Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-11-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Opinion poll shows that Turks want early elections

[02] The Turkish Cypriot Leader was annoyed by views expressed by Youths in the occupied areas

[03] Kamran Inan: Even if Cyprus is paid as a price Turkey will not be accepted into the EU

[04] The military in Turkey biggest obstacle for a solution in Cyprus

[05] The occupation regime is establishing a Foreign Press Centre in the buffer zone of occupied Nicosia

[06] Turkish Air force commander to visit the occupied areas for UDI celebrations

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Opinion poll shows that Turks want early elections

A public opinion poll by Consensus Socio-Political Research Centre shows that an overwhelming majority of Turks do not trust the government and feel early elections are the only way out for the suffering nation. The results of the survey conducted by the pollster in early November, in which 962 people were selected by random sampling in 14 provinces, showed that only three parties, the opposition Justice and Development Party (AKP), the main opposition True Path Party (DYP) and the left-wing Republican People's Party (CHP), which is not even currently represented in Parliament, would pass the ten percent threshold and win seats, while the others would all be left outside Parliament. The survey reportedly has a margin of error of plus or minus three.

According to the poll, 64 percent of those surveyed said they want early elections. According to an analysis of the respondents, the pollster said the people are not put off by politics but that they have actually withdrawn their support from this Parliament, from the government and opposition parties and want to elect brand new deputies and make a fresh start. The survey showed that while the majority want early elections, at least 50 percent of the respondents do not want to back their old parties and do not know whom they will vote for.

The survey showed that at least 58 percent of those who voted for the current coalition parties want early elections. Some 53 percent of those who voted for senior coalition partner Democratic Left Party (DSP) in the 1999 elections, want early elections. This rate goes up to 64 percent for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and up to 60 percent for those who voted for the Motherland Party (ANAP), the junior partner of the coalition. According to the poll, 34.8 percent of the respondents believe the AKP will clear the 10 percent threshold, 12.6 say the DYP will win seats and 11.1 give the CHP a chance. According to 7.1 percent of those surveyed, the MHP will clear the threshold, while those who believe the pro-Kurdish people's Democracy Party (HADEP) will win seats is 6.8 percent. ANAP is at 6.7 percent. The pro-Islamic Saadet (happiness and contentment) Party (SP) is at 3 percent and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's DSP is at a mere 2.8 percent. At least 6.6 percent favour independents and 8.5 percent other parties. Those who do not trust the government stand at 80 percent. At least 63 percent of the respondents say they do not trust the government "at all," while 17 percent merely say they simply do not trust it.

Meanwhile, 65 percent of those surveyed say they feel the new constitutional amendments are insufficient, while only 13 percent say they are satisfied with the changes. About 22 percent say they are not even aware that the amendments have cleared Parliament.

The survey says 19.7 percent of the respondents threaten to cast blank votes, 14.7 say they will not go to the polling stations, 5.1 percent refused to respond while 10 percent remain undecided.

The analysts say public pressure is building up against the government, which may force it to go to the polls. In case this happens, the analysts say the parties are obliged to find ways to attract those who have been put off by the current parties.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot Leader was annoyed by views expressed by Youths in the occupied areas

Denktas remarked that these youngsters gave Turkey the message not to interfere in their affairs, and a handful of staff members from Turkey declared that there are no other views. Denktas said that there is a deliberate intention behind the uniformity of the views presented at the program. The deliberate intention here is to convey the following message to the motherland: "The Turkish Cypriots do not deserve to be loved, protected, or supported. There is no need to make a sacrifice for these people. Abandon them, and rid yourselves of this Cyprus problem, which constitutes an obstacle to your membership in the EU."

Denktas went on:

"A small group of people are claiming that we are experiencing economic problems, the flag and the country will be abandoned, and we will save ourselves by adopting Greek Cypriot passports. This is what the Greek Cypriots want to hear, because they want to demoralize the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots discovered our secret. They want to use to their advantage the time they will gain by eliminating our cooperation and solidarity with Turkey. The Turkish Cypriots' strength stems from the pride and security derived from being an inseparable part of Anatolia and from the refusal to lower the flag under any kind of duress."

[03] Kamran Inan: Even if Cyprus is paid as a price Turkey will not be accepted into the EU

In which year of the Third Millennium will the EU admit Turkey? Inan asked ironically, noting that Turkey is not included in the list of countries that will become members in 2004-2005.

In his speech Inan also criticized the Turkish Governments/ stance. Referring to Ismail Cem's statement that Turkey might pay a price if Cyprus is admitted in the EU Inan said: "Even if you hand over Cyprus as a price they will not accept you into the EU''.

[04] The military in Turkey biggest obstacle for a solution in Cyprus

In summary, what the report said about EU expectations was as follows:

1. The European Parliament states that torture is a frequently used measure.

2. It requests from the Parliament that it observe the activities of the NSC on the grounds that people elected through democratic methods should have a full say in the decision making process.

3. It sadly states that there has been no change whatsoever in the influence of the NSC on Turkish politics.

4. The European Parliament wishes that Leyla Zana, who was awarded the "European Parliament Sakharov Award", and other convicts with Kurdish backgrounds would be released.

5. It points out that extensive changes should be made concerning the National election cut-off point and the Political Parties Law.

6. It states that political campaigns supporting Turkey's membership of the EU should be launched.

The "Explanatory declarations" section of the report claims that steps taken to reduce the impact of the economic crisis are not enough while stating that the closure of the Virtue Party is the best example of Turkey taking a step backwards. "Turkey's political situation is still unstable" were the words used in the Report.

It was also noted in the report that "an extensive policy concerning Kurdish identity in the Southeast had not been initiated despite the ending of the Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] armed conflict."

[05] The occupation regime is establishing a Foreign Press Centre in the buffer zone of occupied Nicosia

[06] Turkish Air force commander to visit the occupied areas for UDI celebrations

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