short term but in the longer term great opportunities are promised for democracy, peace and prosperity.

[16] Turkey-wide campaign restrictions to begin on Thursday

Parties will not be allowed to organize opinion polls, hand out gifts or distribute brochures with flags or religious symbols on them. Also, parties will be able to conduct campaigning using only the Turkish language.

Starting from Thursday, parties will not be allowed to hold ceremonies, including openings and groundbreakings.

The Prime Minister and Ministers will be banned from using official vehicles for campaign-related travels and will not be greeted with a ceremony as the visits will no longer be considered as official.

Campaigning will be supervised by the Provincial Election Board, and parties will only be allowed to gather in crowds in locations determined by the board. All campaigning will be banned on June 11 at 6 p.m.

[17] Foreign Minister visits Italy to attend the unification celebrations

A Foreign Ministry statement said on Wednesday that Davutoglu is also expected to have talks with various counterparts during the celebrations. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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