Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-03

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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] Ozersay: "We are ready to act alone"

[02] Denktas: "Our strength is Anatolia"

[03] "North Cyprus Young Businessmen's Association" criticized the Izmir Chamber of Commerce for meeting with President Christofias

[04] New strike came onto the agenda in occupied Lefkosia "municipality"

[05] The occupation regime aims to use wind power for the production of electric energy

[06] The breakaway regime participated in the Dubai Arabian Travel Market

[07] The occupation regime will become member of the International Wushu Federation

[08] Turkey's Justice Minister warns that Turkey will be landed in FATF's Black list' if it fails to adopt a legislation to prevent the financing of terrorism

[09] Turkey-Italy Business Forum kicked off yesterday in Istanbul; Italy wants to reach Arab Spring nations via Turkey

[10] Turkey's trade volume with Iraq up 41%

[11] MetroPoll's survey reveals recent trends in Turkey

[12] Report reveals that more women join PKK in eastern and southeastern Anatolia

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: "We are ready to act alone"

In statements to Reuter's news agency, Ozersay said that no developments will take place as regards the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha as long as the negotiations continue. The report points out to scenarios that Varosha could be opened for the return of their legal owners under Turkish control, that this move could be a part of a Turkish Plan B and that it could secure overcoming of the deadlock between the two sides.

Ozersay argued that in everything they will do, their target will be the increase of trust between the two communities, even if the Greek Cypriot leadership does allegedly not want this. He claimed that they will do nothing which could harm the relations between the communities.

Ozersay reiterated the Turkish allegation that the slow tempo of the negotiations is used for the prevention of every step that could be taken in the direction of the improvement of the situation of the Turkish Cypriots. He also alleged that the Greek Cypriots used the negotiations as pretext to reject the Turkish Cypriot proposal for cooperation on the issue of natural resources.

According to Haberdar, Ozersay's interview was published on the webpage of many media, including the Chicago Tribune.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Denktas: "Our strength is Anatolia"

Denktas said that there are some people who describe the breakaway regime in Cyprus as "hump" on Turkey's back and that a small minority in the occupied area of Cyprus wants to get rid of Turkey. "The aim of both of them is to break the bond between Turkey and Cyprus", he argued adding that as long as Turkey is by their side they could continue negotiating with confidence.

Denktas alleged that "if the Turkish rights in Cyprus are lost, the problem which Turkey experiences in the Aegean will be imported into the Mediterranean". "Turkey will be imprisoned in the waters of the Mediterranean as well. The plan is to isolate Turkey", he claimed.

Denktas argued that they do not want to participate in negotiations which could have no result and pointed out that some moves could be made. Referring to these moves, Denktas said that these could be the opening of the occupied closed city of Varosha under their own administration, the return of the "Catholic minority" [Translator's note: as he described the Maronite Cypriots] to the occupied part of Cyprus and the granting of "citizenship" to the members of this minority. He went on claiming: "We have to say to the world that 'we walked on the path you showed to us. Nothing happened. Now we are ready to walk on our own path'".

Referring to the economic problems of the Republic of Cyprus, Denktas alleged that these problems will make Greek Cypriots understand that Turkey is a chance for them.

(I/Ts.)

[03] "North Cyprus Young Businessmen's Association" criticized the Izmir Chamber of Commerce for meeting with President Christofias

Angi stated that the intentions behind the meeting between IZTO and Christofias, must be clarified and added that IZTO behavior saddens GIAD who wonders why the Turkish Chamber passed over the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and held a meeting with south Cyprus, as he called the Republic of Cyprus. He also said that this action raises serious questions.

[04] New strike came onto the agenda in occupied Lefkosia "municipality"

Savas Bozat, chairman of BES's members who work at occupied Lefkosia "municipality", said that their wish has not been realized yet, that as of today they will stop working and that they will go on strike again if their salaries for March and April are not paid until 9 May.

In a statement on the issue, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that chaos in the above-mentioned "municipality" continues and that the "municipality" came to the point of bankruptcy because of "mayor" Cemal Bulutoglulari's arbitrary stance that flouts the "law".

