In response to an interview given by the Greek Cypriot member of the committee Nestoras Nestoros on the 28th of December to a Greek Cypriot newspaper, she said that "in the past three years the CMP had found the remains of 160 missing persons in the North of the island and the remains of 4 missing persons in the South of the island". She added that in 2018 we recovered the remains of 11 missing persons and it just goes to show how right the measures taken by the Committee are.

She called on both sides on the island to share information with them regarding the burial sites so they can reach the remains before they deteriorate event further and reiterated that all information shared with them will remain private.

Referring to the past 12 years where excavation work has taken place, Kucuk said that most of the major sites had been excavated and the ones that remain untouched only a small group of remains have been reported in the area, either 1, 5 or 20 remains are reported at the sites.

Giving extensive information about the work carried out by the CMP, Kucuk said that in the past 12 years 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons have been found and 1510 Greek Cypriot missing persons have been found.

"In total 2002 missing persons have been found and 927 of them have been identified and their remains have been returned to their families for burial. This means that 246 Turkish Cypriots and 681 Greek Cypriots (families) have been able to put an end to their sorrows in one way or another" said Kucuk. She reiterated once again that any information to be given to the committee will be kept secret. "Information given will aid in healing the wounds of one family. Through empathy you can help mankind", added Gulden Plumer Kucuk.

[04] Tacoy went to London for a series of "contacts"

According to the paper, Tacoy who will be delivering a speech at the panel is expected to evaluate the latest developments on the Cyprus problem. Also, within the framework of his visit in the UK, Tacoy will also hold talks with representatives of several NGO and also with members of the friendship group with the Turkish Cypriots at the UK's Parliament and at the House of Lords.

(AK)

[05] "Draft law" to be presented in the "assembly" today to solve the issue of the conscientious objection

The "draft law" provides that a person can serve his military duty without using a gun or wearing a uniform.

The paper writes that a disagreement occurred between the parties that comprise the "coalition government" over the issue. The Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Democratic Party (DP) and the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) say that conscientious objection is a human right while the People's Party (HP) of Kudret Ozersay does not share this opinion.

In addition, the two parties of the opposition, the National Unity Party and the Revival Party are against the "draft law".

(CS)

[06] Former head of the "religious affairs department" joined the settlers' party

According to the paper, former head of the "religious affairs department" , Yonluer, for a short period of time formed and was the chairman of HIS Party. In 2009, he joined the Democratic Party but failed to enter the "assembly".

Yonluer stated that YDP is a party with great credentials, which reflects his own principles. He also said that he does not feel like a foreigner in the party.

On his part, YDP leader Erhan Arkli welcomed Yonluer and his group to YDP.

(CS)

[07] Inflation rate for 2018 was announced

The highest inflation rate in 2018 was observed in the furniture, household appliances and nursing services at home (43,88%) and the lowest in the restaurants and hotels (12,92%).

The minimum wage in the occupied area of Cyprus had been determined to 2,279 Turkish liras in January 2018 (or 366,39 euro with euro's exchange rate being 6,22 TL).

(I/Ts.)

[08] More than 1,6 million persons visited the occupied area of Cyprus in the first eleven months of 2018

The visitors from Turkey increased by 3,8% in the above-mentioned period of 2018, while the number of the visitors from third countries decreased by 2,7%. The number of the visitors from Turkey reached 1,256,708 persons and the citizens of third countries 377,381 persons. The most visits, after the Turks, were paid by Germans (48,064). The second largest group of visitors came from England (32,657), followed by Iran (23,967) and the Czech Republic (13,086). The highest increase (157,1%) was observed in the Indian visitors, the number of whom increased from 1,074 in 2017 to 2,761 in 2018.

(I/Ts.)

[09] The number of students in primary and secondary schools reached 51,713

It is noted that 34,990 of these students are "TRNC citizens", 13,596 are citizens of Turkey and 3,127 are citizens of other countries.

(I/Ts.)

