Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-09-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Bin-Ladin went to Turkey in 1996, 1998. He did not face difficulties.

[02] Turkey confirms solidarity with US, to bolster cooperation against terrorism.

[03] Denktas met with US Ambassador in Cyprus.

[04] Denktas returned to the occupied areas, commented on meet with Cem.

[05] Turkish Parliament Chairman met yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot leader.

[06] The so-called «public» servants are emigrating from the occupied areas.

[07] Turkey to give to the pseudostate another 140 million US dollars.

[08] Turkey officially controls the financial system of the pseudostate.

[09] CLP freezes its relations with a so-called MP because of the PEYAK crisis.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Bin-Ladin went to Turkey in 1996, 1998. He did not face difficulties

Usamah Bin-Ladin's plane took off from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and arrived in Turkey on 28 August 1996. According to official records, he stayed in Turkey for 33 hours. He first landed at Adana Sakir Pasa Airport and then flew to Istanbul. He left Turkey the next day for Jeddah. Besides the crew, he had one other person with him.

Bin-Ladin's first visit to Turkey was during the Welfare Party-True Path Party coalition government.

His second visit took place in 1998. It was about six months before the bombing in August 1998 of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

According to the records, once again Bin-Ladin landed at Adana first and then in Istanbul. That was on 17 February 1998. According to the passenger manifesto of the HAVAS company that serviced Bin-Ladin's plane, the only two passengers were Bin-Ladin who was registered as Muhammad Usamah and another person called Al-Savaf. This visit took place during the Motherland Party, Democratic Left Party, and Democratic Turkey Party coalition government.

It is reported that Bin-Ladin, who is being sought by the Interpol with the red bulletin ever since 1994, was not faced with any difficulties during either of his visits.

It is a matter of curiosity why, in both visits, Bin-Ladin chose to land at Adana Airport first. According to aviation experts, Bin-Ladin's private plane had to land in Adana for refuelling.

There are interesting elements in Bin-Ladin's visits; one of them is the State Airports Administration document, which shows that the private plane arrived in Turkey. A copy of these documents that must be drawn up each time a private plane lands in Turkey must be sent to the Ankara State Airports Administration Directorate General. The document on Bin-Ladin's first visit was not sent to Ankara but to the Secret Documents and Circulars File in Istanbul.

Another interesting point concerns the receipt for the fee charged in return for the ground services given to the private plane. The form's number was left vacant. Furthermore, it was not processed through the computer but was filled by hand. In this way, Ankara could not see it in the on-line system.

[02] Turkey confirms solidarity with US, to bolster cooperation against terrorism

Reporting to the press after the meeting, Tacan Ildem, Turkish presidential advisor on foreign affairs, stated the following:

«A meeting was held under President Ahmet Necdet Sezer with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Chief of the General Staff; Mr. Devlet Bahceli, Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister; Mr. Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister; and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Mr. Senkal Atasagun, MIT [National Intelligence Organization] Under secretary; Mr. Kemal Nehrozoglu, General Secretary to the President's Office; Mr. Faruk Logoglu, Foreign Ministry under secretary and the new Turkish ambassador to the United States; Ambassador Ugur Ziyal, Foreign Ministry deputy undersecretary and Foreign Ministry under secretary, and myself were present at this meeting.

A comprehensive assessment was conducted at the meeting on the inhuman terrorist attacks against the United States and the ensuing developments. Turkey takes this opportunity to confirm once again its solidarity with the US people and their government in every way. Turkey shares their grief and will undertake the necessary cooperation in order to punish the terrorists.

The main priority of the Republic of Turkey is the security of the country and prosperity of its people. The war against terrorism is a significant and serious element within this framework. It is evident that an effective and continuous war should be launched against terrorism because of its international dimension. We share the latest analysis and the objective set by US President Mr. Bush with regard to the nature of terrorism and that terrorism should not be identified with religions and civilizations. In the light of these realities, Turkey will continue its solidarity and bolster its cooperation with all the countries in the war against terrorism, mainly its ally and friend the United States.