Ertugrul Hasipoglu, general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), the party of Bulutoglulari, stated that the "municipalities" should solve their own problems, that they should arrange their debts. He argued that if the number of their employees is more than necessary, they should fire them and if they have more vehicles they should sell them.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The occupation regime aims to use wind power for the production of electric energy

Atun, made these statements during a meeting he had with the "Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Electrical Engineers".

He stated that during the last two years the occupation regime works hard towards finding renewable energy sources and added that a "bill" was send in the "assembly" regarding this issue. He went on and added that the assistance of the "Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Electrical Engineers" will be very helpful on the issue.

[06] The breakaway regime participated in the Dubai Arabian Travel Market

The occupation regime is participating with a 25-metre stand in the fair which is taking place between April 30 and May 3. Products with the "north Cyprus" label were exhibited at the stand while leaflets in Arabic with information about the occupied area of Cyprus were distributed.

The paper also writes that the self-styled minister of tourism Unal Ustel, various "officials" from the "ministry" and travel agents went to Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market.

Finally, the paper writes that 358 participants from 71 countries took place in the fair.

[07] The occupation regime will become member of the International Wushu Federation

Recalling that that the World (International) Wushu Federation and Turkey are carrying out common works for the development of Wushu, Akyuz added that they held contacts so that the "TRNC" to become a member of the International Wushu Federation, and said that this will be realized in the near future. He stated that with Wushu, the "embargoes" which are posed to the "TRNC" will be lifted.

Translator's note: [The sport of Wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. In contemporary times, Wushu has become an international sport through the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which holds the World Wushu Championships every two years; the first World Championships were held in 1991 in Beijing (...)]

(AK)

[08] Turkey's Justice Minister warns that Turkey will be landed in FATF's Black list' if it fails to adopt a legislation to prevent the financing of terrorism

"As a country fighting terrorism itself, it is unacceptable for Turkey to be in such a position internationally," Ergin said, indicating that Turkey is currently on FAFT's "grey-black list".

According to Hurriyet Daily News sources, the FATF President will visit Turkey on May 22 to discuss the issue with Ergin and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, the

The Justice Commission was scheduled to resume debate on the draft today. It had previously sent the draft to a sub-commission, where it underwent changes. A controversial provision that would have empowered an "examination commission" to freeze the assets of suspected terrorism financiers without a court ruling was amended. Under the current text, the "examination commission" will ask Cabinet to freeze such assets if there is a "reasonable cause."

Under the draft, the examination commission would be composed of seven senior bureaucrats from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the Prime Minister's Office, the National Intelligence Organization (M0
T), the ministries of Justice, Interior and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Treasury.

The provision is criticized on the grounds that it would allow for the freezing of assets without a court ruling. The draft also envisages heavy penalties and fines. It calls for jail sentences of up to 10 years to those funding terrorist organizations or terrorists, even if the money is not directly used for a terrorist crime.

Ergin said yesterday that Turkey was criticized by the United Nations for lacking any extra-judicial mechanism to prevent terrorism financing, adding that the U.S., France, Germany and Russia had such mechanisms. "The prevention of the financing of terrorism is indispensible in the fight against terrorism," he said.

The U.S. has long pressured Turkey to adopt the bill, but progress has been slow. Turkey received another strong request from the FAFT in February to pass the legislation.

Opposition lawmakers argued the bill would only serve the interests of foreign countries and would not help Turkey in blocking the financial channels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) abroad.

The CHP's Ali 0
hsan Kokturk voiced misgivings that the government could use the bill as a means to bully opponents. "[Jailed lawmaker] Mehmet Haberal is accused of being a terrorist. Will his assets be frozen?" he asked.

Justice Minister Ergin responded that such worries were baseless. The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) has also raised concern that the law could be used to target Kurdish business people and the municipalities it holds in the southeast.

[09] Turkey-Italy Business Forum kicked off yesterday in Istanbul; Italy wants to reach Arab Spring nations via Turkey

Speaking during the forum, Antonio Poaletti, Vice President of Union Camere (the Union of Italian Chambers), in his speech at the forum's first meeting, said: "Turkey does not just have significance in terms of accessing former Soviet republics. The strategic importance of Turkey has increased due to the Arab Spring. People say they take Turkey as an example in Tunis and Egypt. Balkans is another region where strategic cooperation is possible."

