Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-06-23

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01]Turkish general analyses the objectives of the search and rescue exercise in the occupied territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus.

[02] Talat describes the Turkish generals´ exercise as a message to President Papadopoulos and Serdar Denktas a good message for the EU. Jordanian military watch the exercise.

[03] Efforts by Ankara´s occupation regime to gain recognition using the Bulgarian Turks brought as colonizers by Turkey in Greek Cypriot properties.

[04] Right after the National Security Council postponed discussion of the National Security Policy Document for two months. General Buyukanit is visiting Athens.

[05] The TGNA rejected RPP´s call to debate the signing of the Ankara Protocol.

[06] Illegal immigrants from Georgia crossed to the free area of Cyprus through the occupied area of Cyprus.

[07] The pseudostate issued five more decrees for the elimination of the constructions aiming to protect the environment in occupied Cyprus.

[08] Alevis ready to recourse to international courts for their religious freedoms.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish general analyses the objectives of the search and rescue exercise in the occupied territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus

The Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli-2005 Search and Rescue Exercise is being conducted today... A meaningful answer is being given to the Greek Cypriot Administration, which claims sovereignty over our sea- and air-space: We are in charge of our sea and our air...

Subtitle: We are sovereign in our air-space and on our seas

Security Forces Commander Major General [Tevfik] Ozkilic: The authority to conduct search and rescue in our territorial waters and in our air-space belongs to the `TRNC´ (occupied areas of Cyprus) and in the international waters and air-space to the north of Cyprus, it is the responsibility of the TC [Turkish Republic].

Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli's mother Kezban Gonyeli: We suffered great difficulties, and we waited a long time for this day. May God bless our Turkey.

Major General Tevfik Ozkilic described the purpose and goals of the exercise as follows:

"The purpose of the exercise is to stress that the claim unilaterally proclaimed by the Greek Cypriot Administration in Southern Cyprus in terms of search and rescue in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean is unacceptable, and [to stress] the importance of the shared interests of the Turkish Republic and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

"As for the goals of the exercise, they are to implement the agreement of 5 November 1996 and the protocol of 8 September 2000 and to promote the cooperation between the Turkish Republic and the `TRNC´ in terms of the search and rescue [effort] that was established with the Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2002 Search and Rescue Exercise; to stress our authority in terms of the search and rescue region in the Eastern Mediterranean; to ascertain the legal, administrative, and technical requirements in order to make the two countries' search and rescue organizations capable of interoperability; and to enhance the safety of passage in the Eastern Mediterranean by arranging search and rescue activities between the two countries."

As is known, the Greek Cypriot Administration had applied to the EU and requested to conduct an operation in conjunction with the EU ostensibly to control the illegal flow of immigrants in the sea between Turkey and the `TRNC´, and in this way had made claims of sovereignty over our maritime waters.

Major General Ozkilic said that "The authority to conduct search and rescue in the air-space and the territorial waters of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ belongs to the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´. And in the international waters and air-space to the north of Cyprus, it is the responsibility of the Turkish Republic.

The Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli-2005 Search and Rescue Exercise will be conducted today in the territorial waters of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´. The exercise will be carried out in two phases, 15 miles to the north of Kokkina and 3 miles north of Kyrenia.

A briefing on the exercise, which will be conducted with the participation of both civilian and military elements that are included in the search and rescue organizations of the Turkish Republic and the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´, was held yesterday afternoon in the Dome Hotel.

The briefing, which involved Security Forces Commander Major General Tevfik Ozkilic, General Staff Command and Control Department Chief Air Force Major General Sirin Unal, Naval Forces Mediterranean Regional Commander Junior Rear Admiral Necati Kurt, General Staff Greece-Cyprus Department Chief Junior Rear Admiral Mucahit Sislioglu, Giresun Frigate Commander Lieutenant Colonel Nuri Ustunel, Civil Defense Organization Chairman Lokman Ekinci, and a large number of military officials and members of the press, was held at 4:00 p.m.

