Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-08-09

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Occupation regime jails two Turkish Cypriot outspoken journalists.

[02] Yilmaz on Denktas/ policy on Cyprus problem.

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat invites Denktas to an open debate.

[04] Slovakia/s Ambassador to Cyprus Dusan Rozbora starts farewell visits.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Occupation regime jails two Turkish Cypriot outspoken journalists

Opposition Papers critical of the Sentence passed against the Journalists and say that there is no freedom of thought in the occupied area. On the other hand pro-Denktas papers report that justice was done and that freedom of thought and speech doesn't mean levelling defamation.

ORTAM reports that after the reading of the sentence Levent and Ener were arrested and sent to prison to serve their six-month jail term.

[02] Yilmaz on Denktas/ policy on Cyprus problem

Ylmaz, inter alia, replied a question on Cyprus problem.

In response to Kirca's question on whether he expects Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas to make a surprise move to resolve the Cyprus question, Yilmaz said: "Denktas has already taken a significant initiative by putting forward a package of constructive proposals and initiating the direct talks between the two sides. Tacitly criticizing the hawks in Turkey, Yilmaz noted: "Unlike some Turkish officials in Ankara, Denktas can see that the Cyprus question constitutes a handicap to Turkey's progress. The more we take a constructive stand and show willingness to compromise vis-a-vis the Cyprus question, the more we strengthen our hand. There is a certain group in Turkey who consider each proposal as a concession or a betrayal of national interests. This approach is detrimental to Turkey, because it would suffer the greatest loss if a fair solution cannot be found."

Yilmaz points out that guaranteeing the Turkish Cypriots' security and granting to the Turkish Cypriot side equal status with the Greek Cypriots in a common state are indispensable to Turkey.

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat invites Denktas to an open debate

In a written statement he issued today, Talat said that Denktas, in violation of democratic and political ethics, is levelling accusations against his opponents at every opportunity. He added that while doing this, Denktas is trying to drag Turkey into domestic politics. Recalling that Denktas will meet with the UN Secretary-General in the beginning of September, Talat said that Denktas should take the opportunity of the recess in the talks to make an assessment and to create an atmosphere of a unity of views.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people view a solution and the EU as the only answer to their existence and future, Talat said: "Whereas in the aftermath of the Helsinki summit, Denktas was further alienated from his people and began to instigate the Turkish-EU dispute, which he views as a prerequisite for reaching a solution". Charging that the endorsement of the EU bills by the Turkish Assembly dashed the dreams of Denktas, Talat recalled that at the 2000 elections Denktas defended a solution and the EU. Pointing out that Denktas was elected with a third of the people's votes, Talat continued: "Denktas' advice that we should speak in proportion to the votes we have received is not based on sound logic."

Talat concluded by inviting Denktas to an open debate in front of the people.

[04] Slovakia's Ambassador to Cyprus Dusan Rozbora starts farewell visits

He visited yesterday the leader of the Communal Liberation Party leader Huseyin Angolemli and party's Foreign Relations secretary Gungor Gurkan. Rozbora said that his term of office ends in September and he will be leaving for Slovakia. Referring to his 5,5 years stay and contacts in Cyprus Rozbora said that he paid special attention and gave importance to bringing together Greek and Turkish Cypriot politicians at the Ledra Palace. He said that these meetings were very useful in creating opportunity for establishing good relations. 'My aim is to bring together people to talk to each other and have exchange of views, I hope these meetings were useful''.

In his turn Angolemli praised the work Ambassador Rozbora did during his term of office in strengthening the relations between the two communities. He said that by bringing together the leaders of the two communities, ambassador Rozbora contributed to the peace in Cyprus.

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