Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-05-20

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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] Eroglu urges the Turkish Cypriot youth not to make any concessions for their "country"

[02] DP says the "draft-law" regarding the "citizenship" of the regime is a sign of preparations for early "elections"

[03] Columnist claims that the population in occupied Cyprus varies between 352 thousands and 363 thousands

[04] Reactions to excessive "police" force and arrests

[05] Efforts to intimidate the Turkish Cypriots who will vote in the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Bagis says Turkey's EU membership to help Arab democracy

[07] Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesman calls for peaceful solution of Aegean problems

[08] US urge Turkey to stop Gaza flotilla; Ankara blames Israel

[09] Public survey reveals that Turks hold least favorable view of Hamas and Hezbollah

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu urges the Turkish Cypriot youth not to make any concessions for their "country"

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu stated that the negotiations with the "Greek Cypriot neighbours", aiming to reach an agreement, are continuing in a sincere way, adding that if the Greek Cypriots are ready for a solution without ignoring the realities existing in the island, the Turkish Cypriots are ready for a solution as well. "However, their aim is to take us prior to 1974 and to take our sovereignty from our hands, but the Ataturkist Turkish Cypriot people will never give the permission for something like this," Eroglu noted.

[02] DP says the "draft-law" regarding the "citizenship" of the regime is a sign of preparations for early "elections"

In a written statement issued yesterday, the DP notes that the fact that the preparations are being held behind closed doors annoys some circles and this creates the ground of deterioration of the relations between people who are "citizens" and people who are not "citizens".

The party says the uncertainty on the issue of the "citizenship" victimizes many families for years and adds that the regime should end the "drama" of these families. The DP proposes that a "special committee" should be established by the parties represented in the "assembly" to transparently solve the issue and decide that those who will be granted the "citizenship" will not have the right to vote and be elected in the first "elections" after they take the "citizenship".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (20.05.11) refers again to the issue of the "white identity card". Under the title "White identity card for the 'illegal' persons", the paper writes that the "Migration Regulation" will be amended in order to "prevent" the "thousands of demands" for "TRNC citizenship". The paper reports that the "white identity card" will substitute the long-term "residence permit". According to the paper, those who could apply for taking "white identity card" are the following: 1) Those who live in occupied Cyprus continuously for 8 years with a "work permit" or "permit" to establish a business. 2) Those who live not continuously in occupied Cyprus for 10 years with a "work permit" or "permit" to establish a business. 3) Those who have a residence or rent a residence in occupied Cyprus "for living a healthy life". 4) If the spouses and the children of those who have "white identity card" live for 3 years in occupied Cyprus, their cases will be examined within the same framework.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Columnist claims that the population in occupied Cyprus varies between 352 thousands and 363 thousands

He says these numbers were an approximate estimation by using some data. He goes on and adds:

"However, interesting points exist in some footnotes both in the numbers and under the document. For example, the state notes that it has some 'doubts' regarding its own data! The following footnote regarding the results of the census in 2006 is interesting: 'The State Planning Organization (DPO) announced in 2006 that the de jure population is 256.644. As a result of a population study conducted by the City Planning Office for 2006, this number is 286.885. If the 'Unregistered Workforce' and the 'Other' category are extracted from this number, the population will remain 233.552. This is less than DPO's estimation for the de jure population. This situation shows that the number of registered workforce is higher than it is estimated'?"

Ozuslu says it is understood that the "state" does not trust the "state department" which carried out the registration of the 'registered workforce". The columnist publishes two tables. He says that in the first of these tables, the increase of both registered and unregistered workforce is in harmony with the normal increase of the population, which is 5%. However, this percentage is 41% in the category of "TRNC citizens older than 18 years of age". He wonders what the explanation of the fact that the population in this category increases eight times faster than the normal increase of population is. Ozuslu notes that it could be calculated that during the period between the years 2006 and 2010 the population older than 18 years of age should increase by 12 thousand persons. "However, in the above-mentioned period, the number of those who are in this category increased by 45 thousands", he says adding that due to the fact that these people are "TRNC citizens", at least 33 thousand persons should have taken the "citizenship" of the regime during the above-mentioned four years.

Ozuslu says the number of unregistered foreign workers for the same period is 5 thousands in table 1, while in Table 2 this number is 10 thousands. It is estimated that 40% of these people are in occupied Cyprus with their spouses and with an average of three children each. Thus, it is said that they are 26 thousand persons.

