Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-10-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ferdi Sabit Soyer on the Finnish proposals and the occupied areas relations with the EU

[02] Statements by the President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce

[03] Ecvet Tezcan is the new General Secretary of the National Security Council

[04] The Turkish press on the document published by the USA Defence and Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy about the Greek Cypriot prisoners of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Opinion poll on how the Turks viewed the EU course on 23 and 24 September

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ferdi Sabit Soyer on the Finnish proposals and the occupied areas relations with the EU

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the Turkish Cypriot Side is prepared to discuss the Finnish proposals on the Cyprus problem and to defend its rights rather than rejecting them outright.

The Prime Minister was speaking during his visit to Iskele (occupied Trikomo) and Karpaz (occupied Karpass) districts today to celebrate the Ramadan Festival of the public.

Referring to the Finnish proposals, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the series of proposals being drafted by Finland, and which have yet to be presented on paper, envisaged the return of Maras (occupied fenced city of Varoshia) under the United Nations control and the opening of the Gazimagusa port (occupied Famagusta) to free trade under the European Union supervision for a period of two years.

However, the Prime Minister stressed that these orally presented offers have no value unless they are put down in written form as an official document.

He added that the proposals can only be well-balanced once the opening of Ercan Airport (occupied Tymbou) to direct flights and the lifting of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot People on sports are also included among the provisions.

Repeating that the issue of Maras (occupied fenced city of Varoshia) could only be taken up as part of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, he said the Turkish Cypriot Side could consider making territorial concessions in return of establishing a democratic, bi-zonal, bi-communal state based on the political equality of the two sides.

Addressing the main opposition National Unity Party and the Democrat Partys calls for an immediate rejection of the Finnish proposals, Mr. Soyer underlined the need for the Turkish Cypriot Side to discuss the proposals and defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriot People before outright rejecting them.

As for the approval of the EU Financial Assistance Regulation, the Prime Minister referred to the opening of the EU Program upport Office in North and said that financial aid aimed at bringing into life development projects will commence soon.

Our aim is not to secure money, but to establish direct relations with the EU he added.

[02] Statements by the President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce

The President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami has underlined the need and importance of Turkish Cypriot Representation within the European Parliament.

The Greek Cypriot Administration under the title of Cyprus is currently unjustly occupying the two seats within the European Parliament reserved for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Mr. Namis words came in response to reports that the European Parliament was planning to extend the term of duty of its High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriot People for another year.

The President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce, who expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot Side was expecting the European Parliament to extend the high Level Contact Groups mission in Cyprus, said that the contact group had in fact failed to serve its goal.

This, he said, included the vacating of two seats in the European Parliament being occupied unjustly by Greek Cypriots, making room for Turkish Cypriot representation within the Union.

Mr. Nami said that the contact group had also aimed at improving relations between the two sides but stressed that the major problem emerged from the absence of Turkish Cypriot representation with the It is essential that the EU understands us. We want our rights he said adding that a routine visit by the contact group to the island every six months was not very helpful.

Meanwhile, the Contact Group is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on the 23rd of November to hold contacts with officials from the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce and the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Industry and Commerce respectively.

[03] Ecvet Tezcan is the new General Secretary of the National Security Council

Mr Tezcans appointment comes in the place of Ambassador Yigit Alpogan, who was appointed Turkeys ambassador to London.

(CS)

[04] The Turkish press on the document published by the USA Defence and Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy about the Greek Cypriot prisoners of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus

HURRIYET writes that even the Greek Cypriots could not believe the report of the findings of a research carried out by a USA foundation according to which Greek Cypriot prisoners of the Turkish army were used as guinea pigs in military chemical laboratories. The paper writes that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr George Lillikas, stated that he has no evidence in his hands as regards this issue.

MILLIYET under the title Bizarre allegations writes that in a document published by the Defence and Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy Foundation, which is based in the USA, is it alleged, as it notes, that Greek Cypriot prisoners of the 1974 war were used as guinea pigs in military laboratories. MILLIYET also writes that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Lillikas said in statements to CYPRUS MAIL newspaper that the Cyprus Government is taking seriously this issue and that a report will be prepared after the research document is examined carefully.

SABAH newspaper also refers to the document published by the USA based Defence and Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy Foundation which alleged that Greek Cypriots captured by the Turkish army were used as guinea pigs in military chemical laboratories.

(CS)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Opinion poll on how the Turks viewed the EU course on 23 and 24 September

According to a survey, the rate of those who believe that "Turkey should definitely accede to the EU" stands at 32.2%. Some 78.1% of the people noted that they do not have confidence in the EU. The rate of those who see Iran as a "friend" is higher. Some 76.5% of the people believe that severer conditions will be placed before Turkey in the EU membership process.

