Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-05-26

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Rauf Denktas' condition has improved but still critical

[02] Eroglu to travel to London

[03] Kucuk met with the Vice President of the Liberal Democrat Party in London; He said Turkey's policy on Cyprus never changed

[04] Ozgurgun repeats the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side

[05] The regime will give "amnesty" to 30 thousand illegal workers from Turkey

[06] Ertugruloglu stated that he will not establish a new party if a "presidential" system is not implemented

[07] KADEM's public survey reveals an increase on the percentages of UBP, TDP and DP and a decrease on CTP's

[08] The breakaway regime denies passage to a Turkish Cypriot

[09] "52 yachts anchored in the port"

[10] The cost of health services is increased by 100%

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Opinion poll on the foreign policy perceptions in Turkey

[12] Erdogan reveals giant projects for Ankara

[13] "Why are you so angry?"

[14] Syrian opposition to meet in Turkey's Antalya

[15] UK reaffirmed its strong support to Turkey's EU membership course

[16] Questions linger over cancelled Turkish military drills in the Aegean

[17] Ukraine willing to join Turkish nuclear power construction

[18] Survey showed that few youth trust in Turkey's institutions

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Rauf Denktas' condition has improved but still critical

Many Turkish newspapers also cover the news on their websites. Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (25.05.11, online) reports on statements of the attending physician. "He is more reactive and faster ... He can communicate quite comfortably ... As I told you [Tuesday] there was no movement on his left side when he had first arrived, but after our tracking and early intervention, slight movements have begun on his left side. There is no worsening of the situation on his left," Dr Amber Eker, a neurologist from "Near Eastern University Hospital", said at a press conference he jointly hosted with Professor Erkan Kaptanoglu.

One of the blood vessels leading to Denktas' brain was clogged due to the irregularity of his heartbeat, leaving a part of his brain without oxygen, Kaptanoglu said. This affected his consciousness and paralyzed his left side. Following medical intervention, however, his primary blood vessel opened up and his left side began to recover some movement, Kaptanoglu added. He added that Denktas' condition is still dangerous but that the possibility of another disruption in his heartbeat is a distant prospect at the moment. Every passing hour works in Denktas' favour, Kaptanoglu said. Dr Eker added, however, that it was still difficult to predict how Denktas' health would be in the future.

Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu paid a second visit to Denktas and met with him for about 20 minutes. Eroglu said they did not talk about the Cyprus problem when asked about the matter by a journalist.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (26.05.11) reports that top Cypriot politicians, including Denktas' rivals, as well as many members of the judiciary, the Turkish Armed Forces and ordinary citizens have all signed a guestbook that was placed in the hospital for Denktas. Among the visitors was also former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the "ambassador" of Turkey Halil Ibrahim Akca, and the Sheikh of Lefka who was escorted by many followers who said that they will pray for Denktas. The British Residents Society, a group of U.K. citizens who live in the occupied area, has also announced they will pray at their church every day for Denktas' health.

[02] Eroglu to travel to London

As it was announced, Eroglu will go to London upon an invitation it received from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade in London.

During his stay there, Eroglu will deliver a speech about the Cyprus problem in an event organized by the Turkish Cypriots living in London and is also expected to participate at a dinner to be organized on June 10 in his honor.

(AK)

[03] Kucuk met with the Vice President of the Liberal Democrat Party in London; He said Turkey's policy on Cyprus never changed

Kucuk is visiting London on the occasion of the 60th anniversary from the establishment of the Turkish Cypriot Community, the oldest Turkish community in Europe. Within the framework of his visit, he attended the opening ceremony of the building of the Turkish Cypriot Associations' Council and gave a lecture on the situation in Cyprus.

Replying to a question regarding the elections to be held on 12 June in Turkey, Kucuk said that Turkey's policy on Cyprus will not change and noted that Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey. He argued: "The Cyprus issue is an over parties cause. It is Turkey's national cause. I have been in the active politics in Cyprus since 1976. I was a minister for more than 15 years. Within that period many parties came to power in Turkey, but the policy of our motherland on Cyprus has never changed".

Kucuk said that the general elections in Turkey never influenced Ankara's policy on Cyprus and added that the Turkish Cypriots will respect the results of the elections.