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan presents AKP's mayoral candidates in Izmir; he read a poem of Muharrem Ertas on Izmir

Erdogan announced AK Party's 25 district mayoral candidates, saying that the party will support the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) candidates in five district municipalities, namely Aliaga, Cesme, Dikili, Foca and Narl?dere as part of the People's Alliance. The AK Party nominated five female candidates while the MHP nominated one. Meanwhile, the AK party previously announced on Nov. 27 that former Economy Minister and Denizli deputy Nihat Zeybekci is the candidate for the metropolitan municipality of Izmir, which is a stronghold of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

In his speech, President Erdogan said that the roots of their brothers, who live in this town, are extended from East Turkestan to Thessaloniki and from Crimea to Crete, adding that they live together in peace. He further said that Izmir was not only the city of inhabitants of Izmir but it was the city of 81 million people. Later, he read a poem of the Turkish folk music singer Muharrem Ertas on the "occupation of Izmir". The poem was ending with the lyrics: "The vile Greeks cannot attain their desires. They would say 'don't pass', I will enter Izmir. I will throw them into the sea".

Erdogan also said: "Izmir has been always in our daydreaming and in our night dreams".

(DPs)

[02] Turkey slams US remarks on Syria withdrawal as 'irrational'

In a statement, Ibrahim Kalin claimed: "The issue is PKK/PYD/YPG are making efforts to establish an order by oppressing Kurds, who don't obey them, and their terrorist activities against our country. (?) There is no doubt that a terror group cannot be an ally of the U.S.".

Earlier on Sunday, Bolton said the U.S. will not withdraw troops from north-eastern Syria until the Turkish government guarantees fight against Daesh and that it won't attack "Kurdish fighters", referring to YPG/PKK terrorist group.

Kalin reiterated that Turkey's aim in fight against terrorism is to provide national security, and ensure regional peace and stability. He noted that Turkey is the only NATO member which is countering the terror group PKK and its Syrian branches of PYD and YPG, as well as other terrorists of Daesh and FETO.

The presidential spokesman said the country was going to coordinate with its allies and the countries in the region in the fight against terrorism, while resolutely implementing the policies required for national security.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's principle that "we will be both on the ground and at the table" clearly explains that both military and diplomatic means are always open for the national interests, Kalin said. (?)

"It's disrespectful to our Kurdish brothers to claim they are represented by a terror group," he added.

Kalin concluded by saying that Turkey's aim while fighting against PKK and its Syrian branches is "to rescue Kurds from the tyranny and oppression of this terror group and to ensure their safety of life and property".

[03] Turkey issues arrest warrants for 100 FETO-linked soldiers

The suspects are accused of communicating with FETO imams through payphones, Anadolu Agency reported. (...)

[04] Konda research: "People in Turkey becoming less religious"

Although the number of those who believe in God increased slightly, the share of those who call themselves religious fell from 55 percent to 51%, while the share of those who see themselves as extremely religious dropped by nearly a quarter, from 13% to 10%.

Turks are worshiping less, and those who fast for Ramadan fell from 77% to 65%, the study found. "While Turkey remains religious, atheists have become more visible," Konda said.

The number of atheists in Turkey has tripled over the past decade, increasing from one percent in 2008 to three percent in 2018, according to Konda's annual report on changes in Turkish society.

Turkish society also shows signs of a more liberal attitude toward gender roles. The number of people who say women should get the consent of their husbands to work in a job has decreased from 69% to 55% over the last decade. Among those aged 32 and under, the share of arranged marriages fell 10% over the last decade.

Among other figures, in 2008, almost half of the Turkish people supported a military coup in the event of political turmoil. In 2018, two years after a real-life failed coup attempt, support for a coup fell to 19%.

The figures highlighted a striking shift in Turks' news consumption habits. The share of people who read newspapers fell from 61% to 26%, while social media use leapt from 38% to 72%. Finally, in 2018, 84% of Turks still get their news from television, a relatively minor drop from the 98%.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/EH)

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