Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-06-03

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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 warned the Greek Cypriot side that they will never get back the occupied town of Keryneia

[02] UBP's secretary general said that the Cyprus problem will not be solved

[03] "DPO" announces that the "TRNC" population is 287.856

[04] Ahmet Kaptan: "11 persons per day take the TRNC citizenship"

[05] Political parties met over the "citizenship" issue; reactions to the proposed "law"

[06] Eroglu said that the illegal workers issue must be taken care of

[07] Turkish Cypriot alcohol producers deny allegations for bootleg alcohol

[08] Efforts for a new airline continue

[09] So-called head of religious affairs met with the OIC Secretary General

[10] Atun said that their new export target is $200 million

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Bagis: Europe's crisis main, but temporary, obstacle in ties with Turkey

[12] Students graduating from the schools of the occupied area will be able to enter Turkish universities without an exam

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu warned the Greek Cypriot side that they will never get back the occupied town of Keryneia

Touching upon the Cyprus negotiation process, Eroglu said: "I am currently negotiating with people who have their eye on Keryneia. I have told them to pay a visit to Keryneia and see if it is how they have left it. They will never get Keryneia back so the time has come for them to accept reality."

Noting that everyone at the festival is smiling, Eroglu said: "This is what the TRNC [breakaway regime] is. This is what Lapta [occupied village of Lapithos] is. The struggle we have waged for years is starting to pay off."

He also said: "I am negotiating in your favour at the negotiating table so that we do not become dependent on the Greek Cypriot side."

Referring to the economy of the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said:

"Many hotels have been made and the number of foreign tourists visiting our country has increased. We also created a TRNC which has become a country for universities."

[02] UBP's secretary general said that the Cyprus problem will not be solved

Hasipoglu noted the importance of achieving economic stability in the "TRNC" (occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus). Repeating that the UBP had inherited a series of problems when it came to power, Hasipoglu said that 2011 will be a year of recovery, followed by new steps forward in 2012.

Defending the current economic measures, Hasipoglu also said that their economic condition would have hit rock bottom was it not for the support of motherland Turkey.

[03] "DPO" announces that the "TRNC" population is 287.856

In a written statement yesterday, Ali Korhan, representative of the "DPO" referred to the recent statements made by officials of the "Greek Cypriot administration" regarding the population of the "TRNC" pointing out that they cannot go beyond estimations. Korhan said that the accuracy of the Greek Cypriot figures for their organization is unacceptable. He then gave a response to the statements made not only in the "TRNC" but also abroad concerning the "TRNC" population.

The latest data given by Ali Korhan of "DPO" about the number of population in the occupied area is as follow:

Year	Number of Population
2006	259.168
2007	271.223
2008	279.064
2009	285.356
2010	287.856

Korhan in his statements said also that until today, the "TRNC" has conducted two population censuses, the first one in 1996 and the second in 2006 and added that "south Cyprus" which is a member of the EU has conducted only one population census during 2001, without being able to publish data about the refugees.

The paper reports also that according to the population census of 2006, the permanent inhabitants in the "TRNC" were 178.031, and publishes the following table about the de-jure population according to their gender and their nationality:

Population which lives permanently in the "TRNC" (de-jure population) according to gender and nationality:

Nationality/Citizenship  Total   Men     Women
  General Total	        256.644	138.568	118.076
"TRNC" Total    	178.031	88.951	89.080
"TRNC"only      	135.106	66.632	68.474
"TRNC"-Turkey   	34.370	18.206	16.164
"TRNC"-UK       	3.854	1.830	2.024
"TRNC"-other    	4.701	2.283	2.418
TC              	70.525	45.193	25.332
UK	                2.729	1.318	1.411
Bulgaria        	97	349	448
Iran            	759	502	257
Moldavia        	354	27	327
Pakistan        	475	425	50
Germany         	181	81	100
Other           	2.283	1.422	861
Unknown nationality	510	300	210

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (03.06.11) reports in its front page on the data given by "DPO" and underlines that in the above figures, the seasonal workers as well as the tourists visiting the "TRNC" and stay for the period of one year or less than a year in the occupied areas, are excluded.

(AK)

[04] Ahmet Kaptan: "11 persons per day take the TRNC citizenship"

Speaking during a protest organized yesterday in front of the "assembly", Kaptan delivered a speech and gave data taken by the "Registration office" about the number of "citizenships given by the UBP government". According to Kaptan, during 2010, 650 people have taken the "citizenship" after being married, during the period of January 1- May 31 2011, 1.080 "citizenships" were given adding that 850 of them were given after the "Turkish ambassador" took over his "duties". Kaptan went on saying that yesterday 10 persons became "TRNC citizens" and added that 11 persons per day is the average number for those taking the "TRNC citizenship".

