Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-06

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

[01] Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus talks and the population census

[02] Eroglu states that the Turkish Cypriot side will not accept the citizenship issue as a separate chapter in the talks

[03] Serdar Denktas describes as "unsound" Sunday's population census

[04] Cakici argues the "census" will not produce correct results

[05] Columnist says drank enumerators worked at the census

[06] Census first results to be announced in a few days

[07] Bagis reiterates that Turkey will never give up its "national cause" for the sake of EU membership

[08] New "legislation" on foreigners and immigration to benefit thousands

[09] CTP continues its contacts in Berlin

[10] More results by Red Border survey TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader after the negotiations, who also comments on the latest census, reactions by various parties regarding the credibility of the census, a new "legislation" on immigration, CTP's contacts in Germany, an opinion poll viewing the raising trend for early elections, Bagis' answer to the Turkish National Assembly that Cyprus is Turkey's national cause and other internal issues are the main subjects in today's Turkish Cypriot press. The Turkish press reports today on the statements of European Union Minister Egemen Bagis who said that Turkey would never give up its national cause of occupied Cyprus for the sake of Turkey's EU membership. The press also report on the demand of the Association for the Support and Training of Women Candidates that Turkey's new constitution guarantees equal status for husband and wife in the family and quotas for women in public offices. Finally, the papers continue to report today on the contacts of the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in Turkey and his meetings with various Turkish officials.

[01] Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem and the population census

Eroglu also said that both sides shared their views regarding the next tripartite meeting in Greentree next month.

Pointing out that the Special Representatives will be meeting this Thursday to resume work on the issues discussed today, Eroglu also said that shuttle diplomacy with UN officials will also continue. "Our efforts to reach convergences on the outstanding issues are continuing," he added.

Touching upon yesterday's population census, Eroglu praised both the public and the "census registration officers" for the great patience and effort they displayed during the population count.

Explaining that there had been some households or addresses which had not been counted due to technical or logistical reasons, Eroglu said he was confident that the "State Planning Organization" ("DPO") will complete the census in the coming days. The Turkish Cypriot leader also claimed that "the UN observers who were present during the census were pleased with the way the population count had been conducted", arguing that "their presence has put an end to false allegations and claims concerning the census".

[02] Eroglu states that the Turkish Cypriot side will not accept the citizenship issue as a separate chapter in the talks

Referring to the population census, Erogly reacted to various circles which claimed that "TRNC officials" themselves did not know the exact population of the occupied area of Cyprus. He said that the census was important as it will act as a guideline when taking measures as well as enabling better planning. "The very same circles who criticize us for not knowing our exact numbers are now criticizing us for taking steps to remove this uncertainty. This line of thought is wrong", he added.

Denying rumours that "the Turkish Cypriot side has accepted citizenship as a separate chapter in the talks", Eroglu said that it was out of the question to accept such a thing.

Touching upon the Cyprus negotiations process, the Turkish Cypriot leader expressed his view that the ongoing shuttle diplomacy until the next tripartite meeting in January will be useful. "We shall be in Greentree between the 22-24th of January, for a final showdown. The message given by the Secretary-General is that the process cannot go on forever. Mr Downer's statements are also very important. It is the Turkish Cypriot people who are always paying the price of the non-solution in Cyprus. The Secretary- General has a general conception that there is no need to further extend this process" Eroglu added.

[03] Serdar Denktas describes as "unsound" Sunday's population census

Addressing yesterday the "assembly" during the discussion of the foreigners and migration so-called draft-law, Denktas said: "We have once more seen that the promise that we would not be closed in the houses could not be kept. Therefore, a sound census could not be conducted".

Denktas noted that he was disappointed by the approach of the so-called state planning organization regarding the census and added that a better approach should have been developed towards the data. He said they could not see such an approach.

According to Denktas, while in parallel to the structure of the population its status should also have been determined, this was not done. Denktas argued that they should start implement the practice of identity cards with microchip and therefore the population census is of great importance.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Cakici argues the "census" will not produce correct results

"If we do not establish the necessary infrastructure and system, these discussions will never stop; after 5 years we will do a similar census and the same discussions, the same problems will continue," said Cakici, who supported that a system must be created that will incorporate the social insurance number, the ID number, the creation of a tax ID, proper records in schools and hospitals and a system that will instantly produce results on entries and exits.