Ozuslu writes that when more numbers are given, the confusion regarding the population in occupied Cyprus increases. He says according to "new data" prepared by "state departments", the population in occupied Cyprus, including the army, varies between 352 and 363 thousands.

He concludes: "According to some calculations, it increased by 31 thousand persons in four years and according to some other by 56 thousands. In the first, the percentage of the increase is 9% and in the other 18%. Some percentages in the categories included in the two tables might change normally and some others abnormally."

(I/Ts.)

[04] Reactions to excessive "police" force and arrests

Various parties and trade unions commented the events as following: The New Cyprus Party (YKP) condemned the events by staging a protest in front of the occupied Lefkosia "Division Police" headquarters. The Press Labourers Trade Union (Basin-Sen) stressed that exerting force towards members of the press is unacceptable. The United Cyprus Party (BKP), the Journalist's Association, Revolutionary Workers Union's Federation (DEV-Is), the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, the Human Rights Foundation and the Electricity Workers Union also criticized the events.

More specifically, YKP's Administration Board Secretary Murat Kanatli issued a press statement during YKP's protests in front of the Lefkosia "police" headquarters. Kanatli said that the "police" who have been exerting force for some time now in every protest, became used to it and that it was unnecessary. BKP's General Secretary Izzet Izcan protested for the arrest of 2 members of BKP's Youth Divisions, who were among the eleven detained protesters. Izcan said that force was exerted on the arrested persons and that his party, being a member of the European Left Party, will bring the issue to their attention.

The Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation in a written statement said that the arrests were random, a violation of the human rights. The foundation also added that they will evaluate the "police" intervention in view of the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, the use of force during the arrests and then they will publish a report.

The chairman of Basin-Sen stated that the implementation of force by the "police" against journalists who cover the news, breaking their cameras and hitting them cannot be accepted. He also said that journalists became the target and they were obstructed in their work, behaviours seen only in police controlled regimes, something that is indicative of the level of press freedom in the occupied area.

DEV-Is General Secretary Hasan Felek supported that the events will be registered as a black spot in the history of the Turkish Cypriots and called the "government" to resign. El-Sen also accused UBP's "administration" of fascist inclinations, while the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen called the "government" to take measures in order to reduce the social tension and violence.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (20.05.11) reports that the General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) Sener Elcil accused the "government" that they are trying to cover their own errors by force, and added: "Between the events during the protests of the former employees of CTA and the events in Syria there is no difference, they characterize people as terrorists and insult them, this is unacceptable. On Tuesday we have a meeting in the European Parliament. We will transfer these events and the pressures we experienced. We will talk about everything. These events are the shame of a non-existent democracy. This government must resign without any further delay. They are trying to administrate the country by police force..." Elcil supported also that it is natural for the former "CTA" employees to protest, that the "police" should not react in such a way and that violence against reporters is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Star Kibris newspaper invokes trusted sources, who say that the Trade Unions Platform will also stage a protest today and it will be a 'shocking protest'.

[05] Efforts to intimidate the Turkish Cypriots who will vote in the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Bagis says Turkey's EU membership to help Arab democracy

In his article published in the weekly "European Voice" newspaper, Bagis said that Turkey, thanks to its democratization process and socio-economic transformation, had become a source of inspiration for change supporters in the Middle East and North Africa.

Bagis said Turkey had turned into an inspiring country as it had managed to transform its society, economy and policies; became a strong and democratic global actor; and implemented an active foreign policy.

Pointing to Middle East's interest in Turkey's ongoing EU process, Bagis said that Arab communities, which tried to overthrow authoritarian regimes, wanted freedom and change for today, and democracy and prosperity for tomorrow. He said that Turkey's adhesion to the EU would be a positive signal for these countries; moreover, it would constitute a remarkable indicator for millions of people who believed they had been alienated by the West for centuries.

Bagis also alleged that Turkey's moving away from its EU goal due to the narrow-minded approach of several EU members would discourage millions who see Turkey as a pioneer in their development and democratization processes.

