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

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Discussion for the 4 controversial "draft bills" for the 5th of December; Bicakli: There are more thsn 400 thousand illegal workers

[02] Eight trade unions in occupied Cyprus demand to be informed by Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation process

[03] CHP's leader will illegally visit the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[04] British travel writers to visit the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] "KTOS backs the banners it opened"

[06] Latvia extends full support to Turkey's EU process

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Reports about the aftermath of the new earthquake in Van province, reports about the ceremonies marking the anniversary of Ataturk's death, statements by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan on the anniversary of Ataturk's death and other internal issues, are some of the main topics in today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Discussion for the 4 controversial "draft bills" postponed for the 5th of December; Bicakli: There are more than 400 thousand illegal workers

Commenting on the development, the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, stated that despite the fact that the discussion of the "draft bills" was postponed for the 5th of December, the "laws" will come into force on the 1st of January 2012. He stated that even if the "draft bills" were sent back to the "assembly's" subcommittee, he is determined to conclude the discussion of the "draft bills" at the "general assembly" on 5 December and to pass the "laws".

On their part, both Ozkan Yorgancioglu, the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Mehmet Cakici, the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), described the postponement of the "draft bills" discussion as a "success of the public".

In addition, Turkish daily Havadis (11.11.11) reports that the chairman of various trade unions which are against the "draft bills", commenting on the issue stated that the postponement of the discussion and the fact that the "draft bills" were sent back to the "assembly's" subcommittee, does not solve the problem and added that they will have their eyes on the "government" on the issue. They said that if the "government" tries to pass the "draft bills" without making changes, they will take action again.

Furthermore, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Unions' Federation (TURK-SEN), Arslan Bicakli, stated that there are more than 400 thousand illegal Turkish workers in occupied Cyprus and said that if these are registered, the income (of the social insurances) will be increased by 150%.

Moreover, citing information, columnist Gokhan Altiner writes in Turkish daily Haberdar (11.11.11) that the "Turkish embassy" to occupied Lefkosia exerted pressure so that the social insurances "draft bill" to pass. The journalist writes that it will be interesting to observe the reaction of the "Turkish embassy" after the social insurances "draft bill" discussion was postponed by the "government".

[02] Eight trade unions in occupied Cyprus demand to be informed by Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation process

In statements on behalf of the eight trade unions, Ahmet Kaptan, chairman of KTAMS, said, inter alia, that as NGO's and trade unions, they were not informed about the ongoing negotiation process on the Cyprus problem as well as about the latest developments in the last meeting in New York and the proposals and positions they two sides submitted. He went on saying that the only information they had was from the press.

Referring to the latest statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader's special advisor, Kudret Ozersay to illegal TAK, Ahmet Kaptan said that there are a lot of points that need more clear answers.

Saying that the Cyprus problem is a "vital problem" for them and the people, Kaptan stated that they want a United Cyprus. He then stressed that a federal solution should be reached to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN parameters on the basis of bi-zonality and political equality of the two communities in Cyprus.

(AK)

[03] CHP's leader will illegally visit the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

In a statement released yesterday, the CHP Press Office said that Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his wife Selvi Kilicdaroglu had been invited to the "ceremonies" by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. CHP Istanbul deputy Osman Koruturk, CHP council member Huseyin Pazarci and party's executive assistant Tuncay Ceylan will accompany Kilicdaroglu.

[04] British travel writers to visit the occupied area of Cyprus

Additionally, he commented on a reception that the breakaway regime financed in London during a ceremony organized by the British Guild of Travel Writers and said that next week the writers that participated in that reception are going to be hosted in "TRNC" [translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus]. He also pointed out that they are going to promote the occupied area of Cyprus as a "country under embargoes."

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (11.11.11) reports on statements by the undersecretary at the so-called tourism ministry Sahap Asikoglu, who said that they will try to promote "North Cyprus" in UK's leading publications and newspapers, along with digital media. He said that they will try to have articles about Cyprus in Sunday Telegraph and pieces on Cyprus' culture and cuisine in Food and Travel Magazine. He added that their target is women, and that they will especially use publications with mass appeal like The Guardian, Telegraph, The Times, Mail on Sunday and Sunday Mirror.

[05] "KTOS backs the banners it opened"

He argued in his statement that "teachers problems are interconnected with the society's problems" and said that they are determined to continue their struggle against those who "take off their clothes" in front of Ankara's government. "We do not want this separatist, collaborative, colonized system. KTOS is determined to continue its struggle against AKP which tries to darken the future of Turkish Cypriots and against the collaborators who are being fed by this system with the support of AKP," read Elcil's statement.

[06] Latvia extends full support to Turkey's EU process

Speaking at a joint press conference following the meeting with Rinkevics, Egemen Bagis alleged that "while Turkey's need for the EU declined, the EU was in growing need for Turkey. When there is a balance in mutual need, Turkey would become a member of the union."

Reminding that no country was turned away from membership after beginning accession negotiations with the EU, Bagis said that there would not be a different treatment when it came to Turkey. "It would be more appropriate to ask when Turkey would become a member rather than asking if Turkey could become a member or not", Bagis underlined.

"We will get over all pre-conceived notions in the EU on Turkey thanks to friends like Latvia", Bagis said.

Rinkevics, in his part, said that they would continue to support Turkey's bid for EU membership.

"I see no reason why Turkey should not become a member. Reasons that support Turkish membership are more than those opposing the membership. I am confident that Turkey's EU process will end with success", Rinkevics said.

"We extend full support to Turkey and to the opening of more chapters in entry negotiations, primarily the one on energy", Rinkevics said.

"We had met with pre-conceived objections while trying to become a NATO member. Some people questioned our eligibility to become NATO member as part of Baltic states. We received Turkey's support in overcoming such objections", Rinkevics said.

"Our economic relations with Turkey grow with high speed. We have taken a decision to boost bilateral ties and dialogue. Latvia is with Turkey in counter-terrorism", Rinkevics underlined.

"Turkey's EU membership would imply the expansion of a secure geography in the world", Rinkevics said.

"Turkey is a crucial player in the region. Turkey has great influence in the Middle East and North Africa. We are aware that Turkey has a long experience in democracy. Turkey could export democracy to North Africa and the Middle East", Rinkevics also alleged. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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