(AK)

[05] Political parties met over the "citizenship" issue; reactions to the proposed "law"

Prior to the meeting, Cavusoglu talking to the press said that they will try to reach a mutual understanding among the parties; to take into consideration the sensitivities of the people in order to create a common vision. Also regarding the new legislation that will provide thousands of persons with the "right for citizenship", Cavusoglu added that there is a need for a change in the legislation in order to register the illegal workers and relieve the problems caused by the existing "legislation".

Moreover, the paper reports that during the meeting, the Trade Unions Platform, four political parties and some representatives of organizations protested outside the "ministry". Also, KTAMS general chairman Ahmet Kaptan gave a speech and a common declaration was read by the chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Trade Union, Guven Varoglu.

Sonay Adem a "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that this is an important blow to the existence of the Turkish Cypriot "people" and that they try to hurt the demographic structure. Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Communal Democracy party recognized that the existing "labour law" must change and highlighted that not everyone who comes to the island in order to work can settle here. He also said that criteria must be introduced regarding citizenship and expressed his opposition to a bill that will enable tens of thousands to gain "citizenship".

Furthermore, the United Cyprus Party (BKP) through a written statement prepared by its organizing secretary Abdulah Korkmazhan, described as unacceptable the initiative to legalise illegal workers and distribute "citizenships". He said that this is "Ankara's imposition" and a part of its assimilation policy.

[06] Eroglu said that the illegal workers issue must be taken care of

Listening to the problems being experienced by the Union, Eroglu said he too agreed with the concerns of the Union and added that he will try and do what is necessary to overcome the problems and added: "There is a constitutional state here and people are able to come here with a working permit. While there is this opportunity, it would be wrong to threaten someone else's job".

[07] Turkish Cypriot alcohol producers deny allegations for bootleg alcohol

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (03.06.11) reports that the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry" (KTSO) strongly reacted to the allegations as well. According to KTSO chairman Ali Cirali, only one of the whiskey labels (Eagle-Blow whiskey) was exported in April to Turkey, noting that the articles that were published prior to the announcement of the results cast a blow to the "Turkish Cypriot economy". Cirali stated that the drinks are being controlled by the competent "authorities" in both the breakaway regime of Cyprus and in Mersin, adding that the Turkish Cypriot companies are based on the EU standards. "We are selling these drinks to around one million tourists who visit the island and to local people. Until today, we did not have even one patient because of the drinks," Cirali said and added that they will hold an urgent meeting with the companies. .

[08] Efforts for a new airline continue

Also, answering a question in the "parliament" regarding when the new company will start flying, self-styled tourism minister Unay Ustel said that within 10 days, the new airline will commence flights. He said that negotiations are at the latest stage and therefore Saner has travelled to Istanbul in order to meet with Topcu. Ustel added that the new airline is much anticipated, especially by fellow "citizens" living in England.

[09] So-called head of religious affairs met with the OIC Secretary General

[10] Atun said that their new export target is $200 million

Responding to journalists' questions on the economy of the breakaway regime, Atun said that 80% of the breakaway regime's revenues came from tourism and education sectors.

Pointing out that the $150 million export target will be exceeded in 2011, Atun said that the new target as of this year had become $200 million.

Stating that strategic and decisive policies will be pursued to achieve that target, Atun pointed out that a 14% growth rate was recorded in the tourism sector.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Bagis: Europe's crisis main, but temporary, obstacle in ties with Turkey

"First of all, the confusion in minds should be removed; minds should open up in the first place," State Minister Egemen Bagis, Turkey's Chief Negotiator for EU talks, told Today's Zaman when asked how the serious deadlock in Turkey-EU relations as regards the opening of negotiation chapters could be overcome.

"As long as minds do not open up, physical deadlocks will always appear in front of us. The EU should get rid of its prejudices and fears," Bagis said in a written statement in response to questions from Today's Zaman. "These [obstacles] will by all means be overcome. I believe this," added a confident Bagis.

"One of the biggest sources of paranoia for the EU was the assumption that EU countries would encounter an intense wave of migration if Turkey became an EU member," Bagis said, recalling that it was the EU itself that recently declared this "groundless paranoia."

The Minister was apparently referring to the results of a recent Eurobarometer survey, which revealed that 70% of young people do not want to work in EU countries.

According to Bagis, the reason for such a result was the fact that Turkey has become far more attractive than a lot of EU countries due to an increase in its democratic standards and economic growth, and the fact that such a picture has also brought more self-confidence to the citizens of Turkey.

"Our efforts on the issue of visa-free travel for our citizens have also yielded fruit, and the EU has announced it will facilitate the procedure. From July on, Turkish citizens will be able to get visas with fewer documents and less money," Bagis said, adding that he is confident that the process would shortly result in visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

"The more we are determined, the easier they will notice the reality. And when they see the reality, first the obstacles will be loosened, and then removed," he said.

