Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-05-06

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey´s obligation to get its occupation troops out of EU territory is wishful thinking according to the new leader of the occupation regime.

[02] YENIDUZEN newspaper reports that a Greek registered ship with flag of the occupation regime docked at Famagusta port.

[03] The so-called Prime Minister said that their policy on Cyprus is harmonious with the policy of Turkey.

[04] Erdogan declares that Turkey did all the necessary things in Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Ozcan Ozcanhan: Like Greek Cypriot property owners in North Cyprus, donkey owners will start filing court cases against Turkish Cypriots.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey´s obligation to get its occupation troops out of EU territory is wishful thinking according to the new leader of the occupation regime

Talat stressed that Papadopoulos's demand regarding the withdrawal of 30,000 Turkish troops from the island was a 'wishful thinking' on the way of returning back to pre-1974 period, and that was not a realistic demand.

Speaking to A.A correspondent, Talat said that ''we are ready for a solution acceptable for Turkish Cypriots and we can be flexible for that. But this flexibility should only lead to a solution that will guarantee the security and basic rights of Turkish Cypriot people.''

Talat said that Papadopoulos's recent remarks showed that he didn't want a solution on the island before October 3rd, stressing that 'it takes two to tango' as regards a solution.

''There are things which UN Secretary-General requests from the Greek Cypriot side. We ask for the resumption of the talks immediately when Greek Cypriots meet those demands,'' Talat said.

On the withdrawal of Turkish troops Talat indicated: ''If the problem was that, the UN resolutions would ask for withdrawal of Turkish army and let the Greek Cypriots be sovereign on the north of the island. But this is not the case. UN wants to see the establishment of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation on the island... Under the Annan plan, Turkish soldiers will withdraw, but step-by-step and only when the security on the island is assured''. The demand by Papadopoulos `30 thousand Turkish troops must be withdrawn´, is a demand of returning to the situation prior to 1974, this demand is neither realistic nor acceptable, also it is a demand very far off of the world realities and the Cyprus realities. It is a wishful demand.

[02] YENIDUZEN newspaper reports that a Greek registered ship with flag of the occupation regime docked at Famagusta port

Following is the full text of the report: The Greek registered `RO-Ro´ ship the AEGEAN SUN which belongs to the `Euro-Med´ company of Britain arrived at the Famagusta port yesterday at16.40 hours local time.

It was learned that the ship has set sail in mid-April from Harwich Port, Britain with 216 used cars. The ship, whose captain Stathis Stylianos and its 19-member crew are Greek citizens, in order to enter into our ports, has raised the `TRNC´ flag in accordance with our laws.

The 128-meter RO-RO ship is not the first Greek Registered ship that entered into the North Cyprus ports. Greek registered ships had previously as well entered the ports. However, it is the first time, that a Greek registered ship with all its crew Greek citizens is arriving at the North Cyprus Port.

[03] The so-called Prime Minister said that their policy on Cyprus is harmonious with the policy of Turkey

During the meeting, Mr Soyer said that the people, the government and the president follow a decisive policy for the Cyprus settlement and added that this policy is in concordance with the Turkish policy. He also noted that the Turkish Cypriots have the need of Turkeys support adding that they (Turkish Cypriots) know that Turkey always supports them.

Mr Karahan, on his behalf, congratulated Mr Soyer for his new post and said that Turkey will do all they can for the prosperity, welfare and well-being of the Turkish Cypriots, as well as to protect the rights of Turkey.

[04] Erdogan declares that Turkey did all the necessary things in Cyprus

Erdogan met with Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister and Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm and IMF first managing director Anne Krueger in Istanbul the same day.

Prime Ministry high ranking officials said that in Erdogan-Klaus meeting, Klaus said the Czech Republic was the country which supported Turkey's EU bid the most. Klaus stressed that he favored EU enlargement and Turkey was the most important candidate of such an enlargement.

Regarding Armenian claims, Klaus said that there was a general lack of information and ignorance in the world about Armenian issue.

Issues of Cyprus, Iraq, and developments in Afghanistan were also taken up in Erdogan-Klaus meeting.