Kucuk replied to a question on the situation of the health of former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas and said that Denktas saddened them, but he is in a good situation now. He wished Denktas' recovery as soon as possible, because they have many things to gain from his experience, as he said.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (26.05.11) reports that Kucuk met yesterday with Mrs Simon Hughes, Vice President of the Liberal Democrat Party (which is the minor partner in the UK's coalition government) and Member of the House of Commons. Under the title: "Kucuk is continuously holding contacts", the paper writes that no statements were made after the meeting, which was held at the House of Commons of the British Parliament.

Moreover, Kucuk and his spouse attended a lunch yesterday hosted in their honor by the Turkish Ambassador to London Unal Cevikoz. In the afternoon he had various meetings with officials of Turkish NGO's in London.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozgurgun repeats the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side

Ozgurgun repeated that their goal is to reach a solution until the end of the year, by increasing the momentum of the comprehensive negotiations after the elections in the Republic of Cyprus and also claimed that the Greek Cypriot side does not have any excuse in slowing down the process. He also said that general elections in Turkey must not be used as an excuse, "since they are not connected to the negotiation process," and underlined the need to speed up before the tripartite meeting on the 7 July and the need to reach an understanding on many subjects in order for the meeting to be able to take place.

Ozgurgun also stated that the Cyprus policy of "motherland" Turkey is superior to each party's policy; therefore irrespective of the election results, Turkey will pursue its goal for a solution until the end of the year. He also claimed in his speech that the Greek Cypriot side wants an open-ended process which has been going on for nearly half a century, because they want to protect the "illegal" Republic of Cyprus [as Ozgurgun referred to the Republic of Cyprus] and become sole members of the European Union. Ozgurgun said that "the Cyprus Turkish side will not be part of this stalling process" and repeated that if there is political will, especially by the Greek Cypriot side and leader, a fair and permanent solution can be reached by the end of the year.

Today Ozgurgun will go to the Turkish province of Kastamonu where he will give a lecture titled: 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow of Cyprus' at the Kastamonu University. He will also meet with the regional Governor, officials from the Trade and Industry Chamber and representatives from associations of families of war veterans. He will be giving the same lecture at the Ankara Atilim University on Friday.

[05] The regime will give "amnesty" to 30 thousand illegal workers from Turkey

Unverdi said yesterday that "amnesty" regarding those persons who became illegal in the occupied area of Cyprus because their employers had neglected depositing social insurance fees or could not do this due to the economic crisis is on the agenda of the regime. She noted that they continue their effort for abolishing the "unjust treatment" against the illegal workers, but the situation has not been clarified yet. She said that their efforts concern people who live in the occupied area for 15-20 years illegally and have been deprived from their social security rights. And noted: "The people who live in this manner should be benefited from this amnesty so that to be able to register them in the future. This is the basis of the effort".

Unverdi said that a separate study is being held at the "migration department" and that the controls will be intensified and more effective within the framework of the effort for preventing the illegal status.

Havadis reports that the "amnesty" for the illegal workers will be implemented within the next few days with the "regulation" providing for "amnesty" and the new "law" regarding the "citizenship" of the regime. The "white card period" will start with the new adjustments, notes Havadis adding that obtaining the "citizenship" of the regime will become more difficult, "amnesty" will be given to the illegal workers and more influential system will be implemented in the labour life. The paper writes that, except for the cases mentioned by Unverdi, "amnesty" will be also given to persons who have been banned from entering into the occupied area of Cyprus for various reasons.

Meanwhile, under the title "Whoever comes will enter", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (26.05.11) reports that it obtained the "decree in the power of law" which the self-styled government is preparing on the illegal workers and the unregistered population living in occupied Cyprus. The paper writes that according to this "law", all the illegal persons (from Turkey) who have been punished and sent away from the island will be accepted as "legal" after paying 1.300 Turkish liras (TL) and will be able to return back. According to the paper, those who are married to a "TRNC citizen" and their children will be able to return back to the occupied area, even though they have committed a punishable act, by paying a sum equal to a minimum wage.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ertugruloglu stated that he will not establish a new party if a "presidential" system is not implemented

As the paper writes, Ertugruloglu expressed strong criticism to the "government", the politicians and the NGO's in the occupied area and said that the only way out for the "country" from the chaos is the "presidential" system.

Referring to the recent rallies organized in the occupied area of Cyprus, Ertugruloglu said that it is obvious that behind the demonstrations are the "president" and the "government". Ertugruloglu accuse also the "government" for not being able to administrate the "country" and for using the trade unionists. He then added that everyone is playing their own game.