At the beginning of the briefing, the life story of the Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli was read. Thereafter, GKK [the occupation forces] Commander Major General Tevfik Ozkilic presented Kezban Gonyeli, the mother of the Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli, with a plaque of the GKK, and Lieutenant Colonel Nuri Ustunel, the commander of the frigate Giresun, gave her a replica of the frigate and seaman's hat.

Kezban Gonyeli, who experienced considerable emotion during these moments, expressed her gratitude to the commanders by saying "We suffered great difficulties, and we waited a long time for this day. May God bless our Turkey."

Thereafter, a briefing on the exercise was presented by GKK Commander Tevfik Ozkilic.

Major General Ozkilic noted that, in order to promote cooperation and ensure coordination in search and rescue activities between the Turkish Republic and the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ in the north of Cyprus, the two countries had signed and implemented a Maritime Search and Rescue Agreement in 1996, and a Protocol for Cooperation in Promoting Maritime Activities, an Agreement for Cooperation in Coastal Security, and Agreements for Cooperation in Air Search and Rescue Operations in 2002. He said that "The authority to conduct search and rescue in the air-space and the territorial waters of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ belongs to the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´. And in the international waters and air-space to the north of Cyprus, it is the responsibility of the Turkish Republic. Noting that, in order to test in action the search and rescue capabilities that the `TRNC´ has gained recently through its search and rescue activities conducted for humanitarian purposes, and to stress its authority in the area of search and rescue operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, Martyr Caner Gonyeli Search and Rescue Exercises were carried out with participation by Turkish Republic and `TRNC´ civilian and military elements on 1-2 May 2002 and 16-18 June 2003, Ozkilic said that the practical portion of this year's activity will be carried out tomorrow [ 22 June].

Subtitle: `TRNC´ has reached necessary strength

Ozkilic said "As is known, within the scope of the Iraq Operation carried out by coalition forces, the Ercan regional search and rescue center was activated by the `TRNC´ on 26 March 2003; it was explained via a NOTAM [Notice to Airmen] that search and rescue services could be provided within the `TRNC´ Search and Rescue Area, and the world public was also notified of this via the press." He emphasized that the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ in cooperation with the Turkish Republic, has reached sufficient strength as to be able conduct every sort of search and rescue operations within the `TRNC´'s area of sovereignty and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ozkilic pointed out in this framework that two individuals lost in the sea on 6 July 2003 had been located and rescued, that 15 crew members of a cargo vessel whose engine had been damaged in a storm on 22 February 2004 had been rescued, that personnel who became sick on a ship in the open sea on 28 July 2004 had been transported to a hospital, and that similar search and rescue operations have also been conducted.

Ozkilic described the purpose and goals of the exercise as follows:

"The purpose of the exercise is to stress that the claim unilaterally proclaimed by the Greek Cypriot Administration in Southern Cyprus in terms of search and rescue in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean is unacceptable, and [to stress] the importance of the shared interests of the Turkish Republic and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

"As for the goals of the exercise, they are to implement the agreement of 5 November 1996 and the protocol of 8 September 2000 and to promote the cooperation between the Turkish Republic and the `TRNC´ in terms of the search and rescue [effort] that was established with the Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2002 Search and Rescue Exercise; to stress our authority in terms of the search and rescue region in the Eastern Mediterranean; to ascertain the legal, administrative, and technical requirements in order to make the two countries' search and rescue organizations capable of interoperability; and to enhance the safety of passage in the Eastern Mediterranean by arranging search and rescue activities between the two countries."

Subtitle: Who is participating in the exercise?

Ozkilic identified the elements that will take part in the exercise as follows:

"The civilian institutions taking part in the search and rescue operations of the exercise are, from the Republic of Turkey, the Undersecretariat for Maritime Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister; the relevant components of the Ministry of Transportation; the Telecommunications Agency; and the Turkish Telecommunications Corporation; participating from the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ will be, under the coordination of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation; the relevant components of the Ministry of Health; the Civil Defense Organization Chairmanship; and the Cyprus Turkish Coastal Security and Ship Rescue Corporation.