[05] Columnist says drank enumerators worked at the census

Referring to the statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and the self-styled minister of interior Cavusoglu, who both expressed their satisfaction with the organization of the census, Harman wondered: "Either we live elsewhere or minister Cavusoglu and president Eroglu are minister and president in another country. For God's sake, how could you be satisfied with such shameful organization? How could you describe 'excellent' an organization in which nothing went right? How could a census be excellent if the enumerators and those who were counted are unknown, and drank enumerators tried to conduct the census? ?"

Harman goes on and refers to a phone call he received from occupied Famagusta. The person who called said that the woman who went to his residence to register him was not Cypriot, but the most important thing is that she was drank. He noted that he understood this because she smelled alcohol. "She had used so much alcohol that she was writing the information in the wrong place. If I had not warned her, she would have written everything wrongly", he said.

Harman recalls a statement made by "minister" Cavusoglu, who before the census, had said that "if you hide in the rooms, we will not be able to count you". Harman argues that with this statement Cavusoglu satisfied those illegally living in the occupied area of Cyprus and the owners of guesthouses, because after this statement all those who illegally live there rushed into guesthouses. "As of Saturday evening, hundreds of persons were hidden in every guesthouse in the area within the walls of Lefkosia?The statement made by minister Cavusoglu almost underlined what the illegal workers should do in order for not being counted. It was very easy. The message was very clear. Go to a guesthouse. Close up in a room. Do not open the door to those who knock. And the next day continue your illegal life!"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Census first results to be announced in a few days

Korhan stated that the number of all the houses, which were listed, was registered during the census and added that the persons who were not registered applied to the "district offices". He also said that the number of those who were not registered is so small that will not affect the final result.

He went on and added that the "UN experts", who visited the occupied areas for the census, will go to the "DPO offices" for the last evaluations and will leave the island after completing the task in a few days.

[07] Bagis reiterates that Turkey will never give up its "national cause" for the sake of EU membership

Replying to a parliamentary question, Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that Turkey had a clear stance regarding the Cyprus issue and it was impossible for Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration, [editor's note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus], as a state.

Bagis said that Turkey had been exerting efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem at the international platform since 2002.

"Turkish Cypriots kept assuming a peaceful way regarding the matter despite all injustice", he said. "It is impossible for Turkey to sit at the table with an administration which is not recognized by Turkey", Egemen Bagis argued.

"Turkey would not regard the Greek Cypriot administration as an interlocutor during its EU term presidency but Turkey's relations with the EU would continue", he said.

[08] New "legislation" on foreigners and immigration to benefit thousands

The new "bill" will accommodate an "easy" exit from the "TRNC" [translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] for persons who have an expired visitor's permit, residence permit, permit to establish a business or work permit and they did not leave from the breakaway regime. In order to do so, they will have to submit an application within three months from the day that the "bill" comes into force.

[09] CTP continues its contacts in Berlin

According to the paper, CTP delegation had also the opportunity to meet with leaders of other socialist parties from different countries within the framework of the congress. During their contacts, CTP delegation met with the leader of SDP Sigmar Gabriel, the secretary of foreign affairs of SDP Achim Post, as well as other German politicians of Turkish origin. During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing Cyprus talks and Turkish Cypriots' relations with the EU.

[10] More results by Red Border survey

According to the paper, respondents were asked to rate the performance of the self-styled ministers of the National Unity Party's (UBP) "government" on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 denoting 'excellent'. The results are the following:

"minister of interior affairs and local administrations", Nazim Cavusoglu: 5.4%

"minister of health", Ahmet Kasif: 5.2%

"minister of national education, youth, culture and sports", Kemal Durust: 5.1%

"minister of finance", Ersin Tatat: 5%

"minister of tourism and environment", Unal Ustel: 4.1%

"minister of economy and energy", Sunat Atun: 4%

"minister of agriculture and natural resources", Ali Cetin Amcaoglu: 3.3%

"minister of public works and communications", Hamza Ersan Saner: 3.2%

"minister of foreign affairs", Huseyin Ozgurgun: 3%

"minister of labour and social welfare", Serife Unverdi: 2.9%

The respondents were also asked to rate the performance of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu during the 1.5 years of his leadership as "president" on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 denoting 'excellent'. Eroglu got 6.6 points.

Moreover, the 55.4% of the respondents believe that "early elections" are unnecessary; the 40.4% believe that "early elections" should be held and the 4.2% of the respondents did not give an answer. The paper also reports that the percentage of those who believe that "early elections" are necessary in an opinion poll, which held in last April, was only 11.8%. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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