Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-01

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

[01] Doubts about the credibility of the 4 December population census continue in the occupied areas

[02] Gul's statements regarding a "Taiwan model" for Cyprus

[03] Yildiz alleges that Turkey's explorations for oil are not political

[04] Kucuk's spouse met with Azerbaijan's Minister of National Education

[05] "Important step for recognition"

[06] Columnist argues that the Eurozone crisis will have an impact on Turkey's economy

[07] Turkey and Albania signed an economic cooperation protocol

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The death of an armed person of Lebanese origin who opened fire at Istanbul's Topkapi palace, the substitution of the personal guard of the Turkish Minister of Defence by police members instead of military, Gul's statements on Cyprus and the proposed match-fixing legislation, Turkey's economic sanctions against Syria, the release of the former MIT head of counterterrorism and other internal issues are covered by today's Turkish press.

[01] Doubts about the credibility of the 4 December population census continue in the occupied areas

Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes publishes on its first page statements by the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, who said that an official of the United Nations (UN) was present during the preparation made for the census by the "state planning organization" (DPO) and that seven UN officials, with the status of the observer, will be present on Sunday 4 December when the census will be conducted.

Kucuk also said that 7.500 employees will work during the census and added that receiving the correct answers to the questions asked by the employees is extremely important for the credibility of the census.

Referring to the census, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan writes that curfew will be applied in the occupied areas for 13 hours, between 05.00-18.00 on Sunday and adds that the services of the illegal airports and sea ports will continue uninterruptedly but the barricades will be closed.

In addition, the paper writes that the self-styled minister of interior Nazim Cavusoglu reacted strongly against the statements made yesterday by the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) which stated that it would not accept the results of the census. Cavusoglu argued that the teachers, who receive a salary every month and have a job due to the "laws" of the "state", are obliged to obey to these "laws".

Yeni Duzen writes on its first page that while only a few days are left for the census, a lot of discussion is taking place by the public in the occupied areas about its credibility. The paper adds that a number of persons say that they don't want to be counted. The paper also publishes statements of various politicians and trade unions on the issue. The secretary of the executive committee of the New Cyprus Party (YKP) Murat Kanatli stated that the census should have been conducted under the care of international observers and that the occupation regime refrained from doing so.

On its part, the Platform of Trade Unions stated that the census' results will not be credible. In a statement issued yesterday the Platform said that their demand is for the structure of the population to be found out and only the number of people living in the occupied area of Cyprus.

In the statement, signed by Ahmet Kaptan, Chairman of KTAMS trade union, it is noted that the population census to be held on 4 December, has no other meaning than saving the regime from the international pressure and the pressure of the society.

Kaptan recalled that the Platform had demanded a population census in its statement after the rally held on 28 January this year, but it wants a census under international observers, with transparent and reliable results

[02] Gul's statements regarding a "Taiwan model" for Cyprus

Moreover Gull, alleging that Cyprus' undertaking the EU presidency will eliminate possibility for a solution, stated the following: "If there is anyone who wants to assist on this issue, if there are parties within the EU, within NATO who want to end completely the fight in Cyprus, this is the time to mobilize all their force."

[03] Yildiz alleges that Turkey's explorations for oil are not political

Referring to the agreement they signed with Shell Company, he said it was important for the breakaway regime in the international field and in the field of energy. At the same time, he added, it opened new fields for Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Yildiz alleged that they want to carry out explorations in the Mediterranean which would not be contrary to the international law and claimed that they have some work to do against the "illegality of the Greek Cypriot administration", as he described the drilling for natural gas and oil by the Republic of Cyprus.

Yildiz alleged: "The work, which we will carry out in Cyprus, especially in Famagusta, is also important. We could not say that we found oil or natural gas before the end of the drilling. Giving such information would be speculative. Unfortunately, I am saying this for the Greek Cypriot administration".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kucuk's spouse met with Azerbaijan's Minister of National Education

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (01.12.11) reports that during the meeting with Kucuk, Merdanov evaluated her visit to Azerbaijan as positive and stressed the importance of the activities in the field of education. He also alleged that "the embargoes" imposed on the breakaway regime are unfair. Merdanov said that he will be pleased if they host Irsen Kucuk in Azerbaijan in the near future.

[05] "Important step for recognition"

Ceesay said that being Muslim and sister countries they came to "TRNC" [the breakaway regime] and discussed the potential for cooperation in higher education. The Gambian minister also added that they are well aware of the situation in Cyprus and the breakaway regime and noted that education can bring peace and development.

