Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-05-16

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Akinci: The status quo has not changed

[02] The Turkish Cypriot hotel owners call on the pseudo-government to help them in usurping the occupied Greek Cypriot properties

[03] The decree on the use of Incirlik published by the Turkish foreign Ministry

[04] Scheffer: One cannot reach anywhere in Cyprus by accusing the one side

[05] Mr Mehmet Agar was re-elected Chairman of the TPP during the 8th Party Congress

[06] Serdar Denktas commented on his meeting with EU's Rehn

[07] Mr Serdar Denktas met with Lyn Parker and got invitation for Queens Birthday

[08] Illegal BAYRAK alleges that there are great differences between the views of Commissioner Rehn and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Akinci: The status quo has not changed

In statements yesterday at a dinner organized by his party in the occupied part of Nicosia, Mr Akinci accused the Republican Turkish Party Democratic Party (RTP DP) so-called government of wasting one year on the issue of lifting the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots and underlined that this policy was not enough.

Mr Akinci said: The concern of this people is not who will be the president or who will be in the government. The concern of this people is the solution of the problems. The status quo must change so that the new period, which the president and the government said that began, could be a really new period. We have the right to ask which status quo has changed, if in the past the special police forces had interfered in the demonstration at Elia village without the prime minister knowing anything about it, if the special forces today interfere in the airlines upon orders by the same persons and if the prime minister says he had no idea about it and asks who gave them the orders.

Mr Akinci noted that the issue of binding the police to the civilian authority must not be further delayed and added that the most important problem of the occupied areas of Cyprus is the security of life and property. How sad it is to be facing a problem for our life, while thousands of soldiers are in our borders, he pointed out.

Mr Akinci said that the Turkish citizens entering into the occupied areas of Cyprus from Turkey by showing only their identity card caused a great damage to the Turkish Cypriot community and noted that those who rule do nothing about the issue, in spite of the fact that the community wants this practice to end.

Mr Akinci expressed the opinion that dialogue and negotiations are a condition for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem and added that the one-dimensional policy related to the lifting of the so-called isolations is not enough. The RTP DP government has wasted a year with this policy, he concluded.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot hotel owners call on the pseudo-government to help them in usurping the occupied Greek Cypriot properties

Mr Beydagli complained because the Turkish Cypriot industrialists and the tradesmen do not support them and call on them to struggle together with the hotel owners. Noting that the factories of many industrialists are built on occupied Greek Cypriot property, Mr Beydagli warned that cases similar to those filed against the hotel owners today could be filed against the tradesmen in the future.

Mr Beydagli said that the investments in the occupied part of Cyprus have stopped because of the above-mentioned summons.

[03] The decree on the use of Incirlik published by the Turkish Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made the text of a Cabinet decree on "use of the military bases, ports, airports, and facilities in Turkey by the friendly and allied countries in connection with Iraq and Afghanistan" public by publishing it on its web site.

Decree No. 8712, which was issued by the Cabinet on 18 April 2005, allows "the friendly and allied countries to use the military bases, ports, airports, and facilities in Turkey for provision of logistical support, including transportation of military materials, equipment, and personnel."

The Decree is intended to permit "the friendly and allied countries, including the United States, Canada, Italy, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to make use of the airports and facilities in Turkey to meet their logistical support requirements on various occasions in connection with both Afghanistan and Iraq" based on an assessment made in light of applicable laws and regulations in force. In response to a US request, the decree authorizes the United States to transport logistical supplies, which will be dispatched to Incirlik air base by cargo planes, to Iraq and Afghanistan by using C-17 planes. The decree, however, does not provide for transportation of weapons, ammunition, and personnel. According to the decree, cargo to be dispatched will be limited to logistical supplies such as tents, food, beverages, clothes, and spare parts.

The United States will be required to furnish the authorities concerned with information about the flights coming under the scope of the decree at least one month before the date of each flight in accordance with the existing procedures. Flight authorizations will be issued after completion of related scrutiny. Possible revisions to such flight plans will be communicated by the United States to the authorities concerned and necessary arrangements will be made.

Type of planes to be used for flights under the decree, places of departure and arrival, date and time of flights, and contents of cargos will be subject to notification to and supervision by the competent Turkish authorities.

The decree also authorizes the United Kingdom to use Incirlik air base for accommodation of its flight teams, supply of fuel, and maintenance of planes. It allows South Korea to evacuate its military unit, which has been deployed in Iraq in order to contribute to the Multinational Force aimed at achieving peace and stability in Iraq, via Turkey in case of an emergency.