"As for military elements, they are, from the Turkish Armed Forces, the Commodore of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla; one frigate; two corvettes; one patrol ship; one SAT [underwater assault] team; and one CASA search plane; while from the `TRNC´ Security Forces Command, two Coast Guard boats, the GKK Air Unit (one search and rescue helicopter, AS-532 Cougar, and one medical evacuation helicopter, AS-532 cougar), Special Forces Search and Rescue Specialized Personnel (AKIP), a ship representing a vessel in distress, and the Sonduren-7 tugboat from the Coastal Security and Ship Rescue Corporation."

Subtitle: We are ready night and day

After providing information about the exercise, GKK Commander Major General Tevfik Ozkilic, indicating that search and rescue activities, because they impact directly on human lives, have to be carried out as a race against time, concluded as follows: "`The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´, in cooperation and unity of purpose with its Motherland, the Turkish Republic, has the capability and readiness to conduct search and rescue operations in its own territory, in every circumstance, both night and day, in its territorial waters and in international waters, and wherever else it might be called upon to do so."

[02] Talat describes the Turkish generals´ exercise as a message to President Papadopoulos and Serdar Denktas a good message for the EU. Jordanian military watch the exercise

The Search and Rescue exercise code-named Martyred Lieutenant Caner Goneyeli-2005, being carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces off the coast of Cyprus, was attended by all the political leadership of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Kezban Gonyeli, the mother of Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli, who died during the 1974 `Peace Operation´, shed tears while watching the exercise. In the first part of the exercise the crew of a boat which took fire 15 miles off Kokkina and fishermen who were stranded seven miles off Kyrenia, were saved.

The exercise was observed by the `President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ Mehmet Ali Talat, the `Speaker of the Assembly´ Fatma Ekenoglu and `Foreign Minister´ Serdar Denktas.

In reply to a journalist´s question Talat said that the reaction of Greek and the Greek Cypriot sector to the exercise is not important. Talat added that with this exercise it is clear how far Papadopoulos´ sovereignty goes.

On his part `Foreign Minister´ Denktas said: This exercise has been a good message to the Greek Cypriot sector and the EU.

In a related report, Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (23.06.05) stresses that the exercise was planned and organized by the Turkish General Staff Command and carried out in Cyprus.

HURRIYET quotes Mr Talat to have said the following when asked the question. What will the Greeks and Greek Cypriots say about the exercise? Let them say whatever they like. These are planned exercises always taking place in the Turkish sovereign area. They are being carried out today, they will be held tomorrow and in the future.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (23.06.05) reports that the search and rescue exercise being carried out by the Turkish generals in the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus was attended by a Jordanian Airforce General and a Colonel of the Jordanian Special Forces.

[03] Efforts by Ankara´s occupation regime to gain recognition using the Bulgarian Turks brought as colonizers by Turkey in Greek Cypriot properties

Bulgaria, with a population of eight million of which two million live abroad and has a coalition government (National Action Party-Movement for Rights and Freedoms) is going to the poll on Saturday 25 June to renew its 240-member parliament. The fact that one third (1/3) of voters is of Turkish origin increases the possibilities of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, which is headed by Ahmet Dogan and is the junior coalition partner with three ministers, to be again in power.

The paper also writes the following: Bulgarian Turks who immigrated to our country in 1990´s the majority of whom have `TRNC citizenship´, want to vote in the polling station in the Bulgarian Embassy in Lefkosia for the elections of 25 June.

The paper also reports that the General Secretary of the Bulgarian Immigrants Association Mr Osman Tahir has said that they are considering to take the issue to the European Court of Human Rights if the Republic of Cyprus continues to refuse permission for the Bulgarian illegal colonizers to cross over to use their voting rights in the Bulgarian embassy.

Mr Tahir said that the Association´s attempt to set up polling stations in the occupied areas of Cyprus had failed since the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus remains diplomatically non-recognized.

In order to eliminate any last-minute problems as regards the entries, the Association had also communicated with the Republic´s officials through the European Commission representative Adriaan Van der Meer.