Some 160 Italian firms, 23 associations and at least 360 participants attended the forum, which will continue with business-to-business meetings today and tomorrow.

The event resembles the Turkish-British Business Forum held late April. Italian firms desire to export more and to tap into emerging markets just like their British counterparts, as they face a stagnant growth at home and in Europe.

"There are about 5 million enterprises in Italy, but only a fraction of them export their products", Poaletti said adding that transforming them into exporters, will help the country get over current economic woes.

The Italian business mission to Turkey comes at a time when Italy is struggling against a recession and faces climbing unemployment. The employment rate hit 9.8 % in April, the highest rate Italy has seen since 2004. It also comes after a recently announced comprehensive incentive scheme in Turkey, which also aims to lure more foreign direct investments.

"We are looking into the new investment scheme and how strategic industries can take benefit of it," said the Economic Development Undersecretary Massimo Vari, according to Anatolia news agency.

Bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Italy hit $21 billion last year. Italy is the fourth largest trade partner of Turkey.

"Turkic countries, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Middle Eastern and North African countries are in the right addresses to collaborate," said Zeynep Bodur Okyay, the head of the Turkish-Italian Business Council.

As for possible new collaboration areas, she pointed at the construction sector, as Turkey will rebuild an estimated 7 million residences in 20 years, and to the tourism sector. Turkey aims to hit 950,000 bed capacity in the 2013, she said. Other lucrative cooperation fields are energy and defense industries, she said.

Murat Kals1
n, the Vice President of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), said it was important to act in unison in the Middle Eastern and Gulf countries. "MUSIAD is an unbounded source for Italian firms to cooperate. We can collaborate in third countries," he said.

This is the first time the ConfIndustira, the Italian employers' federation, has met with the MUSIAD, said Emma Marcegaglia, the head of the federation.

Italian firms that participated in the business mission are mainly working in form machinery, energy and infrastructure sectors, she said.

[10] Turkey's trade volume with Iraq up 41%

Total trade volume between the two countries had been only 940 million USD in 2003, added Caglayan who spoke at the 1st International Ninawa Investment Conference organized by Turkish-Iraqi Business Council and Ninawa Investment Commission in Istanbul on Wednesday.

"This figure increased to 11 billion USD in 2011", said Caglayan. Noting that Turkish companies invested in energy area in Mosul, Caglayan said that Turkish companies could make important investments especially in oil, industry and agriculture sectors in the future.

Caglayan said that Turkey set new action plans peculiar to each state in Iraq within the scope of high-level strategic cooperation study.

Noting that Ninawa, which was one of the most important agricultural centers of Iraq, had many deficiencies in modern infrastructure, Caglayan said that Turkish and Iraqi businessmen would eliminate all those deficiencies.

Caglayan said that Turkish construction companies had undertaken 638 projects worth of 12.7 billion USD in Iraq since 1975. "11.3 billion USD of those projects were made after 2003", he added.

Caglayan also said that Turkish Airlines (THY) began to hold flights to Mosul four times a week since the beginning of November 2011.

[11] MetroPoll's survey reveals recent trends in Turkey

Party preferences: 21% of the voters have switched the party they voted for in the last elections because its leader is not capable enough. Those who switched parties are highest for Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Republican People's Party (CHP) voters; 28% and 20%, respectively.

If there were elections today, 71% of the voters said they would stick with their old party, while 17% would vote for other parties. Considering the number of the 'undecided,' this ratio climbs up to roughly 25%; 12% of the voters have stated that they either did not like the party or its leader they voted for in the last elections or did not find it meaningful to vote. When this group is added on to the 20-25% of the voters who are ready to switch allegiance to a particular party, we may reach a rough estimate of voter alienation.

The CHP dilemma: Does the CHP represent the left and social democrats?