The decree published in the Ministry's web site cites the following reasons for Turkey's positive response to the requests made by its close allies and friendly countries: "Obligations assumed together with the international community in the fight on terror in accordance with UN and NATO resolutions; importance of preserving Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity and achieving its stability and security in terms of Turkey's interests as well as regional and global peace; friendly relations with Iraq and solidarity with the Iraqi people; importance of Afghanistan's stability and internal peace; friendly ties with Afghanistan and solidarity with the Afghan people; universal values shared with the United Kingdom and the United States with respect to issues related to bilateral ties as well as regional and international relations and solidarity with those countries."

[04] Scheffer: One cannot reach anywhere in Cyprus by accusing the one side

On Cyprus, Mr Scheffer said: As for Cyprus, tango is performed by two people. Settlement could be reached by two sides. If one side fulfils its responsibilities but the other side does nothing then there is no solution. One could not reach anywhere by accusing the one side.

At this moment we have yet to start the dance. We do expect both sides to come on the stage to dance. Both sides should enter into relation.

It is important for the EU-NATO relations as well. There is NATO-EU dialogue on various issues. Definitely, I do not want differences between the EU and the NATO members. For example; while there were elections in Ukraine both the EU and the NATO had the same views. They had given the same political signal. This is very important.

[05] Mr Mehmet Agar was re-elected Chairman of the TPP during the 8th Party Congress

In his address of thanks, Mehmet Agar referred to the fact that he was elected chairman with 1,071 votes, saying: "This is an auspicious number. It reminded me of the Malazgirt War [in 1071, the Seljuk Turks under Alp Arslan routed the troops of Byzantine Emperor Romanus IV in a battle that resulted in the fall of Asia Minor to the Seljuks]."

The TPP's eighth congress was held at the Ankara Ataturk Sports Centre. Mehmet Agar, who was the only candidate for leadership, received 1,071 of the 1,081 votes and was elected TPP chairman for the second time. The remaining 10 votes were considered invalid.

Claiming that they will receive more votes than the ruling party, Agar said: "It is impossible to run away from the elections. It is our duty to take the ballot boxes to the nation. There is no political organization other than the TPP that can do this."

On Sunday the 15th of May the delegates elected the members of the General Administrative Council, the Central Decision making Council, and the Supreme Discipline Council.

Moreover, as Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.05.05) reported from Ankara,

TPP (True Path Party) parliamentarians Reyhan Balandi, Ummet Kandogan, Dursun Akdemir and Ibrahim Ozdogan resigned from their party on Sunday.

After the resignations of the four deputies, the number of seats of the TPP in the parliament is reduced to three.

The number of seats of the political parties in the Turkish Grand National Assembly is as follow: Justice and Development Party: 356, Republican Peoples Party (RPP): 162, Motherland Party (MP):10, True Path Party (TPP):3, Socialist Peoples Party (SPP):5, Peoples Ascendance Party (PAP):1, Independent: 11, Vacant: 2.

[06] Serdar Denktas Commented on his meeting with EU's Rehn

Serdar Denktas said that he held comprehensive talks with Oli Rehn and his delegation on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. He said that he informed him that the Greek Cypriot refusal to agree to the transfer of the cargo that was brought to the Port of Famagusta by mistake to south Cyprus and the lawsuits related to property ownership will not contribute to the effort that is made to find a solution to the problem. He said that he informed Oli Rehn that thousands of Turkish and Greek Cypriots might appeal to the ECHR.

Recalling the call that Greek Cypriot Democratic Rally Party chairman, Mr Nikos Anastasiadhis made while the Turkish Cypriot side assessed the possibility of unilaterally implementing the stipulations of the Annan plan on the property problem, Serdar Denktas said: Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos asserted that he viewed the matter as cause of war. Some of our politicians must realize what that means.

Stressing that he informed Oli Rehn on the matter, Mr Denktas said that Tassos Papadopoulos plans to continue to obstruct the solution of the Cyprus problem, believing that the Turkish Cypriots will collapse. He asserted that he informed Oli Rehn that Papadopoulos is clearly encouraged by the international community to maintain his approach.

Stressing that Oli Rehn informed him that he urged the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides to be ready for either a short-term or a comprehensive solution, Serdar Denktas asserted: We are ready for both. However, what is important is what is expected from us. It will be a very merciless approach to expect us to give up our basic rights for a short-term solution. Regarding a comprehensive solution, it will be an even more merciless approach to expect us to agree to live as a minority in a Republic in which the Greek Cypriots will have weight. That will not happen.

Serdar Denktas reiterated that they want a solution to be found to the problem. However, he noted that they will not relinquish their rights. He asserted that they are ready to talk with everyone related to the problem. Stressing that the Greek Cypriot side moves away from the solution of the problem every day because of the support it receives from the international community, Denktas said: That must be realized. In view of that, we have to make the necessary decisions among ourselves to improve our economic and social situation.

