Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-07-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat after returning from a visit to France

[02] U.S. Assistant Secretary of State visited the areas of Cyprus under the occupation of Turkish troops since 1974 and met with the representative of the regime set up by Ankara there

[03] Turkish Cypriot Abdullah Atilla has replaced the Egyptian born Ebu Hamza at the Finsbury mosque in London

[04] The Prime Minister who ordered the Turkish troops to invade Cyprus bid farewell to politics

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat after returning from a visit to France

In statements at occupied Tymbou airport, Mr Talat said: "We found quite a good understanding [in France]. It was highly useful meeting. Naturally, we have to continue with our efforts. Even if some results are achieved over a short period, we have to continue our work to make these results lasting and to secure the Turkish Cypriot people's integration with the world. As you know, we are facing Greek Cypriot obstacles on various issues. We must also surmount those obstacles one by one. The world, as well as the EU, is showing a great respect to and support for the Turkish Cypriots' stance and performance so far. We must definitely benefit from this to integrate the Turkish Cypriot people with the world. We have no ulterior motives. Our policies are transparent. We have no intention at all of escalating the non-solution by exploiting the general perception [of the Turkish Cypriots by the outside world]. They fully understand all these. The EU countries, which were eyeing our policies with suspicion only a few months ago immediately after the referendum, are now showing congenial understanding to our policies. As such, we will, we have to, press ahead with our work."

Asked to comment on Turkish Higher Education Council's [YOK] decision to stop Turkish mainland students from pre-registering [enrollment without first showing high exam results for specific subjects] in the illegal universities set up in occupied Cyprus by the Turkish government, Talat said that the complaint has come to his attention, adding that the so-called National Education and Culture Ministry is looking into the issue and that once the investigation is completed the necessary initiatives will be made [with the Turkish officials]. Noting that such situations also arose in the past but were resolved through dialogue and goodwill, Talat said: "I do not think that this is an unsolvable problem. Besides their scientific and cultural dimensions, the universities have also an economic dimension. This policy was determined with Turkey, and this principal consideration [the economic value] is still valid. On the same subject Kibris, (24/07/04) reported that under the new YOK regulation--said done with the purpose of raising the quality of the universities in the nort--only 3,000 mainland students, instead of the usual 8,000, will be able to enroll in Turkish Cypriot universities, causing some $50 million loss of revenue for northern Cyprus. The report also notes that YOK's decision to also recognize discriminatory slots for the five universities in the occupied areas is seen as an attempt to create conflict between the Turkish Cypriot universities.

[02] U.S. Assistant Secretary of State visited the areas of Cyprus under the occupation of Turkish troops since 1974 and met with the representative of the regime set up by Ankara there

In a statement to reporters at the luncheon, Laura Kennedy said she is just visiting Cyprus and liked it very much, adding that she does not have too much knowledge about the Cyprus problem and wants to gather information through face-to-face meetings with the sides. Noting that she will discuss with Talat the issue of extricating the Turkish Cypriots from isolation and integrating them with the international community, Kennedy said that she also obtained the Greek Cypriot side's post-referendum views.

Mr Mehmet Ali Talat said in turn that they expect tangible measures from the United States in order to raise the status of the Turkish Cypriots, who have endorsed the UN plan supported by the international community, to integrate them with the international community, and to enable them to engage in free trade.

Talat said that they expect the occupied Tymbou Airport to be opened to direct international flights. Also replying to Greek Cypriot reporters' question on the presence of the newly brought US-made arms at the parade marking the 20 July invasion and occupation, Mr Talat alleged that this is not a new arms buildup, adding that it is not important in which country the arms are manufactured.

Asked why he rejected President Papadhopoulos' proposals, Talat said: "I do not give importance to the package of confidence-building measures, I do not take them seriously." Stressing that there is no military tension on the island, Talat said that the agenda, therefore, is not about the military tension but about the lifting of the isolation and a comprehensive solution of the problem. The Annan plan was already proposing a comprehensive solution. We are for a comprehensive solution. There is no issue here of confidence building.

Reacting to Greek Cypriot reporters' comments on the Turkish Army´s occupation of the island, Talat said: "There is no such thing. As the whole world knows, the reason for the presence of the Turkish Army is obvious."

As regards domestic policy, Talat said that important developments will take place in the next few days to overcome the "government" crisis. When reminded about the statement made at a news conference today by Serdar Denktas, the coalition partner, leader of the Democratic Party [DP], to the effect that he could not muster 26 [seats for the coalition] and therefore an early election is inevitable, Talat said that this [the statement made by Serdar Denktas] is important, as they [Talat and his party] themselves want an early election

[03] Turkish Cypriot Abdullah Atilla has replaced the Egyptian born Ebu Hamza at the Finsbury mosque in London

Speaking to the HURRIYET's London correspondent Faruk Zapci, Abdullah Atilla defending the arrested imam of Finsbury mosque said that the Sheikh was a God's follower and that he is not afraid of police arrest. He said that he is leading the Friday Prayers in the mosque.

Abdullah Atilla accused the USA of conspiring against the faithful and said that "the Sheikh was arrested in order to secure the reelection of incumbent president Bush. Abdullah Atilla called the United States of America the "United Snakes of America".

[04] The Prime Minister who ordered the Turkish troops to invade Cyprus bid farewell to politics

Mr Zeki Sezer was elected by 576 votes out of 851 cast from a total of 936 registered delegates. Other candidates were former Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, who received 239 votes, Atila Mutman 20 and Aydin Tumen 5 votes.

The new leader was born in the central Turkish city of Eskisehir in 1957. He is a graduate of the Gazi University's Chemical Engineering department and has been a member of the DLP since 1988. He was elected to parliament in 1999 and served as a state minister in the 57th government under the leadership of Ecevit.

Sezer's elevation to the DSP leadership ends a five decade political career for the 79 year old Ecevit, who served as prime minister five times and reached what many consider his finest moment when he ordered Turkish troops into Cyprus in 1974.

EG/

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