The concerned authorities at the highest level will continue to carefully follow and assess the developments. This is my statement.»

[03] Denktas met with US Ambassador in Cyprus

Replying to a question before the meeting Ambassador Bandler said that with Denktas they would discuss the ways in which the latter could help in the fight against terrorism. Bandler affirmed that the United States expects all to take this issue seriously and to do whatever they can.

Following the meeting that lasted about half an hour, the ambassador said they exchanged views on the things that can be done in the struggle against terrorism. He stressed that the struggle being waged by his country is not a struggle against Islam and that cooperation is a must. He said: This is a struggle against terrorists who murdered thousands of innocent people.

Bandler concluded by saying that in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolution, the entire world must fight the scourge of terrorism.

After the meeting, Denktas was asked if the US ambassador requested any help in the fight against terrorism. Denktas said: The ambassador thanked us for the understanding we show and for the support we extend. He said that everyone should be alert because nobody knows what is going to happen next.

[04] Denktas returned to the occupied areas, commented on meet with Cem

In his statement at the occupied airport of Tymbou Denktas expressed content over the continuing interest and sensitivity Turkey shows in Cyprus. Explaining that he met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in Adana, Denktas added that the latest stage in the Cyprus issue, the contacts of De Soto on the island, the fact that the Greek Cypriots escaped when they heard the word partnership, and the future of the Cyprus issue were taken up in detail with Cem.

Noting that certain press members tried to give another meaning to this meeting by asking questions about a secret meeting, Denktas added that the meeting he was supposed to have with Cem at the occupied areas was being held in Adana because of his own contacts and that this was a routine meeting.

Finally, he announced that the Chambers of Commerce in Adana and Gaziantep will participate at the Fair, which will be held in the occupied areas and added that pseudostate will further its trade relations with Gaziantep.

[05] Turkish Parliament Chairman met yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot leader

Speaking at the meeting Parliament Chairman Omer Izgi said: "Turkey has always supported the TRNC in its rightful case, and will continue to do so in the future. A solution could be provided on the island only with confederation. We cannot make any concession from its position."

[06] The so-called «public» servants are emigrating from the occupied areas

Talking at a press conference in occupied Nicosia, Mr Kozok expressed the determination of his union to defend the rights of the «public» servants, who «have been forced to make a lot of sacrifices because of the economic crisis».

Noting that unemployment and emigration are two of the most important problems of the pseudostate, Mr Kozok added the following:

«...While those who emigrated in the past were people without a job, now public servants too resign from their job and emigrate. ...While the public servants are emigrating because they cannot pay the loans they have made in foreign exchange in order to pay for their house or meet other needs, the government does nothing more than apologizing. If we suppose that TRNC is a building with ten floors and the economic crisis is a fire, then the fire has reached the ninth floor and the people are squashed on the tenth floor. ...».

[07] Turkey to give to the pseudostate another 140 million US dollars

Meanwhile, Turkey's State Minister responsible for Cyprus, Sukru Sina Gurel said yesterday that an agreement regarding giving incentives to investors has been prepared and is currently being discussed at the Ministerial Council in Ankara.

Talking after a meeting with Ahmet Kasif, pseudostate`s «Youth and Sports Minister», who is visiting Turkey, Mr Gurel noted that the discussions are expected to be concluded soon and the agreement will be implemented immediately.

Mr Kasif asked Mr Gurel to undertake initiatives towards overcoming the difficulties for the pseudostate`s participation in international sport events, organized by FIFA and UEFA.

[08] Turkey officially controls the financial system of the pseudostate

The agreement was put into effect on 17 September 2001.

[09] CLP freezes its relations with a so-called «MP» because of the PEYAK crisis

CLP issued yesterday a statement noting that the party based its decision on a report prepared by the so-called Registrar of the Co-operative Companies. According to the statement the decision is valid until the investigations are completed.

Meanwhile, Mr Havali said that he respects the decision of his party and expressed the hope that this decision will contribute positively to the completion of the investigations as soon as possible. He added that he is ready to resign from the pseudoparliament, if this is considered necessary.

P.Hadj./SK

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