Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-08-02

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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] Turkish workers in occupied Cyprus reportedly return to Turkey

[02] Turkish tour company launched abortion tours; the occupation regime became destination for "abortion tourism"

[03] A second mosque is constructed in an illegal university in the occupied area of Cyprus

[04] Cakici: the "government" is mocking the Turkish Cypriots when saying that economy is good

[05] Turkish military stages tank exercises near Syrian border

[06] Davutoglu met with Barzani; situation in Syria is grave

[07] Turkey and South Korea signed agreements on free trade and social security; Turkey to sign free trade agreement with Malaysia and Japan soon

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish workers in occupied Cyprus reportedly return to Turkey

The paper writes that this is very notable in Inonu Square which is in the area inside occupied Lefkosia walls where some time ago tens of workers gathered waiting for job, and now only 5-6 six persons are waiting there. In addition, the paper writes that the owners of hostels that the workers used to rent, face difficulties due to the fact that the workers are leaving and 3-4 of the hostels are now closed down.

The paper further writes that the number of workers from Turkey, who according to some sources was 70 thousand (and according to some other sources was 30 thousand), has started as from June this year to be reduced drastically and around 47 thousands returned to their home countries. In just one company 24 workers, together with their families returned to Turkey, writes the paper and adds that the origin countries of the workers are Turkey, Turkmenistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

[02] Turkish tour company launched abortion tours; the occupation regime became destination for "abortion tourism"

Baracuda Tur began offering "abortion tours" to Crimea, Bosnia, "Turkish Cyprus" as the occupation regime is called and England 15 days ago and has said that 16 customers have already signed up.

"Whenever anything is made illegal or difficult to acquire in the country, people will always find a way to get it. We tourism firms benefit from these regulations," said Cem Polatoglu, Baracuda's general manager. "So far we have sold eight tours to [Turkish] Cyprus, five to Crimea and three to Bosnia," said Polatoglu.

Customers will spend the first day of their abortion tour sight-seeing in their destination of choice before undergoing the medical operation the following day and recuperating on the third and fourth day of the tour.

Polatoglu said that those who have so far purchased "abortion tours" have not exceeded the age of 35 and that all have been from Istanbul, with the exception of one who is from Izmir.

At present, Turkey is a popular abortion destination for Middle Eastern and Arab tourists, a health sector expert who asked to remain anonymous told the Hurriyet Daily News in a telephone interview. If abortion is made illegal in the country, however, such medical tourism would come to an end. According to the health sector expert, many Turkish citizens have already begun travelling to "Turkish Cyprus" for abortions.

Baracuda Tur charges 299 Euro for an abortion tour to Crimea, $600 for one to Bosnia and 1,200 pounds for the same tour to England.

Meanwhile, the issue is covered extensively by several Turkish Cypriot newspapers.

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (02.08.12) covers the issue in its front page under the title: "Abortion tour to the TRNC". The paper writes that after the AKP government in Turkey has taken steps for the ban of abortions in Turkey, the "abortion tourism" knocked the doors of the "TRNC".

As the paper writes, it was made known that in a period of 15 days, a total of 8 persons have bought tickets from the Baracuda tour Company which is organizing the "abortion tours", in order to undergo to an abortion in the "TRNC"

The paper underlines that the Union of Tourist Operators in Turkey has already expressed its objection to this tours and writes that the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey will launch investigation against Baracuda Company.

Speaking to the paper on the issue, the chairman of "Tourism and Tour operators Union" Orhan Tolu stated that these kind of steps damages the image of the "country" adding that "abortion tourism" does not constitutes the tourism of the country".

Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (02.08.12) reports on the issue under the title: "Abortion tourism has been launched". The paper writes that 7 persons undergone to a surgery in 15 days in occupied Cyprus, and writes that the number of persons who arrived to occupied Cyprus for this purpose, reached to 18.

Havadis newspaper covers the issue under the title: "Abortion paradise".

Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (02.08.12) reports on the issue under the title: "Everything prohibited in Turkey, turns into tourism in the TRNC: Gamble, abortion!"

Reporting on the issue, Kibrisli underlines the fact that whatever is prohibited in Turkey, like for example when Turkey banned the operation of casinos in Turkey and the artificial insemination, the "TRNC" became a touristic gabble destination and also a destination for artificial inseminations.

(AK)

[03] A second mosque is constructed in an illegal university in the occupied area of Cyprus

Afrika reports on the issue under the title: "A mosque at DAU as well", and writes that after Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan started a campaign in Turkey under the slogan "a mosque in every university", the universities in occupied Cyprus rolled up their sleeves and started to raise.

The rector of DAU Abdullak Oztoprak confirmed the construction of the mosque, saying that it was a huge need by the "university's" students. Oztoprak also stated that the money for the construction of the mosque came from "Islamic foundations" without elaborating on which foundations will finance the mosque. He also stated that the mosque will truly be an "Islamic Culture centre" since 12 thousand out of the thirteen thousand students of DAU are Muslims.

In addition, Yeni Duzen reports on the same issue under the title "This time a mosque in DAU", and writes that the preparations for the mosque's construction started some time ago, adding that while the discussion regarding the mosque in YDU is continuing, now new discussions are taking place for the construction of a new mosque in another university. The paper notes that while for a year there was no need for a mosque at the "universities", this year it seems that there is a "huge need".

"Following the Quran lessons, the construction of complex of buildings adjacent to mosques, the establishment of a Religious School and a Religious Faculty, the number of mosque in the country is also increased", writes the paper and adds that the issue created reactions among the personnel of the "university".