Amid the political stalemate, Turkey and the EU failed to open talks on any chapter throughout the second half of 2010. In January of this year, Bagis stated that if Turkey eventually concludes that opening the competition chapter, one of the 35 policy areas of membership talks with the EU which poses risks to its economy, then it may decide to delay efforts to open this chapter.

The competition chapter is one of the three chapters currently able to be opened; the previous six-month-long rotating Belgian presidency of the EU ended on Jan. 1 without opening any chapter on negotiations, with both the Turkish and the EU-Belgian sides citing technical reasons for the delay on the competition chapter.

In February, EU ministers approved a deal with Turkey on the readmission of illegal immigrants but refrained from authorizing the European Commission to begin talks with Ankara on visa liberalization for Turkish nationals, calling instead for an ambiguous "visa dialogue."

At the time, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made it crystal clear that the decision of the EU ministers is far from meeting Turkey's expectations and reiterated that Ankara would not put into effect the agreement on the readmission of illegal immigrants unless the EU launches talks aimed at visa liberalization.

Bagis recalled that Turkey had passed through a similar process at the time in order to be able to get a clear date from the EU for start of membership negotiations.

"The same kind of obstacles and the same kind of prejudices were exposing Turkey to a different treatment [than other candidate countries]. But of course, at the time, our side was also failing to fulfil many requirements. Today's determination and discernment by our side could not be displayed back then," Bagis said in an apparent reference to previous Governments before the Justice and Development Party (AKP) took power in the autumn of 2002.

On several occasions, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed the previous Governments for not making any noteworthy progress for Turkey's EU bid until AKP came to power in 2002, which was followed in December 2004 with an EU summit decision giving the go-ahead for opening membership negotiations with Turkey in October 2005.

At the December 2004 summit of the EU in Brussels, Erdogan gave to EU leaders a classic lesson in haggling, at one point bluntly threatening to leave if he didn't get what he wanted -- but for some the hard-nosed approach left a bitter aftertaste. Ankara and the EU had then reached a deal on the start of membership talks after a charged discussion concerning the divided island of Cyprus, which, at one point, saw Erdogan walking away from the negotiating table.

[12] Students graduating from the schools of the occupied area will be able to enter Turkish universities without an exam

"I am dissatisfied with this situation, and I inform foundation universities about my complaints from time to time," Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, the head of Y?K, recently told daily Radikal.

The Y?K chief, however, said his organization was powerless to determine how much the schools charge for tuition fees.

"The laws do not permit us to dictate their prices. I hope they cut their tuition fees down. There are a lot of foundation universities today; there will be competition between them, and I believe this will drag their tuition fees down," he said.

"These are called 'foundation universities,' and they should not have been charging students any money at all. These universities are founded by rich people, and it seems strange that they charge sky-high fees," Ozcan said.

Foundation universities are in essence private educational institutions established by foundations that receive no state aid, meaning that their tuition fees are much higher than publicly run schools.

Noting that there have been past attempts to limit Y?K's control over universities, Ozcan said there could be an effort to restrict the body's area of activity when a new charter is written.

Ozcan said he agreed with President Abdullah Gul's comments on twitter that Y?K must no longer serve as an institution dedicated to keeping universities under control.

"I think exactly like our President. If Y?K continues to maintain its current status, this would destroy universities. Y?K must transform [itself] into a liberal institution that does not get involved in the appointment of rectors, leaves university administrations be, and that solely provides opportunities to boost universities' academic success," Ozcan said.

Those people who interpreted the Y?K law in accordance with their own ideology regarded themselves as the guardians of the regime, he said. The previous Y?K administration was in favour of state-funded university education and consequently chose to interpret the law about foundation universities in a way that allowed them to oppose such private universities, he added.

Utilizing the same laws, however, the current Y?K administration opened up 62 foundation universities, Ozcan said.

Touching on the cheating scandal that erupted in April on the University Entrance Exam, in which a code was discovered and results were allegedly miscalculated, ?zcan stood by the chief of the Student Placement and Selection Center (?SYM), who has been the target of continual criticism for his role in the crisis.

?SYM chief Ali Demir did not handled the situation well, but the test was conducted fairly and there was no cheating involved, Ozcan said.

Y?K had already granted permission for an investigation to be launched against Demir and a commission was formed as soon as the Prosecutor's Office issued its request, Ozcan said, but added that if he had found himself in the same situation as the ?SYM chief, he would not have resigned either.

"The entrance exams will remain, but we are thinking about removing the first test. We will abrogate the YGS and replace it with a "Maturity Test." The LYS [Undergraduate Placement Exam] will remain as it is. Starting from next year, those who graduate from high schools in Cyprus and abroad will be able to enter Turkish universities without an exam, provided they pass an internationally accredited test, such as the G.C.E A/L," said Ozcan. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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