According to the survey, which conducted by the A&G Poll Company, the number of those who want to enter the EU has rapidly dropped during the past one year. In 2002 56.5% of the people believed that "Turkey should definitely enter the EU." In 2004 this rate increased to 67.5%, in 2005 it dropped to 57.4%, whereas this year it dropped to 32.2%.

The survey was conducted among 2,408 people in 32 provinces on 23 and 24 September. According to the survey which was conducted by holding face-to-face meetings with the respondents, the rate of those who believe that "We should definitely accede to the EU" has dropped, while the rate of those who believe that "We should definitely not enter the EU" has increased. The rate of those opposed the EU membership had stood at 17.9% in 2002, while it increased to 25.6% in 2006. Some 33.3% of the respondents answered that "it does not make any difference if Turkey enters or does not enter the EU." The rate of those who gave this answer had stood at 14.6% in 2006, and 18.2% in 2005.

The survey showed that the confidence in the EU has dropped to very low levels. Some 78.1% of those who participated in the survey stated that they do not have confidence in the EU, while only 7.2% stated that they trust the institution in question. Some 76.5% of the respondents believe that severer conditions will be placed before Turkey in the EU process, while 10.9% of the respondents believe that severer conditions will not be placed.

The survey proved that the Turkish people do not trust in the friendship of the neighboring countries. According to the crushing majority of the respondents European countries in particular are not Turkey's friends. Some 76.1% of the respondents stated that France is not Turkey's friend, 73.2% of the respondents stated that Britain is not Turkey's friend, 78.5% of the respondents stated that the United States is not Turkey's friend, 78% of the respondents stated that Greece is not Turkey's friend, 56.9% of the respondents stated that Germany is not Turkey's friend, and 64.8% of the respondents stated that Russia is not Turkey's friend. It is noteworthy that this survey was conducted prior to the approval of the genocide law by France. Despite this, the rate of those who believe that France is not Turkey's friend stands at 76.1%.

The fact that the rate of those who believe that Iran is not Turkey's friend stands at 43.1% is also quite noteworthy. This rate is almost half of the rate in France, Britain, Greece, and the United States. These rates show that the people's confidence in Iran is higher. The rate of those who view France as Turkey's friend has remained 2.8%.

Following are the replies of the people polled to questions in the framework of the survey:

Question: Do you have confidence in the EU?

No -- 78.1%

Yes -- 7.2%

No answer -- 14.7&

Question: Do you believe that severer conditions will be placed before Turkey in the EU process?

Yes -- 76.5%

No -- 10.9%

No answer -- 12.7%

Question: How do you look at Turkey's accessing to the EU?

It does not make any difference if Turkey enters or does not enter the EU -- 33%

Turkey should definitely enter the EU -- 32.2%

Turkey should definitely not enter the EU -- 25.6%

No answer -- 9.3%

Question: I will name certain countries. Some of these countries are our neighbors, while others are countries we cooperate with. Do you believe that the following countries are Turkey's friends?

 Friend %Not Friend %No Answer %France 2.876.121.1Britain 3.273.223.5The United States3.678.517.9Greece4.278.117.7Russia8.764.826.5Germany 17.756.925.3Iran 2943.128Pakistan47.324.328.4Azerbaijan 71.411.117.5

The findings to a question on Turkey's pending problems are as follows:

Problem %
Unemployment                                        49.9
Economy                                             35.4
Terrorism / separatism / the PKK                    26.4
Health                                              11.3
Struggle to make a living / high cost of living / inflation rate 10.3
Social security 5.4 The Islamic headgear / headdress 4.6
Corruption / bribery / robbery                       4.0
Other                                                4.0
Lack of political stability / chaos                  3.4
International politics                               3.2
Secularity / the shari'a order                       3.2
The EU                                               2.8
The distribution of income                           2.6
Security/robbery                                     2.4
Confidence in the government                         1.2
Cyprus                                               0.8
Infrastructure                                       0.2
Judiciary / the justice system                       0.2
No answer                                            3.6

Finally, as regards the EU membership process the poll conclusions by age group are as follows:

        Age group: 18-27 | Age group: 28-43 | Age group: 44 and above | Total
Turkey should definitely enter the EU 42.0 | 29.1 | 26.1 | 32.2
It does not make any difference if Turkey enters or does not enter the EU 29.3 | 38.3 | 30.9 | 33.0
Turkey should definitely not enter the EU 22.9 | 24.0 | 29.7 | 25.6
No answer 5.7 | 8.6 | 13.3 | 9.3

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