Speaking to Yeni Duzen, the chairman of the "university's" DAU- SEN, Trade Union Huseyin Ozkaramanli, stated that DAU has a lot of needs but a mosque is not among them. He also stated that he personally, thinks that the construction of the mosque is a negative development and added that the "university" should have taken the personnel's opinion before starting the construction.

[04] Cakici: the "government" is mocking the Turkish Cypriots when saying that economy is good

Cakici who issued a written statement, said that despite the fact that the persons living in the occupied area are struggling financially, works are closed downs and the people are living on their savings, the self-styled prime minister Irsen kucuk and the "minister" of finance Tatar say that the economy is good and that with the "2013-2015 economic measure program" prepared by Turkey, economy will be further improved.

Cakici also accused the National Unity Party (UBP) of dealing with its forthcoming election congress instead of dealing with the serious problems of the breakaway regime and notes that nobody cares who the next leader of UBP will be.

[05] Turkish military stages tank exercises near Syrian border

The exercises in the Nusaybin district follow a series of military deployments to the Syrian border since reports that Syrian Kurdish groups have established control over northern Syria appeared in the Turkish media late last month.

The Anatolia news agency reported that about 25 tanks joined the exercises are meant to test the tanks' speed and maneuvering capabilities. The exercises will continue for the next few days, Mardin Governor Turhan Ayvaz told Anatolia. The governor did not mention developments on the other side of the border, saying the exercises were "routine."

Nusaybin is just two kilometres (one mile) from the Syrian border, and the Syrian city of Qamishli, the biggest city to have fallen to Kurdish hands since last month, is immediately across the border from Nusaybin.

Turkey is concerned that the PKK could broaden its influence if Kurdish groups, including the Democratic Union Party (PYD), begin running northern Syrian cities. Ankara says the PYD is a mere extension of the PKK.

[06] Davutoglu met with Barzani; situation in Syria is grave

According to the written statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Davutoglu and Barzani held productive meetings in Irbil about bilateral relations, regional problems and discussed the Syria crisis.

According to the statement, Davutoglu and Barzani clarified their satisfaction over the relations and agreed to expand them in all fields, particularly in the fields of economic development and energy.

According to statement Davutoglu and Barzani discussed the situation in Syria. "They emphasized that the situation in Syria is grave. Syrian people continue to suffer. Loss of life and destruction are at unprecedented levels. They underlined that the actions of the Syrian regime and its policy to provoke sectarian and ethnic conflict within the country will further deteriorate the situation. The developments in Syria also pose a threat to regional security and stability. This situation is unacceptable by all standards," the statement said.

Moreover, both Davutoglu and Barzani shared the same opinions for the future of Syria, it said. "They emphasized their commitment to a swift peaceful political transition in Syria. They reiterated that the future of Syria should only be determined by the free will of the Syrian people. They agreed to cooperate and coordinate their efforts with a view to helping Syrian people to achieve their legitimate aspirations for a democratic, free and pluralistic Syria where all citizens will enjoy equal rights and freedoms. In the new Syria, all ethnic, religious or sectarian identities should be respected and their rights should be guaranteed and protected."

Davutoglu and Barzani expressed their concerns about the chaos in Syria. "They also emphasized that any attempt to exploit the power vacuum by any violent group or organization will be considered as a common threat, which should be jointly addressed. The new Syria should be free of any terrorist and extremist group or organization. They agreed to continue their consultations and cooperation in the interests of peace and stability in the region," the statement said.

[07] Turkey and South Korea signed agreements on free trade and social security; Turkey to sign free trade agreement with Malaysia and Japan soon

Caglayan said that the two countries which had two trillion USD of national income, 1.5 trillion USD of foreign trade volume and more than 120 million population took an important step in the aspect of economic integration by signing a Free Trade Agreement.

"I hope this free trade agreement, which is a first for Turkey in Far East, will help the two countries to learn about each other more", said Caglayan, adding that the two countries would make important partnerships in third countries within the scope of the agreement.

Caglayan said that South Korea was the 7th biggest exporter and 10th biggest importer of the world, adding that Turkey's share was around 1.5 per thousand in South Korea's total import worth of 524 billion USD.

Caglayan also said that the investments of South Korean businessmen in Turkey, which was 688 million USD, was not enough, and he expressed hope that the figure would increase thanks to Turkey's New Incentive System.

Caglayan said that Turkey would sign free trade agreements with Malaysia and Japan soon.

Meanwhile, South Korean Minister said that the relations between Turkey and South Korea recently increased to the strategic partnership level, adding that the Free Trade Agreement would be a basis to set up a systematic cooperation between the two countries.

Bark expressed belief that the agreement would boost the commerce between Turkey and South Korea.

Under the Free Trade Agreement, Turkish entrepreneurs will gain important advantages by benefiting from South Korea's free trade agreements with other countries, added Bark.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia, Turkey signed on Wednesday a cooperation agreement on social security with South Korea.

Turkey's Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Celik and South Korean Trade Minister Taeho Bark attended the signing ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Celik said that despite South Korea was geographically far away from Turkey, it was close at heart to Turkey because of the Korean War.

Mentioning that diplomatic relations between both countries had been running for 55 years he added: "Our relations on strategic cooperation are continuing successfully".

Celik stated that with today's agreement, Turkey increased the number of countries with which it penned cooperation agreement on social security to 28.

Celik defined Turkey and South Korea as "shining stars of the world".

Meanwhile, South Korean Trade Minister Taeho Bark said that his country demanded to develop relations in every sector with Turkey. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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