About the trade unions, Ertugruloglu accused them for trying to terrorize and for being responsible for the chaos created in the "country". He accused the trade unions also for being the same with those who "administrate" the "country". Ertugruloglu said that on the one hand the trade unions say "Go, take money from Turkey" and on the other hand they say "We do not want the money or the servants of Turkey".

Referring to the current situation in the occupied area, Ertugruloglu stated that the current political system in the occupied areas has collapsed adding that there is a lack of a political structure. He then stressed the need for the implementation of a "presidential" system.

Regarding the possibility of establishing a new party, Ertugruloglu said that if the "parliamentary" political system will continue to be the same, he does not find it logical for a new party to be added to the collapsed current political system.

Referring to the possibility of "early elections" in the occupied area, Ertugruloglu stated that "early elections" are inevitable during 2012. He said that this infrastructure cannot continue and added that there is a "government" with no vision.

Ertugruloglu stated further that the cleanup period came to an end and added that now is the time for entering into a serious period in politics. He said that it is the period for Ankara to ask from those who accumulated interest from the money given by Turkey to give explanations.

(AK)

[07] KADEM's public survey reveals an increase on the percentages of UBP, TDP and DP and a decrease on CTP's

According to the survey, there is an increase on the percentages of UBP, TDP and DP while on the percentages of CTP there is a small decrease.

As the paper writes, it was announced that the leader of DP Serdar Denktas will give a press conference the following days in order to announce the official results of the public survey.

Following are the results of the distribution of votes without counting the ambivalent percentage:

UBP 25.4% CTP 18.3% DP 9.9% TDP 7.7% ORP 2.4% BKP 1.3% HIS 0.6% Party to be established by Tahsin Ertugr. 3% Mixed votes 11.8% Indecisive 20%

Following are the results of the distribution of votes including the ambivalent percentage:

UBP 37.2% CTP 26.8% DP 13.9% TDP 11.2% ORP 3.5% BKP 2.0% HIS 0.9% Party to be established by Tahsin Ertugr. 4.4%

The paper underlines that in KADEM's public survey which was conducted in February, the percentages of UBP were around 33%.

(AK)

[08] The breakaway regime denies passage to a Turkish Cypriot

The columnist notes that Aziz's case is similar to another Turkish Cypriot, Emin Hikmet who was also not allowed to pass, because they were holders of identity cards from the Republic of Cyprus. He also writes that apparently the Republic's identity card is only valid for Greek Cypriots and that Turkish Cypriots cannot cross with it. He points out that the only solution left for Aziz is to file a complaint against Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights, a case that he will certainly win.

The columnist also argues that Turkey does not win anything by denying passage to Aziz, but is going to pay compensation and have to deal with the issue. He also wonders who takes such decisions, Ankara's General Staff or the commanders in the island, because he is certain that such a decision does not come from a "government," which does not wish to cause 'international headaches' to Turkey.

Moreover, Sener faults the persons responsible for filling the northern occupied area of the island with people from Turkey. Based on Kucuk's statements, who verified from London that they started a procedure to cancel the citizenship of the 544 Turkish Cypriot voters in the free area, Sener argues that while they give the citizenship to people from Turkey, they deny it to Turkish Cypriots.

[09] "52 yachts anchored in the port"

[10] The cost of health services is increased by 100%

In statements to Halkin Sesi, the chairman of the Physicians' Union, Dr Suhi Hudaoglu commented on the issued and argued that the breakaway regime is "getting away from being a social state". On the same issue, the chairman of the Tip-Is trade union, Dr Erol Seherlioglu said that this decision was a part of the economic package (imposed by Ankara) and claimed that the health services are "given away to the foreign capital".

(I/Ts.)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Opinion poll on the foreign policy perceptions in Turkey

According to the results, 69% supports Turkey's membership in the European Union (EU), while 14% believes that the relations with the EU are the most important issue in Turkey's foreign policy. In addition, the areas that support the most an EU membership are southeastern Anatolia with 91% and eastern Anatolia with 87%. As it is reported, while 22% believe that the most important reason for an EU membership is visa convenience, 21% supports economic benefits and 13% democracy reasons. However, on the question "When Turkey will become an EU member?", 30% answered "never", while the 22% believes that the most important obstacle before Turkey's EU membership seems to be xenophobia and the fear of Islam.

Upon a question regarding Turkey's friends, 23% answered that Turkey has no friend-countries, 13% said that Iran is the best friend of Turkey, 10% said Azerbaijan, 10% said the USA and 9% said Pakistan. On the contrary, 40% believes Israel is not a friend-country of Turkey, followed by USA with 33%, Greece with 16% and France with 8%.