The CHP does not represent the left or the social democrats for 65% of all voters and 44% of CHP voters. In general, 55% of all voters do not believe that the CHP represents the traditional values and principles it used to defend. There is also a leadership problem in the CHP: 63% of all voters and 46% of CHP voters believe that this party suffers from a leadership deficit; 64% of all voters and 42% of CHP voters feel that the CHP needs a new leader, with 63% of all voters and 44% of CHP voters believing that the leadership problem had not been solved by the last CHP congress in late 2011.

Need for a new party: As the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Government takes hold, the need for constructive and vibrant opposition for the sake of responsive Government that is respectful of the rule of law gains more importance; the need for a new party seems to be surfacing among the electorate, with 54% of all voters and 42% of CHP voters indicating a new party should replace the CHP but possess its traditional values and principles. And what would those principles and values be? Those who advocate for a new party -- 29 % -- hope this party will be more democratic than the present CHP, and 28 % indicate it ought to be more respectful of the traditional values of the people (alluding to the elitist position of the old CHP); however, 17 % think the new party should be more nationalist and Ataturkist. Only 4 % of those who want a new party want it to be more leftist.

In addition, 58 % of all respondents believe there is a vacuum when it comes to a functional opposition to the AK Party. It is important to note that the majority of opposition party supporters think along the same line: 64 % of the CHP, 70 % of the MHP and 77% of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) complain about the lack of effective opposition (opposition void). Approximately 54% of all voters expressed the need for a strong opposition party to check the incumbent AK Party. These figures and trends attest to the democratic reflex of Turkish voters as well as the existing political reality of a skewed political system in favor of the AK Party government. People feel that the AK Party has become a hegemonic party, and want to make sure that this is checked within the limits of a democratic opposition.

The Kurdish problem: A lingering problem that has not been solved yet through political means, is the Kurdish issue. An important part of the process is to find the right party to negotiate a lasting solution. When asked which party should negotiate with, the Government, 34 % of the respondents said the Kurdish people, while 9.3 % pointed to the BDP and 3 % to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Those who have no opinion or did not want to answer were at 40%.

These findings attest to the fact that people are as confused or undecided as politicians when it comes to formulating a solution to this age-old problem in Turkey. However, the Kurdish people, who are increasingly perceived as the victim of the problem, are seen as the right party to negotiate a settlement -- an indication of the political awakening of the body politic.

In regards to the question "Can the Kurdish problem be solved without an agreement with the PKK? (Author's note: A question that could not be asked a few years ago.), for 36 % of the people, the answer is that it is impossible. But 49 % believe that the Kurdish problem may be solved through a direct settlement between the Government and the Kurdish people".

[12] Report reveals that more women join PKK in eastern and southeastern Anatolia

The "Women's Problems and Proposed Solutions in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia" workshop was held in January by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) women's branch at the party's headquarters with the attendance of many academics, journalists and bureaucrats.

Speaking at the workshop, AK Party women's branch President Guldal Aksit said that women who live in eastern and southeastern Turkey face pressure from tradition and the PKK.

The workshop's report was recently shared with the public and reported by the Aksam daily on Wednesday. According to the report, women joining the PKK constitute 20 % of total recruits and their number has increased over the past decade. The age range of new PKK recruits is 14-25, the report revealed.

Gender relations in traditional Kurdish society, the marriage of women at an early age against their will, pressure placed on women within the family and practices like berdel -- which involves an exchange of brides between two families -- are the main factors which lead women to join the PKK, according to the report.

Many young women have joined the terrorist organization to escape the problems posed by society. 41% of women marry at an early age in eastern and southeastern Anatolia, while this rate is 27 % across Turkey, the report highlighted. It also revealed that the PKK has appointed more women to high-ranking positions in the organization over the past decade, with the ultimate aim of creating an influential women's lobby.

Another focus of the report was the high percentage of female suicide bombers in the PKK. The terrorist organization exploits discussions about oppressed and despised women in eastern and southeastern Turkey and expresses an opposition to the traditional social structure to attract more women partisans.

The report indicated the suicide rate among women is very high and the literacy rate is still very low in eastern and southeastern Anatolia compared to other parts of Turkey.

According to Aksit, a lack of education is at the root of many problems related to women in the area. "We have made efforts to promote literacy with campaigns in the last 10 years, but we have not yet reached the desired level," Aksit said at the workshop. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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