In Erdogan's meeting with Zalm, the two leaders exchanged views about Turkey's economic situation, Cyprus and Armenia. Erdogan said in the meeting that the Netherlands was an important trade partner of Turkey, and Turkey expected support from the Netherlands about foreign investments.

Zalm said in his part that he envied the reforms undertaken by Turkey.

Regarding Cyprus, Erdogan said that ''Turkey did the necessary things about Cyprus issue, and there is nothing left for Turkey to do about extension of Ankara Agreement's additional protocol. Now we expect a letter from EU Commission.''

In Erdogan-Krueger meeting, Erdogan said that the economic reforms were successfully implemented in Turkey.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Ozcan Ozcanhan: Like Greek Cypriot property owners in North Cyprus, donkey owners will start filing court cases against Turkish Cypriots

The reportage is ironical because of the efforts of the Greek Cypriots, who suffer hell on earth for 31 years, to get their property back.

The full text of the reportage, which is enriched with photographs of beautiful donkeys, is as follows:

After the 1974 war in Cyprus, many people were displaced.

When the inhabitants of the Karpass peninsula moved to the south, their main means of transport-donkeys- were left unattended. (Donkeys were widely used in daily life in the rugged terrain and for farming purposes).

Unfed and thirsty they took to the wild wilderness to find food and water and they did, abundantly.

Through the years they multipliedsome records say there are about 500 of them roaming in the wild bush and forests.

The last survey, a friend told me, about two years ago showed their population as 450 I have added 50 more since many young ones were spotted

They were born free

Some time ago, a few were shot and killed by villagers, who claimed, they are a menace to the crops they have destroyed our fruit trees and vegetables.

This led to an uproar from environmentalists and conservationists The authorities had to take action

They declared the Karpass Free Donkeys as a species that ought to be protected.

Since then the donkeys, if you drive to the very tip of the Karpass, can be seen in herds or in couples, grazing by the road side They watch you with keen eyes as you take their pictures from your parked car but the minute you step down out of the car, they stampede into the green bushland and forests.

Karpass donkeys, like the Karpass turtles (caretta carettas) are no longer threatened by extinction. They are protected. Thanks to groups of environmentalists, charity organizations, conservationists and animal lovers

When the Annan plan was put to the separate vote of the two communities, Turkish Cypriot supporters of the plan and a solution based on it, were labeled, Karpass donkeys, sold outs, traitors, mosquitoes, etc. by (former) President Denktas and anti-Annan groups

This was and is sheer injustice Turkish Cypriots have never been as free as the Karpass donkeys. They have never been able to wander and roam like them, feed, multiply and grow like themThere are no restrictions that donkeys know of, for them

I envy them. Soon, I am afraid, like Greek Cypriot property owners in North Cyprus, donkey owners will start filing court cases against Turkish Cypriots about their donkeys too.

Will Turkish Cypriots be able to come up with compensation demands?

- Well, we have looked after your donkeys for thirty years, fed them, protected them instead of one or two you may now have 5-6.

We have a record of those who had donkeys in the area.. we will charge them and take them to court if they do not respond favourably..

How about that? Is it sarcastic? Let the free-born donkeys of Karpass enjoy their wild life.

But, catch a few, tame them and use them for short distance travels in the mountainous terrain.

You may even use them in public squares to attract the attention of tourists.. They cannot dance like bears.. They can stand and watch quietly with large, beautiful eyes.

Would somebody take birth control measures against them in the Karpass, to prevent large population growth? Would some of them be exported to other places or countries?

Exports may make good money. The money to be obtained can be used for their welfare, for fencing, for their health etc..

The Cyprus donkeys are famous for their size, strength and easy use in the farming sector as well as for transport where there are no proper roads..

Both the North and South authorities should consider the value of donkeys, that do not cost so much as petrol powered vehicles.

Like the property problem, I hope, the donkey problem will not become so complicated in an eventual Cyprus settlement.

Since politicians on both sides of the divide line do not care so much about the human population, their health, wealth, education, stability in the country, peace and a solution etc they can spend more time on donkeys, who will not kick them unless they are terribly offended.

/SK

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