A journalist asked Denktas to comment on the decision a Greek Cypriot court made to accept an appeal by the defendant in the lawsuit brought against Caginer for conditional presence in court and agreed to recognize the right to the defendant to appeal for the cancellation of the summons. He said: Considering that, lawyers will be consulted and decisions will be made accordingly.

Urging the Turkish Cypriots not to go to south Cyprus for conditional interventions in lawsuits, he said that the people should refuse to receive summons from the Greek Cypriot courts. That is the Government's approach, he said.

Serdar Denktas said that an urgent telephone line will be established next week for the Turkish Cypriots to complain to the officials if they are harassed by those who might try to serve Republic of Cyprus court summons to them. Asserting that the citizens may appeal to the coordination committee at the so-called presidential Palace or the Foreign Ministry to receive information on lawsuits, Denktas noted that they are now well-prepared to deal with the problem, no one must be worried, and the Greek Cypriot initiative will backfire.

Stressing that they discussed the rules for the EU aid with Oli Rehn, Denktas said that he did not believe they will be put into effect in a short period. He asserted that the EU is aware of the Greek Cypriot insincere approach, but the organization is not able to say anything about the matter.

[07] Mr Serdar Denktas met with Lyn Parker and got invitation for Queens Birthday

Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas met with British High Commissioner to Nicosia, Lyn Parker on Thursday. The meeting, which lasted 1hr 15mins, was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Advisor Kudret Akay made a statement to the press following the meeting. Akay stated that Denktas and Parker had exchanged their views on the latest situation of the Cyprus issue, the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee decision and the subject of recent lawsuits concerning property issues.

When asked whether the British government is planning to do anything about the lawsuits Kudret Akay responded: The British government is closely monitoring the lawsuits. I thing everyone is aware of the fact that there is a question of economic need and ceasing building construction is out of the question.

I think the west is starting to realize that the property issue cannot be resolved through individual lawsuits. This is the impression we got from Lyn Parker. I thing the Orams case will be a test case. We will await the verdict. Stating that the subjects of how the headlock concerning the Cyprus issue could be overcome and how relations between the TRNC and South Cyprus could be expanded, were discussed, Akay had the following to say about the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee decisions:

The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee report was first published as a draft. Upon which, Serdar Denktas sent a letter to the British Foreign Office stating our views, and the draft report was issued as a decision. Lyn Parker told us that, in their opinion, the report has positive aspects concerning the Turkish Cypriots. It is true, there are positive aspects, but there are negative aspects concerning core issues and one of these is a paragraph concerning guarantees and security. According to this paragraph, the guarantee security system on the island should be completely changed. Its impossible for us to accept this.

Kudret Akay also stated that High Commissioner Lyn Parker has invited Foreign Minister Denktas to the Queens birthday party.

[08] Illegal BAYRAK alleges that there are great differences between the views of Commissioner Rehn and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus

The Commissioner has also pointed out the conciliatory stance of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Ankara and noted that the regulations for the free trade and financial aid aim at contributing to the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots, broadcast the illegal television and added:

With the positions that Rehn expressed the differences in the views of the Greek Cypriot Administration and Brussels came to the surface. And to be more specific: Oli Rehn said that the accession to the EU by itself safeguards the security on the island, but also that the Annan Plan guarantees the security. On that point the Greek Cypriot side said that the Annan Plan does not clearly guarantee the security of the island, that it provides for a Turkish force on the island and moreover with the rights recognized to Turkey the plan does not secure the Greek Cypriots.

While the European Commissioner said that the Annan Plan meets the concerns on all important issues such as the properties, the territory, the security and the institutions of a united state, Southern Cyprus pointed out that the plan does not secure the properties and the territory.

The European official argued that while the Turkish Cypriot side wishes a solution to the Cyprus problem, the Greek Cypriot side accused President Mehmet Ali Talat and the current Turkish Cypriot leadership of showing intransigent policy and stance almost everyday.

Contrary to the opinion of Commissioner Rehn that the direct trade aims at the creation of special circumstances for trade with the northern part of the island, Southern Cyprus sees a kind of recognition behind the adoption of the free trade regulation.

While Rehn pointed out the necessity of cooperating in the field of justice and the internal affairs, the Greek Cypriot side, as it has been proven in the case of the murder of Elmas Guzelyurtlu, does not seem to have any intention of cooperating with the Turkish side.

Commissioner Rehn believes that the current government of Turkey is conciliatory on the Cyprus problem and notes that it is different from the previous Turkish governments, while the Papadopoulos Administration insists that nothing has changed on Turkeys policy for Cyprus.

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