Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-06-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A "draft law" on the issue of the Greek Cypriot properties has been approved by the "competent parliamentary committee" Ankara exerts pressure for the creation of the "compensations' committee" as soon as possible

[02] Denktas reacts to the PACE's decision for Cyprus

[03] The youth branches of three leftist parties call for unity regarding the forthcoming "elections"

[04] JDP gearing up to employ 15,000 in religious affairs

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Turkish Cypriot columnist: "The authorities of Turkey apply embargo against us"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A "draft law" on the issue of the Greek Cypriot properties has been approved by the "competent parliamentary committee"; Ankara exerts pressure for the creation of the "compensations" committee" as soon as possible

According to the paper, the "assembly" is expected to approve the "law", which provides for the solution of the properties" issue on the basis of compensations, before the beginning of the summer vacations.

KIBRIS writes also that the "draft law" was approved with the votes of the Democratic Party and National Unity Party, whereas the representative of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) rejected it. During the first half hour of the closed-doors meeting Akin Sait, the so-called "attorney general", was also present.

RTP, continues KIBRIS, has expressed the opinion that the "draft law" is an effort on behalf of the Turkish side to gain time and is "far from contributing to the solution of the Cyprus problem". RTP argues also that the "draft law" is contrary to the international law and to the principle that the private property cannot be alienated. RTP believes that it would not be right to compensate the Greek Cypriots with the properties left by the Turkish Cypriots in the free areas of the island.

Meanwhile, Turkish mainland MILLIYET newspaper (26.06.03) reports that the "European Court of Human Rights has the key for Cyprus". The paper writes that Mr Walter Swimmer, General Secretary of the Council of Europe, said that only the ECHR has the authority to transfer the cases of the Greek Cypriots on the properties issue to a committee, which will be established in the occupied areas.

According to the paper, Mr Swimmer noted that this could be realized only in case the structure of the committee is in harmony with the European Convention of Human Rights. Invoking "sources of the EU and the Council of Europe", the paper writes that the Europeans insist on the above-mentioned committee being "independent and just" and on its decisions being in parallel with the decisions of the ECHR.

Ankara, concludes MILLIYET, intensified its contacts with the administration in the occupied areas and exerts pressure on it in the direction of establishing the "committee", which should start working within the next few weeks.

[02] Denktas reacts to the PACE"s decision for Cyprus

Mr Denktas alleged that the expressions used in the decision had been taken by an announcement issued by the Patriotic Unity Movement (PUM). In statements upon his departure from the occupied areas to Crans Montana, Switzerland, he argued that PUM"s announcement proves that there are "paid agents" in the pseudostate serving foreigners.

Holding the announcement in his hands Mr Denktas answered all the views included in it. Mr Denktas claimed that PUM had no right to provoke the Turkish Cypriots and added: "They have to be ashamed. In every bite of the bread they eat there is Turkey"s money and aid. There is a dominant group, which knows very well what would happen to us if the Mehmetciks (translator"s note: the Turkish troops) were not safeguarding the borders".

The paper draws attention to the fact that Mr Denktas was very angry when he read and answered the announcement of PUM. The Turkish Cypriot leader said that he had sent a letter to the PACE replying to the approved reports and claimed that the assembly had been misinformed by a small majority of the Turkish Cypriots when it was preparing the reports.

Responding to the view that the situation created after the limited freedom of movement began proves that the Cypriots could live together and do not hate each other, Mr Denktas claimed that this view has been expressed aiming to hurt the official Turkish position and added that the public security during the application of the limited freedom of movement is ensured by the "state organs". Alleging that the developments after 23 April did not prove that the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots could live together, Mr Denktas added: "Meeting is one thing and living together is another".

The Turkish Cypriot leader has also opposed to the idea that bi-communal political parties and other organizations should be established, alleging that in this case the Turkish Cypriots would become a minority controlled by the Greek Cypriots.

[03] The youth branches of three leftist parties call for unity regarding the forthcoming "elections"

As the paper reports the youth organizations of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) the Cyprus Socialist Party (CSP) and the United Cyprus Party (UCP) stated that this day is the day for joint action and pointed out that the road to salvation is not a lonely road. "It is either all together or none of us", it was stressed in the declaration. Pointing out that for months now the Turkish Cypriots rose up for solution and peace and filled up the squares despite the obstacles and the oppression put on them, the three parties´ youth branches stressed that during that time the parties´ associations put their differences aside and managed to gather 80 thousand persons.

In the declaration it was also stressed that if the parties of the opposition participate in the "elections" in various teams, instead of participating united, the forces of peace will become weaker and the status quo will be strengthened. It was also stressed that the regime cannot be changed only by one force.

[04] JDP gearing up to employ 15,000 in religious affairs

The proposal, which is likely to ignite some controversy, was initiated by a JDP deputy, has won the backing of State Minister Mehmet Aydın. The parliamentary opposition, the Republican People"s Party (RPP), said that they would not support the law, though the JDP has more than the necessary seats to pass it without opposition backing. A JDP deputy has also proposed that there should be imams, Islamic religious leaders, attached to the Turkish armed forces.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Turkish Cypriot columnist: "The authorities of Turkey apply embargo against us"

"When we came to the Turkish barricade of Ledra Palace I saw an incident there. A citizen had bought 12 meters of leather in roll. However, our customs officer confiscated it. I tried to find out something about the issue. The customs officer told me not to interfere and started to reprimand us. The citizen insists on asking: "Is it forbidden to pass this?" He does not get an answer.

Did you see who is Denktas, Dervis and the others who are imposing bans? I remembered what Papadopoulos had said. He said that the trade of all the products produced by the Turkish Cypriots could start even tomorrow with the approval of the Chamber of Commerce. The shouting of the authorities of Turkey for lifting the embargoes is in vain, because they are those who are applying the embargo to us. It is with their commands and instructions. I saw that our island is really under occupation. The fact that the gates have slightly opened does not change this. If it continues behaving like this, Ankara, which has committed a war crime in Cyprus, will find itself in a situation from which it could not get out, providing that the EU authorities do not ignore the crimes committed in Cyprus."

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