On the Cyprus problem, 22% support a solution based on reconciliation, while 9% support Turkey's position for a "bi-zonal, bi-communal federation". Moreover, 8% support that the "TRNC" should be a part of Turkey, while 6% thinks that the "TRNC" should "stay independent". Reportedly, 46% believe that the EU plays a negative role to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[12] Erdogan reveals giant projects for Ankara

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will give Ankara a face-lift if brought back to power in the June elections, the Prime Minister said, promising the city a new stadium, zoo and botanic park, while also vowing to turn the capital into a centre for the defence industry as well as religious, health and thermal tourism.

The need for a new city project that would create new population zones should be questioned, said Orhan Sar1
altun, the Ankara chief of the Turkish Union of Engineers' and Architects' Chambers, or TMMOB' s, City Planning Department.

"I think there is a 'calculation error' in the new city project. I don' t think there is a need to create new residential and population areas. There are already high-population zones within the existing texture of the city and similar projects have been taken to court for annulment that would cause residential areas to boom," Sar1
altun told the H?rriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

"Projects are being produced to increase the capital's population from around 4 million to 10 million within the next few years. But how would problems such as unemployment or transportation be handled if such a project is to be initiated?" he asked.

The Prime Minister also vowed that Ankara would become a capital of the Turkish defence industry. A majority of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK's) needs are met in Turkey, with 80% of the industry already located in Ankara. Erdogan noted that a $100 million space centre would also be set up in the capital.

Vowing to open two city hospitals with a 7.000-bed capacity in Kecioren and Bilkent, Erdogan also declared that AKP "wants Ankara to be the capital of health, too."

The social projects announced by the Prime Minister also include the opening of the largest zoo in the Middle East, setting up a religious museum in the city centre, establishing Turkey's first botanical park, constructing a 1.8-million-square-foot fairgrounds and building a 40.000-seat capacity stadium in line with UEFA standards.

Transportation will also be improved, with Ankara becoming the centre of the country's express train lines and with a tunnel near Kecioren connecting to the Istanbul, Eskisehir and Konya highways to ease city traffic, Erdogan said. Another attempt to ease traffic will be a rail system constructed between Esenboga airport and the city centre, he added.

[13] "Why are you so angry?"

"For a while, I have been writing about who played what roles in past coups, who applauded coups and why, and even how, coups were stimulated. All hell broke loose. I was accused of betrayal and stigmatized as a 'partisan'. I couldn't care less. I know I am writing the truth, the one I lived right inside.

I know because I am a person who has produced documentaries of and written books on all past coups. Moreover, I am not blaming anyone. I am only saying, 'We were raised that way.' I am not clearing myself and incriminating others. I am making an observation. It is not a huge disclosure of unknown facts. I wrote things every one of us knew.

That we believed in everything the state told us. To hold the General Staff above democracy, above politicians. I mentioned whenever we wanted the power to change, we wrote articles saying: 'Dear general, the country is falling apart. Where are you?' And we automatically carried the cassettes, photographs and stories serviced by the military to screens and headlines without questioning much.

Are these lies? Do you want me to list one by one? You wouldn't. You wouldn't like it. (...)

I am watching the AKP now

Come and let us all look at the era in front of us. It was the wish to design a Turkey according to them and the wish to protect and maintain this system with the constitution and laws of the secular segment that formed the basis of past coups.

Today, the equilibrium has changed. We are the minority now. 'The other Turkey' has become the majority. And now, a new constitution will be prepared after the elections.

We should be watching the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and the new constitution. Will it repeat the same mistakes the secular segments have been doing for the past 65 years, or, on the contrary, will it open the constitution to all segments? Will it be able to make a constitution for all of us after consulting everybody including Kurds, secularists and the pious?

Or will it try to create a Turkey that will make the secular segment experience the difficulties they had to go through for years?

We should stop the AKP from making this error. If we do not want to see new instability and coups in the future, we should watch the AKP closely.(...)

I was very scared when the Prime Minister, though not naming him, openly accused Milliyet writer Abbas G??l? saying, 'He will pay for this'. Unfortunately, the fact that the Prime Minister of the great Republic of Turkey was almost targeting a journalist, talking as if he were threatening him, is unfortunately no longer a surprise for us, but it does create concerns for many. If the Prime Minister is so intolerant toward criticism today, what will happen to us when he retakes power with a landslide victory?