[06] Columnist argues that the Eurozone crisis will have an impact on Turkey's economy

"Our daily language is more and more tainted with Eurocynicism, the advanced version of Euroscepticism. Chatter of a 'miserable Europe' or the 'sick man of Europe' (understand Europe itself) that we like very much as a nation is uttered by so many, stretching from politicians to the man on the street.

A mood that was fuelled by the President when he declared to Turkish journalists during a state visit to Britain, 'It will be a half-country leading a miserable union' referring to Cyprus. The raison d'?tre of this new national enthusiasm is the outburst of Turkish over-confidence as much as the Eurozone crisis.

The mood is, however, problematic both morally and politically. It is problematic to the extent that it hits back at the hostile language and discriminatory policies some politicians in Europe use against Turkey simply because taking advantage of the weakness of whoever is in a tight spot, is an archaic approach in such a globalized world. Thereby, being pleased with the world's biggest economic crisis means you are unaware of its impact on your economy. That isn't a smart approach. Ministers Ali Babacan and Mehmet Simsek have been pointing to the consequences of our major business partner's slowdown on Turkey. The facts are out there: The EU region is our number one trade partner and our number one source of foreign direct investment (FDI). In the event that Europe as much as sneezes, Turkey would get sick. The first indicators of a slowdown are already here. Of course, the only cause isn't just Europe's situation. Turkey itself, which hasn't launched any serious reforms on taxes, employment policies, education and R&D, as well as being unable to solve the Kurdish conflict that has wasted huge amounts of resources, has a large share in the downturn. And here lies the irony: All these structural problems have been largely solved in the Europe we turn up our noses at. In short, healthy Turkish banks, skyrocketing domestic consumption and a building frenzy aren't enough to justify Eurocynicism.

If the criteria are human and social welfare as well as the conservation of nature, then Turkey does not put forth a performance wherein it can compete with Europe. Turkey's international rankings, which I looked at a few weeks ago, confirm this observation. More recently a Turkish judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Isil Karakas, reminded us that in terms of long detention periods along with freedom of expression and press, Turkey came out worst in Europe. For those who are still not convinced, the ongoing deadly chaos since the earthquake in Van or the unending clumsiness in dealing with the Kurdish conflict can be recalled.

While we make fun of European countries, let's not make fun of European principles because we have badly needed them for a long time.

Let's for instance consider the transparency and accountability in military expenditures. Financial control of the military is a complex issue and a vital condition of democracy. There is no ideal model, but in democratic countries various institutions keep internal and external audits as strict as possible; this occurs particularly in the courts of accounts, the internal control mechanisms of defence ministries, parliaments and national and supranational NGOs. Moreover some countries have developed mechanisms to mutually control security expenditures like Argentina and Chile.

According to the new Turkish Court of Accounts legislation, military procurements, military estate, properties and expenditures are going to be audited, but audit reports will be kept secret for security reasons. The Council of Ministers, based on the views of the General Staff, the Ministry of Defence and the Interior Ministry as well as the Court of Accounts, was to decide on a regulation on the public disclosure of audit reports.

The principle of confidentiality exists elsewhere; however, this concerns weapon development projects, not spending. And in no democratic country does the General Staff have a part in controlling military expenditures. (?)"

[07] Turkey and Albania signed an economic cooperation protocol

Turkish Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Sahin attended the 11th meeting of the Turkish-Albanian Joint Economic Committee held at the Albanian Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy.

Following the meeting, Fatma Sahin and Albanian Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy Nasip Naco signed the Joint Economic Committee Protocol.

Speaking at the signature ceremony, Sahin said: "Despite the global economic crisis, the Turkish economy continued to grow and unemployment rates fell. In the past several years, Albania has taken great steps for democratization and the establishment of a free market. Albania is a factor of stability in the region."

"Albania happens to be an important trade partner for Turkey. The protocol we have signed today aims to carry our economic and commercial relations to higher levels. This protocol will be the story of a new success", Sahin said.

Nasip Naco, in his part, said that Turkey and Albania were strategic partners. He added: "Turkey is the third biggest investor in Albania. More than 2,000 Turkish entrepreneurs have made investments in Albania. We believe that the protocol signed today will increase the number of Turkish entrepreneurs in Albania." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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