[07] Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesman calls for peaceful solution of Aegean problems

In his reply to a question, Unal said that Turkey's opinion regarding the situation in the Aegean was clear, adding that Turkey desired the region to become an area of peace, friendship and cooperation with Greece. "We preserve the necessary will and determination for the solution of all the problems in the Aegean in a comprehensive and lasting way that is based on mutual consent and common interests of both parties and through peaceful methods," Unal said. "Until these problems are resolved, it is of great importance for both parties to refrain from unilateral efforts that may endanger peace and stability in the region and damage the positive atmosphere between them," the spokesperson added.

[08] US urge Turkey to stop Gaza flotilla; Ankara blames Israel

Replying to questions at a session at the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Mr Gordon said: "In the year since the last flotilla episode, Israel has changed the humanitarian regime for Gaza [and] made it very clear that there are alternative ways to get humanitarian assistance to Gaza. We have been very clear with the Turkish Government that that's the case". "We have asked them to make clear to any Turkish NGOs that might want to send a ship that they should really find this other path," he said.

Responding to Gordon's statement, Ankara reiterated that the Government cannot impose its will on any civil-society organization due to the rule of law and said that Washington should first warn Israel to abstain from violence.

"The U.S. officials have revived the flotilla issue a couple of times. And in reply, we said Turkey is not the particular party to look at. They should also warn other parties," a Turkish Foreign Ministry diplomat told the paper on Thursday.

The diplomat said Turkey tried to prevent the Mavi Marmara from setting sail last year, but was not able to control the group.  We don t officially endorse [the 0
HH ship]. There is rule of law in Turkey and the things the Government can do are limited, he said.

 It was Israel who should behave in a restrained way, the diplomat added, calling on Washington to also urge Israel to avert a repetition of the May 31 crisis.

 Last year, we tried to discourage the 0
HH from sailing to Gaza. They were planning to give up, but then 0
HH said that other international NGOs were pushing them, another Turkish official told the Daily News.

Referring to a poll released by the PEW Research Center that showed that only 10 % of Turks have positive feelings about America, Gordon said the following: "It is disconcerting to hear that only one in 10 have a favorable opinion of the United States. That number is something we have followed closely over the years". Actually at the time of the Iraq war is when it first took a real dive, and we have failed, despite significant efforts, to bring it back up to where it used to be."

Regarding Turkey's role in the ongoing crises in Libya and Syria, Gordon said: "I would note on Libya, Turkey has been very helpful in standing with us and making clear that Gadhafi has to go and as NATO ally is participating in the enforcement of the no-fly zone and arms embargo. On Syria, we think Turkey is a critical neighbor of Syria [and] has been sending all the right messages about the need for reform and about the unacceptability of the crackdown. And I could give many other examples of how we're very closely cooperating with Turkey as well."

[09] Public survey reveals that Turks hold least favorable view of Hamas and Hezbollah

The survey has shown that Hamas receives mixed ratings across the Muslim publics surveyed. Jordanian Muslims express the most support -- 60% have a favorable view of Hamas -- while Muslims in Turkey offer the least positive ratings (9% favorable and 67% unfavorable).

In Egypt and Turkey, attitudes toward Hezbollah are generally negative. Just 30% of Muslims in Egypt, and even fewer (5%) in Turkey, offer favorable views of the Lebanon-based organization.

The al-Qaeda terrorist organization and its leader, Osama bin Laden, received overwhelmingly negative ratings in nearly all countries where the question was asked. More than nine in 10 (94%) Muslims in Lebanon express negative opinions of al-Qaeda, as do majorities of Muslims in Turkey (74%), Egypt (72%), Jordan (62%) and Indonesia (56 %).

According to the survey, Turks express more mixed views of the role Islam is playing in their country's political life. Of the 69% who say the religion plays a large role, 45% see it as good and 38% see it as bad for their country. Among the minority of Muslims who say Islam plays a small role in politics, 26% consider this to be good for Turkey and 33% say it is bad.

The poll revealed that majorities in most of the Muslim countries surveyed prefer democracy over other forms of government. This view is especially widespread in Lebanon and Turkey, where at least three-quarters of Muslims (81% and 76%, respectively) express a preference for democratic governance.

Seventy-seven % of respondents in Turkey say suicide bombings and other acts of violence against civilian targets in order to defend Islam from its enemies are never justified.

According to Pew, majorities in Turkey reject legalized gender segregation in the workplace. More than eight in 10 in Turkey (84%) are of this opinion. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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