What has Guclu done?

Where does media freedom stand?

The real unfortunate side of this reprimand of the Prime Minister is that it appears at a moment when freedom of speech and freedom of the media are being discussed the most in Turkey and journalists are being held behind bars for unconvincing reasons.

With this approach, the Prime Minister almost denies the arguments saying, 'There is total freedom in the country.' The discourse saying the Government is not oppressing the media is losing ground.(...)

These types of discourses, the judicial view of the media and the general approach of the government are also making me increasingly scared."

[14] Syrian opposition to meet in Turkey's Antalya

Participants in the conference will gather in the Mediterranean province of Antalya from May 31 to June 2 "in support of the revolt in Syria and claims of the Syrian people".

The conference is different from two previous opposition meetings in April, which were held in Istanbul and hosted by Turkish organizations, the H?rriyet Daily News has learned. The Turkish Government is not involved with the Antalya meeting, Foreign Ministry officials told the Daily News on Wednesday.

[15] UK reaffirmed its strong support to Turkey's EU membership course

"Even though there are some circles that oppose Turkey's membership in the EU, the number of Turkey's friends, like Britain, within the EU is more than the people who are opposing Turkey's membership," Bagis claimed.

The Minister made his remarks at a signing ceremony for a mutual understanding (MoU) paper between the United Kingdom and Turkey that deals with offering training seminars to the local media in Turkey about the European Union.

The MoU was signed by Ambassador Haluk Il1
cak, the head of European Union General Secretariat in Turkey, and the British Ambassador David Reddaway.

Asked why the goal of EU accession is not being mentioned in the ruling party' s campaigns for the June 12 general election, Bagis said: "The EU means progressive democracy, a fair system and a more developed society. When we mention this, the EU is also being mentioned."

Ambassador Reddaway said that the strong support from the United Kingdom for Turkey's EU membership will continue. "Turkey's membership is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU," he said.

[16] Questions linger over cancelled Turkish military drills in the Aegean

The idea that the cancellation was made as a unilateral gesture to Greece has, however, been ruled out.

Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Isik Kosaner met with President Abdullah Gul in an unscheduled meeting late Wednesday, likely to discuss the military's decision to call off the Efes-2011 and Denizkurdu-2011 military drills.

The cancellation was announced late Tuesday by the Chief of General Staff through a brief statement released on its website. The statement did not say why the drills were cancelled and there was no further explanation from the Chief of General Staff when the H?rriyet Daily News went to press late Wednesday.

The only public statement on the matter came from Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul, who said Wednesday that "the cancellation was at behest of the military."

"The information I got is that it was cancelled as a result of their internal evaluation," he said, adding that it was scheduled to watch the exercises.

The Efes-2011 exercise began on May 3 and was scheduled to be completed on May 29, while the Denizkurdu-2011 one was launched on May 16 and was scheduled to end on May 26. Because of this, what the Chief of General Staff called off was only the last, and mostly ceremonial, parts of the exercises.

One of the scenarios discussed in Ankara has been the idea that the cancellations could be seen as a reaction against the Government, especially after the arrest of many high-ranking naval officers as part of an ongoing case. A prosecutor recently sought a life sentence for Vice Adm. Kadir Sagd1
c, commander of the Southern Sea Area Command, on charges of trying to topple the Government.

Foreign Ministry officials said they had been unaware of the cancellation of the drills and were left uninformed about the reason for the move, though they have sought an answer from the Chief of General Staff. "We were told that it has been cancelled due to a military-technical reason," a senior official told the Daily News.

[17] Ukraine willing to join Turkish nuclear power construction

Speaking to A.A on Thursday, Korsunsky said that Turkey-Ukraine relations had gained a significant momentum in recent years, adding that currently the two countries have a strategic cooperation.

Noting that the Ukrainian President was expected to pay a visit to Turkey in the autumn, Korsunsky said that the foundation meeting of the High-level Strategic Cooperation Council between the two countries would take place during this visit. At least seven agreements would be signed during the visit, he added.

Korsunsky said that the trade volume between Turkey and Ukraine increased 56% in the first five months of 2011.

Regarding the cooperation agreement which was signed in the energy area between the two countries, Korsunsky said that talks were under way regarding the transfer of Black Sea natural gas and oil to Europe via Turkey and Ukraine.

Noting that the two countries were cooperating in the nuclear energy area, Korsunsky said that Turkey could improve the nuclear energy sector.