However, Tahir said, they have not been able to receive positive answer concenring this issue.

He stated that according to the standing EU regulations, the Bulgarian Immigrants should be able to legally cross over to the free areas.

This is a good example of arbitrary action and policy he alleged, and expressed concern about whether they would be able to visit the free areas of the Republic.

He also called on the Bulgarian Immigrants to gather at the Ledra Palace check-point and attempt to cross over to the free areas of Cyprus in order to vote, on the election day.

In case the Bulgarian Immigrants are prevented from crossing Mr Tahir said that they would not turn physically aggressive but would rather protest the situation through the Bulgarian Embassy and submit their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

[04] Right after the National Security Council postponed discussion of the National Security Policy Document for two months. General Buyukanit is visiting Athens

Gen. Buyukanit will attend a dinner to be hosted by Turkish Ambassador in Athens Tahsin Burcuoglu this evening.

According to Buyukanit's schedule, he will lay a wreath on the Monument of the Unknown Soldier on Thursday and will separately meet Gen. Ntouvas, Greek Chief of General Staff Vice Admiral Panayotis Hinofotis and National Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos.

Buyukanit will participate in a dinner to be hosted by Gen. Ntouvas on Thursday evening.

[05] The TGNA rejected RPP´s call to debate the signing of the Ankara Protocol

RPP Istanbul deputy Onur Oymen said that a very dangerous and important process has started regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied Cyprus) noting: If we sign a protocol with a country this will mean recognition of this country.

Oymen remarked that after developments during the EU process, Turkey should act in unity, indicating, ''we should act together in this national cause. We are ready for that.''

Justice and Development Party deputy and Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Mehmet Dulger said that even Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos stated that signing of this protocol did not mean recognizing the Republic of Cyprus.

Later, the motion was rejected in a voting at the parliament, concludes A.A:

[06] Illegal immigrants from Georgia crossed to the free area of Cyprus through the occupied area of Cyprus

It is also reported that the four illegal immigrants from the 18 have also been arrested, while the rest 14 once have crossed to the free area of Cyprus. The police of the occupation regime is looking for two more persons who are related to this incident.

[07] The pseudostate issued five more decrees for the elimination of the constructions aiming to protect the environment in occupied Cyprus

According to the director of the so-called Town Planning Department, Mr Asilkan Berkut, the decrees cover an area from the occupied Ayia Eirini to the Komi Kepir villages

As he said, the main aim of these restrictions is the protection of the environment in occupied Cyprus and especially the protection of the natural beauty, the forests and the water sources.

In addition, under the title A slam to Serdar, Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (23.06.05) reports that the so-called municipal assembly of the occupied Ayios Epiktitos village has decided to take measures against the Democratic Party (DP) of Serdar Denktas.

As the paper writes all the members of the municipal assembly, irrespective of the party they belong, decided to organised an action against the DP because land that covers about 1 and a half kilometres in the area of occupied Kyrenia was given to persons who are close to the DP.

[08] Alevis ready to recourse to international courts for their religious freedoms

Professor Izzettin Dogan, chairman of the Cem Foundation, said that the government made a serious political mistake when it cut the dialogue with the Alevi citizens.

Asserting that the government did not meet certain needs of the faith of the Alevis, Dogan added that a petition citing all their demands will be submitted to the government and the National Education Ministry. Explaining that the channels of judiciary will be taken recourse with in the event that the government does not reply within 60 days, Dogan added: "Nobody should doubt that we will take up the issue with the international courts if no results are achieved."

Staging a press conference in Istanbul, Dogan said that it is time for the government to be held accountable vis-a-vis the judiciary.

The demands

The petition to be submitted by the Cem Foundation to the National Education Ministry demands that the

Alevi-Islam concept be included in the school books

budget allocate funds for the religious needs of the Alevis

state provide support for the building of Cem community houses

state extend support to train Alevi-Islam faith leaderships

saz [Turkish long neck lute] be accepted as a musical instrument in schools.

/SK

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