He said that Ukraine gained important experience during 25 years after the Chernobyl disaster, adding that they are helping Japan following the recent nuclear reactor collapse due to a massive earthquake and tsunami.

Noting that Ukraine is using Russian reactors, Korsunsky said that they invited Turkish experts to examine 15 Ukrainian plants. "Atomic energy is not dangerous if you know how to use it", he added.

[18] Survey showed that few youth trust in Turkey's institutions

"Faith in the country's institutions is low in Turkey, where three out of every 10 young people surveyed in a recent poll answered 'none' when asked which of a group of institutions they trust most.

The most trusted institutions, according to the survey by a Turkish university, were the country's military and police, which scored 20.9% and 16.9%, respectively.

Some 32.7% of respondents answered 'none' to the question 'Which of the following institutions do you trust most?' The options given were military, police, Parliament, the judiciary, local administrations, media, other and none.

Parliament, the judiciary and local administrations respectively received the most trust from 13.7%, 10.3% and 3.3% of those interviewed, while the media was seen as the least trustworthy institution by Turkey's youth. Only six out of every 1.000 respondents said they trusted the media most.

'Such figures show that young people believe Turkish institutions' level of [development and functioning] is insufficient', Mahmut Paksoy, the vice rector of Istanbul K?lt?r University, said Wednesday at a press meeting at the university's campus to announce the research results.

According to Paksoy, the figures could also be read as a call for institutions to be less politicized and more transparent and to properly prove the value of their presence in people's everyday lives.

The 'Turkey's Youth Research' survey was conducted by Istanbul K?lt?r University in cooperation with KONDA, a prominent Turkish research and consulting firm. The topics covered included youth's values and priorities, their future expectations, their trust in Turkish institutions and their opinions about Turkey's relations with the European Union and the Middle East.

As part of the survey, 2.366 young people between the ages of 15 and 30 were interviewed face-to-face for at least 30 minutes, according to KONDA general director Bekir Agr1
d1
r. The interviews took place on April 9 and 10 in 35 different Turkish provinces, including 134 districts and 200 neighbourhoods and villages.

Asked about Turkey's relations with Middle East and EU countries, 70% of respondents said they believed Turkey 'must' reinforce its cooperation with Middle East and Muslim countries. About 46% of those interviewed said they agreed that 'Turkey must definitely join the European Union'.

Some 21.7% said the statement about EU accession was 'neither wrong nor right' while 24.3% said it was 'wrong'.

According to the research, the majority of Turkish youth is conservative, with seven in 10 saying that customs from the past must be preserved without change.

The statement 'Customs from the past must be preserved without being modified' was 'right' or 'absolutely right' according to 66% of respondents, while 53.2% said they agreed with the statement 'I fit into all the everyday life norms of society'.

'In terms of values, education level and religious orientation are two of the factors that differentiate young people the most,' T?lay Bozkurt, a social psychologist and professor at K?lt?r University, said at the press conference. The research showed that young people tend to have paternalist attitudes, she said, referring to the fact that only about 40% of those interviewed said they thought the expression 'Spare the rod and spoil the child' was 'right'.

'[The figures] show there is a mentality among young people that there should be intervention in the life of other people if necessary, for the sake of the latter party's own good,' Bozkurt said.

She added that the research results also showed Turkish youth's conservatism had shifted from being traditional to being more religious.

About half of the youth surveyed ? 46% ? said a 'future guarantee [of a job]' was the most important factor for them to be happy at work. The majority of the people choosing this alternative had not started working yet, according to A
r1
d1
r.

"This shows our youth are still concerned with job security; this is worrying," said Bozkurt.

Humane working conditions and an enjoyable work environment followed after job security, with 26% and 16%, respectively.

Additionally, some 58.6% of those surveyed said they had no idol.

'This shows a majority of the youth has no role model. This is a worrying fact for the society', Bozkurt said.

The results of the research show there is an urgent need to try to understand young people's attitudes and address potential problems, the professor said.

Answering a journalist's question on the political orientation of the interviewed youth, A
1
rd1
r said: "We did not ask young people directly on the political beliefs with which they are affiliated. About 25% said they had no interest in politics."

He said, however, that the picture regarding young people's political orientation in Turkey did not differ much from that of the country overall.

'[I believe] political orientation lies at the heart of [young people's] polarization in Turkey. It creates diversity,' Bozkurt said.

The research also included findings on young people's lifestyles, their attitudes toward consumption, their Internet and television use, their values and expectations on education and their thoughts on their future." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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